Chapter 33: The Flesh of Men

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  At night, outside the office of the Governor of Luoyang, Henan and Shandong provinces, dozens of black shadows crept up to a large brick house like weasels. When these shadows disappeared around the house, dozens more emerged from a nearby forest hidden in the darkness, crawling on their bellies across the hundred-meter stretch of road. At the same time, a low voice rose up.

  "Commander, all is ready, let's start."

  Another voice soon rose in the darkness: "It must be told to every soldier that the Beiyang Army is not a bandit, but the strongest regular army in China at present. It cannot have any idea of underestimating it. So I order that every soldier must use all equipment to freely attack the stubborn enemy. After the action is over, immediately implement disengagement and do not get entangled."

  "What's with that little Japanese guy, Six郎 or whatever? He really won't budge? It'd be easy to take him down, just a step further and I could've taken his life, why spare him?"

  "Cut the crap, just bring that donkey's intestine along and execute the order."

  "Yes."

  The last black shadow flashed by, like a streak of black lightning, pressing towards the distant tile house.

  Action! He quickly made a gesture, and dozens of people waiting in the dark immediately formed groups of three, stuck to the wall, two people forming a horse step, one person jumped up, then stretched out their hands on the high wall, and their bodies floated down like leaves.

  Inside the courtyard, in a dimly lit semi-circular corridor, several Northern soldiers wandered back and forth like lost souls. Outside a slightly brighter room door, another pair of soldiers leaned against each other, taking turns puffing on paper cigarettes. Occasionally, one or two sounds would come from inside the seemingly calm room. Probably they were already used to it, so they didn't even bat an eyelid, continuing to savor their cigarettes with narrowed eyes.

  Suddenly, one of them felt a bite on his neck. He subconsciously slapped his neck and cursed, "Damn it, there are still mosquitoes biting me in the middle of winter!"

  Before he could finish speaking, the man collapsed to the ground like a sack.

  The person standing opposite, holding a cigarette butt, was just about to mock the person on the ground when suddenly he let out an "aiyo" and with a thud also sat down on the ground.

  Just before his eyes were completely closed, a great fear finally rose from the bottom of his heart to his lips.

  Unfortunately, he was too late and could only silently cover his own neck, staring blankly at the large courtyard where all movable objects were falling one by one, just like a bunch of scallions cut off by a sickle.

  At last, a dark figure jumped over and reached out to touch the two people's necks, then raised its fist and made a silent gesture.

  Soon, a clumsy figure, under the protection of five or six agile figures, stumbled to the door, panting heavily and staring intently at someone fiddling with the lock. Before long, there was a soft "click", and he was gently pulled by the people on either side, and his whole body plunged into the house.

  A faint fragrance wafted over.

  Under the dim light on the table, the outline of the entire room also appeared: this is a typical two-winged house. From the hall, many flowers and clothes racks are placed, and the person living here is completely treated as a lady. One of them immediately pointed to the slightly smaller wing next door, waved his hand, and a figure slipped away quietly. Before long, a woman was dragged out from inside.

  At the same time, a person who had been trembling non-stop also reached another room and trembled to shout in a low voice: "Little girl, little girl, I am your second brother Liu Wu, don't be afraid, I'm coming in now."

  With that, he gently pushed open the door with the encouragement of someone beside him.

  "Second brother? Second brother, is it really you? How did you get in?"

  As the voices sounded, two figures emerged from the side room. With the faint light of the lamp, everyone's eyes brightened even more. Indeed, it was a breathtakingly beautiful woman. In this dimly lit inner chamber, her radiant face shone like a bright moon.

  But the strange attire of the crowd and their ghostly disguises frightened the woman. "Second brother, who are these people? Why are there so many?" The woman said, almost screaming, but was immediately covered by a pair of hands.

  "General Cao, have mercy on us, this is my sister Ruyun."

  Cao Feibiao hummed, and said in a low voice, "Miss Qian, your second brother Qian Ruwu is right next to you, you should believe that we are here to rescue you. Now I will slowly let go of my hand, and you must promise me not to make a sound or move rashly."

  Wu Wu, Qian Ruyun hastily nodded.

  Cao Fei suddenly felt a sharp pain in his wrist. He looked down and saw Qian Ruyun crouching on his arm, biting his wrist fiercely.

  Grandma, Cao Feibiao was so angry that he flung his hand, and Qian Ruyun hastily rushed towards the door frame.

  Just as she closed her eyes in terror, a pair of hands pulled her back again, and then she felt herself unable to move at all.

  "Ptooey, men's flesh is all smelly meat." Qian Ruyun began to curse loudly.

  Qian Ruwu was anxious on the side, repeatedly advising: "Little sister, my little aunt. Shh, shh, don't shout, these good men are here to help us and rescue you."

  "Save me, why are you still catching me?" Qian Ruyun said bluntly.

  What's going on here? You're still being unreasonable. Qian Ruwu also got angry and shouted, "Did anyone catch you? If you don't call out, who will catch you?"

  "Never mind, let's retreat quickly." Cao Fei Biao had a fierce expression on his face as he directed the crowd to rush out of the courtyard one after another.

  "Let me go, you bastards! I'm not leaving." Qian Ruyun suddenly shouted frantically.

  "Quickly—" Cao Feibiao vigilantly gazed around and pushed Qian Ruwu with force.

  "Bastard, bandit, devil. Let me go, I am a revolutionary, not a coward who will flee in the face of danger. You big warlord Wu Peifu, just kill me then."

  This old lady, being surrounded for many days, still has such a passionate outburst. Cao Feibiao shook his head helplessly, gritted his teeth, and lightly pinched the carotid artery on Qian Ruyun's neck, and the crowd around them suddenly fell silent. Qian Ruwu looked back in surprise, opened his mouth, and then continued to run wildly with his head down.

  Unfortunately, these last three words "Wu Peifu" seemed to suddenly wake up the Beiyang Army inside and outside the courtyard.

  "Assassin, there is an assassin."

  "Hurry, report to the General's headquarters."

  "One row, one row, protect the great Japanese advisor."

  As the shouting grew louder, lanterns were lit one by one. In the flickering light, Cao Feibiao gazed at the Northern Army troops rushing towards him, and with a series of urgent rifle-bolting sounds, he clenched his fist fiercely. Grandma's, such a perfect rescue operation was messed up by a little girl's reckless enthusiasm.

  "The first squad quickly completed the withdrawal and handed over the target to No. 1. The other squads, according to the second plan, unfolded in a triangular formation, preparing for battle." Cao Feibiao made a quick judgment and slowly pulled open the gun bolt.

  For some reason, he put his finger on the trigger and suddenly felt a strange thrill.

  Bang, bang, bang——

  "Psst, psst, psst——"

  As the first shot rang out, all sorts of gunfire suddenly tore through the ordinary night sky outside the imposing and intimidating Zhili, Shandong and Henan provinces governor's office. People woke up with a start from their dreams and perked up their ears. Good heavens, it seemed like the shots were coming from the provincial government offices, had the revolutionaries returned?

  No, Cao Feibiao gazed at a Beiyang Army soldier in his sights, a cold smile rising from the corner of his mouth. This shot is earlier than the first shot of the Northern Expedition by several years.