Chapter 51: Turn the Tables
Zhou Lin surveyed the surroundings and, finding no one quickly returned to the private room on the third floor.
Seeing Zhou Lin's return, Captain Zhou signaled to the guards.
The guards promptly stationed themselves outside the door.
Approaching Captain Zhou, Zhou Lin whispered, "Captain, that young man is a Japanese spy."
Captain Zhou nodded, "I suspected as much. What about Gu Shang?"
"He is also an accomplice of the Japanese."
Captain Zhou, angered, was about to slam the table when Zhou Lin stopped him. "Captain, stay calm."
Captain Zhou composed himself, "What did you hear?"
"They want the young man to join the artillery division. You promised if I lost, you'd agree to their request."
Captain Zhou said, "You must make that young man drink until he can't stand."
Zhou Lin advised, "Captain, if you don't let him in, he'll find another way, like getting close to your subordinates, claiming to be your classmate. The consequences would be unpredictable."
"I'll arrest them!"
"You need evidence for an arrest. We don't have proof of their wrongdoing."
"What should we do?"
Zhou Lin suggested, "Captain, it's better to let the fish swim into the pot. Let him in, monitor his every move, and see who he contacts and what he does. Finally, apprehend him with both people and evidence."
Captain Zhou approved, "Wise advice. Let him in. Watch him closely and gather evidence."
Zhou Lin gave a thumbs up, "Captain, you're wise."
"Enough! No more slamming. Remember, after six more drinks, you concede."
Zhou Lin agreed, sitting down.
In normal circumstances, Zhou Lin wouldn't have a seat in front of the commanding officer, indicating he drank too much and needed to rest.
Gu Shang and Xiaonian returned. Seeing Zhou Lin seated, Xiaonian smirked, "You dare challenge me? I have sobering pills. If one doesn't work, another will. Without a remedy, I'll play you to death."
Xiaonian returned with six more cups, ready to pour. "If you can't handle it, just say so."
Zhou Lin, infuriated, declared, "Who says I can't? Let's continue."
"Good! Drink again!" Gu Shang encouraged.
Captain Zhou addressed Zhou Lin, "If you can't handle it, concede. You've already had so much; it's not shameful."
Zhou Lin insisted, "Captain, I'm fine!"
After three more cups, Zhou Lin, swaying, placed his hands on the table.
Seeing Zhou Lin's condition, Xiaonian thought, "Nearly there."
"Shuangmu is a hero. Come on, three more cups," Xiaonian urged.
Zhou Lin, tongue-tied, managed, "D-d-drink... drink... whoever... fears... whom."
After three more cups, Zhou Lin finally got drunk, slumping under the table.
Gu Shang peered under the table, "Good tolerance!"
Captain Zhou chuckled, "Ignore him. In our camp, people often end up under the table."
Gu Shang hesitated.
Captain Zhou asked, "What's the matter? As long as I can do it, I'll make it happen."
Gu Shang explained, "It's Xiaonian. He has admired the military since childhood."
Captain Zhou thought, "Admiring the Japanese military?"
Gu Shang added, "He wants to join the army and serve the country. I don't know what to do."
Zhou Lin laughed, "Isn't being a soldier just about getting rations? I agree. Tomorrow, tell him to come to the military camp. Say Deputy Commander Er agreed, and let him join the army."
Xiaonian quickly said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhou! No, thank you, Captain."
After five minutes, Gu Shang and Xiaonian left.
Zhou Weiguo escorted them out of the restaurant. After they left, he returned to the private room.
"They're gone; you can come out now."
Zhou Lin emerged, apologizing, "Captain, I hid under the table to avoid arousing suspicion and disrupting your plans."
Captain Zhou instructed, "If you're acting, go all the way. Xiao Li, carry Shuangmu downstairs."
The guard Xiao Li promptly hoisted Zhou Lin. "Why are you so heavy? Over two hundred pounds."
Captain Zhou took over, "Over two hundred pounds. You're only 5'9", not fat. Why so heavy?"
Zhou Lin explained, "Captain, I've practiced martial arts since childhood, making my muscles solid and bones tough."
Captain Zhou nodded, "I see. That's why you broke the thug's hand with one punch."
Xiao Li struggled to carry Zhou Lin downstairs, eventually placing him in the car.
After a considerable distance, Zhou Lin sat up, "Captain, I saw Xiaonian in the left corner of the restaurant."
Zhou Weiguo sneered, "They were worried you weren't drunk, so we staged a performance for them."
Zhou Lin remarked, "Now they're at ease."
Zhou Lin shared a dorm room with Zheng Sanfu. Back in the dorm, Zheng asked, "How much did you drink? Are you drunk?"
"Not drunk! By the way, tomorrow morning when you go to town to buy groceries, tell Qiao Shaowen to keep an eye on someone named Gu Shang."
"Is he suspicious?"
"Very suspicious! He's from Huaihua, just arrived in town, likely doing business here. We need to cover for him."
Sanfu remembered, "As long as he stays in town, he won't escape."
Zhou Lin cautioned, "Tell Captain Qiao to be careful. There are Japanese spies around him, possibly more than one."
"Got it!"
Early the next morning, Zheng Sanfu arrived in town, accompanied by a soldier on a three-wheeler.
After buying fish, meat, and vegetables, he placed the groceries in the vehicle's basket.
"Stay here and guard the groceries. I'm going to buy some chili. There are many here, but none are authentic. Our hometown's chili adds the right flavor to the dishes."
The soldier assured, "Don't worry; I'll watch over them."
Sanfu visited two shops but found no satisfactory chili. He then entered the third one.
Inside, someone greeted him, "Military sir, are you here to buy chili?"
Sanfu replied, "Didn't come for chili, came to see beauties, didn't I?"
"In your eyes, isn't good chili just as beautiful?"
"Enough of the small talk. Do you have authentic chili from Huaihua?"
The person welcoming Sanfu was Qiao Shaowen.
"In your eyes, isn't good chili just as beautiful?"
"Enough of the small talk. Do you have authentic chili from Huaihua?"
Qiao immediately recalled, "There's a person named Gu Shang. Three days ago, he arrived in town and bought a shop."