Chapter 22 Chapter 21

The peak of Wutong Mountain was shrouded in layers of cold fog.A piece of gray that can't tell whether it's day or night, people are in it, as if they are in a illusory world, swimming by clouds. It was already half past three in the morning, Wutong Mountain was 900 feet above sea level, and they were now about 200 feet away from the top of the mountain.The moon was hidden in the clouds, but in the hazy moonlight, people could still make out the faces of people ten feet away. The group has rested in the olive grove for a while, and now they have climbed to the top of the mountain and waited for the dawn.Without a guide, no one can reach the top of the mountain in such a dark night.

The children were able to hold on, but Mr. Duan was so tired that he couldn't bear it any longer.Sitting on the autumn grass, they could hear the slight sound of dewdrops condensing and falling on the grass. They would never have attempted to reach the summit if they had not believed that the higher they climbed, the less likely they would be caught by patrols.If the patrols catch up at this time, they can spread out in all directions and hide in the mountains. At the moment, they feel safe. There was no wind, but it was bitterly cold.Can't see anything but nearby faces.Everyone huddled together in the cold.Although they need sleep, the cold alone makes it difficult for them to sleep.

Waiting and waiting, they are waiting for the last dawn in Red China.In one's life, sometimes you don't think about anything, because you don't know what to think about.The past is left in the thick fog behind them; today's future lies in the white under the mountain.Waiting, but not knowing what to wait for.Is it a fierce and bloody fight?Or was it a close call, an extremely thrilling escape?Or a lucky, smooth sneak out and all the Border Patrol falling asleep in one fell swoop, or being reassigned? About an hour later a bitter wind blew from the sea; all smells were blown away except the smell of nature.The wind doesn't seem to be blowing from a certain direction, but just swirls in the valley where they are.The fog gradually dissipated.The sky gradually brightened, and the scenery below the mountain was already faintly visible, with the outline of the lower ridge showing.To the west, another hazy mountain stands like a silent giant standing on a sea of ​​white clouds.

Cai Shan and Mao Peng left. They were going to see the other two groups of people who came up from the west. They might spend the night in a lower place. James is very hungry.Everyone was sitting on the grass, and he was wearing a trench coat.Yisu was also wrapped in a coat and scarf, as if sleeping.A few feet away, Mr. Duan was shaking, his head buried in his knees.Little Bud was sitting between his arms and knees, and on the ground was the raincoat that James had spread out for them.A little further on, several of the newcomers were lying on the ground, wrapped in blankets, their rifles by their side.

James untied his belt, grabbed some fried rice, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, he didn't want to wake up Isu. Suddenly a gust of wind blew over, bringing a drizzle that wet the grass.No one can do anything but sit down and hope it doesn't get bigger and bigger. James walked over and patted Mr. Duan gently. Is it cold?he asks. cold.I never thought it would be this cold up here. With hat and coat, James was not afraid of the cold.He advised Mr. Duan to get up and put on his raincoat, and he also advised Yi Su to get up and put on his raincoat.Yi Su pulled up the scarf to cover his head so that his hair wouldn't get wet.

The drizzle woke up Lao Ding, Mao Peng and others.None of them prepared for the rain, they sat up and bravely resisted the wind and rain.Lao Ding and his friends used to be earners at sea, and they didn't care what time the rain hit their faces.Lihua wrapped her hair in a plastic bag. There is no shelter from the rain here.If the rain is getting bigger and bigger, they have to go down the mountain and find a place to hide from the rain. get up.James said to Isu.Are you too tired to stand up? Yi Su raised his head, looking pitiful. It's best to get up and keep moving around to keep your body warm so you don't feel too cold.James said.

James helped her to her feet.She wrapped Xiao Ya'er in a raincoat and gently turned him over on his side.It was a difficult night; but, Yi Su thought, a child is a child after all, so he can fall asleep in his own way. My dad came out with us because of him.she says. Her old sweater, splashed in a few places, was still in good use.James wiped the water off her body and put his arms around her shoulders. The rain will stop soon.There are not as many clouds in the sky as yesterday.He said.Several bright spots have appeared in the sky, indicating that the sun will rise today.The slowly floating dark clouds, under the blowing of the wind, turned into pieces of clouds of various shapes, floating lazily in the sky.Seeing that James and Yi Su had gotten up and walked around, Fan Shitian also stood up.He also wore a plastic bag over his head.

You look so playful in that bag.Yi Su said with a smile. Yes, I know I don't dress like this for a dinner party.Still, it's useful.Didn't you also bring a few plastic bags? Yes, you asked me to bring it.However, I thought it was for crossing the river. These bags are there to keep things dry, including your head.When swimming across the river, we can put things in it, even a whole suit of clothes. what about the kids The Shenzhen River is very shallow in this area, and an adult can stand in the water and walk across most of the river.It's really just a stream, with concrete banks on both sides, sloping down on both sides.

