Chapter 27 "As long as you're fighting against the devils, you're an ally."

  "Don't move! Put your hands up!"

  Old Cao whispered to Old Yang: "Isn't it a devil?"

  Old Yang: "How do you know it's not a devil! Have you forgotten how Sun Zan died!"

  Qin Zhiyong shouted towards the high ground in front: "Which unit are you from?"

  A sudden voice came from the high ground opposite: "Is it Qin Paizhang?"

  Old Yang was shocked: "Second Ghost?"

  Old Cao: "It's the second ghost, what is he doing here?"

  Qin Zhiyong was also surprised: "I am Qin Zhiyong, who are you, a Japanese devil?"

  "It's me! Paichang."

  Liu Xiaoxi looked at Zhou Guangren with a strange gaze: "Second Ghost?"

  Zhou Guangren couldn't help but smile awkwardly, then walked to Captain Guo's side and said: "Captain Guo, it's our own people, the devils' warehouse was blown up by them."

  Qin Zhiyong shouted vigilantly: "The two devils, who are they?"

  Zhou Guangren also shouted: "Qin Pai Zhang, they are the new fourth army Xiang E guerrilla troops, they are all our own people."

  Qin Zhiyong was about to move forward when Old Yang pulled him back: "Squad leader, be careful." He shouted towards the opposite side, "Second Ghost! You come over alone first!"

  Zhou Guangren shouted "I'm coming!"

  At this time, Iwai and Kuroda each brought their troops together, but the unit wearing the National Army uniform was nowhere to be seen.

  Kuroda was astonished: "I just saw them a moment ago, where did they go?"

  Iwai also looked around cautiously and suddenly a Japanese question came from a nearby thicket.

  "Which unit are you from?"

  Iwai was taken aback and asked in return: "Which unit are you from?"

  "Is it Lieutenant Iwai?"

  Iwai was taken aback: "Yes, I am Iwai Ken, and you are——"

  Makino wore a National Army uniform and walked out from behind the trees, followed by that branch of Japanese special forces wearing National Army uniforms.

  Makino walked over with a smile: "As expected, it's Iwai-kun! Good job! You were almost surrounded."

  Iwai also laughed: "Ah - it's Makino Lieutenant! How did you end up here?"

  Makino: "There's a mission. Iwai-kun, what was that explosion just now?"

  Iwai said dejectedly: "The Hengshan warehouse was blown up by the enemy, we are chasing and killing them, can Makino captain lend me a helping hand?"

  Makino: "I'm afraid I must be off, duty calls and can't be delayed, goodbye."

  Makino bowed to Iwai and turned around to command his troops in Chinese: "Continue advancing!"

  Makino led his team deep into the dense forest.

  Iwai bowed towards Makino's back silhouette.

  Kuroda beside him was dissatisfied: "What a self-conceited guy!"

  Iwai gazed at the departing back of Makino's unit and said with deep meaning: "They must have a special mission, let's go."

  Kuroda: "Captain, let's wait till dawn before we move out. Be careful of an ambush."

  Iwai looked around at the terrain and nodded reluctantly.

  Kuroda ordered his soldiers: "Halt! Rest in place."

  The exhausted Japanese soldiers all sat down.

  Kuroda: "Captain, I'll take two people and scout ahead."

  Iwai: "Okay."

  Kuroda left with two soldiers.

  Zhou Guangren walked over from the high ground with a nervous look, Old Yang pulled the trigger of his machine gun, Zhou Guangren heard it and hastily shouted: "Old Yang, don't shoot! I'm coming over! It's me!"

  Lao Cao saw Zhou Guangren and couldn't help but flare up in anger, shouting: "You little devil! Where have you been?"

  "Up... up... went to the outhouse..."

  Zhou Guangren's answer caused laughter among the detectives.

  Zhou Guangren walked up to Qin Zhiyong and said, "Squad leader, they are the new Fourth Army's Hunan-Hubei guerrilla troops."

  Old Yang: "How did you know?"

  Zhou Guangren: "They killed a devil with their own hands, I saw it with my own eyes, can this be fake?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Take me over. Old Yang and Old Cao, be on guard!"

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao replied in unison: "Yes!"

  Zhou Guangren led Qin Zhiyong up to the high ground, and Captain Guo also came over.

