Lone Warrior
Actually, at that time, Cai Tou was still suspicious. The printing plant had been exposed, so Bai Ling Niao should have been exposed as well. Why was he able to escape unscathed from the spies' encirclement? It wasn't until Bai Ling Niao led them to a branch of the Red Flower Society that he realized it was his own emergency evacuation route.
Then everyone changed into the gang's training clothes and, together with the smuggled guns, went through the Red Flower Society's special passage out of the North Gate. When people came to check on them, they were scared away by the Red Flower Society's Red Flower Token. Even Team Leader Dai didn't dare to suppress the local bullies.
After leaving the city, Director Zhao strongly suggested that the Nightingale return to the Soviet area together, since being put on the death list by the King of Hell meant there was almost no chance of survival.
However, Bai Haoyue said that he still had things to do and the printing factory comrades had not been completely evacuated. Cai Tou could only watch helplessly as he returned to the den of demons, while he led Director Zhao through layers of blockades back to the Soviet area.
Now Qingcheng had some clues in her mind. The Nightingale had known all along that she had been exposed, so she urgently transferred her subordinate, Factory Director Zhao, out of the city and then returned to the city herself.
If the lark had sacrificed his life along with his four comrades at the printing plant, he would be a martyr now, not a traitor.
Since he returned to the city with the determination to die, what changed Nightingale's mind? If he were truly afraid of death, he wouldn't have returned to the city. Team Leader Dai's bloody methods are known to everyone in the intelligence community; there is no room for luck in working behind enemy lines.
The rest of the comrades fell silent. At the opportune moment, Old Wang stood up, took a stack of documents, and said to everyone, "Everyone heard what Comrade Cai said. This is Director Zhao Nanshan's written self-criticism report, which is completely consistent with what Comrade Cai said."
Hearing this, Qingcheng realized that tonight's meeting was not a self-criticism meeting at all, but a vindication ceremony to clear the name of the lark. Old Wang was doing this to go against Section Chief Zhang of the Third Section.
"Comrade Shaoyao, you should also reflect on your mistakes regarding this trip to Xuzhou," Wang Renyong suddenly changed the subject. He stared intently at Qingcheng, and everyone else followed his gaze. Qingcheng felt her face burning under the watchful eyes of dozens of people.
If no one recognized her, it would be fine, but now she felt like she had fallen into a trap. Qingcheng forced a smile: "Good evening, comrades. My biggest problem this time was that I made the mistake of rashness, trying to wrest the truth back from the reactionaries by relying on the power of the masses."
"Stop reciting dogma, rearrange your sentences." Wang Renyong's icy tone made Qingcheng even more nervous.
“I disregarded my original mission and created a public opinion riot, but I didn’t clean up the mess properly. The authorities caught me red-handed, and not only did I end up in jail, but I also caused all underground work in Xuzhou to come to a standstill, which ultimately attracted Team Leader Dai. I was the fuse that ignited the whole incident. I’m sorry to my comrades in Xuzhou.” Qingcheng listed all her mistakes in one breath and looked at Wang Renyong for help.
But Lao Wang, sitting in the audience, remained silent, offering no comment whatsoever. Qingcheng was affected by the silence in the audience; she nervously clutched her pants, her heart pounding wildly like a drum.
Clap clap clap... Led by Lao Wang, enthusiastic applause rang out in the room.
Qingcheng looked at Lao Wang with a puzzled expression. He had now returned to his usual smiling demeanor and walked to Qingcheng's side, saying, "Daring to criticize oneself is also a sign of progress. Besides, your public opinion riot was approved by me. If we don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, the reactionaries will."
Another major problem with the Xuzhou incident was the failure to strictly adhere to organizational rules and regulations, maintaining a single-line of communication. Qingcheng's actions, though slightly flawed due to her inexperience, were only mitigated by the fortunate encounter with an expert in the field; she should continue to improve.
