Sign and seal
Dai Zining had the family doctor perform surgery on Zhang Chenglin and gave him the best medicine. She reserved the best-facing and best-lit room in the house for Zhang Chenglin to recuperate, and a nanny stayed by his side every step of the way.
Then he took out money and grain and had Xin Jie send someone to take them away to serve in the army.
The military doctor stayed at Dai Zining's house with Zhang Chenglin. When he had nothing to do, he asked Xin Jie with great curiosity, "What does this mean? Who is this person? How is he so amazing?"
Xin Jie stood outside Dai Zining's small building, turned his head to look at the window of the south-facing room on the second floor, lowered his eyes and spoke quickly: "Dai Zining, a teacher in the Chinese Department of Peking University, a writer, a member of the Communist Party of China, author of the novel 'Star and Moon' and the poem 'Jie Jie'."
“Besides the CCP members…” The military doctor was dumbfounded as he listened: “I don’t think the others have anything to do with Mr. Zhang.”
"Although her string of identities is indeed very impressive."
Instead of answering his question, Xin Jie asked him, "What do you think of Mr. Sheng's position in the Party Central Committee?"
"He's really impressive. Apart from the leaders and the members of the presidium, he's the best." The military doctor's eyes lit up when he talked about the person he admired so much. "No one dared to interrupt him when he was speaking."
“Hmm,” Xin Jie nodded calmly, then added quietly a sentence that made the military doctor feel like the sky was about to explode: “When she was speaking in the central government, Mr. Sheng didn’t dare to interrupt.”
Army doctor: "?"
Ignoring his shock, Xin Jie went into Dai Zi Ning's house on his own.
*
Ever since Xin Jie risked his life to take Zhang Chenglin away that night, the Japanese army has been searching the entire city for Zhang Chenglin's whereabouts like madmen.
Zhang Chenglin's injuries were too severe this time, and he did not wake up for several days after the surgery. Dai Zining stayed at home all day to take care of him.
Since the last battle at Peking University, Zhou Zhu, the only survivor, returned to the main camp and stayed by Zhang Chenglin's side.
Zhang Chenglin went to Dai Zining's house to recuperate from his injuries, and Xin Jie kept going in and out of Dai Zining's house, so the affairs of the headquarters were temporarily handed over to Zhou Zhu.
On the evening of September 27, Dai Zining had just come out of Zhang Chenglin's room when a scout came to report, "Madam, Zhou Zhu left the Xishan base camp at 8 o'clock sharp and went to the Bai family."
Baijia, the largest casino in Beiping, was recently occupied by the Japanese army, and there are probably not many Chinese people inside now.
Dai Zining's eyes sharpened, and she said in a low voice, "Keep a close eye on him."
"Yes!" The scout accepted the order and turned to run.
——
One hundred families.
Zhou Zhu was stunned by the magnificent interior from the moment he entered; it was the first time in his life he had ever been to such a place.
From that moment on, he became even more determined about certain ideas and choices in his mind.
After all, everyone looks out for themselves.
Upon arriving at the private room mentioned in the letter, a waiter knocked on the door to announce his arrival. The door opened, and a Japanese officer with a high rank sat facing the door. He nodded slightly as he entered.
Zhou Zhu sat down as directed by the waiter, without saying a word, looking at the person opposite him with slight unease.
The waiter left and closed the door before Yamano Jiro nodded and said, "Mr. Zhou, hello."
"Yamano-kun." Zhou Zhu nodded and greeted him.
"You must have heard about what's been happening in the city lately." Yamano Jiro's expression was unfriendly, but his tone was relatively calm: "Zhang Chenglin... seems to have vanished into thin air."
“I think Mr. Zhou must know something after following Zhang Chenglin for so long, right?” Yamano Jiro forced a not-so-pleasant smile onto his somewhat fierce face. “I want the information Mr. Zhou has.”
Zhou Zhu looked up, recalling the contents of the letter, and asked, "One hundred thousand silver dollars?"
“One hundred thousand silver dollars.” Yamano Jiro nodded, his eyes very firm: “Of course, once we find Zhang Chenglin and Sheng Dongsheng and gain control of China, the three northeastern provinces will also be under Mr. Zhou’s jurisdiction.”
The last sentence was too powerful, completely stabilizing Zhou Zhu's previously wavering mind.
“In that case,” Zhou Zhu changed the subject, “let’s leave a written agreement. I tend to trust signed and sealed documents more.”
“No problem,” Yamano Jiro called someone over, brought the prepared document, and signed and affixed his seal in front of Zhou Zhu.
Zhou Zhu picked up the paper, folded it carefully a few times, put it in his inner pocket, and said calmly, "No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong."
Yamano Jiro immediately sent someone to investigate, and then said, "Mr. Zhou needs to stay with me for a few days. Once I catch the person, I will naturally let you leave."
Zhou Zhu's eyes darkened, realizing he had fallen into a trap, but he ultimately said nothing.
——
In the past two days, some strange people have been appearing near Dai Zining's home, which both Dai Zining and Xin Jie have noticed.
Therefore, the already heavily guarded No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong was secretly reinforced with even more soldiers.
Dai Zining was unsure of herself and discussed with Xin Jie over and over again how to defend carefully, very carefully, and even more carefully.
