Chapter 38 "I'm proud to be in cahoots with you guys"

  Qin Zhiyong charged at Heitian with his bayonet, but Heitian skillfully parried the attack with his sword and counterattacked. Qin Zhiyong dodged to the side, stumbling slightly, and before he could regain his footing, Heitian's sword came crashing down again. Qin Zhiyong hastily retreated, but was tripped by a Japanese corpse and fell to the ground. Heitian raised his sword to deliver the final blow when Guo Team Leader arrived with his guerrilla fighters. Guo Team Leader shot Heitian in the shoulder, and several Japanese soldiers rushed over to cover Heitian's retreat.

  Qin Zhiyong got up from the ground, grabbed the submachine gun, replaced the magazine, and fiercely swept the retreating enemy.

  Liu Zanmou directed the soldiers and Lao Yang, Lao Cao's group to gather together and chase after the enemy. Zhou Guangren handed Liu Xiaohui over to a militia member and returned himself to join the battle.

  "Captain Guo shouted to Liu and Qin: "Liu, Qin, hurry up and retreat! The enemy's reinforcements will arrive soon."

  Liu Canmou and Qin Zhiyong nodded, this battle had sacrificed more than a dozen scouts and guerrilla fighters. Liu Canmou left a few people to deal with the aftermath, then led his troops to retreat into the mountains with Captain Guo.

  Guerrilla camp.

  The female medic of the guerrilla team was bandaging Kate's shoulder and leg wounds in the thatched hut when Liu Xiaoxi was carried in on someone's back and put on the bed. Kate pushed the medic away, limping over to Liu Xiaoxi's side, looking at his battered body, and cursed angrily: "This group of bastards!"

  Iwai, who had rushed over with reinforcements, looked at the corpses of the Japanese soldiers scattered all over the ground and in his anger chopped down a tree with one swing of his sword.

  Kuroda's shoulder was bandaged, and he stood trembling in front of Iwai, his face pale: "The American pilots must be in their hands!"

  Iwai slapped Kuroda several times and scolded: "Bastard! If you don't catch the American pilot, I'll cut off your head!"

  Kuroda: "Yes!"

  Seventh Uncle ran back home, it was already midnight, he lay on the bed, humming non-stop, Seventh Aunt took off his clothes stained with bloodstains and applied medicine to the wound on his back.

  "Japanese devils, they're not human!"

  Seventh Aunt was so frightened that she hurriedly went to cover Seventh Uncle's mouth. Seventh Uncle pushed away Seventh Aunt's hand in anger and said loudly: "What's wrong! Not human! Beast!"

  Seventh Aunt cried: "Are you out of your mind? Think about our granddaughter!"

  Seventh Uncle's little granddaughter was already asleep in bed, Seventh Uncle took a look at his sleeping granddaughter and sighed: "If it weren't for this child, who would be willing to live like this!"

  Guerrilla campsite.

  Under the moonlight, Captain Guo and Adviser Liu, Qin Zhiyong and others sat on the ground, chatting. Zhou Guangren had his right arm wrapped in gauze, occasionally turning his head to look towards Liu Xiaohui's thatched cottage.

  Liu: "Captain Guo, we owe you one again! If it weren't for you, Lieutenant Kate would have fallen into the enemy's hands!"

  "Captain Guo: "This young American looks like he's only in his twenties, and he came all the way from America to support our China against Japan. What is he fighting for? We must risk our lives to save him!"

  Qin Zhiyong anxiously asked: "How is Liu Xiaoxi's injury?"

  "Captain Guo: 'The medic has already given her some medicine, don't worry, there are plenty of herbal remedies in these mountains!'"

  Old Yang poked Zhou Guangren beside him: "Hey, Second Ghost, why don't you go take a look at your little lover?"

  Lao Cao, Shu Zi and Huang Xintian were also looking at Zhou Guangren with a wicked smile.

  Zhou Guangren said seriously: "I can remind you once again, whoever dares to call me 'Er Guizi' here, I... I..."

  Old Yang's eyes widened: "How dare you?"

  Zhou Guangren's tone softened: "I beg of you gentlemen, I'll treat you to a drink when we get back!"

  Old Yang laughed: "Really? Don't deny it when the time comes!"

  "A single drink is nothing."

  "Get out of here."

  Zhou Guangren stood up and walked towards the thatched cottage.

  Lao Yang took out a scope from his pocket, hid it behind him and said to Huang Xintian with a smile: "Old Huang, I'll give you a little toy, want it?"

  Huang Xintian didn't even lift his head: "No."

  Lao Yang flashed the scope in front of his eyes, and Huang Xintian's eyes lit up instantly. He exclaimed excitedly: "Scope! Give it to me quickly!"

  Huang Xintian reached out to grab it, and Old Yang hastily stood up, holding the scope high above his head.

