Lifting Shadows 

Under the shadowy embrace of the night, Zhang Wei and Lei Feng crouched beside the cart laden with illegal drugs, their intent clear—to manoeuvre it into the depths of the forest, set it ablaze, and orchestrate a diversion. Despite their considerable strength and skill in combat, lifting the cumbersome cart proved a formidable challenge.

Straining against its weight, their muscles taunted by the effort, they soon realized the limits of sheer strength. The wheels, seemingly embedded in the soil, resisted their determined attempts. The symphony of grunts and strained exertion filled the air, a stark contrast to the stealthy silence they had hoped to maintain.

As they wrestled with the unyielding cart, its immobility became a metaphor for the entrenched obstacles that lay in the path of their liberation mission. Zhang Wei wiped his brow, his eyes meeting Lei Feng's in a silent acknowledgement of their shared fatigue.

"Well, that was a spectacular failure," Zhang Wei remarked with a wry smile, attempting to inject a bit of humour into the situation.

Lei Feng, ever the pragmatist, responded with a nod.

"Trying to lift a cart without making a sound might be a bit beyond even our skill set," he admitted, his tone reflecting a mix of realism and a hint of frustration.

As they leaned against the cart, catching their breath, Zhang Wei glanced at Lei Feng.

"Any brilliant ideas on how to move this thing without alerting the entire camp?" he quipped, hoping Lei Feng's tactical mind had concocted a solution in the brief respite.

"Unless we've suddenly developed superhuman strength, I don't see a quiet way to do it. We need to think of something else," Lei Feng cracked a faint smile.

"Right, let's put our heads together and figure out a more practical plan. Quietly," Zhang Wei sighed, acknowledging the truth in Lei Feng's words.

Their banter provided a brief reprieve from the tension, but the challenge ahead loomed large. The duo started brainstorming, their conversation gradually shifting from playful banter to strategic contemplation.

But before they could dwell on their unsuccessful endeavour, Erdene appeared on the scene. With a deep sigh, she leapt into the cart, and a series of rumbling sounds echoed from within.

Intrigued, Zhang Wei and Lei Feng watched as crates filled with drug ingredients were expertly tossed towards them. In a synchronized effort, the two men skillfully caught the crates, preventing any potential noise.

As Erdene's head emerged from the cart, a touch of annoyance crossed her expression.

"You two are idiots," she exclaimed, her voice a blend of frustration and amusement. "Why struggle with the whole cart when you can simply take out the crates and burn them? It's basic logic."

Her straightforward assessment left Zhang Wei and Lei Feng humbled, realizing the simplicity they had overlooked. To be fair, even they could not believe how two brains had managed to overlook the simplicity of a thought. Eager to rectify their blunder, they quickly shifted their focus to Erdene's more practical approach.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Erdene urged, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and impatience. "Let's get these crates out and create the distraction we need."

The trio began efficiently unloading the crates, their actions accompanied by Erdene's occasional remarks, transforming the task into a surprisingly coordinated

As Erdene and Lei Feng diligently continued their task of relocating the crates to strategic points in the forest, Zhang Wei diverted his attention to the horses tethered to a nearby tree. Observing their body language and interactions, he quickly identified the lead horse—the one exhibiting confidence, controlling access to resources, and influencing the herd's movements.

With an understanding of equine dynamics, Zhang Wei skillfully approached the lead horse, earning its trust through gentle gestures and soft words. He repeated the process with another horse, forming a bonded pair ready to pull one of the carts. These horses now harnessed to the first cart containing the captured women, stood poised for swift action.

In a calculated dance, Zhang Wei repeated the process, selecting pairs of horses and connecting them to the remaining carts. Each horse, responding to Zhang Wei's practised cues, took its place alongside a cart. The atmosphere hummed with an unspoken understanding between man and animal, a silent coordination that would prove invaluable in their escape.

