Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

Reluctantly bidding farewell to Liu Rusi, He Ping'an felt depressed for a while, then turned around and counted down the days until the work team arrived in the city. Bai Ling left in 46; he wondered if she had lost weight.

Liu Rusi tearfully made her connecting flight to Shanghai, and then tearfully boarded the passenger ship bound for America. Meanwhile, He Ping'an was already missing another beautiful woman. What a shameless scumbag!

Liangxiang, southern suburbs of Beiping

Bai Ling, whom He Ping'an was longing to see, was also flipping through a calendar, occasionally chuckling to herself. In the temporary office compound of the work group, the burly Hao Pingchuan nudged Zheng Chaoyang beside him and gestured towards Bai Ling with his lip:

"Old Zheng, look! He's having another attack!"

Even without Zheng Chaoyang's involvement, Hao Pingchuan still clashed with Bai Ling, just like in the original series. However, this time Zheng Chaoyang didn't dare to argue with that gossipy woman anymore. Before Bai Ling could even look over, he hurriedly pulled Hao Pingchuan away.

There's a certain connection between Zheng Chaoyang and Hao Pingchuan. Initially, just like in the story, Zheng Chaoyang delivers intelligence, and Hao Pingchuan receives it.

Later, under He Ping'an's arrangement, Zheng Chaoyang embarked on a different path, but the two remained partners. One supplied supplies within the city, while the other received them outside. Occasionally, they would even stage a double-cross!

Although they no longer had the experience of studying together in Xibaipo, it did not hinder their revolutionary friendship. In fact, their bond was even stronger than depicted in the drama because of their shared experience of double-crossing.

As for why Zheng Chaoyang from Beiping appeared in Xialiangxiang? It's simple, He Ping'an closed the net... right on the eve of his passionate lovemaking with Liu Rusi.

Using the excuse that the army's security was lax during the New Year, Zheng Chaoyang gathered more than 300 fish, shrimp, and crabs. He delivered them to the military camp in batches and then made a clean getaway. Unable to return to the city immediately, he waited in Liangxiang for job assignments.

Zheng Chaoyang looked at Hao Pingchuan with pity, hesitating several times before speaking. After the "adopted sister" incident, he knew very well what the consequences were for subordinates who spoke ill of their superiors, especially when the superiors were not so magnanimous.

"Old Hao, don't say I'm not loyal, but if you have a conflict with Comrade Bai Ling, find a way to resolve it as soon as possible. The sooner the better, and at the latest, don't delay until after we enter the city!"

Hao Pingchuan was completely bewildered: "Why?"

Zheng Chaoyang looked around mysteriously, but seeing no one, he quietly reminded him, "I have something to tell you..."

Hao Pingchuan's eyes widened. "So, you're saying Comrade Bai Ling has a boyfriend? Then what's Liu Kangzhan doing, making such a fuss? Pursuing the girlfriend of one's revolutionary comrade is immoral!"

"Fine! All that talk was for nothing! You'd better watch yourself!"

Zheng Chaoyang glanced at Hao Pingchuan, then turned to Luo Chengjun to inquire about the assignments. On the way, he bumped into Liu Kangzhan, who was trying to curry favor with Bai Ling, and casually brushed him off with a laugh!

In that fleeting moment as they parted, a barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in his eyes! "What the hell?"

With Zheng Chaoyang's abilities, a few days would be more than enough time for him to find out Liu Kangzhan's background...

He had never carried a gun, never fought in a war, and had never even had a specific job. He spent his life in the rear areas until he was 22. Seeing that Beiping had been liberated, he finally begged and pleaded to join the Northwest Slope. Even after being explicitly rejected, he continued to fawn over them.

Ha... Daring to steal a woman from his boss, he's asking for death!

Not far away, Hao Pingchuan wanted to catch up with Zheng Chaoyang to get some answers, but when he turned around, he bumped into Liu Kangzhan moving closer to Bai Ling. He immediately stepped forward with a stern face:

"Comrade Bai Ling, do you have a boyfriend? And is your boyfriend one of our revolutionary comrades?"

Bai Ling, who was impatiently dealing with Liu Kangzhan, paused for a moment, then nodded: "Yes! His name is He Ping'an, and he's in Beiping right now! What's wrong?"

Hao Pingchuan did not respond to Bai Ling, but turned to Liu Kangzhan and said seriously:

"Comrade Liu Kangzhan, it's already immoral to pursue a female comrade who already has a boyfriend. What's more, Comrade Bai Ling's boyfriend is your own comrade, and they're currently on a mission. That's even more immoral!"

Soldiers are known for their loud voices, and Hao Pingchuan's shout drew instinctive glances from the comrades in the courtyard towards the three of them. Liu Kangzhan, with his boyish good looks, glared at Hao Pingchuan resentfully before scurrying away from the scene of trouble.

Bai Ling chuckled and nodded. "Thank you, Comrade Hao Pingchuan!"

Hao Pingchuan kept a straight face. "No need to thank me. I just can't stand this kind of immoral person!" After saying that, he turned around and chased after Zheng Chaoyang.

Bai Ling noticed the probing looks from her comrades, glared disgustedly in the direction Liu Kangzhan had left, and turned back to her dormitory.

On the last day of January, the army entered Beiping to take over the city's defenses, marking the peaceful liberation of Beiping. He Ping'an also received a new mission...

During the transition between the old and new governments, the army entered and occupied the city first, while administration remained the responsibility of the old government. He needed to maintain basic stability within the city during the power vacuum, and of course, his most important task was to protect the ill-gotten gains he had made recently.

Perhaps He Ping'an was a bit too ruthless; that windfall was truly enormous. So much so that the Northwest tycoons voted to reserve the money for the new government's construction. The three Northeast tycoons' hopes of congratulating themselves on their fortune were dashed!

He Ping'an's fate was uncertain, thanks to the influence of powerful figures in Northeast China. His return to Beiping was delayed. The priority was to maintain stability, then cooperate, and he would return to the army once the military control commission was on track.

In just a few days, He Ping'an was too lazy to change locations and continued to work in the warehouse.

Every time power changes hands, monsters and scoundrels take advantage of the chaos to commit all sorts of atrocities—robbery, rape, murder, arson, and all manner of evil—only to reappear as law-abiding citizens and live comfortably once the new regime takes over. This has been a recurring theme throughout history!

The working group hasn't arrived yet, the old government is inactive and even secretly stirring up trouble, and there are also spies lurking and waiting for an opportunity to sabotage. He Ping'an's methods are still the same old ones…

First, issue a notice, then patrol the streets. If anyone commits a crime, arrest or kill them according to the notice. When killing someone, call the perpetrator's family and neighbors, and shoot them on the busiest street near the victim.

It serves as both a warning and a form of public awareness, establishing authority while simultaneously informing victims to contact the government if they have any issues.

Dozens of lives were lost every day, and the bloodshot brains of the monsters and monstrous elements suddenly cooled down. They transformed into obedient citizens embracing the new society, and social order was restored!

Of course, it's impossible to truly achieve a situation where doors are left unlocked at night and lost items are never picked up. Even the most elite special forces unit only numbers 120 people. In a megacity of 200 million people, they can't even make a ripple. There will always be some daring individuals who slip through the net.

There was nothing he could do but lead his men on patrols day and night, killing anyone they caught. Finding the real culprit was the task force's job!

To borrow a tired trope… in just a few days, He Ping'an hacked his way from Nantianmen to Penglai East Road without even blinking. He earned the nickname "White-Faced Yama"!

Soon after, the work group arrived in Beiping as scheduled!