In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

In November 1948, Beiping had lost its last trace of warmth, and the chill seeped out from between the bricks and tiles, from the withered branches and fallen leaves, penetrating to the bone.

However, what was even more unsettling than the physical cold was the pervasive and heavy atmosphere of despair that permeated this ancient capital.

It's like an invisible mist, shrouding the golden tiles of the Forbidden City, entwining the locust trees at the entrance of the alley, and weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

The rate of devaluation of the gold yuan had long since escaped the control of any economic laws, turning into a crazy and ugly race, a cruel game that ruthlessly crushed the last remaining hope of ordinary people.

If you leave home in the morning with a thick wad of banknotes still smelling of ink, you might be able to exchange them for a bag of flour; but if you wait until the afternoon, you probably won't even be able to buy half a bag of coarse, tough mixed flour.

Newspapers continued to publish lengthy announcements about "rectifying the financial system" and "stabilizing prices," but to citizens who had long seen through everything, these words on paper had become the most biting and helpless irony.

Private transactions have long since spontaneously discarded this pile of rapidly fading, colorful waste paper.

Hard currency has returned to center stage.

The heavy, jingling "Yuan Shikai silver dollars," along with foreign currencies bearing unfamiliar foreign portraits and secretly considered safer, became the true general equivalents.

More often, it has returned to the most primitive form of barter.

A bar of Lux soap could be exchanged for several kilograms of cornmeal, a foot of indigo cloth might be exchanged for a few steamed buns to fill an empty stomach, and an old pocket watch might be exchanged for a family's food for several days.

This ancient mode of exchange is absurdly and inevitably resurfacing in this city that once prided itself on modern civilization, telling the story of the complete collapse of monetary credit.

Accompanying the economic collapse was an increasingly suffocating political repression.

Like sharks that have smelled blood, intelligence agencies intensified their search and control efforts throughout the city.

The newspaper's social news section almost daily features shocking headlines such as "Suspected Red Party Member Arrested" or "Criminal Executed by Firing Squad," the chilling message conveyed in the words enough to send a shiver down the spine of every reader.

People became extremely cautious in their conversations. When acquaintances met, they would exchange a knowing glance and then quickly part ways, fearing that a careless remark might be overheard and bring about their own downfall.

A tacit understanding of "avoiding discussing state affairs" was formed amidst fear.

The train station became the most chaotic and noisy vortex in this scene of panic.

The wave of people fleeing south was getting stronger and stronger. Military and political officials, wealthy merchants, and anyone with even a little bit of connections who could get a precious train or boat ticket were trying to escape this isolated city that seemed to be swallowed up by war at any moment or be trapped in a desperate situation due to siege.

The platform was extremely crowded and filled with noise.

Well-dressed officials, businessmen with their families and faces full of fear, students weeping bitterly at the thought of parting from their loved ones, the harsh shouts of soldiers maintaining order, the hawking of vendors selling overpriced food, and the heart-wrenching whistle of a train...

All the voices mingled together, weaving together a picture of desperate and frantic war-torn refugees.

It was under this atmosphere of intense pressure and chaos that Zhu Mingxuan decisively issued the order for Yang Guangming to "lie low":

Silence for now, cease all unnecessary lateral communication and activities, and fully return to "normal" citizen life. Like millions of ordinary Beiping residents, quietly and resiliently endure this most dangerous period and wait for the right opportunity.

Yang Guangming deeply understood and strictly implemented this instruction.

He quickly adjusted his life to an extremely regular, even somewhat rigid, state:
Every morning, he would almost always stay in the east wing, hunched over his desk translating manuscripts. The thick foreign language books and the manuscript paper covered with writing became his best cover.

In the afternoon, he would leave home on time to go to Teacher Zhu's house to "ask questions" or "discuss work," taking a fixed route and behaving calmly.

Other occasional outings were mostly to the nearby market to carefully replenish essential household items such as salt, matches, and lamp oil.

His extraordinary alertness made him keenly aware that there were occasionally some faint "tails" behind him.

It wasn't targeted, long-term surveillance; it was more like agents randomly and aimlessly watching suspicious individuals, like casting a net to catch fish.

