Chapter 223: The Execution Corps
The year 1977 was a crucial year in the history of Xinhua Country.
It was the first year after Huaguo ended a decade of turmoil and set itself back on the right track. It was also the year that the shadowy units of Huaguo, after enduring various shocks, regained their vitality.
In an ancient courtyard, in the study, the gray-haired and frail deputy commander of the shadowy unit, Zhu Qianhua, dressed in a military uniform, was fervently writing at the desk.
“Mom, it’s time to go to the hospital’s security department for a check-up today; just drinking these Chinese medicines isn’t yielding good results.”
Han Zhongliang, also in military uniform, came into the study holding a bowl of dark brown soup.
At 47 years old, Han Zhongliang was already the Minister of the Political Affairs Department of the shadowy unit, holding a high-ranking position. However, in front of Zhu Qianhua, he still seemed like a cautious child.
“No, what better check can they do besides an X-ray?”
Zhu Qianhua put down her pen and turned around to look at her only child nearby, revealing a loving smile:
“Old Yi, at next week’s headquarters work meeting, I’ll officially hand over the position of the straw man to you. Mom needs to focus her time and energy to expedite the establishment of the Blood Dragon Brigade.”
“I’m to be the straw man?”
Han Zhongliang was taken aback and quickly set down the Chinese medicine he was holding, sitting beside his mother. “Mom, the establishment of the Blood Dragon Brigade is being overseen by the Chief of General Staff. Your health isn’t good; you should retire soon.”
After finally reaching this point, how could I dare to retire? I’ll hold out for a few more months and talk about it next year.
As Zhu Qianhua coughed, she slowly swallowed the Chinese medicine soup. Her thin hands, white hair, and waxy complexion all indicated that the elderly woman was nearing her limit.
This year, Zhu Qianhua was already 76 years old. Throughout the turbulent past decade, she had been at the forefront of work, trying to minimize the impacts of all shocks targeting the shadowy unit, but the price paid was her declining health.
With the sacrifices of her fourth and third sons, Han Zhongyang and Han Zhongzheng, years prior, the elderly woman’s health had further deteriorated, and she had even been diagnosed with malignant tumors.
“Mom, don’t work today! I’ll have Xiaoying accompany you to the backyard for some sun!”
Seeing his mother about to start working again, Han Zhongliang’s face turned red with anxiety. He directly took her arm and snatched the document from the desk.
“Close, regarding the preliminary selection and psychological testing plan for Blood Dragon Brigade…”
His gaze unintentionally landed on the document, and curiosity immediately appeared in Han Zhongliang’s eyes.
“What, are you interested too?”
Zhu Qianhua smiled and nodded at the document in her hand. “This is modeled after Soviet practices; don’t look at how hostile the two sides are now, but some secret operations still maintain communication over the years.”
Han Zhongliang glanced at the handwritten content and slowly frowned. “Mom, this seems to have been rejected by the Military Commission a few years ago. Isn’t it a bit too sensitive to bring it up again? Using Soviet methods to conduct psychological evaluations on our comrades—does that truly make sense?”
“Hmm, actually I’ve been hesitating too. The shadowy unit has been established for so many years, and everyone has participated with enthusiasm and faith. Not to mention the accuracy of such psychological tests; inherently challenging human nature, using some Q&A results to assess a comrade isn’t consistent with our military’s traditions…”
“However, be it the special secrecy action group or the forthcoming Blood Dragon Brigade, the matter is significant. If even one leak occurs, it could lead to catastrophic consequences… Even if it has only fifty percent effectiveness, it’s worth a try.”
At this point, Zhu Qianhua took back the document from his hand, a hint of sorrow appearing on her face.
“Mom… Let me handle this. I’m also a member of the Blood Dragon Brigade preparation team; your health is paramount.”
Han Zhongliang, seemingly frustrated, stood up, pointing at the document on the desk with a serious expression:
“No, you can’t get involved; just focus on doing the work for the special secrecy action group… I know my own health; I don’t even know if I’ll be around to see the Blood Dragon Brigade established… So for things that could easily offend people, let me do it.”
Zhu Qianhua slowly shook her head, but her tone was exceptionally firm.
“Mom, in addition to these items, the Soviets are willing to share information with us, but there’s still much to do regarding the establishment of the Blood Dragon Brigade. Especially in daily training, we are completely in the dark; no one knows how to proceed. Now that our relationship with North America is easing, they are still tight-lipped and unwilling to transfer related materials.”
