Li Duzi was executed, and the ruffians were all tied up strongly, and three mule carts loaded with food and supplies left the compound of the maintenance association and headed out of the village.

In seven or eight days, the New Year will be celebrated, and the village maintenance associations will begin to loot and extort the people, not only to pay tribute to the devils, but also to take the opportunity to make a fortune.

So, the harvest of this easy battle is rich. There are nearly 1,000 catties of grain alone, as well as meat, eggs and other things. It can be said that with these materials, the squad has a material basis for long-term persistence.

The team escorted the carriages and horses and retreated to the base. There is no way to walk in the mountains and forests, so you can only abandon the cart at the nearest place, and let mules, horses and manpower transport the supplies back.

Shen Chen still acted as a spearhead with a few team members, and a local team member served as a guide. Although the defense of the enemy-occupied areas is lax at present, the detachment is not strong, and it will be really troublesome if it is entangled by the enemy.

What's more, the detachment is not stable, and it urgently needs to transport these supplies back in order to facilitate long-term persistence.

A large town appeared in the distance, and the local team members hurriedly reminded: "Captain, we have to go around." ”

Shen Chen hesitated, waved his hand helplessly and unwillingly, and led people to a fork in the road.

Shangji Town is the largest market town in these ten miles and eight townships, and the Wei family is the first class in the town. Before the incident, the Wei Jiaguang Nursing Home had hundreds of people, dozens of Hanyang-made guns, and a few hand cannons, all of which were bought from outside at a high price.

When the Japanese devils occupied this place, Wei Yaozu, the head of the Wei family, as a representative of the local gentlemen, and several wealthy merchants and landlords went to welcome them under plaster flags. The devil let these people form a maintenance association, and Wei Yaozu was appointed to the position of a branch committee and mayor.

With the devil's letter of appointment and the devil's instructions, Wei Yaozu immediately took action.

He strictly ordered the village chiefs and wealthy households of the nearby villages and villages to pick up the buried guns, organize the Imperial Association Army to maintain law and order for the devils, and collect grain and payment.

Some wealthy families were reluctant to use guns, so they let their children carry them on their backs and join the Imperial Army. As a result, in this hastily formed team, there were many soldiers who "came out with the guns".

With an imperial army of two or three hundred people, Wei Yaozu made his son the captain. But his son was a second ancestor, and he was not interested in military training such as running exercises, so he handed them over to Zhang Dashan, the original head of the Wei family's nursing home.

As for him, with a box cannon on his back, he will only go to the women's door and boast about his good looks.

According to the intelligence, half of the Imperial Association Army in Shangji Town was transferred and followed the devils into the mountains to sweep. Now, excluding the garrisons of the surrounding villages, there are only seventy or eighty imperial troops left in Shangji Town.

The army organized by the Imperial Allied Army against China by using traitors and defectors to the enemy in the war of aggression against China was a product of the policy adopted by Japanese imperialism against China of "using China to contain China and divide and rule" against China.

In other words, the Imperial Allied Army was established under the supervision of the Japanese army, obeyed the orders of the local Japanese occupation forces and was under their strict control, and served the Japanese army's war of aggression against China.

In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, there were more than one million puppet soldiers who served as cannon fodder for the Japanese invaders, and it is indeed thought-provoking that there are so many people.

But whatever the reason, helping the invaders suppress, plunder, and massacre their own compatriots is despicable and shameless.

And the simple people often hate traitors more than Japanese devils.

Their idea is that Japanese devils are born bad, just as wolves must eat people.

However, these scum of the same land and nation betrayed their motherland and compatriots and became accomplices of the enemy; They are the ones who have lost their humanity and become jackals, more hateful than wild beasts.

Therefore, in view of the natural cheap bones of the Imperial Allied Army, when they saw the Japanese master, they shook their heads and tails, begging to throw down a few bones, and if the team pretended to be a devil, it should be a tactic with a very high success rate.

For the Imperial Allied Army, Shen Chen was of course quite disdainful and contemptuous. He also thought about taking advantage of the fact that the enemy had not strengthened his defenses and did not know the details of the squad, so he could hurry up and get a few votes.

But the market town is a good target, but now is not the right time. Ship the supplies back safely first, and then slowly clean up these traitors!

In addition to fighting the enemy, Shen Chen also thought about getting out to pick up his uncle's family and escort them to Wangjiawa.

If Shen Chen made this request, although Zhao Tie was reluctant, he would not refuse. People have made so much effort and made so many contributions, you still want to keep chaining people and always counting on them.

