Chapter Thirty

  Apart from leaving some for the military doctors, Xiao Ming slowly exchanged all the opium for money and goods. He ordered most of the goods to be transported to the back mountain and hidden away. The guard company and special operations company took turns patrolling the mountain before he could finally put his mind at ease.

  Lü Jizong was full of blood and wanted to have a face-to-face showdown with the Japanese army. He strongly urged Xiao Ming to do so. Xiao Ming had no choice but to let him go to the special operations unit for training: "It's good that you want to kill the devils, but if you don't want your sister to be left alone and helpless, first learn how to save your own life!"

  It's harvest season again, and with the military government's order, this time the grain collection is justified. However, Xiao Ming is worried that although the Japanese army's stronghold in Liujiatun has not been completed, they have built a fairly large artillery tower on the highway, where a small team of Japanese soldiers and a company of puppet troops are stationed, like a sharp blade stuck in the throat of the transportation line.

  Wang Jinlong asked Xiao Ming worriedly: "Brother, shouldn't we send more people this time? If there are too few of us, those little devils might not treat us well."

  Xiao Ming smiled and said, "Big brother, it's not that simple. I think the fewer people, the safer. How about this: for the next two days, Old Lü and Ma Liu will go down the mountain to inform everyone to prepare food, and we'll go fetch it a week later. In the meantime, I'll go with Old Cat to scout out what's going on with the Japanese army."

  The result of the reconnaissance was not optimistic, and the Japanese army had increased its troops in the surrounding areas. Wang Jinlong and others held a meeting, and Xiao Ming said: "The Japanese army is increasing its troops, I'm afraid it's not just for food! In this case, I'll take Ma Liu, Sanlian and Houqinlian to go down the mountain to collect grain, Lao Lin will be on guard at Erlongling to respond. Big brother and Old Lü will defend the mountain stronghold, especially pay attention to the movement in the back mountain, remember, no matter what happens outside, you are not allowed to attack."

  Wang Jinlong seemed to have a bad premonition, and said to Xiao Ming: "Brother, you've been working hard for days, take a rest at home. I'll go collect the grain instead."

  Xiao Ming shook his head: "Don't worry, big brother, this time I'll bring something with me. If the little devil doesn't behave himself, I'll give him a taste of his own medicine!"

  At the appointed time, Xiao Ming led a team of over 100 large trucks down the mountain and took away Xie Sibao's sniper squad before leaving. When they arrived at Er Long Ridge, Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said to Lin Xiucheng: "Old Lin, I'll leave the machine gun platoon of the third company with you. Also, take out the cavalry company and divide it into three parts - east, west, and north - to monitor the Japanese army's movements and respond in time."

  "Then isn't your firepower too weak? What if something happens?" Lin Xiuning wasn't very reassured, and she had a faint feeling that something was off.

  "We're just going to collect grain, not fight a war. Besides, if we really do end up fighting, it's better to run without those things." Xiao Ming said with a smile, then immediately wiped the smile off his face. "Old Lin, no matter what happens, you can't make any rash moves. You have to stop my brother from acting impulsively!"

  Lin Xiuzhi's face was difficult to look at: "Old Xiao, you're not unaware of Commander Wang's temper. Look at it this way, you stay here and guard, I'll go collect taxes. This way, I'll have some peace of mind."

  Xiao Ming smiled and said, "Forget it, I'm still worried! If that's the case, just tell Big Brother, as long as we hold on to Fei Hu Fort, I'll be safe. The devils will have to deal with Fei Hu Fort first, they won't do anything to us until they're sure they can take down Fei Hu Fort!"

  Xiao Ming led the team to the Japanese army's stronghold, where the artillery tower was set at the intersection of two roads. Under the more than ten meters high artillery tower, there were three pillboxes, and there were roadblocks on the road. A squad of the Imperial Japanese Army was checking passing people and vehicles.

  Ma Liu and Sun Er Gou had dealt with these government troops before, they were familiar with each other. He urged the horse forward and greeted a squad leader: "Hey, Old Cow, who's on duty today? Why are you checking so strictly?" As he spoke, he took out two cigarettes and handed them over to him.

  He stretched out his hand to catch the smoke, and laughed: "Oh, it's Sixth Master, what are you doing with so many people and cars?"

  "Isn't there still several mu of land on the mountain ahead to harvest? What's going on, is that little devil stirring up trouble again?" Ma Liu asked with a smile.

