Chapter 5 Chapter 2 Beaulieu Town (2)

A brigade commander looked at the map, his legs were shaking, and he muttered repeatedly: "We are sinking deeper and deeper! It turned out that the Communist Army Chen Geng controlled Fenglingdu and threatened Xi'an, so we planned to squeeze the main force of the Communist Army across the Yellow River, and then concentrate our forces to reinforce the southwest of Shanxi. Now the main force of our army is trapped here thousands of miles away from Xi'an In other places, not only did Panlong Town be lost, putting the whole army in a desperate situation, but Chen Geng of the Communist Army took the opportunity to cross the river and attack Xi'an...Peng Dehuai took advantage of the emptiness to seize Yan'an...Then it's out of control, my dear friends!"

Liu Kan, with his chest thrust forward and his eyes bloodshot, slammed on the table and screamed, "Nonsense! It's not so serious." Five Zhou Dayong and his soldiers cooperated with the brother troops to carry the enemy back to the Suide area; then, they returned together with the enemy.One day, after they had marched through the night, Tianming entered a large ditch. Zhou Dayong walked ahead of the troops with steady strides.He kept passing back: "Hurry up!" Wei Gang, the deputy instructor of the Sixth Company behind, sent a correspondent to tell Zhou Dayong: "Press the front, the prisoners are too fast to keep up!"

Zhou Dayong turned his head to look at the long line of troops behind him.There were more than two hundred prisoners in the ranks of the troops.He was very happy, ran back and forth for half a month, and finally completed the task. The soldiers breathed the moist air in the morning to dissipate the fatigue of marching all night.The sun just came out, and there was a faint red light on the thousands of mountains.There are patches of thin clouds in the sky, and fog rises from the ditch.On the green grass and red flowers on the side of the road, there are still shining drops of water.The cuckoos were calling in the trees.

On the top of the hill, there are a few fellow villagers walking shadowily, yelling their cattle and sheep.The bells of the animals rang "clang, clang, clang."The villagers sang "Xintianyou" with open voices as if welcoming the soldiers. A man is singing: A red flag floated in the air, and our soldiers came up. A woman goes on to sing: The sky is blue and blue, and I like our team when I see it. This melodious song rippling in the fresh morning air, very pleasant to hear.The northern Shaanxi soldiers in the ranks of the troops also sang with their voices as if they were answering fellow villagers:

You see me, come and I see you, we were originally a family. Zhou Dayong saw an old man ahead.He walked forward with the troops, ready to ask his old man to lead the way. The old man stood at the edge of the village, with his hands behind his back, looking at the doors and windows burned by the enemy, the broken trees, the broken furniture, the spinning wheel, the cow legs, the chicken feathers, the blood... He didn't say a word; fierce.It was as if he was full of anger and wanted to pour it out. Zhou Dayong said: "Old man, can you please show us the way?" The old man gave Zhou Dayong a cold look and said, "What's wrong, my leg is not broken!"

Zhou Dayong said: "Let's go! I know you are willing to help your army." One arm of the old man was hanging straight like it was broken, and he limped when he walked, but he seemed to have a strong back.He said: "You should also have eyes! No matter who you are, you should treat them as outsiders." Zhou Dayong looked at the old man, and secretly stuck out his tongue. Zhou Dayong knew that after taking Panlong Town, his main force had moved to Zhenwu Cave in Ansai County to rest and recuperate.He asked, "How far is it to Zhenwu Cave?" The old man stretched out four fingers and said, "Forty Li is at most a lot. In northern Shaanxi, the road is cheap. You can go away with ease!"

This old man has gray beard and temple hair.A broad square face with high cheekbones and long eyebrows that almost covered his deep eye sockets.Although he is a disabled person, his voice is just so annoying. When the old man passed by the villages burned by the enemy, he would always stop and stare for a while, but he didn't sigh or speak.When he talked to Zhou Dayong, he always said what he wanted to say, no matter whether he was listening or not. Zhou Dayong's respectful attitude and his calm and witty speech made this stubborn old man fall in love with him.The old man sometimes looked at Zhou Dayong, expressing that he was very satisfied with his soldiers.He also talks a lot.

The old man said: "Boy, our Chairman Mao always cares about our people. People persuade him to cross the Yellow River, but he will never go. Let me say that Chairman Mao should go to the east of the river to be safe. The gunfire is raging. If his old man There was a mistake, what should we rely on? Alas! We were worried, fearing that our Chairman Mao would encounter some danger and the sky would fall. But after a while, I made another plan: Chairman Mao really crossed the river, and our hearts were empty again. My child, I am so uncertain!" Zhou Dayong said: "Yes, old man, the soldiers knew that Chairman Mao commanded the National War of Liberation, and they marched, fought with us, and got caught in the rain, and they were so anxious....Don't worry, old man, we Chairman Mao If you want to stay in northern Shaanxi, then there must be a great reason. There must be nothing wrong with the old man's plan."

The old man said: "Your words are also reasonable. Boy, if I ask you something, don't laugh at me for being confused." He looked at Zhou Dayong, as if to say: Boy, if I can ask you, I trust you. "People say that when Chiang Kai-shek and Hu Zongnan held a meeting in Xi'an, Chairman Mao could see and hear them from the mountains in northern Shaanxi. The days are long, and the enemy knows it. They don't hold meetings and don't talk. What's the matter? The plan is written on paper, but our Chairman Mao will know the enemy's mind once he calculates it!"

Zhou Dayong laughed and said, "There are a lot of folks who say this. Old man, there is no such thing. When Chairman Mao looks at the enemy, of course he sees his bones. But according to what you said, Mao The chairman will become a god!" The old man gave Zhou Dayong a cold look, very dissatisfied.He said every word carefully, with a strong accent, and said: "During the war, it's a secret to open your mouth and show your teeth. You, treat me as an outsider, and don't tell the truth. I know that our Chairman Mao is not an ordinary person. Bai Jungang Occupying Yan'an, Chairman Mao drew three circles in Qinghuabian, Yangmahe, and Panlong Towns. Some people in our village saw it with their own eyes. At that time, people still couldn't figure out Chairman Mao's intentions. After the first battle, this Only then did I realize: Chairman Mao drew a circle there, and the enemy would be unlucky if he walked there. Let me ask you, I heard that Chairman Mao drew a lot of circles, is this true?" His tone was stubborn and confident.Like, for this absolutely true fact, he doesn't need confirmation from Zhou Dayong, he just wants to know how this matter develops.