It's just that Shen Chen is not the kind of person who is self-righteous and willful. Although he did not think that the guerrillas would not be able to play without him, the timing of the temporary departure should be well grasped.

The squad has basically gained a firm foothold, or has greatly improved its combat effectiveness, so that Shen Chen can walk away and not let others gossip.

There was nothing to say all the way, and under the guidance of the guide, the team made a detour, and the team returned to the starting place smoothly.

Without vehicles, relying on mules, horses, and people on their backs, all the seized materials were transported back and temporarily stored in an old hole in a weir, ready to be transferred to a farther base in batches later.

One day and one night, two battles and two victories, it was so easy that I couldn't believe it. The seizure of more than a dozen guns also gave the new miners weapons to their abilities.

On the second day, the resting team members began to transfer supplies, leaving only a dozen people in a weir.

Zhao Tie and Shen Chen both stayed, observing the situation on the one hand, and paying attention to the miners' strike on the other.

Before noon, Zhao Yuankun got the report that He Jingtang had reissued the mixed soil and arrears of grain, canceled the messy deductions, replaced the account room in the mine, and the miners were ready to resume work.

The struggle is considered to be victorious, although it is all deserved, and there is no extra treatment. But Zhao Yuankun also knew that the matter was getting bigger, and if the devil intervened, he would have to bleed and die.

In order to make a living, the miners also had to return to work, and no one could barely get by with the income from digging charcoal.

"The victory of this strike depends on the unity of the workers." Zhao Yuankun can't go back to the mine, but he also has eyes and ears, and he also thinks that the strike can be withdrawn at this point.

After a pause, Zhao Yuankun said again: "He Jingtang's eagerness to prepare military coal for the Japanese is also a reason. ”

Zhao Tie lowered his eyelids and said with a deep groan: "Just let the Japanese get military coal?" I think it's possible to divert the target and disrupt the intentions of the Japanese devils. ”

Zhao Yuankun didn't answer for a while, he was thinking about the miners, if he had to make a fuss in the mine, he might provoke devils, which would put the miners' lives in danger.

At this moment, Shen Chen came over and inquired about the strike in the mine. When he heard that the strike was over, he didn't care about what concessions He Jingtang made, so he offered to go to Zhuangshang.

Zhao Yuankun had already stayed in the guerrillas and served as the leader of the three squads composed of the newly pulled miners, and Zhao Tie felt that telling him Shen Chen's details would not have any effect.

"I didn't expect it, I really didn't expect that Xiaochen is Damei, Sun Hongshan's niece." After Zhao Yuankun listened, he was surprised.

He looked at Shen Chen carefully again and said, "Sun Hongshan often comes to the old kiln, and he is also very touched by some revolutionary principles. He also mentioned you, very sad and annoyed. always said that if it weren't for his illness, you wouldn't have been sold, and you wouldn't have been able to see it. ”

Shen Chen laughed twice, very moved in his heart, but he didn't reveal much on the surface.

"Although the strike is over, we have hit the top of the hammer, and it is very close to the village, so maybe it will also have an impact." Zhao Tie persuaded with some hesitation: "It's better to send someone to call your uncle out and talk outside, as you said before." ”

"If you talk outside, you can't have too many people, and you can't have too long." Shen Chen shook his head and said, "It's better to go back and stay for a day or two, and explain things clearly with your uncle and aunt." Then, if they agree, they can find an opportunity to move the whole family out, even if it is to live in the camp for a few days, and then send them to Wangjiawa, right? ”

Zhao Tie smiled helplessly and said, "You, it's just this stubborn temper that doesn't listen to persuasion when you decide." Well, then you can go for it, but be extra careful. Or, I'll send someone with you. ”

"Not really." Shen Chen patted the gun on his thigh and said with a smile: "I have a gun, whoever dares to provoke me is looking for death." ”

Zhao Yuankun also advised: "Don't be careless. If you make a fuss in the village, your uncle's family will also be implicated! ”

Shen Chen nodded and said, "I know this, try to suppress your temperament." ”

Zhao Tie said: "I was talking to Lao Zhao Zheng about the devil's military coal, and I wanted to sabotage the devil's attempt to plunder materials, what do you think?" ”

Shen Chen thought for a while and said, "If it can't be solved from the mine, any sabotage and stealing coal will affect the miners." What about the railway, can it be broken through from there? ”

"The last time I blew up the ash bridge, it played a certain role." Zhao Tie thought about it and said: "The railway that transports coal out is indeed easy to start. But we don't have enough explosives, so it's okay to use cluster grenades, right? ”

"Hollow out the roadbed and let the train derail and overturn." Shen Chen said: "The success rate is higher when the railway bends the road. It's better to scout first, wait for me to come back after three or two days, and do it together. ”

Zhao Tie nodded with a smile and said, "Okay, just wait for you to come back." Without you as a sharpshooter, it's really hard to know how to go out. ”

Shen Chen was not modest, and said: "Then I am ready to prepare, I will go back to the village, and when it gets dark, I will also enter the village." ”

……………

The reopened mines, as well as the coke factory opened by the He family, were sprayed with thick smoke and fog, enveloping the kiln village.

