Chapter 43: Secret War (Part 1)

  Tan Xiao quickly thought it through, he absolutely could not decline to join the Blue Shirt Society. Otherwise, he would offend a large group of people, and his Huangpu comrades who were currently getting along with him very harmoniously during the military reorganization might immediately turn against him. Since there were many people in this large group who had been dismembered by the Blue Shirts but still lived well and their future was not affected, why not? However, to show his cautious attitude, he did not agree immediately, only indicating that he would make a decision after figuring out whether the members of the Blue Shirt Society were truly consistent in words and deeds. In fact, he was preparing to do one thing first: ask Principal Chiang Kai-shek if this Blue Shirt Society could be joined!

  Tan Xiao, who has been gradually worn down by society and become cunning, has now learned some tricks.

  However, he was delighted to have met Dai Li at this gathering. For Dai Li to become the spy king of China's anti-war efforts, he must have had something special about him. And now, the weakest link in Tan Xiao's troops is espionage and counter-espionage work - all of which have been infiltrated by the Japanese into the Wild One Brigade! So, at this meeting, he paid particular attention to Dai Li.

  For Tan Xiao, Dai Li understood far more than other members of the Revival Society (Blue Shirt Society): after all, in the Lingling gun battle and later soft detention of Kong Xiangxi and violent beating of Kong Song, the special affairs agency of the Revival Society was involved. So before Tan Xiao had even discussed the Sino-German cooperation plan that shocked the court, Dai Li already knew Tan Xiao's background inside out. For Tan Xiao's "grand blueprint", he even knew earlier than anyone else here; at the same time, also because Tan Xiao's "grand blueprint" touched him, so the Revival Society never had any conflicts with Tan Xiao.

  "Rain Brother, if you had arrived in Lingling a few days earlier, those Japanese might not have made their move. This time it's as if heaven is helping me, but I still managed to shock the principal. If he blames me, I really don't know what to do! Tan Xiao opened his mouth after escaping from the Japanese assassination attempt yesterday: 'Now we've received reliable news that the Japanese have already infiltrated our army!'

  Regarding the two actions of the Japanese in Lingling, Dai Li was also very annoyed. Once, Vice Premier Kong Xiangxi was almost beaten to death; The second time, the target was Chiang Kai-shek, and if Tan Xiao hadn't been incredibly lucky, he would have been hard-pressed to escape. This time, he came over, actually on the orders of Chiang Kai-shek, specifically to conduct a thorough cleanup of the Japanese special forces in Lingling.

  Having a common topic is good, Tan Xiao and Dai Li had a great conversation, and the location of their conversation also changed. They arrived at the Military Intelligence Agency of the Wild First Army, where the head of the special agency was Chen Ye Liu, one of Ji Ping's younger brothers-in-law. Chen Ye Liu's loyalty was sufficient, and he was clever, having studied for two months in the Central Plains Military Officer Training Class, and like Tan Xiao, he was a typical Huangpu Wenzheng system. Although he worked very seriously, his thinking breadth was limited, and he was only a conservative talent. If it were just handling intelligence in the southwestern Hunan region, he would be barely qualified, for example, doing well in reconnaissance at the Unnamed Mine; but if he had to further develop the spy network across the country or even abroad, he would be overwhelmed. Because this time the Japanese blew up Tan Xiao's Citroen, he was also having a hard time, basically urging his subordinates every day to investigate the situation of the Japanese.

  "Sir, this is the evidence we found in that room based on the confession of 'Usagi'. Chen Ye Liu pointed to some firearms and explosives, electronic components, wires and other items: "In addition, a radio was seized and is being analyzed by the communications department... Because these things were not transferred, we concluded that the Japanese left in a hurry, even just as our people arrived. So we sent someone to investigate nearby; currently several suspicious individuals have been found, one of whom is a medicine merchant surnamed Tian, who is likely the Tian Zhong 'Usagi' confessed about..."

