Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 237, Section 236: Kidnapping of a Japanese Navy Admiral, Bomb House, Admiral Exchanged for Anti-Japanese Militants

Osamu Nagano's plan was designed to resemble a future police thriller.

Regardless of whether anyone actually did this in the future, Fang Wen did it in 1935.

After everything was arranged, Fang Wen, disguised, and seven members of the special operations team officially moved into the small villa.

His current identity is that of an antique dealer from out of town, whose goal is to sell ancient paintings to the Japanese.

But the Japanese need to know this purpose.

The original plan was to use Yoshida, Nagano Osamu's adjutant, but now, considering Yoshida's importance, Fang Wen changed the plan.

(A three-story Western-style building from the Republican era)

The day after officially checking in.

The door of the small villa was being banged on loudly.

Fang Wen instructed, "Everyone, be careful, the Japanese are coming. Stay calm and don't give anything away."

The seven members of the action team nodded and followed Fang Wen downstairs.

Zhang Yunfei, now acting as the housekeeper, opened the door.

Upon seeing the dozen or so Japanese marines outside the door, he showed a look of panic.

"Soldier, what's going on?"

The translator accompanying the team asked, "Routine check. What are you doing here? Why are you staying here?"

“Sir, we’re just doing a small business,” the butler, Zhang Yunfei, replied.

"Baka! If you don't tell the truth, you're dead!" the Japanese officer in charge said viciously.

This sight terrified Zhang Yunfei, who turned to look at Fang Wen: "Master."

"Let me do it." Fang Wen walked over with a smile and placed some silver dollars in the hands of the Japanese soldier. "Sir, we are indeed here to do business, and we are doing business with you."

Listening to the translator's words and glancing at the silver dollar in his hand, the officer smiled.

"what business?"

The interpreter immediately translated for Fang Wen: "The officer is asking what kind of business you are in."

"Well, recently you've been sending people to collect calligraphy and paintings, haven't you? I happen to have an authentic work here, a Song Dynasty rubbing of Wang Wei's 'Wangchuan Map'."

The translator looked surprised and immediately translated it into Japanese to inform the officer.

Because of Osamu Nagano, Japanese naval officers in Shanghai were all looking for calligraphy and paintings in an attempt to curry favor with their superiors.

Wang Wei's paintings are Nagano Osamu's favorite.

However, paintings from a thousand years ago are rare and hard to find, yet they have come to us on their own today.

Upon hearing the translator's words, the officer was surprised, yet also felt a surge of desire.

He actually tried to snatch the "Wangchuan Map" and give it to Nagano Osamu.

Immediately, more than a dozen Japanese soldiers rushed in and searched the small Western-style building.

Seeing their reckless behavior, the team members couldn't help but feel nervous, fearing that the enemy would discover their weakness.

Fortunately, the bomb was buried deep in the wall, and the Japanese soldiers didn't notice it at all.

Unable to find a rubbing of the "Wangchuan Map", they came to question Fang Wen.

"Where is the 'Wangchuan Villa Map'? Hand it over."

Fang Wen sneered, "When traveling the martial world, of course you have to be prepared. How could I possibly carry it on my person? Let me put it this way: I want to meet the person who wants to buy the painting and make the transaction with him in person. If you cause any more trouble, my men will spread the word. Then your superior will lose face, and I wonder if he will blame you?"

If the translation was stopped, the officer's mood would change, but he eventually gave in.

"Alright, just you wait."

He left soldiers to guard the place and went back to report.

After a while, another group of officers arrived and personally searched the small villa.

They carefully inspected the cabinets, tables, kitchen, and other places in the house where things might be hidden. They also searched Fang Wen and the others, and even touched the walls, but found nothing unusual.

The second search completely lowered the Japanese guard.

Subsequently, Yoshida was dispatched to discuss the matter of "Wangchuan Villa" with Fang Wen.

When no one was paying attention, Yoshida whispered, "Nagano Osamu will only appear after seeing the actual object, and a large number of soldiers will surround this place. You must be careful."

Now that Yoshida has truly surrendered, he is actually afraid that something might happen to Fang Wen and his group, and that his surrender would be exposed.

Fang Wen smiled and nodded, saying, "Mr. Nagano wants to see the original, no problem, but let me make this clear from the start: without money, I'd rather destroy this than let you take it for free."

Yoshida then asked, "How much?"

"I bought it for 2000 silver dollars. I wouldn't buy it for less than 3000. This price is fair and honest. You can ask around and find out more," Fang Wen replied.

At this point in their discussion, Yoshida took the initiative to leave.

He went back and reported the matter, and then the Japanese investigated.

It turned out to be true.

Someone else bought Guo Zhongshu's copy of Wang Wei's Wangchuan painting a step ahead, intending to resell it for a profit.

