Chapter 816: A Little Surprise

Zhang Yong arrived at Italy Street.

He brought people and guns. But he didn't bring any money.

It's important to know that it was 100,000 US dollars! US dollars! US dollars! I'll say it three times.

If Tanawaro is a liar, then it's a big loss.

Although you won't die, you will spit blood.

You can lie to my feelings. You can lie to my body. But you can't lie to my money...

The Italian street was still as messy as ever. Guns were everywhere.

I don't know if the laws of the concession are still in effect here. I feel like they probably aren't.

Someone whistled at Zhang Yong. I don't know what that means.

He doesn't look like a gigolo either!

A bunch of hungry guys...

'Tanawaro!'

'Tanawaro!'

Zhang Yong called out in Italian.

He had picked it up during his previous conversations. That was about all he knew.

He looked for a bar, but didn't see one...

He looked for a second bar, but still didn't see one...

Finally, he found his target at the bar at the far end.

The result...

Zhang Yong immediately became worried.

Before he didn't have the 100,000 US dollars, he didn't worry about anything.

But now that he had 100,000 US dollars in his hands, and saw Tanawaro lying on the ground, fast asleep and unconscious, he was really worried!

What if this guy takes the $100,000 and never returns...

He can't possibly go to Italy to arrest someone.

So, there's no way that this deposit will be paid by the wife. As the person behind the Air Force, she can't be so reckless.

It can only be done by Zhang Yong himself. Even if it means losing, he has to bear the consequences himself.

'Clatter...'

'Clatter...'

Finally, after two buckets of cold water, Tanawaro woke up.

This guy seems to be able to switch freely between being drunk and sober. When he's drunk, he's really a pig. But when he wakes up, he's full of energy.

'I've got the money,' Zhang Yong said bluntly. "A deposit of 100,000 US dollars.'

'Really?" Tanawaro's eyes widened.

'Really. I can pay you now. Ask the finance staff from Markey to come and collect it.'

'What finance?'

'I can't just give you 100,000 US dollars. Then you'll just run off with the dollars!'

'Oh. Your worries are unnecessary.'

'Why?'

'Because I'll give you a little surprise.'

'Huh?'

Zhang Yong was very confused.

A little surprise? What kind of surprise? There's still a surprise?

'Take me to the dock.'

'Okay.'

Zhang Yong nodded.

He took Tanawaro to the car. Heading to the concession dock.

They quickly arrived at their destination. They found that the previous cargo ship had already left port. It was a fast runner.

At this moment, the ship anchored inside the unloading dock was an Italian-flagged cargo ship. A preliminary estimate of its displacement was also around 3,000 tons.

At that time, ocean-going cargo ships generally had this displacement. There were also 10,000-tonne giants. But there were not many of them.

It was only after the outbreak of World War II that the United States needed a large number of cargo ships to transport strategic materials around the world, and they went crazy building 10,000-tonne Liberty ships.

As a result, in just three years, more than 2,700 10,000-tonne Liberty ships were built.

And this was in addition to the construction of a large number of aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, etc. This shows the terrifying manufacturing capacity of the American empire.

More or less. This was the peak of American manufacturing. In the future, in 2024, the American empire may not be able to achieve such a terrifying level.

The Italian freighter had a dense array of weapons markings. It was clearly carrying arms.

'It just docked this morning.'

'What's on board?'

'Fifteen million rounds of ammunition. And five thousand rifles.'

'Five thousand rifles?'

'Yes. This is the little surprise I promised you.'

'Really?'

Zhang Yong was not surprised.

Five thousand rifles? He didn't need them! Especially not bolt-action rifles.

If they were 7.92 mm, that would be fine, but if they weren't...

As it turned out, after boarding the freighter, Zhang Yong saw the cargo manifest. His head immediately started to spin.

Bullets, 15 million rounds, all 7.92 x 57 mm. This was correct. It was standard Mauser ammunition. The National Army needed it badly.

But 5,000 rifles was strange. They were bolt-action rifles with a 7.7 mm calibre. But they weren't British 77s. To be precise, they were 7.7 mm calibre rifles modified from the Type 38.

And...

there were no matching bullets!

There are only 7.7 mm rifles, but no 7.7 mm bullets!

This is ridiculous...

A normal 7.7 mm rifle uses 6.5 mm bullets.

You changed the caliber to 7.7 mm. But you didn't produce the matching bullets. And you can't use the British 7.7 mm bullets...

Isn't this a useless piece of shit?

