167: Chapter 167 Okamura is scared! The principal is ruthless!
If the 3rd Aviation Brigade had been shot down by the Eighth Route Army's anti-aircraft guns, Okamura, while pained, could have fully endured it.
But Okamura never imagined that the 3rd Aviation Brigade would actually be annihilated by the Eighth Route Army's aircraft!
This news sent a chill crawling up Okamura's spine.
That the Eighth Route Army had aircraft did not particularly surprise him; after all, there had been vague intelligence previously indicating that City Name was building an airfield.
What shocked and even terrified Okamura was the performance of these aircraft, as well as the combat effectiveness displayed by the Eighth Route Army pilots!
In such a short time, they annihilated an Imperial flight brigade, fully equipped and manned, with zero casualties?
What kind of concept was this?
This meant that the Eighth Route Army's air power was no longer a symbolic existence, but possessed an overwhelming capability to actively hunt down the Imperial Aviation Corps!
The skies over Southeast Shanxi, and perhaps even the skies over all of North China in the future, would no longer be safe!
His venomous plan of "bombing farmland," which he relied on to turn the tide, might very well go bankrupt because of this!
Even more terrifying was, where did such terrifying fighter planes come from?
The answer was almost ready to burst forth—that Mr. Shen!
Following that was the failed assassination. A sniper rifle, large-caliber full-power ammunition, a hit to the chest... and he didn't die?
Okamura's eyelids twitched violently. "What kind of joke is this!"
"That's a sniper rifle! Never mind hitting vital areas like the head or chest; even hitting an arm or leg would result in it being shattered to pieces!"
Yet, the target actually didn't die! Okamura was incredibly frustrated!
A prime opportunity had been missed, and trying for another time would likely be difficult.
A tremendous sense of frustration, along with the panic that the situation was completely slipping out of his control, gnawed at Okamura's heart.
He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, but the gloom and murderous intent in his eyes were thick and impossible to dissolve.
"This Mr. Shen... must die!" He spat out these words, almost grinding his back teeth.
"His existence is more dangerous than ten divisions of the Eighth Route Army! Every single thing he brings is distorting the rules of war!"
He turned abruptly, facing his subordinates who were trembling in fear: "Orders!"
"First, the North China Area Army, especially the garrisons in Shanxi Province and the surrounding areas, shall immediately raise their air defense alert level to the highest grade!"
"All important airfields, warehouses, and command hubs are to strengthen anti-aircraft firepower deployment and camouflage, and strictly enforce blackout regulations and air defense drills!"
With the Eighth Route Army possessing such terrifying air power, they had to be on guard!
"Second, order the Tokkō to have all activated sleeper networks and operative personnel in Southeast Shanxi, except for necessary intelligence transmission teams, enter a period of silence!"
"Without my direct order, no one is to act rashly! Wait for the next time... ensure a kill in one strike, and never fail again!"
Pausing for a moment, a flash of apprehension crossed Okamura's eyes as he added: "Third, Beijing... is to raise its air defense alert level as well! Especially around the Headquarters, dispatch additional anti-aircraft units."
"At the same time," he pointed to the ground beneath him, "immediately arrange for engineers to urgently dig and reinforce air-raid shelters and escape tunnels beneath the Headquarters and in suitable locations nearby! Be quick!"
That even his own Headquarters had to start digging air-raid shelters and tunnels—the implication behind this order made all the Japanese officers present feel a chill in their hearts.
Commander Okamura had truly felt an unprecedented threat from the sky.
"Hai!" Everyone responded in unison and hurried off to make arrangements.
Okamura stood alone in place, clenching his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.
Mr. Shen... this name, or rather, codename, had become the most glaring thorn in his side; it had to be removed!
Meanwhile, in Chongqing, at the President's residence, Boss Dai stood with his hands at his sides before the large mahogany desk, reporting in a low voice.
Whether it was the activity in the skies outside City Name or the assassination within the city, the commotion was not small, and naturally, they had received the news here as well.
"President, there is unusual movement in North China! A large fleet from the Taiyuan 3rd Aviation Brigade launched a surprise attack on the Eighth Route Army's City Name region, but the strange thing is, after the air battle ended, the Japanese fleet did not return!"
"Instead, a large amount of intelligence shows that they suffered heavy losses in the airspace northwest of City Name! Based on a comprehensive assessment from our various channels," Boss Dai raised his voice slightly.
"The roughly sixty Japanese fighter planes deployed were very likely all shot down by the Eighth Route Army!"
"What?" The President, who had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed to rest, suddenly sat up straight, his eyes snapping open.
"Sixty planes? All shot down? Is the news confirmed?"
"Although there is no direct evidence, the scale of the air battle was huge, multiple observations align, and the Japanese's subsequent abnormal silence and urgent raising of the North China air defense alert level make this intelligence over eighty percent credible," Boss Dai answered cautiously.
The President gasped. What had he just heard?
The Eighth Route Army had air power capable of swallowing sixty Japanese aircraft in one go? This was far more deadly than the tanks and artillery rumored before!
This meant that the initiative on the battlefield and air superiority could change hands! Once the Eighth Route Army gained absolute air superiority in North China, or even in a wider range... the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Also," Boss Dai continued his report, his voice dropping lower. "At almost the same time, a fierce gunfight occurred in the core area of City Name in Shanxi Province, suspected to be an assassination operation targeting an important figure."
"According to my judgment, the target is likely that mysterious Mr. Shen! However, it is a pity that the operation... seems to have failed!"
"He didn't die?" The President frowned and asked subconsciously, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible... regret?
"If even such a tight assassination couldn't succeed, the protection around this person must be extremely rigorous! It's a pity..." If only that Mr. Shen had died!
Immediately after, the President asked: "On your side, regarding the operation concerning Mr. Shen, how have you arranged it?"
Boss Dai hurriedly replied: "Reporting to the President, I have arranged a honey trap for Mr. Shen! A Special Commissioner codenamed 'black widow' has successfully infiltrated City Name and is trying to get close to the target's sphere of activity."
"This woman is peerless in beauty and talent, has undergone special training, is most skilled at reading people's hearts, and uses softness to overcome hardness; perhaps we can find an opportunity through this."
"A honey trap..." The President pondered for a moment and nodded slowly. "Hmm, that is also a method. If the hard approach doesn't work, then try the soft one!"
"If we can uncover his background, or induce him to work for us, even if it is only partial cooperation, it would be a great benefit."
The President understood that since the target had just experienced an assassination, attempting another would certainly be extremely difficult; a honey trap was worth a try.
"Yunong, I entrust this matter entirely to you. Remember, spare no expense!"
"If this person can be used by the Party-State, money, status, beautiful women—as long as he asks, there is nothing I will not grant! But if he remains stubborn..."
The President paused, his tone turning cold, and made a subtle gesture. "Then... dispose of him as soon as possible!"
"Yes! I understand! I will do my utmost and not fail the President's trust!" Boss Dai bowed deeply.
The President waved his hand, and Boss Dai retreated silently. After Boss Dai returned to his office, he immediately sent a message to the beautiful agent who had already infiltrated City Name—Yu Manli.
Start the operation immediately! Spare no expense!