Chapter 18: Go All Out

  "Big brother, it's me!"

  Tian Zhenggang saw clearly that it was Wu Ming who was holding a gun against his forehead and hurriedly shouted loudly.

  The muzzle was still pressed against Tian Zhenggang's forehead, Wu Ming's hand holding the gun was very steady, his face was pale and his eyes were cold. He stared at Tian Zhenggang's eyes for a while, then slowly put away the gun and smiled bitterly: "Sorry Zhenggang, big brother narrowly escaped from the ambush of dozens of officials and soldiers, and is still frightened. I thought about escaping with my life, but found that I had no food, no drink, and no money, so I could only sneak back to take some things. Just as I was about to leave, you arrived."

  Tian Zhenggang's suspicion was confirmed, and he was also frightened. He took a big step forward, grabbed Wu Ming's hand and said: "Big brother, tell me what happened? Why do the county guards and those people from Chen Fu in Huanggu Town want to catch you? Are you really a Communist?"

  "Huanggu Town Chen's Mansion?"

  Wu Ming raised an eyebrow, slowly sat down on the stone at the entrance of the cave, picked up the dried meat that was thrown aside and continued to eat. After chewing for a while, he suddenly stood up: "Zheng Gang, you just said it was the security team and people from Chen's house who caught me, right? How did you know there were people from Chen's house?"

  "I often go to the town to sell mountain goods, I know those guards and housekeepers from Chen's mansion, although they are standing far away, but I can see clearly, the leader is indeed Chen's steward Wang, it won't be wrong."

  Tian Zhenggang said, looking at Wu Ming with concern: "Big brother, early this morning, I heard the sound of gunfire on the mountain, and all the dogs in the village were barking. I thought something was wrong, so I immediately ran out of the village to take a look. I saw that the mountain path leading here was guarded by a large group of security guards with guns. I guessed that maybe you had gotten into trouble? My heart was racing with worry, but later I saw Chen Fu's steward leading people down the mountain in a hurry, and then dozens of people from the guard team also went down the mountain, one by one with dark faces, clearly without getting anything. Only when I saw that did my heart feel better. However, there were still over ten guards at the entrance of the path, so I didn't dare to let my guard down. I thought and thought, but I still wasn't reassured, so I ran up here to take a look. I didn't expect to actually see you! Big brother, the wanted posters from the county have been put up in our village, saying that your name is Wu Shan Piaozi, and that you are a ****, and that it was you who killed two **** military officers before the Spring Festival. Is it true or not?"

  Wu Ming's heart was greatly shocked, and he pulled Tian Zhenggang over to sit down together: "Did you hear anything else?"

  Tian Zhenggang thought for a moment before answering: "Those two soldiers who came to deliver the message also said that last August, you participated in the attack on the county seat and killed or injured dozens of government soldiers. You also looted money from the county magistrate and wealthy merchants, set fire to the county yamen and more than ten houses."

  Wu Ming fell silent after listening, thought for a moment and nodded heavily: "I see, I understand now!"

  "Big brother, what's going on?" Tian Zhenggang asked anxiously.

  "I understand many things now."

  Wu Ming let out a long sigh, gazing into the distance and saying in a low voice: "Zheng Gang, last August, in Wujiacun Village west of Huanggu Town, a woman surnamed Wu was run over and killed by Chen Fu's steward while he was driving. The next day, her son buried his mother and that night snuck into Chen Fu's mansion to take revenge, but failed and was caught and taken to the county prison for punishment under the crime of 'plotting rebellion'. Have you heard about this incident?"

  "I've heard, it's all over the town and villages, alas! At that time, people in the village were secretly discussing this matter. The widow Wu and her son were so miserable, pitiful! We are more than 20 miles away from Tianjia Village, separated by a big mountain, and we don't usually interact with each other, nor do I know which family was affected."

  Tian Zhenggang suddenly looked at Wu Ming in surprise: "Big brother, you...you..."

