Chapter 23 Chapter Twenty Two

We're pretty safe on this.Huang told the newcomers that they were gathering in a wood.When you see someone passing by on the path below, don't move.I don't think the patrols would come all the way up to make trouble.We started down the mountain at four o'clock.At this time, everyone spread out and found a hidden place to rest. Would you like to say a few words?He turned to his colleague, Zhu Bada, his second-in-command, if he could be called that. Zhu Bada straightened his chest, because he was used to hunchback.I've said it to our people, and now I'm going to say it to you again.Our chances of success lie in staying out of sight of the patrol before dark, and if we can catch the patrol off guard, we're halfway there.If they find us before we go down the mountain, we will lose half the battle.

His words were short but effective. A round of winter sun breaking through the clouds, although it is faint and faint, it still brings joy to everyone's heart.Dark clouds still hung over most of the sky, but to the west, far away clouds glowed pink against a corner of clear blue sky.Everyone longs for the sun to come out and dry their clothes.Man, there is no need to beg for mercy from nature more than at this time.Darkness was also what they needed to cover their crossing.All they had left was just a few hours.In this short period of time, what they urgently need is a little warmth and a little sunshine to keep them dry and comfortable.Yes, dry and comfortable, nothing else matters.

The Shenzhen River was still six hundred feet below their feet, almost at sea level.The eagle was circling in mid-air just below.On a small road where the two mountains meet, there is a large area of ​​woods and plants.Trees seem to like to grow at a certain height. Most of Wutong Mountain is bare, and only the top of the mountain is covered with a layer of yellow grass.It looked like the trees were going up the hillside, and when they reached a certain height, they liked the place and decided to pitch their tents and stay.The wind whistled above the woods, but as soon as it touched the leaves, it sprinkled the sound of tiny crickets.Insects, too, are sentient.They heard the intermittent chirping of crickets in the jungle above. Although the crickets sang loudly and loudly from the jungle, the summer cicadas had been silenced by the approach of autumn; on the ground, there were crawling red ants.

Huang has a square jaw and juvenile baldness; he is of medium build, but has a straight back.Puffy bags had slowly developed under his eyes; when he spoke, he wore an affable smile that showed a set of crooked teeth.He is a man who is sure of himself. James and Fan Shitian waited quietly.Huang was busy asking Lao Ding and Mao Peng what happened last night. Great, great.he said, examining two captured rifles.We can use these two guns. We can also take advantage of these two patrol uniforms.Zhu Bada said.Zhu Bada was tall and slender, and he had a broken voice when he spoke, just like a little rooster who can't learn how to crow; but because of his low voice, he didn't find it unpleasant.He was a little stooped, and his hair was cut very low, reaching around his ears and the nape of his neck.He doesn't look too tidy but who is tidy on a morning like this?He was one of the main planners of this escape; he put forward many ideas; he also experienced the Korean War, but he did not have Huang's personality that likes to command people.

For example, at this time, half of the people wore black headscarves, which was also one of Zhu Bada's ideas.A turban is the best weapon for strangling an enemy from behind, and knotted together it makes a useful rope.He had come up with these ideas when he was still at the state-run Hirayama Farm. Huang looked curiously at the group of women and children. Mao Peng introduced Fan Shitian and James to them. Huang showed his crooked teeth and said: When you came down, I saw two people wearing patrol uniforms, and I was really flustered for a while; I thought you were surrounded.I think you guys did a good job last night.I hope we can have such a good performance.

What happened? Nothing happened.We got here around three o'clock, wondering where you were hiding.He turned to James and asked: Is your gun still there?James nodded. What about bullets? There are five rounds. Not too much, is it? At this time Ah Zhao came over and reported that Cai Shan was going back.Cai Shan walked towards them, striding forward with leggings. Aren't you going with us?asked Huang. no.I have brought them here.Now they are in the hands of a good commander. Fan Shitian and James thanked him for his hard work.Fan Shitian paid him and praised him, saying that they would not forget him and would recommend him to others in the future.

Fan Shitian and James were eager to know what the plan was and how to arrange for these women and children. Sorry, there are more non-combatants than combatants in our group.I worry that these women and children will be a burden to you.Fan Shitian said. Indeed.how many people? Three women, Ah Zhao, and two other children. When I asked your English friend to join us that night, I thought you were only three men.He looked over their shoulders at the group in the woods.let's see. This is my wife, and this is his wife.Fan Shitian said.We just added another person to our gang.I found a child in a cave, almost starving to death.He had been here before, because his parents fell to their death on Yanziya, so he fled back.I had to take him with me.

