Spy war in the Republic of China, peak undercover

In the teahouse, the rich aroma of tea and the smell of tobacco permeate the air, forming a unique mixed scent.

Lu Yang picked up the teacup and took a sip. The bitter tea slid down his throat, bringing with it a hint of warmth.

He seemed relaxed on the surface, but his eyes were like radar, constantly scanning everyone in the teahouse, carefully capturing any valuable information.

The guests here were a diverse mix of people, from all walks of life. There were porters in coarse cloth, merchants in silk robes, young men carrying bird cages, and women dressed in lavish attire. It was like a small microcosm of society. They gathered here, chatting among themselves, like a vivid picture of the city. But Lu Yang knew that among these people were definitely spies of the Japanese, even traitors and lackeys with murderous intentions. While they appeared flawless on the surface, they were actually all very meticulous.

He listened carefully to the gossip of the guests around him, trying to find some clues from the seemingly insignificant details. "Hey, have you heard? There's a new Japanese gentleman in town recently. He's said to be quite influential, even the garrison commander has to bow and scrape to him," a man with a mustache whispered, deliberately lowering his voice as if afraid of being overheard.

"Is this true? What kind of person must be able to make the security commander bow his head?" A middle-aged man sitting opposite him asked curiously. He kept rubbing an old abacus in his hand, and was obviously a shrewd businessman.

"Who says he isn't? I heard his last name is Matsushita, and he's from the Kwantung Army's secret service, specializing in dealing with those rebels!" The mustache-wearing man said mysteriously, a hint of fear and dread on his face. "The atmosphere in the city has been getting increasingly tense lately, with those plainclothes devils arresting people everywhere, and everyone's in a state of panic."

Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat. He knew the "Panasonic" this person was referring to was most likely the Kwantung Army ace the contact had mentioned. He secretly became alert. It seemed that this old devil had already begun to move in Fengtian, and his actions were unusually swift.

He continued to pay attention to the conversation around him. Suddenly, he heard two guests at the next table mention a name that caught his attention. "Hey, do you know Zhang Daya? I heard he recently took a concubine. She's so beautiful, so delicate, more beautiful than a fairy in heaven!" A man in a long gown smiled obscenely, his eyes filled with greed and lust.

"Tsk! That's nothing! Zhang Daya is a wealthy man. I heard his house takes up half the alley. What could he possibly need?" another man said sourly, his eyes thick with envy and resentment. "That bastard, I heard he's been helping the Japanese oppress us civilians. He'll get his comeuppance sooner or later!" His voice was filled with rage, as if he couldn't wait to tear Zhang Daya into pieces.

Lu Yang's hand, holding the teacup, unconsciously clenched, his heart boiling with anger. Zhang Da Ya was indeed as despicable as his contact had said. To satisfy his own greed, he had colluded with the Japanese to murder his compatriots. He was completely devoid of conscience. This traitor and lackey must be eradicated, otherwise he would bring disaster to the people.

"Cough, cough, cough..." A violent cough interrupted Lu Yang's thoughts. He looked up and saw the old man who had been sitting by the door. He was dressed in tattered clothes, his face haggard and covered with the marks of time. He covered his mouth with one hand and pounded his chest with the other. His face was pale and his breathing was rapid, indicating that he was in poor health. However, in this state, he looked as ordinary as the stone bench at the foot of the table to others, attracting no attention. It was as if he had long ceased to be a complete person, just an empty shell, waiting for the torrent of time to wash him away.

A young tea waiter walked up to him with a rag and said, "Old man, you don't look well. Are you feeling unwell? How about I ask a doctor to come and see you?" The enthusiasm of the teahouse is more for those who can bring benefits. Only those who can make them stronger and make more money can make them spend some energy. Obviously, in their eyes, this old man does not belong to this class. They only see benefits and exploitation, but turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the suffering of their fellow human beings.

The old man slowly raised his head and waved at the waiter. "No need... cough cough, it's just an old problem... cough cough, just some cough syrup will be enough." His voice was hoarse and weak, and it was heartbreaking to listen to, like the melody from an old gramophone, full of sadness. His eyes drooped slightly, and his eyes were dull, as if he was about to leave this world at any moment.

Lu Yang watched the scene unfold before him, his heart reeling as if struck by a heavy hammer. These ordinary people, living at the bottom of society, were like leaves swaying in the wind, adrift and helpless in these turbulent times. Even their lives could be swallowed by the wind and rain at any moment, yet those at the top of society continued to exploit them for their own petty gains, treating their lives like worthless grass.

Lu Yang's heart grew increasingly oppressive, as if a yoke were fastening around it. At this moment, he desperately wanted to do something to change this suffocating situation. He slowly stood up and walked towards the old man at the door.

He fished some change from his pocket and placed it in front of the old man. "Old man, you don't look well. You should go to the clinic. Use this money to buy some medicine. Your health is more important than anything else." His tone was gentle, his eyes filled with sincerity and concern. In this chaotic era, ordinary people face hardships, but kind people still retain their inherent kindness.

The old man slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes filled with gratitude. He looked at Lu Yang with a gaze like the dawn of light in the endless darkness, dispelling his inner fear and igniting the fire of his life. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he only sighed softly. "Thank you very much, young man. You are such a kind person..." His voice was hoarse and weak, carrying a deep sense of powerlessness and despair for the times.

