Chapter Seventy

  In one night, three strongholds were completely destroyed, the militiamen ran away with nothing left, and the digging of trenches was put to a stop. The stronghold outside Er Long Ling had been bombed for the second time, the Japanese were considering whether it was necessary to repair the gun emplacements everywhere, and the puppet army commander came crying with a sad face.

  The Flying Tigers and the captured Imperial Army worked together, it took five days to clear the road behind the mountain, the exit of Heifengxia and other places had been completely destroyed, which could not be cleared in ten days or half a month. Now that the weather is cold and frozen, it's not suitable for building houses either, which makes the people on the mountain very difficult.

  In desperation, Xiao Ming remembered the letter from the puppet army commander last year, ordering Lin Xiuzhi to take charge and lead the crowd to break through the exit of Heifengxia first. He himself took up his pen and wrote a letter, in which he listed the atrocities committed by the Japanese army, claiming that Feihu Fort was forced to have the idea of destroying everything, but now that the storm has passed, they only want to restore the mountain stronghold. Since the commander had sent a letter before, he sincerely asked for support, including explosives, bricks, tiles, wood, cement, sand, and other materials, etc., which were not too high a demand, just meeting the standard of the Imperial Army's fortifications would be enough. If they were willing to lend a hand, they would be extremely grateful! After finishing writing, he sent someone to deliver it to the puppet army commander.

  Anyone with eyes can see the intention of Feihu Fort, the garrison officer tore up the letter and scolded loudly: "This is a threat, blackmail! They are a group of thorough! Bandits! The Imperial Army cannot tolerate it!"

  The fake army commander looked at him with a furious expression, but was secretly amused: "Damn it, they were originally bandits, and now they've provoked someone, let's see how you get out of this!"

  The officer scolded for half a day, slightly venting his anger, and then calmed down to think of a countermeasure. Someone next to him reminded him that he might as well report to the commanding officer and listen to the superior's opinion! He weighed it for half a day and decided to report after all!

  The commander-in-chief was a little overwhelmed with emotion after receiving the report, secretly scolding his subordinates for their incompetence, and yet he also saw hope in reconciling with Flying Tiger Fort.

  The commander-in-chief had his own calculations: since he couldn't eliminate them, it was better to let things slide than to stir up trouble. Moreover, he was brewing a grand battle plan and didn't want any unnecessary complications. Since they wanted to restore their stronghold, having something to do was better than doing nothing!

  The commander-in-chief then instructed: fully support the rebuilding of Flying Tiger Fort, and provide whatever is needed except for items that can be used for military purposes such as explosives and cement. However, due to a shortage of manpower, there's no need to send someone to participate in person!

  This was a huge surprise to everyone, the pseudo-army began to transport various materials to Fei Hu Village by truckload. Due to the road being impassable, they had to unload at an open space outside Hei Feng Xia and even sent someone to express their deepest apologies for not being able to deliver directly to the mountain village, leaving everyone in Fei Hu Village stunned!

  Xiao Ming took the opportunity to ask for some grain and livestock, etc., and the other party actually paid in full, which also made Xiao Ming feel unexpected and couldn't figure out what kind of trick the Japanese army was playing.

  "I reckon in the eyes of the common people, we've become thorough traitors!" Lin Xiūqīng sighed bitterly, "Look, apart from those useless sand and stones, which ones weren't dug up recently? And what about those cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep?"

  "They must be doing it under the banner of Fei Hu Zhai, and the common people are probably already resentful towards us!" Lü Jizong sighed, "Outside, the news that we surrendered to the Japanese army has definitely spread, and the ordinary people will not go into the truth and cause!"

  "That can't be helped, we can't let our brothers go hungry and sleep in the snow to fight the devils!" Xiao Ming said coldly. "If they really have blood, they should go all out with the Japanese instead of lying at home and scolding their mothers!"

