Chapter 72: The Mass Rally (Second Update)

  Just as the two men had barely emerged from the tunnel, they saw Deputy Regimental Commander Guo Chengzhu running towards them with a big smile on his face.

  "Lao Guo, what's the good news? You look so happy..." Zhang Hua asked with a smile, seeing the beaming Guo Chengzhu.

  "Captain, you don't know, just as I led two platoons to the village entrance. The cavalry platoon patrolling on the outskirts of the village reported to me that in Shangzhai Village, less than five miles from Feng Village, a landlord named Li heard the gunfire and cannons in Feng Village and brought more than 100 people to reinforce Feng Baotian. After I received the news, without saying another word, I ordered the two platoons to build a simple pocket array on the spot. When nearly half of the enemy's forces had entered, we suddenly launched an attack. Then I ordered six cavalrymen from the cavalry platoon to charge forward. More than 100 people were eliminated by my two platoons, killing 48 and forcing more than 50 others to flee in disarray back to their village." Deputy Captain Guo Chengzhu reported excitedly to Zhang Hua.

  "Good, it's done well. I was worried that no one would help us publicize the arrival of our Red Army, and now someone is finally helping us with publicity. Hehe, let's go take a look at how the instructor is mobilizing the villagers. If all the villagers have arrived, then we'll hold a mass meeting to proclaim our Red Army's policies and prepare to recruit soldiers here." Zhang Hua replied with a smile.

  "Great, Battalion Commander, just now when I entered the village, I saw a company of He Deqing's troops setting up a platform at the threshing ground in the east of the village. Moreover, many villagers have already gathered around, I think the instructor's mobilization work should be done well, so don't worry!" Deputy Battalion Commander Guo Chengzhu said with a smile, following Zhang Hua to walk towards the east of the village.

  Just as everyone had not yet reached the east end of the village, they saw Instructor Xu Bin holding a trumpet made of iron sheet, loudly saying something to the hundreds of villagers below the main stage. However, seeing the villagers with their heads bowed one by one under the stage, Zhang Hua knew that Instructor's explanation was not very effective.

  "Old Guo, go and bring over a few of the most heinous culprits from our auxiliary road to be re-educated until they meet the standard. Also, bring Feng Baotian's corpse to me and put it on display." Zhang Hua knew that it wasn't that the ordinary people didn't want to respond to the instructor's words, but rather that they didn't dare to, because before seeing Feng Baotian's corpse, no one dared to support the Red Army for fear of revenge.

  Soon, Guo Chengzhu brought a group of soldiers, carrying Feng Baotian's body, and escorting the captured Liu Qiming, to stand before Zhang Hua.

  "Alright, bring everything up onto the table..." Under Zhang Hua's lead, a group of over ten people quickly climbed up onto the one-meter-high platform.

  "Comrades, fellow villagers of Feng Village, I know you all are clear about who we are! We are the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, led by Chairman Mao, a team that has always stood up for the poor. For a long time, I know you have been oppressed by Feng Baotian, and most of your land has also been taken away by this evil Feng Baotian. So today, I brought the Red Army here, we fought for several hours and eliminated Feng Baotian's guards. At the same time, Feng Baotian himself was also killed by our Red Army. Now, please, fellow villagers, take a look at Feng Baotian's corpse, and let go of your worries... Old Guo, stand up Feng Baotian's corpse for me, let the villagers see what happens to those who bully the common people in the end." Zhang Hua stepped onto the high platform, took over the loudspeaker from Instructor Xu Bin, and shouted loudly.

  "Yes, Battalion Commander..." Guo Chengzhu also shouted loudly, directing the soldiers to lift up Feng Baotian who was tied to a cross. Indeed, the effect was immediate. As soon as Feng Baotian's body appeared before everyone, the crowd that had just been quiet began to murmur and discuss among themselves.

  "Comrades, you've all seen Feng Baotian's corpse. But to show everyone that our Red Army is always the people's army, I'm going to execute a few more people. Old Guo, bring them up..." The accountant stopped the murmuring crowd and continued.

  Just as hundreds of ordinary people were carrying their heads, looking at the rostrum with full expectation, seven tightly closed coffins were brought up by soldiers. After everyone had seen each other's faces clearly, the quiet meeting hall was once again filled with waves of noise.

  "Fellow villagers, according to our understanding, these seven people are usually up to no good in the village, bullying men and cheating women. More importantly, each of them has blood on their hands. According to the rules of our Red Army, all these evil-doers will be shot. Guo Chengzhu, I now order you to begin the execution immediately..."

  "Bang, bang, bang..." Seven consecutive gunshots rang out, and the seven fierce-looking bodyguards immediately fell to the ground in a pool of blood. At the same time, all the ordinary people in the entire venue were shocked by the Red Army's actions. One by one, they seemed to be petrified, staring blankly at the scene before them.

  "Red Army officers, you killed Feng Baotian, aren't you afraid that his son will come back to settle the score with you? You know, his son is a brigade commander in the Shanxi-Suiyuan army, with several thousand men under him. Can you afford to provoke him?" Several minutes of silence passed before an old man, leaning on his cane, came forward to the podium and replied in a trembling voice.

  "Heh heh, don't worry, old man. As long as our Red Army is here for a day, no matter how many of them come, we'll wipe out that many." Zhang Hua said firmly.

  "Long live the Red Army, long live the Red Army..." After hearing Zhang Hua's guarantee, it was unclear who shouted loudly. Immediately, the previously quiet meeting venue erupted into a thunderous roar. And the situation that had not yet opened up also completely opened up in Zhang Hua's bloody and violent behavior.

  "Old Xu, now the whole venue is handed over to you. Hehe, according to my statistics, we have stirred up a lot of grain in Fengjia Courtyard. Later, you let the villagers take 50 kilograms of grain from Fengjia Courtyard per person. Look, these villagers are really too poor, they can't even wear a set of clothes, and they're all pale and thin." Zhang Hua said to Xu Bin, who was excited, pointing at the villagers in tattered clothes.

  "Captain, I really didn't expect you to have this trick up your sleeve. Now, I'm thoroughly impressed and admire you from the bottom of my heart! Don't worry, with me and a few instructors here, there won't be any problems at all." Instructor Xu Bin said with a smile, looking at the excited faces of the common people below the main stage.

  Seeking rewards, seeking collection, seeking recommendation votes.... (Today's second update, hoping for more support from book friends, your support is my writing motivation.........)