War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1804: Cleanup Team

On the second floor of Musashino Photo Studio, Wei Ran found a pile of clothes that belonged to him - a set of Japanese kimonos. Looking at Zhang Taichuan, he also had a Japanese kimono prepared for him.

"Don't you know how to wear it?" Zhang Taichuan asked as he put the pieces of cloth on his body.

"meeting"

Wei Ran didn't say anything, he just took off his formal clothes and put on the kimono prepared for him.

Of course he would wear this thing, for some special purpose. As early as when he was learning makeup from the teachers at the Hongqi Forest Farm, he had been studying how to disguise himself as an authentic Japanese soldier or an authentic Korean.

After they put on the kimono in no time, they went downstairs and Ichiro Hoshino came out of his office. "Ryunosuke, Kinshin, take your cameras. You will be the photographers for today's dinner."

"Hi!"

Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan gave a Japanese response in unison. Zhang Taichuan also walked to a small room not far away with the signs "Musashi Ryunosuke" and "Kawaguchi Friendly" and took out two camera suitcases from it. He also said in Japanese, "I'll take it, Ryunosuke, you drive."

"it is good"

Wei Ran nodded, followed Ichiro Hoshino and left the photo agency.

A black Toyota AA sedan was parked in the only parking space outside the photo studio. The car was wiped very clean, with a small aunt's flag on each side of the front of the car. On the side of the car, the words "Musashino Photo Studio" were written in Japanese.

He took a quick step and opened the door of the back compartment. Ichiro Hoshino was the first to get in. At the same time, Zhang Taichuan, who was carrying two camera suitcases, had already walked around to the passenger seat, opened the door and got in.

Seeing this, Wei Ran closed the door of the rear compartment, then got into the driver's seat, first glanced at the pair of "fur flip-flops" on his feet, then started the car and asked in Japanese, "Teacher, where are we going?"

"Kawaguchi, you know the location, you can show the way."

As Ichiro Hoshino was speaking, he had already sat down next to the car window and opened it a crack, then closed his eyes.

Is this grandson carsick?

Wei Ran guessed something from the details at a glance. However, both he and Zhang Taichuan who was sitting in the passenger seat had to rely on this old man for cover, so his subsequent driving was naturally exceptionally steady - even though the car was not easy to drive.

Under the guidance of Zhang Taichuan, Wei Ran drove the car to the door of an izakaya which was also located in the Japanese Concession and was actually not far away.

However, when seeing the name of this pub, even with Wei Ran's ability to control facial expressions, it was really difficult to keep calm - "Izakaya Recruiting Nuclear Boys".

This name is Jili.

Wei Ran suppressed his smile, pushed the door open and got out of the car. He also opened the door for Ichiro Hoshino in the back seat and helped him down with a posture that was absolutely professional.

"Are you okay?" Wei Ran asked in a low voice in Japanese.

Ichiro Hoshino did not answer, but just pursed his lips and waved his hand. Then he took a few deep breaths, waved his hand again, motioning for the two of them to follow, and took them into the izakaya which seemed to be reserved.

This izakaya is quite large, and when they arrived, there were already quite a few people sitting inside.

Seeing Ichiro Hoshino come in, these Japanese soldiers of various sizes bowed and greeted him.

Hoshino Ichiro seemed to be accustomed to such scenes. He bowed in return with the same seriousness, then pointed to Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan beside him and introduced them, "This is Musashi Ryunosuke and Kawaguchi Friendly.

They are all my disciples, and they will be responsible for photography from now on. If you need to take photos, feel free to ask them for help. "

After he finished the introduction, Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan also respectfully greeted the Japanese soldiers around them.

These devils seemed to be aware of their existence, or perhaps because of Ichiro Hoshino's face, so they responded to them quite enthusiastically. However, Wei Ran also noticed that some of them had indifference and contempt on their faces.

It’s a pity that I can’t kill people here. Wei Ran sighed in his heart with regret.

After a brief greeting, Ichiro Hoshino took his seat. Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan also took out their cameras and walked around the venue, ready to take photos of anyone who needed them.

It was also through this opportunity that Wei Ran roughly learned that the reason for this gathering of these devils was because of the outbreak of the Pacific War, so they discussed the situation together and decided whether to return to the devil island to celebrate the New Year. By the way, each of them also brought some new expatriates or resources to introduce to their friends.

Of course, in addition to these, there is another important topic - the Pacific Ocean has begun, how are we going to make money together, my friends?

Compared to Zhang Taichuan who had been secretly paying attention to the content of the conversation, Wei Ran was observing the appearance of these devils. He wanted to find out the beast who had massacred the Zhao family and Mingxiang Opera Troupe in Fengtian, and who was also his target of coming to this time and space - Hirano Daxiang.