According to the police station's codebook returned by the Nightingale, and our extensive investigation, the chief of the Xuzhou City Police Department is a deeply entrenched spy who is directly under the command of Team Leader Dai and is plotting to replace Master Kui as the new emperor of Xuzhou City.
"But evil people will always be punished by other evil people. Let's just wait and reap the benefits," Wang Renyong said meaningfully.
Judging from what Lao Wang said, this director's good days are over. Kui Ye can put him on the job and kick him off.
"Has the higher-ups determined whether the lark is a traitor or not?" Father Tong asked expressionlessly.
Old Wang didn't answer directly, but instead spread out photos on the table, almost all of them bearing burn marks. These were the photos that Qingcheng had taken to the transportation station that morning.
After seeing it, everyone sighed; several more comrades had fallen before dawn. Old Wang then took out a well-preserved photograph from his pocket and placed it next to the burned photo. Qingcheng immediately recognized it as Bai Haoyue's last portrait.
"Section Chief Wang, please tell me the names of these comrades so I can write a report to advocate for their honor." Father Tong's stern face showed a hint of compassion as he spoke.
"Old Tong, don't rush to apply. This is the Nightingale, Bai Haoyue." Wang Renyong pointed to the intact photo and observed everyone's reaction.
Sure enough, everyone looked at the photos with disbelief. Rui Rui took the photos and said with emotion, "If you only look at the photos, I have no doubt about the faith of these comrades. They are all equally firm."
"I'd like to add something. Hu Yukun's order to move the motherboard was given directly to Bai Haoyue, and I was also assigned to escort Director Zhao. Old Hu probably already suspected that Nine Ears was up to something," Cai Tou said, frowning after seeing the photo.
Now everyone started discussing it again. Even though Hu Yukun no longer trusted Nine Ears, without solid evidence, he could only choose to skip this person and prevent him from accessing core intelligence.
After Cai Tou's reminder, a sudden flash of inspiration struck Bai Haoyue. He was directly under Hu Yukun's command, and it would take him at least 1-2 hours to go out of the city and back. By the time he got back to the vicinity of the printing factory, Team Leader Dai would have already made his move. So the first person he would encounter was—Hu Yukun!
It seems their original route guesses were all wrong. The map of Xuzhou City, which he had studied countless times, unfolded in Qingcheng's mind. The fact is that when he returned from the North Gate, that empty house was the only way to pass the printing factory. The lark was very likely the last comrade Hu Yukun encountered.
There are priorities, and choices must be made at critical moments. The main people at the printing plant have been moved out of the city, leaving only a few comrades who burned documents. If she had encountered the injured Hu Yukun, she would definitely have prioritized protecting him.
If the lark obtains the final intelligence, he will have a reason to live. The lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the Soviet area, as well as the future of the organization, all rest on his young shoulders.
Even if it meant being covered in mud, feigning compliance with spies, and being misunderstood by his comrades, he was determined to send that intelligence map back to the Central Committee.
After listening to everyone's discussion, Wang Renyong tapped the table to draw everyone's attention back: "The information I've gathered from various sources confirms that the Nightingale has betrayed us and is now under the personal command of Team Leader Dai. He's been searching for comrades everywhere, and many have been imprisoned by him. That's why he's highly regarded by Team Leader Dai."
However, Lao Wang discovered that he had escorted important comrades out of the city on several occasions. If Director Zhao could be said to be acting before his defection, what about the Soviet Area representative? Even the crucial codebook was smuggled out by him through someone else. It was only through this connection that we were able to catch a major hidden spy.
Even the corrupt official from the military supply department who was sent back to Nanjing by the Red Flower Society to appeal to the emperor was someone he managed to get out of prison by taking advantage of the opportunity of prisoners being granted medical parole.
Wang Renyong countered to the crowd, "How are the higher-ups going to define him?"
