Chapter 23 Operation Dog Beating (3)

  The county town was unusually lively at night, and if it weren't for the occasional patrol of devils passing by, it would be a prosperous and peaceful world. However, behind the liveliness, there was a hint of humiliation. In this era of gunpowder rising, people were doing everything they could to survive. Some rose up in resistance, fighting against the devils' invasion of their homeland. Others compromised and surrendered, degenerating into traitors who served as running dogs for the devils. A portion of people ultimately succumbed to the devils' brutal power, working from dawn till dusk every day just to keep their families alive in this chaotic world. But with the capital fallen, where were the mountains and rivers? It was impossible to even mention living a happy and stable life. Those ordinary poor civilians often fantasized about a better life, but the little devils shattered their dreams, leaving them to exist like zombies. Rich families sold their mules and horses, while poor families sold their children! Behind the prosperity lay a desolate landscape.

  Most of the women ended up in brothels, some were homeless and taken in by the owners of brothels, then forced to become prostitutes. Some people voluntarily became prostitutes for survival. Some were sold by their parents to brothels as prostitutes. There are also those who were deceived by human traffickers and sold to brothels. They all experienced initial resistance and later numb endurance in exchange for a brief moment of survival.

  Those traitors who surrendered to the enemy are just like these prostitutes, some of whom are not even as good as prostitutes, because they don't even have the courage to resist and directly chose to surrender.

  Outside the Cuichun Building, a group of security guards gathered together, smoking and numbing their nerves. They talked about the prostitutes inside the building, occasionally bursting into lewd laughter, looking as vulgar as possible. They were stationed here not to prevent others from entering the Cuichun Building, but the people around had already become accustomed to these pseudo-military guards. Some even shared a good relationship with them! The lingering gunpowder and ruined homes couldn't stop some men from entering the Cuichun Building. There were quite a few people coming in and out at night.

  The pseudo-soldiers standing on the second floor staircase of Cuichun Building were no longer as slack as those in front of the door, and they remained vigilant even though no one went upstairs. Several soldiers stood guard at the entrance of the stairs with live ammunition. The locals in the county seat knew that they could not go upstairs tonight, and outsiders would also be reminded by the staff inside Cuichun Building. At first, some people were not convinced, but since a few had been shot dead by Lan Guoqing, no one dared to try again.

  "Oh! Officer Qi has worked hard!", the prostitute Hongyu from Cuichun Building shouted and walked over, warmly greeting them.

  At first sight of Hong Yu, several fake soldiers immediately burst out laughing and one of them even dared to touch her inappropriately.

  "Ah yo! You're so bad!", Hong Yu shouted in a shrill and urgent tone, which only brought about waves of lustful laughter from these fake soldiers.

  "Alright! Stop messing around! Tonight can't be fun, didn't you see who came today? Wait till tomorrow when there's no task and watch me turn the tables on you, you little rascal!" That Qi Ping Zhang said with a sly tone.

  "Oh dear, isn't that just unlucky! You guys are usually so carefree, aren't you? In our place, who doesn't know about Captain Lan? Even if you're not standing guard here, no one else dares to take a step upstairs! Don't they want to live anymore? Besides, our buddies here will help remind those people to behave themselves!" Hong Yu said with a seductive tone.

  "Besides! We're not going far, let's just have a drink here! What's the worst that could happen?", seeing some people were already tempted, Hongyu increased her seductive tone.

  "You don't know yet! Tonight someone is treating you as a guest, and they will cover all your expenses!" This was a heavy bombshell that thoroughly stirred their hearts.

  "Has someone invited us to all these activities here?" a fake soldier asked suspiciously.

  "Of course it's true! How dare I deceive everyone? It was that Mr. Chu sitting over there who said he admired the security team and wanted to make friends with a few of them, as a small token of his appreciation." Hongyu continued.

  "Who is that?", Ziqiang asked in puzzlement.

  "It's the person sitting over there," said Hong Yu, pointing to Chen Sheng who was sitting inside, dressed as a businessman. Seeing several fake soldiers looking at him, he nodded in greeting towards them.

  "Big brother! Go take a look?", a fake soldier asked.

  "Come on!", Zhi Pai Zhang said as he led his men over to Li Jun.

  "Thank you, sir!" said Li Jun with a bow, "You're too kind, brothers! I just wanted to make some friends and it's no big deal."

  "I'm sorry! My brother is busy with official duties and has missed your good intentions." Zhen Pingchang reluctantly declined Li Jun's kindness.

  "What's wrong with you guys? Aren't we just drinking together here? It's not a big deal, is it? You guys sit down and don't delay your work, okay?" Li Jun said temptingly as he saw that they were all moved. Li Jun gave Hongyu a glance, and Hongyu immediately understood, also fanning the flames on the side, stirring up these few people.

  "That's right! Director Qi, Mr. Chu is correct! Just sit here, who dares to go upstairs and delay official business? Besides, even if Director Lan finds out, he won't blame you all!"

  "Right! Big brother, we're just here, and that turtle bastard dares to act recklessly in front of us? Definitely nothing will happen, besides, aren't there brothers outside guarding the place?" One of the fake soldiers said. This kid had already made up his mind, thinking that even if Lan Guoqing got meat, they would still get soup. The others also chimed in with "Right!", "Right!", and seeing everyone agree, the team leader also agreed.

  "Well! Then let's first thank Mr. Chu for his hospitality!" said Qi Pailong with a humble tone.

  These pseudo-army troops were originally formed by some local rascals who surrendered to the Japanese. They were arrogant and domineering in their daily lives, bullying ordinary people with a set of tricks. However, when facing the Eighth Route Army, they didn't seem so brilliant. Each of them was a guy with all five vices - eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and smoking. How could their military pay possibly cover their expenses? As a result, they went around extorting and blackmailing in the county town, trying every means to get money. Last time, when traitors Zhang Shaodong and Lan Guoqiang led them to raid our base, they burned, killed, and looted everywhere, even more hateful than the little devils. Today, they heard that someone was treating them to food and drink here. Was this really a good thing? Today, they were indeed encountered by us, how could we let go of this opportunity? Therefore, their hearts had long been opened. Each of them was anxious to no end.

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