His face is serious, stubborn, and motionless. Zhou Dayong wanted to explain: Our army was able to win battles because it relied on the great Mao Zedong's military thought and the masses of the people, not anything else.But why explain?It's not the first time or the tenth time I've heard my fellow countrymen say these things; is there any need to refute this simple and pious belief? Zhou Dayong recalled how the people of northern Shaanxi helped his army during the war, and he developed a kind of respect and affection for this old man.He said: "Old man, we people in northern Shaanxi dare to do any risky things for our own troops to destroy the enemy. You know the old man Li Zhende, he is really a hero! His deeds should be printed into books to educate the soldiers!" The old man said: "That's not worth mentioning. Comrade Liu Zhidan has led us to revolution for many years; from 1935 to now, the Communist Party and Chairman Mao have educated us for more than ten years. You said that ordinary people just help their teams do a little bit of work. That's not my job!" Zhou Dayong said: "Your words are so simple! Without the spirit of self-sacrifice of old man Li Zhende, it would be very difficult for our troops to win the battle of Qinghuabian!" The old man gave Zhou Dayong a moved look, and said, "For forty-five days, we wiped out three enemy brigades one after another. In this way, the enemy won't last long!" Zhou Dayong felt that the old man deliberately diverted the conversation.He said, "Well, you're right. However, your opinion of the hero Li Zhende is problematic.Did you see old man Li Zhende when he was alive? " The old man said: "In the past, ... now ... ah, comrade! Li Zhende, he can't die. He can't bear to part with the new world of our Communist Party. If the sky is what people want, he still wants to live to be 80 years old." Ho, there is something in the words.Zhou Dayong hurriedly asked: "Old man, according to your opinion, is it possible that old man Li Zhende is still alive?" The old man swallowed, as if he had no intention of talking. Seeing that the old man's expression was not right, Zhou Dayong was even more puzzled.He asked anxiously: "Old man, is he really alive? Where is he now, tell me?" The old man said slowly, "Say...I said yes...it's me!" He felt that there was no need to hesitate like this, so he opened his mouth and said, "I am Li Zhende!" Zhou Dayong felt strong joy, touch, and surprise in his heart, but he didn't quite believe it.He took old man Li Zhende's hand, looked him up and down for a while, and said, "Old man, you are really... Didn't people say that you jumped off a cliff and died?" The news of "Old hero Li Zhende is in our ranks" was quickly passed down from the ranks of the troops.The cheers and salutes are like waves: flowing down from the front and coming up from the back. Zhou Dayong talked with old man Li Zhende for a while, and then he understood: On the day of the Qinghuabian battle, old man Li Zhende, instead of doing anything for the enemy, jumped off the cliff with his grandson in his arms.His little grandson was sacrificed by tying a cow.Old man Li Zhende was rescued by the guerrillas in the middle of the night.When he woke up from a coma for several days and nights, he was already lying in the hospital of his field army. The old man Li Zhende said that his eldest son is Li Yushan, who used to be the head of the district and now leads the guerrillas.His dead grandson, Shuan Niu, is a descendant of Li Yushan.The second boy's name is Manman. A few days ago, he signed up to join the regular army. He heard that he was trained in the recruit regiment. There was no news for a long time. Zhou Dayong said: "Coincidentally, coincidentally! Old man, I know Li Yushan. I saw him a few days ago. He is a good comrade. He often helps us with food and mobilizes stretchers for the peasants; he is also with us. Go to war." Li Zhende said: "After the war, the whole family was separated, and my mother and I couldn't see our children. You saw Yushan a few days ago, but I didn't even see him for a month. Alas! Now, all the burdens of the whole family have fallen on my shoulders! I am so tired that I can't do business for the government!" Zhou Dayong asked, "Where is your old man's home now?" Li Zhende shook his head with difficulty, and said: "To be honest, what kind of home is there? Anyone who can hold a gun has joined the guerrillas. My wife and two grandchildren fled to the west of the Yangma River and settled in relatives' homes." The area around the Yangma River is often harassed by the enemy, so it is not a good place to stay. I plan: In a few days, I will send my wife and grandchildren to the home of my eldest daughter in the north. Once the enemy comes, I don’t think they will go to the north again. La." "Where did your eldest daughter get married?" "Jiuli Mountain to the north of Qingjian City!" Zhou Dayong said: "It's good for you, the old man, to move your family there, so that you don't have to run around and worry about it!" Six After Zhou Dayong reported to the head of the regiment the situation of enforcing the deception and attacking the enemy, he walked to the village where the first battalion was stationed.On the way, he saw the soldiers of the regiment walking back from the regiment's supply office.Some of them replaced their old weapons with new American-style