Lu Yang smiled at the old man, said nothing more, and turned back to his seat. This little bit of kindness might make the poor old man feel a little warm, and this was the only thing he could do at the moment.

At that moment, several people at the door suddenly stood up and looked out, as if waiting for something. Then, an officer in a neat uniform, shiny leather boots, and a boater's cap walked into the teahouse with several soldiers. His uniform was very eye-catching, with its golden insignia, and his eyes were also observing everyone in the teahouse.

Seeing these people appear, the originally noisy teahouse suddenly became quiet, and the air seemed to condense into frost.

Lu Yang's heart instantly rose to his throat. He lowered his head, pretending to drink tea, and looked away, not daring to attract the attention of these people. However, he became very alert in his heart. It seemed that the danger level in Fengtian was far beyond his imagination. These devils came too quickly, and their infiltration even spread to the small teahouse, which made him alert.

He realized he had to act quickly to avoid being exposed and complete the mission. After a brief moment of contemplation, he stood up and slowly walked out of the teahouse, ready to explore a greater mystery...

Lu Yang walked out of the teahouse calmly, his steps slow but resolute. He didn't look back, as if he were just another ordinary customer finishing his tea before disappearing into the crowded street. He knew that his every move in the teahouse had been observed by the officers. If he showed even the slightest sign of panic or a flaw, it would quickly draw their attention. So he made sure to be as cold as a stone, unperturbed by anything and maintaining his patience.

After walking out of the teahouse, he quickly moved among the crowd, like a nimble fish swimming freely in a turbulent river.

He made many detours, shook off the eyes and ears that were following him, and came to a quiet alley. He leaned against the wall and took a long breath, relieving the tension in his heart.

He rubbed his forehead with his rough fingers, trying to calm himself. Now, he had to digest the intelligence he had obtained and then start thinking about what to do next. Where was Zhang Daya's residence? Where was Songxia stationed? These were all pieces of information that needed to be clarified as soon as possible.

Based on the fragmentary information he had gathered from the teahouse, he could confirm that the old Japanese soldier from Matsushita had already arrived in Fengtian and was actively planning the so-called "rectification" operation. And that despicable traitor Zhang Daya was like a running dog of the Japanese soldiers, aiding and abetting the evil.

The existence of both of them seriously threatened the anti-Japanese forces in Fengtian. They had to get rid of these two evils as soon as possible.

He reorganized his thoughts and began to think about a plan to infiltrate the enemy. The enemy's intelligence system was extremely tight, and he couldn't obtain any useful information on his own. He needed to rely on local resources to gather valuable information. It seemed that Ye Wanru and Qinglan would have to be included in this operation. He needed more support and a safe contact point.

"The old place"? The hidden base mentioned earlier? Forget it.

Lu Yang rejected the thought that had just formed in his mind. He suddenly realized that this "old place" was no longer safe. Wasn't that mountain eagle a clear example? Who could guarantee that the so-called secret base would not be exposed? If he went to the so-called "old place" at this time, it would be like a moth to a flame, extremely dangerous.

Lu Yang shook his head. He fished a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with trembling fingers. He took a deep drag, the slightly pungent smell of tobacco spreading down his throat into his lungs, bringing a brief sense of calm. He surveyed the throngs of people crammed into the street, a jumble of people of all colors and attire. He knew that finding a reliable local would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. After all, people can change, especially when tempted by profit. Back at the inn, Lu Yang told Qinglan and Ye Wanru about his connection with Uncle Li. Both were overjoyed to hear the news. Finally, they no longer had to fumble around like headless chickens, and their work could begin. "Great! Finally, I don't have to stay here all the time. Honestly, I've been tired of it for a while!" Qinglan stretched, a look of delight on her face. "Now it all depends on your arrangements, Brother Lu. What exactly should we do next? I can't wait." Her eyes were filled with a thirst for adventure.

"It's best to be cautious. The situation is complicated right now, and we can't afford to make a single mistake." Ye Wanru said in a deep voice, her hand resting on her chest, her eyes slightly solemn. She kept the word "caution" firmly in mind. Years of experience on missions had taught her that caution was the only way to minimize all risks. "Next, I'll set up guard posts around the hotel and investigate any factors that might reveal our whereabouts. We won't allow even the slightest mishap to occur, ensuring we can safely carry out the next mission." She had already anticipated every possible danger and prepared adequate countermeasures.

Lu Yang nodded. He knew Ye Wanru had a point; the next move must be more cautious. He took out a piece of paper and pen and began to scribble, analyzing their current situation in detail and formulating his next action plan. "The most important thing now is to find out the whereabouts of that old devil from Matsushita and Zhang Daya's lair. Knowing yourself and the enemy is the key to success," he said slowly as he wrote. He knew that only by understanding the enemy's details could they develop a more effective response plan and defeat them one by one.

"Why don't we act separately, which will be more efficient. I will set up a secret meeting point at the pharmacy and collect intelligence from all sides. You will be responsible for collecting more information in the hotel. At the same time, Qinglan, you will be responsible for surveillance and finding the specific location of Zhang Daya." As he spoke, he arranged their respective tasks. His voice was decisive and crisp, reflecting his courage and responsibility as a commander.

Qinglan and Ye Wanru nodded. They had long been accustomed to Lu Yang's decisiveness and clear mind, and had long considered him a pillar of support. They would follow Lu Yang's lead and go all out to complete all the tasks he assigned them. They would always stand by Lu Yang and face all difficulties and dangers.