Restarting life in Siheyuan

He threw all the things Liang Yan had taken off into the space and looked at the chaotic streets below. He realized that there was no hope of leaving on time.

"Wait for me for a moment, I'll wash myself too. I don't think we can sail for a while."

Although there was no smell of gunpowder on his body, Yan Zi had washed himself and he was dry, which seemed to be a flaw. Now everyone was in Zhu Xuefeng's space and Liang Yan was safe. Zhu Xuefeng could feel very relaxed at this moment. It didn't matter whether he could leave or not. Of course, it would be best if he could leave, as many things needed to be resolved.

I just washed myself and got dressed.

"Come on, let's go down."

Yan Zi looked at her senior brother who looked refreshed, and happily walked downstairs hand in hand with him.

The inspection was very strict, but the two men had complete documents and no prohibited items on them, so even several police dogs could not find anything unusual on them.

Thinking that she was covered in the smell of gunpowder, Yan Zi felt lucky that she would be discovered by the police dogs if she didn't wash herself off.

"Hubby, you are more thoughtful than us women."

Yan Zi took Zhu Xuefeng's arm, looked up and sighed with a smile. Zhu Xuefeng understood what she meant, picked up the luggage and whispered.

"It's better to be cautious, let's go."

The two of them went through inspections all the way from the hotel to the dock and finally got on the boat. The driver was very trustworthy and had already loaded the boat. More than a dozen wooden boxes were neatly stacked in the bottom cargo hold, mixed with other goods.

"Thank you. It's a pleasure working with you. I'll look for you next time."

"The boss made a fortune, so we can have some soup with him..."

After sending the driver away, the two could only stand on the deck, guarded by a group of soldiers. The personnel and cargo were concentrated in the cargo hold and on the deck, and were not allowed to enter the cabin. The upper part was being inspected room by room.

"Boss, we are not allowed to send the ship now, and they didn't tell us when we can leave."

The fourth brother had discovered Zhu Xuefeng long ago and reported it quietly.

"Well, let's ask. We are not in a hurry. We just need to listen to their arrangements and know when we can leave."

The fourth brother had no idea what Zhu Xuefeng was doing here, but he knew he shouldn't ask. Seeing a team of people going to search the cargo hold again, he thought for a moment and walked straight towards the armed port guards.

"Captain Zhang, what happened? The cargo and passengers have been inspected before boarding the ship. Do we still need to board the ship for inspection? We have arrived at the port and have not been allowed to leave the port except for replenishment. Do we also need to be inspected?"

The team leader took the cigarette from Lao Si and they both started smoking. "Boss Xu, you are an old man and we have been here many times. No one distrusts you, but the superiors have given instructions and we have to check. Please, we have to check not only the cargo hold, but also the engine room and the kitchen downstairs. We have no choice. Something big happened at night."

"What's the big deal? Tell me about it..."

"No, they just said that a few wanted criminals escaped. Anyone without ID or injured will be taken away. You should cooperate with the inspection actively. If you can really leave, I guarantee that you will be allowed to leave in the first batch."

"Thank you very much, brother." The fourth brother quietly stuffed some things in and stepped aside. More than 20 soldiers armed with live ammunition entered the cargo ship and began to search everywhere. It should be that the fourth brother's communication worked, and there was no looting or smashing, just a very detailed inspection.

"What are these wooden boxes for? Open them and take a look!"

Although the fourth brother had established a good relationship with the other person, he still checked everything the same way.

"Inside is our cargo, nailed down."

Zhu Xuefeng stepped forward. Yan Zi felt a little nervous. His senior brother told him that everyone was in the box and this had been arranged long ago.

Zhu Xuefeng squeezed Yan Zi's hand and said, "Don't worry, it's all right. I've arranged everything."

Only then did Liang Yan feel relieved.

"Open it and check inside..."

The upper cover was roughly pried open, revealing densely packed tangerines inside. The soldier wanted to stab it with his bayonet, but was stopped by the fourth brother.

"Sir, let's cooperate and don't destroy other people's goods, otherwise it will be difficult for us to report to our superiors in the future."

"Well, unload them all and see if there's anyone in the box."

A box was overturned, and fruits such as pineapple, sugar apple, lucky apple, pineapple, apple, date, etc. rolled all over the floor. It was clear inside the box. There was nothing inside except for protection of the fruits and avoiding bumps.

