Chapter 1287
The 88th Guards Motorized Infantry Division, Li Aiguo's Diversionary Struggle, and
Simferopol, the headquarters of the Odessa Military District.
The cold December wind, carrying remnants of snow, swept through the barracks of the 88th Guards Motorized Infantry Division.
However, as Russia's domestic economy became increasingly strained...
This unit, stationed in a remote area, has now become a marginalized figure in the eyes of Moscow's bureaucrats, with its supplies being repeatedly cut.
In the division commander's office.
General Komarov, commander of the 88th Division, slammed his fist on the table: "What?! This quarter's rations have been cut by another third?!"
The logistics director stood aside with a bitter face, not daring to utter a word.
"It's outrageous! Those fat, bloated guys in Moscow drink vodka and eat caviar every day, while our soldiers on the front lines can barely afford black bread mixed with sawdust!"
Komarov, a veteran who had crawled out of the piles of corpses in Stalingrad, was now red-faced and furious.
Facing enemy bullets, he could shout "Hurrah!" without hesitation and lead the charge.
But now, facing his hungry brothers, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He can't exactly rush to the Kremlin begging for food while carrying a PPSh-41!
"Commander, keep your voice down. If the Cheka hears you, you'll be in big trouble."
Deputy Division Commander Alexei stood up, his eyes darting around, and came up with an idea.
"How about this, let's temporarily suspend the veterans' relief payments and focus on feeding the active-duty young men first."
The so-called "veteran corps" was a unique organization created by the 88th Division, whose members were all widows and orphans of fallen soldiers.
Over the years, the 88th Division has had to squeeze out a large sum of money every quarter to give to these families.
Although the money was not much, it was the sustenance for those orphans and widows to survive during those difficult years.
Alexei had long been dissatisfied with this expense.
Those are pure white rubles!
What use is it to give it to those useless people who can't fight?
However, Komarov repeatedly refuted his claims.
Sure enough, when the opportunity arose, he immediately brought it up.
"Bullshit! Those family members are old and young. Without this money, do you expect them to die in the cold wind?"
As long as I, Komarov, am breathing, no one will touch this money!
Komarov rejected the proposal again.
Alexei was thoroughly humiliated and could only retreat awkwardly to the side.
Komarov's prestige within the division was so high that no one dared to directly oppose him.
Komarov didn't want to see his brothers' relatives destitute, but he had no idea how to raise funds.
Just now.
The phone rang.
"It's little Andrei! You've finally decided to come back, kid? Good, good, I'll be waiting for you at the division headquarters!"
Komarov was delighted to hear Andrei's voice on the phone.
The area around Zaporozhye has historically been within the sphere of influence of the Andrei family.
More importantly, Komarov watched Andrei grow up, and the two had a very deep friendship.
This is one of the reasons why he can remain in his position of authority despite his terrible temper.
Over the years, if it weren't for Andrei's trading company secretly donating money to the 88th Division every year,
With the meager scraps allocated by Moscow, the 88th Division had long been starving.
Half an hour later.
A black Volga sedan drove into the 88th Division's barracks.
This was Li Aiguo's first time stepping into a regular Russian military region.
Well, although the soldiers looked pale and sickly, they were in excellent spirits.
They stood in neat rows, chanting slogans.
Looking at this iron-willed army, Li Aiguo couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Who could have imagined that, decades later, this vast empire would collapse so suddenly?
Will these former sources of pride be sold off cheaply like scrap metal?
However, the wheels of history keep turning, and Li Aiguo had no interest in becoming a savior.
What he needs to do now is to take advantage of this trend of the times and make a fortune for himself and his people!
If I have any extra strength, I wouldn't mind lending a hand.
The car stopped.
Komarov, along with Deputy Division Commander Alexei and several key officers, came to greet them.
however.
What happened next completely surprised Komarov and his team.
Andrei, surprisingly, got out of the car first and opened the back door.
Who is this?!
Immediately afterwards, Li Aiguo's young, oriental face came into view.
“Uncle Komarov, this is my distinguished friend from the East, Mr. Li Aiguo,” Andrei introduced with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Komarov instantly abandoned his contempt, strode forward, and extended his large hand.
"Hello, Comrade Li, welcome to the 88th Guards Division!"
Li Aiguo smiled and shook hands with him: "General Komarov, I have long admired your name."
Komarov then introduced the officers around him one by one.
When it was Deputy Division Commander Alexei's turn, he grasped Li Aiguo's hands tightly with both of them, his face full of flattery.