What's the point of having a rifle without bullets? Bayonet charge?

Actually, it seems like a good idea. The length of this weird rifle is exactly the same as the Type 38.

'So, where's the bullets?'

'There aren't any.'

'What's the point of a gun without bullets?'

'Let me put it this way. Actually, this shipment was rejected by the Japanese.'

'Why?'

'At the beginning, the Japanese Navy asked us to help them produce the Type 38 rifle. To equip the marines. But they didn't want to use the army's calibre. So they changed it to 7.7 mm. But they didn't mention the bullets. We didn't ask either. We thought they were asking other countries to help produce the bullets. That's normal. So we just changed it.'

'Then what?'

'Who knows, we produced 5,000 of them before the Japanese Navy reacted and asked us for matching bullets. But the bullets were not right!'

'Weren't they using British 7.7mm bullets?'

'The length of the magazine was not right. It was directly converted from the 6.5mm Type 38. The magazine was not redesigned. It could not hold British 7.7mm bullets.'

'Hm...'

'We'll have to charge more. A lot more. Because we'll have to develop a new bullet. The Japanese didn't agree. So there was a stand-off. In the end, nothing happened. The guns were produced. But not the bullets. The Japanese didn't want the guns either. So they've been sitting in our warehouse ever since. This time, I've brought them all here.'

'Umm...'

Zhang Yong was at a loss for words.

But he believed Tanawaro's explanation.

Because only the Japanese could be so self-contradictory. They created such a freak.

They didn't want to use the same calibre as the army. So they changed it! But they didn't realise that the bullets wouldn't fit. And it's hard to make them fit. So it's a tragedy.

I don't think the Japanese navy has realised that making bullets is more difficult than making guns.

Especially when you're developing a new type of bullet. It's dozens of times more difficult than developing a new type of gun.

'So what did you make for me?'

'In case you need them sometime?'

'How can I use them without bullets?'

'You'll have to figure that out yourselves. There's always a way.'

'It's not worth a hundred thousand dollars for 5,000 rifles. Not even as collateral.'

'Of course, this little surprise is not enough. There's more to come.'

'Can you just tell me. How many more surprises are there? Are they really surprises?'

'Absolutely real surprises! Watch...'

Tanavaro pretended to be profound.

Then he took Zhang Yong down to the lowest cabin.

'Watch...'

'Ah...'

Zhang Yong was stunned.

There are so many Italian cannons!

So many!

So many!

There are dozens of them!

A quick glance. Immediately, he counted the approximate number.

Fifty?

Yes!

Fifty Italian cannons!

That is, 75mm field guns. Imitations.

Go up.

Feel them carefully. Check the quality.

Although they are imitations, the quality is really good.

Poor Li Yunlong. He wanted an Italian cannon. You can't find one in a shop. But here there are fifty.

'How many shells are included?'

'None.'

'What if you run out of shells?'

'Shells can be bought separately. They're cheap. Cheaper than the Czech ones, guaranteed.'

'You guys...'

Li Yunlong was convinced.

After all, they were Italians! Amazing!

Anyone who said Italians couldn't do business had better watch his mouth.

This was a complete rip-off, just like selling printers in the modern era!

Printers don't make money. But cartridges do.

It's almost like giving you 5,000 rifles for free. But there are no bullets. You need to order special bullets.

Then you can buy 50 Italian cannons cheaply. But there are no shells. You have to buy the shells separately.

It's cheap. In the end, it's definitely not that cheap.

Of course, Tanavaro said it was definitely cheaper than the Germans and Czechs, which is true.

It's a set-up.

It's all a set-up!

However, it confirms that Tanavaro has no intention of cheating.

The other party simply wanted to maximise their profits. But they didn't expect to have to lie outright. Otherwise, there would have been no need to go to such lengths.

'Cargo ships cannot unload at the leased port,' Zhang Yong said slowly.

'Of course not. What you will do is look at the samples here. Then the cargo ship will continue to the Wusongkou port. It will unload there in the end,' Tanavaro said.

'That's fine,' Zhang Yong nodded.

Tanawaro immediately arranged for the cargo ship to set sail. Heading for the Wusongkou Wharf.

The ship was sailing at a relatively slow speed. Even though the two wharves were not far apart, it took more than an hour to relocate.

Docked again.

Zhang Yong suddenly realised that the Wusongkou Wharf was still under martial law.

He remembered. The Wusongkou Wharf was under his control. He had never ordered the lifting of martial law. And no one dared to order the lifting of martial law.

So...

