Chapter 10: A New Identity

【10】 A New Identity

“Comrade Cao Xiaoqiang, in order to protect your safety to the greatest extent and ensure that national interests are not compromised, the Chairman, myself, and Marshal Nie have discussed and decided that from now on, you will use this new identity here. As for your true identity, it will become a top state secret; no one is permitted to access it without the Chairman’s authorization. This is Comrade Li Kegong; he is the one who arranged this identity for you. Study these documents carefully, memorize them thoroughly, and be able to recite them by heart,” Premier Zhou said.

Early that morning, Xiaoqiang left the Chairman’s residence and was brought from the Juxiang Study—which served as the backyard—to the middle courtyard of Fengzeyuan to rest. It was a quiet, secluded courtyard house, cleaned and kept tidy. By now, the excitement had worn off, and exhaustion set in; Xiaoqiang slept until two in the afternoon.

Upon waking, he found his travel bag sitting on the square table in the room. After dressing neatly, Xiaoqiang pushed the door open and saw two young men standing outside. These two were the very same attendants who had accompanied that distinguished guest to the Delong Trading Company. Led by them, Xiaoqiang arrived at another room in the courtyard, where he found Premier Zhou and a man in grey already waiting for him. After a detailed conversation, he learned that this was Premier Zhou’s residence, and the man was the renowned Comrade Li Kegong—the then-Minister of the Intelligence Department of our army. Those familiar with history would know him as the commander-in-chief of our Party’s underground operations. Xiaoqiang then explained his abilities and background in greater detail and answered many of his questions.

As Xiaoqiang carefully read through the documents, he felt a sense of awe. It seemed that while he had been resting for these few hours, these remarkable figures had not been idle. The Intelligence Department, in particular, was incredibly efficient to have created a new identity for him in this timeline so quickly. “Cao Xiaoqiang, male, 26 years old, Han ethnicity, unmarried, ancestral home in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. Orphan of the martyr Cao Huaren, raised by Comrade Li Kegong. Joined the Party’s underground work in 1939. Due to outstanding performance, joined the Party in 1942, with Li Kegong as his sponsor. Long-term undercover in Puhai, engaged in scientific and technical intelligence gathering. Currently a staff officer at the Central Military Commission’s General Intelligence Department, with the rank of Senior Colonel.”

Xiaoqiang chuckled. He had now become a veteran cadre who had joined the work before '49. In the future, this would mean he was entitled to full retirement benefits and 100% medical reimbursement—a true state-sponsored welfare recipient. Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, he heard Li Kegong say with a smile: “Next, the organization will assign you tasks. Based on your abilities, the Chairman and the Premier believe your current mission is to procure a large amount of industrial equipment for the country. Your public identity is not a Party member, but a businessman. Business is always about making money, but the Chairman said he believes you are a true patriot. Therefore, I hope you will contribute more to the country and the people in the future, putting national interests first. Try to conserve the country’s limited funds as much as possible.”

“Please rest assured, Minister Li. I will work hard and strive to officially join the Party as soon as possible.”

“Heh heh, you’d better think that through. Once you join the Party, you are bound by Party discipline and state law. If you ever put personal gain above public interest, you will be severely punished. Those little schemes of yours for making money won’t have any place then.”

“Haha... ha... %... &%(*...” Xiaoqiang thought to himself, *Well, trying to pull a fast one on this ‘King of Spies’ is just asking for trouble.*

“Based on your capabilities, we envision that as long as you purchase a sufficiently large warehouse in that timeline and set precise coordinates, we will build a dedicated base at the corresponding coordinates here to receive the equipment you purchase. We have prepared a large amount of funds for this plan. Additionally, considering that your ability consumes a significant amount of blood, the organization has assigned a dedicated doctor to you. The doctor will perform blood transfusions after each operation and will accompany you 24 hours a day—in this timeline, of course.”

Minister Li paused, then continued seriously: “You said the Blood Soul told you that you cannot bring living organisms through, or it would lead to death. This creates a hidden danger for your personal safety. If anything were to happen to you in that timeline, it would be an irreparable loss to the Republic. You must remember: follow the designated plan, do not take risks, and do not meddle in others' affairs in your daily life. Your true abilities and identity are state secrets; you must absolutely, under no circumstances, reveal them to anyone!”

“This is the sidearm issued to you by the organization. However, considering that it violates the laws of that timeline and might cause unnecessary trouble, you may only carry it here; you cannot take it with you. The organization has arranged a residence for you—a courtyard house all to yourself! You’ll be living in a whole courtyard alone! I’m taking the heat for this, so if you don’t work hard, you’ll be letting me down!”

Everyone laughed at this.

Premier Zhou smiled and told Xiaoqiang to go for a physical examination, urging him to get a transfusion, and to head straight to the Intelligence Department afterward. Led by the two young men, Xiaoqiang went to the hospital. On the way, the three quickly grew familiar; being young, they found common ground easily. Xiaoqiang learned that the tall, sturdy young man with the purple-toned face was Wei Guo, and the round-faced, scholarly-looking man driving was Xu Qishan. Both held the rank of Major, meaning Xiaoqiang was technically their superior in rank. They would be his colleagues and work with him from now on.

