Encountered a bamboo gang in 2003

  Two days later, large troops of the National Army came from the east, advancing westward in a net-like formation, intending to surround and annihilate the Red Army. Due to the disparity in military strength, the Red Army was unable to organize effective resistance or ambushes, and the National Army's momentum was very strong. At this time, the Nationalist army had already undergone significant changes from its Northern Expedition period, as many units had become lax in discipline after absorbing large numbers of former warlord troops, and harassing civilians had become a common occurrence.

  The assault battalion dispatched a large number of observation posts to monitor the movements of the National Army. The troops' training was suspended in order not to attract attention from the National Army. Some soldiers disguised themselves as ordinary civilians and hid, while another group of soldiers wore security uniforms identical to those in other towns, pretending to maintain local security and stability.

  The gold mine has temporarily ceased production, and all traces related to gold production have been carefully hidden to prevent accidental discovery by the National Army when passing through. Zhang Tianyou is a veteran of war and fire, knowing that if the army discovers the gold mine, they will definitely covet it, and various malicious events may occur at that time. He cleverly blocked the entrance of the gold mine, letting the miners pretend to be quarrying in the surrounding area. In this way, even if someone is discovered, they will mistakenly think that this is a quarry with no profit.

  The factories in the town were naturally immovable, but the only one that was a bit special was the garment factory. The wood and machinery factories could be found elsewhere and there was nothing unusual about them. Luo Yi had the garment factory temporarily stop work and hide some of the sewing machines, leaving only 5 outside to pretend to be in operation. When the army passes through, it is impossible to seize this kind of equipment, but they cannot let them discover that the factory has a certain scale, otherwise they will inevitably come to extort.

  Yuan Jing had already received a stern warning from Luo Yi, telling her not to speak or act rashly in case the National Army passed through, otherwise she would be handed over to the National Army as a Red Army spy. Yuan Jing was not one to blindly take risks and knew that such unnecessary sacrifices were not necessary, so she agreed to Luo Yi's request. However, she was still fuming with anger, resenting Luo Yi for not letting her go and intercept the National Army.

  A vanguard unit of the National Army passed through Zhushan Town, but only stayed for a short while before hastily heading west. As the head of the security team in Zhushan Town, Luo Yi naturally came out to greet them and provided some supplies to the National Army troops. The National Army had passed through many small towns like this on their way here, and they didn't have much interest in poor mountain towns like Zhushan, so they didn't cause any trouble before leaving.

  Just as Luo Yi thought he had escaped, a rear guard unit of the National Army caught up and stationed in Zhushan Town. This unit had more than 100 people, which was the configuration of a company. Unlike the vanguard unit's task of pursuing the Red Army, they were mainly responsible for clearing up the remaining Red Army forces in the rear, so they walked and stopped without time constraints.

  "What's the use of surrounding such a big courtyard?" asked Guo Jun, the battalion commander, Pan Yishan, who looked like a villain in a movie. As soon as he arrived at Zhushan Town, he discovered the newly built barracks of the assault regiment and pointed to the empty space to ask Luo Yi.

  Luo Yi accompanied by a smile said: "Officer, this yard, we are planning to build into a model farm. Here is the rural construction experimental zone of Tongzhou County, and we plan to carry out some pilot rural reforms. This yard will recruit a batch of landless peasants to live in the future and open up the surrounding wasteland."

  Pan Yishan furrowed his brow and asked, "This place of yours seems a bit like a military training ground. Are your peasants also going to be trained?"

  "Superior has good eyesight, our county head is from Huangpu, he has always encouraged the spirit of martial arts. For this model farm, he requires it to be half-agricultural and half-military, emulating the experience of the predecessors in running military colonies. In case the country needs to use troops in the future, our farm can also contribute some soldiers." Luo Yi was helpless, and had no choice but to use Tang Yuanpu as a shield. Everything is done by the county head, and has nothing to do with me, a small security team leader.

  "Jun Tun? That's a good idea." said Pan Yishan, "Since you haven't moved in yet, my brothers will stay here first. We've been fighting bandits all the way here and have consumed a lot of resources. Can your town organize the villagers to donate some grain and fodder for my brothers?"

  Luo Yi knew that Pan Yishan was being polite. However, this was also to be expected. He hastily nodded and said: "Not at all, the people in our town have heard that your army is stationed here and are very supportive. Everyone has contributed some labor supplies, and I will let the elderly in our town bring them over later. However, because our town is located in a deep mountainous area, it is relatively poor, so the labor supplies are not many, please don't mind, Commander Pan and brothers."

  "Haha, what are you talking about? We're the national army, why would we be surprised by this kind of thing? However, as I walked here just now, I feel that your town isn't poor at all. The clothes the common people wear are all very bright and clean. And this model farm, it hasn't even started recruiting yet, but the houses have already been built so beautifully. This is definitely not something a town with no money can do."

  "This is all allocated funds from the county, it's for specific use only, our town can't afford to spend money on this." Luo Yi explained with a bitter face, then secretly took out a small cloth bag from his pocket and stuffed it into Pan Yishan's hand. "This is a little token of appreciation from several wealthy households in our town, please accept it, Pan Lianchang asked me to give it to you."

