Chapter 50

  These militiamen were later called in from the base, on the one hand to strengthen the defense work of the cave, and on the other hand also to clear the debris at the entrance of the cave. Clearing the foundation at the entrance of the cave, waiting for the right time to start construction. The original militiamen guarding the cave were all stationed inside the cave, while these later militiamen were stationed outside the cave, with a temporary checkpoint set up inside the cave, and no one was allowed to enter or leave without Li Tie's order. Therefore, the militiamen stationed outside the cave generally had no opportunity to enter the cave.

  Li Tie cursed and scolded while using chopsticks to pick up one grain of rice at a time, putting it into his mouth. The discomfort was unbearable, just watching him made others lose their appetite.

  Next to him, a militiaman was also holding a bowl of millet rice, eating with him. He ate and scolded, scolding the Second Dog Squad Leader, scolding the devils, scolding the instructor, anyway, all those who looked down on him were scolded. The militiaman next to him carefully accompanied him with a smile, following his words, flattering Li Tie's horse's buttocks.

  Li Tieyu got angrier and angrier, the angrier he got, the less he could eat. Finally, he simply threw down his bowl, called over a few soldiers from an independent regiment, mounted a foreign horse and left, saying he was going to find something good to eat. The militiaman who had been eating with him picked up Li Tie's bowl, a faint smile appearing on his face.

  Li Tie rode his horse, bringing four or five people directly to the landlord's house he often visited. The landlord saw Li Lianzhang's grand arrival and hurriedly killed chickens and sheep to entertain them. After a sumptuous meal, Li Tie led his men away, and as they left, he casually took a leg of lamb that the landlord had long wrapped in oil paper. This was an old routine - eating and taking, Li Lianzhang's trick.

  He returned to the mountain cave base with a full stomach, handed over the lamb leg to his adoptive father, and let him stew it for dinner. When Lü Liang asked if he should leave some for Er Gou's team leader, Li Tie denied it without hesitation. Because in the past, whenever Li Tie brought back delicious food, he would always leave a portion for Er Gou, so Lü Liang had this question, but didn't expect that this time Xiao Li Zi wouldn't leave any. Coincidentally, when Li Tie said not to leave any for Er Gou, his voice seemed to be louder, and many militiamen outside the door heard it.

  The next day, a meeting of battalion and company level cadres was held.

  At the meeting, Er Gou Da Dui Zhang criticized some people without naming names for not being able to endure hardship and simplicity, not sharing the same joys and sorrows as ordinary soldiers, and going out to find food on their own. He once again emphasized that hardship and simplicity are a consistent style of our party, should be promoted, and everyone should strive together, unite as one, and contribute their strength for the victory of the revolution.

  Everyone listened with great enthusiasm, high morale, and regarded suffering as a kind of enjoyment. In contrast, Li Tie on the side was yawning one after another, almost falling asleep, which made Er Gou Da Dui Zhang so angry that he was about to explode.

  After the meeting, Li Tiesheng returned to the mountain cave base as usual and drank mutton soup. The militiaman who had dinner with him yesterday came again. As soon as he arrived, he shouted loudly: "The mutton soup smells so good, Commander Lian really knows how to enjoy himself!"

  "Of course, isn't going out just about eating and drinking? If you can't even handle that, what's the point of socializing?"

  "That's right, that's right, that's what Lao Zhang said."

  One side carefully observed Li Tie's expression while carefully flattering him.

  "Hmph, today the big captain actually criticized me, saying that I'm not austere and simple, don't share the same joys and hardships with everyone. Hmph, think back to when, if it wasn't for this company commander, could he have achieved his current status? Now that life is good, he wants to kick me out with one foot. Hmph, no big deal, I won't do it anymore. In the enemy's place, I can at least be a company commander, at least every meal has wine and meat. Now I'm not even allowed to eat lamb, and I've become not austere and simple. It really makes me angry."

  "Right, right, Director Lian is absolutely right. Eating mutton is nothing, it's really very hard work. In my opinion, someone like Director Lian should at least have two dishes and a pot of wine for every meal. Everyone in the village knows about your contributions, Director Li, which are even greater than those of the team leader. Let me tell you, this team leader position should be yours."

  "That's right. Hmm? No, no, no, can't say that, different revolutionary tasks, all for work, what brigade leader or not, I really haven't paid attention to this, you can say this to me, but can't say it to others! Need to pay attention to the impact, unite, don't create divisions!"

  Li Tie pretended to be very pleased and seemed to enjoy the flattery from this militiaman.

  Through conversation, Li Tie soon learned that this militia named Zhao Guangren was from Wujiayu near Meng County and was one of the earliest to join when the militia was established. Under Zhao Guangren's deliberate fawning and Li Tie's intentional teasing, the two became more and more familiar, with a feeling as if they had known each other for years. If it weren't for the fact that there were no chickens or yellow paper at the mountain cave base, the two almost reached the point of beheading a chicken and burning yellow paper to become sworn brothers.

