Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 376 The Price of Colluding with the Devils

Xuanwu Town, Zhaojiabao, tense situation
As more and more national troops arrived at Zhaojiabao, Zhao's father and son finally realized the seriousness of the situation. It was impossible to defend the entire village, so they all retreated to the Zhao family compound, which had been turned into a fortress. This was also their greatest confidence.

The Nationalist army had surrounded the Zhao family compound, but had not yet launched an attack, which gave the Zhao family father and son some hope;
The Zhao Family Courtyard is a fortress-like building complex painstakingly built by Zhao Jinsheng and his son. It is built entirely of bricks and stones, with an outer wall half a meter thick. It is equipped with a lookout tower, parapet walls, soldier storage rooms, shooting holes, etc., and is equipped with several machine guns. It is a super-large bunker.
The compound stored a large amount of food and dried meat and had its own independent underground drinking water system, so they would not starve to death even if they were besieged for three to five years.

The guerrilla detachment was going to attack the Zhao family compound, which attracted many villagers to watch. Some brave villagers even helped the guerrilla detachment transport supplies and prepared a large number of stretchers.

Of course, there were also people watching the fun and waiting. Steward Wang was among them. Yue Wanli pretended not to see him as his mind was now on the Zhao family compound.

The attack on the Zhao Family Compound was completely a strategic move. On the one hand, he wanted to avenge the tragic death of Platoon Leader Lu, and on the other hand, he wanted to establish his authority. He didn't want to fight wits and courage with a group of old foxes all day long. The enemies of the guerrilla detachment were always the Japs and traitors.

The Zhao family are traitors. They dared to kill national soldiers and attack the village garrison with force. This is tantamount to rebellion. As for the evidence of collusion with the Japanese and puppet forces, it is no longer important. Let's fight back first.

When the infantry artillery of the guerrilla detachment was launched, the Zhao family father and son finally became afraid. They realized that the national army was going to make a real move, and quickly raised a white flag. The housekeeper Zhao Si stuck his head out from the wall of the dock and shouted:
"Sir, please stop firing. This is all a misunderstanding. Let's talk it over!"

Yue Wanli roared:

"We can talk, but put down your guns and hand over the murderer who killed our soldiers. We will let the others go."

Zhao Si did not expect the Nationalist army to be so strong. It was impossible to hand over the second young master. He could only use money to settle the matter. He looked at Zhao Jinsheng quietly;

Zhao Jinsheng had seen big scenes before, so he took the initiative to step forward and said:

"I'm Zhao Jinsheng. Which of you has the final say? This matter is indeed my son's fault. My Zhao family is willing to give up half of our land to buy his life."

Yue Wanli roared:
"Since ancient times, a murderer must pay with his life, a debtor must pay with his money, and the bottom line is to hand over the murderer. Open the door, hand over the weapon, and then we can talk about other things.

I have the final say here. As long as you do this, I will ensure the safety of your Zhao family. The land that belongs to you will still be yours. You just need to implement the policy of rent and interest reduction!
If you continue to resist the National Army, you will be considered a traitor and will be punished as a traitor."

Zhao Jinsheng felt a little regretful. He should not have let Zhao Dehe do what he wanted. Laying down his weapons was impossible. He decided to fight for it again. He said with a stiff upper lip:
"Sir, let's talk it over. You're pointing your guns at the Zhao family, so how dare we lay down our weapons?
We are deeply sorry for the death of Platoon Leader Lu and are willing to compensate him as long as our son is spared—"

"Zhao Jinsheng, there's nothing to talk about - fire!"

Yue Wanli roared loudly, and the brothers of the artillery company were waiting for this order. They had long been eager to avenge their brothers who were killed by the Zhao family.

Seeing that the national army was ready to take real action, Zhao Jinsheng also lost his temper and cursed:

"What an ignorant thing!

Beat them to death. If you kill a soldier, you will be rewarded 20 silver dollars!"

Zhao Jinsheng still used the same tactics he used in the Beiyang Army. A big reward would always attract brave men. The guards in his family were originally a group of desperate criminals. As long as the reward was enough, they would work for him.

The Zhao family guards fearlessly fired outside the compound, relying on the thick outer wall without fear, but they still underestimated the power of the Type 92 infantry gun;
The two Type 600 infantry guns of the artillery company were firing at the Zhao family's forts one by one at a distance of about meters. Basically, two or three shots were enough to destroy a firing point, and the farmhands inside were either killed or injured.

The Zhao family had only five machine guns in total, which was Zhao Jinsheng's confidence. Seeing the turtle shells being destroyed one by one, the servants who had been fearless before became scared;

Their only psychological support now is the main gate of the Zhao family compound. As long as the government troops have not blasted open the gate, these bandits still have one last hope.

The artillery company was not in a hurry to blast open the Zhao family's gate, but used two infantry guns and two mortars to create panic in the Zhao family, forcing them to open the gate on their own initiative;
The Zhao family had only about 200 guards, and only a few dozen of them hid in the turtle shell. The rest hid under the parapet walls and opened fire, becoming live targets for mortars.

Several Type 92 heavy machine guns of the attacking force continuously sprayed bullets at the parapet wall. The guards would be hit as soon as they showed their heads. They were unable to fight back under the heavy firepower of the National Army and suffered heavy casualties.

The two sides were not opponents of the same level at all. Butler Wang, who was watching the battle from a distance, shook his head repeatedly, secretly thanking God that his master could see the situation clearly, otherwise the Zhao family would be an example now.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two consecutive shots destroyed the last firing point, and the white flag was raised in the dock. Steward Wang snorted coldly and turned away.

