Chapter 222: Fellow Countryman, Open The Door, Colonel’s Here To Bring Warmth
March 6th, Year 28 of the Republic of China, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Lantern Festival.
Chen Mansion on Mai Gen Road 668, French Concession. This opulent residence, a blend of French elegance and Chinese gloom, was filled with an unspeakable oppression on this festive holiday.
Chen Lu, the newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Nanjing puppet regime, seemed more preoccupied than ever.
On the Lantern Festival, Chen Mansion was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations.
In the Buddhist shrine, the lingering scent of sandalwood was almost palpable.
Chen Lu knelt before a large, gilded incense burner. The blue smoke rising from the three calming incense sticks curled upwards, caressing the solemn Buddha statue above.
He closed his eyes and recited scriptures, attempting to dispel the inexplicable unease in his heart.
Three days prior, a secret report from the constabulary indicated unknown individuals scouting near the mansion. Though there was no concrete evidence, this feeling of unease clung to him like a ghost.
On the offering table, the priceless Jade Guanyin, under the flickering candlelight, exuded a sinister glow.
Chen Lu’s right hand brushed over the lotus base of the jade statue, his fingertips trembling slightly. He continued to mutter something, as if pleading for the Bodhisattva’s protection.
“Master,” a voice called out, “the Eldest Young Master is asking when dinner can be served?”
Chen Lu frowned and opened the door to the Buddhist shrine.
Outside, the new bodyguard captain, Liu Haishan, stood in attendance.
He wore the black wool uniform issued by the mansion, his cap pulled low, obscuring most of his face. However, the scar, a veritable live centipede, running diagonally from his left forehead to his right cheekbone, was still a shocking sight even in the dim light.
He had been hired earlier that year based on a flawless resume: “Served in the Northeast Army, fought bandits, and resisted Japanese invasion, later drifting south.”
“Haishan, what is it?” Chen Lu rather admired this man from the Northeast.
He was straightforward and taciturn, unlike the talkative southerners.
Liu Haishan respectfully said, “The Eldest Young Master sent me to relay a message, is it time for dinner?”
Chen Lu sighed, “Tell him to handle it himself. I have no appetite and will stay here. Do not disturb me.”
A flicker of an unusual expression crossed Liu Haishan’s eyes. He bowed slightly and said, “Understood, Master.”
Chen Mansion, Lobby.
The mansion was bustling with activity on the night of the Lantern Festival, the sounds of music masking the undercurrents.
Liu Haishan stood in the shadows of the corridor, his gaze sweeping over the guests engaged in conversation and drinking.
He was like a silent, observing phantom.
At this moment, in a small attic across from Chen Mansion on Yuyuan Road, Liu Geqing was performing a final check on his weapon: a modified Browning 1935 pistol with a thick cloth cover on the silencer.
Spread out beside it was a hand-drawn map, a precise structural diagram of Chen Mansion brought out by Liu Haishan’s astonishing memory, including a bird’s-eye view of the short 21-meter passage from the pillar to the secret door of the Buddhist shrine, accurate to every step.
Wan Tianmu’s original order was for Liu Geqing to cooperate with Intelligence Section Chief Wu Ming and team member Fang Ze.
However, an extremely awkward situation had arisen for this operation.
No weapons.
Yes, you read that right. The Shanghai Military Statistics Bureau Station, for all its might, had no weapons for this operation.
The only Browning pistol left for the entire team was bought by Wu Ming from the black market.
Therefore, Liu Geqing decided to take on the mission himself, assigning Wu Ming and Fang Ze to provide backup.
At eight o’clock in the evening, as the Western clock chimed, the fireworks blooming in the sky above the mansion were a dazzling spectacle, illuminating half the sky as if it were daytime.
Chen Youtao, the Eldest Young Master of Chen Mansion, led his family and guests in admiring the brilliance against the night sky, a look of contentment on his face.
