Chapter 299 A Surprise from the Top

Liu Zhiye couldn't help but smile. He said happily, "Oh! It turned out to be a false alarm! That was a military base left by the Japanese army during World War II. It has been abandoned for a long time now."

Zheng Chaoyang was delighted when he heard this. "Hahaha, really? That's good!" he continued, "Otherwise we might have to reconsider finding another safe passage."

From Wutong Mountain, through the "Tianchi Lake", along the mountain stream and deep into the canyon, to Baoan River, this is a safe and reliable route they chose after careful consideration.

This road is difficult to travel, but its safety is its advantage. In the vast mountains, the British would not choose to deploy defenses here, and it is a safer choice than taking the water route. Although the road is difficult, it is the most worth exploring.

During this period, there were many ways to sneak across the Hong Kong River, including by land, swimming, and boat. By route, there were three routes: the East Route, the Central Route, and the West Route. Swimming was usually the first choice.

Swimming along the western route, starting from Shekou and mangrove areas and swimming across Bao'an Bay, if all goes well, you can reach Yuen Long in the northwest of the New Territories of Hong Kong in about an hour.

The Cantonese people call this kind of smuggling by water "Du Zu", which is borrowed from the chess term and means "going without returning".

In summer, the reservoirs and rivers are crowded with people. Many children are taught by their families from an early age to "practice swimming well so that they can swim in the Xiangjiang River in the future."

To smuggle across the land, the usual route is the central route, which is to climb over the barbed wire fence in Wutong Mountain and Sha Tau Kok area in Baoan and reach the Hong Kong River. People in Guangdong jokingly call it "jumping on the net."

Smuggling by boat tends to take the eastern route, namely the Dapeng Bay waterway, between Huiyang and Bao'an, more than ten kilometers away from the Xiangjiang River. The waves are very large, and drowning often occurs during smuggling.

Besides, during this period, the British had a considerable surface force in Hong Kong, with more than 100 warships of the Royal Navy's Far East Fleet and more than 200 anti-smuggling boats of the Marine Police.

Therefore, going by water is the most dangerous, as you can drown if you are not careful. In addition, boats are too conspicuous and there is a risk of being discovered by the marine police. Therefore, the best option is to go by land.

Traveling by land was not easy either, although they had a mission and did not need to sneak over the barbed wire.

Crossing the vast Wutong Mountain is not an easy task for non-professionals. Once lost in this primitive jungle, the consequences will be disastrous.

Therefore, the purpose of Liu Zhiye and his team's trip was to explore a safe and fast passage to facilitate future operations.

They need to plan their routes carefully to avoid possible risks, while also increasing their travel speed as much as possible to save time.

…………

When Zheng Chaoyang heard that it was an abandoned secret military base and its facilities were still intact, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

He pointed out decisively: "This place is in an excellent location, right at the midpoint of our route. If we make use of it, it will be more convenient for our people to enter and exit Hong Kong in the future."

Liu Zhiye nodded in agreement, and Zheng Chaoyang wanted to go with him.

If a secret base is set up here, it will undoubtedly greatly improve the work efficiency for comrades who are secretly entering and leaving Hong Kong to carry out missions.

After a short rest, the two of them hurried on their way again.

The Wutong Mountain is shrouded in misty clouds and drifting smoke; the peaks are high, steep and majestic; the streams are deep and the waterfalls are splashing; ancient trees are all over the mountain and vines are hanging; the mountain flowers are gorgeous and the slopes are covered with wild grass; the streams are rushing and the streams are empty... The clouds and mist on the Wutong Mountain are unpredictable, the mist is ethereal and the smoke is colorful... It looks like a fairyland.

Along the way they saw mountains, clouds, mist, strange rocks, secluded valleys, deep ravines, waterfalls, green pools, rushing springs, ancient trees, green bamboos, mountain flowers, wild birds... and many other scenes.

After dark, the two took out their tents and chose a slope to set up camp. The surroundings were desolate and it was very risky to travel at night, so this place was relatively safe and convenient for rest.

