THE WHITE FILES: THE MANY
LIVES OF LU HERUO, TAIWANS
FIRST LITERARY TALENT

Chapter Thirty-One: Xu Jialiang Risks His Life to Deliver a Warning

118

The night was as dark as ink. Sparse moonlight illuminated the quiet village, and the only sounds were the occasional chirping of insects in the distance. A faint light shone from Laichuns house. Beneath its glow, the wooden door slowly opened, while an atmosphere of impending danger seemed to fill the air. Just then, a hurried knock at the door shattered the nights silence. Laichun froze for a moment, then quickly stood up and walked toward the entrance.

Xu Jialiang stood outside, dressed in his police uniform. His expression was grave, his brows tightly furrowed, and a trace of anxiety showed in his eyes. Seeing him, Laichun greeted him with her usual familiar warmth.

"Its so late, Jialiang. What brings you here?"

As Xu Jialiang pushed open the door, he spoke in a low voice. "Sis, brother-in-law, weve got a serious problem." After closing the door, he quickly opened the wooden entrance and glanced around, as though afraid someone outside might overhear them. His voice was urgent.

"I received a notice from my superiors. The military and police are going to seal off all the mountain roads leading into and out of our village early tomorrow morning and enter the village to arrest people. The Security Command Headquarters has already mobilized troops, and theyre assembling at the foot of the mountain."

Laichuns heart sank, and the atmosphere inside the house immediately grew heavy. She furrowed her brows, quickly collected herself, and asked in a low but clear voice, "Jialiang, will this really affect us?"

Lianfu was also startled by the news and stood up. He speculated in a low voice, "Could the authorities be planning to arrest those friends at the base?"

Xu Jialiang shrugged, his expression growing even graver. "I dont think thats all theyre after. The military might also arrest villagers who have had contact with the base."

Laichun clenched her hands, her mind in turmoil. Anxiously, she asked, "What are we supposed to do now, Fu?"

Uneasiness showed in her eyes as she began pacing back and forth without realizing it.

Lianfu remained silent for a moment before answering with a hint of confidence and composure. "Dont worry. Im not a member of their party at the base, and Ive never been in and out of their compound. The military has no reason to arrest me."

He patted his chest, trying to reassure Laichun.

Xu Jialiang frowned but remained concerned. "Brother-in-law, I still suggest you go into hiding for a while, just in case you get caught up in the trouble." His voice was urgent, and an unusual degree of concern showed in his eyes.

Lianfu lowered his head in thought. Then he raised it, lifting an eyebrow as he replied casually, "My farmland is all here. Where am I supposed to hide?"

He smiled, trying to ease the tension with humor, but the trace of uneasiness in his eyes was still difficult to conceal.

Laichuns expression darkened. A flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, and her voice carried both helplessness and heartache.

"From the very beginning, I kept warning you not to associate with those mountain hideouts at the base, but you just wouldnt listen to my pleas. If the authorities arrest you, what will happen to everyone in this household? Who will they be able to depend on from now on?"

As she spoke, she held Lianfus hand tightly, as though trying to find some reassurance in him.

Seeing how worried Laichun was, Lianfu gently shook his head and smiled faintly.

"I, Fu, wont be that unlucky. Besides, I havent done anything wrong."

He patted Laichuns hand. His tone was confident, but he could not entirely conceal his own anxiety.

Xu Jialiang quickly interrupted, his voice even more urgent.

"Are you planning to notify those friends at the base about this news?"

He spoke extremely quickly, clearly unwilling to waste another moment.

Lianfu nodded and replied, "Of course. I have to notify them right away. Ill go find Dumu Tong first, and then well go together to see the village chief and let them know."

He stood up, turned around, and picked up his hat from the table, preparing to leave immediately.

Xu Jialiang hurriedly stopped him and spoke in a low, cautionary voice.

"I cant stay here too long. Itll make my subordinates suspicious."

His tense face was filled with worry.

"Brother-in-law, this information is absolutely reliable. But you must never reveal where it came from. If they find out, Ill be in serious trouble."

Lianfu looked at Xu Jialiang, his expression changing slightly. In the end, however, he nodded.

"I understand. I wont get you into trouble."

He patted Xu Jialiang on the shoulder, his voice steady.

119

Late that night, the living room of Village Chief Chen Qiwangs house was dimly lit. The air seemed frozen, and the surroundings were utterly silent. The only sound was the faint creaking of the old wooden floorboards under the tension. Occasionally, the calls of nocturnal birds drifted in from outside. In the moonlight, the distant mountain silhouettes appeared even more imposing, as though concealing some impending crisis.

Yu Lianfu stood in the room, his expression grave. His hands had unconsciously clenched into fists, and his knuckles had turned white from the force. His voice was low and urgent.

"This is an emergency. Dumu Tong and I have come in the middle of the night to report this to you, Village Chief. The authorities have already mobilized troops and assembled them at the foot of the mountain. Early tomorrow morning, theyll head up the mountain and enter our village to arrest people."

He looked directly into Chen Qiwangs eyes, his voice carrying an anxiety he had never shown before.

Chen Qiwang furrowed his brows and stood up, his movements somewhat heavy. His hand instinctively passed over the teacup on the table, his fingertips brushing its cold porcelain surface as though he were contemplating something.

"Where did you hear this news?"

His tone was calm, but a trace of uneasiness could be detected in his eyes.

Yu Lianfu glanced toward the window. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke in a low voice.

"I cant reveal the source of the information, but I can assure you that its absolutely reliable."

His words seemed to seal a fate that could no longer be changed.

At that moment, Chen Benjiang looked at Yu Lianfu with a frown and said in a low voice, "I didnt expect Chiang Kai-sheks regime to move so quickly. Since youre so certain, we must take immediate action."

