Opposite Seventh Street, there is a five-story building with a gray square in front. It is not conspicuous in Lianyungang. This building looks very rigid. The whole building is simply a gray square box, except that it looks very solid.

Apart from that, there is no other special feature. Even the square in front of the door is just a parking lot. There is even a special sign on the parking lot.

With the words "Private land, no parking" and "Private land, no playing", this is obviously not a distinctive place. The bland parking lot and the buildings without any characteristics make few people come here, but every day

, there will be a large number of cars driving in and out of the parking lot. In terms of cars alone, this may be the busiest non-public parking lot in Lianyungang, that's all.

In the lobby on the first floor of this unobtrusive square box-shaped building, when others enter, they seem to be able to detect the difference between this place and the outside world. The lobby of the building is open, but on the left and right sides of the lobby service desk,

The passage leading inside is divided into several passages no more than two feet wide by guardrails and the like.

On both sides of the iron railing passage, you can see several doormen in white shirts sitting next to the registration desk at the entrance. They look at every outsider with vigilant eyes. If a policeman or expert comes in,

, after looking carefully, you will definitely notice that the holsters on the waists of these guards are not buckled at all. The half-open holsters seem to tell people that these guards are ready to draw their guns at any time.

Obviously, from this point of view, the guards here seem to be obviously different from those in other places. It is even said without hesitation that even the security of the Office of the General Manager is not as strict as here, and in some hidden places

, you can also see the alarm bell. It is conceivable that once the alarm is sounded, a large number of guards may appear here in the blink of an eye.

Everyone who enters or exits this building will be carefully inspected by these gatekeepers. Entrants need to hold documents, and people going out need to check their luggage. In short, all of this highlights the difference between this place and the outside world, and here

It's the Security Department of Longhai Railway Company.

In the eyes of outsiders, the security department of the railway company is just a commercial investigation agency affiliated to the Longhai Company. As a railway company that spans several provinces, it is normal for the Longhai Railway Company to have such a commercial investigation agency, but in fact

, the Security Department of Longhai Railway Company, is just a brand of the railway company, and even the funds here are not paid by the railway company. It can be said that apart from the prefix, the two have no relationship at all.

However, despite this, most of the time, the Security Department still provides information services as much as possible for the railway company and Liuhe Company. One of the reasons why the Security Department was initially established was because of the expansion of the company. It is also increasingly important for various business information

At the same time, the company's demand for various technical personnel has never eased. Even as the company expands, more and more technical personnel are recruited.

In order to help the company obtain as much business information from various places as possible, and at the same time ensure the "purity" of the company's recruitment of technical personnel to meet the company's needs, the Security Department almost naturally appeared in Lianyungang, but it has always been

One of the most secretive institutions in Lianyun.

"The war is on!"

After throwing the information in his hand to Yang Fengqi, Wei Zidong's expression looked very calm when he spoke, but while he was calm, people who were familiar with him could see a strange look flashing in his eyes.

"An Ting, what do you think is the chance of winning this battle?"

Yang Fengqi's tone seemed very casual, and there was no self-consciousness in his words as a staff member, but Wei Zidong didn't care at all.

"Fifty percent!"

Wei Zidong narrowed his eyes slightly and said confidently.

"If the manager allows me to let go of my hands and feet, even if I only master..."

As he pondered, Wei Zidong was unable to speak. In fact, he knew better than anyone else that now that he was in the Security Department, he had been sidelined. In addition to relying on these old friends around him, he had previously recruited dozens of security guards from the Security Department.

Apart from that, he has almost no power. In comparison, Zhao Pingpu, the deputy minister in charge of the Domestic Affairs Department, Foreign Affairs Department, Information Analysis Department, Technology Department and Education Department, has less power than a minister.

Section chief, not to mention division chief.

But in the face of all this, Wei Zidong surprisingly endured it. He was just observing the situation and waiting for the opportunity. The Security Department, as the Minister of Security, he knew better than anyone else the power the Security Department had, and now Zhao Pingpu didn't even

It would not have exerted even 50% of its power.

"As long as I master the East Asian Section of the Foreign Affairs Department, I can turn this 50% into 90%!"

"oh?"

Yang Fengqi was stunned by his old friend's words. He looked at Wei Zidong in surprise, not understanding where his 90% confidence came from!

"Zhao Pingpu - just a Geng man, Li Siqin..."

After snorting several times, Wei Zidong's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and the corners of his lips were slightly raised with a look of contempt on his face.

"They won't be able to make a big impact, at least they are not the food for this bowl of rice!"

Who is the material to eat this bowl of rice? In Wei Zidong's opinion, at least in Lianyungang, there is really no one else but him.

"With Anting's talent, but not being used by the officials, why does Anting know why?"

Yang Fengqi's rhetorical question only made Wei Zidong frown. How could he not know the reason? The most fundamental reason is nothing more than one word - loyalty!

And now... Half-holding the teacup, Wei Zidong glanced at Yang Fengqi. If Li Siqin hadn't been tricked, the manager would... As soon as this thought came to his mind, Wei Zidong shook his head. He knew clearly that between him and Zhao Pingpu,

, who the manager believes more, also understands that until now, he still has not been able to win the trust of the chairman.

