Chapter 3: The Morning Star (4 Upper)

"Yaga." The captain of the Kwantung Army's Eastern Mongolia Dispatch Brigade, Kuniaki Kawada, raised his arm. Loud and angry. In order to grab a few sheep. There was such a big movement. It's really a shame for the Imperial Japanese Army. But think of the taste of roasted steppe lamb. The anger in his heart was quickly diluted. Pointed to the leader of the exploration team. shouted loudly: "Tachibana Hyotaro. What are you messing around again. My advice before you go. Have you forgotten?"

"Report sir. We caught a spy on the road. These. They are all tools of spies." Lieutenant Hyotaro Tachibana, the squad leader, gave a military salute to Kuniaki Kawada. Report in a serious way.

"Haha. Ha ha. Haha...... "The devil officers around Kuniaki Kawada couldn't hold back any longer. One by one, they laughed forward and backwards. Since entering the grassland area. Almost every day on the march on the way. They were able to seize a lot of similar "tools of crime", but the spies were too bold. Usually did not wait for the soldiers of the Great Japanese Empire to approach. Already jumped on horseback and fled without a trace.

"Yaga..."Kawada Kuniaki scolded again with a straight face. After all, I don't want to ruin the happiness of everyone under my command. The arms that had been raised high were slowly lowered." Give the loot to the man to deal with. Bring me the spies. I'm going to interrogate him personally."

Say it. Turned his head again. Ordered to the devil officers around him: "Walk here this morning. Let the team rest in place.. After lunch. and then continue the march."

"Hi Yi." The devil officers happily agreed. Arrange for people to kill sheep and roast meat. The squad leader, Lieutenant Tachibana Hyotaro, stepped forward with a salivating face. Continue to whisper: "Sir. Sir, don't be angry. This shepherd. It looks weird."

"What's weird." Kuniaki Kawada frowned. Asked casually.

"He. . . He saw the flag of the Imperial Japanese Army. He didn't run away right away. Still. Also stepped forward. Try. Trying to talk to me." Hyotaro Tachibana thought about it. Carefully supplement.

"Hmm." Kuniaki Kawada's interest was immediately aroused. Since entering the steppe area. Almost every day they could meet shepherds herding sheep on the road. But Sensei said that he dared to come forward and greet the soldiers of the Imperial Japan. It is to stand still and watch the movement. Didn't find one either. Usually you just see the flag of the Great Japanese Empire. The shepherds immediately fled for the wind. Even an opportunity to express the meaning of "Sino-Japanese goodwill". I don't leave it for everyone.

"He. . . on his fingers. And also. And calluses." Tachibana Hyotaro is earnest. Continue to supplement figuratively.

"Oh.." Kawada Kuniaki's face became more and more solemn. Turn your head. Say hello." Translation. Where did the translator go. Why can't you come back yet?"

"Sir. Sir. I am here. I'm here." Translator Sun Haifeng is like a pug. Jumped out from the other side of Kawada Kuniaki's body. Nod your head." You can rest assured. I must have interrogated him carefully. Within half an hour. Just let you get the results."

"No, I don't. I'll judge it myself. Just translate my words to him." Kuniaki Kawada glared at translator Sun Haifeng. Loud commands.

"Hi Yi. Hi Yi." Sun Haifeng made a big fuss. Bowed. Respond curtly.

"Bring him over. Untie the rope!" Kuniaki Kawada doesn't care about the feelings of a traitor. Turn your gaze to the caught shepherd. Keep calling the shots.

"Hi Yi." Hyotaro Tachibana, the leader of the squad, agreed and walked over. Untie the rope with your own hands. Push push and shove. Bring the captives to Kuniaki Kawada." Come on. Don't grind. Our chief wants to talk to you."

The shepherd, whose nose was bruised and his face was swollen, suddenly turned around. while pushing him to his head. Then pounce on a devil soldier who is killing a sheep. Went crazy and threw the man to the ground. Meantime. A series of angry growls came from his mouth." @#￥%……&”

"Damn. Hurry up and catch him." Tachibana Hyotaro was furious. With a few devil soldiers, they swarmed up. It took a lot of effort. Only then did the shepherd regain control of the sheep. Hold him. Escorted back to Kuniaki Kawada again.

"¥%%¥#&&&" The shepherd's mouth continues with an angry growl. Words and phrases spoken. But no one understood.

"What is he yelling about?" Kuniaki Kawada clearly sensed that something was wrong. Frowning. Ask the translator Sun Haifeng.

