Chapter 2

  Before long, the banquet dispersed. The crowd made a racket as they left, and surprisingly no one was drunk. Xiao Ming secretly found it strange: this group of bandits is indeed different! Wang Jinlong ordered someone to clean up a room for Xiao Ming, then re-poured tea, and kept Xiao Ming to chat with him. After the crowd dispersed, Zhang Tiezhu remained, he was the captain of the guard squad, responsible for the safety of the mountain stronghold as well as Wang Jinlong's personal safety.

  There were only three people in the hall, Wang Jinlong raised his cup and said, "From Xiao brother's accent, you're not a local, are you?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "If I were to go back home, my brother would be a Shandong native."

  "Look at how this young man is dressed and groomed, he's quite a talent, must be from a wealthy family."

  "It's nothing but a wealthy family here, just because my brother has just returned from traveling and studying abroad, he's used to it."

  "Where did the Xiao brothers go to school and what did they study?"

  Xiao Ming thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth. He smiled and said, "Germany, I originally studied mechanics, but it wasn't my thing, so I switched to studying military affairs."

  "No wonder Xiao brothers are skilled in martial arts, they turned out to be professional military personnel, so why did they end up here?"

  "My brother had nothing to do, so he went to the north to watch the war against the Japanese invaders. He stayed there for a few days and got bored, so he came back on foot to clear his mind. He heard that Shanyang was an ancient capital of several dynasties, so he wanted to come and play for a few days. Unexpectedly, he met Wang Dang and his gang. Actually, Xiao Ming had been following these people for several days, planning to use a long line to catch the big fish and capture them all at once. But halfway through, Cheng Yaojin appeared out of nowhere and was discovered by Wang Jindong."

  Wang Jinlong was puzzled: "A talent like Xiao Brothers should be serving in the government army, how...?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "To be honest, first, there was no way in, second, my brother was used to being free and easy, not too constrained, so he'd rather **mountains and rivers."

  "What a pity that Xiao brothers' talents are going to waste and cannot be used for the country!" Wang Jinlong sighed, "Brothers are close, but do their parents know?"

  "My father has passed away, my mother is abroad, and I am left alone with no one to rely on!" Xiao Ming's face turned gloomy as his mother's gentle face appeared in his mind: it had been years since they parted, was she doing well?!

  Wang Jindong sighed repeatedly, Zhang Tiezhu got up to add water, Xiao Ming said "thank you" and turned to ask Wang Jindong: "Looking at the mountain stronghold's momentum, did Master Wang come from a military background?"

  Wang Jinlong's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he let out a sigh. "To be honest, I've also read a few days' worth of books, attended the lecture hall, and was a company commander in the Northeast Army. During the September 18th Incident, the Japanese army attacked the city, and our superiors strictly ordered us not to resist, so we retreated. I was worried about my family's safety, so I snuck back home with Tiezhu. Our house had already been bombed into ruins, and my mother, wife, and one-year-old child were all dead. Tiezhu and I killed a few Japanese soldiers, and after drifting around, we were taken in by Old Master Wang, who adopted us as his sons. Two years ago, when Old Master Wang passed away, I took over the mountain stronghold. What a shame! Tens of millions of our countrymen didn't even fire a shot, and the good rivers and mountains, along with tens of millions of citizens, were lost to the Japanese. Just thinking about it keeps me up all night!" Wang Jinlong slammed his teacup onto the table, sighing repeatedly.

  Xiao Ming hastily comforted: "Master Wang, there's no need to be overly self-reproachful. Today's battle is enough to demonstrate the spirit of killing enemies and serving the country. If we unite in our determination to defeat the enemy, I'm sure those Japanese will be defeated soon. When that time comes, driving out the invaders and recovering our rivers and mountains won't be too late!"

  Wang Jinlong nodded and asked: "Xiao brothers just returned from the north, I wonder how is the war situation in the front?"

  "One concession after another has only helped to fuel the enemy's arrogance!"

  "Didn't you hear that the 29th Army is doing well?" Wang Jinlong was puzzled, "And what about the National Government, just sitting back and doing nothing?"

