Chapter 259: Prepare For Action
The next morning, a light drizzle enveloped Shanghai, draping a thin veil over the bustling city and temporarily dispelling the late summer heat.
In a Suzhou ballad teahouse on the edge of the International Settlement, the sound of strings and pipes trilled softly, as tea guests leisurely listened to the soft Wu dialect from the stage, as if the war and strife outside had nothing to do with this place.
Shen Qingyao, holding a plain oil-paper umbrella, appeared on time in the elegant private room “Listen to Rain Pavilion” on the second floor of the teahouse.
Today, she had changed into a more subdued dark blue qipao, her hair neatly coiled, the custom-made qipao accentuating her figure with its curves, making her look even more like a refined young lady here to savor tea and music.
Inside the private room, Chen Yang had arrived first, with an exquisite purple clay tea set before him, leisurely watching the rain pattering on the banana leaves outside the window, as if he were truly here to steal half a day of leisure from floating life.
“Minister Chen, sorry to keep you waiting.” Shen Qingyao folded her umbrella and placed it by the door, a perfectly measured gentle smile on her face.
“Miss Shen, you’re too polite. I’ve only just arrived.” Chen Yang turned around, gestured for her to sit, and personally poured her a cup of freshly brewed Biluochun tea, the aroma wafting, “With nothing to do, listening to tunes in the pleasure quarters. Speaking of which, Suzhou ballads on a rainy day have a unique charm, huh.”
The two exchanged smiles and small talk for a few moments, the topics circling around tea leaves, the weather, and ballad art, as if it were truly just a casual gathering of friends.
Until the end of a tune, when sparse applause rose in the teahouse, Chen Yang casually passed a sealed kraft paper document bag from under the table to Shen Qingyao’s side, the motion smooth and discreet.
“Miss Shen, last time you mentioned interest in transportation. I happen to have a recent northbound ‘artwork’ freight inventory and route map here.”
“The ‘items’ categories, quantities, packaging features, as well as the ‘escort’ personnel configuration, stops along the way, and timings, are all marked in detail.”
“Especially that stretch through the hills in central and southern Shandong Province, the scenery is nice, but the road conditions are complex, with occasional unrest. If Miss Shen is interested, you can study it carefully.”
Shen Qingyao’s heart suddenly raced, but her face remained composed as she lightly pressed her slender hand on the document bag, smoothly sliding it into the inner layer of her handbag.
This was the detailed information on the K-739 special train!
Supply details, escort forces, running timetable precise to the minute, and Chen Yang’s hinted optimal attack segment.
“Minister Chen, you’ve gone to great trouble.” Shen Qingyao lifted her tea cup, using the sip to mask her inner turmoil, “This ‘information’ is very valuable. I’ll study it carefully.”
“I just wonder, regarding the follow-up to our previous ‘cooperation’ discussion, on your side…”
“Miss Shen, rest assured.” Chen Yang raised his hand slightly: “I have arrangements on my end. As long as the ‘goods’ can smoothly ‘enter the warehouse,’ your share will naturally be delivered in batches through safe channels to the designated location.”
“The premise is that the ‘entry’ process must be clean and decisive, leaving no loose ends!”
“Naturally.” Shen Qingyao set down her tea cup, “We’ll make full preparations.”
Intelligence in hand, the key promise confirmed.
The two said no more, listened to another ballad, then left the teahouse one after the other, like casually encountered friends.
The fine rain continued as Shen Qingyao walked into it with her umbrella, the document bag in her handbag feeling as heavy as a thousand catties.
Shanghai, Zhabei District, Mingchun grocery store,
This was a grocery store in Zhabei District controlled by our party!
The boss was surnamed Guo, with an honest and simple appearance, nicknamed Guo Laoshi!
At this moment, in the cellar of the grocery store’s backyard, a crucial meeting was underway.
The air in the cellar was stuffy, lit only by a kerosene lamp, casting two elongated shadows on the walls.
Special Commissioner Zhang Jianliang stood solemnly before a refined middle-aged man.
This was Pan Hannian, the outstanding leader of the Communist Party’s underground work in Shanghai.
“Comrade Hannian, that’s the situation.” Zhang Jianliang fully reported to Pan Hannian the transaction reached between Shen Qingyao and Chen Yang, as well as the plan to hijack the K-739 special train, and presented the copy of the document bag that Shen Qingyao had just risked obtaining, still warm.