"Brother Qiming, what do you think..."

After pondering for a moment, Wei Zidong looked at his old friend with a half-smile.

“What choice should I make now?”

"An Ting, actually, you already have the answer! Why do you need to ask more?"

Smiling and shaking her head, Yang Fengqi said pointedly.

"You..."

With a smile on his face, Wei Zidong stood up and walked to the sofa to sit down, and then made tea in a serious manner. At this time, there was no expression on his face, and his whole person seemed a little aloof until he poured it for Yang Fengqi himself.

After a cup of tea, he spoke.

"Brother Qiming, how confident do you think I am?"

But Yang Fengqi remained silent. After sipping a cup of tea, he spoke.

"That depends on how loud you can fire the cannon!"

"Excuse me! The Jiao-Ao China Army decisively attacks the Imperial Navy!"

On August 28, it was dawn, and Tokyo, the capital of Japan, gradually woke up from its slumber. In the early morning, the bell of the newspaper reporter selling "waihao" rang through the streets of Tokyo, and pedestrians were all shocked. But what shocked the Japanese even more was the "waihao" on the street

That sensational content:

"Yesterday (August 27) at around 4 pm, off the German leased area of ​​Jiao'ao, near the Marco Polo Bridge, China's artillery troops successively bombarded the Second Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy heading to take over the leased area of ​​Jiao'ao. The second fleet immediately returned fire, with shelling from both sides.

The shelling continued until late at night on the 7th, and the two armies are currently engaged in a fierce artillery battle."

After this, radio and newspapers continued to transmit detailed reports on the ground. Based on these reports, most people came to the conclusion that the Chinese army that attacked the Imperial Fleet for no reason had surrendered under the "heroic" attack of the Imperial Navy.

and be disarmed.

In order to cater to the psychology of the Japanese people, under the idea of ​​"Japan is a superior nation and China is an inferior nation", newspapers often brag about the war and report on it with surprising speed. Without many people in the Japanese military and political circles knowing about it, newspapers have

The outcome of the war has already been carefully planned.

All day long on the 8th, just when the whole of Tokyo was in a chaotic discussion, there was a sad look in the Prime Minister's Office.

The Qingdao defenders really did not compromise. After the Second Fleet used naval guns to exert "deterrence", the Chinese gunners immediately counterattacked before the shells landed on Qingdao. In the nearly six hours of artillery battle that followed,

Although they were a group of "novices", the Chinese gunners could still be described as "hitting fast and hard". They damaged a light cruiser and hit the battleship Zhou Feng.

The artillery battle with the entire Second Fleet lasted for six hours. It can be said that the attitude of the Chinese defenders could not be more clear. They will never compromise!

"Conquer Qingdao!"

The livid-faced Admiralty Minister said with a stern face.

"Qingdao must be captured, otherwise China will never respect Japan again!"

"Within five days, the army can arrive in Shandong and land in a prepared position!"

After hearing that the navy's artillery bombardment was counterattacked, as the Minister of War, he did not have the slightest intention to rejoice in the misfortune. Even after he learned the news, he immediately colluded with the chief of staff and others, and the result was the same.

——Capture Qingdao!

"Minister Linge expressed British concerns to us yesterday!"

Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki relayed the British attitude at this time. In fact, everyone here knows very well about the British attitude. At the cabinet meeting, they analyzed the British attitude towards Japan and China again and again, and in the end

The conclusions they drew made them more confident and fearless.

"Britain does not need to worry. They are more worried about us now. They are even more afraid that we will fall to Germany. Now for us, we must win Jiao'ao. Only in this way can we use this opportunity to lay a century-old foundation for the empire!"

Okuma Shigenobu did not hesitate too much. He was very clear about the importance of China to Japan. Japan must obtain this market and the origin of raw materials. It must take advantage of the westward shift of the European powers' attention to expand its presence in China as much as possible.

influence, and even establish a puppet regime in China. Only in this way can Japan truly benefit from the future.

Finally, on August 28, the two "Allied Powers", either in substance or in name, went to war.

"My friends, what is the attitude of Britain now?"

In Jurentang, Yuan Shikai, who seemed to have a sick look on his face, looked at Zhu Erdian with a worried look on his face. Jiao'ao was still fought, and Li Zhiyuan was uncompromising, but he had to consider the whole country.

"President, from the British point of view, Japan is trying to use the European War to consolidate and expand its colonial territory, and has no intention of sharing the obligations of the war against Germany!"

First of all, Zhu Erdian truthfully stated his own and British estimates of Japan.

"But, President, the current evolution of the situation between China and Japan is beyond the imagination of the United Kingdom. Japan's decisive attack on an ally is not in line with the interests of the United Kingdom, but..."

Looking up, Zhu Erdian said apologetically.

"But now the UK's focus is on Europe. However, the UK will use every possible means to obtain some kind of commitment from Japan on China!"

"Some kind of promise?"

Yuan Shikai's brows jumped. He vaguely guessed what kind of promise it was, and it must be at the expense of China's interests.

"President, London would like to know whether your president can order the troops stationed in Jiao'ao to evacuate!"
To be continued...