Seeing he couldn’t persuade his mother, Han Zhongliang could only sigh and sit back down.
Well, theoretically, the best weapon against the blood tribe is the blood tribe itself, but we started too late and were blocked off; many areas remain blind spots for us. Relying on others isn’t as good as relying on ourselves. Don’t worry; as long as the Blood Dragon Brigade can be established, I will arrange everything you mentioned. This is also what I leave for you, the final legacy for the shadowy unit.
As for the selection work for the first batch of preliminary members of the Blood Dragon Brigade, you, as the Political Affairs Department, must be the first barrier; it needs to be scrutinized very carefully.
Zhu Qianhua smiled, calm and relaxed, with a hint of mysterious brilliance in her gaze.
Mom, you mean…
Han Zhongliang was stunned, glancing at the study doorway before lowering his voice: “Did you re-establish contact with the Wang family to provide us with relevant training materials…”
At this point, Han Zhongliang’s expression grew particularly awkward.
The fact that the Han family is actually related to the Wang family is a secret; Han Zhongliang was informed as soon as he became a member of the special secrecy action group.
Haha, it’s not so easy, and in the eyes of the Wang family, I am ultimately just spilled water, still someone who turns the elbow out… Back then, when I was with your dad, I almost got purged…
My mother, your Wang family’s grandmother, died in battle the year Japan occupied the three eastern provinces, and it was that moment that created a temporary opportunity for reconciliation and cooperation between the shadowy unit and the Wang family. That year, your older brother was six years old, and you weren’t even a year old yet.
I am merely a niece of the Wang family; the reconciliation with the Wang family is also limited to the surface. Sometimes I think that marrying your father was probably arranged long before by the Wang family.
Attending girls’ school, studying abroad, coming into contact with advanced thoughts… Actually, over those years, besides me, many people from within and outside the Wang family also rushed into the world of ordinary people. Do you think I could be the one who slipped through the cracks of the Wang family? Just being in it, thinking that all choices are made by myself…
Zhu Qianhua shook her head, self-deprecatingly smiling, as if recalling the youthful years from a few years ago. A blush quietly surfaced on her face, happiness tinged with a slight sadness.
Back then, Mom and Dad together founded the shadowy unit. Could it be that even the shadowy unit was carefully planned and guided by the Wang family behind the scenes… Han Zhongliang was momentarily stunned, even a shiver ran down his spine, with goosebumps rising on his skin.
The secrets of our Han family are among the highest confidential matters of the shadowy unit, even classified higher than strategic tasks. Currently, only a few people in the entire military, including you and me, know about it. From now on, you can only tell one descendant of the Han family… Therefore, establishing the Blood Dragon Brigade, a matter of equal confidentiality to strategic tasks, must absolutely not have any ties to the Wang family.
Zhu Qianhua took one of her son’s hands, her eyes glistening with tears: “In my lifetime, Mom has done many things, some right and some wrong, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the hope that the shadowy unit can protect our beleaguered country.”
Second, not just the Blood Dragon Brigade; as long as it is useful for our national security and strategic development interests, we can try to do it. But remember one point: do not violate the basic conscience of being human.
I have already communicated with other leaders; the strategic task seeds and straw men will implement dual control, and you are no exception. From now on, you can only be in charge of one straw man. This is not because Mom doesn’t trust you, but the Han family is ultimately just a small part of the shadowy unit.
As for the establishment of the Blood Dragon Brigade, I have more confidence now than ever. I have already prepared the training outline for the first phase. Subsequently, I will also provide you with a secret communication method. In the Blood Dragon Brigade, select someone to connect with; they can obtain long-term development materials for the Blood Dragon Brigade. But once this connection begins, you cannot interfere, nor can you let others know. Remember, remember!
Once finished, Zhu Qianhua turned back to her work, leaving Han Zhongliang sitting silently on the side, lost in thought.
…
April 15, 2020, Wednesday.
Another workday began, and the command building of the Western Oversight Area of the shadowy unit was filled with moving young male and female officers.
Han Jieqian’s image had been particularly noticeable recently, always leaning on a cane, slowly ascending and descending stairs, either wandering around or daydreaming alone in the small garden outside, appearing to have nothing to do.
As the elevator doors opened, Han Jieqian slowly moved into the corridor, only to run into a wave of young men and women just pouring out from a meeting room.
“Han Staff Officer, you’d be better off home resting.”
