Chapter 684: A thorny matter
The Director wants to interfere in the Air and Finance Department.
Madam doesn't want the Director to interfere.
This is a conflict.
If the Director is self-aware, of course it's fine.
However, from the current situation, it seems that the Director sees interference in the Air and Finance Department as an opportunity.
After all, Madam's side has not yet shown its fangs.
The Third Intelligence Department still exists. It is still under the dual command of the Secret Service Department and the Air Supply Department.
The emergence of the Fourth Air Police Regiment has changed this reality.
The Air Supply Department wants to leave the Department Head out of it. From now on, the Department Head will never be allowed to interfere in anything.
What about him, Zhang Yong?
He can't please both sides...
He's treading water...
He could fall over at any time.
That's dangerous...
'Are you even listening?' Yang Lichu's voice came from somewhere.
'I'm in a quandary,' Zhang Yong said honestly. 'What should I do if the Director asks?'
'He'd better fire you,' Yang Lichu replied.
Zhang Yong: ...
Okay. That's one way to look at it.
Following Madam would be more profitable than following Boss Dai.
That lady lived to be 106 years old. Boss Dai died young, in a plane crash...
But Boss Dai will not let someone go easily.
After all, he is a rich boy...
In the future, the Special Branch of the Restoration Society will need money for many things.
Besides, when the full-scale war breaks out, catching Japanese spies will be the main focus. It is the main target of the KPI. Will the head of the Special Branch give up?
I guess the head of the Special Branch will find some way to coax me back.
Li Boqi is in...
Li Jingzhi is in...
In fact, there are still many people on their side.
It is simply impossible to ask him to immediately sever ties with the Special Branch of the Restoration Society. He would be accused of being ungrateful.
He is in a difficult position...
He is in a dilemma...
'I can't talk to you anymore. I'm going to Hangzhou this afternoon.'
'This afternoon?'
Zhang Yong is taken aback.
Did you come by train so quickly?
Could it be...
'Chen Shanben will take me there.'
'You're not afraid of flying?'
'Yes, I am. But you're in Hangzhou, aren't you?'
'What's that got to do with me?'
'Whenever you get into trouble, they send me to sort it out.'
'Oh...'
Zhang Yong was speechless.
It seemed to be true. She really was a professional at mopping up.
She felt good about herself.
What a relief to have a beautiful woman to help clean up the mess!
And this beautiful woman might have used her feminine wiles on him, trapping him.
Whether it was genuine or not, he was trapped.
'Be careful,'
'Don't say anything stupid,'
'I'm sorry. I have to go,'
'See you tonight,'
'Okay,'
Zhang Yong hung up the phone.
See you tonight? Oh, okay. Can't wait.
Although they haven't met the parents yet. But it's okay to collect some interest. They're like fire and wood...
He put down the phone.
He walked back as if nothing had happened.
He looks at Yang Buqing and Song Youming. Their eyes are full of anticipation.
Well...
They should be easy to work with.
They really don't know anything. And they're willing to listen.
'Then I'll just give a brief introduction.'
'First, our troop structure needs to be smaller and flatter. No more 3-3 system.'
'Currently, each plane carries eight people, along with weapons and equipment. Each team is formed. The troop structure is eight people.'
'Above the squad is the squadron. Each squadron temporarily has jurisdiction over five squads. About forty people.'
'Above the squadron is the brigade. Each brigade manages five squadrons.'
'But for the time being, there is no need to set up a brigade. The regiment directly manages the squadron. Form seven or more squadrons. Direct management.'
Zhang Yong explained his ideas.
This is also the basic formation of special forces in later generations. It is short, flat and fast.
It requires fewer levels of command. It is best to command directly to the squad.
In fact, most special forces command directly to the squad. However, the prerequisite is that the means of communication in the future are very developed.
Now, obviously, there is no such ability. It is impossible to command to the squad. Therefore, the squadron formation is a tactical unit. The squadron is equipped with radios.
Well...
This is a bit difficult.
There are not that many radios. If you want them, you have to get them yourself.
Did the Japanese invaders have that many radios?
You can get some.
But for more radios, we'll have to rely on other channels.
For example, we can buy them from the United States. The productivity of the United States is terrifying. Radios are not a problem at all.
The prerequisite is having enough money.
This depends on how much profit there is to be made from Japanese spies.
If all Japanese spies are as rich as Ding Furong, then it would be great. 3 million silver dollars would buy hundreds of radios.
However, this is impossible.
Most of the profitable Japanese spies have already been captured.
Next, if you want to continue making money, you have to go after the Japanese. Or other intelligence agencies.
