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

Zhou Jindong changed into a clean homespun military uniform. The wounds on his shoulders and calves had been cleaned with salt water and simply bandaged. Underneath the uniform was a clean shirt that Lao Meng had given him, and he looked much more energetic.

He sat on a rock inside the tent, carefully examining the Mauser pistol.

He used a small strip of cloth soaked in gun oil to wipe the barrel, trigger, and firing pin clean bit by bit, then carefully loaded the magazine, pulled back the bolt to check, and clicked it cleanly and crisply.

Wang Quan had also changed his clothes and sat down next to Zhou Jindong, slowly munching on a cornbread bun.

He was somewhat nervous, his eyes glancing out of the tent every now and then. In the distance, on an open ground, Liu Shunfa and Guo Fuyuan were tied to two makeshift wooden stakes, with two armed soldiers standing beside them.

Liu Shunfa tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes, it was unclear whether he was dizzy or asleep.

Guo Fuyuan kept twisting his body and making muffled noises, but with his mouth gagged, he could only make indistinct sounds.

Political Commissar Han lifted the tent flap and walked in, carrying a small notebook and a pencil.

He walked up to Zhou Jindong, adjusted his glasses, and asked, "Captain Zhou, how was your rest?"

"Reporting to the political commissar, no problem." Zhou Jindong stood up and put his pistol back into its holster at his waist.

"Sit down and talk, sit down and talk." Political Commissar Han also found a wooden stool to sit down. "The regimental headquarters just held a short meeting and finalized the procedures for today's public trial."

The location was just outside the north gate of Ningwu County, on that riverbank area, as you know, it was open and surrounded by our troops.

It was noon.

Zhou Jindong nodded: "Time is tight, how should we spread the news?"

"The arrangements started last night." Political Commissar Han tapped on his notebook. "The county brigade and underground party comrades have already split up and made their presence felt in the county town and several larger villages in the surrounding area."

It is said that at noon today, the Eighth Route Army will hold a public trial on the riverbank outside the North Gate for the traitors who murdered Zeng Rong, Li Degui, and four other anti-Japanese family members, so that the victims can all come and see and vent their anger.

Political Commissar Han glanced at Zhou Jindong, patted him on the shoulder, and continued, "As for the main force regiment, Regiment Commander Wu has already led his men over there and deployed two platoons around the riverbank, plus three guerrilla squads, totaling more than a hundred people."

As you know, they have light machine guns and grenade launchers. If the Japanese dare to send out a squad to harass them, they'll be in big trouble.

If they send a large force, we will withdraw as soon as we receive the news. We will not engage in a direct confrontation; the safe evacuation of the people is our top priority.

"What is our mission?"

"Your county brigade will send a squad of soldiers to escort the prisoners there." Political Commissar Han closed his notebook. "Once they arrive at the meeting, Captain Zhou, as the commander of the arrest operation, you will speak at the public trial, clearly explaining the details of the arrest operation and the crimes of these two traitors and collaborators to the people."

The people must know that this is the fate of anyone who helps the Japanese and betrays their compatriots.

Zhou Jindong listened attentively: "I understand."

"And then there's the matter of comforting the victims' families." Commissar Han's expression turned serious. "Zeng Rong's wife, Li Guihua, Li Degui's mother, and the relatives of the other three comrades have all been brought over and are now waiting in the temporary shed over the riverbank."

When you meet them, you know what to say and what not to say.

We must not only let them vent their anger, but also show them that our Eighth Route Army has avenged their loved ones, and that they will have someone to rely on in the future.

"Yes, Political Commissar."

"We'll set off after we finish eating." Political Commissar Han stood up. "Tie the prisoners up tightly, gag them, and don't let them shout on the way. Old Meng is coming with us; he's a witness. Wang Quan is also going; let him speak at the meeting. He's a local, and the people will believe him more."

After saying that, Political Commissar Han went to check on the prisoners' condition.

After breakfast, the sun had already risen above the treetops.

The whistle blew to signal assembly at the camp.

The escort was handled by a reinforced platoon of twelve soldiers.

Including Zhou Jindong, Wang Quan, Political Commissar Han, Lao Meng, and four soldiers specifically responsible for guarding the prisoners, a group of twenty people escorted Liu Shunfa and Guo Fuyuan, whose hands were tied behind their backs and strung together with hemp rope, away from the Lujialing camp and headed towards Ningwu County along the mountain path.

The mountain road was rugged, but the team made it through smoothly.

The soldiers were very vigilant, and sentries were placed all around them.

Liu Shunfa seemed resigned to his fate, walking mechanically with his head down. He had lost one shoe, and his bare feet quickly abraded and bled on the gravel road.