  Dai Li took a glance at the secretly taken photo: "Tanaka Hisashirō, one of the capable assistants of Tōyama Kakudō, the head of the Japanese special agency in Fengtian, was almost killed by my men in Beiping. It turns out he has been hiding in the south... This man is an action-oriented person who likes to carry out assassinations and provocative incidents. He has already been listed as a target for elimination by our Fuxing Society; otherwise, Feng Sheng would have sold him out to his brother." On one hand, Dai Li wanted to show off a bit, on the other hand, he also needed to achieve some results to report to Chiang Kai-shek. After all, the Japanese had been too rampant in Lingling for a short period of time. If Fuxing Society didn't take action, he would look too incompetent.

  Tan Xiao was willing to give this favor to Dai Li: "Rain Farmer said it's a sale? But is there something good for little brother?"

  Dai Li didn't expect Tan Xiao to grab his wrist: "Hehe, I wonder what Feng Sheng wants?"

  "I want Rain Nong to help me strengthen the Military Intelligence Division, from personnel to system!" Tan Xiao was straightforward, intelligence work wasn't his expertise anyway, and now this person was a real espionage genius, so why not use him?

  Dai Li didn't mince words and immediately ordered someone to bring over the entire organizational structure, system, and other materials of the Military Intelligence Bureau for on-site work. As he inquired about Chen Ye's management habits and details, he took notes and added some characters that only he understood. Within half an hour, Dai Li had already come up with a comprehensive reform plan for the Military Intelligence Bureau. As Dai Li pointed out the current loopholes in their work, Chen Ye's face turned pale, his forehead was covered in sweat, and he nodded repeatedly.

  It wasn't easy to wait until Dai Li finished assigning the rectification work, Chen Ye Liu was already on the verge of collapse - compared to Dai Li, Chen Ye Liu's level was like that of a kindergarten graduate.

  "Can get the guidance of China's intelligence work number one, don't know say thank you?" Tan Xiaoxiao scolded Chen Ye Liu and gave Dai Li a high hat. Then, Tan Xiaoxiao proposed to let Ye Yi Jun and the local Fuxing She Te Wu Chu strengthen cooperation, both sides within a month to eliminate all Japanese spy agencies in Hunan Province's suggestion. After all, now various armies gather for training, he still does not want Japan to get too much information. His proposal was supported by Dai Li, and on that night, a more severe sweep of the Japanese began than the previous mine closure event, only this time the battle was almost unknown in society.

  After discussing intelligence cooperation and espionage network construction experience with Dai Li for nearly an hour, Dai Li left and inspected the Fuxing Society's Youling Special Affairs Bureau overnight. Tan Xiao also had something to do, he wanted to go to Dong'an overnight to see Wen Xiangting.

  Since that day, Wen Xiangting scolded Tan Xiao to death in the store after being ridiculed and taking her four noble guests away... The next day, Lin Yaogui was going back to Guangzhou and made a special trip to Dong'an to bid farewell to Wen Xiangting. He also said that the four of them would be playing for Wild One Military. Wen Xiangting immediately said: "How can you four be so useless? Someone takes you away for one night, and you're already head over heels in love?... If he wants to invite me out of retirement, if he doesn't come personally with a sedan chair to pick me up, it's impossible to invite me..." Unexpectedly, a casual joke at the time actually brought Tan Xiao over.

  "Isn't that just a joke! How did he really come himself?……” When Xiangting found out that Tan Xiao had already arrived at the tea pavilion halfway up the wine tower, she was at a loss for what to do. That day, she was just casually talking, and didn't think that Huang Xiaoxia and others would actually suggest that Tan Xiao use her connections to establish a spy network in Nanyang. Now it's good, originally just wanting to pass the days running a wine tower, but instead got entangled in such a big thing!

  "Now that everyone has arrived, it wouldn't be good for him to leave without seeing them, after all he's a general...". Wen Xiangting put on a black cloak and followed Huang Xiaoxiao out.

