Chapter One The Mountain Village

  In the first half of 1936, many shocking events occurred on this ancient land of China: The Chinese Central Red Army Shaanxi-Gansu Branch and the Northern Shaanxi Red Army formed the Chinese People's Red Army Anti-Japanese Vanguard Army, crossed the Yellow River, and began their eastern expedition; The February 26 Incident in which young Japanese military officers launched a coup attempt failed; Zhang Xueliang and Zhou Enlai held secret talks on cooperation against Japan; The National Government promulgated the "Draft Constitution of the Republic of China"; The theme song of the film "Children of Troubled Times", "The March of the Volunteers", spread rapidly across the country...

  In this chaotic and complex world, a mysterious guest arrived in a remote mountainous area. However, it was as if a small stone had been thrown into the ocean, not even causing a ripple, let alone attracting anyone's attention. Who could have known that he would shake the world with his name in a few years, making devils and traitors infamous?

  The Kunlun Mountains in Shandong, everywhere is continuous mountain ranges, at a glance, like saw teeth, also like the undulating waves of the ocean. The mountains are covered with all kinds of lush and dense grasses and trees, people walk in, can't even see their own shadow.

  In the countless mountains and valleys, on the hillsides, at the foot of the mountains, villages are scattered like stars. The size of the villages varies, some have only one or two households, three or four households, while others have dozens or even over a hundred households. The surroundings of the villages are all covered with trees, and experienced people know that as long as they see a patch of grayish forest in the distance, it is a village.

  This valley is called Lizi Gou, from the entrance of the valley, it winds its way up, getting higher and narrower with more stones and less arable land, until it reaches the middle of the mountain, a distance of over 12 or 13 li.

  Although the land is scarce and stony, a family still lives here. Right next to the mountain slope are small plots of terraced fields built with stones, some need to be piled up high, and then soil is carried from the foot of the mountain in baskets to fill them into flat land. In these high and low terraces, millet, corn, beans, and corn are almost ripe, and on the slopes grow green radishes and rape, while in the sandy gully where crops cannot be grown, jujube trees, persimmon trees, and chestnut trees are planted.

  Zhang Lao Suo's arms were full of tomatoes as he stood up from the corner of the field, his face and arms creased with wrinkles, tanned dark brown like the stones and soil around him. But his waist was still straight. He looked at the sun which was already in the west and shouted towards the bean trellis in his hoarse voice: "Not enough yet? Zhen Niang."

  "That's enough!" A young woman's face emerged from the green leafy cluster of the bean trellis, her clothes made of coarse cloth but cut to fit, showing off her slender and clear figure, her black hair coiled into a bun, paired with symmetrical facial features and a melon-seed-shaped face, a perfect little wife.

  Zhen Niang agreed with a nod, picked up a full basket of bean pods and walked over, lifted her hem, and took the tomatoes that Zhang Lao had picked.

  Zhen Niang carried the dishes and followed her father-in-law home, but suddenly stopped in front of Zhang Lao Suo. She also saw it, young people have good eyesight, at a glance, she knew that her husband was back.

  "Put down the dishes and go greet Xiao Suo." Zhang Lao Suo nodded at her, saying: "While you're at it, clean up the wild things in the creek below the slope."

  Ai, Zhen Niang responded with a sound, put the dishes on the ground, perhaps in a hurry, several tomatoes rolled around like balls on the ground.

  "Go quickly, I'll pick up." Zhang Lao Su's face revealed a hint of a smile as he urged.

  Zhen Niang pursed her lips, a flush rising to her cheeks, and softly assented, walking down the slope.

  Zhang Xiaosuo had a wild wolf on his left shoulder and a mountain chicken, with an old ** on his right shoulder, and a gunpowder gourd tied around his waist. He came to the creek excitedly, threw the prey on the ground, and smiled at his wife who was walking down from the slope.

  It's been a few years since they got married, but this daughter-in-law is only in her early twenties. She's as delicate as a water lily, and in Xiao Suo's eyes, she's even more beautiful than the beauties depicted in traditional New Year's paintings. As a result, Xiao Suo often thinks to himself: What good deed did our Zhang family do in a past life to deserve such a wonderful daughter-in-law?