This is my father-in-law, and this is my wife's youngest niece.James added. It doesn't matter.Now that they are here, come with us.I keep my word.Now, we have to do a little sentry work before we find out.What to do, what to do. There was a low hum in the sky, as if a plane was flying by.Some people rushed out of the woods to see, the sound came down with the wind, but was blocked by thick clouds, it was difficult to determine the direction.The voice boomed for a while, and then gradually disappeared into the distant sky. Occasionally, when the clouds suddenly opened up, the voice came again.

They didn't know what the sound would be. There were no anti-aircraft guns here. There were no anti-aircraft guns here, only near the Pearl River Estuary and Guangzhou.The sound seemed to fade away to the west. Huang watched through the telescope, from this angle to that angle, searching for a black object.Suddenly, in an instant, he saw a shining silver light across the sky, heading west, about ten kilometers away, the sky was clear and clear. It must be Chiang Kai-shek's plane.Ah Zhao said. Possibly an American plane, or a British reconnaissance plane.It may even be a plane from mainland China.

It will not be the plane of the Communist Party.Zhu Bada said: Since the defeat in the skies over the Taiwan Strait in October last year, the Communist Party's planes have been hiding.Sidewinder missiles shot down every Communist plane. During the Dragon Boat Festival last time, we saw Chiang Kai-shek’s plane drop food packages and spread leaflets in Huiyang.Ah Zhao said. Huang's eyes scrutinized Ah Zhao. how old are you? Fifteen. You are lying.He was actually only fourteen years old.Fan Shitian said with a conniving smile on his face. I was fifteen years old.You ask pear blossoms.Anyway, you can't prove that I'm only fourteen.

