Spy war in the Republic of China, peak undercover

As the night deepened, the bonfire reflected Lao Guan's weathered face.

His fingers unconsciously stroked the paint-chipped Mauser pistol, the scratches on the gun body recorded too much blood and tears.

"Xiao Lu, have you heard of Yang Mantou?"

Lao Guan's voice was low, as if he was talking to himself.

Lu Yang added a few more pieces of firewood to the fire, and sparks flew everywhere.

"The traitor landlord in Qingshui County?"

"That's him." Lao Guan's eyes suddenly became sharp. "This beast has killed too many of our brothers."

The firelight shone on Lao Guan's face, and those deep wrinkles were engraved with untold blood hatred.

“The coldest snow last winter.”

Lao Guan's voice was trembling a little.

"He betrayed us a secret base."

"Seventeen soldiers, locked in a cell without a stove."

"When I opened the cell door the next day, everything was frozen into ice sculptures."

Lu Yang saw that Lao Guan's hands were shaking, and quickly handed him a wine jug.

Lao Guan took a sip of Shaodaozi and his complexion looked a little better.

"How long has he been entrenched in Qingshui County?"

"Three years." Lao Guan wiped his mouth. "The city wall is higher than that of Heishui County. It's all made of blue bricks and stone."

"I have a regiment of puppet soldiers under my command, all of them are desperate criminals."

“And we have the Japanese backing us.”

Lu Yang took out the shiny copper pipe from his arms. It was a captured trophy.

"Tell me about that Japanese sergeant."

Lao Guan took the pipe and filled it with tobacco skillfully.

"Koji Ogawa, a top student at the Army Officers Academy."

"This man is no ordinary person. He fought guerrilla warfare in Northeast China for three years."

“Every time we set an ambush, he could see through it in advance.”

The tobacco shone golden in the firelight and emitted a faint fragrance.

"Why are people from the military academy in such a small place?" Lu Yang asked.

Lao Guan blew out a smoke ring and said, "I heard he offended his superiors and was sent here."

"But this is even more troublesome. This kind of person is the most difficult to deal with."

The bonfire crackled and sparks flew.

Lu Yang was silent for a while: "Let me go meet him."

"No!" Lao Guan grabbed his wrist, "It's too dangerous!"

"Yang Mantou is more cunning than a fox. He has spies everywhere in the city."

"Xiao He is a veteran, with more experience than you and me combined."

Lu Yang showed a mysterious smile: "Just right, I'm in need of a decent opponent recently."

He took out a document from his pocket, the paper was wrinkled by his body temperature.

That was the transfer order seized from the captain of the Heishui County garrison.

"With this identity, I can enter the city as the quartermaster."

Lao Guan took the transfer order and looked at it carefully in the firelight.

The seal of the Kwantung Army Headquarters is particularly eye-catching, and the vermilion ink still has the luster of ink.

It was a transfer order seized from the captain of the Heishui County garrison.

"With this identity, I can enter the city as the quartermaster."

Lao Guan took the transfer order and looked at it carefully in the firelight.

He ran his fingers lightly over the seal, as if verifying its authenticity.

The ink's luster is still fresh, and it exudes a faint scent of ink.

“It’s true.”

Lao Guan's voice trembled a little.

"But......"

Lu Yang interrupted him: "Don't worry."

“I’m more Japanese now than the real Japanese.”

Lao Guan took out a yellowed map from his arms and spread it carefully on his knees.

The corners of the paper have begun to tear due to long-term folding.

There were a few dark brown marks on it, like blood.

"Yang Mantou has been purchasing arms recently."

Lao Guan's fingers wandered across the map.

"I don't know what this bastard is up to."

The outline of Qingshui County is clearly visible on the map.

The city wall is square, with an arrow tower at each corner.

A searchlight was installed on the arrow tower, scanning the movements under the city wall every night.

"The security in the city is ten times tighter than before."

Lao Guan pointed at places on the map with his calloused fingers.

"There's a secret sentry at the East Gate, hidden in the attic of the Fulai Grain Shop."

"That old shopkeeper is Yang Mantou's confidant."

“The Jufu Teahouse at the South Gate is their contact point.”

"Every afternoon, an intelligence officer comes for tea."

“Simon…”

Lu Yang raised his hand to interrupt him: "No need to be so detailed."

He stood up and began to carefully sort out the captured military uniform.

The fabric still had a faint smell of mothballs.

The gold thread on the cuffs gleamed in the firelight.

"I have my own plans."

There was a reassuring certainty in his voice.

Lao Guan looked up at him with complicated eyes.

