cicada

Chapter 1523 Arrangements in Southeast Asia
Temasek, August 4, 1945, sunny, temperature 31 degrees Celsius, with brief heavy rainfall.

As the Japanese army suffered repeated defeats in the Pacific, Temasek's security control became extremely lax. Neither the Japanese nor the indigenous police force had any interest in dealing with the underground resistance fighters.

That morning, an East Asian man walked out of a store and got into a car, which then exploded violently.

In the firelight, Margaret was forcibly dragged away by her companions, a scene witnessed by the onlookers.

Three hours later, the Japanese military police stationed in Temasek received an investigation report that traces of British military explosive devices were found at the scene, and the way the bombs were placed was also in the style of the Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Intelligence officials speculated that this was likely the work of the British army, with the aim of eliminating destabilizing elements within the resistance.

Temasek and the anti-Japanese guerrillas in Malaya are a diverse group, including leftists, rightists, and British and American plantation owners. The British have long been dissatisfied with both the left and right wings, so it is not surprising that SOE took action.

The Japanese didn't take the matter seriously and chose to close the case hastily, but the U.S. Office of Strategic Services' Temasek team was overjoyed and quickly launched an operation.

The next day, someone knocked on the door of a Nanyang building in Temasek. As the door slowly opened, Margaret, looking tired and sad, appeared through the crack.

Upon seeing the person knocking, she became wary: "It's you? I have nothing to say to your OSS. Goodbye."

After saying this, Margaret prepared to close the door, her left hand, hidden behind the door, tightly gripping a loaded Browning.

"Please wait, Miss Margaret," the newcomer said, blocking the doorway. "I want to talk to you about what happened yesterday. Don't you want revenge?"

This man had a typical South Asian male face, looked to be in his forties, and was well-dressed. As he spoke, he took off his French postman hat.

Upon hearing his words, a flash of resentment crossed Margaret's face. Her right hand, which was closing the door, stopped, and she stepped aside to make way.

The visitor smiled slightly and entered the house. Margaret casually closed the door, and the two sat down facing each other on the living room sofa.

After a brief silence, the man spoke first: "Miss Margaret, I heard that your friend was tragically killed in yesterday's explosion. Please accept my condolences."

Margaret sat there silently, looking utterly dejected. After a long while, she looked up and said sarcastically, "Alright, just say what you have to say. You, the OSS Temasek team leader, certainly didn't come here to attend a funeral."

The Special Operations Executive had collaborated with OSS on numerous occasions, and both sides were familiar with each other's leaders, which is why Margaret recognized the person at a glance.

The OSS team leader's smile faded, and his gaze towards Margaret became playful: "My people told me that you and that gentleman have a close relationship. You've been to the beach and the market together. Am I right?"

At this point, he shook his head: "I never expected that SOE's famous Iron Lady would be like an ordinary woman, blinded by love."

Margaret was enraged by these words. She stared intently at the other person and said, enunciating each word clearly, "What do you mean by this?"

The OSS team leader leaned back on the sofa and chuckled, "What do you mean? If my intelligence is correct, that gentleman should be someone sent by Shancheng. You and he were seen at the jungle camp."

"What did he say in the camp? Let me think... Oh, right, he persuaded the guerrillas to join the Republic of China after the war and help the Nationalist government establish pro-China forces in Southeast Asia."

“I must admit, it was a good idea, but you’ve forgotten one thing: the British wouldn’t allow that to happen. So the man died, and he died from a British military explosive device.”

Not content with simply recounting Margaret's recent whereabouts, the OSS team leader tossed a report onto the coffee table, gesturing for her to open it and take a look.

The report contained the findings of the Japanese military police's investigation into the bombing. The fact that they were able to obtain this intelligence in such a short time shows that the OSS had planted many moles in the high command of the Japanese military.

Margaret quickly finished reading the investigation report, her expression growing even more somber, and she unconsciously tightened her grip on the report.

The OSS team leader breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. The bald man was more important to the other party than he had predicted, which was good news for him.

On the other side, Margaret put down the report and asked coldly, "What do you want? Or rather, what does your OSS want?"

"Clap clap clap," the OSS team leader clapped his hands with a smile and raised a finger: "I like to cooperate with smart people. We only have one goal, and that is your cooperation with the anti-Japanese armed forces."

"Don't rush to refuse. After this war, the British influence in Asia will decline sharply, while the American influence will expand rapidly. You don't object to that, do you?"

Margaret hesitated for a moment, but nodded in agreement. The British army's disastrous defeat in the Asian colonies had revealed to many that Britain was outwardly strong but inwardly weak.

In this world, might makes right. Britain's decline was obvious, and the emergence of ambitious figures was inevitable.

For example, the leaders of various princely states, religious factions, and armed guerrillas all had other ideas.

The OSS team leader continued to persuade her, and then presented her final condition: "Miss Margaret, America is very sincere. We can help you get rid of British control and even help you establish your own country."

"War has destroyed the old world, and a new world is on the horizon. I think a female leader who brings freedom and peace to the people of Southeast Asia would be a good choice."

His tone was persuasive, but Margaret was not swayed by this seemingly attractive offer and remained expressionless.

Just as the OSS team leader was about to speak again, Margaret spoke up: "I have no interest in becoming the female leader, but I can introduce you to some reliable guerrilla friends, as long as you agree to one request." "What request?" The OSS team leader was excited inside, but asked casually on the surface.

