Courtyard Houses: Longevity Since the War of Resistance

The next morning, newspaper vendors began running and shouting in the streets and alleys, their voices more excited than usual.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The sky has fallen and the earth has collapsed in Hongkou! The Japanese Military Police Headquarters was bombed into ruins last night!"

"Look at the newspaper! The headquarters collapsed overnight! It's suspected that some anti-Japanese hero intervened!"

Breaking news! All high-ranking military police officers are suspected to have perished! The Japanese government and opposition are outraged!

I was walking on Albert Road in the F Concession, wearing an ordinary light-colored long gown and carrying a briefcase, looking like an office worker who got up early for work.

Pedestrians hurried along, each clutching a newspaper; acquaintances whispered among themselves, and the number of police officers and patrolmen had noticeably increased.

"Sir, buy a newspaper! Breaking news!" A newsboy of about ten years old rushed up to me, waving a copy of the Morning Post with the ink still wet in his hand.

I stopped, took out a few coins, and handed them over. The newsboy quickly shoved a newspaper into my hand and rushed off to another passerby.

Unfolding the newspaper, the front page was dominated by huge bold letters and a blurry photograph of ruins: "A shocking incident occurred in Hongkou last night! The Japanese Military Police Headquarters was attacked and completely collapsed! It is rumored that dozens of high-ranking Japanese officials, including Commander Major General Tanikawa and Special Higher Police Chief Colonel Uchida, as well as many important figures in the Wang Jingwei regime, may have perished! The scene was horrific, and the cause remains a mystery! The Japanese are furious and have declared martial law and launched a city-wide manhunt!"

The small print report below is vague, filled with phrases such as suspected explosion, cause under investigation, possibly the work of another country, and high concern from the concession authorities.

I folded the newspaper, tucked it under my arm, and continued walking with a blank expression on my face.

The den of demons collapsed, and the news spread.

In the teahouse by the street, people crowded together, talking animatedly with spittle flying everywhere. They kept their voices low, but the light in their eyes was unmistakable.

"Have you heard? It collapsed completely! Those little devils finally got their comeuppance!"

"Who did this? It's incredible!"

"Shh... Keep your voice down! Can't you see there are lackeys everywhere?"

"Good job! Let's see if they dare to be so arrogant again!"

I went into a relatively quiet Cantonese teahouse, ordered a pot of jasmine tea and some dim sum, and sat down in a corner. While slowly enjoying my morning tea, I carefully read through the "Morning Post".

Although reporting was restricted, the power of word-of-mouth among the people could not be contained. Panic had been sown, and the Japanese people suffered their heaviest public blow since the occupation of Shanghai.

More importantly, this provides a once-in-a-lifetime strategic window.

The Japanese must be in a terrible mess right now.

The top brass are furious, the middle brass are panicked, and the lower brass are confused. A command structure has broken down, and internal investigations will lead everyone to suspect each other. The attention and manpower of the Japanese forces in Shanghai and even the surrounding areas will be greatly drawn to the investigation and stability maintenance of this shocking case, inevitably leading to a relaxation and loopholes in external control.

The opportunity for liberation has come again. We must spread this fire beyond our borders, to Jiangsu Province, to Zhejiang Province, to Moscow, and to St. Petersburg.

Take advantage of his illness and kill him!

They finished their snacks in a few bites, drank some dry tea, paid the bill, and left. There was a radio station at Nightingale's place.

I wasn't worried at all about being followed in front of Nightingale's apartment, because, well, it's me, hahahahahaha!!

I raised my hand and gently knocked four times on the door, paused for two seconds, knocked three times, paused again for two seconds, and then knocked five times. This was my private way of contacting Nightingale; only Lao Zhao and I knew about Nightingale's apartment.

The lock turned slightly, opening a crack. I went in, and she quickly closed the door.

"You..." She looked at me, her voice a little hoarse, her head turned towards the ruins to the north, "It's all over the place. Is it you?"

"Yes." I didn't deny it, and walked to the middle of the living room. "To make a long story short, I need to send a letter back home immediately."

Without the slightest hesitation, the nightingale said, "Alright. Follow me."