Now was the time. Liu Geqing quickly ran downstairs, crossed the road in a few strides, and reached the front of the Chen Mansion guard post.
Wu Ming and Fang Ze followed closely, carrying a small axe and hemp rope.
“Bang, bang, bang.”
In the sky, the colorful fireworks exploded with a crackling sound. The three guards on duty in the guard post were already flushed with drink.
Even their sidearms were placed on a table nearby.
“Don’t move.” A loud shout startled the guards, sobering them up instantly.
As one of them moved to react, Liu Geqing’s hand shot out, firing a shot at the man’s feet, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.
“Brothers, you have a grievance and a debt to collect. I am not here to kill today.”
“Cooperate, and consider that you haven’t seen me. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not leaving any of you alive.”
“Cooperate, we will cooperate.” The men kowtowed profusely. Wu Ming and Fang Ze produced the prepared hemp ropes and quickly bound the three men.
“Section Chief Liu, what now?” Wu Ming asked Liu Geqing, looking at the men tied up like dumplings.
“No rush, wait…” Liu Geqing glanced at his watch; there were still a few minutes until the agreed time with Liu Haishan.
“The operation will begin in nine minutes. You watch these men and make sure they don’t make a sound.”
“You will retreat three minutes after the operation begins. I will find a way to leave.”
“Understood,” Wu Ming and Fang Ze replied in unison.
After the last firework exploded, the sky was slowly swallowed by a vast black curtain, and the earth plunged into an inauspicious deep gray.
The Buddhist shrine was brightly lit. Chen Lu knelt alone on the prayer mat, commencing his daily, unvarying evening prayer.
The bronze bell occasionally emitted a monotonous and jarring clang in the slight breeze at the corner of the corridor.
Tonight, his unease reached its peak, making even his evening prayer somewhat absentminded.
Liu Haishan stood in the shadows just inside the Buddhist shrine’s door, listening to the rhythm of the wooden fish inside, his peripheral vision repeatedly scanning the layout of the entire space.
The main power switch for Chen Mansion was within easy reach opposite the Buddhist shrine. There were twelve wall lamps in the corridor, their lights and shadows intermingling on the floor. There were twelve pillars in total…
His mind raced, deducing the details of every action.
The fireworks segment finally concluded. Chen Youtao led his family and guests back to the living room to continue the banquet.
Just then, Liu Haishan, guarding the corridor, looked around, dashed quickly to the opposite side, and his right hand shot out like lightning. Not to draw a gun, but to precisely and powerfully grasp the inconspicuous wooden box by the door – it was the main power switch for the backyard!
He yanked it down!
“Snap!” A faint, crisp sound, like a snapped string.
Instantly! The twelve wall lamps simultaneously went out! The glaring white light vanished as if in a receding tide! Darkness completely engulfed the world.
The Buddhist shrine, inside and out, was plunged into a thick, impenetrable absolute darkness!
“What’s going on?!” Inside the Buddhist shrine, Chen Lu’s scream, laced with panic, exploded. He instinctively recoiled.
This series of actions was as precise as if practiced hundreds of times: pulling the switch, extinguishing the lights…
Liu Haishan’s figure rapidly shifted in the darkness towards one side of the carved door frame.
Inside the shrine, Chen Lu was thrown into a state of panic. The night watchman bodyguard at the end of the corridor, alerted by the sudden darkness, began to stir and run, their chaotic footsteps approaching from a distance!
At the same moment, Liu Geqing, waiting by the guard post, released like a compressed spring reaching its limit!
It was an instinctual burst of power honed by years of rigorous training and countless brushes with death!
His toes dug into the ground, his body pressed extremely low, he pounced silently like a leopard, moving at great speed in the darkness.
Inside the Buddhist shrine, the incense in the shrine flickered.
Chen Lu fumbled, trembling, trying to find matches to light a candle.
“Click!”