However, thanks to the anti-stalking skills carefully taught by Teacher Zhu, as well as his own composure and quick wit, Yang Guangming was always able to easily neutralize these clumsy surveillance attempts after passing through a few alleys and turning a few street corners. He never gave the other party any leverage, nor did he ever bring danger to Teacher Zhu's residence.

Life at home, supported by the cautious, subtle presence of Yang Guangming, maintained a rare, even luxurious, tranquility compared to the gloomy, hungry world outside.

The grain bins were usually full, though they mostly contained coarse grains that could be stored for a long time; the coal sheds were piled with enough firewood and coal to keep out the long, cold winters of Beiping; and occasionally, a rare treat of meat could be found on the dining table.

In a courtyard filled with mourning, the good life of Yang Guangming's family stood out conspicuously, naturally attracting the envy and speculation of their neighbors, both overt and covert.

This is unavoidable. Yang Guangming has tried to keep a low profile and doesn't dare to have lavish meals at home, but being able to eat well during this period is already quite eye-catching.

After a period of recuperation, Yang Huai-ren's leg injury has completely healed.

He was still in charge of the family's "purchasing business," although the initial six hundred yuan in gold coupons had long been spent in the frenzy of buying, and the things he got in return were limited.

However, Yang Guangming would eventually manage to get some cash back under the pretext of "helping Teacher Zhu's friend" or "introducing some odd translation jobs," allowing Yang Huairen to continue his "busy" life of traveling around.

This was not only to supplement the family income, but also to give Yang Huai-ren a spiritual sustenance, making him feel that he still had value to the family, rather than being a burden that needed to be fully supported by his son.

Chu Yuanjun, meanwhile, stayed home and managed the household chores, keeping the limited resources in good order, while also strictly supervising her two daughters' studies.

As the family's situation stabilized, the paleness on Jingwan and Jingyi's faces gradually faded, replaced by a touch of liveliness that was appropriate for their age.

Unlike many neighborhood children, they no longer had to worry about where their next meal would come from, nor were they sent by their parents to the wilderness outside the city to dig up bitter and unpalatable wild vegetable roots in the biting cold wind.

In times of chaos, this is a peace and blessing that many people yearn for.

However, the larger world outside the courtyard is inevitably sliding into an even deeper abyss.

The lives of ordinary people began to fall into extreme hardship.

Factories shut down on a large scale, shops went bankrupt one after another, and the unemployed flooded the streets like a gray tide.

In the struggle for food, theft, robbery, and even worse crimes occur frequently, and the social news pages of newspapers are filled with such lamentable stories.

The military and police maintaining order became increasingly impatient, and their methods became more and more simplistic and brutal, resorting to punches, kicks, and even shootings to injure people.

A law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, quietly took shape amidst this chaos, and it only intensified.

Thugs and hooligans colluded with certain law enforcement officers who harbored ill intentions and sought to profit from the chaos, like a flock of vultures that smelled carrion, lurking in the streets and searching for targets to prey on.

They were well-versed in the survival strategy of bullying the weak and fearing the strong. They dared not touch the truly powerful and influential families with guards at their gates, so they turned their greedy eyes more towards middle-class families who had some wealth but no strong background.

Mr. Shen, the landlord of the courtyard house where Yang Guangming rented, unfortunately became a "fat sheep" targeted by vultures.

The Shen family had lived in Beiping for generations. Although they were not extremely wealthy, their ancestors had accumulated some wealth, including some silver dollars and a few antique calligraphy and paintings passed down through generations. In an era when the gold yuan had become worthless, this was the family's last resort for survival.

He understood the principle of not flaunting his wealth and always acted with humility and caution.

That morning, seeing that his family's food supplies were running low, Mr. Shen carefully took five silver dollars, wrapped them tightly in an old blue cloth, and stuffed them into the inside pocket of his cotton robe, intending to go to a nearby shop to buy some food and daily necessities.

He deliberately took a detour, choosing a relatively secluded street with fewer acquaintances.

During the transaction, he looked around to make sure there were no familiar faces before quickly handing a silver dollar to the grain dealer in exchange for a small bag of millet and a few steamed buns made from mixed grains.

He believed he had been careful enough throughout the entire process.

However, he was spotted by two thugs who roamed the market with eyes like hooks.

