The War of Resistance Against Japan: Starting with a Calm View of Life and Death

Zhou Jindong looked at the dozen or so puppet army prisoners and said, "You lot, did you hear that? This is what you'll be doing from now on. If you want to live, work hard. Widen the road, clean the caves, and clear this land. If you do well, you'll get food; if you don't, you'll be left here to feed the wolves!"

The puppet army prisoners already knew their fate, and when they heard that there was work to do and food to eat, they didn't hesitate and nodded and bowed, promising to do their best.

"Uncle Wang, Uncle Zhou, Shuisheng, you take a few men and stay here. Take these prisoners and clear out the largest caves first, then design the fortifications for the entrance. I have to go back; I have important business to attend to," Zhou Jindong instructed.

Grandpa Wang now obeys Zhou Jindong's every word, patting his chest and guaranteeing, "Don't worry! As long as this place exists, even if it costs me my old bones, I'll clean it up! You guys go about your business, leave this to me!"

Zhou Jindong nodded, then left without lingering and returned the way he came with Zhuzi.

The moment Zhou Jindong stepped out of the crevice, he looked back at the hidden valley, and a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart.

With this base, even if the Japanese really sent a whole battalion, he was confident he could fight them to the end.

He wanted to show the Japanese devils just how terrifying a Chinese man with no worries about the future can be!

It was almost noon when we got back to town.

Wang Yuan was pacing anxiously at the town hall when he saw Zhou Jindong return. He quickly went up to him and asked, "How did it go? Is the place suitable?"

"Grandpa Wang and the others have already agreed, and they even volunteered to stay there first to tidy up and prepare!"

Zhou Jindong took a sip of water and briefly explained the situation in the valley. "As long as we can get the supplies by tricking them, we can hide in the mountains for a while."

"Today we'll mobilize the villagers to pack their valuables and transport them into the mountains first thing tomorrow morning."

Wang Yuan's eyes lit up, and he finally felt relieved: "Damn it, that's great! We finally have our own base! Dongzi, when are you leaving for the county town?"

Zhou Jindong glanced at the sky and said, "There's no time to lose. Su Zhan, Watanabe Kota, and I will leave now. We'll sneak in before dark and try to get back quickly!"

Wang Yuan paused for a moment, then took out a cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Jindong: "These are pancakes that my mother just made; they're still warm."

And this dagger, keep it for self-defense. Dongzi, I won't try to persuade you anymore, I know you're determined.

Remember, if things are hopeless, don't force yourself; your life is the most important thing!

Zhou Jindong took the cloth bag and dagger, feeling a warmth in his heart from the brotherly bond: "Don't worry, Brother Yuan, even the King of Hell wouldn't dare take my life! Wait for my good news!"

He turned to Su Zhan and Watanabe Kota: "Let's go, let's go meet that Captain Okada!"

The three of them dressed up a little and didn't take the main road, mainly to avoid being sniped by guerrillas, and headed towards the county town.

On the threshing ground in Dongzhai Town, Wang Yuan stared in the direction they had disappeared, spat angrily on the ground, turned around and roared, "Don't you bastards stand there! Assemble! Prepare to move! Take everything you can! We can't hold Dongzi back!"

The guerrillas and the able-bodied men of the town immediately sprang into action, and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages, footsteps, and shouts once again broke the tranquility of the town.

The fields, where snowflakes were falling, were equally silent, with only the crunching sound of footsteps on the snow.

Zhou Jindong walked at the front, his back ramrod straight, wearing a Japanese overcoat.

This journey was tantamount to venturing into the heart of the enemy's den. But he did not hesitate for a moment. For the lives of hundreds of people in Dongzhai Town, and to completely annihilate this group of Japanese devils, he had to take this risk.

As Su Zhan followed behind, watching Zhou Jindong's not-so-broad but unusually determined back, the fear in his heart inexplicably dissipated.

Kota Watanabe looked bewildered. He knew he had no way out; he had to either become a hero or a demon.

As he looked at the back of the Chinese man in front of him, a strange sense of awe welled up inside him.

This man was more terrifying and more insane than any Imperial Army officer he had ever met.

The three figures gradually disappeared into the vast snowfield, leaving only a trail of footprints of varying depths, which were quickly covered by new snow, as if no one had ever been there.

......

Ningwu County Town.

There were twice as many guards at the city gate as usual. Sandbags were piled high, barricades were erected, and a dozen puppet soldiers were checking people coming in and out under the supervision of four or five Japanese soldiers.

Zhou Jindong turned up the collar of the Japanese army coat so high that it almost covered half of his face, leaving only his eyes visible.

He had the Nambu pistol, which he had seized from Okada Yudai, tucked into his belt. The holster was not fastened properly, so that he could draw the gun at any time.

Of course, he didn't hope that he would ever need to use this opportunity.

Because once it's used, it's a matter of life and death!

Kota Watanabe walked at the front, clutching the forged document he had personally created tightly in his hand, his palms sweaty.

It's called a forgery, but it's actually real.

It has everything you'd expect, and even features Okada Yudai's signature.

Zhou Jindong was surprised that Okada Yudai, who was usually quite lazy, would actually have his subordinate sign for him.

According to Watanabe Kota, although Okada's team had fewer than sixty people, more than three of them actually had Okada Yuta's autograph!

Kota Watanabe happened to be one of them.

Regarding this, Zhou Jindong could only say that Okada Yudai deserved to die; if he hadn't died, who would have?

Su Zhan followed half a step behind Zhou Jindong, his back bent like a shrimp, his eyes darting around, not daring to look directly at his former colleagues.

He always felt that the other person's forehead was somewhat dark, and that he was likely to run into the King of Hell when he went out!

"Stop! What are you doing!"

A Japanese corporal blocked Watanabe Kota's path with his rifle butt held horizontally, the muzzle almost touching Watanabe Kota's nose.

The sergeant's face was full of scars, with a purplish-red scar on his left cheek, and his eyes were so fierce they looked like he wanted to eat people.

Watanabe Hiroshi was still a little nervous, and stammered out a string of Japanese: "I am... I am a messenger from Okada's squad... There is urgent military intelligence..."

Zhou Jindong cursed the sergeant as a piece of trash in his mind, but he didn't stop. He took a step forward and slammed his shoulder into the corporal's rifle butt.

He didn't say anything, but instead pulled out Okada Yudai's officer's ID card from his pocket, and without even opening it, he used the hard corner of the card to stab the corporal in the chest.

He was all too familiar with how to deal with lower-ranking Japanese officers.

The reason I'm not familiar with how to deal with advanced opponents is because I haven't encountered them before.

"Sir!" Zhou Jindong called out in a low voice, his tone brimming with the arrogance of someone who has taken advantage of their master. Without allowing any further explanation, he immediately shouted, "We have Lieutenant Okada's urgent military orders on our hands. If you delay the mission, you won't get many bullets to your head!"

The corporal was in pain from the impact and was about to get angry when he looked down and saw the officer's ID card. It was so damn familiar!

Those who are assigned to guard the city gates either have good judgment, have offended someone, or both!

My own nephew's military officer's certificate!

Here they come again, those damn aristocratic brats are up to their old tricks!

In addition, they were intimidated by Zhou Jindong's shameless aura.

He had met many Chinese people, but he had never seen anyone with such an arrogant look in their eyes!

That's simply amazing! Even if I'm a dog, I still have my pride!