  Niu Pai Chang Si looked down and whispered, "Six Ye, the imperial army has issued an order in the past two days that grain is not allowed to be transported out. I think your plan is doomed, it's better to come up with another solution as soon as possible!"

  Just then, the battalion commander of the Imperial Army poked his head out of the artillery tower and shouted: "Old Cow, what are all those cars down there for?" Old Cow hastily replied: "Commander, they're brothers from Fei Hu Zhai, come to Liu Jia Town to collect rent, should we let them pass or not?" The commander withdrew his head, then stuck it out again after a while and shouted: "Ah, they're brothers from Fei Hu Zhai, our own people, let them through!"

  After passing the outpost, Xiao Ming called out to Xie Sibao: "The situation is not right, the people who brought you are staring at the cannon tower tightly, be careful not to expose yourself." He also called Ma Liu and instructed him: "Have your men form groups of three, disperse in all directions to keep watch. If there's any situation, report back immediately." The crowd dispersed.

  The grain collection went very smoothly, and the carts were filled in just half a day. Xiao Ming ordered one squad to escort the grain carts back to the mountain stronghold, specifically instructing the squad leader: "When passing by the artillery tower, be extremely careful. If the devils turn hostile, don't clash with them, first ensure the safety of our brothers, got it?" The squad leader responded and led the convoy away.

  Mountain doll found Xiao Ming and said that Liu Dà Niáng wanted to see him. Xiao Ming was a bit surprised, tidied up his clothes, came to the backyard, and Liu Dà Niáng was already waiting at the door. Xiao Ming walked forward slowly, clasped his hands together in respect: "May I ask Mrs. Liu, what is it that you want me for?"

  Grandma Liu gestured for Xiao Ming to sit down on the stone bench beside her, and then she sat down herself, carefully examining Xiao Ming. Xiao Ming was perplexed, but Grandma Liu suddenly spoke up: "I see that you have a face full of integrity, but your killing energy is too strong, I fear you may be in danger from heaven and earth, and as the master of the house, you must be careful! However, as the master of the house, you have a noble and wealthy appearance, even if there are petty people plotting against you, naturally you will also encounter good fortune."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Liu! However, Xiao Ming only kills those who deserve to die, ridding the people of harm. Even if it shortens his lifespan, he has no regrets." Xiao Ming said calmly, "You didn't invite me here just to have my fortune told, did you, madam?"

  "Did you hear that Officer Lü said that our village has been taken over by the National Army? Is this true?" Liu's face was solemn, and seeing Xiao Ming nodding, she sighed and said: "So, you were comrades with my deceased son!"

  Xiao Ming suddenly felt a little uneasy, and in a low voice said: "The noble son was stained with blood on the battlefield, sacrificing his life for the country, is indeed a model for us military men. Xiao Ming kowtows to him, willing to take him as an example, kill the enemy and protect the people!"

  "You're too modest! Although we have a family feud, we also share a national hatred! I've long heard that your village has bravely killed the enemy, causing the Japanese invaders to tremble with fear. You are truly a righteous hero of our time! As a woman, I admire you!" Liu Dà Niáng's face was as calm as an ancient well, without a ripple. "This year's harvest, take it all away, consider it my contribution!"

  Xiao Ming was taken aback and hastily declined: "Madam, how can this be!"

  "Don't know what's going on at home," Liu Dainai waved her hand, interrupting Xiao Ming. "Those Japanese have come several times, wanting to station troops in the big courtyard. It was only after I made every excuse that they finally gave up. After you've finished collecting grain, I'll disperse the family members and set fire to this Liu family's large courtyard!"

  Xiao Ming was shocked and hastily said: "Madam, you are right! But please don't destroy the mansion. Not only will it be of no use, but it will also provoke the Japanese and may lead to retaliation, which would implicate our village. Please think thrice, madam!"

  "Can't let him continue to bully and oppress others!"

  Xiao Ming sighed inwardly and was speechless for a moment, then asked: "Where is Mrs. Liu planning to go? If she has nowhere to go, why not take refuge in the Flying Tiger Fort?"

  "Thank you for your kind intentions, I won't go anywhere. I'll just stay at the Liu family ancestral hall, burn incense and worship Buddha until my second son returns." Old Mrs. Liu was very resolute.

  Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said: "Madam, if you trust me, let's keep this big house. One day we will drive the Japanese away, and when that happens, we can come back. It will also put the martyrs at ease in the underworld. What do you think?" Liu Dà Nǎi (Liu Big Granny) remained silent, nodding her head in agreement.