  Wu Ming nodded: "That's right, it was me. At the time, I failed to avenge myself and was caught instead. Chen Jia Er Shao Ye led his men to beat me up, and before dawn, they threw me into the county prison. The guards in the prison broke my left arm and cracked open four wounds on my head. My whole body was injured, and I almost died. Luckily, two kind-hearted people in the prison helped me, and I barely kept my life. Then, the Communist Party's Red Guard suddenly attacked the county, released me, and let me follow a group of people to escape northward. Unexpectedly, the security team officers arrived quickly, chasing us from behind overnight. When they were shooting, I accidentally fell into a stone pit by the road and fainted. As a result, I escaped disaster, but my companions were all killed or beheaded. The next morning, I crawled out of the deep pit with only one breath left. Cheng Zong Dao Chang of Qi Guan Temple happened to be down the mountain buying goods and saw me, so he carried me back and saved my life, treating my wounds. That's how I stayed on the mountain."

  Tian Zhenggang's eyes widened and his mouth opened wide, staring blankly at Wu Ming who was gritting his teeth, unable to say a word.

  Wu Ming paused for a moment, a faint bitter smile on his face: "To be honest, I'm not a Communist or a bandit. However, it's true that I killed those two military officers from Nanchang。 The reason I killed them was because they were committing evil deeds in the broken temple north of the city, about ten miles away。 That day happened to be the funeral day for your village's two brothers。 At noon, I had wine with you and finished lunch, then went into town alone to buy things。 On my way back, I encountered two military officers who were forcing themselves on a civilian woman。 They dragged two women into the broken temple north of the fork in the road and committed evil deeds。 Without thinking much, I rushed over and used rocks to smash one of them to death when they were taking off their pants, and broke the neck of the other one。 I took their guns and quietly returned to the mountain。 That's what happened, and even now, I don't regret it。"

  "So you're saying that the gun big brother gave me was retrieved from those two military officers?" Tian Zhenggang finally understood.

  Wu Ming nodded: "Not bad, if you're afraid, just bury the gun quietly, no one will find it on your head."

  "What did you just say? You look down on me!" Tian Zhenggang suddenly stood up, his face red with agitation.

  "How could I look down on you? If I looked down on you, would I be saying these things to you?"

  Wu Ming said, stretching out his hand to pull Tian Zhenggang down: "Zhenggang, you and I are different. Your family has many old and young people, if something happens, how can you face your family? But I'm different, I stand up alone, lie down alone, even if the sky is broken, it's just one person's business. Do you understand? If you still recognize me as your big brother, hurry back home quickly, I also need to leave, this place is not safe, who knows when the soldiers will come again. If heaven opens its eyes and lets me escape smoothly, in the future we brothers will have a chance to meet again."

  "No! Big brother, if I leave, I'll go with you. You're not the fugitive they say you are, you're a real man who stands tall and proud, and you're the benefactor of my family, the Tians! Besides, all the roads down the mountain are guarded by soldiers, you don't know the way out." Tian Zhenggang brushed off Wu Ming's hand and stood up, glaring at him with puffed cheeks.

  Wu Ming looked around and scolded in a low voice, "What's the point of shouting so loudly? You're stupid! If you don't want to implicate your family, hurry up and leave. I'm familiar with this area, I don't need your help. Use some effort to climb over the mountain behind, and there will be a way out. That patch of dense forest is about ten miles in circumference, not even a ghost lives there. After crossing the Qing Shui River and heading east for twenty or so miles, it's Shi Tou Ridge, my home is at the foot of the ridge. Along the mountain road to the north, it's the continuous San Qing Mountain, which doesn't belong to Shang Rao's jurisdiction, even if they want to control it, they can't reach. In the future, whether I go north to Anhui or east to Zhejiang, or head west for dozens of miles to De Xing County, wherever I go is fine, who can do anything to me?"

  "But you're alone, if something happens again, it's not good to have no one to take care of you!" Tian Zhenggang's face was filled with reluctance, and he was so anxious that tears welled up in his eyes, revealing the deep brotherly affection.

  Wu Ming patted Tian Zhenggang's shoulder, feeling deeply moved: "Zhenggang, good brother, don't worry about me. You know that my marksmanship is not great, but my fist and footwork are not inferior to yours. I also have a German-made gun with eight bullets left, which is enough for self-defense. Apart from this, I can write, calculate, and speak official language, so I'm not afraid of traveling all over the world. What's there to fear about this mountain road? You go back home and live a good life. In the future, when you have the chance to make a name for yourself, we brothers will meet again someday. By the way, I still owe you a pair of military boots."

