157: Songhu, here I come!

As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.

Facing the imminent Battle of Shanghai, what Lu Fan lacked most was not weaponry and equipment.

Rather, it was first-hand intelligence of the battle from that year.

Having experienced the baptism of the July 7th Incident, he placed even greater importance on the control of intelligence.

Regarding that brutal battle, the most authoritative source was naturally the war archives of the Jinling Military Region.

However, these documents were not easily accessible to ordinary people due to their high level of confidentiality and importance.

But Lu Fan was no ordinary person.

Under Xia Yunting's active mediation and networking, Lu Fan successfully obtained the qualification to consult these documents.

Thus, after arranging the follow-up procurement matters, Lu Fan set off on his journey to Jinling.

Upon arriving in Jinling, Lu Fan headed straight for the military region's archives without a moment's rest.

For the next five days, he was completely immersed in the atmosphere of the archives.

He pored over those precious war records with an insatiable hunger.

He carefully studied every document, not letting a single detail slip by.

Regarding the causes and consequences, strategic deployments, combat processes, and the losses of all parties in the Battle of Shanghai...

Lu Fan conducted a thorough sorting and analysis of it all.

During these five days, Lu Fan felt as if he had traveled through time and space, placing himself in the midst of that soul-stirring battle.

He felt the cruelty and ruthlessness of war.

He also experienced the bravery of the soldiers defending their home and country, and their spirit of resistance against foreign enemies without fear of sacrifice.

It wasn't until August 12th, when news of the completion of material preparations arrived from various places, that Lu Fan finally pulled himself away from the mountain of data.

On his company's side, all the required logistical materials were in place.

On Wu Xue's side, the weapons and equipment had also been arranged and were ready for delivery at any time.

According to the marks of history, the brutal Battle of Shanghai would begin in one more day.

He was also about to step onto a new battlefield.

Before leaving, he had one more thing to do, and that was to return General Zhao Dengyu's relics.

Through Xia Yunting's connections and guided by a guard, Lu Fan entered the military region's residential compound.

Commander Zhao, who had been waiting there for a long time, immediately stood up from behind his large desk.

“Comrade Lu Fan, please have a seat! How was the research on the data?”

He warmly led Lu Fan to a sofa on the side and personally brewed a cup of tea for him.

“Commander Zhao, this trip was very fruitful.” Lu Fan accepted the teacup with a composed manner.

“That's good~~” Commander Zhao sat opposite him, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

“Yunting told me about your situation. That batch of cultural relics—every single one is a priceless treasure!

The fact that you've returned them in such a manner... your magnanimity and boldness are truly admirable.”

He paused, his tone becoming more earnest: “Comrade Lu Fan, Wu Xue has submitted your second procurement list.

I am very gratified that you could take the initiative to lower your requirements and actively cooperate with the foreign trade company to clear their inventory.

In the future, whenever there is a need for military region coordination or trade orders that require priority protection,

as long as it is within my jurisdiction, feel free to speak up.

We will certainly do our best to provide convenience and support.”

Although these words were spoken subtly, Lu Fan understood the weight and commitment within them perfectly.

This was the other party returning a favor, expressing a level of gratitude and recognition that went beyond the norm.

Lu Fan set down his teacup, his expression calm and frank: “Commander Zhao, you flatter me. Returning things to their original owner is only right and proper.

I am already very grateful for your understanding and support.”

He did not pursue the topic of trade convenience further, but instead shifted the conversation.

“Actually, there is another more important matter for my visit to Jinling this time.”

“Oh? What is it? Please, go ahead.” Commander Zhao leaned forward slightly, showing great importance to the matter.

Lu Fan didn't speak; he simply took an object out of his carry-on bag with great care.

It was a rectangular object wrapped in thick, dark cloth that looked quite aged.

Holding the cloth bundle in both hands, he gently placed it on the coffee table between them.

Commander Zhao's gaze was instantly drawn to it, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes.

Lu Fan said nothing, only gesturing with his eyes for him to open it.

With a mix of curiosity and solemnity, Commander Zhao reached out and slowly untied the knot on the cloth bundle.

The thick cloth unfolded layer by layer, revealing the contents inside.

It was an old military backpack, heavily worn, with leather that had darkened and cracked, and edges scorched by fire.

The buckles were somewhat rusted, and a faint, blurred emblem could still be seen on it.

The moment he saw the backpack, Commander Zhao's movements suddenly froze.

His breathing seemed to stop at that very moment.

He was all too familiar with the style of this backpack.

Similar items had appeared in old family photos and beside his grandfather's few remaining relics.

His hand trembled as he reached out to gently stroke the rough leather, as if he could feel the temperature of the gunpowder smoke and the passing years.

His fingers slid to the buckle of the backpack, where there was a faint set of initials carved with a knife.

Though it wasn't clear, he could almost immediately confirm who it belonged to!

He jerked his head up to look at Lu Fan, his eyes filled with extreme shock and disbelief, his lips quivering.

“This... this is... my grandfather... General Zhao Dengyu's...?”

Lu Fan met his gaze and nodded solemnly, his voice low and clear: “Indeed, it is General Zhao's relic.

I obtained it by chance while I was out. I thought it should return to his family.”

Upon receiving confirmation, Commander Zhao—a powerful general who had weathered countless storms—felt his eyes redden instantly.

He clutched the backpack tightly to his chest, as if holding a peerless treasure lost and found again.

He lowered his head, his forehead resting gently against the cold leather bag, his shoulders trembling slightly, unable to speak for a long time.

The office was silent, save for Commander Zhao's heavy, suppressed breathing.

The air was thick with a heavy and moving sense of history.

After a good while, Commander Zhao slowly raised his head, his eyes rimmed with red.

But his gaze was exceptionally bright, filled with gratitude and an indescribable excitement.

He took a deep breath, forcing down his surging emotions, and gave Lu Fan a most solemn and standard military salute.

“Comrade Lu Fan! Words cannot express my gratitude! This relic is more significant to my Zhao Family than Mount Tai!

On behalf of the Zhao Family, I express my sincerest thanks to you once again. Thank you~~~”

This return of a relic that spanned nearly ninety years...

its emotional weight far exceeded any monetary or material transaction.

“Commander, you flatter me.” Lu Fan accepted the salute calmly and smiled, “Returning things to their original owner is only right and proper.

I hope General Zhao's spirit in heaven can see the China of today. Farewell~~”

After leaving Jinling, Lu Fan began working around the clock.

Finally, late on the night of the 13th, he received Wu Xue's materials at the old spot in the desert.

Listening to the system's prompt, Lu Fan set off on his cross-world journey once more: “Shanghai, here I come~~”