Chapter Twenty: The Prelude to a Chaotic Night

  Shen Zui's mood was not good tonight. As a rising star of the Military Bureau, although he had the careful cultivation of Director Dai, he still understood the principle that "a tall tree will be broken by the wind", so he had always been cautious in his words and actions. The three major factions within the Military Bureau, Tang Yong's Hunan faction, Zheng Jieming's Guangdong faction, and Mao Renfeng's Zhejiang faction were all insurmountable mountains in front of him. The three factions vied with each other, while Director Dai held a balance in the middle, grasping the measure. As a junior, Shen could only choose to rely on Director Dai, temporarily hiding his light and concealing his sharpness.

  But deep down, his thirst for power made Shen unwilling to play such a role. He yearned to have his own team and become the head of a certain territory on the periphery of Military Unity, using this as a starting point to fully utilize his talents and expand his own strength. Unlike his older brother Shen Chang, who thought "die for the country", he wanted "to grasp power and sleep with beautiful women". In these chaotic times, Shen was not willing to live an obscure life. The Linli Training Class in front of him was a perfect opportunity.

  As early as when the Qingpu training class was established last year, Shen Zui had such an intention. For this reason, he actively applied to Dai Li to join the preparatory team of the Qingpu Training Class. However, things are unpredictable, and the Japanese suddenly launched an attack on Shanghai. The Qingpu Training Class was cut short halfway, and it retreated hastily. The students were scattered all over the place, and most of them did not know where they went. Shen Zui's plan also fell through.

  This time in Linpi training class, Shen Zui took the lead to secure the position of General Affairs Department's affairs section chief for himself. Although it was an inconspicuous position, Shen Zui's ambition was not there. His plan was to rely on his reputation as the first rising star of Military Unity to attract students' attention and gradually cultivate his own followers.

  After Jin Minjue left, he unexpectedly got the position of instructor of the first squadron, and the first squadron had several good seedlings that he had been looking for, including Lin Xiaotang, who was always in his sights. This made Shen Zui extremely happy. Because he knew that Dai Li regarded the Linyin Training Class as the "Whampoa Military Academy" of the Military Bureau, and after graduation, the trainees would become the backbone of various departments, regional offices, and provincial stations, mastering them would mean mastering the future of the Military Bureau.

  But today, Fu Shenglan's arrival made him extremely uncomfortable. Originally, this Fu was appointed to the Shanghai Military Station with Zheng Jieming's recommendation and Dai Li's approval. This time, he came to the training class just to find a job for his wife, but unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived, he became the master, directing everything in the training class with an air of authority, leaving Yu Lesheng and Xie Ligong at a loss. And his deputy, Pei Zhongwei, had a small-minded face, but was only a lieutenant colonel, relying on his elder brother being Zheng Jieming's sworn brother and also the director of the Ministry of National Defense, he looked down on everything, putting on airs as a superior officer. Moreover, this person had a terrible drinking habit, after having two cups of wine, he even harassed a female student who was serving at the banquet.

  Of course, all of this is secondary, but what makes Shen Zui feel that the Guangdong gang is going to make a move on the training class, and what about Mao Renfeng and Tang Zong? Are they also going to start? Shen Zui fell into deep worry.

  So after three rounds of drinks, he excused himself and left the dinner party.

  The door suddenly rang out with a hurried knock, Shen Zui rubbed his slightly swollen forehead, stood up, opened the door, "Gu Weiguo, how is it you, what's going on so late?"

  Xiao Pi was sweating all over his head. Before speaking, he looked around and said, "Officer Shen, there's an urgent matter. Please go downstairs for a moment."

  Shen was taken aback, he knew that Xiao Pi, Da Tou and Lin Xiaotang were the leaders of the fugitive students in the training class. Although they were a bit unruly, their grades and character were recognized by most instructors and students, so he didn't refuse. He went back to his room, put on a coat, and followed Xiao Pi downstairs in a hurry.

  The dormitory for instructors was a separate courtyard, located just in front of the instructors' cafeteria. Soldiers were specially arranged to guard the entrance, and students who did not register could not enter. As Shen Zui walked to the entrance, he was startled by the scene in front of him.

  Lin Xiaotang and Da Tou, both covered in dirt, were smoking at the entrance. The guard standing at attention in front of the door was holding his gun, staring intently at them. On the ground, another person was tied up, struggling constantly, with a strip of cloth stuffed into their mouth, mumbling indistinctly.

  The duty class leader saluted, "Officer Shen, these two trainees had guns in their hands. We had no choice but to take them down. They said they were brought here by these people and insisted on seeing you."

  Shen took the two Southern-style special miniature pistols handed over by the class monitor, and suddenly paused, looking up at Lin Xiaotang who was watching him with a nonchalant expression, "Where did these Japanese gadgets come from?"

  Lin Xiaotang patted Shen's shoulder and said, "I told you so! Officer Shen can tell the origin of this gun at a glance. You owe me a meal!"

  Rolling his eyes.

  Lin Xiaotang's expression turned serious, pointing to the person tied up on the ground. "We met two people at Rain Farmer's Dam. This is one of them, and the other was killed by us. The gun belonged to these two. When we met them, they were observing the school situation on the dam, speaking in Japanese."

  Shen's eyes were slightly moist, and he adjusted his glasses frame, "Have you informed the superior officer?"

