Hidden Line
Volume Two, Chapter Six
The continuous spring rain finally stopped completely, and the northern sky, as if washed clean, presented a cold, azure blue. Sunlight filtered through the newly sprouted leaves, casting dappled shadows in the forest, but the snow beneath the trees had not completely melted, still crunching underfoot, and the chill was biting.
Gu Tieshan led his team like experienced scouts, moving silently through the dense forest. He made full use of his resurrected military memory, choosing unexpected routes—sometimes following animal trails, sometimes crossing icy streams, sometimes even taking detours in the opposite direction—to minimize any potential tracking. The techniques he had taught were quickly applied: Geng Dashan was responsible for clearing away any traces of the team's movements, while Xiao Chen and Zhao Xiaoshuan took turns scouting ahead to ensure safety.
They temporarily settled in an abandoned, half-collapsed charcoal kiln. It was more secluded and slightly larger than the previous cave. Gu Tieshan immediately organized men to reinforce the bunker, set up sentry posts, and modified the interior of the kiln to ensure multiple evacuation routes in case of an attack.
The first thing to do after settling in was to try to restore contact with the outside world, especially with Wang Degui, the clerk who had been turned. The previous emergency relocation had severed this important intelligence line.
“We can’t lose contact with Wang Degui,” Shen Lanjun whispered to Gu Tieshan in the dim charcoal kiln. “He’s in a crucial position in the Japanese army’s logistics department. Although he provided some vague information last time that ‘Jiangwan’ might be exposed, which alerted us, it was of limited value. We need to get something more specific and valuable.”
“The risk is huge,” Gu Tieshan said thoughtfully. “Guizhong is no fool. Jiangwan’s search has failed, and he will definitely suspect there is a mole. The internal investigation will only be more thorough. Wang Degui is probably in danger himself now.”
“It is precisely because the investigation is so thorough that he needs us as his ‘path to survival’ even more.” Shen Lanjun’s gaze was calm to the point of cruelty. “The Japanese have caught him embezzling public funds, and he is already a fish on the chopping block. He provided intelligence before to save his life, but now, if he wants to live longer or even break free from their control, he must offer a more substantial pledge of loyalty. This is a gamble, a gamble on whether his desire to survive can outweigh his fear of the Japanese.”
She carefully analyzed Wang Degui's character weaknesses—cowardice, greed, and family-orientedness. She devised a detailed contact plan: direct meetings were not allowed; communication would be conducted through a "dead mailbox" (a pre-set, secret delivery point known only to the two parties), with Xiao Chen responsible for execution, to minimize risks.
"Tell him we need the transport plan for important supplies to the Japanese army in the near future, especially munitions and medicines. The more detailed the schedule, route, and escorting forces, the better." Shen Lanjun handed the written, coded instructions to Xiao Chen, repeatedly reminding him of the handover code and emergency measures.
Xiao Chen solemnly took the note and tucked it into the lining of his shoe. He was no longer the impetuous young man he once was; Gu Tieshan's training had made him understand the weight of the mission and the importance of discipline.
Three days later, Xiao Chen brought back Wang Degui's reply—a seemingly ordinary piece of tin foil used to wrap cigarettes, with tiny characters engraved on the inside by a needle tip, requiring a specific chemical solution to develop.
Deep inside the charcoal kiln, Shen Lanjun carefully applied a special medicinal solution to tin foil with a cotton swab. Gu Tieshan held up a small flashlight to illuminate the area. Under the dim light, lines of clear writing gradually appeared.
The information above made both of them catch their breath.
"April 15th, night. Departed from Heihe Wharf, passing through Sandaogou and Langwozhang, arriving at the Huma front-line supply depot. Goods: 200 Type 38 rifles, 50,000 rounds of ammunition, 10 boxes of hand grenades, 4 Type 92 heavy machine guns, 20 boxes of ammunition, as well as some medicine and winter uniforms. Escorted by: a reinforced Japanese platoon (approximately 60 men) and a puppet army company (approximately 80 men), equipped with 4 light machine guns and 2 grenade launchers. In charge: Lieutenant Ono Jiro, deputy commander of the Japanese transport company. Note: This route is a newly opened 'B'-shaped route, intended to avoid areas frequently used by the Anti-Japanese United Army, and is under a high level of secrecy."
