Chapter Fifty-two One's Own People

  Zhang Luohui was released, took a few deep breaths, stretched his limbs, and then hooked his hand at Shi Heizi, saying: "You're called Shi Heizi, right? Come here, let Grandpa Zhang take a look at you. Are you one brain bigger or two legs longer? How dare you dig up the soil on Ye Liu's head!"

  Shi Heizi's face turned red with rage, thinking to himself: "You traitorous collaborator of the Japanese army, how dare you be disrespectful to our Eighth Route Army? Just watch me teach you a lesson!" With that thought, he rolled up his sleeves and charged forward.

  At this time, Ye Tu Fei's restraints were also removed.

  Wei Xiangdong wanted to stop the two of them, but was blocked by Ye Tufei, "Let them exercise a bit, it's no big deal."

  The squad leader didn't say a word, and the other team members couldn't understand what was going on either. They all looked foolishly at Zhang LuoHui and Shi HeiZi as they started fighting.

  Takahashi Shin finally emerged from the burlap sack, rubbing his numb hands and feet, and asked: "What's going on? What's all this about?"

  Wei Dong supported Gao Qiao Xin down from the mule cart and said, "Sixth Master said to let them move around a bit, don't mind it. Oh, are you okay? Nothing's wrong?"

  Takahashi sighed and said, "At your age, Elder Brother, can you be alright?"

  Wei Dong only accompanied with a smile.

  Let's take another look at Zhang Luohui and Shi Hezi's dry fight.

  After many years of military training, Zhang Luohui was obviously better than Shi Heizi in fighting skills. However, Zhang Luohui couldn't use his full strength on Shi Heizi like he would on the battlefield. Moreover, Shi Heizi was tall and sturdy with thick skin, so after taking a few hits from Zhang Luohui, it seemed like he didn't feel anything. Back and forth, the two of them ended up fighting to a draw.

  Ye Tu Fei laughed, casually picked up a clod of earth from the ground, seemingly unintentional, but actually exerting force with his wrist. With just a flick of his wrist, the clod flew out and hit the tailbone of Shi Hei Zi's buttocks.

  Shi Heizi's skin was thick and rough, but after being beaten by Zhang Luohui's fists and feet, he didn't suffer much. However, after being hit by Ye Tufei's single punch on his buttocks, he couldn't take it anymore, stumbled, and almost fell.

  Zhang Luohui seized the opportunity and made a sweeping kick, finally knocking Shi Heizi to the ground.

  Shi Heizi sprang to his feet, rubbing his buttocks in protest. Wei Xiangdong hastily said: "You're still not convinced? If it weren't for Ye Liu's mercy, I'm afraid you'd never get up again."

  Ye Tufei played a hidden weapon to hurt someone, and also felt a bit embarrassed, saying: "This Shi Hezi brother, sorry about that. You dare to use a sack to tie me up, I'll use a mud pellet to hit you, we're even, okay?"

  Shi Hezi replied: "If you can knock me down, I'll call it quits with you."

  Yè Tú Fēi was delighted: "There are still people in this world who understand this principle."

  "Alright then!" Ye Tufei glanced at Wei Xiangdong and found that he didn't seem to object.

  Shi Heizi could barely hold his own against Zhang Luohui, but when faced with Ye Tufei, he was no match. Before he even knew what was happening, Shi Heizi had been sent crashing to the ground, landing on his backside.

  Shi Heizi was as stubborn as a mule, refusing to give up on things he didn't understand. He got back up and continued to entangle with Ye Tufei. Ye Tufei smiled wryly and retreated two steps before making a feint with his right hand, causing Shi Heizi to reveal an opening in his abdomen. With a swift motion, Ye Tufei's left fist turned into a palm and pressed down on Shi Heizi's dantian, then twisted and pushed him away.

  Shi Heizi suddenly felt his blood and energy surging, and he stumbled backward several steps before falling to the ground with a thud, unable to move for a long time.

  When they arrived at Gengji Town, the sun had already begun to slant southward.