Unfortunately, after walking around and even carefully observing the waiters in the pub, he still didn't find the beast he was looking for.

On the contrary, he was able to confirm that all the devils in this room, from Ichiro Hoshino to the geisha waitresses, except for him and Zhang Taichuan, and even the rats hiding under the special tatami, were probably from Osaka.

Amid the laughter of the Osaka people and the performances of the geishas on the stage, they also began to whisper and plan something.

Although their voices were not loud, Wei Ran heard some key words from the scattered words - "material control", "gasoline", "food", "hoarding", "black market", "gold", "antiques" and so on.

From time to time, these Japanese soldiers, who looked drunk but were actually more sober than the other, began to ask Wei Ran or Zhang Taichuan to help them take pictures at the table or with the white-faced, black-toothed geisha who was wearing less and less clothes.

As it was approaching noon, the gathering in the pub came to an end and many devils left one after another.

However, just looking at the schedule, we can tell that this gathering is probably just the beginning, and the real gathering will continue in the afternoon in smaller units in various more private occasions.

Until the end, the drunken Hoshino Ichiro waved his hand and said, "You two have worked hard, and after we drive the car back, go back and have a rest."

"Teacher Musashi, you drank a lot just now. Do you need us to pick you up later or wait for you outside?" Zhang Taichuan asked respectfully.

"no need"

Ichiro Hoshino waved his hand, then followed the owner of the izakaya into the backyard.

Seeing this, Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan respectfully turned around and left the pub, getting into the car parked at the door.

"Since we have time in the afternoon, why don't we find a place to have a drink?" Wei Ran spoke first.

"Put the car down first, then change your clothes and we'll go over there."

Zhang Taichuan, who was about to say something, paused and said, "Well, while it's still early, let's develop the photos we just took, so that we can drink more peacefully."

"also"

Wei Ran said this before starting the car. He deliberately chatted with Zhang Taichuan about his "yearning for nuclear recruitment" while returning to the photo agency.

He had to be cautious. It was already the end of 1941, and they were in the photo agency's car. He would not be surprised no matter what kind of monitoring equipment was hidden in it.

Zhang Taichuan obviously realized something from the topic he deliberately brought up, and started chatting on the same topic.

After returning to the photo studio, the two went to the second floor, changed back into their original clothes, and immediately went into the darkroom. They developed all the photos they had taken in the pub that recruited nuclear boys, and also developed an extra two-inch photo for each negative.

After finishing their "job as a photographer", Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan left the photo studio while discussing what to eat for lunch, and took a rickshaw to Lihua Theater.

It was already around three o'clock in the afternoon, and the theater had become much more lively. On the stage, there were two pretty female teachers holding sanxian and pipa, and reading in the soft Wu dialect.

"The two gentlemen are here, please go upstairs."

Xiao Wu warmly greeted Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan who came in. He was still working as a waiter on this floor, but looking at the way he was dressed, one could tell that this guy was probably a "foreman" now.

"Manager Qi is back?" Zhang Taichuan took the cigarette handed to him by Wei Ran, lit it, and asked as he walked upstairs.

"Just came back," Xiao Wu replied, "Boss Jin just went upstairs as well."

"Okay, go ahead and do your work." Zhang Taichuan waved his hand and said, "We can go up by ourselves."

"Okay! I'll arrange the dishes right away!"

Xiao Wu responded and watched the two of them go upstairs before greeting other guests.

At the same time, Wei Ran and Zhang Zhengqi also came to the third floor of the theater. There were no other guests on this floor at this time. Only Lin Qiaoan and three others were sitting around a table drinking tea.

"You are finally here"

Lin Qiaoan whispered, and Zhao Jingrong also put down the teacup, "Is it washed out?"

"Washed out"

As Wei Ran spoke, he took out the photos and negatives that he had developed in the morning. He took these out of his suitcase before leaving the photo studio.

Zhao Jingrong took the photos and negatives and flipped through them, then put them in his pocket. Zhang Taichuan also whispered about the morning party, and took out the extra photos of the party that he and Wei Ran had developed and spread them on the table.

“There are a few new faces”

After Zhao Jingrong identified him, he pointed at the owner of the izakaya and whispered, "This izakaya owner, Mr. Aoi, was also at the dance floor where Liuzi opened fire yesterday, and the person Liuzi attacked seemed to be Mr. Aoi's companion."

"Are the people who were attacked injured?" Wei Ran asked in a low voice, "How is Liuzi doing?"

"Sixth son wakes up"

Lin Qiaoan paused and explained in a low voice, "Liu Zi was just following the enemy at that time, and he only had a pistol in his hand.