  Zhen Niang walked up close and gave Xiao Suo a gentle glance, scolding: "Staring blankly with both eyes, looking silly."

  Hehe, Xiaosuo chuckled twice, scratched his head, reached out to pull Zhen Niang, and said with a smile: "Come see what I caught today, mountain chicken, Niu Niu's favorite food."

  Zhen Niang waved her hand, her face flushed with anger, "Wash your hands, they're all over chicken feathers and blood."

  I don't know what's going on, but my wife always blushes, just like when we first got married. This makes Xiao Suo's heart itch even more, and he always feels like it's not enough. For Zhen Niang, he really loves her too much. As long as his wife opens her mouth, even if it's the moon in the sky, he'll think of a way to pluck it. Usually, he is also gentle and affectionate. A happy smile from Zhen Niang can make this silly boy happy for half a day.

  Zhang Xiaosuo reluctantly withdrew his hand, walked to the creek, squatted down, washed his hands twice, and then, as if remembering something, got up and pulled the prey over to clean it.

  "This knife belongs to whom, that fatty?" Zhen Niang asked curiously.

  "Ah!" Zhang Xiaosuo waved the dagger in his hand and said, "This thing is really powerful, not only can it fly quickly, but also saw, grind, clip, stab - huh, he told me that."

  In fact, Zhang Xiaosuo didn't reveal all the functions of this dagger. Although it looks like a dagger, it doesn't belong to this era. It's both a dagger and a handgun, a kind of "hidden" weapon that can fire four consecutive shots, achieving an unexpected victory.

  "That fatty is no ordinary person." Zhen Niang leaned against her husband, picked up a twig and gently pulled it across the water's surface, saying with some concern.

  Zhang Xiaosuo's movements paused, and he said slowly: "Father has a lot of things to deal with, and he is also very discerning. He said that since we brought the person back, no matter whether he is Red Beard or a rich family's son who was robbed, if he can escape from Black Stone Valley, he is not an ordinary person. After treating his injuries, let him go. Offending him would be even worse. It's all my fault for meddling in other people's business and causing you trouble."

  "We may be poor, but we're not like those wealthy landlords who are heartless and only care about themselves." Zhen Niang said somewhat irritably: "What do you take me for?"

  "I've misspoken, Zhen Niang, don't be angry." Zhang Xiaosuo hastily wiped his wet hands and explained: "I know you're afraid of being implicated, those things from a few years ago - alas, that person was strange in every way, my heart wasn't at ease either. You have a kind heart and a gentle face, a Bodhisattva's heart, the best of people, I understand this in my heart!"

  Zhen Niang looked at the man who was getting anxious and his face turned red, her expression slowly calmed down, she opened her mouth and said: "Actually, he's quite pitiful too, almost died not to mention, now even himself doesn't remember who he is, where his home is, you say, his family hasn't seen him return for a long time, how anxious they must be!"

  "Yes, it's very urgent." Zhang Xiaosuo hastily agreed.

  "His things are good, but we don't want any of them, lest we invite trouble." Zhen Niang said to herself: "That knife, you should return it to its owner as soon as possible."

  "Return it, return it, I'll return it as soon as I go back. Zhen Niang, don't be angry anymore." Zhang Xiaosuo nodded vigorously and said pitifully.

  Yes, Zhen Niang softly responded with a "en", took two steps forward, pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from her husband's forehead.

  "Ha ha, Zhang Xiaosuo opened his big mouth and said with a smile, as if he had drunk honey water: "Zhen Niang, lend me a hand and help me pull this wolf's leg.""

  Zhen Niang puckered up her mouth, squatted beside Zhang Xiaosuo, and reached out to pull the wolf's leg. Zhang Xiaosuo suddenly wrapped his arms around Zhen Niang, "smack" a loud noise, on Zhen Niang's rosy cheek, gave her a big wet kiss.

  "Ah, Zhen Niang let out a cry of surprise and pushed with her hands, but Zhang Xiaosu's arm was thick and powerful, holding her tightly. His rough face was even hotter than hers, like a warm iron, gently rubbing against her face, back and forth. Waves of hot air rushed to her earlobe, and the familiar voice whispered beside her ear: "Zhen Niang, you're really great! Really great..."