Chapter 44: "Bastard! I'll send you back to your hometown!"

  Haxi Village

  The big fire in the village has been extinguished by the surviving villagers, and there are bodies covered with broken grass mats in front of every household. The villagers all sit stupidly beside the bodies of their relatives.

  Seventh Uncle carried the unconscious Qin Zhiyong towards the village, while Changshan Niang held Taiping tightly and followed closely behind. The villagers gathered around, one of them taking over Qin Zhiyong from Seventh Uncle's back and carrying him on his own back.

  "Seventh Uncle! Are we still going to resign ourselves to our fate?"

  Seventh Uncle did not respond, he stumbled and staggered towards his own home.

  Zhangzi carried Liu Zongcai on his back and ran desperately, with Japanese soldiers closely pursuing behind. Huang Xintian limped along, firing backwards as he ran, killing several Japanese soldiers who were rushing forward, but more Japanese soldiers caught up, and Huang continued to fire backwards.

  As the enemy drew closer, Liu's advisor broke free from Zongzi's back and stuffed the document bag into Zongzi's hands, saying urgently: "You guys hurry up and leave, I'll cover for you!"

  "Guai guai: 'No! Let's go together!'"

  Liu: "No one can make it!"

  "Huang Xintian pleaded: 'Liu Canmou... let's go together...' "

  Liu's advisor was also emotional: "Good brother, don't forget what I entrusted you with..."

  Huang Xintian nodded with tears in his eyes.

  Liu's advisor saw that Zhangzi and Huang Xintian were still hesitating, so he drew his pistol and aimed it at the two of them: "Hurry up! Go!"

  At this time, another Japanese soldier rushed up and was shot dead by Liu's adjutant.

  Duanzi and Huang Xintian left the two hand grenades they had on them to Liu Canmou, Duanzi tearfully shouldered his briefcase and supported Huang Xintian as they retreated.

  Liu Zongcai shot and killed two Japanese soldiers who were rushing up with his pistol, and several other Japanese soldiers rushed up. Liu Zongcai threw out two hand grenades in a row, blowing up the enemy who was rushing up.

  Liu's advisor raised his pistol and fired at the charging enemy, but found that he had run out of bullets.

  The Japanese soldier stepped closer and closer to Liu's advisor.

  Duanzi and Huang Xintian ran very far, turned their heads back to look, saw two Japanese soldiers grabbing Liu's two arms, dragging him on the ground running back and forth, Huang Xintian raised his gun to aim.

  At this time, more and more Japanese soldiers came after them again.

  Huang Xintian was still aiming, when Zhuangzi saw the pursuing soldiers approaching, he hastily went forward and grabbed Huang Xintian's arm, shouting: "It's too late! Let's go quickly!"

  Huang Xintian suddenly pushed the door open and shot, killing a Japanese soldier who was dragging Liu Canzhang away. However, another Japanese soldier came up and dragged Liu Canzhang away again.

  Liu Zongtao was dragged on the ground by Japanese soldiers and shouted loudly: "Huang Xintian! Shoot me! Shoot me!"

  Huang Xintian raised his gun, aiming through the scope. The crosshairs moved back and forth over two Japanese soldiers and Liu's adjutant, but he hesitated to pull the trigger.

  "Fire quickly!" shouted Liu's advisor from a distance.

  Sweat seeped out of Huang Xintian's forehead.

  Two Japanese soldiers and behind Liu's staff officer appeared more Japanese soldiers.

  Huang Xintian was still aiming, when Liu's voice shouted again in Huang Xintian's ear: "Good brother! Kill me!"

  In the sight, the crosshairs moving back and forth finally locked onto Liu's advisor.

  Huang Xintian let out a loud roar, pulled the trigger, and the bullet hit Liu Canmou...

  Huang Xintian put down his gun and knelt on the ground wailing loudly. The child pulled him up and they ran away together.

  He Xi Village. The house of Zhang Shan's family was burned down, leaving only broken walls and residual walls.

  In Zhangshan's house, Qin Zhiyong was lying on the bed with gauze wrapped around his head and body. Zhangshan sat beside him, holding a bowl and feeding him porridge spoon by spoon. Tai Ping crouched beside Qin Zhiyong, staring at the porridge in the bowl and licking his lips. Qin Zhiyong pushed the spoon offered by Zhangshan towards Tai Ping, but Zhangshan firmly fed it into Qin Zhiyong's mouth instead.

