Chapter 1: Injury
A portion of classified documents from the Military Intelligence Section in Shanghai and an Enigma machine are still in my possession. I must retrieve them; if they fall into the hands of the Japanese Special Service and Unit 76, the consequences would be unimaginable said Chen Miao
"Xiao Qi, could you help me with something?" Chen Miao asked, taking the towel out of his mouth and breathing slightly.
Thank you. Chen Miao expressed his gratitude and cast a glance towards the door with a hint of attention.
"Third brother, how are you?" Xiao Qi quickly supported the unsteady Chen Miao, "Come, let me help you over and lie down."
"Table 9, for two people." Chen Miao nodded slightly
Sitting in the rickshaw, passing by the entrance of the Maiji Apartment, based on years of experience in observing people, those who are walking around shouting to sell cigarettes at the entrance of the apartment, as well as the rickshaw pullers waiting at the door, are likely all disguised agents from number 76
The full-scale war of resistance has been ongoing for two years. After the Japanese invaders occupied Shanghai, countless refugees poured into the concession islands, leading to a surge in population and resulting in a distorted form of prosperity
On the windowsill, there is a hand-torn calendar, and the latest page reads July 14, 1939
He was gasping for breath; although the cold water had brought him a moment of clarity, the gunshot wound and high fever, combined with the loss of blood, caused a wave of intense fatigue to surge through his body
As he came out, it happened to be raining. The middle-aged man walked up to Chen Miao, set down the book, and sat down.
He ran out with all his might, but still got shot in the left shoulder
The Enigma machine, this is quite a remarkable item... Old Fan's eyes revealed a hint of excitement
Oh dear
Xiao Qi took a bundle from behind and placed it on the table. Upon unwrapping it, there were numerous items such as bottles and jars, including saline solution and glucose, as well as gauze and bandages.
Oh ... ... Ha ... ...
Chen Miao rented a room in the Maiji Apartment located in the French Concession, a place that Chen Mingchu was familiar with, as he had visited multiple times and had even shared drinks and played mahjong there.
A cup of black coffee, thank you. After Chen Miao sat down, he gave the order.
Please wait a moment
The burning sensation is severe, and it is extremely uncomfortable; my mind is almost completely blank
Chen Miao walked over slowly, picked up the public telephone on the counter, and dialed a number: "Hello, it's me."
He reached out to pull off the blood-stained shirt on his body. On his left shoulder blade, there was a piece of blood-soaked gauze. Upon uncovering the gauze, a hole the size of a fingertip was clearly visible, with some blood seeping out.
No need to look for it." Chen Miao got out of the car and handed the rickshaw driver fifty cents.
Chen Miao turned on the faucet, allowing the rushing tap water to pour over his head
This is a gunshot wound, with the bullet still lodged inside. Due to the hot weather, the area around the wound has become somewhat red and swollen, and is discharging pus
In an instant, he felt something was amiss. Chen Mingchu, like him, was an internal staff member who usually acted alone, unlike the action team. Thus, he immediately got up to leave, but was still noticed as he passed by the door
Xiao Qi was very thoughtful, as he had already prepared a set of old clothes for him, and even placed some money in the pockets. Although it was not much, it would at least be enough to support him for a while
Lighting a cigarette, Chen Miao leaned against the window, silently gazing at the neon light pillars in the distance. Not far away was Nanjing Road, the most bustling area of the Bund, filled with the flow of traffic and the vibrancy of song and dance
This place, he cannot return to.
Oh, alright..." Xiao Qi's hands trembled slightly, and he was drenched in sweat from nervousness, yet he still completed the procedures of cutting the flesh, stopping the bleeding, applying medicine, and bandaging under Chen Miao's guidance
Chen Miao bit down on the rolled-up white towel and nodded slightly at Xiao Qi
The café offers Western cuisine, so there are not many people actually drinking coffee at this time
Just last night, he suddenly received a call from Chen Mingchu, the head of the Personnel Section of the Military Commission in the Shanghai area, inviting him to meet at the Lido Ballroom on Maitehes Road. He arrived early and even made a special effort to put on makeup. However, not only did he meet Chen Mingchu, but there were also two unfamiliar faces closely following behind him
Thank you, sir. Will you need the carriage again shortly? May I wait for you here? The rickshaw puller happily accepted, as everyone enjoys a generous patron.