He was both the devil and the angel. What exactly did Bai Haoyue experience that night? Sadly, Hu Yukun sacrificed himself, and there's no one left to testify for him.
“However, I tried to contact Comrade Hu Yukun’s contact in the 18th Army. That comrade said that he had only recently obtained the military deployment map, and he confirmed that after Hu Yukun’s sacrifice, another comrade made contact with him without physical contact under the name of ‘Iron Shoulder’. He only knew that this person was in the same system as him.” Wang Renyong’s meaning was very clear: Hu Yukun’s last contact was Bai Haoyue.
Only then did Qingcheng remember where she had seen the lark before. In the hospital in Xuzhou, she lost control of her emotions and was targeted by a group of ten agents. A lieutenant in blue protected her, and at that time she heard others call him Captain Bai.
"Comrade Peony just listed her mistakes, one of which was that she took a set of photos after entering prison. It was these photos that led to her being targeted by spies, and they were able to deduce the model of the Soviet reconnaissance camera she used." Wang Renyong then steered the conversation back to Qingcheng.
Wang Renyong pinched the bridge of his nose and took out a stack of manuscripts, saying, "The Nightingale is in Nanjing prison. He admitted that he planned the media riot in Xuzhou and that he took the photos and sent them to the newspaper. He is the head of the inspection team and often goes to the prison to pick people up. The Xuzhou prison guards did not treat him as 'anyone else' and naturally did not report it. This is a copy of the document he signed and sealed."
They'd only met once at most. Kiyosumi felt tears welling in her eyes and stammered, "He admitted my mistake, why?"
"Because he also admitted that he was actually a graduate of the University of the East, a double agent sent back to the Soviet Union. That pocket camera was given to him by his superior, 'Nougat,' to collect intelligence in the Far East. I asked my Soviet friends privately, and there really is such a person. 'Nougat' belongs to the Soviet Far East intelligence group, and the group leader is Mr. Ramsey," Wang Renyong explained.
“No, I did my research back then. Bai Haoyue has a clean background. He was supposed to go to Dongfang University, but he didn’t go abroad to study as his parents wished. Instead, after graduating from Jinling University, he went against his parents’ wishes and joined the army.” Father Tong’s tone was somewhat anxious.
"It's not a matter of going abroad or not. 'Nougat' isn't actually one person's code name; it's a joint code name for a husband and wife. They don't live in the Soviet Union; they're based in Shanghai and Tokyo. Obviously, our Comrade Xiaobai isn't aware of these facts. He's just using bits and pieces of hearsay to fabricate the identity of a Soviet spy for himself." Wang Renyong directly addressed Bai Haoyue as "comrade," indicating that he didn't believe Bai Haoyue had betrayed them.
Now it was Father Tong's turn to be shocked: "I understand, he wants to use his own life to draw all of Team Leader Dai's attention away and steer the spy's investigation astray."
“Yes, but even with these witnesses and the photos that Shaoyao brought back, they are only circumstantial evidence. At most, they can only prove that he still has a conscience. As his superior, I still can’t clear his name.” Wang Renyong finished speaking with a trembling voice, two lines of tears streaming down his face. “The Third Division didn’t take the rescue seriously, and in the end, our secret rescue failed. That’s what I should reflect on the most.”
Old Wang wiped away his tears and started talking about classic operas again: "I don't know if everyone has seen 'The Orphan of Zhao'. In one of the stories, Gongsun Chu asked Cheng Ying, 'Which is more difficult, raising an orphan or dying?' Cheng Ying replied, 'Dying is easy, raising an orphan is difficult.' So Gongsun Chu committed suicide, and Cheng Ying joined the enemy camp. He endured the infamy of being ungrateful and raised Zhao Wu with humiliation and hardship."
For Cheng Ying, a gentleman, to live a life of ignominy was incredibly difficult.