  Qin Zhiyong, Old Cao and Shu Zi laughed at the two of them. Old Cao said to Old Yang: "Hurry up and give it to him, look how anxious Old Huang is."

  Old Yang held up the scope and deliberately teased Huang Xintian: "Call me Grandpa and I'll give it to you."

  "Get out of here."

  As he spoke, he suddenly jumped up, snatched the scope into his hand, fondled it lovingly, and then mounted it on his own rifle to aim at a distant place.

  "Look at old Huang, it's been ages since I've seen him so happy," said Guanzi with a sigh.

  Huang Xintian looked up and saw Old Yang smiling at him, feeling a bit embarrassed: "Hehe! Old Yang, thanks!"

  Old Yang: "Is it just lip service?"

  "Go back and I'll treat you to a drink!"

  Old Yang was delighted: "Hey, there are two meals of wine."

  Liu Xiaoxi lay on the bed, Kate sat beside her, holding Liu Xiaoxi's hand, and they gazed at each other.

  Liu Xiaoxi smiled and looked at Kate, reaching out her hand to touch the bandage on his shoulder.

  Kate smiled: "I'm fine, you must be in a lot of pain? My angel. I don't know what your name is, so I'll just call you Angel, okay?"

  Liu Xiaoxi smiled and shook her head, indicating she didn't understand.

  Kate was somewhat dejected: "You don't know what I'm talking about."

  Zhou Guangren pushed open the door and came in, seeing Kate holding Liu Xiaoxi's hand, with a displeased expression.

  Liu Xiaoxi saw Zhou Guangren and said happily: "Brother Zhou, you saved me again this time."

  Zhou Guangren took a glance at Kate, pulled Liu Xiaohui's hand out of Kate's and grasped it in his own. Kate stood up knowingly, shrugged her shoulders and walked over to sit down on the side.

  Zhou Guangren sat down beside the bed and asked with concern: "Does it still hurt?"

  Liu Xiaoxi: "I've taken some medicine, it doesn't hurt anymore. How's your injury?"

  "It's nothing, I didn't hurt any bones. Xiaoxi, you know what? I...I often dream of you..."

  Liu Xiaoxi's face turned red, and she quickly covered her face with the quilt. After a while, she exposed her eyes again and looked at Zhou Guangren.

  Kate stood by, seeming to have seen something, and smiled at the two of them.

  Zhou Guangren looked at Kate: "What are you laughing at? It's all because of you that our Xiao Xi is hurt like this."

  The nurse came in with a medicine box on her back: "Xiao Xi, it's time for your dressing change."

  Zhou Guangren sat still and didn't move. The nurse said to Zhou Guangren in a blunt tone, "Someone needs to change their dressing, hurry up and get out."

  Zhou Guangren turned back to Kate: "I'm talking about you, get out quickly."

  Kate was stunned for a moment, looked at the medicine in the nurse's hand, immediately understood, said "OK" to the nurse and walked out.

  The health worker said discontentedly to Zhou Guangren: "You get out too!"

  Zhou Guangren reluctantly stood up, smiled at Liu Xiaoxi, and also walked out.

  Liu Xiaoxi looked at Zhou Guangren with some reluctance as he walked out of the thatched cottage.

  Outside the thatched cottage, Captain Guo said to Adviser Liu, "Then I can hand over the pilots to you."

  "Rest assured, Captain Guo, we will safely send him to Jiangxi Suichuan Airport."

  Kate walked over and Liu Shoumou hailed him in English: "Lieutenant Kate, come here."

  Kate sat down beside Liu, saying sorrowfully: "Liu, I know that many soldiers sacrificed themselves to save me, and it's hard for me..."

  Liu Canmo: "You say they are for you, then who are you for?"

  "Katie nodded: "Fascism is our common enemy! Please send me back to Jiangxi Suichuan Airport as soon as possible, I want to recover from my injuries as soon as possible, I want to fly again and kill all these Japanese beasts, these sons of bitches, they have already given up their qualifications as human beings!"

  Liu: "Alright! You rest for another day, and we'll leave the day after tomorrow."

  The next morning, in Changde City.

  Shells kept falling in the city, and Xiao Yu and other members of the propaganda team ran around frantically.

  "Stop running around! Get down quickly!"

  A team member ran over and shouted to Lao Fang: "Captain, the devils have entered the city!"

  At this moment a shell whizzed over and exploded nearby, Old Fang rushed over to press Xiaoyu down to the ground, the shell exploded nearby, Xiaoyu got up and found Old Fang covered in blood.

  Xiao Yu loudly wailed: "Captain! Captain——"

  Lao Fang opened his eyes: "Quick! Quickly withdraw to outside the city——"

  Old Fang finished speaking and closed his eyes...

  Guerrilla campsite.

