The War of Resistance Against Japan: Starting with a Calm View of Life and Death

In the side room of Su Laoquan's house, the light was dim, casting long shadows.

Three Japanese prisoners stood in the room. The one in the middle was Kosuke Ogawa, the one on the left was a messenger named Kota Watanabe with a troubled expression, and the one on the right was another messenger, Hidehisa Nishimura.

Zhou Jindong sat imposingly in a grand chair, toying with a Mauser pistol in his hand.

Wang Yuan stood next to him, one foot on a stool, to give Zhou Jindong some support.

Su Zhan huddled behind the door, clutching a notebook in his hand, verifying the notes he had just taken.

"Su Zhan, tell them not to try anything funny with me. Repeat what I just said to Watanabe again!" Zhou Jindong slammed his gun on the table with a sharp "crack," startling the three men opposite him.

Su Zhan quickly went over and rattled off a string of Japanese.

Watanabe Kota's face turned ashen, his forehead covered in sweat, and he stammered a few words in response.

"Captain Zhou, Watanabe said... he said he's just a messenger and doesn't know anything. He begs you to spare his life." Su Zhan wiped his sweat and carefully translated.

Zhou Jindong sneered, leaning forward and staring into Watanabe Kota's eyes: "Spare him? Fine. Then ask him what the relationship is like between Okada Tomohisa and Okada Yuta, uncle and nephew. What would Okada Tomohisa's reaction be if he knew we'd killed his precious nephew?"

Su Zhan quickly translated. This time, Watanabe Kota didn't dare to hide anything and rattled off a long string of words, gesturing with famous hand gestures, his face full of fear.

After listening, Su Zhan turned to Zhou Jindong and said, "Captain Zhou, this kid said that Captain Okada Tomohisa values ​​this nephew very much. Okada Yuta is the only son of the Okada family in this generation. If he dies here, Okada Tomohisa will go crazy."

He said that Okada Tomohisa is extremely protective of his own and very vengeful; if he knew that his nephew's killer was here, he would definitely have mobilized his entire force to retaliate.

After listening, Zhou Jindong tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, each tap like a blow to Watanabe Kota's heart.

"It's good that they've mobilized all their forces; I was just afraid he wouldn't come." Zhou Jindong's lips curled into a cold smile. "Since this old devil values ​​his nephew so much, then this matter will be easy to handle."

He stood up, walked over to Watanabe Kota, and poked Watanabe's shoulder with his finger: "Su Zhan, tell him to give him a chance to make a contribution. Let him go back to the county town and let Okada Tomohisa know he's safe."

Kota Watanabe looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

Zhou Jindong continued, "It is said that Lieutenant Okada Yuta has successfully entered Dongzhai Town. According to reliable intelligence, there is indeed a secret stronghold of the Eighth Route Army hidden here."

In order to thoroughly uncover this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers, Lieutenant Okada decided to station them here permanently and establish a forward base.

Therefore, please have Captain Okada immediately transport a batch of supplies, including ammunition, dry rations, medicine, and winter clothing. The more, the better!

As Su Zhan translated, he kept glancing at Zhou Jindong's expression, his heart pounding with anxiety.

This lie is too big; if it gets exposed, we're all doomed.

But at this point, this guy was still thinking about getting some benefits; he was incredibly audacious!

No wonder Su Zhan wanted to latch onto this guy; he's got guts and he's cunning enough!

After hearing this, Watanabe Kota shook his head vigorously, shouting loudly, and refused to go no matter what.

"Captain Zhou, he said he doesn't dare to go!" Su Zhan said with a bitter face. "He said Okada Tomohisa is very shrewd and can easily see through my flaws."

He's afraid he's not capable enough and might ruin your important plans! If he really goes back alone, and things get exposed, he says it's like sending someone to their death!

Wang Yuan flew into a rage upon hearing this. He stepped forward, grabbed a Mauser pistol from the table, and pressed it against Watanabe's forehead: "Damn it! If you don't go now, I'll shoot you! Why wait for Okada Tomohisa to deal with you? I'll blow your head off right now!"

Kota Watanabe was so frightened that he fell to the ground.

Zhou Jindong waved his hand, stopping Wang Yuan, and said, "Brother Yuan, don't be violent. Let him go, but he has to go willingly."

Zhou Jindong squatted down, looked Watanabe Kota straight in the eye, and his tone suddenly softened: "Do you think you still have a choice now?"

You have already pledged your allegiance, killed Gao Linyuan, and forced the puppet army to surrender. If Okada Tomohisa knew this, would he spare you?

Even if I let you go, once you return to the county town, Okada Tomohisa, eager to avenge his nephew, will be the first to suffer the consequences, as you traitors will be the first to be targeted.

Going back and confessing means death, deserting and going somewhere else also means death. But with me here, as long as you listen to us, I can guarantee you'll live a good life!

Kota Watanabe was stunned, clearly having his sore spot hit.

Zhou Jindong pressed his advantage, saying, "If you help me get this done and trick the supplies out of us, once our guerrillas win this battle, you'll be one of us."

"Once we get the supplies, we win this battle, and you'll be a hero. Shall we do this deal?"

Kota Watanabe's eyes darted around, clearly he was having a fierce internal struggle.

Kosuke Ogawa, who was standing next to him, was also shocked by these words. He did not expect that the leader of the Chinese guerrillas was not only ruthless, but also so vicious.

Zhou Jindong stood up, dusted off his hands, and continued, "Of course, Okada Tomohisa definitely won't believe you if you go alone."

Therefore, I need to send someone with you. In fact, to reassure you that we're not intentionally sending you to your death, I can go with you all myself!

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Wang Yuan was the first to jump up, expressing his disagreement and quickly trying to dissuade him: "Dongzi! Are you crazy? You want to go to the county town? That's a den of wolves and tigers! Do you think you can come back?"

Zhou Jindong looked at Wang Yuan with a determined gaze and said, "Brother Yuan, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. It's easy for Watanabe Kota to be exposed if he goes alone. I need to keep an eye on him and also check out the situation in the county. Besides, I have my own plans."

He pointed at Su Zhan and said, "Isn't Su Hao his informant? No one in the Japanese should have seen him. I'm impersonating Su Hao. I used to provide intelligence to Su Zhan, and now I've been conscripted by the Imperial Army as a guide."

Su Zhan is the translator, I'm the guide, and Watanabe is the messenger—Okada Tomohisa can't find fault with this combination.

Zhou Jindong has made up his mind to meet with Okada Tomohisa.

Stealing supplies was just a side effect.

As for whether Okada Tomohisa will go crazy after he learns the truth?

Su Hao is the one lying, what does it have to do with me, Zhou Jindong!

Su Zhan's legs went weak with fear, and he almost knelt down: "Captain Zhou... this... this is too dangerous! That old Japanese devil Okada Tomohisa has seen me before, he'll definitely ask me all sorts of questions!"

"So what if I've seen you? You're just a translator, and your cousin hasn't even met you!" Zhou Jindong glared at Su Zhan. "As long as you insist that I'm your cousin Su Hao, we can get away with this."

Watanabe, you have to cooperate too. As long as the three of us stick to the same story, those Japanese can't predict the future, so they'll just have to do whatever we say!

Watanabe Kota looked at Zhou Jindong's young yet ruthless face, then glanced at the murderous-looking Wang Yuan beside him, gritted his teeth, and finally nodded in agreement: "Yes! I'll go! If Captain Zhou is willing to risk his life, I'm willing to follow suit! As long as Captain Zhou keeps his word!"