Chapter 9

First Platoon's leader is named Wu Gui. Although he isn't very educated and rose from the ranks as a common soldier, he is cautious and has plenty of battlefield experience. He arranged the main force of the first platoon in three houses not far apart, forming a triangular position. The houses were close enough to provide mutual cover, with two Czech light machine guns placed on the flanks. A few scouts were stationed in the courtyards between the three main defensive points, and the third platoon was positioned in a small building at the back of this triangle, forming a diamond shape. If they were to launch an offensive, this formation would be too conservative and difficult to deploy, but for defense, it was as solid as a rock.

After the initial panic, the third company commander and the first platoon leader finally got the defensive system up and running. The machine guns on the flanks began to provide cross-cover fire, grenades started flying over the walls, and sporadic shots were fired. The Japanese forces, with limited numbers, made a brief, probing attack but withdrew after leaving over a dozen bodies, retreating out of range.

"Commander, Commander, the Japanese seem to have retreated."

"I can see that. What are you shouting for?" The third company commander poked his head out the window and scanned the area. Seeing that the Japanese had indeed retreated, he pulled his head back and leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette.

"That good-for-nothing Huang Ya, not only did he take the second platoon, but he almost got me killed too." He flicked the match after lighting his cigarette and continued, "Didn't they say the second battalion would come up? Where are they? The Japanese have already been here, and the second battalion is even worse than the Japanese. What a joke."

As he spoke, a communication soldier from the battalion climbed in through the back window.

"Report. The battalion commander orders the first battalion to hold their current positions, observe carefully, and prevent the enemy from slipping through. No unauthorized actions."

The third company commander listened to the report and said to the communication soldier, "Hey, I was just wondering. You're the battalion commander's right-hand man, so you should know. Didn't they say the second battalion would come up? Why haven't we seen them yet?"

"Second battalion? Oh, the regiment changed the plan. The regiment commander said this vanguard of the Japanese wouldn't be too numerous, and it's not worth fighting a street battle head-on. So, the second battalion was rerouted to the riverbank to flank the Japanese along with the third battalion and attack the dock."

Zhao Yong looked at the rows of bullet holes in the wooden wall on the second floor and the mess inside. He patted the big guy's shoulder and said, "My goodness, Commander Hu is lying on the floor, and the platoon leader is hiding under the bed. You, with your big frame, managed to stand in the corner without getting hit. What kind of god are you worshipping? Tell me, and I'll worship him too."

The big guy's face turned red, still feeling scared. After Commander Hu's warning, the platoon leader quickly hid under the broken bed, but he was slow to react and didn't understand the situation. The shocking scene began to unfold right before his eyes. He had been suppressed by machine guns in trenches and streets before, but it didn't feel like much. He always thought he was brave and fearless, but when it happened indoors, he was scared like a new recruit, his legs went weak, and he collapsed against the wall, unable to move except for his rapidly dilating pupils.

Wang Laokou sat on the broken bed, smoking. "Zhao Yong, you should be more careful in the future. You climbed up and started crying over the big guy, making me think he was dead."

"He was standing there with his eyes wide open, like a wooden stick. How was I supposed to know..." Zhao Yong stopped talking and sat down next to Wang Laokou. "Platoon leader, we ran all night in the rain. Look at our clothes; they're still soaking wet. We're cold and tired. The Japanese have retreated for now, but this building is exposed, and we've already fired our guns. We might get hit by a sniper or a grenade launcher at any moment. I say we all go downstairs and sleep. The first platoon is in front of us anyway."

Wang Laokou exhaled a puff of smoke. "You'll die like this. If you sleep in these wet clothes, you'll get sick and won't be able to get up. With no medicine, I'll have to bury you in a pit within three days. Believe me?"

Zhao Yong pouted and said nothing. Wang Laokou also thought about it. Zhao Yong was right about one thing: the Japanese had retreated, and the small building was now exposed. The company commander had given the third platoon this unlucky task as a form of revenge, which was worrying.