  Liu Xiaoxi walked out of the thatched cottage wearing a coat, and the bright sunlight made her unable to open her eyes. Captain Guo, Liu Canmou, Qin Zhiyong, Kate, and others were sitting together in a circle.

  "Xiao Xi, come over and get some sun!" Captain Guo shouted when he saw Liu Xiaoxi.

  Xiao Wang shouted: "It's been a long time since I heard Little Xi sing, how about singing one?"

  Captain Guo rebuked Little Wang, saying: "Others have just recovered from their injuries and are allowed to sing songs." He looked at Liu Xiaohui, "Or you can sing one! It's been ages since I've heard Xiaohui sing a song."

  Everyone burst out laughing, and Liu Xiaoxi said with a smile: "Okay, then I'll sing one." Liu Xiaoxi started singing:

  Even if the Japanese bandits are ferocious, our brothers are truly heroic when they fight back.

  Even if the enemy's guns and cannons are fierce, they can't find our people or shadows.

  Let the enemy rush around wildly, our position is built on the side and back of the enemy...

  Captain Guo and the other team members also sang along, Qin Zhiyong and the scouts listened with great interest, Liu Canmou quietly translated the lyrics for Kate, who clapped her hands while listening.

  The guerrilla fighters sang softly together:

  "The longer the enemy's lines are stretched, the more our troops will expand."

  No distinction between rich and poor, 400 million compatriots unite to take up arms

  Regardless of party, regardless of faction, everyone come to resist.

  We become stronger with each fight, while Japan's bandits are heading towards their own destruction.

  Look at the final victory day, the world peace dawn!

  ……”

  The singing ended, and the warriors of the reconnaissance team couldn't help but applaud.

  Liu's consultant was deeply moved: "I didn't expect that you could be so optimistic in such a difficult situation in the mountains."

  Old Yang also hummed softly: "...Regardless of party, regardless of faction, everyone comes to resist..."

  Xiao Wang shouted again: "Please ask the National Army brothers to sing one!"

  The other team members chimed in: "Right! Let's sing one!"

  Xiao Wang patted Zhou Guangren's shoulder: "This brother has saved our Xiaoxi twice, you represent everyone to sing one!"

  Zhou Guangren's face turned red and his neck thickened as he pushed back: "No, no, I don't sing well."

  Lao Cao: "Right! Let the second..." Suddenly seeing Zhou Guangren staring at him, he swallowed back the words "ghost child", "You just sing one! Zhou..."

  Old Yang joked: "He can only sing 'Manchu Girl'!"

  Lao Cao, Huang Xintian and Shu Zi all burst out laughing, Zhou Guangren's face turned bright red, he pinched Lao Yang's neck: "Old Yang, you're doing it on purpose!"

  Old Yang laughed and struggled: "I didn't call you a Jap!"

  Zhou Guangren: "You still say - shut your stinky mouth!"

  Liu: "Alright, let's sing one then!"

  Liu Canmo led the scouts in singing:

  Charge! Charge! Charge!

  Charge forward!

  Charge! Charge! Charge!

  Sacrifice requires bravery.

  Not afraid of his plane circling and dropping bombs in the air

  Not afraid of his fierce gunfire;

  Not afraid of his machine gun bullets raining down like rain

  Not afraid of his poisonous gas fog!

  We just charge forward!

  Charge forward!

  We just attack,

  Charge forward!

  Fill in the Yellow Sea and fight to the Japanese Imperial Palace

  Killing across the four islands of this continent, the ground is covered in red.

  Triumphant return for our nation's honor.

  Who says there are no great heroes in our great Chinese nation!

  ……”

  The warriors of the reconnaissance squad finished singing, and the members of the guerrilla team applauded warmly.

  "Who says our Chinese nation has no great heroes? We are all! As long as we unite, the War of Resistance will surely win!"

  Liu: "Yes, if we can really unite and truly achieve 'no parties, no factions, everyone resists together', the little Japanese would have been beaten back home long ago."

  "Comrade-in-arms, I have been fighting with the Nationalist Party for ten years, and both sides have lost so many men. What's the result? We've invited the Japanese in! If brothers don't unite, they will be bullied by outsiders!"

  Liu nodded in agreement.

  "Captain Guo: 'I'm not afraid of the little Japanese, Japan's surrender is only a matter of time. What I worry about is that after we win this war, an internal war will probably start soon. I know your Chairman Chiang too well.'"

  Liu's advisor lowered his head and remained silent. Captain Guo smiled and said, "If it really comes to a fight, Liu's advisor and Qin, will you shoot at us?"

  Liu's advisor raised his head, with a solemn expression: "Please rest assured on this point, Captain Guo. I joined the army to fight against Japan, my gun will never be fired at Chinese people!"

  Qin Zhiyong nodded solemnly, and Captain Guo patted Liu's shoulder.