A faint sound, almost imperceptible, but in the silent darkness, it rang out like thunder!
“Who’s there?” Chen Lu shouted nervously. Although he saw no one, his instinct told him someone had broken in.
“Haishan, Haishan.” Chen Lu called out several times, but there was no response. Just then, with a whoosh, a beam of light appeared, and the Buddhist shrine was illuminated again.
The light illuminated the center of the shrine. Chen Lu, still shaken, suddenly saw half of a pale face!
“Who?” Chen Lu’s surprise turned into a sharp shout! He instinctively reached for the offerings under the altar as a weapon.
“Pfft!” a sound.
The Browning with the highly effective silencer emitted a low, muffled thud!
The brass bullet spun, precisely creating a small, crimson hole in Chen Lu’s horrified forehead.
A faint cracking sound from the frontal bone!
From the back of his head, a stream of red and white fluid mixed with brain matter erupted, splattering onto the golden curtain of the shrine.
The light in Chen Lu’s eyes instantly extinguished. As if his bones had been removed, he slumped forward, his forehead hitting the cold altar heavily!
The Jade Guanyin in his hand slipped and rolled…
“Thump, thump, thump,” dense footsteps sounded. The commotion in the Buddhist shrine had clearly alerted the patrolling bodyguards outside.
Liu Geqing quickly scanned the scene inside the Buddhist shrine. Following Liu Haishan’s instructions, he opened the rear window and jumped out.
He ran along the pre-planned route to the base of the wall, where Liu Haishan had prepared a rope ladder.
Liu Geqing did not hesitate, climbed the rope ladder, and scaled the outer wall.
“Ah,” in a daze, Liu Geqing heard a man’s scream from within the Buddhist shrine.
At the guard post entrance, Wu Ming and Fang Ze checked the time: one minute, two minutes, three minutes.
The agreed-upon time soon arrived. Fang Ze whispered, “Section Chief, we should retreat.”
Wu Ming glanced at the men with their mouths gagged and a ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
“Gentlemen, we each serve our masters. My apologies.”
Wuu-la, wuu-la…
The dense wail of police sirens, the clamor of crowds, the frantic shouts of bodyguards, interspersed with the Japanese commands of the Japanese Military Police, echoed in their ears.
In less than five minutes, the constabulary offices on both the left and right sides were mobilized.
Liu Geqing did not stop. Adrenaline surged through him, supporting his figure as he quickly disappeared into the darkness.
The next day, news of Chen Lu’s assassination at his home was quickly reported by major newspapers.
Living in this era, newspapers were the fastest and largest platform for public opinion.
For most people, their source of information was the newspaper.
“Extra! Extra! Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Lu assassinated on Lantern Festival night! Shocking news from the French Concession!”
“Extra! Extra! Military Statistics Bureau assassin infiltrates Chen Mansion at night, diplomat dies by the Huangpu River! Gruesome scene! New government’s foreign policy dealt a heavy blow!”
The street newsboys’ hoarse cries pierced the pre-dawn silence.
Overnight, major Shanghai newspapers, whether run by foreigners in the concessions or local publications holding out on the isolated islands, almost uniformly reported on the assassination with sensational headlines.
The Zi Lin Evening News described the gruesome scene and the family’s tearful accusations against Chongqing.
The Shanghai Shen Bao subtly pointed out “the shameful end of a traitor,” expressing silent respect for the heroes behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, newspapers controlled by the new government, such as the Hua Yang Daily, were furious, denouncing “mad Japanese terrorists” and “deliberately undermining peaceful nation-building,” vowing to severely punish the perpetrators and their accomplices.
But the true turbulent undercurrents surged beneath the ink of the newspapers.
Shanghai, residence of the Japanese Shanghai Gendarmerie Headquarters.
Commander Major General Ootani Unshichi’s face was ashen. A thick investigation report lay on his desk.
