Courtyard House: Ten-year-old Master Zhu reorganizes the entire courtyard

Late June, 1946.

The weather in Beiping was so hot and humid, like a steamer, and the cicadas were chirping incessantly in the trees, which was very annoying.

The news in the newspapers changes every day.

The Kuomintang broke the ceasefire agreement, and a full-scale civil war broke out.

There were more military vehicles on the streets, and more checkpoints. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder; a single spark could blow the entire city of Beijing to smithereens.

At the entrance of the courtyard house.

Two men dressed in gray Zhongshan suits, carrying briefcases, stood on the steps.

The leader, in his thirties, had high cheekbones, sharp triangular eyes, and a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips.

His name is Hou Liang, and he is known as Deputy Hou.

He was a capable lieutenant under "Viper," the newly arrived action captain of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics' Beiping station.

"Is this No. 95 Nanluoguxiang?"

Lieutenant Hou looked up at the lintel, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Yes, sir." The attendant beside him nodded. "The residents in this area are a mixed bunch, from all walks of life. Especially this courtyard, where the steel mill foreman and the projectionist are all from."

"Let's go in and take a look."

Lieutenant Hou stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket and stepped over the threshold.

forecourt.

Uncle Yan Popi (at this time, he had not yet become Uncle Yan Popi, but was just a scheming elementary school teacher) was squatting on the ground fiddling with his flowerpot.

Upon seeing two strangers enter, Yan Popi adjusted his glasses and stood up warily.

"Who are you two looking for?"

"Social Affairs Bureau Investigator." Lieutenant Hou flashed his badge quickly, then put it away before Yan Popi could even see it clearly. "Routine procedure, checking household registrations and verifying personnel information."

"Oh, sir, good day. You've worked hard, sir."

Upon hearing that it was an official, Yan Popi immediately bowed.

Intermediate People's Court.

Yi Zhonghai had just returned from get off work and was sitting at the door drinking tea.

Lieutenant Hou walked straight over, a smile plastered on his face.

"This must be Master Yi, right?"

Yi Zhonghai paused for a moment, put down his teacup, and stood up: "I am. And you are?"

"From the Social Affairs Bureau." Lieutenant Hou pulled up a stool and sat down familiarly. "I've long heard of Master Yi, an eighth-grade fitter at the steel rolling mill, who is highly skilled and respected. Meeting him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved."

With this high praise, Yi Zhonghai's vigilance eased slightly.

He's the kind of person who falls for this kind of thing the most.

"Not at all, it's all for the sake of national development," Yi Zhonghai said politely.

"Master Yi is too modest." Lieutenant Hou took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Yi Zhonghai. "The situation is chaotic right now, and the higher-ups are paying a lot of attention to our working class. Especially respected veteran workers like you, you are a treasure of the country."

Yi Zhonghai took the cigarette, and Deputy Commander Hou lit it for him personally.

"Master Yi, have there been any unfamiliar faces at the factory lately? Or perhaps someone who's usually quite aggressive in their speech and actions?"

Lieutenant Hou exhaled a smoke ring and asked casually.

Yi Zhonghai's hand trembled slightly.

Cigarette ash fell onto his pants.

He'd lived half his life; he wasn't stupid. He understood the meaning behind those words.

This is a way of getting information out of someone. They're looking for quotation marks.

"Well..." Yi Zhonghai chuckled twice, "I'm usually so focused on my work that I don't pay attention to these things, especially with all the machines running in the workshop."

"I understand, I understand." Lieutenant Hou patted Yi Zhonghai on the shoulder, but his gaze lingered on Yi's face for a few seconds. "Master Yi is an honest man. However, if you remember anything in the future, or find anything amiss, you can always come to me. Our government will not mistreat its meritorious citizens."

After saying that, he stood up and walked to the backyard.

Yi Zhonghai sat on the bench, holding the cigarette he hadn't finished smoking, his shirt soaked through.

The feeling of being watched made him feel like he had a thorn in his side.

backyard.

Xu Fugui was packing up the projector.

Lieutenant Hou stood at the door and knocked on the door frame.

"Master Xu, are you busy?"

Xu Fugui turned around and saw the cold, triangular eyes of Deputy Commander Hou, and his heart skipped a beat.

But he remained completely composed, immediately adopting a shrewd and mercenary smile.

"Oh, sir! What a rare guest! Please come in!"

Xu Fugui offered him a seat and poured him water.

"Master Xu's film screening business is doing well lately, isn't it?" Lieutenant Hou looked around the furnishings in the room.

"Hey, just trying to make a living," Xu Fugui said, rubbing his hands together. "I'm just running errands for my superiors."

"Running errands is good," Lieutenant Hou said meaningfully. "You go to many places and meet many people. Master Xu, your eyes are more valuable than the lens of this projector."

Xu Fugui understood that they wanted to drag him into being their informant.

"Sir, you're joking. I only have dog eyes, I can't see anything."

"Whether someone has good eyesight or not depends on who they follow," Lieutenant Hou said in a low voice. "Master Xu is a smart man. A smart man knows how to choose his path."

He took a business card out of his pocket and placed it under the teacup on the table.

"I've made up my mind, I'll make this call."

Lieutenant Hou left.

The courtyard house returned to peace.

But everyone felt that beneath this calm surface lay a turbulent undercurrent.

night.

Inside He Yuzhu's room.

Xu Fugui knelt on the ground and presented the business card with both hands.

"Master Zhu, that man's name is Hou Liang, he's from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics." Xu Fugui's voice trembled. "He wants me to be his informant."

He Yuzhu sat in the chair, fiddling with the business card in his hand.

The business card was very stiff with sharp edges.

"Besides you, who else did he contact?"

"Yi Zhonghai," Xu Fugui said in a low voice, "He talked with Yi Zhonghai for about ten minutes at the Intermediate People's Court. When he left, Yi Zhonghai's face was as white as paper."

He Yuzhu sneered.

The "venomous snake" type is quick to act.

They're about to cast their nets to catch fish.

Yi Zhonghai is concerned about his image and wants to retire comfortably, but he is also afraid of trouble.

Xu Fugui is greedy and cunning, but also afraid of death.

Both of these individuals were considered "promising talents" by the spies.

"Master Zhu, what... what should I do?" Xu Fugui looked at He Yuzhu with pleading eyes.

"Keep it."

He Yuzhu threw the business card back to Xu Fugui.

"what?"

"He wants you to be his informant, so you will be." He Yuzhu's eyes were as cold as ice. "However, whatever you see with those eyes has to go through my brain first before it reaches his ears."

"Understood! Understood!" Xu Fugui kowtowed repeatedly. "It's...it's a double agent!"

"Don't try to glorify yourself," He Yuzhu said calmly. "You're just a mouthpiece."

After Xu Fugui left.

He Yuzhu walked to the window and looked at the light on in Yi Zhonghai's house in the central courtyard.

The light flickered on and off, much like the owner's wavering heart at that moment.

"Uncle Yi, oh Uncle Yi."

He Yuzhu muttered to himself.

"This time, you're really going to be put on the hot seat."

The system panel flashed through my mind.

[Side quest triggered: Choice in the Mist.]

[Mission Objective: To thwart the spy's attempt to establish an intelligence network within the courtyard house.]

[Current situation: Yi Zhonghai (wavering), Xu Fugui (under control).]

Late at night.

The wind in Nanluoguxiang, carrying a sweltering heat, blew into everyone's dreams.

Some people dream of getting rich, while others dream of getting promoted.

Only He Yuzhu knew that the wind carried the smell of blood.