"Comrade Li Aiguo, this is Deputy Division Commander Alexei. If you need anything in Zaporizhzhia, please feel free to contact me anytime!"
Li Aiguo glanced at the deputy division commander indifferently and nodded: "You're too kind."
After exchanging pleasantries, Komarov invited Li Aiguo and Andrei into his office.
As soon as he sat down, Andrei's smile vanished, and he said seriously, "Uncle Komarov, to be honest, I've come here today because I have a very important matter I'd like to ask for your help with."
Upon hearing this, Komarov looked at the deputy division commander and the other leaders.
The group realized that the other party had something important to discuss, so they stood up and left.
Alexei walked to the outer room, suddenly stopped, leaned on the door frame, and turned back to ask, "Commander, shall today's inspection proceed as planned?"
Komarov frowned slightly: "Didn't we already say it would be canceled?"
"Oh, okay, I'll double-check." Alexei concealed the strange look in his eyes and closed the door.
Only three people remained in the office.
Komarov poured three glasses of vodka himself and said with a smile, "Andrei, we're all on the same side, so just say what's on your mind."
"Uncle, I've come to give you money, a large sum of money," Andrei said in a low voice.
Komarov was taken aback.
"Didn't your company just make a donation a while ago? Why are you making another one?"
“This isn’t a donation, it’s an exchange.” Li Aiguo picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
"Change?"
“That’s right. I heard you just sent over a large batch of AK47s. We have friends overseas who are interested in this type of firearm.”
Komarov's face changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly: "What?! You're insane! Selling the latest active-duty weapons is a serious crime!"
Andrei advised, "Uncle, please don't get agitated. Do you think I'm making a mistake?"
No, no, no, I'm trying to help you!
How many arms do those bastards at GRU sell out every year under the guise of "disposing of surplus equipment"?
They eat meat, but you can't even get a sip of soup!
"What's wrong with selling a little?!"
Komarov's expression darkened further when the GRU was mentioned.
He had repeatedly reported to his superiors about the GRU's arms smuggling, but instead of being investigated, he almost got shot in the city.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly and escaped unharmed.
Seeing that Komarov was still hesitating, Andrei's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to continue to persuade him.
Just then, Li Aiguo, who had been silent all along, suddenly moved.
Without warning, he stood up and walked towards the office door.
What's going on? Andrei was startled.
Komarov was also stunned. This was the headquarters of the 88th Division. How could this Easterner be so bold?
Neither of them had time to stop them.
At this moment, Li Aiguo opened the door, pointed to the wall next to the door frame, and made a shushing gesture to Komarov.
Komarov, filled with suspicion, stood up and walked over.
When he saw the wall outside clearly, he was completely stunned.
An unassuming wooden carving of a black bear hangs on the wall.
That's not the key point. The key point is that Komarov is absolutely certain that this thing was never on the wall of the outer office before!
Li Aiguo took the wood carving off, and with a slight force from both hands, it snapped open with a "click".
Inside the wood carving, there was a sophisticated miniature circuit board, several extremely thin wires, and a miniature magnetic tape!
Komarov's expression changed drastically; this was an extremely professional recording and eavesdropping device!
After carefully inspecting the device and confirming that it did not have a radio transmission module installed, Li Aiguo casually ripped off the power cord and threw the pile of parts onto his desk.
"General Komarov, it seems someone has been watching you."
Komarov had also recovered from his shock.
Only a few core leaders of the division headquarters knew about Andrei and Li Aiguo's secret visit today.
The only one who had the opportunity to install the eavesdropping device was the deputy division commander.
"It's Alexei!"
Komarov uttered a name he would never want to say again.
Alexei, as his second-in-command, had fought alongside him through thick and thin on the battlefield. How could he possibly do such a thing?!
But now the facts are clear.
No wonder Alexei was so interested in the relationship between Komarov and Andrei, and repeatedly tried to get Komarov to introduce Andrei to him, but was always refused.
Furthermore, when Komarov was assassinated in the city last time, only Alexei knew his whereabouts.
Thinking about these things.
Komarov looked several years older.
Li Aiguo didn't give Komarov much time, and pulled a pistol from his waist and handed it to him.
"General Komarov, it is up to you to decide what to do next."
Komarov was startled. He understood perfectly what Li Aiguo meant.
Since Alexei has his eye on them, he will surely report the intelligence to the GRU.
If the GRU intervenes, everyone present will be killed without a burial place!
Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me.
Komarov took a deep breath, grabbed the pistol on the table, and shoved it heavily into the holster at his waist.
