Chapter 33: Turning Danger into Safety
A Japanese major inquired, "Commander, is this intelligence reliable? Our brigade consists of over 7,000 troops, and mobilizing them will be a massive undertaking. If this information is false, we'll suffer great losses."
The Japanese brigade commander replied, "The intelligence is entirely reliable. It comes directly from a high-ranking member of the Chinese military."
Excitement filled the air among the Japanese officers upon hearing that the intelligence was trustworthy. Each unit received its assigned mission.
Afterward, Zhou Lin sought out Wang Hong, saying, "Commander, we must report this to the bureau immediately. There's a spy within us who leaked the Seventh Division's operation to the Japanese command. The Japanese have ordered the Ono Brigade to move closer to the ammunition depot, set up trenches within five hours, and prepare for an ambush against the Seventh Division."
Wang Hong climbed to a vantage point and observed through binoculars.
Wang Hong exclaimed, "Indeed! The main Japanese forces are approaching the ammunition depot. I'll report to the higher-ups right away."
Upon his return, Zhou Lin immediately reported to Xie Tingting.
"Please inform your father that the Japanese have learned about the Seventh Division's plan to raid the ammunition depot. As a result, the Japanese have deployed the Ono Brigade and set up an ambush around the ammunition depot. They're ready to eliminate the Seventh Division before it reaches the depot."
After receiving the telegram, Xie Tingting was frightened. She rushed to find Major Xie.
Major Xie was on horseback, leading the troops.
Upon hearing his daughter's shout, Major Xie furrowed his brow.
"Tingting, what's the matter?"
Xie Tingting held up the telegram and said, "Urgent telegram!"
Major Xie took the telegram and was shocked.
If this were true, the Seventh Division would be in grave danger today.
Major Xie asked, "Who gave this to you?"
"Zhou Lin!"
Major Xie recalled that the Political Department and Zhou Lin had left the military camp early. He asked, "Report! Ask him where he is."
Xie Tingting immediately instructed the soldier with the communication device to relay the message to Zhou Lin.
"The commander has seen your telegram. He wants to know your location."
Shortly after, Zhou Lin's reply came. "We are 30 kilometers from the ammunition depot. The main Japanese forces are stealthily advancing toward the depot."
When Major Xie finished reading Zhou Lin's reply, sweat broke out on his forehead.
He immediately ordered, "Halt! About-face, all units! Rear units move to the front. Quickly cross the Bridle Trench."
The Bridle Trench was a large mountain valley. Once they passed through it, the Japanese wouldn't be able to encircle the Seventh Division.
Major Xie trusted Zhou Lin, his nephew in a high position, not to harm the Chinese military.
An hour later, the Seventh Division withdrew beyond the Bridle Trench and established defensive positions.
From there, they could snipe at the Japanese, making it difficult for them to advance.
Just after the Seventh Division withdrew, a telegram arrived from the theater of war.
"Cancel the operation to attack the Japanese ammunition depot. Your unit is to return to its base."
Only then did Major Xie dare to order the troops to retreat.
Although they retreated 20 kilometers, it was acceptable in the chaos of battle, allowing commanders to adjust their movements based on the battlefield situation without being deemed derelict.
If the Seventh Division had continued forward, they would have fallen into the Japanese ambush.
On the retreat, Major Xie had Xie Tingting send a message to Zhou Lin: "Ask him where they are now."
Soon, Zhou Lin replied, "Our retreat path is blocked by the Japanese. We have no choice but to take a detour, exiting through the Eighteenth Division's area."
Major Xie snapped his horsewhip and said, "Tell Zhou Lin to be cautious. Once they safely return to the camp, I'll treat them to a feast. A good drink after a battle!"
The Seventh Division withdrew swiftly. The Japanese discovered their retreat and sent troops in pursuit, but the Seventh Division managed to shake them off.
The commander of the Japanese brigade reported the situation.
The Japanese commander immediately knew that the information had been leaked.
He quickly sent a message to the spy: "The Seventh Division's mission has failed. You may face suspicion. Be cautious!"
Seven hours later, Zhou Lin and Wang Hong returned to the camp.
Three miles outside the camp, officers led soldiers to form two rows, waiting for Zhou Lin and his team.
As Zhou Lin and his companions walked (they had lost their vehicles during the retreat), the soldiers on both sides shouted, "Salute!"
All the soldiers and officers raised their hands in salute, including Major Xie.
Zhou Lin, the members of the Twenty Platoon, Wang Hong, and the company commander all returned the salute.
The group was escorted to the division's main mess hall.
Major Xie and Chief of Staff Huang led all the officers to welcome Zhou Lin and his team, treating them to a meal to celebrate their safe return.
After drinking more than ten cups, Zhou Lin was finally stopped by Xie Tingting.
Seeing Miss Xie intervening, the crowd let Zhou Lin go.
After the meal, Major Xie and Chief of Staff Huang invited Zhou Lin and Wang Hong to the commander's office.
Major Xie asked, "How did you know that the Japanese were planning to ambush us?"
Zhou Lin replied, "We have someone on the Japanese side. He provided the information. The Chinese side also gave intelligence to the Japanese commander, claiming that the Seventh Division was planning to attack the ammunition depot. In response, the Japanese commander ordered the Ono Brigade to eliminate the Seventh Division."
Wang Hong added, "To verify the reliability of the information, we drove ahead and quickly reached the front of the ammunition depot. Zhou Lin captured two prisoners and interrogated them."
Zhou Lin continued, "The Japanese confessed to the situation, matching the information we had. We confirmed that the Ono Brigade was setting up an ambush around the ammunition depot. That's when I sent a report to Xie Tingting, asking her to inform you."
Major Xie patted Zhou Lin on the shoulder and then patted Wang Hong. "You saved the Seventh Division! You've done a great service! I will report this to higher-ups and request commendations for you."
Zhou Lin said, "Thank you, Major and Chief of Staff. In my opinion, our immediate concern is how to uncover the spy."
The Chief of Staff asked, "Are you sure the spy is within our Seventh Division?"
Wang Hong reported, "A few days ago, we discovered there was a spy within the Seventh Division. We targeted a fabric store in the market, which was a contact point for the Japanese. The spy from the Seventh Division was in contact with the Japanese through that fabric store."
The Chief of Staff inquired, "Have you identified who the spy is?"
"It's the deputy commander of the Second Regiment, Third Battalion."
Major Xie slammed the table. "Guard Company, go and bring the deputy commander of the Second Regiment, Third Battalion to me!"
The Guard Company leader led the soldiers to the Second Regiment, Third Battalion.
Upon reaching the deputy commander's quarters, they found him lying motionless on the bed.
After inspection, it was discovered that he had taken poison and committed suicide.
After hearing the report from the Guard Company leader, Major Xie rushed to the scene. Looking at the lifeless body, he asked Xie Tingting, "You've been with the Seventh Division for a long time. Why would he betray us? Why would he destroy the Seventh Division?"
The Second Regiment commander walked over, giving himself a slap. "Commander! I failed to manage my subordinates properly! I almost got the Seventh Division disbanded. I am at fault; please punish me."
Major Xie sighed. "On the day the Seventh Division was established, I said it: 'Same life, same death!' So, I don't blame you all. Although this person betrayed us, his family is innocent. Give his family 300 francs. Let them bury him properly."
(End of this chapter)