cicada

Chapter 1358 Entering the game

three days later.

Commander Du came to the surveillance point on Lao Nanmen Street in plain clothes. He was extremely low-key on this trip, with only two guards around him, and he didn't even take the headquarters' car.

Baoshan is not far from the front line. If the Japanese knew the whereabouts of his deputy commander-in-chief, they would definitely use all means to assassinate him.

So instead of parading around with a whole team of guards, it is better to act secretly. This is the reason why people should hide in the wild when they are small and in the city when they are medium.

Inside the surveillance point, Zuo Zhong saw Commander Du and greeted him with a smile: "Commander Du, please take a seat. The operation will begin shortly."

Although he disliked spies, he didn't want to hit someone who smiled at him. Commander Du nodded and sat down. While listening to Zuo Chong's report on the arrest operation, he guessed the other party's intention in inviting him here.

As for watching the arrest? This is just a reason.

As the deputy commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force, what he has to consider is how to command tens of thousands of troops to fight. Does he need to pay attention to a few sneaky spies?

The answer is obviously no.

There is no way Zuo Chong didn't know this, and it is even more impossible for him to waste his time on some trivial matters.

In this case, the other party still invited him here, so there must be a very important reason.

Commander Du looked at Zuo Zhong deeply and continued to pretend to listen.

"According to our surveillance, the target Yang Ersuo is at home. The operatives will be divided into two teams."

Zuo Zhong introduced the arrest plan in detail, and then called Gui Youguang and Song Minghao, who were in charge of the operation, to show their faces in front of Commander Du.

This man will be one of the most important figures in the military in the future, so there is no harm in getting closer to him.

Commander Du did not put on airs and encouraged the two of them in a friendly manner. However, when he saw Fang Chengze on the other side of the room, his expression became a little complicated.

The military is a place where friendship is most valued, at least on the surface. Fang Chengze repeatedly reported Lu Banqing, and this behavior should have been despised, but Lu Banqing was a Japanese spy, so the situation was different.

After a slight hesitation, Commander Du perfunctorily praised Fang Chengze and then asked Zuo Zhong whether Yang Ersuo was the culprit who leaked the combat plan.

The expeditionary army suffered a disastrous defeat in Burma, which was a thorn in Commander Du's side. Now that there was a chance to resolve it, he was of course very concerned.

Zuo Zhong didn't say anything definite, he just said it was possible, and the details would have to wait until the person was caught and interrogated to be confirmed.

Commander Du showed approval on his face. No wonder Commander Zhang (Battle of Shanghai and Strategic Deception chapters) had a good impression of Zuo Zhong. Compared with other spy chiefs, this man was indeed very different.

"Dangdangdang~~"

The clock on the wall struck seven times. There were still fifteen minutes before the operation started. Gui Youguang led the team to leave the surveillance point, and Song Minghao stayed behind to take command.

Looking down from the air, many operatives rushed out of the temporary assembly point and quickly blocked the traffic near Lao Nanmen Street.

Not only Lao Nanmen Street was under control, but the Political Training Department and the Second Department also secretly cut off all exits from the city.

As long as Yang Ersuo is arrested and confesses, the Japanese spies in Baoshan City will be unable to escape. This is a common operation in intelligence capture operations.

Commander Du was very satisfied after listening to Zuo Zhong's explanation, and Fang Chengze was smiling like a dog's tail flower, nodding and bowing as he served the two of them.

In a street, Gui Youguang looked at his watch, raised his right arm and swung it violently, and the young spies immediately formed a column and rushed towards Yang Ersuo's residence.

The hurried footsteps startled the residents. Someone pushed the door and looked around, but before he could see what was happening outside, he was forced back by the little spy with a gun. The Political Training Department did not believe in civilized law enforcement.

Song Minghao observed the progress of the operation through a telescope, and deployed troops from time to time to make up for the loopholes in the operation, appearing to be in command.

Commander Du watched for a while and couldn't help but sigh: "As expected of the intelligence force that the leader values ​​most, it is indeed extraordinary."

"Commander Du, you are too kind. Compared with the frontal battlefield where hundreds of thousands of people are fighting, intelligence operations are ultimately a minor matter." Zuo Zhong was very humble.

"Deputy Director Zuo is too modest. The way to govern a country and command the military lies in using both the regular and the unusual." Commander Du also spoke very nicely.

While the two were talking, Fang Chengze glanced at the wall clock and quietly took two steps back.

At the window, Song Minghao began to count down: "Three, two"

In one second, the operatives will break into the room and arrest Yang Ersuo, but will it be so easy?

"Boom~~~~~"

Suddenly, a loud noise was heard in the distance. The noise was so loud that even the small building where the surveillance point was located shook twice.