A familiar voice rang out, and Tao Qiao’er, wearing a friendly smile, stood in front of him. Han Jieqian quickly adjusted his posture, still smiling like the sun.
“呵呵, Tao Team, long time no see. What’s up? Is there another major operation?”
At the end of his line of sight, at the meeting room door, Commander Wang Hongjun and the newly appointed Chief of Staff Li were whispering. Han Jieqian’s heart skipped a beat.
The second quarter southwest rotation battle was about to begin. Originally, it had been arranged for the 305 Brigade, but Commander Wang made a temporary adjustment, and this time it was the turn of the Xuanjia Brigade.
Tao Qiao’er helped Han Jieqian to the side of the corridor, lowering her voice: “Considering the rainy season in June on the southwestern border might be troublesome, this rotation battle has to be advanced. Moreover, the scale of the troops being dispatched seems to be larger than before; I am not very clear on the specifics.”
Han Jieqian blinked, bewildered: “The first quarter rotation battle just ended less than a month ago; why the hurry? I heard that after stability returned to northern Myanmar, the southwest is already very stable.”
Military personnel are tasked with obeying orders, and Tao Qiao’er did not possess the finely tuned sensitivity of Han Xiaoyao and Han Jieqian; she simply did what her superiors said.
After a brief exchange, Tao Qiao’er entered the elevator, and the crowd in the corridor gradually dispersed, leaving it deserted again.
“Han Staff Officer.”
Just as Han Jieqian was opening the door to the secure communication room, another unfamiliar male voice called from behind.
Han Jieqian turned around, discovering a tall, trim man—a slightly familiar major officer with a somewhat indistinct expression—was looking at him with a faint smile.
“You are, Tu… Tu Wei Jun?”
Han Jieqian was taken aback, finally matching the face in front of him with a memory, surprise quickly surfacing in his expression.
Tu Wei Jun, the instructor of the Blood Dragon Brigade, had officially assumed the position of deputy commander of the embroidery brigade in the Western Oversight Area. His previous colonel rank had even been changed to the current more inconspicuous major rank.
From an outward appearance, this suited the image of a youthful officer embellished at the lower ranks.
“呵呵, we haven’t met before, yet you recognize me.”
Tu Wei Jun extended his hand, serious yet polite: “Fortunately, our two departments were special before, so before I came, I got a little familiar with the former Captain Han Xiaoyao and you, Staff Officer Han.”
Han Jieqian glanced at the hand extended from the other side, smiled, and shook it gently with his not yet fully healed right hand, completing the first meeting’s etiquette.
He actually knows I’m from the headquarters’ intelligence department; it seems Tu Wei Jun has already had me in mind… Han Jieqian simply smiled and did not respond directly to Tu Wei Jun’s statement.
We will be sharing the same kitchen in the Western Oversight Area from now on, and this time I’m acting as the deputy of the embroidery brigade, which received strong recommendations from Chief of General Staff Wu and Director Ye of the intelligence department. Otherwise… should we have a private chat?
Tu Wei Jun glanced at the secure communication room behind Han Jieqian, subtly hinting.
A glimmer of keen insight flashed in Han Jieqian’s eyes. After a moment of thought, he gently nodded.
The small secure communication room could accommodate no more than four or five people at most, filled with various audiovisual communication equipment lining the two walls. Tu Wei Jun sat upright while Han Jieqian’s posture was slightly relaxed.
This time, the involvement of the Western Oversight Area in the southwest rotation battle officially follows the old rules, but secretly, some elite military forces would be adjusted to the Southern Oversight Area to participate in Commander Han’s major operation.
Tu Wei Jun, whose earlier expression was still mild, now showed a serious demeanor, as if transformed into a different person.
Han Jieqian quietly observed Tu Wei Jun’s face. After a few seconds, he smiled: “Major Tu, isn’t it a violation of confidentiality protocols to disclose such highly classified operational plans to me?”
“Staff Officer Han, let’s not beat around the bush; I know you are a personnel assigned by the intelligence department in the Western Oversight Area and may even be a member of the special secrecy action group. If I’m not mistaken, the inquiries by the intelligence department regarding me last time were initiated by you.”
Tu Wei Jun pointed at a side electronic screen, maintaining a calm expression: “What I just mentioned, perhaps shortly, you will receive a message from Director Ye.”
“Where did you learn that I was investigating you from behind?”