The Japanese soldier he attacked reacted very quickly. It is said that he was only hit in the left ear by a bullet, and he dragged Aoi, who was running the izakaya, back to the dance floor. However, a translator next to him was shot dead, with two bullets in the chest and one in the stomach. "

"so."

Wei Ran looked at Zhao Jingrong and Zhang Zhengqi, "You know..."

"understood"

Zhao Jingrong clenched his fists and answered in a low voice through gritted teeth, "We know who the Japanese soldier with the injured ear is. Liuzi told us that he recognized the translator. He said he couldn't forget the voice of the translator, so he couldn't be wrong."

Staring blankly at Zhao Jingrong, whose eyes were red, and then at his nephew Zhang Zhengqi, Zhang Taichuan was silent for a moment, then asked in a hoarse voice, "Is it in Fengtian?"

"Yes"

As Zhang Zhengqi spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, "God has mercy on us, allowing us to meet this beast again.

Second uncle, we have to take revenge, revenge for Grandpa, revenge for my father, revenge for the 19 members of the Mingxiang Opera Troupe, and the 32 members of the Zhao family!"

"Where did that devil go?"

Zhang Zhengqi said, trembling, he pulled out a Snake brand pistol from the inner pocket of his windbreaker, pulled the slide and loaded a bullet. "That devil hid back in the devil's military headquarters last night."

Zhao Jingrong clenched his fists and whispered, "We can't get into the headquarters of the Japanese Fourth Division that just retreated from Changsha to Shencheng."

"Oh!"

Zhang Taichuan slammed the table hard, his bookish face filled with murderous intent.

At the same time, Xiao Wu also came up from downstairs carrying a tray of food and wine. After silently bringing the food and wine to the table, he stood quietly behind Zhang Zhengqi, staring at everyone with his red eyes.

“This matter needs to be considered carefully”

Lin Qiaoan stared at the teapot in the middle of the table and said, "We must avenge this, we must avenge it. Have we killed fewer devils in these years?

But we are not going to kill this one and all our revenge is over. We will have to kill more devils in the future, so we have to take revenge, and we must not let this beast take our own life."

"What are you going to do?"

Zhao Jingrong asked, "Qiao An, you have a quick mind and ideas, we will do whatever you say!"

"First send a spy to stare at it, just stare at it and don't move. Everything else remains the same. We need to make a long-term plan."

Lin Qiaoan whispered, "We have to find a way to catch it alive this time and skin it alive!"

At this point, Lin Qiaoan added before the others could speak, "Before we catch him, everyone must hold on. Even if we sit at the same table with this devil to eat, we can't let him see it.

Besides, we have to find a way to test whether he is the same beast as before."

"then"

Wei Ran took a deep breath and whispered, "Miss Zhao used a grenade to kill herself and the Japanese who came to destroy her family. The grenade injured the Japanese's leg."

"The right leg"

Zhang Zhengqi gritted his teeth and added, "His right thigh was injured by the explosion. If he wasn't lame, he would definitely have a scar on his leg.

Oh, the samurai sword. That bastard has a samurai sword. I will never forget the pattern on that sword. "

"Everyone should keep calm and find an opportunity for this matter slowly."

Lin Qiaoan finally set the tone, and then said, "Next is what's happening outside the city. Everyone calm down, this is the trouble at hand."

"What's wrong?" Zhang Taichuan asked subconsciously.

"Zhengqi, you speak." Lin Qiaoan gave Zhang Zhengqi the opportunity to explain.

"Ever since the Japanese started fighting the Americans like crazy, the clean-up teams outside the city have become more and more crazy. Now, even if they see hot shit, they have to lick it twice to get a taste of it."

Zhang Zhengqi said angrily, “The food supply is still good, many doctors have had their medicines confiscated, and they seem to be suspicious of the Ji family’s house.

I heard from the guerrillas and Mr. Ji that there are several guerrilla teams stationed around the Ji family's house recently, and one of them seems to be preparing to set up base at the Ji family's house. "

"What is needed outside the city now?" Zhao Jingrong asked.

“Everything is missing”

Zhang Zhengqi sighed, "We are especially short of medicinal materials and ammunition. Also, Mr. Ji said that our female team should not leave the city recently, as it would be too conspicuous."

"It seems we have to find another way to deliver the goods," Zhao Jingrong frowned.

"I think it's better to trouble the old ghost for this matter."

Zhang Taichuan rubbed his face vigorously to calm himself down and said, "Now we can help him earn at least three small yellow croakers every month. He should be more anxious about this than we are."

"No, not this time."

Lin Qiaoan had his own considerations, "If there weren't these troubles, Laogui wouldn't ask about the sales and the origin of the gold bars, he would naturally be willing to do this business.

