Chapter 4 "How many of the devils' heads do you want?"

  Dongmei carried a pole with two buckets of water from outside into the courtyard, while Zhangzi limped out of the house.

  Dongmei put down the carrying pole, and with great effort lifted a bucket of water to pour into the vat. Zhangzi quickly walked over and helped Dongmei pour the water from the bucket into the vat.

  Dongmei was sweating all over her head and smiled at Shuanzi: "Your injury hasn't healed yet, I can handle it."

  "Let's take a break."

  Zhuāngzi wanted to use his sleeve to wipe away Dongmei's sweat from her forehead, but Dongmei shyly dodged away.

  Changshan Niang and Changshan daughter-in-law walked out of the house, saw this scene, two people winked at each other with a smile.

  Changshan Niang: "Dongmei, you've done all the household chores, take a rest now."

  "Dongmei smiled: 'Aunt, I'm not tired, I'm used to it at home,' Dongmei's expression turned sorrowful, 'I don't have a home now, eating and living here every day, doing more is also what I should do...'"

  "Zongzi: 'Dongmei, this is your home.'"

  Changshan Niang pulled Dongmei's hand and walked towards the house, saying: "Shuizi is right, you can consider this place as your own home, Auntie has something to say to you."

  Changshan's wife pulled Dongmei into the house and sat her down on the bed, while Changshan's daughter-in-law also sat down beside Dongmei.

  Changshan Niang: "You're also a poor thing, your family has just suffered a calamity... Auntie has something to say but doesn't know whether she should or not..."

  Dongmei seemed to realize something: "You say it."

  Changshan Niang: "Zhuangzi is a good child I've raised since he was young, I want to see him get married and settle down. I can tell, he really likes you..."

  Dongmei lowered her head.

  Changshan Niang: "You're now also without a family or support. In these chaotic times, as a young woman, you should still find someone to rely on..."

  Dongmei lifted her head, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  Changshan Niang: "You'd better think it over too..."

  Dongmei lowered her head and remained silent.

  "Girl, this might be fate, you and Zhangzi are also destined..."

  Tears streamed down Dongmei's cheeks.

  Duanzi sat on a bamboo stool in the courtyard, nervously looking towards the house.

  Dongmei walked out of the house and sat down on a bamboo stool beside the door.

  "Ah-zi carefully asked: 'Auntie, have you told him everything?'"

  Dongmei nodded slightly.

  "Are you willing then?"

  Dongmei lowered her head and remained silent.

  "Are you... still thinking of him?"

  Dongmei suddenly lifted her head and gazed at Baozi with a determined look: "Can you avenge me - kill the Japanese devils?"

  "Got it!"

  At this time, Lu Baochang and several self-defense team members walked into the yard.

  Lu Baochang: "Zhuangzi, is your injury a bit better?"

  "Much better."

  Lu Baochang: "The devils are going to attack Changsha, our self-defense team must cooperate with the National Army to defend Changsha, can you do it?" Qi Shu pulled his little granddaughter's hand and passed by the gate of the courtyard, hearing Lu Baochang's words, he stopped in his tracks.

  "Alright! No problem!"

  Changshan's wife and Changshan rushed out of the house, Changshan's wife: "Baochang, Zhangzi's injury hasn't healed yet, can he not go..."

  Lu Baochang smiled: "His aunt, not only must the stake go, but also your family's Longshan must go. Chairman Chiang said: The land has no distinction between north and south, people have no distinction between old and young, all have the responsibility to defend their homeland and resist war."

  Changshan's face changed greatly. The Seventh Uncle at the gate of the courtyard furrowed his brow, revealing a very disapproving look.

  Changshan's wife panicked: "No way, Baochang! Changshan's guest is about to give birth, he has to leave, what can I do?"

  Lu Baochang said sternly: "If you don't go today, he won't go tomorrow. Am I supposed to go alone? If none of us go, we'll just be waiting to become slaves of a conquered nation!"

  Changshan hid behind his mother and stuck out his head: "Baochang, please be kind and let our family's Changtun go, isn't that enough?"

  Changshan's wife was so angry that she elbowed him, and Lu Baochang and several team members burst out laughing.