There are only so many fat lambs, and after you catch one, there are fewer and fewer.
This Air Police Regiment 4 is not expected to be combat-ready for a year or two.
It also needs to be relatively smooth in all aspects. If anything goes wrong in the middle, then it's hard to say.
The problem is, he still has to rely on this Air Police Regiment 4 to solve the problem!
Sun Dingyuan can't handle it without 200-300 people. A frontal assault is very dangerous.
'Can I go and see the troops?'
'Please!'
Yang Buqing couldn't have asked for more.
He and Song Youming really didn't have a clue.
If Zhang Yong could get the Airborne Police Regiment up and running, they would be more than happy to help.
There was absolutely no jealousy.
It was just an empty shell, and they couldn't get it up and running on their own.
They could only rely on Zhang Yong.
Soon, Zhang Yong arrived at the training ground in the back.
The training ground was completely made of mud. The ground was not yet completely leveled. Dust was billowing.
Typical: a sunny day brings dust, a rainy day brings mud.
The new recruits are undergoing the most basic training in formation.
Without binoculars, Zhang Yong can see every single one of them clearly. They all look very young. I don't think any of them are even 20 years old.
I'm curious.
'How do they recruit soldiers?'
'They go straight to the schools and recruit.'
'Schools?'
'Yes. At least they have to have finished junior high school.'
'Really?'
Zhang Yong is secretly surprised.
On the surface, it looks ordinary, but in fact it is anything but ordinary.
They are all educated people!
In those days, having a high school education was considered to be well-educated.
Zhang Yong wasn't sure what the others were saying, but the information he got was that a high school was equivalent to a junior high school.
A junior high school was a five-year system. A high school was a three-year system. Well, it was equivalent to a junior high school in later generations. It was generally unaffordable for the average person.
The Air Force Department was amazing.
It had actually recruited so many students.
If you talk about overall education, the Air Force definitely had the highest level. There were a lot of international students.
Almost all senior officers in the Air Force have studied abroad. People like Zhou Zhirou and Min Gang.
That lady is even fluent in six languages. She speaks English better than Chinese.
However...
Apart from academic qualifications, other aspects are...
'Boom!'
'Boom!'
Some soldiers are undergoing shooting training.
Zhang Yong observes silently for a while. He finds five bullets. Only a few of them can hit a 40-ring target.
There were hardly any 40-ring targets on the 100-metre chest target. His skill was mediocre.
Zhang Yong suddenly felt an itch in his hand.
He felt that he could show off his skills. This was a rare opportunity.
If he were in front of veterans like Qin Lishan, his marksmanship would never be considered good.
However, in front of these recruits, he could show off a bit. At least, he could make a good impression on them.
After all, he might really be in charge of the Air Police 4th Regiment in the future.
If he had the opportunity, he would also set up an Air Force Special Forces Regiment...
'Yang, let's try?'
'No, no.'
'Try?'
'No, no, I'm not good at shooting.'
'Yang, you're being too modest...'
'I really am.'
Yang Buqing shook his head repeatedly.
Zhang Yong: ...
No way? Really that bad? Worse than me?
He turned his head and looked at Song Youming. Song Youming also shook his head repeatedly. He indicated that he hadn't touched a gun much before either.
They used to teach theory classes. They were pulled over and forced to do it. They rarely touched guns. Naturally, their marksmanship was not good. After taking up the post, they felt a great deal of pressure. They longed to hand over the unit to Zhang Yong immediately and go back to teaching.
'Okay, then I'll have a go!'
Zhang Yong was also uninhibited. He wanted to try the Springfield M1903 rifle.
The Air Force Security Unit used this type of gun. Of course he was familiar with it. The system also gave away a matching scope.
He takes five bullets. Loads the rifle. Kneels down and shoots.
'Bang!'
He pulls the trigger.
The bullet flies out.
He pulls the bolt. The empty shell falls out. He pushes the bullet into the barrel. He continues shooting.
'Bang!'
'Bang!'
He keeps shooting. He shoots all the bullets.
He indicates that he doesn't need to report the score. Then he continues loading bullets. Then he shoots all the bullets again.
Only then does he put down the rifle. He indicates that the chest target should be brought over.
Soon after, two young soldiers carried the target over. They placed it in front of Zhang Yong.
Zhang Yong counted. He found three 9-ring targets, four 8-ring targets and three 7-ring targets. Not bad. Exactly 80 rings. Translated into rounds, that's 40 rounds per 100. Not the best. But better than most.
Satisfied.
He still had confidence in shooting at a fixed target.