In the bedroom, a heavy wardrobe against the wall was moved aside, revealing a wooden plank on the wall. Nightingale skillfully pried open the plank, showed me the radio and the hand-cranked generator next to it, then turned and picked up a bamboo basket used for grocery shopping, heading straight out the door and downstairs. The whole process was swift and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

The charismatic moments of a veteran intelligence agent.

I was the only one left in the room, so I quickly took out the radio, connected the antenna, and secured the hand-cranked generator. I cranked the generator until the voltage stabilized, then put on my headphones, turned it on, and tuned it to the emergency frequency.

My finger landed on the keypad, and I sent a coded message.

Waiting, an endless wait, that's why there are no ringback tones.

About a minute later, the frequency was switched in, and the other party responded with a confirmation code.

My fingers tapped steadily and rapidly. "Headquarters, Old Zhao has been rescued. I've also slightly expanded our gains. The Shanghai R Army headquarters has suffered heavy damage and is bound to be in chaos. Taking advantage of this opportunity, our army should expand our gains and liberate Jiangsu and Zhejiang. I can provide internal support. I will be back online in six hours. Suppress Ghosts."

After I finished sending it, I waited. Nightingale returned with a bamboo basket containing vegetables, a small piece of meat, and a few eggs. She calmly closed the door.

"Is it connected?" she asked in a low voice.

"It's connected. I'll get a reply in six hours," I replied briefly.

She nodded, asked no further questions, and carried her shopping basket into the corner that doubled as a kitchen: "At this hour, cooking over a fire won't attract attention. You're probably hungry too, want to eat something together?"

"OK."

The cabin was soon filled with the aroma of food. Nightingale worked quickly and quietly. I sat at the table. These six hours were a brief period of peace. I knew that mobilizing the forces of several provinces to launch an offensive was no small matter.

Headquarters needs time to weigh the options and make arrangements.

Nightingale brought a plate of stir-fried vegetables, a plate of cured meat, a bowl of steamed eggs, and two bowls of rice to the table. We sat down facing each other and ate in silence. Eating was just eating; there was no unnecessary conversation—a habit and discipline formed from long-term underground work.

After we finished eating, I was clearing the dishes when she tried to help, but I stopped her. If I let her wash the dishes again, I'd definitely get a lot of flak on Xiaohongshu (a Chinese social media platform).

Six hours later, Nightingale closed her book, picked up her bamboo basket, and went out again.

I turned it on, and the static in my headphones was steady. A few minutes later, the familiar signal switched in.

The telegram has arrived.

The translated message conveyed a deliberate and decisive tone: "Suppressing Ghosts: The suggestion, after urgent discussion, is deemed to have significant strategic value and is approved. Relevant units in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are now ordered to launch an operation. Your mission is to create opportunities for the combat units; the department's attack targets are to be determined by you, Headquarters."

Clear commands and sufficient authorization are both signs of trust.

I replied, "Execute immediately."

Communication ended.

I quickly tidied everything up and restored the room to its original state. Nightingale returned soon after, and seeing my expression, knew the outcome was already decided.

"Are you leaving?" she asked.

"Let's go right away." I nodded and took out a small notebook from my pocket. Nightingale took it and immediately realized what it was: the core list and contact information of the underground intelligence network in Shanghai.

"Old Zhao wants you to take over," I said, looking at her, my voice low and clear. "Now I'm leaving Shanghai. This silence can't last forever; the intelligence network needs to be taken over again. You're the most suitable candidate."

Nightingale's fingers tightened slightly. She didn't refuse, but simply nodded. "I understand. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, this thread will remain and will continue."

"Reliable"

"Take care of yourself."

"Same here." I patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go."

Without further ado, I opened the door and slipped into the dimly lit hallway. Nightingale stood inside, giving my retreating figure one last look before gently closing the door. I blended into the night and headed straight out of the city.

My wisp of starlight, void, devouring flames, pure lotus demon fire, pure lotus demon fire, three thousand raging flames, bone spirit cold fire, fallen heart flame, green lotus earth core fire, is about to start spreading like wildfire.