The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

He led his team, following the support personnel, across a mountain and into a deep ravine. Suddenly, a small village of a dozen or so households appeared before them—Wangjiaping. Xu Wenqing and his men entered the village. They were surprised to find a large number of people inside. Who would have thought that such a quiet little mountain village would house so many troops! The special operations company moved stealthily, careful not to step on their sleeping comrades. Some of the soldiers lay with their rifles tucked in their arms, snoring soundly. Others leaned against each other, using their arms as pillows, and occasionally, the suppressed cries of the wounded could be heard.

They entered a thatched hut. Inside, four or five soldiers were gathered around a table looking at maps, unaware of their arrival. One soldier stepped his right foot over his left and shouted in a loud voice:

"Reporting to Captain Zhou, we have brought the comrades from the 55th Regiment back!"

People looked up as if startled awake, scrutinizing them closely. A man of medium height, stocky build, with a dark red face covered in a stubble of beard, and piercing eyes, appeared quite imposing and stern. He walked over with a smile, shook Xu Wenqing's hand, and said:

"Wow! I didn't expect you to get here so quickly! Sit down, please sit down!"

He dragged over a long bench and pressed Xu Wenqing down to sit. He Feng didn't sit down either, but took a bowl of water handed to him and started drinking. He had barely taken a sip when a female soldier rushed in. The man called the captain saw her and asked:

"What happened again?"

The female warrior quickly replied:

"Dozens more wounded and sick soldiers were sent over later, and we ran out of medicine!"

Captain Zhou frowned, and the smile on his face vanished.

Xu Wenqing could tell from his expression that Captain Zhou probably didn't have any medicine either, so he immediately instructed Hu Jiu:

"I'll gather information here; you take the medic to your company and get a box of medicine, quick!"

After hearing this, Hu Jiu put down the water bowl and led the female warrior out the door.

Xu Wenqing's mind was completely preoccupied with the wounded. While handing over the letter of introduction, he anxiously asked:

"Were there many wounded or sick soldiers among those they took in?"

"Hey! Most of them are like that, either injured or sick."

Captain Zhou said in a bitter voice, with a wry smile on his face.

"You don't know, I hadn't thought of any of this before. Sigh, I didn't expect there to be so many wounded and sick. Just treating them will be a huge hassle. Tsk!"

Xu Wenqing sighed.

"Your mission is difficult enough!"

Captain Zhou also found it very difficult.

Xu Wenqing gave a wry smile and said:

"I can't really say what it should be like, but let's just do our best!"

The military situation was urgent. After a brief assembly, the able-bodied soldiers in the rescue team were handed over to Xu Wenqing, and then Captain Zhou led the guerrillas to carry the wounded who could not move away and quickly withdrew.

After the two sides parted ways, Xu Wenqing held a brief mobilization meeting, explained the mission, reiterated the importance of strict discipline, and finally, according to the markings on the map, the soldiers of the special service company were divided into four small teams by platoon to search for the missing personnel at the intersections that the troops would definitely pass through.

Knowing that the local militias were quite active, out day and night, Xu Wenqing emphasized:

"The closer we are to the enemy, the more vigilant we must be in the revolution to prevent enemy attacks."

After the meeting, the newly formed containment team sped off like arrows, heading towards their respective battlefields. The special operations platoon followed Xu Wenqing, also quickly heading due east.

The cold wind before the winter rain blew in gusts, sweeping across the weeds and rustling the clothes of passersby, sending chills down their spines… Zhong Tian led the group, closely following the guide, walking a long way ahead along a winding stone path. This area was mostly mountainous, and they had to traverse mountains and valleys, detouring around villages as they encountered them. Around midnight, a light appeared ahead, revealing a large courtyard hidden by a bamboo grove. The farmer looked around, then turned and beckoned them, continuing forward through the bamboo forest, leading them into the courtyard. From the main hall with its plaque, they wound their way through several rooms and into the backyard.

Zhong Tian and the others went into the backyard and stood in the courtyard for a while. Then they saw Li Youcai, dressed in local clothes, stride out the door.

"Old Li"

Zhong Tian let out a low cry and lunged forward, grabbing Li Youcai's hands. He hadn't expected to encounter Li Youcai here, not deep in the mountains.

Li Youcai reached out and hugged Zhong Tian's shoulders tightly. He said:

"I've been looking forward to your arrival! I never expected it!"

His voice was loud and powerful, full of strength and confidence. Hand in hand, they led their comrades through another door and into a large hall. Li Youcai explained:

"This is the home of a landlord who was also the head of a township. When he heard that the Red Army was coming, he was so scared that he ran to the county town. Alright, comrades, let's rest here for a while."

From their previous interactions, Zhong Tian had sensed this comrade's forthright and generous nature. Without saying anything, he sat down and then heard Li Youcai say cheerfully:

"You've come at just the right time. We just came down from the mountains yesterday to gather supplies, and we were planning to go back at dawn. Hongmei, why aren't you pouring tea for the comrades?"

A young woman walked in, carrying a tea tray. Li Youcai took the teacup, handed it to Zhong Tian, ​​and said politely:

"Have some tea first!"

Zhong Tian sipped his tea, glancing occasionally at the woman who had brought him the water, feeling quite puzzled.

"Why are there local women here at Li Youcai's place?"

"Xiao Zhong, let me introduce myself."

Upon seeing the little guy's puzzled look, Li Youcai quickly explained:

"This is your sister-in-law, my wife. Her name is Zhang Hongmei."

Zhong Tian's eyes flashed as he carefully examined Zhang Hongmei:

She was tall for a woman, with a thick head and large, dark eyes beneath her thick eyebrows. These eyes, set against her round face, shone with a gentle, kind light, as if concealing much bitterness. Her mouth was always habitually closed, as if she were clenching her teeth to suppress a groan. Even her lips radiated a striking kindness.

But at this moment, her demeanor betrayed a slight unease, and she asked softly:

"Can we eat now?"

After receiving permission, I ran out. Soon after, a steaming bowl of food was brought into the room; it was clear that it had been prepared in advance.

"Let's eat! This is prepared for the comrades in the mountains."

Li Youcai took the lead and picked up his bowl:

"We'll set off after we finish eating. I'll tell you about my situation on the way."

Li Youcai was persecuted by landlords, his family was destroyed, and his parents died unjustly.

The wind whistled, making the window paper rustle. It blew into the room through the crack in the door, and the oil lamp flickered, its pale yellow light shining dimly. Li Youcai packed a small bundle, took out all his savings as travel expenses, and sent his wife and younger sister to seek refuge with their aunt who had married far away in Tankou Village, Huangshan Township.