Spy game? Stop guessing, I really am an undercover agent!

Chapter 139 The Darkest Moment
Shanghai, Ferguson Road, Lin Mansion.

It was already late at night, but Chen Yang was still writing furiously in his study.

Finally, after writing the last word, Chen Yang looked at the densely packed words on the manuscript paper and checked it again.

This plan is specifically designed for the transportation route of the first lesson.

He used AI algorithms in his mind, combined with the power of the explosives currently in use, to design a reasonable plan to sabotage the transport.

Damaging the railway at key points and important locations during the first lesson's transport slowed down the transport of the first lesson.

However, the destructive power of these explosives is extremely limited; they can slow down the movement without rendering the supplies immobile.

Chen Yang, however, could rationally arrange his transportation time based on the time required for damage and repair.

According to Chen Yang's calculations, the difference in transportation efficiency between the first and third lessons will be immediately apparent within a month.

This was a plan specifically designed to help him secure transportation authority from the Southern Transportation Department.

He doesn't have any powerful figures backing him up, and his current relationship with Shingo Suzuhara and others is just a simple collaboration, not a deep-seated bond.

Therefore, he wanted the Japanese to see his abilities.

After putting away the project proposal, Chen Yang got up and took a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet on the right side of the study, pouring himself a glass.

Swirling the wine in his glass, Chen Yang looked out the study window at the scenery.
If he hadn't come to this era, he would never have been able to understand the confusion and despair that the Chinese people felt about the future.

This despair was evident in the Battle of Shanghai, where 700,000 faced 300,000, yet ultimately ended in a crushing defeat.

This despair stemmed from the fact that fifteen divisions of the Hunan Army rushed to Shanghai's aid, only to have their unit numbers wiped out within a month, after which the Hunan Army disappeared from the Chinese battlefield.

This despair stemmed from the fact that 60,000 soldiers from Guangxi had trekked for months to reach the Shanghai battlefield, only to be reduced to the old, weak, and wounded in the end.
This despair was felt in just a few months, as Shanghai, Nanjing, Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and most of China's territory, including Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Anhui, fell into enemy hands.

This despair stems from the fact that a million-strong Blue Army defended China, with everyone giving their all, even risking their lives, yet they still couldn't stop the tiny Japanese invaders, whose advance was unstoppable.

This kind of despair is like two martial arts masters meeting on a narrow path, one of whom has already used all his life's skills, but finds that he can't even break through the other's defense.

Hesitation, confusion, helplessness, loss, and even despair.
No one knows if China has a future. Some people are even pessimistically drafting an "Outline of National History" so that even if China perishes, future generations will still remember that this country once existed.

The night outside the window was as dark as ink, with streetlights casting a dim, yellowish glow.
That tiny glimmer of light is like the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people, holding fast to their last hope in the darkness.

Chen Yang silently drank the red wine in his glass, unsure of how far he might go in the future.

However, he firmly believed that God brought him into this world not only to be a witness, but also to do what he could.

Even if these things cause misunderstandings and lack of understanding from everyone, it doesn't matter.

The important thing is that he did it.
July 16, 1938, sunny.

Jiangxi, Jiujiang, Tongfuji Teahouse...

Tongfuji is a small shop, but it is kept exceptionally clean.

Various tea canisters were neatly arranged, and the air was filled with the fragrance of Longjing tea, the mellow aroma of Pu'er tea, and a hint of the fishy smell wafting from the river.

The afternoon is the quietest time for business, with only the fan spinning weakly overhead, stirring the stuffy air.

Old Wu, the shopkeeper, sat in an old elmwood armchair behind the counter, seemingly flipping through a yellowed ledger, but in reality, he kept a close eye on the changing light and shadows at the doorway.

His ears keenly filtered through the noise of the street...

The hawkers' cries, the rickshaw bells, and the faint sounds of military drills in the distance—beneath these everyday noises lurks a dangerous undercurrent.

Over Jiujiang, Japanese planes frequently flew over the city for reconnaissance, military supplies piled up like mountains at the docks, and the checks by military police and secret agents became increasingly strict.

Looking up at the Western clock hanging opposite, a hint of anxiety flashed in Old Wu's eyes.

The appointed time has arrived, but the intelligence agent who was supposed to meet us has not yet shown up. Could something have happened?

It would be troublesome if something went wrong. This intelligence came from Zengjiayan No. 50.

The document also bears the director's signature, proving that the intelligence was extremely important and needed to be carried out by the guerrillas in the Jiujiang area.

If something goes wrong, how will he explain it?

A series of light footsteps sounded, and Old Wu looked up to see a thin figure carrying a simple cloth bag walking in...

"Shopkeeper, do you...do you have this year's pre-Qingming 'Lushan Yunwu' tea? My mother wants me to take some back; it's her favorite."

Old Wu's gaze calmly swept across the girl's face. She had willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, her gaze clear yet carrying a hint of barely perceptible wariness. And what she was saying was the agreed-upon secret code.