Looking at it this way, there's nothing wrong with being greedy.

In addition, the small villa is just on the next street, and we have searched it several times without finding any weapons or traps, so there is no need to worry.

Immediately afterwards, a large group of Japanese soldiers came out of the military building and completely surrounded the small building.

Afterwards, Osamu Nagano went inside the small Western-style building.

He brought only five officers with him, including Yoshida.

Surrounded by officers, Nagano Osamu arrived on the second floor and saw Fang Wen and his group being guarded by soldiers.

Yoshida spoke up: "The general himself has arrived, where is the painting?"

Fang Wen got up, tore open the back cover of the sofa, took out the painting and placed it on the table.

"This is Guo Zhongshu's copy of Wang Wei's Wangchuan painting. Please take a look."

Nagano Osamu immediately became very interested and walked over, putting on his glasses to examine the object closely.

Other officers also gathered around, trying to appear cultured.

Even the guards inside the building were curious about what the original artifact looked like.

Just as everyone's attention was focused on the painting, Fang Wen gave a wink.

action.

Liu Ying suddenly darted out, her hands concealing blades as she slashed at the Japanese soldier's throat.

The entire throat was cut open, instantly ending the two deaths.

Meanwhile, others also made their moves, using weapons that couldn't be found during a body search. They acted decisively, targeting vital points.

This is the killing move passed down from their fathers; in the martial world, there is only one path: life or death.

In a single encounter, all the Japanese soldiers guarding the room were dealt with.

The officers who were looking at the painting realized what was happening and tried to fire back, but they were also hit hard and fell to the ground, including Yoshida.

The only one who remained sober, Osamu Nagano, said in Japanese, "The painting is fake. Your goal is to get rid of me."

Fang Wen coldly replied in Japanese: "I also have a real painting, but I don't want to show it to you. My purpose is indeed for you."

“You can’t succeed. There are soldiers outside. They won’t let you take me away,” Nagano Osamu said frankly.

“I didn’t plan to take you out.” After saying that, Fang Wen ordered in Chinese: “Proceed to step two.”

Immediately, the team members dismantled a wall compartment and took out a remote-controlled bomb device the size of a suitcase.

They also took out ropes and bombs.

Ropes bound the five officers and the conscious Nagano Osamu, each with a bomb strapped to their body.

"Boss, everything's ready," Zhang Yunfei shouted.

"Begin the third step," Fang Wen calmly ordered.

Liu Yubao mentioned a military officer who had just woken up.

"You're strapped with a bomb. It'll explode the moment you leave the room, believe it or not?"

"Baka!" The officer was still arrogant.

Liu Yubao laughed and said, "I'll just assume you don't believe me."

He shoved the officer toward the door. Everyone's eyes turned toward the door, and the Japanese officer, suddenly freed, excitedly rushed outside.

Zhou Pomen quietly activated the remote-controlled bomb.

The Japanese officer who was running suddenly exploded, flames burst forth, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

The entire corridor was stained red, and the officer lay there with only his legs remaining, lost in the blood.

This scene terrified the other officers, and Nagano Osamu also lost his composure.

Liu Yubao then mentioned a military officer, who struggled desperately: "No, I don't want to."

Fang Wen then spoke up: "Now you know your situation, right? Each of you has a bomb on you. If you go out, you'll die. Only I can save you. Now, go and tell the soldiers outside not to do anything rash."

The officer was then pushed to the door.

He clung tightly to the threshold, not daring to step out, and then shouted, "Nobody come in! We and General Nagano are carrying bombs; if we go out, it will explode!"

“Make them leave this house,” Liu Yubao said softly.

The officer immediately shouted, "Get out of here! Don't come near this building!"

The soldiers who were quietly climbing the stairs to the second floor stopped; they dared not disobey their superior's orders.

They then left the small villa and waited outside.

In this way, the situation finally eased.

Nagano Osamu spoke up: "What do you want?"

"I want you to release the members of the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army arrested in Northeast China, as well as the group of Fuxing Society operatives arrested in Tianjin," Fang Wen demanded. This demand concealed his true objective, deliberately obscuring everything else.

“That’s impossible,” Nagano Osamu shook his head.

"I think it's possible. As long as they release the people, I will release you."

"What, you're going to let me go?" Nagano Osamu couldn't understand the man in front of him. Why was he so confident that he could escape the encirclement after letting him go?

Fang Wen did not explain, but instead ordered the action team members to blindfold and gag Nagano Osamu and the officers and keep them under guard.

Just one street away from the headquarters of the Japanese Marine Corps, a naval admiral was kidnapped!

Once the news was relayed back, thousands of soldiers were mobilized and surrounded the scene of the incident.

This change alarmed various factions in Shanghai, and everyone was trying to find out what had happened.

However, the Japanese side will certainly not disclose such a humiliating incident, and the outside world is unaware of it.

