Chapter 1: The Oath (Part I)

"No. No way. I really can't." Zhang Songling's face suddenly turned purple eggplant. Shake your hands against it." How can I be? How dare you .....?"

"Comrade Zhang Songling." Redbeard's voice suddenly raised a few points. Deliberately scolding with a straight face." Please pay attention to consciously maintain the discipline of the venue. First. Raise your hand before speaking. Second. Any opinion must be made with a reason."

"Boom." There was a good-natured laugh in the tent. Everyone looked at the fat man with an embarrassed face. The smile was full of urgency. Especially a few young party members who are usually close to him. Such as Xiao Zou, Xiao Zhou, etc. Laughing and squeezing his eyes at him. As if he was afraid that he would not be good enough.

"I. Against." Zhang Songling looked in the crowd for a long time. No sympathizers were found. Just bite the bullet and go first.

"Good. Comrade Zhang Songling. Please state your reasons for your objection in detail." Redbeard nodded. Keep going business.

"I. I ..... "Finding fault with yourself in front of so many people. Zhang Songling felt even more embarrassed. The blood on his face was so thick that it was almost dripping. I stammered for a while. He said in a very low voice. I. The time to join the guerrillas is too short. Experience. Not experienced enough. Other than that. I'm too young. I don't have enough composure to do things."

"Hmm. Joining the guerrillas for a short time. Qualifications are not enough. There is a lack of experience in guerrilla warfare. It takes longer to accumulate. These are two." Redbeard holds up two fingers. Smiling and statistical." As for age. You don't have to take it out. Let's be in the Eighth Route Army. Someone your age. They've all been brigade commanders."

"Also. There are also ......." Zhang Songling was so anxious that he sweated on his forehead. While searching the intestines and scraping his stomach, he looked for a reason for being overwhelmed by himself. While pitifully turning his gaze to his good friend Zhao Tianlong. Request fire support from the latter.

Over the past year, Redbeard has put a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He was also willing to contribute to the development and growth of the guerrillas. However, it is one thing to share Redbeard's worries and solve problems as a capable subordinate and junior. Served as the deputy captain of the Blackstone Guerrillas. It's a different story. The status of the two in the guerrillas is very different. Pressures and challenges. There is also one underground. One in heaven. Especially in these extraordinary times. A clear-eyed person doesn't have to see clearly. In case something happens to Redbeard one day. The current deputy captain. will automatically be the next person at the helm of the entire Blackstone Guerrillas. With his Zhang Songling's qualifications for just over a year and his party experience in just a few days. How is it possible to convince all the team members.. And Lao Zheng, Lao Feng, and Lao Ma, the guerrilla fathers who followed behind Redbeard when they were in the Northeast Army. How could he be willing to accept the command of one of his foreign juniors?

The deeper you think. Zhang Songling was in a hurry. The more anxious. The more unfavorable the words are. I stammered again for a long time. I barely managed to squeeze out the third." I. I don't have a deep enough understanding of guerrilla warfare. Likes to fight tough battles. Last time. The last time the Japanese invaders were intercepted. Could have played better. There is no need to sacrifice so many brothers. I. I'm in a hurry. Started a positional war with the little devils and the puppet army. I. I ......."

Talking and talking. And he was troubled. Both eyes also began to redden. The fierce battle three months ago. Filled in most of the family money that Redbeard had accumulated for many years. As a result, the size and combat effectiveness of the Blackstone guerrillas have shrunk significantly. Until now. I don't have the ability and confidence to get out of the desert. Return to the Lama Ditch Qilin Peak to rebuild the old camp. And in the days that followed. The whole partisan detachment from top to bottom . But no one said a word of reproach to him. He didn't even hear the private complaints.

This made Zhang Songling very uneasy. If Redbeard yells at him a few times. Or reprimand him in front of everyone. Maybe he'll feel a lot more grounded. Redbeard didn't do that. and still obey him as before. Even more trust than before. More dependent.

"Article 3 is not established." Redbeard holds out his hand. Gently pressed Zhang Songling's shoulder. You sit down first. Hear what other comrades think. And also. The battle of the day. We were in the party group meeting. Responsibilities have been clarified. The problem is not with you. It was I, the captain, who made the mistake of leaning to the left. Eager to expand the guerrilla zone into a base area. and ignoring the counterattack that the Japanese puppet side can make."

