Courtyard House: Reborn in the 1940s, Starting with Killing Japanese Devils

Just as things settled down on this side, another unexpected situation arose on the other.

That night, Gu Yufei went to Zhang Li's rented apartment alone and gently knocked on the door. After Zhang Li opened the door, their eyes met, and they remained silent for a moment.

"Section Chief Gu, it's so late, what brings you here?" Zhang Li looked at Gu Yufei with a surprised expression.

"Let's go inside and talk, Zhang Li."

Gu Yufei, with a solemn expression, wearing a dark brown trench coat, stepped into the house, put down her bag, and sharply scanned every corner of the room.

"Hello, Comrade Dandelion."

Upon hearing this code name, Zhang Li's expression changed drastically, his pupils contracted sharply, and he forced himself to remain calm, saying, "Section Chief Gu, I don't understand what you're saying."

Gu Yufei smiled sincerely and said frankly, "There's no need to hide it. We already know your identity. I mean no harm, and there are no spies following me outside."

"Let me formally introduce myself. I am Comrade Guying's liaison. I am here to inform you that from today onwards, you are Comrade Guying's subordinate. My code name is Nine of Hearts."

Zhang Li remained silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and although he was shocked, he quickly calmed down and nodded slowly: "I understand, Comrade Red Heart Nine. I will fully cooperate with Comrade Lonely Shadow's work."

Their intelligence network had received a telegram from the sacred land of northern Shaanxi earlier, informing them that Comrade Guying had arrived in the mountain city and was taking full charge of all aspects of the local underground party's work.

Zhang Li never expected that Gu Yufei, the head of the Telecommunications Section of the Military Intelligence Bureau, was actually an important liaison for Comrade Guying.

"Comrade Dandelion, I'll be taking the initiative to invite you out at the Military Intelligence Bureau headquarters during this period to have meals, go shopping, and watch movies together." Gu Yufei sat down, took off her high heels, and continued, "We'll use these opportunities of daily interaction to exchange intelligence."

Zhang Li nodded in agreement, secretly admiring Gu Yufei's meticulousness and quick wit. The two then discussed and agreed on specific contact methods and codes.

Just as Gu Yufei and Dandelion Zhang Li successfully made contact, something else was happening in Zheng Yaoxian's small villa, on the second floor.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting sparse shadows of trees on the floor. Zhao Heng, wearing headphones, sent an urgent telegram to Lu Hanqing, a member of the underground Communist Party in Chongqing, via radio: "[Yuan Nong has betrayed us and defected to the enemy. Rongchang Department Store has been destroyed. You are in danger of being exposed. Evacuate immediately. Lonely Shadow]"

After sending the telegram, Zhao Heng decisively turned off the radio, removed the antenna and copper ring, and quickly hid the radio components in a hidden compartment in the corner of the wall. He took a deep breath, looked around to make sure everything was alright, and then tiptoed to the window and slowly drew back the curtains.

Yuan Nong, that shrewd egoist, had long been dealt with, but the fact that one of his employees had miraculously survived left Zhao Heng with a lingering worry. He feared that the employee had met Lu Hanqing, and he had to be absolutely certain to prevent any potential trouble.

"Kite, go to Huichuntang immediately and take Comrade Lu Hanqing out of Shancheng City and head to No. 13 Hongyanzui, the Southern Bureau's office in Shancheng. Right now, the only safe place is the Southern Bureau's office in Shancheng—No. 13 Hongyanzui."

As Zhao Heng spoke, he handed a Thompson submachine gun and two magazines to Zheng Yaoxian.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yaoxian's expression changed drastically: "Let Lao Lu evacuate? Didn't you already deal with that traitor Yuan Nong?"

"The problem has been resolved, but his colleague is still in the hospital receiving emergency treatment. I'm not sure if Comrade Lu Hanqing violated regulations by going to Rongchang Department Store to see Yuan Nong. Safety comes first, and we cannot afford to take any chances."

Zhao Heng explained in a deep voice, "We must protect Comrade Lu Hanqing. As long as he retreats to No. 13 Hongyanzui, his life will be safe. As long as Lu Hanqing is alive and stays in the Southern Bureau, he will never fall into the hands of the enemy."

Once he is arrested by the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, you will also face the risk of exposure. I am now your direct superior, and we can continue to secretly contact the sacred site in northern Shaanxi via radio.

Zheng Yaoxian stood up abruptly, his right hand gripping the Thompson submachine gun tightly, his eyes filled with determination: "I understand, Comrade Guying, I will act immediately."

"Take this."

Zhao Heng slowly spoke again, took out a machine gun and two magazines from his waist and handed them to Zheng Yaoxian, "Drive to Huichuntang tonight and take Lu Hanqing and his radio station away. First go to the Southern Bureau's farm in the mountain city."

Zheng Yaoxian took the pistol and magazine, a resolute glint in his eyes.

"Comrade Lonely Shadow, please take care of yourself as well."

Forty minutes later, Zheng Yaoxian drove the military jeep out of the city, the headlights piercing the darkness in the night.

Lu Hanqing, dressed in a long mandarin jacket and carrying a black leather suitcase containing important documents and a small radio, glared at Zheng Yaoxian and snapped, "You son of a bitch, you shouldn't have come at all."

"Yuan Nong has betrayed us. Comrade Guying is worried about your safety and sent me to meet you." Zheng Yaoxian gripped the steering wheel with his left hand and the Thompson submachine gun tightly in his right, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the rearview mirror.

"Old Lu, the fast-slow pistol and two magazines are right at your feet. Comrade Guying asked me to pass them on."

Lu Hanqing was stunned for a moment, then quickly bent down to pick up the pistol and magazine, a warm feeling instantly welling up in his heart. He knew in his heart that this was Comrade Guying's protection and concern for him.

"What will you do if I leave?" Lu Hanqing asked with a worried expression.

"Don't worry, Lao Lu. Comrade Guying is now my direct superior and leads my work. There won't be any problems," Zheng Yaoxian replied in a deep voice.

With a determined look in his eyes, Zheng Yaoxian stepped on the gas pedal and said in a deep voice to the person next to him, "The most important thing right now is to get you safely to No. 13 Hongyanzui, which is the office of the Southern Bureau."

The night stretched out like thick ink, and the jeep sped across the snow-covered plain, its wheels crunching over the thick snow with a soft, rustling sound.

Lu Hanqing nodded slightly after hearing this, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down a little.

The night was bitterly cold, and the chill seeped in through the cracks in the car window. Zheng Yaoxian held the steering wheel steadily, his eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Old Lu, you must protect yourself and never leave the Southern Bureau." Zheng Yaoxian repeatedly urged.

"Don't worry about me. Even the Japanese devils couldn't take my life, so no one else has the ability."

As he finished speaking, a puff of white mist escaped his lips. He glanced at Lu Hanqing, a hint of undisguised reluctance hidden in his eyes.

But he knew in his heart that Zhao Heng's arrangement was correct—Lu Hanqing was his only contact with the organization, and he absolutely could not be allowed to get into trouble or fall into enemy hands.

"I know what I'm doing. With your stubborn temper, you should take care of yourself first," Lu Hanqing blurted out in authentic Sichuan dialect, which was very clear to hear.

The car approached a checkpoint, where a sentry gestured for the vehicle to stop for inspection. Without hesitation, Zheng Yaoxian slammed on the brakes, grabbed a submachine gun, and released the safety catch.