Chapter 37: Sniper Kill (1)

　　The two battalion commanders saw their Regimental Commander fallen – a bullet through his forehead. Instantly, they recognized a Japanese sniper on the position. Continuing the fight meant useless sacrifice. They ordered immediate withdrawal toward Chenjia Bridge positions.

　　Soldiers clustered around the battalion commanders, carrying Colonel Chen Ruqi's body in rapid retreat from the position. Yamashima Yukio intended to match Dong Sanshao's kill count of Japanese commanders by eliminating Chinian officers. But the Chinian troops withdrew too swiftly. His plan failed.

　　Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki entered Liusi Bridge position, samurai sword in hand. Chinese soldiers' bodies littered the trenches. Scanning the position, his eyes settled on Lieutenant Yamashima Yukio – filled with silent questioning.

　　Yamashima approached in his camouflage cloak. "The Chinian supreme commander is dead by my shot. His body was taken by them."

　　Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki nodded impassively. He ordered the signals officer to radio Major General Hata Shigeyoshi. Moments later, Hata's response arrived: congratulations and orders to advance on Chenjia Bridge.

　　Yamashima Yukio noted Sasaki's lack of praise but remained indifferent. Clutching his sniper rifle, he stood against the wind. Before deployment, Commander-in-Chief Okamura Yasuji had commanded him: "Return to Nanjing only after eliminating the Chinian sniper!" Since he hadn't seen the target, he couldn't return. Completion required the sniper's elimination.

　　Thus when Sasaki advanced toward Chenjia Bridge with his troops, Yamashima followed.

　　Lieutenant Yamashima Yukio wasn't ethnically Japanese but Taiwanese Gaoshan tribesman. A lifelong hunter from Taiwan, he'd left behind family: daughter Yamashima Michiko, son Yamashima Tamio, and wife Zhang Fuzhen. His marksmanship was extraordinary. He always carried a traditional bent knife at his waist – brought from Taiwan for close combat against Chinian snipers.

　　His son Yamashima Tamio was seventeen, his daughter Yamashima Michiko twenty-one. Both were conscripted by the Imperial Army to the Chinian battlefield. Yamashima Yukio himself fought in Shanghai and Nanjing campaigns, his daughter participating in the Nanjing campaign. At his request, his son served as a signals officer in rear military headquarters.

　　Lieutenant Yamashima Yukio was hailed as "God of Guns" by Japanese military circles. During Shanghai and Nanjing battles, his rifle killed thirty-two Junior Officers, ten Field Officers, and one Major General (Yi Anhua, Commander of the 259th Brigade, 87th Division) of Chinese defending forces. This man was a criminal of monstrous scale. He functioned like an imbecile – a brainless idiot. He executed orders without question, never considering their morality. He forgot his ancestors were Chinese.

　　Yamashima Yukio's birth name was Qiu Fuzhi, his daughter's Qiu Lili, his son's Qiu Defu – all traditional Chinese names. They celebrated Lunar New Year annually, pasting upside-down "福" characters on their door for good fortune. Yet despite these traditions, Yamashima Yukio considered himself Japanese. At the Japanese government's demand, he adopted a new name.

　　On the Chinian battlefield, Yamashima received rewards per kill: 1 jin pork for a Chinese Junior Lieutenant; 2 jin for a Lieutenant; scaling incrementally; and only for killing a Chinese Major General: 1,000 silver dollars.

　　Thus, Yamashima Yukio's rifle targeted only senior Chinese commanders, never ordinary soldiers.

　　Dong Sanshao reached Hukou city in under thirty minutes, gripping his sniper rifle and remaining ammunition. Gate guards saw his civilian clothes paired with elite sniper gear. Instantly, rifles surrounded him.

　　Dong Sanshao roared: "What the hell? I'm Nationalist Army! Just came from Liusi Bridge!"

　　Four soldiers kept weapons leveled. A tall corporal demanded: "Liusi Bridge? Situation there?"

　　Dong Sanshao shook his head: "Goddamn devils bombing with planes and artillery. Regiment Commander Chen can't hold it!"

　　These 26th Division sentries didn't know Chen Ruqi. The corporal sneered: "Bullshit! If Liusi Bridge falls, we'd have orders! You're a Japanese spy! Cuff him!"

