Chapter 27

  The Flying Tigers changed their strategy, shifting their target to the west, with small teams launching surprise attacks, taking what they wanted and selling what they didn't need locally. To and fro, they made quite a profit.

  This General Mori indeed had some tricks up his sleeve, using a combination of force and persuasion to recruit many local bandits and militia, and organizing a large-scale sweep that drove the various resistance forces into the mountains. The area around the railroad suddenly became quiet, and General Mori began implementing his own plans.

  "In the past two days, Japanese planes have come a total of three times, once at the mountain stronghold and twice in the mountains behind, circling for half a day before leaving." In the hall, Lin Xiūqīng reported the recent situation to Wáng Jīnlóng and Xiāo Míng, quietly looking at the two commanders, waiting for instructions.

  Xiao Ming covered his face and rubbed his forehead, not knowing what he was thinking about, and didn't speak for a long time. Wang Jinlong couldn't sit still and coughed, asking: "Brother, what do you think?"

  "We've been targeted, it must be Kimura." Xiao Ming finally spoke up, "Now that the railway is clear, this old man has nothing better to do."

  "What's to be done? Why don't we take the initiative and stir up some trouble, make a big fuss so he won't have time to make his move?" Wang Jinlong was feeling rather idle and uncomfortable.

  "I'm sure the Japanese are eager for us to leave now!" Xiao Ming said with a smile, "Judging from the situation, the Japanese army's focus is on the back mountain, and their target should be those bombs. We'd better transfer the materials on the back mountain as soon as possible and make preparations for air defense. Old Lin, order each company to set up sentry posts five kilometers away, one every 500 meters, with double guards at night, two bright and two dark, and prepare for battle."

  "Where was the material transferred to?" Wang Jinlong asked.

  "In the mountains! Didn't Mr. Ji tidy up a few caves, hide there." Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said: "Old Lin, instruct the Sichuan Army Regiment to be extremely cautious, don't be careless. The gourd valley is closest to the back mountain, I estimate the devils will make their move from there. Also, organize people to hurry up and cut some telephone lines on the road in the next two days, get the phone connected at Er Long Ridge. Big brother, tell Zhang Tiezhu to be heavily guarded, beware of the devils jumping out from behind. I'm going to organize Da Long and others to search the mountain. Damn it, having played with eagles all his life, don't let the eagle peck his eyes!"

  The whole mountain stronghold was tense and busy, Hu Lu Valley called to say that several spies had been caught, Xiao Ming had them brought over and wanted to interrogate them personally.

  The man who was brought over was about thirty years old, with a fair complexion and dressed as a merchant. He had two attendants with him. This person was calm and unhurried, and with a slight bow asked: "May I ask which one of you is the master of Flying Tiger Fortress?"

  Wang Jinlong said I am, pointing at Xiao Ming and saying: "This is my brother Xiao Ming, Chief of Staff Lin."

  That man looked at Lin Xiuzhi with a hint of surprise, made a fist and said: "I am Lü Jizong, I have long heard of your esteemed names, today I finally meet you, it's an honor for three lifetimes!"

  Xiao Ming said coldly: "Cut the nonsense, get to the point."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you at home. I'm here on behalf of the commander of the war zone, and I've come to discuss with you the great plan to resist Japan and save the country!"

  Xiao Ming laughed: "So you're here to recruit us! How can we believe that you are a national army?"

  "This one!" Lü Jizong's face was difficult to look at, "The Japanese army checks strictly on the road, and it's not convenient to carry documents with me, I put it in the war zone command."

  "I can vouch for Mr. Lü's identity," Lin Xiūqīng suddenly spoke up, "He is a red man of the party state, a loyal running dog, and will absolutely not betray his master!" Lǚ Jìzǔ smiled awkwardly.

  "Oh, Old Lin and Mr. Lü know each other?" Wang Jinlong was very curious.

  "It's not just acquaintances, we're also alumni!" Lü Jizong sighed bitterly. "There was a misunderstanding back then, I didn't expect Brother Lin to still hold a grudge!" Lin Xiucheng hummed and fell silent.

