Republic of China, 1922: Rise from the Post-Zhili-Fengtian War

Back at the brigade headquarters, Shen Yi recounted the entire incident to Gu Cheng in detail.

The young top official leaned back in his chair, resting his fist on his forehead and closing his eyes in thought.

"The whole thing went too smoothly."

He spoke in a low voice, "The enemy is using a feint attack, first burning down the main camp construction site to tie down my main force, and calculating that I will definitely lead troops to reinforce it."

Then, set up an ambush at the Xiaoling River fork in the road beforehand to precisely intercept and kill my messenger, cutting off all early warnings; finally, launch a night raid on the brigade headquarters, specifically targeting the time when military discipline is most lax and defenses are weakest.

Shen Yi, having calmed down, chimed in with his analysis: "Yes, every step was timed perfectly. No one else could have figured it out so well."

Gu Cheng frowned.

This matter is most likely related to the previously missing Japanese female spy.

She slipped out of Lianshan Station, first killing the two brothers who were tracking her, and then vanished into the vicinity of Jinzhou as if she had evaporated into thin air.

Gu Cheng took two deep drags on his cigarette: "There are still 11 mixed brigades in this city, and they must all have inside agents."

Shen Yi's face turned pale.

"Outsiders only know the general outline, but they can't possibly know the exact deployment and internal issues... It's clear from the situation on the ground that the enemy is very familiar with the situation inside the camp and launched a precise attack without the slightest hesitation."

Gu Cheng pondered, "Moreover, their ultimate goal is to severely damage the camp, so they will definitely try every means to cut off the connection between the brigade headquarters and the camp... The fact that they were able to set up an ambush on the route from the brigade headquarters to the camp clearly shows that they had accurately predicted the movement of personnel!"

Shen Yi gasped: "Leading step by step, setting traps at every turn—the Japanese are simply terrifying!"

Gu Cheng lowered his eyes and pondered.

Shen Yi, standing to the side, was completely puzzled: "But Master Gu, I still don't quite understand. The Japanese have controlled the South Manchuria Railway for years, and they've always only guarded their own territory. The defense of Jinzhou is under the jurisdiction of the Fengtian Army. Haven't we always kept to ourselves?"

"Why did they go to such lengths to set up a series of deadly traps, sparing no effort to deploy elite troops and infiltrate spies, all to cripple our mixed brigade? What are they after?"

The room was filled with smoke, and the first rays of dawn shone through the window, falling on Gu Cheng's cold and stern profile, making him appear even more chilling.

Gu Cheng slowly exhaled a puff of white mist: "Keep to your own business? You think they made such a big commotion just to burn down a few barracks and kill a few brothers?"

He looked up at Shen Yi and said, "What they want is the right to station troops in Jinzhou."

Shen Yi was startled, his pupils suddenly contracting: "What did you say... that the Japanese want to station troops in Jinzhou?"

"That's right." Gu Cheng stubbed out his cigarette on the ground. "The Kwantung Army has long coveted the throat of western Liaoning. Jinzhou guards the vital passage between the interior and exterior of the Great Wall. To block Jinzhou is to strangle the lifeline of the entire western Liaoning region..."

I received accurate information that the Japanese Army Ministry had requested permission from Marshal Liu to station troops in Jinzhou, ostensibly to protect the civilians residing there.

Shen Yi immediately understood: "I get it! The Marshal definitely won't agree to their demands, so they orchestrated this whole mess!"

Gu Cheng looked back at him with a cold smile, but his gaze held a hint of approval: "Not bad, worthy of being the chief of staff of the mixed brigade! Think about it, bribing an inside man, figuring out our army's weaknesses, then setting fire to the camp... intercepting and killing the messenger, ultimately severely damaging our mixed brigade."

Once chaos erupts in Jinzhou, they can claim that the Jinzhou garrison is undisciplined and out of control… At that point, they can openly pressure the Fengtian authorities and the Beiyang government, using the pretext of maintaining stability, quelling the unrest, and protecting railway interests, to legitimately dispatch the Kwantung Army to Jinzhou.