The two guys were quite different. One was nicknamed "Pillar," a tall, thin man with shifty eyes; the other was called "Fathead Fish," a short, stocky man with a fleshy face.

They mingled in the streets and were best at identifying "easy targets".

Mr. Shen's slightly worn but well-made blue cotton robe, along with his tense yet forcedly calm demeanor during the transaction, immediately caught their attention.

"See that? The old guy's using 'dollars'!" Magan lowered his voice and nudged Fathead Fish with his elbow.

Fathead Fish squinted his small eyes and licked his lips: "I've seen him before. He should live in that alley in the south, in a detached house. He must make a lot of money."

The two exchanged a greedy and sinister glance, and silently followed Mr. Shen as he finished shopping and hurried home, watching him push open the door of the courtyard house and memorizing the address.

Around noon, the thin winter sunlight barely pierced through the gray sky and shone into the courtyard.

A few wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of different houses, carrying the aromas of their respective meals.

Chu Yuanjun was also busy preparing lunch in the kitchen. There was cornmeal porridge cooking in the pot, and several pancakes mixed with bean flour were made. He also steamed a small dish of salted meat, which was unusual. Although the aroma was not strong, it was enough to make Jingwan and Jingyi, who were playing in the yard, peek out from time to time.

Yang Guangming sat at his desk by the window in the east wing, with thick English books and manuscripts spread out in front of him, his pen scratching away as if he were truly engrossed in his translation work.

Just then, a series of extremely violent and impolite banging sounds, like a sudden downpour, shattered the peace and tranquility of the courtyard.

The voice carried an undeniable arrogance, startling the sparrows foraging under the eaves into fluttering away, and also disturbing every household busy in the courtyard.

"Open the door! Open the door now! The law enforcement team is investigating a case! If you don't open the door, I'll kick it down!" A fierce and hoarse shout came from outside the door, accompanied by a jumble of voices and footsteps.

The people in the courtyard were startled and peeked out of their houses, their faces showing surprise, unease, and a hint of fear.

Yang Huai Ren strode out of the house, and Chu Yuan Jun also nervously peered out from the kitchen doorway, wiping his hands with his apron.

Jiao Zhenshan, along with Jiao Da and Jiao Er, also came out of the back room. The three of them had solemn expressions, and Jiao Da and Jiao Er subconsciously straightened their backs and clenched their fists.

Landlord Mr. Shen's heart sank. He forced himself to remain calm and waved to his wife, who had come out of the main room after hearing the noise, her face pale. He signaled her to quickly hide in the inner room and not to come out no matter what noise she heard.

He straightened his robes, took several deep breaths to calm his wildly beating heart, and then walked unsteadily to the courtyard gate, his hands trembling as he pulled open the heavy bolt.

As soon as the door opened, a gust of cold wind swept in, carrying seven or eight figures.

These men were dressed in uniform black uniforms, but their hats were askew, their top buttons were undone, and their rifles were casually slung over their shoulders or held at their sides. Their faces wore expressions that were a mixture of hostility, impatience, and greed.

The leader was a man in his thirties with a fleshy face, triangular eyes, and a downturned mouth. Some people called him Captain Wang.

Beside him, the two thugs who had been keeping watch that morning—Magan and Pangtouyu—squeezed in, now pointing at Mr. Shen with smug and fawning expressions.

"Sir, that's him! It was him at the market this morning, he was using silver dollars! We saw it clearly!" Ma Gan shouted in a high-pitched voice, as if he had done something great.

Mr. Shen's heart sank into an ice cellar; he knew that his worst fears had come true.

He struggled to maintain his last shred of dignity, cupping his hands in a respectful bow to Captain Wang, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness: "Gentlemen... esteemed leaders, what brings you to my humble abode? Is there some misunderstanding? I have always been law-abiding..."

"Misunderstand?"

Captain Wang rolled his triangular eyes and impatiently interrupted him, spitting almost onto Mr. Shen's face. "Stop giving me that high-sounding nonsense! We have witnesses! Someone reported you for hoarding and using silver dollars, defying the government's financial reform laws! Do you know what that crime is? Search him!"

He didn't give Mr. Shen a chance to explain at all, and rudely waved his hand.