"This. It's not fair. The idea of opening a workshop was also made by me. When fighting. You didn't give me any orders at all." Hear this. Zhang Songling immediately couldn't care about being sad. Round eyes. Loud shouting for Redbeard.

"Sit down." Redbeard's arm is pressed down slightly. Not much force. But Zhang Songling couldn't afford to resist. I could only sit down slowly by the charcoal basin placed in the center of the tent." Listen to me first. This decision was passed before you joined the party. And it has been submitted to the military division. If you have any ideas now. You can write a report to me after the meeting. I will consider whether to submit your comments to the party group for discussion at my discretion."

"Since Comrade Zhang Songling just mentioned it. I'll re-explain it to you." Turn your head towards everyone present. Redbeard continues to add." In fact, most of the comrades here know about it. Only Zhang Songling and Zhao Tianlong, two new party members, are not very clear. According to the report of our Blackstone Guerrilla Party Group. The higher authorities decided to give the Blackstone guerrilla brigade captain and political commissar Wang Hong. That is, myself. Warning from the party once. The punishment of one administrative demerit is recorded. The inspection period is half a year. After half a year, we will decide whether to revoke the punishment based on my performance."

"It's not fair." This time. It was not Zhang Songling's turn to protest. Zhao Tianlong jumped up first." The battle was commanded by me and the fat man. You weren't there at all at the time. To punish is to punish the two of us. How can you make you carry the black pot for the two of us.."

"Sit down." Redbeard glared. Shout out.

"It's not fair." Zhao Tianlong stiffened his neck and shouted loudly. But his gaze did not dare to meet the gaze of Redbeard. The latter's gaze is too pure. It's as pure as thousand-year-old ice on a snow-capped mountain. Let him take a look. The confidence is at least three points shorter.

"Have you forgotten your oath? Comrade Zhao Tianlong.." Redbeard's voice was slowly descending. But the momentum that comes out is like Mount Tai pressing the top. Zhao Tianlong, who has never been afraid of heaven and earth, is a little unbearable this time. The body is getting shorter a little bit. Getting shorter. Finally, let out a long sigh. He stumbled back to the brazier.

"I am at the helm of the whole partisan detachment. Also decision-makers. The partisans suffered such serious losses . The responsibility is not on me, the captain. Do you still have to blame it on you specific executors? Then who will dare to go out and do things in the future. Hide to the side and watch me, the captain, play alone."

His gaze swept over everyone present. Redbeard's face was full of honesty. My theoretical level is limited. I can't say anything too high. But. With benefits. Leaders fish first. Messed things up. But it is the specific executor who makes the bottom. Ordinary people at the bottom bear the consequences. This kind of thing. It's definitely not our ** people's doing. Because in doing so, it seems to maintain the personal prestige of the leader. As a matter of fact. But it is digging the roots of the whole business. Whoever you take over my position in the future. Whoever comes to be the home of the Blackstone guerrillas. You can't make this kind of heartless decision. Otherwise. My red beard is even below the Nine Springs. I won't let him go."

Every guerrilla swept by his gaze. Before you know it. They all put away their smiles. Instead. It's a solemn face. They make a solemn promise in their hearts. I'm never going to do that kind of thing in my life. Though. Most of them. Maybe I don't have much chance to go into a leadership position in my life.

Now that Redbeard has passed the party group meeting. He took all the responsibility for the heavy losses of the guerrillas in the last battle on his own shoulders. No one is willing to come forward to accuse Zhang Songling of his inadequacy in using troops to fight. Besides, in everyone's opinion. It can be more than 120 people. Forcibly intercepted more than 2,000 puppet troops. It's a miracle. Although the cost is too big, it is a little too huge. But the situation is so urgent. Some mistakes in the details of the command are inevitable. After all, no one is a god. It is not possible to pinching your fingers to calculate the enemy's next move. And the gap in weapons and equipment between us and the enemy. Also one in heaven. One underground.

"I think Comrade Zhang Songling was in command of the last battle. Demonstrated the ability of a good commander." The view of the first squadron leader Lao Zheng. Basically represents everyone present." In the aftermath of the fact, you can review the tactical gains and losses. But when it comes to battle. How can there be kung fu to give you a calm consideration. At that time, if I had been in the position of Comrade Zhang Songling. The performance is definitely far inferior to him. If you don't get it right, you pay a huge sacrifice. But it still couldn't buy enough time for the old camp to transfer. So. My personal opinion. Zhang Songling's comrade served as the deputy commander of the guerrilla unit. There are no problems with competence."