The problem was that in actual combat, there was almost no chance to shoot at a fixed target.
The enemy won't stand there stupidly at 100 metres, just waiting for you to shoot. They'll be moving around. Moving around erratically.
Just because you can hit a stationary target at 100 metres doesn't mean you can hit a moving target at 100 metres.
They're two completely different concepts.
But if you can't even hit a stationary target at 100 metres, then everything else is just nonsense.
So...
The combat effectiveness of the Airborne Police's 4th Regiment is worrying.
They are simply not ready for actual combat. If these 200-odd people are pulled out, they may all be wiped out.
What should be done?
There is nothing we can do. We can only think of other ways.
I have decided to go back and take a look.
An assault is out of the question. Let's see if we can outsmart them.
Although the possibility is very slim.
I'll be going now.
Leaving.
Back in the city centre.
Arrived near the target and monitoring it silently.
Fortunately, there is no movement at the target. There are still more than 100 people. There are three small red dots.
Suddenly, a white dot comes out from inside.
He went out the side door.
Zhang Yong immediately followed him. He noticed that the man was dressed in plain clothes. He looked sneaky.
Could he be a cop?
Zhang Yong immediately waved his hand. He led his men to pounce on the man.
When the target turned the corner, they decisively restrained him. Then they put on black hoods.
'What are you doing?'
'What are you doing?'
The target yelled anxiously.
He kept struggling. But it was futile. He was restrained.
'Pay up!'
Zhang Yong said coldly.
He pulled out a dagger and held it against the other man's throat.
The guy in his grip was skinny and small, and had no strength at all.
Zhang Yong could control him single-handedly.
'I-I-I... Who are you? When did I owe you money?'
'You, you, you, we'll recognise you even if you turn into ashes. How dare you deny it?'
'My name isn't You, I'm not You...'
'Say that again?'
'I really am not Yaoji. I'm Chen Ergou. My name is Chen Ergou. I don't know who you're looking for.'
'Huh?'
Zhang Yong took off the hood.
He squinted at the other man and frowned. It seemed that he had identified the wrong person.
However, the name Chen Ergou seemed very familiar. Where had he heard it before?
"You're not Yaoji. What are you doing out here?'
'I, I...'
'Tell the truth, or I'll stab you!'
'I, I, I went to Alice Western Restaurant to get some things...'
'Get what?'
'Yogurt, bread, baked ham...'
'You want to eat it?'
'Not us. The British, the British...'
'What British?'
Zhang Yong was very surprised.
British?
Where did the British come from?
Wasn't it Sun Dingyuan and the outlaws around him? Why would there be British?
The map doesn't show it!
Oh, the map only marks the Japanese with red dots. Everything else is a white dot.
'Ying, Ying...' Chen Ergu stammered.
Zhang Yong thrust the dagger forward.
The sharp dagger cut across the opponent's throat.
Chen Ergu suddenly turned pale.
'Yes, yes, they are friends of our boss, friends...'
'How many?'
'Three, three...'
'Tell the truth. Otherwise, I'll chop off your hands.'
'Five, five. Five Englishmen. Five. They just arrived. They came by sea.'
Chen Ergu hurriedly changed his story.
Zhang Yongxin's mind twitched slightly. Came by sea?
Five Englishmen?
The number seems a bit coincidental!
Is it the five Englishmen that Kong Fansong mentioned, who mysteriously disappeared?
Were they kidnapped by Sun Dingyuan?
No.
It may not have been a kidnapping.
If it had been, there would have been some kind of commotion.
Perhaps they were actually looking for Sun Dingyuan. Maybe they and Sun Dingyuan were up to something.
After all, who knows how much darkness there is in places where the sun doesn't shine?
The British have a lot of shady dealings in China. Maybe Sun Dingyuan was one of them.
Perhaps Sun Dingyuan's escape wasn't just a simple misfortune. Maybe he had gone over to the British?
Perhaps those five Britishers had come to rescue Sun Dingyuan?
In any case, their mysterious disappearance was not due to external factors. They had planned it themselves.
'Are all five Britishers here?'
'Yes.'
'Get lost!'
Zhang Yong waved his hand. He kicked Chen Ergu away.
It was already troublesome enough. Unexpectedly, there was even greater trouble ahead.
There were five Britishers.
Sun Dingyuan was definitely using them as hostages.
Perhaps they were discussing something before. But now, the five Britishers have become a shield.
Definitely, a frontal assault is out of the question.
With five Britishers at Sun Dingyuan's side, no one dares to launch a frontal assault.
