Globe Trekker

Chapter 18

"Brother, it's me!"

Tian Zhenggang saw clearly that it was Wu Ming who was holding a gun to his forehead, so he shouted hastily.

The muzzle of the gun was still on Tian Zhenggang's eyebrows. Wu Ming's hand holding the gun was very steady. His face was ashen and his eyes were cold. He stared into Tian Zhenggang's eyes for a while, then slowly put away the gun and smiled wryly, "I'm sorry Zhenggang, big brother is up and down among the officers and soldiers. You narrowly escaped from the siege of dozens of people, but you are still terrified. You thought about running for your life, but found that you had nothing to eat, drink, or money, so you could only quietly come back to get something, and you came when you were about to leave."

The suspicion in Tian Zhenggang's heart was confirmed, and he was quite frightened. He strode forward and took Wu Ming's hand: "Brother, tell me what happened? Why did the people from the county guard group and the Chen's residence in Huanggu Town arrest you?" ? Are you really a Communist Party?”

"The Chen Mansion in Huanggu Town?"

Wu Ming raised his eyebrows, slowly sat down on the stone at the entrance of the cave, picked up the dried meat thrown beside the stone and continued to put it into his mouth, after chewing a few bites, he suddenly stood up: "Just now, you just said that it's from the security team and the Chen's family." Someone arrested me, right? How do you know there are people from the Chen family?"

"I often go to the town to go to the market to sell mountain products. I know the guards and servants of the Chen residence. Although they stand far away, I can see clearly that the person leading the team is the steward Wang of the Chen residence. It can't be wrong."

Tian Zhenggang finished speaking and looked at Wu Ming worriedly: "Brother, early this morning, I heard guns crackling on the mountain, which scared the dogs in the whole village to bark. The mountain pass leading to this place is guarded by a large group of officers and soldiers of the security regiment, all of whom are carrying guns, so I wonder if something happened to you? I was so worried that I was so worried, and then I saw the steward Wang of the Chen family leading people down the mountain and left in a hurry , and then dozens of people from the garrison regiment also went down the mountain, each with a dark face, obviously did not get anything, I feel better, but the dozen officers and soldiers guarding the crossing are still there, after much deliberation, I still don’t Don't worry, I ran up to take a look, I didn't expect to see you, big brother, the arrest warrants in the county have all been posted in our village, saying that your name is Wu Shanyazi, you are a prostitute, and that you killed two nationals before the Spring Festival. You did what the military officer did, right?"

Wu Ming's heart was shocked, and he pulled Tian Zhenggang over and sat down together: "What else did you hear?"

Tian Zhenggang thought for a while before answering: "The two officers and soldiers who came to deliver the order also said that you were also involved in the attack on the county seat last August, killing and injuring dozens of officers and soldiers, and robbing the county magistrate and rich gentry of their money and setting fire to it." Burned down the county government office and a dozen courtyards."

Wu Ming fell silent after hearing this, and nodded heavily after thinking for a moment: "So that's it, I understand!"

"Brother, what do you understand?" Tian Zhenggang asked eagerly.

"I understand a lot of things."

Wu Ming let out a long sigh, looked into the distance and said in a low voice: "Zhenggang, in August last year, there was a woman surnamed Wu in Wujia Village, west of Huanggu Town, who was hit and killed by the housekeeper of the Chen family. After burying my mother, I went into the Chen Mansion at night to take revenge, and was arrested and taken to the county prison after I missed it. I wonder if you have heard of this incident?"

"I've heard of it. It spread all over ten miles and eight villages. Alas! People in the village were talking about it in private. The widow surnamed Wu and her son were miserable enough. Poor! We are more than 20 miles away from Tianjia Village. Dashan doesn't usually communicate with each other, and I don't know whose family has been harmed."

Tian Zhenggang suddenly looked at Wu Ming in surprise: "Brother, you, you..."

