Chapter 1: Early Spring (Sixth Up)

"We won't be open for long. I guess there will be another day or two. It's time to end." I saw Zhang Songling and Sakai Takaaki, two like businessmen, agreeing to do business with each other for a long time. Zhao Tianlong suddenly felt that something was wrong in his heart. Thought about it. Suddenly, he interjected.

"Might as well. Might as well be." Takaaki Sakai didn't even hear the rejection in his words. Smiled. Wave your hand gently." I've thought about it. The way we trade between us in the future. This lakeside falls on the first and fifteenth days of the Chinese lunar calendar. There are spontaneous bazaars for locals. When I have enough on hand. I'll sneak up on you in the bazaar. And Zhang Jun has what I need at hand. You might as well set up a stall at the market. You don't have to come in person every time. Just hang that bone flute I gave you last time on the stall. I knew it was your guys in the booth."

I didn't expect Sakai Takaaki's attitude to do business so resolutely. Zhao Tianlong was a little stupid for a while. I don't know what to say. Only then did the transaction and contact between the two parties be severed. And Zhang Songling gently pulled him beside him. Smile and finalize it to Takaaki Sakai." Then the first day of the next month. I set up a stall in the bazaar waiting to pick up your goods. Or bartering as it is today. If you don't have anything to buy other than antique jade. I'll just give you the cash."

"Zhang Jun had better help me find it. If you can't find it for a while. In fact, tea leaves and dried mushrooms and the like. I still need to help someone else bring some more. But these things are low-priced. If we continue to do business for a long time. It's easy for you to have a deficit on your side." Takaaki Sakai nodded. Again, solemnly emphasized.

"I'll try to help find it." Zhang Songling nodded in promise. Then he added, seemingly nonchalantly. But. Are you sure we've had a lot of opportunities to do business recently? If the two fight again. I won't have time to help you find snuff bottles, jade wrenches, and anything like that."

"Hit. Take what to fight. Anyway, our side won't be in the near future. Unless you guerrillas take the initiative to ......." Takaaki Sakai doesn't even want to. Respond casually. I'm halfway there. Only then did he suddenly realize that he had leaked a military secret. Quickly cover your mouth with your hand. glanced at Zhang Songling vigilantly. Then shook his head with a wry smile. Zhang. Don't dig any more holes for me. When will there be a war. How could it be that a small soldier like me can do the master? Even if I say that in the near future our side will not take the initiative to attack the guerrillas... Can you really believe it?"

"Not necessarily." Zhang Songling smiled and nodded. The situation in the city. We're not really blind. Compare the information you have with the information you provide. Don't you understand whether what you say is true or not..",

"Don't say. I definitely wouldn't say. Zhang Jun, don't hurt me." Takaaki Sakai covered his mouth with his hand again. Shaking his head again and again. The other three people in the tent laughed. before putting down your hand. Shaking his head, he added, "What do you think about it. I don't know. But myself. I definitely don't want to fight you anymore. Meaningless. It doesn't make any sense at all."

As if I am afraid that others will not be able to understand my true thoughts. sighed. He added with a wry smile. I've seen a lot of warriors. But like last time he used himself as bait. The man who led us to the salt lake. Undoubtedly the bravest of all warriors. Actually, I don't need to say it. Zhang Jun may have already inquired. How much damage he had inflicted on the newly transferred Manchurian detachment? If I hadn't been running fast. I'm afraid it's also turned into a bag of ashes now. Arranged by the Kwantung Army Headquarters to ship it. I shipped it back to Osaka."

"Well deserved. Who made you chase so closely?" Zhang Songling glanced at Sakai Takaaki. There was no trace of pity in his voice. Through the eyeliner planted by the guerrillas in the Blackstone Walled City. He had long known that Lao Lu had pulled at least thirty devils for him to bury himself. However, when the news was confirmed from Takaaki Sakai. I still feel so happy in my heart.

Treat the aggressor. You don't have to be particular about the means. As long as there is a way to destroy them. You should do whatever it takes. This. Zhang Songling is much more "cruel" than the captain Wang Hong. If it weren't for the latter, he wouldn't agree. He had already bombarded the captured gas bombs directly into the devil's camp with mortars. so that they will not send someone to hand it over to the military subdivision. Hidden in the warehouse as evidence for the future accusation of the little devil's crimes.

Zhang Jun said so. I'm sad." Hear the schadenfreude in Zhang Songling's words. Takaaki Sakai waved his hand. Continue to sigh and add." Actually, I'm just like you. They are all from a business family. Even if you don't come to China to fight. You can also live a good life on your own. But you have to hit it on the top. To conquer China. What can I do as a soldier?"