  Zhou Guangren made an introduction to Qin Zhiyong and Captain Guo: "This is Captain Guo of the Xiang-E Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Detachment of the New Fourth Army, and this is our Commander Qin."

  Qin Zhiyong and Captain Guo saluted each other.

  Captain Guo asked Qin Zhiyong: "Was it you who blew up the warehouse?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Yes, we sacrificed many brothers, and the devils are still chasing us from behind."

  "Alright then, let's set up an ambush here before dawn! What do you think?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Alright! Let's think it over together."

  "Alright."

  Guo Team Leader walked towards the high ground, Qin Zhiyong beckoned to the rear, and Old Yang and Old Cao led the scouts' warriors to follow.

  Qin Zhiyong asked Old Yang: "Have you sent out scouts?"

  Old Yang: "Got it." Old Yang lowered his voice, "Be careful with them, squad leader."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Why?"

  Old Yang: "Why? They are Communist troops, we are Nationalist troops."

  Qin Zhiyong smiled calmly: "I don't understand what National Army or Communist Army is. As long as they fight against the devils, they are friendly armies."

  Zhou Guangren followed behind Qin Zhiyong: "Squad leader, I..."

  Qin Zhiyong turned around and glared at him fiercely, saying sternly: "You fled before the battle, what crime should you be guilty of?"

  Zhou Guangren: "I..."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Wait till we've won this battle, then I'll settle the score with you!" Turning to Captain Guo, "Captain Guo, let's go take a look at the terrain first?"

  "Alright."

  Qin Zhiyong pointed to the high ground and said to Old Yang: "Let our brothers ambush on the high ground."

  Old Yang: "Yes."

  Old Yang led the soldiers to climb up the high ground, and the guerrilla fighters on the high ground looked coldly at the reconnaissance squad soldiers. The reconnaissance squad soldiers also looked at each other with hostile eyes, both sides were full of hostility.

  The guerrilla fighters saw Old Yang and Old Cao wearing Japanese military uniforms, pointing and whispering to each other.

  Lao Cao said with a self-righteous tone: "What's wrong? Haven't you guys ever seen a devil before?"

  Guerrilla member Little Wang asked Old Yang: "Was it you who blew up the devils' warehouse?"

  Lao Cao hastily replied: "It was the two of us who set off the explosion!"

  Zhou Guangren had some heavy thoughts on his mind. He quietly walked to Liu Xiaoxi's side: "Xiaoxi, does your guerrilla team still need people?"

  Liu Xiaoxi smiled and said: "Of course! Second ghost."

  Zhou Guangren: "May I join you?"

  Liu Xiaoxi: "Let's go, but can you agree on a long queue?"

  Zhou Guangren scratched his head and was about to answer when he heard Old Cao's shout: "Second Ghost, come over here!"

  Zhou Guangren hurriedly ran to Lao Cao's side.

  Lao Cao: "Second Ghost, how did you spend a whole day and night in the outhouse?"

  Old Yang: "Are you out of your mind?"

  Old Cao complained: "Second Ghost, it would have been better if you were there last night. The ghost asked me questions and I couldn't understand what he was saying. At that time, I really missed you!"

  Old Yang: "Yes, Second Ghost, you want to stay, let you drive, I and Old Cao can still kill a few more ghosts!"

  Old Cao: "Get out of here! You let the second devil drive? That's just asking for a crash!"

  Old Yang and Old Cao both burst out laughing.

  Zhou Guangren took a glance at Liu Xiaoxi in the distance, who was also looking over here. Zhou Guangren whispered to Old Cao and Old Yang: "Hey, big brothers, can you not call me Er Guizi?"

  Lao Cao asked in confusion: "Why?"

  Zhou Guangren: "I have a great name!"

  Old Yang: "What's your name?"

  Zhou Guangren was somewhat annoyed: "Zhou Guangren!"

  Old Cao: "Forgot it long ago."

  Old Yang took out a bottle of Japanese sake from his pocket, opened the cap and took a sip: "What's with calling me a Jap?"

  Zhou Guangren said with embarrassment: "How can you say such things? It's not good for others to hear."

  Old Yang was puzzled: "Who is he?"

  Zhou Guangren felt somewhat embarrassed.

  Old Cao suddenly saw Old Yang drinking wine and shouted: "Old Yang, are you stealing a bottle of wine again? Is there any left?"