Han Jieqian’s brow furrowed slightly, sitting up straight, his expression gradually becoming serious, shaking off his lazy demeanor.
While the Blood Dragon Brigade is considerably lower in rank compared to the intelligence department, in actual authority, the two are fairly equivalent. Cooperation between the two is normal if there are significant issues… The intelligence department has always been investigating Yang Jiu’s death, so you are suspicious of me.
Tu Wei Jun fixed his gaze on Han Jieqian, his tone gradually freezing.
Han Jieqian returned Tu Wei Jun’s penetrating stare, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. A few seconds later, he gently nodded: Yang Jiu’s identity was special, and it relates to even more confidential matters. I had to pay attention to your motivation in dealing with Yang Jiu, even if everything you said made sense.
Hmm, understood. Everything is handled as official business. Well, trust does not build up in a day. Thank you, Staff Officer Han, for your candor today.
Tu Wei Jun adjusted his military attire, stood up, and execute a military salute, as if ending the conversation, treating this private discussion as a simple emotional vent.
“Wait, Major Tu, I have a question…”
Han Jieqian slightly lowered his head. As he heard Tu Wei Jun turning the doorknob, he spoke up suddenly.
Han Jieqian stood up with the aid of his cane, hesitating for several seconds before lowering his voice: “I’m curious, what specific tasks does the Blood Dragon Brigade undertake usually? As far as I know, Class A combat missions have hardly occurred even once in a few years.”
Just now, you were emphasizing confidentiality; now you are violating it.
Tu Wei Jun turned around, finally breaking the stiff expression, revealing a slight smile: “Many, key security, reconnaissance, assassination, etc. Anything you can think of that the intelligence department lacks the ability or finds inconvenient to execute, the Blood Dragon Brigade can take on.”
“Staff Officer Han, I have an innate goodwill towards the Han family; you can drop some of your guard. Our time together will be long…”
Saying this, Tu Wei Jun opened the door to the secure communication room and exited.
“Major Tu, is your temporary post as the acting commander of the embroidery brigade actually a task you are executing?”
Han Jieqian quickly chased after him, the doubts in his heart growing.
Han Jieqian always felt that Tu Wei Jun’s appointment to the Western Oversight Area was shrouded in an insider deal that he couldn’t comprehend, and these intricacies were evidently known to Director Ye of the intelligence department, or even Chief of Staff Wu Zhongxian.
“You will know soon, after all, you are now a rising star beside Director Ye and Chief of Staff Wu… Staff Officer Han, please rest assured about one thing: I am not the type of person like Zhen Guangquan… But I will use my own eyes to discern some matters.”
With that, Tu Wei Jun distanced himself, vanishing at the end of the corridor. Han Jieqian’s narrowed pupils remained tense for a long time before relaxing.
He knew Zhen Guangquan was not dead and surely knew that the special secrecy action group and the intelligence department had been investigating the mole… He had previously killed Yang Jiu and had suspicions of covertly approaching Meng Ge, yet he made it clear he wasn’t aligned with Zhen Guangquan?
Did he suddenly say these things to me today as a hint…
Han Jieqian sat dazed in the secure communication room, lost in thought for a long time, even forgetting the business of the day.
In Q District of City C, a famous ancient cultural pedestrian street is said to be where Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru eloped over two thousand years ago, starting a legendary romance.
In the evening, a taxi pulled up at the entrance of the pedestrian street. Tu Wei Jun, dressed in an exquisite white-collar suit, stepped out of the car, looking up at the archway at the entrance of the street and the two-story wooden structure deeper in, revealing a hint of a smile.
This was a place Tu Wei Jun would visit every ten years since the formal establishment of the Blood Dragon Brigade in 1980, and it was now his fourth visit.
The pedestrian street had long been illuminated with various lights, being one of the busiest streets in City C. The retro upscale teahouse in front of Tu Wei Jun, rich in history, is one of the cultural heritages of City C. Besides the old residents born before the establishment of Xinhua Country who retained some memories, among the rapidly changing new century citizens of City C, it had lost its former glory.
Upon entering the teahouse, it seemed to be a quiet haven shielding from noise, where guests in each tea room maintained an elegant demeanor, savouring their tea in silence.
Tu Wei Jun directly reserved a small tea room, complete with a scenic balcony. Instead of sitting down, he stood on the balcony, overlooking the illuminated pedestrian street and the crowd at dusk.