Upon receiving the order, the fierce and aggressive team members immediately rushed into the main room.

"Stop! You...you have no right to search my house like this! Is there no law anymore?!"

Mr. Shen was both anxious and furious, his blood rushing to his head. He spread his arms, trying to stop the team members who were rushing towards the main house.

"The law? I am the law!"

Captain Wang shoved him, nearly causing him to fall, then patted the bulging holster at his waist with a smug grin and said:

"On what grounds? Because I suspect you of colluding with the Communists and harboring contraband!"
"If you dare obstruct me again, believe me, I'll execute you on the spot, accusing you of obstructing official business and plotting treason!"

"You...you're spouting nonsense! You're lawless!"

Mr. Shen was trembling with anger. He pointed at Captain Wang, his face flushed red, but he couldn't utter a single word due to extreme anger and fear.

At this moment, Jiao Zhenshan stepped forward.

After his leg injury healed, although he deliberately toned down his former sharpness, his years of experience in the martial arts world and his inherent toughness remained, and his eyes were calm and sharp.

He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Captain Wang, trying to maintain a respectful yet assertive tone:

"Sir, please calm down. We're all just trying to make a living, it's not easy. Mr. Shen is an honest man, and the people living in this courtyard are all kind and peaceful, they never cause trouble. Do you think there might be some mistake? Could you please do me a favor and let me off the hook?"

Jiao Da and Jiao Er followed their father and stood a little further forward. They were young and strong, with burly figures. Although they didn't speak, their wary and oppressive gazes swept over these uninvited guests without any attempt to hide it.

Seeing the posture of the Jiao family father and his two sons, Captain Wang and his team members' morale faltered slightly.

They were used to being domineering and knew the principle of bullying the weak and fearing the strong. It was clear that the father and his two sons were not ordinary people; their eyes carried the composure of martial arts practitioners and an aura that was not to be trifled with.

But how could they easily give up such a tempting prize? Moreover, confident in their armed forces and the guise of "law enforcement," they quickly regained their arrogance.

"What? You want to violently resist the law?" Captain Wang suddenly raised his voice, shouting fiercely but weakly, his hand on the holster again, even deliberately loosening the holster's buckle a little.

"Let me tell you! Anyone who dares to obstruct me from carrying out my official duties today will be killed without mercy! I'll see how many heads you have!"

The atmosphere instantly became tense, as if a single spark could ignite a conflict.

Jiao Zhenshan frowned, his face turning ashen.

He knew that reasoning with these thugs was pointless; they didn't care about right or wrong. If they fought head-on, he and his two sons might be able to take down a few, but the other side had guns, and in the end, his family would definitely suffer, and it would also implicate all the neighbors in the courtyard.

He took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently a few times, and finally, slowly and reluctantly, stepped aside, casting an apologetic and helpless glance at Mr. Shen, whose face was filled with despair.

When Mr. Shen saw that even his last hope had been dashed, his face turned ashen, and he swayed, almost unable to stand.

He knew that he was doomed today, and the little wealth his ancestors had left behind would probably be destroyed in an instant.

Seeing this, the law enforcement officers became even more arrogant, shouting and rushing into the main room of the Shen family's house, where they began to search the house thoroughly.

In an instant, the house was filled with the sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets, smashing and throwing items, the ear-piercing sound of porcelain shattering, and Mrs. Shen's suppressed, desperate sobs from the inner room.

Every sound was like a whip lashing at the hearts of Mr. Shen and every neighbor in the courtyard.

The neighbors stood in the yard, looking at each other, angry but not daring to speak out.

Chu Yuanjun gripped the hem of his apron tightly, his face pale. Yang Huai Ren frowned deeply and sighed repeatedly.

Yang Guangming stood at the door, his face calm but his eyes sharp, calmly observing the actions and expressions of every law enforcement officer in the yard, especially Captain Wang. The search lasted for nearly an hour, but for Mr. Shen and his neighbors in the yard, it felt like an eternity.

Although the Shen family had hidden their valuables quite well, they were all found during this thorough and unscrupulous search.

"Captain! Found it! It's here!" A team member excitedly pulled a heavy, dusty wooden box from the kang (heated brick bed) hole in the inner room.

