Chapter Fifty-Three

  Before long, it was the wheat harvest season again. Liujiatun became a key location for the Japanese army's grain collection efforts, and more troops were dispatched here: The land is fertile, the yield is high, and the harvest is good, much better than going to the trouble of searching in the mountains!

  The Flying Tiger Fort also sent out scouts and sentries early, reporting to the mountain stronghold every day until the scout company reported: The Japanese army piled up all the collected grain in Liu's courtyard, apparently preparing to collect it all and transport it away at once.

  Xiao Ming and Wang Jinlong and others briefly discussed and put forward a battle plan: "Tonight we will go to grab grain! Now, in the Liu family's large courtyard, there is a small team of Japanese soldiers and a company of puppet troops. I will lead the reconnaissance company and Ma Liu's people to solve it, and launch an attack at 11 o'clock; outside the stronghold of Er Long Ling, there is a class of Japanese soldiers and a company of puppet troops, led by Lao Lv to take down Da Long, also starting at 11 o'clock, try not to move guns; the third company guards Er Long Ling; Lao Lin leads the artillery company, machine gun company, and the third company to guard outside Er Long Ling. If things are exposed, we must ensure that we block the enemy for an hour; the cavalry company covers the automobile company and logistics company to arrive at Liu's large courtyard and patrol."

  After some thought, he said to Wang Jinlong again: "Brother, once we leave, the mountain stronghold will be empty! You stay at home and let each company report on the surrounding situation every half an hour. No matter what happens, you can't leave the mountain stronghold. If the situation is urgent, organize the villagers to evacuate into the mountains! Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

  Everyone looked at Wang Jinlong, and this time he just shook his head without saying a word. He knew that his on-site reaction was not as good as Xiao Ming's, so he didn't argue anymore.

  "So, if the Japanese army comes to reinforce Liu's mansion from the east, what will you do?" Seeing Wang Jinlong remaining silent, Lin Xiucheng spoke up, his concern not unreasonable.

  "The Japanese army rebuilt the artillery tower in Liu's big yard, and since there was no other way, they could only use it to fight against the devils!" Xiao Ming said with a carefree attitude.

  "Lao Xiao, you've been talking for half a day, this Liu family's compound is heavily guarded, have you thought of how to get in?" Lü Jizong was confused, and according to Xiao Ming's words, it seemed like he was already inside the compound! Not just him, even Lin Xiuying had doubts.

  "You've forgotten, back then we broke in once and should be familiar with the route. Silently taking out the Japanese inside is also feasible. Da Long didn't he take down a small team of Japanese soldiers in the enemy's lair? Ma Liu is still fuming about it, you don't need to worry!" Xiao Ming said with a smile.

  Hearing Xiao Ming say that, Lin Xiuzhi and Lü Jizong stopped asking questions. Snakes have their own way, let's just think about how to do our own work well!

  As soon as the sky turned dark, Xiao Ming set off with Ye Maozi and Ma Liu. The Liu Family Village was neither near nor far, and the group of people took a detour to avoid the Japanese army's stronghold and evade the devils' patrol team, slowly approaching the Liu Family Mansion.

  Arriving at a small grove, Xiao Ming and the others dismounted their horses, checked their watches, and found it was already past 10 o'clock. Leaving behind several soldiers to guard the horses, they avoided the searchlights on the large courtyard's watchtower and quietly slipped into the Liu family ancestral hall.

  "Mrs. Liu, Mrs. Liu..." The tomcat came to the door of a side room, knocked gently and called out softly.

  "Who? What?" Half a day later, there was an echo in the house, and the hoarse voice belonged to Liu Dà Nǎi Nai.

  "Mrs. Liu, I'm Xiao Ming from the Flying Tiger Fort. Today, I've borrowed your place to take care of some business. If we're disturbing you, please forgive us! However, it's best if you stay inside and get dressed, and then leave with us later. Otherwise, the Japanese might not treat you well afterwards!"

