War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1978 Return Gift
On this summer morning before the sun had even risen, Wei Ran, Gao Lianggan'er, and Wen Laoga drank themselves into a stupor, using their experiences from the past four years and four months as accompaniment.

During those four years and four months, Gaolianggan'er drifted aimlessly like a wandering soul, while Wen Laoga was captivated by his two children and settled down in Wanping City. Surprisingly, he made a fortune through his business dealings on both the black and white sides.

By the time everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the sun had already climbed above the rooftops, and the weather was starting to get sweltering.

"we."

Gao Lianggan let out a burp and asked, slightly drunk, "When are we going to do... burp! Do that kind of good-for-nothing business?"

"Wait, wait for my message."

Wen Laoga said, "Brother Wei, Gaolianggan'er is drunk. He's bound to say something wrong. Let's take him back to rest."

"Alright"

Wei Ran nodded, picked up two heavy bundles, and together with Zhao Shouxian who had come to help, they supported the drunken Gaolianggan on either side as they crossed the street and entered the "Xifeng Photo Studio" across the street.

In the center of the photo studio, directly opposite the entrance, is a small counter, with a background wall on each side depicting either a pond, lotus flowers, and a pavilion, or a grassland and flocks of sheep.

Now that both of them had been drinking, there was no point in thinking about doing business. Wei Ran simply asked Zhao Shouxian for help, and he helped Gaolianggan into the inner room.

Besides a tiny, pitiful reception room, there are two not-so-spacious rooms on either side.

To put it simply, this is like dividing three tiled houses facing the street into two halves by building a wall along the roof ridge.

The front half of the three rooms was used for business, and in the back, apart from a small reception room, there was a small room with a kang (a heated brick bed) and a back door at one end, and a dark room with the windows completely covered with black cloth at the other end.

Wei Ran helped the drunken sorghum stalk to the kang (a heated brick bed), and placed one of the bundles next to the other's pillow.

After turning around and warmly seeing Zhao Shouxian off, Wei Ran immediately went through the back door to look at the courtyard of the three rooms after closing the shop door. The long courtyard was not big. Although there were three back rooms on the other side of the courtyard, the doors and windows had been sealed with bricks, obviously rented or sold to others.

Turning around, I went into the darkroom. There was a rather primitive but complete set of photo developing equipment, a few sheets of photographic paper, and an old-fashioned safe.

After closing the door and securing it with a wooden bolt, Wei Ran took out all the necessary tools.

Needless to say, the anti-Japanese broadsword was also present, along with the Mauser pistol that was tied to the Long March carrying pole and the spare magazines filled with bullets.

The camera case hadn't changed much, but the Leica camera, which had been seized at Xifengkou in 1933 along with sorghum stalks, was still inside.

After putting away the shadow-concealing box, Wei Ran took out the Rolleiflex double-lens reflex camera and examined it for a while, then took out several other items one by one.

The flask he carried was filled with strong, pungent liquor, and it smelled the same as the liquor they had just drunk together.

That bullet camera with two lenses was nothing special; it even had film pre-loaded.

But compared to all that, the British-style suitcase he finally opened gave him many surprises.

Besides the Zhongshan suits from the Xuqing Shuyu and the British formal wear from the English Channel, as well as trench coats, long-handled flashlights, and even umbrellas, there were a few other items that weren't there before.

This included small animal-skin pouches filled with sandbags and knuckle dusters, as well as a tattered, faded uniform—the uniform of the 29th Army—that had been carefully mended but still bore the blackened bloodstains.

Continuing to search inside, we found a hunchbacked pistol, which belonged to the Taoist officer Fu Wenyao.

Gently closing the suitcase lid, Wei Ran wandered around the dark room again and successfully found the hidden compartment in the cabinet.

Inside this hidden compartment were only two short Type 44 rifles and two Japanese ammunition boxes filled with bullets.

Undeterred, they pried open the safe in the darkroom. Inside, besides some film and silver coins, were several cameras.

This includes the Ikonta camera that was seized at Xifengkou, the camera that brought Wei Ran back to this time and space.

In addition, there is a Super Icanta that uses 120 film and can shoot in 6x9 format, and a Leica IIIa camera whose origin is unknown.

This couldn't have been bought, could it?

Wei Ran pondered to himself that in this era, these cameras were far too expensive. Even if Gao Lianggan had money to burn, he wouldn't buy such precious items.

Sure enough, after rummaging through the safe, a reporter's badge from the Beijing Daily, stained with blood, seemed to suggest that the two cameras had been acquired through some kind of wicked deeds.

