Spy war in the Republic of China, peak undercover

There were few pedestrians in the town, the atmosphere was depressing, and patrols of puppet troops and Japanese troops were shuttling back and forth.

Lu Yang led his men straight to the stronghold and whispered, "Lao Hei, get ready to take action." He cursed a few times in an Osaka accent, pretending to complain to cover up the slight sound of the headset.

Meanwhile, Lao Hei's armored convoy approached the stronghold, engines roaring and gunfire ringing out. The puppet troops were caught off guard, and the machine gunners hurriedly returned fire, throwing the town into chaos. The Japanese sentries at the supply depot were dispatched to reinforce, leaving the defenses vulnerable. Monkey led his men to the rear of the factory building, poured kerosene, and ignited the hay. Flames erupted, and thick smoke billowed.

Lu Yang infiltrated the stronghold and led his men straight to the command post. The puppet army leader, a tall, thin man, was drinking with the Japanese commander, with several bottles of sake on the table. Lu Yang flung open the door and yelled in an Osaka accent, "Omae! What are you doing here? The Chinese are attacking!" (You! What are you doing here? The Chinese are attacking!)

Lu Yang infiltrated the stronghold and led his men straight to the command post. The puppet army leader, a tall, thin man, was drinking with the Japanese commander, several bottles of sake on the table. Lu Yang flung open the door and shouted in an Osaka accent, "You! What are you doing here? The Chinese are attacking!"

The Japanese commander, his eyes half-drunk, asked, "What? Chinese?" Without waiting for a response, Lu Yang fired a shot with his "Qinglong" weapon, sending blood spurting from his brow. The puppet army leader fell off his chair in terror, and just as he was about to shout, Lu Yang's dagger slashed across his throat, sending blood spurting from his throat.

The fire at the supply depot spread, and the oil drums exploded with a deafening roar. Lu Yang shouted, "Explosives!" The team placed the explosives, setting them to detonate in five minutes. As they retreated, they ran into a small group of Japanese soldiers. Lu Yang shot the leader dead with a single shot, and then used a grenade to blast a breach.

Seeing their leader dead and the supply depot ablaze, the puppet troops' morale collapsed and they fled. Lao Hei led armored vehicles into the town, crushing any resistance. The Japanese armored trains started up and turned their guns, but the guerrillas had already retreated. Five minutes later, the supply depot was blown up, the railway line severed, and flames illuminated the night sky.

The team retreated to Wild Wolf Valley. Lu Yang leaned against the car, his left shoulder wound ruptured and blood dripping. He panted and whispered, "Old Wang, another battle of revenge for you." Monkey handed over the canteen and whispered, "Brother Lu, the Japanese must be going crazy this time!"

Lu Yang took a sip and nodded, saying, "It's good to be crazy. If they're crazy, they'll be in chaos." He turned to Lao Hei and said, "Send someone to watch the railway. The Japanese will repair it. We have to find another opportunity."

Inside the Japanese headquarters, a senior officer received news of the fall of Qingshan Town and threw a cup in a rage. "Baka! The railway is down again!" he roared. "Send two squadrons to clear Wild Wolf Valley! I want those Chinese heads!"

The staff officer whispered, "Sir, if the supply line is cut off again, the front line..."

"Turn!" the officer sneered, "I want the flames of Eagle's Beak Cliff!" He stared at the map with a sinister look.

In Wild Wolf Valley, Lu Yang tore off the cloth strips from his left shoulder. The wound was severely inflamed, pus and blood oozing out. He washed it with strong liquor, gritting his teeth in pain. Lao Hei whispered, "Lu Yang, your wound needs treatment..."

The moonlight hung low, casting a faint, cold glow across the rugged cliffs of Wild Wolf Valley. The air was thick with the pungent smell of gunpowder and charred metal, a reminder of the brutal successes of Iron Furnace and Green Mountain Town. Lu Yang sat on a jagged rock, the bandage on his left shoulder soaked with blood, the wound inflamed and oozing pus. Despite the excruciating pain, his eyes remained sharp, scanning the distant horizon, as if waiting for the next wave of enemies to emerge from the darkness.

Lao Hei approached, his boots crunching on the gravel. In his hands were a crumpled map and a small can of captured Japanese rations. "Lu Yang, the scouts are back. The Japanese are furious about the loss of Qingshan Town. They've sent two squadrons to sweep Wild Wolf Valley and are working day and night to repair the railway. We have two days at most before they launch a full-scale attack."

