Chapter 039: Rescuing the Captured Comrades

December 19, 1928, in the morning.

Zhao Shiyu, going by the alias Zhao Weigang, hurried from Shanghai by boat to Lushun.

In Lushun, Zhou Yongsu and Liu Junze slipped into Fengtian, following Zhao Shiyu’s instructions to investigate the situation of the arrested comrades, the surrounding police force deployment, and the traffic conditions.

Shao Mazi, the leader of the Manchurian Special Branch who had arrived in Fengtian days earlier, also discovered the grave situation—the entire Manchurian Provincial Committee had been captured. He, too, was probing around the police station.

At this time, Chen Jiehua was still aboard the passenger ship from Shanghai to Tokyo, studying Russian.

On December 20, 1928, while investigating near the Fengtian police station, Liu Junze noticed an officer on duty whom he recognized. After discussing with Zhou Yongsu, he quietly sought a way to approach the acquaintance for information.

Outside, Zhou Yongsu was keeping watch, calculating distances between buildings, roads, and the timing of traffic lights. Suddenly, he spotted another suspicious figure furtively scouting the area.

A fellow traveler! Zhou Yongsu instantly recognized the man as one of his own, but then wondered—apart from himself and Liu, who else could be investigating here at this time? The southern Nationalist Party was in chaos and unlikely to meddle here; could this be someone from the Comintern?

Regardless, their objectives must be similar—there would be no conflict.

Shao Mazi had also noticed the small-statured man and thought the same: aside from themselves, could another organization be trying to rescue those inside? Or perhaps just one person?

But in any case, their purposes aligned.

Shao Mazi moved closer to Zhou Yongsu, watching him. Zhou Yongsu saw Shao Mazi approach and observe him, but sensed no malice.

Zhou Yongsu nodded to Shao Mazi.

Shao Mazi was momentarily distracted, but realized at once—the other shared his intentions.

He nodded back, then turned toward a secluded spot. Zhou Yongsu followed, weaving through turns as Shao Mazi refused to stop.

Zhou Yongsu quickened his pace, caught up, and grabbed Shao Mazi, nodded again, “Come with me,” and led him to a residential house with a courtyard. He opened the door, pulled Shao Mazi inside, locked it, and entered an inner room.

Once the door was closed, they turned and spoke almost simultaneously, “Are you from the Comintern?”

Both paused for two seconds—no, the other wasn’t from the Comintern. Could they be comrades?

“Communist Party?”

Again, both spoke at once, uncertain.

They both nodded.

Handshake!

Zhou Yongsu’s heart finally settled. Following Shao Mazi’s winding path had brought them right to the safe house. Suddenly, inspiration struck—Chen Jiehua had chosen to establish a safe house near the police station and prison precisely for a day like this!

For this rescue, the safe house would surely be needed; sooner or later it would be exposed, so why not save some trouble and time? So he pulled Shao Mazi straight inside. If Shao Mazi kept circling, he’d get dizzy before the secret police noticed them!

Now, confirmation—the other was from the organization! What a delight!

“What is this place?”

“This is our safe house.”

“Safe house?”

Shao Mazi didn’t understand at first, but quickly grasped it. Who could manage such a feat—setting up a secret base right by the police station and prison!

“A safe house is a place that usually stands empty, storing essential supplies, weapons, and medicines. At critical moments, it serves as a refuge for exposed comrades.”

“Damn! So advanced! Who taught you this?”

Zhou Yongsu frowned; this man seemed off.

“Don’t misunderstand!” Shao Mazi, a seasoned operative, immediately recognized from Zhou Yongsu’s reaction that suspicion had arisen.

This was a matter of life and death—both were skilled operatives, misunderstandings must be avoided!

“I’m Shao Mazi, from Shanghai.”

“Shao Mazi?”

Zhou Yongsu hadn’t heard the name, though clearly it was a code name. Zhao Shiyu had gone to Shanghai but hadn’t told him about any other organizational personnel.

“My superior went to carry out an important mission and hasn’t returned yet. He didn’t tell me about anyone else.”

Now the difficulty shifted to Shao Mazi. He knew Zhao Shiyu, the temporary leader of Manchurian Special Branch, but Zhao Shiyu had left for Shanghai on urgent business. Leadership had stated that Shao Mazi was to take over, but he hadn’t expected Zhao Shiyu to have subordinates so professional.

Should he say it? Could he say it?

Both hesitated over whether to reveal the name.

Enough—let’s gamble! Time was pressing, and saving lives came first.

“I was sent by the organization to take over Zhao Shiyu’s work.”

“My superior is Zhao Shiyu.”

Again, they spoke at once.

Both laughed. They shook hands and embraced.

Damn, the gamble had paid off!

“Comrade Shao Mazi! I am Zhou Yongsu! Yesterday I received instructions from the superior to first scout out the situation, and when Zhao Shiyu returns, we’ll organize the rescue operation.”

“Zhao Shiyu is coming back from Shanghai? Excellent!”

“Comrade Shao Mazi, follow me.”

Zhou Yongsu led Shao Mazi to the basement, which was almost overflowing with medicines, weapons, water, and food. Shao Mazi was astonished.

“How is the Manchurian Special Branch so well-funded? Even the Shanghai headquarters doesn’t have these resources!”

“That’s a long story; you’ll learn in time. For now, our priority is to gather information. I can provide weapons and medical supplies for post-rescue treatment. If we need to bribe guards and police, we have money—yen and silver dollars alike!”

“!!!” Shao Mazi was speechless. Look at what you’re saying—yen and silver dollars! It seemed the Manchurian operation had real promise!

They came up from the basement, divided their scouting responsibilities, agreed to meet at the safe house the next evening, and parted ways.

Shao Mazi, after leaving, found a nearby inn and checked in. From his room, he could see the safe house’s courtyard.

The following afternoon, after completing his task, Shao Mazi returned to his room, waiting for Zhou Yongsu.

At that moment, Zhou Yongsu and Liu Junze were together in the secret chamber at the main branch of Aoki Pharmacy in Fengtian, having just contacted Aoki Qiao, who was about to leave Japan and return to Lushun.

Aoki Qiao instructed them to follow Zhao Shiyu’s lead and fully support the rescue operation.

After finishing the liaison with Aoki Qiao, Zhou Yongsu prepared to take Liu Junze to the safe house. Just as Liu Junze was about to open the door, Zhou Yongsu noticed a laborer leaning against a pillar across from the pharmacy, smoking.

At this hour, a laborer smoking against a pillar? Clearly out of place. (Early Japanese spies, secret agents, and action team members often used such chaotic disguises.)

Zhou Yongsu grabbed Liu’s hand and shook his head. He continued observing; the shoeshine boy who was there when they entered was still there now, over an hour without moving.