  About half a mile from the wine tower, there is a tea pavilion built under an ancient wutong tree. It was originally a bustling place for traveling merchants to rest and take a break. Later, due to the prosperity of the wine tower, no one came here to rest anymore. The tea pavilion did not fall into disrepair because the owner of the wine tower would occasionally come to visit; she also planted several clusters of rhododendron on the edge of the tea pavilion. Now it is the season when mountain flowers are in full bloom, and the rhododendrons are also blooming in the cluster, laughing and playing under the light of the lanterns held by the owner, who was chatting and smiling, although it was already late at night, she still refused to go to sleep.

  From afar, Xiang Ting saw Tan Xiao, who was bending down to admire the azaleas in the night breeze. The smile in his eyes was warm under the reflection of the red lanterns, and his innocence contrasted with the severity and solemnity of his black Zhongshan suit.

  That day, Tan Xiao left a very strong military image for Wen Xiangting. Occasionally, his waving arms and loud shouting would flash through her mind; that "Little Japanese slave country, not worth a blow!" occasionally also echoed in her ears... Now, the phrase full of national pride is echoing in her ears again...

  If this man were not a general, but dressed like he is now in a Sun Yat-sen suit, shouting that slogan, what difference would there be between him and those patriotic youths who are busy for the country every day in Nanyang? She thought of her late husband's frequent associates.

  "Oh, General Tan is really elegant and refined, and he even knows how to appreciate the wildflowers by the mountain..." Some people's words always make others feel a bit ambiguous and teased, and Wen Xiangting was one of them. Did her "wildflowers" refer to actual flowers, or...

  "Feng Sheng had always liked to play with the wild flowers in the field, but it made the lady laugh... Tan Xiao seemed not to be afraid of the ambiguous atmosphere between him and Xiang Ting."

  "The general really came to invite me personally, and I'm a little overwhelmed, huh... why didn't I see the eight-carriage sedan?" Wen Xiangting was still joking, indeed, she hadn't made up her mind whether to help or not after knowing Tan Xiao's intention.

  "It's late at night and I'm really sorry to disturb you, Tan Mou is so nervous that he can't calm down, and hopes Miss will forgive him." Tan Xiao decided not to joke around anymore.

  "Whatever, whatever, you're disturbing us even if you don't mean to. Can't you see we're busy?... Hmm, General, how come your speech has turned into that of a scholar? Sour and vinegar-like, where's the slightest bit of military might?" Wen Xiangting was indeed not polite, her eyes seemingly didn't put this general in her sights at all.

  "Hehe, when you need something from someone, you should treat them with courtesy. It seems that Miss is still holding a grudge against Tan for his rudeness the other day."

  "Alas, I heard that Xiangting is such a petty person? But watching the general drop his school bag is as fun as watching a scholar dance with a big knife!"

  "Haha, then I won't drop my school bag. My intention should have been made clear to Master Huang already. Please help me out, miss!" Tan Xiao began to get straight to the point, and it seemed like he was going to spend the whole night playing word games with this woman without getting to the main topic.

  "Excuse me, General, why should I help you?" Wen Xiangting said: "Don't try to intimidate me with those grand reasons for the country and the people, I'm just a timid little girl!" While asking someone for a reason, she blocked the easiest reason to find.

  Tan Xiao lowered his head and remained silent for a while: "Apart from this, I really can't think of any other reason. I thought every Chinese person would sacrifice their lives for the nation and country, but it seems I was wrong... May I ask, miss, what kind of reason or condition do you need?"

  "It's fun to watch you, why do you speak so stiffly? ... Alright, you mention conditions, this young lady is a bit greedy, but doesn't have any other advantages, since you don't have a reason, then let's talk about money!"

  Tan Xiaozhen suspected he had returned to 2010, how could this era also encounter such a materialistic woman!

  "That young lady is making an offer! If Mr. Tan thinks it's worth it, he won't be stingy!" Tan smiled and got down to business.

  "Haha, my younger sister likes to quarrel with people, she's not that petty!""Actually, my younger sister is also a chivalrous and righteous person. In the past, in Southeast Asia..."

  "Hey, big brother, why are you speaking up for someone else? In this world, there are only men who want to take advantage of others without spending a dime. It's rare for me to meet someone who has money and is willing to spend it, and now you're coming over here to stir up trouble!" Xiangting hurriedly interrupted Huang Xiaoxiao's words.