  There were two small gold bars in the small cloth bag, which was also one of the best choices for bribing officials back then.

  Pan Yishan took over the bundle, weighed it in his hand, and a smile appeared on his face: "Since it's everyone's intention, I'll accept it. Let's consider it as a contribution from our fellow villagers to the army."

  "What everyone means is, please ask Pan Lianchang to communicate with the brothers and try not to disturb the common people. This is a small place, and the villagers are relatively timid."

  "Alright, alright. If any of the brothers harass the civilians, just tell me and I'll beat them with my military stick." Pan Yishan put the gold bars in his pocket and responded with a mouthful of agreement.

  After the national army moved in, Le Jialin went to the town and found a few old men. They pretended to be laborers and sent rice, flour, pork, vegetables and other things to the national army. These things were of course bought by the assault camp with money. Luo Yi's idea was that spending money could buy peace, as long as they didn't conflict with the national army, they could exchange for another period of peace in Zhushan Town, so that the assault camp could grow smoothly.

  Then, the tree wanted to be quiet but the wind did not stop. Pan Yishan was not a good person, he felt from the atmosphere of Zhu Shan Town that this place was not as poor as Luo Yi said. He sent several soldiers to the town to chat with the residents and learned that Luo Yi was reportedly a rich second-generation from overseas who spent a lot of money in the town, building factories and repairing roads. The security team's food was also very good, and their military pay was sufficient every month.

  It can only be said that Luo Yi had neglected to educate the townspeople on confidentiality, and he never thought that a few casual words from the residents would bring him trouble. After Pan Yishan received this intelligence, he immediately brought a group of armed soldiers to the assault camp's headquarters, bursting into Luo Yi's office in a big way.

  Lu Yi saw Pan Yishan come in and hurriedly stood up to give him his seat. Pan Yishan didn't sit down on the guest seat, but instead plopped himself down in the spot Lu Yi had just vacated, turning the tables on their roles.

  "Captain Luo, our troops have been in your town for three days now. We are grateful for your hospitality."

  Lu Yi listened to him dragging the article and knew that there must be unpleasant words behind. However, he didn't dare show his dissatisfaction, but instead nodded with a smile on his face: "It's right, it's right. The various old bosses have a hard time eliminating bandits and protecting our side's safety. It's only natural for us to put in some effort."

  "Captain Luo, there's a small matter I'd like to trouble you with. Would you be willing to help?"

  "Please go on, I'll definitely do it if I can."

  "We've been out on this expedition to suppress bandits for several months now, and we've been fighting non-stop. Due to the busy military situation, our wages have not been sent in a timely manner, and my brothers haven't received their pay for several months. Now I'm putting on a thick face and want to discuss with Captain Luo, can I borrow 2000 yuan from you first to give my brothers one month's salary? Don't worry, I'll write an IOU, and when our wages arrive, I'll send someone to return it to you."

  Luo Yi cursed in his heart: Damn it, this guy is really greedy, one mouthful is 2000 big bucks. As for saying something like a loan note, it's just a cover-up, even a three-year-old child wouldn't believe he would pay back the money.

  "Pan Lianchang, this... brother is really in a bit of trouble. Zhushan Town itself doesn't have much output, it's all relying on the county to allocate some funds for rural construction, and now it's still in the investment stage, there's no output. 2000 yuan, I'm afraid it can't be raised."

  Pan Yishan chuckled and said, "Captain Luo, if it's too much trouble for you, then forget it. But my brothers haven't had a decent meal in days, and they don't have any money on them. If they need to borrow some food or supplies from the villagers, could you please help explain things to them?"

  Luo Yi was truly impressed, it seems that this Pan Lianchang is indeed a master of intimidation, every sentence he says is filled with killing intent and yet makes sense. This so-called "borrowing to eat and use" is actually just a euphemism for looting and plundering. If they really let these over 100 soldiers out, Zhu Shan Town will likely suffer a disaster. Looking at Pan Lianchang's attitude, it's estimated that he's also a reckless and arrogant person, so even if you go to report him, it won't be of much use.

  "Pan Lianchang said something, how can we bother the brothers to borrow food and use it themselves? Let's do this, I'll discuss with the wealthy people in town, see if anyone can temporarily come up with some silver dollars, even if it's not 2000, maybe 1500 or 1800, can't that also be used to meet Pan Lianchang's urgent needs?" Luo Yi hastily retreated, first stabilizing Pan Yishan before doing anything else.

  "If that's the case, then it's easy to say. However, Captain Luo should hurry up a bit, I've already received orders and we're setting out tomorrow night. If the brothers can't get their military pay before leaving, humph..."

  "Alright, alright, I'll go and make arrangements now. I definitely won't miss Pan Lianchang's affair." Luo Yi hastily sent the god off.

  Pan Yishan got up and walked out with his soldiers, satisfied. Luo Yi respectfully sent him off to the door. Just then, a pink figure flashed outside the door, and a beautiful girl rushed in:

  "Luozige, I've stewed a mountain chicken, when are you coming home?"

  Pan Yishan's eyes widened as he caught sight of Zeng Shan, who was as radiant as a flower.

  (In half a month's time, this book has already been updated with 1 million words. It's not easy! Book friends, please give me some recommendation votes!)