Chapter Fifty Reviewing the Fruits of War

  A long cave, a pile of blazing bonfires, a group of young people sitting or sleeping, occasionally chatting, the cold wind howling outside, and quiet peace inside.

  Tang Qiuli led his team members through the blizzard and searched for a long time before finding this cave.

  He was experiencing the fury of a blizzard in the wilderness for the first time. The gentle and lovely snowflakes had turned into fierce and ferocious beasts, stinging his face with a burning pain that made it impossible to open his eyes, let alone speak. As soon as he opened his mouth, the sharp cold wind rushed in like a knife, stabbing into his lungs and making him feel like he was going to pass out!

  Lowering your head, turning your face to the side, you move forward one step at a time. Two or three steps away, and you can't see anyone's shadow. Your cries for help are blown away by the strong wind as soon as they're uttered. You take two steps forward, one step back, your body swaying in the wind. The soft branches of the pine trees have become accomplices, whipping against your body like a lash in the wind.

  The countless pits, thorns, branches, withered leaves and weeds underfoot, a stumble and fall, getting up to find no companions around, feeling lonely and fearful, as if the devil's hand is tightly grasping your heart, how tiny individual strength is in the face of nature!

  Tang Qiuluo asked all team members to take out the rope, tie it around their waist, and then pull the rope. The team formed a whole, and all connections were on this thin rope. At this time, you can feel that having comrades, brothers, and partners by your side is how lucky.

  Fortunately, everyone was not a rookie. "Near the mountain to know the bird's nature, near the water to understand the fish sound", children who grew up in the deep mountains and old forests knew where to hide. The team didn't suffer for too long before discovering this cave. After entering the cave, each person let out a long sigh of relief, it was a feeling of having escaped disaster!

  Heavenly blessing, the two dead pine trees at the cave entrance, who knows what year and month they withered and died on the ground, solved a big problem. In this kind of weather, without a mountain cave to hide in, without firewood to warm up, it's a dead end.

  As soon as they entered the cave, two wild wolves that had run in to escape the blizzard were seen. They were clearly startled when they saw everyone coming in, and immediately bared their teeth and pounced on the group. However, they were quickly shot down by the two Fu brothers, who were quick on the draw. It seemed that their meat supply for the next few days was now secured.

  In the cauldron suspended over the raging bonfire, water churned and foamed, filling the cave with the savory aroma of wolf meat. Although this wolf meat wasn't particularly palatable, with its coarse fibers and earthy stench, it was a rare delicacy in this weather. Tang Qiuli's ever-present seasoning packet once again proved its worth, as the scalding hot broth warmed their bellies and the fragrant wolf meat touched their tongues, instantly dispelling the chill from the team members' bodies. The tension and fatigue of the past few days dissipated in an instant, greatly alleviating their discomfort.

  Tang Qiulian downed a bowl of hot soup, and his whole body felt refreshed. Every pore on his skin opened up, and the warmth spread from his stomach to his limbs, loosening up his stiff hands and feet that had been frozen numb. He let out a long, comfortable sigh.

  This "big snow" lasted for three days, and the team members had been quietly waiting in this cave for three days, waiting for the weather to improve. Fortunately, there were these two wild wolves, which provided the energy needed by the human body. If not, the remaining food would not be enough, and they might have gone hungry.

  Tang Qiuluo woke up from his sleep, and the atmosphere in the cave made him feel drowsy. He looked around at his teammates who were still fast asleep, and he smiled slightly. These young companions had followed him through life-and-death battles, blood and fire baptisms, and had grown rapidly, no longer as green as they were when they first started. Even though they were in a deep sleep, each person's gun was tightly held in their arms, and on their slightly childish faces, there was an obvious air of solemnity. He believed that if a sudden emergency occurred, these team members would be able to enter the battle at the first moment, and every battle, every test of life and death in the rain of bullets, would be an accumulation of their experience, ultimately becoming invincible warriors and the nemesis of the devils!

  Growing in battle, youth in war flames, isn't it also a unique charm?

  He smiled wryly to himself, and suddenly felt a sense of melancholy. How could it be so calm outside? Had the snow stopped?

  As he walked out of the cave, the dazzling sunlight made him unable to open his eyes. His nose itched and he let out a loud "Ah-choo!" The sudden noise startled himself. Suddenly, the crisp and refreshing air after the snow filled his chest, clearing his mind and invigorating his spirit. What a wonderful feeling!

  The blizzard finally stopped, and a bright red sun hung in the icy blue sky. The snow-covered plain was quiet and silent, endless and boundless. The mountains were covered with thick snow, like a group of eagles in silence. The dark green pines wore thick snow hats, dotting the pure white world. After the blizzard, the land of Kanto was as gentle and docile as a young girl, like a beautiful ink painting that delighted the heart and stirred the soul.

  A handful of pure white snowflakes, placed on a scorching face, washes away the drowsiness of sleep.

  "Get up, get up!" The snow had stopped, and Tang Qiuli hurried into the cave, shouting to wake up the team members.