  Tan Xiao also felt that the previous words were too stiff, and he hastily took the opportunity to turn the conversation around: "Actually, Miss Wen really wants to make money, it's not difficult at all. With the flavor of Dong'an chicken, plus my Tan's brain, I estimate that if we spend a few years operating well, this business will be known to people all over the country and overseas!"

  As soon as this was said, everyone inside and outside the pavilion was slightly surprised. Although they knew that Tan Xiao wouldn't really discuss business, they still wanted to hear what he had to say.

  "This Dong'an chicken is fragrant, spicy and delicious, with an excellent mouthfeel. If it could be slightly improved by dividing a whole chicken into separate parts such as legs, wings, and breast for sale, that would be great. With the chicken as the main dish, accompanied by a few simple but distinctive side dishes, this restaurant could be transformed into a tea house-style eatery similar to those in Hong Kong, emphasizing convenience and speed, with both dine-in and take-out services. I estimate it would be easy to open up the foreign market.

  Then, by continuously replicating this business model, opening store after store, all with the same appearance, supplies, and service; at the same time, cooperating with those who are interested in running this business, letting them join the franchise, our store providing everything needed to open a new location, investors only need to have money and not worry about technical issues.

  In this way, I think these stores will spread across Southeast Asia and the Western world in no time. It's hard to imagine they wouldn't thrive!" Tan laughed, suddenly pulling out the fast-food chain business model of later generations, leaving everyone stunned."

  In this era, Chinese people doing business, everything is about keeping recipes secret and exclusive operations, it's really rare to have such a business mindset!

  Tan Xiao was not here to sell his chicken or peddle his plans. After listening to Huang Xiao's introduction, he knew that Wen Xiangting had become somewhat apathetic since her husband's death, and everything seemed unimportant to her. She made decisions based on her emotions. So, he needed to make something interesting in her eyes. Espionage was an interesting thing, if he could make it even more interesting, maybe she would participate.

  "We can use the branches all over the world as our contact points, and the money earned can support the expenses of our intelligence department. Of course, I'm referring to my part, as for Miss Wen's part, it still belongs to Miss Wen. What do you think of this plan?... By the way, I plan to invest 500,000 yuan initially, and we'll split the shares 50/50."

  Is it business or espionage? But either way, it's very interesting!

  There's another interesting thing, Tan Xiao. This person is very interesting! Wen Xiangting suddenly felt that cooperating with Tan Xiao was very interesting!

  Then they began to discuss the details of their work. Huang Xiao was the most surprised, in the previous moment, he saw that the two had almost reached a breakdown in talks, but suddenly turned around and unexpectedly heard that Xiangting was willing to participate! He and several other masters outside the pavilion looked at each other in disbelief.

  With the participation of Bamboo Net Dragon Hall, it goes without saying that the espionage network in Nanyang can be established in a very short period of time. Now, consideration is being given to providing some necessary spy training for these Jianghu figures, and Dai Li is already in Lingling.

  Although they were still talking about the preparations for the spy network, somehow, what Tan Xiao said became very interesting and no longer seemed dull. Wen Xiangting was willing to listen and also willing to speak, she hadn't been so excited in a long time.

  In the past, when they were in Nanyang, Xiangting loved talking to her husband and there was always something to say. Every day when her husband went out to work, she would keep talking non-stop, to the pillow, to the stool... Her husband liked listening to her talk and would always smile as he listened to her chattering away like a little bird in the mountains.

  Until that day, her husband told her he had to go! He was the guardian of the hall! Then he went without hesitation, to participate in the armed fight to aid the island across the strait!... When he came back; The husband was carried back, with two gunshot wounds on his abdomen, covered in blood, pale lips trembling slightly, and said with difficulty: "I just wanted to come back and listen to you talk..."

  Since her husband's death, Wen Xiangting had almost not spoken for half a year until the day she personally fired all the bullets in the pistol at the Dutch police officer who had shot and killed her husband on that inclined plane. Then, she came back, returned to her hometown of Dong'an and opened this store. She also began to speak again, always with a mysterious tone and a hint of ambiguity, teasing those guys who kept their eyes fixed on her.

