Newborn 1927

Yang Jiefang didn't stay in the room. He led the three around again, arriving at the back door of the brothel. After some observation, Yang Jiefang pointed to two tall buildings and said, "Look, these two positions are the best observation points. They can provide fire support for our operation from above. If the operation is thwarted and our men are trapped in the brothel, the people up there can quickly flank the enemy and launch an attack." Bao Ziqiang and Zhao Changgui looked around, nodding as if they understood. Bao Ziqiang murmured, "I wonder if they can choose these two positions to hide?" Yang Jiefang said, "Let's wait and see! Let's look around again. Brother Changgui, remember the surrounding roads so we can retreat in time." Zhao Changgui quickly agreed, diligently memorizing every possible escape route.

After some investigation, the three determined several escape routes. Yang Jiefang then said, "Now there's still the most crucial question: can Brother Yan and Brother Gui open the door from the inside?" Zhao Changgui replied, "Yes, what if they overslept? That would be troublesome." Bao Ziqiang said, "How about we make another plan? We'll open the back door from the outside and sneak into the backyard. Brother Yang, Jianbing... oh, that is, Brother Chu Shiwu is good at lock picking. I just checked the lock on the back door of Yihong Courtyard; it's just an ordinary lock. It'll be no problem for him." Yang Jiefang was overjoyed and said, "He has that skill? Why didn't you say so sooner? I actually had this idea for a while, but I lacked a suitable candidate." Bao Ziqiang laughed, "Every informant has a special skill, right? To gather information, you have to eavesdrop, and Brother Shiwu has that ability. Hehe, sometimes you can even make a little money on the side. He'll definitely be going to the city tomorrow; we can let him participate in the operation then. There won't be any major problems."

Yang Jiefang nodded and asked, "He's good at lock picking, what about you? What are you good at?" Bao Ziqiang laughed, "Makeup. I can make up anyone I've met recently. I wouldn't say it's a perfect likeness, but it's about 70-80%. People who aren't very familiar with him would have a hard time telling the difference." Yang Jiefang was stunned and said, "Why didn't you say so sooner? Since you have this skill, why don't you disguise yourself as the pimp tomorrow? Wouldn't that make things easier for you than Brother Yan and the others?" Bao Ziqiang smiled bitterly, "I did think about that method, but there wasn't enough time. Think about it, to completely impersonate..." "Replacing someone requires not only imitating their appearance, but also their speech and mannerisms. More importantly, it requires mastering the relationships with those close to them. This isn't something that can be mastered in a day or two." Yang Jiefang thought about it carefully and understood, saying, "You have this skill, and it can be useful many times." Yang Jiefang couldn't help but reflect on himself: Military strategy says, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Not only was his understanding of the enemy insufficient, but he also couldn't accurately grasp the capabilities of his own men. Whether this battle plan would succeed was truly uncertain.

Next, they needed to find a safe place to hide after their sister escaped. Yang Jiefang's idea was to rent a suitable house. Before it got dark, the three of them wandered around and finally found a suitable place: a detached brick house with its own yard. A rental notice was posted on the door, with a line of small print below: "Please negotiate with neighbor Zhang Dasao." Clearly, the landlord wasn't local. Yang Jiefang immediately went to ask the neighbors. Zhang, a middle-aged woman in her forties, looked the three of them over and said, "This house is quite large, and the rent isn't cheap—one hundred silver dollars a year. Do you want to rent it?" Yang Jiefang laughed, "Zhang, judging from the sign on the door, it looks like it's been up for a long time, right? Are you sure you can rent it out at this price?" Zhang replied indifferently, "Then it's fine to leave it empty. I don't need to take care of its food and clothing." Yang Jiefang said, "But you do need to eat and wear clothes, sister-in-law! Rather than leaving it empty, it's better to rent it out cheaper, at least you can earn some money, right?" Zhang asked, "How much can you offer?" Yang Jiefang replied, "I won't haggle too much, how about eighty?" Zhang immediately agreed, found the contract for Yang Jiefang to sign, clearly satisfied with the price.

After signing, paying, and receiving the keys, Yang Jiefang didn't say much and led Bao Ziqiang and Zhao Changgui inside. The place was indeed spacious, with two floors. Although the floors were wooden, it was fully furnished and had running water and electricity; it would be ready to move in after a little tidying up. The three looked around, and Yang Jiefang said, "Let's tidy up tomorrow! And add some bedding and such. Brother Bao, this key is yours; make a couple more copies. This can be your lodging in the city; it's more convenient and safer than staying in a hotel." Bao Ziqiang was overjoyed and said, "That's great!" Yang Jiefang added, "We should prepare one or two more places like this. We don't have to live here normally, but they can be used as hiding places in emergencies; that's called a shelter." Bao Ziqiang asked, "How much will that cost?" Yang Jiefang said, "Like I said, problems that can be solved with money aren't problems. Remember, our lives are more important than money!" Bao Ziqiang nodded and said, "I understand."