  Old Cao was rummaging through Old Yang's pockets while Old Yang dodged and weaved: "Nothing, nothing! Can't you change that loudmouthed habit of yours?"

  Lao Cao pulled out a bottle of wine and a can of food from Lao Yang's pocket, laughing and scolding: "You old slippery head!"

  Old Yang smiled and the two of them ignored Zhou Guangren, chatting and laughing as they went off to drink on one side.

  Qin Zhiyong and Captain Guo surveyed the terrain around the high ground. The two climbed to a nearby mountain top, chatting as they walked.

  Qin Zhiyong: "I don't know how things are going in Changsha?"

  Commander Guo: "The devils are still blocked outside Changsha City, and both sides are still stuck..."

  At this time, inside the city of Changsha, shells were constantly exploding on the streets. Liu's advisor had a bandage wrapped around his head and was running down the street with two guards closely following behind him. A shell came whizzing in, and all three hastily lay flat on the ground, covering their heads. The shell exploded nearby, and when Liu's advisor lifted his head, he saw that the two guards were still lying motionless on the ground. He pushed them, only to discover that both guards had been killed in action.

  Liu Zanmou scrambled up and ran into the infirmary with a hunched back.

  The wounded in the infirmary looked at Director Liu in surprise, and Zhuozi also sat up from his bed.

  "Brothers, the position outside the south gate has been lost, our reserve troops have all been wiped out. There's no way out, those of you who can still move, follow me!"

  The rescue station suddenly fell silent.

  Liu's advisor saw that no one was moving and got annoyed: "Didn't you hear? Those who can move, follow me! Now!"

  The wounded soldiers, including the one with a head wound, quietly got up from their beds and the floor. Some of them tore off the bandages on their heads and arms as they walked away from Lieutenant Liu's side, silently walking out.

  A wounded soldier who had lost a leg stood up with the help of crutches and walked past Director Liu, who stretched out his hand to stop him.

  Liu: "You... don't need to anymore..."

  The wounded soldier pushed away Liu's hand and hobbled along with the other wounded soldiers on his crutches.

  Liu's advisor lowered his head in distress, then immediately raised it again, pulled out a pistol from the holster, turned around and walked out of the infirmary.

  The villagers of Hexi Village stood at the entrance of the village, gazing at the flames on the horizon in the distance, anxiously discussing.

  "Can Changsha be kept?"

  "It will definitely work!"

  "It's hard to say! The Japanese artillery is formidable!"

  Changshan Niang said worriedly to Dongmei beside her: "I don't know how Zhangzi is doing either?"

  Changshan: "The Japanese have already occupied more than half of China, and Changsha will be next."

  The villagers around stared at Changshan fiercely and gradually dispersed.

  Changshan Niang: "Changshan, why are you always helping the Japanese gain prestige?"

  Changshan: "What's wrong?"

  Changshan Niang: "The villagers all look down on you, your mother's face is completely lost."

  Changshan: "What's there to fear? After the Japanese occupy Hunan, they'll also take Sichuan and Shaanxi. From then on, it'll all be under Japanese control. With the Japanese as our backing, I'm not afraid of anyone! Is that right, Seventh Uncle?"

  "Qi Shan, relying on the mountain can't just be one, what if the Japanese collapse? Who will you rely on then? In this era, don't say things absolutely, always leave a way out for yourself."

  Changshan nodded repeatedly: "Yes yes yes, Uncle Qi is indeed knowledgeable and has a long-term vision. Changshan will remember this."

  Qin Zhiyong and Captain Guo stood on high ground, also gazing out at the distant Changsha city where flames were soaring into the sky.

  "Is there family in Changsha?"

  Qin Zhiyong shook his head: "They were all killed by the devils."

  "Every Chinese person has a blood debt in their heart!"

  On the heights. Old Cao set up a "crooked handle" light machine gun, looked at the guerrilla fighter Old Lin who was setting up another "crooked handle" light machine gun next to him with disdain, and said in a sarcastic tone: "Hiding in the mountains all day, how tiring!"

  Lao Lin gave Lao Cao a cold look without saying a word.

  Lao Cao made an inch of progress: "Hey, to be honest, have you guys ever seen a devil?"

  Old Yang also sneered and said: "I've seen it, but as soon as I saw it from afar, I was scared and hid in the mountain ditch! The guerrilla team? Only touring, not attacking!"

