Chapter 180: Raiding the Execution Ground

“What about your fiancée? Have you thought about what she’ll do if you die for the country?” Cheng Qianfan asked softly as he looked at the smiling Shen Huaiming.

During the January 28 Incident, having witnessed firsthand how the Chinese military possessed absolutely no control of the skies, Shen Huaiming was deeply affected. He decided to save the nation through aviation and was admitted to the Central Jianqiao Aviation School in January of the Twenty-Second Year of the Republic of China.

Shen Huaiming had just graduated from the fifth class of the aviation school and officially entered active service in the Nationalist government’s air force as a fighter pilot.

The aviation school was divided into three specializations: reconnaissance, bombing, and fighter aviation. Of the three, fighter aircraft demanded the most from pilots, because in combat fighter planes had to engage enemy aircraft directly in aerial dogfights.

The Central Aviation School selected more than twenty students to study fighter aviation, and Shen Huaiming distinguished himself among more than two hundred students.

Cheng Qianfan had always remained in contact with Shen Huaiming, and he felt proud of Huaiming’s outstanding performance and constant improvement.

Shen Huaiming had an outgoing personality and many hobbies. He loved singing and could not only play the harmonica but was also highly skilled at the erhu.

This younger brother, one year younger than himself, was just as outstanding.

Whatever Huaiming did, he excelled beyond others.

Most of the instructors at the Central Aviation School had been hired from foreign countries. To win honor for Chinese people, he consistently exceeded requirements in cultural studies, technical subjects, and flight training, earning approving thumbs-up from his instructors.

While performing exceptionally well at the aviation school, Shen Huaiming also found love.

His fiancée was named Wang Luyun, a gentle and beautiful young lady from a distinguished family.

The two were already engaged. However, Shen Huaiming and Wang Luyun had agreed that “we will marry only after victory in the War of Resistance,” as an expression of their determination to resist Japan and serve the nation.

“At a time when the nation faces disaster, I love Luyun, and Luyun loves me. That is enough,” Shen Huaiming said in a low voice. “Since Luyun chose me, chose a fighter pilot, she naturally should be mentally prepared.”

Cheng Qianfan looked at his younger brother, who was as young and handsome as himself.

He embraced Shen Huaiming.

“You must take care of yourself. Everything at home is in my hands.”

At a time when the nation faced disaster, born into this era, for this great nation suffering so much, so that future generations would not live as slaves, both he and Shen Huaiming possessed the awareness and readiness to sacrifice themselves at any moment.

Shen Huaiming was leaving.

He had to return to his unit.

“Wait a moment.”

Cheng Qianfan went upstairs and retrieved the three remaining boxes of sulfanilamide that he had previously brought home.

“This is sulfanilamide, the newest Western medicine. It works wonders against infections, including those caused by gunshot wounds.” He handed the three boxes to Shen Huaiming. “Remember, apply it after cleaning the wound. It reduces inflammation, kills bacteria, and prevents infection.”

“This is sulfanilamide?” Shen Huaiming exclaimed in delight.

“You know about it?” Cheng Qianfan asked in surprise.

“One of our German instructors at the aviation school mentioned this medicine. This is the first time I’ve seen it.” Shen Huaiming said happily, “With this, it’s like having an extra life. I can shoot down a few more Japanese planes.”

Shen Huaiming sat in the rickshaw, about to leave. Cheng Qianfan had originally intended to wave goodbye, but he suddenly stepped forward two paces and gripped his hand tightly.

Looking into his younger brother’s eyes, he clenched his teeth and said, “Huaiming, promise me, stay alive!”

Shen Huaiming smiled, revealing gleaming white teeth.

“That depends on whether the King of Hell wants me or not.”

“Brother Fan, the family is in your hands.”

As the rickshaw rolled away, Shen Huaiming turned his head back and called out loudly.

Shen Huaiming left.

Cheng Qianfan left home and returned to the police station.

Standing in the second-floor corridor, he leaned out and looked at the deep blue sky.

His younger brother was going to defend that azure sky!

White doves flew across the heavens.

The sound of pigeon whistles drifted through the air.

To Cheng Qianfan, it sounded like the roar of fighter aircraft engines.

Nanjing, Tiger Bridge Prison.

Five major Japanese spy prisoners, their hands and feet bound in shackles and fetters, were escorted onto a military truck.

Two of them could walk normally.

Three were carried aboard on stretchers.

At the window of a civilian house several dozen meters from the prison, two Japanese agents were observing the truck through binoculars.