Then, he picked up the red secure telephone on the table, and his voice regained the authority befitting a division commander.
"Notify Deputy Division Commander Alexei to come to my office immediately."
the other side.
Alexei frowned instinctively upon receiving the summons from the communications officer.
"Komarov should be having a private conversation with Andrei right now, why would he suddenly call me over?"
"Could it be that the bugging device has been exposed?"
Impossible! That was the latest model that the GRU commissioner personally handed over to me.
It's said to be the same model as the one installed in the US embassy; with Komarov's bunch of roughnecks, they definitely wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
"Could it be... that Komarov finally couldn't withstand the pressure and is planning to let me join him and get a share of the profits?"
"A great opportunity! If I can seize this chance to obtain irrefutable evidence of their arms smuggling and report it directly to the GRU, the position of commander of the 88th Division will be mine!"
Upon realizing this, Alexei could no longer contain his overwhelming joy.
He specially changed into a crisp, brand-new officer's uniform, carefully wiped his sidearm and put it in its holster, and strode confidently toward the division commander's office.
Upon seeing the deputy division commander approaching, the guards in the corridor immediately stood at attention, saluted, and made way for him.
Alexei pushed open the door and went inside, only to find that the ornaments hanging on the outer wall were gone.
Something's not right!
Alexei's intuition, honed from years of walking the line between life and death, sent chills down his spine.
He turned abruptly, his right hand flashing towards the holster at his waist, ready to rush out the door.
however.
He's fast, but someone is faster than him!
"Click".
A crisp click of a bullet being chambered rang in my ears.
Immediately afterwards, a cold, hard gun barrel was pressed firmly against his temple.
"Mr. Alexey, since you're already here, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Li Aiguo appeared beside him at some point, holding the gun in one hand with his finger firmly on the trigger.
"Hands up!" Alexei gritted his teeth, trying to use his explosive power to fight back.
But the moment he tensed his muscles even slightly, the gun barrel pressed against his forehead suddenly thrust forward, piercing his temple.
A true veteran!
If I dare to make a single move, the other party will absolutely blow my head off without hesitation!
Alexei broke out in a cold sweat, completely giving up resistance, and slowly raised his hands.
Li Aiguo's movements were fluid and effortless. He smoothly pulled the pistol from Alexei's waist with his left hand, and then winked at Andrei.
Andrei immediately stepped forward and pinned Alexei against the wall.
They found a dagger in his trouser leg and a small glass bottle in his inner pocket, which contained a capsule.
Upon seeing the capsule, his suspicions were confirmed, and Komarov glared angrily at Alexei.
"You really are a GRU lackey?!"
Since things had come to this, Alexei simply threw all pretenses aside: "There's an old saying in the East: 'A wise man submits to circumstances.'"
Komarov, back then we took bullets for those grown men on the battlefield, shed blood and risked our lives, and what was the result?!
We've been sent to this godforsaken place to starve.
Those sycophants who haven't accomplished anything are living the high life in Moscow!
I refuse to accept this!
Alexei roared, "What's wrong with me siding with the GRU?!"
I just want to secure a future for myself! But you, Komarov, you clearly had a chance to get promoted!
If you turn a blind eye to GRU's actions, everyone will benefit!
But you insisted on playing the virtuous card and reported me! And what did you gain?
"You beast!" Komarov trembled with rage.
"And those families of fallen soldiers you support! They're just a bunch of bloodsucking burdens!"
Over the years, we have spared no effort to feed them, even from the smallest grains of our own making!
You insist on treating them like ancestors; it's utterly foolish!
If Alexei's defection to the GRU could be somewhat understood by Komarov as a power struggle, then so be it.
But at this moment, his vicious curses against the orphans completely touched Komarov's sore spot.
"You can't beat the GRU!" Alexei shouted wildly, seeing Komarov's silence and assuming he was afraid.
"Surrender! Just hand over these two Easterners and Andrei to me and present them to the GRU."
I swear on my life, the higher-ups will definitely transfer you back to the Moscow Military District!
What awaits you is...
"boom!"
A deafening gunshot rang out in the closed office.
Alexei's voice stopped abruptly.
A shocking bloody hole appeared between his eyebrows, his eyes wide open with an expression of disbelief, and he fell straight down.
The one who fired the shot.
It's Komarov.
Even Li Aiguo did not expect that this seemingly indecisive division commander would be so decisive when his bottom line was crossed.
He raised an eyebrow, stepped forward, and extended his hand to Komarov.
Komarov seemed to have all his strength drained away, and he trembled as he handed the pistol to Li Aiguo.
