Chapter 15

Hu Hao led the guards forward, carefully exploring to find where the Japanese reconnaissance outpost was. Hu Hao crouched and walked at the front, not daring to take the main road, only moving through the shrubs by the roadside. Behind him, about ten soldiers carried ammunition boxes.

"Stop," Hu Hao signaled the soldiers behind him with his hand, and he squatted down. Xiao Li and the soldiers behind him also squatted down.

"What's up, Haozi, are there Japanese up ahead?" Xiao Li asked.

"Look over there, there's a Japanese hidden outpost," Hu Hao pointed to a shrub about 1 kilometer away.

"Where? I can't see it!" Xiao Li stared for a while but couldn't spot the Japanese outpost.

"Alright, stop looking, Xiao Li. You arrange for two soldiers to stay here and guard. Once the Japanese troops pass, signal with gunfire to let them know to run back on the small path," Hu Hao said.

"Okay, Xiao Zhang, Liuzi, and Shanpao, you stay here. If the Japanese come, signal with gunfire and run back on the small path. Don't engage them head-on, got it?"

The three nodded. Hu Hao turned and walked back, taking a turn where he estimated the Japanese outpost couldn't see him, then started walking on the main road. At this point, the political commissar led many civilians over.

"Liuzi, how's it going? Where is the Japanese outpost now?" the political commissar asked.

"Commissar, you lead the civilians to dig the road from here. You dig in front, and we'll plant mines behind. As long as we plant a section, we'll be safe even if the Japanese come," Hu Hao said.

"Alright, I'll arrange it," the commissar said and walked away.

Hu Hao called the other soldiers to his side and said, "Let's go plant mines on the side of the road first. Once the civilians finish digging the road, we'll plant more mines along the roadside. Now, follow me, and I'll teach you how to plant mines."

"Okay," the other soldiers nodded.

So, Hu Hao led the soldiers to plant mines where the Japanese could pass on the roadside.

"See this? If the Japanese encounter mines on the main road, they'll definitely try to find a way to pass through the side. This is the path they must take. It's a shrub, and the Japanese usually look at their feet, not the sides or above," Wang Wankai explained to the soldiers.

"We'll tie some wires to the branches of the shrubs. When the Japanese touch the branches, it will trigger the mines and explosive packages. Watch me plant the mines."

He picked up a hand grenade and an explosive package and said, "Don't come too close; too many footprints will alert the Japanese. Just watch from a distance, and I'll explain."

The other soldiers carefully watched as Hu Hao planted the mines.

Hu Hao explained while planting, teaching them how to hide the mines, how to arrange the wires, and how to create false impressions to mislead the Japanese. After the soldiers learned, Hu Hao followed each one to plant two mines, and they all basically mastered it, planting with great enthusiasm.

By this time, the civilians had already destroyed about 1 kilometer of the road. Hu Hao called Xiao Li and said, "Go gather the soldiers. If they don't come back now, they'll have no way out. Now we don't have to worry about the Japanese coming; the road is already destroyed."

After Xiao Li went to gather the soldiers, Hu Hao planted mines and explosive packages on the road by himself.

After planting for the entire afternoon, he finally reached the location where the regiment would set up an ambush. Hu Hao looked at his work and nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's go back. We've been busy all afternoon. The Japanese will have a hard time," Hu Hao called the soldiers to return.

Back at the regiment headquarters, Colonel Zhang and the chief of staff were discussing matters. Hu Hao went in and said, "Brother, where's my dinner?"

Colonel Zhang looked up and glared at him, asking, "Are the mines planted well? Will they work?"

"What do you mean 'will they work'? They must work. If you don't believe me, just wait. The Japanese won't be able to come here in three to five days," Hu Hao said. "I gave you all the hand grenades from last time, and I planted a lot of explosive packages. If they don't work, I'll have to deal with you."

"Relax, brother. I want to go monitor the Japanese on the roadside. What do you think?" Hu Hao asked.

"Huh? Monitor the Japanese? What are you up to?" Colonel Zhang asked.

"Brother, think about it. I planted so many mines. The Japanese will definitely try to clear them. What if I go and take out the mine-clearing soldiers? What do you think will happen?" Hu Hao said excitedly.

"Not much!" Colonel Zhang said angrily.

"What do you mean 'not much'? If I take out the mine-clearing soldiers, the Japanese won't be able to come," Hu Hao said quickly.

"Take out the mine-clearing soldiers? There are over 10,000 Japanese, not just 10. You're going to get yourself killed," Colonel Zhang scolded. "They'll have guns, and you won't have anywhere to hide."

"Brother, don't worry. I'll stay far away, and they won't hit me, okay?" Hu Hao continued.

"How can you guarantee they won't hit you? Do the Japanese guns listen to you?" Colonel Zhang said. "Stay in the trench. If I find out you went out on your own, I'll skin you alive."

"Brother, let me go. You know my aim is good. I can take out the Japanese from a distance. They won't hit me. Besides, if I go, I can take out Japanese officers," Hu Hao tried to persuade him.

"Take out officers, take out officers, I'll make you take out officers," Colonel Zhang said, immediately getting physical. "You want to go kill the Japanese and their officers? First, you need to stay alive."

"Brother, I just want to go kill the Japanese. Let me go, and I promise I'll come back safely," Hu Hao said, dodging.

"No, absolutely not. Stay here. From now on, you're not allowed to leave the command post or out of my sight. If you dare to go, I'll shoot you. Dying by my hand is better than dying by the Japanese; at least I can give you a proper burial," Colonel Zhang said.

"Brother, I want to go!" Hu Hao couldn't find any more reasons to persuade his brother.

"Even if you want to, you're not allowed. Eat your dinner! I don't have time to argue with you. There's a lot to do. Finish your dinner and sit here," Colonel Zhang said, walking to the meeting table to look at the map.

Hu Hao opened his food box, which contained steamed buns and a few pieces of meat. He ate fiercely, as if trying to vent his anger over not being allowed to go to the front.

After finishing his meal, Hu Hao looked outside. It was already dark. Hu Hao thought, since the Japanese won't come tonight, he might as well get a good night's sleep. He spread out his bedding, placed his gun by his side, and started sleeping in the command post. Colonel Zhang felt relieved once he saw Hu Hao sleeping.