Liu Zhiye shot a pheasant with a stone on the road and picked some wild mushrooms. He took out salt and used a military lunch box to stew two pots of fragrant chicken soup.

“The most beautiful food is often prepared in the simplest way!”

A seemingly inconspicuous delicacy - pheasant stewed with mountain mushrooms. The simple cooking method, without too many seasonings, just a little salt, can make people have an endless aftertaste.

When Zheng Chaoyang tasted this delicacy, he found that it tasted so fresh and natural that he couldn't stop eating it.

"Wow! Fresh! Really fresh!"

"Zhiye, I am really impressed. You can make such a simple thing taste so delicious."

Liu Zhiye smiled and said: "The key to this delicious dish lies in the excellent quality of the ingredients. We eat fresh wild pheasants, paired with delicious wild mushrooms, and cooked with sweet mountain spring water. These factors together contribute to this unforgettable delicacy."

As the night deepened, Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang sat by the bonfire, immersed in the tranquility and depth of the night. The stars were like chess pieces, filling the sky, and the moonlight was like water, flowing quietly.

Liu Zhiye looked at the jumping flames, his eyes flickering with longing for the future: "Old Zheng, what do you think people like us can leave in this world?"

Zheng Chaoyang smiled. He looked at the starry sky and said slowly, "The traces are not about size, but about our hearts. As long as we walk with our heart, there will always be people who remember it."

Liu Zhiye looked up at the starry sky, which was as bright as a poem. However, he had a strong desire in his heart: "Life is short, just like the autumn of grass and trees. I must leave my mark in the world to make my life worthwhile." His eyes were firm, as if he had seen the direction of his future struggle.

The temperature difference between day and night in the mountains is quite large, so the two of them squeezed into one tent and slept with their feet touching.

The next day.

In the morning light, the two used the remaining chicken soup to heat up two white flour buns to fill their stomachs. After extinguishing the campfire, they packed their bags and set out on their journey again.

As the long journey came to an end, the sun gradually set and a golden red afterglow appeared on the horizon.

Liu Zhiye found that the terrain was gradually widening, and the river water in the valley became calmer from its previous turbulent state, as if nature was putting a gentle end to a day's hard work.

He and Zheng Chaoyang smiled at each other, their eyes sparkling with excitement. They knew that after a long and difficult journey, they were finally about to get out of the vast mountains.

What should appear before their eyes is the winding, sparkling Bao'an River, symbolizing new hope and opportunities.

The Baoan River is a border river between Hong Kong and the mainland, located between the New Territories of Hong Kong and Baoan, Guangdong Province. The upper reaches of the river are the Shawan River, which originates from Niuweiling, and the upper reaches of the tributary Liantang River originates from Wutong Mountain.

The main stream of Baoan River flows through Baoan and Xiangjiang River, and flows from northeast to southwest into Baoan Bay. The upper reaches have good vegetation, dense vegetation, and the riverbed is full of pebbles, while the middle and lower reaches have more sand.

Liu Zhiye stood on the river bank, looking at the winding river below him, the riverbed covered with smooth pebbles. The river was not wide, but it was exceptionally clear, and the water flowed slowly to the south.

He took out a map from his backpack, unfolded it, and carefully compared the river in front of him with the location on the map.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines through the gaps in the leaves onto the map, casting mottled shadows and adding a bit of liveliness to the quiet riverside.

Then he said, "Chaoyang, we have finally made it out. The river ahead is the Lianhua River, and Luohu Lake is not far away on the other side."

“Hahaha… we’re back… we’re back…” Zheng Chaoyang finally breathed a sigh of relief after nearly two days of difficult walking in the mountains.

He announced his return loudly and excitedly, his voice full of relief and joy. He was a little tired of the long trek in the mountains.

This is also thanks to his partner Liu Zhiye. If it weren't for him, it would take someone else at least three to four days to grope their way out of the mountain.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang rode back to the Bao'an County Public Security Bureau without stopping, and took back their personal belongings and documents left there.