  In the bitterly cold weather, the soldiers of the imperial army were busy clearing roads and transporting gravel all day long, their hands cracked open. At first, they were a bit worried that the Flying Tiger Fort people would not treat them well, but they had never suffered such injustice before, and slowly they could no longer bear it, and began to persuade Hu Dahan to think of ways to leave this place.

  Hu Dahai is a good face person, although he doesn't need to do the work himself, but seeing his subordinates suffer and toil, he also feels a bit uncomfortable. He didn't have the guts to find Xiao Ming, that gaze was like wanting to kill someone! Finding Lü Jizong, this person is sinister and weird, one look and it's not a good talker. In the end, he found Lin Xiuying who looked more gentle.

  "What? Isn't the food good here?" Lü Jizong asked in surprise when he heard Hu Dahai say he wanted to leave.

  "No, no, Director Lin, don't get me wrong. Whatever the noble village eats, we eat too. It's all good!" Hu Dahai was telling the truth.

  "So, have our people been treating you badly?"

  "There's no bullying! The brothers in Guizhai work with us just like we do, and they don't make things difficult for us!"

  "Why are you leaving?" Lin Xiuning wasn't unaware of why they wanted to leave, she was just worried for them. Before they finished their work, Xiao Ming would never let them go.

  "Director Lin, these brothers all have families and businesses to attend to. If they don't return home for a long time, won't their families be worried? Besides, the brothers have never done this kind of work before, it's unbearable! Please, sir, have some pity on us and let us go back home!" Hu Dahai said pitifully.

  "I'm not in a position to make decisions on this. How about this: you go back first, and I'll talk to Commander Xiao when I get back, what do you think?"

  "Alright, Officer Lin, I'm leaving this matter to you! Please hurry up, these brothers really can't take it anymore!" Hu Dahai thanked him repeatedly and returned to the camp.

  "Do they all want to leave?" As soon as Lin Xiuzhi said that, Xiao Ming's face broke into a smile.

  "This is just what Hu Yingchang said. The brothers under him want to go back, and I didn't ask carefully!" Lin Xiuchang saw that Xiao Ming's expression was a bit strange, and his heart was racing.

  "Alright! Old Lin, you go tell them. Those who stay behind will be given double pay. Those who want to leave can gather at the drill ground tomorrow and I'll send them off!" Having said that, Xiao Ming smiled and patted Lin Xiuchun's shoulder before turning around and leaving.

  The next morning, the playground was packed with people. Xiao Ming walked up to the front of the crowd, smiled and said: "Brothers, you've all worked hard for a while now! I'd like to thank everyone here on behalf of Xiao Ming! Old Lin has already told you all, whoever wants to leave, I won't force them! So those who want to leave, please move to my right side!" After finishing speaking, he smiled and looked at the crowd.

  One after another, people walked past, and a squad leader under Niu San also wanted to go over, but was pulled back by Niu San: "What are you going for?"

  "Go back? What are you doing here?" Pai Chang looked at Niu San strangely.

  "Your mother's! You're just a useless thing, go back and do what? Wherever you go, it's all about eating!" Niu San said with hatred, "Listen to me, let's take a look first!"

  Soon, the playground was divided into two camps. Xiao Ming glanced around and smiled: "You've all thought about it, if you don't leave now, it won't be easy to change your mind later!"

  After Xiao Ming said this, more people went over to the other side in twos and threes, with around a hundred or so gathering on the right-hand side.

  Xiao Ming looked at Hu Dahai and smiled, saying: "Hu Battalion Commander, sorry about that. These days I've been neglecting my brothers, so I'll apologize to you here! By the way, are you thinking of leaving or staying?"

  "Commander Xiao, I still have elderly and young children at home, so I'd better head back! However, please rest assured, Commander Xiao, from now on I will never oppose the Flying Tiger Fort again. If I do, may heaven strike me down with lightning and I'll die a terrible death!" Hu Dahan only wanted to leave this place quickly.

