Chapter 2: Countercurrent (Part 4)

Giving Zhang Songling eye drops for a long time had no effect. Instead, he sent himself to the workshop to experience life as a worker. Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, was depressed. However, he could not protest that he had been treated unfairly. After all, the guerrilla captain Redbeard himself . He also often personally went down to the bath salt workshop and bullet reloading workshop in the camp to help. The work is no less than that of the young workers.

With the thought of fighting for a breath of death. Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, handed over the work with other technical backbones. The next morning we went down the mountain. I've only been working in the workshop for two days. He was so tired that his muscles ached. The whole person is like falling apart. This is for the sake of the workers that he is a partisan man. The result of deliberately letting him work less and rest more.

"No. No matter what, we can't let a Kuomintang compare." Lying on the kang of the villager's house at night. Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, gritted his teeth and was ruthless. Through these two days of field trips. He no longer thinks that Zhang Songling pays the workers too little. It's just a triangular amount of cheap wages every day. There are also people who come to ask themselves every day when the new workshop of the guerrillas will be able to recruit workers. If the workshop is really like those new factories on the beach. Workers are paid five cents to one piece per day. I guess the people who came to sign up for the job had to break their heads. Most of the farmland below the mountain had to be abandoned.

Moreover, the efficiency of handmade felts. It's pitifully low. According to the current production. After deducting the remuneration paid to the workers. The workshop is just barely keeping its capital in operation. Of course. With the improvement of worker proficiency and the fluctuation of raw material prices. In the future, the income of the workshop will gradually increase. But that's very limited. It was absolutely impossible to be what he had thought it would be. Let the whole partisan detachment turn into a new "exploiting" class. Ride on the heads of the workers and make a blessing.

As a rare college student in this era. The key training objects of reserve cadres of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region. Xiao Wu will not give up his pride easily. Since he lost to Zhang Songling once in workshop management. He would never be deterred by the hard work in front of him. Lost to Zhang Songling, a former Kuomintang officer, for the second time. Gritted his teeth and persevered for another six days. I just lasted until the tenth day of the rotation. I packed my bags and returned to the mountain to report to Redbeard again.

This time. His report has a lot to say. Several recommendations for workshop management and daily production. It's a lot more than what I said before. Although it still has a bit of idealistic color. But after all, it's not a random empty cannon. Redbeard is very happy with this. looked at Xiao Wu's arms that quickly became thicker. Said with a smile: "The next stage. You can focus on the villagers' night school. Workshop thing. You can go around when you have time. Otherwise. Always let you be such a college student to roll felt. It's really wronged talent.."

"Not aggrieved. Not aggrieved. It's also an opportunity for me to get in touch with the working people." Although my heart was relaxed for a while. Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, insisted on working in the workshop for a while longer." Night school I can open in the evening after work. Anyway, there aren't many people signing up yet. It may not be able to open for the time being."

"Then you will go to the workshop in the morning to investigate. In the afternoon, prepare for the villagers' night school. When did you want to get out of the workshop. Just make your own decisions." Redbeard thought for a moment. Make new arrangements with a smile.

"At least for a month. Two weeks is really too little. I don't know much in-depth." Xiao Wu looked up at Redbeard. Take the initiative to give yourself a boost. It was two weeks that was said to be good. If dry all day for a week. The rest of the week is only half a day. is suspected of being a deserter halfway. He didn't want to leave that kind of talk behind. In the future, he couldn't raise his head in front of Zhang Songling.

"Whatever you want. But remember to bring your gun. Pay attention to self-protection. Although the area south of Shannan is the territory of our guerrillas. It's not as safe as it is in the camp, after all." Redbeard nodded. Very earnestly commanded." If you need to get bullets. I'll give you a sliver. You're using a Browning. A few days ago, I just asked Xiao Zhang to change some 7.65 caliber bullets from Zhou Hei Carbon. Just in time for you to use it." (Note 1)

"Hmm. Bullets I have some there. and so on when needed. I'll get it from you again." I guessed that this batch of bullets was specially changed by the captain for himself. Xiao Wu was very moved in his heart. However, he was reluctant to accept the care of the other party. Especially unwilling to owe Zhang Songling a favor.

"Hmm. Whatever you want. Anyway, there is only one person in the guerrilla team who uses a masturbator. I'll keep the bullets for you. You can use it whenever you want." Redbeard waved his hand. No more wasting time on such trifles.

Immediately after. He also chatted with Xiao Wu about some troop building and liaison with superior leaders. More and more I feel that I should put the young people down there to smoke the fireworks of the world sooner. And Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, also made bullets for himself because of Red Beard. My mind has become much more balanced. The words spoken are becoming more and more insightful. with his views on Zhang Songling. It's also a lot more positive.