  "Big brother......" Tian Zhengang couldn't help but burst into tears.

  Wu Ming touched his sore nose and walked into the cave to fetch a small package, then put it on his back and hugged Tian Zhenggang's shoulder, sending him off to the creek.

  Tian Zhenggang quickly wiped away his tears, turned around and walked briskly up the mountain. Wu Ming shook his head and followed closely behind, climbing all the way to the steep mountain pass at the foot of the mountain. He grabbed Tian Zhenggang who was still trying to go down, and after much persuasion, finally managed to calm him down. In the end, under Tian Zhenggang's tearful gaze, he left alone.

  Tian Zhenggang stood stupidly on the mountain ridge, not stopping until Wu Ming's figure was out of sight before wiping away his tears. On the way back, he frequently looked back, and even fell twice without feeling any pain. His mind was filled with memories of Wu Ming's voice and smile, and he walked down the mountain gate in a daze, soon unable to hold back more sorrowful tears.

  At this time, Tian Zhengang was worried about how Wu Ming would escape, and when he could reunite with his beloved and respected brother. He never expected that the big brother in his heart was not as calm and open-minded as he appeared on the surface, nor did he tell him the truth. Not only did he not escape quickly, but also started a reckless revenge action in a fit of rage.

  At night, Wu Ming finally arrived at Shitou Ridge after a difficult journey of over 50 miles. He carefully followed the mountain path and crossed the single-plank bridge to reach the top of the ridge. As he looked back at his familiar village, he felt a mix of emotions.

  In the remaining twilight, a few wisps of smoke rose from several low thatched cottages. Not far away, my own home in memory now had crumbling walls and no vitality.

  Wu Ming gazed southward, his eyes crossing the small river, and on the slope below, the tomb where sorrow was buried could be vaguely seen. The remaining paper flags inserted in the tomb fluttered in the wind, making it even more desolate. Wu Ming's lips moved slightly, as if bidding farewell, yet also seemingly unconscious muttering to himself, and even he couldn't clarify his emotions at that moment.

  Standing still for a long time, Wu Ming tightened the straps on his bundle in front of him, took a deep breath and continued eastward. Before walking down the mountain pass, he slowed down his pace and vigilantly gazed ahead.

  In the night, the ancient Huanggu Town is dotted with lights, a half-moon hanging under the deep sky, the early spring night wind is still cold, only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the grass and trees occasionally rings out.

  Taking advantage of the moonlight, Wu Ming quickly left the main road and walked slowly among the weeds and trees by the side of the path. After turning over a small river bend, he immediately saw the dazzling light of the horse lantern at the west entrance of the town.

  Under the lamplight a hundred meters away, two officers wearing cotton-padded jackets and carrying rifles stood beside a horse-drawn carriage, loudly talking to Chen's house servants who had brought food and wine. The servants were loudly flattering them, saying that their relative, County Magistrate Wang, had come, and that Wang's steward was hosting a banquet for several high-ranking officials of the security squad. The thirty or so brothers stationed in the town had plenty to eat and drink, and no one in the Chen household had forgotten about the brothers guarding the outside of the town.

  Wu Ming stopped in his tracks in the tall, overgrown grass, kneeling on one leg and concentrating intently as he listened carefully through the withered reeds.

  Two family servants delivered the goods and drove the horse cart back to the town, making a "gee gee" sound. The two government soldiers returned to the thatched hut at the crossroads, leisurely drinking wine and eating meat while talking in low voices, completely disregarding their duty of guarding and blocking the way.

  The time has come, Wu Ming bowed his head and stepped forward step by step, relying on the shelter of the grass and trees to quietly approach the thatched hut. He stopped again more than 20 meters away from the hut, observed for a moment, then quickly crawled out of the woods, crossed the road, and squatted under the roadbed to hide his figure. When he heard the two people in the thatched hut still gossiping about their superiors, he tiptoed towards the thatched hut, finally crawling on all fours behind a grove of trees less than five meters away from the hut, waiting motionlessly for an opportunity.

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