Anti-Japanese War Espionage: I Have an Omniscient Perspective

Afternoon of November 6, 11.

The door of the "Huichuntang" pharmacy on Ningxing Street in the French Concession of Shanghai was suddenly pushed open.

A cold wind, carrying a faint smell of gunpowder, blew in, dispersing the sandalwood scent that lingered in the room.

Lin Rui was arranging the medicinal herbs on the medicine cabinet when he looked up and saw the shopkeeper, Fang Dongcheng.

Seeing his flustered appearance, Lin Rui's heart sank.

Since yesterday, the sounds of gunfire outside the concession have become increasingly frequent, and rumors are spreading in the streets. At this moment, Fang Dongcheng's expression clearly indicates that something serious has happened.

He put down the medicine spatula in his hand and stood up: "Shopkeeper, what happened?"

Fang Dongcheng leaned against the doorframe, catching his breath. "Damn it, the Japanese army has landed at Jinshanwei in Hangzhou Bay! They've cut off the Nationalist army's rear, and now the defenders are surrounded on three sides, attacked from both sides. The higher-ups have ordered a full retreat!"

"What?" Lin Rui's pupils shrank. Although he knew this would happen, he still felt uncomfortable.

"Lin Rui!" Fang Dongcheng reached out and pressed his hand on his shoulder, his gaze grave. "Once the Nationalist army withdraws, Shanghai will fall completely in no time, and we don't know how long the concessions can hold out. You immediately go and inform Chen Shan, Zhao Erzhu, Sun Xiaoliu, and Su Wan to prepare for their infiltration according to the plan: hide all intelligence and communication tools, destroy all traces that could expose their identities, and switch to coded messages for all future communication. Without my orders, they are not allowed to act on their own, and they are absolutely forbidden from contacting each other privately!"

He pulled a polished brass medicine key from his pocket; it was a token for emergency communication, recognized only by team members. "Take this; they'll know it's time to activate the covert operation. Remember, be extremely cautious. The streets are definitely chaotic right now. Be wary of the Japanese intelligence agents planted there; don't get discovered!"

"Understood!" Lin Rui took the copper key and put it away.

He straightened his long robe, wiped the dust off his face to make himself look more like a hurried traveler, then nodded, turned and slipped out through a side door in the back hall.

As soon as Lin Rui stepped out of the alley, he was stunned by the scene before him.

The once relatively orderly streets of the French Concession were now in complete chaos.

Well-dressed wealthy people returned to the concession, followed by maids and servants carrying large and small bags.

The entrance to the concession was crowded with people and cars.

Men, women, and children carried bundles and led children, their cries and car horns mingling together with the distant, faint sounds of artillery fire.

Everyone wanted to enter the concession, but probably not many were allowed in.

Looking away, Lin Rui put on his small felt hat and strode forward, blending into the crowd.

He first went to the nearest central market.

The market was no longer as bustling as it used to be; the empty space that used to be filled with stalls was now crowded with refugees entering the concession.

Sun Xiaoliu's cigarette stand was still in the same place, but he was no longer as leisurely as before. He hung the cigarette stand rope around his neck, calling out his wares while his eyes warily scanned his surroundings.

Lin Rui slowly walked over, pretending to buy cigarettes, and subtly displayed his brass medicine key. "Cigarette seller, I want a pack of Old Knife brand, 20 cigarettes."

Looking at the brass key, Sun Xiaoliu's body trembled slightly. He glanced at Lin Rui but didn't say anything. Instead, he took out a pack of 20 Old Knife cigarettes.

"The price has gone up; it's 10 copper coins a pack now."

"It was eight copper coins the day before yesterday," Lin Rui complained.

"It's too chaotic outside, the British Tobacco Company has stopped supplying us. I might have to close down after a couple more days."

"Alright, here's the money."