Song Minghao's eyes went dark and he cried out in shock: "Oh no! The target residence exploded!"

Less than two hundred meters away from the surveillance point, a column of black smoke rose, and Yang Ersuo’s small courtyard became a ruin. Many spies nearby fell to the ground and wailed.

Gui Youguang and others who were the first to enter the scene were probably in danger. When Song Minghao thought about the uncertain life and death of his brothers who had fought side by side with him for many years, his eyes turned red instantly and his hand holding the telescope trembled slightly.

Fang Chengze was ecstatic and laughed out loud subconsciously, but the next moment a lazy voice came.

"Mr. Fang, you seem very happy?"

Zuo Zhong just sat on the chair and looked at Fang Chengze quietly with a smile on his face. People who knew Zuo Zhong knew that this meant someone was going to die.

Fang Chengze froze, but immediately regained his composure and said in a timid tone, "Deputy Director Zuo, I advise you to be sensible. You don't think we have been preparing for so long just for an explosion."

As if to prove his words, gunshots rang out outside the surveillance point, and dozens of armed men in various uniforms rushed out from the street corner and ran towards the small building.

These people were agile and had accurate shooting skills. The agents from the Political Training Department who were in charge of controlling the scene were no match for them and fell to the ground in an instant.

Commander Du's guards' faces changed drastically. There were only a small number of agents guarding the surveillance point. If the enemy broke in, they would not be able to resist at all.

"Sir, please leave immediately with Commander Zuo. We will cover your retreat."

One guard stepped forward and tried to pull Commander Du away, and another guard also walked to Zuo Chong's side. For professional guards, protecting the target's life is above all else.

"Haha, don't panic. I want to see who wants to kill Du."

Officer Du remained unmoved, and then changed the subject: "And seeing that Deputy Director Zuo looks confident, he must have been prepared in advance. Am I right?"

After asking the question, he turned his gaze to Zuo Zhong, showing no sign of panic, displaying the demeanor of a great general.

"Hahaha, Commander Du, I really can't hide anything from you." Zuo Zhong laughed and raised his hand to pat him: "Come in."

As Zuo Zhong spoke, two people pushed open the door. Song Minghao, who was immersed in sadness, shouted in surprise when he saw the people coming.

"Is there light?" "Spring sun?"

Gui Youguang and Wu Chunyang greeted Song Minghao, and then raised their right hands to salute: "Greetings, Commander Du, Vice Commander."

Song Minghao felt a little dizzy. It was easy to explain that Gui Youguang was safe and sound, but Wu Chunyang should be in Shancheng now, so why was he in Baoshan?

Zuo Zhong introduced Wu Chunyang's position to Commander Du, and ordered Gui Youguang: "Go, leave a few alive, otherwise I'm afraid Mr. Fang will be lonely on the road."

Gui Youguang didn't say much, he rushed out with a submachine gun in hand. Not long after, a series of gunshots were heard around the small building.

The people who fired the shots were the special operations team agents who had already "died" in the explosion. They surrounded the assassin from all sides and used their firepower advantage to suppress the enemy on both sides of the street.

The shop, which had its doors closed a few minutes ago, had its doors removed at some point, and teams of Kuomintang agents filed out, catching the assassin off guard.

Hearing the screams outside, Fang Chengze's body was shaking and his face was pale. How proud he was just now, how embarrassed he was now.

Without even looking at the clown, Zuo Zhong asked Wu Chunyang: "Have you found out the details of the assassins? Where do they live? How many people are there? What is their background?"

"We found out that there were about 20 people in total. These people sneaked into the city before the Burma War and lived in several factories and shops in the north of the city."

After talking about the number of assassins and whereabouts, Wu Chunyang paused and said, "The assassins should have a Japanese military background."

"Are you sure?" Commander Du asked in a serious tone.

There are a large number of Japanese armed personnel active in the city, which is by no means a trivial matter. Baoshan is the headquarters of the Expeditionary Force. If the Japanese launch a surprise attack, the consequences will be very serious.

Wu Chunyang did not hesitate and said firmly: "I am sure that the Military Control Commission has been fighting the Japanese for so many years, and I am very familiar with their style of action."

Fang Chengze secretly raised his head when he heard that, but saw Zuo Chong looking at him coldly. He quickly lowered his head, as quiet as a quail.

The gunfire outside became more intense. Officer Du asked the question that Song Minghao and Fang Chengze wanted to ask: "Deputy Director Zuo, how did you know that someone would come to assassinate me today?"

"Because the assassin was brought here by Zuo."

Zuo Chong's words were shocking, and what he said next made Song Minghao understand why Wu Chunyang was in Baoshan, and also allowed Commander Du to see the professionalism of the Military Control Commission.

