Chapter 713: Stuka

Li Shiqun was unmoved.

Feng Jiliang had an expressionless face.

Ye Xiufeng was like a seated Buddha.

The others seemed to be listening attentively. But how much they had actually heard was anyone's guess.

In fact, the German who had come to the meeting was an old acquaintance of Zhang Yong's. It was the deputy minister Edmann, whom he had met in Tianjin. Ye Xiufeng announced that he was the plenipotentiary representative of the Germans until the Gestapo arrived.

Zhang Yong had the vague feeling that this Edemann didn't seem to like the Gestapo very much. Every family has its own problems. There were also a large number of people within the German community who despised the SS and the Gestapo. Some even wanted to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Of course no resolution could be reached at an open meeting.

A ton of silver is not a lot. So everyone's reaction was average.

The main reason was that the plan was too vague.

If you say it exists, there seem to be a lot of doubts. If you say it doesn't exist, it has indeed leaked some information.

'Whoever steals our technical information, we will not let them go.'

'We will remember everyone who helps us.'

Edelman's voice was very loud.

His Chinese was also quite clear.

However, everyone present was an old fox. Who would take the empty words seriously?

Zhang Yong took it even less seriously. He even felt a little contempt.

Because after the Sino-Japanese War broke out, Germany quickly sided with Japan. It formed a strategic alliance with Japan.

It directly betrayed China. It betrayed it completely.

It stopped delivering weapons and ammunition that had already been paid for. It simply swallowed the payment.

It also terminated the logistical and ammunition supply it had previously promised.

This directly caused all German soldiers to run out of food. There was no more ammunition.

Fortunately, the Soviets came to the rescue in time. Otherwise, it would have been even more difficult.

In short,

the Germans are also a bunch of crooks.

The meeting is adjourned.

'Mr Zhang Yong, please stay.' Edman stopped Zhang Yong.

'Mr Edman,' Zhang Yong stopped.

Everyone else quickly left.

No one wanted to be drafted by the Germans. Everyone came to take a roll call and then left.

This also included Ye Xiufeng, the head of the joint investigation team.

Because everyone understood that the Germans were coming for Zhang Yong. Zhang Yong was the first to discover the plan for the big thunderstorm.

Who else would be a better candidate than Zhang Yong? Such a vague and trivial matter was of course left to Zhang Yong to handle.

'Mr Zhang Yong, I'd like to invite you to dinner.'

'Mr Edelmann, you're too kind.'

'In fact, I have a favour to ask.'

'I'll be happy to.'

'I'm not familiar with Shanghai. You choose the place.'

'The French Concession. Kangleyuan.'

'Good.'

'Please!'

'Please!'

The two men get into their cars.

Each brings along his own men. They enter the Concession.

Zhang Yong now has passes from the British and the Germans. As long as there are no special circumstances, he can enter the public Concession freely and without hindrance.

Although there is little profit in doing things for foreigners, he can still get some conveniences.

It's not useful for the time being. But it will be very useful in the future.

You should know that passports don't have photos. As long as you have it with you, you can use it.

In other words, if he gives the passport to someone from the Red Party, they can use it too. After the outbreak of the full-scale war of resistance, this may be very important.

By then, the concession will become an isolated island. If the Japanese army launches a massive manhunt, the safest place to be is inside the concession.

Arrived at Hongley Park.

Thought of Liu Xi.

Up until now, Zhang Yong still couldn't figure out Liu Xi's identity and position.

Could she be an intelligence officer in the Japanese navy?

'Please.'

'Please.'

Edelman and Zhang Yong sat down separately.

The others were on guard outside the door. The map indicated that there were no red dots nearby. But there were seven yellow dots. All gathered together.

Doubt.

And a little worry.

Seven Red Party members!

What are they doing gathered together? Meeting?

None of them are armed.

And there are no armed people stationed nearby.

Since the map has been upgraded to show yellow dots, Zhang Yong has gained more worries.

There was no way he could turn a blind eye before. He didn't know who the red dots were either. Naturally, he didn't feel any burden. But now, he feels a bit of responsibility on his shoulders. He knows who the red dots are. If the red dots are in danger, he can't just stand by and do nothing.

For example, these seven Red Party members are probably meeting. The exact address seems to be near the Bétancourt Road. If they are surrounded by the enemy at this time, that would be bad. Maybe all the leaders of a certain line will be arrested.

'Mr. Zhang Yong, how much do you know about the content of the Big Thunderstorm plan?'

'Mr. Edman, I really don't know much.'

'Tell me. What are the conditions?'

'Sell the bf109 fighter.'

'This is impossible. Maybe you can consider the Panzer III tank?'

'Is that possible?'

'Not entirely impossible.'

'But...'

Zhang Yong frowned.

It didn't seem like tanks would be of much use.

Tanks and heavy artillery were consumables without air supremacy.

In World War II, at the top of the food chain on the battlefield was the plane. Only planes had no natural enemies for the time being. You could fight head-on with them.

Air supremacy was supreme.

Whoever had air supremacy had the initiative on the battlefield.

Tanks and heavy artillery, for example, are only beaten when they encounter aircraft. They don't even have a chance to fight back.

The German blitzkrieg was also based on the whistling of the Stuka. Once air supremacy is lost, the blitzkrieg can't work.

Huh?

Stuka?

If you can't buy a Bf 109, can you consider a Stuka?

Anyway, the Stuka is a dive bomber. It is actually very useful. It can be used to attack the ground troops of the Japanese invaders.

In a sense, fighter vs. fighter, people like Gao Yuan may not have an advantage.

Their training intensity is definitely not as good as that of the Japanese air force. In an outbreak of air combat, they will definitely be at a disadvantage.