  "It's the Xiao family's house, how rude! You're here to kill Japanese people, aren't you? Please go ahead, I'll just stay inside and won't bother you!" Liu Dainai said calmly.

  "Thanks in advance, let's talk about it later!"

  Xiao Ming waved his hand, and the crowd quietly entered the main hall. The night cat lifted the curtain on the offering table and slipped in lightly, only to hear a faint rustling sound, then poked his head out and whispered: "You wait here for a moment, I'll go explore the way first."

  "Old Cat, take Ma Liu and Shan Wawa with you. If it's okay, leave two people there to keep watch!" Xiao Ming nodded slightly, and Ma Liu and Shan Wawa also crawled in.

  After a while, there was movement under the table. Shanwa slowly poked out his head and whispered: "Everything is normal!" Xiao Ming left two people on guard and led the others to crawl in one by one.

  Under the table is a secret passage, when Flying Tiger Fort attacked Liu's mansion, Liu Jingzai escaped from the secret passage and was caught back. The exit of the secret passage is just under the incense case at the bottom of the last row of houses in Liu's mansion where Grandma Liu burns incense to worship Buddha. Japanese soldiers also believed in ghosts and gods, after occupying the mansion they did not thoroughly search the Buddhist hall, instead from time to time they came to burn incense and worship Buddha.

  Crawling out of the dark passage, Ma Liu received them here and whispered that Ye Maozi had gone out to scout. Xiao Ming made a gesture for everyone to disperse and hide, and no one was allowed to make a sound. After a while, Ye Maozi returned quietly and said in a low voice: "There are people sleeping in the wing rooms on both sides, and there should be devils in the middle house. The ones on duty in the artillery tower seem to be puppet soldiers. Judging from the direction of the searchlights, they are paying attention to the outside of the courtyard, and the inside of the courtyard is rarely noticed."

  Xiao Ming nodded and said: "Alright! Ma Liu, divide your men into groups of three, take care of the devils in the house without making a sound! Old Cat, have your men split into two groups, one group guards the door against the puppet army, the other controls the artillery tower. I'll be responsible for the southeast corner with Shan Wazi. Let's act separately!"

  Spring and summer intersect, it's the time when people are tired. The Japanese army in the big yard has been busy for several days and is already exhausted. As soon as night falls, they all go to bed and sleep soundly. Of course, only the Japanese army can enjoy such treatment. The puppet soldiers still have to stand guard and work hard for the prosperity of East Asia.

  The weather was already very hot, and the doors of the front and back yards were not closed. Under the guidance of Ye Maozi, Ma Liu led his men to quietly surround each room, taking out their daggers and holding them in their mouths, preparing to take action. Ye Maozi immediately led his men to rush towards the cannon tower. Xiao Ming pulled Shan Waizi, and the two of them quietly crossed over the door in the middle, coming to the front yard. The yard was filled with hemp bags covered with canvas. The two came to the side of the cannon tower at the southeast corner, and immediately puffed out their chests, swaggering as they walked inside.

  The watchtower was divided into two layers, both of which were lit up. Downstairs, there were four puppet soldiers who were snoring away on the table, and they didn't even know when Xiaoming and his companion walked in. Xiaoming also ignored them and went upstairs to the second floor. On the second floor, there were also four puppet soldiers, possibly preparing for a shift change, sleeping lightly, vaguely feeling someone coming up, lifting their heads to take a look, it was two strangely dressed Imperial Army men, they were startled, quickly got up and were about to salute.

  The two waved the box guns in their hands, and Xiao Ming smiled and said a sentence: "Don't move, Feihu Village is handling the matter, it has nothing to do with you!" He gestured for Shan Wawa to take care of them, and he himself walked up to the rooftop.

  The fake soldiers finally came to their senses, looking at each other in dismay. Before long, Xiao Ming chased the two fake soldiers down from the rooftop and they all gathered on the first floor. The fake soldiers on the first floor heard the commotion and were about to go upstairs to see what was happening when they saw everyone tumbling down. Just as their leader was about to speak, he saw a black gun barrel pointing at him, and a young man of around twenty years old was smiling at him. In shock, he hastily closed his mouth and raised his hands.