Hu Yi loaded four bullets into his gun, filled the magazine, and leaned the gun against the wall. He then stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and patted his hands, walking down the stairs.

"Big guy, you're a soldier now. You need to have the awareness of a soldier. Get up and start working."

The big guy, afraid of being ignored, quickly stood up from the corner, his dirty face breaking into a smile. He saluted awkwardly, "Yes, Brother Hu. Whatever you say, I'll do it without hesitation."

Hu Yi found a bucket and walked to the water barrel to fetch water, not looking back as he said, "Search all the houses in the two alleys around here. Bring back anything edible."

"Ah? Okay! I'll go right away." The big guy was good at this task and left the room before finishing his sentence.

Wang Laokou and Zhao Yong could hear the conversation upstairs. Zhao Yong turned to Wang Laokou, "Platoon leader, did you hear that? He's already starting to act like an officer. He won't even spare a child who can't even hold a gun. What if he runs into the Japanese?"

Wang Laokou didn't understand Hu Yi's plan either. He was puzzled when Hu Yi came back upstairs with a bucket of water.

Hu Yi didn't like pity or sympathy. He only believed in 'righteousness.' The big guy's determined words in the mud last night had impressed Hu Yi. Despite his young age, he was a man. A man should do manly things, regardless of age. Hu Yi had been carrying weapons and raiding with bandits since he was eight. If he didn't, he wouldn't get a share of the food. Who could he complain to? Besides, the big guy was quite clever and better at finding food than the big guy and Zhao Yong. If there were Japanese nearby, Hu Yi believed he could avoid them, and the Japanese might not even notice him.

With puzzled looks from Wang Laokou, Zhao Yong, and the big guy, Hu Yi lifted the bucket and poured the water onto the wooden wall on the second floor. It splashed and dripped to the ground. He went downstairs and brought another bucket to continue pouring water.

"Is he crazy? Did he hit his head?"

Wang Laokou couldn't sit still anymore. He threw away his cigarette, patted his butt, and stood up. "Little Hu, what are you doing?"

"In a while, we'll set fire to the other side of the wooden wall. We're wetting this side to prevent the fire from spreading too quickly."

Zhao Yong's jaw almost dropped when he heard Hu Yi's words. "What? You're pouring water to start a fire? Are you crazy? Platoon leader, he's definitely lost it."

Wang Laokou didn't believe Hu Yi was crazy. Instead, he found Hu Yi's idea interesting. "Little Hu, hold on. Can you explain your plan? We can work together."

Hu Yi put down the bucket, shook the water off his hands, and answered calmly, "We'll set fire to one side of the second floor. When the Japanese see the building on fire and no more gunfire, they won't target us anymore. We can use the fire to dry our clothes. If the big guy can find some food, we can have breakfast too. Relying on the cooks to bring us food, we might starve."

"What if the fire gets too big and burns down the whole building?" the big guy interjected, looking dumbfounded.

Wang Laokou's eyes lit up. "Hehe... Hahaha... Big guy, this isn't your wedding house. Why are you worried? It's better if it burns down. We won't be sitting ducks anymore." He punched Hu Yi on the shoulder. "Little Hu, you're something else. I can't help but admire you. I, Old Wang, have a lot to learn from you." He turned to Zhao Yong and ordered, "When the fire starts, go report to the company commander. Tell him it was a Japanese bullet that broke a kerosene lamp, and everything is normal. Don't make him nervous."

They got to work immediately. The big guy and Zhao Yong took over the water-fetching task, even pouring water on the ceiling. Wang Laokou pulled the broken bedding from the bed and piled it in the corner of the dry wooden wall, lighting it with a match.

A small, weak flame slowly crept along the edge of the bedding, growing and spreading, eventually reaching the wooden wall and crackling. In the firelight, the four pale, tired faces gradually turned warm and rosy.