Yu Yao didn't know what Commander Qi and Lu Ze talked about that night, but she knew that a few days later, Xu Ruoling's family, including those who had close ties with them, were taken away for investigation.
Yu Yao, Wu Wanying, and Cui Zhizhou were also called away for questioning one after another.
They were usually very vigilant, and since they were also important informants in this case, the investigators released them after confirming their innocence.
However, according to regulations, they need to undergo at least six months of observation, which restricts them from leaving the island, just like everyone else.
When they came out, Lu Ze was outside picking up Yu Yao to take her home for dinner.
They happened to run into Commander Qi being taken away for investigation. Neither of them spoke; they just glanced at each other from a distance before parting ways.
Yu Yao saw Qi Feng's lips move, and he silently said thank you.
On the way back, Yu Yao asked Lu Ze, "Will Commander Qi be in trouble?"
Lu Ze did not give an answer, but said, "He provided important evidence that Mo Ruqing was involved in the spy operation. It was because of this evidence that we were able to quickly locate the spy gang. The information he inadvertently revealed was not classified, so he can atone for his crime with merit. He should be fine."
As for the rest, Lu Ze didn't elaborate, as it involved classified information.
During her time in the military, Yu Yao also came to understand some of the military's unspoken rules.
It means nothing will happen, which means the consequences won't be serious, but disciplinary action is still inevitable.
With the disciplinary action against him, he almost lost all opportunities for promotion for several years.
For Qi Feng at his age, reaching the rank of regimental commander in the army would be the limit for his entire career; the best outcome would be retirement.
With his abilities and qualifications, he could easily become the factory manager of a state-owned factory in his hometown.
Qi Feng is Lu Ze's friend. When Lu Ze first came to the army, he was a troublemaker, and Qi Feng helped him a lot.
Although Lu Ze didn't show any sadness on his face, Yu Yao knew he must be upset, so she comforted him, "Don't worry, I believe Commander Qi will be alright."
Lu Ze noticed her comforting words, smiled slightly, and hummed in agreement.
The incident involving Xu Ruoling and her daughter caused a huge uproar in the military compound, and even had a significant impact on the military region of Guangdong Province.
Counter-espionage operations have been ongoing since the founding of the nation, but this one is the largest in scale and scope in the island's history.
With swift and decisive action, Lu Ze not only obtained evidence of Xu Ruoling and her daughter's espionage activities, but also followed the clues to find the spy gang behind them.
The Guangdong Provincial Military Region and island troops, in conjunction with the public security system and border defense stations, arrested more than 100 people of all ages.
Not all of these people were spies; many were people who had been taken advantage of by spies and were coerced or lured into providing information to them.
This includes, but is not limited to, fishermen from fishing brigades, key leaders of state-owned factories, and employees of state-owned tailor shops and supply and marketing cooperatives.
Of course, it is impossible to wipe out all the spies in Guangdong Province and the islands in one operation. Counter-espionage operations are continuous and long-term.
However, in the short term, those spies hiding in the shadows will have to lay low, which provides valuable time for the island's development to proceed smoothly.
When the news spread, Yu Yao and Wu Wanying were busy decorating their home.
This morning, she received a call from Uncle Yueshan, saying that the furniture would arrive on the island today and that she should go pick it up.
Lu Ze borrowed a Jiefang brand truck from the military and arranged for people to help move all the furniture back to the family compound.
"Comrade, thank you for your hard work. Could you please help us put the wooden bed in the room?"
Fortunately, these old family compound buildings were built according to the standards of rural courtyards. Although they are not as well-equipped as the family apartment buildings, they are spacious.
There's still room in the bedroom even if you put two beds in it.
With the new bed, she and Lu Ze could sleep in separate beds, and she no longer had to worry about the 38th parallel being meaningless.
The young soldier who was helping was about to carry the old bed out, but Yu Yao stopped him, saying, "No need to move it out, just leave it in the room."
Wu Wanying was moving a cabinet with the young soldier who came to help when she heard this. She glanced around the bedroom, saw two beds, and then looked at Yu Yao with a puzzled look in her eyes.
At that moment, the loudspeaker on the kapok tree at the entrance of the courtyard emitted a buzzing sound, followed by the loud voice of a female announcer.
"Island troops broadcasting station, now interrupting with a message. Island troops broadcasting station, now interrupting with a message."
The loudspeakers in the residential compound only sound at fixed times in the morning, noon, and evening, and only in case of emergency.
Upon hearing the broadcast, nearby family members and soldiers stopped what they were doing.
Wu Wanying also forgot to ask Yu Yao about the bed.
"On September 27, 1971, the island troops, in conjunction with the Guangdong Provincial Military Region, the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Bureau, and the border defense station, cracked down on and captured a spy gang headed by Xu Ruoling and her daughter, totaling more than 100 people... The complete success of this operation is a manifestation of the unity and wisdom of the people, and reflects China's determination to strengthen national defense and safeguard national security."
"Commander Zheng stated: 'We welcome friends with fine wine, but we will meet wolves with hunting rifles. Any attempt to endanger national security or undermine island construction will be met with resolute action by the island troops. This is the end of the broadcast from the island troops' radio station. Goodbye.'"
When the broadcast ended, the entire military compound erupted in cheers.
No one expected that the usually kind and friendly Xu Ruoling and Dr. Mo would actually be the heads of spies planted on the island by hostile forces, specializing in stealing secrets from the military and factories and sabotaging military facilities around the island.
"I never imagined that Dr. Mo, ugh, Mo Ruqing and Xu Ruoling were actually heads of secret service. I even liked her so much and wanted to introduce her to someone. Luckily, it didn't work out, or I would have become a sinner."
"These spies are truly wicked. It turns out that the fake parents spies were actually arranged by these two. It's all thanks to Yu Yao's wisdom that she saw through the spies' tricks, otherwise the troops would have suffered huge losses."
The crowd was filled with righteous indignation and praised Yu Yao for uncovering the spy's trail, feeling that she was not only smart but also very lucky.
They immediately apprehended the bad elements who had infiltrated the island's population.
After listening to the broadcast, Wu Wanying's eyes filled with tears as she hugged Yu Yao, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Waaaaah, Yu Yao, that's great! The mastermind behind this has finally been caught."
"Yes, they've finally been caught." Yu Yao hugged Wu Wanying, her gaze seemingly piercing through the void to see that prematurely deceased soul.
You can rest in peace now. The culprit who caused your family to be separated has been brought to justice.
On the day Xu Ruoling and her daughter were executed, many people from the family compound went to watch the ceremony.
Yu Yao didn't go there. Instead, she went to a secluded spot on the mountain, burned some paper for the original owner of the body, and settled the matter.
When she got back, she saw everyone rushing home. Yu Yao was puzzled and asked a military wife, only to find out that there was a storm that day.
Just moments ago, the sky over the island was bright and sunny, but in the blink of an eye, dark clouds gathered, and a strong wind howled, rustling the coconut trees along the roadside, while waves were whipped high and crashed against the rocks.
Yu Yao ran home, and on the way she encountered Lu Ze leading a group of soldiers who seemed to be in a hurry, as if they were looking for something.
"Lu Ze, what happened?"
Lu Ze pulled her aside and whispered, "Someone in the army has defected, and Xu Ruoling has escaped."
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