But throwing the current trouble over to him is almost equivalent to telling him directly where we sold the drugs.

And according to the bits and pieces of information you heard at the party this morning, it's possible that they are now trying to establish good relations with the Japanese military in order to compete for quotas.

Let's not even talk about revealing our true colors by then. Even if we are not suspected, who can guarantee that he won't use us as a stepping stone?"

"Qiao An, if you have any ideas, just say them directly," Zhao Jingrong urged.

"Who is investigating us?" Lin Qiaoan asked.

"What's wrong with the pacification team and the Japanese and puppet troops patrolling along the road?" Zhao Jingrong asked puzzledly.

"What if we also become a pacification team?" Lin Qiaoan asked back.

"You mean?" Zhao Jingrong's eyes immediately lit up. He had understood Lin Qiaoan's thoughts!

"We have less rice now, so we mainly bring medicines, and secondly weapons."

Lin Qiaoan said, "Since the one investigating us is the Cleanup Team, we can just take them out in the name of the Cleanup Team. It's legitimate."

"This method sounds like it might work," Zhang Taichuan nodded.

"Jingrong, do you want to be the captain of a qingxiang team?" Lin Qiaoan asked with a smile.

"Yes, I miss you so much!" A smile appeared on Zhao Jingrong's face.

"Brother Taichuan"

Lin Qiaoan looked at Zhang Taichuan and said, "Go and ask Laogui to find a way to get Jingrong a captain's job in the Cleanup Team."

"This shouldn't be difficult," Zhang Taichuan agreed.

"It's definitely not difficult. This way we'll be safe, and he'll be safe too."

Lin Qiaoan said, "Zhengqi, you send Liuzi out of the city tonight, and he should not come back. After his injury is healed, he will be responsible for receiving the goods from the Qingxiang Team outside the city."

"Okay," Zhang Zhengqi agreed straightforwardly.

"Jingrong, when your rural cleanup team is established, put all the blue lanterns we have lit over the years in it."

Lin Qiaoan continued, "From now on, this Lihua Opera Club will be the base camp of your rural cleanup team. You can also help me keep an eye on the place."

"In that case, how about letting my pacification team use the third floor?" asked Zhao Jingrong.

"What's wrong with that?"

Lin Qiaoan replied indifferently, "No matter what, Mr. Ji is your master. It's reasonable to bring the Qingxiang Team over every now and then to help strengthen the situation. It doesn't matter even if the Ji family is involved in the Qingxiang Team. It's enough to build a good relationship.

Zhengqi, after you send Liuzi out, inform Captain Feng to lead people to attack Mr. Ji's house in the next two days and make a bigger noise."

"What is this for?" Zhang Zhengqi asked in confusion.

"Mr. Ji's house was surrounded, so he is no longer a suspect."

Wei Ran said, "It is only natural for Uncle Zhao to be the leader of the rural clean-up team."

"That's right"

Lin Qiaoan nodded and said, "Brother Taichuan, you have to wait. After the Ji family is attacked, go and ask the old ghost for help immediately."

"Okay," Zhang Taichuan agreed straightforwardly.

"Jingrong, after you form your pacification team, remember to recruit a few brainless ruffians and green-skinned tobacco addicts to serve as team leaders or something like that, and be ready to take the blame at any time." Lin Qiaoan, who was like a military advisor, reminded.

"Okay," Zhao Jingrong agreed immediately.

"What about me?" Zhang Zhengqi couldn't help asking, "Can I do something too?"

"And me!" Xiao Wu followed.

"Zhengqi, you should still be in charge of the troupe."

Lin Qiaoan said, "Only when the play is well-arranged and performed, the Qingxiang Team, your second uncle, and Wei Ran will have a reason to come to our opera club to listen to music and drink."

"What about me?" Xiao Wu asked without waiting for Zhang Zhengqi to speak.

"You, be responsible for serving the food."

Lin Qiaoan said with a smile, "Silly boy, the work in our theater is equally important."

"Zhengqi, Xiaowu, follow the instructions." Zhang Taichuan said.

"Yes, second uncle." Zhang Zhengqi and Xiaowu, who originally wanted to say something, responded respectfully.

"You two still have to stay with Old Ghost." Lin Qiaoan looked at Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan, "I'm sorry for your injustice."

"Hey! What's this?"

Wei Ran and Zhang Taichuan gave the same nonchalant response in unison, just like the answer Zhang Taichuan gave to Wei Ran at the beginning.

"Xiao Wu, let's continue with the dishes." Lin Qiaoan said, "Just think of it as a celebration for Captain Jin in advance."

“This is a good drink.”

As Zhao Jingrong spoke, he stood up, picked up the wine jug, and poured a full glass of wine for everyone present.