"He. . . He's scolding. Swearing." Translator Sun Haifeng also didn't understand a single word. But he explained in Japanese indiscriminately." He. He said that Lieutenant Tachibana was a robber. Bad apple. robbed his sheep and did not give money. Still. Also beating people. In the future. Hell in the future."

"Yaga." Kuniaki Kawada's face is even more gloomy. He gave the shepherd a few vicious looks. Suddenly shouted loudly: "You lied. You're a spy of **. I've seen it for a long time. Hurry up and be honest. Did Redbeard send you? If you won't tell the truth. I'm going to keep you alive. You can't die. Translation. Translate it for him."

"Taijun said. You're a spy of **. He has long seen through your identity. If you don't want to suffer. Don't continue to deny it." Sun Haifeng was so anxious that his forehead was sweating. Gritted his teeth. Loudly translated Kawada Kuniaki's words to the shepherd twice in a row in Chinese and broken Mongolian.

The shepherds stopped cursing. Turned his head to look at him. Dazed face. Forthwith. Another barrage of angry roars. It was as if Sun Haifeng had an enmity with him.

"He. . . He said. He's not a spy." Although I didn't understand what the other party was saying. Translator Sun Haifeng had to continue to pretend." He said. These sheep are his lifeblood. Whoever grabs it. He. He's going to fight with each other."

"Then you ask him again. Calluses on his fingers. What's going on?" Kuniaki Kawada's face was so gloomy that he could almost drip water. Frowning. Gnash one's teeth.

"Your. Finger. How can there be calluses. calluses." Translator Sun Haifeng was so anxious that cold sweat rolled on his forehead. Stretch out your left hand. Point your thumb and forefinger. Drawing with strokes.

The shepherd was stunned again. Wait for the round eyes. looked straight at Sun Haifeng. It's as if the other party is a juggling monkey.

"Calluses. Callus. Say it quickly. Do you understand?" Sun Haifeng jumped up angrily. Punching and kicking at the shepherd.

At this point. Kuniaki Kawada didn't understand what was going on. It's impossible to get into the position of captain. pulled the translator Sun Haifeng aside. Kick it out again." Yaga. He doesn't understand you at all. You waste. How dare you lie to me?"

"Spare your life. Spare your life, sir." Translator Sun Haifeng got up with a bone. He bowed to Kuniaki Kawada." He. He speaks neither Chinese. It's not Mongolian either. I. I've done my best. I've really done my best."

"Get out." Kuniaki Kawada flew up again. Kick the dog traitor half a foot away." Guys who don't know how to pretend to understand. Get out of the way. I don't want to see you again."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir." Sun Haifeng was kicked and vomited blood. But he kept bowing at Kuniaki Kawada. The latter didn't even have the interest to look at him again. Slowly took half a step forward. Reach out and pull up the shepherd's left palm. Pointing to calluses on top of thumb and forefinger. Try to pretend to be kind and ask, "This. How did it come about. Yours. Can you give me a reasonable explanation.."

"%¥#............" the shepherd looked at him with a blank face. A string of strange words came out of the mouth. Probably Mongolian. It may also be the language of other peoples of the steppe.

Before the expedition, Kuniaki Kawada had heard it said. There are many nomadic people living in a semi-primitive state in the Dongmeng grassland. Language, clothing and living habits. They are all very different from each other. Obviously. The shepherd in front of him is a typical representative of the primitive people. It's summer. He was still wearing a thick cotton robe. The greasy neckline and sleeves are half an inch thick. Give people a look. I can't help but want to vomit out all my breakfast.

"Our chief asks you. Callus. Callus. How it came to be." Shiro Shirakawa, a combat staff officer, was disgusted by the smell of sweat on the shepherd's body. Cover your nose and lean forward. Helped Kawada Kuniaki Nakasa interrogate the captives.

"###%%¥#....." The shepherd seems to finally understand a little. Respond loudly in his own language. It was found that the two devil officers may not understand. Struggled a bit. Get rid of the devil soldiers who control you. Raise your arms. I made a whip swing." Scold.. Heh------ heh.. Yikes------"

This action is so vivid. Even if it's not in a language. The devils also suddenly realized." It was held with a whip. Hyotaro Tachibana. You bastard. It's a waste of everybody's time."

"Hyotaro. You want to make meritorious contributions. Don't fool a wild man either. He doesn't even speak Chinese. How can it be a spy of the **.."

"yes. Tachibana-kun. You're so funny."

In the gossip of the officers. Squad Leader Hyotaro Tachibana's head slowly lowered. I. I ......"