  Seventh Uncle finally couldn't bear it anymore and muttered: "Being a slave of a dead country is still better than being dead."

  Lu Baochang restrained his smile, turned around and looked at Seventh Uncle seriously: "Seventh Uncle, you said this, it's really a waste of your age, the days as a slave are so comfortable?"

  "Are Japanese people that easy to defeat? The villagers trust you and entrust their children to you, but you can't lead them to death!"

  The villagers gradually gathered outside the courtyard, Lu Baochang faced the villagers and shouted loudly: "Fellow countrymen! The devils have reached our doorstep, everyone knows what happened in He Dong Village, the devils burned to death all the people in the village, we can't wait for death!"

  Seventh Uncle's little granddaughter looked up at him with her head tilted, listening intently to Lu Baochang's words. Lu Baochang stroked her hair, his tone heavy: "For the sake of our children, for the sake of not letting our descendants be slaves for generations to come, we'd rather die than live! Those who are still alive must continue to fight against the devils! Though Chu has only three households, it will surely defeat Qin!"

  Many villagers nodded silently. Seventh Uncle shook his head and took Little Sun away.

  Lu Baozhang anxiously watched as Seventh Uncle walked away into the distance.

  Changshan Niang walked up to Lu Baochang and said cautiously, "Baochang, Zhangzi is getting married soon. Can you stay a few more days?"

  Lu Baochang looked at Shuangzi and Dongmei, somewhat anxious, he pulled Shuangzi to one side: "Shuangzi, what's wrong with you? The country is in crisis, how can you still have such thoughts?"

  "Zhuāng zi's face turned red, and he twisted and turned: 'I... I like her...'"

  Lu Baochang: "Wait until this battle is over and then get married, it's settled - no, not yet, don't know... Alright, let's get married tonight and set off tomorrow, that's final!"

  The wooden puppet split its mouth open and laughed: "Ah!"

  At night, in the pitch-black ward, Qin Zhiyong lay on his bed, tossing and turning, the snores of the wounded soldiers rising and falling.

  Qin Zhiyong lifted up the quilt, tiptoed out of bed, pushed open the door and ran out.

  In the corridor, Xiao Bai carried medicine and walked over, seeing Qin Zhiyong running out of the hospital, angrily shouting: "Stop! Coward!"

  Qin Zhiyong ran out of the hospital gate and sprinted away like a madman...

  Duanzi wore a red flower on his chest, Dongmei wore a red dress, and her head was covered with a red hood. Duanzi pulled Dongmei to stand in front of the plaque "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parent, Teacher" in the main hall, while Changshan Niang sat at the table in front of the plaque.

  The hall was still crowded with Zhang Shan and his wife, as well as many militia members. Lu Baochang stood at the table as the master of ceremonies.

  "Kowtowing to heaven and earth!"

  Two people knelt down and kowtowed in front of the memorial tablet, then stood up again.

  Qin Zhiyong was running wildly on the mountain road...

  Lu Baochang: "I pay my respects again!"

  The two knelt down again and kowtowed to Changshan Niang. Shuazi got up, and Dongmei suddenly burst into tears. Changshan Niang quickly got up and helped Dongmei up.

  Changshan Niang: "Child, from now on this will be your home."

  Lu Baochang: Husband and wife bow to each other!

  The two men bowed to each other.

  On the mountain road, Qin Zhiyong fell to the ground and got up to continue running...

  "Enter the bridal chamber!"

  The room was filled with loud and noisy sounds.

  "Lu Baozhang shouted at the back of Zhuozi: "Zhuozi, you have to get up early tomorrow, don't oversleep!""

  The militiamen all burst out laughing.

  A team member handed Han Yang-made rifle to Zhuāngzi: "Zhuāngzi brother, take the gun with you, are there enough bullets?"

  Another burst of laughter.

  Dingzi smiled "heh heh" and took the gun, pulling Dongmei into his own room.

  Duanzi leaned the gun against the headboard. Dongmei sat on the edge of the bed with her head covered, Duanzi walked over to her side, lifted off the cover, and wrapped Dongmei in his arms, blowing out the oil lamp...

