The Two Heroes of the Ye Family

Chapter 240: Blockade of the Concession

The Japanese devils stationed in Shanghai have been blockading the International Settlement for almost a month.

Very few residents in the International Settlement could enter and exit freely, and two checkpoints were set up at every intersection.

Except for foreigners from the German Empire, foreigners from other countries could only move around within the International Settlement.

After this period of blockade, new goods could not be transported into the stores and shops in the International Settlement.

Gradually, these stores had nothing to sell and were forced to close down.

The Japanese were extremely vicious, but this was exactly the result Ye Xiaoyang expected.

If we don't do this, how can we squeeze all the money out of these foreigners? It seems that Noriko Aoi is very capable.

What residents in the International Settlement lack most now are salt, grain, sugar, etc.

People couldn't leave, and food and salt couldn't come in.

The store had already sold out of bread flour, and there was no flour or rice left.

Ten days ago, Ye Xiaoyang visited several foreigners, including those from the United States and the British Empire.

Of course there are foreigners from other countries as well.

The blue-eyed, yellow-curly-haired foreigners in the concession were not enthusiastic about Ye Xiaoyang.

At that time, Ye Xiaoyang was not angry at all. People will not understand the cruelty of life until they are in despair.

As the saying goes, you won't turn back until you hit the wall, and you won't give up until you reach the Yellow River. These foreigners have suffered too little loss.

Foreigners trust their compatriots with the same skin color more, even though Ye Xiaoyang showed his American identity card.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, the commercial radio station in their hands was confiscated by the Special High Technology Bureau stationed in Shanghai in the name of catching spies.

Originally, they wanted to use commercial radio to contact their relatives in their country, hoping that their relatives would find their country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Please ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help put pressure on the Japanese Empire and force it to allow them to leave Hujiang safely.

Only now did these foreigners begin to feel fear in their hearts.

"William, what should we do now? The food at home can't sustain our family for a few days."

This is William's wife Catherine speaking to her husband in a crying tone.

"Catherine, these Japanese are so mean. I asked them when to send the food over, but they didn't answer."

William was complaining about the Japanese being unreasonable. He wondered if the arrogance of foreigners was innate or if it was just...

"William, you are too arrogant. Remember that beautiful Japanese Tony came to you to discuss leaving Hujiang.

At that time, you looked down on him from the bottom of your heart and didn't want to discuss this issue with him at all."

"Catherine, don't be anxious. We are civilians now. According to the Geneva Convention, the Japanese will treat civilians like us well."

Catherine suddenly felt that the man in front of her was too naive. Do the Japanese really care about the Geneva Convention?

Who can guarantee it?

She only knew that in a few days the food and salt in the house would run out.

Without food, it wouldn't be long before the whole family would starve to death at home.

It doesn't matter if I die, but what about my two children? Catherine asked herself in her heart.

She had heard that when the Japanese Empire's army occupied Nanjing, the capital of China, they killed hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Counting on the mercy of the Japanese is as unrealistic as praying to God to save his people now.

It is better to rely on yourself than on others. If food is not transported here, people in the concession will starve to death.

By that time, I'm afraid their compatriots will rob families that have food.

Thinking of this, she reached out to wipe away her tears. She realized that her man was not reliable at all.

After dark, Catherine quietly came to the gate of Villa No. 69 alone.

She is a mother of two children and cannot wait until she has nothing left to seek help.

When Ye Xiaoyang saw William's wife Catherine being led into the living room by Hu Jingming, he immediately stood up from the sofa.

"Hello! May I ask who you are...?"

“Mr. Tony, I’m Catherine, William’s wife, and you were at my house ten days ago.

You left your address when you left."

"Ma'am, please take a seat. Would you like coffee or tea?"

“Give me a cup of coffee.”

A few minutes later, Ye Xiaoyang poured a cup of brewed coffee and handed it to Catherine, and poured another cup for himself.

"Thank you, Mr. Tony."

"Ma'am, you are so polite."

"I'm not being polite, but I haven't had a cup of delicious coffee in a week."

"Oh, then when Madam leaves, take some coffee beans back from here so you can make a cup at home and try it."

Ye Xiaoyang was not in a hurry at all, as good things are never too late.

"Thank you."

Catherine didn't want to refuse Tony's kindness.

"Madam, you came to my house so late, is there anything I can help you with?"

