Courtyard House: From Deputy Division Commander to Civilian, Progressing All the Way

10:00 AM.

An open-top Jiefang brand truck, escorted by dozens of military motorcycles, slowly drove into Chang'an Avenue.

Inside the truck bed stood a row of People's Liberation Army soldiers armed with live ammunition.

And right in the center of the carriage.

General MacArthur, once an invincible five-star general, wore his worn-out uniform without rank insignia, his hands were tied behind his back, and a large wooden plaque hung around his neck with the words written in both Chinese and English:

"American imperialist war criminal and aggressor—MacArthur!"

He lowered his head, his former arrogance—wearing sunglasses and smoking a pipe—was gone; his eyes were now filled with endless humiliation and despair.

Wherever the truck passed, the anger of the crowd erupted like a volcano.

"Down with American imperialism!"

"To avenge the Chinese People's Volunteer Army martyrs who sacrificed their lives in Korea!"

The angry mob grabbed rotten vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, and even old cloth shoes used for sewing soles, and hurled them at MacArthur on the truck like a storm.

"Smash that old bastard to death! My son died from their bombing!" An elderly woman with white hair wailed as she slammed her cane down hard.

Rotten cabbage leaves hung on MacArthur's head, and rotten egg yolk dripped down his cheeks, emitting a nauseating stench.

This American general, who once trampled the peninsula underfoot, completely lost his last shred of dignity amidst the angry curses and scorn of the people of Beijing. His psychological defenses were utterly destroyed, and his body trembled violently uncontrollably.

Right behind the parade truck.

Standing in another convertible jeep were Lin Yang and Li Yunlong, the two greatest contributors to MacArthur's capture!

Dressed in crisp general's uniforms, their chests adorned with dazzling medals, they stood like two war gods guarding the republic, receiving the highest respect and cheers from the entire city.

A large number of Chinese and foreign journalists flocked to the scene, and the flashing lights turned the place into daylight.

The chief reporters of People's Daily and Ta Kung Pao, holding microphones, excitedly interviewed the two heroes.

"Commander Li, what were you thinking when you captured MacArthur alive?" the reporter asked loudly.

Li Yunlong laughed heartily, his voice booming like a bell, exuding a heroic spirit that stirred the blood of the entire nation.

"What were you thinking? I thought to myself, this American five-star general isn't any harder to catch than our bandit leader! I wanted to tell the whole world that anyone who dares to cause trouble on our doorstep will never leave alive! MacArthur is nothing, even if their president came, I'd still kidnap him!"

The reporters were moved by Li Yunlong's bold words and applauded enthusiastically.

The reporter then handed the microphone to Lin Yang.

"Commander Lin, as the direct commander and executor of this operation, what would you like to say to the people of the whole country?"

Lin Yang's expression was very calm, but his deep eyes revealed a strength as firm as a rock.

He straightened his military uniform collar, faced the camera, and spoke in a calm yet sharp voice.

"I was able to capture MacArthur alive not because of my personal bravery. It was because of the soldiers who didn't retreat even when frozen into ice sculptures in the icy wilderness of Chosin Reservoir; it was because of the brothers who shed their last drop of blood in the tunnels of Shangganling!"

Lin Yang pointed to the truck carrying MacArthur in front of him.

"We have proven a truth with facts. Imperialism is a paper tiger! As long as we Chinese people are united, there is no enemy we cannot defeat, and no obstacle we cannot overcome!"

"Victory will surely belong to the Chinese people!"

This powerful interview made the front page of major newspapers across the country the following day!

……

No. 95, Nanluoguxiang.

Early in the morning, Uncle Yan Bugui, the third son of the family in the front yard, rushed into the courtyard like a madman, carrying a copy of the "Sijiu City Daily" that he had just bought.

His hands trembled violently, the newspaper rustling as he squeezed it, and he didn't even bother to pick up his glasses that had fallen off his nose.

"Something terrible has happened! Something truly catastrophic has happened!"

Yan Bugui's hoarse voice instantly startled everyone in the hospital.

Yi Zhonghai, Liu Haizhong, He Daqing, and Ding Qiunan and Lin Fan, who were heavily pregnant and about to give birth, all came out of the house.

"Hey, what are you yelling about so early in the morning?!" Liu Haizhong scolded irritably.

"It's not mourning! It's...it's Lin Yang! Commander Lin!"

Yan Bugui swallowed hard, raised the newspaper in his hand high, and his voice became sharp and shrill due to extreme shock.

"Look! Commander Lin and Army Commander Li captured the American Commander-in-Chief, General MacArthur, alive on the Korean Peninsula! They paraded him through Chang'an Avenue yesterday! Commander Lin's photo is on the front page!"

boom!

These words were like a nuclear bomb with a yield of one megaton, detonating directly in the courtyard!

Everyone was stunned.

Yi Zhonghai's mind went blank, as if countless flies were buzzing around. He snatched the newspaper from Yan Bugui's hand and stared intently at the huge black-and-white photograph.

In the photo, Lin Yang stands tall and straight, his eyes sharp as knives, being interviewed by reporters. In the background, however, is an old man bound like a dumpling, wearing a sign, his face covered in vegetable leaves—none other than the arrogant American general!

"We've captured...the Commander-in-Chief of the United States?"

Yi Zhonghai felt his legs go weak and he collapsed to the ground.

This was beyond his comprehension! He knew Lin Yang was powerful, and he knew Lin Yang was a division commander. But in his mind, war was simply a battle between two armies.

But now, Lin Yang has actually kidnapped the enemy's top leader and paraded him through the streets of Beijing!

What an astonishing and extraordinary feat! This is a hero whose name will be remembered for eternity!

"My dear mother, fourth maternal aunt..." Liu Haizhong was so frightened that his whole body trembled, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his cotton-padded jacket.

Now, just thinking about how he had once given Lin Fan the cold shoulder in the courtyard makes him want to slap himself twice. The Lin family is now incredibly powerful; with Lin Yang's achievements, he'd be an honored guest even if he met the highest national leader!

Hiding inside the house, Jia Zhangshi heard the shouts outside and secretly peeked through the crack in the window.

When she confirmed that the imposing general in the newspaper was indeed Lin Yang, she was so frightened that she wet herself, buried her head under the covers, and trembled like a leaf.

"Don't kill me...don't kill me..." Jia Zhangshi muttered desperately in bed.

In the middle courtyard, He Daqing laughed so hard he looked up at the sky, tears streaming down his face.

"Hahaha! See that? See that?! That's Commander Lin! He's the commander my son, Shazhu, is under! My son is now a hero who captured an American general! Our He family is incredibly lucky!"

Lin Fan stood at the door of the main house, supporting his pregnant wife Ding Qiunan.

Looking at his younger brother's dashing face in the newspaper, Lin Fan straightened his back, his eyes brimming with pride.

This is his own younger brother! The pillar of their Lin family! The backbone of this country!

……