The report was jointly submitted by the Special Higher Police Affairs and the newly established intelligence agency, the Ume Agency. Despite being only a few pages, Commander Otani was exceptionally angry because the reports were filled with mutual blame and evasion of responsibility.
“Baka!” Otani slammed the report onto the desk, causing the teacup to clatter. “The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the so-called ‘Nanjing Restoration Government’, easily assassinated by Military Statistics Bureau killers in his heavily guarded private residence!”
“Such a shocking murder, and the Ume Agency and Special Higher Police Affairs failed to detect even a whisper beforehand!”
“Haruki-kun, Fujita-kun, can you explain why your so-called ‘tight net’ is full of holes?!”
Colonel Fujita Go, Section Chief of the Special Higher Police Affairs responsible for the case, had veins throbbing on his forehead.
Deputy Head of Agency Haruki Keiin, the representative of the Ume Agency, looked even more displeased.
The Gendarmerie Commander’s accusations were like lashes whipping their faces.
“Chen Lu’s death not only undermined the credibility of the New Government supported by the Empire but also caused significant losses to the Shanghai intelligence network we painstakingly established!”
“Do you know that his death has crippled nearly half of the new government’s planned operations!”
“Your Excellency Otani, I can explain,” Fujita Go argued, bracing himself. “The assassins chose the night of the Lantern Festival, clearly taking advantage of the holiday laxity.”
“Furthermore, I can guarantee that there was definitely internal assistance behind this assassination.”
“We suspect that a seasoned agent was disguised within the Chen household…”
“Suspect? You only suspect after the person is dead!” Haruki Keiin couldn’t help but retort, shifting the blame to the Special Higher Police Affairs. “There were no signs before the incident, not even gunfire! What does this indicate?”
“It indicates meticulous planning and ruthless execution! This is definitely not the work of an ordinary resistance organization; it’s the work of a top Military Statistics Bureau action team! Didn’t the Special Higher Police Affairs have any warning of infiltration into the Military Statistics Bureau?”
A sinister glint flashed in Fujita Go’s eyes as he said coldly, “The Special Higher Police Affairs’ focus is on core intelligence and macro-control!”
“However, the very existence of your Ume Agency is to help the New Government maintain stability in the south.”
“Tracking the Military Statistics Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, and the Red Party Underground Transportation Station seems to be your mission.”
“I clearly recall that Your Excellency Kagesa used this pretext to merge the China Affairs Section into the four intelligence organizations: Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum.”
“What? Now that you can’t meet expectations, you intend to push the responsibility onto the Special Higher Police Affairs?”
“Colonel Fujita, please watch your wording,” Haruki Keiin said sternly. “We have already made extensive arrangements targeting the Shanghai Military Statistics Bureau Station.”
“Moreover, all twenty bodyguards around Chen Lu were selected by your Special Higher Police Affairs.”
“If a Military Statistics Bureau mole was indeed mixed among them, wouldn’t that mean your Special Higher Police Affairs is incompetent?”
Fujita Go instantly flew into a rage, “You are incompetent! What achievements has your Ume Agency made since its establishment?”
“Whom have you captured that is worth mentioning, and now you’re pointing fingers at me?”
“Enough…” Ootani Unshichi slammed the table, smiling sinisterly. “Incompetent? Who dares to say you are incompetent? In my eyes, you are all very ‘capable’!”
“For the Chen Lu case, the Special Higher Police Affairs, the Ume Agency, and the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee all bear responsibility for negligence!”
“If the news reaches home and angers His Majesty the Emperor, you will personally bear the consequences!”
“Also, I don’t care how you do it, but immediately find the core members of this assassination squad!”
“I am certain that after Chen Lu, they will continue their actions! The Mayor of Shanghai, Your Excellency Fu Xiao’an, has already explicitly expressed extreme concern for his personal safety!”
“Mayor Fu is a key figure in maintaining stability in Shanghai and ensuring Imperial interests! If anything happens to him, you will all be out of a job. You can eat dirt.”