Ye Xiaoyang looked sincere.

"Mr. Tony, you live in the concession, so you should know that most of the shops in the concession are closed.

Especially in food stores, there is no food for sale anymore, not even breadcrumbs, flour or rice.

Now there is no salt or sugar in it.”

"I know all this. Before the Japanese army blockaded the concession, my family happened to have stored a lot of bread flour and rice.

I'll give you some when you leave. When I went to your house, I saw your two children were so cute."

"Mr. Tony, I know you have some connections with the Japanese. Could you please inquire about them?"

"Ma'am, what news do you want to know?"

"Will the Japanese bring food into the concession?"

"Well! I met with an official from the Shanghai-Jiang Special High Section this morning.

She said that food was very scarce now because the Imperial Army was fighting the British Army in South Asia.

Part of the grain from the areas of Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces was transported to the front line.

It is winter in China again, and the Chinese people are very short of food.

Madam, you should know that without food, the Chinese people will easily cause trouble.

Yesterday, the people of Longcheng looted the Imperial Army's granary for food. These are truly troubled times."

Ye Xiaoyang showed a helpless expression.

Seeing the expression on Ye Xiaoyang's face, Catherine's heart sank.

Before the Japanese Empire went to war with the United States, the United States had cruise ships coming to Shanghai every month.

Everything they need can be shipped from the United States; it’s just a matter of spending a few more dollars.

In this situation, even if you have money, it would be difficult to buy breadcrumbs, flour and rice.

"Mr. Tony, does what you said to my husband at that time still count?"

"Ma'am, which of my words are you referring to?"

Ye Xiaoyang certainly knew what Catherine meant, but he didn't want to give the initiative to the other party.

"Leave Hujiang and go to Wucheng."

"That's what Madam is talking about! It would have been much simpler ten days ago, but now it's very troublesome."

"why?"

"Ma'am, you should know that the Special High Police have seized many radio stations from the concessions recently."

“These stations are all commercial stations.”

"Madam, we have no say here. The Japanese believe this is a radio station that transmits intelligence."

"The Japanese are unreasonable."

"Madam, please speak softly. Be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall."

"But……"

Ye Xiaoyang immediately interrupted her.

“Ma’am, now is not the time to reason.

I am a beautiful Chinese of Japanese descent, and in the final analysis, I am still a beautiful Chinese.

Just because the Special High Police don’t cause me trouble now doesn’t mean they won’t cause me trouble in the future.

It's okay, I wouldn't dare talk about the Japanese Imperial Army behind their backs, I hope Madam will understand."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Tony."

"Ma'am, it's okay. In troubled times, we should all be careful and not lose control and get into trouble."

"Mr. Tony is right, but I still want to ask if there is any way for our family to leave Hujiang."

"Madam, I can't promise you now, but I will go out and look for connections after dawn tomorrow."

"Thank you Mr. Tony."

Ye Xiaoyang waved his hand to indicate that you’re welcome.

"Madam, you must be prepared. The cost of leaving now will be many times greater than it was ten days ago."

Catherine nodded to show that she understood.

The two exchanged a few more words, and Catherine stood up and prepared to leave.

"Ma'am, it's dark and unsafe outside. I'll drive you back."

"Thank you! Sorry for the trouble, Mr. Tony!"

Catherine did not refuse Ye Xiaoyang's kindness.

Before going out, Ye Xiaoyang asked Hu Jingming to get a small bag of bread flour and a small bag of rice from home.

He took two bags of coffee beans, two bags of sugar, two bags of salt, and a bag of chocolate from home.

When going out, Ye Xiaoyang asked Hu Jingming to put the prepared things in his car.

Less than ten minutes later, Ye Xiaoyang parked the car outside Catherine's gate.

Ye Xiaoyang pushed open the car door, then he walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and took out three bags.

He closed the trunk and came to Catherine.

"Ma'am, take these for emergency use."

Catherine knew that the things Ye Xiaoyang gave her could not be bought with gold or US dollars.

"Mr. Tony, thank you!"

"Madam, please go in quickly. I will come to your house to inform you as soon as there is any news."

"Thank you, sir. The Japanese Imperial Army has cut the telephone lines in the concession, making it difficult to get in touch.

I can only let Mr. Tony work hard!"

Ye Xiaoyang waved his hand to indicate that it didn't matter.

……