After beating the canal defense camp, Pang Zi's whole person completely fell into an extremely nervous mental state, what will happen to himself and his brothers who follow him in the future? The question weighed heavily on his mind. Before the attack on the canal defense camp, Pang Zi also made up his mind to kill fewer people. By the time of the battle of the century, he couldn't control his emotions at all. As soon as the horse team charged, they couldn't help but lay a heavy hand.

Pang Zi had not read any military books, nor had he discussed any specific military issues with Chen Ke, so Chen Ke knew that the greatest casualties were caused when pursuing and defeating the enemy. He and his brothers saw the enemy fleeing with their backs to them, and almost instinctively began to kill. By the time the charge was over, there were already a hundred and ten dead or wounded enemies lying on the ground. The tragic condition of the dead, the low moans of the seriously wounded, the wails and screams of the lightly wounded were really a strong stimulation for Pang Zi. At this time, Pang Zi already knew that he had caused a big disaster. After simply cleaning up the battlefield, Pang Zi rushed back to Gaojiazhai with his brothers, but the county seat did not dare to return. He already knew that he had to run to other places quickly, and the government would definitely not give up.

Pang Zi didn't expect that after Chen Tianhua learned the news, he would actually make so many demands to himself in the name of the people, and he would ask for so much. It is not only to arrange the retreat of the people, but also to help protect the money of the peasant association. In addition, Chen Tianhua actually dared to ask Pang Zi for 100 guns. Who is Chen Tianhua when these people? Is it your own grandfather?

Arrange a retreat for the people? Who will arrange the retreat of Pang Zi and his brothers?

Pang Zi said angrily: "Mr. Chen, you don't have to think about these things. You're going to do it, you're going to do it yourself, I don't have time to get these things with you. You said that you need money to redeem people, okay, I can ask less, twenty-eight points, you want eight, I want two. ”

At this time, Chen Tianhua also bluntly asked-for-tat: "I said to give you twenty percent, do you believe it?" Have you checked it? Now your side is ready to run. I also have to arrange for the people to retreat, we are all short of manpower. I can't give you the money. ”

Hearing this, Pang Zi couldn't help but show impatience. Whether it is Chen Ke or Chen Tianhua, as long as it involves the people, they are so tireless. Pang Zi didn't understand this. What's the use of currying favor with the common people? In this Nangong County, in Gaojiazhai, the most powerful and capable of fighting is not the people, but he Pang Zi. Without Pang Zi's support here, Chen Tianhua's peasant association was afraid that it would have been difficult for the landlords and other forces to collapse. Now that Pang Zi is in danger, Chen Tianhua doesn't say that he helps Pang Zi find a way, but his mind is full of the life and death of the people, and Pang Zi can't understand what Chen Tianhua thinks at all.

But at this time, Pang Zi didn't have the heart to mess with Chen Tianhua at all. Facing the Beiyang Army, who didn't know when it would come, Pang Zi first had to protect himself. Therefore, Pang Zi was able to treat Chen Tianhua more calmly, and he said patiently: "Mr. Chen, you are going to dismantle my platform." How much has our dart bureau done for the peasant association, and now we have to use the money, and you don't give a penny, don't you think it's too much? ”

Chen Tianhua tried to persuade Pang Zi to consider the problem from the perspective of the common people from the very beginning. After talking for a while, he already understood that this was simply impossible. It's really a big disaster when they fly separately, and the dart bureau used to cooperate with the peasant association so-so. But in the face of a major crisis, the partnership collapsed in an instant. Whether it's for the people, or for yourself. The different positions immediately became-for-tat.

