Chapter 2: Cross Currents (Part I)

Snow is falling from the sky. Dress up the Dongmeng grassland into a pure white world.

Sparrows and harrier eagles are stuck with snow foam on their wings. Can't fly high anymore. Roe deer and foxes were also stiffened by the cold wind. Hiding in a cave shivering. Occasionally, a few wolf howls can be heard in the mountains. Sad and low. That's when they're calling for spring

The return. Legendary. The old wolf king always walks up to the top of the mountain alone during the coldest time of the year. Facing the biting north wind. Use all your strength to make the last voice of this life. until it is frozen into an ice sculpture. Never again bow your noble head.

Zhang Songling picked up a stack of dark yellow paper money amid the howl of wolves. Silently put it in a carbon basin in front of Redbeard's grave. Silently watch the flames jump. Ignite the paper money one by one. One by one, burned to ashes. A cold wind blows. Roll the white paper ash into the air. And then it falls with goose feathers of snow. fluttering. Mountains all over the wilderness. Thereupon. The snowflakes flying in the sky instantly turned into paper money for mourning. One after another. Boundless.

"I won't tell you. Don't you waste any more money on me?" Redbeard's voice came from his ears. Kindness with a bit of reproach. Zhang Songling shook his head slightly. For the first time in his life, he vetoed the old man's request. Silently pick up the second stack of paper money and put it in the brazier. Then go ahead and watch it turn to dust. Turn into smoke. As the mourning in the air slowly drifts away.

**Members should not believe in ghosts and gods. From this point of view. Zhang Songling is far from a qualified party member. He believed that the "money" Redbeard would be able to receive. I believe that the old people live in another world in peace and prosperity than in this world. He will try to handle the big and small affairs of the guerrillas cleanly. Don't let the old man worry about him in another world. He believed that the old man was watching him in another world. Quietly watch what he does.

"Fat team. Let's go back early. It will soon be dark. It's cold at night. Beware of being blown by the wind." The guerrilla fighter Batu gently pulled the corner of Zhang Songling's clothes. Whispering begging.

"You guys go back first. I'd like to sit here a little longer." Zhang Songling shook his head lightly for the second time. Rejected Batu's kind reminder. He's not just here to mourn. There is another layer of reasons that cannot be known to others. Only sit here. Sits beside the old man as Redbeard did when he was alive. His nerves can get a little relaxed. His mind. It can also calm down a little from exhaustion and irritability. Be agile and clear again.

Though. There's no way Redbeard can give him any more pointers at this moment. But sit next to the old man. He doesn't feel like the whole world is on his shoulders. It's like the last days of an old man's life. Don't be on the side to urge him. Needless to say. Just let him know that the old man is still watching him. It's enough to be ready to help you clean up the mess you accidentally messed up. The rest of the Dailies. Naturally, he takes it seriously. Methodically go to the finish of the process.

Little Batu and the rest of the young partisans looked at each other. No one moved. The Fat Man is now the backbone of the Blackstone guerrillas. You can't leave him alone in the cemetery. In the red team died a little more than a month. The fat team has already lost a whole lap of weight than before. Xiao Batu and the others were really worried that the fat team they admired would suddenly be blown down by the cold wind. In that case. The sky is really falling. The Blackstone guerrillas will also lose all hope of regaining their strength.

Zhang Songling didn't notice the worry in the eyes of the young players. His full attention is focused on reflecting on his daytime work. In the period after Redbeard's death. Every day he works with all his heart as before. Lao Zheng, Lao Feng and Xiao Zou and other guerrilla backbones. And spare no effort to support him. But the guerrillas worked. It's still noticeably harder. It's like a sophisticated machine. Suddenly one of the most important parts is missing. Although everything still looks normal on the surface. The sound of gear collision and friction. But it has been deafening.

He needs to think calmly about what the problem is... Why did Redbeard handle things the same way he did when he was alive? In most cases, it's easy to navigate. And Redbeard just lay down and rested for a month. The things on my hands are like hemp. The guerrillas under his command have also turned into elm heads. No matter how much you instruct, you can't get the hang of it..

"You need a win to boost morale. while erecting their own personal authority." If only Redbeard were still alive. Will definitely point out the problem without reservation. Zhang Songling is still too young. Seniority in the partisans is also not enough. Although he has great skills. There is no selfishness in doing things. But everyone's respect for Redbeard. Won't automatically transfer to his head. Lost Redbeard's seat. People are deep inside. It is inevitable that doubts will be expressed about the competence of the successor. Besides, he had just turned twenty years old after the New Year. Life experience and level of leadership team. None of them are on the same plane as Redbeard himself.

