The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 136 The Strange Peddler

Lei Tao unexpectedly reunited with Li Shuiniu, Li Shuyang, Hu Hansi, Chen Feiyang, Lu Ming, Huang Hu and Liu Zishan, whom he had separated from on the cliff, at the Eighth Route Army division headquarters. Everyone's face was filled with surprise.

"I never thought that we could meet again at the Eighth Route Army Division Headquarters in Taihang Mountains!" Lei Tao excitedly stepped forward and shook hands with them one by one.

"Yes, Brother Lei, this is such a rare fate!" one of them said excitedly.

"The situation on the cliff was so critical at that time, but fortunately everyone was safe." Another person still felt scared when he recalled the thrilling scene.

Lei Tao smiled cheerfully and said, "Now that we're reunited here, we must join hands to kill more devils!"

Everyone nodded heavily, with a burning fighting spirit in their eyes.

"I'm very pleased to hear that you've performed well here." Lei Tao smiled and patted their shoulders.

"Brother Lei, how have you been doing recently?" someone asked with concern.

Lei Tao was about to answer when suddenly a shout came from the village entrance: "Foreign goods for sale! Fox and wolf skins for sale..." Soon a peddler carrying a load appeared at a house near the Eighth Route Army division headquarters. He walked hurriedly, and the load swayed up and down with his steps, making a creaking sound.

The peddler shouted as he glanced around, his eyes darting. His clothes were patched, his hair was a little messy, and sweat streamed down his face along the wrinkles.

He walked to a house, stopped, and shouted again: "Foreign goods for sale, fox skins, wolf skins..."

At this time, several villagers gathered around and looked at the things on the peddler's shoulder pole with curiosity. One villager picked up a small object and asked, "How much is this?"

The peddler smiled and said, "This is cheap. It's a good deal for you." Then he changed the subject and said, "Your village is so big. If the Japanese come, it will be difficult for you to run away."

The villagers glanced at him, saying nothing. The peddler leaned closer and continued, "I'm just asking, don't mind. How many Eighth Route Army soldiers are there? If there are fewer, they won't be able to stop the Japanese army, and you'll be in danger."

The villagers put down their things, frowned and said, "You peddler, you always say unlucky things. We have the Eighth Route Army here, so we have nothing to fear."

The peddler quickly apologized and said, "Yes, yes, I was just worrying about nothing."

Lei Tao happened to see this scene. He immediately became alert and felt that the peddler's behavior was strange and he did not seem like an ordinary businessman.

At this moment, the peddler suddenly felt someone was watching him, and immediately changed the subject: "This time I brought the best rouge and powder, foreign glasses, as well as high-quality salt, sugar, and wave drums for children to play with... Does anyone see if there is anything you need?

A woman walked up, picked out a box of rouge and powder, bargained with the peddler, paid the money and took the item away.

The peddler continued to wander around the village, and when no one was paying attention, he took out a Zhang Rendanhu advertisement from the secret compartment of his shoulder pole and quickly pasted it on conspicuous places such as walls and tree trunks. His movements were very skillful, and he looked around from time to time while pasting it, for fear of being discovered.

Lei Tao asked Li Shuiniu and Li Shuyang to follow the peddler quietly, while he went to report the situation to the chief of staff.

Lei Tao hurried to the chief of staff's office, saluted and said, "Chief of Staff, there's something going on!"

The chief of staff raised his head and asked seriously, "Lei Tao, what's going on?"

Lei Tao said quickly, "A peddler has come to the village, and his behavior is very suspicious. He has been trying to trick the villagers into asking about the Eighth Route Army, and he's also posting strange advertisements everywhere."

The Chief of Staff frowned and asked, "What advertisement?"

Lei Tao explained, "Chief of Staff, this kind of Rendanhu advertisement caused great trouble for the National Security Army during the Battle of Shanghai. It looks ordinary, but it actually contains hidden secrets. By posting it in different positions, directions, and combinations, it can convey various information to the Japanese army. For example, troop deployment, trap locations, and so on. The Japanese army's attack at that time seemed to have eyes because of this kind of advertisement. And now, this peddler is posting this kind of advertisement in the village where our division headquarters is located. His purpose is obvious. It must be to provide intelligence to the Japanese army and facilitate their actions."

The chief of staff stood up and paced around the room, thinking for a moment. After a moment, he said, "Lei Tao, don't make any noise for now. Send someone to keep an eye on the peddler and see if he makes any more moves."

Lei Tao straightened up and said loudly: "Yes! I have asked the Lishui Buffalo and Lishui Sheep to follow him."

The Chief of Staff nodded: "Okay, report to me at any time."

Lei Tao saluted, turned and left, ready to continue watching the peddler's movements.