Captain Wang strode forward, snatched the wooden box, and opened the lid. Inside were neatly stacked, gleaming silver dollars that reflected an alluring light in the dim light.

"There are more here! Hidden in a hidden compartment in the wardrobe!"

Another team member, as if discovering a new continent, pulled out several jade items carefully wrapped in soft cloth from a hidden compartment at the top of the wardrobe—a jadeite bracelet, a mutton-fat white jade pendant, and a small, exquisite porcelain bottle with a sky-blue glaze and crackled patterns like ice.

Although the porcelain vase was small, its shape was simple and elegant, and its glaze was warm and jade-like, making it clear at a glance that it was no ordinary item.

All the "spoils of war" were gathered in the yard.

The silver dollars were poured out on the ground and counted, clinking together; there were a total of one hundred and eighty-three. The antique jade artifacts and the small porcelain bottle were placed aside.

Captain Wang picked up the small porcelain bottle, weighed it in his hand, examined it carefully against the light, and a greedy glint flashed in his eyes. He then casually slipped it into the inside pocket of his uniform.

Then, he picked up the mutton-fat jade pendant, stroked it, feeling its warm and smooth texture, and casually tossed it to a teammate who had been fawning over him: "Here's a reward for you, take it and play with it!"

"Found them! Caught red-handed!"

Captain Wang pointed to the pile of silver dollars and the remaining gold and silver jewelry on the ground, and shouted sternly at Mr. Shen, whose face was ashen and eyes were vacant:
"The evidence of his embezzlement of a huge amount of silver dollars is conclusive! Confiscate all these contraband items! Take him away! Interrogate him thoroughly to see if he has any accomplices!"

Two team members stepped forward, roughly twisted Mr. Shen's arm, and were about to tie him up with a rope.

"You can't do this! That's a family heirloom! This is blatant robbery! You're bandits!"

Mr. Shen seemed to wake up from a nightmare, struggling and shouting with all his might, his voice shrill and piercing.

Mrs. Shen rushed out of the house crying and grabbed her husband's leg, collapsing to the ground and refusing to let the law enforcement team take her away.

"Please! Let him go! You can take his things, but you can't take him with you!"

"Get out of my way, you bitch!" Captain Wang kicked Mrs. Shen away in disgust and cursed, "Damn it, you don't know what's good for you! Take her away! Anyone who tries to stop us will be arrested!"

Chaos reigned in the courtyard, with Mr. Shen's wails, Mrs. Shen's sobs, and the shouts of law enforcement officers all mingling together.

The neighbors' faces showed strong indignation, especially the Jiao father and son, whose fists were clenched so tightly that they cracked, and the veins on their foreheads bulged. But when they saw the clearly loaded, dark muzzles of the guns in the hands of the team members, and Captain Wang's murderous eyes, they finally suppressed their anger and could only watch helplessly as this atrocity was committed in broad daylight.

Just when despair seemed inevitable, a clear, steady, and not particularly loud voice rang out from the east courtyard gate: "Gentlemen, please take your time."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Yang Guangming walking out of the east courtyard gate at a leisurely pace.

His face showed no extraneous expression, neither anger nor fear; his eyes were as calm as a deep pool of water, and he walked over steadily, step by step.

Captain Wang, brimming with self-satisfaction, glanced sideways at Yang Guangming. Seeing that he was dressed in a slightly worn but clean blue school uniform, looked no more than seventeen or eighteen, had a handsome face, and a refined demeanor, and didn't seem to have any prominent background or powerful connections, he impatiently berated him:

"Who the hell are you? Where did this brat come from? Mind your own business! Go back to your room! Or we'll arrest you too!"

Yang Guangming was not angered by the vulgar insults; he stood a few steps away from Captain Wang.

This distance is such that it doesn't make the other person feel threatened, but it also allows them to hear you clearly.

His tone was calm, carrying a composure beyond his years: "Please calm down, sir. My name is Yang Guangming, and I am a tenant in this courtyard, living in the east wing. I have a small matter I would like to discuss with you."

"Discuss? Discuss my ass!"

Captain Wang cursed, but looking at Yang Guangming's unusual composure and the calm light shining in his deep eyes, he felt inexplicably uneasy.