Otherwise, if they blow up all five foreign dignitaries at once, there's no way they can explain themselves. Even Commander Qian wouldn't dare give such an order.
Retreat.
Go back and find the phone.
Don't worry about Chen Ergu, he definitely won't dare tell anyone.
Find the phone.
Call Zhou Yang.
'Shaolong.'
'Lieutenant Zhou, there's a tricky problem...'
'Speak.'
'There are five British nationals with Sun Dingyuan. They may have already been taken over by Sun Dingyuan.'
'What?'
Sure enough, Zhou Yang was shocked.
It was exactly as Zhang Yong had imagined. With the foreigners present, it would be troublesome.
'Don't do anything yet.'
'You must ensure the safety of the British nationals.'
'Call back in ten minutes,'
Zhou Yang followed up.
He didn't even ask about the Air Police Brigade.
Zhang Yong thought to himself, I don't have the ability to do anything either!
I don't even have the manpower.
I don't know where you guys get your confidence, thinking that the Air Police Brigade can solve the problem.
What's the situation with the Air Police Brigade? Don't you have any sense?
Resentment...
But he didn't say it.
They were both adults. There was no need to keep poking people in the face.
'Understood,'
Zhang Yong obediently replied.
Zhou Yang hung up the phone in a hurry. He had obviously reported to Commander Qian.
Needless to think, the consequences of this matter would definitely prioritise the Japanese. Do not use force lightly. Otherwise, if five Japanese dignitaries died, the Commissioner would definitely not be happy.
Last time, because of the train robbery, he was already besieged by the ambassadors of various countries. It was a bit embarrassing. If there was another siege, that would be bad.
If he had a bad relationship with the Japanese dignitaries, he could forget about the powers mediating with the Japanese.
As usual, the Generalissimo is still hoping that the other powers will intervene and threaten the Japanese. Force the Japanese to withdraw.
Even the Battle of Shanghai next year will be fought and stopped. While fighting, they will watch the faces of various countries. They are not determined to fight to the end at all. They have hesitated many times in the middle, missing opportunities. If they had the determination to burn their boats and sink their ships, they would have started with a big attack, and the Japanese would not have been given the opportunity to send reinforcements.
Unfortunately...
Shake his head. Expel all kinds of distracting thoughts from his mind.
What are you thinking? I'm just a nobody. Everyone else is a big shot. Just do your little job quietly.
He silently watches the time.
Almost ten minutes have passed.
Okay, continue to call. The person who answers the phone is still Zhou Yang.
'Shaolong, the commander has instructed that all attacks be stopped immediately. Find out the situation first. The British must be kept safe.'
'If Sun Dingyuan makes any move, let him go. Wait until he separates from the British before taking action.'
Zhou Yang's words were concise and to the point.
They were exactly what Zhang Yong had guessed.
Even if Sun Dingyuan was let go, the British could not be blamed.
'Understood,'
Zhang Yong replied.
Zhou Yang then hung up the phone.
'Haha,'
Zhang Yong said, holding the receiver. He monitored Sun Dingyuan's movements.
Since those above were not taking action, then he...
Well, I haven't taken any action. But if there is a group of bandits...
If someone attacks Sun Dingyuan, and instead of a firefight, unfortunately, it results in the deaths of everyone present...
All the weapons and items at the scene are unaccounted for...
What does that have to do with me, Zhang Yong?
I haven't done anything! I haven't even mobilised any of my men.
So, the question is...
Where can I find such a group of people who can do something to Sun Dingyuan?
You need a large group to fight Sun Dingyuan. At least 100 people. And they must all have combat experience. They must be willing to die. They must be good at fighting.
And they must have enough weapons and ammunition. They must be trustworthy. They must not stab you in the back.
In fact, the Red Party is the most trustworthy. Unfortunately, their organisational principles make it impossible for them to participate in such violent activities.
Frowning...
I feel that my social circle is still too small.
If I get to know those gangs better...
Then shaking his head.
Gangs are also not good. They don't keep secrets at all.
Before we can even start, the word will get out.
And after the deed is done, it will be easy for others to trace it back to Zhang Yong.
It's hard...
I don't know who to turn to.
But I don't want to let the opportunity slip away.
Outwit them...
Outwit them...
God, give me a big hand!
I want twenty Tanya...
But...
Nothing happens.
I have to give up.
I can't think of a better plan for the moment, so I have to hold off for now.
Suddenly, the map prompts that a red dot is quietly moving outward. It has a weapon symbol. And a gold symbol.
Zhang Yong is suddenly full of energy.
The Japanese spy is coming to the door?
Good!
Good!
I'm waiting for you!