150: To settle the affairs after the hero's death

He quickly walked to the door, cautiously peering out at the empty street.

Then he quickly closed the door and bolted it.

Turning around, Political Commissar Qiu Ming faced Lu Fan, clasping his hands together respectfully: "Boss Lu, my apologies for the disrespect!

I am Political Commissar Qiu Ming. On the surface, I am the shopkeeper of this cloth store, but in reality, I am the liaison officer stationed in Beijing by Yanan.

Comrade Zhang Qingyuan has informed me of your heroic deeds and identity in Tong County.

I never expected to meet you here."

With his identity revealed, Lu Fan also breathed a sigh of relief and returned the salute.

Then he spoke directly: "Comrade Political Commissar Qiu Ming! A pleasure to meet you! I am here for General Zhao's posthumous affairs."

"So that's how it is!" Political Commissar Qiu Ming's expression turned solemn. "Boss Lu is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, truly admirable!

General Zhao's remains were bravely rescued from near Dahongmen by the Abbot Master, our underground party comrades,

and several gentry who refused to be slaves of a conquered nation.

Currently, they are indeed temporarily interred in a meditation room in the backyard of Longquan Temple, personally guarded by the Abbot Master.

The General's wife and family are also mourning in the temple."

Upon learning that General Zhao's remains were preserved and guarded by loyal individuals, a great weight was lifted from Lu Fan's heart.

He immediately continued: "Comrade Political Commissar Qiu Ming, I have another matter to inform you about.

Zhang Tingshu, Captain Zhang, has led ten like-minded brothers to Yanan.

Please ask Yanan, especially the comrades along the way, to take good care of them."

"Zhang Tingshu, Young Master Zhang, went to Yanan? That's great!"

Political Commissar Qiu Ming's face lit up with joy. "Please rest assured, Captain Lu, I will immediately report Young Master Zhang and his companions' matter to my superiors.

Arrangements will certainly be made for their reception along the way to ensure their safe arrival!"

After settling Zhang Tingshu's matter, Lu Fan changed the subject, stating gravely: "Comrade Political Commissar Qiu Ming, the current situation is beyond my expectations.

I, Lu, wish to kill the enemy, but there is no hope of turning the tide, so I must temporarily leave North China.

However, I have a batch of supplies that I can't take with me. It's absolutely impossible to let the Japanese benefit from them, and it would be too wasteful to destroy them.

I wonder if Shopkeeper Qiu is willing to accept this hot potato?"

Political Commissar Qiu Ming knew perfectly well that this was no 'hot potato'; it was a complete and generous offering.

He readily agreed: "Boss Lu is truly noble; we are immensely grateful.

Where will the supplies be handed over? I will arrange for people to receive them."

"The supplies are at the Tonghe Dyeing Mill in Zhou Village, Weifang. Here are the handover documents and token."

Lu Fan handed over an exquisite leather envelope.

He pondered for a moment, then instructed: "The quantity of supplies is considerable, so please be sure to arrange for comrades with transport capabilities to receive them."

"Zhou Village, Weifang?" Political Commissar Qiu Ming quickly noted it down. "No problem, I will immediately contact the comrades in Shandong region.

Please rest assured, Boss Lu, we will definitely arrange for reliable and capable comrades to go."

After finalizing the donation with Political Commissar Qiu Ming, Lu Fan learned the exact location of Longquan Temple.

So, without further delay, he bid farewell and left the cloth store.

Under the cover of night, he activated his Flight Backpack again and flew towards Longquan Temple in the south of the city.

Longquan Temple appeared even more solemn and silent in the night.

Lu Fan silently landed in the temple's backyard, avoiding the patrolling monks.

Outside a meditation room where a perpetual lamp was lit.

He saw a woman dressed in plain clothes, with a haggard face but a straight back.

As expected, this person should be General Zhao Dengyu's widow.

Lu Fan tidied his clothes and slowly walked forward.

The woman looked up at the sound, her eyes filled with vigilance and deep sorrow.

