Chapter 140: Capture the Bandit Leader First

"; This unit, its origins are doubtful.";

In the operations room, Zhou Special Envoy stood before a huge map, his brow furrowed. The table was piled with various intelligence documents, all concerning the Fourth Bureau.

"; According to the intelligence we have,"; the chief of staff pointed at the map, "; Lin Yu's forces mainly consist of three parts: a battalion-level unit responsible for intelligence and infiltration; a division-level main armored force, well-equipped and with fierce firepower; and a brigade-level reserve, serving as a mobile force.";

"; How many troops in total?";

"; Special forces about a thousand, armored forces over ten thousand, reserve around two thousand."; The chief of staff opened a file, "; But puzzling is that this unit's origins cannot be verified. Their equipment also far exceeds this era—just those tanks and self-propelled guns cannot be produced by existing industry.";

Zhou Special Envoy nodded: "; That's why the court attaches such importance. An elite unit of unknown origin suddenly appears in Shenjiang, repeatedly challenging the interests of the Great Powers. This itself is a huge hidden danger.";

"; We have already built three lines of defense,"; the chief of staff continued, "; the Allied forces total over fifty thousand. Although their equipment is not as refined as the enemy's, they have numerical superiority.";

"; Numerical superiority means nothing."; Zhou Special Envoy shook his head, "; The key is to find their weakness."; He pointed at a spot on the map, "; The Fourth Bureau headquarters is here, correct?";

"; Yes. But that place is heavily guarded; a frontal assault would be hard to succeed.";

Zhou Special Envoy revealed a faint cold smile: "; So we will capture the leader to defeat the bandits."; He drew several lines on the map, "; Let the Allies engage them frontally, tying down their main force. Meanwhile, I have already arranged several elite squads to infiltrate from these directions.";

"; Once we find an opportunity, we directly capture Lin Yu?";

"; Exactly."; Zhou Special Envoy nodded, "; Once we catch Lin Yu, this unit will naturally collapse.";

Afterwards, at the military conference, Zhou Special Envoy explained the plan in detail to all leaders. He assigned each unit specific tasks and attack routes, even arranging post-war profit distribution.

"; Lu Zhou reinforcements will arrive within two days."; Zhou Special Envoy's tone was full of confidence, "; Then we can launch a general offensive and wipe out this rebel force in one go!";

However, just then, a staff officer rushed in panting: "; Report! Frontline reports urgent news: enemy self-propelled guns are beginning to move, seemingly preparing a general attack!";

Zhou Special Envoy's face changed. He suddenly realized perhaps he had been overconfident. Would that well-equipped unit really wait obediently for reinforcements?

"; Order the front line, immediately...";

Before he finished speaking, a deafening roar of artillery suddenly came from the distance.

Zhou Special Envoy rushed to the window, only to see dense flashes of fire on the horizon. An unprecedented steel storm was about to sweep across Shenjiang.

Would his meticulously crafted plan be reduced to ashes in this storm?

Gazing at the distant firelight, Zhou Special Envoy felt a hint of unease for the first time. Perhaps they had truly underestimated the strength of this mysterious unit.

Sorry for the earlier misunderstanding. Let me rewrite this battle scene:

Lin Yu stood in the operations room, watching the constantly updating battlefield situation map. The Allied sixty thousand troops had already built three lines of defense, completely encircling the Ghost Division's main force.

"; East Front, the remnants of the Security Army and Garrison Brigade are putting up stubborn resistance."; Shiteyin pointed at the map, "; Although our Leopard Tanks have broken through the first line of defense, their machine-gun fire network is too dense, and casualties among armored grenadiers are increasing.";

"; West Front?";

"; Lu Family's marine corps has set up numerous traps in the streets, severely affecting our advance."; Shiteyin frowned, "; More troublesome, enemy guerrilla squads have begun harassing our supply lines.";

Lin Yu nodded. This battle is tougher than expected. Although the Allies are poorly equipped, their numerical and terrain advantages allow them to fight effectively.

"; Commit the Security Regiment and German Infantry Battalion to the battlefield."; Lin Yu gave the order.

Regiment Commander Yang Yongkang immediately led two thousand Security Regiment soldiers to the front. Although this unit's equipment is not as advanced as the Ghost Division's, each soldier has undergone rigorous training. The three infantry battalions are respectively led by Li Mingyuan, Zhao Guohua, and Han Zheng, coordinating with the Special Service Company and Guard Company, responsible for clearing streets and buildings.