"No wonder Wen Qing was so disappreciative of Pang Zi and others back then." Chen Tianhua couldn't help but think that Wen Qing had long known that these people were unreliable. But after thinking about it, Chen Tianhua couldn't help but smile bitterly, in Pang Zi's eyes, Chen Ke and himself were also unreliable. Everyone's stance is different, and the reaction to the same thing is naturally very different. Now that the situation has reached such a point, it seems that it is unrealistic to make other demands on Pang Zi, Chen Tianhua sighed, "Brother Pang, it's useless for us to fight like this." So I will give you 300 taels of silver. You give me 50 guns. Our peasant association is killing pigs, so you can get as many as you want. Eggs, duck eggs, whatever you want. As for chickens and ducks, you can take as much as you eat every day. Is that okay? ”

Pang Zi knew that he had no ability to force the peasant association to come up with more things, and after listening to Chen Tianhua's suggestion, he thought for a moment and responded: "Mr. Chen, I don't mean to harm the villagers at all. If you arrange for everyone to run away, I will not stop you. I've been busy like this here, don't let anyone mess with me. As for guns, I don't have a good gun here, some firearms, and there are still more guns for singles. I'll give you 50. But 300 taels of silver will definitely not work, you have to give me 500 taels. ”

Seeing that Chen Tianhua was silent, Pang Zi continued: "Let's not bargain. Let's just put it this way. ”

"Okay." Chen Tianhua responded. He knew that this was already the limit of what Pang Zi could do. If you continue to entangle, you won't have anything else to say.

Standing up and about to say goodbye, Chen Tianhua suddenly remembered one more thing, and he was serious, "Brother Pang, I have something else to say to you." I think you'd better get the people of Gaojiazhai together and make things clear, the Beiyang Army is coming. You told everybody to go out and take shelter. As long as you are genuinely thinking about everyone, everyone will definitely know. Even if something happens in the future, everyone will complain less about you. ”

Blame me less? Although he knew that what Chen Tianhua said was right, Pang Zi, who had endured it for a long time, finally couldn't hold it anymore, he pointed to the door and shouted angrily: "Your mother! Complain about a fart. Get the out of here! The long-won understanding was not sustained.

Chen Tianhua knew that it was useless for him to say anything. He sighed and walked out the door.

Pang Ziqi's face turned blue, and his chest kept rising and falling. Since he was a child, except for Uncle Jing, Pang Zi has never been so angry. Complain? Who blames whom! Pang Zi thought to himself about how much benefit these people from the peasant association had gained by relying on their own dart game. When Pang Zi was in trouble, they didn't say that they would help, but they dared to complain about Pang Zi? Pang Zi thought angrily. Looking at Chen Tianhua's back, Pang Zi gritted his teeth tightly, and he really wanted to pull out his gun and shoot Chen Tianhua in the back.

It's just that Pang Zi's anger is just such a weak performance, he actually knows that under his apparent anger is an endless weakness. In fact, Chen Tianhua is not wrong, this time the incident is so big, the people don't know how to complain about Pang Zi in their hearts. Perhaps it is the best choice for Pang Zi to explain the matter clearly to the people in person. But Pang Zi's self-esteem will never allow him to do such a "face-loss" thing. Mixing rivers and lakes, the most important thing is face. Once you bow your head and lose face, you will never be able to straighten your waist in the future. Not to mention bowing to the people. That means that Pang Zi will no longer be able to hold his head high in Gaojiazhai in the future. Pang Zi will never bow to the people.

The brothers in the head dart game in Gaojiazhai have changed from excitement to carnival, and the brothers who got the table are full of wine, meat, and vegetables, and are drinking and carnivaling. The brother who didn't get the place was not willing to be defeated, so he simply sat on the ground, put the gun within reach, and put the wine and food in front of him, and drank it in a big gulp. It was really buzzing and lively.

But in Chen Tianhua's view, such a carnival scene does not have a sense of vigor and upwardness. There was a taste of despair. It's a kind of madness that is stimulated by the emotion that there is no tomorrow today. The doors of the villagers' homes were closed, and there were two completely different feelings in Gaojiazhai, the shouting and roaring of the dart brothers all over the village, and the quiet villagers' families. There is an indescribable uneasiness.

Chen Tianhua rushed back to the peasant association through the strange village, and found that there were only two cadres left in the peasant association house with more than a dozen people not long ago, and the table in front of Pang Cheng and Jing Xiuzheng was stacked with a thick basic account book, and the two were not very skillful in moving the abacus beads to calculate. Seeing Chen Tianhua coming back, the two hurriedly got up, "Mr. Chen, you're back." ”

"What about the others?" Chen Tianhua asked.