  Tai Ping: "Uncle, I'm not hungry, you eat."

  Qin Zhiyong cried.

  At this time, Seventh Uncle walked in with a sack of rice on his back and put it on the ground.

  Changshan Niang hastily put down her bowl and stood up: "Seventh Uncle, what are you doing? You'd better keep it to eat."

  "Seventh Uncle: 'There's still some at home, from before. There's no one else at home now, can't finish so much...' "

  Changshan Niang grasped Qi Shu's arm and sobbed: "Seventh Uncle, you must hold on..."

  Seventh Uncle was on the verge of tears, choking with sobs: "In this life of mine, I've been cautious and timid, afraid to take risks, never harming others, only seeking self-preservation. In all matters, I've been meticulous and calculated, who wouldn't say that Seventh Uncle is a shrewd person? But in the end, it's come to this... Lu Baochang was right, I've truly lived in vain..."

  Seventh Uncle laughed loudly and walked out.

  Changshan Niang shouted at Qi Shu's back: "Qi Shu, you'd better not do anything stupid!"

  He turned his head and looked at Zhangshan Niang, sighing bitterly: "Foolish things? I've been foolish for a lifetime, only to understand today!"

  Seventh Uncle walked out of the yard, looking at the desolate scene in the village. He took out his "Certificate of Return" from his pocket, glanced at it, and tore it to shreds with a fierce gesture, throwing them into the air.

  Changshan Niang had prepared a set of clean clothes for Qin Zhiyong, and let him change into them. Qin Zhiyong took the clothes, his heart skipped a beat, and he said uneasily: "This is..."

  Changshan Niang said lightly: "It's... it's Taiping's father's. You put it on, I don't know if it will fit or not."

  Qin Zhiyong grasped Zhangshan Niang's hand and sobbed: "Auntie... I..."

  Changshan Niang: "This is his fate, don't blame you..."

  At this moment, on the ancient city wall of Tianxin Pavilion in Changsha, a tattered sun flag was fluttering in the wind. Junyi and a group of Japanese soldiers with torn clothes and covered in wounds stood on the castle tower, holding guns and shouting hoarsely: "Long live! Long live! Long live......"

  Changsha has fallen.

  The soldiers of the Iwai Unit stood by the Xiangjiang River, gazing at the sun flag fluttering on the ancient city wall of Changsha, cheering in unison: "Long live! Long live......"

  Kuroda also raised his hands and shouted excitedly: "The Yamato spirit is invincible!"

  Iwai just stood silently by the river, staring blankly at the surging water, his mind filled with countless thoughts. His heart was weighed down by many puzzles. He couldn't understand why a Chinese village woman would rescue a Japanese fugitive soldier, or why the Chinese soldier in front of the church hadn't used his large knife to kill the young Japanese soldier. Why was this? Suddenly, the character for "benevolence" that had been burning on the gatepost of the River East Village temple appeared vividly in his mind.

  Iwai couldn't help but use his military sword to write a large "Ren" character on the ground.

  Still immersed in excitement, Kuroda walked up to Iwai and said emotionally: "Captain, bushido! It was the bushido of the Great Japanese Empire that defeated the arrogant enemy! Please say a few words to the soldiers."

  Iwai gazed at the character "Ren" on the ground, saying with profound meaning: "China also has a Chinese spirit." He lifted his head and looked at the Xiangjiang River, "This nation may exist forever like this river."

  Kuroda looked at Iwai with a puzzled expression on his face, unable to understand what was wrong with his superior today.

  Seventh Uncle had just buried Seventh Aunt and his little granddaughter, he held the iron shovel, dragging heavy footsteps on the small path by the river, when a team of exhausted Japanese wounded soldiers came face to face, many seriously injured soldiers were carried by villagers who had been captured.

  Just as Qiūn Shū was about to dodge, a Japanese stretcher bearer called out to him in Chinese: "You, over here!"

  Seventh Uncle had no choice but to walk over, Japanese soldier: "You, work hard as a coolie."

  The Japanese soldier snatched the iron shovel from Seventh Uncle and threw it aside, indicating that he should carry the stretcher. Seventh Uncle had no choice but to take over the stretcher and, together with another Japanese soldier, continued on their way carrying a wounded soldier. The other Japanese soldier lit a cigarette and followed behind the stretcher.

  Seventh Uncle carried the stretcher and followed the team to walk on a single-plank bridge over the river. Seventh Uncle looked at the rushing water under the bridge, and the faces of Seventh Aunt and little granddaughter kept flashing before his eyes.