“The action risk is extremely high, but the revenue upon success is crucial for alleviating the current dire situation in the base area. We need the organization to assemble a group of elite, reliable, and experienced action personnel.”
“Now, only you can make such a request to the organization.”
Pan Hannian carefully flipped through the materials in the document bag, his brows sometimes furrowing, sometimes relaxing.
He read very carefully, especially the parts on escort forces, running timetable, and terrain.
The cellar was silent, save for the rustle of turning paper and the occasional crackle of the kerosene lamp wick.
After a long while, Pan Hannian set down the materials, looked up at Zhang Jianliang: “The information is detailed. Chen Yang didn’t skimp in this regard.”
“This plan is audacious, but… it does have feasibility, especially now when the Japanese Army’s main forces are overwhelmed by Nomonhan and material allocation, their vigilance on rear railway lines may have brief gaps.”
“For personnel, I’ll coordinate. Old Hong of the Railway Guerrilla Squad has a team of experts at train robbing and explosives, intimately familiar with the northern section of the Jinpou Railway, they can serve as the action main force.”
“Old Liu’s Flying Tigers are best at transportation line sabotage and close combat.”
“Additionally, draw a combat team from the Jiangbei Detachment for perimeter alert and support; they’re skilled in mountain warfare and rapid withdrawal.”
“All participants must undergo strict vetting to ensure absolute loyalty, and implement one-way contact to minimize exposure risk to the greatest extent.”
“However, Comrade Jianliang,” Pan Hannian shifted tone, becoming extremely serious, “you must clearly tell Comrade Shen Qingyao and all action team members: the first goal of this action is to seize materials, second is to ensure personnel safety; unless absolutely necessary, avoid entanglement with the enemy.”
“After the action, all personnel must immediately disperse and go underground, enter radio silence, and maintain the highest level of vigilance against Chen Yang; design multiple safeguards for the material handover to prevent him from burning bridges.”
“Yes! Comrade Hannian, I understand!” Zhang Jianliang stood at attention and replied!
“Then that’s it for now.” Pan Hannian’s tone softened a bit, “We have a few days; we must quickly refine the specific action plan, especially withdrawal routes and contingency plans, rehearse them repeatedly, leave no detail unchecked, ensure no accidents!”
“Understood, Comrade Hannian,” Zhang Jianliang nodded earnestly; the two extended their right hands and gripped tightly…
The cellar door was gently opened and closed; Zhang Jianliang and Pan Hannian’s figures quickly vanished into the dark passage leading to the grocery store.
Year 28 of the Republic of China（1939）July 4, 3:00 AM.
Jinpou Railway central and southern Shandong section, a remote area called Hejia Ridge.
Here the hills undulate, the railway line following the contours to form a gentle “S”-shaped curve, forcing trains to slow down.
The ridge was thick with trees, below it vast sorghum fields rustling in the night.
All was still, save for summer insect chirps and occasional wind.
The air carried the fresh scent of earth and plant leaves, but could not mask a faintly restless killing intent.
Amid the dense sorghum stalks, pairs of sharp eyes fixed on the two railway tracks gleaming coldly under faint starlight below the hill.
These were Railway Guerrilla Squad Captain Hong Feng, Flying Tigers Captain Liu Yiqiang, and over two hundred elite team members under their command, here on orders to execute the hijacking mission.
Plus two action battalions mobilized by the Jiangbei Detachment, the action personnel attacking the “Liefeng Maru”—Full Iron special K-739 military train—totaled nearly five hundred.
The sheer numbers showed the organization’s emphasis on this action.
Hong Feng was originally a railway worker on the Jinpou Railway, knowing every spike and curve of this section like the back of his hand.
At this moment, Hong Feng chewed a grass blade, his eyes like those of a seasoned hunter, calmly estimating time and speed.
Scattered around him were crowbars, large wrenches, and bundled satchel charges.
These were the standard gear for his team.
Not far from him, Liu Yiqiang half-crouched behind a small dirt mound.
Liu Yiqiang, originally Liu Zhiqiang, from Linyi in Shandong Province, formerly a railway worker, from a hunter family, with superb marksmanship; he once shot dead a major with one bullet, earning the nickname Liu Yiqiang!