  But today, she started talking again, chattering away like a little bird in the mountains...

  "...We have to do it! Someone has to do it! I am Chinese!" This was Tan Xiao's last words left for Wen Xiangting tonight. Looking at Tan Xiao's back quickly disappearing into the night, Wen Xiangting's eyes blurred, and she couldn't even see if it was him or him...

  On the way back, Tan Xiao and the other masters began to discuss some specific work. Just now when talking to Wen Xiangting about the situation of overseas Chinese in Nanyang, Tan Xiao thought of building a secret armed force in Nanyang, just like what the Japanese had done in Jiangyong before. However, he didn't want a group of violent thugs, but an elite special forces team that excelled in urban warfare and tropical jungle warfare!

  This unit will be responsible for the ruthless slaughter of Japanese in Southeast Asia, and the destruction of Japanese industry and commerce. The main personnel of this unit will be assigned to the First Route Army. They will be rotated south by special troops, and then dispersed in different areas to carry out activities. He believed that the best training was actual combat, executing tasks in a place far away from the base camp, but psychologically closest to their future actions; This is the best way to train soldiers. Moreover, Tan Xiao thought that as long as there are Japanese, anti-war can be carried out anywhere, not necessarily in China, and not necessarily after July 7, 1937!

  "I think it's feasible, especially after some connections from the Bamboo Web Temple join in, it would be easy to find some plantations or mines for them to hide in." Lin Yintang said: "But why not recruit locally? They are more familiar with local conditions."

  "I've thought about this, and what I'm mainly worried about is their background and training; you know, I don't want some street killer, I want soldiers." Tan Xiao said: "If there are reliable local personnel who really want to join, they can be sent to the First Army for training first, but I do not allow any non-military personnel other than intelligence personnel to participate in any action!" Tan Xiao emphasized his military order again.

  "As for Hong Kong, when does Ping Wei plan to set off?" Tan Xiao asked. Since they met at the airport, they had little time to discuss together.

  "The day after tomorrow, I have already sent a telegram to get in touch, and heard that I am not in Nanyang but want to return to Hong Kong. Chen Lianbo has already sent someone to contact my family members, hoping that I will be his bodyguard. Everything is going smoothly." Ren Pingwei also didn't idle away these two days, and has already found a way to enter the Chen household as a bodyguard.

  "That's great! I plan to do something big in Hong Kong." Tan Xiao began to arrange the task: "Kill or capture this Japanese man!" Tan Xiao took out a photo, on which the Japanese man had a mustache and two chubby cheeks, looking like a bulldog. He was Tōyama Kakudai, the head of the Mukden Special Agency!

  "I, Tan Xiao, am not so easily killed! If someone comes to my door and I don't dare fight back, then I'm not worthy of being a general! If possible, capture him alive would be best, see if Mo San can get any information out of him... even if nothing is obtained, handing him over to the Shan Gou squad to make use of as a live target wouldn't be bad either!"

  As for Tōhara, who was originally the first war criminal to be hanged in the original timeline after the war, Tan Xiao had long wanted to kill him! He wasn't afraid of changing history, anyway he had already decided to thoroughly destroy the two Guangdong warlords, wouldn't this change be even greater?

  After being stabbed twice, he suddenly had a strange idea: he knew which Japanese generals would achieve great results in the future, so why not eliminate them in Japan? Of course, this required careful preparation, and he had already lined up the Japanese: Okamura Yasuji, Tani Hisao...

  "(Author: I'm working hard to meet the deadline, and while writing, I just realized that this thing isn't entirely determined by time... Yesterday evening, I spent more than an hour without writing anything... Looking at the book review section these two days, I found that some friends' reasoning is too awesome, almost like the plot later on, haha, actually everyone has the ability to be a writer! Hope more people can participate in creation... At first, it was a bit tough for a while, but then got used to it, now every day writing until 2 am and not affecting daytime work and life... Finally, still want to thank everyone for their support!)"