Chapter 1: Mountain Dwelling (7b)

In these years, there was a shortage of soldiers and many bandits. Traveling to and from the Central Plains, the merchants must be inseparable from the protection of the dart master. The best candidates to serve as dart masters are veterans who have retired from various warlord forces. Not only is his marksmanship good, but he has rich experience in battlefield survival, and his murderous aura that cannot be concealed can make the bandits and thieves who try to hit the caravan pay attention to weigh themselves.

At present, the biggest difference between Zhang Songling and ordinary people is the murderous aura that has been refined on the battlefield. As long as he finds a suitable reason for this murderous aura, with his rich figure and harmless appearance, it is indeed difficult to reconnect with the people in the army. Wu Nan looked Zhang Songling up and down a few times, couldn't find more fault with the other party's plan, hesitated for a moment, and added in a low voice: "Since you have made a decision, I won't talk nonsense." If there's anything you need my help with, just say it. As long as I can do it, I will never make excuses to perfunctory you! ”

"Chief Wu is so polite!" Zhang Songling shook his head with a smile, "You have already helped me many times, Zhang doesn't dare to be cheeky and make trouble for you again!" ”

"Look at what you're saying!" Wu Nan raised his hand with a smile and slapped Zhang Songling's shoulder, "It's like you haven't helped us!" I'll tell you the truth, the shooting practice outline you gave me last time was very useful. Our guerrillas have been training recruits according to the above methods, and in just half a month, the strength of the entire team has been greatly improved! ”

This is a big truth, and it is also the reason why Wu Nan knew that the possibility was very small, and he still persisted in trying to pull Zhang Songling into the guerrillas. The Niangziguan guerrillas were formed with more than a dozen veterans assigned from the main force of the Eighth Route Army as the backbone, and although these veterans were highly skilled and experienced in combat, they had not studied for a few days. Including Wu Nan, the captain of the team, and Li Guodong, the political commissar, they all have empty stomachs of combat and training experience, but they are not able to summarize it on paper and pass it on to the newcomers in the team. However, Zhang Songling's training outline, which was summed up on the basis of the 26 th Route Army's special service regiment and his own reality, made up for the guerrillas' deficiencies in this respect. With just a few words, the chaotic and emotional things in the hearts of the veterans suddenly became extremely clear. The two references were put into practice, and the results were quickly and surprisingly evident to the recruits.

Zhang Songling didn't know these secrets inside the guerrillas, and thought that Wu Nan was deliberately complimenting himself. smiled, shook his head and said, "Chief Wu, don't scold me, I've only been a soldier for a few years?" Acting in front of you and Political Commissar Li, isn't it a big axe in front of Lu Ban? ”

"I'm not talking nonsense!" Wu Nan stood up straight and waved his hand again and again, "You read a lot, and what you write is organized." A few days ago, I went to a meeting, and the political commissar woke up and saw what you wrote, and praised it for a long time! If you hadn't been in a hurry to leave, maybe he would have come to thank you after a while! ”

"Wake up the political commissar, how did he also send around here?!" At the mention of waking up, Zhang Songling's eyes immediately flashed with a simple and honest old man's face, and he instinctively whispered inquiring.

"The wounds on his body are not good, and he can't follow the main force to fight the little devils. So I was temporarily transferred to the local unit of our Eighth Route Army, and now I am my immediate boss. Wu Nan thought about it and replied very generally. It not only satisfied Zhang Songling's curiosity, but also did not violate the discipline of the Eighth Route Army.

Zhang Songling is a smart person, and with a little use of his brain, he knows that Wu Nan is watching out for himself. He smiled and continued, "That's good, I thought I'd never get to see him again in my life!" Last time in the hospital, he gave me a five-pointed star. said that if there is something in the future, you can take the five-pointed star to the Eighth Route Army to find him. I don't know if what his old man said, was it a joke or serious?! ”

Wu Nan became anxious when he heard this, and pricked up his eyes to defend his boss, "Of course it's true, how can it be a joke?!" That's the five-pointed star he took off his hat, how could he give it away casually?! If you have any requirements, I guarantee that as long as you do not violate the discipline of our Eighth Route Army, the Soviet political commissar will definitely satisfy you. ”

"I gave that five-pointed star to Xiaoyu!" Zhang Songling was waiting for this guarantee, thought about it, and reached out to pull Meng Xiaoyu's arm.

Meng Xiaoyu was beside him, and listened to the conversation between Wu Nan and Zhang Songling word for word. Although he didn't take the initiative to interject, his heart was already as cold as if it was frozen, and every time he beat, he sent out a bitter cold. She knew she couldn't help but avenge her father, and she knew there was no reason to stop her sweetheart from leaving. After she knew that after this farewell, she would probably have to wait for a long, long time to say goodbye, even in the next life. She knows, she knows everything, but at this moment, in front of outsiders, she can't say a word of retention, nor can she do any action to retain. Even tears have become a luxury.

