Chapter 027: The Scarlet Luan Reaches Out to Zhao Shiyu

Aomokujo Safe House Underground Chamber, Fengtian.

“Comrade Zhao Shiyu! This is Chen Jiehua, a Chinese Communist Party member whose contact with the organization was lost! Codename Red Luan! I am now applying to rejoin the ranks!”

At Zhao Shiyu’s request, Chen Jiehua repeated his statement.

Happiness had come so suddenly! It was confirmed!

Zhao Shiyu was at a loss, his arms stretched out, wanting to embrace Aomokujo across from him, but hesitated, too overwhelmed to find the right words.

Chen Jiehua took the initiative and embraced Zhao Shiyu, patting him on the back. “I’m sorry, Comrade Zhao Shiyu! You’ve suffered!”

Zhao Shiyu tightened his arms, holding Aomokujo close, silent tears streaming down his face. Damn it! He really had suffered! He’d almost been scared to death!

When the four of them finally sat around the table in the underground chamber, Zhao Shiyu and Liu Junze were still struggling to collect their thoughts—it was all too surreal!

“Comrade Zhao Shiyu! Does it still feel like you’re dreaming?”

“It’s more than a dream! I was nearly scared to death!”

Laughter broke out.

“Yongsu, go upstairs and bring some water. Since this all started because of me, let me explain first.”

“I joined the Party in Shanghai in 1922. Later, due to pursuit by the military police and other reasons, I lost contact with the organization. The rest I won’t go into now; when there’s a chance to formally return, I’ll report everything in detail.” (Chen Jiehua’s identity remains a challenge, as the organization’s vetting is strict, especially for those returning whose origins are unclear and may never be fully accepted. So, dear clever readers, help me think of a reasonable explanation.)

“The photos sent to the Young Marshal’s Residence, exposing the Japanese-planned bombing, were taken by me and delivered by Yongsu.”

“Because of the leak, the Kwantung Army headquarters began investigating that night. Fortunately, Yongsu and I had a radio link; I warned her to erase the traces, then rushed to the Grand Marshal’s Residence to help Liu Junze disguise himself and hide. It was a close call, but I got away.”

“Yesterday, Yongsu came back and told me you’d been meeting with Old Liu, probing him with talk about the nation and the revolution! That made me suspect you were the comrade I’d been searching for.”

At that, Zhao Shiyu covered his face. How embarrassing!

“That’s something I have to criticize you for, Comrade Zhao Shiyu! Recruiting comrades can’t be done by testing like that—you could expose yourself!”

“What if Old Liu wasn’t my contact, but a Kwantung Army spy or informant? He’s been interrogated by them before, after all!”

“Comrade Chen Jiehua, say no more! I accept the criticism!”

“There’s much to learn about underground work! You must be cautious in everything!”

“You may not know, but the mastermind behind the bombing, Kawamoto Daisaku, was killed by me a few days ago! Do you know why?”

“You killed Kawamoto again?” Liu Junze turned in shock to look at Chen Jiehua.

“That night, when headquarters was searching for the leak, I had Yongsu clear the secret room and cover with the medicine supplies; in the end, the officers and military police came house to house for inspection.”

“How dangerous!”

“That was nothing! Listen to the rest. The one who came to my home was Kawamoto Daisaku. In the secret room, we didn’t think much; after he left with the military police, he suddenly rushed back at night, opened the basement, and confirmed that the smell in the secret room was photographic developer!”

“These Japanese are too clever!”

The three stared in astonishment, mouths agape.

“What happened then?”

“When he shouted ‘developer,’ I realized what was happening! I was right behind him, so I pulled this knife—and he just turned around.”

There was no time for hesitation.

“I cleaned up the blood, aired out the room, pretended to spill alcohol, and barely managed to cover the smell of developer and blood with alcohol. Fortunately, Saito Tsunetane didn’t come to check afterwards, or with his skill, he’d have spotted something.”

“After a few days of airing out secretly, all traces of the developer and blood had vanished.”

“I’m telling you all this not to show how dangerous it was, but to emphasize that working behind enemy lines, not a single detail can be overlooked! The enemy is more cunning than you imagine—especially the Japanese! The Japanese Army University even has courses on these subjects!”

“Time is short, so let’s discuss our arrangements. First, my identity is for the three of you only!”

“Especially you, Comrade Zhao Shiyu! You must never reveal it to the organization, no matter what!”

“Why!?”

“There’s no other way; my identity is simply too crucial! I’m not saying I’m important, but this identity is vital for the organization, especially for the future! You’ll understand later. Right now, most comrades in the organization are ordinary people with no specialized training. If they learn my identity and are captured, they simply won’t withstand Japanese interrogation!”

“How are you so sure?”

“I’m certain! Given the Japanese interrogation techniques and their rapid advancement, things will only get harder for our comrades. What I did to you just now was only a warm-up!”

“However, you’re not the only one who can know—our two senior comrades above you are also privy to this, but only them.”

“You actually know who those two are!”

“As I said, secrecy within the organization means there are many things I can’t share.”

“That’s enough about my identity. Next, let’s discuss communication.”

“We have several radios, and both Yongsu and Old Liu know how to send, receive, and decode messages. You need to learn as well. For now, this is the safest way to communicate, provided you have a secure place to hide and operate the radio. That’s where safe houses come in—just like the ones I had Old Liu and Yongsu find in every city.”

“Of course, the organization should have taught you these things, and you learned some at the military academy, but perhaps not as thoroughly as we did.”

“Next is the use of code words, which Old Liu will teach you gradually.”

“Finally, from now on, you’re my only superior contact! Aside from the two leaders, I answer only to you—I’ll avoid all other contacts.”

“Yongsu and Old Liu will handle our daily communications, but we must maintain strict organizational principles.”

“After all this, finally finding the organization again, I’ve prepared a big gift! My Aomokujo Pharmacy chain has spread throughout the Northeast! The managers in Harbin and Rehe haven’t been decided yet. Arrange for trusted people to quietly apply, and try to get as many comrades into the traveling staff as possible.”

“I’ve already set things up—the couriers for the pharmacy system can move freely and aren’t subject to harassment by the military police.”

“For other needs—guns, ammunition, critical supplies—just ask Old Liu.”