weapons, some carried captured ammunition and military uniforms, and some carried "foreign noodles" bags.They walked and sang beamingly: Change the gun, change the gun, change the gun Replace your old gun with a new one Captain of Chiang Kai-shek's Transportation Brigade send for american guns ………… Zhou Dayong returned to the first company. After winning the battle, the soldiers danced and sang for joy.They completely forgot the fatigue of fighting day and night.Whoever fought well, who captured more prisoners, and who should be credited, became good material for the soldiers to talk about. "Liu Deyou, how many prisoners did your squad take?" "Ninety-six prisoners, plus four heavy machine guns. How about you?" "Our squad! Only twenty-nine prisoners were captured. But two mountain cannons were caught." "American style?" "of course!" "Look, I said Truman was good, but you still say it's bad." "What thought? Are you related to Truman?" "A relative? I feel ashamed that he is my son, but you should also think about it. If Truman sends Chiang Kai-shek to give us cannons and machine guns, no matter how powerful we are, we can still fight the world with just two fists?" "That's true. But did you give them a receipt?" "The formalities must be done! We don't send receipts, and Chiang Kai-shek has no way to reimburse the American boss Truman!" "How is the receipt written?" "It's written like this." The soldier scratched the ground with the bougie of his rifle: Today, I received two American cannons from Chiang Kai-shek, the captain of the transportation team. When the soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army saw Zhou Dayong, they stood up and raised their hands in salute.Zhou Dayong returned the gift, and the soldiers surrounded him, reporting to him the achievements and achievements of our company in the battle of Panlong Town. "Shut up, let me report to the company commander!" Li Jiangguo strode forward, cut him off, and saluted the company commander. "As soon as he opens his mouth, it can be considered that Huang He has opened his mouth!" "Listen, Sai Guo hits the machine gun!" Regardless of other people's comments, Li Jiangguo said: "Company Commander, you must be at home, you must be happy to see it! The commanding height of Panlong Town--Jiyumao, our company climbed up first. Well, it is an unambiguous battle , It took three or four attacks before it was taken down. When we rushed into Panlong Town, half a moon was shining, and Instructor Wang led us to solve the enemy's brigade headquarters. The enemy's lieutenant general was pinched by Wang Huohu himself!" Zhou Dayong said: "Did Li Kungang, commander of the 167th brigade, be pinched by the tiger himself?" "Yeah, and he's got some big heads!" Several soldiers pushed Wang Huhu over and shouted, "Company commander, the tiger hides behind people and dare not show his face. Company commander, he was the first to climb up Jiyumao; the brigade commander said, he will be rewarded!" " Wang Huhu stood in front of the company commander, blushing and uncomfortable, with nowhere to put his hands and feet. Zhou Dayong grabbed Wang Huhu's shoulders with both hands, and said, "Tiger, you must have hidden your bravery in your purse at ordinary times, and only used it when you were fighting!" Li Jiangguo said: "Company commander! You know that Tiger not only packs bravery in his purse, but also three things: dry food, shoes, and tobacco leaves. No matter what the situation, he always prepares well and keeps them firmly." I said it was peasant consciousness, but he was still not convinced!" Wang Huo said: "Nong-min-conscious-consciousness? The experience of a veteran soldier!" Li Jiangguo said: "Company commander, the tiger really can't get on the table! Other companies asked him to report his heroic deeds. He said: I would like to charge ten times, but I am not willing to speak on stage once. So many people stared at me." Eyes, how uncomfortable! Fortunately, he is still called a tiger! Company commander, and, also, he was elected to the presidium at the victory celebration meeting of more than 50,000 soldiers and civilians in the Zhenwudong border area. Next to the vice-chairman. Vice-chairman Zhou took his hand and said: "Your name is Tiger, so you must be very powerful. The enemy must be afraid of you. Isn't it? He was sweating all over and forgot to stand up and salute. Besides, he drove for a day Yes, I didn’t even dare to look at the audience! Company commander! You say you’re a loser but not a loser.” Wang Huo said: "Jiangguo! People accumulate virtue by building bridges and roads. As long as you don't talk less, you will accumulate great virtue!" Li Jiangguo said, "Tiger, you told me to keep my mouth shut, but who will be responsible when I suffer from stomach problems?" Wang Huo said, "You, you have the strength to joke without eating for a year." Li Jiangguo said: "Not bad, not bad. I'll lie on the ground and count the stars when I die!" Wang Huo smiled silently, saluted the company commander, and said, "There is a patient in our squad. I'll get him some sour soup noodles. Sour soup noodles!" He walked steadily towards a courtyard. Zhou Dayong looked at the back of Wang Huhu who was slightly taller than the average person.During the march, during the battle, how many times did he look at this figure from behind.The soldiers said: "It's a soldier, not