Stop it!Fan Shitian said.Then he said: He is indeed a good scout.We cannot do without him. Ah Zhao smiled happily.He hasn't learned to hide his pride yet. Even Huang had to like him.He couldn't help it.He asked James: Is he a relative of your wife?Or a relative of Fan Shitian. He is my wife's adopted son.Fan Shitian answered for him. Ah Zhao opened his mouth.I'm not going to tell this officer you're lying.Saying that, Ah Zhao ran away in a flash. What a smart kid.Zhu Bada said. He used to be a pickpocket king.Fan Shitian said. Huang stopped and thought for a while.He raised his index finger and shouted: Ah Zhao, come here. Ah Zhao turned his head and grinned.He put his hands in his pockets, pretending to be an adult, and walked slowly over. I have something for you to do.you wait here. He called Tan San and Gao Wei.Both of them tried to smuggle across the river, Gao Wei once, and Tan San tried three times, but they were all caught and sent back.Gao Wei fled once when he was still in South Korea, but failed.Tan San once wanted to cross over from Lema Island in the west of the border.The section of Shenzhen River over there is about 30 to 40 feet wide, but because the nearby rice fields are flooded, it is almost impossible to tell which is the river and which is the field.It was May, and the area was flat.He sneaked past in the dark.Just as he took off his clothes and put them in plastic bags to swim across the river, the searchlights of the Communist Party shone on him.When he ran to get rid of the searchlight, he was caught by a dark figure.Because the searchlight was on him, he couldn't see anything, like an actor standing on a dark stage, he was subdued and had to bow his head and capture him.Both of them are familiar with the terrain of the border. Tan Sanren is very thin, and there is often a faint smile on his lips.Gao Wei has a solid figure and long legs, but like a veteran who has gone through vicissitudes, he has a face that does not show emotion. He moves his mind very quickly, but he is so calm that others cannot see it. Come, put on these two patrol uniforms, and slung your rifles over your shoulders, and let me see. Tan San and Gao Wei quickly put on patrol uniforms and cloth caps, while Ah Zhao stood by and watched. How do they look?Huang asked Zhu Bada for his opinion. not bad.Zhu Bada said, and patted Gao Wei's belt and said, "Tighten it tighter." I'm sending you guys to do some reconnaissance.Huang explained.Find out how many patrols are around here, and how strong are they?You have to pretend to be the guards of Pearl Village.If anyone asks you, you just say that the phone line is down; you are going to Liyuan headquarters to fix it, understand?This is a dangerous task.Would you like to go? I think I can do it.Gao Wei said, looking sideways at Tan San. Tan San nodded and smiled slightly as an answer. Then, remember to walk close to the east, and when you come back, follow the mountain path leading to Liyuan.Zhao, you find a high place to watch them, but you must not be found.If something happens to them, try to come back and report it quickly, but don't run away.If someone shoots at you, get down on the ground.Hide and don't let people see you. I bet you can't even see me.Ah Zhao patted his chest and said, with a mischievous look on his face. Huang spread the map on the ground and squatted on his heels.Tan San and Gao Wei squeezed together, looking down from his shoulder.A main road, winding along the river, leads to Liyuan in the north after connecting a small road between the two mountains. I know there is a searchlight at the junction here, and there are usually seven or eight patrols stationed there. Are there machine gun emplacements? I don't know.One or two carbines at most.They are not combat troops; they are used only to catch fleeing refugees. Huang folded up the map, and everyone straightened up. When they were about to leave, Huang looked around and asked: Where is Zhao? They didn't even see the shadow of Ah Zhao. The child!Zhu Bada stared at Huang with disbelief and said.He is already in hiding.We could use a few more people like this. Huang patted his thigh and laughed loudly, but still looked attentively at the surrounding hillsides.Ah Zhao is already working as his scout happily and seriously. After a full two hours, the scouts came up from the north slope.At this time, the sun was shining brightly, and the scouts came out from behind the woods, and they could not be seen below the mountain. They spread out, or sat, squatted, or lay down to bask in the sun.Most people are enjoying a deep sleep after a stressful night.They were peaceful and serene, like a flock of sheep.The sun is like a blanket covering everyone.The dust had formed hard lumps on their shoes, hands, ankles, and necks.The broad and big red leaves of several wild persimmon trees trembled slightly in the sun.Xiao Ya'er twirled his grandfather's beard, parted the sideburns for a while, and pinched them in the palm of his hand for a while. Mr. Duan lay on the ground, enjoying the joy of feeding his grandson to his heart's content. Huang was lying sprawled on the floor, covering his eyes with his arms, his stomach rising and falling with his breathing. Ah Zhao appeared, bent down and pulled him hard.He moved his arm away, frowned in surprise, and sat up quickly. They come up.Ah Zhao said softly, with a satisfied expression, like a shepherd dog leading a flock of sheep home. Huang stood up.Two thin figures slowly walked up the slope.Their bodies are blocked by raised highlands. Ah Zhao ran downhill and ran towards them. You little elf!Where have you been?I thought you lost it.Tan San said. I can see you.You can't see me.Ah Zhao said. They climbed up the slope slowly, and when they reached a flat place, Huang and Zhu Bada waved their hands to welcome them.The last section of the hill was relatively steep, and the two couldn't help panting for breath.The rest of the people gathered together and listened to what Huang asked them. We went down until the point where the ridge jutted out into the water, almost directly opposite the British police station on the hill across the river.Tan San said: We want to scout the entire area, so that others will think that we are patrolling soldiers who came around from Pearl Village. Have you encountered a patrol? There is a patrol station at Shajingtou.A guard stood outside.We can see it from above; we don't have to go through it at all.There is also a large paddy field that stretches all the way to the sea.After walking about half a mile, we encountered the first patrol. How many are they? four people.All with rifles.They