A gust of wind whistled through the snowflakes. Blow the charcoal in the brazier to the light and dark. Zhang Songling's young face was also illuminated by the charcoal fire. His eyes were full of anxiety.

The Lunar New Year of 1940 has passed in a busy way. Although it is warm late. But the rate at which the snow melts is already quietly accelerating. Saying goes. A spring snow and a warmth. When the snow falls to the point where it melts with it. The frozen roads will be clear again. Black Rock City, the little devils will go through various channels. Knowing that their henchmen are in trouble. News of the death of Redbeard, the leader of the Blackstone guerrilla brigade. Kuniaki Kawada, who is anxious to make up for it. You will definitely not miss this opportunity to take advantage of the fire. It's bound to be a showdown.

Zhang Songling must be killed before the little devil comes to the door. Quietly prepare for everything. But the preparation can't be done too obviously. lest the guerrillas under their command know that they are about to face another test of life and death. Shaken the morale of the army, which is no longer stable. Furthermore. How to carry out this year's cooperation with Little Wangye Baiyin. Can the material trading market on the shore of Crescent Lake reopen? How the profits are distributed. It has also become a tricky question. The most feared redbeard is gone. As the smartest person in the Eastern Mongolian grassland. The little prince Bai Yin will never give up the opportunity to eat alone sent to the door.

And that week black carbon. Since the last time I left the partisan camp. Once again, there was no news. Zhang Songling sent him telegrams many times with the password agreed upon by both parties. Ask if the independent battalion is in trouble. Do you need support from the guerrillas? But he didn't reply. Even a month after Redbeard's death. Not even a telegram of condolences was sent.

By common sense. Whether as an ally or not. The younger generations of the former green forest. Zhou Heitan shouldn't be so ruthless. There's no way he's still unaware of Redbeard's death. Zhang Songling tried his best to keep it a secret from the enemy. But it is impossible not to go to the upper echelons of the guerrillas. The Chabei Military Division reported this major change. And the Chabei Army Division will also go to the higher echelons of the Eighth Route Army. Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. Even Yan'an reported. And Fu Zuoyi's department, which has maintained a cooperative relationship with the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region. It will also be notified soon. Tossing and turning to convey it. Even if it's delayed on the way. has already spread the news to Zhou Hei Carbon.

"He won't have been cleaned up by someone as Wang Lun." Suddenly thought of Redbeard's last words on his deathbed. Zhang Songling shuddered. has been able to sit in the position of the big boss of the Black Wolf Gang for so many years. Zhou Hei Carbon is certainly not a fool. But his infighting ability. But it may not be as good as those guys who are directly sent down from above. After all, they represent the national government. He also holds the food supplies of the independent battalion in his hands. Use official positions and money to win over the middle level of the independent battalion little by little. put Zhou Heizi, who was born in a reckless background, as a tablet to be set up. Actually, it's not that hard.

Thinking about it without a clue. Suddenly, there was a crisp gunshot from the mountainside." Phew...". Another string after another." Ping Pong. Ping Pong. Ping Pong ......". Ringing non-stop.

"Something happened. Hurry back to camp with me." Zhang Songling jumped up suddenly. Scatter his legs and run towards the location of the headquarters in the camp. Something big is wrong. Judging by where the gunshots rang out. There should be the international camp of Little Leon. Since the death of Redbeard. The White Russian fighters in the team showed a lot of anomalies. Zhang Songling has taken some necessary precautions. But I didn't expect that there was still chaos over there.

"The White Russians want to fight against the water."

"They shouldn't have been taken in in the first place. Eat better than we pick. Training is lazier than ours. The salaries are higher than the other." Xiao Batu and the others looked at each other. While pulling his feet to chase after his own captain. While counting indignantly.

in their eyes. There is no need for an international camp to exist. Although ostensibly subordinate to the guerrillas. But the cadres were all made up of the Russians themselves. The various rules and regulations that are enforced. and the treatment of cadres and fighters. Also very different from the partisans themselves . And these White Russians . Also eyes above the top. Wild and untamable. Redbeard was fine when he was there. It can also suppress them. Redbeard walked away. The prototype was immediately revealed.

"Shut up. Not sure about the situation before. No one is allowed to shout." Zhang Songling was furious by the noise coming from behind him. Turn back. Shout out. As a combat unit. After the death of Redbeard. The international battalion has gradually become a burden for the guerrillas. However anyway. But we can't put the time for a complete solution to the problem now. That would be another blow to the guerrillas. It made the morale of the army, which was already extremely low, even worse.