Without being overly curious, Wei Ran locked the safe door again, then took out his Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera and hung it around his neck, and took out a few rolls of film from the camera case.

He planned to take a good stroll around the city and its outskirts before the war broke out.

Firstly, it was naturally to record Wanping City, which had not yet been affected by the war.

Secondly, he also needed to familiarize himself with the terrain in preparation for any potential battles that might occur at any time.

Wanping City in this era was naturally far inferior to that of later times. The few streets in the city were mostly low and somewhat dilapidated.

Naturally, most people in this world are numb and sorrowful.

Those countless times the shutter was raised and pressed again and again will not bring back the unconscious peace sign and bright smile of the person being photographed in later generations.

Instead, there was only fear, a fear born of ignorance—they probably believed that the machine in Wei Ran's hands could "capture souls."

Wei Ran wandered around the city until the sun was high in the sky, and then followed the crowd to the outskirts of Wanping City.

After glancing at the vast cornfields outside the city, Wei Ran sighed.

While he was strolling around the city, he learned from some tabloids that today is July 7th.

In other words, the Japanese will create an excuse tonight.

They chose this moment to cause an embarrassing incident. If it wasn't premeditated, that cornfield could have spit popcorn all over their faces.

Not daring to venture too far outside the city, Wei Ran returned the way he came, and on the way, he bought a lot of food that could last for a few more days in the sweltering summer and was easy to carry with him.

He even went so far as to find a scissors and knife sharpening stall and have his anti-Japanese war sword properly sharpened.

I wonder how things are at the Love Appreciation Inn right now.
Wei Ran sighed inwardly. He didn't even know if there was another version of himself in that bookstore at this very moment.

After returning to the photo studio with food, Wei Ran set up a deck chair near the studio's backdrop and lay down.

Next, he needs to rest well and recharge to prepare for any possible battles that may follow.

Because the effects of the alcohol had long since worn off, because of the hot weather, and because of his complicated feelings, he tossed and turned in the recliner for a long time before finally drifting off to sleep.

He didn't sleep soundly. In his dreams, he would sometimes see the bridge he had specifically visited and photographed before going to sleep, sometimes the Great Wall that had been bombed to pieces, and sometimes the shadow of a female student.

No matter how much Wei Ran pleaded, even screamed and cursed, she just smiled and said she would always wait for Guo Xiuqi in Jinling.

Finally, Wei Ran was jolted awake by a nightmare and the sound of knocking on the door. In his hand was a Mauser pistol that was already loaded with bullets.

"Who is it?"

Just as he put away his gun, Gaolianggan came out of the inner room, yawning, and asked.

"It's us, brother, open the door quickly." Wen Laoga's voice came from outside the door.

At this moment, Wei Ran, his forehead covered in cold sweat, sat up and opened the door bolt before Gao Lianggan could.

To his surprise, outside the door were not only Wen Laoga, Zhao Shouxian, and a girl nicknamed Yimo, but also a particularly strong man.

"This is the owner of the bathhouse."

"Come in," Wei Ran immediately ushered the people in.

"Yimo, help your uncle watch the shop, we're going to talk about some things."

As Wen Laoga spoke, he gave Wei Ran and Gao Lianggan a wink.

"Hey!"

The girl named Yimo readily agreed and sat down behind the counter. She even pulled out a pistol from her pocket and skillfully loaded it. With a gentle wave of her hand, Gaolianggan led the rest of the group into the back room and sat down around an octagonal table.

"We're all on the same side, let's speak frankly."

As Wen Laoga spoke, he pointed to the person he had brought, “His surname is Feng, the second Ma Feng. He used to be the head cook of the 29th Army. You can just call him Head Cook Feng.”

"Brother Feng"

Wei Ran and Gao Lianggan greeted each other with a fist and palm salute in unison.

We don't follow that kind of江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and outlaws) mentality.

Before Wen Laoga could introduce Wei Ran and the other man, Feng Huotou said, "Laoga has told me a lot about you, so there's no need for formalities. I'll get straight to the point."

"it is good!"

Wei Ran and Gao Lianggan gave the same answer again.

"Zhaozi sent a message saying that tomorrow at dusk, a Japanese merchant from Fengtai is planning to go to Langfang to sell opium."

Before Feng Huotou finished speaking, Gaolianggan'er already showed a look of surprise, while Wei Ran was particularly uneasy, worried that they might miss the battle here tonight.

"Old Ga and I decided to just rob him and tie him up with this weed."

"This Japanese soldier's family is rolling in money."

