Courtyard House: I only wiped out 30,000 Japanese pirates

A moment later, Lou Bancheng put the notebook back in the drawer and locked it, then leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

He had already filled several pages of this notebook with notes, recording every move He Dajun made, as if writing a footnote in advance for someone who should not be forgotten by history.

Of course, it was written in coded form, and apart from Lou Bancheng, no one else could understand what he was saying.

Otherwise, if the Japanese find out, it will be a huge problem.

……

When He Dajun returned to the courtyard house, it was already 11 p.m.

At this point, almost everyone is asleep.

He parked his motorcycle in the courtyard and, leaning on a wooden cane, limped into the side room.

Bai Ling was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and hadn't gone to sleep yet. When she heard the door open, she looked up and scanned his face as if checking if he was injured.

"How is it?" she asked.

He Dajun sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), rested the wooden stick against his leg, and let out a long sigh. Then he recounted everything that had happened in Sasaki's office from beginning to end.

Bai Ling was in a good mood upon hearing this.

Afterwards, He Dajun went to take a shower, and a while later the two went to bed.

Bai Ling had already made the kang (heated brick bed).

She huddled at the very back of the kang (a heated brick bed) as usual, her back pressed against the wall, leaving most of the kang open for him.

The wick of the kerosene lamp was twisted very short, and the flame was only the size of a bean, casting a small, dim yellow halo around the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

He Dajun took off his coat and lay down. Bai Ling turned to her side and blew out the light.

Let's start chatting.

In the darkness, two people lay side by side, their shoulders less than a fist's width apart.

In the dead of night, even whispering can be overheard, so you can only talk with your ear close to yours.

He Dajun said in a low voice, "Before, every time I went out to cause trouble, it was always targeting military targets, such as ammunition depots, barracks, steel mills, and transport convoys. But the frequency is too high, and the Japanese will probably target that and set traps."

Bai Ling nodded, indicating that this was indeed the case.

In fact, the transport team was a trap set by the Japanese, but no one expected He Dajun to be so strong and fight his way out.

The two chatted for a while longer. Because they were talking so close together, Bai Ling found herself unconsciously hugging He Dajun. And somehow, she didn't immediately let go.

Of course, He Dajun's hand also rested on her waist, the movement so light that Bai Ling almost thought it was her imagination.

The two of them embraced in the darkness.

No one spoke, and no one made any unnecessary movements.

Bai Ling could feel the warmth of He Dajun's hand through her thin shirt, resting against her waist, both steady and warm.

She couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged her like that.

Perhaps it never has.

She always saw herself as a knife ready to be sacrificed at any time, never thinking that she would also need to be held in someone else's hand, or need to lean against someone's chest and listen to their heartbeat in the darkness of a certain night.

"Bai Ling." He Dajun suddenly spoke, his voice very low, as if afraid of waking something.

Bai Ling responded with a muffled sound, her face still buried in his chest.

He Dajun was silent for a few seconds, then gently rubbed his chin against the top of her head and said something that made Bai Ling's whole face burn.

I think I might like you.

Bai Ling remained silent.

She buried her face a little deeper into He Dajun's chest and felt his heartbeat suddenly quicken, just as fast as her own.

Two people who never blinked on the battlefield now embraced each other in the darkness, their heartbeats rising and falling like two war drums being beaten in disarray.

A long time passed, so long that He Dajun thought she wouldn't answer, before Bai Ling finally whispered a sentence into his chest. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, but He Dajun heard it clearly.

"Me too."

After an unknown amount of time, Bai Ling released her grip on Hua Dong's large hand.

The two started carrying each other on their backs, as if that would make them less shy.

But deep down, I really hope that this embrace will continue, even forever.

Feelings can deepen.

……

Before they knew it, dawn broke. He Dajun and Bai Ling looked at each other, both feeling a little embarrassed.

Last night, while they were sleeping, they hugged each other again.

All I can say is that the body is honest.

……

On the other side, Sasaki acted even faster than He Dajun had anticipated.

The order came down before the seven-day mourning period for Yagyu Kazuo had even passed.

The entire city was placed under martial law, and house to house was searched, with the targets being weapons, tunnels, resistance fighters, and any "suspicious items."

With insufficient Imperial Army forces, the puppet army took the lead. He Dajun's puppet troops were assigned to the Upper City District, the largest and most complex area in Beijing.

It is also the area where resistance organizations are most active.

It's easy to understand; He Dajun was the biggest resistance fighter, the one who made the most moves, and the biggest threat.

When the order was given, Suzuki stood in front of his desk, his hands resting on the edge of the desk, his eyes fixed on He Dajun, and said loudly, "Not a single courtyard house, shop, or warehouse in the Upper City District is to be missed."

"If there are tunnels, blow them up; if there are weapons, confiscate them; if anyone resists, arrest them. If you can't catch them, kill them on the spot."

He Dajun stood ramrod straight, leaning on a wooden stick, his face expressionless.

After Suzuki finished speaking, he bent down and replied in a tone devoid of any emotion.

"Hi!"

Then he turned around and limped out of the office.

That afternoon, he called all the squad leaders to a meeting at the courtyard.

Liu Haizhong and Xu Wude sat at the front, while the other newly promoted squad leaders sat on either side.

After He Dajun relayed the order, Liu Haizhong was the first to stand up and pledge his loyalty, saying he would turn the Upper City District upside down. Xu Wude also followed suit, saying he would not let a single suspicious person go unpunished.

He Dajun nodded and told them to lead their teams to set off. Then he added, "After searching each courtyard, report the number of residents and the search results. I will personally verify them."

Liu Haizhong and Xu Wude led their respective squads out of the warehouse.

The two people walked at the front, their backs ramrod straight.

Liu Haizhong clutched a Nambu pistol in his hand, glancing down at it every now and then, a smirk playing on his lips.

Xu Wude followed behind him, feeling a mix of bitterness and sullenness as he watched his smug expression.

The search began early the next morning.

Shangcheng District was divided into four areas, and He Dajun's collaborators were responsible for more than a dozen alleys near Nanluoguxiang. This was their first stop.

Before dawn, the puppet troops started banging on doors from house to house.

The first place to be searched was the old Chen family's house at the east end of Nanluoguxiang.

Old Chen is a vendor who sells douzhi (fermented mung bean juice). Three generations of his family have lived in this alley, and all the neighbors know him.

When Liu Haizhong and his men broke down the door, Old Chen was squatting in front of the stove tending the fire. The door was kicked open suddenly, hit the wall, bounced back, and almost hit him on the head.

"Search! Everyone out!" Liu Haizhong stood at the door, holding up a Nanbu pistol in one hand and pointing at Old Chen in the corner of the kitchen with the other.

Two puppet soldiers followed behind him, carrying rifles with bayonets already fitted to the barrels, reflecting a white light in the morning glow.

Old Chen was so frightened by the scene that he trembled all over. He quickly stood up from behind the stove, wiped his hands on his apron several times, and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Please come in, sir."