Everyone near the villa was driven away, and soldiers were stationed in nearby buildings, all with their guns aimed at the villa.

Downstairs, an officer with a megaphone called out, "Listen up, people up there! Tell us what you need, and let's have a good talk."

On the third floor of the small villa, black curtains covered the windows, making it impossible to see inside.

A loudspeaker protruded from behind the curtains.

"We are the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army, and we have only one request: release those Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army brothers who were arrested in Northeast China, and those Fuxing Society activists who were arrested in Tianjin. Only by releasing them will your admiral have a chance to live."

Upon hearing these words, a group of Japanese naval officers below began to discuss the matter.

They absolutely could not allow their general to be injured, yet they had no say in the affairs of the Kwantung Army.

Therefore, they had no choice but to report the matter to the local military headquarters via telegram.

The military was also greatly shocked by this.

If a general were to die in Shanghai, it would have a tremendous impact on the prestige of the army, not to mention the humiliating death of someone who was kidnapped.

In comparison, releasing some imprisoned anti-Japanese activists is nothing.

They immediately telegraphed this decision to the Kwantung Army and Navy.

The Kwantung Army's demand was to cooperate with the naval operation and rescue Nagano Osamu.

The navy's requirement was to ensure the safety of the admiral and eliminate all kidnappers.

After receiving this reply, the officer raised his megaphone and shouted, "We agree to your request, but what are you going to do about it?"

A microphone protruding from the gap in the black curtains spoke: "Don't worry, you'll know in another hour."

The Japanese were baffled, but could only wait.

An hour later, every newspaper and radio station in the city received an anonymous letter.

The letter contained information about General Nagano's kidnapping and a demand for the release of detained anti-Japanese elements.

The anonymous letter sparked a huge controversy.

When they couldn't print more newspapers in time, each newspaper had the newsboys selling newspapers on the ground spread the word.

Instantly, the streets were filled with the shouts of newsboys.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! A Japanese naval admiral has been captured. He is also using this as leverage to demand the release of anti-Japanese personnel imprisoned by the Japanese."

In addition to newsboys spreading the word, radio stations also interrupted broadcasts to report this important news.

A Japanese naval admiral!

The news spread throughout Shanghai in an instant.

Then, the loudspeaker protruding from the black curtains on the third floor of the villa spoke again: "Summon the consuls of the British and French concessions. I have something to say to them."

The Japanese, who didn't want their family scandal to be aired in public, now knew about it all over the city. Since things had come to this, they had no choice but to comply in order to keep their general alive.

More than half an hour later, two consuls from the foreign concessions arrived.

The two men, with their wide, unrestrained smiles, clearly enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

The officer called out loudly, "The person is here, you can speak now."

"I asked the two consuls to contact diplomatic personnel in Northeast China and Tianjin to oversee the execution of the hostage exchange."

The two consuls were willing; it's more interesting to see the whole story unfold.

The Japanese officer objected: "No, we will definitely release the people you mentioned, but there can be no outside interference."

Upon hearing the Japanese response, Fang Wen remained indifferent and issued an order.

"Let one person out."

The brothers Liu Yubao and Liu Yinfeng pulled up an officer, removed his blindfold, and tore the burlap from his mouth.

The officer was terrified and struggled desperately.

"I don't want to go out, I don't want to die."

But his strength alone was no match for that of the two Liu brothers.

After struggling to no avail, he was forcibly pushed out of the room.

Surprisingly, it didn't explode.

The officer, beaming with joy, fled for his life downstairs.

He ran to the outside of the small villa at an astonishing speed and shouted happily, "I'm not dead!"

"Pah, if Grandpa wants you dead, you have to die." Zhou Pomen disdainfully pressed the remote detonation switch.

boom.

The officer exploded on the spot in the open space outside the villa.

The red splatter covered an area of ​​more than ten square meters, and some officers and soldiers were instantly stained red.

The two consuls looked relieved; thankfully, they hadn't gotten too close.

The speaker peeking out from the gap in the black curtains emitted another sound.

“You can test our patience. There are still 3 officers left. We will send one out every two hours. The last one is Nagano.”

This shocking way of dying greatly stunned the Japanese army.

They watched as their former comrades were blown to pieces; if they didn't agree, the general would also die in Shanghai in the same way.

At that time, the only option left for everyone was to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) as an act of atonement.

After some discussion, they decided that the lives of the general and his colleagues were more valuable than those of the prisoners.

Even with British and French people watching the play, it's still worthwhile.

They immediately agreed to the request.

The Japanese agreed to release the anti-Japanese elements, which meant that once the release was confirmed, Fang Wen and his group had no way out.

After letting Nagano go, how will Fang Wen and the others get away?
Are those bombs hidden inside the walls still useful?
(End of this chapter)