  On the way, Wei Xiangdong had already briefed Ye Tufei on his plan. Wei Xiangdong said: "The mobility of the little devils is too strong, I'm worried that delivering the meat tickets to the little devils ahead of time will reveal our direction, so I've arranged for the brothers who deliver the meat tickets to act later, at least until tomorrow noon when we arrive in Gengcun Town."

  Ye Tufei expressed appreciation for Wei Xiangdong's caution.

  Wei Dong said: "I made an appointment with Little Japan in Zizhuang to exchange hostages, that place has no mountains and no woods, Little Japan can't do anything."

  Ye Tu Fei stared at Wei Xiang Dong for a full half minute, until Wei Xiang Dong felt his heart turn cold, before Ye Tu Fei said: "Can't tell from the looks of it, Brother Xiang Dong is indeed a man of great wisdom and bravery!"

  All the way, they chatted, talked and laughed. Wei Xiangdong's team members also gradually understood that the three hostages were originally their own people, who were deliberately taken hostage by them to rescue Secretary Peng, and they felt a lot of gratitude and emotion towards these three people.

  Yè Tú Fēi gave Shí Hēi Zi a heavy blow, but in fact, it was just a temporary setback. After resting for a while, he would be fine. However, despite this, Shí Hēi Zi still couldn't get off the mule cart all along the way.

  However, Shi Heizi didn't have any resentment towards Ye Tufei, on the contrary, he was filled with admiration for him. Firstly, it was because of Ye Tufei's sense of justice, who would rather suffer himself than delay the plan to rescue Peng Shuji. Secondly, Ye Tufei's martial arts skills were truly profound and unfathomable, making Shi Heizi admire him to the point of prostration.

  After entering the town, Wei Dong led Ye Tufei and three others to their battalion headquarters, where Ye Tufei was delighted to see an old acquaintance, Yan Xiwen.

  The surprise was only temporary. After the brief surprise, Ye Tu Fei felt depressed and annoyed because seeing Yan Xi Wen naturally reminded him of Ouyang Xue Ping.

  Under Yan Xiwen's repeated questioning, Ye Tuifei finally said out the reason.

  Yan Xiwen laughed loudly and couldn't stop, finally calming down after a while. Seeing Ye Tufei's expression, he burst into laughter again. After several rounds of laughing, Yan Xiwen was exhausted, pointing at Ye Tufei and panting heavily, saying: "You, you, are you still the Ye Liu Ye who shook the Second Lang Mountain?"

  Ye Tu Fei inexplicably said: "If I'm not him, then who is?"

  Yan Xiwen said: "The Ye Liu Ye I know is a heroic and uninhibited man, where would he have such sentimental and hesitant thoughts?"

  Ye Tu Fei glanced at Yan Xi Wen and said, "That's what you think, but in fact, Ye Tu Fei is just an ordinary person who was forced to become a bandit on the mountain. Why can't he have a romantic relationship?"

  Yan Xiwen couldn't outdo Ye Tufei's glibness, so he spoke seriously to Ye Tufei: "Now you're clear about it - I, Xiao Wei, and the Secretary Peng you want to rescue, we are all Communist Party members."

  Ye Tu Fei nodded and said: "I know, Xue Ping is too."

  Yan Xiwen said: "Yes, I, Xue Ping, and Miao Zhenning - oh, that's Xue Ping's husband you see - we are all underground party members who have infiltrated the Nationalist Party. Actually, I don't have any blood relation with Xue Ping at all, but in order to cover ourselves up, Xue Ping calls me 'brother'. Similarly, Miao Zhenning is not Xue Ping's husband either; their so-called husband-and-wife relationship is also a disguise. Let me tell you, Miao Zhenning's wife is actually named Li Hui, and right now the real couple are living happily in Yan'an!"

  Ye Tu Fei suddenly felt a burst of dazzling light in front of him.

  "Alright, I'll be a good person till the end, let me tell you another piece of good news!"

  Ye Tu Fei's eyes gleamed with an unusual light, "Speak quickly!"

