Chapter 40: Assistance
In a moment when Zhou Lin was overwhelmed, Zhou Yongqiang seized the phone.
"Lin'er, what's the matter?" he inquired.
Zhou Lin replied, "Dad, I heard the Seventh Division might be transferred to Wuhan?"
"There is such a matter, it has been proposed, but no decision has been made," Zhou Yongqiang explained.
"Dad, if the Seventh Division goes to Wuhan without people from Zhejiang, it's like a chicken entering a wolf's den!" Zhou Lin expressed concern.
"That's precisely the reason why your uncle didn't agree. After all, they are local militia," Zhou Yongqiang explained.
Upon hearing this, gratitude filled Teacher Xie's eyes. He still remembered those local militia.
"Dad, I have one request," Zhou Lin implored.
"Speak!" Zhou Yongqiang granted.
"Convince Uncle to have the Seventh Division transferred to Chongqing. In case Chongqing becomes the wartime capital, and it's guarded by local militia, it will be safer for him," Zhou Lin requested.
Zhou Yongqiang pondered and agreed, "Tomorrow, I will talk to him. There shouldn't be a problem. Once your uncle decides, it can be done. You tell Old Xie and Old Huang to prepare early. Once the transfer order arrives, they must leave immediately."
Teacher Xie added, "Please thank Minister Zhou for me."
Although Zhou Lin knew his father could hear, he still conveyed the gratitude, "Dad, Teacher Xie wants to thank you."
"Thank for what? Both your mother and I don't want our daughter-in-law to be mistreated in Wuhan," Zhou Yongqiang replied.
Zhou Lin blushed at once.
"Lin, Yulong told me, do you have a new mission?" Zhou Yongqiang inquired.
"Yes, I won't be returning to Nanjing," Zhou Lin confirmed.
"Hmm! Take care of yourself, be cautious. We know about what you've done. We are proud of you," Zhou Yongqiang praised.
After saying that, Zhou Yongqiang hung up the phone.
Zhou Lin and Teacher Xie returned to the living room.
Mrs. Xie asked, "How did it go?"
Teacher Xie said, "He agreed!"
Mrs. Xie patted her chest in relief, "That's good!"
Hearing about potential troubles in Wuhan, Mrs. Xie no longer wanted to go there.
After sitting down, Zhou Lin was served a fresh cup of tea by Xie Tingting.
Zhou Lin remarked, "I estimate that once the decision is made, there will be orders within three days, and the Seventh Division will have to leave."
Teacher Xie stood up, looked out the window, and said, "I've been in Shanghai for seven months. It's a bit sentimental to leave now."
Mrs. Xie commented, "I never thought Shanghai was that great! Too many foreigners, and Chinese people have no status."
Xie Tingting angrily added, "The Shanghai Theater Command is also exclusive. It doesn't use us, but sends the Seventh Division to raid the Japanese arsenal. It's sending us to our deaths. It's better not to stay in such a place."
Zhou Lin suggested, "Uncle, you can inform the brothers of the Seventh Division in advance. Let everyone be prepared. Convert all their belongings into money."
The Political Department had no secrets. Many members of the Seventh Division were doing business in the market. Of course, it was their families who were conducting the business.
Now that the Seventh Division was leaving, their families would face difficulties and might join them in Chongqing.
Their properties and supplies needed to be handled quickly.
Zhou Lin continued, "Uncle, as soon as the news of Chongqing becoming the wartime capital comes out, land prices in Chongqing will skyrocket. You can buy more land and stock up on resources. When those big shots and merchants arrive in Chongqing, they will have to buy land and resources from you. At that time, the prices will at least multiply tenfold."
Mrs. Xie's eyes gleamed with interest.
Xie Tingting suggested, "My second uncle is in business in Shanghai. We can let him go to Chongqing and handle business."
Mrs. Xie patted Xie Tingting, "You remember your second uncle, but forget your second uncle? He is also in business."