a soldier, with forty catties on its back." How many things should this forty catties contain: guns, bullet belts, grenade bags, bayonets, rice bags, backpacks... But these things on Wang Huo, these Things seemed to grow on him.When walking, you don't want to hear something bumping on his body; when fighting, his back will not be a burden to him.During the march, new soldiers looked at him, a well-trained veteran.They all felt that there was a measure for his steps, and he was particular about how his feet landed on the ground.Otherwise, how could Wang Huo walk so fast naturally and effortlessly, without blisters on his feet? Brigadier Chen called and asked Zhou Dayong to go to the brigade headquarters immediately. Zhou Dayong walked towards the brigade headquarters, thinking as he walked, Wang Huhu's interesting appearance kept appearing in front of his eyes.He said to himself: "Day and night, for three years and five years, Wang Huo has always walked in the ranks of the army without saying a word. Walked in the ranks of the army without saying a word!" Zhou Dayong shouted a report and entered the cave where the brigade commander lived. Brigadier Chen was wearing a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows.He was busy fixing the radio.On the table and stool, there are dismantled radio parts; there is also a camera-this is an object that he has carried with him for many years. Zhou Dayong looked at this pile of things and thought: "The brigade commander always likes to play with these things!" He is very familiar with these hobbies of the brigade commander. Brigadier Chen was in high spirits. While packing his things, he said, "Young old revolutionary! You don't like these things. You have been with me for a long time. After all, you are you, and I am still me!" Zhou Dayong is also very familiar with the brigade commander's cheerful and friendly temperament and carefree demeanor. Brigadier Chen washed his hands, looked at Zhou Dayong carefully for a while, and said, "You are skinny, this trip has been hard enough!" "To be fair, the enemy is hard enough!" Brigadier Chen said: "You led the enemy from the Panlong Town area to Suide City, and then escorted the enemy back from Suide City. You really cared and cared enough! Ah, talk about it, how do you feel about the enemy's emotions? ? Very unlucky!" Zhou Dayong said: "The enemy is not only unlucky, but also discouraged!" When he walked to the entrance of the kiln, he saw a piece of hemp paper stuck on the outer wall of the kiln.A poem written with a brush on the paper: It's useless to be savage Xianyu Highway is blocked Lost Beaulieu Lost Suide A parade is empty at both ends Six thousand officers and soldiers were taken as prisoners nine and a half brigades like bears ………… Brigadier Chen smiled and said, "Young old revolutionary! Does it taste good? It was copied from a newspaper by the brigade headquarters correspondent nicknamed Flea. Come, let's talk about it in detail." He turned to the wall Go to the battle map hanging on the wall. Zhou Dayong pointed to the map and said: "On May 4th we took Panlong Town, and on May 5th, the enemy's nine and a half brigades turned from the Suide area to the Yan'an area. Yesterday, the enemy crawled hungry. Go back to the front line of Panlong Town." "The enemy crawled back to Panlong Town, just in time for the memorial service." Brigadier Chen moved his finger from Panlong Town, ninety miles northeast of Yan'an on the map, to Zhenwudong, ninety miles northwest of Yan'an, and said: "Our field army is dragging here. The enemy climbed back to Panlong Town yesterday, but we are here, wearing new clothes sent by the enemy, eating the enemy's noodles and sleeping. We have rested for seven or eight days." Chen Brigade Chang scratched the back of his head, walked steadily back and forth, and said: "These seven or eight days are very clever seven or eight days. Just think about it, hundreds of thousands of enemies are rushing forward in all directions. Twenty thousand of us , beat him with one blow at a leisurely pace; beat the enemy round and round, while we jumped on the side alertly to rest. Ho ho, what a lot of knowledge there must be!" "Brigade Commander! Chiang Kai-shek and Hu Zongnan are probably in a mood these days?" Brigadier Chen said: "I'm too lazy to study their ideological problems. If you are interested, you can study it behind closed doors." He laughed loudly; Rest well, folks. Zhou Dayong said: "Brigade Commander! Do you know that old man Li Zhende?" Brigadier Chen said: "Not only I know, but in the entire Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, who doesn't know that he sacrificed so heroically!" Zhou Dayong said: "He is not only alive, but also very healthy. He is now in the Political Department of our regiment!" Zhou Dayong reported to the brigade commander how Li Zhende jumped off the cliff, how he was rescued, and how he got here. Cleared up. Brigadier Chen was surprised and said happily: "That's strange! Guards! Guards! Prepare something to entertain the guests." He thought for a while, and then said: "Dayong, I want to have a good talk with old man Li Zhende. Well, let him go to each regiment to give reports to the soldiers; there is nothing better than to educate the soldiers with the heroic deeds of the people! Isn't it?" "Yes, Brigadier." Seven Soldiers are free.Just