  "Since that's the case, let's sit down and talk." Xiao Ming immediately put on a smiling face and invited Lü Jizong to sit down and have some tea. Since his identity was unquestionable, Xiao Ming thought to himself: "Now most of the mountain stronghold is made up of Nationalist troops, if we really do surrender to the Nationalists it would be a legitimate move, which can stabilize the morale of the troops. However, one must always be cautious and not fall into someone else's trap." He said directly: "Let's get straight to the point, we can cooperate, but there are conditions."

  "If there are any conditions that can be proposed, let's discuss them." Lü Jizong has been doing this all the way, and it's rare to see him so pleased. It seems he has discussed this many times before.

  Xiao Ming and Wang Jinlong whispered a few words to each other, then said to Lü Jizong: "Firstly, we will still take Feihu Zhai as our base, pin down the enemy, and not participate in direct combat. Secondly, provide radio stations, military doctors, and intelligence support. Thirdly, solve the problem of ammunition and food supplies. Are our demands unreasonable?"

  Lü Jizong had discussed with many people, and as soon as they opened their mouths, they were asking for official positions, money, and guns. As for how to fight the war of resistance, they couldn't say anything reasonable. Upon hearing Xiao Ming's words, he thought that he had finally met a reliable person, and it seemed that the rumors were not false. He immediately expressed: I will report to the superior immediately and strive to satisfy all conditions.

  Xiao Ming smiled slyly and said: "Then hurry up, we're about to go into battle soon. If you come late, you'll miss the opportunity to make a name for yourself!"

  Seven days later, Lü Jizong returned with three others. As soon as they entered the hall, Lü Jizong didn't even take a breath and took out several papers from his suitcase, saying they were appointment letters and orders from the Military Affairs Department and the Military Command Department. He began to read them aloud. The gist was that the Flying Tiger Fort was renamed the Flying Tiger Mountain Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Column, with Wang Jinlong appointed as Major General Commander, Xiao Ming as Major General Deputy Commander, Lin Xiucheng as Lieutenant Colonel Chief of Staff, Lü Jizong as Major Military Intelligence Director, and all others promoted one rank. The Flying Tiger Fort would appoint its own personnel, collect money and grain within the jurisdiction of Flying Tiger Mountain, contain the Japanese army in the defense zone, and actively cooperate with friendly forces in combat.

  After finishing, Lü Jizong bowed and handed the appointment documents to Wang Jinlong and Xiao Ming. He turned around, took out two general uniforms and a bundle of French currency from the box, and placed them on the table: "These are the military uniforms for both of you, as well as 50,000 francs awarded by our superiors as a congratulatory gift!"

  Wang Jinlong looked at the appointment letter and the general's uniform, speechless for a long time. Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Two sets of clothes, 500,000 yuan, and we can grasp our brothers' lives in our hands, what a great calculation!"

  Lü Jizong's face turned red: "The road we came on has to pass through the enemy-occupied area, and the target of bullets is too big, so it can't be arranged."

  "Just kidding, don't take it to heart," Xiao Ming smiled, "So Brother Lü is going to stay and fight with us?"

  Lü Jizong was somewhat excited, and gave a military salute, saying: "I've long heard that the Flying Tiger Fortress is bravely killing enemies, and the Japanese army is trembling with fear. I am deeply admiring, and strongly request to be sent by my superiors to fight side by side, and die for the country if necessary!"

  Xiao Ming burst out laughing and said: "I didn't expect Brother Lü to still be a hot-blooded young man, from now on we'll all be eating from the same pot, no need to be so polite!" As he spoke, he turned to the three of them and asked: "Is this little girl the messenger?" Although the three were dressed as men and covered in dust, Xiao Ming still picked out that one of them was a woman, young and beautiful, with the dirt unable to conceal her lovely features.

  "Oh no, these two are military doctors and reporters, she's my sister!" Lü Jizong hastily introduced. The girl was named Lü Jiying, his younger half-sister, who was 17 years old this year. The Lü family was a wealthy household. In the early years, their hometown suffered from the plague, and all the villagers died. Fortunately, Lü Jiying was studying outside and escaped disaster. Lü Jizong returned home, sold the family property, and brought his sister with him. Due to the turbulent times, Lü Jizong was worried and also brought Lü Jiying along.

  Xiao Ming smiled and joked: "Brother Lü, we are bandits, you can rest assured here?"

