My girlfriend is from 1949

In the afternoon, Tilanqiao Prison was heavily guarded, with machine guns set up outside.

Several prison guards carrying guns patrolled the entrance.

Although outwardly, there was no difference from usual.

However, the guards at the gate looked more listless than before.

Especially when they hear the sound of cannons coming from afar, they will subconsciously shrink their necks.

They gathered in twos and threes, cigarettes dangling from their lips, discussing the current situation.

What they cared about was not who controlled the fate of this largest city in the Far East.

Given their status, they don't deserve that level of attention.

They only care about what to do if the ruling party changes hands.

Can they still live off the government and have guns, just like they did a few years ago when the Japanese were defeated and surrendered and Shanghai was liberated?

As long as they have food to eat, they don't care who they're helping.

Inside the prison, a high-level meeting is currently underway.

The warden, deputy warden, and several section chiefs all sat upright.

But their eyes revealed confusion and bewilderment.

I don't understand what they have to announce by summoning all the prison's top officials at this critical juncture.

However, everyone wisely remained silent, choosing to remain unchanged in the face of any eventuality.

Zhong Cheng, the head of the security department, sat to the side, his face still showing signs of anger.

The deputy warden, meanwhile, kept his eyes down, looking drowsy.

He's fifty years old now, and he's long since become indifferent to many things.

He used to think that at fifty years old, he could still make a comeback and maybe even get rid of the "deputy" title.

In two years, when the previous warden retires, he can be promoted to the permanent position!

However, with the defeat in the battle, all 1.5 million elite troops were lost.

In a short period of time, they lost half of their territory.

Troops that revolted and defected to the enemy were numerous.

Anyone with eyes can see that the Party-state's fate is sealed.

After that, the upper echelons began a large-scale relocation, moving all their assets to the island.

How could someone who has risen to the position of deputy warden not have someone protecting them?

I quickly figured out the higher-ups' intention to transfer the goods, and I immediately felt disheartened.

Even the previous warden feigned illness and retired early, so the situation is quite clear.

If someone were to take the position of warden at this point, it would be no different than sitting on a landmine.

Just waiting to see when it gets blown to pieces.

So initially, the higher-ups wanted to promote him from his position as deputy to full-fledged deputy.

But at this point, who would be foolish enough to sit on the ground and take the fall?

I declined the offer, citing poor health as the reason.

That's why Chen Muzheng was transferred over to take the blame.

With a large army pressing in from outside the city, he had even less desire to fight for power.

Instead, they just want to remain inconspicuous so that they can bear less responsibility when things are settled in the future.

After all, although he wasn't a loyal person over the years, he hadn't offended anyone, and his hands weren't stained with blood.

He even accepted money and provided favors to the underground Communist Party.

So at this critical juncture, I've made up my mind not to get involved in anything.

Do less, make fewer mistakes.

Perhaps, thanks to the past favors they secretly made, they can avoid being punished.

At that point, it won't matter if I'm removed from my position as deputy warden.

Anyway, the money they've made over the years is enough to support several generations.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy, and no one spoke.

But Zhang Hailin, as the brother-in-law, had to play the straight man.

He proactively inquired, "Warden, what's the purpose of this meeting today?"

The topic was brought up, and everyone perked up their ears.

Chen Muzheng began, "This morning, I received a call from the Garrison Command."

They demanded that our prison immediately send thirty political prisoners over!

However, I resolutely rejected this unreasonable request.

Afterwards, Section Chief Zhong of the Guard Section brought a note from the Garrison Command.

They want us to send the prisoner there immediately!

Chen Muzheng paused, giving everyone time to process what he had said.

After a moment, he turned his head.

He smiled meaningfully and said, "Although I know that Section Chief Zhong has close ties with the Garrison Command, and that Commander Li also helped him get the position of section chief, besides the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics."

Zhong Cheng's face turned pale and then red, and he retorted through gritted teeth, "I have no dealings with Commander Li. I just happened to run into his adjutant on the road and helped him deliver a note."

Actually, everyone knows each other's backgrounds very well.

However, there are two different things between knowing something in private and saying it out loud.

This is a prison; you can't admit to having secret dealings with the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and the Garrison Command, even if it kills you.

Otherwise, others will see you as a traitor and you will be ostracized in the future.

Chen Muzheng's lips curled into a sneer: "Tilanqiao Prison is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. Since when did the Garrison Command start obeying orders with just a note?"

It sounded like a question, but the tone was unusually firm.

Two weeks ago, Chen Muzheng was still somewhat undecided.

Even when they decided to cooperate with the underground party, they only offered assistance in a very subtle way.

But as the army besieged the city, he met with Director Zheng again and received the promise he wanted.

In terms of attitude, they began to show a tough stance.

Chen Muzheng accepted Director Zheng's order to take care of the people in prison according to the list.

However, today the garrison command actually wants people, and they're even people from the list.

If these people were transferred to the garrison command, their lives would likely be in danger.

Then all his efforts would have been in vain.

Therefore, no matter what, we must protect these people.

Especially when the city was besieged by a large army, their attitude became even more resolute.

These people are his pledge of loyalty for future achievements; he must protect them no matter what!

That's why a meeting was held to use the warden's authority to set the tone.

Sure enough, everyone fell silent when the topic of obeying the Department of Justice came up.

Chen Muzheng's gaze swept across the area and landed on the deputy warden.

Seeing that he looked drowsy, I simply walked around him.

He turned to the next person and asked, "Old Jiang, you're the head of the education section, what are your thoughts?"

Section Chief Jiang raised an eyebrow, a fawning smile spreading across his face: "Whatever the warden says goes. I, Jiang, will follow the warden's lead without question!"

He even stood up while speaking, his back bent, looking completely subservient.

Chen Muzheng nodded, a satisfied smile on his face.

Then shift your gaze to the next one.

They asked each of them one by one, and everyone expressed their willingness to listen to the warden.

He lacked confidence in a collective vote, but by asking each person individually, he was clearly using his position as warden to intimidate them; who would dare disagree?

Chen Muzheng announced with a smile, "Since everyone agrees not to escort them, the garrison command's note is null and void!"

Seeing that Zhong Cheng still wanted to say something, he immediately announced, "Meeting adjourned!"

He wasn't given a chance to speak from beginning to end.

As the crowd dispersed, Zhong Cheng sat in his chair, gritting his teeth in anger.

Thinking of the current chaotic situation and the promises made by Commander Li, he gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

Reaching the door, he called over a trusted aide: "Inform everyone that tonight we will forcibly take him to the garrison headquarters!"