"Hurry up, help put it back."

The fourth brother asked the staff to start working, packing here and unpacking there. Soon the goods were all in a mess and more than a dozen boxes were opened.

The fourth brother felt very guilty, but Zhu Xuefeng didn't care. He and Yan Zi just watched from the side without protesting. The fourth brother had sweat on his forehead and quickly took people to clean up.

"Brother, I'm sorry, I can't help it."

The team leader walked up to the fourth brother and apologized in a low voice, but the fourth brother tried hard to suppress his displeasure.

"It's okay. This is your duty. Fortunately, the goods are not damaged. We can just put them back."

Seeing that Lao Si looked unhappy, the team leader took the initiative to say, "Boss Xu, don't blame me. It's inappropriate for me not to check that they use this method to transport fruits. It's obvious that there is room for people in here."

"I know your difficulties, so I won't say more. This method of storing fruits saves space and ensures that they will not be bumped. It can also protect against seawater at sea..."

By noon, the cargo ship had gone through three more searches before finally setting sail.

"Brother Tao, where are those people?"

"It's all on board."

"They checked so many times and still couldn't find you? I was scared to death just now. They opened all the boxes to look. Where on earth did you hide?" Those were five living people. Yan Zi was very curious. She didn't know that three traitors were also brought back.

"Don't ask me about that. For those who have been sailing for a long time, how can they not have some skills? Do you think they just make money by transporting people and goods?"

Liang Yan was an old stalker after all, so she immediately thought, "I see, they have a place specifically for hiding smuggled goods, right?"

Zhu Xuefeng observed and felt the few people who were sleeping in the space, "I don't know, this is what you said, finally it's done, you can go home for the New Year, but when you get to Hong Kong, you stay with them first, I'll go and hand in the task first."

"Well, Brother, what on earth were those people doing? Didn't they say that only one was lost? How come you rescued five of them in one go?"

Zhu Xuefeng did not correct Liang Yan's address this time, and said quietly, "We only rescued four people. They were a total of 9,000 people. 9,000 people, all of them were great. They ate all their dry food, fought to the last moment, used up all their bullets, even their bayonets, and consumed all their ammunition and physical strength. Although they were captured, in my heart, they are all heroes, our heroes, although they were defeated..."

"Brother, tell me what happened. Is it such a big event? Nine thousand people, that's more than the total military strength of the autonomous region right now."

"How can the soldiers in the autonomous region compare with them? These are experienced soldiers, most of whom are from Shandong Province. There are many heroes who have fought in many battles. Except for a very small number of recruits, they are all veterans who have experienced hundreds of battles. Four years ago, they entered the battlefield with only two days' worth of dry food. Facing hundreds of enemy planes, dozens of tanks and more than 200 warships, and enemies several times their number, they fought for more than ten days before they ran out of ammunition and food and were defeated."

"Why aren't there any reinforcements? They're not far away. They're only a few kilometers out to sea."

"At that time, we only had wooden sailing ships that could carry thousands of people at a time, but unfortunately they were all stranded on the beach. When the enemy's more than 200 ships of various types blocked the sea area, we were cut off from reinforcements."

"So the navy is very important. Without a strong navy, no matter how powerful the army is, it can only operate on a piece of land. It is so difficult to liberate a small island."

Zhu Xuefeng was very pleased that Liang Yan had such an understanding. "You are right. Our country is now besieged by the hostile navy. If we want to get rid of them, we must have a strong navy."

"Brother, does your autonomous region want to develop a navy?"

"Of course. Without the navy, many things cannot be done. In the future, our own ocean-going fleet will also need the navy to give it courage."

The most urgent thing in Zhu Xuefeng's plan is Zheng Xun's evacuation plan, which must be guaranteed by a maritime military force.

The cargo ship set off more than six hours later than originally planned. It left Keelung Port and headed south. Patrol boats passed by from time to time throughout the strait. They must have stirred up a hornet's nest. The three of them disappeared with several warships. I guess they all had some wonderful ideas. "Inside and outside cooperation? Stealing warships? Damn it, what are you thinking? How many people are needed to steal warships by inside and outside cooperation? There must be dozens or hundreds of people. Such a large group of saboteurs? Block the strait for me. Search. And you, what are you doing? Only five of them can escape. Search them quickly..."