"Your. Be serious next time." As the supreme commander of this force. Captain Kuniaki Kawada can't be as mean as everyone else. He patted Hyotaro Tachibana on the shoulder. Smile and comfort." Let's go roast lamb. Afternoon pathfinder work. I'm going to have to work hard for you."

"Hi Yi." Tachibana Hyotaro respectfully gave a military salute. In the midst of laughter. Flee in embarrassment. Kuniaki Kawada shook his head at his back. Turn your gaze to the shepherd again. Kindly asked, "You're grazing here. Have you seen anyone else? I mean. Others with guns."

The shepherd looked at him stunned. Shake your head vigorously. And then. Suddenly, he rushed to the side of a group of devils who were dividing mutton. Pointing to the carcass of a sheep that has been shaved off. Shout loudly." @#%……&&.#￥%…….”

"I'll give you money. Count on buying your sheep. Okay.." Kuniaki Kawada was made to laugh and cry by this shepherd who didn't know whether to live or die. I had to take out a few colorful puppet Manchukuo bills from my pocket. Shaking and saying.

Immediately the shepherd's eyes lit up. Run over. Reach out and grab the puppet Manchukuo currency in Kawada Kuniaki's hand. , Kawada Kuniaki dodged the currency in his hand backwards. Shake off the shepherd's palm. Said with a smile: "This. Can't give it to you right now. You'll have to answer my question first."

"@#%......&&.#¥%......." The shepherd stamped his feet. Loud protest. But he knew that he couldn't mess with Kuniaki Kawada. Don't dare to snatch it directly by force.

"You. . . Have you ever seen someone like this?" Shirokawa Shirakawa, a combat staff officer, pulled out a blank piece of paper from his purse under the saddle. First I drew a few small people with rifles on their backs with pencils. Then point your finger and ask questions.

“&…%&&.” The shepherds finally got a little bit of it. Pointing to the villain. He pointed to the devil soldiers around him. Respond loudly.

"It's not. Not us." Shiro Shirakawa was so tired that he was panting. Swing your hand vigorously a few times. Negative shepherd's answer. Then two more buttons were drawn on the villain's hat. Clicked. Keep asking. Hat. Hats are not like us. Probably buttons. It could also be a pentagram. Anyway. Except for us. Other people with guns. Yours. I've seen it.."

The shepherd looked at Shirakawa Shiro in a daze. It took a lot of effort. I finally understood what he meant. Squat down. Grab the pen in the position of grabbing the whip. Clumsily drew a rectangle. Then I drew a mountain away from the rectangle. Pressed hard. Respond loudly." &…%&&.”

"You mean. There are people with guns in both places." Kuniaki Kawada. Push Shiro Shirakawa, the combat staff officer, away a little. Squatting down next to a blank sheet of paper asked.

“&…%&&.” The shepherd nodded repeatedly. I'm afraid Kawada Kuniaki doesn't understand what he means. Grab the pen. A few little figures were added to the rectangle and the mountains. Then put down the pen. Look directly at the coin in the other person's hand.

"How far from here." Kuniaki Kawada opened and closed his arm a few times. Ask out loud.

The shepherd looked at him blankly. Still couldn't understand what he was trying to ask. Or operations staff officer Shirakawa Shiro smart. Grab the pen. A curve connects the mountains and the rectangle. Then extend the curve out of the rectangle for a while. Circles were drawn. Pointed to himself. Pointing to the circle again. Explain out loud." Over here. Here we are. Over here. This is the Black Stone Village. Over here. It's the mountain. We. How far are we from Blackstone Village. Want. To go. How long to go."

The shepherds still don't understand. Continue to stare directly at the Manchukuo bond in Kawada Kuniaki's hand. Shirakawa took a few gasps. Continue to draw on paper with a pen. It took a lot of effort. At last the shepherd's eyes lit up again.

“%&&.” The shepherd explained. While clumsily drawing a few suns with a pen. From a circle to a rectangle are two. From the rectangle to the mountains are three.

There are still two days to walk from the Black Stone Village. Distance from the Lama ditch where the red beard is entrenched. Five more days. Kawada Kuniaki and Shirakawa Shiro looked at each other. Sticking out his tongue and panting. This answer. There is a slight difference from the distance they calculated from the map. But taking into account the seasonal factors and road conditions on the grassland. It's not too much of a difference.

“&…%&&.” Take advantage of the fact that the two of them are not paying attention to themselves. The shepherd stretches out his hand. Quickly snatched the Manchukuo Coupon from Kawada Kuniaki's hands. Turn around and run. Moment. He ran a hundred and ten meters away. It's about to disappear into the grass.

"Ping-pong." Hyotaro Tachibana grabs his rifle. Viciously pulled the trigger.