Chapter 69

Zang Zhiping took a sip of tea and slowly began to speak, "It's not about what we should do now, but the fact that our Zhe Army has only one path left: to surrender unconditionally and accept reorganization! Don't harbor any unrealistic fantasies anymore; Governor Gao will not accept any conditions."

He Fenglin laughed in anger, pointing at Zang Zhiping and said, "Ha! According to what you're saying, all of us here can only raise our hands and become prisoners!"

Zang Zhiping shook his head slightly and said calmly, "Being prisoners is not necessarily the case; we just can't continue to serve in the military. Going home to live as wealthy gentlemen is still possible. How about it? Commander He, are you willing?"

After finishing, he looked at He Fenglin with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

He Fenglin was taken aback, suddenly feeling a shock. He seemed to recall something and his face turned pale as he pointed at Zang Zhiping, "You, you..."

Realizing the situation, He Fenglin was so surprised that he couldn't speak, his hand trembling as he pointed at Zang Zhiping.

Zang Zhiping put down his teacup and slowly stood up, patting his military uniform and said calmly, "You only realize now? Well, we have worked together for a long time. Gentlemen, take off your military uniforms and go home to live as wealthy gentlemen. We've all made a lot of money over the years; a life of luxury is still possible."

The people in the meeting room also realized what was happening and started to murmur. He Fenglin slammed his hand on the table to quiet everyone down, looking at Zang Zhiping coldly and said in a deep voice, "I never realized you were such a person, hiding so deeply. What you just said, is that all Gao Yang's intention?"

Zang Zhiping looked at him calmly and said softly, "I don't need Commander He to worry about who I am. Governor Gao's intention is clear: he asks all of you to hand over your military power and go home to live as wealthy gentlemen. Governor Gao doesn't want more of our countrymen to die in this war. I'm just passing on the message. Commander He, you should understand that those who adapt to the times are the wise ones."

He Fenglin suddenly burst out laughing, staring at Zang Zhiping and said, "Gao Yang is really ruthless! He takes away our military power and kicks us out, and still expects us to adapt to the times! Without military power, how can I survive!!! Even a clay figure has a bit of spirit; today, I'll take you down first and see how Gao Yang can avoid more deaths! Men, come in!!!"

With He Fenglin's shout, the door to the meeting room was pushed open, and his secretary led the guards rushing in with guns drawn!

Zang Zhiping remained completely unmoved, just calmly looking at He Fenglin with a faint smile on his lips. Seeing Zang Zhiping's expression, Commander He was so angry that his teeth itched, and he pointed at Zang Zhiping and shouted, "Seize him!!!"

The guards quickly moved forward, raising their guns! However, the muzzles were pointed at Commander He! "Are you crazy!!!" Commander He felt a bit dizzy, sensing that something was wrong, but he still shouted at the guards.

The guards didn't say anything, just pointing their guns at Commander He. Everyone in the room realized that things were not good! Zang Zhiping sat back down, picked up his teacup, and slowly sipped his tea. "Tap, tap, tap." The sound of footsteps echoed as several figures entered the meeting room.

Seeing these people, He Fenglin finally lost control and his face changed dramatically! One of the newcomers stepped forward and came to Commander He's side, looking at him fiercely and said, "He! When you sent me to Zhe South, did you ever think this day would come!"

The speaker was the commander of the 24th Mixed Brigade, Yang Huazhao. Not long ago, Commander He had sent Yang Huazhao to Zhe South as the commander of a local defense brigade, stripping him of his command of the 24th Mixed Brigade. He never expected Yang Huazhao to appear here today.

Commander He didn't even look at Yang Huazhao; his eyes were fixed on the person standing in the middle, his adjutant!

Feeling Commander He's murderous gaze, the adjutant smiled slightly and stepped forward, saying softly, "Commander, don't blame the brothers. We all have families to support. Our wives and children are waiting for us to eat. We are your guards, and we don't even get full pay! What about the men below us? How can we follow you? Even if we don't do it today, the men below us will! Mr. Gao said he won't harm your life; the brothers have done their best."

The person standing at the door, Gao Feng, continued, "Alright, everyone, get ready. The 24th Mixed Brigade and the Zhejiang Supplementary Brigade have already taken control of the main roads. The war is over."

He then walked to Commander He's side, looking at him and said softly, "A few million yen from the Japanese gave you the courage to act against Governor Gao? You've lived like a dog for so many years! Who can match Governor Gao in terms of money? I can easily give your men a few hundred thousand dollars to make them betray you, and even eliminate you off the battlefield! Live a peaceful life at home from now on."

He finished and turned to leave.

