At 10 a.m. the next day, at the Dongjiang military dock in Chongqing, a group of officers disembarked. Lin Mucheng carried a small rattan box and walked in the middle of the group.
Lin Mucheng frowned as soon as he saw the checkpoint set up on the dock. He heard a lieutenant colonel in front of him say loudly, "What's going on? This is a military dock. When did you set up checkpoints? What? Are you going to search my suitcase?"
All the wharves along the Yangtze River in Chongqing have checkpoints, except for the military wharves on the Dongjiang River, which have never had checkpoints set up because they are used exclusively by the military.
At this moment, a major stood in front of the checkpoint and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, checkpoints have been set up at Dongjiang Wharf since last month. Please don't worry, as long as it's not military contraband, we won't make things difficult for you."
These words made the officers feel uneasy, because the Dongjiang Wharf had always been exempt from inspection. Chongqing was currently experiencing a shortage of supplies, so these officers had all been carrying some personal goods to supplement their household income. However, they never expected that even the Dongjiang Wharf would now have checkpoints set up.
"We've all just been withdrawn from the front lines. What, you people are sitting in the rear enjoying yourselves, and now you want to search my luggage? Don't even think about it..."
"Exactly! Who are you people, wielding your authority like a tyrant? Every single one of you here is a war hero! And this is how you treat us when we return to Chongqing..."
The officers immediately started making a fuss, but the major remained calm and composed, clearly having encountered this kind of thing many times before, and showed no sign of panic.
With a wave of his hand, the guards behind him immediately raised their guns and pointed them at the officers, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.
The major reiterated loudly, "I'll emphasize again: we are from the Second Operations Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau. Given that the Japanese have dispatched a large number of Japanese spies to Chongqing to steal military intelligence and disrupt the security of the wartime capital, the Military Commission has issued an order to strictly inspect all transportation hubs. Anyone who dares to disobey military orders will be punished according to military law. You are all soldiers, so I don't need to elaborate on the consequences of disobeying military orders. Please don't make things difficult for me. As long as your identities are clear, your personal weapons and medical supplies can pass through. However, if you dare to smuggle radios and electrical components, as well as contraband weapons and explosives, then please step forward and don't make things difficult for us."
At this point, his tone became more serious, and his gaze sharpened as he continued, "A few days ago, an officer also tried to break through the checkpoint, but he has already died by my gun. Gentlemen, please do not make the same mistake."
His words were menacing, leaving no room for compromise. In addition, the words "Military Commission" and "Second Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau" immediately silenced the officers. One of these departments was the highest military management department of the Kuomintang, and the other was a secret service agency that was feared and used to supervise the military. Neither of them could be defied.
Seeing that the officers had lost their momentum, the major said no more, waved his hand, and signaled several of his men to go forward and search the officers' personal belongings one by one.
Fortunately, their attention wasn't on the smuggled goods. Even some ordinary contraband items were overlooked and let go. Seeing that they weren't deliberately making things difficult, the officers breathed a sigh of relief.
When it was Lin Mucheng's turn, he handed his officer's ID to the major, then opened his own wicker trunk. The major carefully searched it and found only a few simple changes of clothes, so he returned the ID to him and quickly let him pass.
"Sir, it was my duty. Please forgive me if I have offended you!"
Lin Mucheng didn't speak, but nodded slightly, picked up the rattan trunk, and stepped out of the Dongjiang Wharf. Chu Jian'an, who had been waiting outside, quickly came up to him and asked, "Why are you only coming out now? Didn't you already enter the port?"
After saying that, he took the luggage from Lin Mucheng's hand. Lin Mucheng said helplessly, "I don't know what's going on, but there are suddenly more checkpoints at the dock. They're checking every single suitcase, which has taken up some time. Is Chongqing's management this strict now? It wasn't this strict when I came back last time!"
Chu Jian'an led Lin Mucheng to the car and said as they walked, "You haven't been back to Chongqing for a long time, so it's no wonder you don't know. A lot of things have happened in Chongqing recently. Japanese spies have been rampant, and even the Chiang Kai-shek's official residence was bombed. Just a few days ago, they even openly carried out an armed operation on Yuzhong Island. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, otherwise the commotion would have been much bigger. Now the whole of Chongqing is on guard against Japanese spies and is trying to catch them. It's very tense, so everywhere is under strict guard and the checks are especially rigorous."
Lin Mucheng was startled by this. His eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but ask, "The Japanese have already been defeated in Changsha, but I didn't expect them to be so rampant in Chongqing?"
Chu Jian'an opened the car door, and the two got in before he replied, "But don't worry, the Military Intelligence Bureau is currently cracking down on Japanese spies, and the results are remarkable. They've captured quite a few Japanese spies, and they're being executed by firing squad at Tongyuan Gate every so often. Since you're back, you can go and see what the spectacle is like and what Japanese spies look like! Haha!"
What was said in jest was taken to heart by the listener. Chu Jian'an's words immediately made Lin Mucheng's heart tighten. He didn't respond, but just gave a soft "hmm" and looked out the window without saying anything more.
Seeing that Lin Mucheng was not in a good mood, Chu Jian'an didn't say much. After a while, Lin Mucheng finally asked, "How is Mother's illness? The telegram was vague. Has she taken her to see a doctor?"
When Lin Mucheng asked about his mother's health, Chu Jian'an hesitated for a moment. He had already lied all the way back to Chongqing, so he couldn't lie anymore, or he would be exposed as soon as he entered the house.
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