Margaret looked the other person in the eye and said the following: "I want you to kill SOE's top intelligence officials in Temasek and Malaya. Listen carefully, all of them!"

The OSS team leader thought to himself, "What a madwoman. For a man, she'd even give up her position as head of state."

He took a deep breath and gave a serious answer: "No problem, three days, at the latest three days, and you will see the result you want. I hope you can remember your promise, otherwise I don't mind killing one more person."

Margaret was not intimidated and extended her right hand towards the other party: "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"Pleasant to work with."

The two shook hands lightly, and the atmosphere in the room instantly eased considerably. After chatting for a few more minutes, the OSS team leader took his leave.

As for the disguised identities and locations of SOE's senior management, this is no secret to OSS. If even such a simple problem cannot be solved, then there is no need for the two sides to continue cooperating.

After seeing the Americans off, Margaret went into another room where a Gray Audograph tape recorder sat on the table. She turned it on and put on the headphones.

The conversation between the two had just been playing in her earphones. Margaret turned off the device at the end. With the OSS team leader's recording, the irrefutable evidence of the American assassination of the British intelligence agent was now in hand.

She took the soft vinyl record out of the machine and put it into a brown paper bag. This type of tape recorder was Edison's latest product and was more portable than wire recorders.

The next morning, Margaret walked briskly through the morning market, where bright carbide lamps hung from bamboo poles, illuminating the steaming food stalls.

The food here is delicious and inexpensive, making it popular among the working class in Temasek. However, the downside is the complex environment and chaotic security situation.

After wandering around the morning market, Margaret entered a shop. The shop assistant silently led her to the stairs, then turned back to stand guard at the shop door.

Upon reaching the second floor, Margaret smiled at a man and said, "Light, just as you guessed, the American went to see me. This is a recording."

As she spoke, she handed over the brown paper bag containing the soft vinyl records.

Gui Youguang, who had already "died" in the explosion, took the paper bag and said apologetically, "It's not my guess, it was all arranged by the co-pilot. Let's sit down and talk."

Gui Youguang's mission in Temasek this time was to persuade Margaret to join the OSS so that the Military Intelligence Bureau could collect intelligence on the United States and Southeast Asian countries. Margaret's pledge of allegiance was those anti-Japanese armed forces.

To make the defection seem more believable, Gui Youguang not only pretended to enter the jungle to recruit guerrillas, but also went so far as to create the illusion that he had been blown up. He then entrusted Margaret, the only person who knew the truth, to negotiate with the Americans.

A high-ranking agent driven by "love turned to hate" was seen by the Americans as an excellent target for defection, and unsurprisingly, OSS fell for it.

After the two sat down, Margaret became serious again. Although she had agreed to cooperate with Gui Youguang's plan, she was still a little worried. She hesitated and asked the question that concerned her most.

“Guang, will the Americans really support the guerrillas? There are many Chinese in the guerrillas. I’m afraid the OSS will abandon us after we’ve served our purpose.”

Gui Youguang poured Margaret a cup of tea and patiently explained, "Of course, OSS is not trustworthy, but the Americans' intervention strategy is similar to that of the British: to attack one group and then win over another."

"To be more specific, it means supporting the weaker side and suppressing the stronger side. In Southeast Asia, the Chinese, as outsiders, were in a weak position."

"The Americans want to seize profits in postwar Southeast Asia, and they will inevitably need to absorb Chinese elites. This will not change. However, those who stand in the spotlight may be pushed out as scapegoats at any time. This is why the vice-captain asked you to stay behind the scenes."

He explained Zuo Zhong's intentions, then said seriously, "We hope you can infiltrate the upper echelons of OSS Southeast Asia. This will not only be safer, but also allow us to obtain more intelligence from the source."

"As for others, they can accept the integration of the Americans, form political parties, build alliances, and spread intelligence networks throughout Southeast Asia. The Military Intelligence Bureau will also arrange personnel to infiltrate."

"As I told you before, there will inevitably be competition between China and the United States in Asia in the future. Our generation must fight for a chance for future generations. This is also an opportunity for you."

As Margaret looked into Gui Youguang's eyes, a mix of emotions surged within her. While her personal relationship with Gui Youguang certainly played a part in her accepting the Military Intelligence Bureau's recruitment, the more important reason was that the Bureau was considering the interests of the Chinese community in Southeast Asia.

She remembered two sentences Gui Youguang said: "The war will eventually pass, and the Chinese in Southeast Asia must learn to fight for power and the right to speak from the greedy colonizers and the brutal natives in a more covert way."

If they were to relinquish this power, they would face execution and bullets. Therefore, helping the Military Intelligence Bureau was helping the Chinese in Southeast Asia.

Just as Margaret, her heart pounding with emotion, was about to say something, a cheer suddenly erupted outside the window. Immediately afterward, the Japanese army sounded the air raid siren, its piercing blare echoing across the city.

Gui Youguang walked quickly to the window and looked outside. The morning market had already closed. A man pushed aside the vendors packing up their stalls and ran while shouting loudly.

"The Americans have dropped new bombs on the Japanese mainland! Hiroshima has been razed to the ground! The Allies are demanding that Japanese forces in Southeast Asia surrender to local Allied troops as soon as possible!"

The other party shouted it three times in a row. The Chinese present were stunned for a moment, and then covered their faces and wept bitterly. They had waited for this day for too long. The darkest moment for the Chinese in Southeast Asia was about to end.