"You are injured, what happened?" The middle-aged man noticed the blood-soaked gauze inside Chen Miao's shirt, and his expression immediately became tense
What do you plan to do next
With a square face and wearing a pair of black-framed glasses, he is holding two books under his arm, looking very much like a teacher
The rhythmic knocking on the door indicated to Chen Miao that Xiao Qi had returned. His knocking had a distinctive pattern that most people would not recognize; only those who had spent a considerable amount of time with him would know.
Moreover, he is the intelligence editor of the Military Commission in the Shanghai area and is also responsible for safeguarding the confidential documents of the Shanghai region. When Chen Mingchu defected and turned traitor, the first person he likely approached was him, presumably in order to obtain the confidential documents and cipher machine in his possession
"Chen Sanshui, where have you been all day..." A furious voice came from the other end of the phone, and Chen Miao instinctively pulled the receiver away from his ear.
The raucous music, elegantly dressed men and women, the bright lights and flowing wine, a life of drunkenness and dreams.
Xiao Qi is very meticulous and works as a typesetter at a newspaper. Due to the need to meet the printing deadline for the next day's newspaper, most of his working hours are at night
"Alright, sir pays the fare, you say where to go and we shall go there." The rickshaw puller chuckled and surprisingly ran even faster than before
"Third Brother, you said that whatever it is, as long as Little Seven can handle it, I will definitely get it done for you," Little Seven said resolutely.
Understood, this matter is simple, and I assure you that I will help you take everything out. Xiao Qi nodded solemnly; this kind of task is precisely what he excels at
No need, my home is nearby, I can just walk back in a moment said Chen Miao淡淡的一声
The pointed pliers were inserted, gripping the bullet, and with a strong pull, the bright yellow bullet was extracted, accompanied by a spray of filthy blood that nearly splattered all over Xiao Qi's face
When he woke up again, it was already dark outside the window, the needle in his arm had been removed, and he saw two empty medicine bottles on the table
... ...
"You help me retrieve some items, but do not alert anyone. You know I have already been targeted by No. 76..." Chen Miao instructed in a low voice.
"Well, good, do you have any suggestions?" asked Lao Fan
Lying by the edge of the pool, gasping for breath, like a fish deprived of oxygen, I looked up at my reflection in the mirror, a face as pale as a corpse, with sunken eye sockets, hair like a tangled nest of weeds, and cracked lips
The footsteps are steady, giving a sense of calm and composure
Chen Miao works at the Jockey Club in the concession. At a young age, he enjoys an enviable salary and occasionally receives substantial tips from the extravagant gamblers, leading a life that many would envy
He must always maintain a clear mind
Beneath the ostentation, the darkness and slaughter seem to be perpetually unfolding.
Well, I am not clear about the specific situation. Yesterday afternoon, I received a call from him, saying that he had something to discuss with me and asked me to go to the Lido Ballroom at 6:30 PM. As it turned out, I did see him, but he was not the only one who came. Fortunately, I arrived ten minutes early; otherwise, I fear I would have already been in the VIP room number 76 by now.
Chen Miao pushed the black coffee in front of him over and said, "This is for you."
Xiao Qi rarely cooks at home. After searching for a long time, he only found half a cold steamed bun, which he ate with the cool boiled water on the table
Chen Miao took off his shirt, revealing the wound on his left shoulder, and glanced at Xiao Qi, saying: "What should I do? I shouldn't have to teach you again, should I?"
He is extremely hungry and urgently needs something to eat
I know, Maggie's apartment 503
You know where I live, right
"Cut off the inflamed flesh on the side, quickly!" Chen Miao said, sweating profusely and speaking urgently.
