Courtyard House: Ten-year-old Master Zhu reorganizes the entire courtyard

Upon returning from the ghost market, He Yuzhu's first action was to have Xu Fugui help him exchange his silver dollars for smaller denomination banknotes and a small amount of gold jewelry. He knew that while silver dollars were hard currency, they were too conspicuous for everyday use, and taking out a large sum of silver dollars at once would easily attract attention. Gold jewelry, on the other hand, was more discreet and easier to carry and convert into cash.

He instructed Xu Fugui to use the black market channels to find some gold shops or money exchanges to exchange some silver dollars for small denomination banknotes and a few gold rings or earrings. As payment, He Yuzhu gave Xu Fugui three silver dollars.

Upon hearing the reward of "three silver dollars," Xu Fugui's small eyes lit up like a wolf's in the night. He rubbed his hands together, bowing and scraping, his face full of obsequious flattery as he repeatedly agreed. "Brother Zhuzi, don't worry! Leave it to me! I, Old Xu, have been running around in the city for so many years, I've got connections! I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly, without anyone knowing!"

He Yuzhu sneered inwardly at Xu Fugui's expression, which seemed to want to sell him out. This Xu Fugui was a born opportunist, but as long as you gave him enough benefits, you could make him risk his life for you. In chaotic times, such people often survived better than those with backbone, and were also more easily manipulated.

Two days later, Xu Fugui indeed completed his task. Carrying a small cloth bag, he furtively found He Yuzhu. Inside the bag, besides several stacks of brand-new Chinese currency, were two small gold rings and a pair of gold earrings.

"Brother Zhu, look, these are all new bills, and the gold is all pure gold!" Xu Fugui opened the cloth bag as if presenting a treasure, and then carefully put the three silver dollars of commission into his pocket, afraid that He Yuzhu would change his mind.

He Yuzhu checked the items and confirmed that everything was correct. He was about to send Xu Fugui away when Xu Fugui suddenly came closer, lowered his voice, and looked mysterious.

"Brother Zhu, I have something to tell you, but don't tell anyone else, okay?" Xu Fugui's face showed a mix of gossip and nervousness.

He Yuzhu's eyes narrowed. He knew that Xu Fugui wouldn't be this cautious unless it was something extremely important. He said calmly, "Speak, what is it?"

"It's... that kid Jia Dongxu!" Xu Fugui looked around to make sure no one was approaching before continuing, "He's been making a big deal out of school lately! He's been bragging to a bunch of classmates that he personally witnessed a hero killing Japanese soldiers!"

He Yuzhu's heart sank, but he didn't show it on his face. "Oh? He saw it?" he asked casually, but alarm bells were ringing in his mind.

"That's right!" Xu Fugui said excitedly. "He described it in great detail, saying that the hero was young but incredibly skilled, taking down all the Japanese soldiers in no time! He even said that the hero lived in our area, maybe he was our neighbor in the compound!"

After Xu Fugui finished speaking, he winked at He Yuzhu smugly, as if to say: This kid is talking nonsense, but it's a bit like your story.

He Yuzhu's eyes instantly turned cold. Jia Dongxu, that idiot! How dare he boast about such a thing? This is not just nonsense, it's digging his own grave, pushing the entire courtyard, and even his whole family, into a fire pit! His past life experience told him that such "children's innocent words" are often the fuse that causes great disaster.

"What else did he say?" He Yuzhu's voice was frighteningly calm, which made Xu Fugui feel a chill.

Xu Fugui shuddered, quickly suppressing the smugness on his face, and said cautiously, "No... he didn't say anything. He just bragged about how amazing that hero was, how he 'witnessed' the whole thing. But, Brother Zhu, from what he said, it seems... it seems that the hero's back view looks a bit like... like you..." He glanced tentatively at He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu ignored Xu Fugui's probing; his mind was racing. "Who's in the audience?" he asked coldly.

Xu Fugui shuddered at He Yuzhu's imposing aura and quickly blurted out, "There are several listeners! But there's one named Xiaoqiang, whose father is a minor officer in the puppet police station, a deputy officer named Wang. That kid loves hearing these kinds of interesting stories, he's really into them!"

"Lieutenant Wang!" He Yuzhu frowned deeply. Lieutenant Wang, a minor official in the puppet police station—this identity was enough to turn Jia Dongxu's "childish words" into a bomb that could explode at any moment. Once this news reached the ears of the Japanese military police, the entire courtyard would be turned upside down. He had previously gone to great lengths to clear his name, and now Jia Dongxu's words had put them in danger again.

He Yuzhu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. He knew that now was not the time to be angry; he had to take immediate action.

He pulled a few pieces of candy from his pocket, candies he'd bought at the ghost market to appease children. He shoved them into Xu Fugui's hand, his tone serious and cold, utterly incongruous with his young age. "Da Mao, listen up. Go to the school right now and find Jia Dongxu."

Xu Fugui took the candy, somewhat bewildered. "Why are you looking for him, Brother Zhu?"

"Tell him quietly," He Yuzhu's eyes were sharp as knives, each word like a cold nail, "If he keeps talking nonsense, next time it won't just be Xu Damao grabbing his crotch; the police might arrest his father and feed him to the wolves. Tell him to shut his mouth and not tell anyone. If he dares to say another word, or if this gets out of his mouth again, his father can't bear the consequences!"

The term "crotch grab" was slang used by the kids in the neighborhood when they were playing around. Upon hearing it, Xu Damao reflexively clenched his legs together. But what He Yuzhu said next made his hair stand on end, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

"You caught his dad and fed him to the wolfhounds?!" Xu Fugui shuddered in shock, almost dropping the candy in his hand. "Brother Zhu, this...this is too cruel!"

"Ruthless, isn't it?" He Yuzhu sneered. "What consequences do you think his reckless words will bring? Who will the police arrest? Him, or his father? The Japanese don't reason with you! Once they've got their hands on you, it won't be as simple as just getting a few beatings!"

Xu Fugui was terrified by He Yuzhu's words. Although he was a shrewd businessman, his fear of "Japanese" and "police" was ingrained in his bones. He knew He Yuzhu wasn't joking.

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Zhu, you're right! I'll go right now! I'll go warn Jia Dongxu right now!" Xu Fugui nodded repeatedly, not even bothering to put away the candy, and turned to run outside. He knew that if this matter really escalated, it wouldn't be a joke.

He Yuzhu watched Xu Fugui's disheveled figure, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He knew that Jia Dongxu's foolishness had almost brought him utter destruction again. This time, he had to completely nip this source of trouble in the bud.

He hoped Xu Damao's warning would be effective. Otherwise, he wouldn't mind taking matters into his own hands and letting Jia Dongxu know that some things shouldn't be said carelessly.

Crisis is ever-present. In this turbulent era, even hiding in the most inconspicuous corner, one can be swept away by the turbulent currents of fate at any moment. He Yuzhu knew that his path was destined to be fraught with thorns. But he had a system, a prophet, and an indomitable will. He would never allow anyone to sabotage his plans or threaten his family.