  At this time, a guerrilla soldier ran over to report: "Captain, the devils have entered Changde!"

  Everyone was shocked and stood up.

  Old Yang worriedly muttered: "Xiao Yu and Lao Fang don't know how they are either..."

  At this time, Xiaoyu and the members of the cultural troupe had withdrawn from Changde City and were struggling to march in the mountains. Many members still held musical instruments in their hands, and several wounded members were supported by other members.

  The next morning, Captain Guo, Liu Xiaoxi, and the soldiers of the reconnaissance squad, including Kate, Liu Canmou, and Qin Zhiyong, bid farewell.

  Zhou Guangren and Liu Xiaoxi were talking in a low voice.

  "Xiao Xi, take good care of your injury..."

  Liu Xiaoxi also felt a little down: "Brother Zhou, take care of yourself too..."

  Liu: "Captain Guo, let's stop here, don't send us off any further!"

  "Alright! Liu Advisor, Qin Squad Leader, we'll meet again!"

  Kate shook hands with Captain Guo, hugged him, and then wanted to hug Liu Xiaohui. Zhou Guangren, who was beside them, saw the situation and quickly stepped forward to hug Kate. Kate smiled and hugged Zhou Guangren for a moment before walking over to Liu Xiaohui's side. She took off her dagger and put it in Liu Xiaohui's hand, then gently kissed her forehead. Zhou Guangren turned his head to the side with a helpless expression, muttering something under his breath.

  Kate gazed at Liu Xiaohui with passionate eyes and said: "My angel, good luck! I'll miss you."

  Kate saw Liu Xiaohui's puzzled face and turned back to ask Liu: "'I'll miss you', how do you say that in Chinese?"

  "I will miss you."

  Kate said to Liu Xiaohui: "I'll miss you!"

  Liu Xiaoxi understood and she lowered her head in embarrassment.

  Kate saluted everyone, saying emotionally: "You are all excellent warriors, I am proud to be with you."

  Liu translated Kate's words for everyone, and Captain Guo also saluted Kate.

  Guo Team Leader and Liu Xiaoxi saw them off as they walked down the mountain, Zhou Guangren turned back to wave his hand reluctantly at Liu Xiaoxi.

  A group of people walked until noon, and Liu Canmou was still lost in thought.

  Qin Zhiyong: "Liu Canmou, you haven't spoken all along the way. What are you thinking about?"

  "It's really a team with faith!"

  Qin Zhiyong: "You're referring to Captain Guo and his men?"

  Liu nodded in agreement.

  Qin Zhiyong: "Yes, it's really admirable! Liu Canmo, after we've finished fighting the devils, will we really fight a civil war?"

  Liu said with some worry: "It's hard to say!"

  Qin Zhiyong resolutely said: "My gun will never shoot Chinese people!"

  Liu nodded in agreement.

  Huang Xintian excitedly held up the rifle with a scope, walking and looking around everywhere. Suddenly, he saw through the scope that on a distant hillside sat a troop wearing National Army uniforms. He was shocked and said to Old Yang: "Old Yang, look!"

  Huang Xintian handed the gun to Old Yang. Old Yang took aim through the scope, and in the lens appeared Xiaoyu's figure.

  Old Yang suddenly exclaimed: "Xiaoyu——"

  At this time, Xiaoyu and the members of the cultural troupe were exhausted, everyone was lying on the ground, Xiaoyu suddenly saw a team of soldiers running towards them, first startled, when Xiaoyu saw that it was Old Yang running in front, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

  Xiao Yu rushed into Old Yang's arms and burst out crying loudly.

  Old Yang stroked her hair and comforted: "Don't cry, child, don't cry, speak slowly."

  Xiao Yu sobbed: "Uncle, Chang De is gone... Captain Fang sacrificed himself to save me..."

  Old Yang nodded solemnly and the soldiers of the reconnaissance squad busied themselves distributing dry rations and water to the cultural troupe members, bandaging the wounds of the injured.

  Liu asked Xiaoyu: "Where are you going?"

  Xiao Yu: "We were supposed to return to Changsha, but we got lost in the mountains."

  Liu Zhānmóu turned around and said to Qin Zhìyǒng: "I'll take a squad to escort Kate to Suichuan Airport, you take the rest of the people to send the Wen Gong Tuan back to Changsha."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Liu Canmou, bring more people with you."

  Liu: "Never mind, the airport will send someone to pick us up. These cultural troupe members lack combat experience and must be safely sent to Changsha. They are all treasures of our division!"

  "Rest assured. Old Cao, you take a group and follow Liu's advisor."

  Lao Cao: "Right! First squad follow me!"

  Lao Cao led a group of soldiers down the mountain with Liu Canmou and Kate.

  Kate walked away while waving her hand back at Qin Zhiyong and the others...