Chapter Nineteen

  A grand feast was held at the Flying Tiger Fort to welcome Xiao Ming and Lin Xiuqing. In the main hall, Wang Jindong, Xiao Ming, Lin Xiuqing, Zhou Yongnian and other leaders were seated, while the rest of the people were arranged in the open space at the foot of the mountain, where tents were set up, accompanied by the people from the Flying Tiger Fort.

  Wang Jinlong raised his glass and stood up, saying to Lin Xiucheng and Zhou Yongnian: "You are all heroes of the anti-Japanese war. I, Wang Jinlong, admire you as good examples. Let's drink this cup!"

  Everyone stood up, and Lin Xiuzhi said: "The master is overpraising us. We didn't kill many devils, but instead lost our position. If it weren't for the two masters' hospitality, we would now be wandering ghosts, and we should thank the two masters!"

  Zhou Yongnian also said: "Yes, if you want to talk about heroes, the brothers of Guizhai are the real heroes. More than 100 people defeated more than 200 devils, especially Xiao Dangjia's family, five people took down a Japanese cavalry squadron, it's unbelievable!" Lin Xiuying had just heard this and her face showed a look of surprise.

  Wang Jinlong burst out laughing: "This brother of mine, even the German instructors admire him to no end, let alone a few small Japanese devils!"

  Lin Xiuzhi asked: "Has Xiao Dangjia been in the army?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said, "None, just studied military affairs in Germany for a few years. It's not something that can be put on stage, I'm afraid you'll laugh at me, if it's large-scale combat, we still have to rely on Lin brother and the national army's main force."

  "Come on, come on, let's finish this cup and talk while we eat."

  After three rounds of wine, Wang Jinlong raised his head and looked around, suddenly bursting out laughing. Everyone was confused, but Xiao Ming took a closer look and also burst out laughing. It turned out that Lin Xiuying and the others didn't have any clothes to change into, so they had no choice but to wear the Japanese military uniforms.

  Lin Xiuzhi felt a bit embarrassed and said: "This time we owe it to Xiao Dangjia, otherwise in this weather, we would have frozen to death."

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "To say that this Japanese clothing is really good, tomorrow ask Mr. Ji to find someone to dye it, otherwise wearing this out will be easily misunderstood." Then he told the story of Lin Xiucheng, and everyone burst into laughter.

  Lin Xiuzhi's heart still had lingering fear, she said: "Fortunately, at that time I heard a few brothers talking, and I hesitated for a moment. Otherwise... you guys, that...". Zhou Yongnian said "Flying Tigers". "Right, Flying Tigers, too formidable! Appearing behind us, we didn't even notice, what a close call! Now thinking about it still gives me chills!"

  Wang Jinlong burst out laughing and said, "That's my brother trained according to the standards of that special forces unit, it really took a lot of effort, but he's still not satisfied, saying it's just the beginning!" Lin Xiucheng and others couldn't believe it, and they became even more curious about Xiao Ming's identity.

  Xiao Ming really couldn't keep his eyes open anymore, so he stood up and bid farewell: "Big brother, everyone, I'm really sorry, Xiao Ming can't hold his liquor, I'll go rest first, you all continue chatting."

  Wang Jinlong knew that this trip would definitely exhaust Xiao Ming, so he quickly said: "Alright brother, I've arranged everything, you go rest, the brothers here are under my care, don't worry!"

  The next morning, Ji Hongru came to find Wang Jindong and Xiao Ming, saying that there were too many things and the mountain stronghold had no place to put them.

  Wang Jinlong had been busy all along, running to the highway, seeing refugees and wealthy households, stopping them in the name of checking spies, extorting a sum of money for passage, releasing them after taking the money, exchanging it for goods, and the mountain stronghold was already full of loot.

  Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said that there were several caves in the back mountain, which could be used to find a larger, drier and more ventilated one to use as a warehouse. Ji Hongru went to handle it, and before leaving, Xiao Ming specially instructed: Find a hidden place to build a separate warehouse for cars and artillery.

  On the third day, everyone was drinking and chatting in the hall, and the topic naturally turned to the issue of staying or leaving. Zhou Yongnian's attitude was very clear, he was willing to stay, but the soldiers asked if there was any military pay, and if so, most people would probably choose to stay as well. Lin Xiucheng's mood was complicated, and she hesitated for half a day without saying anything conclusive.