Haruki Keiin snapped to attention and said, “Please rest assured, Your Excellency Otani, we have made arrangements for Mayor Fu’s safety.”
Ootani Unshichi frowned slightly, appearing somewhat skeptical of Haruki Keiin’s statement.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Ootani Unshichi said in a low voice.
“I apologize, Your Excellency Otani, I’m a bit late due to too much work at the Transportation Department.” Chen Yang pushed open the door to the Headquarters’ office and apologized to Otani.
“Section Chief Chen, the Transportation Department is crucial for the Empire’s logistics and material supply, so arriving a bit late is understandable.” Ootani’s tone softened inexplicably.
This made Fujita Go frown.
Your attitude was completely different when you were scolding us just now. Why the sudden change of face for someone else?
Chen Yang quickly said, “It is my duty to contribute my strength to the Empire.”
Otani nodded and looked at Haruki Keiin. “Haruki-kun, what arrangements does your Ume Agency have?”
“This…” Haruki Keiin suddenly hesitated.
Fujita Go said sarcastically, “What? Colonel Haruki, are you afraid I will leak your plans?”
Haruki Keiin let out a soft grunt, neither admitting nor denying it.
Ootani Unshichi also felt a headache coming on.
The Ume Agency and the Special Higher Police Affairs were both intelligence agencies, but they belonged to different factions.
The Special Higher Police Affairs was the intelligence agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the Ume Agency reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although the Ume Agency nominally assisted the Nanjing New Government in governing the south, they actually controlled the intelligence agencies in Nanjing, and even the Nanjing Special Affairs Committee had to obey them.
“Colonel Fujita, since Colonel Haruki is unwilling to disclose the details, please do not press further,” Chen Yang said gently.
“Section Chief Chen is right. Then please, Colonel Haruki, ensure Mayor Fu’s safety. We must not have any incidents,” Fujita Go bowed slightly to Ootani and said, “Your Excellency Otani, I will gather my subordinates and pursue the whereabouts of the Military Statistics Bureau assassins as soon as possible.”
“Farewell.”
“Such a commander of the Special Higher Police Affairs, so impolite,” Haruki Keiin muttered as he watched Fujita’s receding back.
Ootani Unshichi frowned. “Haruki-kun, please watch your words.”
“I know you have the backing of the Ministry of Inspection, but I hope you can show at least basic respect to your colleagues.”
Haruki Keiin bowed slightly. “My apologies, Your Excellency Otani.”
Ootani Unshichi’s expression softened slightly. “The safety of Mayor Fu is the responsibility of your Ume Agency and the Special Affairs Committee.”
“I hope there will be no further problems. Otherwise, even Kagesa cannot save you.”
“Yes,” Haruki Keiin said earnestly, “Please rest assured, Your Excellency Otani, we have a comprehensive plan to guarantee Mayor Fu’s safety.”
“Very good,” Ootani Unshichi raised his hand slightly. “Haruki-kun, you go make arrangements first. Chen Section Chief and I have some matters to discuss.”
“Your Excellency Otani, I will take my leave,” Haruki Keiin bowed slightly and turned to leave the office.
“Sit down.” After Haruki Keiin left, Otani’s expression remained grave.
Chen Yang sat opposite Otani as instructed.
Otani looked at Chen Yang and said calmly, “A few days ago, Yamada-kun reported to me that someone seemed to be investigating the material warehouse. Do you know about this?”
Chen Yang nodded slightly. “Indeed, some anomalies were discovered at the Mai Gen Road Material Warehouse.”
“However, please rest assured, Your Excellency Otani, every item in the material warehouse has been accounted for.”
“We will not use this as leverage.”
Ootani Unshichi nodded. “That’s good. But you must be careful too.”
“The deployment of Haruki-kun from home clearly indicates suspicion regarding the heavy consumption of materials in China.”