  A desolate village. Smoke rising from broken walls and a gloomy atmosphere.

  Qin Zhiyong stood angrily in front of his own burnt-out house.

  The village was in a state of utter chaos. Several iron pots were piled up with unburned furniture underneath, and the surrounding area was filled with feathers and bones of livestock and poultry. A few wild dogs gnawed on the bones, casting sinister glances at Qin Zhiyong.

  Qin Zhiyong wandered aimlessly in the village, and came to the front of the ancestral hall. The ancestral hall had been burned down, and only the word "let" was left on the pillar of the gate.

  An old man lay under the gatepost weeping.

  Qin Zhiyong rushed over and helped the old man up: "Fifth Grandfather! Fifth Grandfather..."

  The Fifth Master slowly opened his eyes: "Who is it?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "I am Zhiyong."

  "Old Wu: 'Zhi Yong, you're still alive? Everyone in our village is dead, I've buried them all... I'm going to die too...'"

  "My dad, my mom..."

  "Everyone's dead... burned beyond recognition..."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Have you seen Dongmei?"

  Old Fifth Grandfather shook his head, crying: "All dead... Oh Heaven! What sin have we committed to suffer this calamity..." Old Fifth Grandfather suddenly grabbed Qin Zhiyong's arm, using his last bit of strength. "Youngster, if you're still a man, pick up your gun and fight the devils! You must avenge your parents and our entire village!"

  The Fifth Grandfather finished speaking, his eyes wide open, and he died.

  Qin Zhiyong gently laid down Wu Dage and helped him close his eyes.

  Qin Zhiyong lifted his head, his eyes blazing with anger, and ran wildly towards the riverbank outside the village, where the bodies of the villagers were floating.

  Qin Zhiyong picked up the rifle he had thrown away, looked up at the starry sky and shouted loudly: "Father! Mother! Dongmei! Young masters! I, Qin Zhiyong, will not let you die in vain!"

  Kuroda and Kojima sat by a river near the military camp, looking at the corpses of Chinese civilians floating in the river.

  "...... Comrades must be laughing at me, Dong Zheng Ge, maybe I'm not suitable for the military..."

  Kuroda: "That's how it is in the military, if you're too weak and kind, people will look down on you."

  "Must those civilians be killed?"

  Kuroda: "Since Captain Iwai has given an order, of course we must carry it out. That's what the military is."

  Xiao Dao: "Does a command have to be carried out once it's been given? What if the command is wrong?"

  Kuroda was somewhat angry: "Have you forgotten what the 'Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors' says? 'The orders of a superior are the orders of the Emperor.' If you say such things, you will be beheaded. Just tell me, don't talk about it with others!"

  "But—"

  Kuroda: "Have you also forgotten the captain's words? 'China is an uncivilized and barbaric nation, Japan as a pioneer of Asian civilization has a responsibility to help China move towards civilization, killing people is just a price paid for achieving civilization'".

  The little island looked at the two watches on Kuroda's wrist and stuttered: "But, killing people, setting fires, robbing things... I don't have the courage to do these things..."

  Kuroda admired the two watches on his wrist, chuckled and said: "Robbery is nothing, don't forget that Momotaro also returned triumphantly from Onigashima with gold, silver, and jewels! Haha! As for killing people, it's just that you're not used to it yet." Kuroda suddenly became excited, "Actually, when you kill the first person, you'll be a bit scared, when you kill the second one, it will get better, and when you kill the third one, you won't care anymore, and even feel excited and stimulated. Don't you have that feeling?"

  Xiao Dao shook his head: "Dong Zheng, you're not like before."

  Kuroda was deeply moved: "Yes! People always change. I like the army."

  "Perhaps I will never get used to it. Maybe dying on the battlefield would be a relief."

  Kuroda grabbed Kojima's collar and scolded, "You bastard! Don't have such thoughts. Before going abroad, I promised Aunt that I would definitely bring you back to Japan. If something happens to you, what face do I have to go back and see her?" Kuroda let go of Kojima, with tears shining in his eyes, "If it weren't for Aunt, this poor orphan would have starved to death long ago..."