"Uncle Jing and Xiuchun went to kill pigs. The others ...... and went back to their homes first. Pang Cheng said with some embarrassment. This young man has never said anything bad about people behind his back, and Pang Cheng really doesn't know how to describe the whereabouts of those peasant union cadres who sneaked back to their homes early.

Chen Tianhua smiled bitterly, although he didn't expect that there were only a few people left among the peasant union cadres, although he knew that someone would definitely escape. But it was really beyond Chen Tianhua's expectation to go so thoroughly. Among these cadres who escaped from the battle, they were all people who were very active when things were going well. In order to strengthen the peasant association, they also used to make suggestions and work before and after the saddle. When it came to the critical moment, these people still chose their families first. Although I know that these people work hard in the peasant association, or run away when they encounter problems, in fact, their purpose is to live a better life. But Chen Tianhua still felt empty in his heart.

Reluctantly sorting out his mood, Chen Tianhua said to the two peasant union cadres who still insisted on their posts: "Let's just go and help kill the pigs." I want to come to Uncle Jing's side, and there is a shortage of manpower. ”

Pang Cheng and Jing Xiuzheng did not refuse, the two of them answered, put down the account book in their hands, and the three of them closed the door and went to the breeding farm together.

The farm, which once had more than 100 people working together, is now deserted. In addition to the pigsty where the pigs howled from time to time before they died, the earthworm field, where many people should have been working, was empty in the chicken and duck breeding area. There are still ten people in the pigsty, plus Chen Tianhua, Pang Cheng and Jing Xiuzheng, and there are only thirteen members of the peasant association who can hold on to the present.

"Mr. Chen is back?" When Jing Side saw Chen Tianhua and them, he said hello a little embarrassed.

"We're here to work!" Chen Tianhua said with a smile. Although it looked as cheerful as possible, everyone had embarrassment on their faces. More than ninety percent of the ten adults ran away, and none of the remaining members of the peasant association did not feel a sense of loss.

The only one who can maintain normalcy from beginning to end is Jing Tingwen, who is the oldest and most senior here. His voice was still loud, "Housheng, here." It just so happens that I want to ask you, how many pigs do you kill? ”

Since the old man asked this, Chen Tianhua didn't want to continue to indulge in his dissatisfaction, he smiled and said, "Uncle Jing, don't kill the little pig if I think about it." Distributed to the members of our peasant association. The sow was also kept. Just kill the boar that looks about the same. If it is inconvenient to take away, just keep a dozen pigs. ”

"I think it's good to divide the pigs, what are you keeping some pigs for?" Old man Jing Tingwen asked.

Chen Tianhua replied: "If the Beiyang official army comes to suppress it, this breeding farm will definitely not be able to be saved." If they don't leave some pigs for them to rob, they will only go to the mischief of the people. It's not just pigs, chickens and ducks or something, it's divided into parts. Also leave a part for the Beiyang Army. ”

Listening to Chen Tianhua's words, the other members of the peasant association changed their faces, and Jing Side said loudly: "Leave it for the Beiyang Army?" Nor will they be left with a single hair. and they rot the flesh into the ground, and they do not leave it for them. ”

"!" Jing Tingwen immediately interrupted his cousin's speech, "Side, you are so old." How can you be ignorant? Mr. Chen is right, the Beiyang Army is coming, and they can't grab anything, do you think they can give up? It is better for them to kill pigs and chickens here than to let them harm the villagers. When you are full of food and drink, it will always be better for the villagers. ”

After training his cousin, Jing Tingwen asked Chen Tianhua, "Then who is Mr. Chen going to stay here to watch the family." ”

"Housekeeping?" Chen Tianhua asked strangely, "Let's close the pigsty, chickens and ducks, and no one will be left." ”

"Mr. Chen, what you said doesn't make sense. The little cubs in the village are greedy. If you don't leave anyone behind, you don't wait for the Beiyang army to come, they will finish these cattle by themselves. ”