Liu Yiqiang was a few years younger than Hong Feng, more agile, carrying a well-maintained Chuang-type rifle on his back, his belt stuffed with shiny ammunition and wooden-handled grenades.
The Flying Tigers under his lead were renowned for precise marksmanship and swift action; this time mainly responsible for fire suppression and perimeter alert.
Liu Yiqiang was using a soft cloth to repeatedly wipe the rifle’s sights, ensuring a lethal shot when needed.
“Old Hong, time’s almost up.” Liu Yiqiang’s low and deep voice came steadily through the dense sorghum.
Hong Feng spat out the grass blade, cocked his ear to distant sounds, “Mm, per superior intelligence, twenty minutes left.”
He turned to a quick-witted young team member beside him and whispered: “Gouwa, go fifty meters ahead, ear to the railway track, confirm.”
The team member called Gouwa replied and slunk out silently like a cat.
Immediately, Hong Feng commanded the team members behind him: “All alert, prepare to act at any moment!”
Time ticked by, all team members gripping their weapons tightly, sweat soaking their coarse cloth clothes, but no one made a sound.
4:05 AM.
“It’s coming!” Gouwa darted back like a ghost, voice laced with suppressed excitement and tension, “Sound is heavy, heavy-loaded train, not fast, matches target features!”
Everyone’s nerves tautened to the extreme.
Hong Feng suddenly raised his right fist—the signal to prepare action.
Team members did final checks on weapons and gear. Demolition group members straightened fuses, assault group bayonets locked, fire group set up machine guns and rifles relying on terrain, aiming at the train’s braking positions.
In the distance, a faint beam pierced the darkness, accompanied by rhythmic dull “clangs,” the outline of a steel behemoth gradually clarifying in the night.
The K-739 special train, like an unguarded giant beast, slowly entered the ambush circle meticulously set by the hunters.
The locomotive headlamp swept over the sorghum field, flashing past the hidden team members, but lingered not.
In the cab, the driver and fireman were perhaps dozing from the monotonous night run, utterly unaware the death trap had sprung.
As the locomotive was about to exit the curve, most cars entering the “S” midsection, a cold glint flashed in Hong Feng’s eyes, and he slashed his arm down!
“Action!”
In that instant…
“Boom! Boom!” Two not particularly loud but precisely placed explosions rang out!
The demolition team had already calculated, blasting the rails ahead and not far behind the train!
Not to cause disaster, but to force this steel behemoth to stop!
“Screech…”
A piercing metal friction shriek erupted, with violent jolts and teeth-grinding brake sounds!
The train driver yanked the emergency brake in terror; huge inertia caused heavy cars to crash into each other with massive clangs, wheels grinding rails spewing brilliant sparks!
The train, like a serpent severed mid-body, finally halted after inertial slide, sprawled immobile across the sabotaged rails!
“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!” Japanese Army escort soldiers’ panicked Japanese shouts and bolt actions echoed from the train.
Almost as the train steadied, Liu Yiqiang’s roar overpowered the chaos: “Fire!”
“Da-da-da…”
“Bang! Bang! Bang!”
Flying Tigers’ machine guns and rifles opened fire first, dense bullet rain pouring like water onto the mid-rear cars where Japanese soldiers poked heads from windows and couplings, instantly suppressing enemy initial resistance.
Precise bursts riddled several Japanese soldiers trying to climb roofs to mount machine guns, sending them tumbling down.
“Charge!” At Hong Feng’s order, Railway Guerrilla Squad members leaped out like tigers from the sorghum field.
They divided tasks clearly: some used special grappling hooks and climbing skills to agilely scale car couplings…
Others directly used crowbars and heavy pliers to violently break car door locks.
“Baka! Hold!” The Japanese officer in charge organized resistance inside, but muzzles protruding windows were quickly targeted by Flying Tigers sharpshooters, killed or wounded.
Hong Feng personally led men to the middle cars; per Chen Yang’s intelligence, this was the core area loaded with “important materials.”
“Quick! Blow it!” Hong Feng pointed at the heavy car door and roared.
A demolitions man swiftly applied a small satchel charge to the door lock.
“Cover!”
“Boom!” A muffled blast blew a huge gap in the door…