Let's go over to the ridge and have a look.James said.He took out the last pack of cigarettes; there were only three cigarettes left in it, and he handed one to Fan Shitian, then carefully put the last one into his body pocket. They put their heads together, hats touched hats, and James struck a match, extinguished it, and struck a second. Be careful with your matches.Best to put in a plastic bag. I don't think so.Yi Su said: Give me that last cigarette, let me also taste the fun of smoking.I think you'll probably be in Liberty City next time you smoke. Listening to your tone of voice, as if you are already in Liberty City, that's great.Fan Shitian said.

Maybe you'll smell so much gunpowder tonight that you won't want to smoke anymore.You know, cigarettes are made of gunpowder.Isu said. how do you knowFan Shitian asked. There is a kind of saltpeter in the cigarette that is easy to burn, so the cigarette will not go out by itself, but the tobacco itself will go out.There is also nitrate in the fuze of the time bomb. She took a puff of smoke happily, raised her face up, and let the raindrops hit her face. Apparently, you like cigarettes. Yes. Are you not afraid of the smell of gunpowder? Although I don't like the smell of gunpowder, I'm not afraid of it either.Isn't the smell of firecrackers very good?I imagine gunpowder tastes about the same.I often think of the New Year's Eve when I was a child, and the city was filled with the smell of firecrackers.That firey smell really makes everyone happy.Well, let's just say, long live the last cigarette!

Fan Shitian laughed out loud.Didn't you suggest burning gunpowder instead of smoking? What's wrong?Yi Su said happily.If the whole room is filled with the smell of firecrackers or gunpowder, then no one wants to smoke. The three of them puffed together, took several deep puffs, laughed at each other, and finally dropped their cigarette butts on the floor like a champagne flute. Come on, let's go and see.James said. Yi Su was in a particularly high spirits this morning, and he didn't know why, probably because he was going to cross the border tonight.Leaning in James' arms, she walked up with them to get a better view. Where they are, there is no doubt that it is a mountainous area.The continuous mountains and mountains, from the left and right sides, and the opposite bank of the border, come into view.There is a long and narrow silver-gray belt underneath, which is the Shenzhen River. It runs from east to west and is quite straight. There are white concrete bunkers at both ends of the river.A little further to the west, the river is hidden from view by the hills.Between the two hills, there is a mountain trail leading from the inland to the border. There are several sections, which can be seen clearly because there is no shade of lush trees. James took out his pocket compass and kept an eye on the direction. They saw Cai Shan coming, and from the wide-brimmed fisherman's hat and leggings he was wearing, they could recognize a fellow traveler in uniform.That's Mao Peng. What do you think of Mao Peng?James asked. I think he's not bad.From what I observed at the patrol station last night, he was very organized.But planning is one thing.Actually fighting is another matter.Except under the fire of real guns, you never know what a person's performance will be like. The other two who were with us didn't seem too bad either.Fan Shitian continued.All strong, muscular guys.Last night, I saw Lao Ding's face in the light as he walked into the patrol station with a bloody knife in his hand.He seemed to be enjoying himself quite a bit. You never know for sure how things are going to happen.James said: They were all peasants after all, and had never served in any regular army.At that time, some people are likely to behave violently.And when they kill a party committee, they also have good reasons. They probably lost their wives, or children, or lost their ancestral property.But once the battle begins, everyone is only for himself.They were likely to be so engrossed in killing that they forgot about crossing the river. Mao Peng seemed to be the commander of our group.Or he thinks so.I must speak to him about his plans for the non-combatants, women and children.James said. This was not at all my original plan.I don't want any bloodshed. Maybe they are nice people.When I first saw a pair of binoculars hanging on Huang's chest, I had a good impression of them. Have you ever lived where poisonous snakes infested it?I have lived, I have lived in this kind of place full of poisonous snakes for ten years.The way I deal with it is: don't disturb the poisonous snake; just walk carefully.I never believed there was any good in beating snakes.I'd rather work with Viper.That's why I've lived with them all these years.Those people are all like African vipers.They won't give you a chance.I believe in Lao Tzu's way of life.He said that in a war, those who dare not dare live, and those who do not want to fight are the winners. You don't really believe this nonsense, do you? I believe.Only those with compassion can conquer the enemy.Yes, it is not that he does not use troops, but he only uses them when it is absolutely necessary, and stops when they run out.When you win, let it go, and mourn for those who were slaughtered in the war.This is the spirit of Lao Tzu. Mao Peng and Cai Shan were close enough to talk to them. Hello! We have to go up and join them.I'll take you down, and then I'm leaving.Cai Shan said. It was getting brighter; the rain had stopped.The people below started to move, and most of them had already sat up or stood up.Little Ya'er was still asleep. Mao Peng was giving orders. We're going to join them now.They are in a nice wood.Walk carefully, don't slip and fall.Some places are wet and rotten.From now on, if you hear gunshots, just drop to the ground and don't run until the gunshots stop.