Wei Guoping, the director of Baoan County Bureau, warmly tried to keep them. He smiled and said, "Two leaders, please rest here for a night before leaving. After all, there are no buses to the provincial capital now."

With a smile on his face, Zheng Chaoyang politely declined Comrade Guoping's kindness: "No, we are shouldering an important mission and time is tight. We cannot delay for a moment. Please arrange a vehicle to take us to the provincial capital." His words were concise and clear, revealing an unquestionable determination and sense of urgency.

Wei Guoping also retired from the army. Although he felt unfamiliar with Zheng Chaoyang, he immediately recognized Liu Zhiye the moment he saw him.

Liu Zhiye, a face that used to appear frequently in military reports, later transferred to become a public security officer, and his name also appeared in public security journals.

Wei Guoping knew Liu Zhiye's deeds very well and he deeply admired this idol. When he learned that Liu Zhiye came to Bao'an County, he was full of excitement and expectation. He decided to seize this rare opportunity and warmly entertain Liu Zhiye, hoping to get to know this person he has always admired.

Wei Guoping looked at Liu Zhiye reluctantly and said, "Well...why don't you leave after dinner?"

Liu Zhiye noticed the thoughts in Comrade Guoping's eyes, and he responded with a smile: "Comrade Guoping, thank you very much for your kindness."

"We are on an urgent mission this time. Next time, I will definitely have a drink with you when we come."

They are all heroes, so Wei Guoping was not hesitant. He found Xiao Ni, the best driver in the bureau, and asked him to drive the only jeep in the bureau to take Liu Zhiye and the other two to the provincial capital Yangcheng overnight.

After arriving in Guangzhou, Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang did not choose to stay.

They went straight to the railway station and, with their ID and letters of introduction, successfully found the responsible railway official for help.

After some negotiations, they were able to board the T15/16 train to Beijing that evening and continue their journey.

At this time, the train speed is relatively slow, and the vehicle equipment is relatively simple, generally with hard seats or hard sleepers. The journey requires more stops and transfers, and the journey is relatively arduous.

This train stops at more than 20 stations along the way, and a trip to Beijing takes at least 46 hours.

Fortunately, after the conductor learned of Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang's identities, he arranged for them to rest in the soft sleeper used inside the train.

Two days later, in the early morning, they finally arrived at Beijing East Station. There, Xiao Yu had been waiting for a long time, ready to take them back to the police station. The whole process went very smoothly without any unexpected situations.

After a night's rest, they went to Director Luo's office to report the next morning.

Director Luo was very excited and satisfied to see them return safely and complete the task successfully. He personally made tea and poured water for them to express his comfort and gratitude to them.

"Chaoyang, Comrade Zhiye, please tell me what is going on over there..."

Zheng Chaoyang reported in detail to Director Luo the entire process of his trip, and Liu Zhiye also provided additional information from time to time.

"Great! Comrade Zheng Chaoshan is amazing!"

"He has made great contributions to the motherland and the people. The motherland and the people will never forget him."

Zheng Chaoyang was filled with joy. He was proud of his brother's achievements because his efforts and hard work had finally paid off. "Leader, this is the film..."

After receiving the items and intelligence, Director Luo did not put them away immediately. Instead, he immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number. "Director Shen, this is Lao Luo. The personnel and intelligence have returned safely. Please send someone to receive them."

After Director Luo hung up the phone, he said to his two subordinates with a serious look, "Soon, Bureau Eight will send someone to collect intelligence. By then, you must fully cooperate."

After hearing this, Liu Zhiye was shocked that it was the "Eighth Bureau" department that took over.

This department was responsible for the analysis and research of foreign intelligence and was known externally as the "Huaxia Institute of Modern International Relations", which was the predecessor of the later National Security Bureau No. 8.