The two sides had a very pleasant conversation. Unconsciously. The previous estrangement dissolves invisibly. The next day, Xiao Wu went down the mountain. The spirit became more and more vigorous. There is already a faint smell of spring breeze and horseshoe disease.

Some of the guerrillas who had been treated slowly by Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, saw it. It's inevitable to whisper behind your back." What a shame? I didn't even want to say hello when I met him. They were all sent to work as workers in the workshop. And the eyes grow on the top of the head."

"People go to the workshop to exercise first. And then there is another great use. Didn't you see the captain come back with a bullet that changed his picker?" Others take a different view. Looking at Xiao Wu's back, his face was full of envy. Although there are bazaars, salt pans and workshops to gain . Guerrilla funds are still very tight. In the case that the fighters are still using reloading bullets. The captain specially used expensive bath salts to exchange Browning bullets from Zhou Hei Carbon. It's a little too much to take care of Xiao Wu. It's no wonder that some people are unbalanced.

"Go. That's for the sake of the superiors. Just coax the child not to cry. The surname Wu is favored again. Can we also compare the fat man with a fat man.. From last year's enlistment to the present. I don't see when the two box cannons around the fat man are empty." can be used to fight Xiao Wu. The best candidate is Zhang Songling. In the eyes of everyone. Zhang Fatzi is undoubtedly more valued by the captain than Xiao Wu. Younger. Also more capable.

The most critical point. Zhang Fatzi is far better than Xiao Wu can be a man. No matter who you meet. It's all a smiling face. Du Ken took the initiative to wave hello. Never put on the shelf of any big intellectuals. I won't just put on a straight face and find fault with everyone at every turn.

So everyone thinks. Zhang Fatzi should be heavy. Especially after hearing that the eldest brother of the Zhang family once donated several gold bars to the guerrillas. I feel more and more that the little fat man can have today's status in the guerrillas for granted.

"The fat man's brother. But he donated gold bars to our guerrillas. He Xiao Wu. What benefits have you brought to our guerrillas?"

"Tighten the spell. You don't see it. There are instructions from superiors every three or five times. Take it out of the telecommunications group?" Gossip in private. It's inevitable that you'll get off the mark. And the more you run, the more you can't stop your tongue. Some of them don't talk nonsense.

"And small reports. Where the wind blows. Just send a telegram to the top." The more you say. The more outrageous the guys. Even the daily work of the telecommunications group. All suffered from the pond fish.

"That's right. I also heard that this time the surname Wu was punished to work in the workshop. It's because he privately beats the fat man's little report. I was discovered by our captain." A warrior transformed from a troop of horse thieves lowered his voice. His face was full of mystery and revealed to his companions.

The smeller immediately fried the pot. angrily fought for Zhang Songling." What. And here's the thing.1 He really has no conscience.If it weren't for the way that the little fat man came up with to make money, he said that he had a bullet to use, and even to eat, he probably had to go to the mountains to dig wild vegetables by himself."

It is also the reason why Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, took the shelf some time ago. His reputation and prestige among the partisans. It is far less than Zhang Fatzi, who once sacrificed his life to save everyone's lives. I heard that he once gave a small report to Zhang Fatzi. Almost every partisan . Whether it's an old guerrilla backbone, a warrior transformed from a horse thief, or a new fighter who has just enlisted. All are indignant. It's worth it. A guy who has only been at camp for a few days. Dare to make a stumbling block for our Squadron Leader Zhang. Don't you have long eyes when you bully everyone? Let him go on like this. Maybe someday. He dared to give our Captain Wang eye medicine. Until then. Even if you want to report the grievance, it's too late.

The more I think about it, the more angry I get. Everyone began to count the shortcomings of Xiao Wu. I always like to pick good dishes to eat when I eat. What meets people never say hello anymore. What an old man picks bones in the eggs of the cadre shelf. And so on. And so on. Finally, even the habit of rinsing your mouth immediately after meals every day. It has also become a manifestation of Xiao Wu's misfits. I think our guerrillas have dirty food. Don't eat it. What is it to wash your mouth immediately after eating. It's kind of spitting up all the stuff in your stomach.

This spontaneous wave of rage. It was soon felt by Zhao Tianlong. I heard that Xiao Wu, the head of the telecommunications team, once called a small report of his good brother. He was also very angry. found an opportunity to find Zhang Songling privately. Whispered, "What's going on. I heard that Xiao Wu secretly made a stumbling block for you... Tell me when you need to clean him up. I don't believe it. No one dares to care about this little white face."

"Nothing." This is obviously not the first time Zhang Songling has received a similar promise. Laughing and crying explained." He's a newcomer. What else can you do with me.. Besides. Let's the king team. I'm not the kind of person with soft ears."