This kid is too calm, unusually so. He dares to stand up at this time, so he must have some confidence, maybe he has some kind of background.

Yang Guangming's gaze calmly swept over the gleaming silver coins and jewelry on the ground, then he looked at Mr. Shen, who was being held tightly by two team members, his face streaked with tears, his clothes disheveled, and he slowly spoke:
"Boss, Mr. Shen has dedicated his life to teaching and nurturing students. He is timid and law-abiding."

These silver dollars were merely a last resort in the chaos of war, a means to survive and prepare for any eventuality, much like how ordinary people would store up some pickled vegetables for winter. They were by no means intended to defy any laws.

As for colluding with the Communists, that's utter nonsense. How could someone as weak as him have the guts or connections to do that?

He paused, then changed the subject: "In this world, there is war and chaos, prices are soaring, and it's not easy for anyone to survive."

Our leaders have braved wind and rain to maintain local security, working tirelessly and facing numerous difficulties.

Since the officers found these silver dollars according to regulations and confiscated them as per the rules, it's only right and proper, and Mr. Shen probably has nothing to say about it. However…”

He deliberately drew out his words and emphasized them:

"Mr. Shen is old and in poor health. He suffers from severe heart palpitations and cannot be easily frightened."

In the dead of winter, if he were arrested and taken in, the magistrate would surely know the rules of the yamen better than we do. I'm afraid his health wouldn't be able to withstand the ordeal, and something bad might happen to him...

If things escalate, it might not be a good thing for you, Boss.

Could you please do me a favor and show some leniency? Consider these silver dollars as Mr. Shen accepting the penalty, as a small token of appreciation for your hard work.

As for the man… could you make an exception and not take him back? Let him stay at home, ready to be summoned at any time.”

These words sounded like a humble plea, even a hint of admitting defeat and paying to avoid further trouble, but the tone remained neither humble nor arrogant. Moreover, it was pointed out that the silver dollars were "confiscated according to regulations," implying that the other party's act of embezzling the money was not within the "regulations" and might even lead to trouble.

At the same time, it also pointed out the possible consequences if something happened to Mr. Shen, which was a firm statement within a soft tone.

Captain Wang narrowed his triangular eyes and scrutinized Yang Guangming from head to toe again.

This kid's got a hidden meaning in his words; he's got some character!
He really wanted to keep those antiques for himself, especially that small porcelain bottle. Although he wasn't an expert, he could tell it was no ordinary item.

But if we really go all the way and arrest this old guy, what if he has some shady connections in his family, or what if he goes all out and causes a death inside? If the higher-ups investigate, it'll be hard to cover up his embezzlement of antiques. That would definitely be a problem.

Being able to smoothly obtain these hundred-odd real silver dollars and avoid any unforeseen complications arising from unclear relationships seems... not unacceptable.

After all, he was just an ordinary squad leader. He could bully ordinary people, but if he ran into someone with connections, he would be in deep trouble.

But he didn't want to give in so easily, lest he appear too agreeable and lose his authority. So he snorted coldly, his tone still firm, but his imposing manner was no longer as arrogant as before.

"You make it sound so easy! Disobeying government financial laws is a serious crime!"
"Do you think you can just let this go with a few kind words and a small fine? If I release him like this, how am I supposed to explain it to my superiors?"

Yang Guang knew perfectly well that the other party was manipulating him, testing his bottom line, and also trying to save his pitiful pride.

He smiled slightly, suddenly ceasing to dwell on Mr. Shen's matter, and changed the subject, his tone as relaxed as if he had bumped into an acquaintance and were having a casual chat:
"Boss, you've had a long journey. You look dusty and tired. Did you just come from patrolling the south side of the city?"
This weather is really tiring; running around outside all day must be exhausting.

He then changed the subject, seemingly casually mentioning, "Oh, by the way, I have an alumnus who seems to work in our law enforcement system. Come to think of it, he might even be in the same system as you, Boss. I wonder if you know him?"

"Your fellow alumnus? Who is that?"

Captain Wang was taken aback. There were countless government-funded institutions in Beiping, and countless military officers and policemen. How would he know which one it was?