　　Dong Sanshao panicked but stayed still - resistance meant death as a spy. He surrendered his weapons: "Take me to your CO! Liusi Bridge is falling!"

　　The corporal kicked his backside: "Who the fuck you think you are? Demanding to see our commander?"

　　Dong Sanshao seethed: Should've hidden the rifle outside!

　　Soldiers confiscated his gear, locking him in the guard post. They lounged at the gate while Dong Sanshao fumed, recalling Liusi Bridge's carnage versus their slack indifference.

　　Over an hour passed. Liusi Bridge had fallen to Sasaki, now advancing toward Chenjia Bridge. After Chenjia Bridge, Hukou would be next.

　　As despair tightened, Dong Sanshao spotted Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Tong. He screamed: "Commander Zhou! Save me!"

　　Zhou Tong scanned until she saw him in the guard post. Fury flashed in her eyes. She stormed in. Seeing her, Dong Sanshao's eyes welled. He wept like a child reunited with family.

　　After separating on Majiazhuang's rear mountain, Zhou Tong led Dong Yaoting, Zhang Hanzhi, and Zhang Facai via shortcuts to Hukou. She immediately met 26th Division Commander Liu Yuqing. Revealing her identity, she used division communications to contact Bureau of Investigation and Statistics headquarters in Nanchang. Unexpected orders arrived: remain temporarily in Hukou. Recent losses of Madang Fortress and Pengze County prompted Chiang Kai-shek to suspect traitors among defenders. He'd ordered Dai Li to station agents in Hukou for covert investigation. This was Zhou Tong's assignment.

　　Division Commander Liu Yuqing dared not offend the Bureau. He served Zhou Tong with meticulous deference. His respectful attitude alerted Dong Yaoting. Settled in, Dong asked: "Commander Zhou, what's the Bureau's function? Commander Liu treats you with such respect!"

　　Zhou smiled: "We gather enemy intelligence behind lines and monitor Nationalist officers for pro-Japanese or communist sympathizers. We answer directly to President Chiang Kai-shek."

　　Dong chuckled: "Commander Zhou, may I join?"

　　Zhou studied him: "You're Wuhan University educated. China needs patriots like you. When we return to Nanchang, I'll recommend you."

　　Zhang Hanzhi interjected: "Brother Yaoting, will you abandon Sanshao?"

　　Dong laughed: "Never! I'll bring him. Commander Zhou, may I?"

　　Zhou nodded: "Of course. You, Sanshao, and Zhang Hanzhi – all may join."

　　Zhang Facai broke his silence: "Commander Zhou, am I unworthy? Why exclude me?"

　　Zhou replied gently: "Zhang Facai, return to your original unit. Bureau work isn't for you."

　　Zhang Facai knew his limitations. He fell silent.

　　Zhou added: "When Sanshao returns, we can't leave immediately. We must monitor Hukou defenders – Commander Liu's troops. If they abandon the city or fight poorly, I'll arrest them and report truthfully to superiors."

　　Zhang Facai snorted: "So this is your 'honorable duty'? Pointing guns at soldiers' backs while they fight? How can they focus?"

　　Dong Yaoting ignored this. His decision was made: joining the Bureau in Nanchang surpassed frontline service. Zhou Tong – a woman barely older than him – wore lieutenant colonel insignia. Promotion came faster here than in combat units. That's what Dong coveted.

　　The next morning, Zhou Tong decided to inspect the city gate. Distant artillery fire from Liusi Bridge unsettled her. She feared Japanese capture of the position and resolved to await Dong Sanshao's arrival. Trained in intelligence work, Zhou considered details meticulously: Dong Sanshao would reach Hukou, but his appearance and sniper rifle would get him detained. Even if admitted, how would he find her in this vast city? Thus, she waited at the gate.

　　Dong Sanshao stared at Zhou Tong through tear-filled eyes, sobbing: "Commander Zhou! They bullied me! Took my rifle and half-sack of bullets! Locked me here! I'll report them!"

　　His cry reached the four sentries. Seeing Zhou's lieutenant colonel insignia, they stood slack-jawed at the gate, too intimidated to speak.

　　Zhou wiped his tears, smiling: "Hush now. I'm here. Tell me how you came."

　　Dong Sanshao sniffled: "How? I nearly died twice on that position! If not for Regiment Commander Chen's rescue, I'd be dead!"