"My lady, please accept my condolences." Lu Fan bowed deeply, his voice low and full of respect. "I am Lu Fan, an admirer of General Zhao.

I have come presumptuously today, first, to pay respects to the General's heroic spirit.

Second, to fulfill the General's unfinished wish and offer a small token of our regard on behalf of his comrades."

He took out a heavy cloth bag and a smaller brocade pouch, offering them with both hands.

"The General sacrificed himself for the country, and his family is now in hardship. Please, my lady, accept these humble items to settle your family and take care of your mother-in-law."

Madam Zhao looked at Lu Fan, then at the heavy package, tears silently streaming down her face.

"Lu... Righteous Warrior Lu... Thank you... Thank you very much... Dengyu... if he knew... he would be pleased..."

She did not decline, taking the items with trembling hands, her voice choked: "Righteous Warrior Lu, please come this way~~"

Led by Madam Zhao, Lu Fan came to the meditation room where the coffin was placed.

Despite a myriad of words in his heart, everything seemed so pale and powerless before the cold portrait.

Only three sticks of incense, a handful of yellow paper, and three solemn bows.

Lu Fan took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

"The departed have passed, but the living must continue forward." Lu Fan bowed again: "Madam, please take care of yourself. General Zhao's heroic spirit will live forever.

Should you or your family ever face any difficulties in the future, please find a way to send word to Changsha, and I will do my utmost to assist you!"

"Thank you, Righteous Warrior Lu. Please wait a moment!" Madam Zhao returned the bow, then turned and entered the inner hall.

A moment later, she emerged with a blood-stained military canvas bag, gently stroking it as she spoke: "Righteous Warrior Lu~~

This was sent out by Old Zhao's subordinates, who risked their lives before his death. It contains many documents that might be useful to you."

Lu Fan took the heavily worn military backpack from Madam Zhao with both hands; it felt weighty.

This had been General Zhao Dengyu's personal item on the battlefield, carrying the last breath of the hero.

"Thank you, Madam. This item is of extraordinary significance. I, Lu, will surely keep it safe." Lu Fan thanked her solemnly.

He opened the backpack with reverence.

Inside were several maps stained with gunpowder smoke and dust, a worn steel pen, and an empty water bottle.

All were testaments to the General's command in battle.

His movements paused when his hand touched a hard-covered notebook.

The edges of this notebook had obvious burn marks and curling.

On its dark blue hardcover, a golden cherry blossom was printed, typical of Japan style.

Lu Fan's heart stirred, and he immediately took out the notebook and opened it.

What met his eyes were not words, but dense, oddly arranged symbols, like a heavenly script.

A flash of brilliance, imperceptible to ordinary people, instantly gleamed in his eyes.

The two major skills, Mastery of Foreign Languages and Mastery of Code Breaking, were passively triggered.

Those seemingly chaotic symbols and numbers were rapidly deciphered, reorganized, and corresponded in his eyes as if by magic.

Their meaning flowed into his mind like a clear stream, without any obstruction.

"This is... the latest Japanese codebook, the core secret of their communications." Lu Fan's heart was greatly shaken.

Presumably, this was a top-secret war trophy captured by General Zhao's unit from a high-ranking enemy officer who was killed.

It was also the main reason the enemy ambushed him.

This codebook, scorched by the fires of war, was worth far more than gold.

With it, the Japanese communications on the battlefield would hold no more secrets from Lu Fan.

He quickly closed the notebook, suppressing his inner excitement, and bowed deeply to Madam Zhao, his tone incredibly sincere.

"Madam! This item... this item is of immense importance! Lu Fan thanks you, and General Zhao, on behalf of tens of thousands of soldiers on the front line!"

"As long as it's useful!" Madam Zhao nodded slightly, tears in her eyes: "If you kill more Japanese devils, Old Zhao's spirit in heaven will rest in peace."

Lu Fan no longer delayed, carefully hiding the codebook close to his body.

After another solemn bow, he turned and quickly left the solemn Longquan Temple.