set up a dragon gate array.Everyone talked about their experience in the battle in Panlong Town, the anxiety when they were frustrated, and the joy when they were victorious.Everyone was very happy, only Ning Jinshan, a soldier of the first company, raised his eyebrows and put on such a look of dying.The instructor talked to him several times, and he always said: "I don't have any problems in thinking, but I have a stomachache and I don't look good!" The next night, Ning Jin Shanshui had no rice, and the instructor Wang Chengde came to see him again.Instructor Wang chatted with him for a while, and said that a correspondent was sent to the health team to invite a doctor. Ning Jinshan knew that he was not sick, only one thought weighed heavily on him.In the past few days, this kind of thought sometimes appeared clearly, and sometimes it was so hidden that I didn't even feel it.But this thought never left him. He was lying on the bunk, looking at the roof of the kiln, he was so restless, as if there were thousands of troops fighting in his head!Fatigue, depression, fear, all of these bound his heart like thousands of ropes.He wanted to get rid of all this, but he couldn't get up his spirits, couldn't arouse his strength. Now, his thoughts that cannot be said to others are more distinct and sharper: "What method will I use to leave the army as soon as possible!" Thinking of this, a gust of icy water flows down the spine, and my heart is so cold that it stops beating!He was like a person walking at a three-way intersection in the middle of the night, anxious, tired and undecided. Suddenly, he thought of the instructor, comrades.They're all good,... saved his life... going to put him on the right track.They treated him like a brother.Once he fell ill, the instructor and many comrades sat beside him all night, fed him soup and watered him, just called his mother, how could it be better than this?Yes, the common people support the People's Liberation Army, and the enemy can't do it. ... The revolution is good, the revolution has hope ... There is a force calling him to live a difficult and meaningful life.However, sports warfare!exercise!The march without death or life...dangerous...continue to endure...the invisible darkness surrounded him again; the heavier and heavier boulders pressed on his chest again...suddenly, he was taken aback , feeling tired, dizzy, feverish, and heart like a mess. "Am I really sick?" He buried his head in the quilt and cried. The bright moon shines on the undulating hills and rivers.There was a cool breeze blowing in the river channel, which was very comfortable. Zhou Dayong and Wang Chengde came back from the battalion.The two of them opened their clothes to let the cool wind blow; under the moonlight, they walked side by side, listening to the singing of the soldiers from afar. In the past, when the head of the company went out and came back, the correspondent Xiao Cheng had already filled the water and talked affectionately.But today when the head of the company came back, he pursed his lips and stood under the corner, as if he was full of resentment. Zhou Dayong ignored him, hung the shell gun on the wall, and sat on the edge of the kang to untie the belt. Wang Chengde asked: "Little devil, you are so pouted that you could tie a cow. What's the matter?" "Ning Jinshan has deserted!" Zhou Dayong didn't seem to believe it, so he asked Xiao Cheng again.He thought for a while, and an uncontrollable fire rushed up from his heart. He slammed the table and said, "No bones, no bones! If you want to escape the struggle, I'm afraid Chiang Kai-shek won't agree!" Wang Chengde, with his right foot on the stool, his right elbow on his knee and his hand on his chin, was thinking about something while looking at the dancing flames.After a pause, he said to himself: "The party gave us such a powerful ideological weapon, but we..." He kicked the bench away and walked out! Wang Chengde walked back and forth in the yard with a hot heart.He felt that this was not a matter of deserting alone, but a test of the political work of the company! At this moment, the soldiers were discussing anxiously in the yard.The mood of the whole company is full of anger. Li Jiangguo said: "Last night, the head of the regiment also praised us as one of the four model companies in the whole regiment to consolidate the troops. Now, the model has taken a long vacation, shameless deserters!" Wang Huhu didn't say a word for a long time. After many people had finished speaking, he said: "I don't blame the sky or the earth, but only blame our work for shortcomings!" Ma Quanyou said: "The instructor talked to him a few times, and he spoke bluntly, but he slipped away. What can you do with him? You just get into his stomach, suffocate you, and kill him. You can't solve his ideological problems even if you hold him to death!" Ma Changsheng said: "You just hate that iron can't be made into steel. Ning Jinshan deserted, and you also have a responsibility." Ma Quan was getting angry. He blushed and shouted thickly, "I'm responsible for his failure to revolutionize?" Ma Changsheng said: "The wind does not blow the tree and it does not shake. It is not for nothing that you have shortcomings." Li Jiangguo said: "Ma Quanyou, you are too subjective! Whenever people criticize you, you will counterattack. Isn't this intentionally alienating