"I'm sorry... I lost control. You guys should leave now!"
Alexei was the deputy commander of the 88th Division. He died in my office. They'll definitely send a special envoy to investigate thoroughly. If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!
Li Aiguo took the pistol, casually tugged at Alexei's clothes, and wiped the fingerprints off the handle.
"Leave? Why would we leave?"
"Deputy Division Commander Alexei was inspecting defenses when he was tragically assassinated by 'Dieter,' a secret agent from the American family, and died a heroic death."
Komarov was stunned, his mind not quite processing what was happening.
Li Aiguo shoved the cleaned pistol back into Alec's hand, then turned around and looked at Komarov with a playful expression.
"But you, my dear division commander, fought a desperate battle with enemy agents to cover the deputy division commander and were unfortunately seriously wounded."
Komarov was stunned: "I'm seriously injured?"
Before he could finish speaking, he saw Li Aiguo raise another pistol with lightning speed, aiming the muzzle directly at his left arm.
Komarov realized what he meant instantly and nodded vigorously: "That's right! I'm injured!"
"boom!"
Another gunshot rang out.
Blood splattered.
Back at the Andrei Company branch in Simferopol, Andrei reflected on the events of the day and felt a pang of melancholy.
Originally, Komarov, that stubborn old man, would not have cooperated with them.
Originally, Komarov, that stubborn old man as hard and unyielding as a rock in a latrine, would never have stooped to their level.
The results of it?
Li Aiguo not only saw through the latest bugging device installed by Alexei, that traitor, at a glance.
They even turned the tables and forcefully pulled Komarov back!
After this battle, Komarov completely broke ties with the GRU and became wholeheartedly bound to the Andrei Trading Company.
"Patriotic brother, what should we do next?"
Andrei looked at Li Aiguo, who was sitting by the window smoking, and his eyes unconsciously showed a hint of awe.
"Of course, we should make this performance a success. President Xie should have regained control of the Ministry of the Interior by now, right?"
I think he would be very interested in the opportunity to legitimately take down his old rival, GRU.
Upon hearing this, Andrei's eyes lit up immediately.
The GRU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs are old rivals.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs had long wanted to extend its reach into the military region, but the Corn Emperor was keeping a close eye on it.
Commander Xie had not been able to find a suitable excuse.
Now, isn't this excuse delivered right to our doorstep?
"Brother Patriot, I'll go make the call right now."
Andrei turned and went into his office to make a phone call.
Li Aiguo knew that this involved a power struggle within the Russian leadership, and he was neither qualified to participate nor even interested in doing so.
When I went to the clothes, I learned the name and the name.
Over the next two days, Li Aiguo completely transformed into an ordinary foreign tourist, leisurely strolling around Simferopol.
This is an ancient city founded by the Crimean Tatars.
After Catherine the Great conquered the Crimean Peninsula, she renamed it "Simferopol," which means "useful city" in Greek.
Just by listening to the name, you can tell that this city has a utilitarian and dull streak at its core.
The streets are full of military-industrial complexes and factories; there's really no place for romance or leisure.
Fortunately, the leather market here is quite famous.
Li Aiguo wandered around the market for half a day, carefully selecting several fine sable and fox fur coats.
It's already winter in Beijing, and all four masters, their wives, their parents-in-law, and Miss Chen all need mink coats.
Just as Li Aiguo was leisurely shopping.
Berezhnaya, a specialist from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, has arrived at the 88th Division's base with a team of elite agents in a grand manner.
Looking at the jeep on the playground, so realistically disguised and riddled with bullet holes, and Komarov's tightly bandaged "gunshot wound" on the hospital bed, Berezhnaya's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
After a rigorous and meticulous on-site investigation, the Ministry of the Interior reached an authoritative conclusion.
Comrade Alexei, deputy commander of the 88th Division, was attacked by "Dieter," a top agent of the American family, during an inspection tour and tragically sacrificed his life!
Berezhnaya signed her name on the investigation closing form with a flourish, then handed a copy to Andrei, who was accompanying her.
"Comrade Andrei, where is your magical Eastern friend?" Berezhnaya looked at him with a half-smile.
"What friend? I have no idea!" Andrei felt a chill run down his spine from the woman's gaze and quickly denied it.
Berezhnaya didn't expose his poor acting skills, but just smiled meaningfully.
It was evening.
The clamor in Simferopol gradually subsided.
In an old pub in the city.
Li Aiguo was leisurely sipping vodka while watching the two young Russians engage in a fistfight.