Wu Ming nodded: "That's right, it was me. At that time, I failed to take revenge but was caught. The second young master of the Chen family led someone to beat me up. Before dawn, he took me to the county town and threw me into a prison. The guards in the prison My left arm was broken, my head was cracked four times, my whole body was wounded, and I was close to death. Fortunately, two kind-hearted men in the prison gave me a helping hand, so I was able to save my life. Then the Communist Red Guards suddenly broke into the county, They released me and let me flee northward with a group of people. Unexpectedly, the officers and soldiers of the security regiment came quickly and chased after them overnight. When shooting, I accidentally fell into a stone pit on the side of the road and passed out. I escaped unharmed, all the people with me were beaten to death and their heads were cut off. After waking up the next morning, I climbed out of the deep pit with only one breath left. Carried me back, saved my life and healed my wounds, and I stayed on the mountain."

Hearing this, Tian Zhenggang opened his eyes wide and opened his mouth wide. He stared blankly at Wu Ming who was gnashing his teeth, but couldn't say a word.

Wu Ming paused for a moment, with a wry smile on his face: "Zhenggang, I'm not a Communist, let alone a bandit, but I did kill those two Nanchang officers. I did evil in that ruined temple a few miles away. That day happened to be the day when the two brothers in your village were buried. I drank wine with you at noon. After dinner, I went shopping alone in the city. They took two women into the ruined temple on the north side of the fork to do evil. I rushed there without thinking, and stoned one to death while they were taking off their pants. I wrenched the neck of the other and took Sneaked back up the hill with their guns, and that's how it happened, and I don't regret it to this day."

"So, the gun that elder brother gave me was obtained from those two officers?" Tian Zhenggang finally understood.

Wu Ming nodded: "Yes, if you are afraid, just bury the gun quietly, and no one will find out about you."

"Brother, what are you talking about? You look down on me!" Tian Zhenggang suddenly stood up, blushing with excitement.

"Why do I look down on you? If I look down on you, will I tell you this?"

After Wu Ming finished speaking, he stretched out his hand to pull Tian Zhenggang to sit down: "Zhenggang, you are different from me. There are a lot of people in your family, old and young. If something happens, how can you be worthy of your family? But I am different. I stand up and lie down. The next one, even if the sky is pierced, it is a matter of one person, understand? If you still recognize me as a big brother, go home quickly, I am leaving too, this place is not safe, what can the officers and soldiers say When the time comes again, if God opens his eyes and allows me to escape smoothly, there will always be a day when our brothers will meet again."

"No! Brother, if you want to go, I will go with you. You are not the desperado they say, you are an upright man, and the benefactor of my Laotian family! Besides, all the intersections at the foot of the mountain are full of officers and soldiers. You don't know the way. Get out." Tian Zhenggang pushed Wu Ming's hand away and stood up, glaring at Wu Ming angrily.

Wu Ming looked around and scolded in a low voice: "Why are you shouting so loudly? Brainless! If you don't want to hurt your family, then hurry up and leave. I'm familiar with this area. I don't need your help. Take a little effort to climb over the back mountain. If you go down, you'll be there." The way to live, there is no ghost in that piece of wild forest for ten miles. After crossing the Qingshui River, to the east for more than twenty miles is Shitou Ridge. Shangrao is in control, even if they want to control it, they can’t control it. At that time, whether I go north to Anhui or east to Zhejiang, or go west for dozens of miles to Dexing County, I can do whatever I want. Who can do anything to me ?”

"But, you are alone, if something happens again, there will be no one to take care of you!" Tian Zhenggang was full of reluctance, tears welling up in anxiety, showing his strong brotherhood.

Wu Ming patted Tian Zhenggang on the shoulder, feeling very moved: "Zhenggang, good brother, don't worry about big brother, you also know that big brother's marksmanship is inferior, but his fist and kick skills are not worse than yours, and he still has a German-made bullet on his body. There are eight rounds left, enough for self-defense. In addition, the eldest brother can write and count, and can speak official Chinese. He is not afraid of traveling all over the world. Are you afraid of this mere mountain road? You go home and live a good life. In the future, you will have the opportunity to go out and mix yourself up. Come on, one day we brothers will meet again, I still owe you a pair of military leather shoes."