  Lü Jiying glared at Xiao Ming, while Lü Jizu smiled awkwardly: "I've long heard that the heroes of Feihu Village are all chivalrous and heroic, I think there's no need to be polite!"

  "Has your sister read books?" Xiao Ming asked.

  "My sister didn't even finish high school!" Lü Jizong regretted. If the war hadn't come, his sister should be in college by now.

  Xiao Ming nodded and said to Shan Wawa, "Go call Little Yue over and tell her that a new female teacher has arrived. From now on, she will be studying with Lü Niang."

  Lü Jizong and others washed their faces, changed their clothes, and came to the hall again. Everyone felt a flash of light in front of them: Lü Jiying was so beautiful that they didn't dare look straight at her. It seemed that the young ladies from wealthy families were indeed different.

  Xiao Ming was a seasoned person and didn't think much of it. Seeing Xiaoyue rushing in, he hastily called out: "Xiaoyue, come here."

  Xiao Yue was not afraid of anything, but whenever she saw Xiao Ming, her heart would skip a beat. When she heard Xiao Ming call her, she would immediately leave her friends and run to the main hall, feeling anxious and uneasy.

  Xiao Ming patted Xiaoyue's head: "Have you had fun these past few days? Has anyone bullied you?"

  "No, they heard I'm your apprentice and treated me well! Master, what do you want me to do?" Xiaoyue was very nervous, her eyes kept glancing at Wang Jindong, seeing Wang Jindong winked at her, meaning don't be afraid, she felt a little more at ease.

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Come, you see, this sister Lü is a knowledgeable person. From today on, you will live with her, she will teach you to study, and you are responsible for protecting her, no one else can disturb her, do you understand?"

  "Yes, I know," Little Moon blinked her eyes. "You can't either? Then you are my master, what should I call her?"

  Everyone couldn't help but laugh, Xiao Ming glared: "Call me sister!"

  Xiao Yue stuck out her tongue and pulled Lü Jiying to go see the place.

  Wang Jinlong ordered a banquet to be set up for Lü Jizong, and during the meal, something Lü Jizong said caught Xiao Ming's attention: last time Lü Jizong came down from the mountain, he was pursued by a group of unidentified people, but fortunately, two of his subordinates protected him with their lives, allowing him to escape. This time, however, everything went exceptionally smoothly. Could it be that the Japanese army is planning something big and doesn't have time for the Flying Tiger Fort? Xiao Ming thought.

  Kimura was too busy to take care of Feihu Village, he was busy building outposts and artillery towers everywhere, trying his best to suppress the resistance forces in the mountains and ensure the safety of railways and highways. The plan for Feihu Village was also being secretly prepared, but since Feihu Village was heavily guarded, they couldn't find an opportunity to attack, so they had to hold back for the time being.

  Reconnaissance company report, the Japanese army is recruiting civilians to build artillery towers on the eastern highway and Liujiatun. This is like planting a needle in the throat of Feihu Mountain Stronghold, making it inconvenient for future entry and exit.

  "Damn it! This devil is getting too arrogant, I'll go teach him a lesson!"

  Xiao Ming stopped him: "Big brother, when acting, one must have the appearance of acting. Like this, I'll first write a letter to Mù Cūn and see what he says."

  Kimura's military exploits have been fruitful, and he has risen to the rank of Major General Chief of Staff. Xiao Ming's letter was quickly passed into Kimura's hands, which was nothing more than a protest against the Japanese army's repair of the artillery tower, believing that the other party had violated the agreement and hurt the feelings of Feihu Village, demanding that the Japanese army immediately stop work to ensure the stability and peace of the Feihu Mountain area.

  Kimura laughed after watching, thinking that Xiao Ming was very interesting. Although he knew they were all acting, he still acted as if it were true. So he wrote a reply and ordered someone to deliver it to Feihu Fort to give to Xiao Ming.

  Kimura's reply expressed affirmation of the Flying Tigers' efforts to maintain local security, and stated that the Imperial Army's construction of artillery towers was not aimed at the Flying Tigers but rather for cooperative defense, and that our cooperation would be more pleasant in the future.

  Xiao Ming also laughed after reading the letter and said to Wang Jinlong: "Brother, this Mù Cūn is testing our bottom line. It seems that if we don't scare him a bit, he won't stop."