At the hospital, because an appointment had been made, they skipped the registration and went straight to the director’s office. A group of experts took turns examining Xiaoqiang, then insisted on giving him a blood transfusion. It was only through Xiaoqiang’s stubborn, well-reasoned insistence based on his 21st-century medical knowledge that the transfusion was called off.

Xiaoqiang felt a bit uneasy. He thought that with the conditions of this era, blood couldn't be screened thoroughly; if it carried hepatitis, he’d be in trouble. It was safer to rely on dietary supplements.

After leaving the hospital, he went straight to the Intelligence Department. The area was heavily guarded by troops. Upon reaching the Minister’s office, he saw Minister Li Kenong deep in thought over a pile of documents.

“Xiaoqiang, you’re here. How was the physical?” He turned his face toward Wei Guo, who was behind Xiaoqiang.

“Reporting to the Minister, everything is normal. However, the doctor recommended a transfusion, and Comrade Xiaoqiang did not agree.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary, and besides, current blood screening isn't comprehensive. If the blood carried hepatitis, I might get sick instead,” Xiaoqiang explained.

Minister Li nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. You two may leave.”

Then, Minister Li began asking questions based on the prepared materials, covering various social conditions in Xiaoqiang’s timeline. Xiaoqiang answered most of what he understood, and for the parts he wasn't sure about, he simply couldn't answer.

This social background assessment lasted until it was completely dark. Minister Li took Xiaoqiang home for dinner and introduced him to his family. He didn't reveal Xiaoqiang’s true identity, only telling his family that if anyone asked, they should explain it according to the cover story.

Mrs. Zhao Ying, Minister Li’s wife, was very kind, her gentle eyes filled with wisdom.

“In that case, in private, Xiao Cao should call me ‘Mother’ and call the children his brother and sister. Next time the children are all together, I will explain it to them, saying that we didn't tell them before because Xiaoqiang’s underground work was special and required secrecy.”

Thus, the three of them spent the dinner table exchanging information and rehearsing their lines.

After dinner, Father Li took Xiaoqiang out. They didn't walk far before entering a courtyard next door, which left Xiaoqiang speechless—they lived so close that a loud shout would probably be heard. The courtyard was clean and tidy, covering about 400 square meters including the yard, with nine rooms of various sizes. A young soldier stood quietly at the door after saluting.

“You will live in this sun-facing main room. It’s already been tidied up, and your luggage is inside. You can use the other rooms however you like. The room by the gate is for your guard. I’ve arranged a reliable guard for you, specifically responsible for your safety and daily life. Xiao Wei and Xiao Xu are veterans who have been with me for years; they will be your assistants from now on. If you have anything to do, you can instruct them. The Ford at the gate is assigned to you.”

“Dongzi!” Minister Li called out.

“Here!” The young soldier ran over in a flash.

“This is Staff Officer Cao. You are to be his guard. Staff Officer Cao will often be traveling on missions; your task is to ensure his safety and follow his commands. Did your regimental commander tell you all this?”

“Yes! Our commander said I must take good care of the Chief and not cause him any trouble,” the young soldier said with a Henan accent.

“His name is Pan Dongzi. You two should get to know each other. The car at the gate was assigned to you at the Chairman’s request. Your previous car was too conspicuous and easily targeted by spies. Considering you can drive, we won’t assign you a chauffeur.”

“Thank you, Minister, for your concern. I wonder what the arrangements are for tomorrow?”

“A car will pick you up early tomorrow to take you to the Juxiang Study; you’ll know then. Get some rest.”

“Yes, Minister Li, please take care.” Xiaoqiang saw Minister Li out.

“Dongzi, I’ll call you that from now on, is that alright?”

“That’s fine, everyone in our guard regiment calls me that.”

“It’s getting late, I’m going to sleep. You should get some rest too.”

“I’ll go pour your foot-washing water for you.” With that, Pan Dongzi bolted the door and ran toward the kitchen.

Xiaoqiang entered the room and saw it was a three-room connected structure: the living room in the middle, the bedroom to the east, and the study to the west, all kept clean. On the coffee table in the living room sat the snacks he had brought from his car. Xiaoqiang sat on the sofa, squinting as he wondered: What task would the Chairman assign him tomorrow? What suggestions should he offer?

As he was thinking, Dongzi had already prepared the foot-washing water, brought it to Xiaoqiang, and placed a thermos nearby. Xiaoqiang couldn't help but sigh—the feeling of being a ‘Chief’... it was really good!

“Dongzi, take all those snacks on the coffee table and eat them. Once you finish the contents, don’t throw away the packaging. All packaging must be burned. Do you understand?”

“Chief, these look like high-end treats, specifically given to you by the leadership. I can’t take them.”

“Nonsense. What ‘high-end’? They’re just snacks brought from abroad, meant for kids like you to eat. But the packaging could easily reveal that a high-ranking official lives here, so it can’t be thrown away; it must be destroyed. Do you understand?”

“I understand, thank you, Chief. But I’m not a kid; I’ve been a soldier for four years!” After saying this, Pan Dongzi walked to the coffee table, took a bar of chocolate, and said, “One is enough. My mother said one shouldn't be greedy.” He turned and ran off.

Xiaoqiang smiled, dried his feet, and got into bed. He vaguely heard Dongzi cleaning up the washbasin before he drifted into a deep, sound sleep.