Connecting with secret contacts to obtain various tangible or intangible high-value contents for the long-term development of the Blood Dragon Brigade is one of Tu Wei Jun’s important tasks as a member of the Blood Dragon Brigade. The confidentiality level of this work is only second to the existence of the Blood Dragon Brigade itself.
Entering Tu Wei Jun’s mind, maybe it seemed elusive, yet it radiated solidity, towering presence, unbreakable, and impervious to prying.
Tu Wei Jun slowly turned around, trying to engage all his senses, but upon contact, he lost track of the other party again.
The environmental awareness of the Apennine blood tribe, even in a non-boiling blood state, is something other bloodline systems find hard to match, especially since Tu Wei Jun had amplified this advantage to the extreme after being promoted to Baron last year.
For someone who had become a rare Apennine baron, Tu Wei Jun still could not capture and probe into the true presence of the other party, which unconsciously evoked a slight sense of frustration within him.
Previously, he had clumsily completed similar connection tasks, yet it was the first time Tu Wei Jun distinctly sensed the presence of the contact, yet only limited to that.
“Sir, this is a note from a lady downstairs for you.”
A young man dressed in a retro fashion knocked and entered the private room, handing over a small note with a puzzled expression.
“Baihua Creek Park? A woman?”
That’s not right; although I previously didn’t know the person’s identity, I rarely considered it would be a woman, and one with strength far surpassing my own… The note contained only five words, and Tu Wei Jun frowned slightly.
He put away the note and turned towards the other end of the pedestrian street, hundreds of meters away, where lay the oldest urban park in City C, elegant and exquisitely designed.
He hadn’t had a sip of tea, and Tu Wei Jun had to change the contact location. He was already mentally prepared for this.
In the increasingly dim Baihua Creek Park, there were already few visitors. Tu Wei Jun ambled aimlessly, paying close attention to catch sight of the contact.
Another clearer wave of pheromone fluctuations passed, leading Tu Wei Jun to an endless pavilion. A few meters away, beneath the delicate light in the pavilion, a tightly sealed large file bag lay quietly on a seat.
The scent of the mysterious contact faded again, just as quietly as it arrived, leaving no trace behind.
Picking up the file bag and scanning the surroundings, Tu Wei Jun took a deep breath, untying the sealing string and pulling out one of the papers.
After just a glance, his pupils constricted noticeably.
“The Altai lineage, a complete set of training methods from attendant to count… not only that, but also the Siberian lineage…”
As he pulled out several pages, although he didn’t delve into them in detail, Tu Wei Jun knew this was the highest-value top-secret information he had obtained from the mysterious contact so far, causing him to tremble slightly with excitement.
Most of the members of the Blood Dragon Brigade belonged to either the Siberian or Altai lineage. This almost comprehensive set of training methods, excluding blood servants, seemed tailor-made for the Blood Dragon Brigade, simply shattering Tu Wei Jun’s recognition of the mysterious contact’s abilities.
This time, the connection took place in City C. The shock of its content was directly greater than the sum of previous occasions, leading Tu Wei Jun to even doubt the authenticity of these materials.
When Tu Wei Jun finally moved his gaze away from the invaluable materials in front of him, Baihua Creek Park had already been engulfed by the darkness of night, save for the lights in the pavilion.
Tu Wei Jun hurriedly left, losing interest in probing the true identity of the mysterious contact. In his eyes, as long as these materials were verified as authentic and valid within the Blood Dragon Brigade, that was enough.
A flicker of red light flashed in a darkened area of the park’s greenery, followed by a plume of green smoke rising.
Wan Yue, dressed in a fitted black denim and leather jacket, quietly emerged from behind a large tree on the side of the greenery, holding a cigarette and watching Tu Wei Jun leave with a calm smile.
The vibrations of her phone echoed from her pocket. Wan Yue swiftly dodged, hiding behind a rockery several dozen meters away.
“Hello, it’s me… Meeting with the elder next week, no more specific time or place? Would it be alright if I bring them all along?”
Wan Yue exhaled a cloud of smoke, unusually polite to Lao Jin for once.
“呵呵, she specifically requested to meet, so the exact time and place will be notified to you later. By the way, there may be other people coming that day…”
The call was brief, yet the information was substantial, delivering Lao Jin’s latest feedback: the ancestor of the Wang family had agreed to Wan Yue’s third meeting request.
“There will be other people?”
The mysterious attitude of the Wang family made Wan Yue’s eyebrows furrow.
