If it were just about reporting results, he actually wouldn’t even need to speak—just a nod would suffice. But since Howard Grant had something to discuss with him, they definitely needed to change locations.

Howard Grant glanced at Henry Clark, stood up, and sighed, saying, “You’re too tense, you don’t know how to enjoy yourself at all. Come on, let’s go somewhere else.”

He had devised a new plan, one that only Henry Clark could carry out.

Neither Howard Grant nor Henry Clark noticed that, just as they stood up, a gaze from not far away had been fixed on them. After they walked out, that person followed as well. Seeing them hail a taxi, he was about to follow, but when he saw Henry Clark glance back at the dance hall, he was so startled that he quickly turned around and went back inside.

When he came out again, the car had already disappeared into the night. He sighed and could only turn around and leave.

Chapter 0002: Corner Cannon

After leaving the Metropolitan Dance Hall, Howard Grant took him to the Pingji Hostel near the intersection of Nanhui Road and Kade Road and booked a room.

Upon learning they were going to the Pingji Hostel, Henry Clark had the taxi detour to Jing’an Temple Road, and the two of them walked back from there.

As they walked, Howard Grant complained, “It’s just a few steps, why bother taking a car?”

The dance tickets were wasted, the cab fare was wasted too—it was all money.

Henry Clark smiled and said, “Better safe than sorry. Spending an extra yuan now might save us a thousand later.”

Money that needs to be spent, not a cent should be saved. Money that should be saved, not a cent should be spent.

Howard Grant sighed, “We even have to spend money to get a room?”

Henry Clark laughed, “It’s safer to talk in a room. This is a legitimate expense.”

The room was booked by Howard Grant, but Henry Clark reminded him of one thing: it had to be at the end of the corridor. As someone extremely cautious, he felt nowhere was truly safe. At least by being at the end, he didn’t have to worry about someone eavesdropping from the outer wall.

Before entering the room, Henry Clark knocked on the door of the adjacent room. Only after confirming no one was inside did he feel a bit more at ease.

Once inside, Henry Clark first drew the curtains, then, keeping to the side, observed the surroundings. Only after confirming there was nothing unusual did he begin to check the room.

Howard Grant took out a cigarette, and by the time he finished smoking, Henry Clark was still not done with his inspection. He tossed the cigarette butt to the floor and stamped it out. “Henry, in our line of work, caution is a good thing. But if you’re too cautious, people will laugh at you.”

Henry Clark picked up Howard Grant’s cigarette butt, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and put it in his pocket. “Chief, better safe than sorry. I’d rather be laughed at than lose my life.”

Ever since joining the Bureau, the saying he believed in most was: credit goes up, blame stays with oneself. Never abandon vigilance, never flaunt wisdom or courage.

Letting the boss take the credit and shouldering the blame yourself earns the boss’s trust. When working, never lose your sense of caution, and try not to show off your cleverness or bravery.

This had always been Henry Clark’s philosophy, and he had always acted accordingly. No matter where he was, he could always thrive and win the trust and favor of his superiors.

Howard Grant sighed and said, “But you also need to be efficient. The higher-ups gave the order three days ago, and you only finished today. You have no idea how urgently Boss Dai was pushing.”

Henry Clark chuckled, “Letting him live a couple more days will save us a lot of trouble in the future.”

Howard Grant said slowly, “Alright. The reason I brought you here is to inform you of an important plan. This plan is called: the Corner Cannon Plan. From now on, your codename will be: Corner Cannon. You will carry out this plan alone.”

Corner Cannon is a chess term: it refers to a cannon piece cutting in from the edge to the opponent’s back corner, threatening the general or marshal, hence the name. With the help of a chariot, it can usually form a “discovered check and capture” attack. It’s highly practical and skillful—a ruthless move often used in matches.

Howard Grant hoped that this ruthless move of his would throw No. 76 into utter confusion.

Henry Clark looked puzzled. “Corner Cannon?”

Howard Grant took out an envelope and said solemnly, “This contains the plan and related materials. Read them here and destroy them on the spot.”

“Yes.”

Henry Clark was from Ningbo, Zhejiang. In Shanghai, he had a fiancée betrothed since childhood: Helen Green. The Gu family ran factories and businesses in Shanghai and lived in comfort. Most importantly, Helen Green also worked at No. 76.

The main content of the Corner Cannon Plan was for Henry Clark to live with Helen Green as her fiancé, using the opportunity to obtain intelligence on the Wang puppet regime. If he could turn Helen Green, that would be the best outcome.

Howard Grant laughed and scolded, “You rascal, you even used an alias in the training class. If I hadn’t been careful, I never would have discovered this connection.”

After being assigned to the new Second Group, as the group leader, he naturally saw Henry Clark’s file. In the training class, Henry Clark had used the name “Mark Harris”, and after joining the new Second Group, he continued to use that name.

If he hadn’t looked closely, he wouldn’t have noticed Henry Clark’s real name, nor discovered his relationship with Helen Green. It was precisely because of this connection that Howard Grant had a sudden inspiration and devised the Corner Cannon Plan.

In other words, the Corner Cannon Plan was tailor-made for Henry Clark.

As he read the materials, Henry Clark said, “After leaving Ningbo, I stopped using the name ‘Henry Clark’.”

In the training class, Henry Clark had used the name “Mark Harris”, so in the file it was only recorded as “former name: Henry Clark.”