Chen Qiwang pondered for a moment. His gaze seemed to travel through time and space as he recalled what had happened several days earlier.

"I just thought of something. A few days ago, Dong Zhiqian, whom I had locked up in the woodshed, was rescued in the middle of the night. Someone broke the lock to get him out. Ive been wondering whether Dong Zhiqians escape might be connected to the authorities current operation."

Chen Benjiang furrowed his brows slightly and asked in a quiet voice, "Village Chief, do you mean..."

Wang Wenbo interrupted coldly.

"What the village chief means is that there must be an agent working for Chiang Kai-sheks regime hiding somewhere in our village. Otherwise, that person couldnt have rescued Dong Zhiqian. And Dong Zhiqian himself is obviously an undercover agent who infiltrated the base."

His eyes were as sharp as blades, and he struggled to suppress his inner agitation.

Chen Benjiangs expression grew increasingly grave.

"Then the list of personnel at the base may already have been taken out by Dong Zhiqian."

Wang Wenbo nodded, his tone certain.

"Thats entirely possible."

Chen Benjiang looked bewildered.

"How could Dong Zhiqian be an agent for Chiang Kai-sheks regime?"

Wang Wenbo took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"Thats precisely what makes them so frightening."

As he spoke, his eyes were deep and solemn, seemingly revealing a fear that had no bottom.

A chill ran through Chen Qiwang as he heard this. He quickly stood up, slapped the table, and asked, "What are your plans?"

Chen Benjiang immediately replied, "Ill notify all the party members at the base right away and have them evacuate separately."

Chen Qiwang turned to Wang Wenbo again.

"And what about you, Director Wang?"

His gaze was sharp, as though testing Wang Wenbos decision.

Wang Wenbo lowered his head and pondered for a moment before answering slowly.

"Ill follow the Chairmans decision."

There was a note of determination in his voice.

Just then, Liao Musheng stood up nervously. An unusual expression flashed across his eyes.

"Chairman Chen, Id like to ask you for a personal favor."

He spoke suddenly, his tone carrying an unmistakable plea.

Chen Benjiang furrowed his brows slightly.

"Go ahead, Director-General Liao."

Liao Mushengs eyes shifted uneasily. He bit his lower lip, seemingly struggling with an inner conflict.

"Director Wang and my younger sister, Ruan Xiaomei Qingyun, are in love with each other. I hope youll let him take my sister away and start a new life somewhere far away, in a place where no one knows them. They can assume new identities and live an ordinary life in peace."

His voice was low, and his eyes were filled with helplessness and anxiety.

Chen Benjiang fell silent for a moment, his brows deeply furrowed as he considered the request.

"Well... Ill have to think about it."

Liao Musheng sounded somewhat impatient.

"This is the first time, and it will be the last, that I ever ask you for a favor."

His voice carried restrained emotion.

Chen Benjiang raised his head, took a deep breath, and slowly nodded.

"All right. Ill do this for your sake."

Chen Qiwang gently shook his head and spoke in a low voice.

"Adazai, go to the storeroom and get some cash and gold bars. Give them to Chairman Chen to take back to the base as travel expenses for their escape."

He glanced around at everyone before continuing.

"Director Wang and Zhang Haiqing, the two of you will stay here. Tonight, Ill have Adazai lead you out along the mountain trails."

Wang Wenbo quickly nodded.

"Things happened so suddenly, Brother Musheng. Could you give me an hour to return to the base and pack my luggage?"

Liao Musheng remained silent for a moment before answering slowly.

"All right. Ill wait for you."

Chen Benjiang turned to Chen Qiwang.

"Village Chief, have you considered leaving with us?"

Chen Qiwang gave a bitter smile, a trace of weariness in his eyes.

"Im the village chief. Where am I supposed to run? Even if the military arrests me, thats simply my fate. You dont need to worry about me."

Chen Benjiang looked at him, a trace of concern flashing in his eyes.

"Village Chief, Director-General Liao, until we meet again. Please take good care of yourselves."

Chen Qiwang slowly lowered his head and spoke gently.

"Wang Wenbo, Ive decided to entrust my younger sister, Ruyu, to you. You must love and cherish her. Never let her suffer any hardship."

Wang Wenbo gazed steadily at Chen Qiwang and replied with determination.

"I will cherish Ruyu and love her for the rest of my life."

Chen Huolu wiped away his tears, his voice trembling.

"I never imagined that I, Huolu, would be marrying off a daughter under circumstances like these."

Chen Qiwang patted his shoulder and comforted him gently.

"Father, dont be sad. They have a happy future of their own waiting for them."

Liao Meijiaos eyes glistened with tears, and her voice was slightly choked.

"Little sister, your sister-in-law doesnt have much to say. This is your own choice, after all. I have a necklace that Id like to give you as a wedding gift. Once things have settled down and the danger has passed, come back to the village whenever you have time to visit your father and your brother."

Chen Ruyus tears streamed down her cheeks. Choking with emotion, she said, "I understand. Father, Brother, Sister-in-law, please all take good care of yourselves."

Chen Qiwang gazed deeply at her, his voice firm.

"Little sister, Ive instructed Adazai to prepare some gold bars for you. Consider them part of your dowry. Take them with you and use them as you need. Find a remote rural village where you can settle down temporarily. Once this crisis has passed and youre certain theres no longer any danger, you can find a suitable time to return."

Chen Ruyu suddenly burst into tears. She gently grasped Chen Qiwangs hand.

"Brother, I..."

Chen Qiwang patted her hand and spoke gently.

"All right, little sister. Dont cry anymore. Get ready to leave. Adazai, take them to Yilan. If you hear any troubling news along the way, dont come back for the time being."