“Can you see clearly? Are they Endo’s people?” Nagano asked.

“Yes, that’s right,” Onizuka said while watching. “Team Leader Endo is among them. He can still walk. That’s good news.”

“Who is the other one who can still walk?”

“Eguchi Hideya,” Onizuka said. “According to the intelligence we obtained, seven members of Endo’s group were captured. Kinoshita Heisaburo and Maeda Shoichi were killed by the Chinese in Hangzhou. The remaining five were transported to Nanjing. It now appears the intelligence was accurate.”

Nagano nodded.

The others did not matter.

The best possible news was that Endo Hiroshi was still alive and capable of walking, making a rescue possible.

“I’ll make the call.”

Nagano left the house and went to a nearby hotel, where he paid to use the telephone.

“The young master has set out. Prepare the groceries and give him a proper welcome.”

“Understood.”

About half an hour later.

In the countryside, at a mass burial ground.

Eguchi Hideya’s legs were weak.

He could not understand why he was still being executed after having confessed everything and cooperated so well with the Chinese agents.

And where was Maeda Shoichi?

Why had that fellow not been brought to the execution ground as well?

Could it be that Maeda Shoichi had also defected and provided even more valuable intelligence, thereby securing the chance to live that should have been his?

It wasn’t fair.

Liar!

Eguchi Hideya staggered forward.

His legs were weak, and his heart was filled with resentment.

The person he hated most was the Chinese officer who had interrogated him in Hangzhou.

That man had broken his word.

He had promised to spare his life, yet had gone back on his promise.

At this very moment, Eguchi Hideya’s mind was filled with vicious hatred toward the Chinese officer who had deceived him.

Five Japanese agents.

Endo Hiroshi and Eguchi Hideya could barely walk.

The other three were seriously wounded and had to be carried on stretchers, immediately tying up six guards.

The agents of the Inoue Residence, who had been lying in ambush for a long time, were overjoyed.

“Take them out.”

The execution officer waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to remove the cloth gags from the five prisoners’ mouths.

“I love hearing little Japanese bastards scream before they die.”

Endo Hiroshi remained silent and coldly glanced at the Chinese soldiers and Chinese agents around him.

The three men on the stretchers were still unconscious and made no sound.

Only Eguchi Hideya immediately began cursing at the top of his lungs.

“You despicable Chinese! You’ll be punished for this!”

At that moment, Rat-tat-tat!

Gunfire suddenly erupted.

The agents of the Special Service Office and the National Revolutionary Army soldiers were caught completely off guard, and many were hit and fell.

The execution officer leading the team was also shot and knocked to the ground.

However, after falling, he did not flee.

Instead, he immediately drew his sidearm and fired repeatedly at Endo Hiroshi from close range, every shot striking a vital area.

He remembered firmly that this man was the leader of the Japanese spies.

Under no circumstances could he be rescued.

Just as Endo Hiroshi was preparing to escape amid the chaos, he was struck by multiple bullets and died on the spot.

Seeing this, the agents of the Inoue Residence nearly went mad.

Their entire mission had been to rescue Endo Hiroshi.

With Endo Hiroshi dead, the operation had already failed.

Several grenades were thrown in rapid succession.

“Retreat!”

Team leader Uemura Dairyo roared at the top of his lungs.

A series of explosions followed, sending dust and debris flying everywhere.

“Don’t pursue them.”

The deputy execution officer stopped his men from giving chase.

“Finish them off!”

Looking at their dead and wounded comrades, the deputy execution officer issued the order through gritted teeth.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of execution shots rang out.

“Squad Leader Luo, one escaped!”

A soldier cried out in alarm.

Cheng Qianfan was pondering the so-called Sino-Japanese Friendship Symposium that Iwai Eiichi, Deputy Consul General of the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, was planning to convene in a few days.

He had discovered the invitation among Miyazaki Kentaro’s luggage.

There was also an entry about it in Miyazaki Kentaro’s diary:

Taniguchi Hiroyuki, Miyazaki Kentaro’s teacher and an important Japanese participant in the symposium, had unfortunately suffered an accident. He slipped on a staircase and broke his leg.

Unable to attend the symposium himself, Taniguchi Hiroyuki had arranged for his student, Miyazaki Kentaro, to attend in his place.

What Cheng Qianfan was hesitating over and considering was:

Should he attend the symposium under the identity of Miyazaki Kentaro?

He needed to carefully weigh the advantages, disadvantages, and security risks.