"Brother..." Tian Zhenggang couldn't help crying.

Wu Ming rubbed his sore nose, went into the cave and took out a small bundle on his back, put his arms around Tian Zhenggang's shoulders and sent him to the stream.

Tian Zhenggang quickly wiped away his tears, turned around and walked up the mountain with big strides, Wu Ming shook his head and followed quickly, climbed up the ridge to the steep pass down the mountain, grabbed Tian Zhenggang who was about to go down, and tried to persuade him, finally, Tian Zhenggang burst into tears. With the eyes of the mother-in-law, she left alone.

Tian Zhenggang stood blankly on the mountain ridge, and held back his tears until he couldn't see Wu Ming's figure. On the way back, he looked back frequently. He didn't know the pain after falling twice. Not long after walking down the mountain gate in a daze, I couldn't help but shed sad tears again.

At this time, Tian Zhenggang was only worried about how Wu Ming would escape, and when he would be able to reunite with this amiable, respectable and indomitable elder brother. How could he expect that the elder brother in his heart was not as calm and open-minded as he appeared on the outside, nor did he treat him well. To be honest, not only did he not escape as soon as possible, but in a fit of rage, he started a daring act of revenge.

At nightfall, Wu Ming, who had trekked for more than [-] miles across mountains and ridges, finally came to Shitou Ridge. He carefully detoured along the foot of the mountain, walked across the single-plank bridge to the col, and looked back at the familiar village with mixed feelings.

In the remaining twilight, a few wisps of cooking smoke rose from the sky over several low thatched houses, and the home I remembered not far away had collapsed walls and was lifeless.

Wu Ming looked to the south, his eyes crossed the small river, the mourning tomb could be vaguely seen under the hillside, and the remnants of the paper banners inserted on the tomb fluttered in the wind, making him look lonely.Wu Ming's lips twitched slightly, as if saying goodbye, but also as if unconsciously muttering, even he himself couldn't explain his feelings at this time.

Standing for a long time, Wu Ming tightened his burden belt in front of him, took a deep breath and continued eastward. He walked down the mountain and walked three miles. He slowed down and watched ahead vigilantly.

In the night, the ancient Huanggu Town is lit up with lights, and the semicircular moon hangs under the deep sky. The night wind in early spring is still cold, and only the rustling of the wind blowing the grass and trees can be heard occasionally.

Taking advantage of the moonlight, Wu Ming quickly left the main road and walked slowly among the weeds and bushes beside the road. Turning the bend of the small river, he immediately saw the dazzling horse lights at the intersection of Zhenxi Road.

Under the light a hundred meters away, two officers and soldiers in padded jackets with rifles on their shoulders stood beside a carriage, talking loudly with the servant of the Chen family who brought food and liquor. The housekeeper was hosting a banquet for several officers of the security regiment. The thirty or so brothers stationed in the town had food and drinks, and no one in the Chen family forgot the brothers who were guarding outside the town.

Wu Ming stopped in the tall chaotic grass, knelt on one leg and listened intently, carefully observed and waited patiently through the decaying thatch.

After the two servants delivered the things, they returned to the town in the carriage chattering. The two officers and soldiers returned to the thatched shed at the crossing, drinking and eating meat leisurely and chatting in low voices. They didn't take the task of guarding the blockade seriously at all.

When the time came, Wu Ming bent down and walked forward step by step, relying on the cover of the grass and trees to approach the grass shed quietly, stopped again at a distance of more than [-] meters from the grass shed, observed for a while, and quickly got out of the bushes and crossed the road, squatting under the roadbed to hide himself Hearing that the two people in the thatched shed were still talking nonsense about the chief, he tiptoed towards the thatched shed, and finally crawled behind a bush less than five meters away from the thatched shed, waiting for the opportunity motionless .

(End of this chapter)