"Sir, stop firing, we surrender!" Zhao Jinsheng, who had always been decisive in killing, finally gave in. He ordered his men to tie up the second in command, Zhao Dehe, and prepared to sacrifice his chariot to save his master.
Zhao Dehe begged loudly for mercy:
"Dad, I don't want to die! I'm your son, you have to save me... Don't hand me over to the Nationalist Army... They will kill me... Dad, I don't want to die..."

Butler Zhao Si looked at Zhao Jinsheng. Zhao Jinsheng looked back at the inner courtyard of the Zhao family for the last time and sighed:

"Second brother, a man of the Zhao family must take responsibility for what he has done, because you have ruined our huge Zhao family - I regret listening to you!

Don't worry, I will accompany you. You and I will bear all the crimes together. We must leave a descendant for the Zhao family. I hope the other party will not kill us all."

Zhao Dehe was so frightened that his crotch got wet. Zhao Jinsheng looked at him with disgust and yelled:
"Open the door—surrender!"

The Zhao family's front door slowly opened, and Zhao Jinsheng was the first to step out. Zhao Si followed closely behind with two guards carrying Zhao Dehe, who was already incontinent.
Zhao Deren led the others and walked out of the Zhao family tremblingly. From then on, this place had nothing to do with them.

Seeing that the Zhao family had wisely surrendered, Yue Wanli waved his hand and a company of soldiers ran into the Zhao family's house and officially took over the Zhao family compound.

After meeting Yue Wanli, Zhao Jinsheng said calmly:
"Sir, the murder of Platoon Leader Lu was done by me and this evil creature. Zhao Dehe fired the gun. I acknowledged it, and the others were not aware of it.
I have already counted and sealed all the property and food of the Zhao family."

After Zhao Jinsheng finished speaking, he took out a list from his pocket and raised his hands in the air respectfully;
A guard soldier strode over to take it, and then handed it to Yue Wanli. Yue Wanli glanced at it casually and handed it to Cheng Han beside him, then said:
"Zhao Jinsheng, since you have chosen to surrender, my guerrilla detachment will only punish the main culprit and will never harm your family.

If the investigation proves to be true as you said, then you and Zhao Dehe will have to pay for Platoon Leader Lu's life.

The Zhao family will also pay the price for your actions, but we will not kill all of you. The floating property will be confiscated as spoils of war, leaving enough money for others to live on.
The land and assets under your name will be dealt with in the same way. The Zhao family compound will still belong to your Zhao family, and 100 acres of land will be left for you.

All guards will be disbanded and will be tried by the guerrilla detachment. Anyone who has oppressed the people will be punished accordingly."

Zhao Jinsheng finally smiled, bowed deeply to Yue Qianli, then turned to the rest of the Zhao family and said:
"This matter was caused by me and my second son. The national army's benevolence and justice did not bring disaster to you. You should all be grateful for your superiors' benevolence and justice, live a law-abiding life, continue the Zhao family's incense, and do not bring disaster to the Zhao family again, otherwise you will be expelled from the family."

All the young and old in the Zhao family couldn't help crying, and the eldest daughter of the Zhao family looked at Yue Wanli with hatred;

Yue Wanli, who was extremely sensitive to danger, found Miss Zhao as soon as possible. Logically, he should have wiped out the root of the problem, but unfortunately Zhao Jinsheng did not give him a chance.

They are the national army, and countless eyes are watching him. Not to mention killing women and children, even surrendered prisoners cannot be killed. Punishing only the main culprit is already the limit.

Yue Wanli pretended not to see it, turned around and left, and the rest of the matter was naturally left to Cheng Han to handle.

Three days later, Zhaojiabao held a public trial. Not only did all the villagers come to watch, but many people from other villages also came, and even from other places, surrounding the open-air venue in three layers.

Yue Wanli sent a platoon of soldiers to maintain order and avoid accidents.

Because it was wartime, the procedures of the public trial were kept simple. Zhao Jinsheng admitted his guilt on the spot, but Zhao Dehe was so frightened that he could not even stand steadily, which made Zhao Jinsheng very embarrassed.

The congress sentenced Zhao Jinsheng and Zhao Dehe to death, and the execution was immediate. The Zhao family colluded with the devils, killed national soldiers, and used force to resist the national government.

All the land and assets of the Zhao family were taken over by the government for the anti-Japanese cause, leaving enough for the other members of the Zhao family to live on and a hundred acres of fertile land, and all the Zhao family guards were disbanded...

After the sentencing meeting, Yue Wanli announced the land disposal plan for Zhaojiabao. The land ownership belonged to the Anti-Japanese Government, and the villagers could sign a land lease contract with the government and receive 3% of the grain to offset the rent.

The lease is for five years, after which the owner has the priority to purchase the leased land at a price that is 10% lower than the market price.

The land that has not been rented out will be cultivated by the troops themselves to solve the problem of insufficient military rations. If there is a lack of agricultural tools, they can rent them from the government and return them after the land produces output.

As soon as Yue Wanli finished speaking, the audience cheered, and others also cast envious glances at them;

The rent is 30%, which is impossible to rent anywhere else. After five years, when you have saved enough money, you can buy it, or you can choose to continue renting it. The good days for the people of Zhaojiabao are coming soon.

Then Yue Wanli took advantage of the situation and announced the establishment of a militia company, a women's association, and a village committee. The villagers who benefited from it signed up enthusiastically because Commander Yue said that if the devils were not driven away, no matter how good the life was, it would be in vain. The devils would not let the people live a good life...

(End of this chapter)