  "Hu Ying's words are heavy! Everyone has their own ambitions, and it's right for you to do so. Then let's part ways here!" Xiao Ming smiled and waved his hand, "Permit the big guy, send them off!"

  "Alright, let's go!" Xu Dage had been waiting impatiently. "Come on, follow me this way, there's a shortcut here!"

  The people on the right hurried down the mountain, and soon a fierce gunshot was heard. The imperial army on the playground suddenly changed color, knowing that those who went down had met with misfortune, and they couldn't help but feel some sympathy for them.

  Xiao Ming smiled coldly and walked to Niu San's side, patted his shoulder and said: "From now on, these people are all under your control. As long as you do a good job, I, Xiao Ming, will never go back on my word!"

  "Director Xiao, rest assured, I guarantee with my head that these brothers have no second thoughts, absolutely no second thoughts!" Niu San was frightened and feared that the person in front of him would get angry again and have a murderous intention. He hastily turned around and shouted: "Brothers, it's all right, it's all right! Go back to work, everyone do your job well!" After finishing speaking, he bowed his waist to Xiao Ming and led the remaining people away.

  As soon as the Imperial Japanese Army left, Lin Xiūqīng's face turned pale and her voice trembled as she said: "Old Xiāo, how could you do this! These are all Chinese people!"

  "Oh! I'll handle it this way, does Director Lin have any opinions?" Xiao Ming stared at Lin Xiuzhi, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

  "This... of course!" Lin Xiuzhi's heart tightened, but she also let go, "They all have parents and children, brothers and sisters, just wanting to take a look back home, do you need to use deadly force? Moreover, how will these people think? Will they be in danger, what if one day it explodes? You, you..." Lin Xiuzhi became more and more agitated, suddenly speechless.

  "Director Lin, have you ever thought that they can't even bear this little hardship, what can they do when they go back? Will they still have to help the Japanese do their work? If the Japanese don't hold grudges and give them a good face, will they be willing to dedicate themselves to serving the Japanese?" Xiao Ming smiled slightly, "As for those who stay behind, as long as they honestly do their work, I absolutely won't make things difficult for them!"

  "You're absolutely unreasonable!" Lin Xiuzhi's face turned red with anger and she stormed off.

  The mountain doll looked at Lin Xiuzhi walking away in a huff and chuckled: "This little Lin, quite interesting!"

  Xiao Ming stretched out his hand and knocked on his head, laughing and saying: "You little guy, what do you understand with your silly brain!"

  Lü Jizong didn't say a word, but was secretly coldly laughing in his heart. Listening to the survivors of the gourd valley, those imperial coalition troops were truly reckless when they charged, and when fighting their own people, they showed no mercy either. Could Xiao Ming easily let them off?

  However, Lin Xiuzhi's attitude was somewhat unexpected, and he had never seen him get so angry before. Was there another hidden reason behind this? Lü Jizong looked at the back of Lin Xiuzhi as he walked away, lost in thought.

  Lü Jizong finally got in touch with his superior, who sympathized with the situation of Feihu Village in a lukewarm manner. However, a piece of belated news made Lü Jizong overjoyed and he excitedly went to find Xiao Ming.

  "Lao Xiao, I have some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" Lü Jizong couldn't conceal his excitement.

  "What's wrong, did you eat bee feces? Can you still have good news?" Xiao Ming is now unenthusiastic about Lü Jizong's contact report, but doesn't want to hurt his face either. "Then just pick the good ones and talk about them!"

  "The good news is that the Japanese army has launched a surprise attack on the US military, and America has already declared war on Japan. The National Government has also declared war on Japan!" Lü Jìzǔ excitedly rubbed his hands together, waiting to see Xiao Ming's expression.

  "What's the bad news?" Xiao Ming's face was calm and unruffled.

  Lü Jizong was somewhat disappointed and said slowly: "The Japanese army at sea, beat the American army to a pulp!"