  "They are just defending their own territory and won't engage in a fight to the death with the enemy. The Chairman is doing his best to suppress the Communists, even if he wants to intervene, it's probably just wishful thinking." Xiao Ming's face revealed a hint of sarcasm, "Once full-scale war breaks out, there will only be one outcome: total defeat!"

  Wang Jinlong remained silent for half a day, then said: "A season of troubles! Xiao brothers, the Japanese will definitely not let today's matter rest. You can stay here at ease for a few more days, I still have many things to ask you about. The sky is already dark, so please take a rest first. Xiaohu, send Mr. Xiao to his guest room."

  A young man of seventeen or eighteen years old sent Xiao Ming to the room and returned to the hall. Wang Jinlong asked Zhang Tiezhu: "Tiezhu, what do you think of Mr. Xiao?"

  Zhang Tiejun thought for a moment and said, "Not bad, doesn't seem like a bad person, but not a good one either. Especially when mentioning Japanese people, the murderous aura in his eyes made my heart skip a beat!"

  "Oh..." Wang Jinlong pondered for a long time, then suddenly smiled, "Interesting, it seems like we're fellow travelers! Alright, let's talk about it tomorrow, sleep tight."

  Xiao Ming hadn't had a good night's sleep for several days, and as soon as he put down his luggage, he fell asleep on the kang without even changing his clothes. It had been many years since he last slept on a kang, and it felt like he was back in his childhood village again, even seeing old playmates from his youth...

  "Dong, dong, dong" a burst of bell ringing sounded, Xiao Ming jumped down from the bed and remembered that he was in Fei Hu village. He sat back down again. Outside, there were noisy footsteps, followed by Zhang Tiezhu's voice "Left face, left turn, ready, run!"

  Xiao Ming realized it wasn't an emergency assembly and was very curious: were the bandits also having a drill? Thinking that Wang Jinlong came from a martial arts school and had been a company commander, he felt relieved. He got up, stretched his waist, exercised his muscles and bones, and walked out of the room to the entrance of the hall.

  Xiao Hu stood at the door, looking like he was waiting for Xiao Ming: "Mr. Xiao, aren't you sleeping much? Did I wake you up?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "I slept well. I have a habit of getting up early, but today is still late! Where's Wang?"

  "When the host is present, sir, please."

  "What's your name, little brother?"

  "Zhang Xiaohu."

  "That's a big dragon..."

  It's my brother.

  "Ah!" Xiao Ming nodded his head.

  Wang Jinlong heard the two men talking and came out to greet them, "Xiao brothers, let's talk inside." The two men exchanged a few pleasantries before entering the hall and taking their seats. Wang Jinlong was studying the map they had captured yesterday.

  Xiao Hu poured tea, Xiao Ming nodded in thanks, and turned to Wang Jinlong: "Your village still has early morning exercises, Wang's family hasn't lost the style of a military man!"

  Wang Jinlong sighed and said, "Actually, there's no other way. The weapons are not good, so we can only strengthen our training to minimize casualties! We'll start training after dinner. It's a mess, but I hope Brother Xiao will give us some guidance."

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Don't be modest, don't be modest. A strong general has no weak soldiers, the eldest son is too humble."

  Wang Jinlong shook his head, his eyes turned to the map on the table, pointing to a smaller scale one and said: "Xiao brothers, please take a look. This map still has Feihu Mountain, drawn with no difference at all. Even the limestone mine behind the mountain is marked. Damn it, how can they calculate without knowing!"

  Xiao Ming took a closer look and couldn't help but secretly admire the Japanese attention to detail. He said to Wang Jinlong, "These Japanese people are really thorough, it seems that we need to be careful!"

  With a loud "bang", Wang Jinlong slammed his fist on the table, causing the teapot and tea cups to jump wildly. He furiously exclaimed: "Damn it! That son of a bitch dares to come here? I'll fight him to the end!"

  After breakfast, everyone dispersed, and only Wang Jinlong and Xiao Ming were left in the hall. Wang Jinlong hesitated for a long time, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Xiao Ming smiled and said, "The master of the house has something to say, please don't be polite."

  "Ah, this... I see that Xiao brothers deeply resent the Japanese, but I don't know why they didn't get along with the Japanese?" Wang Jinlong asked.