Commander He slumped into his chair, filled with regret. Yang Huazhao came to his side, his face full of mockery, and said, "Did you think sending me away would give you control of the 24th Brigade? Ha! You think a few hundred thousand yen can make thousands of men follow you? You're treating us like beggars! I brought a few million dollars to the 24th Brigade, and all the men swore to follow Governor Gao! To be honest, Governor Gao is sending me to Taizhou to command a local defense brigade, and I'm willing!"

Zang Zhiping, who was at the door, turned and shouted at him, "Stop talking and hurry up. Governor Gao will be here tomorrow, and there's a lot to do!" Yang Huazhao laughed and left.

Two guards came to Commander He's side and said, "Commander, let's go. Mr. Gao has arranged a place for you. Once everything is over, you'll be released."

That night, the city of Shanghai was filled with shouts and horse neighs, with gunfire echoing. Soldiers were everywhere, and all major roads were blocked. Gunfire could be heard from time to time. Citizens kept their doors tightly shut, and some wealthy people fled to the concessions.

Lu Xiaojia was intercepted on his way to the French Concession. After a fierce exchange of fire, Lu Xiaojia surrendered when the soldiers blocking the road promised not to harm him.

At this time, Gao Yang was in the SC Trade office, listening to Gao Feng's report. Sitting on the sofa and sipping whisky, Gao Yang suddenly looked up at Gao Feng and asked, "Is the matter with Arno finished?"

Gao Feng shook his head and said, "Not yet. Something is off. Tōshi Haruji hasn't left the Japanese Consulate since noon, and the reconnaissance robots haven't found him. It's as if he's disappeared!"

"Hmm? Is that so?" Gao Yang was slightly taken aback, "Did he escape?" He secretly regretted not eliminating this Class-A war criminal when he first discovered him. He composed himself and said calmly, "Forget it. Have Arno keep watch until dawn. If he still can't find him, come back. We'll have another chance." "Yes."

Where did Tōshi Haruji go? After returning to the Japanese Consulate from Lu's residence in the morning, Tōshi Haruji felt a sense of unease, his eyelids twitching.

After carefully analyzing all the intelligence in his room, he suddenly realized that Gao Yang must have already discovered his plan! Regardless of how the information was leaked, he, as the planner and main executor, was now in Gao Yang's sights! At that moment, he thought of his senior, Daisuke Shinzo!

Before coming to Shanghai, Tōshi Haruji had thoroughly studied Gao Yang's personal information. Although the information was limited, it was enough for him to give Gao Yang a cold and ruthless definition! Gao Yang strictly disciplined his troops and was ruthless with his own people who committed crimes, and even more ruthless with his enemies!

Tōshi Haruji had secretly interrogated a prison guard in Shanghai. The guard confessed that on the night before the trial of the assassination of General Lu, someone from SC Trade had found the guards watching over Sonoda Kojiro, bribing them with a large sum of money to give Sonoda Kojiro a pill. At the time, they thought it was to kill him, but it turned out not to be a poison, and they didn't know what it was for.

Tōshi Haruji immediately understood that the experienced agent Sonoda Kojiro must have been taken down by that pill, though he didn't know what it was. Daisuke Shinzo's death could also be confirmed as being orchestrated by Gao Yang.

After dealing with the prison guard, Tōshi Haruji marked Gao Yang as someone who was ruthless and merciless towards his enemies. Unlike most Chinese, who at least pretended to be benevolent, Gao Yang valued practicality and would immediately eliminate any threat in its infancy. This was the type of person intelligence operatives feared the most.

Tōshi Haruji realized that his current situation was similar to that of Daisuke Shinzo: both had initiated actions against Gao Yang, both were the masterminds, and both had been exposed! The only difference was that he was still alive.

As Tōshi Haruji figured out the sequence of events, cold sweat dripped from his forehead. Nanzao Yunzi pulled back the partition and entered, reporting softly, "Sir, we just received intelligence that the Jiangyin Fort has fallen! These Chinese soldiers are useless! A bunch of... Sir! What's wrong with you!" Nanzao Yunzi shouted in alarm when she saw Tōshi Haruji's cold sweat.

Tōshi Haruji waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Yunzi, I must return to Japan immediately! I entrust everything here to you!" He immediately got up, changed his clothes, and left through the consulate's secret passage.

He cautiously made his way to the Japanese Navy's anchorage in Shanghai, boarded the ship, and ordered the captain to set sail for Japan in the name of the Imperial General Headquarters.

The brief conflict known as the Second Jiang-Zhe War quickly ended. Like a summer hailstorm, it caused chaos and then disappeared.

At this time, Sun Chuanfang in the south was still gathering his troops when he received intelligence that the Zhe Army had been defeated, and the remnants had surrendered to Gao Yang, even Lu Xiaojia had been captured!

Sun Chuanfang was so surprised that he couldn't speak! After regaining his composure, the first thing he did was to burn all correspondence and telegrams with the Japanese and send a trusted subordinate with gifts to Shanghai to congratulate Gao Yang!