look listless.Two soldiers were sitting on the ground with their guns beside them. Have you spoken to them yet? Just exchanged a few pleasantries.A soldier sitting on the ground looked up at us and asked where we were going.I said to report to Liyuan headquarters.They are not interested at all. Where the hell is this patrol? It's on the path from Shajingtou, about a hundred feet above the paddy fields.Shenzhen is just half a mile away. Did you say there were only four people on the patrol? Yes, two standing, carrying guns; two sitting on the grass.I think they are waiting to go down for lunch. As soon as you left, I saw them go on the road to the sea.Ah Zhao interjected. What else did you see?He asked Ah Zhao. Afterwards there was no sign of them for some time, for the road was too close to the cliff.I climbed up again and saw them coming down the road again. Shut up!Tan San said: There is a sharp turn, the road on our left is very steep, almost at that point, we take the road from Liyuan to the border.That part of the road is quite difficult, mostly thorny bushes and rolling stones.We were also on the Shenzhen River; about a hundred yards from a big patrol station. what is that place It is Jinkouzhen, on the way from Liyuan to the border.There were several farmhouses, and a searchlight protruding from a ledge about ten feet high. Did you meet the patrol there? We walked right up to them.They thought we were theirs.I can speak Tamsui. Where are you going?One of them asked us very earnestly. Our phone is broken and we have to go up and find someone to fix it. How many are they?asked Huang. More than a dozen, all with guns.One of them asked us if we saw anyone coming from the north.I told him no. So you don't think there will be refugees coming this way? I said: No, luckily we'll be back at the patrol station before dark. Huang took out the map, spread it out in his hands, and then folded it into a small piece to reveal important areas.He re-read the route and asked Tan San to point out a few places, which he marked with a pen. He walked a few yards away and sat down with Zhu Bada to study the strategy. Obviously, Jinkouzhen, where the big patrol station is located, and Beikongao, further west, are two dangerous strongholds.To the east of Jinkou Town is a flat field with rice fields stretching all the way to the sea.Anyone trying to cross the paddy fields would be easily spotted by the searchlights.As for the right, further west they might be caught between two patrols.A head-on conflict seems inevitable. At this time, James and Fan Shitian came over. Can we hear your plans? Huang looked up and saw them, and immediately gestured for them to sit down.James and Fan Shitian sat down slowly.James took a long piece of grass in his hand and bit it in his mouth. We're going down the mountain at sunset.It's about four or five o'clock and I'll see it later.The success of our operation depended on not being detected by patrols until we entered the border.From here it was a good two miles to go.There are too many of us, and so many women and children.And you can't use a flashlight.There will be no moon tonight.However, I believe that Jinkouzhen must have some lights.We're going in that direction. Hey, come here!Huang gestured to Tan San and Gao Wei to come over, and Zhu Bada sat on the ground with his legs stretched to one side and his body propped up with one hand. You're not going to attack that big patrol station, are you?Fan Shitian asked. You have to ask the two people who have scouted over there to know. How far is the patrol station from the river?Huang asked Tan San and Gao Wei. About a hundred yards or so. How many people did you say there were there? I guess there are a dozen.Counting sixteen is a little more secure.Of course, they can attack both sides. How is the situation on the road nearby? Most of the places near the sea are sandy and gravel.We walked on stone and dirt. Huang licked his lips and asked Zhu Bada: What do you think? Is there any place to ambush there?Zhu Bada asked the two scouts. have.About four hundred yards from the patrol station was a valley with the road between two hills.Beyond this valley, it was completely level ground, leading straight to the patrol station. Oops.Fan Shitian said. James asked to see a map, and Zhu Bada handed him a simple sketch on the back of a notebook. it's here.Zhu Bada pointed out to him the place to enter the valley. If the road in front of the patrol station is straight and level, we cannot attack head-on.James said: Although we have a large number, we only have eight or nine guns. We have become the best targets. The more people there are, the more casualties will be.So, obviously, we should lure them out first, where there is an ambush.The only advantage we have is that we can hide in the dark and attack them by surprise. Gao Wei looked at the sketch, tilted his head, and said with a smile on his lips: In South Korea, I once saw a whole company of US troops lured into a defile and killed to none.This was on my mind as I passed by there on my return trip.That part of the road, about a hundred yards long, was full of boulders and trees on both sides.On the high piers on both sides is the best ambush area. What about the woman and the child?James asked. We're going to be divided into three teams.Huang said.Mao Peng is with you, Zhu Bada and I lead the rest, the two teams are about fifty yards apart, but keep in touch at all times.Your team, I think, may have to hide and come out after all the actions are completed.How is your marksmanship? I dare not call myself a first-rate gunslinger, said James, but within fifty or sixty yards I can hit every shot.what do you want me to do Gao Wei is a good shooter, and there are two or three other people who have used guns before. My friend Zhu Bada is a sharp shooter.The rest are not experts.My concern is the searchlight.I'm going to knock out the searchlights before we even get close to the patrol station.The lamp was about the size of two human heads.Can you do it? All right, as long as it's within fifty or sixty yards. This is the first thing we will do.If we could get rid of the searchlights, everything else would be much easier.This is everyone's opportunity.Make or break it.Zhu Bada will go with you.Let's lure the guards out of the patrol station first, then you go in, and retreat as soon as the searchlights are knocked out. That's no problem.James said quietly. We'll watch you from a distance, and I'll send some good men to lure them out onto the road.Are you satisfied?He holds out his hand. James shook his hand, shook it, and said, Satisfied.