jdhmnovel Chapter 57: The old trick
Chapter 57: The old trick
Time slipped by, and soon it was 16 p.m. Inside the Japanese Expeditionary Force headquarters in Shanghai, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense. Officers and soldiers hurried about, frantically discussing responses to the dock explosion, a cacophony of voices mingling.
Amidst this chaotic scene, a Japanese colonel, his face filled with worry and a furrowed brow, his mind preoccupied with the urgent orders he had just received and the numerous tasks he needed to handle. He hurried towards the restroom, completely unaware of the danger lurking in that small space.
As he pushed open the restroom door and stepped inside, the gears of fate began to turn. His body accidentally touched the trigger mechanism of the bomb Lei Tao had carefully set. Instantly, a doomsday-like explosion echoed through the headquarters. The deafening roar, like a demon's roar, ruthlessly shattered the previous din.
The detonation's powerful shockwave, like a raging, uncontrolled beast, ripped through the restroom like a raging wave. Half the office area on the same floor was instantly reduced to rubble. The sturdy walls, vulnerable to the destructive force, collapsed in the violent tremors. Wood chips, stones, and sharp metal fragments flew in all directions like a dense rain, mercilessly slicing everything around them. Countless documents, like startled white butterflies, flew through the air in the powerful blast, leaving behind a chaotic scene.
The Japanese troops operating in the affected area suffered a devastating blow. The blast waves tore through them like weightless rag dolls, sending them careening into the air and hurling them into the surroundings. Some, their internal organs shattered by the shockwave, died instantly. Others, struck by falling debris, cried out in agony, their wounds bleeding profusely. Still others, swiftly engulfed by the raging fire, struggled and writhed in the flames, their cries quickly drowned out by the roar of the explosions. The entire headquarters was plunged into unprecedented chaos. Thick black smoke billowed like a giant wave, rapidly filling every corner. Flames burned and spread wildly through the ruins. Cries and cries for help mingled, transforming the area into a living hell. The air was filled with the scent of death and terror.
At that moment, the Japanese naval commander was in his office, holding a military meeting with his subordinates regarding the evolving situation following the dock explosion. The atmosphere was solemn and heavy as the officers fiercely debated various response strategies, their faces thick with tension. Suddenly, the earth-shattering explosion reverberated like a resounding blow, landing harshly on the headquarters. The entire office shook violently, teacups on the table fell to the ground with a resounding shattering sound, and documents scattered across the floor like leaves in the wind.
The Japanese naval commander's face paled from the sudden explosion, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. A flicker of fear crossed his eyes, but as the highest commander in the army, he quickly conquered his inner fear, which was then replaced by uncontrollable rage. He abruptly rose from his seat, his chair toppling behind him from the force. He slammed the table, causing objects to bounce. His eyes widened, his face flushed, as he roared, "This is the second time! Can anyone tell me what's happening? Who's attacking us?" His voice trembled with rage, and his gaze, like a sharp blade, raked over each of his subordinates. The men, too, were terrified, staring at each other, equally terrified by the relentless explosions. Their minds were blank, unsure how to respond to the commander's questions. A suffocating atmosphere of tension and unease permeated the office, as if a massive storm were gathering overhead, threatening to engulf them completely.
After calming down a bit, the Japanese naval commander quickly began issuing orders. He took a deep breath and, trying to remain calm, shouted, "Organize a rescue immediately! Rescue the injured with all your strength, and quickly count the casualties. No mistakes!" He knew that if he didn't stabilize the situation first, the headquarters would fall into even worse chaos, with disastrous consequences.
He then turned his gaze to the intelligence officer, his eyes revealing an authority that brooked no disobedience, and roared, "A comprehensive investigation! Starting with the records of personnel entering and leaving the headquarters, no one and no detail can be overlooked. Mobilize all available intelligence resources and work closely with the Army's investigation team. This time, we must find the mastermind behind this! If we can't find him, you will all lose your heads!"
Then he turned and shouted to the military staff: "Immediately reassess the current situation and strengthen the security measures of the headquarters and all military facilities. Increase patrols and outposts and raise the alert level to the highest level! All ongoing military operations are stopped and await further investigation results. We must not give the enemy another chance. Do you understand?" The staff answered together, but there was still some panic in their voices.
Finally, he urgently contacted other Japanese military forces around Shanghai and roared at the other end of the phone: "Stay highly vigilant and be ready to deal with possible follow-up attacks at any time. Send reinforcements to the headquarters immediately to ensure safety and stability here. If anything goes wrong, you will all be responsible!" After hanging up the phone, he paced back and forth in the office, anger and tension intertwined in his heart. He tried hard to control the situation and tried to regain some initiative from the chaos caused by the sudden explosion, but he felt deeply uneasy deep in his heart. He knew that the enemy this time seemed to be more mysterious and dangerous than before.
Meanwhile, Lei Tao was on the rooftop of the Japanese Concession, four kilometers away from the Japanese headquarters. Standing high above, like an eagle hidden in the shadows, his gaze cold and focused. He held a telescope, his gaze fixed on the situation at the headquarters. The telescope was like another eye, taking in the entire chaotic scene. Seeing the smoke billowing from the explosions, sending the Japanese army into panic, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a subtle smile. He knew his actions had struck a deep thorn in the heart of the Japanese army, throwing them into disarray. But he also knew the Japanese would not give up, that the situation would become even more tense and complex, and that he had to seize every opportunity to inflict a heavier blow on the enemy.
Lei Tao quickly calculated the distance between himself and the Japanese headquarters, forming a new plan: he decided to repeat the same strategy. His gaze hardened as he turned and pulled out a cannon from a mysterious void, skillfully deploying it on the rooftop. He then produced a dozen or so 120mm howitzer shells. The shells gleamed with a cold metallic gleam in the sunlight, like messengers of death. He carefully adjusted the muzzle angle, each subtle adjustment precise, ensuring the shells flew accurately towards their target. Once everything was ready, he lifted a shell and placed it steadily into the howitzer, his movements smooth and expert.
After completing preparations on the rooftop, Lei Tao quickly reached the stairwell. He carefully surveyed his surroundings, ensuring nothing was amiss. Then, he retrieved his tools and locked the door securely. Not content with this, he pulled a directional trigger-detonation bomb from his space chamber and carefully installed it at the entrance. Next to the bomb, he placed two 120mm howitzer shells. These arrangements resembled a deadly trap, waiting for the Japanese to take the bait.