from the masses?" Ma Quan's eyes were staring like lamps, he stomped his feet angrily, and shouted: "You piss on my neck, it's like I've deserted!" Wang Huhu said: "It's all there! Please don't bicker. You always say that the wind is the rain!" It just so happened that Instructor Wang came, and everyone stopped talking back.Wang Chengde said unhappily: "What are you arguing about? Complain if something goes wrong at work?" The soldiers all puffed out their chests and stood at attention without saying a word. Wang Chengde said: "Relax! Comrades, we often say that Communist Party members will lead the backward people to advance with the revolutionary cause, but look at us!" Ma Quanyou said: "Instructor, I was wrong. I shouldn't have quarreled with my comrades. I was very angry when I ran away." Li Jiangguo said: "The instructor is right, we all have a responsibility anyway." He quietly took Ma Quanyou's hand and said, "All of you, I was wrong, let's just say we didn't quarrel just now! " When Wang Huo heard them whispering, he thought: "Ma Quanyou and Li Jiangguo are really people with one gut. If you encounter something, if you don't think about it, you will yell!" Instructor Wang looked at the mountain opposite Zhenwu Cave.After pausing for a long time, he said to the branch organization committee member: "Wang Huohu! Regarding the matter of Ning Jinshan's desertion, we will immediately convene a branch committee to study. You call people to the company headquarters. Hurry up!" In the second half of the night, it was a bit cold, and the westward moon cast a cool light. "Westward, northward, and southward for a few days will not work. There are all Jiang-administered areas. To the east, cross the Yellow River to the liberated area...or..." Ning Jinshan thought, running, eastward, toward East, climb when you see a mountain, *# when you see water.stumbling over a branch, falling... The hat was lost, the trousers were torn, the palms were bleeding, and the clothes were cold to the body. His eyes were blurred, he couldn't see the way clearly, he was out of breath, and the top of his forehead was throbbing violently.Go east, go east, run east with the moon hanging in the west sky behind your back.He kept regretting, but a glimmer of joyful hope arose in him at the thought of his going to a place of peace and safety. After turning over a mountain, suddenly, it was dark.It's almost dawn.He hoped for Tianming and was afraid of Tianming. Ning Jinshan ran eastward for another hundred miles, and it was dawn.He climbed on the top of the hill and looked around shrinkingly. He saw two or three enemies drinking horses in the ditch.The horse raised its head and neighed a few times against the cold wind.The hissing trembled in the early morning air, and it sounded especially shrill, harsh, and terrible. "There are enemies below! There are enemies below, and there may be enemy security forces around here." The experience of being a soldier helped Ning Jinshan.He kept using the terrain and features, and crawled to the bottom of the ridge.Suddenly, he saw some wheatgrass on a path, he climbed along the sparse wheatgrass, and saw a small cave.He was as happy as a person who fell into deep water and suddenly grabbed a rope, and rushed into the small cave dwelling blocked by grass in a few moments. "Ah!" A scream came from the haystack.Immediately, the screaming mouth was covered by something again. Ning Jinshan knelt in the haystack with his hands up, his heart beating like it was about to explode.He looked at the haystack, as if he was frozen. The grass moved, sticking out the unkempt hair, and a few grasses were hanging from the hair.Under the disheveled hair are dim and cold eyes.The area around the eyes is festered due to frequent eye diseases. Ning Jinshan saw it clearly: this is a thin and small old lady, she was kneeling on the ground, her upper body was straightened because of excessive force.Her face was sallow and skinny, her teeth were completely missing, and her lips were drawn in.Those dim and red eyes were terrifying.She stared at Ning Jinshan, as if she was guarding against a jackal that was about to pounce on her. Ning Jinshan sat down feebly, his eyes turned dull and helpless, and said: "Old mother, don't be afraid, I..." He looked at his gray military uniform.The gray military uniform was covered with mud, and it was torn off in several places. The old lady sat limply on the grass, looking at the man who fell from the sky in panic and doubt.Then, her eyes fell on Ning Jinshan's gray military uniform, and she looked at it for a long time.Suddenly, she cried: "Ah, we are on the team!" Her thin body trembled like a leaf in the wind! The small cave is alive again.Two children got out of the grass and crawled on Ning Jinshan's lap.The old lady took Ning Jinshan's hand, put her face close to his, and said, "My dear, are you really a member of our team? There's so much fire, why are you alone...you, you're exhausted!" " Ning Jinshan's eyelids drooped sadly, and he said, "Old mother, I can't find the team. Me, I'm behind! " The old lady was like kissing her own child. She knelt on the ground and peeled off the mud on Ning Jinshan's hair and clothes, saying: "My child, leaving your team is like leaving your mother and father, right? , In this world, there is no way..." The old lady untied a burden.In the bundle, there