Chapter 2: Sharpening the Sword (Six Scores)

"Then let's go to have a meal first. Lao Lu and Lao Zheng, you two are responsible for accompanying the guests. You must let Uncle Scarred drink." Hongbei smiled and continued to give instructions.

Deputy Captain Lu Feng immediately stood up and politely invited Lao Chuang, but the latter was unwilling to set off for the banquet immediately. He stared at Hongbei and continued to ask carefully, "Hong, Captain Hong, I, do I count it? Is this considered a meritorious service?"

"Show of meritorious service," Hongbei was stunned by the old scar's question and asked back hesitantly. When she saw the deep fear in the other party's eyes, she immediately understood the origin of the problem, smiled, and responded loudly, "Of course, no one except you have taken the initiative to provide us with such important information. When a traffic officer comes next time, I will report your credit to the newly established Eighth Route Army Jinnan Division, and they will decide what kind of rewards to you."

"Thank you, Red Team, thank you." Lao Scar thanked repeatedly, as if he had just owed a favor from Red Beard. "I don't want the bonus, I, I just want to do something for our guerrillas."

Hearing his selflessness, Hongbei couldn't help laughing, shook her head, and added loudly: "Don't worry, even if you don't take the initiative to provide us with any information, as long as you are willing to come to Lamagou to treat the soldiers, you will be our guerrillas' guests. Although our guerrillas are fighting the Communist Party's flag, they will not fail to abide by the rules on the grassland and attack the distinguished guests they invited."

The so-called grassland rules refer to the responsibility of the grassland tribe to protect guests. Regardless of whether the guest had had a relationship with him in the past, as long as he was invited by the host, the host has an obligation to ensure his personal safety during the visitor and cannot harm him anyway. (Note 1)

Red Beard mentioned the grassland rules at this time, which was more effective than any promise for Lao Chuang. Immediately, the stone that had been hanging in Lao Chuang's throat fell to his stomach and bowed deeply to Red Beard. He happily followed the deputy captain Lu Feng, passing by Zhao Tianlong, and did not forget to lift his chin very hard to show provocation.

Of course, Zhao Tianlong didn't want to be as knowledgeable as him. He shook his head and smiled it. After all the other backbones left, he walked to Hongbei and whispered, "Zhou Heitan has done some things recently, but..."

"Anyway, we have to collude the Japanese and Whitebeard to prepare for the news of the other party, so that he can prepare for response as soon as possible." Even if Zhao Tianlong didn't mention it, Redbeard would not sit idly by and watch the Black Wolf Gang be wiped out by Whitebeard and Japanese devils. He nodded and responded in a low voice.

"But..." Yufeng turned, and he looked at Zhang Songling again. "At present, in addition to Zhou Heizi's team, there are several very important figures in Heishi Village. According to the information we sent back from the inside line in the city, Zhou Heizi can succeed in one blow. These people have made great contributions. I can't figure out their attitude towards us now, so I can't guarantee whether our reminder will work."

"The leader is also my friend." Zhang Songling did not think about it and took the initiative to explain, "We went to Peking together to join the army a year and a half ago. We encountered sneak attacks from traitors on the way, and we were separated from each other. I didn't expect that we could meet each other again last month on Siqin, and then..."

In the language he tried his best to refine, he explained his relationship with Peng Xuewen and others, as well as what happened after the reunion, to Red Beard, and at the end he emphasized, "This time he was able to discover the Japanese's chemical weapons early, all of which were the credit of Peng Xuewen and the others. I had never seen that thing at all when I was at the 26th Road."

"Oh." Compared with the situation he had learned, Hongbei knew that Zhang Songling was very honest with him, pondered for a moment, and decided to make an honest statement. "As far as I know, the Military Affairs Commission organization where your friend is located is not very friendly to our Eighth Route Army. Even though he knew that the Japanese were going to use chemical weapons to deal with us, he was willing to rush back to give the Japanese a move to surround Wei and save Zhao. Really..."

He gritted his teeth hard, but he couldn't find a suitable word to explain his true thoughts. Peng Xuewen's actions were very unexpected, and Zhang Songling's actions were also unexpected. From a personal perspective, Red Beard was willing to be loyal to such a friend. Even if the other party was the Military Control Commission, some organizational principles and the friction precedents between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party forced him to consider his position.

Fortunately, Zhang Songling didn't mind his words. Zhang Songling grinned, and his smile faintly felt helpless. "He was a nerd who knew nothing a year and a half ago, just because he joined a different team by accident. To be honest, this matter has a great impact on him. If he doesn't do it well, it will delay his future."

