Chapter 4: Brothers (11a)

Once chubby smiling face. Covered with large and small chilblains. Blur the defined eyebrows and eyes. It's ugly. Cracks all over the dry lips. With a piping hot breath. Scarlet blood is constantly oozing from the fissure. But soon. The blood is burned dry by the body temperature. Dark black blood scabs turned again and stuck to the sides of the rift. Make the rift deeper. Harder. Even more shocking.

Lu Feng, the deputy leader of the guerrilla brigade, grabbed a handful of snow from the ground. Use the muscles in the palm of your hand to slowly melt into water. Slowly drip into Zhang Songling's mouth. It's the easiest way to hydrate. There was no time to regenerate the fire to bring the water to a boil. There was no time to stop and boil the medicine. The roar of the ghost soldier's car has become clearer and clearer. It can appear behind everyone at any time. It's all about skilful riding and familiarity with the terrain. The guys barely managed to get caught up by the car. However, the warhorse's are flesh and blood after all. In any case, you can't compete with steel monsters. Whenever the crowd stops to let the exhausted animals rest. The grim roar of the car haunted again. It's getting clearer and clearer in everyone's ears. It's getting clearer.......

More than just a car. The commander of the little devil is very decisive. Didn't send any soldiers and horses to hunt down Zhou Heicarbon. Instead, they put all their bets on the side of the partisans. A whole afternoon. Zhao Tianlong led the group to walk around the hills, woods and other obstacles that could block the line of sight. Even at the expense of a deliberate detour. A huge "8" was drawn around a few hills. But. It turns out. His tactics didn't work at all. The devil was confused by the marks of the horse's hooves on the ground even once. After discovering that you have been deceived. It can also rely on advanced means of transportation. Soon the lost time will be regained. Opposite. Guys over here. Over time. Physical strength of man and horse. are already on the verge of collapse.

When the sound of the motor sounded in everyone's ears again. Han Lin, an old guerrilla, took his mount." I'll stay and hold them back for a while. Hurry up and head north. Before dark. It is necessary to enter the desert area. Otherwise. Even if you don't get caught up by the little devils. This kind of ghost weather. We don't dare to light a fire in the middle of the night. I have to freeze to death."

Several partisans with minor wounds looked at each other. The reins of the mount were also tightened one after another. Zhao Tianlong, who was running at the front of the team and leading the way for everyone, heard the movement behind him. Pull the reins of the yellow horse. I turned around and came back." Why don't you go. You guys. Hurry up and keep up. It's going to be Dahuangshui soon."

"Someone has to stay behind and fight the attack." Deputy Captain Lu Feng looked at him. The voice was full of exhaustion and helplessness.

"That's what I left behind. You take them and keep walking. My horse is fast. The terrain is also familiar. In case you find an opportunity. It might lead the little devil somewhere else." Zhao Tianlong immediately pricked up his eyes. Offer loudly.

"It's because you're familiar. That's why a few of us stayed and fought the block." Han Lin, an old guerrilla who had always respected Zhao Tianlong, shook his head. Loud interjection." Don't argue. The devil immediately chased after him. Hurry up and take the whole guy."

"The captain hasn't spoken yet. What qualifications do you have to dictate to Lao Tzu.." Zhao Tianlong was furious. Pointing at Han Lin's nose and questioning sharply.

"Brother Long. What are the rules on the rivers and lakes? You should know better than I do." Han Lin smiled again. Reach out and push away Zhao Tianlong's index finger.

"The rules of the rivers and lakes. Bullshit. Father. I won't tell you. What are you talking about......" Zhao Tianlong turned his head and glanced at Zhang Songling, who was being held in his arms by the guerrillas in turn. The sound is getting lower and lower.

When there is a huge disparity in the strength of the enemy and us. Stay and create a chance for everyone to get out. He has always been the weakest of the horse thieves. This is a tradition on the grassy forest road. It is also that they have been dealing with the government for thousands of years. Summed up the experience of survival. Physically strong. People with good riding skills are more likely to get rid of their pursuers. The wounded and the sick even run a little longer. It's still easy to be caught up by enemies. Wasted a chance to survive.

It is precisely because of knowing the rules of the rivers and lakes. At noon today, the Black Carbon Hope Independence Battalion and the guerrillas split up to flee for their lives. Zhao Tianlong did not come forward to protest. Although he knew it very well at the time. Zhou Hei Carbon probably started the idea of throwing off the guerrillas as a burden. However, if at the moment according to the rules of the rivers and lakes. The one who should be left behind the most is Zhang Songling and Zhang Xiaochubby. Other partisans were wounded. But you can still ride alone to keep up with the team. And Zhang is a little chubby. I was so burned that I couldn't even open my eyes. In order to bring him one. I'll have to drag down at least two more of my companions.

"He's a reader. You can't die before us." It seems to have guessed what Zhao Tianlong was afraid of. The old guerrilla Han Lin also glanced at Zhang Songling, who was unconscious. Quick supplement.

"This year. There are not many people like him who can read books with a conscience." Another guerrilla pulled out half of a piece of beef jerky with body temperature from the pocket of his close-fitting clothes. Carefully stuffed into Zhang Songling's jacket pocket.