  Wang Jinlong and Xiao Ming didn't know how much money was in the mountain stronghold, so they went to discuss with Ji Hongru.

  Ji Hongru took out the account book and abacus, ready to calculate the accounts. The two of them hastily stopped him, with Xiao Ming saying: "Mr. Ji, just calculate the amount of cash on hand, then based on 1,000 people, with each person receiving five silver dollars per month, how long can it be sustained?"

  Ji Hongru pulled out a cigarette and said that if there were no other expenses, ten or eight years would be no problem. Wang Jindong and Xiao Ming did not have a clear concept of money, but when it came to the development after the mountain stronghold, the two sat down and calculated:

  First, the mountain stronghold has only a hundred long guns. Adding the two hundred or so seized from the hijacked train this time, it's definitely not enough. Xiao Ming said that they can take a look around to see where there are battles and whether they can pick some up, or directly go to the Japanese to rob them, no need to spend money buying them.

  Secondly, with more people, food consumption is high, and the current stock can only last for about a year. If those little devils don't leave after a year, it's really going to be a problem. Xiao Ming scratched his head and said: If Liu's compound is not reliable, going to rob might be a good idea.

  Third, because of the large amount of training, clothes wear out quickly, and making clothes is a considerable expense. Nowadays, with so many people, it's hard to find a place to make them. Wang Jinlong said: "Brother, didn't you ask Mr. Ji to find someone to re-dye the devils' military uniforms? This idea isn't bad, from now on we can just take back the devils' clothes and dye them to wear."

  Fourth, daily necessities...

  ……

  It was really hard for the two of them, after calculating and calculating for half a day, they didn't have anywhere to spend money, and Ji Hongru slammed the account book and left. The two of them counted together and finally confirmed: ordinary soldiers get 2 yuan per month, squad leaders get 3 yuan, platoon leaders get 5 yuan, and battalion commanders get 10 yuan.

  "What about those above battalion level?" Wang Jinlong asked.

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Commander, you see how many deputy commanders are suitable? With so few people, do you still want to set up several regimental and divisional commanders?"

  Wang Jinlong rubbed his head and suddenly came to a realization, sighing: "It's still better to have drunk foreign ink!"

  The plan was set, and Lin Xiuzhen and Zhou Yongnian were called over to discuss it. After some thought, Xiao Ming said: "Read out the mountain rules, those who can obey them can stay. Also, those who drink soldiers' blood, smoke opium, drink wine, gamble with money, or play with women, all of these are not wanted, lest they cause trouble later."

  The next day, all the National Army gathered on the playground. Xiao Ming volunteered to make a speech: "National Army brothers, although you have lost the battle, you are good guys. You knew it wasn't the enemy's opponent, but you still took up your guns and fought with them. Now, the Japanese have arrived here and will continue to occupy our homeland, killing our families. We can no longer retreat, nor is there a way to retreat. A man with blood should take up his gun to protect his parents, brothers, and sisters, and let those little Japanese know that Chinese men are all good guys, and the Chinese people are not easy to bully. Even if we die, it will be worthy of our ancestors and we can enter the ancestral tomb. What do you say?"

  The soldiers below were stirred up, shouting "Yes" and "Let's go with the Japanese". One soldier shouted, "Our squad is left with only three people, I want to avenge my fallen brothers!" The crowd shouted in unison, "Avenge! Avenge!"

  Xiao Ming waved his hand and continued: "Of course, some people still have parents to support at home, sisters to take care of. We won't force you, nor will we look down on you, because you've already made contributions to this country. You're a hero. Now, those who are willing to stay can go register with Zhou Lianzhang. Those who don't want to stay can come and receive five dollars, and then they can leave. But if anyone betrays the country or our ancestors, I, Xiao Ming, guarantee that even if you run to the ends of the earth, I will never let you off!"

  One after another, people came to collect their money. Some wanted to stay, but when they saw the village rules, which were even stricter than those of the troops, they inquired about them and said that the head of the household enforced the village rules without exception, especially the second one, who would slowly torture you to death. So they gave up and left with over a hundred people.

  There were still some people standing on the playground, hesitating. Xiao Ming went forward and asked them what was wrong. They said they wanted to go back to their old unit, but didn't know where it was. Xiao Ming waved his hand and said: "Stay here for now, we'll let you go when we get news." These people happily stayed behind.