“I don’t need to know what kind of transactions you intend to make, and we can even provide certain conveniences. I have only one request for you: absolutely do not be caught red-handed.”
“You must understand that the current operation involves more than just one or two people. If concrete evidence is found, I believe you know what’s best for everyone.”
“Of course, if they do uncover any oversight, you can offer them some appeasement when necessary, so that everyone can save face.”
Otani’s words made Chen Yang’s heart tighten. Although the current network had begun to take shape, it had not yet reached the point where it was indispensable.
If the home authorities genuinely suspected him, these people would unhesitatingly throw him to the wolves.
Therefore, the path ahead was long and difficult…
Chen Yang stood up, bowed slightly, and said, “Your Excellency Otani, I know what to do.”
March 11th, Year 28 of the Republic of China…
A biting cold wind swept across the outskirts of Xuzhou, where the Japanese Army’s logistics warehouse appeared particularly bleak.
Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi Hiroshi, the logistics chief of the 122nd Mixed Brigade, frowned as he inventoried a batch of weapons awaiting repair and expired medicines transferred from the front lines.
These were considered “scrap” and, after being recorded, would either be destroyed or secretly resold by some individuals for a small profit – an unspoken rule within the military.
At this moment, a signalman hurried over and handed him an encrypted telegram directly from the Shanghai Land Transport Section. Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi received it with a puzzled frown, and his brow furrowed even deeper after reading it.
The telegram was from Chen Yang, Section Chief of the Shanghai Land Transport Section. While polite in tone, its content was an unquestionable demand: to immediately load a batch of “items for disposal” from the warehouse onto a military train bound for a designated location west of Xuzhou.
That wasn’t all; the telegram emphasized that to ensure the safety of the “special materials” during transport, preventing harassment by guerrillas or “oversights” along the route, he, the logistics chief, was required to personally escort the shipment until delivery at the destination.
“Nani? I have to escort it personally?” Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi found it unbelievable and somewhat irritating.
He, a Lieutenant Colonel of the Imperial Japanese Army, was being ordered to escort a pile of junk?
And to a designated, suspicious-sounding location? This was an insult to his status!
But he quickly suppressed his anger.
Such orders often had deeper intentions behind them, perhaps private dealings of influential figures or the needs of a secret operation.
Disobeying this order could lead to unnecessary trouble.
Yamaguchi pondered for a moment, sighed, took out the “scrap list,” and instructed, “Go and select the items on the list, pack them well, and load them onto tonight’s train heading west. I will go personally.”
Shanghai, Section Chief of Land Transport’s Office.
Chen Yang hung up the phone, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.
He had just reconfirmed the military train schedule and Yamaguchi’s reaction.
Deputy Section Chief of Land Transport, Ino Yusuke, looked somewhat concerned. “Section Chief, having a Japanese Lieutenant Colonel escort it personally, isn’t that drawing too much attention? What if he becomes suspicious…”
“More attention means more safety,” Chen Yang interrupted him, his eyes sharpening. “Although we are mixing these goods with those ‘items for disposal’ as a smokescreen.”
“However, the railway lines are unstable these days. Guerrillas, bandits, and even some of our own people who are blinded by money might target the supplies.”
“Only by having a sufficiently high-ranking Japanese officer personally escort the train can we ensure to the greatest extent that no one dares to inspect it or interfere! The checkpoints and garrisons along the route, upon seeing an Imperial Lieutenant Colonel in charge, will only assume it’s an important military matter. Who would dare to stop and question them?”
“Yamaguchi Hiroshi must be reluctant, but he dares not disobey my orders, at least not openly. He will only assume it’s a private business deal of some higher-up or a secret mission.”
“When he reaches the destination and sees that the recipients are possibly ‘puppet army’ personnel or some ‘local forces,’ he won’t think much of it. After completing the handover and receiving the receipt, his mission will be complete.”