Normally, Dai Zining wouldn't panic in such a situation. After all, whether to fight with her back against the wall or to retreat is the best option, she can always make her own choice.
Even if you are actually arrested, you won't panic, because everyone here has a chance to survive if they are arrested.
But Zhang Chenglin was different; the Japanese came specifically to kill him.
Moreover, he is still unconscious and hasn't woken up yet. If the Japanese really invade, Dai Zining can't guarantee that she can protect Zhang Chenglin.
Whether you say the Japanese were patient or that Dai Zining's side was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and Yamano Jiro dared not make any rash moves, in any case, three days passed and Chaoyang Hutong maintained a superficial calm.
But the more this happened, the more panicked the people guarding the room became. Dai Zining and her husband Chu Derun took turns staying by Zhang Chenglin's room every step of the way, and they couldn't even sleep peacefully.
On the morning of September 30, Chu Derun brought breakfast to Dai Zining, intending to give her some, but just then he saw Zhang Chenglin slowly waking up.
Dai Zining's hand trembled as she took the bowl. She steadied herself before speaking, "You're finally awake."
Upon seeing Dai Zining, Zhang Chenglin paused for a moment before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Madam."
Dai Zining nodded, put the bowl of porridge back on the tray, and asked him, "How are you feeling?"
Zhang Chenglin shook his head: "It's alright."
“The Japanese have their eyes on this place,” Dai Zining said softly, explaining the arrangements to come. “I sent a letter to Dongsheng a few days ago, saying that as soon as you wake up, I will transfer you to Shanghai to recuperate properly. This afternoon at two o’clock, I will arrange a plane to send you away.”
"Okay." Zhang Chenglin had no objections, but asked, "How is Beiping?"
"The reinforcements from Shanghai, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong and Henan have gradually entered the city, and most of them have been recovered little by little." Dai Zining's tone was very soft, but her words were very reassuring: "Xuanming has also returned with Shangzhi. In any case, the situation is getting better and better."
Zhang Chenglin nodded without saying anything.
“Still…” Dai Zining wanted to say something more, but she heard a commotion downstairs. Dai Zining suddenly stood up, walked to the window, lifted a corner of the curtain, and looked down.
Chu Derun adjusted the gun at his waist and said, "You stay here and guard him. I'll go down and check on him."
"Okay." Dai Zining nodded in agreement, then added, "Be careful."
Chu Derun walked out of the room, took a few quick steps toward the stairs, then turned back and said to the two soldiers guarding Zhang Chenglin's door, "If the Japanese invade, no matter what happens, you must take Madam away first!"
"yes!"
As Chu Derun went downstairs and stood in the living room, he heard two faint gunshots coming from outside.
When the door was opened, Xin Jie was still standing at the entrance. The team that had been guarding the area around the small building quickly assembled and headed towards the direction from which the gunshots had rang out.
The sound of motorcycles grew closer, and gunshots and shouts rang out all along the way, making people tremble with fear.
More than half an hour later, the three-wheeled motorcycle carrying Yamano Jiro finally stopped in front of No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong. The people guarding No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong and the men brought by Yamano Jiro faced each other with swords drawn, and even the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Where is Zhang Chenglin?
Sitting on his three-wheeled motorcycle, Yamano Jiro looked fierce and got straight to the point without any preamble.
On the road in front of No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong, Japanese soldiers continued to turn in from the corner. The number of people standing behind Yamano Jiro was increasing, and they were clearly suppressing Dai Zining's group.
But whether it's Dai Zining or Zhang Chenglin, they must hold on.
Xin Jie raised his hand slightly, and someone in the corner pulled the pin on a grenade and threw it towards the middle of the Japanese troops.
Yamano Jiro was the first to react, shouting, "Get down!"
Shin-chan was faster, pulling the trigger while shouting, "Take your questions to hell with you!"
The grenade exploded in the middle of the Japanese troops, and with a gunshot from Shin-chan, a major battle between the two armies was about to break out.
Xin Jie and Chu Derun used the flower bed in front of the door as cover, placing their guns among the flowers and leaves.
Shin-chan's shot ultimately failed to kill Yamano Jiro; instead, it enraged him further. He stopped trying to negotiate and directly ordered a direct attack.
The Japanese troops swarmed towards No. 21 Chaoyang Hutong. For a time, the firepower of the two armies was evenly matched, and the flames soared into the sky, illuminating the day.
Xin Jie's side had far fewer men than the Japanese. Xin Jie fired a signal flare almost immediately—it was something Zhang Chenglin had arranged beforehand. As soon as the signal flare appeared, the people guarding the main camp had to immediately send troops to provide support.
Xin Jie believes Zhou Zhu will see it.
Chu Derun glanced at the signal flare exploding in the sky and asked Xin Jie, "Is this support from headquarters?"
"Hmm." Xin Jie nodded in response to his question, his hand continuing to pull the trigger, shooting one shot at a time without missing a beat.
"Then you might not be able to wait for reinforcements..."
Chu Derun's voice wasn't loud, and it was completely drowned out by the noisy battle; Xin Jie didn't hear it.
“If you can’t hold out any longer, you should retreat first, take your wife and Mr. Zhang with you!” Xin Jie stared fiercely through the scope, speaking rapidly: “I’ll bring men to provide cover for you.”
"good."
Chu Derun did not refute, but simply agreed quickly.
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