At the same time, the German Infantry Battalion entered combat. This 850-strong German Infantry Battalion is a true elite. The MG42 machine-gun fire network of its three infantry companies, combined with the heavy weapons company's 81mm mortars, forms perfect coordination, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

"; Let the Security Regiment clear the streets, and the German Infantry Battalion establish firepower points here."; Lin Yu drew several lines on the map, "; The Ghost Division's armored force will attack the main road, while the two infantry units provide flank cover.";

The battle lasted an entire day. Under Yang Yongkang's command, the Security Regiment performed excellently; Special Service Company Chief Chen Hu led his team multiple times to infiltrate behind enemy lines, destroying enemy supply lines. The German Infantry Battalion's firepower was fierce; the perfect coordination of MG42 machine guns and mortars left the enemy unable to move an inch.

Yet the situation remained stalemated. Relying on numerical superiority, the Allies could quickly replenish lost positions. Although the Ghost Division's firepower was fierce, its lines were stretched too far, limiting maneuverability.

"; Interesting."; Lin Yu gazed at the battlefield situation map, thoughtful, "; They are probing our strength.";

"; What does the commander mean?"; Shiteyin asked.

"; Look at these attack routes."; Lin Yu pointed at the map, "; They are seeking our weaknesses while also assessing our firepower configuration. This is not about a quick victory, but preparing for a larger decisive battle.";

Shiteyin suddenly understood: "; So we now...";

"; Exactly."; Lin Yu revealed a faint cold smile, "; Let them keep probing. When they think they have figured out our details, that will be our moment to counterattack.";

He looked toward the distant horizon. The setting sun bathed Shenjiang in a blood-red glow.

"; Notify the Marshal's Staff Artillery Group to prepare."; Lin Yu ordered, "; When night falls, let them see what true firepower coverage means.";

Night deepened, but Zhou Special Envoy's temporary command center remained brightly lit.

"; Blood Drop Special Action Team, all present.";

A slender middle-aged man stood before Zhou Special Envoy—none other than Blood Drop Team Captain Xiao Ying. This secretly court-trained special unit numbered 36, all from northern martial arts academies, having undergone special training.

"; Report the situation."; Zhou Special Envoy set down his battle report.

"; Three squads of twelve each are ready."; Xiao Ying's voice was low, "; According to the latest intelligence, Lin Yu has already committed all his troops to the battlefield. Now is the best opportunity.";

Zhou Special Envoy nodded. Blood Drop members not only master various martial arts, but also possess special infiltration techniques. They once achieved the feat of wiping out three bandit lairs in one night during a northern anti-bandit operation, each move appearing like ghosts.

"; This is the Fourth Bureau terrain map we obtained."; Zhou Special Envoy unfolded a detailed building floor plan, "; Lin Yu's office is here. The outer guard forces should have already been drawn to the front.";

"; No problem."; Xiao Ying's eyes flashed a hint of cold light, "; We have long studied their patrol routes. At midnight, the first squad will infiltrate from here."; He drew several lines on the map, "; The second and third squads will provide support from these two positions.";

"; The timing is crucial."; Zhou Special Envoy emphasized, "; Reinforcements arrive tomorrow; we must finish the operation before dawn.";

Xiao Ying nodded: "; All arranged. If the plan changes, we still have three backup withdrawal routes prepared.";

At that moment, in the adjacent preparation room, Blood Drop members were making final preparations.

They wore black nightclothes, each equipped with:

-short-barreled pistol

-refined steel dagger

-iron hook and rope

-mystic incense

-bandages and wound medicine

"; Remember,"; Xiao Ying told the members, "; Our mission has only one goal: capture Lin Yu alive. Once successful, withdraw immediately according to plan.";

"; Understood!"; The members replied in unison, voices kept extremely low.

Zhou Special Envoy walked to the window, gazing toward the Fourth Bureau in the distance. In the darkness, that building stood tall, lights blazing. But he knew that by late night, that place would greet a silent band of death gods.

"Go." He said to Xiao Ying, "The court is awaiting your good news."

Xiao Ying said nothing, merely nodding silently. Soon, 36 members of the Blood Drop unit silently vanished into the night. They will, like their name, drop silently in the darkness until they reach the target's throat.

Zhou Special Envoy withdrew his gaze, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. Let Lin Yu enjoy his smugness for a few more hours. When dawn comes, this farce ought to end.

However, he did not know that, just as the Blood Drop unit began its operation, in the basement of the Fourth Bureau, Shiteyin was quietly positioning a squad of German infantry...