Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

"Sir, what's wrong?"

Wen Keren was so engrossed in her emotions that she didn't hear the cannon fire at all.

"Oh, it's just thunder."

"Hurry up... I'm feeling really comfortable."

"Okay, okay, coming right away."

Li Wenguo bent down and continued.

Military Police Headquarters.

Yu Kongdejian had just been working on his documents when he suddenly heard a loud, muffled thunderous sound. His heart skipped a beat, and he jumped up and rushed to the door.

Three shells, each weighing several tens of kilograms, roared in and crashed into the research institute area.

One of them veered slightly off course and overturned a Japanese warehouse next door; the other two, as if they had eyes, hit the main building squarely.

"boom--!!!"

"boom--!!!"

"boom--!!!"

Flames soared into the sky, their crimson light piercing the night and turning half the sky blood-red.

Niu Dali, the clone, smiled slightly.

The gunners had no time to savor the moment; they quickly loaded, reset, and adjusted the angle, ready for the second salvo.

Within the embassy compound.

Another, even louder and more violent explosion shattered the window.

This time, even Wen Keren, who was most obsessed with the character, was so shocked that she trembled all over.

"Huh? Master... there's fighting outside again?"

Her voice was strained, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the corner of the blanket.

"What does it have to do with you? Let them fight their wars outside, we'll enjoy our own happiness—even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up and make sure you live a peaceful life until you're old."

Li Wenguo's tone left no room for argument.

"Kneel properly."

"Oh……"

Outside the headquarters of the Military Police.

Yu Kong stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the surging crimson flames in the distance, as if the earth beneath his feet was peeling away inch by inch, causing the entire world to fade in color.

……

"Captain Yu Kong, should we lead the team to the scene immediately?"

The adjutant stood ramrod straight, his tone steady and normal.

No matter how chaotic the situation, he can keep his composure—after all, someone else will take the blame, and if the sky falls, the tall guy will be the first to shoulder the burden.

"Mr. Ikeshita, do you think... this city of Beiping is my natural enemy? Everything went smoothly in the Northeast, but as soon as I entered the capital, I encountered obstacles everywhere and nothing went right?"

Instead of responding to his adjutant, Yu Kong looked up and asked about the will of Heaven.

"Commander, it's not that your methods are insufficient, but rather that the anti-Japanese patriots in Beiping are too cunning and difficult to deal with. No matter how deep our net is laid, how meticulous our calculations are, they can always see through it at a glance and strike with deadly accuracy. Even if we replace the entire military police force with secret service agencies, it will still be useless."

...The adjutant answered truthfully.

In short, the anti-Japanese forces in Beiping were too powerful, so powerful that even this old artilleryman felt his scalp tingle.

Having served in the artillery, he knew immediately from the noise that it was a 180mm howitzer—each cannon weighing nearly ten tons. To transport it into the city silently? Absolutely impossible! The last time they bombed the train station was already a miracle; it was even less likely they could replicate it this time.

But somehow, they actually managed to do it.

He was puzzled.

"Let's go! Assemble five military police squads and head straight for the explosion site!"

Yu Kong finally regained his senses, and roared in a hoarse but resolute voice:

"withdraw--!"

After three rounds of artillery fire, the artillerymen retreated swiftly like arrows released from a bow.

Niu Dali, the clone, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then swiftly stored the three 180mm howitzers into his personal space and vanished in a flash, leaving only three deep track marks on the riverbank, glistening coldly in the wind.

Because they are arranged in rows along the riverbank, they are easy to retrieve.

When Mikuryu was escorted across the Yangtze River by Japanese engineering officers stationed at the dock, he only saw a few rough marks on the ground, with no trace of artillery fire. "Absolutely impossible!!!"

"That's absolutely impossible!!!"

He trembled all over, roared to the sky, and veins bulged on his forehead.

That's right—it's absolutely impossible to move three heavy cannons in such a short time!

He almost gritted his teeth.

The following morning, Mikuriya, with a samurai sword at his waist, walked with heavy steps and a stern face like a man going to his death, and strode into General Nobuda's office.

To outsiders, it seemed as if he was about to commit seppuku on the spot to atone for his sins; but deep in his eyes burned a dark, scorching, and undying flame.

General Shinoda's face was ashen, his gaze sweeping over the gleaming scabbard of the sword. Without the slightest hesitation, he slapped it hard across the face.

This is a punishment from superiors for dereliction of duty, and it is also a long-standing military rule.

“Pah!”

"Hey!!"

Being beaten and then bowing to receive instruction is a tradition ingrained in their very being.

"The research institute was bombed, and several key researchers died for His Majesty the Emperor—how do you intend to take responsibility for this?"

"Suicide?"

General Nobuda stared coldly at the sword, his voice as sharp as a blade scraping across ice.

"Your subordinate did indeed swear an oath: if we lose any more of our key strongholds, I will commit seppuku in repentance..."

"But—I—am—not—willing—to—accept—this!!!"

Suddenly, he looked up from mid-air, his features contorted, his eyes bloodshot.

"Snap!"

"Snap!"

The two guards behind the table instantly drew their guns, cocked them, and pointed them directly at his forehead.

"Put your gun away."

General Nobuda raised his hand and waved it, his tone calm but leaving no room for argument.

"Hey!!"

"Hey!!"

The two men deftly sheathed their guns and stood upright again, like pine trees.

"What are you unwilling to accept?"

"explain!"

The general's voice was like thunder.

"I refuse to die such a pathetic death! It was those anti-Japanese elements who brought this upon me! If I end this life today without avenging myself and burning away my hatred—I will die with my eyes wide open in disbelief!!!"