However, if it's a game of 'trying to outdo each other', using Stuka bombers exclusively against the Japanese ground troops is a dimensional attack. The Japanese ground troops will be unable to resist. Just bomb and run. The Japanese fighters can't catch up either.

The Stuka dive bomber also has an extremely long range. Its range exceeds 1,000 kilometres. Its combat radius exceeds 500 kilometres. It can indeed hit and run.

In any case, it is far more advanced than the current Hawker 2 fighter.

The key point is that the Stuka is now in mass production. The output is not bad. It is possible to spare a few dozen, or even a hundred.

As long as the Germans are willing,

By then, it will be just in time for the Battle of Shanghai. We can bomb the Japanese to death.

If there are really 100 Stukas, it will be almost impossible for the Japanese marines to defend the Hongkou Japanese war zone.

Even if they manage to do so, they will have to pay an extremely heavy price.

With the Stukas, it will not be so easy for the Japanese to land at Jinshanwei.

As long as there is accurate intelligence, the Stukas can achieve rapid bombing. They are extremely efficient at attacking ground targets.

Not bad.

I think it's a deal that can be done.

'How about Stukas?'

'You want to buy Stuka dive bombers?'

'Yes.'

Zhang Yong's reply was affirmative.

It's an alternative answer. Even if we can't buy the Bf 109, it's still a good backup.

It's understandable that you Germans won't sell the Bf 109, but if you won't even sell the Stuka, that's really not sincere. What more information do you want?

You Germans sell your intelligence to your enemies as soon as you get your hands on it. Let's see how you like it.

'Well...'

'Mr. Edmann, you should show some sincerity.'

'I can't make the decision.'

'Okay. Let's eat.'

Zhang Yong doesn't say anything. He just eats.

If you can't make the decision, then find someone who can. Otherwise, it's all just empty talk.

Edmann: ...

stops talking.

The meal ends in awkward silence.

The meal is over. Zhang Yong leaves immediately.

He decides to take a walk on Bétan Road. It's purely a passing through.

This is the concession. The Party Investigation Department is unlikely to openly arrest people here, so there shouldn't be much danger.

As he walks...

A red dot appears on the edge of the map. It has just entered the concession.

There is no mark. No weapon symbol. And no gold symbol either.

Ignore it.

Continue to Bétan Road.

Drive slowly. He finds that the place where the small yellow dots gather is at 71 Bétan Road.

Vaguely, he felt that the nearby terrain was a bit familiar. It seemed like he had been here before. It took a long time to remember. He had indeed been here before.

It seemed like he had come with someone. But at the time, the house was empty. He didn't realize that it was the stronghold of the Red Party.

What a coincidence. He suddenly felt like going in to take a look.

He just wanted to meet some bigwigs.

How did these bigwigs do things during the revolution?

How can I take a photo with them...

Well, forget it. This is too risky.

The worst thing for underground organisations is to leave behind photos and the like. It makes them easy targets for the enemy.

Go in?

Don't go in?

Go in...

Don't go in...

He hesitated outside.

Suddenly, he noticed that the seven yellow dots had moved.

They dispersed quietly and never gathered together again.

Well, they've been alerted.

Indeed, these predecessors were all very vigilant.

He, Zhang Yong, is leading a dozen men, all armed, and stopping outside would arouse suspicion.

Never mind, get out of the car!

At least say hello to the others. Don't want to make them suspicious.

They probably have a very heavy workload. If his arrival adds to their burden, it will affect the course of history...

Switch off the engine.

Get out of the car.

Look around. Walk confidently towards the door.

The map shows that the seven small yellow dots inside have moved again. Two of the small yellow dots have moved. Meeting up. It seems like they are discussing something.

Fortunately, none of them are carrying guns. I guess they have the right cover identities.

In that case, just go through the motions. Then just pat your bottom and leave.

Wave your hand, leaving no clouds behind.

Go up. Knock on the door.

The Special Branch never knocked. Knocking was the norm.

'Bong bong bong!'

'Bong bong bong!'

It's always a particularly loud bang.

A minute later, the door opens. A stranger comes out.

He doesn't know him.

He has no recollection of him.

He definitely hasn't seen him before. But the other six are not so sure.

What if Shi Bingdao is in there? Hehe. Because the yellow dots can't be marked. Zhang Yong dares to guess that Shi Bingdao might really be in there.

The stranger looks at Zhang Yong. Confused. His expression is natural.

'You are...'

'My name is Zhang Yong, from the Secret Service Bureau of the Restoration Society. I'm searching for Japanese spies.'

'Do you want to come in and search?'

'No need. Have you seen any strangers?'

'Not particularly.'

'Okay. That's fine. Take care.'

'Thank you, sir...'

'Let's go.'

Zhang Yong waves his hand. Turns around. Gets into the car. Takes off with the group.

I have already identified myself. You don't need to be paranoid.

In fact...

After Zhang Yong left...

'Laoshi, is he Zhang Yong?'

'Yes.'

'He's the one who brought us up?'

'Yes.'

'He found us.'

'Yes.'

'How did he find us?'

'I don't know.'

'Laoshi, you have dealt with him the longest. Tell me, can he be trusted?'

'Yes.'

'Then it's fine. Continue with the meeting.'

'Okay.'

'According to the instructions from the higher-ups, our current main task is to raise medicine and funds. Especially medicine. The old home needs a lot of medicine. We have to do our best...'

'Also, recently, some comrades from the old base may have to be transferred here for treatment...'

'And radios. The old home urgently needs radios. And various spare parts for radios. Including batteries. Electron tubes, etc...'