Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

"What?!"

"My husband...has been arrested?!"

"The charges are still reselling military supplies and providing aid to the underground Communist Party?!"

Dong Haitang abruptly stood up, her face changing drastically. She then frowned, her eyes filled with disbelief. "Absolutely impossible! How could he be a member of the underground Communist Party? This is a complete frame-up! I'm going to demand an explanation right now!"

"Yes, we must find out!"

"Walk!"

Wen San and Wu Xiaogou were so anxious that they kept stamping their feet.

"Wait a moment, Aunt Dong."

"My director specifically instructed me to first go to Captain Chang Binghui. Tell him that Master Li has a few leads that have led to several buyers suspected of being Japanese spies who purchased military supplies from his trading company; then ask Captain Chang to confirm that Master Li is actually an informant for the Second Division. It would be best to prepare a formal certificate and submit it to the First Division to explain that this was a false alarm."

Indeed, this was Li Wenguo's second strategic move in the face of crisis.

Rescuing someone from the Lixingshe (a secret society) has always been incredibly difficult; once someone is associated with rebels or Japanese spies, the consequences are irreversible and no one dares to touch them. However, if someone is transformed into "one of their own," the higher-ups have room to maneuver—protecting a meritorious informant is not only within the bounds of discipline but also demonstrates responsibility.

Upon hearing that Li Wenguo possessed live intelligence about a Japanese spy, Chang Binghui slammed his fist on the table and rushed to the office of Kang Bin, the director of the Second Division.

Kang Bin was in his early forties, with a square face and broad forehead, a slightly plump figure, and short, shiny hair parted in a 3/7 ratio. His Zhongshan suit was neatly pressed, with meticulous attention to detail from the cuffs to the collar.

The moment the news broke, he didn't even blink. He immediately ordered his men to retrieve the files and register Li Wenguo as an informant for the Second Division, effective immediately.

Once their identities were settled, it became perfectly logical to ask for more people from one place: why make such a fuss over a misunderstanding between comrades? Aren't we all serving the Lixingshe Society and risking our lives for the Party and the country?

Meanwhile, Yang Zhengde was not idle either. He quickly made contact through someone and took out 10,000 silver dollars, which he then threw at the head of the investigation department.

This man was indeed parachuted in from Nanjing; he had a powerful background and a shrewd mind, and he came specifically to gain experience and make a quick buck. As soon as the money arrived, he didn't even bother to drink a sip of tea; he grabbed his hat and rushed into the interrogation room.

“Pah!”

The barbed leather whip lashed hard against the blue brick floor, exploding with a crisp sound like sparks, sending chills down one's spine.

The interrogation room was cold and damp, with a musty smell mixed with the rusty odor that pierced the nostrils and a chill that went straight to the bone.

"Speak! What's the list of weapons sold to the underground party? How many accomplices were there? Where's their hideout?!"

The presiding judge had high cheekbones, sharp eyes, and a voice like sandpaper scraping against an iron plate.

Li Wenguo, bound to the wooden cross, swallowed hard before speaking:

"Sir, I'm truly innocent! I don't know any underground party members, I have no accomplices, and I don't have any base—I'm just a middleman for a foreign firm, earning a living in fear. All the military supplies I sell are officially approved by the firm in black and white, and the buyers are all clean and honest. You can check the ledgers to see who paid, who signed the orders, and where the goods were shipped... If I really had infiltrated the underground party, wouldn't it be clear as soon as you bring them in and question them?"

Every word is true.

Even if underground party members came to pick up the goods, the foreign firms would still accept them without hesitation—when it comes to business, who cares who you are? They would still place orders even if it came from an enemy country; money talks.

Those in the industry know these rules perfectly well; Lixing Society knows them even better.

That's why he was wronged.

He was filled with remorse: he should have just killed that foreigner Paul back then, instead of raising a tiger that would turn out to be a threat and bringing about this disaster today.

Actually, Paul can't really be blamed for this—the one who truly pushed him into the trap was someone else; Paul merely gave him a push. Unfortunately, Li Wenguo was kept in the dark and insisted that it was Paul who set the trap.