  When they reached the middle of the bridge, Seventh Uncle suddenly used his arms to exert great force and flipped the Japanese soldier on the stretcher into the river. He then hugged the Japanese soldier who was smoking behind him and shouted loudly: "Bastard! I'm sending you back home!"

  Seventh Uncle hugged the Japanese soldier and plunged into the river together, the turbulent river water instantly submerged them.

  Other villagers carrying stretchers also dumped the wounded soldiers into the river and then jumped in themselves.

  Japanese soldiers fired into the river, and a crimson tide of blood floated on the surface of the water.

  Deng Zhi and Huang Xintian led the withdrawing reconnaissance squad soldiers to join forces with Captain Guo's guerrilla troops in the mountains, which also suffered significant losses in this battle.

  Liu Xiaoxi and the female nurse were bandaging the wounds of Huang Xintian and several injured team members, while Captain Guo's arm was also wrapped in gauze.

  Xiao Wang rushed over and said sorrowfully: "Captain, Changsha has been occupied by the devils..."

  Everyone listened and hung their heads in low spirits. Many people were sobbing softly, and Liu Xiaohui also wiped away tears.

  "Zhengzhou is lost, Luoyang is lost, and now Changsha is also lost. Hengyang is in imminent danger, and a large area of our territory has fallen into the hands of the enemy. But what can we do about it?" He stood up, his fists clenched and waving wildly. "The Chinese nation cannot be defeated! The invaders' butcher knives will never intimidate us 400 million Chinese people!"

  Everyone slowly raised their heads and looked at Captain Guo.

  "Everyone, cheer up! I just don't believe that a nation with 5,000 years of history will perish at the hands of a mere three islands of Japanese slaves! The final victory must be ours!"

  Everyone's emotions were stirred up, and they all exclaimed: "Right! Victory belongs to us!"

  Guo Team Leader: "Liu Xiaoxi! Lead everyone in singing a song!"

  Liu Xiaoxi was puzzled: "Sing at this time?"

  "Right! If we don't sing now, when will we? Let's sing!"

  Liu Xiaoxi: "Yes!"

  Liu Xiaoxi wiped away her tears and sang loudly:

  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 rear of the enemy.

  The longer the enemy's lines of communication are stretched, the more our troops will be expanded.

  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 guerrillas and the scouts also joined in the loud singing.

  The song echoes through the mountains for a long time...

  Japanese military base.

  The lights were off in the team room, and Iwai sat dejectedly on a leather chair behind his desk, with Kuroda standing before him.

  Looking at Iwai's gloomy appearance, Kuroda asked in puzzlement: "The enemy forces in Hengyang have already surrendered, and the Imperial Army has achieved a great victory on the entire Xianggui battlefield. Why are you still so worried?"

  Iwai: "The US military has already landed in the Philippines and Tokyo is being bombed by heavy bombers, it's a sea of fire..."

  Kuroda's eyes widened in surprise.

  Iwai sobbed: "Tens of thousands of lives buried in the sea of fire... Hell's fire, is this really hell's fire?"

  The missionary's words seemed to echo in his ears again, Iwai rubbed his temples hard, and Kuroda began to sob quietly.

  Iwai walked to the window and gazed out at the sunset: "It's likely that a decisive battle on home soil will take place soon, I didn't think it would be so quick, the flames of war are about to reach the heads of Japanese citizens, those will be hellish fires!"

  A faint singing of Japanese soldiers came from the barracks:

  "Count one by one, hey, hey,"

  The army that everyone hates

  But there are "volunteers" who join the army like fools

  ……”

  Iwai listened carefully.

  In the barracks, drunken Japanese soldiers sat on the bunks, some with bandages wrapped around their bodies and heads. Empty sake bottles were scattered all over the tables and floor, and they sang while drinking:

  “……

  One, two, hey, hey!

  Forget about those old parents!

  Called up for military service, standing at attention with rifle in hand and giving a salute

  For the Empire, I'll sacrifice my life!

  Hey, hey——

  ……”

  The door suddenly slammed shut, and Kuroda walked in with a dark face. Everyone was startled and stopped singing, sitting there in stunned silence.

