This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. While the world recalls the epic battles, the stories of unsung heroes — those who risked everything within underground intelligence networks and served as secret agents in cities like Tianjin, North China — remain less known. In an exclusive interview with acclaimed Chinese novelist Long Yi, we delve into Tianjin's unique role in the Chinese pursuit of national independence during the war against Japanese aggression.