“Pah!”

The whip tip tore through the air again, whistling past Li Wenguo's ear.

"Are you trying to beat around the bush with me? Hmm?"

Foreign firms always kept their clients' information tightly under wraps, and there was no way that such documents could be leaked. Even if you gave Lixing Society a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare to rush up to the foreigners and ask for them. So they insisted that Li Wenguo was hiding something, and while he was putting on a brave face, he was still trying to deceive them.

"You won't take a polite toast, but insist on experiencing the consequences?"

"If I don't show you what's what, you might forget even the name of the King of Hell! If you keep stubbornly protesting your innocence later, it won't just be a couple of lashes!"

Before he finished speaking, he gestured with his chin toward the shirtless, burly man next to him.

"Wait! Hold on!" Li Wenguo blurted out, "I have another identity—an undercover agent for the Second Division's action team, specifically monitoring Japanese spies! Ultimately, we're brothers in arms! If you don't believe me, call the Second Division right now—Director Kang, Captain Chang, either one can testify!"

Seeing the barbed whip raised high, Li Wenguo felt a chill run down his spine—if this strike landed squarely, his flesh would be torn open and blood would splatter everywhere. How could his delicate skin withstand such torment?

But as soon as he revealed the "second place" card, the spy's lips curled into a mocking sneer.

"Beat him to death!"

I'll fuck your ancestors!!!

I've got it!

Li Wenguo was furious, cursing under his breath, but instinctively closed his eyes.

"stop!!!"

"Stop!!!"

Just as the whip tip tore through the air, two sharp shouts pierced the sky.

The whip hung suspended in mid-air, as if it were nailed to the ground.

Fortunately, it was these two who arrived; if it had been that cold-faced spy, the whip would have been lashed out long ago.

"Oh, what a rare guest! Captain Chang, what brings you here?"

Zhou Dahai glanced at him sideways, his tone lazy and disdainful—he knew perfectly well that Chang Binghui was probably there for Li Wenguo.

"Oh, Section Chief Song has arrived too?"

When it was Song Liyang's turn, who had a powerful background, Zhou Dahai's expression immediately relaxed, and he even managed a smile.

"Captain Zhou, I'm here today to speak on someone's behalf."

Song Liyang spoke with a smile, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Although he had powerful backers, he was in the capital, a place fraught with danger, and he was unwilling to make enemies easily.

Zhou Dahai's facial muscles stiffened slightly.

intercede?

Is Li Wenguo really that cunning?

He glanced at Li Wenguo suspiciously.

Dong Haitang, Wen San, and Wu Xiaogou followed behind Chang Binghui. Seeing that Li Wenguo was unharmed, their tense shoulders immediately relaxed.

Just as he was about to move forward, someone blocked his way at the doorway, preventing him from taking a single step.

"Captain Zhou, Li Wenguo is from our Second Division. He was ordered to infiltrate the foreign firm to investigate clues about Japanese spies. You've arrested the wrong person."

Chang Binghui spoke in a calm voice, casually handing over a certificate with ink still wet—Kang Bin's red seal was still dazzlingly bright.

"So that's how it is. Li Wenguo is actually from the Second Division? It seems Captain Zhou really made a mistake this time."

Song Liyang immediately picked up the conversation, his tone light and cheerful, as if he were having a casual chat.

But Zhou Dahai was not about to give in so easily.

So what if there are seals from the two offices? Kang Bin's influence doesn't even extend to his own territory.

He stared at Chang Binghui and said slowly, "Even if he's from your Second Division, does that clear him of suspicion of colluding with the Communists? The Intelligence Section has already confirmed it—Li Wenguo was privately reselling military supplies to the 'Red Party.' Isn't that an undeniable act of treason?"

Intelligence Section?

Why is there another intelligence department?

Li Wenguo frowned, alarm bells ringing in his mind—this matter was definitely not simple; most likely, it was a scheme orchestrated by the intelligence department behind the scenes.

He wouldn't let anyone who participated in setting the trap slip by.

Otherwise, if you make a mistake today, you'll fall into the same trap again tomorrow.

We must nip it in the bud.