“Brilliant!” Ino praised sincerely. “Section Chief is truly planning for every eventuality!”
Chen Yang simply said, “There are no ‘plans for every eventuality’; every step is like walking on thin ice.”
Ino Yusuke nodded, as if remembering something. “Section Chief, Minister Suzuhara called to ask if you have time for dinner together.”
Is that old fox Suzuhara willing to come forward now?
Chen Yang smiled. “Minister Suzuhara’s personal invitation, of course I have time.”
“Tomorrow evening at seven o’clock, on the third floor of Moonlight Sand. I’ll have a private room booked.”
Ino Yusuke bowed slightly. “That’s good. I’ll take my leave then.”
After Ino left the office, Chen Yang picked up the phone and dialed Lin Yongren’s office in the French Concession.
Although Shen Qingyao was conducting business with him, the official paperwork had to go through Lin Yongren.
This was why Chen Yang was not afraid of anyone investigating the warehouse; their supplies were not stored there but in a warehouse in the French Concession for transit.
All transactions went through the trading company’s accounts. Lin Yongren’s trading company handled not only domestic and foreign trade but also customs declarations and freight forwarding.
The phone was quickly connected. “Hello, Aren-jin.”
“Inform Boss Shen that the goods are on their way and will arrive soon. Tell them the shipper is Japanese, and have their people be discreet, don’t make a fuss and reveal anything.”
“Understood, Young Master!” Lin Yongren replied and hung up the phone.
At four o’clock in the morning, a cargo train flying the Japanese flag, puffing smoke, departed from Xuzhou Station, heading for a city in Northern Jiangsu.
Inside the train cars, a large pile of goods was haphazardly stacked, mixed with discarded weapons, expired medicines, and brand-new firearms and precious medical supplies urgently needed by the Red Party.
In the last passenger car sat Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi Hiroshi, looking reluctant but forced to obey orders.
At noon, Dongtai County town, Northern Jiangsu.
This was a relatively large county town in Northern Jiangsu, with a population of nearly 180,000.
In a general store on the east side of the town, the shop owner sat absently at the counter.
Information from the organization indicated that a batch of supplies would be delivered to him, their contact point, today. The delivery person was also Japanese.
But he had waited until now without any sign of the cargo. Damn, these Japanese devils were really unreliable.
Suddenly, the shop assistant rushed in, stumbling.
“Boss, bad news! A dozen Japanese trucks have arrived outside!”
“What?” The boss jumped up instantly.
The garrison in this town consisted only of two Japanese platoons and a local security regiment.
Northern Jiangsu was a relatively backward region of Jiangsu Province, with not much to gain, so things had been peaceful.
What was the meaning of a dozen trucks suddenly appearing now?
“Boss, we still have about ten men. Let’s fight them.”
The boss raised his hand. “Fight? With what? We only have two pistols. How can we fight them?”
“Xiao Wu, go through the back door and inform the guerrillas that the Japanese might be taking action. Tell them to be careful.”
Xiao Wu said urgently, “Boss, what about you?”
The boss took a deep breath. “If they’re here to arrest us, we can’t escape anyway. Two legs can’t outrun a car.”
“You go quickly. I’ll stay here to hold them off.”
Xiao Wu hesitated, stomped his foot fiercely, lifted the curtain of the back door, and darted out.
“Is anyone there?” Just as Xiao Wu left, the trucks stopped in front of the shop. A Japanese man with a not-so-fluent Chinese accent loudly inquired, “Is this Boss Li’s place?”
They had indeed found out clearly. Boss Li Laoshi, stooping, stepped forward and said with a fawning smile, “Ta, Taaijun, I am Li Laoshi. I am a law-abiding citizen, with a good conscience.”
Yamaguchi Hiroshi, speaking in stiff Chinese, said, “Boss Li, someone from Shanghai has sent you a shipment of goods.”
“Please liaise with them regarding the specific items. We are only responsible for delivery.”
