Starting from 40, holding the Star Mall to lead the motherland

Chapter 20 Timely Rain

When they arrived at the destination, Miao He looked at the weapons all over the ground, including heavy machine guns and mortars, and his heart finally settled down.

He had only left one-tenth of the food in the cave, and half of the gold, silver, and treasure. He had used this food and treasure to request a radio from his superiors. Ten minutes earlier, he had received word that the Japanese had learned of their lost food supply and would soon invade the mountains to encircle them.

If they had heard about the encirclement and suppression before, they would have immediately moved. But now there were still over 100,000 kilograms of food in the cave that had not been moved. A fierce battle was bound to follow. But now he was not afraid. With this batch of weapons, he hoped that all the Japanese in the county would come.

The deputy captain rushed forward excitedly, stroking the heavy machine gun and the mortar, and then picked up a Type 38 rifle: "Lao Miao, Lao Miao, we are going to make a fortune now."

Zhang Mancang said, "Deputy Captain, this is a gift from the Immortal."

The deputy captain was very confused: "What immortal?"

Zhang Mancang explained, "The food and gold and silver treasures from last time, and the weapons and cotton yarn and cloth this time, were all given to us by the immortal."

The deputy captain smiled and said, "Comrade Mancang, we must not indulge in feudal superstitions."

As a genuine farmer, Zhang Mancang doesn't think this is superstition: "I passed by here on patrol at noon, and there was nothing there. But just now after the gunshot, these treasures appeared. In this world, only gods have such means."

The deputy captain didn't believe in gods, but he had no reasonable explanation for what he saw.

Miao He was good at grasping the key points: "Are these packages cotton yarn and cloth?"

Zhang Mancang had just checked the supplies on the ground: "Not only that, there is also gasoline, sugar, Japanese military uniforms and medicine."

Miao He's heart was burning with excitement. These were the supplies that were in short supply at the moment. Now that they had food, weapons, and supplies, they could expand their team.

Zhang Mancang couldn't help but say, "Captain, it's fine to hand over the food. But we only have so many guns and ammunition, so why not hand them over?"

Miao He laughed and scolded, "We don't have a car, what are we saving gasoline for? Don't worry about it, I know what's going on."

It was almost nine o'clock when Han Hui returned to the village, and the villagers had all gone to bed. When she arrived at the old lady's door, she knocked and called out.

The old lady waited for her to enter and said, "Girl, your mother said you have been practicing martial arts since you were a child, but it is still very dangerous to be outside at night."

Han Hui knew that the old lady was also concerned about her, so she said kindly, "Auntie, I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

The old lady didn't blame her, but was worried about her: "Girl, if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about your mother. If you have something, how will your mother live?"

Huang Shufen also came out after getting dressed. After coaxing the old lady back to sleep, she went to the kitchen to bring up the meal.

The meal was very rich. In addition to a big bowl of chicken soup, there were also steamed bacon, scrambled eggs with leeks, braised eggplant and water spinach.

While eating the delicious meal, Han Hui asked softly, "Mom, no one will bother you while I'm gone for a few hours, right?"

They suddenly moved into the village and brought so many things with them that Han Hui was worried that someone would plot against them.

Huang Shufen said in a very soft voice, "Several groups of people came, but they were scolded and sent away by Aunt Li before they even got through the door." Then she sighed, "Aunt Li is also a miserable person. Her eldest son was captured by the Japanese and forced to work on some construction project and died of exhaustion. Her eldest daughter-in-law went to the city to sell things but was raped by the Japanese and committed suicide by slitting her own throat. Her second son was killed during a Japanese raid. Now Aunt Li lives with her two grandchildren, and her life is very hard."

Han Hui said nothing. Countless civilians had died at the hands of the Japanese invaders, and every blood debt must be paid with blood.

Because she carries so many secrets, Han Hui sleeps alone unless absolutely necessary. After entering the room, Han Hui practices some exercises before going to sleep, sleeping until dawn.

Han Hui checked her pocket watch. It was almost nine o'clock. She went out to find Huang Shufen and said, "Mom, didn't we agree to leave at five o'clock? Why didn't you wake me up?"

It was the hottest time of the year. Han Hui's plan was to get up early, set off as soon as she could see a road, find a place to rest at noon when the sun got too strong, and then continue her journey around 4 or 5 p.m. She would stay in any village she came across, not spending the night outside.

Huang Shufen said, "Xiaocao has a fever and can't leave today."

Han Hui was stunned. She had been worried that Huang Shufen wouldn't be able to handle the long journey, but she hadn't expected Xiaocao to fall ill just as they set out. "Mom, I'll go get a doctor."

Huang Shufen shook her head and said, "I asked Aunt Li, and she said there's a doctor in town, which is over twenty miles away, and the doctor might not be willing to come."

Han Hui went into the room to look at Xiaocao. Seeing that she had a towel on her forehead, she asked, "Sister Xiaocao, what's wrong with you?"

Xiao Cao said, "I have a headache and my whole body feels weak. Miss, I'm sorry that I can't continue my journey."

Han Hui examined her and said, "It's probably because of the cold wind yesterday morning that you have a fever. We have cold medicine. You'll be fine after taking it and getting some sleep."

"Really?" Xiaocao was actually very afraid that Han Hui would abandon her and take Huang Shufen away. Her grandmother was already gone, and if the Madam and the Young Lady left her behind, she really didn't know where they would go.

Han Hui smiled and said, "When have I ever lied to you? Don't overthink it. We're not in a hurry. It's okay to leave two days later."

She did not lie to Xiaocao and did purchase cold medicine in town, but the medicine was originally intended for Huang Shufen.

Xiaocao was ill and unable to travel, so Huang Shufen had to take care of her, leaving Han Hui with little to do. Not someone who could sit idle, she decided to head into the mountains to hunt for game. Unexpectedly, while searching for prey, she spotted Japanese soldiers heading toward the guerrilla stronghold. It wasn't just fifty or sixty Japanese soldiers; it was a large force.

Han Hui thought to herself that this was not good and she had to hurry and inform them.

Once inside the guerrillas' area of ​​activity, Han Hui noticed a number of secret sentries, suggesting they were taking precautions. However, she still had to sound the alarm.

"Whoosh..."

Han Hui had intended to shoot the arrow at the tree in front of the house, but she missed and hit the gate instead. Feeling somewhat ashamed, she resolved to practice her marksmanship as soon as she could pay off her debts in Shanghai.

The soldiers standing guard outside were frightened by the sudden appearance of the arrow. They looked around vigilantly, but did not see anyone coming into the house with an arrow wrapped in leaves to report.

Miao He took the paper off the arrow and opened it. It said, "The Japanese army has entered the mountains and will arrive in two hours."

Knowing the Japanese would enter the mountains to encircle them, Miao He reported to his superiors yesterday and gathered everyone to make arrangements. However, the Japanese have already entered the mountains and are about to arrive, so last night's arrangements need to be adjusted. Last night's weapons and supplies were a timely relief.

(End of this chapter)