The Bravest

Before the Japanese campaign of clearing the countryside, the main force of the guerrillas had already received intelligence before the arrival of the Japanese large force, and then withdrew from the scope of the campaign and went into hiding.

Lin Jie and his team drove past several strongholds along the way and found that the Japanese brought puppet troops and drove some local people to cut bamboo and start building a separation wall. Their plan was to control one area at a time and build one area at a time, advancing step by step.

Due to the lack of strength of the guerrillas, they chose to retreat actively, leaving only some capable forces hidden among the progressive masses. Therefore, the Japanese campaign of clearing the countryside progressed quickly. As the troops were deployed, the guards of the strongholds began to be continuously replenished.

"Brother, the guerrillas didn't resist. It seems that the Japanese have gained a foothold. It won't be so easy for the guerrillas to come back in the future." Song Qi was in a bad mood. He once imagined that the guerrillas would block the Japanese at every level, delay their progress, and then withdraw from the battlefield. This would at least bring confidence and hope to the local supporters.

"Liu Sheng, what do you think?" Lin Jie asked Liu Sheng with a smile to see if he had any other ideas.

"Hehe, Song Qi, you said you were longing for Yan'an. There was a big shot there who had long ago proposed a protracted war and guerrilla warfare. If the enemy advances, we retreat; if the enemy stays, we harass; if the enemy is tired, we attack; if the enemy retreats, we pursue. The combination of these two is the way for the weaker side to fight. If it is as you thought, we have fallen into the trap of the Japanese." Liu Sheng read more books and knew more than Song Qi.

"Didn't I learn to read only after following big brother? I've only just come into contact with many things. I'll definitely catch up in a few years." Song Qi was a little embarrassed, but he was still full of confidence. Following big brother is not as simple as just having enough food to eat. Big brother can also teach a lot of knowledge and principles. This is why Song Qi is willing to work hard for him.

"Well, what Liu Sheng said makes sense. When the Japanese troops move forward, the rear will be empty. At that time, the guerrillas will be like what is said in the book, that Sun Wukong drilled into Princess Iron Fan's belly, or they may have been lying in ambush in the belly and are now just waiting for the opportunity. So we must keep a low profile, so as not to become the target of traitors." Lin Jie would always remind his men to avoid direct conflict with the anti-Japanese armed forces as much as possible.

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"Brother, you're here." One of Lin Jie's men in the stronghold saw Lin Jie getting out of the car and hurried over.

"Xiao Fei, how are you? Are you used to it?" Lin Jie greeted.

"It's a habit. We've slept under the same eave before. It's no big deal. I just can't stand those puppet soldiers. Damn it, they beat up civilians at every turn. There was one bastard who even touched someone's young wife. If my eldest brother hadn't told me to do that, I would have shot him." The subordinate named Xiao Fei glanced around and said to Lin Jie in a low voice.

"Don't be impulsive. Your name is Zhang Fei, not the big black guy in the Three Kingdoms. You should learn to use your brain. Find an opportunity to make that bastard offend the Japanese, and then fan the flames. Isn't that how you can deal with him?" Many children in the orphanage who do not have formal names like to name themselves after the characters in Lin Jie's stories. Xiao Fei's surname is Zhang, and he forgot his original name. Anyway, after he learned to write, he felt that the name was ugly. After listening to Lin Jie's story about Changbanpo in the Three Kingdoms, he changed his name.

"Hehe, big brother, I get it. I just feel a little uncomfortable."

"How is the Japanese leader of your team? Did he make things difficult for you?" This is what Lin Jie was worried about.

"It's OK. Anyway, we are three against one, and he understands that, so he didn't dare to go too far. We won't offend him for no reason, so it's OK. It's just that he often takes us to patrol the nearby roadblocks we are responsible for, which hinders others from making profits and offends many Japanese soldiers stationed there."

"Well, don't worry about him. He has the right anyway. You don't have to stand out. Just play dumb. Also, be careful next time, especially after dark. There might be guerrillas who will attack you. If you run into them, it's important to save your life."

……

"Well, that's it. I'll go in and take a look."

Lin Jie entered the base, showed his ID, talked to the Japanese soldiers stationed inside, and left two packs of cigarettes. Then he went to find the spies under Michiko and explained Michiko's orders: "Do you understand what Major Okamura and Section Chief Michiko mean?"

"Chief Lin, Chief Michiko gave us these instructions before we set off. I understand all of this, so don't worry."

"Haha, that's good. Also, don't patrol too late. There must be some guerrillas left behind. Be careful. Don't fight to the death if you meet them. We are agents, and we can let the soldiers do the desperate things. Saving your life is the most important, do you understand? Michiko and I will take care of you if anything happens," Lin Jie said with an expression that he cared about his own people.

"Haha, Chief Lin, don't worry. I understand all of this. I will take care of your subordinates."

"Haha, thank you brother, let's get rich together. I'm leaving now, and I have one more round to go."

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After inspecting several strongholds in succession, the situations were roughly the same. Now the strongholds have sufficient manpower and nothing will happen, but it is hard to say what will happen in two months.

"Brother, let's go back. It's getting late."

"Okay, that's about it. Once we patrol all the bases, three days will be enough. We don't have to come out every day. We can just go around from time to time."

"Brother, in fact, from now on, Song Qi and I can just bring my sister-in-law's entourage to take a look. You just need to come down occasionally to take a look."

"Well, I'll see what the situation is. It's mainly about the warehouse and the transportation, as well as connecting with Ono's people. There will be a lot of trouble at the beginning."

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It was already six o'clock when they returned to the county town. Lin Jie and his companions had a quick bite to eat on the street before returning to the warehouse. It was already dark. Lin Jie greeted a squad leader of the military police on duty at the door and boasted a few words before walking in. He saw that the light in Michiko's office on the second floor was still on, so Michiko must still be inside.

Lin Jie wanted to go in and say hello, but he thought better of it. He had been running all day and his body smelled sour. He decided to go back and take a shower first to feel better. So Lin Jie took Liu Sheng and the other two to the third floor. All the people in their secret service lived upstairs. Actually, there were not many people there, and most of them were sent to the countryside.

"Okay, Liu Sheng, Song Qi, you guys go in. You won't be on duty anymore. Your sister-in-law and I are both agents. We don't need your protection at home. You've been running around all day. Go to bed early. You have to go out tomorrow."

"Okay, call us if you have anything." Liu Sheng and Song Qi were also tired. They had just arrived and had taken turns guarding outside Lin Jie's room for the past few days, fearing any accidents. But since Lin Jie had said so, they could only obey. Anyway, they lived across the street now, so if there was any movement, they could come quickly.

Lin Jie opened the door with his key, went in and turned on the light, turned around and closed the door and walked towards the bedroom. He felt really uncomfortable if he didn't wash off the stinking sweat all over his body. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the bedroom and walked towards the closet, a hard object pressed against his lower back. Lin Jie was sure it was a pistol, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.

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