The morning of July 8, 1937.
Zuo Zhong hurried to the Qilu inside the Central Military Academy with the intelligence, and saw a tired-looking Dai Chunfeng in the reception room.
"Shen Zhong, you are finally here. We have just received a notification from Peiping that the Japanese are launching an attack on Lugou Bridge and Wanping City.
Because some front-line troops were not fully prepared, and the personnel and heavy weapons and equipment were scarce, the battle was very difficult. "
As soon as the two met, Lao Dai told the current situation with a sad face, then glanced outside the door and revealed in a low voice.
"Beiping is surrounded on three sides. Lugou Bridge and Wanping are close to the Han Line and are the only passage to the south. These important places cannot be lost.
The chairman of the Generalissimo was very anxious after learning that the war situation was unfavorable, and immediately asked the Military Commission to conduct a study and judgment of the conflict and analyze the Japanese purpose.
And ordered us to find out the whole story of the exchange of fire between China and Japan, focusing on investigating whether there was any instigation by third-party forces, such as underground parties, in this matter.
If there is any specific information coming from the Peiping Station, please report it from beginning to end, and then come with me to meet with the leader later. "
Study and judge the purpose of the Japanese?
Check the underground party?
Zuo Zhong was speechless when he heard this. The enemy's guns were pointed at his forehead, and someone still had unrealistic illusions about the Japanese.
The other side has dispatched so many troops. Could it be that they are here for a spring outing? How could a head of state make such childish and ridiculous remarks?
At this time, there was no way to contain the Japanese attack. Instead, he doubted this and that, fearing that syphilis had attacked his brain and caused him to become insane.
Otherwise, no matter how stupid you are, you will know that now is not the time to fight in the inner circle.
It hurts those who are close and makes enemies happy.
It is beyond the reach of a wise man.
Countless thoughts flashed through Zuo Zhong's mind. He suppressed his anger and told the Japanese's actions in detail.
"Last night, the Japanese Army's Riverside Brigade set off from Fengtai and headed north of Lugou Bridge, that is, for a live-fire exercise along the line from Huilongmiao to Dawayao.
According to the intelligence we have received, the content of the exercise is to approach the garrison position at dusk and launch a surprise attack at dawn.
Three hours after the exercise started, that is, around 11 o'clock, the Japanese side said that a soldier was missing near our position.
The other party used this excuse to request entry into Wanping County for search, but the defenders sternly refused, and the two sides entered a confrontation.
At around 12:00 midnight, Matsui Tataro, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, called the Peiping authorities and requested another search.
We refused on the grounds that it was late at night, the Japanese soldiers entering the city might cause local unrest, and most of the people were asleep and unable to cooperate.
Soon after, Matsui said that if we did not allow it, the Japanese army would conduct a forced search and Japan would not be responsible for the resulting losses.
In order to prevent the situation from escalating, the 4th District of Hebei Province, the Diplomatic Committee of the Hebei-Cha Government Affairs Committee, and the Hebei-Cha Appeasement Office sent personnel to negotiate with the Japanese side.
As a result, before five o'clock, the riverside brigade suddenly launched a fierce bombardment at Wanping with infantry artillery. The defenders had no way to retreat and had to fight back.
To sum up, it can be preliminarily determined that this firefight incident has nothing to do with the underground party, and the Japanese were well prepared before the conflict. "
"Oh? Why didn't I know."
Hearing this, Dai Chunfeng frowned and asked. He didn't remember that the Secret Service had sent relevant information. Could someone be up to something?
Zuo Zhong opened his mouth. He had handed over the information a long time ago, but Lao Dai didn't reply. Who could be blamed for this, so he had no choice but to explain.
"You can ask Li Qiwu. He is the chief secretary. According to the bureau's procedures, he is responsible for the handover of all official documents.
However, Director Li is busy with official duties, so it is understandable that he failed to tell you the information in time. Teacher, please don't be angry. "
If important information is missed or missed, someone must be found to take responsibility for it. Dai Chunfeng cannot be held responsible. After several rounds of calculations, Li Qiwu is the most suitable person.
Being able to take the blame for the superior,
What a blessing that is.
Li Qiwu still has to thank him.