The three ate dinner on the street, and by the time they returned to the hotel, it was completely dark. Yang Jiefang urged everyone to rest early, but Zhao Changgui couldn't fall asleep and kept peeking out the window. Yang Jiefang warned, "Brother Changgui, you'd better behave yourself! If you disrupt the plan, think about the consequences." Zhao Changgui was slightly taken aback, then said sheepishly, "I'm just looking, I won't do anything rash, I won't." He then lay down on the bed, not daring to get up or move around any further.

The next morning, Yang Jiefang and his two companions checked out of the rented room. Yang Jiefang instructed Zhao Changgui to clean the room and then buy some bedding so that their neighbor, Aunt Zhang, would know they were moving in. He also sternly warned Zhao Changgui to stay in the rented room and not to leave without permission.

Yang Jiefang and Bao Ziqiang went to make contact. The meeting place was on Chengnan Street, where either or both of them would sell pancakes on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month. Bao Ziqiang knew the way well and quickly led Yang Jiefang to the meeting place. There were quite a few people buying pancakes in the morning, and only a young man of about seventeen or eighteen was busy at the pancake stall. Bao Ziqiang whispered, "That's Brother Fifteen." The two walked up to the pancake stall, and Bao Ziqiang said, "Pancakes, two pancakes." Fifteen glanced at the two of them, lingering on Yang Jiefang for a while, and replied, "Okay! Two pancakes." As the two exchanged information, Fifteen whispered, "Big Brother is waiting for you at the usual place," and then ignored them and continued working.

Yang Jiefang and Bao Ziqiang stepped aside. Bao Ziqiang whispered, "Let's go." Yang Jiefang didn't reply, eating his pancake as he followed Bao Ziqiang. They soon turned into a quiet alley and came to a door. Bao Ziqiang knocked, and the door opened quickly. It was Chu Yi who opened it. Chu Yi didn't let them in, saying, "Come with me!" and closed the door behind him. Bao Ziqiang frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled. Chu Yi didn't explain and walked ahead, so the two had no choice but to follow. Yang Jiefang asked in a low voice, "Is this considered a shelter?" Bao Ziqiang shook his head and said, "No, this is the kitchen of a restaurant, but they don't sell breakfast. These brothers come here to help out after selling their pancakes in the morning, so they can earn a little extra money." Yang Jiefang didn't ask any more questions.

The three of them, one in front and two behind, quickly arrived at a quaint teahouse. Chu Yi went straight inside. The waiter came out to greet them, and Chu Yi whispered a few words to him. The waiter then led the three upstairs to a private room, before stepping aside and going downstairs. Chu Yi knocked on the door, and it opened quickly. This time, it was Ugly Girl who opened it. Yang Jiefang was a little puzzled, but followed her inside.

Gao Huilan sat upright at the table, exuding the air of a young lady. Fatty, who had been sitting to the side, stood up and positioned herself behind Gao Huilan. Yang Jiefang clearly sensed that Gao Huilan barely glanced at Chu Yi and Bao Ziqiang; her beautiful eyes were fixed on him with a half-smile, leaving him puzzled as to what the girl was up to. Fortunately, Chu Yi spoke first, saying, "Xiao Lan, they've arrived." Actually, she had already seen them without him saying so, and said, "Please sit down! Have some tea!" Fatty went forward and poured tea for each of the three, then retreated behind Gao Huilan again; Ugly Girl closed the door and stood there with her back to it.

Yang Jiefang sat down at the table, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Miss, please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything! Everyone is very busy." Gao Huilan smiled and said, "Now you recognize me as Miss? No rush, there's still plenty of time." Yang Jiefang smiled wryly and said, "Miss, when you saved me, I was already unconscious. When I came to thank you, you didn't say you were Miss! You even had her impersonate Miss. I didn't recognize who was Miss and who was the maid; it was my fault for being so blind. I'm so sorry! Please forgive me this once, Miss!" He bowed with his hands clasped as he spoke. Gao Huilan couldn't help but chuckle, then pointed at Ugly Girl and said, "Let me correct you, it was she who saved you. I was just standing up for my good friend." Yang Jiefang felt embarrassed and quickly stood up, bowing deeply to Ugly Girl, saying, "Thank you so much for saving my life, sister! I was outspoken and hurt you with my words, I'm truly sorry!" Ugly Girl said expressionlessly, "It's alright, I've already returned the favor, we're even." She had saved his life, so she deserved Yang Jiefang's bow.