"Yes." Zhao Tianlong thought about it. I think Zhang Songling's words are very reasonable. Captain Wang Hong is assertive. Responsible. As long as he's not confused. Xiao Wu even sued the black lawsuit to the sky. I can't take Zhang Songling either. Nevertheless. He still felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. Frowning. Whispered, "Anyway. Don't put up with him on purpose. Some people just like to pinch soft persimmons. The more you put up with it. The more he stepped on his nose and face. Deal. I'll squat with you."

"Okay. Yes. I can't bear it." Zhang Songling was very moved in his heart. But I really don't want to make a big fuss. Shake your head. Laugh in response." Who do you see I've endured? Am I the kind of person who can't be angry?"

"What's wrong with the night school at the bottom of the mountain? Didn't you say that you would take the lead?" Zhao Tianlong was still not at ease. Continue to frown and get to the bottom of it.

"I've got a few heads. Do everything. I'm not going to die of exhaustion.." Zhang Songling glanced at him again. Explain with a bitter face." Teach recruits to shoot guns and read and write. Give tactical lessons to squadron leaders and squad leaders. I also have to take time to go down the mountain and take Zheng Xiaobao and a few of them to build a bone glue workshop. Don't push out the night school assignments again. I don't have to go back to the mountains to sleep."

I'm tired after shouting. He suddenly remembered the terrible face of the king's beard when he was sick. There was a pause. continued: "You're free to help me report the grievances. It's better to grab it and hurry to Uncle Scar's side. Urge him to find a way to treat our captain. As long as the old man is in the king team. No one can afford to turn over the storm."

"I've already rushed it." Lift the physical state of the red beard. Zhao Tianlong is also worried." Old Scar said. The royal team has had a hard time these years. The physical strength has long been exhausted. At the moment, I can only slowly use the medicine to recuperate a little bit. Want quick results. Unless we can find Changbai Mountain ginseng that is more than 100 years old."

"More than 100 years old ginseng.!" Zhang Songling listened. He immediately frowned. The old Zhang's warehouse once helped people bring old ginseng from the northeast. It's just twenty or thirty years. It's going to be sold for hundreds of dollars. If the ginseng age is more than 100 years. I'm afraid the price will have to be counted a thousand dollars away. Now the guerrillas have been emptied of their homes. I can't come up with such a large sum of money!

"The so-called four taels are ginseng. Eight taels are treasures." Zhao Tianlong pursed his mouth. Frustrated." A hundred years old ginseng. No matter what, you have to be more than half a catty. In the past, it was all tribute. There's nowhere to buy it." (Note 2)

"That can't be done, watching the body of the king team just like this day by day." Zhang Songling sighed. Said unwillingly. The red beard is like a heavy mountain. There he is. Even if you don't do anything. I feel grounded. And in case one day Redbeard can't afford to get sick. The superiors sent someone like Xiao Wu to be the captain. I really don't know whether to leave or stay.

"I've already posted to my former charlatans. Ask them to help you find it. After finding it. I'll pay the bill for double the weight of gold." Zhao Tianlong thought about it. Added again.

Although the hope is very slim. But with the name of the dragon in the rivers and lakes back then. After all, it's still possible to find it. Come to think of it. Zhang Songling felt a little more comfortable. Sighed again. Discuss with Zhao Tianlong in a low voice." If you still have savings. I want to trade next time. Ask Takaaki Sakai. Maybe. He can help find it from the puppet Manchukuo."

"Not much." Zhao Tianlong grinned. Respond with a wry smile. I want to. If anyone can find a century-old mountain ginseng. I snuck down the mountain. Find a black cloth to cover your face. Go to the territory of King De and work for a while. But if you have to change it with Sakai. I can give you a few things. It's all old gadgets. No one can say exactly how much it will be worth. But it's certainly not a big road!"

"Okay. There is a set the day after tomorrow. I'll go down and set up a stall and wait for Sakai. If you have time. Let's go get the stuff." At this moment, Zhang Songling could not care about any cultural relics or cultural relics in his heart. As long as you can cure Redbeard. He is willing to pay any price.

"But I can't give it to you in vain. You're going to have to do me a favor, too." Zhao Tianlong refused to leave immediately. Laughing and knocking on the bamboo pole of a good friend.

"Something. You still have to make such a big detour.." Zhang Songling was stunned. Looking at Zhao Tianlong's eyes. I asked a little puzzled.

Zhao Tianlong was very embarrassed. Hurry up and explain in a low voice." Joke. I'm kidding you. Actually I'm coming to you today. In addition to wanting to help you vent. There are other things that you need help with."

"Then just say it. Between the two of us. Do you need to be so polite?" Zhang Songling didn't understand when Zhao Tianlong became so polite. Laughing and urging.

"I. I ......" Zhao Tianlong looked around. I'm sure no one is eavesdropping. I lowered my voice. With a mysterious face, he said, "I. . . I want you to help me get an idea. Red beard. Let's the king team. Just came to me the other day. He asked. Ask me if I want to join**."