Fortunately, the cargo ship had been registered here early on and made several trips every month. It was obviously not a warship, so it was able to sail smoothly, passing through Gaoxiong Port in the south, picking up some passengers and cargo, and after another inspection, it was able to leave smoothly.

They were completely out of danger. In a slightly spacious room, Zhu Xuefeng was talking to a few people, while Yan Zi and Lao Si were guarding outside.

"Everyone, we are now completely safe. Our next stop is Hong Kong. Don't worry. Once we get to Hong Kong, I will escort you to the other side on the same day..."

"Thank you, young comrade. I never thought that there would be a day when I could return to my homeland..."

Several people were so excited that they burst into tears. They held Zhu Xuefeng's hands and were speechless for a long time.

"It's what I should have done. I just arrived a little late and made everyone suffer."

"It's nothing. Compared to the many people who are still trapped there, we are already very lucky."

"Comrade, bring some medicine, treat them. I see their wounds haven't fully healed yet, don't let it affect the subsequent transfer." Xiao Huang strictly abided by the rules and never called Zhu Xuefeng by his name.

"Oh, excuse me, wait."

Xiao Huang's injuries were the most serious, but not fatal. Zhu Xuefeng took out several first aid kits from the boat bed, and everyone began to treat each other. The injuries of the four were not serious, but they were very weak and had very little physical strength.

Zhu Xuefeng did not provide any medicine for healing, fearing that the few people were so energetic that they would not be able to explain. While cleaning Xiao Huang's wound, he asked about Jiao Xuemin's sacrifice, sighing.

"Mission accomplished. Don't worry. We are all safe down there."

Knowing that Xiao Huang was concerned about the success or failure of the mission, Zhu Xuefeng said in a low voice.

"That's good. The captain can rest in peace now. It was all my fault that he was killed..."

Seeing Xiao Huang crying again, Zhu Xuefeng hurriedly stopped her. Some words cannot be said too much. Xiao Huang might not have a good time when she goes back. His inappropriate choice of words exposed his identity and killed his captain.

Xiao Huang was both skilled and intelligent, but unfortunately, the names of some historical events on both sides were completely different, and they were remembered by people all of a sudden, which led to the failure of the mission before it even started. However, he kept his mouth shut and did not let the other party know the mission objectives. As a result, the three targets were not prepared, which made it easier for Zhu Xuefeng to complete the mission successfully.

"Heroes, take off your clothes and treat the wounds." Zhu Xuefeng was quite surprised to see that several people were only treating the hands, feet and head and did not take off their clothes.

He took out a few more sets of clothes and handed them over, "Change into these after you're done with them. We can't go back in their prison uniforms. You're heroes."

The young man, who was obviously more stable among the four, took the clothes with a gloomy expression, without any joy at all as he had just heard that he could set foot on his homeland.

"We are not heroes at all. We are defeated. We are too embarrassed to go back and bring shame to our fellow countrymen."

"Let's not talk about this. Those who have fought for the country are all heroes. Come on, take off your shirts, and everyone take care of your wounds."

Several people blushed but refused to take off their shirts. Zhu Xuefeng thought about it and understood.

"How about this, I'll go out with this comrade, you guys clean up the mess, call me when you're done, we'll have something to eat together, we've escaped from this dangerous situation, let's celebrate together, and then go home together to celebrate the New Year."

Ignoring Xiao Huang's surprise, he helped Xiao Huang put on his clothes and supported him out of the guest room.

When the four saw the two men leave, they took off their shirts. Each of them had a tattoo of XXXX on their chest, back or arm. Several men were crying silently. (“XXXX” is from the author)
"No matter what, we have to go back. This is a shame. If we want to wash away this shame, we have to get better. Xiao Linzi, come and help me clean the wound on my back."

"Brother Zhao is right. We can go home soon. We can't do this. We will be sorry for the comrades who rescued us with great effort. We must wash away this shame with our lives and blood!"

Zhu Xuefeng could see everything that was happening inside the house clearly through the door. It was so hateful that they actually left a permanent mark of shame on their chests. He had seen this in the information in his previous life, but he didn't expect to see a real example himself. Zhu Xuefeng was also very indignant.

"Yanzi, you go to Repulse Bay by yourself. I will take these people back and tell everyone that I'm sorry that I can't spend the Spring Festival with them."