Gao Huilan said, "Seeing how sincere you are, let's put this matter behind us. Sit down! Now let's get down to business." Yang Jiefang sat down again, waiting for Gao Huilan to continue. Gao Huilan continued, "Regarding the rescue plan you devised yesterday, I think it's not perfect enough and needs a slight modification!" Yang Jiefang smiled without saying anything, but Bao Ziqiang couldn't help but interject, "Actually, Brother Yang has already made some changes. We'll have Brother Fifteen participate in the operation, opening the back door from the outside and leading us into the backyard. Also, the retreat route and hiding place have been chosen." Gao Huilan gave a rather surprised "Oh," and said, "Not bad. But how will the two sides coordinate their time? They can't just each do their own thing, can they?" This question stumped Bao Ziqiang. In this era, not everyone has a mobile phone or a watch; people's sense of time is very weak, and coordinating time is indeed a challenge.

Yang Jiefang smiled slightly: "I was also having trouble with this problem, but I came up with a solution last night." Gao Huilan became even more interested and said, "Tell me about it!" Yang Jiefang didn't hide anything and said, "There should be a Western church nearby, right? At midnight, the church clock strikes twelve times in a row; in the quiet of the night, you can hear it clearly. Using that as the time reference for our operation should be fine, right?" Gao Huilan was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "Yes, your plan is pretty perfect. But, it's still missing a little something!" Yang Jiefang asked curiously, "Still missing something? Let's see..." "Miss Lai, your understanding is far superior; please enlighten me!" Gao Huilan said. "Your sister doesn't know you're going to rescue her tonight. She won't be prepared, nor will she actively cooperate with your actions. Isn't that a bit imperfect?" Yang Jiefang nodded and said, "I did want to give them a heads-up beforehand, but I was afraid of alerting them and making them wary. After all, we don't have a completely accurate grasp of their strength. So, I've been warning Zhao Changgui not to act rashly. It's not that I'm afraid he'll act alone to rescue her; I'm mainly afraid he'll try to be clever and pass on a message, thus exposing our operation plan."

Gao Huilan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Now that I'm here, things will be much easier. I'll relay messages and coordinate with your rescue plan from within. What do you think?" Yang Jiefang asked with a puzzled look, "What do you mean? What do you want to do?" Gao Huilan smiled and said, "I want to sell myself to the brothel, wouldn't that work?" Yang Jiefang and Bao Ziqiang exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say?" Gao Huilan said again very seriously, "I said I want to sell myself to the brothel. They'll lock me up with your sister, and then I can relay messages and coordinate with your rescue operation. How about that? Wouldn't that be perfect?" Without thinking, Yang Jiefang and Bao Ziqiang shouted at the same time, "No way!" Gao Huilan said sternly, "I didn't discuss this with you. I've already made up my mind. I'm just informing you now."

Yang Jiefang glanced back at Chu Yi, noticing his silent yet worried expression, clearly indicating he already knew about the plan. Yang Jiefang tentatively said, "Brother Chu Yi, please escort Miss out of the city! We'll handle rescuing my sister; there's no need to involve Miss." Chu Yi remained silent, head bowed. Gao Huilan spoke up, "If I don't participate, your plan can't proceed. Commander Yang, you can try and see if they listen to you or me?" Yang Jiefang paused slightly, then smiled wryly, "Miss, what are you doing? If you want to establish your authority, you don't need to do it now!" Gao Huilan retorted angrily, "I am the only daughter of the Qinglong Village chief, and therefore the sole heir. Even if I marry, I will be the only one to inherit the chiefship. Why would I need to use you to establish my authority?" From what Yang Jiefang knew, Gao Huilan had virtually no presence in Qinglong Village, rarely showing herself unless absolutely necessary, and he had never heard of her acting like a spoiled young lady. This sudden outburst was completely unexpected! So he continued to persuade her, "Miss, this is no joke! What kind of place is the Grand View Garden? How could someone of your status set foot there? Anything can happen in there, and if anything goes wrong... we can't let my sister be rescued before someone else goes in, can we?" Gao Huilan said seriously, "Then you must guarantee that nothing will happen to me! If anything does happen to me, rest assured! My mother will skin you alive!"