Lu Yang took the map and ran his fingers along the railway line that once supplied the Japanese front. "Two days," he murmured, his tone low but firm, "enough for us to do another job." He looked up, his eyes locked on Lao Hei. "Where is their headquarters?"

Lao Hei hesitated, then pointed to a marked point on the map. It was a hilltop fortress near Black Crow Pass, about thirty miles away. "It's heavily defended, with machine gun nests, barbed wire, and at least one elite squadron. The commander is Colonel Tanaka, who oversees the entire battle zone. Kill him, and the Japanese chain of command will collapse. But with so few of us, going there would be a death sentence."

Lu Yang's lips curled into a cold smile. "They're the ones going to die, not us." He stood up, fighting off the sharp pain in his left shoulder. "Gather the men, take the captured armored vehicles and the last few packs of explosives. Tomorrow at dawn, raid their headquarters."

Monkey ran over, his face covered in mud, but his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Lu Yang, there's news from the village that a supply convoy is leaving for Black Crow Pass tonight, carrying food and ammunition, with few escorts. Should we intercept it?"

Lu Yang's eyes lit up and he nodded, "Okay, let's intercept the supply line and then attack the headquarters, a two-pronged approach." He turned to Lao Hei and said, "Take a team to intercept the convoy and grab as much food and explosives as possible. Monkey, come with me to explore the road to Black Crow Pass and come back before dark."

Lao Hei nodded and whispered: "Your injury..."

"Stop talking nonsense." Lu Yang interrupted with a cold tone, "Let's talk about it after we finish this battle." He moved his left shoulder, frowning slightly in pain, but he managed to hold on and not fall.

The night was as dark as ink. The guerrillas split into two groups. Lao Hei led a dozen or so men in ambush on the mountain road leading to Black Crow Pass, while Lu Yang led Monkey and three other members to scout the way. Black Crow Pass was a strategically located area. The command post was located in a stone fortress, surrounded by barbed wire and machine gun nests, with sentries patrolling back and forth. Lu Yang crouched on the clifftop and whispered, "It's heavily guarded, but there's a small path in the back that could lead us in."

Monkey whispered, "Brother Lu, the lights are on in the fortress. I guess Tanaka is in a meeting. Should we do it tonight?"

"No." Lu Yang shook his head. "We don't have enough manpower. We can only explore the way tonight. Tomorrow at dawn, Lao Hei will intercept the convoy, and we will attack from both inside and outside." He noted the location of the trail and led the team to retreat.

Meanwhile, a Japanese supply convoy arrived within Lao Hei's ambush. Five trucks laden with supplies, escorted by only twenty or so. Lao Hei shouted, "Attack!" Guerrillas charged from both sides, grenades overturning the vehicles in front and rifle fire catching the guards off guard, killing and wounding most. The convoy was intercepted, the food stolen, and the ammunition trucks reduced to a sea of ​​fire.

At dawn, the guerrillas assembled in Wild Wolf Valley, their temporary camp filled with captured food. Lu Yang inspected the "Qinglong" and whispered, "Old Black, how's the interception of the convoy going?"

"Well done!" Lao Hei grinned. "We stole three trucks of food and blew up two trucks of ammunition. The Japanese guards were all killed." He paused and whispered, "But your injury..."

"I told you it's okay," Lu Yang interrupted, standing up. "Gather the men, bring explosives and armored vehicles, and storm Black Crow Pass." He glanced at everyone, "In this battle, if we kill Tanaka, the Japanese front line will be in chaos."

At daybreak, the guerrillas approached Black Crow Pass. Lu Yang ordered two armored vehicles to launch a feint attack from the front to draw fire. He led Monkey and five other members along a small path to the rear of the fortress. The machine gun nest's firepower was pinned down by the armored vehicles, distracting the sentries. Lu Yang cut through the barbed wire with a single stroke and shouted, "Go in!"

Inside the fortress, Colonel Tanaka was angrily berating his subordinates in the conference room, a map spread out on the table. Lu Yang led his men to the door and threw a smoke bomb, filling the room with thick smoke. He rushed in, and Qinglong fired a shot, causing blood to spurt between Tanaka's eyebrows. The guards drew their guns and fired back, but Lu Yang rolled sideways and stabbed two of them with his short knife. Monkey provided cover, firing, and the conference room was flooded with blood.