  Xiao Ming swept his eyes over the fake soldiers and slowly opened his mouth: "Let me introduce myself, I am Xiao Ming of Feihu Fort!"

  Several fake soldiers were startled and hurriedly whispered: "Good sir Xiao's, I don't know what brings sir to...?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, everyone. We're here today for the grain in the courtyard! You all know that this Liu family compound is our Flying Tiger Fort's territory. Now the Japanese want to stick their noses in and snatch food from our mouths. Can my brothers swallow this insult? Today we're only dealing with these little devils, but if anyone dares to interfere with the Flying Tiger Fort's business, I won't mind taking them down!"

  The fake soldiers said they didn't dare, but their eyes were tense and staring at the door. Xiao Ming smiled and said: "Don't worry, gentlemen, the little devil in the house is probably gone by now!"

  As soon as the words fell, Ma Liu Xing rushed in, covered in blood, with a dagger in his hand, shouting: "Master, the little devils have been cleared out, what about these secondary devils?"

  The fake soldiers were shocked, thinking they would be attacked, and unconsciously looked around for their guns. Xiao Ming shouted: "Don't move!" After they calmed down, he ordered Ma Liu to arrange people on the cannon tower to keep watch, and then narrowed his eyes at those fake soldiers, saying: "I told you, today's matter has nothing to do with you, just stay honest! You, come out!" He pointed at the squad leader, "Take me to find your superior officer!"

  The monitor led Xiao Ming through the courtyard to the front of a main room, pointed silently and gestured for him to call out. The monitor composed himself, took a deep breath, lightly knocked on the door and softly called out: "Lian Zhang, Lian Zhang! Someone is looking for you!"

  "Who! Who's looking for me?" The person in the house was obviously still half asleep and mumbling.

  "Head of the company, it's me, San Mangzi! Someone is looking for you, come out and take a look!"

  "Who's looking for me at this late hour?" Along with the sound of dragging footsteps, the door opened and Lian Chang rubbed his sleepy eyes, yawning, "Who is it?"

  "I! Will be down tomorrow!" Xiao Ming smiled at him with a grin.

  "Xiao Ming? Which Xiao Ming?" Lian Chang was stunned for a moment, then looked carefully and suddenly realized, "Fei Hu Zhai..."

  "Yes!" Xiao Ming smiled. As an official, the work was easier to do. After Xiao Ming made his intentions clear, Lian Zhang hastily nodded and ordered San Mangzi to call the squad leaders of each squad to assemble in the courtyard.

  The assembly was over, and the searchlight on the watchtower suddenly focused on them, causing a commotion in the ranks. The company commander stepped forward, cleared his throat and said: "Brothers, quiet down! Today, Xiao Dangjia from Feihu Village came here to collect grain with his men. He said that as long as we have grain, it has nothing to do with us. Brothers, just stay still and don't move, and you will be safe! Now, put your guns aside and go back to the house, wait for my order before coming out again, quickly!"

  Several rows of veterans saw the Japanese motionless, and the air was filled with a bloody smell. They knew they had all been poisoned, and their hearts were panicked. Someone asked: "Comrade Lianzuo, where are we going to account for these Japanese? The little devils won't let us off either!"

  Lian Chang cursed in his heart: You pig head! If I dared not to agree, I would have died now, and my family might have suffered too. Isn't it still a matter of waiting until dawn for the Japanese? But he said aloud: "Shut up! Is it easy for the heroes of Fei Hu Zhai to fight against the devils in the rain of bullets? What's this little thing we're doing? Besides, this is originally their food! You all listen to me, if anything happens, I'll take responsibility!"

  The fake soldiers thought to themselves, "Even if the sky falls, there's a big guy holding it up, what's there to worry about?" Seeing that the master of the house seemed somewhat impatient, everyone's back felt a chill and they quickly carried out the orders.