"Aren't you going to drink?" asked the middle-aged man in a rather strange manner
He reached out to touch his forehead, and it seemed that the fever had subsided somewhat, but his stomach felt as if it were being scorched, and he had not consumed any food or water for a day and a night
alcohol lamp, scalpel, scissors, needle and thread
The firework has already burned his fingers, awakening him from his thoughts
It doesn't matter if you can't get it back, just don't be reckless; your safety is the top priority. After saying this, Chen Miao could no longer hold on and fell into a deep sleep
In fact, he does not like this job, which is filled with speculation and unearned gains, and can lead one to completely lose oneself, being tempted by money
Of course, the most important cipher machine, Chen Miao was cautious and did not hide it in his own apartment, but instead placed it in another location
The wound has not yet been treated; if it is not addressed soon, his life may be in jeopardy
After waiting for approximately seven or eight minutes, a middle-aged man dressed in a gray long robe entered. He was holding a black umbrella, from which water droplets were still falling.
Taking out his pocket watch to check the time, Chen Miao casually picked up a copy of the "Liangyou" magazine from the table and pretended to flip through it aimlessly
Suddenly feeling weak in his legs, he quickly pressed his elbow against the edge of the sink; otherwise, if he fell down, he feared it would be very difficult for him to get back up again
I just want to know if I can take this opportunity to break into No. 76!" Chen Miao paused for a moment, then looked seriously into Old Fan's eyes and said
Chen Mingchu is a key figure in the military intelligence's Shanghai division, possessing knowledge of the personnel roster and organizational addresses of the Shanghai division. If this information were to fall into the hands of the Japanese authorities and the 76th unit, the consequences would be unimaginable
Master, turn left ahead and go to the Tivens Café
Xiao Qi took a leather box from the cabinet and opened the clasp
"I am back." Chen Miao struggled to walk over and open the door, and a slender figure slipped in quietly, making no sound as they stepped onto the floor
Upon descending the stairs, I saw a grocery store at the street corner
"Old Fan, I cannot give you this thing right now; we will have to discuss it again after a while," Chen Miao said. "Chen Mingchu has defected, and the Military Commission's Shanghai district is likely to undergo significant changes soon. I suggest that the family make corresponding arrangements immediately."
Xiao Qi smiled and said: "Xiao Qi is handling the matter, Third Brother, are you still not at ease?"
Chen Miao put down the magazine and pointed to his left shoulder: "I can't drink."
He was unsure whether the call he made before going to Xiao Qi's house for a temporary stay was effective, so he planned to see if he could get in touch with someone familiar
Did Chen Mingchu betray and join the rebels
"It's nothing, I'm not going to die yet." Chen Miao smiled broadly, "My immediate superior has defected and turned traitor, and I almost got implicated by him. Fortunately, I discovered it in time and escaped a disaster"
A cunning rabbit has three burrows; operating within the enemy's heart, how could he be unprepared in the slightest
Xiao Qi can no longer stay here. Although not many people know about his relationship with Xiao Qi, the longer he stays, the more danger it will bring to Xiao Qi
"Go and bring the medicine cabinet from home." Chen Miao sat up
Chen Miao slightly nodded and followed the attendant inside. At this time, there were not many guests in the evening, with small groups of three or two, primarily consisting of young men and women
Xiao Qi nodded slightly, took the scalpel and burned it on the lamp for a short while, then said: "Third Brother, I am here, bear with it a little."
Note: The background of this book begins in July 1939, prior to the official establishment of the 76th Wang puppet agent headquarters.
Sir, your coffee
Dong dong ... ...
"Manager, I apologize, but I am ill, suffering from pneumonia and a high fever, for at least a week, cough cough..." Chen Miao lowered his voice, finished speaking, and directly hung up the phone. He took out some money from his pocket and placed it on the counter, casually picked up a pack of "Hardman" cigarettes, and then left.
Huff, puff...
He understands that if it were not for his own actions being exposed, then Chen Mingchu must have already defected and betrayed.
"Please, this way." The waiter nodded, gestured to guide, and displayed an impeccable service attitude
The room has already been tidied up, and even his bloodstained shirt is nowhere to be found
... ...
The waiter, adorned with a bow tie, approached and warmly inquired, "Sir, how many of you are there?"
He has a fever
Chen Miao shook his hand and asked, "Have you managed to get the medicine?"