At the same time, the Black Belt armored vehicles broke through the main gate, grenades destroyed the machine gun nest, and the guerrillas swarmed in. The fortress defenders were attacked from both inside and outside, their morale collapsed, and the remaining troops fled in all directions. Lu Yang and his men planted explosives, set to detonate in ten minutes, and shouted, "Retreat!"

The guerrillas withdrew, and five minutes later, the fortress was reduced to ruins, flames shooting into the sky. Lu Yang stood on the hillside, panting, and whispered, "Old Wang, this time, I'll avenge you completely." The wound on his left shoulder burst open, blood dripping, but he paid no attention.

Lao Hei ran over and said excitedly: "Tanaka is finished! The Japanese headquarters is gone, and the front line is in chaos!"

Lu Yang nodded, his gaze turning to the distance. "It's good that things are chaotic. Chaos gives us a chance." He whispered, "Rest for a day and find the next target tomorrow."

Before the euphoria of victory faded, new news arrived around the campfire in Wolf Valley. Scouts brought back intelligence: While the Japanese front was in disarray due to a series of defeats, the First Puppet Army Regiment, numbering nearly a thousand, had assembled in nearby Qingyang City, escorting a shipment of vital supplies, suspected to be linked to the new Japanese offensive. More crucially, the puppet regiment housed a Japanese Special High Section intelligence station, providing access to the enemy's next operational plan.

After listening to this, Lu Yang whispered, "The puppet army in Qingyang City... Okay, let's go and turn them upside down." He pointed to Qingyang City on the map, "This batch of supplies and intelligence may be the key to the Japanese's comeback. We need to sneak in, find out their plan, and blow up the supplies while we're at it."

Lao Hei frowned. "Lu Yang, the puppet army is heavily guarded. The commander is Zhao Desheng, a veteran. The Japanese sent an advisor named Yamamoto, the head of the Special High Section. We are outnumbered, so how easy is it to get in?"

Lu Yang sneered, "It's easier to get things done with fewer people. I'll disguise myself and pretend to be one of our own." He paused, a cunning glint in his eyes, "The puppet army uniforms and documents seized from Qingshan Town will come in handy."

Monkey interrupted, "Brother Lu, I heard from my fellow villagers that Zhao Desheng loves money, and his subordinates are extremely greedy. Outsiders often sneak into the barracks to give gifts. How about we pretend to be the ones delivering money?"

"Good idea." Lu Yang nodded. "Monkey, go to the village and get some decent clothes and pretend to be a vendor. Lao Hei, pick a few smart guys and prepare explosives and weapons. Let's set off before dark."

As night fell, the guerrillas infiltrated the outskirts of Qingyang City. Lu Yang donned a captured puppet army major's uniform. His ID read "Li Wenchang," a fictitious liaison officer. He smeared dust on his face and donned round-framed glasses, feigning a frail demeanor. A thick bandage covered the wound on his left shoulder. Monkey and two other members disguised themselves as merchants, pushing a cart of cloth, cigarettes, and alcohol, posing as gift-giving merchants.

Lu Yang whispered, "I'll go in first, sneak into the regiment headquarters, and find out what Zhao Desheng and Yamamoto are up to. Monkey, you guys stay outside to provide support and find a chance to deliver the explosives. Old Black, take the armored vehicles and ambush outside the city and wait for my signal."

Lao Hei nodded and whispered, "Be careful, the Special High Police's nose is sharper than a dog's."

Lu Yang hummed a yes and led his men toward the city gate. Qingyang City was heavily guarded, with puppet soldiers at the gate conducting inspections with guns. Lu Yang held his head high, handed over his ID, and spoke in Mandarin with a southern accent, "Li Wenchang, I've been ordered to see Captain Zhao. I have an important matter to report."

The sentry of the puppet army glanced at his ID and saw that he had an extraordinary demeanor and was carrying a "gift", so he nodded quickly: "Please come in, Commander Li, Commander Zhao is at the regimental headquarters." He waved his hand to let him in, and Monkey and others followed behind with the cart.