"Good heavens!" Even the usually composed Gu Tieshan couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "Two hundred rifles, four heavy machine guns! And so much ammunition! That's enough to arm an entire battalion and still have some left over!"
Shen Lanjun's heart was pounding, but she forced herself to calm down and carefully analyzed every detail of the intelligence: "The date is April 15th, less than ten days away. The route is Sandao Gully, Langwozhang... This route is indeed remote, mostly mountainous and densely forested, which is not conducive to the deployment of large forces, but at the same time, it is also convenient for our small groups to ambush."
Her gaze fell on the "escort force," and her brows furrowed slightly: "A reinforced squad of Japanese soldiers and a company of puppet troops, totaling nearly 150 men, with considerable firepower. In a head-on confrontation, our small force wouldn't be enough to even scratch the surface."
“We can’t confront them head-on,” Gu Tieshan said decisively, his gaze already moving quickly across the map (the tanned animal hide), his finger pointing to the area between Sandao Gully and Langwozhang. “Look here, five li ahead of Langwozhang, there’s a treacherous section called ‘A Line of Sky,’ with steep cliffs on both sides and a narrow passage in the middle, barely wide enough for a truck to pass through. Moreover, this section of road is bordered by a mountain on one side and a deep ravine on the other.”
His mind raced, and his tactical acumen as an excellent commander was on full display: "This is the perfect ambush spot! As long as we occupy the high ground on both sides in advance and use explosives to block the front and rear entrances, we can trap them inside! No matter how many Japanese soldiers there are, they won't be able to maneuver effectively in that terrain!"
“However,” Shen Lanjun pointed out the key issue, “we are short-handed and lack sufficient explosives. Moreover, how can we ensure the accuracy of the intelligence? What if this is yet another trap set by Onizuka?”
Gu Tieshan was silent for a moment, then said, "The authenticity of the intelligence needs to be cross-verified. Uncle Dashan knows several hunters and herb gatherers who frequent that area. We can ask them to help us secretly observe whether there are any signs of Japanese reconnaissance or road construction along that route recently. As for manpower and explosives..."
His gaze swept over the young and determined faces in the charcoal kiln: "We alone are definitely not enough. This intelligence must be delivered to Political Commissar Yang immediately! Only with the main force taking action can we be confident of taking this piece of fat meat! As for us," he looked at Shen Lanjun, "we can be responsible for preliminary reconnaissance and guidance, and even after the battle begins, we can serve as guards on the perimeter or block reinforcements."
He paused, his voice lowering: "Of course, if the main force can't be mobilized in time, or if there are other considerations... we can't just stand by and watch this batch of weapons fall into the hands of the Japanese and be used to slaughter our compatriots. Even if it's just a few of us with a few guns, we have to find a way to take a piece of their flesh! At the very least, we can't let them transport the goods to Huma smoothly!"
His words revealed a resolute determination. Shen Lanjun knew this wasn't recklessness, but rather a profound understanding of the enemy and the nature of war, born from countless sacrifices. Some battles, though known to be difficult, must be fought.
“I agree.” Shen Lanjun nodded. “The most urgent task is to send out the intelligence immediately. At the same time, we should initiate the second round of contact with Wang Degui. First, to verify the details of the intelligence, and second, to put pressure on him to find a way to obtain the exact departure time and vehicle information of the Japanese transport team, and preferably, to get the marching route map.”
She looked at Gu Tieshan: "You need to personally lead the reconnaissance team over at Yixiantian. Only you can determine the best ambush points, firepower deployment points, and explosive placement points."
“Okay.” Gu Tieshan said without hesitation, “I’ll take Dashan and Xiaoshuan with me. Xiao Chen will continue to contact Wang Degui. Lan Jun, you stay here to oversee the overall situation and be prepared to move out at any time.”
With clear division of labor and a preliminary plan, the atmosphere inside the charcoal kiln became heavy and intense. They all knew that the thin sheet of tin foil in their hands could determine the lives of hundreds or even thousands of soldiers, and might even affect the situation on the local battlefield.
Wang Degui, a nobody pushed to the brink of despair by fate, driven by fear and self-interest, finally throws out his most valuable bargaining chip. This chip is about to unleash a new bloodbath in the northern mountains. The undercover agents have moved; murderous intent lurks beneath the surface.
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