Chapter 2: The Oath (Mikami)

That face looked familiar. Zhang Songling vaguely remembered the last time he escorted Si Qin to Fu Zuoyi with Zhou Heitan and others. I had met this man in the Independence Battalion. At that time, the young man respected him and Peng Xuewen very much. One senior screamed one by one. The expression on his face was still a little restrained. Obviously a student who has just put down his pen and ink for a long time. The book on his body was so thick that he was suffocating.

Since he took the initiative to give up a stable life, he threw his pen from Rong. I'm ready to sacrifice my flesh and blood to the country. How could he become a spy of the Japanese in such a short time. And the reaction of Zhou black carbon is too slow. From the end of the summer, when the telegram was withheld by this person, to the present, he is carrying this person's head and running to apologize. More than three months have passed. The distance between the partisans and the independent battalion was long though. But it's not separated by thousands of mountains and rivers. The telegraph doesn't work. After hearing the news that the old guerrilla camp was captured by little devils. Can't he just send a messenger to show his concern?

And so on. Countless suspicious points surfaced in front of Zhang Songling's eyes at the same time. He couldn't believe Zhou's explanation at all. However, before he could figure out how he could expose the lie without causing the two sides to turn their faces on the other side immediately. Redbeard has already regained his senses before he does. Holding up Zhou Heicarbon's arm with both hands. Laughing and shaking his head: "Brother Zhou. Where did you come from the words. The little devil instructed the spy to withhold the telegram I sent to you for help. Isn't the purpose to sow discord between the two of us? If I give you three knives and six holes according to the rules of the rivers and lakes. Isn't it just the meaning of the little devil? Pull it down. I'm a little older though with a red beard. But it's not so old that you can't even tell the difference between right and wrong. Hurry up. Get up. Come in with me and have a drink. The more people don't want the two of us to join forces. The more the two of us have to hook up and stir the horse spoon in a pot. him off. Let him stare dryly, but there is nothing he can do."

He has been lingering on the sickbed though lately. Tonight, it suddenly looked like I had taken some elixir. Get a new lease on life. Put a slight strain on your arms. He lowered Zhou Heitan in front of him and lifted his arm from the ground. Then he freed up a big hand and slapped it lightly behind the other party. Laugh and add." Throw this head and feed it to the wolves in the field. Don't let him ruin everyone's drinking. Come. You come in with me now. I deliberately made it possible to warm up the old white dry that I had changed from the vendor in the summer. I'm just waiting for you Zhou Heizi to identify the taste."

"Since Master Hong has said so. I'll dwell on this matter again. It's too pretentious." Seeing Redbeard react like this. Zhou Heicarbon's shoulders, which had been stiff, were visibly relaxed. I agreed with a smile. Then quickly turn around. Throw the box with the human head to the guard who is with you." Go. Throw it far into the desert to feed the wolves. Don't let the partisans dirty. By the way, tell all the brethren. Let me find a suitable place to camp three miles away. No orders from me tonight. No one is allowed to go near the guerrilla camp and cause trouble to others."

". What are these words?" Didn't wait for the guards to agree. The red beard has changed color." Everyone is at the doorstep. You Zhou black carbon for me to go three miles away. Didn't you slap me in the face with a red beard? If you want to enter, you will enter together. If you want to get out, Zhou Heizi will follow them and get away. Don't fucking crouch at my door. It's like a bunch of debt collectors, and it's annoying to watch."

"Dude. Dude. Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean that. That's not what it means." Zhou Hei Carbon was scolded so that his face was feverish. Quickly arched his hand again to explain." I. I'm afraid the road will be the same as it was last winter. Encounter a sneak attack by little devils. So he took two whole companies of brothers. Together with the animals that pull gifts for you. All in. I'm afraid you'll have to take up more than half of your guerrilla camp."

"What if you take it all." Redbeard gave him a white look. The anger on his face still refuses to be easily removed." Such a big oasis. Wouldn't my warriors have set up camp in a different place... Besides, my Redbeard's camp isn't this one. Vacate this place for you. Just let them go elsewhere and squeeze it again. It's better than having the brothers from the independent camp come all the way. But to be frozen in the wild."