were some coarse cloth clothes, a woodcut portrait of Chairman Mao sandwiched between the clothes, and some rice flour pancakes. The old lady picked up the portrait of Chairman Mao with both hands, and said, "Boy, this one was invited by my wife in Yan'an City the year before last, and I hung it at home when I invited it. Now, there is no home! I always take the portrait of Chairman Mao with me." Thinking of these difficult days and months, you will lose your energy; when you have no energy, just look at our Chairman Mao!" Ning Jinshan stared blankly at the outside of the kiln; the color of his face changed rapidly: sometimes white, sometimes gray, and sometimes dark. The old lady asked: "Bad people create rumors that Chairman Mao has crossed the river, shouldn't it be possible?" "No. Old mother, Chairman Mao did not cross the river. Old mother, don't ask me!" Ning Jinshan climbed onto the grass, stuffed his head into the grass, and said, "My heart..." The old lady said, "I must be hungry! I feel bad." She took out two pancakes for Ning Jinshan.Said: "Child, eat, eat and hide until dark. Eat, people are like iron rice or steel, and when you are full, you will have strength. You are miserable! Look, look, the blood of your palm!" The care and love of the old mother, the affectionate and pitiful eyes of the children.These made Ning Jinshan's heart extremely hot.He hoped that a bullet would fly suddenly and pierce his skull, that would be better! Ning Jinshan saw the hungry eyes of the children and cast them on the pancakes.He handed a pancake to the five-year-old child.The child stretched out his hand to receive it, while watching the expression on his grandmother's face. "Eat in the bowl, look at the pot!" The old lady pulled the children over, but felt that it was too cruel to treat the children like this!She held the child in her arms, tears streaming down her wrinkled face.While weeping, he said, "Oh, my ignorant enemy!" Ning Jinshan said: "Old mother! Didn't the children eat?" The old lady said: "You just eat, don't take care of them. Alas, what kind of life are you living now! The white army who was hacked into pieces, they will die! A few days ago, the enemy robbed food during the day and returned it at dusk. Town. We hid in the mountains during the day, and went down the mountain in the dark to drink a sip of soup. Who knows, the day before yesterday, the enemy came to attack the village, and it took two or three days. Boy, we are from Yan’an Sichuan Road, my family It is dozens of miles away from here. There are relatives of my family here. We always talk about taking refuge here. Now, you see, there is nowhere to live in peace. My wife said, go further north and hide in Jiuli Mountain. Go to my daughter's house. Hey! The old ones, the young ones, it's not easy to move. Now, my sons and daughters-in-law can't see each other. I can't see them, and I can't close my eyes when I die. This year Months, many children, many enemies, many children, many sins. Alas, my lord, it takes a long time to fight, and it takes a long time to be at peace!" She shed tears #*#阿*宁金山 for fear that the old lady would see what was going on in her heart Stir.He said: "It's almost too peaceful. Look, your old man has several grandchildren. In a few years..." The old lady cried: "I can't mention it! There are seven or eight members of our family, and no one can find anyone when there is a war!" ...The White Army forced my wife and my grandson to jump off a cliff with a tethered cow...the tethered cow died!" Ning Jinshan shivered.He thought of the old man who spoke at the military meeting of the whole battalion two days ago: Li Zhende. The old lady said: "My wife is straight-tempered, and all the relatives and neighbors like to hang out with him. His arm is broken and his eyesight is weak. He walks in the dark with one foot high and one foot low. He also keeps up with my eldest son Li Yushan. Fighting in five places!" Ning Jinshan seemed to be on fire. He knelt on the ground with one leg, straightened up suddenly, and was about to say something.The old lady suddenly pushed the two little grandchildren into the grass, and pushed Ning Jinshan down.Ning Jinshan felt that the old lady suddenly had a surprising strength. 老太太那变颜失色的面容，让宁金山满身起了鸡皮疙瘩。"白军！……天老爷呀……"她吓得心里绞痛；身体像在萎缩，像经过霜打的树叶在风地里抖。 宁金山听见窑外有说话声，他习惯地来了个抓枪的动作，一看，抓了一把草。他想："他娘的，这样死了才冤！"他肚皮贴紧地皮，闭住呼吸，只听见自己的心孔冬孔冬像擂鼓一样响。 老太太跟孩子们的心，由于害怕而静止着不动了。窑洞里静得让人耳朵里发出各种离奇古怪的噪音。 窑洞外的山坡上有脚步声，说话声： "能捉住一个老百姓就好了！" "我们常找粮食，已经摸出门道了。你不要看不起那鬼也不去的冷地方，那里常常有粮食衣服，碰对了运气还能找到娘儿们！" "顺着这些麦草，往上走。" "那不是个山洞子吗？准有油水，上，上，上！" The sun is westward.远处有断断续续的枪声。这枪声，让人心里颤抖！Eight 宁金山被敌人捆起来吊在牛圈的横梁上。他鼻子、口里淌血水，身上千奇百怪地痛，像谁用刀子一片一片剐他。悔恨的心，像在滚油锅里煎。猛然，他听见隔壁窑洞里传来惨叫、骂声、打声。 "说，他是你的什么人？不说，不说剥了你的皮！" "他是我亲生儿！你剥了我的皮，他还是我亲生儿……""满口胡说！他是你的儿子，为什么穿共军的军衣！" "你打死我，他还是我亲生儿，他是我身上的肉！不睁眼的天呀！啊呀……"宁金山想起老太太那风能吹倒的身体，焦灼地思量："我，我做了什么事呀！"他哭了，眼泪从脸上滚下来，混着血。隔壁窑洞又传来打声、骂声、撕碎人心的惨叫声！ ... 时光，在巨大而残酷的悲痛里，一分一秒地缓慢地行进着！敌人一直把老太太拷问到天黑才罢手。 月光从牛圈栅栏门格里透进来。牛圈门外，有个敌人哨兵端着刺刀，来回游动。刺刀闪寒光。那刺刀尖上挑着死亡，牛圈阴森森的角落里隐藏着死亡。愁惨的空气也不流动！宁金山两条胳膊麻木了，快要掉下来了。他喉咙里冒烟生火，昏过去好几回。他决心试探一下自己的运气。像病人呻唤一样地说："给口水喝吧！" 敌人哨兵喊："喊啥！闭嘴！" 宁金山听出了哨兵的河南口音。他说："乡亲！哎哟哟，唉，乡亲，听口音你是河南人。我也是河南人。亲不亲一乡人。咱们统是出门在外的……"哨兵没有吼喊，像是拉长耳朵，听什么动静。宁金山当是敌人打瞌睡。他强打精神睁开眼，朝牛圈外头看，只见墙根的阴影里冒出一个人。那人扑到哨兵身后，举起明晃晃的马刀，一下子把哨兵劈成两半。接着，那人拣起了敌人的枪，背上，又嗖地扑进牛圈，用刀把宁金山手腕上的绳子割断，说： "快跑！朝西！" 宁金山一把拉住那人问："救命恩人啊，你，你……"他生怕这是一场梦。 那人说："我是游击队上的。这村里有人给我们报信：说咱们一个同志叫敌人逮住了。我就来搭救你。" 