Zuo Zhong calmly put on a pair of small shoes for the other party, then changed the subject and recounted the intelligence previously collected from various places.
In March, the Japanese Combined Fleet and the Third Fleet stationed in Shanghai sailed to the coast of the island city and conducted landing operations exercises with the national government as the imaginary enemy.
In April, the Japanese Navy Command sent a large number of intelligence personnel to survey the Tanggu port in Tianmen;
In May, a brigade of the Kwantung Army marched into Jehol to set up defenses.
In June, Konoe Fumimaro came to power to form a cabinet, claiming that "the whole country would be united."
That month, Japan's so-called Chinese garrison conducted live-fire exercises day and night in the suburbs of Pingjin.
At the end of June and the beginning of July, some Japanese soldiers spread the news that on the night of July 7th, the Liutiaogou-like incident would happen again in North China.
Dai Chunfeng sensed something was wrong as he listened. He had indeed read the information and thought it was normal so he didn't pay much attention to it.
After all, he suffered two big falls in a row some time ago and had no time to pay attention to small things. Who knew that this was a sign that the Japanese would take action.
Fortunately, Shen finally found a good excuse. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to explain himself if the chairman pursued him. The crime of dereliction of duty is not light.
Lao Dai glanced at his proud disciple with great satisfaction, nodded slightly, then suddenly his expression changed, and he let out a cold snort.
"Hmph, this Li Qiwu is really like a rotten tree that cannot wither. He just makes mistakes every day, and this kind of head-turning thing is also out of control.
In my opinion, his chief secretary has gone too far. Shen Zhong, remember to remind me when you get back that you must punish this person severely.
If it weren't for..., I really want to transfer him to the northwest to be with Tang Zong and Zhao Lijun. These three bastards are all the same trash. "
Dai Chunfeng scolded Li Qiwu, but when he said the last sentence, he was a bit vague, as if there was something hidden inside.
"Good teacher."
Zuo Zhong replied respectfully on the surface, but in his heart he suspected that Lao Dai might have an important task for Li Qiwu to complete, so he let him go.
The problem is that only when the underground party is involved, Lao Dai will be so cautious to avoid leaking secrets, but why should he hide it from himself.
He did not doubt that Lao Dai already knew his true identity and sent Li Qiwu to secretly investigate. This possibility was unlikely.
After such a long time, even if he was exposed, Dai Chunfeng would at most secretly kill him, but he would not be able to bring this matter to light.
The reason is simple: if your student is an underground party spy and has climbed to such a high position, will you have the same problem?
Unless Dai Chunfeng wanted to be jealous of the bald man, or wanted to give his handle to the ambitious Li Qiwu, he would not do such a stupid thing.
Moreover, tracking and monitoring require professionals. As the deputy director of the Secret Service, no one can bypass him and transfer people, not even Lao Dai.
Then there is only one possibility. Li Qiwu is acting alone and is most likely related to the underground party. At the same time, the degree of confidentiality is extremely high.
There is something weird,
requires attention.
Zuo Zhong kept this matter in mind and decided to investigate. He didn't like the feeling of losing control. It was too unsafe.
Who knows whether "Qiu Chan" will be found in the end. In this business, we must nip all signs of danger in the bud.
Because once you let your guard down, the scythe of death will sneak up on you, and it will be too late to regret it when the noose is around your neck.
What made him even more uneasy was the poisonous snake Li Qiwu. This person was extremely cruel and difficult to deal with, and Zuo Zhong couldn't help but have a murderous intention.
MD,
Sooner or later we'll get rid of this beast.
At this moment, Dai Chunfeng seemed to have thought of something, and frowned and asked: "Shen Zhong, do you have any information on Matsui Tairo?
Wasn't the original Japanese intelligence agency in North China the Aoki Mansion? When did a spy agency stationed in Peiping appear?
Also, how did the Japanese high-level officials react to the exchange of fire? Did your spy in Japan obtain relevant intelligence?
If not, we must collect them as soon as possible. If the Chairman of the General Assembly asks, you and I will be speechless. Wouldn't it mean that others are looking down on the Secret Service? "
"Please take a look."
Zuo Zhong, who was well prepared, handed over a secret document. After Lao Dai opened it, he lowered his voice and began to answer the first question.
