Chapter 29: Frightening Farewell
Silence. Deathly silence.
The local people of Leijiang who were forced to come and welcome Yamada Kōsaku, no one expected that they would be in a battlefield. Just now, just in front of them, a fierce battle broke out. In just an hour, the war was shocking and thrilling.
When the heavy machine gun bullets shot at the plane with a red circle mark, they were passionate and enthusiastic; when the devils' dense artillery fire covered the reed marshes, they were worried and uneasy. But all the Chinese present had one conviction: The Chinese army was still resisting! China would not perish!
Under the intense burning of high-octane aviation gasoline, the aluminum skin and components of the aircraft were melted, leaving only a small amount of red-black steel frame.
The wreckage was quickly cleared, except for the two pilots' bodies in the front cabin, which were still distinguishable. The 7 charred bodies in the passenger cabin had been burned into a lump of charcoal, with no hands, feet or head, making it impossible to identify individuals. Inukawa Jirō had no choice but to order his soldiers to wrap the 9 charred bodies in military blankets and load them onto the car that was supposed to pick up Yamada Kōji, and take them back to Lei Jiang.
After all this, Inukawa Jirō seemed to wake up from the fear and shock of just now. As an intelligence officer, he knew that someone must have leaked the accurate time and location of Yamada's arrival to the Chinese army in advance, allowing the Chinese army to ambush in the reeds beforehand. Judging from the possession of 24 heavy machine guns, it was not an ordinary guerrilla force, but most likely a dare-to-die corps of the regular Chinese army!
Inugawa Jiro's heart skipped a beat, proving that it wasn't as safe under his rule as he thought. Not only were there still Chinese troops lurking around, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment; but also within the ranks of the Rayon army itself, right under his nose, there existed resistance organizations secretly operating. Yet, he was completely oblivious to this, and hadn't even implemented the confidentiality measures and on-site searches stipulated in the "Army Combat Regulations". He should take full responsibility for this unexpected turn of events! If investigated, he would definitely be court-martialed, and might even be forced to commit seppuku!
He must be held accountable for this unexpected event! The top priority is to destroy the underground resistance organization in Lei Jiang and catch the informant. A hint of venomous resentment flashed in his eyes. His cold gaze swept towards the welcoming crowd. This was the most likely group of people who leaked the information. He sternly ordered: "Take all the Chinese who participated in today's welcome ceremony back, lock them up!"
It's night. There is no moonlight and no stars. Stretching out a hand, I can't see five fingers.
The welcoming crowd of Leijiang people were all detained in the police squadron square, which was originally the playground of Leijiang Academy. The surroundings were surrounded by dense barbed wire, and the pale searchlights were recklessly sweeping back and forth, while the wolf dogs were constantly "barking" wildly.
No water, no food, only the low sobbing of the oppressed and soft sighs.
Tomorrow, what fate awaits them is unknown.
The entire town of Leijiang County was also sleepless that night. Everyone was worried about their loved ones who were detained. But what they didn't know was that tomorrow, each and every one of them would face a test of life and death.
Inugawa Jiro did not sleep all night. Two things had been bothering him: one was how to report the incident of Yamada Kōchū and his entourage crashing in the mountains to his superiors; the other was how to investigate who leaked the intelligence. The special plane of Yamada Kōchū was shot down in his own defense zone, and he himself had all sorts of fatal flaws, so if he reported the truth, he would definitely be held accountable for the crime. He could only deceive Nanjing Xingying by saying that it was due to a plane malfunction, forced landing in Leijiang, and unfortunately lost contact; of course, he also had to embellish how he led his troops to rescue them bravely at the first time, anyway, dead people wouldn't speak. Bribery was also necessary, fortunately, Leijiang area was a rich and prosperous place in Jiangnan, Inugawa Jiro had "collected" many jade artifacts, calligraphy and paintings, ancient playthings, he could only reluctantly give them up.
As for the second question, he was an intelligence personnel, a person who leaked intelligence. The most likely candidate is the Chinese people who participated in the welcoming ceremony or their family members. These people must be severely punished without mercy. A killing intent quietly rose up in his chest. He really wanted to bury all three hundred or so people who participated in the welcoming ceremony alive to vent his anger.
Inugawa Jiro thought for a moment, the people of Lei Jiang who could attend the welcoming ceremony should still be the "obedient people" of the Imperial Army. If these people were killed, it would be even more difficult to organize any welcoming activities in the future. If Nanjing sent an investigation team, not only would it fail to create a harmonious atmosphere of "Sino-Japanese friendship", but if someone risked their life to tell the truth, it would also put themselves at a great disadvantage.
Moreover, the troops that participated in the air raid must be near Leijiang. Judging from the fact that they are equipped with Type 24 heavy machine guns, this unit is not weak and does not seem to be a small guerrilla force. This is also a major concern that must be eliminated. But how can we get a clear picture of the situation of this mysterious unit? Inukawa Jirō was thinking hard.
Suddenly, he had an epiphany and thought of his trump card.
He grabbed the phone: "Special High Department, let 'Mole' come see me tonight!"
Austere and stern. Solemn and severe. Chilling without being cold.
The morning sunlight shone on the bayonet of the Type 81 rifle, emitting a cold bloody light.
Inside the circle fenced with bayonets and barbed wire, all residents of Leiyang, whether they were participants in the welcoming ceremony or at home, from infants wailing for milk in their mothers' arms to elderly people who could no longer walk freely, walked slowly into the circle in a queue.
The circle is outside the North Gate City, by the side of the Ice Pool.
The North Gate City Tower is equipped with a row of Type 92 heavy machine guns and Taisho 11 light machine guns.
Everyone felt the breath of fear and death.
What's even stranger is that at the entrance surrounded by barbed wire, there is a tall guard tower shrouded in black cloth, and outsiders can't see what's inside the tower at all.
Outside the guardhouse, there was a large pointer. Every time someone passed by, the pointer would be turned to the left or right, and then the person would be roughly driven to the left or right by the devils standing nearby.
At first, people didn't pay attention.
But after all the personnel were categorized, people were horrified to discover that nearly a hundred men who were classified on the right side and surrounded by the devils' bayonets were all robust and prominent males from Leijiang. Moreover, the residents of Leijiang themselves knew that these people were the elite of Leijiang and also the ones most resistant to the devils' brutal acts, among whom many had various contacts with the anti-Japanese forces in private. On the left side, there were mostly women, the elderly, the weak, the poor and those who were obedient to the devils, known as "Shunmin".
Everyone's heart tightened at once.
It was only then that everyone realized that the person hiding in the sentry box was extremely familiar to Lei Jiang, and this person must have been living among them. It was this person who was identifying for the devils! The devils wanted to extinguish all sparks of resistance in Lei Jiang and strangle the most vibrant forces of justice. What kind of hatred did this person hiding behind the black curtain harbor towards Lei Jiang? Was he even human? He was simply a devil!
Unlike the last time at Lejiang Academy's playground, this time the air was filled with an atmosphere of killing! No matter which side of the crowd, everyone's face showed extreme fear and unease, their hearts also filled with anger.
