Chapter 283: He Daqing Goes to the Battlefield

After He Yuzhu ascertained the situation, he did not alert the enemy.

He reckoned that those digging the tunnel were merely small fry; taking action now would only startle the big fish behind them.

It would be better to hand the intelligence over to Tian Dan and follow the vine to unearth the mastermind.

He slipped out from the neighbor's courtyard silently and snuck back home under the moonlight.

The next morning, he headed straight for the Military Control Commission.

As soon as Tian Dan saw him, she immediately put down the documents in her hand: "What is the situation with that courtyard?"

"It might be a big fish," He Yuzhu leaned in closer and lowered his voice, "They are digging a tunnel in the direction of the square..."

Upon hearing this, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Tian Dan's back.

If not for Chen Xueru's timely report, such a sinister plot would have nearly slipped through.

Her face sank like water, her hands clenched into fists, and she tapped the desk from time to time, "The Qianmen area is truly too thorny; we just caught one wave today, and another group comes tomorrow!"

He Yuzhu took the opportunity to pick up the conversation: "Sister, I have an idea. We could have the nearby residents form a Lianfang Team, with one or two liaisons in each courtyard, especially by mobilizing the enthusiasm of those old ladies with bound feet. We don't need to give much money; awarding an 'Advanced Individual' or 'Advanced Courtyard' title every year—certificates are sometimes more effective than money..."

"Do you think you're the only smart one?" Tian Dan sighed, her tone softening slightly, "The common people have lived through the era of the Japanese devils and the era of the Bald Party. We tell them they are the masters of the house, but they are still drumming in their hearts. This takes time."

"Then pretend I didn't say anything!" He Yuzhu curled his lips.

"But what you said isn't wrong," Tian Dan pondered for a moment, "It's worth a try."

"Sister, why do I feel like you've been a bit flighty lately, and you're not as patient when talking to people?" He Yuzhu muttered.

Tian Dan was stunned for a moment, then sighed: "Zhuzi, your criticism is correct. I just can't understand, we are trying our best to be good to the common people, why do so many still not understand?"

"Sister, this is the power of prejudice; changing a person's prejudice is harder than moving a mountain. The common people have been scared to death over these years; they simply don't believe anyone will be good to them. It's just like that saying: I set my heart toward the bright moon, but the bright moon shines upon the ditch!"

"You kid, not bad," Tian Dan finally revealed a hint of a smile, "You have some depth in your thinking." She then straightened her expression, "By the way, Director Ye is very interested in that Security Inspection Equipment of yours and hopes you can make it as soon as possible. You don't need to participate in my operations here for the next few days; focus your energy on rushing out a few prototypes."

"Alright, I'll follow your arrangements." He Yuzhu accepted the task, hurried away from the Military Control Commission, and headed straight to the Bicycle Factory.

In the workshop, most of the parts had already been processed according to his requirements.

For the next few days, He Yuzhu practically ate and lived at the factory, working overtime through the nights with the workers.

After five days and five nights of repeated debugging, two brand-new machines were finally completed.

He hauled the machines to the Military Control Commission, and Tian Dan invited Director Ye to inspect them together.

The test results were exhilarating—even if only a single iron nail was brought through, the Security Inspection System would immediately emit a loud "beep" sound.

Upon learning that the equipment was independently designed by He Yuzhu, Director Ye gave him high praise on the spot.

Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of September.

Under Tian Dan's meticulous deployment, when the enemy agents in the Qianmen Siheyuan dug through the tunnel and were preparing to transport the Explosive, they were rounded up in one fell swoop.

This battle, along with subsequent actions, captured over a hundred enemy agents in total.

After months of effort, Tian Dan, He Yuzhu, and others successively wiped out more than twenty groups of enemy agents, killing over two thousand and capturing over three thousand, ultimately eliminating all the forces that attempted to sabotage the founding ceremony.

On October 1st in Beijing, the autumn air was crisp, the sky was as blue as if washed, and the sunlight gilded this ancient capital with a layer of golden light.

He Yuzhu changed into a brand-new military uniform, gripped his steel rifle tightly, and performed patrol duties on the outskirts of Tiananmen Square.

From early morning, crowds began to pour into the square in an orderly fashion. These were representatives from all over the country, and every one of their faces was filled with excitement and anticipation.