Yang Guangming spoke slowly and clearly, saying a name: "Zhao Deming, Lieutenant Zhao. He works for the brigade commander in Hubei, specifically the brigade commander E Yousan. A few days ago, we happened to meet at the Beiping Hotel and chatted briefly. He mentioned that law enforcement in the city is not easy these days, and the brothers are working very hard with heavy responsibilities."

He spoke these words casually, as if it were just a casual remark or a reminiscing. But to Captain Wang, it was like a thunderclap, making his ears ring.

Zhao Deming!
He actually knew this person; he was the close aide and trusted confidant of E Yousan, the brigade commander of the cavalry brigade!
Although he was just an adjutant and his military rank might not be very high, as the saying goes, "even a seventh-rank official is in front of the prime minister's door." E Yousan was a powerful figure who held military power and even the Beiping City Defense Command had to give him some face. How could the power of his adjutant be compared to that of these small fry in the low-level law enforcement team?

That's someone they absolutely can't afford to offend, and someone they can't curry favor with!
Looking at Yang Guangming, although he was dressed simply, he had an upright posture, a calm and reserved temperament, and sharp and calm eyes. When he mentioned Deputy Zhao, his tone was natural and peaceful, without the slightest hint of boasting or guilt. He did not seem like someone who had made up a story or was just trying to intimidate others.

They may only be alumni and not very close, but if he really pushes someone too far, it could cause a huge problem.

Captain Wang's heart immediately started pounding with anxiety.

He scrutinized Yang Guangming again, and the more he looked, the more he felt that the young man had an inexplicable aura, a calmness and composure that came from within, which was something that an ordinary person could not fake.

That feeling clearly indicated that I had something to rely on, that I was confident, and that I wasn't afraid at all.

If he really accidentally kicked a hornet's nest and offended Deputy Commander Zhao over such a trivial matter, the consequences would be dire... Captain Wang thought about this and quickly made a decision.

These military personnel are ruthless and decisive; he really can't afford to offend them. With just one word from this Deputy Zhao, killing a squad leader would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Although the chances are slim, he doesn't need to risk it for such a small matter. The reason he's been able to get by so far is because he's perceptive and cautious.

Thinking of this, Captain Wang's expression softened visibly; his muscular face even managed a forced smile, and his tone underwent a complete 180-degree turn:

"Oh? So...so you know Lieutenant Zhao, brother? Oh dear! Look at this, look at this, it's really...it's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, family members don't recognize each other! Why didn't you say so earlier! It's a misunderstanding! Purely a misunderstanding!"

As he spoke, he removed his hand from his holster and winked at the two officers who were holding Mr. Shen, whispering sternly, "What are you all standing there for? Let go! Don't you have any sense?"

Although the two team members were confused, they still let go of his hand as instructed.

Mr. Shen was suddenly freed. He staggered and almost collapsed to the ground. His wife rushed forward to support him, and the two hugged each other, both feeling lingering fear and bewildered as they watched this dramatic scene unfold.

“Since it’s a misunderstanding… then this matter…” Captain Wang rubbed his hands together, a smile plastered on his face, looking at Yang Guangming, his tone full of probing.

Yang Guangming understood immediately, knowing the time was right, and replied:

"Naturally, we will do as the boss says. These silver dollars, as contraband, will be confiscated by the boss and taken back to be handed over, according to regulations."

Mr. Shen is old and frail, and he was also frightened, so there is no need to take him back for questioning. Let him rest at home and be ready to be summoned by the boss at any time.

The bosses have gone to great lengths, braving the cold wind; their trip shouldn't be in vain. These silver dollars will serve as a token of their appreciation.

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at the silver dollars on the ground again, implying that they could take the money, but the people had to stay, and that would be the end of it.

Captain Wang finally understood: this young man was a truly shrewd person! He was incredibly perceptive about human relationships and worldly affairs!
This gave him a perfect way out, saving Mr. Shen, while also implying that he could take all the silver dollars as compensation, but he had to stay behind. Both sides understood each other implicitly.

"Haha, you're a smart guy, brother! You're straightforward!"

Captain Wang chuckled twice, waved to his subordinates, and his voice became much louder:
"What are you waiting for? Confiscate all these contraband items and register them clearly!"
"Considering his advanced age, frail health, and that this is his first offense, we won't bring him back to the unit. He'll be told to strictly abide by the law in the future, and if he offends again, he will not be let off lightly!"