"How can it not be. You can desert. Just find a place to hide. Is the army looking for you. You can still go door-to-door to search, but you can't do it." Zhao Tianlong was a little unaccustomed to Sakai Takaaki's appearance of carrying a butcher knife but pretending to wipe his tears. Pouted. Sneered and asked rhetorically.

"Master Long. You don't know. The situation on our side of the country. Our country over there. It's really different from your side." Takaaki Sakai shook his head. grinning wryly." From top to bottom. Clamor for the conquest of China. It is necessary to open up a living space for the Yamato nation. A call is decades. In order to win this war. The old people donated clothes for the burial. The child donated his pocket money. To show support for the war . Even prostitutes can receive soldiers to sleep without money. If I'm deserted. Even if you don't get caught and shot by the military. They will also be picked up and beaten to death in the street by their neighbors."

"Crazy. It's crazy." Zhao Tianlong was dumbfounded when he heard this. Shaking his head. Loud scolding.

"It's crazy," Sakai agreed, sighing. Those who are in office have won against you. You can continue to be promoted. You can get rich. You can be received by His Majesty the Emperor. What about ordinary people. Who can guarantee that they will have a chance to live to see the day of victory?"

"Nope. I promise. Even if you play for a hundred years. You don't see victory either." Zhao Tianlong raised his head. Announce the answer loudly." I said Sakai. I see that you have a clear conscience. Let's find a chance to retire and go home. Didn't let the ice cave freeze you to death last year. You can't guarantee that your luck will always be as good as last year."

"Good what good. I was in the hospital for more than a month. Until now. Every cloudy day. The joints all over my body hurt like knives!" Takaaki Sakai looked up at him. Continue to shake your head sadly." I can't be the master. None of us can be the master. The military department is crazy from top to bottom. Let's start with three months to win against China. It's not going to be for three months. And say two more years. Two years will pass in a moment. Next. I don't know how many years they're going to say they will continue to fight... Anyway, you China is weak. We are strong in Japan. This is a fact that no one can deny."

Don't wait for Zhao Tianlong and Zhang Songling to refute it. He quickly added. But even if you can win. What's the matter with me? Maybe one day on the battlefield. Zhang Jun shattered my head with a single bullet. No matter how glorious the empire is. What can it do with a corpse?"

"Huh. You're ....... How can I say hello to you?" Zhang Songling was made a little crying and laughing by Sakai Gaoming's sad and sad appearance. Shake your head. Whisper comfort." Then when you go to war later. Try not to rush to the front! I don't recognize the person on the other side though. I don't always put the target in front of me and don't hit. Shoot at the errand that is dragging behind."

"When there is a war. Someone will oversee the battle in the back! If I'm too bad. They're going to force me to be a human bomber. Explosives tied to his waist. Pounce straight on your position. Bang. You don't have to be afraid of death again." Takaaki Sakai sighed again. He stood up with a wry smile. Never mind. Don't talk about that. Maybe it's fate. Annoyance is useless. It's not too early. I've got to hurry back with my goods."

"I'll get it for you." Zhang Songling hurriedly followed and stood up. Walk out with Takaaki Sakai and Taro Miura. Zhao Tianlong thought about it. Also step up to keep up. At the moment of getting out of the tent. Glancing back at the goods left on the ground. I couldn't help but sigh softly." Alas..."

According to his previous judging criteria. People like Takaaki Sakai and Taro Miura. Undoubtedly belonging to cowards and scum . But it's just two cowards and scum. It brought the guerrillas what they needed most at the moment. It's just two cowardly scum. Impression of him as a little devil. From a bunch of vicious symbols. Turned into a group of living people.

They are afraid of death. Not everyone likes to fight. They will even take risks in order to make money. There are some of them who want to live in mediocrity. Walk through this life in peace.

In the end, it would be better to have more warriors among the devils. Or maybe there are more cowards and scum like Takaaki Sakai. Time. Zhao Tianlong found that he was actually a little conflicted in his heart. Next time you meet on the battlefield. I hope you two don't take the initiative to drill in front of Lao Tzu's gun." Looking at each other's short, withered backs. He silently blessed in his heart. At the same time, he pressed the box cannon on his waist hard. Let the cold of metal dispel the cranky thoughts in your heart.

Zhang Songling, who was walking in front of him, moved very quickly. Just walked around five or six stalls. I gathered all the goods that I had promised to Takaaki Sakai before. The price is basically the same as what Zhang Songling casually quoted in the tent. quality throughout the bazaar. It is also absolutely superior. There were a few vendors who saw customers following behind the owner of the shop. I also deliberately wrapped a bag of sugar cakes boiled out of glutinous rice. Free for everyone to taste. Kito Sakai Takaaki and Taro Miura smiled. Keep clasping your hands together. Say thank you to the stall owners.