As the sun gradually rose, the enthusiasm in the square grew even higher; red flags surged like a red ocean.

Around three in the afternoon, He Yuzhu's stomach growled uncooperatively, and he took the opportunity to hurriedly stuff a piece of dry rations into his mouth.

At this very moment, it was as if a power accumulated for a hundred years had instantly erupted; cheers like a mountain landslide and a tsunami swept in from all directions, the sound waves shaking the heavens and the earth, and he even felt the blue bricks beneath his feet trembling slightly.

Immediately following, a voice with a heavy Hunan accent, yet incomparably firm and resonant, clearly spread across the square through the loudspeakers, ringing through the clouds:

"The People's Republic of China and the Central People's Government were founded today!"

In that instant, the entire square boiled over! Huge cheers exploded like thunder, shooting straight into the clouds.

Workers threw their hats into the sky with all their might, students hugged each other tightly, jumping and shouting; countless arms were waving, countless red flags were fluttering, and the cheers of "Long live Chairman Mao!" and "Long live New China!" rose one after another, merging into a joyous frenzy.

He Yuzhu felt his chest heaving violently, and a scorching hot current rushed from the bottom of his heart straight to his eyes, his vision instantly blurring.

Scorching tears slid down his cheeks uncontrollably.

He saw an old worker with white hair beside him, his hands trembling as he covered his face, tears gushing out from between his fingers; he saw young students hugging each other, crying and laughing, nearly delirious.

On this land, the humiliation, suffering, and anticipation suppressed for a hundred years all turned into dam-bursting tears and heaven-shaking shouts at this moment.

He Yuzhu deeply felt that his transmigration this time had not been in vain; he had witnessed with his own eyes and personally participated in the birth of a brand-new country.

Returning home, his mood remained unsettled for a long time. He Yushui ran over, looking up with her small face and asking eagerly: "Brother, did you see Chairman Mao?"

"I saw him," He Yuzhu wiped his face and laughed, "The old man even waved at me!"

"You're bragging!" Ding Li, who was nearby, immediately shouted.

"How am I bragging?" He Yuzhu laughed heartily, "But the old man was on the city gate tower, and I was in the crowd below."

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the spring of 1950.

He Daqing suddenly returned home, and he called He Yuzhu over from the East Cross Courtyard.

He Yuzhu looked at his father's travel-worn appearance and asked: "Dad, how did your new weapon experiments go?"

He Daqing's face sank like water, his voice low: "Zhuzi, those Americans are too arrogant; they bombed our border residents to death. Our division is going to deal with them. You, you must take good care of the family."

Upon hearing that her father was going to the battlefield, He Yushui immediately wailed, her small hands clutching her father's coat hem tightly: "My dad, I won't let you go!"

He Daqing picked up He Yushui and said: "Dad cannot not go. Yushui must be good and listen to Mom!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Guizhi's tears fell like beads with a broken string, and she turned around to secretly wipe the corners of her eyes.

He Yuzhu took a deep breath: "Dad, can you talk to Division Commander Yang? I'll go in your place."

He Daqing shook his head, his gaze firm: "If it weren't for you and Liu Xiaohua creating that Anti-aircraft Gun, we might not have been able to go to the battlefield. Our division is the most proficient at operating the thing you two made. This time, it's thanks to you and Liu Xiaohua."

"Dad, I'm going with you." He Yuzhu said eagerly.

"The He Family must leave behind a descendant, so you shouldn't go." He Daqing patted his son's shoulder, "I've already spoken to Division Commander Yang, otherwise he wouldn't have let you off."

Shen Guizhi also said firmly: "Zhuzi, you are not allowed to go."

"Dad, you don't know, the American devils are much more brutal than the Japanese devils. They can use bombs to flatten mountain tops, they have air superiority, and they drop bombs from planes as if they don't cost a cent."

"How do you know all this?" He Daqing looked at He Yuzhu with suspicious eyes.

"Dad, I have been to the United States. Their military industrial capability is astonishing. During World War II, the United States produced 300,000 aircraft, 88,000 tanks, over 80,000 warships, 44 billion rounds of ammunition, and over 200,000 artillery pieces... Your division is going to fight enemy aircraft, so naturally, you are a target the enemy has their eyes on. This trip is fraught with danger."

Upon hearing this, Shen Guizhi began to sob in a low voice again, her handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand.