Chapter 53 Cremation(7)

For three consecutive nights, Wencheng, with the beating hearts of so many people, and a few dim lights, quietly listened to the sound of cannons in the distance. There was only one company of soldiers left in the city, and another battalion on the river bank. People in Wencheng began to ask each other: "What do you think?" They said "to the end" very forcefully. No one can answer.Even if someone makes a very bold judgment, his tone is still "as if" rather than "to the end". But.Everyone was not very panicked, because there were still some soldiers in the city and on the river bank.Although the number of soldiers is small, everyone has such a resolute, calm, and brave look on their faces, making everyone feel that if they continue to panic, they will be sorry for others!

Although the company commander, Tang Lihua, has only been in Wencheng for only a month, he seems to have been born here since he was a child.Everyone knows him because he is a head taller than ordinary people.Even the little doll who just learned to talk would point at him with his fat finger with a small pit, and say, as if learning to play a gong: Don!Don!Don!Everyone likes him, he is so kind, so simple, so straightforward, as if he always hangs his bright red and lovely heart on his chest, and everyone can see it clearly.Anyone who spoke half a sentence to him immediately felt that the company commander took off the bright red and lovely heart that was hanging outside, and put it on his—anyone’s—chest.

When everyone was listening to the gunfire quietly in the house, their hearts couldn't help beating a little faster than usual.But at the same time, they also knew that Company Commander Tang—that good man like a black tower—was walking on their streets and on their city walls.He is the patron saint of Wencheng!As soon as the gunfire became louder, everyone wanted to ask Company Commander Tang—what happened? Company Commander Tang always put on a smiling face for a while, and then smiled again before replying: "I don't know what else is going on, I know that I will fight the enemy to the end! Without Wencheng, I will be gone."

This simple and not very optimistic answer moved the people of Wencheng to tears.If it wasn't for the war, Company Commander Tang might never have heard of Wencheng, let alone come here.He has nothing to do with Wencheng, but he decided to live and die with it! "Look at Company Commander Tang!" This sentence was on almost everyone's lips, and everyone seemed to have a decision in their hearts: "What are we afraid of?" The sound of the guns grew louder and louder.It was still quite cold, with a sharp north wind blowing.When the north wind blows, people in Wencheng can still hear machine guns clearly.Everyone's eyes, like a terrified child looking for his mother, were fixed on Company Commander Tang.Company Commander Tang still had a smile on his face.His smile made the tensed faces of many people relax a little.His words were a little less, showing that he definitely has a way; those who have a way don't need to brag about it.He even seemed to walk a little slower, and he was not someone who could be frightened by a few gunshots.

"Don't panic, Company Commander Tang, let's not panic!" The people in Wencheng entrusted their lives to Company Commander Tang like a drowned man grabbing a piece of wood. However, Company Commander Tang advised everyone to move through the local government.Those who were timid and had a place to go began to move out of the city with tears in their eyes.But most of them are unwilling to leave because of the difficulty of transportation, the difficulty of leaving their hometown, the inconvenience of money, or the sickness at home.Only then did they feel how cute Wencheng was.On weekdays, because of the poverty and simplicity of Wencheng, everyone seems to have to believe that their "bazi" is not good, so they can swallow their breath and live; look, don't those lucky people all go to Tianjin and Shanghai?Even those who go to Baoding or Shijiazhuang are better than those who are poor in Wencheng!Now the cannon is about to smash their city, their home, and their lives, and there's no escape for them!Looking at their old people, women and children, and their lamps, pots and bowls, they feel that Wencheng must be defended, and Wencheng is inseparable from them and everything they have!

In the first two or three months, they heard the students' speeches, saw various paper slogans, and even watched a play or two.Speeches, catchphrases, and plays have all spoken to them quite reasonable things; however, they have heard, seen, and after that, they still live their lives.Slogans did not teach that tofu was cheap for a copper coin, and dramas did not teach anyone to be lucky.They didn't get any real benefits, so they couldn't afford to pay more attention to national affairs.Wencheng is Wencheng, so-so!Now, if they dared climb up to the city in the middle of the night to look, they could see the flames of the enemy's artillery!They remembered the good words in plays and slogans.They must defend Wencheng, otherwise everything will be lost.It seems that their lives are firmly tied to Wencheng.

They are the most practical, but when their noses touch the wall, they will also want to knock down the wall with their fists; even if the fist is bleeding and the wall is not falling down, they may as well try.Reality and ideals, narrowness and loftiness, in their hearts, there is only a layer of window paper between them. They had to do something to show that they were not sitting around waiting to die.They carried sandbags, transported bullets, and dug trenches for the army... It didn't matter if they sold a little effort and lost time and money; they just hoped to win a great battle and keep Wencheng.

They very much hoped that all kinds of flags would be planted on the city tower, guns, machine guns, and cannons would be displayed on the city walls, and Company Commander Tang should ride out of the city on a big horse like Guan Gong to meet the enemy.However, Company Commander Tang ambushed his soldiers in the pine forest, and there were almost no soldiers at the station, in the spinning mill, or in the city.They felt panicked and didn't know what kind of tactics this was.If they hadn't had such deep faith in Company Commander Tang, they would have said that he hid all his soldiers because he was afraid of death and greedy for life.

What made everyone even more uneasy was that it was said that Wang Juren had gone to see the county magistrate, and that the county government was going to move out of the city immediately!The value of Wang Juren and the county magistrate was greatly discounted by everyone at this time.The gate of the county government was crowded with people, watching how the county magistrate would move.However, the county magistrate came out and told everyone that the government files must be taken away, and he appointed the chief of the first section to take them away.The older government staff deserved to be evacuated, and he had found a place for them, and they were leaving the city immediately.However, the young government officials and himself never left Wencheng.Unfortunately, if he must die, Wencheng is his best grave!

People in Wencheng will not cheer or applaud.Hearing the magistrate's words, the young man's chest puffed up, and the old man shed tears.A young man who dared to speak asked the county magistrate, why is there no soldier in the city?The county magistrate asked back: What do you young people do?The Japanese thieves are here to attack your city, your home! So, under the leadership of the county magistrate, young people in Wencheng began to take up swords, guns and sticks, and fulfilled their responsibility to guard the city at the gate of the city and in the middle of the street.A stick in one's own hand is worth two guns in another's.People in Wencheng began to feel confident, and a little heroic.

The sound of the cannon came closer and closer.The brothers guarding the river bank, the people of Wencheng think so, I am afraid they have all fallen asleep, right?Why did the enemy keep firing, but we didn't even fire a single shot?At this time of doubt, the strong men sent to serve on the river bank brought back several wounded soldiers.From the mouths of the wounded soldiers, they knew that half of our battalion had already crossed the river. Three groups of five groups had set up an ambush on all sides, and if they taught the enemy to advance one step, many people would die!The enemy has planes, but we don't; the enemy has cannons, but we don't; the enemy has various tanks, but we don't.However, our machine guns, rifles, and hand grenades, like brave and clever hounds, will suddenly bite the legs of the wolves and foxes that harm people, and end their lives! "We won?" the people in Wencheng asked. "In terms of the sound of the cannon, the enemy has won; in terms of the number of dead bodies, we have won!" A wounded comrade replied. Wencheng is not a rich place, but it is not difficult to find a few pigs, a few hundred catties of vermicelli, and a few tanks of white dry wine.Soon, the fat pig, vermicelli, and baigan wine were escorted to the river bank by two distinguished gentlemen—one tall and one short—to serve as soldiers.Both gentlemen brought two packs of small Hardman cigarettes, as a respectful offering to the officer, showing that people in Wencheng have seen the world. However, how things were carried away, and how they were carried back.They couldn't find the battalion headquarters.They ask everyone they meet, and they think those people must know, but all they get is a shake of the head.The two gentlemen lowered their heads, smoked the Hardman cigarettes for the guests, and kept saying: "This is a magic soldier! This is a magic soldier! Come without a trace, go without a trace!" Kungfu has spread throughout the city.Everyone regretted it—they once doubted: whether there is only one battalion on the river bank, can it stop the enemy soldiers?Now, they completely believe that the magic soldiers are one against a hundred, and even if the enemy sends a hundred thousand horses, they will die by themselves. They went to Lianchang Tang to prove from Lianchang Tang that their ideas were completely correct. Company Commander Tang was not as optimistic as they were. He told them: if the enemy wants our city, we want the enemy's life.The city may be lost at the end, but before it is lost, the enemy must lose as much blood and flesh as possible!He also told them: We soldiers must do our best to shoot bullets into the deadly places of the enemy; you ordinary people must guard against traitors day and night, and don't fall for the enemy's tricks of cooperating with others. "Traitor" is the most disgraceful word in the hearts of people in Wencheng.After they bid farewell to Company Commander Tang, they felt strange expressions on their faces: "Wencheng, our Wencheng, can there be traitors?" If there were, "Who?" "Who?" No one could answer. "Traitors" cannot be thrown on anyone's head casually. However, speculation produces confusion, and confusion can easily turn speculation into conclusions, so that the mind can be at ease.They quickly suspected Wang Juren, and from their suspicions, they quickly convicted Wang Juren: Wang Juren is a traitor! In the city, whose courtyard wall is the tallest?Wang Juren's.On weekdays, his high walls seem to whisper to everyone: "Don't come close to me, I am protecting Ju Rengong, you are all thieves!" Now, Wencheng is in danger, these high walls still do not allow anyone to approach.What is Wang Juren doing inside these high walls?no one knows. The county magistrate mobilized all the strong men in the city to protect Wencheng. Has there ever been a single person from the Wangzhai?No.Everyone carried pig wine to work in the army, did Wang Zhai pay a person, or a money?No.Is Wang Juren alive or dead?He must be alive, isn't it said that he went to the county government to persuade the magistrate to escape with him?Besides, in Wang Juren's vermilion lacquered gate, who has often slipped in and out through the cracks in the door recently?Liu Ergou!If there are no traitors in Wencheng, let it be; if there are, Liu Ergou must be one!Liu Ergou often goes to Wang Juren's place recently!Liu Ergou, then, if it is a traitor, Wang Juren must be the leader of the traitor! They have no conclusive evidence to prove that Wang Juren is a traitor.On weekdays, even if they had some excuses, they probably wouldn't dare anyone to come forward and touch Wang Juren.Today, with their enthusiasm for protecting Wencheng, and Wang Juren's indifference in the war of resistance, they feel that they should not be too afraid of Jurengong.On the contrary, for the safety of Wencheng, even if they don't have the power to treat Ju Rengong as a traitor, they should at least ask him what is going on with him. Two distinguished gentlemen—one tall and one short—would love to have a chat with Jurengong.When I was going to work in the army two days ago, everyone agreed that Ju Rengong should be the representative.But Ju Rengong was too timid to take risks on the river bank.Therefore, two gentlemen, one tall and one short, took Hardman's cigarettes and ran away.Although the status of the two gentlemen in Wencheng is far lower than that of Ju Rengong, their reputation has suddenly increased a lot since this "partial labor".The two of them are willing to talk to Jurengong. Ju Rengong felt a little uncomfortable and refused to see the guests.The two gentlemen, one tall and one short, became angry with embarrassment, and wanted to show Ju Rengong some color outside the vermilion lacquered gate of the palace.When they hadn't quite decided whether to attack immediately or stay calm, Miss Meng Lian came out and let them in. Menglian, who is afraid of everything and is not afraid of anything, frowned and smiled, imitating the posture of a man, putting her little hands on her waist, and said to them in a small but powerful voice: "I I know why you two are here! With me here, my father will not do anything wrong!" After saying these two sentences, her cheeks turned red and she coughed lightly, as if to tell them: " No need to waste any more words." The two gentlemen didn't seem to have heard enough, but after thinking about it, they felt that it was not bad to be so straightforward. The two gentlemen - one tall, one short - were relieved.The people in Wencheng were also relieved. "No matter how you say it, Miss Menglian will control Ju Rengong!" Everyone thought so.With this conclusion, everyone seems to have completely wiped out the traitors. Even if this issue is mentioned occasionally, they will be relieved from worry, because "Miss Menglian will always control Jurengong"!