  The sky had just darkened, a soldier who was escorting the grain cart stumbled back, panting and saying: "Commander, something terrible has happened, the grain cart has been robbed!" Xiao Ming shouted: "What's the hurry, speak slowly!" He motioned to Shan Wazi to pour him a cup of water.

  The warrior took two sips of water, gasped and said: "When we arrived at the artillery tower, we were blocked by the devils, saying that all food was not allowed to be transported out. Our squad leader argued with them, the devils opened fire, wounding several brothers, fortunately, a gun from somewhere suppressed the devil's firepower, and we managed to escape. The squad leader is watching with his men, calling me back to report."

  Xiao Ming's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he asked in a deep voice: "How are the casualties among our brothers?"

  "Reporting to the commander, it seems that the Japanese didn't give up, those few brothers don't have life-threatening injuries, but all the grain carts were taken by them." The soldier was startled by Xiao Ming's gaze and hastily replied.

  "Damn it, the little Japanese is trying to steal my fish!" Xiao Ming sneered coldly. "Mountain kid, send someone to Er Long Ridge, call the mountain stronghold, and get an artillery platoon over here, only bring mortars. Also, find Ma Liu and tell him, it's time to get to work!"

  San Lianliang, upon hearing the news, rushed over with a fiery passion. Before he even arrived, his voice was already heard: "Damn it, I knew those little devils were up to no good! Commander, let's go take down that cannon tower and show them what happens when you mess with the Flying Tiger Fortress!"

  "Shout whatever you want, but watch the grain here." Xiao Ming called out to Gao Shouyi and whispered a few sentences to him, finally saying: "Don't make it public, don't use it unless absolutely necessary, got it?" Gao Shouyi nodded repeatedly and left.

  Leaving a row for Gao Shouyi, Xiao Ming led a row and arrived at the edge of the cannon tower. Ma Liu and others followed Xiao Ming, Xie Sibao also came out from somewhere, waiting quietly for instructions.

  Xiao Ming asked Ma Liu about the situation on the edge, and Ma Liu said: "Commander, you really guessed it! The little devils have stationed a lot of people on the edge, I don't know why, but they haven't moved yet. My brothers are monitoring them, I said, if there's any movement, we'll open fire."

  Xiao Ming nodded and said: "Alright, he's not in a hurry, we're not in a hurry either! You all take a rest first, let's talk about it when the artillery arrives."

  Wang Jinlong received a call from Lin Xiucheng, saying that the grain truck had been hijacked and Xiao Ming wanted an artillery company. In a hurry, he deployed an artillery battalion, machine gun battalion, automobile battalion, and brought along the guard battalion to go down the mountain. Just as they arrived at Er Long Ridge, they were intercepted by Lin Xiucheng: "Commander Wang, what are you doing here?"

  Wang Jinlong was in a hurry, shouting loudly: "Save my brother! Damn it, I'll blow up their artillery tower and let the little devils know the consequences of messing with Fei Hu's gang!"

  "Commander, you can't go!" Lin Xiuzhi urged, "Old Xiao has said it before, no matter what happens, we cannot launch a counterattack. Have you forgotten?"

  "Fart, are you going to watch your brothers die with their eyes open? Get out of my way!" Wang Jinlong was also anxious, and he quickly pulled Lin Xiucheng aside, mounted his horse, and prepared to leave.

  Lin Xiuzhi grabbed the reins with one hand and shouted, "Calm down! This is a trick of the enemy to lure the tiger away from its mountain lair. If you don't believe me, you should at least trust Old Xiao!"

  Seeing Wang Jinlong hesitate, Lin Xiucheng continued: "Old Xiao has said that the Japanese army's goal is Feihu Village. Only if we hold on to the mountain village will he be safe there! If you go out now, the Japanese army will quickly arrive and surround you, isn't this pushing your brothers towards a dead end?"

  "So, you won't go and save my brother?" King Jinlong's tone softened.

  "Commander, rest assured, Old Xiao will definitely have a way!" Lin Xiucheng let out a sigh of relief. "According to what Old Xiao said, give him an artillery platoon. Commander, hurry back to the mountain stronghold with your troops, beware of enemy sneak attacks. I'll keep in touch with Old Xiao and if there's any situation, I'll inform you immediately, how about that?"

  Wang Jinlong calmed down and thought to himself: "Damn it, if that's really the case, I've really put my brothers in harm's way!" He didn't dare to delay any further, ordering the artillery platoon to stay behind while he hastily rushed back to the mountain stronghold.