As Zhang Wei secured the last pair of horses to the final cart, he marvelled at the efficiency they had achieved. The carts were now dispersed in multiple locations, positioned for a simultaneous ignition that would maximize distraction. Satisfied with their preparations, Zhang Wei joined Erdene and Lei Feng at the vantage point, where crates of drug ingredients awaited their fiery fate.

"What were you up to?" Erdene raised an eyebrow at Zhang Wei's return.

"Just ensuring our speedy getaway. We're ready to set this plan in motion," Zhang Wei grinned, gesturing to the assembled carts.

"Let's finish this, then. Time is of the essence," Lei Feng nodded approvingly, acknowledging Zhang Wei's foresight.

With the groundwork laid, the trio gathered around the crates, preparing for the orchestrated chaos that would ensue when the night sky was illuminated with the flames of distraction.

As the trio prepared for the orchestrated chaos of their escape, the night was not without its challenges. Some of the men from the camp began to stir, awakening from their slumber. However, Lei Feng, ever vigilant in his assigned role as an observer, moved with stealth and precision. Before the awakened men could raise an alarm, Lei Feng swiftly incapacitated them, ensuring that their attempts to alert others went unheard.

The process of knocking out the stirring men were executed with practised efficiency. Lei Feng moved like a shadow, blending into the darkness and neutralizing any potential threats with calculated strikes. His actions were a testament to his training as an assassin, ensuring that their carefully laid plans remained intact despite the unexpected interruptions.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wei and Erdene continued their final preparations, igniting the crates at the designated points. The flames flickered to life, casting an eerie glow across the forest as the orchestrated distraction took shape. The horses, tethered to the carts, stood ready, their presence adding an element of urgency to the unfolding scene.

Lei Feng rejoined the group, a nod exchanged among the trio as they observed the growing turmoil in the camp. The men who had briefly stirred were now subdued, their unconscious forms scattered in the wake of Lei Feng's silent interventions. The distraction was set, the escape plan in motion, and the trio braced themselves for the pivotal moment when chaos would reign, providing the cover they needed to lead the captured women to freedom.

To enhance the distraction and ensure that the attention of the men in the camp was firmly seized, Zhang Wei, Erdene, and Lei Feng strategically incorporated a pyrotechnic element into their plan. When they had initially placed the crates around the camp, they took care to position crates containing flares at the very bottom of the piles. These flares, designed to produce both bright lights and explosive sounds upon ignition, promised to intensify the spectacle.

As the trio made their final preparations, Zhang Wei carefully connected a fuse from the vantage point in the forest to the strategically positioned crates. The fuse would serve as the link between their hidden location and the stacked crates at the camp, allowing for a synchronized ignition. The decision to draw a fuse provided them with a means to remotely trigger the explosive effect, creating a spectacle that would undoubtedly draw the attention of every occupant in the camp.

Lei Feng, with his expertise in stealth and precision, inspected the fuse connections to ensure a seamless ignition sequence. The anticipation built among the trio as they readied themselves for the pivotal moment when the flames and explosions would shatter the tranquillity of the night, setting the stage for their escape. The success of their plan hinged on this orchestrated chaos, carefully orchestrated to divert attention and create an opening for the captives to break free.

With the crates strategically positioned, the horses harnessed to the carts, and the fuse meticulously laid out, the trio stood in the concealment of the forest, gazing at their handiwork. Erdene, Zhang Wei, and Lei Feng exchanged glances, a shared understanding passing between them that their meticulous preparation had reached its zenith.

The air was charged with anticipation as they surveyed the camp from their vantage point. The night hung heavy with the weight of their impending escape, and the flickering campfires in the distance offered a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped the forest. The captives, now freed from their binds, waited anxiously with a mix of hope and trepidation.

Zhang Wei, with a reassuring nod to Erdene and Lei Feng, prepared to ignite the fuse. The fate of their plan rested on the success of this crucial moment. As Zhang Wei struck the flint, a spark danced to life, catching the fuse and setting into motion the carefully orchestrated chaos they had designed.