猛乍，一个黑影，闪了一下，爬进牛圈来，声音颤抖地说："快跑，放哨的不见了……不见……"游击队员大吃一惊，向旁边一跳，抡起了大刀。那爬进来的黑影，向地上一滚，差点大叫起来。 宁金山听出那是老太太的声音，他忙说："不怕，老妈妈，不怕。这是咱们的人。"他向游击队员说："这，这位老妈妈，是，是李玉山的老人。" "啊，李大娘，知道，知道，老邻居嘛！" 老太太爬到宁金山身边，说："孩儿，快回咱们部队去！ 唉，我心口……我活不长……""老妈妈，快，咱们一道走！ " "孩儿！你先逃命，你先……""你，老妈妈，你……""我慢慢爬出去，我要爬出去。……反正我要有个三长两短，你给玉山捎个话！孩儿，去，往西走十来里就是羊马河！再往西就赶上了咱们的部队。孩儿，快高飞远走呀！我是有了今天没明天的人，唉，再见不上你啦！" 游击队员说："这是什么时光，还说东道西。你先走，同志，李大娘有我照护。" 宁金山顺着垅坎的阴影爬去，爬了两三里路，就放开腿跑，逢沟跳沟，逢崖跳崖，耳边生风，脚底板发热。 他一口气跑了二十来里，歇了脚，就爬到小河边，咕咕喝了一肚子水，坐下来，贵贱也走不动了。他全身骨头像散了一样裂痛。天也转地也转，身子不由自主。他晕沉沉地倒在地上。月亮落下去了，黑暗严严地裹住了宁金山。 他缓歇了一阵，焦灼地思量："到河东解放区去？藏在这里的山沟混日子？到蒋管区？回家吗？……这年月呀，真不如死了好！"他心神不安、毫无主意。可是，他一想到"敌人会追来的！"这个问题的时候，精神猛乍给提起了。He stood up.可是当"到哪里去？"这个问题又闪过他脑子的时候，他觉着一步也移不动。他后悔、恨自己。他想起连长、指导员、同志们、老太太……"我回部队去？我有脸见人？唉，我是把一碗水泼到地上了！"他撕开胸前的衣服，跺脚，像害了抽疯病一样。这比敌人用刀剐更难熬啊！他独自嘟哝："我自找的难过……"脑子里有一点火星烧起来，猛然那火星又让无边的黑暗吞没了，过会，火星又忽忽地烧大了，脑子里的一片黑暗，慢慢地退缩着……乍的，他听见扑通一声，像有人从高处跳下来。宁金山脑子里还没有转过弯，就有一个黑影，把他拦腰抱定，十几把刺刀在眼前乱晃，有很多人还喊： "捆起再说！" "先捅他两个穿膛过的窟窿！" 宁金山浑身抖得像十冬腊月穿着单衫。他想："天老爷，我是从河里跳到井里了！"他正在恨上天无路的时候，忽然发现他前面站着的几个人头上绑着白手巾，而在这些人身后似乎拥着成千的人。他思量："这该是游击队--要是敌人便衣队呢？不，敌人便衣队，晚上不敢出来活动！再说，便衣队哪会有这么多的人？"他相信自己的判断没错，一线希望在心里闪亮。他壮起胆问："你们是游击队吗？" "游击队咋着，还不是一样逮住你们这些美国狗腿子了！" 宁金山理直气壮地喊："同志，干什么嘛？我是咱们野战军的战士！" 一个游击队员，冒冒失失喊："这家伙捣鬼！来，给他脑袋上钻个洞！"说着，就劈哩巴查把宁金山打了一顿耳刮子。有的人还稀里哗啦拉枪栓。 宁金山说："忙啥哩？同志，叫你们队长来，同志！" 一个队员喊："李队长，来看这个鬼。李长队，你要慢走几步，我们就让这个鬼到美国去吃酒席啦！" 一个提盒子枪的人走过来。他是高个子，走起路来很稳实。 宁金山说："队长同志！我是英雄部的战士，一点也不假！我掉了队！给你说，你们这里有名的游击队长李玉山，我还知道。他爹李振德老人前两天还在我们营里讲话来！" 那位队长用电筒照了一下宁金山的脸，说："我就是李玉山，可是我就认不得你呀！" 宁金山说："你当真是李队长？……你……你当然认不得我，可是我们连长周大勇、指导员王成德都认识你呀。他们常说起你和你领导的游击队。" 李玉山拉着宁金山的手，说："你真个的是咱们部队上的同志。误会了！你们连长、指导员可好！" "咱们部队上的同志"这句话，立刻招引来一阵亲切的握手、问好。有人还给宁金山递上纸烟，有人递上水壶、干粮。笑声，亲热的骂声：有人还低声哼陕北小调。 刚才打了宁金山耳刮子的那个年青队员说："同志，不要呕气，居家过日子也有碟子碰碗的时候，更不要说现在是打仗耍刀子呢。来，照我脸上打一下算了结！" 宁金山乐和得不行，话也多了，好像他倒是真的掉了队，经过很多风险让同志们从死亡的边沿上拉出来一样。He said: "李队长！你带的队员个个勇敢，我回去要给同志报告你们活动的情况。" 没等李队长开口，好多队员七嘴八舌地凑上来，说： "同志，我们不勇敢能行？敌人把刀子放在咱们脖子上啦！" "我们冒上这一条命啦！反正没有别的路儿走！" "干游击队这营生，当年刘志丹和谢子长就给我们教会了。" 宁金山反过来调过去地在心里重复着游击队员的话："反正没有别的路儿走！"但是，当他想到自己是革命队伍的逃兵，浑身软绵绵的了；身上被敌人打伤的地方，也突然像刀割一样痛起来！ 李玉山拍着宁金山的肩膀，亲热地说："同志，咱们到前村去吃点，喝点，我们派人送你回部队去。这一带游击队多得很，可别再发生误会啦。" 宁金山很想说："李队长！你妈，她老人家……她……"话到口边又吞到肚里去了。Nine 第一连今天热闹红火，像老乡家里过喜事。战士们都理了发，在河湾里洗了澡。每个人贴身穿着敌人送来的崭新的黄军衣，外面罩着洗得很干净的灰军衣。脚上全穿着敌人送来的胶底黄帆布鞋。他们把院子里打扫得净光发亮。墙上新出的墙报，随风舞动。墙报上的作品都是战士们写的；有快板、有诗歌、有小文章；有的是用铅笔写的，有的用钢笔写的，有的是借老乡的毛笔写的。样子是花里胡哨，内容却只有一个--欢迎新战士。 蟠龙镇战斗打罢，全旅的解放兵，一多半送到山西去训练了，少一半留下来补充部队。留下补充的解放兵，都是年青、纯净、阶级成分好的人。 不大一会工夫，指导员带来了十来个新战士。这些新战士还穿着国民党军队的黄军衣，只是换了一顶解放军的灰色军帽。胳膊上带着印有"解放"二字的解放军的臂章。what else can we do?人是来了，但是给他们穿的灰军衣还不知道在哪儿？ 指导员把新战士带进了院子，等着欢迎的战士们就喊口号、鼓掌、欢呼。那些新战士没有看见过这场面，也没有鼓掌的习惯，他们都缩着脖子，惶惑地四处看。 王指导员把新战士分到各班，要他们跟老战士见见面。 一个新战士走进第一班住的房子，同志们迎上来拉手问好，有的给他端一碗开水；有的给他送一件衬衣；有的给他递过来一双鞋。大伙喜眉笑眼地对这位新战士说："看，这是陕北老乡们给咱们做的。鞋底上还写着字：穿上鞋子跑得快，一心一意打老蒋。""看！这碗套是山西翻身农民捎来的。这上边的花儿绣得多精致，这几个字也绣得蛮好：我们的亲人子弟兵。"那个新战士什么也没有听清，不管谁问他什么，他都站起来立正，牛头不对马嘴地说："是！"像是机械装制的人。王老虎问："同志，你叫什么名字？" 那个新战士连忙站起来，脚跟一靠，说："报告，我叫宁二子。"他瞧着王老虎，只见这人蔫头蔫脑，像是精神不足，看来不见得有啥大能耐。可是这位名叫老虎的班长，笑眯眯地噙着个小烟袋，怪和善的，--大约一生一世也不会生气发火，见了教人喜受，像是人一见他就被他吸住了。 宁二子看着每一个人的脸膛，哎！他们怎么一个个满脸是笑？当兵还这么乐和？这么遂心？ 宁二子从当国民党的兵那天起，他发咒赌愿地说：吃屎喝尿也不当兵，世上什么事不是人干的呢？可是从他一踏进第一班，一股子没经过的亲热气就吸住了他。why?他吃不透。 集合哨子吹了。战士们跑出去，方方整整地站了一片。 宁金山，从人缝里挤出来，搭拉着脑袋，谁也不看，蹲在土台子旁边。他让游击队送回部队以后，团政治处保卫股把他审查了一番，认为没有别的问题。他开小差的事，还没处理。今天第一连开欢迎新战士大会，政治处让他来旁听，受教育。 宁二子看见大伙都瞅宁金山，有些人还低声议论什么。他倒抽了一口冷气。因为他记起国民党队伍枪毙逃兵的惨状。那逃兵脸上流血，五花大绑……宁二子心里扑通扑通跳起来！大伙儿正放开嗓子唱歌，指导员王成德走上台，手一压，全场鸦雀无声。他说："今天，咱们开会，一来是欢迎新战士；二来新老战士互相自我介绍，大伙认识一下。同志们，我先来介绍一下我们连队。"他指着那许多红色小旗，说："咱们连队的光荣，都写在这些小旗旗上面的。你们看！"大家看着一面红旗。那红旗因为雨淋日头晒，褪成黄色了。那黄颜色上还有几片巴掌大的黑迹。 "同志们，这旗上写的七个字是：第一连英勇顽强。旗上那一片一片的黑迹是血，是咱们连长的血。连长周大勇同志，是咱们纵队有名的战斗英雄，一九四六年八月他打上这红旗率领战士们攻敌人碉堡的时候负伤的。"他讲了那次战斗，讲了那次战斗中，周大勇怎样捂住冒血的伤口，率领同志们把这面红旗插上敌人阵地。 王指导员把十几面旗帜，简单地介绍了一番，说："现在老战士先一个挨着一个介绍自己吧。" 李江国*#踥/oo地站起来，说："报告！要论老战士，那咱们连队里就数周连长最老。你们没听见旅首长常说年青的老革命嘛？还是让连长先讲他的身世根底吧！" 战士们哗哗地鼓掌，真像机关枪连发。 周大勇笑盈盈地站起来，望了一下战士们。老战士们觉得连长看见了他们每个人的脸膛、眼睛。他们，乐得扬动眉毛，互相挤靠着。 新来的战士们，都伸长脖子看连长。连长可最关紧要，全连人的命都在他手里扼着哩！宁二子把连长打量了一阵。他想：好一个精干利索的人啊！可是连长是不是随便揍人？他要揍人啊，那可吃不消！ 周大勇走到土台跟前，脸色严厉，眉头拧成一股绳子。他说："新来的同志们，咱们连的人，不是工人就是农民。旧社会，咱们忍饥受饿，挨打受气，在火坑里过日月！" 新战士眼睛一眨也不眨地望着连长。这阵，说他们在听连长讲话，还不如说他们在看连长的模样，捉摸连长的脾性。 "拿我来说，家里的人都叫反革命杀光了！我小小的就到咱们部队。同志们，没有共产党就没有我；没有人民军队也没有我。" 过去的种种经历，闪上周大勇的脑子。他二十四年的岁月，有一半是在北方度过的。他在北方的千山万岭中，说不定多少次，顶着长城外吹来的风沙，望着星星，想起湖南的家乡，闻到那里的稻香味啊！那水多树稠的乡村，肥沃的稻田，茂密的竹林，那是他出生的地方。那里有他孩童时期熟识的景物，跟形成他最初认识人生的种种事情。 周大勇思量着，怎样让新战士们从自己身上认识中国工人农民应该走的路子。他的家乡，他身世中那辛酸悲苦的一段生活，又活生生地映在眼前。 一九三六年三月开初，一支工农红军在湖南靠近贵州的边境上行军，他们是去赶自己的主力部队--红二方面军。有一天，一个讨米的孩子，爬在林子后边，机警地瞧着路上过往的队伍。这队伍里的人，穿着各种各样子的衣服，有的帽子上还勒着红带子。他们有的人背着雨伞，有的背着斗笠，有的人腰里挂着三双草鞋。讨米的孩子想：这定是红军。他从路旁的田垅上跑过来，拉着一个红军战士的衣角，央告："你们是红军？就是红军。红军叔叔，收下我吧！不要看我小，叫我当红军我什么也不怕。" 这个红军战士指着后面的一个人，说："去找他吧，他准会收留你。" 这孩子等后面那个人走上来，就一把拉住那人的衣角，说："叔叔，我要当红军，收下我吧！" 此人，正是红军的一个团政治委员--现在本旅的旅长陈兴允。 当时，政治委员陈兴允闪到队列旁边，把这孩子打量了一阵。只见他齐头到脚有一支马枪高，瘦得皮包骨头，头发像茅草堆，两只小手像鸡爪子。穿的衣服稀巴烂，光脚丫子。但是，那一双乌黑晶亮的眼睛，嘟辘辘地打转，显得怪机灵懂事。 政治委员弯下腰，摸摸那孩子的手，问："你能当红军？ 一支步枪就会把你压坏的。你是谁家的孩子？ " 这孩子别的话不说；一口咬定："你收下我！"他把手里提的讨米口袋扔到一边，双手拉住政治委员的衣角，好像表决心："你不收下我，我就不准你走！" 政治委员轻轻拍着他的背，说："你倒蛮厉害的！不行啊，现在正打仗，部队一天拉一百多里，你能成吗？" 这孩子望着政治委员，眼睛一眨也不眨，可是泪水却在他很脏的脸上冲开两条小渠。他说："我在红军里呆过，打仗我不怕。红军是为穷苦人的，我没家没舍，你不收我，我会饿死的！" "会饿死的？"政治委员双手扳住这孩子的肩膀，眼直盯着他，望了好久。这句话打动了政治委员的心。因为他知道，饥饿中的人们，怎样用十年的生命换一口饱饭。因为他知道，"会饿死的"这句话中，包含了多少辛酸的眼泪和无告的痛苦！部队沙沙地从政治委员身边过，红军战士们望望孩子又望望政治委员，像是请求政治委员把这孩子收留下。 团政治委员陈兴允详细地问了一番，原来这孩子看来不到十岁，可是已经十三岁了。他叫小八哥（到部队以后，起了官名周大勇）。先前他有父亲、妈妈、哥哥。父亲、哥哥给人家揽工受苦。后来，家乡起了红军，穷人有了活路。一九三四年十月。中央红军长征以后，周大勇的家乡又变成地狱。土豪劣绅组织的清乡团，在农村里，清乡、捉人、吊打、砍头、烧房子……村村冒烟，处处起火；守寡几十年的老太太，转眼失去独生子；刚出嫁的女人，霎时失去丈夫；吃奶的孩子，爬在母亲的尸体上，哭哑了嗓子……水渠里流着农民的血，乡村变成了杀杨。周大勇的父亲、哥哥早先都是共产党员。土豪劣绅领上清乡团，到处捉拿他们。狂风暴雨，闪电撕扯着黑夜。父亲和哥哥，提着短刀，顺着田垅，钻进了大山