Talking. Intentionally or unintentionally, he pointed to the left and right of the camp. Zhou Hei Carbon looked in the direction of his finger. Sure enough, it was five or six miles away on the right side of the camp in front of me. Two or three more clusters of lights were found. It depends. It's definitely not a scale that three or two families can gather. There are at least a dozen felt bags hidden in each camp. Even if it is counted as five people wrapped in each felt. There were two or three hundred men in the camps. At least not less than the cavalry you carried this time.

"Whoosh". There was a cold air from the soles of Zhou Heicarbon's boots to the brains." I've killed Lao Tzu. This damn Chief of Staff Wu. Also Huangpu graduated from the little Zhuge . Brother Piggy is pretty much the same."

"I discovered this area three years ago. It is estimated that there is a large river buried underground. So there are a total of five oases nearby. It's not that big. But raising one or two thousand sheep in the summer shouldn't be a problem." Redbeard's voice continued. There's a hint of pride." It's not the right time for you to come this time. If you find it in the summer. I can also treat you to white fish in sand bubbles. Just take one and weigh twenty or thirty pounds. I don't know how long I lived. I'm almost fine."

"How do I know that your red master still has such a piece of feng shui treasure in his hand. To know. I've been here for a long time." After all, he is also a long-established tycoon. Although Zhou Hei Carbon's heart was thundering. The expression on his face quickly returned to normal." Rumor has it that you've been beaten by a little devil. I've been worrying about you. Which into thought. You old man just don't want to fight with the little devil for a while. I've already found my way in the desert."

"The vitality must have hurt a bit. After all, there are more than 2,000 little devils and puppet soldiers combined. Last time it came very suddenly. If only our guerrillas had not been hurt at all. Then you will become a god." Redbeard shook his head. Smile and be modest." But he was beaten so much that he couldn't climb back up on the kang again. But not yet. The yellow beard has been cleaned up so many times by the two of us. Hiding in the desert will quickly pull up another crowd. I'm one of the four mustaches. You can't afford to lose your name."

"That's . Is that. Whether red, yellow, white, black. Or red, white, black and yellow. Your old name has always been at the top of the list. Something he can do with a yellow beard. There's no reason you can't do it." Zhou Hei Carbon smiled convincingly. The expression on his face became more relaxed. Deep down. But he once again sent his superiors to his chief of staff. It is said that Wu Tianci, a high-achieving student who graduated from the Whampoa Military Academy, was scolded by the ancestors of the eighth generation." His grandmother's. Lao Tzu this time. It's really Cao Cao's bad luck to meet Jiang Gan. Also based on reliable intelligence before the conclusions were drawn. I'm phew. I don't even understand how many places the redbeard's nest is. Reliable fart."

"Choreograph the names of our RED team with the Yellowbeard guys. It's a shame for our red team." has been sitting stupidly on horseback and watching Redbeard talk and laugh with Zhou Heitan like a different person. Zhao Tianlong finally got the hang of it. Jump off the mount. Walk to Zhou Hei Carbon's side. Grab one of the other person's arms." Let's not mention the useless wreck. Let's go. Went in first. Snowy in the wind. What are you doing freezing at the door.."

"Gone. Let's go. You go in first. Brothers, hand it over to me to greet Brother Long." Zhang Songling also came back to the taste like a dream. Reach out and grab Zhou Heicarbon's other arm.

Zhou Hei Carbon was originally picked up by others. before trying to take the guerrillas under their wing. In his own heart, he actually disdains this kind of behavior of taking advantage of the fire. At this moment, it seems that Redbeard's strength is quite intact. I don't want to tear my face with each other anymore. So he pretended to be unable to withstand the pull of Zhao Tianlong and Zhang Songling. He staggered a dozen steps into the camp. And then I came back again. Towards the platoon commander of his own guard. Zhou Baorui, the nephew of the family, shouted. Xiao Ruizi. You go and inform Lao Jiu and Staff Officer Wu. Let them lead the group. Send in the gifts I prepared for the guerrillas. By the way, he was harassing the red-bearded brother in the camp. Give me a little face. Drink it slowly. Whoever dares to drink too much will go crazy. Lao Tzu stripped him of his clothes. Throw him in the snow."