"Then how do you answer him.." The expression on Zhang Songling's face immediately became serious. I asked very solemnly.

"I. I. I don't know. I told him it would take a few days to think about it. But it's been thinking about it for so long. I didn't make up my mind. So. That's why I thought I'd come over and talk to you. You read a lot. The horizon is also wide. You said. How should I answer Team Wang.." Zhao Tianlong blushed. Nervous like an elementary school student who was caught cheating on an exam.

"I don't know." Zhang Songling shook his head. Respond in a low voice. Seeing Zhao Tianlong's eyes showing disappointment. He grinned again. Replenish quickly." The Kings asked me the same thing. I. I don't know if I should join the party."

"How so. You've read so many books.." Zhao Tianlong was stunned by this answer. Looking at Zhang Songling. The face is full of disbelief.

"It has nothing to do with reading more and reading less." Zhang Songling was asked and couldn't laugh or cry. Stomping his feet in response." I know too little about **. That's why I don't dare to make random decisions."

"My understanding. Less than you!" Zhao Tianlong nodded. I have a kinship." But our king team said it. Let me see what the members are like. I know if it's worth it, so I joined."

"Then what do you think.** Guys.." Zhang Songling had also heard similar words from Redbeard's mouth. Moaned for a moment. Asked in a low voice.

"The king team, and the sacrificial Lu team. Big week a few of them. Of course, they are all well-known and good men." Zhao Tianlong thought and thought. I decided to tell my good friend the truth." If it's all their kind of people. Of course I wish I could jump in right away. Can be small plugs. Little bolt, he is also a ** member. And that Xiao Wu who always troubles you. It's the best of the best."

The person he despises the most. It is his fellow disciple Zhao Xiaoshui. Although the latter kept leaning in a low voice to him. Ask him to forgive himself for the mistakes he made when he was younger. But when I think of the death of Master and the rest of my disciples. Zhao Tianlong couldn't treat Zhao Xiaozhuan as a brother. Even with . For people like Zhao Xiaoshuan, they can be mixed into ** members. It is also full of incomprehension.

Zhang Songling's prejudice against Zhao Xiaoxuan was not as deep as Zhao Tianlong's. But I don't think I'm used to seeing Xiao Wu, the head of the telecom team. Although on the surface. He has never been willing to compete with Xiao Wu for the limelight. He stayed in the guerrillas. It's to fight the little devils. It's not for the sake of being an official. If you want to be an official. Redbeard's military rank. Not as tall as he was back then. Just find a way to take refuge with your old boss Sun Lianzhong. Why bother with such a big deal.

However, considering the future of good friends. Zhang Songling still took a cautious attitude." Make up your own mind. I really can't help you." Smiled. He said incorrectly. But the words of the red beard kept circling in my mind.' Look at what the ** member looks like. Just know what it's like.. Look at what the ** member is like........

"These words. Doesn't that mean you don't say anything? If only I could make up my own mind......" Zhao Tianlong was so anxious that his brain was smoking. Frowning and complaining.

"Phew." A crisp gunshot rang out. Interrupt the conversation between the two instantly. The distance is very close. And it is not a reload for training . The sound of reloading bullets is far more dull than this. Zhang Songling and Zhao Tianlong immediately grabbed the box cannon. Rushed out the door. At the same time, he shouted loudly to the surroundings. Don't panic. Let's see where to shoot first. Machine gun group. Upper wall. Set up Makqin first."

"Yes." The Heavy agreed. Run towards the wall. The other partisans saw the backbone. They also stopped. I started to organize my rifle and bullet belt. Zhao Tianlong and Zhang Songling listened with their ears sideways. No other gunshots were heard. They looked at each other hesitantly. Command loudly." The squads assemble. Stand by in place. The Kings will be coming over soon. Captain Zhang and I went to the door to take a look first. What the hell is going on?"

While talking. The two of them strode towards the camp gate. Only ten or so steps. I saw Zheng Xiaobao covering his arm. Stumbling in. As soon as I saw Zhang Songling. Immediately shout for help." Fat team. Hurry up and ride down the mountain to chase after you. Team Leader Wu. Team Leader Wu was captured by the enemy."

Note 1: This refers to the Browning M1910.Because the front edge of the muzzle sleeve is processed with a circle of knurling, it is commonly known as the flower mouth picker, because of the beautiful shape, reliable performance and easy to carry. In the thirties the Chinese upper class held very enormous. In the Eighth Route Army, it was mainly used by women cadres and technical cadres. A small number of fashionable male senior cadres will also be collected as luxury goods.

Note 2: Ancient system. One pound and sixteen taels. Eight taels is half a catty. Savage ginseng grows to eight taels. It takes hundreds of years. Very rare.