Wen Laoga added in a low voice, "As long as we can rob him, we won't have to worry about food and drink until winter."

"Let's finish!" Gao Lianggan said immediately, then looked at Wei Ran.

"When do we set off?" Wei Ran asked.

"No rush. He'll leave at dusk tomorrow. We can set off earlier tomorrow at noon to wait for him near the dike," said Chef Feng.

"Then it's settled!" Gao Lianggan said, as if afraid that everyone would change their minds.

"When the time comes, take your precious camera and take a few pictures of these Japanese devils."

Wen Laoga said, "For this kidnapping and extortion, we need to prove that we actually kidnapped someone."

"That's not easy!"

Gao Lianggan readily agreed, "I recently robbed a Japanese reporter and also stole two cameras from him."

"Why do you keep stealing this stuff?" Wen Laoga asked, both amused and exasperated.

"He deserves his bad luck."

Sorghum Stalk smiled but didn't explain, "I guess I was lucky to run into him."

That makes sense.

Wen Laoga didn't ask any further questions either. "Then it's settled. We'll set off tomorrow afternoon. You two wait at the west gate. Remember to bring your belongings."

"Speaking of which, I have something else to tell you!" Gao Lianggan slapped his forehead as if he had just remembered something.

"My bathhouse is bustling right now, so I won't stay any longer."

Before Wen Laoga could react, the cook got up and walked out of the inner room.

“Hey! I didn’t intend to hide it from Brother Feng,” Gao Lianggan quickly replied.

"It's alright, that's just his personality. He doesn't like to get involved in anything except killing Japanese devils."

Wen Laoga waved his hand, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"Wait a minute," Gaolianggan said, getting up and walking into the dark room.

"I'm going to get some things too," Wei Ran said, getting up and walking into the bedroom as well.

Before long, Wei Ran returned first and pushed a cloth bag to Wen Laoga.

"What's this?" Wen Laoga asked, already picking up the cloth bag Wei Ran had given him.

Just then, Gaolianggan came out of the darkroom carrying something—the camera that had been seized at Xifengkou.

"Hunchback"

Wei Ran explained, "It's a relic of a Northeast Army officer named Fu Wenyao. Consider it a return gift for the gun you gave me today."

"Fu Wenyao? That Taoist priest?" Old Wen asked, startled.

"you know?"

"heard about it"

Wen Laoga nodded. "He was a classmate of my brother-in-law. When my brother-in-law was alive, he said that Fu Wenyao's fortune-telling was incredibly accurate. What a pity!"

"Keep it, as a memento."

Wei Ran said that in this era, two German-made firearms with fire selectors and a nine-dragon belt were a truly generous gift, and he had to reciprocate in kind; this Luger pistol was undoubtedly the best choice.

"Alright, then I'll stay."

Wen Laoga didn't stand on ceremony with Wei Ran. After a quick check to make sure there were no bullets in the chamber, he put the gun directly into his pocket.

"I also want a return gift."

As Gao Lianggan spoke, he pushed the camera that had been seized at Xifengkou to Wen Laoga, saying, "This is something I picked up and kept as a memento when my brother Wei and I were doing a night raid back then."

"Please consider this a gift for Brother Wen. I also have two rolls of film; this camera is unusual, and film is hard to find. I hope Brother Wen won't mind."

"How could I possibly complain about what you're saying?"

As Wen Laoga spoke, he picked up the camera, looked at Wei Ran and Gao Lianggan with a smile, and then glanced at Zhao Shouxian standing to the side. "If you ask me, I'd like to make the decision and give this camera to Shouxian."

Brother Wei, didn't you say you could drive the Japanese away in eight years? Let's have a competition and see who can live to see the day the Japanese are driven away, and who can kill more Japanese.

If we brothers are all still alive, we'll go to Xifengkou and take a picture with this camera!

“If that’s what you’re saying, Brother Wen, I have no objection,” Gaolianggan’er said. “Then let Shouxian take it.”

"Brother Wen needs a camera too."

As Wei Ran spoke, he took out the Leica camera that had also been seized back then and pushed it to the other person, "You can keep this one too. It was seized along with the camera we just had."

Film for this camera is easy to find; I'll give you some later so you can use this camera more often.

"I want to take many photos of this old man."

"Now we all have cameras."

Gao Lianggan said, "Eight years from now, we'll use the photos we've taken to see who killed more Japanese soldiers."

"I won't lose to you in this."

As Wen Laoga spoke, he picked up the camera that Wei Ran had just handed him and hung it around his neck. "You two have to teach me how to use this thing."

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