It has been sealed off until now.

Goodness, so I'm still quite a big shot after all!

Go ashore.

'Team Leader Zhang.'

'Team Leader Zhang.'

The first to come up and say hello was Yuan Zheng.

He had finally returned to the Wusongkou Wharf. Of course. This was the arrangement made by the garrison headquarters.

The second to greet him was Pan Laibin.

Without Zhang Yong's approval, he could not leave the wharf. He was restricted to the ground.

'Get lost!'

Zhang Yong impatiently waved his hand at Pan Laibin.

He didn't want to see this guy.

This guy would never amount to anything. He couldn't even assassinate him.

Since Yuan Zheng had returned, he would continue to be the captain of the inspection team.

'Captain Zhang...'

'Captain Yuan. Welcome back.'

'It's all thanks to Captain Zhang...'

'Don't say anything nice, I need to make a phone call.'

'Please, please!'

Yuan Zheng hurriedly led the way.

Soon, Zhang Yong arrived at the inspection team's duty room. He started making the call.

The call was, of course, to the Songhu Garrison Command.

With so many weapons and ammunition to be unloaded at Wusongkou, it definitely fell under the jurisdiction of the Songhu Garrison Command.

5,000 rifles...

15 million rounds of ammunition...

50 Italian cannons...

This ship full of arms was already very good in Zhang Yong's opinion.

Especially for the National Army at that time, the replenishment of ammunition was very necessary.

The problem was...

How should I report it?

To report it directly to the top would be too unremarkable.

It would make it seem like I didn't deserve any credit.

It has to be very thrilling, very difficult, very hard work...

Then he thought of Yang Lichu.

If there is something good, it seems that you should report it to your wife first.

After your wife has picked it out, the rest can be given to other people.

Yes.

That's the order.

Don't make any mistakes. This is very important.

He immediately called back to Longhua Airport to find Yang Lichu. He found her quickly.

'What's the good news?'

'A little surprise.'

'Tell me.'

'I'm at the Wusongkou dock, and I've met an Italian freighter loaded with arms...'

'What's there?'

'5,000 rifles. 15 million rounds of ammunition. And 50 75mm field guns.'

'That much?'

'Yes. The Italians want to sell the arms at a low price.'

'I'll report it then!'

'Good.'

Zhang Yong knew that it was a done deal.

Yang Lichu was just a mouthpiece. She would pass on the message.

Whether or not to accept it was a decision for the higher-ups. There was no doubt that the government would accept it.

The foreigners were offering to give away arms! How could they refuse?

However, the specific trade negotiations would have nothing to do with him, Zhang Yong. He would just go catch the Japanese spies...

Suddenly, a yellow dot appeared at the edge of the map. There were many white dots with weapons emblems around it.

There were no red dots. Only white dots.

This meant that it was not Yan Guangkun's group. It was another group of Reds.

He hurriedly went to the top of the watchtower, climbed onto the roof, and looked down at the entire port. Then he discovered that it was Xiao Guo.

He was the young underground party member working at the Huichun Hall pharmacy.

He had indeed been arrested. He had also been brought out, presumably to identify other reds. Or perhaps to set a trap and wait for other reds to fall into it.

Zhang Yong had already memorised the operations after the arrest targets.

Continue to observe. He found that Xiao Guo was surrounded by secret agents. There were seven in total. They were all wearing submachine guns.

However, they were not all the secret agents. More than 200 metres away, there was another group of secret agents following. There were more than 30 of them.

It can be seen that the spies behind are the real main force.

The purpose of bringing Xiao Guo out is to either kill or capture more communists alive.

What should be done?

I have an idea...

Zhang Yong immediately arranged the operation.

When the people from the Party Affairs Investigation Department arrived at the entrance to the Wusongkou Wharf...

Yuan Zheng, the head of the inspection team who had been reinstated, came out and asked them to temporarily surrender all their weapons for safety.

The spies from the Party Affairs Investigation Department of course refused. A scuffle broke out between the two sides.

The inspection team had a large number of people. The seven agents were no match.

In the scuffle, Xiaoguo was suddenly separated from the group by a wall. He was then quickly taken away.

When the Party Affairs Investigation Department realised what had happened, Xiaoguo had disappeared without a trace. In their panic, they subconsciously drew their guns.

The agents who had rushed up to provide support were also panicking. Team leader Feng Jiliang also hurriedly ran up. Then they saw Zhang Yong in the office of the inspection team.

'It's over...'

'Zhang Yong is actually here...'