  Kuroda jumped onto the tatami mat and sat cross-legged among the soldiers, loudly singing along:

  "Counting one, two, three, hey, hey,"

  Everyone knows the army

  Looks comfortable and happy

  ……

  The soldiers all let out a sigh of relief and followed Kuroda in singing:

  ……

  But just as I came in, I realized

  When cows and horses suffer!

  Hey, hey!

  ……”

  The sun sets in the west, and Ryohei Iwai stands in front of his house, leaning on his sword, staring blankly at the distant sunset.

  Singing voices came from inside the barracks:

  "...counting one, two, three, four, five, hey, hey..."

  Roll call is really killing me!

  Getting up at midnight

  The class monitor gave orders

  Reporting numbers is exhausting!

  Hey, hey!

  ……”

  Iwai smiled wryly.

  The sun rises slowly from the east.

  Qin Zhiyong was perched on the roof of Zhangshan's house, re-thatching it with straw after a fire had damaged it. The gauze that had been wrapped around his body had been removed, and Tai Ping crouched on the ground below, looking up at him.

  Changshan Niang came out of the house, holding a needle and thread to sew a piece of clothing. She bit off the thread head and said to Qin Zhiyong: "Qin squad leader, come down and rest for a while."

  Qin Zhiyong stepped down from the roof, Tai Ping rushed over and jumped onto Qin Zhiyong's back. Qin Zhiyong carried Tai Ping on his back and ran around the yard, Tai Ping laughing happily.

  "Come down quickly! Your uncle's wound hasn't healed yet."

  Qin Zhiyong smiled: "It's okay, Auntie, my injury has healed."

  Tai Ping: "Uncle, take me up the mountain to play?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Good!"

  Leaves fall on the mountain, autumn wind whispers.

  Qin Zhiyong's head had already removed the gauze, he and Taiping were chasing each other on the hillside, laughing. There was a pile of cut firewood on the ground.

  Tai Ping was running ahead, Qin Zhiyong was chasing behind. Tai Ping was laughing "heh heh" while running, suddenly he stopped his footsteps. In front of him appeared a graveyard, Qin Zhiyong also stopped his footsteps.

  Tai Ping pointed at two of the graves and said to Qin Zhiyong: "This is my mother's grave, that is my father's grave."

  Qin Zhiyong's heart skipped a beat as he walked heavily to the grave of Changshan, bent down and pulled out the weeds on the tomb, silently muttering in his heart: "As long as I, Qin Zhiyong, do not die, I will definitely support Auntie until she is old and buried, raise Taiping into a big man, you... rest assured."

  Qin Zhiyong slung the firewood and hay on his back, pulled Taiping along, and headed down the mountain.

  Tai Ping: "Uncle, grandma said you're leaving, is it true?"

  "Uh-huh."

  Tai Ping cried: "I won't let you go—"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Uncle will come back..."

  Tai Ping cried: "Deceiver..."

  However, these days, Qin Zhiyong has been thinking about returning to his unit as soon as possible, missing his comrades.

  At this moment, Duanzi was also thinking of Qin Zhiyong.

  Military trucks were driving on the highway, loaded with fully equipped National Army soldiers. Zhang stood in the carriage of one of the trucks, tightly holding a Thompson submachine gun, while Huang Xintian held a sniper rifle and stood beside him.

  Zhuāngzi gazed out at the distant mountains, muttering to himself: "Zhìyǒng brother, are you still alive? Where are you...?"

  The entrance of Hexi Village.

  In the chilly autumn wind, Qin Zhiyong was bidding farewell to Changshan Niang and Taiping.

  Changshan Niang: "Qin Pai Zhang, this child Cong has been kind-hearted since he was a child, you must take good care of him."

  Qin Zhiyong: "I know, don't worry about it. Auntie, I'm leaving——"

  Changshan Niang: "Hey."

  Qin Zhiyong picked up Taiping and kissed his little face, tears streaming from Taiping's eyes as he sobbed: "Uncle..."

  Qin Zhiyong wiped away his tears and put down Taiping, then turned around and left.

  The autumn wind blew a strand of white hair on Changshan's wife's head, and she looked at Qin Zhiyong's back, suddenly shouting sadly: "Zhiyong ah... will you come to see Auntie again?"

  Qin Zhiyong turned around and looked at Changshan Niang, saying emotionally: "It will come..."

  Qin Zhiyong choked with sobs and said he wouldn't go down anymore. He walked a long way, turned his head back to look at the village entrance, and saw Changshan Niang and Taiping still standing there looking out for him. Qin Zhiyong waved at them and continued on his journey...