  Lin Xiaotang shook her head, pointing to the cafeteria behind the dormitory. "All the officials are attending a banquet, and we were stopped as soon as we arrived. The guards said it was the officials' orders not to disturb them. Just then, they saw your room light on, so they sent Gu Weiguo to find you."

  Shen stomped his foot and pointed at the squad leader of the guards, "You, immediately notify your battalion commander to strengthen vigilance and patrol efforts. If there are enough personnel, send someone to search the surrounding area within a kilometer radius. If there's any situation, fire a warning shot immediately." After finishing speaking, he turned his head towards Lin Xiaotang, "You three, bring this person with you, and follow me to see Director Yu right away!"

  The weather in May in Hunan is humid and has a sultry feeling, tonight was originally clear sky, but now it's occupied by dark clouds, the horizon occasionally transmits dull thunder, it seems that a refreshing spring rain is inevitable.

  A flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the entire night sky, Chu Yuyan's long hair was tied up, and her black tight-fitting outfit accentuated her figure. Her face looked pale under the light of the lightning, she tightly pursed her lips, standing on a high slope, holding a telescope, carefully observing the movements of the school below. Behind her were dozens of horse-drawn carriages loaded with goods, each carriage had two short and sturdy men in front, and on the carriage was printed four clear words "Dafahuozhan". On this stormy night, the entire fleet was eerily silent.

  A figure emerged from the darkness and ran to her side, "Lieutenant Colonel, Qingtian reporting. The two people who went to scout out the rear of the target have not returned and we've lost contact with them."

  Chu Yuyan's face changed color, she put down the telescope and gave a decisive order, "Don't delay, attack immediately!"

  The man raised his head, and the lightning illuminated his face. He was a middle-aged man in his forties with a large black mole on the bridge of his nose that was particularly eye-catching. "Yes!"

  The cavalry moved quietly, Chu Yuyan put on a bamboo hat and mixed in among the troops.

  When the cavalry arrived at the gate of the training class, the patrol team had just disappeared into the night not far away. The soldiers guarding the door saw the mark on the horse cart and let out a sigh of relief, and the long guns in their hands also fell down unconsciously.

  The neatly dressed agent, Qingtian, seemed to be familiar with the squad leader standing guard at the door. He walked up with a smile, handed over cigarettes and discreetly passed over several banknotes. The atmosphere suddenly became lively. The soldiers were busy distributing the cigarettes and didn't notice that the sentries on the watchtowers on both sides had been cleared by several black shadows that had climbed up.

  Qing Tian continued to speak a lot of good words, and the class leader finally returned to the guard post with a phone call to the General Affairs Department. After getting an accurate response, he waved his hand and let them pass. Dozens of horse-drawn carriages slowly entered the training camp's courtyard, kicking up dust on the ground. The sound of bells and shouting filled the air as ten or so dark figures took advantage of the opportunity to slip out of the carriages. A whole class of soldiers didn't even have time to make a sound before they were all knocked unconscious, and the sentries at the post were instantly replaced by people wearing the same uniforms but with different faces.

  The only people on duty at the General Affairs Office were a few clerks, and all the officials had gone to the inner courtyard to attend a welcoming banquet for Fu Shenglan, a special envoy from Chongqing. In the afternoon, the students were given a holiday, although they couldn't go out, but discipline was relaxed a lot.

  The training class was a major customer of the logistics warehouse. Originally, the application of the training class was to meet the needs of the military, but after Wuhan fell, the war spread to the south, and local troops were mobilized in large numbers to the Hunan front line, putting increasing pressure on military supplies. The Lintong Training Class was a project that Dai Li attached great importance to, so under duress, the Military Bureau had no choice but to think of ways to raise funds itself to ensure the normal operation of the training class.

  And this fat difference fell on the head of the General Affairs Department, and all the clerks knew that this large warehouse had walked through the upper-level channels in the past two months, monopolizing the supply of materials for the training class, and making a fortune with great joy.

  Take tonight for example, the warehouse sent someone to say earlier that there was a rainstorm in Changsha, which delayed the delivery. Just now, the gatekeeper came to report that the boss of the Changsha headquarters personally brought goods to express his apology. The clerks were all delighted when they heard this, originally when the person in charge came, he didn't scatter benefits, this time the big boss came, it's a must to turn over!

  So several people welcomed them with joy and delight.

  However, waiting for them, apart from smiling faces, were daggers with warm and fresh blood.

  Qing Tian led his men to take out several clerks, and then ordered his men to pull out a batch of Type 100 submachine guns from the horse-drawn carriage. He quickly walked over to Chu Yuyan and the middle-aged man with a black mole beside him, "Report, all the guards have been eliminated!"

  The middle-aged man with a flattering expression looked at Chu Yuyan, but his eyes involuntarily fell on the high chest under her tight clothes. "It seems that the Japanese are still as inefficient as ever! Lieutenant Colonel, shall we launch an attack immediately?"

  At this moment, a scream rang out, "Something's wrong, someone jumped off the building!" The training class's courtyard was suddenly stirred up, countless people ran out of their barracks to see what happened, including soldiers from the guard unit who were on duty.

  "Chu Yu Yan gritted her silver teeth, 'Gentlemen, we can't wait any longer, let's attack immediately!'"