Chapter 84: Long Laotai is a Spy

Li stepped forward and showed his credentials to Yi Zhonghai, who was groaning on the ground: "Yi Zhonghai, you are suspected of attempted murder; you are now under arrest in accordance with the law!"

Two public security officers stepped forward, roughly dragged up Yi Zhonghai, whose limbs were already fractured, and loaded him onto the tricycle that had been waiting not far away.

"Take that Long Laotai along as well," Li Mingyuan said coldly, "she definitely had a hand in this."

Li saluted: "I have already arranged for people to go and arrest her."

The tricycle sped away, and the small path returned to Silence.

Li Mingyuan brushed the dust off his clothes and continued walking toward the Siheyuan, as if nothing had happened at all.

……

Early the next morning, the Siheyuan exploded with activity.

"Have you heard? Yi Zhonghai attacked Chief Engineer Li last night and was arrested!"

"Is that true?"

"Absolutely! My cousin works at the Public Security Bureau and told me himself!"

"Oh my, has this Yi Zhonghai gone mad?"

"Long Laotai was arrested too; they say she's an accomplice!"

The neighbors gathered together, chattering and discussing this earth-shattering case.

Li Mingyuan, as usual, left for work with a calm expression, as if he were not the one who had been attacked last night.

Jia Zhangshi stood at the doorway, her face full of terror: "This Yi Zhonghai is truly insane; to think I used to believe he was a good person!"

Yan Bugui shook his head: "I saw long ago that this Yi Zhonghai was no good; he pretended to be a good person for most of his life, but he was rotten to the core!"

Liu Haizhong huddled in a corner, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Yi Zhonghai had been close to him, and now that Yi Zhonghai was in trouble, he was afraid he would be implicated as well.

He Yuzhu, on the other hand, looked pleased: "Serves him right! Uncle Li helped him so much; not only was he ungrateful, but he even wanted to harm people—truly heartless and ungrateful!"

Over the next few days, the residents of the Siheyuan were in a state of high tension.

Public security officers frequently came and went, questioning people about Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai and searching their residences.

A week later, even more shocking news arrived—Yi Zhonghai had not only attempted to murder Li Mingyuan, but the public security department had also discovered he was involved in multiple espionage activities, including stealing confidential information from the Rolling Mill and providing information on important national projects to hostile forces.

Even more shocking was that Long Laotai was actually a spy who had been lurking for many years; she had used the pretense of being deaf and mute to engage in intelligence gathering for years.

The two had colluded to endanger national security, and their crimes were extremely grave.

This news was like a bomb, completely detonating the Siheyuan.

"Heavens! We've lived with spies for so many years!" Jia Zhangshi clutched her chest in terror.

"Who could have imagined that the old woman who pretended to be deaf and mute was actually a spy!" Liu Dama looked incredulous.

Yan Bugui's face turned pale: "I... I didn't have any close relationship with them, just greeted them occasionally..."

All residents of the Siheyuan were subjected to detailed questioning, especially those who had been close to Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai.

Liu Haizhong was taken away for questioning several times; after returning, he was always covered in cold sweat and hid in his room all day, not daring to go out. Yan Bugui was also scared out of his wits, his legs turning to jelly whenever he saw public security officers.

Finally, the case was solved. The court sentenced Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai for "endangering national security" and "attempted murder"—the death penalty, to be executed immediately.

On the day the verdict was handed down, the atmosphere in the entire Siheyuan was exceptionally heavy. The residents gathered together, whispering about this shocking conclusion.

"The death penalty, that's a really heavy sentence."

"Of course, endangering national security is a major crime that costs heads!"

"I heard it's to be carried out tomorrow..."

"Where will they execute them?"

"Where else? They'll definitely be taken to the Execution Ground in the suburbs."

Early the next morning, two military-green trucks stopped near the Siheyuan. Several armed public security soldiers jumped off the trucks and stood guard in the surrounding area.

Nearby residents poked their heads out to watch this scene, and the people of the Siheyuan all came out, standing in the courtyard or at the doorway, watching this rare spectacle.

Before long, a police car drove slowly over and stopped next to the trucks.

The doors opened, and two people were escorted out—Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai.

Yi Zhonghai had casts on all four limbs and was supported by two public security officers as he walked.

His hair had turned completely white, his complexion was ashen, and his eyes were hollow, as if he were already dead. Long Laotai, however, had a ferocious expression, struggling and cursing incessantly, but she was firmly restrained by the public security officers.

The two were loaded onto the first truck. A dozen public security officers were already sitting on the truck, armed and solemn.

"Move out!" Following the order, the truck slowly started and drove toward the Execution Ground outside the city.

The residents of the Siheyuan looked at each other, their feelings complex. The former "First Elder" Yi Zhonghai was now to be executed for treason; this transformation was truly too great.

The Execution Ground was located in an open area outside the city, surrounded by bare yellow earth slopes with only a few sparse trees. A biting cold wind blew, kicking up gusts of dust.

The truck stopped at the edge of the Execution Ground. Yi Zhonghai and Long Laotai were escorted off the truck by public security officers and made to kneel before two pits that had already been dug. This was the traditional method of execution—the prisoners knelt before the pits and were pushed directly into them for burial after the execution.

A prosecutor stood in front, holding the verdict, and read aloud:

"Yi Zhonghai, male, 32 years old, formerly a worker at the Hongxing Rolling Mill. Due to suspicion of stealing state secrets, providing intelligence to hostile forces, and plotting to murder the key national scientific research personnel Li Mingyuan, his crimes are extremely heinous and endanger national security. Approved by the Supreme People's Court, he is sentenced to death, to be executed immediately."

"Li Lanzhi, female, 58 years old, alias 'Long Laotai'. A member of a spy organization, she has lurked among us for many years, long engaged in intelligence gathering activities, assisted Yi Zhonghai in stealing state secrets, and participated in plotting the murder of scientific research personnel. Her crimes are extremely grave. Approved by the Supreme People's Court, she is sentenced to death, to be executed immediately."

After finishing the reading, the prosecutor nodded to the execution squad leader.

The execution squad leader shouted loudly: "Ready!"

Eight public security soldiers raised their Rifles, aiming at the back of the two prisoners' heads.

Yi Zhonghai knelt there, his whole body trembling, his eyes full of fear and despair.

Recalling his actions over these years—resentment, greed, hypocrisy... he had finally pushed himself into the abyss of death.

"Li Mingyuan..." His lips trembled as he whispered this name, his eyes full of remorse and venom. If not for the appearance of this person, he would not have reached this point today.

Long Laotai was completely different; she knelt there, her eyes showing not the slightest sign of repentance, but instead filled with hatred and ferocity.

She cursed loudly, using the most vicious language to cast her maledictions.

"Aim!" the execution squad leader ordered once more.

The gun barrels aimed at the backs of their heads. Time seemed to stand still, with only the sound of the wind whistling in their ears.

Yi Zhonghai closed his eyes, his lips trembling incessantly, as if he were praying or perhaps repenting.

Long Laotai continued to roar, refusing to admit guilt until the very last moment.

"Fire!"