  For some reason, Lin Xiuzhi also stayed behind. Looking at the more than 300 people who stayed, Xiao Ming nodded and said: "Good, you're all good guys, those who stay are all brothers. Remember, we need to kill as many enemies as possible with the least sacrifice, which requires strict training. I don't want my own brothers to die in vain. Now, go back and pack up, training starts in seven days!"

  Collecting straw is just like building a house. Nowadays, with war and chaos everywhere, there's no place to buy materials, so we have to make do with what's available locally.

  Xiao Ming suddenly remembered the figure on Er Long Ridge and told Wang Jinlong about it. Wang Jinlong said, "I know about this, a few days ago some refugees moved in and said they would leave after a few days."

  "Refugees?" Xiao Ming was a bit skeptical. "Did they bring a lot of food? Would normal people fleeing in distress go to a bandit's lair? No, I have to take a look."

  Wang Jinlong said: "This little thing, let Lao Mao and Ma Liu go once, you run around all day, aren't you tired!" Xiao Ming smiled bitterly and nodded in agreement.

  Ye Maozi and Ma Liu quickly returned, reporting that they had driven those people away. Xiao Ming asked: "How many people? What accent?"

  "Six or seven people, led by someone with a southern accent, I don't know why they came here, but Ma Liu scared them off directly."

  Xiao Ming thought for a moment and said: "Ma Liu, take people to dismantle Erlong Ridge, just leave a few small houses. Grandma's, this place is going to be chaotic!" Turning his head to Wang Jinlong, he said: "Brother, shouldn't we set up a sentry at Erlong Ridge? It's better to prepare in advance if something happens." Wang Jinlong nodded and said to take a look and find a reliable person to go.

  The Japanese army marched south along the railway, burning and killing all the way, approaching Shanyang. The road was filled with refugees and defeated soldiers. Wang Jinlong and Xiao Ming pulled Lin Xiuying onto the main road, and Xiao Ming gave Lin Xiuying a task: to gather the defeated soldiers. The condition was that they had no bad habits, were sincere in their desire to fight against the Japanese, and it would be best if they were young and somewhat educated.

  Xiao Ming looked at the increasing number of refugees and suddenly had an idea. He said to Wang Jinlong, "Brother, that piece of land behind our mountain is about 700 or 800 mu, why don't we find some people to farm it? Later when battles start, we won't have time to take care of it anyway. Moreover, the women can also help the brothers with sewing and mending, which will save a lot of trouble!"

  Wang Jinlong thought for a moment and said, "It's good, but who has the guts to come?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "In these times, it's already good if you can eat a meal, who still cares whether you're a bandit or a soldier? Look at me!"

  A group of refugees numbering over a hundred came into view, apparently together. Xiao Ming stepped forward and greeted an elderly man with a dignified demeanor: "Sir, please stop for a moment, where are you from? Are you all from the same village?"

  The old man stopped and looked at Xiao Ming, seeing that he didn't seem to have any malicious intentions, replied: "Yes, the one on the east side of the railway, my home was occupied by the Japanese. When they came, they killed people and set fires, I didn't dare not leave."

  "Where are you all going?"

  "Alas, young fellow, fleeing in distress, wherever you go is wherever you'll be, there's no fixed destination."

  "Old man, have you ever heard of Flying Tiger Fortress? What's your opinion about them?"

  "Fei Hu village? Aren't they just bandits? But I've heard they never harm ordinary people, and their reputation isn't bad." The old man was quite straightforward.

  Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Old man, I am the second master of Fei Hu Zhai. I'd like to discuss something with you, is that okay?"

  The old man was startled and hastily said: "Master, forgive me, what can I do for you?"

  "Don't be afraid, old man," Xiao Ming said with a smile. "This is the situation: the Japanese have arrived and we're preparing to resist them. Behind the mountain village there's a piece of land that hasn't been tilled yet, and we don't have time to farm it. If you trust us, please move there to settle down. What do you think?"

  "This one...", the old man pondered for a moment and asked: "How is the land rent calculated?"

  "Our fellow villagers have eaten their fill, what's left is ours. And we can also give you grain, all the way until next year's wheat harvest, but only coarse grains!"

  The old man went back and discussed with the villagers for a while, and unexpectedly agreed.