Yan Zi nodded, "Don't worry, senior brother, everyone can understand."

Zhu Xuefeng did not stay in Hong Kong. Tomorrow is the Spring Festival. Zhu Xuefeng hopes that these people can return to China to celebrate the New Year. He told Liang Yan at the dock and asked Chen Dong to arrange to send them to the other side overnight.

After getting ashore, they went straight to the border guards and reported the news of their successful return to Uncle Kong in the capital. Then a Y-5 plane directly transported several people away.

"What? He's already in Hong Kong, but he didn't come back once and is back in Beijing?"

Lin Na and the others were very surprised by Zhu Xuefeng's arrangement. Although they were prepared that he might not be able to come back to celebrate the Spring Festival together, they did not expect that now that Yan Zi had returned, he would go straight back to Beijing without even staying in Hong Kong.

"What exactly is going on, Yan Zi? You went with them, so you must know."

Xia Yuhong was unwilling to give up. She rushed back to the Northeast, traveling thousands of kilometers from north to south, but she couldn't even see the dead man.

Zhu Xuesong and Zhu Xuemei now understand that in this room, except for Miss Yan Zi, the remaining three seem to be sisters-in-law. It is easy to say that Sister Xia is a sister-in-law, and so is Sister Lin. As for Miss Wu, the two have been confused for a long time and have been getting along with everyone very carefully these days.

Erya and Sanya also stood aside obediently, not daring to make a sound.

"My senior brother wouldn't let me talk about it, saying it was a top-secret mission. Miss Xia, please don't make things difficult for me. He asked me to apologize to everyone, saying it was unavoidable because he had to rush back to the capital to hand in the mission."

Like everyone else, Xia Yuhong had no idea that Zhu Xuefeng had another identity and felt helpless.

"Well, I really don't understand why he made himself so nervous. Now everything is going according to plan, and it's going well, right?"

"Well, in Hong Kong, the airlines are running normally now. Although there are few routes, the profit margins are very high..."

Xia Yuhong raised her hand to interrupt Wu Qianqian's report, already knowing all this.

"Sister Xia, I also asked this question, and this is what my eldest brother said."

The younger sister is most familiar with Xia Yuhong, so she spoke carefully.

"That's what your brother said. This heartless guy brought a bunch of us here, but he ran away."

The house was filled with Chinese New Year items. This was the first time everyone celebrated the Chinese New Year together in Hong Kong. Wu Qianqian was well prepared, but she didn’t expect...

"My brother said that people and countries are actually like an egg, facing external and internal pressures. When the external and internal pressures are balanced, the egg is complete."

"He is the egg, the bad guy."

Xia Yuhong was still complaining in a low voice, but Lin Na pulled her hand and gave her a look, and Xia Yuhong stopped unwillingly. The resentment of thousands of kilometers could not be dissipated in a short time.

"What else did your brother say?"

"He said that if the external pressure is too great, the egg will break from the outside and become food."

"Yeah, that's right. Isn't it just beating eggs and cooking? What else? He just said such inexplicable things."

"No, Sister Xia, my brother is not what you think. He said that only by improving oneself internally and increasing one's own strength can the egg break through from the inside, and then the chick will be hatched. Breaking through from the inside will give birth to new life!"

"That's right, Xiaohong, he's right. It's the same for individuals and countries. When facing pressure, we must constantly enrich ourselves and accelerate our growth. Only in this way can new life be born..."

Lin Na waved her fist excitedly. "We have to understand him and give him more energy. Without further ado, let's follow his arrangements. We will spend the New Year here and then go back to see if he needs any help."

Xia Yuhong had known Zhu Xuefeng's ambition for a long time, but she just didn't understand why he pushed herself so hard. Now she finally understood his sense of urgency.

"Yes, we have to be his best partners and helpers. We will go back in a few days."

Zhu Xuefeng also estimated that the change in his schedule had caused great trouble to several people, but he did not expect that it would be successfully resolved by the chicken soup he usually gave to his younger sister.

He didn't want this to happen. He originally thought that he would let the comrades who had escaped the difficulties go back and report on their own, and he would talk about it after the New Year. He asked not to report because he wanted to stay for the New Year. Who knew that there would be four more people suddenly, and it was related to a battle four years ago. It would be unreasonable not to send these heroes home for the New Year. (End of this chapter)