  "It's not just that we can't get along, it's that we can't live under the same sky!" Xiao Ming's face was devoid of any smile, and a hint of murderous intent flickered between his eyebrows.

  "What's going on?" Wang Jinlong asked anxiously.

  Xiao Ming sighed and said slowly: "My father started the silk factory from scratch, worked hard to make a success of it, and even sent us children to live in the countryside so he could focus on his work. After many years of effort, he finally achieved something. He was also straightforward and fair-minded, earning the respect of his peers. However, after the Japanese came, they had ulterior motives and repeatedly proposed cooperation and buyouts, all of which were rejected by my father. The Japanese then resorted to intimidation and threats, using every trick in the book. In a fit of anger, my father dismissed the workers and set fire to the factory, dying with a deep grievance. It was only then that I joined the military, hoping to avenge his death and wipe out the shame!"

  Wang Jinlong sighed: "The old man is heroic and unyielding, rather die than surrender, it really makes us soldiers ashamed! These Japanese are rampaging on Chinese soil, while we're infighting, how can we face our ancestors? Xiao brothers, what do you plan to do?"

  Xiao Ming gazed out into the distance through the gate, a faint, enigmatic smile spreading across his face as he said in a leisurely tone, "I'm waiting, waiting for the right moment. Who knows, it might just arrive any minute now!"

  Wang Jinlong didn't quite understand, and it wasn't good to ask again. He stood up and said, "Let's go, Xiao brothers, let's take a look at these kids' training, and you can give them some pointers."

  Two people came to the edge of the playground, Xiao Ming looked around and saw that everyone was divided into teams for training: Zhang Tiezhu was directing the practice of spear thrusting, Xin Chengshan was leading a team practicing knife skills, and Zhang Dalong was teaching hand-to-hand combat. The scene was bustling with people coming and going. Xiao Ming couldn't help but praise: "The morale is good, the big boss is really good at commanding troops!"

  Wang Jinlong's face showed a proud expression, but his mouth was humble: "Where, where, it's still those old things from back then, Brother Xiao is overpraising me!"

  Xiao Ming smiled slightly and said: "Master Wang doesn't have to be so modest! Hmm, Zhang Dalong's kung fu is pretty good, he must have practiced for many years?"

  Wang Jinlong sighed and said, "These two brothers have been practicing martial arts since childhood. Their family is from Zhangji Town in the north. Three years ago, they went up the mountain. At that time, Daliu was 18 years old, and Xiaohu was 15 years old. Their mother had passed away early, and they followed their father to farm a few acres of land. In their spare time, they would hunt, and their lives were still manageable. Who knew that their father got sick, and the two brothers went up the mountain to hunt for medicine for him. They accidentally entered a wealthy landlord's forest while chasing a wild boar and were caught. The landlord had long been eyeing their family's land and was not willing to let them go. He took the two brothers to see the official, and it wasn't until their father mortgaged the land to the landlord that they were finally released. When the two brothers returned home, their father had already passed away. That night, the two brothers snuck into the landlord's house and set fire to it. In the chaos, they also gave the landlord's son a hunting rifle. And so, they went up the mountain! The situation of the brothers on the mountain is similar, mostly from poor families who can barely fill their stomachs and are relatively easy to control. There are also people like Xin Chengshan who used to be in the Northwestern Army but came up the mountain because he didn't want to fight in the civil war. He's a man with a strong sense of justice. The mountain stronghold will not accept any evil or wicked people, so..."

  "So it can't be considered as a bandit, even if it is, it's a righteous bandit!" Xiao Ming said with a smile, having a good impression of Wang Jinlong and his men from the bottom of his heart. "I've seen the rules on the wall, they're actually stricter than those of ordinary troops, making me admire the righteousness of Wang's family even more!"

  "Xiao brothers are exempt from punishment, this is a rule set by the old master when he was alive and has been kept ever since!" Wang Jinlong changed the subject, "Xiao brothers, you studied military affairs abroad, how do foreigners train soldiers? Can you demonstrate it to your brothers?"

  "Alright then, I'll make a fool of myself." Xiao Ming smiled.