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The third brother's expression was grave. "Yesterday during the day, our men saw Japanese military police vehicles frequently entering and leaving Xiaocang Mountain. The situation was unclear, so we dared not approach rashly. Last night at midnight, I arranged for several of my most skilled brothers to quietly sneak into the mountain."
He paused, his voice growing even lower: "There's a secret Japanese stronghold in the mountains. We found more than one body near the stronghold. Judging from the clothes on their bodies, one of them is Xiao Liu from 'Leji'."
"Third Uncle, explain yourself clearly! Is Xiao Liu... really Xiao Liu?" You Jiale suddenly took a step forward, her face turning deathly pale. The third uncle nodded heavily, "There's no mistake. Although you can't see clearly on his face, his clothes... definitely have 'Le Ji' written on them."
He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, and his voice trembled with anger: "It's those damn Japanese devils again." His eyes were also faintly red.
As if he had already guessed, Zhang Xiande asked, "What's the situation around that stronghold? Can you find out what they're doing?"
The third brother sighed: "The Japanese are guarding it too tightly, with many sentries both visible and hidden. That outpost looks like it was converted from an abandoned mine, making it very difficult to get close. Our men can only observe from a distance. If we want to find out what's going on inside, we'll have to find another opportunity to sneak in."
Zhang Xiande's eyes sharpened. He remained silent for a moment, seemingly planning something. "Third brother, what do you think of the patterns in their supply transport?"
The third brother recalled carefully: "During the day, there are more vehicles coming and going, but most of them are transporting supplies. It's much quieter at night, with only a few vehicles coming and going." He hesitated for a moment and added: "They deliver food in every noon and evening."
You Jiale's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped something crucial: "Food?!" He immediately looked at Zhang Xiande and said quickly, "Since we know when they deliver the food, can we... tamper with the food?" He lowered his voice.
"Hmm." He turned to the third brother and gave the order: "Third brother, go and arrange for people to find out the specific time and route for them to deliver the food, and make sure that nothing goes wrong."
The third brother immediately bowed and replied, "Yes!"
Zhang Xiande stood up, his eyes full of calculation: "Third brother, after the poison takes effect, you will personally lead the team, select the most elite guards, and split them into three groups to launch a night raid on Xiaocang Mountain!"
"First team, you must eliminate all the guards outside the stronghold with lightning speed, leaving none alive! Do it silently, without alerting them!"
"Second team, target the inside of the stronghold. Move all useful supplies inside, remember, prioritize military supplies such as firearms, grenades, maps, and radios!" He emphasized, "Be extremely careful, do not let anyone fall into the hands of the Japanese. Retreat immediately after you succeed!"
"The third team, and the most crucial one! After the second team leaves, immediately blow up the entire base! Including the laboratories, equipment, everything that can be blown up, everything that can't be moved, blow it all up! We absolutely cannot let any of our brothers fall into the hands of the Japanese!"
He emphasized again, looking firmly at the third brother: "Remember, third brother, the primary objective of this operation is to take away the supplies! Destroying the base is secondary! We must ensure the safe evacuation of our people!"
The third brother nodded vigorously, "Don't worry!"
Yu Jiale listened with great enthusiasm, looking at Zhang Xiande with eyes full of admiration: "Is there anything I can do? I want to go too!"
Zhang Xiande glanced at him, his expression turning serious: "You stay in the shop and stabilize the situation. Once we succeed, the Japanese definitely won't let it go, and the situation in the city might become even more tense. They might very well trace it back to us. You need to reassure everyone, ensure the smooth operation of 'Le Ji,' and don't give anyone any leverage." His tone carried an undeniable air of authority: "Remember, your task is also very important!"
"I understand, I will definitely take good care of the store!"
Next, it remains to be seen how the third brother will arrange his men to sneak in quietly...
The following time was undoubtedly long and agonizing for You Jiale, who remained in the shop. He tried his best to calm himself down and, as Zhang Xiande had instructed, to keep the shop assistants from noticing anything amiss. However, his mind was constantly preoccupied with the operation.
Time ticked by. You Jiale would occasionally walk to the shop entrance, hoping to see Zhang Xiande bring him good news. However, apart from the quiet night and the occasional bark of a dog, nothing happened.
The air inside the shop seemed to have grown as still as the night outside, making You Jiale feel suffocated. He forced himself to occasionally pick up the ledger and pretend to flip through a few pages, but he just couldn't make sense of those densely packed numbers.
You Jiale could no longer stay in the shop. He grabbed his coat and practically ran towards Yunyin Hall.
Uncle Cai heard the urgent knocking and opened the door to find You Jiale. He showed no surprise and simply nodded slightly. "Mr. You is here. The master is resting in his room," the butler said in a friendly tone. He did not lead You Jiale to the study but went straight to Zhang Xiande's bedroom.
You Jiale's heart skipped a beat. Before she could think about the housekeeper's actions, she followed closely behind.
Only when he reached the inner courtyard gate did he realize where Uncle Cai had led him... Zhang Xiande's bedroom...
The absurd night that completely changed their relationship flashed into his mind, causing him to slow down involuntarily.
The butler pushed open the bedroom door and said softly, "Sir, Mr. You has arrived."
A bedside lamp was lit in the room, casting a soft light.
Zhang Xiande was leaning against the headboard when he saw You Jiale enter. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his voice was slightly hoarse: "You're here? Come and sit down."
Looking at the large bed, You Jiale felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Absurd fragments of memory flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I...I'd rather sit on this bench." Her eyes darted around.
Zhang Xiande said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "Don't you know patients shouldn't speak loudly? Sitting so far away, talking makes my back hurt." He sounded somewhat pitiful.
You Jiale choked for a moment, after all, the other person had been injured because of him. He had no choice but to grit his teeth and move forward, each step stiff and awkward. When he reached the bedside, his legs were even trembling slightly.
The moment he carefully sat down, Zhang Xiande suddenly reached out and grasped his hand with unwavering strength. Zhang Xiande's gaze fell calmly and powerfully on You Jiale's face, his voice low and steady: "I know you're worried and scared, don't be afraid, the third brother will succeed. I'll wait with you."
You Jiale looked at their clasped hands. Zhang Xiande's hands were large, firmly enveloping her slightly cold fingertips. Like a tranquilizer, it finally calmed You Jiale's heart, which had been hovering in mid-air. She had to admit, this old fox did indeed have a strange ability to make people feel at ease.
The wait was agonizing.
"Knock, knock, knock." The door was gently knocked three times.
You Jiale's heart skipped a beat, and his body stiffened instantly. Zhang Xiande's grip on his hand tightened slightly. You Jiale didn't have time to think; almost reflexively, he ran towards the door.
He opened the door carefully.
"Are you injured?" You Jiale asked quickly, her gaze sweeping over him rapidly.
The third brother shook his head and said calmly, "It's just that the situation inside is more complicated than we expected. The Japanese have deployed quite a few people."
"What did you find?" You Jiale asked impatiently.
Zhang Xiande had already sat up at some point and was leaning against the headboard. He slightly raised his hand, gesturing for his third brother to come in.
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