Courtyard House: He Yuzhu started in 1948

Upon hearing He Yuzhu's words, Jia Zhangshi immediately became agitated.

You're going to hit me if I don't move?

Why are you so domineering?

Seeing that Jia Zhangshi had stood up, He Yuzhu walked outside.

He anticipated what would happen, so when the secret service stormed into the canteen, he hid a small boning knife in his sleeve.

Even your secret service director has surrendered, yet your lowly soldiers are still risking their lives for this crumbling ship of the Kuomintang?

After the Military Intelligence Bureau was renamed the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, there were a total of six station chiefs in Beiping. The current station chief, Xu Zongyao, was appointed by Mao Renfeng on December 15, 1948. He used to be a member of the Northeast Army and was considered a miscellaneous member in the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, so he was brought in as a scapegoat.

Hsu Tsung-yao: I won't be a scapegoat, I'm not pretending anymore, I'm surrendering!

"Huh? Huh? Huh..."

As Jia Zhangshi left, her legs trembled. She wanted to catch up with He Yuzhu and ask what had happened, but a secret agent from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics kicked her from behind: "Hurry up! Don't say a word!"

"..."

Jia Zhangshi dared not do it any longer and quickly walked towards the playground.

Among them were teachers and students including Lü Qinghuan, Zhang Tianyong, Du Jian, Wang Xizhong, and Tong Jigang, who were in class at the time.

Jia Zhangshi was puzzled. She hadn't expected that so many fierce-looking guys would appear while she was cooking.

And he was holding a gun...

"Manager He, what's going on?"

He Yuzhu smiled upon hearing Jia Zhangshi's words.

Hey, even at this hour, you still remember to call yourself Manager He?

It seems I've really established my authority in the cafeteria.

Seeing He Yuzhu smile, Jia Zhangshi was on the verge of tears. She knew nothing: "Isn't this a school? Why are so many people with guns here?"

He Yuzhu didn't explain the reason to her; it wouldn't have mattered anyway. The more she knew, the worse things would get.

"If you know nothing, then nothing will happen to you, do you hear me?"

"I heard it."

Moved to tears, Jia Zhangshi choked out, "Manager He, will we... will we die?"

"You won't even get a chance to die! Stay put at the back!"

You'll die!

Jia Zhangshi cried even harder, but with a gun nearby, she only dared to cover her mouth and cry.

With so many vicious bastards, they would kill without blinking an eye. How could I possibly escape?

Zhu Zi, your auntie didn't spoil you for nothing. Even with a gun pointed at you, you still remembered to take care of your auntie...

If it weren't for the concern that He Yuzhu would shorten his lifespan, Madam Jia would have kowtowed to him at least once.

Faced with life and death, Jia Zhangshi expressed her heartfelt gratitude to He Yuzhu. She liked to take advantage of others, but she was not stupid. Not to mention in the courtyard, in the entire Qingyun Hutong, who would want to say more than a few words to her?

No!

Only He Yuzhu didn't mind and was even willing to help her by finding her work at school.

Not only did she not look down on her, she was also willing to study with her son and let Dongxu eat with his friends... He Yuzhu paved the way for her son's future.

This gratitude was something Jia Zhangshi had never considered; she had taken everything for granted. But today, in the face of life and death, with guns pointed at her, He Yuzhu actually protected her…

Jia Zhangshi was moved and suddenly felt a sense of spiritual elevation.

"Zhu, Zhuzi, don't worry, your auntie will protect you!"

Ok?

He Yuzhu was stunned.

Is this something that could come out of Jia Zhangshi's mouth?

Aren't you an ungrateful old man?

That's not the word you used!

To He Yuzhu's astonishment, Jia Zhangshi slowly walked in front of him and shielded him with her own body.

"Zhu Zi, if... Auntie passes away, please... please take good care of Dong Xu!"

"Holy shit..."

He Yuzhu didn't know what to say. He had only helped Jia Zhangshi because he listened to He Daqing's theory about medicine pots, but he wasn't sincere. He didn't expect Jia Zhangshi to suddenly do this at this time.

Why am I still a little touched?

But they couldn't understand why Jia Zhangshi had suddenly changed so much.

"Who raised this flag? Who organized it?"

Zheng Xingqiang pointed to the flag on the flagpole and said, "The whistleblower will be rewarded with 50,000 gold dollars! Anyone who knows the information but fails to report it will be treated as an accomplice."

50,000 gold dollars?

When Jia Zhangshi heard this, she was not moved at all.

The gold yuan was practically worthless now, far less valuable than the two silver dollars the school owed him for his wages.

Reporting it wouldn't do any good, and even if Jia Zhangshi knew, she wouldn't say anything. Besides, He Yuzhu already said he didn't know anything... Faced with life and death, Jia Zhangshi still felt that her life was more important.

But what's wrong with this flag?

Wait, it's not the Blue Sky with a White Sun flag, what flag is this?

Is it the school flag?

Raising a flag is no big deal.

Jia Zhangshi felt that these armed men were making trouble for no reason. Was it really necessary to make such a big fuss over a mere banner?

"Who are you?"

Zhang Tianyong glared at Zheng Xingqiang and angrily rebuked him, "This is a school, a place for learning. What right do you have to force your way in without permission?"

Zheng Xingqiang declared loudly, "I am the captain of the Beiping Station Action Team of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics. I can handle all matters concerning opposition to the Kuomintang in Beiping!"

Upon hearing the name of the Beiping Station of the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, Jia Zhangshi was startled.

How did I offend these evil spirits?

The Secret Service's spies had a terrible reputation, and Jia Zhangshi had naturally heard of them, but she never imagined that she would be held at gunpoint by Secret Service agents.

Oh my god... Am I really not going to make it today?

As Jia Zhangshi recalled stories she'd heard about how ruthless the Secret Service's agents were at killing people and how they tortured them, her legs trembled with fear...

Zhu Zi said I'm fine, but am I really fine?

She felt like she was about to burst.

Zheng Xingqiang looked at Zhang Tianyong and sneered, "School is a place for learning, but what's with this flag? Is this something we need for learning?"

"yes!"

Zhang Tianyong answered resolutely, looking at Zheng Xingqiang without backing down: "This is a flag that the people need, and the school naturally has the right to raise it!"

"Bullshit!"

Zheng Xingqiang cursed angrily, pointing at Zhang Tianyong: "I think you're the one who raised this flag! Men, arrest him and take him to the interrogation room for questioning!"

"Who dares to touch the teacher!"

The students were agitated and surrounded Zhang Tianyong and Lü Qinghuan. The two tried their best to get out of the crowd, but the students wouldn't recognize them.

Regardless of whether they were progressive youths or not, they were all willing to protect their teacher at this moment!

The same applies to He Yuzhu.

At the same time, he was also very nervous. In the history of No. 5 Middle School, there was a time when the flag was raised before the army entered the city.

However, when He Yuzhu wrote this story on his account, the information he consulted did not mention anyone being injured or killed.

Will things change just because I've appeared?

That would implicate far too many people!

He Yuzhu only wanted to use this opportunity to solidify his reputation and didn't want anyone to bleed or sacrifice because of it.

What should I do?

He Yuzhu tried his best to stay calm!

If it really comes to the point of bloodshed and sacrifice, we must find a way to reverse the situation.

Where is the key to breaking the deadlock?