The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

The people inside were talking amongst themselves when a voice suddenly rose to a higher level.

"Alright, everyone, please be quiet. As the county magistrate, I've gathered you all here for dinner today to discuss something."

"I might as well tell you the truth: according to reliable information I have received, the Japanese 13th Division is preparing to cross the river and head north."

"And the Nationalist army will completely withdraw from Chuxian tomorrow."

As soon as County Chief Yan said this, the private room erupted in chaos.

"What? Doesn't this mean the Nationalist government is abandoning Chuzhou County?"

"That's right, the Nationalist army clearly didn't want to defend Chuzhou and was leaving us to the Japanese."

"No, if what County Chief Yan said is true, then we should hurry back and pack our things and run away immediately."

At this moment, Police Chief Huang Xingnong took a sip of wine, smacked his lips, and said...

"Quiet down, all of you. County Chief Yan hasn't finished speaking yet, and you're already getting impatient. I think County Chief Yan must have a plan."

Suddenly, everyone turned to look at Yan Xijiu.

Yan Xijiu picked up his wine glass, downed it in one gulp, and said in a deep voice.

"I do have a plan, which is to wait until the Nationalist army withdraws tomorrow and then retreat to Xianzong Town. As for what to do next, we'll talk about that later."

Yan Xijiu's proposal was immediately approved by the majority.

"County Chief Yan's suggestion is good, I agree."

"Thank you, County Chief Yan, for giving us advance notice. We'll head back tonight to pack up."

However, neither Huang Xingnong nor Gong Xikui made a statement.

Japan actually made ample preparations before invading China.

They sent a large number of spies into China, not only to gather military intelligence but also to gain a thorough understanding of the situation in various regions.

Therefore, while the Japanese were attacking Nanjing, their so-called defection efforts were also underway.

Two key figures in Chuxian County were the Japanese's primary targets for defection.

One is the police chief Huang Xingnong, and the other is Gong Xikui, the richest man in Chuzhou County.

Huang Xingnong indulged in all sorts of vices, including eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring, and was also greedy and afraid of death.

The Japanese were well aware of his bad habits, so they sent people to secretly contact him, and the gift they gave him was ten gold bars.

Moreover, they promised him that as long as he surrendered, he would not only be richly rewarded, but would also be appointed as the head of the Chuxian County Maintenance Association and the president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Huang Xingnong was naturally tempted and immediately agreed.

Gong Xikui participated in the Xinhai Revolution and went to the battlefield, experiencing gunfire and life-or-death trials.

Afterwards, he became increasingly frightened and even had nightmares every night, so he eventually withdrew from the revolutionary army and returned to his hometown of Chuxian to start a business.

Because Gong Xikui had studied in Japan in his early years and made many Japanese friends, he used his connections in Japan to do business with them after returning home.

As a result, they made a fortune in just a few years.

The Japanese also set their sights on him and sent people to try and win him over.

The Japanese offered a simple condition: after surrendering, they would not touch any of Gong Xikui's properties, and they would even appoint him as the county magistrate of Chuzhou.

Of course, after careful consideration, Gong Xikui had already secretly agreed.

Therefore, Yan Xijiu's suggestion at this moment would naturally not be supported by Huang Xingnong and Gong Xikui.

However, in order to cover it up, the two still resorted to high-sounding words.

“County Chief Yan, as the police chief of Chuxian County, I will never desert my post. I still have more than a hundred policemen under my command, and they are all armed. At worst, we will fight the Japanese.”

"Director Huang has guts and speaks well. The land of Chuxian nurtured me, so I, Gong Xikui, will stay and protect my hometown."

Their impassioned words drew awe and respect from everyone in the private room.

Just as Yan Xijiu was about to try to persuade the two of them again, applause suddenly rang out from outside the door.

Indeed, it was Long Fei who was clapping. At that moment, Xie Qiang pushed open the door to the private room.

"Director Huang, Mr. Gong, what you both said is truly admirable."

Long Fei clapped and spoke as he walked into the private room.

