It was still the same morning in the Republic of China era. The fragrance of Qin Huaiyuns body seemed to still linger in the guest house room. Mu Yang tidied up his clothes and walked out of the guest house onto the street, coming to the mutton soup shop he had seen for the first time when he entered the city, and directly walked in.
"What would you like to order, sir?"
"A bowl of mutton soup, two crispy fried pancakes, a small dish of pickled vegetables, and dont forget to add more garlic and scallions to the mutton soup." said Mu Yang.
"Alright, Ill bring it over right away."
Eating the steaming hot mutton soup, Mu Yang felt satisfied and indeed a bit hungry, so he ate another roasted flatbread.
After settling the account, he walked away and started wandering around the city of Ba County. Mu Yang wanted to survey the terrain and choose a suitable place to unfold his plan. From east to west, from south to north, he wandered for an entire morning and finally found a suitable location.
In the northern part of the city center, a large alleyway leads to an abandoned house. There are not many households nearby. Muyang walked around inside and found that it had been uninhabited for a long time. However, the house was made of green bricks and glazed tiles, which is considered a good house in the county town. Its unknown why it was left unoccupied here, possibly because the family fled or was harmed by the Japanese, so no one lived there anymore.
The house is a grand, three-bay building with a courtyard in front and a row of south-facing rooms on the east side, but it looks desolate and forlorn due to its dilapidation.
Moreover, this main house also has a back door that leads directly to the outer alley, which provides convenience for Muyangs escape.
Muyang also found that there were many vacant houses in Ba County, it seems that these are all the evil deeds of Japanese people.
Muyang started to take action, taking out the plastic film for building a greenhouse and thumbtacks from the space. He began to attach window film to the windows that had been leaking wind everywhere. From the space, he took out a liquefied gas cylinder and placed it directly in the house, waiting for backup.
Then he took out a handheld igniter used in restaurants, disassembled the plastic casing, installed wires, and connected the wires to the outside. Outside was indeed a battery pack with an ignition switch. With just one press, the igniter would produce a spark when released. Mu Yang made three igniters as a precaution against malfunction.
The switch was hidden under a messy pile of leaves and debris, and Moyang tried it out, stepping on it to hear the igniter crackling away inside the house, ready for the devils to take the bait.
Muyang clapped his hands and walked out of the old house, preparing to return to the inn. Now that everything was set up here, he just had to wait for tonight to lure the little ghost into a trap, and then he could send it straight to the Western Heaven.
In the teahouse on Zheng Street, three men wearing fake military uniforms were having tea with a man in casual clothes and a traitors haircut. The traitor had a leather gun holster slung over his shoulder, containing a Walther PPK pistol, which was a symbol of status at that time.
"Third Master, what do you think of this tea today?" One of the fake soldiers asked while several people were drinking tea and listening to a book.
"This broken place, isnt it just a few kinds of tea? How can it be any better? Last time I was at Xigous consultation, I had truly good tea." The guy called San Ye said with a swagger, his triangular eyes shining with a boastful light.
"San Ye is still having a good time, and has a close relationship with the imperial army. In the future, we brothers will still need San Ye to take care of us in the army."
Nothing much, were all from the same village, cant just watch you guys get bullied, next time something happens, come find me, if it doesnt work out, Ill take care of him myself. After saying this, a fierce glint flashed in his triangular eyes.
This scar-faced Liu Songbai, his family indeed gave him a good name, but this guy is actually a bad guy without bounds. Now hes the small team leader of Ba County Detective Team, an iron-clad traitor under the Japanese.
Theres a saying that goes Beijing has oily kids, Weihai has mouthy kids, and Baoding Prefecture has dog-legged kids. Baoding Prefecture is notorious for producing Han traitors, and this Pockmarked Zhang is one of them. He came from a poor background, but later got in good with the Japanese and made a fortune. However, he didnt hesitate to do bad things to help the Japanese, and normally did some despicable things. People and dogs alike detest him, and theres still some fear towards him.
These fake soldiers are also clever, they want to curry favor with the scar-faced three and mix in the city wearing plain clothes. When the time comes, riding a bicycle with a handgun slung over their shoulder, walking into the countryside is quite impressive. At that time, its still up to them to choose which familys daughter they like and acknowledge that family as their in-laws.
One of the three people glanced out onto the street and saw Mu Yang, dressed in a crisp Sun Yat-sen suit, walking towards them. He said to the others, "Hey guys, look at that person, isnt he the little white face who was with a big beauty last night when we were checking the guesthouse?"