The mother and daughter immediately began discussing business.
Zhou Lin knew that Teacher Xie couldn't handle business himself; it was his brothers who were supporting the stability of the military. Otherwise, with the meager military funds from above, the Seventh Division wouldn't even have enough to eat.
After returning to the dormitory, Teacher Xie thought for a moment and woke up officers above the rank of captain.
Overtime meeting!
In the meeting, Teacher Xie briefed everyone on the situation.
Among the crowd, some believed, while others doubted.
However, the fact that the Seventh Division was being transferred couldn't be changed.
Going to Chongqing was better than going to Wuhan. In Wuhan, they would be just one division among many, but in Chongqing, they would be in charge of the defense.
Everyone quickly discussed and, within a few days, swiftly transferred the Seventh Division's assets in Shanghai.
In the following days, Zhou Lin had no specific missions and could arrange his time as he pleased.
His arrangement was to accompany Xie Tingting around Shanghai, especially the French Concession.
Xie Tingting was very happy and bought a lot of things for herself. She also bought a few sets of clothes for Zhou Lin.
Finally, the transfer order for the Seventh Division arrived.
The Seventh Division was ordered to be stationed in Chongqing, and the division commander became the commander of the Chongqing Garrison Command.
At the same time, Dai Li also arrived.
Dai Li made arrangements.
The Twenty Teams accompanied the Seventh Division to Chongqing.
Dai Li knew that Chongqing would become the wartime capital, and he wanted to send people in advance to control the situation.
The Twenty Teams were trusted personnel who had been tested in battle. Dai Li was confident. That's why he had them transferred to Chongqing for early deployment.
On the surface, the Twenty Teams still belonged to the Political Department of the Seventh Division, now renamed the Political Department of the Chongqing Garrison Command.
Wang Hong was promoted to the first level and became the director. He was now a senior colonel.
The platoon leaders were also promoted by one level, becoming junior majors.
Other members of the Twenty Teams were also promoted.
Zhou Lin was also promoted by one level and became a second lieutenant.
Originally, Dai Li wanted to promote Zhou Lin to first lieutenant, but Zhou Yongqiang stopped him. Zhou Yongqiang said, "Take it step by step to be steady."
In a room, Zhou Lin met the platoon leader of the Twenty-Second Teams.
Dai Li pointed at Zhou Lin and said to the platoon leader, Zhuang Zhen, "From now on, your platoon will be under Zhou Lin's command."
The platoon leader of the Twenty-Second Teams, who had heard of Zhou Lin's deeds, stood up excitedly, "Yes! I will follow orders!"
Of course, he was excited! All members of the Twenty Teams were promoted, and everyone knew that it was because of the person in front of them.
Dai Li asked the platoon leader of the Twenty-Second Teams to sit down and said to Zhou Lin, "Your next mission is with the Artillery Division."
"The Artillery Division?"
"Yes! We overlooked a problem. That's why we couldn't find the spy."
Zhou Lin thought for a moment and said, "At that time, the spy provided three pieces of information: the situation of the Ministry of National Defense's reinforcement force, the artillery's deployment map, and the Seventh Division's deployment map."
Dai Li nodded, "Yes! At that time, we saw that the Seventh Division's deployment map was comprehensive and accurate, while the Artillery Division's deployment map only showed the external layout without the actual internal military deployment. So, we believed that the spy was familiar with the Seventh Division and was likely a high-ranking officer in the Seventh Division. That's why we sent you to the Seventh Division."
Zhou Lin admitted to this. At that time, his opinion was the same.
Dai Li sneered and said, "Recently, I have reconsidered. I think we were wrong."
Zhou Lin looked at Dai Li, "The Chief has an idea now."
"We were wrong because we underestimated the cunning of the enemy. He went against the norm. He wasn't in the Seventh Division but threw out the Seventh Division, making us busy. In the end, we are like a bamboo basket fetching water, all in vain."