She wants to give her man a long face, and she wants her man to go with peace of mind. Therefore, when Zhang Songling stretched out her hand, she silently reversed her wrist and interlocked her fingers with the other party. Decisive and powerful. Although he let the other party pull himself in front of him, he "pushed" to the guerrilla leader Wu Nan.

"The pentagram is in her hand, please ask the guerrillas to look at the face of the Soviet commissar and take care of her!" Zhang Songling looked at Wu Nan's eyes and begged in a low voice.

"Rest assured, it is our guerrillas' duty to protect the people. Even if she didn't have that pentagram, no one would dare to bully her in the guerrilla-controlled area! Wu Nan quickly took half a step back and nodded vigorously.

"Then I'm relieved!" Zhang Songling smiled and bowed his hand to Wu Nan, "When you see Chief Su one day, please bring it to him for me!" ”

"He's always admired you!" Knowing that there was no point in saying something, Wu Nan still told him frankly, "By the way, when you plan to leave, I don't think I can report to him and let him come over to practice for you!" ”

"Don't dare to trouble Chief Su!" Zhang Songling shook his head politely, "Don't dare to trouble Captain Wu." I went out alone, and the things I needed to prepare were simple. Maybe we'll leave tomorrow, so there's no need to alarm too many people! ”

"So?" Wu Nanhu looked at Zhang Songling suspiciously, and really didn't understand why he was in such a hurry, "It's okay, a manly man, there's no need for a mother-in-law and a mother." You two must have a lot of things to do, so I won't bother. We'll see you later! ”

"There will be a date later!" Zhang Songling couldn't wait to go back to the cave immediately to pack up his things, and responded loudly.

Wu Nan shook his head with a smile and got up and went down the mountain. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned his face back and added loudly: "In that place of Heishi Village, the current situation is very complicated. The Japanese, Mongolian nobles and horse thieves and bandits all wanted to take advantage of the fact that our Chinese army was beyond the reach of the whip to make a big profit. As far as Wu knows, at present, the Nationalist Government has not yet had the strength to penetrate north of Chifeng, and the guerrillas of our Eighth Route Army may not be able to develop there for the time being. If you get into trouble over there, you'd better head west. There are several scattered cavalry teams under the command of General Fu Zuoyi who are fighting with Li Shouxin on the grassland, find them, and you can get out safely! ”

"Thanks!" Zhang Songling bowed his hand to Wu Nan again, then picked up the prey that had been handled, and walked towards the cave.

Meng Xiaoyu silently followed, and every step was so light that Zhang Songling didn't hear the sound of her feet moving. I was about to turn around and say hello, but I felt a sudden lightness of the prey in my hand. After being stunned for a moment, Cai Qiang said with a smile: "Zhu Er ran away, we can't just be so cheap for him!" ”

"Hmm!" Meng Xiaoyu responded softly. Stretching out his other hand, he took all the weight of his prey and walked to the stove next to the entrance of the hole.

"I'll clean up today and tomorrow, and I'll go hunt down Zhu Er the morning after tomorrow. Take advantage of his new official to take office and find an opportunity to kill him when his foothold is not stable! Zhang Songling thought about it and continued to explain with a smile.

"Hmm!" Meng Xiaoyu agreed in a low voice, squatting down and stabbing the charcoal pressed in the stove. But he was accidentally smoked by the cooking smoke, and tears flowed down his cheeks like a clear spring.

"I, I'm not ......" Zhang Songling's heart immediately began to soften, rubbed his hands, and added in a loud voice, "I mainly want to avenge your father as soon as possible, so as to end a wish between you and me." Also, I don't want Captain Wu and them to come to me every day. They are from the Eighth Route Army, and I am from the Twenty-Sixth Route Army. Our two families didn't deal with each other very well! ”

"Hmm!" He was answered in a nasal voice. With a thick sadness, listening to it makes people's hearts ache.

"If you don't think it's appropriate, it's okay for me to stay a few more days. Anyway, it's still early before the beginning of autumn, and there's still time! Zhang Songling's eyes also became moist, and he stepped forward and gently patted Meng Xiaoyu's shoulder.

Meng Xiaoyu immediately turned around and hugged his thighs with his arms. Tears accompanied by suppressed cries instantly wet a large area of pants.