Guo Fuyuan kept struggling. His mouth was stuffed with rags, and he made strange whimpering noises. He kept bumping his shoulder against the soldier holding him down.

The soldiers escorting him were ruthless, poking him in the waist with the butt of their rifles and hissing, "Behave yourself! If you move again, we'll leave you here on the way!"

Guo Fuyuan bent over in pain and behaved himself for a while, but after walking a bit, he started to act up again, his eyes darting around as if he was still looking for an opportunity.

Old Meng walked in the middle of the group, carrying a satchel filled with some dry food and water.

Looking at Guo Fuyuan's expression, he spat and whispered to Zhou Jindong beside him, "That bastard hasn't given up yet."

Zhou Jindong didn't speak, his eyes scanning the surrounding mountains and crossroads.

His pistol holster was undone, and his hand rested on the grip, ready to be drawn at any moment.

Wang Quan followed closely beside Political Commissar Han, clutching the captured Mauser pistol in his hand, his fingers resting on the trigger guard, his palms sweaty.

After walking for about an hour, the scouts returned and reported to Political Commissar Han: "Commissar, we're almost at the riverbank. Regiment Commander Wu and his men have arrived. A large number of civilians have gathered on the riverbank, probably two or three hundred. The county brigade comrades are maintaining order."

Political Commissar Han nodded: "Speed ​​up and stay alert. Detain anyone suspicious immediately."

The group quickened their pace. After crossing the last earthen ridge, a breathtaking view suddenly opened up before them.

A wide expanse of riverbank unfolds before your eyes. This area was originally an old section of the Baihe River channel, but the river changed course, leaving behind this flat, barren sandy beach with an excellent view.

At this moment, a large number of people have gathered on the riverbank, some standing, some squatting, and some climbing up the earthen slope next to them.

A makeshift platform about a meter high was erected in front of the crowd using wooden planks and door panels. Several red flags were stuck on the platform, fluttering in the north wind.

Eighth Route Army soldiers stood on both sides of the platform, their bayonets gleaming.

Further along the riverbank and on the nearby earthen slopes, one can vaguely see machine guns set up and sentries moving back and forth.

Wu, the commander of the Independent Regiment, was standing by the platform talking to several people who looked like local cadres. When he saw Political Commissar Han and Zhou Jindong coming over, he immediately went to greet them.

"Old Han, Captain Zhou, you've finally arrived!" Old Wu's voice boomed as he patted Zhou Jindong on the shoulder. "Well done! This time, we've finally ripped out this cancer!"

Zhou Jindong stood at attention and saluted: "Commander, the prisoner has been brought here."

"Alright!" Old Wu waved his hand. "First, take them behind the platform and tie them up tightly. The people will be watching."

Several soldiers shoved Liu Shunfa and Guo Fuyuan, forcing them to the side of a shallow pit that had been dug temporarily behind the platform, where two thicker wooden stakes had already been planted.

The two were tied to wooden stakes, and this time their ankles were also wrapped with hemp rope several times.

The rag was pulled out of Guo Fuyuan's mouth, and he immediately opened his mouth to gasp for breath. Just as he was about to shout something, a soldier quickly stuffed the rag back into his mouth and wrapped two ropes around it, making him roll his eyes back.

Zhou Jindong, Lao Wu, and Political Commissar Han walked to the side of the platform.

There was a simple shed built with mats and wooden poles, and a few people were sitting inside.

A woman in her forties, wearing a patched blue cotton jacket, with somewhat disheveled hair.

Beside her was an old woman with a full head of white hair, leaning on a polished wooden stick, her body trembling slightly, her eyes fixed on the direction behind the platform where she was tied up.

There were also two middle-aged men and a younger wife, all of them pale and thin, with a mixture of grief and indignation and a hint of bewilderment in their eyes.

The county brigade captain walked over and introduced them in a low voice: "Captain Zhou, Political Commissar Han, this is Comrade Zeng Rong's widow, Sister-in-law Li Guihua, Comrade Li Degui's mother, Aunt Li, Comrade Guo Bingqian's younger brother, Guo Binglu, Comrade Sun Youfu's nephew, Sun Xiaohu, and Comrade Chen Xiulan's younger sister, Chen Ermei."

Commissar Han took off his hat, stepped forward, bent down, and said softly to Aunt Li, "Auntie, you've suffered so much. We've caught the traitor who killed Comrade Degui. Today, right here, we'll seek justice for you and all the other victims."

Aunt Li raised her head, looked at Political Commissar Han, her lips trembling, unable to utter a word, but tears rolled down her wrinkled face.

Li Guihua, the woman standing next to her, suddenly stood up and asked in a hoarse voice, "Commander, who is it? Which heartless beast is it?"