Li Laoshi’s mind went blank. The organization had said a Japanese person would deliver goods, not a Japanese officer.
Li Laoshi had never met any Japanese officers. The highest-ranking Japanese officer in Dongtai County was a squad leader named Suzuki Ken, who was only a Second Lieutenant.
This Japanese man’s uniform indicated he was of a much higher rank than that Second Lieutenant, at least higher than the squad leader.
Of course, this wasn’t surprising. Li Laoshi had never left Dongtai County town and didn’t know the Japanese military ranks.
He just instinctively felt that this person was a bit higher than a Second Lieutenant.
But in reality, it was far more than a bit higher; a Lieutenant Colonel and a Second Lieutenant were at least tens of thousands of miles apart.
Yamaguchi Hiroshi looked at Li Laoshi’s obsequious smile and said impatiently, “The goods are at the entrance. Handle them as you see fit.”
“Yes, yes, yes, thank you for your hard work, Taaijun, thank you for your hard work,” Li Laoshi forced a smile and nodded obsequiously.
It had to be said that the Japanese were very efficient. Over a dozen trucks quickly piled up into a small mountain at the entrance.
Seeing this, Li Laoshi’s neighbors all exploded with gossip.
They had never known that Li Laoshi, who ran a grocery store and had always been a meek individual, was actually involved with the Japanese.
“The goods are all unloaded,” Yamaguchi Hiroshi took out the telegram receipt. “Boss Li, please sign here.”
Please? He actually said please? Li Laoshi’s hands trembled like chicken claws as he shakily signed his name on the receipt.
“Thank you for your cooperation.” Yamaguchi Hiroshi bowed slightly and then signaled his subordinates to get into the trucks and drive away.
Dongtai did not have a direct train station. These trucks were provided by the puppet army stationed in Northern Jiangsu, and they had to be returned.
After the convoy disappeared, Li Laoshi finally reacted from his shock.
He quickly signaled his subordinates to carry the goods into the backyard. His previously distant neighbors also put aside their airs and came to help.
The mountain-like pile of supplies soon filled the backyard tightly.
Li Laoshi smiled and invited everyone out of the backyard, then quickly began to count the supplies.
Thump, thump, thump, footsteps sounded. Xiao Wu, who had gone to notify the guerrillas earlier, quickly entered the grocery store’s backyard with a middle-aged man.
The man’s face lit up with joy upon seeing the full boxes of supplies.
“Captain Qian, why have you come?” Li Laoshi quickly stepped forward.
Qian Bingwen said nothing, picked up a crowbar from the yard, walked to a box labeled “scrap,” and forcefully pried open its seal.
With a click, the box opened.
Inside lay rows of gleaming Type 38 rifles.
Qian Bingwen picked up a rifle, pulled the bolt, and inspected the barrel rifling.
This box labeled “scrap” clearly contained brand-new rifles that had not been used.
Li Laoshi was so shocked he covered his jaw. Had the Japanese gone crazy?
You actually sent weapons to the guerrillas?
What shocked Li Laoshi even more was not just this,
Qian Bingwen pried open another box of goods. Inside were neatly arranged battlefield medical first aid kits, containing painkillers, bandages, cotton cloth, and other first aid supplies.
Another box was opened, revealing neatly stacked military canned goods.
Food, medicine, ammunition, firearms, and cotton cloth – these are all supplies that the troops urgently need.
These items are enough for the New Army troops stationed in the Northern Jiangsu Base Area to use for a long time.
Damn, are they coming all this way to deliver warmth?
Qian Bingwen finished inspecting all the materials and finally breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Boss Li and said, “Li, I’ll have people transport the goods away.”
“If the Security Regiment asks, just say it was sent by relatives in Shanghai. If there are any issues, tell them to verify with the Land Transport Section.”
“From now on, no one in Dongtai County will dare to touch you.”