The city was brightly lit. The puppet army camp was located in the east, and the regimental headquarters was located in an old county government office. A banner reading "First Regiment" hung at the gate. Lu Yang walked into the regimental headquarters and bumped into a portly puppet army officer. It was Zhao Desheng. He was whispering with a tall, thin Japanese military advisor with a sinister look in his eyes. It was Yamamoto.

Lu Yang saluted and said respectfully, "Captain Zhao, Advisor Yamamoto, I am Li Wenchang, and I am here on orders from my superiors to deliver a batch of supplies and intelligence." He handed over a forged official document with a seal seized from Qingshan Town.

Zhao Desheng took the document, glanced at it, and smiled so hard his face shook. "Captain Li, you've arrived just in time! We can easily handle the supplies. Sit down and have a cup of tea." He glanced at the cart pushed by Monkey, his eyes gleaming with greed.

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes, looked at Lu Yang, and said in stiff Chinese: "Major Li, which unit are you from? Why do you look unfamiliar?"

Lu Yang's heart tightened, but he remained calm and said with a smile, "Advisor Yamamoto, I used to work in the logistics department and was just transferred to liaison. No wonder I don't look familiar." He pulled out a pack of Japanese cigarettes seized from Qingshan Town and handed it over. "It's just a small gift, a token of my respect."

Yamamoto took the cigarette, his expression slightly relieved, but he still stared at Lu Yang, as if testing him. Zhao Desheng laughed and patted Lu Yang on the shoulder: "Yamamoto-kun, Commander Li is one of us, don't be suspicious! Come, have a drink!"

Lu Yang sat down and drank a few glasses with Zhao Desheng, observing the situation from behind. A map with several transport routes marked on the regimental desk was spread out, along with a coded telegram, clearly from the Special High Section. He remained calm, using the time between toasts to note down key points on the map.

Meanwhile, Monkey pretended to deliver gifts outside the military camp and took the opportunity to hide the explosives under a piece of cloth and handed it to a greedy puppet army captain, instructing him to "deliver it to the warehouse." Seeing the lucrative opportunity, the puppet soldier readily agreed.

Late at night, Lu Yang slipped out of the regimental headquarters, using the excuse of using the restroom, and sneaked into the adjacent telegraph room. A single puppet clerk dozed off inside. He knocked the clerk unconscious with a palm strike and retrieved the telegram transcript. The intelligence was shocking: the Japanese planned to launch a general offensive from Qingyang City in three days, targeting Yingzui Cliff. The puppet army's First Regiment, codenamed "Thunder," was tasked with transporting heavy artillery and biological weapons.

Lu Yang quickly copied down the information and stuffed it into his boot. Just as he was about to leave, he heard footsteps outside the door. Yamamoto pushed the door open and walked in, his eyes sharp as a knife. "Major Li, what brings you here so late at night?"

Lu Yang's heart beat faster, but he remained calm and said with a smile, "Advisor Yamamoto, I drank too much and got lost, and accidentally came here." He pretended to stagger and held on to the table.

Yamamoto sneered and drew his pistol. "Lost? The Special High Police don't believe in coincidences." He was about to call for help when Lu Yang pounced on him, stabbing him in the chest with a dagger, sending blood splattering all over the floor. He quickly dragged the body under the table, wiped off the blood, and slipped out of the telegraph room.

When they returned to the regiment headquarters, Zhao Desheng was already drunk. Lu Yang whispered, "Captain Zhao, the supplies have been delivered. I have to go back." Zhao Desheng waved him away without noticing.

Lu Yang led Houzi and the others out of the barracks. Halfway through, he informed Lao Hei via his headset, "The explosives have been delivered. They will be detonated in ten minutes. Prepare for support." Ten minutes later, there was a loud bang, and the barracks warehouse erupted in flames. The explosion shattered the night sky. The puppet troops were in disarray, and Lao Hei rushed in with armored vehicles to cover Lu Yang's evacuation.

Back at Wolf Valley, Lu Yang pulled out the intelligence and said in a deep voice, "The Japanese will launch a general attack in three days, armed with biological weapons. We must seize their heavy artillery before they act." He lit a cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Old Wang, this information is for you."

Lao Hei whispered: "Your injury..."

"It's okay." Lu Yang interrupted, his eyes sharp, "As long as the Japanese don't die, we have to fight." He wanted to defend this piece of sky.