"I think so too." In his early years, he was disabled due to a leg injury. And Feng Tianhua, an old party member who was transferred to the head of the cooking squad, also raised his hand. I agree with the speech of the first squadron leader, Elder Zheng." I have privately studied several battles in which Comrade Zhang Songling participated in planning. I feel that every battle is very clever. At least. than when we were in the Northeast Army. Fight those battles with the little devils."

"Nonsense. At that time, I was just a small company commander. He is still a small company commander of a second-line unit who has not fought a few hard battles." The red beard glanced at Feng Tianhua. Loud protest. His face showed no displeasure." We won't summarize his strengths. After all, this is not a commendation meeting. Next. Back to business. I recommend Comrade Zhang Songling to be a candidate for deputy captain of the Blackstone guerrilla force. Who has a different opinion. Please raise your hand against it. and state the reasons for the objection."

Most of the people in the room shook their heads with a smile. There was no objection to Zhang Songling's appointment as the deputy commander of the guerrillas. Occasionally, some people feel that Zhang Songling is shallow. prestige is not enough to convince the public. I also know that my ideas can't be brought to the table and talked openly and honestly. So simply chose to wait and see. So to the end. The nomination was approved by only Zhang Songling. Redbeard was duly written on the small blackboard in front of him.

"Next. Please nominate other candidates. Then let's vote by secret ballot." Put down the chalk in your hand. Redbeard presided over the meeting and proceeded.

Several party members of the cavalry squadron mentioned Zhao Tianlong. Several veterans recommended the first squadron leader, Lao Zheng. Someone else recommended Feng Tianhua, who has been in charge of logistics. The big guy is like just discussing Zhang Songling's candidacy. Raise your hand to speak. or give your consent. Or to object. It's all open and honest to talk about it on the table. The person who was raised an objection. Also humbly show acceptance. Neither makes any rebuttals. There was no shame on his face.

Soon. The two candidates with the highest number of recommended votes were counted. It actually fell on the heads of Zhang Songling and Lao Zheng respectively. He was the only one who voted against the latter. The support rate is tied for first place with Zhang Songling. It's Zhao Tianlong. Because he is a little arrogant in talking and doing things. The temperament is a little anxious. Actually received three negative votes. He was a little annoyed by this. But I remember that I am now a party member. Forced to accept the criticism with a smile on his face.

"Alright. Now let's move on to the secret ballot." Redbeard couldn't bear to see Zhao Tianlong pretending to work so hard. With a smile to announce the start of the meeting at the end. It's also the most important part." Everyone came to me to pick up a ballot. Put a checkmark below the two numbers above the ballot. Election 1 is to agree with Zhang Songling to be the deputy captain, Election 2 is to agree with Lao Zheng to be the deputy captain. If neither of them agrees, nothing will be filled in. The ballot will be invalid.

"Clear." The crowd replied in unison. In addition to Zhao Tianlong and Zhang Songling. Apparently they are accustomed to this way of electing leaders they can trust. One by one, they stood up and walked over to Redbeard. Take a ballot with ease. Then walk back to where you came. Use each other's pens to tick the boxes below your favorite numbers.

The final counting phase was quite exciting. The two candidates actually alternated their lead in the number of votes. Until the last ticket comes out. before the dust settled. Zhang Songling has a slight advantage of one vote. He became the youngest deputy captain of the Blackstone guerrillas. And the one who voted the most crucially. No need to guess. Everyone also knows that it is the captain of the group, Redbeard.

This scene. There was no roar of artillery fire. But it left an indelible memory in Zhang Songling's mind. Until many years later. Occasionally, I think about it. There is still a warmth in my heart that is slowly surging back and forth.

"They chose me. They will take their own lives. and the future of the entire guerrilla detachment. In this way, it was handed over to me. And I was at that moment. I finally got it. Our generation. What kind of country do you want to build?" Facing John Zhang, who was full of confusion. Zhang Songling, who was in his twilight years, said with a smile. The eyes have been worn into a dull yellow by the years. Vaguely with tears.