under fire

The number of troops hidden by the Ninth Battalion in the town is close to a fully-strength battalion.

Because in addition to the understaffed 9th Battalion, there was also a whole company of prisoners.

In the security corps barracks.

The captured Company Commander Ma was in a very conflicted mood.

After breakfast, he gathered his squad leaders into a circle.

"Tell me, what should we do now!"

"Brother, I have heard of the Eighth Master's Three Disciplines and Eight Regulations before. We have been captured for such a long time, but we have not been beaten or scolded, and we even have breakfast..."

Another one mocked: "From yesterday night till now, has it been a long time?"

"Don't be so harsh. The detectives and police would beat up or even shoot anti-Japanese elements, but the Eighth Route Army was not bad to us..."

"We have done this before..."

"Instructor Liu said that bygones will be forgiven..."

"Eighth Master may be poor, but he has integrity, and I have seen that he keeps his word and is trustworthy... It doesn't matter whether we surrender now or not, he will release us in a few days anyway..."

The conversation was getting off topic and it didn't look like a meeting at all. Captain Ma's tone became more serious: "Stop talking about useless things and get to the point!"

"Brother, even if the Eighth Route Army lets us go, we can't get our guns back. If we go back, we'll only have people but no guns, and we'll be in trouble."

"That's right. Even if we can take our weapons back now, given the captain's narrow-minded personality, we won't have a good ending. We will definitely be demoted."

"An instructor named Liu from the Eighth Route Army said that the Japanese threw bacteria into the canal, causing a large number of people in the villages near the canal to die tragically. Although there is no evidence for this, I think it is probably true!"

"Yes, we, the men of Qilu, are well-known and brave. We cannot continue to follow the unscrupulous and inhumane Japanese devils and become accomplices of the evil!"

"After half a day of contact, it seems that the Eighth Route Army is not as poor as the legend says!"

"I think the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese are different... They really didn't take a single needle or thread from the people..."

"How about we also join the Eighth Route Army?"

"Joining the Eighth Route Army is actually not bad. At least you won't be branded as a traitor."

"That's right, I joined the Imperial Army, and my ancestors' graves were dug up by those damned Red Spear Society members."

"If we join the Eighth Route Army, we will be defending our country by fighting the Japanese invaders, and even if we die, we can be buried in our ancestors' graves."

"Since the brothers all say so, then let's join the Eighth Route Army!" Ma Gan said as he slammed his fist on the ground: "We are now being forced to do this!"

What he was actually waiting for were these words from his subordinates.

He knew that he was not a tough person, otherwise he would not have become an accomplice of the Imperial Army.

Being advised by your subordinates to join the Eighth Route Army and joining the Eighth Route Army on your own initiative are two completely different things.

The image of a good leader must not be lost.

After being "persuaded" to make the decision, Ma Gan suddenly felt refreshed.

Given a choice, who would want to be a traitor?

As for whether he could gain the trust of Mr. Ba, Ma Gan felt that it was not a problem and was not important.

As long as we can crush those evil Japs to ashes... we'd be willing to use them as cannon fodder for the Eighth Route Army!

There is some truth in what Instructor Liu said. We are all Chinese, of the same race and blood.

Even if I die standing, it is better than living on my knees.

A prodigal son who has gone astray and returned is worth more than gold...

Jingle Bell.

Hu Yi picked up the phone.

The person on the other end of the phone asked directly, "Hello, have you found any traces of Eighth Route Army activities?"

Hu Yi had already thought of his story: "Yes, a group of Eighth Route Army soldiers came last night and fled west at dawn."

"How many people are there?" The other party's tone became surprised.

“I’m afraid there are hundreds of them.”

"Did you send anyone to follow?"

"Maybe. All the brothers from the police station went out last night to gather information, and no one has returned yet."

"If you have any new information, call the county police department immediately."

"Yes!" Hu Yi responded.

The call was hung up.

"From the sound of his voice, it's Chief Cui from the County Police Department!" Luo Ronghua, who had been waiting nearby, added: "He shouldn't be suspicious!"

"It's a pity that you didn't join the Eighth Route Army on purpose..." Hu Yi shook his head.

Once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Luo Ronghua has no choice now.

But he didn't want to be a soldier, because he had two wives to support.

Hu Yi also did not completely trust Luo Ronghua.

Although the Ninth Battalion had a large number of people, it was impossible for them to keep an eye on him all the time. People's minds were hidden, and no one could guarantee that he would not play tricks under the noses of the soldiers guarding him and write a note or something to let others secretly inform the Japanese.

Of course, even if he wrote a note to inform the police, it would be almost useless.

Hu Yi called the Zhendong Artillery Tower and asked Liu Yuanqing to come back quickly, and the two met at the police station.