Zhou Jindong stepped forward and pointed behind the platform: "The bald man tied to the wooden stake on the left is the traitor Liu Shunfa. He betrayed the Japanese by revealing the contact point in the city, which led to the deaths of five comrades: Zeng Rong, Li Degui, Guo Bingqian, Sun Youfu, and Chen Xiulan."

Li Guihua swayed slightly, and Zhao Tiesuo, who was next to her, quickly supported her.

She pushed Zhao Tiesuo's hand away, walked step by step to the edge of the shed, stood on tiptoe, and stared intently in the direction where Liu Shunfa was.

Her eyes seemed to be spitting fire, her teeth were clenched so tightly they were grinding, and her fingers gripping the bowl were white from the force.

"Damn it...damn it..." she muttered, the words squeezed out between her teeth.

Sun Xiaohu, a dark-skinned, thin young man in his early twenties, suddenly picked up a stone from the ground and was about to rush out when he was stopped by a soldier next to him.

"Let me go! I'll smash this son of a bitch to death!" He struggled, his eyes bloodshot.

"Comrade Xiaohu, calm down!" Political Commissar Han pressed down on his shoulder. "Today is for you to vent your anger, but not now. Later at the assembly, whatever you have to say, whatever your grievances are, speak them out in front of all the villagers! Let this traitor hear the sins he has committed, the blood debt he owes!"

Chen Ermei, a woman not yet thirty, had been wiping away tears with her head down. She raised her head and asked, choking back sobs, "Commander... my sister... my sister's body... has it been found?"

Political Commissar Han paused for a moment, then shook his head: "After Comrade Xiulan was secretly executed by the Japanese, her body was thrown into the river and washed away by the current... We are still searching for her."

Chen Ermei burst into tears and collapsed to the ground. Several women nearby quickly surrounded her to comfort her.

As Zhou Jindong watched this scene, his chest felt like it was stuffed with cotton.

He took a deep breath, walked up to Li Guihua, and said in a deep voice, "Sister-in-law, I assure you that today, this traitor, and that collaborator Guo Fuyuan who harbored him and acted as his accomplice, will receive their due punishment. Blood debts must be repaid in blood."

Looking at Zhou Jindong, Li Guihua finally burst into tears. She nodded heavily and wiped her face with her sleeve.

By this time, the crowd on the riverbank had grown larger and larger.

The gong rang out loudly, signaling the county brigade comrades to gather everyone.

The crowd gradually quieted down, and all eyes were focused on the simple wooden platform.

Commander Wu was the first to step onto the stage. He wasn't tall, but he stood ramrod straight, and the red ribbon on the handle of the Mauser pistol tucked into his waistband fluttered in the north wind.

He glanced around at the sea of ​​people below the stage and pressed his hands down.

"Fellow villagers! Brothers and sisters!" Old Wu's voice boomed, carrying far thanks to the riverbank terrain, "Today, our Eighth Route Army, our Ningwu County Anti-Japanese Government, have gathered you all here for one thing only—to publicly try the traitors!"

A buzz of discussion immediately arose from the audience.

"Quiet down, everyone!" Old Wu continued to shout. "I'm sure many of you have heard about this and recognized them. A few days ago, several of our comrades who fought against the Japanese in Ningwu County were captured and killed by the Japanese without any explanation!"

Who are they? They are Zeng Rong! They are Li Degui! They are Guo Bingqian! They are Sun Youfu! They are Chen Xiulan! They are all our good fellow villagers, our good comrades fighting the Japanese invaders!

Low sobs and curses could be heard from the crowd.

"Why were they captured by the Japanese? Why were they killed?" Old Wu's voice suddenly rose. "It wasn't because they were careless, it wasn't because they were unlucky! It's because someone betrayed them! There was a traitor in our ranks!"

"Kill him!"

"Execute the traitorous dog!"

An angry roar immediately erupted from the audience.

After the shouts subsided slightly, Old Wu continued, "This traitor, he ate the grain grown by us ordinary people, wore the cloth woven by us ordinary people, yet for his own survival, for a few silver dollars from the Japanese devils, he betrayed his comrades and the villagers who protected him! Shouldn't such a person be killed?"

"He deserves to die!"

"To be torn to pieces!"

The crowd's emotions were completely ignited.

"Good!" Old Wu waved his hand. "Today, in front of all the villagers, we'll drag out this traitor and the collaborator who hid him and tipped him off! Let them tell us in person what they did! And let the relatives of the victims tell us in person what they lost! Bring them up!"

At Lao Wu's command, four soldiers, in pairs, dragged Liu Shunfa and Guo Fuyuan, who were tightly bound, from behind the platform and threw them in the center of the platform, like dragging dead dogs.