202: Kite

Feng Tiankui glanced around the command room.

After confirming that the empty command room held no flaws, he straightened his appearance.

Soon, a tall man wearing a major's uniform entered the command room.

The middle-aged man had a stern face, and although he wore sunglasses, they could not hide the sharp, eagle-like gaze of his eyes.

He was followed by two solemn-looking attendants.

"Division Commander Feng, forgive my abrupt intrusion. I am Zheng Yaoxian, Section Chief of the Operations Division of the Statistics Bureau."

The man spoke first, his tone calm yet carrying unquestionable authority, while simultaneously presenting his identification.

Feng Tiankui's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm: "So it is Section Chief Zheng. I've heard much about you. May I ask the purpose of your esteemed visit?"

Zheng Yaoxian did not immediately reply. He waved his hand, dismissing his subordinates, leaving only the two of them in the room.

He did not immediately press the issue. Instead, he took off his sunglasses, concealing his sharpness, and replaced it with a gentle smile.

"Division Commander Feng, let's be frank. The battle of Luodian was splendidly fought—a classic engagement.

With casualties of four or five hundred men, you nearly annihilated the elite of an entire Regiment from the Japanese Army's 9th Division, achieving a casualty ratio of ten to one!

Such a military achievement is unmatched across the entire nation. I, Zheng, am impressed."

These words exploded in Feng Tiankui's ears like a clap of thunder.

The casualty count of five hundred men and the assessment of annihilating a Regiment—how could they be so accurate?

This was absolutely not a conclusion that could be drawn merely from battlefield reconnaissance. This Zheng Yaoxian before him was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Feng Tiankui's back, but admitting it was out of the question.

The opponent was the infamous Statistics Bureau; he couldn't acknowledge this military achievement even if it killed him.

Having solidified his resolve, a look of natural confusion surfaced on his face.

Habitually, he began feigning ignorance while knowing the truth: "Section Chief Zheng, I truly don't understand what you're talking about. What battle of Luodian?

My 122nd Division was ordered to rest and reorganize; we had no large-scale military operations last night. Are you perhaps mistaken?"

Zheng Yaoxian seemed utterly unsurprised by Feng Tiankui's denial.

He smiled slightly and unhurriedly took several small packets from his briefcase.

Opening them, he revealed broken porcelain bottles, some containing remnants of dark red sauce, others containing residual red peppercorn powder.

"Division Commander Feng, please look. These were found in the core area of the Luodian battlefield.

This sauce is Pixian Bean Paste, unique to Western Sichuan, correct? And it's aged for ten years."

"And this peppercorn powder," he said, picking up a pinch and smelling it, "it has a true color and intense numbing flavor—genuine Dahongpao Peppercorns.

Division Commander Feng, these items didn't just grow legs and run into the Japanese Army's command post, did they?"

The evidence was conclusive, and Feng Tiankui's heart pounded relentlessly, like ten thousand mythical Grass Mud Horses stampeding.

At the same time, he was cursing internally: "Son of a b*tch, which idiot brought this stuff? Don't let me find out who you are."

But facts aside, he still gritted his teeth and insisted stubbornly: "This... this doesn't prove anything.

Maybe the devils also found this flavor 'Ba Shi' (comfortable) and specifically looted it from a Sichuan Restaurant? Or perhaps another unit left it behind?

To conclude that it was my 122nd Division based solely on this, Section Chief Zheng, isn't that a bit too arbitrary!"

Feng Tiankui completely disregarded the facts and spoke seriously about wild, imaginative theories.

Zheng Yaoxian, seeing Feng Tiankui's obstinate denial, did not get angry.

Instead, a hint of subtle amusement flickered in his eyes.

He stopped dwelling on the topic and suddenly turned toward Feng Tiankui's guard standing at the door.

"Brother, please step inside for a moment."

Zheng Yaoxian's tone was polite, yet carried an undeniable force.

The guard, somewhat bewildered, walked into the command post.

Zheng Yaoxian stepped forward, then "click," he detached the magazine.

He then ejected several gleaming yellow bullets from the magazine and placed them neatly on the table.

Next, he took an empty shell casing from his own pocket and placed it beside the bullets on the table.

"Division Commander Feng!" Zheng Yaoxian spoke unhurriedly: "The firearms used by your soldiers are not standard issue equipment in our army.

Although the bullets fired are 7.62 millimeters in caliber, the casings are longer and distinctly different from the standard Chiang Kai-shek Rifle Rounds."

He picked up the bullet and the casing, comparing them—they matched perfectly. "Division Commander Feng, how do you explain this?

Do you still insist now that the miracle created last night at Luodian has nothing to do with you or the 122nd Division?"

Feng Tiankui opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that any rebuttal would appear pale and weak at this moment.

With the evidence practically smacked onto his forehead, feigning ignorance or changing the subject clearly wouldn't work anymore.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and his mind raced, considering countermeasures.

However, unexpectedly, Zheng Yaoxian did not press his advantage.

Instead, he gently pushed the gun and bullets back, his tone still calm, as if nothing had happened: "Division Commander Feng, there is no need to be nervous.

I, Zheng, did not come here to hold you accountable."

Hearing this, Feng Tiankui was slightly stunned.

After a moment's thought, he concluded that this person was either an ally or had a much bigger agenda.

So, settling his nerves, he said: "Let's speak plainly. Section Chief Zheng, why have you gone to such great lengths?"

Zheng Yaoxian looked straight into Feng Tiankui's eyes and slowly said: "I want to meet the person who truly commanded the Battle of Luodian, provided this fine equipment, and... the person whom Division Commander Feng is willing to cover for."

Feng Tiankui's heart trembled violently. The Statistics Bureau looking for Lu Fan was definitely not good news.

Instantly, he made a decision: he would rather confess to the crime himself than expose Lu Fan.

Just as he was about to confess, the door of the command post was gently pushed open.

Lu Fan walked in with a calm expression, smiled faintly at Division Commander Feng, and said, "Division Commander Feng, I'll talk to him."

Feng Tiankui was initially startled when he saw Lu Fan, then understood immediately, and said to Zheng Yaoxian: "This is Lu Fan, Mr. Lu."

Then, being very tactful, he said to Lu Fan and Zheng Yaoxian: "Please take your time talking, I'll go outside and check the perimeter."

After speaking, he personally walked outside the command post and stood guard there like a Door God.

Zheng Yaoxian stood up and politely extended his hand to Lu Fan: "Mr. Lu, I've heard much about you. Zheng Yaoxian."

Lu Fan shook his hand, his gaze calm and steady: "Section Chief Zheng, do you need something from me?"

Zheng Yaoxian did not beat around the bush and stated directly: "I am here under Boss Dai's orders to thoroughly investigate the Security Team matter.

Although I am but a humble man, through various channels and information comparisons, I made the bold speculation that you, Sir, were here, and I came specifically to pay a visit."

Lu Fan looked at Zheng Yaoxian's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, neither admitting nor denying anything.

He smiled indifferently, offered a Huazi Cigarette, took a puff, and then asked lightly, "Section Chief Zheng, what do you want?"

Zheng Yaoxian retorted sharply: "That shouldn't be the case! Given Mr. Lu's capabilities, you should know the methods of our Statistics Bureau!"

"And what if I do know?" Lu Fan smoked, completely unconcerned.

As soon as he said this, Zheng Yaoxian laughed: "Viscount Lu, are you perhaps overestimating yourself?"

"Am I? I don't think so." Lu Fan returned the smile, dipped his finger in water, and slowly wrote two characters on the table: Kite!