If the "Public Security Bureau" is internal, then the "Eighth Bureau" is external. The two departments are at the same level but have different divisions of labor.

Then, Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang looked at each other and responded in unison: "Yes, Director Luo!"

About ten minutes later, Deputy Director Shen of the "Eighth Bureau" personally led a team to the "Public Security Bureau".

This man was in his forties, but he looked very elegant. However, his voice was completely different from his image. It was extremely loud, and his hearty laughter could be heard from a distance: "Hahaha..."

"Lao Luo, this time you guys got ahead of us!"

Director Luo stood up calmly from his seat and walked steadily towards the door. He shook hands with his old comrades who had arrived and exchanged a few brief pleasantries.

The two had been colleagues in the Social Department and had experienced ups and downs together, so there was no need for too much courtesy and false formalities between them.

"No, no, it's purely a coincidence, just good luck, hehe..." Although he modestly declined, the pride on his face was obvious.

Director Shen smiled and pointed at his old comrade, then turned to look at Liu Zhiye and the other man and asked, "Are these the two comrades who went to Xiangjiang to obtain intelligence?"

Upon seeing this, Director Luo introduced each other in detail to everyone present with a smile.

Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang immediately stood at attention and saluted Director Shen, "Hello, leader!"

Director Shen looked at the two of them with particular appreciation and said, "Well, it is true that a strong general has no weak soldiers under his command! Comrades, are you interested in working in our foreign affairs department?"

After listening to Director Shen's words, Liu Zhiye and Zheng Chaoyang looked at each other and said politely, "Thank you for your appreciation. At present, we are very satisfied and happy in our current jobs, so we have not considered changing jobs."

Director Shen smiled when he heard this and didn't care. If he really wanted to transfer them away, this person's wish would be of no use.

At the side, Director Luo chuckled and scolded, "Old Shen, you are poaching people in front of me? Do you still put me in your eyes?"

Director Shen glanced at him calmly and said, "What do you mean by poaching? Don't think I don't know. These two comrades are not under your direct jurisdiction. They are still on secondment!"

Director Luo wanted to send him away quickly, "I'm not going to argue with you any more. Here, this is the film with the important intelligence."

After Director Shen received the information, Liu Zhiye and the other two reported everything to him in detail. After he asked someone to record it, he left in a hurry.

Liu Zhiye and the other man had no idea how many secrets were contained in the film that Zheng Chaoyang gave them. They only knew that the importance of this film should not be underestimated.

When the people from Bureau 8 received the film, they found a lot of top-secret documents in it.

When Director Shen learned about this, he was so overjoyed that he quickly reported the situation to his superiors.

After reporting through various levels, the matter finally reached the highest level.

After that, an operation codenamed "rat eradication" quietly began. This operation was led by the Ministry of Public Security and coordinated by multiple departments, and the action was carried out in full swing.

This is all for later.

After Director Luo sent Director Shen and others away, he invited Liu Zhiye and the other two to sit down and continue the conversation.

He was particularly interested in the safety passage, so he asked again: "Comrade Zhiye, you have walked through it, do you think this passage is useful?"

Liu Zhiye pondered for a moment and said slowly: "This mountain road is difficult for a large army to pass through, but it is suitable for a special team to enter and exit secretly."

"This road is an excellent choice, safe and hidden."

Director Luo's eyes lit up and he said, "That's enough. As long as it's safe, some things will be much easier to handle."

He had a plan in his mind that was slowly taking shape, and he needed just such a channel.

After the establishment of Xinxia, ​​the countries led by the United States launched a comprehensive...

It was necessary to find a window for external communication, and at this time Hong Kong took on this historical mission.

All the goods that Xia country urgently needs can be purchased in Hong Kong through third-party channels, and even some supplies can also be purchased in Hong Kong. At the same time, since Hong Kong has replaced Shanghai as the new "first metropolis in the Far East", I can obtain the most scarce foreign exchange resources here, and this part of foreign exchange has become the driving force for Xia country's economic development.

(End of this chapter)