"Yes." Zhou Ruisheng's ears have been filled every day in the past two years, and the names of heroes and heroes such as Redbeard and Zhuyunlong have been poured into his ears. More reluctant than Zhou Hei Carbon to accept Chief of Staff Wu's bad idea. At this moment, I heard a hint from the family uncle that he had changed his course. Straighten up immediately. The voice of the answer was exceptionally loud.

Zhou Hei Carbon's body stopped. Very slight. Almost no one but himself was aware of it. His gaze quickly swept over his trusted henchmen. On everyone's shoulders. He can almost see the ease of being lifted from the burden." A few of you. Dismount me. Walk in with the cattle in line." With a smile on his face. He shouted orders to his henchmen." One by one. A bunch of raw melon eggs. Still in the saddle. Are you still waiting for the red master to personally pull the reins for you?"

"Don't dare. Don't dare." The guards scratched a few fox-fur hats covered in snow foam. Fly and dismount. Carefully pull the reins of the mount in your hand. One by one, they walked to the camp gate.

"No queues. No queues. The door is wide. Walking side by side is no problem. XIAO Zhao. Take some of your brothers and bring them to their nests. Feed some warm water first. Then put on a few buckets of concentrate. Lao Feng. Take your brothers and sit beside the three fires that are closest to me. A sheep is served on each fire for everyone to roast and eat. Not enough to add more." Redbeard politely gets out of the way. Organize manpower. Give the warmest reception to the security personnel (Note 1)

The closest fire to Redbeard. Nature is also closest to Zhou black carbon. In case there's a body around. These more than sixty skilled guards. You can jump right away. Give Zhou black carbon all-round protection. Opposite. Redbeard, the owner of this room. I can't put a few guards around. In case the guests harbor some evil intentions. It is possible to wipe him out and the main backbone of the guerrillas.

Such a frank arrangement. It made Zhou Hei Carbon feel more and more impressed. Even the last hint of snooping thoughts about the partisans were put away. Smile and thank Redbeard." Master Hong. What are you doing with them so politely. No need to invite them to roast lamb. Everyone can enjoy a bowl of wine and drink. Neither do the animals have to go into the ground. They are all hardy breeds that have been crossed with local Mongolian horses. I can't freeze if I sleep outside all night."

"That's not going to work. The rules of our cavalry. Even if you lose someone. You can't lose the horse." Redbeard smiled and shook his head. Besides, I heard that you were coming. I have ordered all the nests in this camp to be set aside for the cattle. Even if you can't let go of all the animals you've brought with you. The brethren's mounts can still be shoehorned in. It just might be a little crowded."

"There's a place to shelter from the wind. What else do you want to squeeze or not?" See Redbeard said yes. Zhou Hei Carbon no longer shirked. Big hands for a while. Signal the guards to accept each other's arrangements.

Although it was only a makeshift camp for partisans. But the scale is not too small. Sixty or so guards and their horses walked in. In an instant, it melted into the warm firelight. Immediately after. The main force of Zhou Black Carbon has also arrived. A company and a half jumped off their mounts at the camp gate. Fish in and out. After dispersing around the fire according to the master's arrangement. It still seems that the strength is a little thin. Not even half of the fire in the camp. Not to mention, it fills the whole camp.

It was the pack horses of the independent battalion that carried supplies with the army. It's a little strenuous to set it up. The nests that the guerrillas had set aside for their cattle soon ran out. And such cold weather. Let the guests' cattle be blown by the wind outside. It's really rude. However, this problem was quickly resolved. Feng Tianhua, the leader of the cooking squad, took several veterans who were turned into logistics personnel due to injuries and took the initiative to ask for help. He drove his cattle to a nearby oasis. Over there. There are also several large nests. Enough to put down these extra animals.