  Old Yang finished speaking and burst out laughing together with Old Cao.

  Lao Lin patted the "crooked handle" light machine gun in his hand, without looking at Lao Cao and Lao Yang, and said lightly: "Don't laugh, the devils who died under my gun are definitely more than you've seen!"

  Old Cao muttered a curse at Old Yang: "Go ahead and brag!"

  Lao Yang also coldly nodded, suddenly he discovered that on the distant mountain slope there were two thatched cottages, then to the reconnaissance squad warriors beside him said: "Have a few people go and dismantle those two civilian houses, if we let the devils occupy them it will be very disadvantageous for us."

  Several scouts were about to leave when they were stopped by Old Lin.

  Lao Lin: "How can that be? The house has been demolished, where are you going to let the common people live?"

  Old Yang disagreed: "During wartime, can't care about so much, go dismantle quickly!"

  Xiao Wang also stood beside Lao Lin: "Cannot be demolished! Cannot violate mass discipline!"

  Several warriors hesitated.

  Old Cao is furious: "What are you standing there for? Execute the order!"

  Several warriors had no choice but to head towards the thatched cottage, only to be intercepted again by Old Lin, Little Wang and other guerrilla fighters.

  Lao Lin was furious: "It's just that it can't be demolished! Do you still care about the lives and deaths of ordinary people?! Do you understand mass discipline?!"

  Old Yang was also annoyed: "What's called mass discipline? Stop selling your fake medicine here!"

  Lao Cao also had an air of nonchalance: "Back then, the city of Changsha was burned down, what's the big deal about demolishing a few broken houses? Make a fuss over nothing, demolish!"

  Lao Lin indignantly exclaimed: "Digging up the Yellow River, burning Changsha - all of these were done by your Nationalist Party! How many lives have you taken?! You only know how to harm ordinary people!"

  Old Cao got angry: "What did you say? Who's harming the common people?"

  The warriors of the reconnaissance squad all got up, holding their guns at the guerrillas and scolding them one after another:

  "How dare you say it again!"

  "Who's bullying the common people?!"

  "Get to the point!"

  The guerrillas also stood up, their guns aimed at the reconnaissance platoon soldiers.

  Lao Lin picked up his machine gun and sneered: "What's wrong? Want to fight? I'm not afraid! The blood debt of Wan Nan has not been avenged yet!"

  Huang Xintian persuaded Old Cao on the side: "Forget it, forget it, why are you still fighting? Keep your voice down!"

  Lao Cao furiously: "Did you hear what they just said?"

  At this time, Kuroda and two Japanese soldiers heard the sound of quarreling, he gently parted the grass, saw the warring warriors who were arguing.

  The two warriors were still arguing with each other, neither willing to give in.

  "One side of the scouting troops: 'You are roaming around without attacking!'"

  "One side of the guerrilla: 'You are passively resisting the war!'"

  "One side of the reconnaissance team: 'You are creating friction and sabotaging the war effort!'"

  "One side of the guerrilla force: 'You pretend to resist Japan, but actually oppose the Communist Party!'"

  ……

  Kuroda gave a signal with his eyes to the two soldiers and the three of them quietly turned around and left.

  Xiao Wang sneered: "Your Chiang Kai-shek is good at internal war but poor at external war!"

  When they heard the title "Director Chiang", the soldiers of the reconnaissance team couldn't help but stand at attention.

  Old Cao scolded: "How dare you!"

  Old Yang: "Don't insult our leader!"

  Old Yang and Old Cao strode towards Little Wang with sleeves rolled up, while Old Lin and other guerrilla fighters shielded Little Wang behind them.

  Xiao Wang: "What's with the insults? Chiang Kai-shek is your leader, not ours!"

  Upon hearing the title "Director Chiang", Old Cao and Old Yang involuntarily stood at attention once again.

  "Huang Xintian hastily said: 'Stop arguing, do you want the devils to hear us?'"

  Zhou Guangren stood in between the two parties, mediating: "Is there anything good to say? Is there anything good to say?"

  Liu Xiaoxi angrily drew out his pistol and brandished it: "Avenge the martyrs of Southern Anhui!"

  "Old lady, just stop following us and causing trouble."

  The voices of both sides grew louder and louder in argument.