Even during the day, it is difficult to see a clear blue sky, breathe in the fresh air, and fog everywhere you go.

The wind blew from the mountain-like coal piles, carrying the coal sand everywhere, and the coal sand was so fine that it hit people's faces. But when people come back from walking down the street and wipe their faces with a handkerchief, they will see a patch of black ash on the white towel.

Not to mention the workers who go down to the kiln and load and unload the coal wagons, and the porters who work in the open air. They rolled around in the coals all day long, and not only their hands and faces were blackened, but even the phlegm they spit out was black.

Although scorching is a good business, there is no technical content, in the mines in the field, the men go to the kiln, and the women, although they are busy with household chores, will also find time to dig a pit next to the hut, fill it with coal, and burn it.

Because, coke is dead profit, 100 catties of coal can burn 70 catties of coke, and 100 catties of coke can be sold for 2 catties of coal. Seventy catties of coke can be sold for one hundred and forty catties of coal. Therefore, burning 100 catties of coke will net you 40 catties of coal.

But in Yaohuzhuang, in Dayangjing, the He family monopolized and controlled the raw material - coal, and coke became his exclusive business.

At sunset, Shen Chen walked into this familiar and unfamiliar kiln village. In order not to attract attention, he put on borrowed clothes, and his face was still painted with ashes, like an ugly and poor woman.

In order to minimize contact with outsiders, Shen Chen walked across the street, didn't buy anything, and walked straight to his home.

It was winter, and the cold made the kiln village look deserted and deserted, with few pedestrians. Shen Chen deliberately lowered his head, and when he saw one or two acquaintances, he didn't say hello.

Coming to the gate of the courtyard, Shen Chen skillfully reached into the small hole, pulled out the latch, opened the door and walked in.

As soon as there was a knock on the door, the sound of grinding in the room stopped, and then a question was heard, "Who?" ”

Shen Chen heard that it was his uncle's voice, but he didn't answer, so he walked to the door and pushed the door into the house.

Sun Hongshan was pushing a plate of small stones grinding beans, and the big iron pot on the stove was still boiling soy milk, thinking that the family was back, but he stopped but didn't pay much attention to it.

As soon as the door opened, Sun Hongshan saw a strange woman walk in, stunned and did not speak.

"Uncle, it's me." Shen Chen lifted the torn turban back and spoke.

Sun Hongshan's stunned eyes blinked at this time, listening to the familiar voice, he was surprised and delighted, took two steps forward, and trembled in a trembling voice, "Damei, you, you're back." ”

"I'm back." Shen Chen smiled, looked around, walked towards the basin by the wall, and asked as he walked, "What about the family, are they all right?" ”

"Okay, all right." Sun Hongshan threw his hands, and didn't know how to entertain his niece for a while, and when he saw the cauldron, he hurried over, filled a bowl of hot soy milk to warm Shen Chen's body, and opened the plug board and burned the kang in Shen Chen's house.

Shen Chen washed the dust off his face, and the old purple clothes outside were also unbuttoned. Seeing that his niece had grown taller again, and there was no unhealthy color on his face, Sun Hongshan secretly relieved himself.

"The hemp pole that wanted to bully you fell to his death in the well." Sun Hongshan was afraid that Shen Chen would be worried and afraid, so he hurriedly told him the news, "Live at home, don't be afraid." ”

Shen Chen nodded, took a small bench and sat down, groaned a little, and then said straight to the point: "Uncle, you said before that you want to move to the east, the ground under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Route Army. I'm coming back this time because of this, and I can't stay at home for long. ”

"This-" Sun Hongshan was stunned again, this matter was asked a little suddenly, although he had this idea, but he still thought that after the spring blossoms, it would be best to have someone to contact over there to make the trip.

"In the past, I was worried that the weather was freezing and the road was not easy to walk; Second, I am worried that there is no contact, there is no food and no shelter to go, and a large family will not be able to live. ”

Shen Chen continued: "Now, both of these problems have been solved. It's all arranged over there, and the road to the past has been explored, and there are people escorting you on the road......"