The third guerrilla took Zhang Songling's rifle bullet bag. But he took his mount by the hand." I traded this for him. Save this kid from waking up and saying I'm taking advantage of him."

The fourth decided to stay and fight to block the guerrillas and also stepped forward. Untie a box cannon from Zhang Songling's waist." Brother Long. Don't argue. The little fat man will be handed over to you. No matter who dies. He can't even die. If he also dies. No one will remember what we did."

"I. I'm ......" Zhao Tianlong's lips twitched. I can't say a complete sentence anymore. In all fairness. He used to be kind to everyone though. You can really see it in the eyes. There were no more than three of the entire partisan detachment. But today. But he suddenly found out. These people are usually very inconspicuous people. In fact, he is not shorter than himself at all. They should all be his good brothers. They have long been his good brothers.

Silently unpack the yellow fat horse's back. He took the two new seedling boxes he had obtained in Gohara Castle along with all the bullets. They were all given to the brothers who volunteered to stay behind and fight the resistance. Then put your hands together in front of your chest. I respectfully bowed to everyone. Dial the mount. Turn around and continue to gallop north.

Deputy Captain Lu Feng took the other four team members. took turns holding Zhang Songling and followed closely. No one said a word more. No one has a mother-in-law looking back. I'm afraid to turn back. I can't make up my mind to leave anymore.

They kept banging in stirrups. Desperately squeezing the mount's stamina and fleeing into the distance. but the ears are always upright. Don't let go of any movement coming from behind. A quarter of an hour later. The sound of the car's motor suddenly stopped. The sound of shooting and grenade explosions roared. Accompanied by the rhythm of shooting and grenades. It is a long grassland tune that Zhao Tianlong sounds very familiar with. Majestic and rustic. Tactful and desolate.

"Why is the sky blue. Because there is the sun and the stars in the sky."

"Why is the earth green? for there are men standing on the earth."

"Why won't the big river dry up. Because there are thousands of springs under the riverbed."

"Brother, why did I pick up the bow and arrow? Because behind you are the child and you!"

.........

The sound of heavy shooting and grenade explosions could not be more intense. Nor can I interrupt the desolate singing. It goes on. Jumping. Echoing repeatedly in the vast grasslands. Reverberate. Continuous. Endless. There was a moment. The guys even thought it was going to last forever. Keep going. However. Just when everyone was silently cheering for the robes in their hearts. All voices stopped abruptly.

"Don't look back. Watch your step. It's about to get too much water. Beware of the ice holes." Zhao Tianlong hoarse. Whisper reminders. Place your head on the neck of the yellow horse. The first one walked on the Great Yellow River, which was already two-thirds narrower than in the summer.

The snow-covered ice is hard and slippery. It took a lot of effort for the yellow fat horse to barely stand firm. The muscles of the whole body are constantly trembling. Trembling step out of the front hooves. Forthwith. He slammed it again. Wailing and unwilling to move on.

"Waste. Don't go again. How can you be sorry for them." For the first time, Zhao Tianlong was angry with his mount. Jump off the saddle. Carry the reins over your shoulders. Pull forward desperately. The poor yellow fat horse was torn so that the corners of his mouth were bleeding. Wailing. Staggering. Three steps and one slide. Two steps in a flash. was dragged and continued to move slowly.

"Tie Xiao Zhang to the saddle. Everyone else came down and pulled the reins." Deputy Captain Lu Feng made a decision immediately. Lead all the sober partisans to jump out of the saddle. Lead the mount onto the ice. War horses keep falling. The master who walked in front was dragged one after another. After falling dozens of heels in a row and paying for a horse's front legs. The group finally crossed the river. Look back again. The devil's car has appeared behind him on the snowfield.

"Let's go. The ice is too slippery. Cars aren't that easy." The deputy captain snorted. Urge everyone to jump on their mounts.

Zhao Tianlong gave the horse with the broken leg a shot. Then cut off the hind legs of the horse with a broadsword. and Da Zhou, two of them carried one by one. Followed at the end of the line. The devils in the car soon spotted them. While cheering happily. While strafing with a light machine gun mounted on the roof of the car. The bullets sent snow droplets flying around them. But because it's too far away. No substantial harm was caused.

"It's not all over for you to pick up the bargain." Zhao Tianlong was so excited that his heart was on fire. Throw the horse's leg to Da Zhou. Pull out two grenades. Turn your head to the devil. On the other side of the river in a series of excited wolf howls. Dropped the grenade on the ice.

"Boom. Boom, the ninety-seven grenades exploded one after another. Blow the ice into two huge black holes. Countless hibernating wild fish flew up with the icy water. Then it quickly landed on the river again. Frozen into ice lumps, large and small. Illuminated by the sunset on the horizon. Ambilight. Seven colors.

Zhao Tianlong pouted at the devil soldiers on the other side. Twist the horse's head with all your might. Behind the body. Leave behind a string of heroic songs. The devil soldiers just heard it once. I didn't understand it too much. But I can never forget the desolate melody.

"Why is the sky blue. Because there is the sun and the stars in the sky."

"Why is the earth green? for there are men standing on the earth."

"Why won't the big river dry up. Because there are thousands of springs under the riverbed."

"Brother, why did I pick up the bow and arrow? Because behind you are the child and you!"