Afraid of making the other party careless, Zhang Songling didn't dare to struggle, stretched out his hand, and his ten fingers slowly slid through Meng Xiaoyu's long dry hair, "Don't cry, don't cry." I can take you away, let's go together! ”

"No!" Meng Xiaoyu shook her head with a howl, her arms hugged tighter, "I can't go myself, and I don't want you to go." If I don't go, don't go either! Neither of us are leaving! ”

Zhang Songling didn't know what else he could say or do, so he had to lower his head and silently accompany the other party to tears. He didn't even know if he was in love with Meng Xiaoyu. At least, this relationship is very different from the love of his dreams. However, he knew that he couldn't let go of Meng Xiaoyu in his heart, just like his torso couldn't give up his arms, and his palms couldn't leave his ten fingers. After living together for more than half a year, unconsciously, he has made Meng Xiaoyu regard Meng Xiaoyu as his relative in his heart. Although there is no blood relationship, they are also related by flesh and blood.

Meng Xiaoyu only cried for a short while, and then slowly stopped her grief. "Look at me, it's messing around again!" She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up to Zhang Songling to review. "Brother Zhang, don't be angry. I just couldn't help it, I just couldn't help it......"

"Alas!" Zhang Songling gently stroked the other party's long hair, "Silly girl, I can't help but cry twice, anyway, I'm not an outsider!" ”

"I can't hold you back!" Meng Xiaoyu wiped a handful of tears again, as if she was saying it to Zhang Songling, and as if she was admonishing herself, "You are a person who does great things, I can't drag you down." I'll help you pack up today, and tomorrow morning, you can hurry away. Otherwise, Captain Wu, they might come back to you! ”

"Just look for it, no matter what he says, I won't join the guerrillas!" Seeing Meng Xiaoyu crying with pear blossoms and rain, Zhang Songling didn't dare to leave in a hurry, squatted down, and explained to the other party in a low voice.

"I know you don't like that political commissar Li, and I also think he's fake!" Meng Xiaoyu smiled, with tears in the corners of her eyes. "You're leaving early tomorrow morning, he's coming, just in time! That's it, Brother Zhang, you go and help me fill the water tank, and then chop enough dry firewood for ten days. I'll help you make some dry food on the way! Don't worry about me, Old Man Su's red five-star is in my hands, whoever dares to provoke me, I'll take it and go to him to sue him! Let's go, there's still a lot to do today!"

Zhang Songling knew what Meng Xiaoyu had recognized, and the eight horses couldn't turn back. After thinking about it, I had to follow the other party's temperament to carry water and chop wood.

The spring in the mountain is a little far away from the cave where the two live, and it is the turn of spring and summer, and dry firewood is not easy to find in the woods. Zhang Songling was panting and busy for more than two hours before finally completing the task assigned by Meng Xiaoyu. After washing his hands and face again, Meng Xiaoyu had already brought the food to the table. A plate of venison with sauce, a plate of stewed mountain mushrooms with pheasant, a plate of air-dried roe deer, and a plate of orange stems, ground ears and a few wild vegetables are put together.

In the corner of the table, there is a small black wine jar. The mud seal had been dug up by Meng Xiaoyu with a knife, and the rich aroma of wine wafted all over the cave, and it smelled a little drunk.

"This is the medicinal wine that my mother brewed when I was born. It's been 16 years, and today it's just time to take it out for the big brother to practice! Before Zhang Songling asked, Meng Xiaoyu took the initiative to introduce. It is soaked in tiger bones, deer tendons and several other herbs, which is especially nourishing to drink! ”

Zhang Songling didn't have any research on alcohol, but he knew the value of tiger bones, deer tendons and other things. Sitting at the table with his tongue straightened, he whispered in disgust, "What are you doing with such a waste, you can take it to the market another day......."

"How can anyone else drink this wine?!" Meng Xiaoyu smiled and glanced at him, his eyelids were still a little swollen after crying, but they were a little stylish.

Zhang Songling was stunned, and suddenly realized that Meng Xiaoyu's appearance at the moment was a little different from usual. But where the specific differences are, he can't say. was about to distinguish carefully, but he heard Meng Xiaoyu scolding in disgust: "What do you see, it's not that you haven't seen it." If you eat vegetables, you can't drink when it's cold. ”

As she spoke, she sandwiched a piece of venison into Zhang Songling's bowl. Put down the chopsticks and fill the wine glass in front of the two of them. "Come, Brother Zhang, I wish you a smooth and successful trip!"

"Hmm!" Zhang Songling had venison in his mouth, but he didn't dare to wait too long. In a panic, he raised the wine bowl and took a big sip.

A strong spicy sensation immediately dispels the taste of venison without a trace. The flaming liquor bypassed the tongue, the teeth, and rushed down the throat, all the way down. It wasn't until the navel and intestines in the lower abdomen were set on fire that he rolled and slammed back again, burning his entire face.

