Chapter 45 The Fourth Step: Transferring the Prison

Liu Junze arrived at the underground temporary prison and ordered the guards to unlock cells 13579 and 11. He slipped each of the guards and the one-eyed man a silver dollar—money was no longer a concern! “Help me stall them upstairs! With enough money, anything is possible!”

Once the men had left, Liu Junze began his search. Fortune favored him this time; in cell number 1, he found Wu Lishi!

“Wu Lishi, the situation is urgent. Don’t speak! The Northeast Army Command is about to take you out—all thirteen of you. You need to look over each person to confirm they’re all comrades. If there’s anyone unfamiliar mixed in, warn me!”

Wu Lishi stared in astonishment. Liu Junze pulled him aside, whispering in his ear, “We’ve been in contact with the organization in Shanghai by telegram. Our leader told us your left eyebrow is shorter than your right. Do you believe me now?”

Wu Lishi nodded, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked at Liu Junze.

“Our comrades are trying to rescue you, but the Japanese are interfering. I pleaded with the Young Marshal to transfer you first to the Northeast Army Command. Once you’re there, we’ll find a way to get you out. The cell doors are open—check on the others, and help those who can’t move.”

Outside, the confrontation reached its peak. Gao Shuguang stood his ground, having ordered the guards to load their rifles.

They might have similar numbers, but in terms of momentum, we outmatched them.

The Japanese Kwantung Army wasn’t prepared for full conflict. Their leader, realizing he couldn’t bear responsibility, chose to back down, turning his team away.

The guard squad holstered their weapons, and under the police chief’s direction, formed ranks and entered the underground prison, escorting the thirteen prisoners to the surface. Liu Junze glanced at Wu Lishi, who nodded in confirmation.

The police chief arranged for cars to take everyone to the Marshal’s Mansion. Damn, that was terrifying! The hot potato was finally passed on!

The Young Marshal ordered the thirteen to be sent to the command’s prison for safekeeping and to be treated well.

Liu Junze followed Gao Shuguang back into the Marshal’s inner chambers.

“Liu Junze, let me guess: did you join the Communist Party when you went home for your father’s funeral?”

“Reporting to the Young Marshal, Liu Junze has not joined the Communist Party!”

“Oh? I guessed wrong? These thirteen you rescued—they’re not Communists?”

Zhang Xiao Liu, who knew Liu Junze fairly well, watched his expression and didn’t doubt his words.

But then, who was behind him? Someone else? You’ve piqued my interest!

“All right, let me try another approach. I’ll ask, you answer. Is that okay?”

“Please ask, Young Marshal. I will never lie!”

“Good! First question: when you returned after your father’s funeral, was it at someone’s behest?”

“It was more guidance than command. He bears no ill will toward you, Young Marshal. He instructed me to ensure your safe return to Fengtian. He gave me a life-saving medicine, saying if I ever face a situation with two people doomed and can only save one, I must save you, Young Marshal!”

“Very well, I believe you. That means that in early May, he already knew the Japanese were preparing to strike—and he was certain they’d succeed. The Japanese plan photos came from him?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing! Is he some kind of oracle?” The three advisers were stunned.

Zhang Xiao Liu received confirmation—his heart was still in turmoil. He’d always suspected as much, but without confirmation, it was never certain.

He knew in May the Japanese would act, and that they’d succeed, yet he didn’t save his own father, instead chose to protect me! That’s a lot to take in!

“Where’s the miracle medicine?”

“In the shop where I’m staying.”

“Good! Gao Shuguang, go with him and bring the medicine back!”

“Liu Junze, I won’t kill you. You may continue as an instructor in my Northeast Army. I won’t ask who’s behind you. I trust, when the time is right, he’ll reveal himself.”

Liu Junze’s mind spun—this happiness was so sudden! Chen Jiehua, you truly are my god!

Gao Shuguang took his squad and followed Liu Junze back to Aoki Pharmacy. Night had fallen. Liu Junze went straight to his stash, carefully retrieved the medicine from the wall cavity, and handed it to Gao Shuguang.

“Brother Gao, brothers, just a moment!”

Liu Junze opened the basement door and hauled out a chest of silver dollars from the secret room—then another, and another. Damn, they’re heavy, I can only carry them one at a time!

“Brothers, the trouble at the police station dragged you all in. Thank you for your support—each of you gets a silver dollar envelope!”

“A silver dollar doesn’t change the gratitude we feel! For saving these thirteen comrades, I, Old Liu, thank you on their behalf!”

Yet another grand gesture!

Gifts and silver dollars—no one turns down generosity, especially envelopes full of silver coins! Even if half must be handed over according to regulations, each person still gets fifty coins. At that time, a regular soldier’s monthly pay was only two silver coins.

After distributing the silver coins, Liu Junze pocketed two envelopes and returned with Gao Shuguang’s men to the Marshal’s Mansion. He knew the Young Marshal would ask how to use the medicine.

When Gao Shuguang handed the medicine to the Young Marshal, one adviser exclaimed in surprise, “Young Marshal! This is the fabled life-saving medicine from the American West! I’ve seen this bottle before!”

Good, Liu Junze didn’t need to explain. In this era, the best support is someone like that! The adviser had just returned from America.

Zhang Xiao Liu delicately held the penicillin vial, deep in thought.

Seeing that the Young Marshal had no questions, Liu Junze took his leave.

Shao Mazi and Zhao Shiyu were still anxiously waiting for news. Liu Junze hurried to the police station, saw nothing unusual, then went to safe house number four and observed from afar for a few minutes—still no activity. He realized they must still be waiting outside the west gate to receive the prisoners.

These comrades have suffered!

Liu Junze was exhausted. He hailed a rickshaw and rode to the west gate, then continued on foot.

At last, he reached the outer road, where Zhao Shiyu, nearly frozen from lying in the dark, recognized Liu Junze by his build and gait, called out to him.

The three returned to the village base outside the west gate. Once everyone was warmed up on the kang, Liu Junze recounted the day’s gripping events.

“The men are in the Northeast Army Command. For now, they’re safe. Tomorrow, Old Liu will have to make another trip to the prison, to arrange for sufficient cotton clothes and bedding for our comrades, and to bring extra food and medicine.”

“I know, I’ll take care of it. From the Young Marshal’s attitude, he doesn’t want to pursue me, so I’ll play dumb. Since everyone’s rescued, I don’t mind spending a bit more to smooth things over—even if the Young Marshal finds out, it won’t matter.”

Early the next morning, Liu Junze woke hungry, returned to town, filled his stomach, went back to the pharmacy, and sent a telegram to Zhou Yongsu, reporting the current situation.