"Matsui Tataro was born in 1887 in Fukuoka Prefecture. He graduated from the Army Academy in 1910 and the Army University in 1917.
He successively served as the adjutant of the 12th Division and the staff officer of the China Section of the General Staff Headquarters. He came to China to join the Kwantung Army in 1921 and transferred to the Korean Army the following year.
In the first half of this year, he just took office as the director of the Peking Secret Service. This agency was temporarily established and operates very low-key and few people know about it.
We only learned that the Japanese had such a secret intelligence organization after the other party disclosed his identity. This was a dereliction of duty on the part of the students. "
After saying that, he lowered his head and waited for Lao Dai to deal with it. The Secret Service did have a lot of spies, but it was impossible to know everything.
After receiving the information from Beiping Station, he immediately launched an investigation into Matsui and used various channels to find information on the other party with great difficulty.
"nice."
Dai Chunfeng closed the document and smiled. It was not easy to find so much information about the target in such a short period of time.
Compared with other departments of the national government, this work is surprisingly efficient. With these, I can give an explanation to the chairman.
As for the more detailed situation of Matsui Tataro, there is no need to worry. As long as the war does not end, they will always have the opportunity to learn more.
Lao Dai put the documents away and signaled Zuo Zhong to continue reporting. The reaction of Japan's top leaders was very important and determined the subsequent direction of the conflict.
It's war or peace,
It depends on how the Japanese choose.
Zuo Zhong, who was on the opposite side, received the signal and immediately said: "An hour ago, the Japanese Army Ministry and General Staff Headquarters held a joint meeting.
Attending the meeting was Moto Sugiyama, who succeeded Yoshiyuki Kawashima, who had been unstable in the February 26 Incident, and became the new Minister of War.
and the Chief of the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters, Kanji Ishihara, the Chief of the Military Affairs Section, Kenshiro Shibayama, and the Chief of the War Guidance Section, Toshiro Kawabe.
Chief of Staff Zai Ren did not attend the meeting. Our intelligence personnel were unable to detect the whereabouts of the other party. It is speculated that he should be in the palace.
In addition, the Japanese team of the Intelligence Section reported that about 40,000 second-year soldiers in the Japanese army who are preparing to be demobilized in the near future have received orders to postpone their demobilization.
The Third Fleet, which was conducting exercises in Xiaoliuqiu, disarmed all its gun jackets before dawn, lit a fire and pulled anchor back to its home port in Shanghai.
The lights on the floor where the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters was kept stayed on all night, and even the cigarettes in the grocery store at the door were sold out.
This is all the information we currently have, teacher. I think the other side has the possibility of expanding the conflict and launching a full-scale war. "
He wanted to use Dai Chunfeng's channel to give a warning to the top officials of the government. As for whether it was useful, he could only say that he had to do his best and listen to fate.
"Hush, be careful!"
Lao Dai was shocked when he heard this. They only provided information and could not make decisions for the Chairman. It would be a disaster if others heard this.
He was about to teach Zuo Zhong what it means to be wise and protect yourself when a guard came in from outside the house and called the two of them to go and accept the bald head's summons.
Dai Chunfeng and Zuo Zhong quickly tidied up their appearance, followed the visitor out of the reception room, and cautiously walked to the study on the second floor of Qilu.
After half an hour, Zuo Zhong took the lead to walk backwards out of the room, gently closed the door and walked down the stairs slowly, his mind filled with thoughts.
After listening to the report, Baldhead only made one request, that is, let Zuo Zhong set off immediately, not to North China, but to Shanghai.
If the Japanese wanted to fully invade the Republic of China, the easiest route would be to land in Shanghai and then attack Jinling along the south bank of the Yangtze River.
The reason why he was sent there was to find relevant information and provide intelligence support for the mobilization of the Guo army's large forces so that they could better deploy their defenses.
Today is July 8th, and there is still almost a month before the Battle of Songhu. Going there now is like throwing yourself into a trap.
But some things have to be done by someone. Zuo Zhongyi opened the luxurious door of Qilu without hesitation and embarked on a new journey.
(The official engagement ceremony is tomorrow, which is also my birthday. I may have to take a day off. It’s 11:55 pm now, so I’m asleep.)