  Everyone ran out of the cave, jumping with joy. These past few days in the cave were suffocating. A few over-energetic guys even started rolling around on the snowy ground.

  They packed up their belongings and the team left, looking back at the cave that had sheltered them for several days, with a lingering feeling of reluctance in their hearts. Children born and raised in the mountains have a deep affection for every mountain, river, grass, and tree, just like they would for family members.

  Snowboards glided lightly across the vast snowy expanse, Tang Qiuli led the team, rushing towards the direction of the Shan Tian Da campsite.

  Three hours later, relying on memory and the remaining road signs, they arrived here smoothly. Standing at the top of the mountain, looking down at the valley below covered with thick white snow, all that can be seen are piles of snow, nothing else. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, wondering if the devils from the Mountain Field Regiment had escaped this blizzard? Had they escaped with their lives? Otherwise, why couldn't anything be seen?

  Never mind him, go down and take a look first!

  Carefully arrived at the valley, wow, the snow is deep enough, all the way to the waist, because this place is leeward, the strong wind blew all the accumulated snow here, everyone reminded each other to be careful of the snow pit, falling in is not a joke, these days fighting with the devils was nothing, don't lose your life here!

  Trudging through knee-deep snow, I strained to see every visible spot, but still found nothing. Did the cooked duck fly away? That can't be!

  "Director Tang, Director Tang!" a team member shouted loudly. Everyone rushed over, what happened?

  It turned out that this team member had accidentally fallen and was lying on a snow pile. He was frantically brushing off the snow from his body when he noticed a steel helmet sticking out of the snow. Feeling strange, he brushed away more snow and suddenly saw a Japanese soldier. He was startled and took another look, realizing it was a dead Japanese soldier, so he shouted for the commander.

  Tang Qiuli came closer and took a look, then understood what was going on.

  He busily let everyone remove the snow piles one by one, and oh, what a sight, under each of these snow piles were circles of frozen Japanese soldiers, maintaining stiff postures, with extinguished ashes beneath the snow.

  On a larger snow pile, Yamada's body was found. He sat there with his waist bent, both hands stretched out in front of him, five fingers spread apart, and an eerie smile on his face. His frozen eyeballs stared blankly ahead, as if he had been quite pleased just before he died!

  Seeing Yamada's strange smile and frozen posture in front of him, Tang Qiuli finally believed what the old people said.

  The old folks said: "This person, if he freezes to death, before he dies from the cold, when his consciousness is blurry and he's on his last breath, he'll have hallucinations. In front of him will be a big pile of burning fire, and subconsciously he'll stretch out his hands to warm up by the fire. So, all people who freeze to death have smiles on their faces and both hands stretched out in front of them, as if warming themselves by the fire!"

  Tang Qiuli carefully examined the bodies of the devils who were dug out from under the snow, and they all looked the same.

  In this valley, more than 500 devils were frozen to death, and they were highly concentrated. The entire army of Yamada's detachment was annihilated. In the great mountains of Kwantung, the devils ended their sinful lives. This is also the ultimate fate of the aggressors.

  However, looking at this scene, more than 500 devils, with their teeth clenched and strange shapes, were frozen into ice sculptures. Although it was in broad daylight, everyone's heart was a little scared.

  Tang Qiuli was secretly calculating, this is the equipment of more than 500 people, including guns and cannons, which are not small in number. Just worrying that the newly recruited soldiers have no weapons and equipment, Yamada has prepared them here, and these days have not been busy in vain, with a big harvest.

  However, this place is a bit desolate, and with just over 20 people, it's not possible to bring them back. There's no choice but to return to the base first, bringing the main force and equipment. After all, this place is rarely visited, so there's no need to worry about losing anything. Moreover, having been away from the main force for six or seven days with a small team, it's unknown what's happening at the base. Especially Little Ling, who must be worried sick! And those new recruits, who knows how their training is going? Whether they can get along with the old members is also an unknown quantity. Thinking about this, Tang Qiu felt that there were many things waiting to be dealt with.

  On the tenth day after Tang Qiu left the main force, at noon, after several days of continuous forced march, the troops overcame their fatigue and finally arrived at the foot of a steep mountain, with the base in sight.

  Looking at the familiar place, everyone has a feeling of going home. Ah, finally back home! The summer-like climate, familiar comrades, hot springs, and delicious food are enough to wash away the dust of the journey. The feeling of being home is great!

  Tang Qiuli has another kind of sentiment, after many days apart, I wonder if the jade-like person is doing well!

  Those sparkling eyes, a slender figure, a gentle smile, a warm gaze, my little love, Tang Qiuli has returned safely.

  In an instant, a warm current burst forth in the heart! That fiery heart had long since flown to distant lands! Flown to her side.

  （）

  By the way: Today is Valentine's Day, Xiaojin wishes all book friends a happy Valentine's Day! Happy Valentine's Day!

  May all lovers in the world be together forever!!

  Xiao Jin sends his deepest blessings!!!!!!

  ;