149: Old friends leave, new friends are made.

Night fell, and all was silent.

Zhang Tingshu found Lu Fan alone.

"Boss~~~" Zhang Tingshu's voice was exceptionally clear in the night.

Lu Fan turned around, seemingly unsurprised: "Decided?"

"Yes." Zhang Tingshu nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with a firm light in the darkness.

"The fall of the Beiping-Tianjin area further proves your previous judgment was correct.

We can't rely on the Jinling authorities; the situation in North China is already a lost cause.

Yanan is where I should go.

That's where the real power and hope for saving the country and its people lie."

He paused, then continued: "There are also ten brothers, all fellow villagers and old subordinates who have followed me for years.

They are also willing to go to Yanan with me. I ask, boss... for permission to leave."

Lu Fan looked at Zhang Tingshu, not a trace of anger on his face; instead, he showed an expression of gratification.

"Good~~ Tingshu, I'm happy for you that you can see the path ahead clearly and follow your heart.

Yanan is where the future hope of China lies.

Go, take your brothers, and go there to realize your ambitions.

For this country, for our fallen compatriots, carve out a bloody path!"

He patted Zhang Tingshu on the shoulder, then turned and walked into the temple.

Soon, he returned with two heavy suitcases.

"Take this case."

Lu Fan solemnly handed one of the silver metal cases to Zhang Tingshu.

"This is a [Mini Communication Base Station], the most advanced communication facility currently, more advanced than what you wore before.

The instructions are inside the case; you can use it along the way.

However, when you reach Yanan, you must hand this over; they need it more over there.

Remember, this must never fall into the hands of the devils!"

Lu Fan spoke earnestly, giving careful instructions.

"Understood, I will deliver it safely!" Zhang Tingshu promised solemnly.

"This is for you." Lu Fan handed over the other suitcase. "A poor home but a rich road; these gold and silver items are a token of my appreciation.

Once you're there, you can decide whether to hand over the remainder or keep it for your own use."

Holding the fifty or sixty catties of gold and silver, Zhang Tingshu's eyes reddened slightly: "Captain... this is too valuable!"

"Nonsense, with just these things, I hope you, one of the three young masters of the Northeast, won't be looked down upon. Compared to what you are about to do, this is nothing."

Lu Fan waved his hand, his tone brooking no refusal: "Assemble your comrades!"

Half an hour later, the eleven team members were assembled at the mountain gate.

Outside the Qingxu Temple, two troop transport trucks were already running.

The truck beds were packed with supplies Lu Fan had prepared for them.

Weapons and ammunition, medical supplies, compressed rations, and even several large barrels of precious gasoline.

Zhang Tingshu and the ten team members behind him stood in formation before Lu Fan.

Li Zhenshan, Ah Fu, and the other remaining team members also stood silently behind Lu Fan.

"Boss, take care!" Zhang Tingshu straightened his back, saluted Lu Fan with a standard military salute, his voice slightly choked.

The ten team members behind him also saluted in unison.

Lu Fan returned the salute, his gaze sweeping over each young and resolute face.

"Brothers, take care! The road to Yanan is long and arduous; be careful!

When you get there, give my regards to the people there...!

Remember, no matter where we are, we are all fighting for this country.

Furthermore, you are always welcome to return home."

"Understood, boss!" Zhang Tingshu and the others responded in unison, their voices loud and clear.

"Board the vehicles! Move out!" Zhang Tingshu said no more, giving the decisive order.

The eleven men quickly boarded the two troop transport trucks laden with supplies.

Engines roared as the vehicles shot off like arrows from a bowstring, heading northwest, soon disappearing into the night.

Lu Fan stood in place, watching the direction where the vehicles had vanished, unmoving for a long time.

Li Zhenshan and Ah Fu stood behind him, equally silent.

After a long while, Lu Fan looked over everyone and spoke solemnly: "Remember this: a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.

No matter what others do, I, Lu Fan, will be sworn enemies with the japanese in this life, a fight to the death!

Old Li, you keep the team members in seclusion to rest and recuperate. I'm going out for a while."

With that, Lu Fan also vanished into the darkness.

An hour later, he quietly appeared on the streets of Beijing.

The nights after the fall were filled with an air of humiliation and sorrow.

The rest at Qingxu Temple had not calmed the turmoil in Lu Fan's heart.

The bloody battle at Southern Camp, the heroic martyrdom of General Zhao Dengyu, and the images of Lin Yanqiu and those young students facing death without fear lingered in his mind.

The heroes had perished, but their affairs after death could not be left unattended.

He stowed his equipment, changed into an inconspicuous gray long gown, and blended into the dimly lit streets.

His target was clear: Longquan Temple in the southern city.

Historical records state that General Zhao Dengyu's remains were riskily retrieved and temporarily enshrined at that temple by patriotic monks and citizens.

But the exact location still needed to be inquired about.

Lu Fan's gaze swept over the sparse shops along the street that still had their lights on, finally settling on the signboard of "Qiu's Fabric Store."

This shop looked relatively tidy, a suitable place to ask for information.

Inside the fabric store, the light was dim. Only a rather shrewd middle-aged shopkeeper with round-framed glasses was behind the counter, fiddling with an abacus.

Seeing a customer arrive so late, the shopkeeper, Political Commissar Qiu Ming, looked up warily.

A professional courtesy appeared on his face: "Sir, it's so late. What kind of fabric do you need?"

"Shopkeeper, pardon the intrusion." Lu Fan cupped his hands in greeting, his voice calm. "I'd like to ask you for directions. Do you know the specific way to Longquan Temple in the southern city?"

Political Commissar Qiu Ming's eyes narrowed slightly as he sized up Lu Fan.

Then, he asked cautiously in return: "Longquan Temple? What does the gentleman want there? That place now... is not very peaceful."

Just as Political Commissar Qiu Ming was speaking, the scan results from the multifunctional glasses showed: the target is carrying a pistol.

A fabric store shopkeeper, hiding a weapon on his person?

"The shopkeeper seems quite familiar with that area?"

Lu Fan's mind stirred, but his expression remained unchanged; his tone, however, carried a hint of subtle probing.

"To be honest, I have some connection with General Zhao Dengyu, who died a martyr at Southern Camp. I wish to go to Longquan Temple... to pay my respects."

"General Zhao!"

Political Commissar Qiu Ming's body gave an almost imperceptible start, his eyes instantly turning sharp.

He scrutinized Lu Fan carefully once more, lowering his voice, "Sir, who exactly are you? How do you know where General Zhao's coffin is located?"

Meeting Political Commissar Qiu Ming's scrutinizing gaze, Lu Fan stopped beating around the bush and directly revealed his identity: "I am Lu Fan."

"Lu Fan?"

Political Commissar Qiu Ming was instantly petrified. The pupils behind his glasses dilated sharply, his face unable to conceal his shock.

"You're the Lu Fan who stirred up heaven and earth in Tong County and Tianjin,

blew up the devils' airfield, killed Nishiki Shigeru, and crippled the Kamikaze Special Agents?"

He suppressed his voice, trying hard to control his excited emotions.

Lu Fan lit a cigarette and nodded slightly: "That's right. It seems the shopkeeper is very well-informed."

Political Commissar Qiu Ming took a deep breath, quickly calming his astonishment.

The professional courtesy completely faded from his face, replaced by a look of gravity and candor.