"So that's how it is." Red Beard frowned and repeatedly considered it, and the intention of guarding others was necessary. The appearance of military-control agents on the grassland will definitely have a huge impact on the future power structure of the area near Heishizhai. However, no matter what the considerations are, Peng Xuewen and others' actions this time have helped the guerrillas. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a life-saving grace. When they are in trouble, the guerrillas cannot sit idly by. The relationship with them in the future should probably be more cooperation than competition, and it is even possible to unite with each other to deal with the Japanese invaders.

Thinking of this, he nodded and said to Zhang Songling very solemnly: "Your friend has helped the guerrillas. We have to recognize this favor, so no matter what, we must advance and retreat with him this time. At present, you may only be the only one in the guerrillas, and they have a friendship with Zhou Heitan and him, so the task of sending letters to Heishi Village this time has to be on you. I know this will make you very tired, but..."

"I'm not tired, I can set off now." Zhang Songling stood up straight and responded loudly.

"I'll have a meal first, and then let the kitchen bring you enough dry food for you on the road. This time I'll let Xiao Zou accompany you. Lao Zhao has injuries on his body, so don't show off."

"My injury is fine." Zhao Tianlong tilted his shoulders and protested loudly, "It's really fine. The scars on the wound are almost falling off, and they will be healed on the road."

Hongbeard shook his head and explained seriously: "Among the captive horse thieves, more than 60 people want to stay and join the guerrillas. Their riding skills are good. You have to hurry up and train them into an army. If the boy Hei Tan is reluctant to give up Hei Shi Village in one week, no matter how difficult it is, we have to pull the team out. In just two or three days, your burden is not lighter than Xiao Zhang."

"Ah." Now, Zhao Tianlong no longer dared to accompany Zhang Songling to Heishi Village to warn. The horse thieves are no more than guerrilla soldiers. Everyone carved organization and discipline into their bones. Even if they were fighting with the wind, they would scatter birds and beasts when they encountered a little setback. Even if they were holding them behind their backs, it would be difficult to combed them back together.

"It's difficult, right?" Red Beard didn't even look at Zhao Tianlong's expression, and added with a smile, "What can you do if you throw a bun and dog, why should I let you go to Yunlong to take action? Hurry up and make preparations. After dinner, I will immediately ask the new soldier to report to you, the cavalry coach."

"Yes." Zhao Tianlong's self-esteem was greatly satisfied, and he saluted and walked away with great strides.

Watching his back leave, Red Beard smiled and continued to say to Zhang Songling: "Your Third Squadron, I have also supplemented 60 new recruits for you. A small half were recruited from the nearby pioneer village, and the other half were also horse thieves who had just washed their hands. When you are not here, I will train them for you first. When you come back from Heishizhai, you can take over immediately."

"I, I..." Zhang Songling didn't expect that Red Beard would really let herself stand alone so quickly. She was stunned and waved her hand very moved, "I'm afraid I can't do it well. I have only been a deputy in the company before, and I have never..."

"No one is born to do it." Hongbei frowned and interrupted loudly, "I can't find a more suitable candidate at hand. You must lead this squadron. In addition, as long as there is no task in the future, this big conference room will be used by you every night. All cadres, including Lao Lu and I, will come to listen to your experience of fighting against the Japanese. You must be mentally prepared in advance!"

"Ah." Zhang Songling became more and more shocked, his mouth widened, and he started to move up and down again after a while. "I, do my best to prepare and live up to your trust."

"That's right. Young man, how can you do without any motivation?" He smiled and patted his shoulder, and the Red Beard whispered to encourage him in a low voice, "But you don't have to be too nervous. When needed, Lao Lu and I will do our best to help you."

"Thank you, thank you Team Wang." A warm feeling spread from your shoulder to your heart. Zhang Songling nodded and solemnly promised, "I will definitely bring out the third squadron as soon as possible to ensure that I will not drag everyone down."

"Yes." Hongbei nodded again, thought for a while, and then gave a low note, "Go to Heishi Village. It would be best if you can persuade Zhou Heizi and the others to take the initiative to evacuate. If Zhou Heizi doesn't listen to the advice, don't force it. After all, he is our friend, not an enemy. No matter what the result is, you should rush back as soon as possible. I will sit in advance at home and prepare. If anything goes wrong, lead the team out of the mountain. No matter what, we will not watch Zhou Heitan and the others blocked by the white beard."
Chapter completed!