  "Xueping," Yan Xiweng had just mentioned Ouyang Xueping's name when Ye Tufei grabbed his shoulder, and then he heard Ye Tufei's urgent voice, "What about Xueping?"

  Yan Xiwen exaggeratedly opened his mouth to indicate that it was too painful, and when Ye Tufei realized his mistake and let go of his hand, Yan Xiwen said: "The organization has arranged for her to continue working in the Xuzhou area. It won't take long before you can see her."

  Ye Tu Fei smiled, revealing a radiant smile like a child's.

  After nightfall, the brothers who stayed in Xuzhou City to deliver meat tickets returned to Gengji Town.

  He brought good news: Yamashita Kiyowara fully agreed with Wei Xiangdong's opinion, and tomorrow at 2 pm sharp, they would exchange hostages in Zizhuang. Yamashita Kiyowara also repeatedly requested that under no circumstances should Takahashi Nobuo be harmed, otherwise the Imperial Army would never give up.

  Wei Dong was delighted and immediately instructed the kitchen to prepare a few good dishes. He wanted to treat Gao Ye, Zhang San and others well.

  Zhang Luohui hesitated and said he wouldn't participate, but under Wei Xiangdong's repeated questioning, Zhang Luohui finally told the truth. It turned out that Shi Heizi wanted to invite him alone to apologize, and he had agreed earlier.

  In the evening, everyone sat around the wine table. Takahashi Shin looked at Wei Xiangdong with kindness and concern in his eyes, saying: "Little Wei, from the time we met until now, how long has it been?"

  Wei Dong thought for a moment and replied: "This is the eleventh year."

  Takahashi Kaname raised his wine glass and took a small sip, sighing: "It's already been eleven years, time really flies!"

  Yan Xiwen had already learned the story of Gao Qiaosi from Wei Dong, and now he said to Gao Qiaosi: "Mr. Gao, is it proper for me to address you in this way?"

  Takahashi nodded with a smile.

  Yan Xiwen continued: "Mr. Gao, it's rare that you understand the great righteousness. Wei Xiangdong, under your guidance, has grown from a confused teenager into a pillar of the country and nation. This cup of wine, I toast to you!"

  Takahashi nodded slowly and said: "Xiao Wei is his own credit, didn't follow me on the wrong path. Saying this, I really have to thank you Communist Party!"

  Yan Xiwen said: "Mr. Gao, your words are wrong! You are in the Cao camp and in Han, it is Guan Gong's move in this world, and you should be respected by the people of the country."

  Takahashi Makoto said: "These nominal things are all false, the traitor's hat is worn, but in my heart I still have the old ancestors, and after death, I don't dare to see the ancestors, with a guilty conscience!"

  Yan Xiwen raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, saying: "I understand Mr. Gao's mind!"

  Takahashi Shin accompanied Yan Xiwen for a drink.

  Wei Dong asked again: "Gao brother, what's going on with that batch of Han Dynasty ancient tomb treasures?"

  Takahashi's expression changed slightly as he said, "You all know about this too?"

  Ye Tu Fei smiled and replied: "Everyone present is a sensible person, Mr. Gao, don't pretend anymore."

  Takahashi smiled wryly and said, "The rumor was indeed leaked by me on purpose. I hoped you'd know about it because this thing has been keeping me up at night!"

  "Why?" Ye Tu Fei asked.

  Gao Qiao Xin glared at Ye Tu Fei and said, "Don't pretend to be me, you're enjoying it, I see. So, this pretending to be stupid is actually your family's special skill, Ye Liu Ye's unique technique!"

  Ye Tu Fei burst out laughing.

  After drinking a few more cups, Takashi Goto said: "You have to think of something, can't let the Japanese get this batch of treasures."

  "Wei Dong said: "That depends on your help.""

  Gao Qiao glared at Wei Xiangdong and said, "I might as well directly transport that batch of treasures to Gengji Town for you."

  Yan Xiwen burst out laughing and said: "That's great! But I don't know if Little Japan is willing or not!"