  Guo Team Leader and Qin Zhiyong heard the quarrel and rushed down from the mountain panting.

  "Captain Guo pressed his voice down: "What are you doing?! You're shouting like this, aren't you afraid of exposing our target?!"

  Lao Lin indignantly said: "They were the ones who started it!"

  "Captain Guo's face was stern: "Haven't you had enough of internal strife? Put down your guns!"

  Qin Zhiyong was also furious: "The devils haven't arrived yet and you're already fighting each other! It's a heroic or despicable battlefield!"

  Both sides of the warriors slowly put down their guns.

  The sentry suddenly ran over and shouted loudly: "Platoon leader! The devils are coming from behind!"

  Before his words were finished, several gunshots rang out, and the sentry fell to the ground.

  Before everyone could react, several hand grenades exploded on the high ground, and gunfire erupted. Several soldiers and team members were hit and fell to the ground.

  Commander Guo and Qin Zhiyong quickly organized soldiers and team members to counterattack against the enemy who was attacking from behind.

  "Old Yang! Old Cao! Suppress enemy firepower!"

  Lao Yang and Lao Cao quickly set up their machine guns and fired at the enemy.

  Both sides exchanged intense gunfire.

  Deep underground, Iwai and Kuroda ordered their soldiers to fire up at the heights.

  The Japanese army fired mortars, and on the high ground, reconnaissance platoon soldiers and guerrilla fighters were constantly being hit.

  Lao Lin, Lao Cao and Lao Yang each carried a "crooked-handled" light machine gun to sweep the enemy.

  A smoking grenade fell beside Old Cao's feet, and he was stunned. At the critical moment, Old Lin rushed over, picked up the grenade and threw it back.

  Lao Cao looked at Lao Lin with gratitude.

  Deep underground, Iwai brandished his military sword and shouted loudly: "Charge!"

  Japanese soldiers fixed bayonets and charged up the hill shouting.

  A hand grenade fell behind Liu Xiaohui, Zhou Guangren rushed up and knocked Liu Xiaohui to the ground, the grenade exploded, shrapnel injured Zhou Guangren's shoulder, Liu Xiaohui sat up and saw Zhou Guangren's bleeding shoulder, exclaimed: "Brother Zhou, you're wounded!"

  "Little sister, are you okay?"

  Liu Xiaoxi shook her head.

  "You're fine as long as nothing's wrong with you."

  Liu Xiaoxi shouted: "Nurse!"

  A female medic from a guerrilla squad ran over, Liu Xiaoxi: "Quick!"

  The female nurse bandaged Zhou Guangren's wound.

  Lao Lin's machine gun bullets were all used up, and he searched his body for a clip. Lao Cao saw this and hastily threw over four or five clips. Lao Lin loaded the clips into the machine gun and nodded to Lao Cao.

  "Captain Guo: 'Lieutenant Qin, you withdraw, we'll cover for you!'"

  "Impossible! Fall back! We'll cover you!"

  "Captain Guo: "You've already completed your mission and suffered heavy casualties. Let us take it from here!"

  Lao Cao yelled at Qin Zhiyong: "Let them retreat! We'll cover!"

  Lao Lin said to Lao Cao: "No! We'll cover you! You withdraw!"

  "Stop arguing! The wounded in Changsha are still waiting for your medicine to save their lives. We're more familiar with the terrain here, you'd better retreat quickly."

  "Alright, Old Yang! Leave the ammunition box behind!"

  "Captain Guo: "I'll have Liu Xiaoxi take you down the mountain. Xiaoxi, take Qin and the others down the mountain via the small path!"

  Liu Xiaohui, who was bandaging the wounded on the ground, stubbornly replied: "I won't!"

  "Execute the order!" Captain Guo said sternly.

  Zhou Guangren: "Xiao Xi, come with us."

  Liu Xiaoxi reluctantly stood up.

  Qin Zhiyong: "Captain Guo, we'll meet again!"

  "See you next time!"

  The warriors of the reconnaissance squad left all the ammunition boxes behind, carrying medical kits and following Liu Xiaohui to retreat, with Zhou Guangren closely following behind Liu Xiaohui.

  Lao Cao walked past Lao Lin and threw the remaining few clips on his body to his side. Lao Lin turned back and smiled at Lao Cao with a knowing look.

  At this time, the enemy began another charge...