Seeing that Long Fei was wearing a military uniform, Yan Xijiu did not dare to reprimand him casually, but stood up and asked.

"Excuse me, are you..."

"I'm here to eat."

After saying that, Long Fei saw that there was still an empty seat and sat down.

Xie Qiang immediately brought over a bowl and chopsticks and placed them in front of Long Fei.

Long Fei didn't stand on ceremony, poured himself a drink, and then began to eat heartily.

This left everyone in the private room dumbfounded. Suddenly, an uninvited guest arrived, and the worst part was that none of them recognized him.

After a few drinks, Long Fei took a big bite of a braised goose leg and asked a question.

"Who is County Chief Yan...?"

Yan Xijiu was very displeased, but not knowing Long Fei's background, he could only respond politely.

"My name is Yan Xijiu, and I am the county magistrate of Chuxian County."

Long Fei tossed the goose leg bone he had finished gnawing on onto the table, picked up a tablecloth to wipe his hands, and then asked.

"County Chief Yan, I heard that you gave the order that only the Central Army is allowed to enter the city, and all other troops are to detour through Chuxian County, is that right?"

"That's right. Chuxian County only has a little over 10,000 residents, which is simply not enough to support so many Nationalist troops. I had no choice but to do this, and besides, I had the approval of my superiors."

As soon as Yan Xijiu finished speaking, Long Fei slammed his hand on the table.

"Smack... Fart..."

"Are you saying that only the Central Army is fighting the Japanese on the front lines? You say that Chuxian County can't support so many troops, but can't you even cook some porridge or boil some water?"

"Now the Japanese are about to besiege the city. As the official in charge of the people of Chuxian, instead of thinking about how to properly resettle the people of the county, you are here enjoying delicious food and plotting your escape."

"Your feast could be exchanged for so much rice, so much porridge, yet you still have the nerve to say you can't support so many troops."

Long Fei's palm strike sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

Yan Xijiu was thoroughly berated by Long Fei, his face turning ashen. He stood there dumbfounded, his mind completely blank for a moment.

After reprimanding Yan Xijiu, Long Fei turned his attention to Huang Xingnong, who was wearing a police uniform.

"Are you Director Huang?"

"Well, I am."

"I was just outside the door when I heard you say that you were going to lead the entire team to fight the Japanese invaders. I was very moved when I heard that."

"Therefore, I have decided that when the Japanese attack Chuxian, I will send you and your men to be the first to charge."

Huang Xingnong finally couldn't hold back any longer. He stood up abruptly, pointed at Long Fei, and questioned him.

"Who do you think you are, ordering me around?"

Long Fei sneered and calmly replied.

"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Long Fei, and I am the commander of the Longyan Force."

Gong Xikui was very shrewd and hadn't spoken a word from beginning to end, but he asked a question at this moment.

"Commander Long, does the National Army have such a unit?"

Long Fei laughed and said, "Let me clarify that my Dragon Flame unit does not belong to the National Army."

Upon hearing this, Gong Xikui asked again with suspicion, "Then are you the Eighth Route Army or the New Fourth Army?"

Long Fei shook his head: "Neither."

Now, Yan Xijiu and Huang Xingnong were immediately emboldened.

Yan Xijiu immediately adopted the authoritative demeanor of a county magistrate and questioned him.

"Since you're not part of the Nationalist Army, what gives you the right to act so arrogantly and say this and that?"

Huang Xingnong also angrily retorted, "Get out of here right now, or I'll make things difficult for you."

Long Fei pulled out his pistol and slammed it on the table: "I'm based on this, based on killing tens of thousands of Japanese devils."

Seeing Long Fei draw his gun, Huang Xingnong was not to be outdone and hurriedly tried to draw his own pistol as well.

But Xie Qiang was not about to give him a chance. He stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and took the Mauser pistol from his holster.

Long Fei slowly stood up, pointed at Huang Xingnong and Gong Xikui, and gave an order to Xie Qiang.

"Take them both out and shoot them."