"It seems to be him indeed, there arent many people in this county town who wear this kind of outfit, it cant be wrong. What a pity, that little girl is really seductive, I took a glance at her last night and my heart still itches till now." Another puppet soldier said.
"This kid has a big background, we cant afford to mess with him, lets not think about hitting him, or well get into trouble." Another fake soldier was clearly too afraid of Mu Yangs connection to the North China Military Commander, and who wouldnt be? The difference is like heaven and earth.
The scar-faced mans triangular eyes followed the three peoples line of sight and looked over, "Whats going on, what big shot?"
Three people took turns telling the story of last night, and Scarface Three felt that there were many inconsistencies in it. He was a very cunning person, if this young man was really the son of a wealthy family and knew high-ranking Japanese officials, then befriending him wouldnt be a bad thing; but if he was an imposter, he could be caught directly, which would also be a meritorious achievement.
As Yu Yang was about to pass by the teahouse, he said in a low voice to the three of them, "Invite him over for me, I want to have a chat with him. Remember, be sure to invite him over."
The three of them exchanged a glance and then nodded and left.
"This young master, do you still remember us?" The three fake soldiers directly blocked the way in front of Mu Yang, and Mu Yangs eyes narrowed.
"Could it be that the Japanese have seen through my plan, or is there a flaw in my own strategy that theyve discovered?" Mu Yang thought rapidly to himself, but his mouth said "What can I do for you gentlemen?"
"Youre a noble person and often forget things. Last night, our third brother even went to the inn where you were staying to check on you, dont you remember?"
"Its you, I dont recall having any dealings with you, why are you blocking me?"
"Its not us, its Scarface who invites you over for a cup of tea and a chat."
Mu Yangs eyes rolled around in a circle, thinking that evasion was not the way to go. Since he had already been noticed by the other party, he might as well follow them and see what the situation was all about.
"Just in time, Im thirsty, lets go see this Scarface Three. Lead the way." Mu Yang ordered bluntly, making the three of them feel stifled, this master is not a kind person either.
He looked at the guy in front of him, with triangular eyes, a date-like face, a sunken chin and a short neck, feeling that he was also a weirdo. Ugly is easy to say, but mainly its the feeling of being too despicable and too sordid that doesnt need to be expressed, its directly written all over his face.
"I dont know what advice you have." Murong Yang said with a somewhat frivolous and nonchalant tone after sitting down.
"I dare not instruct, mainly because a noble person has arrived at the border of our county, wanting to make acquaintance, I dont know if I, Liu Songbai, have the honor."
"Its actually Songbo brother, younger brother Muyang, greetings."
Those three fake soldiers were surprised that Scar Three actually reported his own name with some grandeur, which was not the usual behavior of Scar Three. Today, how come he became so elegant and directly reported his full name? Isnt Scar Threes name supposed to be more sonorous and majestic?
The young tea house servant hastily poured a cup of hot tea for Mu Yang and then quickly left, afraid of getting into trouble here.
"I wonder why Brother Wu Yang has come to Ba County." asked Pockmark Liu with a probing tone.
"Not here on purpose, just passing by."
"Where did it come from and where is it going?"
"From Baoding, preparing to return to Beijing."
"Listening to these three useless guys talk, it seems that Brothers home is in the capital city, but I dont know which family with high gates and proud horses."
"Haha, looking at Songbos attire, I suppose he must be working for the Japanese." Muyang didnt respond to his question and instead asked directly.
"Of course, Scarface is the leader of the Ba County Detective Team." A nearby puppet soldier chimed in.
"Just now, Songbo brothers few words were obviously a set of my words. How is it? Are you suspicious of my identity or suspect that I have done something wrong?" Murong Yang smiled and asked, looking at Pockmark Threes triangular eyes.
Muyangs deep feelings were unusually calm and didnt seem fake, which made Pianpian doubt his previous guesses about him.
"It doesnt matter, now is a busy time for everyone and you have your responsibilities too, I wont blame you. Its already noon, just drinking tea will make us hungrier, let me treat you, shall we go to the best restaurant in Ba County for a simple meal?"
Three of them were a bit stunned, what rhythm is this, how did they ask and ask and suddenly its about wine? But he wasnt afraid either, just in time for lunch anyway, with four people on their side, all carrying stuff, still afraid of him, a young man empty-handed.
"Its settled then, lets gather at Drunken Immortal Pavilion." said Scarface Three.