Suddenly, a voice rang in my ears: "What, aren't you going to buy me a drink?"
Li Aiguo turned his head and saw Berezhnaya, wearing a khaki trench coat, pulling out the chair opposite him and sitting down without any hesitation.
This woman is increasingly resembling a female Cheka.
Li Aiguo smiled and snapped his fingers at the waiter.
The waiter brought over a glass of vodka, and Berezhnaya picked up the glass, tilted her long neck back, and drank it all in one gulp.
Then, she took a thin cigarette out of her pocket and put it between her red lips.
"Snapped."
A small flame was handed over.
Li Aiguo lit a cigarette for her.
Berezhnaya exhaled a puff of smoke.
"What a clever trick to use one wolf to devour another! Driver, you're becoming more and more frightening."
"Heh, what? I don't know. I'm just a tourist." Li Aiguo laughed and took out a cigarette, lighting it.
Looking at Li Aiguo's harmless face, Berezhnaya felt a little discouraged for a moment.
After arriving at the 88th Division, she only needed less than ten minutes of simple investigation to see that the "attack" was full of flaws.
But so what?
Even though the senior officials of the Ministry of the Interior knew there was a problem, in order to take the opportunity to challenge the GRU, they had no choice but to accept the report and even had to help them cover up their lies!
Berezhnaya found that she understood the Eastern man codenamed "Driver" less and less.
He was like a master chess player who had everyone in his grasp, yet everyone willingly became his pawns.
"Comrade driver, I hope we don't become enemies." Berezhnaya stubbed out her cigarette.
"Don't worry, I will never be your enemy."
After saying that, Li Aiguo stood up, took out a handful of rubles from his pocket and put them under his wine glass, then turned around and pushed open the wooden door of the tavern.
A cold wind swept in, and Berezhnaya watched his figure disappear into the night, her brows furrowed, her heart filled with doubt.
"Li Aiguo is not my enemy... then who is my enemy?"
Indistinctly.
Berezhnaya felt she had touched upon a terrifying answer.
But as one of them, she instinctively didn't want to admit it.
These past few days, Li Aiguo has been living a very carefree life.
I go shopping at the market during the day and then sit in this little tavern in the evening.
His Asian features attracted many people, and the residents of this small town were particularly enthusiastic.
The tavern owner was a bearded old man who, unusually, offered to let Li Aiguo pay on credit.
In Russia, where people are known for their love of alcohol, this is practically the highest level of trust.
"Hey, Dongfang brother, want another drink? It's brand new wine that just arrived today!" the bearded owner greeted him warmly.
"No, uncle, I have to go. My friend is here to pick me up." Li Aiguo waved with a smile.
Upon hearing this, the tavern owner looked up and followed Li Aiguo's gaze to the door, whereupon he gasped in shock.
Several soldiers, dressed in crisp Guards uniforms and fully armed, stood in neat rows at the entrance of the tavern.
When the officer in charge saw Li Aiguo come out, he immediately stood at attention and gave a very standard military salute, his eyes full of awe.
The once noisy tavern instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Anyone could recognize that it was the elite force stationed locally.
Guards of the 88th Division!
How could these arrogant fellows be so respectful to an Asian tourist?!
"Goodbye, comrades!" Li Aiguo turned around, waved to the stunned patrons, and climbed into the jeep with military license plates parked at the door.
The jeep sped away, and the tavern remained silent for a full half minute before suddenly erupting into a deafening commotion that seemed to lift the roof off.
"My God! Who is this Easterner? The high command of the 88th Division actually sent the Imperial Guard to pick him up?!"
"I knew it! I could tell long ago that this Brother Dongfang had an extraordinary air about him; he was definitely a big shot!"
"Haha! Now I have something to brag about. I've drunk and arm wrestled with big shots!"
At this moment, in the jeep, Komarov, the commander of the 88th Division, was sitting in the back seat, looking at Li Aiguo beside him with gratitude.
"Comrade Patriot, the trouble has been resolved, thanks to your idea. The GRU originally wanted to intervene, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs blocked it."
Furthermore, our 88th Division conducted an investigation and discovered several more individuals suspected of having GRU connections; these have now been exiled to Siberia.
"Comrade Komarov, you're too kind." Li Aiguo laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"This is all because you chose the right path at a crucial moment."
“Yes! From now on, we will be the strongest allies!” Komarov gripped Li Aiguo’s hand tightly.
The jeep sped along, heading towards the 88th Division's armory.
Sometime later, the snow stopped, and the night sky was filled with twinkling stars.
(End of this chapter)