"Miss, you've come at an inopportune time," Old Wu said slowly, putting down the ledger. His voice was deep and steady, carrying the affable manner of a merchant.
"The genuine 'Lushan Yunwu' tea is in short supply this year and has already been pre-ordered by our regular customers. However, I do have some excellent 'Ninghong' tea, produced in Xiushui. It has a rich aroma and is very durable for brewing. Would you like to take a look?"

As he spoke, he stood up and gestured for the young woman to go inside and take a closer look. This was the second step in confirming her identity through a secret code. A barely perceptible glint flashed in Liu Ying's eyes. She obediently followed Old Wu around the counter and into the inner room, which was filled with tea baskets and account books.

The curtain fell, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

"Comrade, you've worked hard." Old Wu's amiable expression vanished instantly, replaced by the seriousness and solemnity typical of underground workers. His voice was extremely low. "How's the situation in the mountains? Is it safe on the road?"

Liu Ying also dropped her feigned innocence, speaking quickly and clearly with a capable air, "The Japanese troops on the outskirts of Jiujiang are frequently moving around, and we've been besieged in the mountains several times. However, fortunately, we reacted quickly and suffered minimal losses."

"By the way, when I came here I saw several more warships on the river. It looks like they are preparing to cross the river or land."

Old Wu nodded and said, "That's right, the Japanese have decided to send a large number of troops to attack the Lushan defense line."

"The higher command received top-secret intelligence regarding the distribution of Japanese supplies."

"We have already driven a nail in to probe the Japanese troop deployment at the Kuitong Wharf in Jiujiang and the patrol times of the garrison troops."

"This contains detailed intelligence. Take it back to Captain Tian and tell him to gather manpower as soon as possible. The Japanese want to open up the Jiujiang waterway within seven days. You don't have much time, so you need to act quickly."

“Remember,” Old Wu emphasized again, his tone stern and leaving no room for argument.
"This intelligence is crucial to the situation in Jiujiang and even the entire early stages of the Battle of Wuhan!"

"The Japanese set up numerous checkpoints at the docks, stations, and ferry crossings, and their spies sniffed around like hunting dogs."

"It's too risky for you to travel by water. I suggest you travel by land, and you should avoid main roads and towns."

"We'll take the old road along the west bank of Poyang Lake, then circle back via the mountain paths through Ruichang and De'an. We'd rather take an extra day than risk any mishap!"

“Understood, take the Huxi Mountain Road and bypass the main roads and towns,” Liu Ying repeated.

Old Wu nodded and walked to the window, cautiously prying open a small gap in the curtains to observe the activity outside.

There seemed to be two people dressed in black and wearing top hats strolling around the street corner, their eyes occasionally scanning the street.

Upon seeing this, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

“There are dogs outside.” Old Wu lowered the curtains. “You can’t go through the front door. Come with me.”

He quickly moved aside a large tea jar filled with aged Pu'er tea in the corner of the inner room, revealing a narrow wooden door behind it that was extremely well hidden and almost blended into the wall.

Behind the door was a dark alleyway, barely wide enough for one person to pass sideways.

The passageway reeked of mold and dust, but it was the only exit leading to the back alley of the long-abandoned old warehouse next door.

“Go out from here, turn left at the third alley, there’s an old lady selling herbal tea. Buy a bowl of herbal tea, rest your feet, and observe whether anyone is paying attention before you leave.” Old Wu quickly explained the retreat route, then said in a deep voice, “Take care, Comrade ‘Oriole’.”

Liu Ying nodded and said, "Be careful too, I'm leaving..."

Shanghai, Southern Transportation Department, Minister's Office.

"You idiot!" Kenjiro Oshima's face turned red as he glared at Jun Matsushima and said angrily, "Section Chief Matsushima, headquarters just commended you not long ago."

"It's only been a few days, and you've already made such a big mistake."

"The goods that were supposed to arrive in Jiujiang were delayed by a day. Do you know how much can be done in a day?"

Matsushima Jun, his face flushed, protested, "Minister Oshima, this is not my fault."

"The train carrying supplies received an urgent message before arriving in Jiujiang that the railway ahead had been sabotaged by the Red Party's railway guerrillas."

"The train had no choice but to stop halfway and wait."

"Stopped halfway and waiting?" Kenjiro Oshima said, panting. "But why was Section Chief Chen's train able to arrive on time?"

“Your supplies will be dispatched in the morning, while Section Chief Chen’s will be dispatched around 9 p.m., a difference of nearly ten hours.”

"As a result, the train under Section Chief Chen's command arrived in Jiujiang first."

What explanation do you have for this?

After pondering for a while, Matsushima Jun said, "I can only describe it as a coincidence."

"Our train is waiting for news. When the train under Section Chief Chen's responsibility passed through that section, the General Affairs Section had already completed the repair work."

"They just haven't notified us yet."

"This caused our supplies to arrive late."

"Coincidence? Do you think I can accept that reason?" Kenjiro Oshima's face was full of disbelief.
“Whether you believe it or not,” Matsushima Jun said in a deep voice, “I’m just stating the facts.”

"What? You think you're right?" Kenjiro Oshima forced down his anger: "Matsushima-kun, I hope this kind of coincidence won't happen again in the future. What do you think?"

(End of this chapter)