Chapter 3

Muyang needed to first determine the time issue; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to focus on anything else. He pulled up the clock on his computer and adjusted his watch to match the computer's time. He noted the time: 8:55, and began the穿越.

It was still that same cornfield, with a gentle breeze blowing through the corn leaves. The sky was blue, and the clouds formed a picturesque autumn scene.

Feeling at ease, he stood in the cornfield for ten minutes, then silently recited the words to return to his home.

He quickly checked the computer clock and found that the time was still the same as when he left, as if no time had passed at all. Could it be that when he traveled to that space, his main timeline was stationary? If so, wouldn't he be able to use the main timeline without occupying its time?

This conclusion made Muyang extremely happy. It was definitely a cheat, an absolutely cheating setting.

But then he thought, would the time he spent in the dimensional space also count towards his own life? If he stayed in that space for several decades, wouldn't he return as an old man?

This was a problem. It seemed he still needed to be cautious. However, he decided not to worry about it for now. He was still young, and even if a few years passed, others would just think he matured early. As for the future, he would deal with it later. He still knew very little about this system, and it might not be as he imagined.

For now, the time stop seemed very beneficial to him. He no longer dwelled on this issue. The system had given him too many surprises. It was like getting the most fun game, and he was already somewhat addicted. He believed no one could resist the joy of exploring the unknown.

Moreover, Muyang was a person who loved adventure and travel. During university breaks, he had participated in several hiking trips. Although he hadn't been to places like the Tianshan or Kunlun Mountains, he had truly entered several large mountains and primeval forests, experiencing the thrill of adventure.

He opened a search engine and first looked up which year it was in the 33rd year of the Republic of China, which was 1944, the 21st day of the seventh lunar month. That would be September 8, 1944. Scrolling down the page, he found several search results and discovered that this day was quite famous.

On September 8, 1944, Mao Zedong delivered the famous speech "Serve the People" at the memorial service for Zhang Sidede, a soldier of the Central Guard Regiment in Yan'an. Although Muyang was not very familiar with the content of "Serve the People," these five characters were known to every Chinese person.

These five characters were written into the party constitution. As a student union cadre and a probationary party member at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Muyang had memorized the party constitution.

In September 1944, Japan's surrender was less than a year away. It seemed his luck was good, and the Japanese wouldn't last much longer.

However, Muyang didn't realize that after checking historical records, he found his thoughts were quite laughable. At that time, Japan was at its most疯狂. All of North China was under Japanese control, and the Three Alls Policy was implemented there. There were no fewer than a hundred sweeps each year, and tragedies occurred constantly. People lived under constant high pressure and terror.

He entered "Baxian" again, the place where Muyang would face the Japanese. He needed to understand it well. After checking, it was indeed Baxian County in Hebei Province, located in the eastern part of the Jizhong Plain, at the center of the triangle formed by Beijing, Tianjin, and Baoding.

It was 80 kilometers from Beijing, 70 kilometers from Tianjin, and 65 kilometers from the current provincial capital of Hebei, Baoding. A major road ran directly through Baxian, making it a relatively important node city.

He checked the Japanese garrison at that time and found only scattered information indicating that a Japanese battalion was stationed there, with a total of more than 1,200 people. However, this battalion was spread across three counties, including Baxian, 20 towns, and dozens of watchtowers. The number of Japanese soldiers in Baxian itself should not exceed 200, which was already a significant force for the Japanese, as Baxian was an important node city connecting Beijing and Baoding.

Of course, in addition to this battalion, there were no fewer than 2,000 puppet troops.

Muyang searched for a long time but couldn't find out who the battalion commander of the Japanese in Baxian was. He guessed it wasn't a famous person, and the position was too low. It would likely be recorded in county annals or some documents, which could not be found online and would require a visit to the library.

Muyang continued his preparations. What clothes should he wear? Should he wear a short jacket like an old man? That would be hard to find. Muyang thought about it and decided that since he was a student, he should wear a Zhongshan suit, which he would need to buy.

How would he solve the money issue? The Republic of China used silver dollars, and there was also the legal tender, but these were hard to obtain. Should he go to Panjiayuan to get some? That would be troublesome.

Muyang thought about it and decided to bring gold. If he needed money, he could exchange it at a local money shop. So he decided to go to a gold shop to buy a gold ring.

The hardest part would be the weapons. The country strictly controlled weapons, and even daggers couldn't be bought or sold freely, let alone other lethal weapons. He only had one dagger. Could he directly stab a Japanese soldier? That would be suicide, and he would likely be shot to death immediately.

Thinking of being riddled with bullets, Muyang shuddered.

No, he needed a ranged weapon. He couldn't risk his life just to fail to hit the Japanese. That would be a betrayal of his family.

A gun was out of the question; he couldn't get one and didn't dare to. But he could get a crossbow.

Deciding to act, Muyang took out his phone and made a call, then went downstairs and rode his mountain bike directly to Zizhugqiao.

Beijing Foreign Studies University, where Muyang studied, was only 2 kilometers from Zizhugqiao. His home was near the university, a solid third-ring property, so he often returned to stay.

He didn't need to take a bus or taxi to Zizhugqiao; riding a bike was faster and more convenient and environmentally friendly.

Zizhugqiao Guanyuan Flower, Bird, Fish, and Insect Market was Muyang's destination. He was there to meet a hiking friend he had met during a group tour, whose name was Pang Yuan, known as Fatso. He weighed at least 220 pounds and was a true enthusiast. He had a significant stall in the Guanyuan market, mainly selling wholesale and retail cultural play items, earning about 600,000 to 700,000 yuan a year, making him quite wealthy.

Fatso went on the tour for fun and to lose weight. His girlfriend said that if he didn't lose weight to 180 pounds before marriage, she wouldn't get married. Fatso was so worried that he decided to go on a long hike, combining travel and weight loss, achieving both goals.

Pang Yuan and Muyang got along very well during the trip and became friends. Sometimes friendships form so easily; two strangers can become close friends after just one conversation.

Muyang had also met Fatso's girlfriend during the trip. She was indeed very beautiful, which was why Fatso was so dedicated. Six months later, he successfully lost weight to 180 pounds, and they got married. Muyang attended the wedding and contributed to the dowry, even helping to decorate the bridal chamber.

However, Fatso's good times didn't last long. Within half a year of marriage, his body ballooned like a balloon, and now, more than a year later, he was back to 220 pounds, as stable as the State Grid.