Own little guerrillas who are in charge of the market come over. Ask the stall owners who have sold their goods to go to the market management department at the entrance of the market to settle the bill. Zhang Songling and Zhao Tianlong helped the guests pack the goods. Placed on horseback. Then escorted the other party all the way out of the field. I walked more than 100 meters. Two guests also jumped on their mounts. In the moment of shaking the reins. Takaaki Sakai suddenly lowered his head again. looked at Zhang Songling's eyes. Said very seriously: "Zhang Jun. You should also find a way to save some money for yourself. This battle doesn't matter who loses or who wins. I'm afraid there will be a hard time after the war. Even if the army has been in charge of food. The elders and juniors of the family. You have to have money to buy something to eat."

"I remember. Take care of yourself." Zhang Songling nodded. My father's loving face suddenly swelled up in my heart. It's been almost two years since I left home. I don't know what has become of my family. The news of his "resurrection" should not have spread... The local little devil didn't trouble his father and brother... Alas. It's all to blame on the damn little devils.

Thinking that I was so murdered that I had no family to return to. He couldn't help but raise his slap. A hard slap on the horse's buttocks. Sakai's takami mount suffers." "Boom Boom" issued a barrage of protests. Spread out the four hooves. Running away like a lightning speed.

Zhang Songling's thoughts were also carried to the sky by the sound of horses' hooves. Looking down on Wanzhongguan Mountain from mid-air. After the closure of the mountain. It is the endless Great Plain of North China. own home. Right at the end of the plain. Spring in the Central Plains is coming to an end. That apricot tree in the yard. It's time for a little fluffy acid ball again.

"What's wrong. Homesick .." found that Zhang Songling's mood was a little low. Zhao Tianlong asked with concern.

"Sort of." Zhang Songling didn't want to hide it from her good friends. Nod slightly." used to be this time of year. Over there in my hometown. A caravan will be organized to sell goods on the grasslands. It used to be my dad leading the team. Later my dad got old. I can't take it anymore. So I passed the position of leader to my eldest brother."

"Then you should pay attention to it these days. Maybe I'll meet your brother." Zhao Tianlong smiled. deliberately used words to make Zhang Songling happy.

"It's hard." Zhang Songling let out a long sigh. Don't want to talk anymore. With age. Experience growth. His mind is getting clearer and clearer. Some things that I didn't understand before. Now in retrospect. There is always something to be found or perceived from it. Let's take the incident of meeting my big buddy Zhao Er in Zhangjiakou last year. This man was so enthusiastic about him at the time. So generous. But he never offered him to take the time to go home and have a look.

Zhang Songling didn't notice anything at the time. But then I recalled. But he faintly felt the alienation in Zhao Er's eyes. He didn't want to go back on his own. So as not to drag down the family with the current status. Drag down the guys in the shop and the folks around. Although what I'm doing right now. It's for them. It was to end their days as slaves as soon as possible.

Spring on the prairie came later, though. But at this moment. The ice on Crescent Lake has long since melted. The breeze blows the water vapor from the surface of the lake. Sweep the ground that was artificially burned last winter. It's on top of a scorched black. A faint rendering of a few touches of green. It's a sight to behold. I thought that hell was dragged back to the world by the spring breeze. It's like a dream. I forgot where I was.

"This ......." accompanied Zhang Songling to stay by the lake for a while. Zhao Tianlong remembered another very important thing. Whisper a reminder." Doing business with little devils. It's best not to let too many people know. Otherwise. Misunderstandings will inevitably arise in the future."

"I know. Except for you. Captain Wang and Zheng Xiaobao outside. No fifth person knows about it yet." Zhang Songling's mind quickly pulled back from afar. Nodding. Whisper yes.

"You say. You said our Captain Wang. Will Captain Wang report this to the higher-ups? After knowing the above. Won't you think we're doing this. Too unprincipled." Zhao Tianlong always felt uneasy in his heart. Keep whispering reminders.

"The last time I told Captain Wang that Sakai wanted to do business. We don't have a telegraph here." Zhang Songling thought about it. Laughing and shaking his head." This time Sakai Takaaki came a little suddenly. I didn't have time to ask the king for advice. But the deal is done. It doesn't make sense to ask for instructions or not. If the King team is not happy. Or if the higher authorities have a different opinion on it. I'm on my own."

"What do you mean? You.." Zhao Tianlong glared at him. Anger in the form of color." I'm here. How would you be left alone. Again, the same sentence. The two of us are in trouble. Blessed and shared."

"Okay." Zhang Songling stretched out his hand. Smile and agree.

Zhao Tianlong raised his huge palm. Shake him in mid-air. Bright eyes. Full of the warmth of friendship.