"That's because the intelligence section had no idea he belonged to the Second Division! If they had known earlier, this blunder wouldn't have happened!"

Chang Binghui's voice suddenly rose in pitch, each word clear and distinct.

Song Liyang immediately added with a smile, "Yes, yes, it's a complete misunderstanding! Li Wenguo was originally a key member of the Second Division. He went into hiding to uncover Japanese spies, but the Intelligence Section mistook him for an underground party member—now that the truth has come out, Captain Zhou, don't you agree?"

"So, Captain Zhou, in my opinion, the man should be released."

"Release them! Release them immediately!" Dong Haitang's loud voice echoed down the corridor.

"Release them immediately!!!"

"Release them! Release them!!!" Wen San and Wu Xiaogou shouted in unison, their voices rising in waves.

Zhou Dahai lowered his eyes and remained silent, his mind racing as he considered what other pretext he could use to detain someone.

Even if it's just to disgust the two places and vent their anger, he absolutely doesn't want to let go easily.

Chang Binghui raised his hand to silence the commotion, his gaze fixed on Zhou Dahai: "Zhou Dahai, I'll ask you one more time—are you going to release him or not? This is Director Kang's personal order. What are your true intentions in insisting on not releasing him?"

"Oh my, so it was Director Kang who personally intervened..."

Song Liyang raised an eyebrow, a hint of exaggerated surprise on his face, then turned to Zhou Dahai, his tone full of sweet talk: "Captain Zhou, you really should let go now—if you drag this out any longer, it'll get back to the higher-ups, and you won't have a good time. In the end, it was the intelligence department that confused the people, which is why you arrested the wrong person."

His words sounded like he was trying to break up a fight, but in reality, every word was loaded with hidden meaning, like a knife hanging over his head: if things really escalated, he would definitely side with Chang Binghui, and in the end, it would be Zhou Dahai who would be reprimanded, lose face, and take the blame.

"You...you'd better think about it yourselves!!!"

Zhou Dahai's Adam's apple bobbed, his face turned ashen, and he forced out these words through gritted teeth.

He turned and strode out, his boots clattering on the concrete floor, his men following closely behind, the interrogation room door slamming shut with a deafening roar.

Dong Haitang, Wen San, and Wu Xiaogou immediately rushed forward and hurriedly untied the rope.

"Wen Guo, are you hurt?"

Dong Haitang squatted beside him, her fingertips trembling slightly, her voice both soft and urgent.

"It's nothing, my arm is just about to go numb."

Li Wenguo shook his hand, his knuckles turning white, his forearms still trembling uncontrollably.

"Let's go, this isn't the place to talk."

Chang Binghui's gaze swept over the four people, his eyes seemingly swirling with unspoken emotions.

"Hold!"

"What the hell is wrong with me!"

As Li Wenguo stepped out of the Lixing Society gate, he spat out a short and harsh curse.

He wiped the sweat from his sleeve and, taking advantage of the moment he raised his hand, quietly pointed at the void—his clone had received a signal that everything was alright.

That most ruthless backup plan ultimately wasn't used.

A prison break.

The clone led a guard team to storm the Lixing Society, broke down the door to rescue the family, and the whole family boarded a ship overnight and fled to the South Seas.

Want to come back? Probably not until the day when red flags are planted all over the city walls.

Fortunately, this time, although it was a frightening experience, it didn't turn into a real danger.

It cost a bit, but it was worth it.

"Paul the foreigner, Neeway from the intelligence department—you two, remember this."

That's right.

It was Nie Wei who gave Zhou Dahai that false intelligence.

Nie Wei, who used to pester Dong Haitang and later became her boss.

He had long harbored a deep-seated hatred for Li Wenguo—who had stolen the woman he had his eye on and was now living a more respectable life than him.

An investigation revealed that Li Wenguo was working for the British firm, and was locked in a bitter feud with the foreign manager, Paul.

A wicked plan immediately came to mind.

He arranged to meet with Paul that very night, and the two hit it off immediately. One handed him a knife, and the other handed him a sheath, swiftly and decisively getting Li Wenguo into custody.

There's no need to dig deep into this line.