si-mexico Chapter 1197 We really don't have enough manpower.
Chapter 1197 We really don't have enough manpower.
In a secret room in the backyard of Rongbaozhai, the dim kerosene lamp swayed gently in the wind, casting long and short shadows on the wall.
Chen Gongshu was staring blankly at a hand-drawn map of Beiping, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the location of the Beiping Hotel marked on the map, his brows furrowed in a deep knot.
Qi Anzhi sat on a wooden chair next to the table. He was as upright as a pine tree. Even though he was wearing a military uniform stained with dust and blood, he could not hide the tough temperament of a soldier. But at this moment, his brows and eyes were covered with the smoke of gunpowder and fatigue. His eyes were bloodshot. His hands were clasped together on his knees, and his knuckles were white from the force.
Last night's battle resulted in heavy losses. Of his sixteen brothers, only six survived, and all of them were wounded. Some had bandages wrapped around their arms, while others had injured legs. They were sitting against the wall on the cold ground.
No one spoke. They had seen too many comrades die in battle in Nanjing. They just lowered their heads and silently wiped the weapons in their hands. Their movements were gentle but carried a ruthless force. The cold light of the gun occasionally flashed in the dim light, reflecting the determination on their faces.
The only sounds in the sealed room were the rustling of fabric and the faint rustling of oiling guns; the heavy atmosphere almost overwhelmed one.
Just then, the wooden door to the secret room was gently pushed open, and Zhao Guangyuan strode in. A smile suddenly broke out on his previously tense face, and his voice was filled with barely concealed excitement: "Station Chief, Captain Lan is back! He's alive! The Japanese devils couldn't take his life!"
"What?" Chen Gongshu suddenly raised his head, the confusion in his eyes instantly replaced by ecstasy. He stood up abruptly, even knocking over the wooden stool behind him, the loud crash particularly jarring in the silent chamber.
He strode up to Zhao Guangyuan and asked repeatedly, "Brother Lan is still alive? What about the two brothers from the action team? How are they? Where are they? Have you sent someone to meet them? How badly is he injured?"
Zhao Guangyuan's smile froze instantly, slowly returning to its original state, and he lowered his head slightly: "Alas... only Lan Zichun returned; the other two brothers didn't escape."
He's outside right now.
The atmosphere in the secret room grew heavy again. The joy on Chen Gongshu's face faded, leaving only endless sorrow and regret. He sighed slowly, patted Zhao Guangyuan's shoulder, and said in a complicated tone, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... As long as you're alive, there's still hope."
"Station Chief Chen, Company Commander Qi." A slightly weak but exceptionally firm voice came from the doorway, and Lan Zichun walked in, supporting himself on the doorframe.
He staggered, clearly hampered by his wounds. His left arm was pressed tightly against his side, his face was as pale as paper, and his lips were cracked and bleeding. Yet, his eyes revealed an indomitable spirit, without a trace of dishevelment or cowardice.
Chen Gongshu suddenly looked up at him, his gaze falling on the glaring bandage. His pupils contracted slightly, and a strong sense of guilt welled up in his heart.
It's all my own fault!
Back in Tianjin, he caused the deaths and arrests of his men; now that he's in Beiping, he almost wiped out the Beiping Station action team.
I wonder how furious the Chief will be when he finds out about his "achievements"...
Qi Anzhi immediately stood up and quickly stepped forward to help him. His gaze lingered on the wound for a moment, and his tone became a little heavier: "Captain Lan, you've worked hard. Please sit down and rest."
It was a miracle that we survived the Japanese encirclement.
“It’s all my fault.” Chen Gongshu walked up to Lan Zichun, his voice hoarse. As he spoke, his knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white, and the spaces between his fingers turned bluish-purple from the force. His eyes were full of self-reproach: “I was too arrogant before this operation. I failed to see through the Japanese trap, causing so many brothers to lose their lives… I really cannot shirk my responsibility.”
Zhao Guangyuan had already turned around and brought over a basin of warm water, as well as clean bandages and wound medicine, which he gently placed on the table.
He helped Lan Zichun sit down and carefully unwrapped the old bandage on his left arm, his movements as gentle as if afraid of breaking something. The bandage was unwound layer by layer, revealing a gruesome wound underneath. The bullet had grazed the humerus, not damaging the bones, but it had torn a deep gash, the flesh turned inside out, covered with dried scabs and dust, a shocking sight.
The moment the bandage was removed, a cold wind swept across the wound, and Lan Zichun couldn't help but gasp. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on her forehead and slid down her cheeks.
He quickly grabbed the towel on the table and bit it into his mouth, clenching his teeth and stretching his cheeks into clear lines. Even though he was trembling slightly from the pain, he didn't utter a sound, only staring intently at the ground, as if he wanted to swallow all the pain.
Chen Gongshu stood to the side, looking at his resolute profile and at his unwavering demeanor even as he endured excruciating pain, and felt increasingly guilty.
He paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Brother Zichun, you are now the only captain left in the Beiping Station action team."
For the next assassination attempt on Wang Kemin, you will stay behind to provide support; you don't need to personally participate.
"We've lost so many brothers this time, I don't know how to explain it to the Chief... I really can't let you take any more risks."
“No.” Lan Zichun immediately shook her head in rebuttal, her voice carrying a hint of urgency and an undeniable firmness.
He gritted his teeth, slowly raised his head, and stared intently at Chen Gongshu.
"Station chief, this time the Japanese army deliberately set a trap, killing so many brothers. Xiao Li, Xiao Zhang, and the others are all gone. I must settle this score myself."
Moreover, I spent over a decade in Beiping (Beijing), and I know the surrounding terrain and streets like the back of my hand. I know every corner and hiding place; I'm more suited than anyone else to take action and can be of great help.
He paused, then slowly moved his right arm, the muscles taut and powerful. His gaze grew even more determined: "Although I can't use my left arm, my right-hand marksmanship is still there; the accuracy I've honed over the years hasn't been lost."
Moreover, Company Commander Qi and his men are now down to only six. With manpower already stretched thin, each additional person adds to the constraints and increases the chances of success.
I can't stay behind and watch you fight yourselves to the death.
Zhao Guangyuan then said, "Station Chief, Captain Lan was originally supposed to participate in this assassination mission, we really don't have enough manpower..."
Qi Anzhi nodded slowly from the side and echoed, "Station Chief Chen, Zichun is right."
Captain Lan is agile, has excellent marksmanship, and his familiarity with the terrain is unmatched by any of us.
With him on board, the success rate of the operation will increase significantly.
We brothers all believe in him and are willing to fight alongside him.
Chen Gongshu fell silent. He looked at the resolute look in Lan Zichun's eyes, at the perseverance in Qi Anzhi's eyes, and then he thought of the brothers who had sacrificed their lives last night, of those cold corpses and congealed bloodstains. The struggle in his heart gradually dissipated.
He took a deep breath, nodded heavily, his eyes sharpening and becoming resolute, his voice ringing out: "Alright! In that case, you shall join the operation."
Remember, this assassination mission is a do-or-die situation!
We must not only eliminate Wang Kemin, this traitor, but also avenge our fallen brothers!
A glint of light flashed in Lan Zichun's eyes. He nodded vigorously and said through gritted teeth, "Rest assured, Station Chief, I will not fail in my mission!"
The dim light fell on his pale yet resolute face, reflecting the fire in his eyes, igniting an inextinguishable hope in this cold winter night in Beiping.