Chapter 23: Has Li Yunlong Defected? The Deputy Chief of Staff’s Doubts

"Brother Li, good news! Lord Watanabe has agreed to your request."

"However, you must achieve some results to prove your worth to him."

Li Yunlong paused slightly, then smiled and asked, "Please, tell me, what would you like us to do?"

Sun Hansan chuckled and said, "Recently, there have been signs of Eighth Route Army activity in the Xier River mountainous area, west of Xijing Town. Lord Watanabe hopes you can annihilate them."

"Ten silver dollars will be paid for every Eighth Route soldier, and even more for their officers."

Li Yunlong was momentarily stunned.

The Xier River mountains west of Xijing Town?

He checked the map.

It was adjacent to his own location at Huangyadong, situated to the north and west of Xijing. Could these be other friendly forces?

After a moment of thought, Li Yunlong nodded and said, "Surely the Japanese side isn't just going to offer empty words? My brothers are providing both manpower and weapons; you expect us to..."

Sun Hansan quickly interrupted, "Of course not! However, trust is mutual, isn't it? If you want to defect to the Imperial Army, you must make some concessions. Given the current power of the Imperial Army..."

"This is a certificate issued by the Imperial Army for you. You can use it to claim your reward later."

Li Yunlong suppressed the urge to finish off this spineless traitor, listening to his nonsense while accepting the document handed to him.

After looking it over, he said, "Fine, since Brother Sun has said so much, I will trust you this once!"

"Please go back and tell Lord Watanabe to wait for my good news."

Hearing this, Sun Hansan nodded with satisfaction.

"Then I shall await your good news, Brother Li."

"Please, do hurry."

"Understood," Li Yunlong nodded slightly.

After some more back-and-forth, Sun Hansan finally left, satisfied only after squeezing a few more benefits out of Li Yunlong.

Once he was gone, Zhang Dabiao couldn't help but ask, "Commander, are we really going to help the Japs fight our own people?"

"Dabiao, are you stupid?" Li Yunlong rolled his eyes at him and explained.

"What I want is Xijing Town!"

"Arrange for some sharp men to sneak in and scout the situation in the town."

"I have a feeling that the Japs asking us to strike the Xier River area isn't as simple as it seems."

"Also, keep those bandits who were sentenced to death. When the time comes, dress them in uniforms. Ten silver dollars is a decent sum; we'll make those Japs and that traitorous dog cough it up with interest."

"Understood!" Zhang Dabiao's eyes lit up, and he nodded before heading off to make preparations.

Li Yunlong stared at the map, pondering the true intent behind the Japanese army's actions.

***

Xijing Town.

After returning to Xijing Town, the traitor Sun Hansan immediately reported to Ichiro Watanabe.

"Yosh! Sun Hansan, you have done very well!"

"Go and collect your reward. As long as those annoying Eighth Route troops are eliminated, there will be plenty of benefits for you!"

"Thank you, Lord!" Sun Hansan bowed repeatedly, then happily retreated to collect his reward.

After Sun Hansan left, Ichiro Watanabe ordered his adjutant, "Strengthen the perimeter of the defense zone and prepare for the upcoming operation."

"Hai!"

With insufficient manpower, the Japanese had no other choice if they wanted to maintain control over this land.

Of course, the reason Watanabe had the traitor incite other bandits to deal with the Eighth Route forces—who constantly harassed and threatened the security of the transport routes—was to ensure the safety of his supply convoys.

He did not expect the Black Dragon Society bandits to defeat the Eighth Route forces in the Xier River area; he only needed them to act as a distraction so they wouldn't threaten the upcoming transport operation.

After all, his superiors placed great importance on these supplies. If anything went wrong, he would lose his head.

As for the promises made to the bandits, he never intended to honor them in full. In Watanabe's view, it was an honor for these people to serve the Imperial Army, and they shouldn't be asking for rewards. Moreover, once these bandits killed Eighth Route soldiers, they would have no way back.

Watanabe's plan seemed perfect to him.

***

On the other side, in an inconspicuous village in the Xier River region:

Due to the Japanese "mopping-up" campaigns threatening the safety of our arsenal, the headquarters had decided to find a more suitable location. The Deputy Chief of Staff was in charge of this task.

He had brought men to the Xier River area of the Taihang Mountains to search. During their search, friction with the Japanese and puppet forces was inevitable. This was the reason Watanabe was concerned about Eighth Route activity—it was the troops protecting the Deputy Chief of Staff, along with the local militia developing in the area.

After searching for some time, they had yet to find a place that satisfied him.

At this moment, a militia captain suggested, "Chief, should we go take a look around Huangyadong? There are some places there that might meet your requirements."

Huangyadong?

The Deputy Chief of Staff found the location on the map. It was already within the scope of his search.

"I was just thinking the same. Please, lead the way."

"You are too kind, Chief," the captain said, waving his hand before adding with concern, "That area is infested with bandits. We should make preparations before moving in."

"Mhm," the Deputy Chief of Staff nodded slightly.

Just as he was discussing the scouting plan with the others, a soldier approached and reported: "Chief, we just received news. A group of bandits has appeared on the outskirts of our base area."

"These bandits are well-equipped; they use Chiang Kai-shek rifles and have quite a few light machine guns."

"Their tactics don't seem like those of ordinary bandits; they took down the Axe Gang stronghold in less than half an hour."

"What's most puzzling is that among the prisoners they are escorting, many are dressed in our army's uniforms. They are currently retreating toward Xijing Town."

After hearing this, the Deputy Chief of Staff and the others were confused.

The Axe Gang was no pushover; the fact that these bandits could take them down so easily showed they were a formidable force. But why attack the Axe Gang? And why force the captives to disguise themselves as our troops?

What were they planning? Were they doing it to claim a reward from the Japs?

"Captain Chen, did we have anyone try to persuade the Axe Gang to surrender?"

"No," Captain Chen shook his head, explaining, "The Axe Gang would never join us, and they aren't worth recruiting. Their reputation in this area is rotten. If we had the strength, I would have wiped them out for the sake of the people long ago."

The Deputy Chief of Staff frowned. "That is strange indeed."

"Do you know which stronghold these bandits belong to?"

"Given the quality of their equipment, no one in this area has that kind of strength. The only ones who fit the description are the Black Dragon Society from the Black Wind Ridge."

"But why would the Black Dragon Society suddenly attack the Axe Gang? By all accounts, they have always minded their own business..."

The Deputy Chief of Staff ordered, "It's simple enough to find out. We'll go see what they're up to, and it will be clear."

Saying this, he began packing his things, preparing to investigate.

"Chief, you can't!" Captain Chen quickly intervened. "It's too dangerous. Let me go instead!"

The Deputy Chief of Staff waved him off. "Don't worry, I will observe from a distance and won't get close!"

"If we can establish a rapport with this Black Dragon Society, it could be beneficial for our search for an arsenal site."

"Besides, I have two legs, and with your cover, I'll be fine. I know what I'm doing."

Seeing that the Deputy Chief of Staff had made up his mind, Captain Chen had no choice but to follow.

"Everyone, take your equipment! We must protect the Chief's safety!"

"Yes!"