The light from the bonfire reflected on Lu Yang's face, revealing a strange yet familiar face.

"You're becoming more and more like a Japanese."

“That’s right.”

Lu Yang pulled out a small bronze mirror from his boot.

Although the mirror is a little worn, it can still reflect people's images.

He began to take care of his hair, combing every strand meticulously.

Just like those officers who had received rigorous training in Tokyo.

"Quartermaster Taro Yamada."

He talked to himself in a standard Tokyo accent.

There was an innate arrogance in his voice.

"Responsible for replenishing ammunition for the Qingshui County garrison."

Lao Guan looked at his back and suddenly said, "Do you want to bring a few people in?"

"Iron Hammer is quite skilled and can be dressed as an orderly."

Lu Yang shook his head and continued to adjust the collar of his military uniform.

"Need not."

“Too many people will easily reveal the truth.”

“It’s easier for me to move around alone.”

The night wind blew through the treetops, bringing with it the fragrance of pine needles.

A few wolf howls were heard from the distant mountains and forests.

The shrill cries echoed in the valley.

Lao Guan sighed and picked up a branch from the ground.

Something is being scratched on the land.

“You have to be careful.”

"Yang Mantou is a cruel and ruthless person."

"Those lackeys he keeps are all desperate criminals."

"To please the master, one can do anything."

Lu Yang turned around, his military uniform spotless under the moonlight.

The boots were polished so brightly that they could reflect a person's reflection.

"Don't worry, I'll let them open the city gates themselves."

His eyes were as cold as the wind on a winter night.

"Then it will be up to you."

Lao Guan stood up slowly, and the belt around his waist made a slight "creaking" sound.

He untied the cloth bag carefully wrapped in oil paper. The cloth had turned yellow from sweat and rain.

“Take this.”

Lu Yang took it and could feel the cool touch of the metal inside through the cloth bag.

The oil paper was carefully opened, making a rustling sound.

In the moonlight, a Type 14 Nambu pistol lay quietly in the middle of the cloth bag.

The gun body is shiny black and has been meticulously maintained.

There's not even a trace of fingerprints on the trigger guard.

"This was taken from that son of a bitch, Yamamoto."

Lao Guan's voice was low, with a hint of revengeful pleasure.

"I gave you two magazines of bullets."

He took out two brand new magazines from his pocket, the metal casings gleaming coldly in the firelight.

"They're steel core bullets. They can penetrate those damn bulletproof vests."

Lu Yang carefully stroked the gun body with his thumb and index finger, feeling the unique texture of the metal.

He repeatedly pulled the hammer several times, making a crisp "click" sound.

"Keep it for your own protection."

He lifted the hem of his uniform, revealing the holster strapped to his outer thigh.

The black leather has been warmed by body temperature and exudes a unique leather smell.

Lao Guan shook his head stubbornly: "You take it with you."

His voice suddenly became choked.

"This gun once saved my life."

“That night in Changbai Mountain…”

“Hopefully it will protect you too.”

"I'll give you a ride."

Lao Guan picked up the paint-chipped Mauser pistol, and the rusty gun belt rubbed against his patched military uniform, making a slight "creaking" sound.

"No."

Lu Yang shook his head and stood beside the extinguished campfire, carefully arranging the final details of his military uniform.

The collar badge should be slightly crooked, as if it were often marching in the wild.

The cuffs should be wet with dew, making you look tired and worn.

The belt buckle should be one notch looser, as if you are going to be sleeping outdoors for a long time.

"Take your men and ambush in the east."

He ran his fingers over his breast pocket, confirming that the bamboo tube containing the poison was still there.

"If I don't come back in three days..."

"Shut up!"

Lao Guan suddenly interrupted him, his voice hoarse as if it had been sandpapered.

“You must come back.”

Tears glistened in his cloudy eyes.

"Those soldiers are still waiting for you to teach them how to write."

Lu Yang's hand stopped in mid-air.

The images of young people studying hard under the oil lamps come to mind.

Some people can't even write their own names.

But he practiced the word "China" in the snow all night.

The strokes are crooked, but there is longing in the eyes.

"Don't worry, I promised them."

He patted Lao Guan's calloused shoulder.

"After this war, I will teach them to write 'Down with Japanese Imperialism.'"

Lao Guan smiled for the first time, revealing a mouthful of smoke-yellow teeth.

The laughter was especially loud in the morning light.

"You little brat."

He bent down and picked up a handful of hay wet with morning dew from the ground.

Rough fingers carefully wiped the water stains on Lu Yang's boots.