The team members did as instructed, picking up the scattered silver coins one by one and putting them back into the wooden box, then scribbling a few lines on the register.

Captain Wang cupped his hands in greeting to Yang Guangming, his tone becoming much more polite: "Brother, today's incident was purely a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding! Don't take it to heart. If you need anything in this area in the future, just come to the team and find me. My surname is Wang, Wang Youcai."

"Captain Wang, you're too kind." Yang Guangming also clasped his hands in a fist salute, his expression remaining calm. "You're busy with official duties, so we won't keep you any longer. Take care."

Captain Wang didn't linger any longer. He led his team members and happily left the courtyard.

The heavy courtyard gate slammed shut behind them, temporarily isolating them from the chaos and danger outside.

An eerie silence fell over the courtyard.

Only Mrs. Shen's sobs, a sound of relief after surviving the ordeal, and Mr. Shen's heavy, trembling breaths, were particularly clear in the cold air.

Mr. Shen stood there blankly, as if his soul had not yet returned to its place. After a long while, he seemed to slowly wake up from a nightmare.

He pushed away his wife who was helping him, staggered to Yang Guangming, and couldn't say anything, but just bowed deeply.

Yang Guangming quickly stepped forward and helped him up.

Mr. Shen was overcome with tears, his voice choked with sobs, barely able to form a coherent sentence: "Mr. Yang... thank you! Thank you so much... thank you for speaking up for justice!"

"A life-saving grace! Today... if it weren't for you today... my family... our family would have been... destroyed!"

He couldn't continue speaking, and just kept wiping his tears with his sleeve.

Although he was heartbroken at the loss of his valuables, compared to the possibility of being arrested, tortured, or even killed, this was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, and the best outcome that Yang Guangming had managed to secure for him.

The neighbors in the courtyard also gathered around, their gazes towards Yang Guangming filled with extremely complex emotions.

There is heartfelt gratitude because he averted a crisis that could have affected the entire courtyard; there is deep admiration for his courage in the face of danger and his wisdom in handling the situation skillfully.

There was also a sense of disbelief and intense curiosity—just who was this usually taciturn young man?
Jiao Zhenshan walked up to Yang Guangming and said nothing, but patted him heavily on the shoulder. His eyes, which had weathered countless storms, were filled with undisguised praise and approval.

Jiao Da and Jiao Er looked at Yang Guangming with eyes full of admiration.

Chu Yuanjun and Yang Huairen also came over, their faces still showing lingering fear.

Yang Huai-ren lowered his voice and asked with concern, "Guangming, that person you just mentioned... won't he cause you any trouble? Will they come back to settle scores with you?"

"Father, don't worry." Yang Guangming held his father's rough hand and comforted him softly, his tone firm. "I only mentioned a name to use as a pretext. They have something to hide, and they've already gained real benefits, so they won't dare to, and won't, investigate further. This matter is over."

Yang Guangming knew very well that the name Zhao Deming he was using was not actually reliable.

The other party was simply intimidated by his unusual composure, accurate information, and words that were both soft and firm. In addition, he had already gained a lot and did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble.

If you really investigate it closely, it might not stand up to scrutiny.

However, under the current circumstances, this is the only way to quickly resolve the problem and prevent the conflict from escalating to an uncontrollable level.

He won the gamble, thanks to his accurate grasp of human greed and cowardice, as well as his extraordinary courage.

After this incident, the people in the courtyard completely changed their opinion of Yang Guangming.

He is no longer just a somewhat mysterious young man who is "capable" and "able to earn money to support his family," but also a "backbone" who dares to stand up in times of crisis and has the ability and wisdom to solve problems, and a neighbor who can be relied upon and trusted.

Mr. Shen's family is extremely grateful to Yang Guangming, and their heartfelt gratitude and respect are evident in everything they do.

In the following days, Mrs. Shen would bring over some pickled vegetables and homemade snacks every few days, and Mr. Shen would always express his gratitude when he saw Yang Guangming.

Yang Guangming himself didn't take the matter too seriously. He knew it was merely a small microcosm of the chaotic situation. (End of Chapter)