"Ahem!" Zhang Songling was choked and bent down and coughed loudly. Meng Xiaoyu stood up with a smile and gently slapped his back with both hands, "Look at you, what are you doing in such a hurry." This wine has to be drunk slowly to taste! ”

"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Zhang Songling raised his hand to wipe a handful of sweat that was choked, and suddenly, he felt so comfortable all over his body. He grabbed the glass again and took a sip, "This wine is so good, I've never drunk such a good wine before!" ”

Indeed, whether it was in Lucheng's hometown or on the 26th Road, he had never drunk such a strong wine, but after drinking it, it was transparent. The medicine, which had been soaked in the wine jar for sixteen years, had been completely integrated with the wine syrup, and quickly entered every pore along his stomach and blood vessels. drove out all the worries and sorrows in the body, leaving only dizzy happiness.

"It's delicious, big brother will drink a few more glasses. You can't buy this wine anywhere else! Don't do it, I'll fill it for you! Meng Xiaoyu's words sounded gentle and considerate, making Zhang Songling almost unaware of where he was.

He took another bite of the fragrant pheasant stewed mountain mushrooms, and raised his glass to Meng Xiaoyu's bright eyes, "You also drink a little, your body is weak, just to make up!" ”

"Well, I'll drink with my eldest brother!" Meng Xiaoyu raised her glass with a smile, her eyes as gentle as water. "The two of us, haven't had a drink together yet?!"

"yes. After being together for so long, I haven't even drunk alcohol! Zhang Songling also felt so sorry, and raised his glass to collide with Meng Xiaoyu's wine glass, "Do one!"

"one!" Meng Xiaoyu drank the wine glass in his hand without hesitation. Then he raised the chopsticks and grabbed a few dishes from Zhang Songling again, "You try this, I think about it myself, it should suit your taste!" ”

"Xiaoyu's craftsmanship is really good!" Zhang Songling praised and puffed up his cheeks to eat. The dish tastes great, with a combination of meat and vegetables, which is fragrant. What's even better is the wine that accompanies the dishes, the more I drink it, the more comfortable it becomes, and the more I drink, the more I feel that my body is fluttering, and I forget about it.

Meng Xiaoyu smiled and continued to pour vegetables and wine for Zhang Songling. It is like a newlywed wife in the Tang Dynasty who is preparing to send her husband out to seek fame. She won't drag the other party down, and she won't let the other party worry about the home behind her. She will only let her husband remember her smile, her own strength.

She has been smiling happily and strongly, smiling and pouring her husband the daughter's red that was reserved for the bride's wedding, and the wine is soaked in ginseng, deer antlers, tiger bones and the blessings of the whole family. She laughed all the time, smiling as brightly as a mountain flower, smiling so much that all the scenery in heaven and earth lost its color. She kept laughing, only quietly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes when she turned her head to turn on the oil lamp.

Zhang Songling was soon intoxicated with liquor and smiles, and his body swayed from side to side, "Xiaoyu, you, you seem to be different today, it seems that it is not the same as usual." Oh, I'll see, let me see. Your headband ...... today"

The head rope used to tie long hair was originally supposed to be white, which was filial piety for Uncle Meng. However, at this moment, under the oil lamp, it is reflected in a brilliant bright red. "How did you turn into a red ......." Zhang Songling rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not mistaken. Then he was stunned to find that Meng Xiaoyu was slowly taking out a pair of thick red candles from a box made of willow strips a few days ago.

"When did you buy the candle and come back!" He hadn't drunk too much, but he was already too strong to drink. Stroking his forehead, he asked dizzily. In order to avoid being targeted by the devil soldiers, the last few times he went down the mountain to catch the market, he could only send Meng Xiaoyu outside the market, and then wait for the other party to return at the agreed place. So what the other party bought, and how much money he exchanged for prey, he didn't look carefully at all.

Meng Xiaoyu just smiled and did not answer Zhang Songling's inquiry. She slowly placed the red candle on the wicker box next to the bed and lit it slowly. The dancing flames instantly illuminated the entire cave, illuminating her face as rosy as a candle.

"Xiaoyu ......" Zhang Songling finally realized something, and wanted to stand up to stop it, but his heart was heavy, and he couldn't make any moves.

The heaviness from the bottom of his heart made it impossible for him to breathe steadily. I only felt that inside the heavy heart, there was a powerful heat wave gushing out, from the chest all the way to the top of the head, and then from the top of the head to the back of the neck, spine, thighs, and calves. Circling from his feet and knees, back to his heart, and gathering with another wave of heat, he lit himself like a candle and lit it.

In an instant, the entire cave turned red, like a dream. In the dreamy ten-zhang soft red, Meng Xiaoyu walked towards him with a smile, with long hair and a shawl, and candlelight as his clothes.

Outside the cave, the moonlight is like wine.