  After a meal, Li Tie even agreed to "specially recruit" Zhao Guangren into the independent regiment at an appropriate time, as a small official. Zhao Guangren's small face was like a blooming wild chrysanthemum.

  Days go by like this one after another.

  The second dog team leader, as usual, criticized some people without naming them at the meeting, continuing to sing a high-pitched warning that everyone should remain vigilant and work hard, and not be hit by the enemy's sugar-coated shells. And some people went out to hunt for wild food, ignoring the team leader's words.

  Today I'll eat chicken, tomorrow I'll get a duck, Li Tie's little days are also spent with sound and color.

  Autumn days are obviously getting shorter, just after dinner, I walked a few steps outside the cave and it's already dark, if you go a little further, you can't see people.

  Every day after dinner, Li Tie often walks back and forth several times along a small mountain ditch next to the mountain cave base, thinking about things and digesting food. Eating too much rich food every day will gain weight.

  Just as he was about to leave, a small stone was thrown from afar and landed in front of him. Li Tie bent down to take a look and found that the stone was wrapped in a piece of paper.

  Picked up a stone and carefully unfolded the paper. It was an ordinary rough paper with a few lines of words written in lead pencil, in traditional characters:

  Li Tie Jun: I've long heard of your great reputation, and look forward to fighting together for the prosperity of East Asia. As you wish, I'll humbly retreat and welcome you with open arms. I also send a few yellow fish to help you settle down. We can discuss our positions together. If you're willing, please leave a stool at the entrance of the mountain cave. Signed: Ban Tian.

  Looking at this content, Li Tie's heart was excited, he thought that the fox tail would finally be exposed.

  The next day, Li Tielu put a stool at the entrance of the cave as agreed. Then he went to the small ditch where he often took a walk.

  This small ditch is a bit farther from the entrance and relatively more secluded. There are fewer people coming here normally.

  Just then, Zhao Guangren arrived.

  Zhao Guangren stopped in front of Li Tie and said a sentence while looking at Li Tie: "The stone and note yesterday were thrown by me."

  Although at the beginning, Li Tie felt that this guy was not quite like ordinary people, he always liked to flatter himself, and at first thought it was because he wanted to join the independent regiment and get close to himself, but later found out that it wasn't the case, his approach to himself had ulterior motives.

  Now that he has personally admitted his identity, Li Tie is still very unwilling to believe that there is a traitor in his own team and standing right in front of him. Although he had suspected from the beginning, he would rather wish that his suspicion was wrong.

  With great effort, Li Tie suppressed the urge to shoot him and calmly asked without any emotion: "What kind of person are you? How did you get Banta's letter?"

  "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that I can tell your thoughts to General Hyodo and bring back his letter."

  "What benefits can you give me if I cooperate with the Japanese army?"

  Unexpectedly, Li Tie started to get benefits.

  "If Li Lianzhang cooperates with the Imperial Army, Itami will first give Xiao Huangyu 10 guns, two beauties, and another squadron leader position, a luxurious courtyard in Meng County."

  "You think I'd risk my life for just this little bit? Ha! Tell Banta that if he really wants me to join, he should show some sincerity, not be so petty." With that, Li Tie Tou turned and left without looking back.

  Zhao Guangren looked at Li Tie's back and muttered something to himself before turning around and walking away.

  A few days later, Zhao Guangren came again, bringing new instructions from Banta.

  "If Li Lianchang can join the Imperial Army and bring the Arsenal to the Imperial Army, the Imperial Army guarantees the following points:

  1. The Arsenal will continue to be managed by Li Lianchang, and the Imperial Army will not interfere with the production of the Arsenal or the lives of its personnel.

  2. The Imperial Army guarantees the personal safety of Li Lianchang and all personnel of the Arsenal, and will treat them with preferential treatment.

  3. Li Lianchang's position will be temporarily adjusted to that of a battalion commander, commanding an Imperial Army battalion.

  4. A gift of 100 small yellow fish will be given to Li Lianchang as his relocation expenses.

  5. Other personnel of the Arsenal will also receive relocation expenses ranging from 50 to 100 silver dollars according to their positions.

  6. If Li Lianchang has any other requirements, they can be negotiated further."

  It seems that Itai has made a real move this time. In order to get the munitions factory over there, he has spared no expense.

  Seeing this, Li Tie revealed a greedy look. Seeing Li Tie's face, Zhao Guangren's face showed a hint of mockery. It seems that greed is human nature, and no one can resist the temptation of money.

  "Well, since that's the case, I'll calculate the relocation fee first and then tell you. You bring the relocation fee to us first, and then we'll go to the county town."

  "After you arrive at the county town, the settling-in allowance will naturally be given to you."

  "No way, we must pay the relocation fee first, then we can go to the county town, otherwise everything is off."

  Li Tie started with a flattering expression, nodding and bowing to Zhao Guangren. But as soon as they arrived at the county town after paying the accommodation fee, he immediately changed his face, putting on an air of righteousness, refusing to give money and not letting them leave.