That roar seemed to tear from the depths of his lungs, making the window paper vibrate.

“Pah!”

"Incompetent fool!"

"waste!"

General Nobuda was furious and slapped him again.

Yet a hint of admiration quietly rose in his heart—this man's blood had not cooled, his bones had not softened, his ruthlessness had not dissipated, and he possessed a stubborn courage that would not turn back even if he hit a brick wall.

It is precisely the most handy weapon in this current war of aggression.

"Hey!!"

He lowered his head and responded when he was out of the air, his back taut and straight.

"What can I do even if I'm unwilling to accept it?"

"So what if I die with my eyes open?"

"We still can't catch those anti-Japanese elements!"

"Hey!!"

"Bring me the knife."

"Hey!!"

Without hesitation, he unsheathed his katana, raised it high with both hands, and respectfully presented it.

General Nobuda drew his half-foot-long sword, a flash of cold light, the blade reflecting the sunlight outside the window, its sharpness unstoppable.

"I'll keep this knife for now. If any more armories, forward bases, or command posts are bombed—I'll personally behead you."

"Hey!!"

Yu Kongde's heart pounded wildly, but his face remained expressionless—General Shinoda's words were clearly giving him another chance to live!

Once again, I managed to get away with it.

It has to be said that this person is quick-witted and has a lot of guts.

"However, although the responsibility for this dereliction of duty will be forgiven, punishment is still unavoidable."

"Hey!!"

General Nobuda opened the drawer and took out a leather whip.

Without changing his expression, he deftly removed his shirt, revealing his muscular chest and back, which were as strong as iron. He then turned around and knelt down, his spine as straight as a steel rod.

The general raised his whip and struck ten times fiercely, the tip of the whip whistling through the air.

The Japanese have a long-standing bad habit of using whips as a form of punishment. Many high-ranking officers often carry a horsewhip on their waist for use in suppressing their subordinates.

For Yu Kongdejian, who was in his prime, ten lashes were nothing more than tearing his skin and flesh; it would hurt, but it was far from causing serious injury.

He had already secretly remembered this humiliation—he would surely inflict it a hundredfold on those anti-Japanese elements in the future.

After bombing another important Japanese stronghold, the intelligence agency and the underground party went into hiding again under Li Wenguo's strict orders.

It's best to entrust the task of reporting to the Qingdao Daily to Niu Dali, who is in a similar position, to run errands and gather information.

this day.

Wen Keyi is about to give birth. It's her first child, and her family has prepared three experienced midwives well in advance. They've even made an appointment with the Western hospital in the embassy district—in case the natural delivery doesn't go smoothly, they can just walk over there for a C-section.

Fortunately, He Shuting was at home taking care of things. Having given birth twice herself and having helped others with their health for many years, she had a firm grasp on the diet during pregnancy: ensuring the fetus didn't grow too big and encouraging Wen Keyi to move around more before delivery to keep her muscles and joints flexible. As a result, after only a few hours, a little girl as pink as a dumpling was born.

Wen Keyi remained calm, only letting out a soft breath; her older sister, Wen Keren, however, quietly pursed her lips—another share of the family business was going to be taken away!

Li Wenguo named his child Li Jingxuan.

Next was Yang Yuerong, who gave birth to a son safely.

Li Wenguo named him Li Guogui.

Now, Yang Yuerong completely calmed down.

A month later, they chose an auspicious day for marriage, and a grand sedan chair carried by eight men was brought into the house.

In the joyous bridal chamber, red candles flickered.

"Yuerong, you have finally become mine."

Li Wenguo leaned against the edge of the bed, his eyebrows and eyes full of smugness.

"Hmph, isn't it because I'm shameless and shrewd? I arranged everything perfectly for the child in my belly long ago, otherwise, how could you have had a chance to marry me?"

Yang Yuerong smiled wryly, but there was little resentment in her eyes, only a calm acceptance of her fate.

She had already married him and had no regrets—it had been agreed from the beginning that she would enter the house wearing a red veil after the child was born.

"Ha, which woman I set my sights on doesn't willingly fall into my grasp?"

"Say whatever you want, your bragging won't work, I'm not talking to you today!"

She rolled her eyes, but her gaze had already softened, landing on little Guogui who was suckling, her eyes filled with an unyielding tenderness.

This child is exceptionally well-fed: after a month, he's fair and tender, with chubby arms and legs that make you want to pinch them. Everyone who sees him is tempted, let alone his own mother, who holds him in her arms and refuses to let go.

"Little Guogui, eat your fill and sleep well~"

"Right, right, once he closes his eyes, we can get down to business, hehe!"

Li Wenguo leaned closer and chuckled, his face full of mischief.

"You're over thirty years old, can you please stop talking nonsense in front of the kids?"

Yang Yuerong glanced at him sideways, her tone full of disdain.

"What are you afraid of? He won't understand anyway."

"Even if you don't understand, you have to avoid it! Children have sharp ears; if they hear too much, they'll grow up to be corrupted."

She retorted irritably.

"Alright, alright, he's fast asleep—come on, let's hurry!"

Li Wenguo quickly placed Xiao Guogui into the cradle, then turned and moved closer to Yang Yuerong, causing her to roll her eyes.

Next, it was He Shuting's turn to give birth. As expected of the legal wife, this time she gave birth to a son, firmly securing her position as the eldest son in the family.

Li Wenguo bestowed upon him the name Li Guobao, meaning to protect the country and safeguard the homeland.

Nanako quickly followed suit with the birth of a son, also a chubby little boy.

Lou Meie eventually gave birth to a daughter, and both mother and daughter are safe and sound.