I used the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) to fight the Japanese.

"You're Commander Mancang?... You're still just a little kid, aren't you?..." The youngest brother circled around Mancang, looking at him in disbelief.

"Yeah! Are you really the regimental commander? You're not even as high-ranking as me, are you? You were the one who stole the Japanese's food and attacked the Japanese county town... " Shunzi said incredulously.

"Haha, it's the real deal!" Man Cang laughed heartily. "Would you like to join the Mo Dao Group?"

"Yes! I'm as determined as a turtle eating a weight!" the storyteller declared first.

"Alright! On behalf of all the brothers of the Mo Dao Regiment, I welcome you!" Man Cang continued cheerfully.

“Then…we’ll join too!…” the youngest uncle and nephew said, exchanging a glance.

Just as they had said before, the two of them were determined to resist the Japanese, and now that the commander of the Mo Dao Regiment was right in front of them, how could they miss the opportunity!

"Haha, great! Your cotton-fluffing skills are quite rare, they'll be very useful in the future!" Mancang said enthusiastically.

"Ah? This...this is an heirloom..." The youngest brother thought Mancang wanted his cotton bow and touched the thing on his shoulder reluctantly.

"Haha, no one will covet your ancestral cotton bow! But you'll need to carry it to fight the Japanese in the future, you won't be reluctant to part with it, will you?" Li Dadi said as he walked over.

"Fight the Japanese? Great! It's a good thing to be able to fight the Japanese with our family heirloom. Our ancestors will bless us! I'm willing!" The youngest son was overjoyed when he heard that he could fight the Japanese with a cotton bow. He felt more at ease keeping the family heirloom in his own hands!

The three men declared their intention to join the Mo Dao Regiment, which put the twenty-odd women standing nearby in a difficult position. These girls were all sixteen or seventeen years old, not yet twenty, and their capture and suffering at the hands of the Japanese had already left them exhausted. Few could bring themselves to join the Mo Dao Regiment in seeking revenge!

In the end, only seven people were willing to stay. The rest were each given a silver dollar and allowed to go home on their own. With that, the mission to bomb the airport was completely completed, and everyone returned to their busy work in the county town.

……

Conquering territory is only the first step. To fight the Japanese in the long term, a large amount of resources are needed. Developing the economy is the only way forward! War is about money. You can fight small skirmishes without money, but to achieve a greater victory, you must have strong capital to support you.

Under the guidance of the ideology of "land reform and land redistribution" and encouraging handicrafts and commerce, Mancang was incredibly busy this winter! He led merchants from all over the county to form a huge caravan and made many long-distance business trips, directly reaching the Shaanxi region via the Henan-Shaanxi Highway. If it weren't for the harsh winter weather, the entire Northwest would have been their target!

Under the leadership of Zhang Youcai and his daughter, and Man Tun, all townships in the entire Guya County completed land reform. Militia companies were established in every village, and the scene was bustling with activity! Fortifications and tunnels were built in many strategic locations, so that even if the Japanese suddenly attacked, they would be able to fight back and buy enough time for the villagers to hide.

Before they knew it, the year was drawing to a close. Urged on by their elders, Mancang and Zaohua held a grand wedding in Tianma Village! That night, all the brothers crowded into the bridal chamber and made a ruckus until late into the night, which infuriated Mancang!

After seeing off all the brothers, the newlyweds finally completed their transition from children to adults, and it was already broad daylight! The two had no choice but to get up despite their exhaustion and continue their busy work.

This year's Spring Festival is a lively affair. With the Japanese invaders driven out and land restored, people can now joyfully celebrate the New Year! Everyone is busy making steamed buns, tofu, steamed mutton, and fried dough sticks! On New Year's Eve, villages and hamlets set off cheerful firecrackers, immersing the entire county in a joyful atmosphere!

Happy days always pass quickly, and before they knew it, it was spring of 1942. In the past three years, the Modao Regiment had grown into an armed force of over 10,000 men in 20 battalions, complete with tank and artillery battalions. Many of the brothers who had started the uprising with Mancang had taken up leadership positions.

The Japanese troops from the surrounding area had come to harass them many times, but they were all defeated and forced to retreat. So far, no Japanese unit dares to easily provoke the Modao Regiment!

The entire Guya County has become a large county with a population of 700,000, and its prosperity is no less than that of the former Yudu City!

However, it hasn't rained for over two months since the beginning of spring this year! The entire Yudu region, and even most of Henan province, is plagued by drought, and crops are withering away. In many places, even drinking water has become a problem!

To solve the drought problem, the Mo Dao Regiment spent tens of thousands of silver dollars. Under Zhang Youcai's leadership, every village and hamlet dug wells and built dikes in Taojing to divert water for irrigation. Crops are the lifeblood of everyone. If the crops are damaged, the entire county will be destroyed. Many Japanese soldiers are watching with their eyes wide open, looking for an opportunity to strike!

That morning, an uninvited guest arrived at the "Base Area" newspaper office! It was Fang Danian, an old acquaintance of Zhou Xingge and Zhang Jingya, who had once been the editor-in-chief of the "Yudu Morning Post"!

Since witnessing the newspaper office turn into a sea of ​​fire, the group hadn't seen each other again, and this reunion was filled with emotion! Zhang Jingya and Manxiang had tied the knot two years ago and she was already a mother, while Zhou Xingge had also married Mantun and become a wife. The old editor-in-chief was no longer young either, and gray hairs had begun to creep into his temples!

"President Fang! Where have you been these past few years? How have you been?" Zhang Jingya asked with emotion.

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness! I've been hiding in my hometown in the countryside, and fortunately, I haven't been persecuted by the Japanese. I'm still alive!" Fang Danian said with a look of vicissitude in his eyes.

“Then move in with us! The ‘Base Area’ newspaper has been doing quite well these past few years. You can come and continue as the editor-in-chief to lead us to take the newspaper to the next level!” Zhang Jingya said immediately.

"Haha, alright! I've come here to join you guys, but I'll pass on the position of club president. Go and call Commander Mancang over; I have something more important to discuss with him," Fang Danian said with a smile.

"Oh? You know Mancang?" the two women asked in unison.

"Haha, I know him, but he might not know me! Go ahead! You'll understand once you meet him!" Fang Danian said mysteriously.

The two women were completely baffled, so they sent someone to fetch Mancang.

Mancang quickly put down what he was doing and came to the newspaper office. He was stunned to see a tall man with graying temples. He didn't remember ever having any interaction with this old man!

"Haha, Commander Mancang, don't be surprised. Just look at this and you'll understand!" Fang Danian said, handing over a note.

"Hmm?..." Man Cang took the note with a puzzled look and opened it to see a line of strong, small characters.

"The Japanese devils have arrived at Maojian. Please prepare accordingly!"

"It's you?! You were the one who delivered the message to us last time?" Mancang asked in surprise, looking at the refined old man in front of him.