The moment I paid for the cigarettes,

Lin Rui whispered, "Old Zhou ordered me to inform you that the covert operation has officially begun. Be discreet, do not reveal your identities, and do not contact each other. Follow-up operations will be communicated to you by Old Zhou and me."

Sun Xiaoliu also lowered his voice: "If you can't find my cigarette stall, go to the market, to shop number 13 on the east side."

Lin Rui nodded slightly, put away the cigarette, turned around and blended into the crowd without lingering.

Next stop: Shiliupu Wharf.

The scene at the docks was even more chaotic than on the streets.

The National Army's transport ships were docked at the shore, and soldiers were hurriedly boarding them. The shore was piled high with weapons, ammunition, and supplies.

The porters had already scattered and fled, leaving only a few workers on the French Concession docks.

Zhao Erzhu was one of them.

Zhao Erzhu, dressed in shorts, was squatting beside the cargo pile at the dock, sorting through the scattered hemp ropes.

Lin Rui used his supernatural ability to observe the surrounding environment, entered the dock unnoticed, went around to the back of the cargo pile, and patted Zhao Erzhu on the shoulder.

Zhao Erzhu turned around abruptly, saw Lin Rui, and then saw the copper key in his hand. His tense expression eased slightly.

While observing the surroundings, Lin Rui whispered, "Old Zhou has ordered us to go into hiding. Remember, do not reveal your identities and be careful. I will notify you if there is any action."

Zhao Erzhu nodded with a solemn expression and continued squatting down to do his work, while Lin Rui returned to the dock the way he came.

Afterwards, Lin Rui rushed to Yongfeng Money Exchange on Aidoya Road.

The money exchange was packed with people, and merchants were rushing to withdraw their deposits, while the clerks behind the counter were extremely busy.

Chen Shan, dressed in a long gown and wearing a melon-shaped hat, was sitting in the accounting room checking the accounts.

Lin Rui squeezed in, took out a deposit slip, and pretended to be in a hurry to withdraw his deposit, deliberately pacing around the door of the accounting room.

Chen Shan looked up and saw him. Lin Rui opened his right hand, revealing a copper key in his palm. Chen Shan understood the purpose of the visit as soon as he saw the token.

He stood up calmly and said to the crowded people, "Line up properly, don't push. The more chaotic it is, the less money you'll get." Then he looked at Lin Rui and said, "And you, why aren't you in line? What are you doing standing here?"

"The shopkeeper wants me to collect the money, but how am I supposed to collect it from so many people?" Lin Rui lowered his voice. "Old Zhou ordered us to go into hiding. Without activation orders, we are not to contact other team members."

"Understood," Chen Shan replied in a low voice, then shouted, "Don't even think about withdrawing money if you don't queue up."

"With so many people, when will it be my turn? Forget it, I'm not going to take it."

Lin Rui turned and left the money exchange.

The last stop was Tongren Hospital on Avenue Joffre.

The hospital was filled with the strong smell of disinfectant and blood. The corridors were crowded with wounded soldiers and refugees, and medical staff hurried back and forth.

Su Wan, dressed in a white nurse's uniform, was busy changing the dressings of the wounded. Her face was full of fatigue, but she was still working in an orderly manner.

Lin Rui stood silently in another corner, next to a seriously injured and unconscious patient, who looked like a family member of the patient.

Su Wan had already seen him. After changing the dressing for the patient in front of her, he came over carrying a tray of gauze and medicine.

She checked on the unconscious wounded.

At the same time, Lin Rui, standing beside him, opened his hand, displaying the brass key in his palm, and whispered:

"Initiating covert operations. Unless Lao Zhou and I contact you, do not reveal your identity to anyone else. Take care of yourself."

While checking and bandaging the unconscious wounded, Su Wan whispered, "There are many wounded soldiers here. I'm worried the Japanese will enter the concession to arrest them. Tell Lao Zhou to ask him what to do."

"Okay. I'll tell Lao Zhou."

Lin Rui glanced at Su Wan, then turned and left.