"In fact, leak cases are difficult to investigate. With so many people involved, it is difficult for us to find any flaws unless our opponents make mistakes."

"To be on the safe side, I divided the investigators into two teams, one visible and one invisible, and sent them to Baoshan in batches."

"The fact is just as I expected. The headquarters' investigation and questioning did not yield any substantial findings. This person was only considered a suspect at the time."

Zuo Zhong pointed at Fang Chengze and said something, then slowly walked to the window and watched Gui Youguang kill the last assassin.

Seeing that the situation was under control, he turned around with relief and continued to answer Chief Du's questions.

"Since the enemy won't move, I can only intervene and lure them out."

"The Japanese hated Zuo so much that they sent people to attack me a long time ago, but they failed."

Commander Du interrupted, "Wait, if the Japanese spies don't fall for it, what will you do?"

"No, the other party will definitely be fooled."

Zuo Zhong said this with full confidence, and then he explained the reason. Song Minghao and Commander Du listened very carefully.

"As early as when I received the mission, I had a question. Since the Japanese spy was able to steal the battle plan, he must be in an important position. Why didn't he carry out sabotage and assassination operations?"

"It's understandable that they didn't take action before the battle was over. After all, the Japanese army needs a stable source of intelligence. But now, if something happens to the headquarters, I'm afraid the Nujiang front won't be able to hold out for even a day."

"Everyone knows that the Japanese are eager to end the war with the National Government and turn their attention to dealing with Europe and the United States. However, the Japanese spies left such a good opportunity unused. There must be something fishy about this matter."

"So, I have a bold guess that the Japanese spy who stole the battle plan is also a member of the interest group in the military."

"He or they sell intelligence, but they don't want the expeditionary force to fail completely, because then they won't have the money to embezzle military pay and engage in speculation."

"Based on this speculation, I made some arrangements after arriving in Baoshan, focusing on both investigating corruption and countering espionage."

"On the one hand, he is about to be exposed, on the other hand, his interests are damaged, and with Zuo's head at stake, what will the Japanese spy do?"

Commander Du's eyes lit up: "I'll take the risk to get rid of you, the thorn in my side, to avoid being exposed, and by the way, give the Japanese an explanation!"

Zuo Zhong put his hands in his pockets, nodded heavily, and looked at Fang Chengze with a mocking look.

“Yes, when we first talked to the person involved in the case, this guy took the initiative to report Lu Banqing in an attempt to divert our attention.

When I leaked the news for the second time, saying that I would re-investigate corruption in the military, this guy jumped out again.”

"If I was just suspicious up to this point, then after interrogating Fang Tianxiang, I was certain that Fang Chengze was the Japanese spy."

"It was he who reported Lu Banqing, it was he who discovered Yang Ersuo, and it was he who suggested to Fang Tianxiang that Yang Ersuo be used as a scapegoat. There is no such coincidence in the world."

"At this time, the ambush team came into play. I ordered Wu Chunyang to wait near Yang Ersuo's residence, and he indeed found the assassin's trace."

Commander Du clapped his hands lightly and said with emotion, "What a trick! Deputy Director Zuo is putting pressure on the Japanese spies little by little, forcing them to take action against you. You have mastered the essence of military tactics by treating the enemy as your subordinates."

"Commander Du, thank you for your praise."

Zuo Zhong quickly waved his hands. To be honest, he didn't think his methods were that brilliant. When it came to mobilizing the enemy, the guy in the northwest was unrivaled.

On the banks of the Hongshui River, they crossed the river four times to block the enemy, defeated the larger force with a smaller one, turned the passive position into the active position, and made the central and local armies of the National Government unable to take care of both the front and the back. This is truly a miracle in the world's military history.

Commander Du didn't know what the deputy director of the Military Control Commission in front of him was really thinking. If he knew, he would definitely shoot Zuo Zhong twice. After he finished praising him, his tone suddenly changed.

"But you still forgot one thing."

"Oh? Please go ahead, Commander Du. I'm all ears." Zuo Chong looked puzzled.

"Shen Zhong, you are not honest. You are worried that the Japanese won't take the bait, so you drag Du in as bait. Aren't you afraid that I am one of theirs?" Commander Du pretended to be angry.

"Don't worry. If you are this kind of person, then the party-state is really hopeless."

Zuo Zhong said this sincerely, and after saying this, he and Commander Du looked at each other and smiled.

Just as the two commanders were sympathizing with each other, Gui Youguang came back dragging an assassin with him. The battle outside had ended.

Fang Chengze looked desperate. Suddenly, he knelt on his knees and crawled closer, shouting at the top of his lungs: "I want to report it. Lu Banqing did meet with a stranger. She must be an underground party member!"