  Xiao Dao: "Why does Dong Zheng always say this..."

  Kuroda wiped away his tears and smiled: "Alright, from now on let Tōma-kun handle the killings."

  Xiao Dao: "Maybe I'm more suited for a logistics unit."

  Kuroda sneered: "What's the point of being a logistics soldier? Besides, if you go to another unit, how can I protect you?"

  Xiao Dao: "Dong Zheng always protects me like this, others will be dissatisfied."

  Kuroda Mitsuaki nonchalantly said: "Who dares! In our squadron, except for Squadron Leader Iwai, I'm not afraid of anyone!"

  The little island thoughtfully looked at the corpses floating in the river, and without hesitation said: "But, isn't it true that the more people are killed, the stronger the resistance will be?"

  Kuroda burst out laughing: "What's the use of resisting? One Imperial division can defeat a Chinese army corps! Don't forget, Great Japan is a divine nation!"

  Before dawn broke, the militia was already on high alert and ready for action.

  Dingzi and Dongmei were lying in bed, still asleep.

  Lubao Chang's voice came from outside the window: "Dingzhi! We're about to set off! Everything is ready, just waiting for you."

  Zhuāng zǐ meng de cóng chuáng shàng zuò qǐ, chōng chuān wài hǎn zhe: "jiù lái!"

  Translation:

  Zhuangzi suddenly sat up in bed and shouted out the window: "Come on!"

  Dongzi hastily put on his clothes, and Dongmei woke up too.

  Duanzi looked at Dongmei with some hesitation: "Dongmei, how about... I'll talk to Baochang and we can leave two days later?"

  Dongmei helped him button up his coat: "Go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back."

  "Really want to spend a few peaceful days with you."

  Dongmei also got out of bed, holding the gun that was leaning against the headboard in her hand, with a serious face: "Stud, if we don't drive the devils away, how can we have a peaceful life?"

  "Wait for me!"

  Winter plum nodded: "Uh-huh."

  Zhangzi took the gun handed over by Dongmei and walked out of the house without looking back.

  The members of the "Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Corps" stood in a row, with 40 or 50 members holding various weapons, including bird guns, Hanyang-made rifles, hunting guns, big knives and long spears.

  Duanzi grabbed his gun and ran into the ranks. Lu Baochang, who was standing in front of the team, saw Duanzi join the line and shouted loudly to the team members: "Depart!"

  The villagers came out of their homes and silently saw them off.

  Changshan's wife, Changshan and his daughter-in-law Dongmei also stood in front of the courtyard gate, watching the team, facing the dawn, gradually moving away...

  Xiaobai was airing bandages in the yard outside the hospital, and after finishing airing the bandages, she picked up an axe and started chopping firewood. Suddenly, she felt someone standing in front of her, looked up, and saw Qin Zhiyong holding a bunch of wildflowers standing there.

  Xiao Bai lowered his head again and continued to chop wood, muttering in his mouth: "Still have the face to come back?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "I have come to bid you farewell."

  "Don't need to! Scram!"

  Qin Zhiyong handed the wildflower in his hand to Xiaobai: "Sister Xiaobai, this is for you. I know it's the blood you shed for me..."

  Xiao Bai raised his head and stared at Qin Zhiyong: "I really regret giving you blood! It was a waste!"

  Xiao Bai snatched a flower and threw it under her feet, trampling on it several times: "Who cares! I'm not interested in you, White!"

  Qin Zhiyong smiled awkwardly: "Then what...do you want?"

  Xiao Bai swung his axe heavily on the firewood: "Ghost child's head, do you have it?"

  Qin Zhiyong remained silent for a while: "Feng Lianchang and the others - where are they?"

  Xiaobai looked up at Qin Zhiyong in shock, only then realizing that he still had a gun slung over his shoulder.

  Xiaobai was somewhat skeptical: "You... you're going to find them?"

  Qin Zhiyong nodded.

  Xiaobai still didn't quite believe it: "You - really dare to go? Then what are you running for?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "How many?"

  Xiao Bai: "Huh?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "How many Japanese heads do you want?"

  Xiaobai's face finally broke into a smile.