Stand by a warm fire. Watch the masters greet their brothers in an orderly manner. Didn't show the slightest fear. Nor did he show the slightest domineering. Zhou Hei Carbon's heart is rolling again. There is such a group of well-trained descendants in. Even the surrounding oases are full of suspicious soldiers. What can I do with others? Really turned his face and moved his hands. Although the number of people on his side has doubled. Whoever loses wins. But it's not necessarily certain. Moreover, even if Redbeard was really forced by the situation to take refuge with his brothers. Do you have the courage to take it? After taking it down. It is estimated that it will not take half a year. The entire independent battalion has to be returned to the people..

Come to think of it. He was no longer willing to deal with Wu Tianci, the chief of staff who was squeezing towards him. Keep your head up. shouted at Li Laojiu, the leader of the first company who was helping to drive the livestock. Lao Jiu. You're fucking tired. Why don't you unload the gift we gave to Hong Ye first. And you foodies. Don't patronize around the fire." Wave your arm and point at the two fires closest to you. He continued to call the shots." Get up and unload my gifts. Don't unload the gifts. No one is allowed to sit down."

"Yes." Li Laojiu, who had followed Zhou Hei in front of the saddle since he was a teenager, was slightly stunned at first. Immediately, I quickly understood the meaning of the big boss. smiled and stopped Feng Tianhua and the others. Say hello." Don't go yet. Don't go yet. What is on the back of this animal. It's all specially given to the red master by our big boss. Altogether ....... "Raise your head. He glanced at Zhou Heicarbon's face. Then go ahead and add to it." A total of fifty rifles. 20,000 rounds of ammunition. And a hundred frozen sheep. Sixty bags of cornmeal. Quilt seventy ......"

"Alright. Don't embarrass me." Zhou Hei Carbon pretended to glare at him. Interrupt loudly." We'll recount it later. Deduct the wear and tear on the road. Make up a gift list again and give it to the red master. I'm going to have to worry about such a small thing. It's really foreign to you bunnies."

"Hey." Li Laojiu agreed again. Pouting and going to count the gifts. As if that was the real purpose of their visit. The original plan. It is purely a pipe dream of Chief of Staff Wu Tianci alone. No one agreed with it at all.

Wu Tianci, the chief of staff of Zhou Heicarbon, saw it on the side. I was so distressed that my belly only twitched. The gifts on horseback were indeed prepared for the guerrillas. But that was after Redbeard agreed to accept the reorganization of the independent battalion. to be able to give the sweetness. Now look at the meaning of black carbon in the week. I'm not going to mention this stubble at all. It took a lot of effort to coordinate the supplies and munitions that came to them. Didn't you send charcoal to the guerrillas in vain?

"There is no such thing as doing good deeds." Time. Wu Tianci couldn't wait to jump up and grab Zhou Heitan's neck and question. I can't be ruthless. And can't be cheeky. How the hell have you survived on the prairie all these years?" However, I thought I was a newcomer. The heels in the separate battalion have not yet settled . I had to force the anger in my heart down. Heap up smiles. Take the initiative to replenish the black carbon of Zhou." Our battalion commander Zhou heard that you are in trouble here. and did not forget to help. It's not. The supplies I just got through a special channel. The first one was sent to the guerrillas. If you want to say it......"

"This is ......." Redbeard's gaze quickly attracted to this officer who clearly did not look like a steppe man. Stretching out his hand with a smile. At the same time, ask Zhou Hei Carbon.

"My Chief of Staff. Surname Wu. A highly talented student of the Whampoa Military Academy. Army training work of separate battalions. It's all thanks to him." Zhou Hei Carbon glanced back at Wu Tianci. I had to bite the bullet for both sides to introduce.

"Disrespectful. disrespectful." The smile on Redbeard's face grew brighter. It's like a wildfire in a windy one. Blazing.

"I have admired the name of the red master for a long time. I am destined to see you today. It's the luck of Wu's three lives." Staff Officer Wu took off his gloves. Put the fingers that seem to have no bones into the big slap of Redbeard. Hot air blowing out of the mouth. Instantly frozen into white smoke by the night wind.

Note 1: Diwozi. Extremely cold region in the north. A means of wintering used by the people. Find an open area and dig a wide deep trench. Then a room resembling a cave is carved out in the ditch wall. Use wood or adobe to make safety supports inside. It can be used for livestock to shelter from the cold. It can also be used for human habitation. It's hard to see these days.