History always repeats itself in surprising ways. In a daze, Qingcheng heard the old man's singing, "Which is more difficult, to establish an orphan or to die?" The answer is that death is easier than life, only the protagonists have changed to Hu Yukun and Bai Haoyue. In that desolate empty house, did they have a conversation?
"Those who survive must endure humiliation and lie in wait among the enemy, awaiting an opportunity to send out intelligence. Are you willing?"
"I do!"
Bang--
A greater price must be paid for a great victory. Kiyosumi knew they were great, but he did not know they were this great.
But reality doesn't have a perfect ending. Cheng Ying was able to avenge his family fifteen years later, while Bai Haoyue could only carry the identity of a high-ranking Soviet spy and the shame of a traitor... and walk her final journey alone.
Jiang Yun, who had been silent all along, suddenly raised his arm and shouted, "I believe that Comrade Bai Haoyue has not betrayed us, and I believe even more that the spirit of 'Iron Shoulders' will continue to be passed on."
"I believe it too."
"I believe it too."
"I believe it too."
...
Regardless of how the Nightingale will be characterized in the future, at this moment so many comrades are willing to trust him. According to idealism, I hope he knows this in the afterlife.
Back home, Qingcheng was still immersed in a depressing and sad atmosphere. She touched her conscience and asked herself, if she were in the same position, could she make the same choice as the lark? Or would she hesitate and back down?
She couldn't answer that now. All she wanted to know was that Wu Hao's initial grand rescue was just an act. As long as he controlled the number of people who knew about the rescue plan, he could lure out the hidden spies.
As expected of Comrade Wu Hao, it's a pity that the head of the Third Section didn't understand his intentions, and Comrade Wu Hao himself hesitated, ultimately wasting a great fishing opportunity, and Comrade Lark was also not rescued.
The issues in Xuzhou City have been largely resolved, but there is still one question she has: since Bai Haoyue's identity as a special agent was fabricated, why would Wu Hao help him fabricate this identity?
Okay, even if the two had some unknown history, how could Wu Hao have obtained Bai Haoyue's plan, which was worth the cost of her life, from the sealed-off Xuzhou city or the prison?
When did the news reach Wu Hao's ears? Qingcheng's head was about to explode, and she unconsciously walked to the table.
On the table were piles of manuscripts and materials that Lao Wang had forced upon her, as well as Lao Wang's personal investigation notes. He claimed that she had good writing skills and asked her to write a summary report of the events in Xuzhou City.
Qingcheng silently complained to herself, "That old Wang is so lazy, he won't even write his own summary report." To this, Qingcheng simply shook her head slightly and resignedly began organizing the materials.
Until Old Wang's scribbled handwriting danced before her eyes, Qingcheng rolled her eyes helplessly.
Good heavens! Her occupational hazard was about to kick in. If Lao Wang were there, she would definitely throw her investigation notes in his face; what kind of nonsense was this? She'd reject it and make him rewrite it.
After looking at it a couple more times, Qingcheng felt like her eyes were going to go blind. She took a sip of water and endured the immense discomfort as she continued to flip through Lao Wang's notebook.
Wait a minute, the 18th Army's subordinate said that the contactless rendezvous was on the 9th of July, and Bai Haoyue was also arrested on the 9th of July, which is September 1st in the Gregorian calendar, Monday, the first day of school.
Hahaha, Qingcheng suddenly burst into laughter. That old Wang deliberately let her see the internal documents; he had ulterior motives.
The Soviet area only received the deployment map on September 12th, and it wasn't until the Osprey arrived in Shanghai at the beginning of the following month that they learned of it. Therefore, between September 1st and the 1st of the following month, the person delivering intelligence while Nightingale was in prison wasn't him. Let her boldly guess that Hu Yukun encountered not one person, but two people before his death.
Qingcheng opened the floral water bottle and applied some to her hands. Instantly, the fragrance filled the room. She closed her eyes and imagined the bloodshed and chaos in Xuzhou City. The smile on her face froze. So the floral water might have been part of the plan.
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