Ten minutes later.

Liu Yuanqing finished reading the content of the Japanese call, then turned to look at Hu Yi: "In other words, the Japanese believed it?" Hu Yi nodded: "Wang Shun and his men crossed the canal to the west before dawn. The Japanese who received the news had to believe it even if they didn't want to!"

"Then what are you worried about?"

"I always feel that with so few of us, it's impossible for us to completely control Donggu Town!"

"I think this is not important. If ordinary people want to inform on the enemy, first of all, they can't contact the enemy. Even if the enemy hears the news, they may not believe it."

Hu Yi's brows relaxed a lot: "I'm probably too cautious. Even if the Japanese got the news and came, it should be at least noon. By then, they have established a foothold in the town, so it won't be difficult for them to survive the afternoon."

"I think those puppet troops can be used!"

Hu Yi did not object: "One more person means more strength... Just let it go and do it, but be careful not to trust it completely."

"I plan to adjust the plan, gather the ammunition from the nearby artillery towers, and lay a minefield at the artillery tower in the east of the town. If the Japanese arrive at noon, I will give them a warning first..."

"Okay. Also, after the battle begins, relocate all the people in the town!"

"Well... I understand. You are worried that the Japanese will bombard the civilians and cause casualties."

Hu Yi shook his head: "If we leave after dark, the Japs will probably retaliate!"

"Okay, I'm going to find the big dog now and take down all the other turrets outside the town!"

Hu Yi suddenly said, "Don't let the security chief and the chairman of the maintenance association show up for the time being."

Liu Yuanqing was stunned for a moment, and instantly understood what Hu Yi meant.

After the Ninth Battalion left, they were still needed to maintain order in the town.

There are more than ten artillery towers outside the town.

There are more than 300 security guards stationed in the area.

The puppet soldier on duty held the phone.

A shouting voice came from the receiver: "Listen up, everyone... The master will come to check the hygiene in half an hour..."

"Yes!" the puppet army quickly agreed.

After hanging up the phone, he muttered: "I don't know what the imperial army has done during this period. They don't allow people to drink raw water or pee or poop anywhere..."

Then he opened his voice and yelled to the squad leader who was basking in the sun outside the gun tower: "Squad leader, there's a call from the battalion."

"Everyone gather. The lady will be here soon to check the hygiene."

After half an hour.

Led by three Japanese devils, a group of more than ten puppet soldiers quickly marched towards a watchtower in the west of the town.

The leading dog lowered his voice and warned: "Be careful, don't show your true colors!"

"Don't worry!" Wenwuquan, who was wearing the Japanese military uniform, clenched the Type 38 rifle in his hand, then let go, and clenched it again, his palms sweaty.

The turret was getting closer.

To go to the watchtower from the town, you don’t need to cross the blockade ditch.

Wen Wuquan's arrogant figure appeared blatantly outside the artillery tower.

He shouted wildly to the puppet soldier on top of the watchtower: "Damn it! Your platoon leader! Come out!"

The puppet soldiers had long been aware of the lady coming from the town, and deliberately waited for her to arrive before running out of the artillery tower one by one and forming a line.

We are working hard on our duty.

The fake squad leader was the first to stand at attention, salute and shout, "Hello, Madam!"

"Thank you for your hard work!" The big dog spoke in bird language and walked with a step that showed no regard for relatives, leading the team step by step towards the puppet soldiers standing in a row.

Seeing that the leader’s face hadn’t been washed for eight hundred years, the fake squad leader thought that it was Bao Heizi who came.

I tried hard to hold back my laughter, kept my body straight, and shouted, "It's not hard. You are warmly welcome to come for the inspection."

Then he gestured.

All the puppet troops shouted in unison: "Welcome, welcome, warm welcome!"

The puppet troops of the Security Corps, who were not even qualified to participate in the mopping-up operation, were even less vigilant than the Public Security Army.

Actually, it’s not their fault. Who is a Taijun?

Taijun is the sky.

It is the existence that controls their life and death!

I can't see it on weekdays, and finally I have the opportunity to see it up close. What a privilege.

When they heard Taijun ask them to put down their rifles, take off their uniforms and undergo a personal hygiene inspection, no one had even the slightest doubt.

Soon, the inspection results came out: unqualified.

Taijun was considerate and immediately divided them into two groups.

Half of them continued to guard the watchtower, while the other half returned to the town to take a bath and improve their personal hygiene.

I still felt honored that the rifle was taken away.

Most people are quite happy that they don’t have to work and can go to the bathhouse for free…

I've heard that there are back scrubbers in bathhouses, which is much more advanced than bathing in the river.

…(End of chapter)