Holding the original shares, they fought all the way to the Korean War!

The following morning.

When Ma Yong saw Zhou Tianyang come out, he asked in a low voice.

"Commander, what's the schedule for today?"

Zhou Tianyang walked to his side, remained silent for two or three seconds, and then spoke.

His voice was not loud, his tone was steady, and it carried an unwavering certainty that left no room for argument.

"I'm going out for a walk by myself today."

"Stay in the yard and watch over the brothers. Don't go out."

Keep an eye on Comrade Liu Ping's side as well.

Ma Yong's brows furrowed immediately, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.

But seeing Zhou Tianyang's expression, he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He had followed Zhou Tianyang for so many years and knew the regimental commander's temperament.

He will discuss things with you if they can be discussed, and then make a decision.

But there are some things he simply won't give you any room for discussion about.

He said he was going out alone, and that meant he was going out alone; he wouldn't bring anyone with him.

Ma Yong remained silent for a few seconds before finally nodding.

He took a half step back, turned aside to make way for the courtyard gate, and lowered his voice even more than before.

"Commander, please be careful."

"This place is not like our southeastern Shanxi. If something happens here, there won't even be anyone to help us."

I know what I'm doing.

Zhou Tianyang did not turn around.

He pushed open the door and walked out, his footsteps gradually fading into the alley.

Zhou Tianyang stopped in front of a roadside stall selling sesame cakes, took out a few copper coins and bought two sesame cakes.

They ate one while holding it in their hand, and tucked the other into their pocket.

He already had a vague sense of the city's streets.

Although I can't pinpoint exactly where each alley leads, the general directions and the main thoroughfares have already formed a preliminary outline in my mind.

Today he no longer needs to figure out directions; there's only one thing he needs to do.

Figure out the layout of the area surrounding the headquarters of the East China Expeditionary Army.

Starting from the alley where Rongji Grocery Store is located, walk east for about 15 minutes.

Passing through two side streets and an alley narrower than the main street, you can enter the Japanese concession area.

This is a path that Zhou Tianyang had already explored yesterday.

Instead of taking the main road, he weaved through alleys and side streets, trying to avoid any potential surveillance points on the main street.

He slowed down when he reached the edge of the Japanese concession.

About two hundred paces ahead, there is a sentry post at the intersection.

Two Japanese soldiers were leaning against the wall smoking. A three-wheeled motorcycle was parked next to them. There was no machine gun on the frame, so it was obviously just an ordinary patrol post.

They didn't seem to care much; one of them was looking down at the ground, seemingly lost in thought.

Another person was talking to the owner of a roadside grocery store, who was turned to the side.

Zhou Tianyang paused naturally at the corner, bent down to tie his shoelaces, and quickly scanned the street layout on both sides of the sentry post.

No exception.

He didn't take a detour, but walked directly to that intersection.

When he passed the sentry post, the two Japanese soldiers didn't even look up at him.

One was intently smoking, while the other was chatting and laughing with the proprietress.

Zhou Tianyang walked past them at a leisurely pace.

After crossing that intersection, the street became wider.

The architectural styles on both sides of the road have also changed significantly.

The low-rise brick and wood structure has been transformed into some buildings with a Western style.

The headquarters of the East China Expeditionary Army was located in this area.

Zhou Tianyang did not head directly in that direction.

He turned onto a parallel street next to him, approaching the target area from the side.

As he walked, he observed the surrounding buildings, his gaze sweeping over the windows, balconies, and rooftops of the buildings without making a sound.

He's looking for a commanding position.

After walking for a while...

His steps slowed down in front of a five-story building.

The building stood facing the street, with its front windows facing south, directly opposite the main entrance of the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

The first floor is a photo studio run by a Japanese man, and there are several portrait photos of people wearing kimonos displayed in the window.

The upper floors appear to be residential, with several windows open and some clothes hanging out to dry.

Zhou Tianyang paused at the entrance of the photo studio, as if his eyes were drawn to the photos in the window.

He turned to the side, his gaze seemingly fixed on the photos, but he was actually using his peripheral vision to observe the buildings across the street.

That building is in a great location.

Judging from its height and angle, it could be a window on the second floor or a location on the rooftop.

You should be able to clearly see the main gate of the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters and the surrounding streets.

He looked away and continued walking forward.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, he came to a more open area.

There is a row of two-story shops along the roadside, and on the second floor there is a storefront with a teahouse sign.

The teahouse windows face the street, offering a wide view. From here, you can see a road leading to the side gate of the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

There were a few tables and bamboo chairs near the window.

It looks like there are usually guests sitting there drinking tea and chatting.

Zhou Tianyang stood at the entrance of the teahouse for a moment, as if considering whether to go up and sit down.

Then he went upstairs and pushed open the glass door on the second floor.

There weren't many customers in the shop, except for two people in long robes sitting by the window, playing chess with their heads down.

An old man was sitting behind the counter. When he saw a customer come in, he greeted him.

"What would you like to drink, sir?"

Zhou Tianyang chose a seat by the window and casually ordered a pot of tea.

After the tea was served, he poured himself a cup, picked it up and drank it slowly, his gaze fixed on the street outside through the glass window.

From this angle, the location of the side gate of the East China Expeditionary Army Headquarters is very clear.

On either side of the door were two figures dressed in black uniforms, leaning against the wall with their arms crossed, their gazes seemingly casually sweeping across the street.

Those were plainclothes agents.

Zhou Tianyang's gaze lingered on them for a moment before shifting away.

He held his teacup and looked into the distance again.

The street where the side gate is located is not wide, but the sidewalks on both sides are fairly clean.

There are several shops along the street: a fruit shop, a shoe repair shop, and a small general store.

If someone comes out from the side door, walks to the roadside to wait for a car, or walks away.

This distance is neither too long nor too short, just enough for an experienced marksman to aim and fire.

But the problem is the plainclothes agents on either side of that door.

Their positioning was deliberate; their gazes met, forming an invisible surveillance network.

If anyone approaches the side door or lingers nearby for too long, they will definitely be noticed.

Zhou Tianyang silently kept this in mind.

He sat for another fifteen minutes, drinking most of the tea in the pot.

Then he put down his cup, got up, and paid for the tea.

In the time that follows.

He walked around the perimeter of the area where the East China Expeditionary Army headquarters was located.

Instead of taking the same route repeatedly, he observed the same area from different directions.

Every turn, every change of route.

This will allow him to gain a more complete understanding of the layout of this area.