"Uncle Jing, I'm going to arrange for everyone to take refuge outside first. As soon as the Beiyang Army came, everyone had to suffer. It's always better to go out and avoid than to stay here. ”

Hearing this, Jing Tingwen looked Chen Tianhua up and down, and then nodded and said, "Mr. Chen is really a good person. He's a good guy. Mr. Chen, where are you going to take refuge this time? ”

Hearing this question, the eyes of all the members of the peasant association fell on Chen Tianhua, and Jing Tingwen asked what everyone was very concerned about. The peasant association was set up by Chen Tianhua, and he was the backbone of the peasant association. Chen Tianhua's whereabouts determined whether the peasant association could continue to exist.

Jing Side couldn't help but say, "Mr. Chen, you can follow me." I have relatives in Xingtai Fucheng, let's go there to avoid for a while. When the wind calms down, let's continue to come back to hold the peasant fair. ”

"This ......" Listening to this suggestion, Chen Tianhua was a little speechless. He actually wanted to stay in Nangong County and be with the members of the peasant association, but Chen Tianhua knew that Pang Zi's dart game was destined to not be able to defeat the Beiyang Army. After seeing the autumn exercises in Hejian with Chen Ke, Chen Tianhua knew that as long as Pang Zi stayed in Xingtai, it would only be a matter of time before he was destroyed. If Pang Zi runs away with his brother, it will take a year and a half to come back. Without the support of military force, the peasant associations would have encountered great problems.

Even if the peasant association can develop, Chen Tianhua knows very well that his ability is just that. If you want to have a bigger breakthrough in the future than now, you can only rely on Chen Ke's ability. But looking at the expectant eyes of the members of the peasant association, Chen Tianhua couldn't say such a thing. But it's better to explain this kind of thing sooner rather than later. Chen Tianhua made up his mind, and then said: "I'm going to go back to the south first." ”

When everyone heard this, the expressions on their faces immediately became disappointed.

"Guys, it's not like I'm not coming back. I have a limited capacity, and I can do such a small thing for the big guy here alone. I have a lot of comrades in the south, and I will definitely return with them in half a year. At that time, there would never be any more hardships for everyone to suffer like this. ”

"Half a year to come back?" Jing Side's tone was full of disbelief.

"In half a year, I will definitely come back. And I didn't come back alone. Because he wanted everyone to know that he was not talking nonsense, there was a kind of eagerness in Chen Tianhua's voice.

Although the members of the peasant association did not believe Chen Tianhua, their disappointed expressions were beyond words.

"Mr. Chen, I have always wanted to ask you about this offspring." Old Man Jing Tingwen asked.

"You say."

"Mr. Chen, you are such a foreigner, you came to our Nangong County, and you are so good to us. If you say that you want to be an official, you are with Pang Zi, a bastard boy, and you are definitely not here to be an official. If you want to get rich, where can't you get rich? If you say that you want to rebel, I don't think you mean to rebel in this way. I don't care if you want to leave or stay in this next life. I don't care if you bring those guys back with yours or not. I just want to ask, what do you want after doing so many things? ”

Chen Tianhua has been in Nangong County for so long, this is the first time that someone has asked the purpose of Chen Tianhua's actions so deeply. There is no one like Jing Tingwen who asks in such a dignified manner.

Moreover, Chen Tianhua did not dare to say everything in his heart before, because he had once talked about some "revolutionary truths", but he had never resonated with the people. Westerners, Imperial Court, Foreign Countries, China, Revolution, Republican, Constitutional. What do these things have to do with ordinary people? You don't care.

At the moment when the peasant association was about to be temporarily dissolved, an old man asked Chen Tianhua about the purpose of his actions, Chen Tianhua suddenly had an inexplicable emotion, as well as an irrepressible impulse, and he said loudly: "I just want our Chinese people to live a good life." There is meat to eat, clothes to wear, and money to spare, and the children can go to school. After going to school, everyone can farm if they want to, and work in a factory if they want to. No one can bully anyone. Everyone lives like this. ”

After listening to Chen Tianhua's words, the other members of the peasant association looked at Chen Tianhua dumbfounded, such a statement was really beyond their expectations.