Shen Yi felt a chill run down his spine, and a cold sweat instantly broke out on his back. He suddenly realized the truth.

It turns out that tonight's brutal sneak attack was not a simple act of harassment or revenge, nor was it a simple act of espionage or sabotage.

This is a blatant conspiracy orchestrated by the Japanese to seize power amidst chaos and gradually erode their influence!

The enemy didn't care how much grain and fodder they burned or how many soldiers they killed. What they wanted was for the defense of Jinzhou to completely collapse, and for a legitimate excuse to set foot in Jinzhou and then take root in western Liaoning!

"What a ruthless scheme... truly ruthless!" Shen Yi muttered to himself, feeling a chill run down his spine. "Step by step, each move meticulously planned, using the lives of our brothers and the losses of our army as pawns in their invasion and occupation..."

"Otherwise, why do you think they only inflicted heavy damage instead of launching a full-scale attack, only destroyed without occupying the city?" Gu Cheng's eyes were sharp as a blade. "They left an empty camp... left our remnants behind, precisely to solidify this 'mutiny' and make it known to everyone. Once the Kwantung Army successfully occupies Jinzhou, driving them out later will be as difficult as climbing to heaven!"

The small city of Jinzhou, which appeared to be just a night raid on a military camp, was in fact a long-planned scheme by the Japanese to gradually annex and conquer it.

At this moment, Shen Yi dared not harbor any more illusions: "Master Gu, I understand! This is no private feud; it's a catastrophe that could lead to the downfall of the nation and the loss of territory! I will fully cooperate in thoroughly investigating the traitor and conducting a strict search of the entire city, ensuring that the enemy doesn't find any loopholes!"

Gu Cheng nodded, his eyes filled with anger and gravity: "From today onwards, martial law will be declared throughout the city, and the entire army will conduct a thorough investigation. There are spies and inside agents hiding in the shadows, as well as the Kwantung Army eyeing us from beyond the Great Wall... We cannot afford to lose this game."

After saying this, he got up and went to the inner room, picked up the telephone receiver, and said, "Hello, connect to the Fengtian Marshal's Mansion—this is Gu Cheng, the acting brigade commander of the 11th Mixed Brigade."

The call had barely connected when Zhang Zuoxiang's voice came through: "Hey Jingchuan! Oh dear, why did it take you so long to call? How's the situation in Jinzhou... Commander Yu will know as soon as the gun goes off!"

Gu Cheng had no intention of hiding anything and immediately explained the situation, adding, "Assistant Commander, the extent of the losses is still being assessed. I will send a telegram to the Commander's Office and the General Staff Headquarters by noon at the latest."

Before he could finish speaking, a voice came through the receiver, growing louder as it approached, "Damn it!" This was followed by Zhang Zuoxiang's cry of "Ouch!" and then the warlord Zhang Zuolin's tirade: "You little bastard, what kind of trouble are you trying to cause me? If I lose Jinzhou, I'll skin you alive!"

His anger was so intense it felt like it was about to slam into his face through the phone line. Gu Cheng couldn't help but stiffen: "Handsome sir, I've let you down..."

Zhang Zuolin cursed and swore, "Damn it, I'm not listening to your bullshit! Tell me, how's it going in Jinzhou? Should I send Lao Liu back to help you right away?"

Sensing the deep concern hidden within his reprimand, Gu Cheng quickly replied, "Don't worry, General! I guarantee with my life that Jinzhou is safe. Last night, the construction site at the Jinzhou camp was attacked, followed by the destruction of the 11th Mixed Brigade... The attackers are trying to create chaos, thus making it clear that Jinzhou's defenses have weaknesses, so they can continue to demand the stationing of troops!"

There was sudden silence on the other end of the phone.

But Gu Cheng knew the line was still open... because he could clearly hear the old fox's angry panting.

"So, what are you planning to do next, you bastard?"