Chapter 23

Hu Hao just reached the next shelter and found that the Japanese had started to set up camp, "How can the Japanese be so calm! They set up camp so quickly."

Hu Hao didn't think too much about it. Since the Japanese had stopped, he wouldn't provoke them either, but he wouldn't retreat. Who knew when the Japanese would start moving again.

A cold north wind blew, and Hu Hao hugged his arms. It was still a bit cold in the northwest in November. Hu Hao looked back, hoping to find Xiao Li and the others to bring him some clothes. If that didn't work, he could bring the blanket he brought. He couldn't just freeze here tonight. But there was not even a shadow behind him, "Why did you run so fast? I'm freezing to death, and you didn't even bring some clothes."

Hu Hao decided to hide well in the shelter, at least to block the wind. He leaned against the shelter with his gun, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and found only three left. No, he could endure not having food, but without cigarettes, he wouldn't have the energy to fight the Japanese. He decided to smoke and then think of a solution.

Hu Hao leaned there, enjoying his cigarette, but the Japanese were busy. The body recovery team didn't dare to go and collect the bodies, as no one knew where the landmines were. And the Eighth Route Army's sharpshooter was still around. So, the Japanese body recovery team decided to wait until night to collect the bodies, accepting their fate if they stepped on a mine.

It was completely dark outside, and it was cold. Hu Hao had the impulse to start a fire to warm up, but he didn't dare to light one. If he did, the Japanese mortars would immediately bombard him.

Hu Hao slapped his hands, feet, and cheeks. "Damn, why did it suddenly get so cold tonight? It wasn't this cold last night."

"Er Lang Zi, Er Lang Zi?" Xiao Li's voice called out nearby.

"Here! Come quickly," Hu Hao responded.

Xiao Li immediately crawled into the shelter. "Here, for you, your dinner. Don't worry, I secretly asked Old Wang from the kitchen to add some extra dishes for you. The regiment commander doesn't know!"

"Alright, you're a good friend!" Hu Hao opened the cloth bag, lifted the bowl on top, and saw steamed buns and some meat, still warm. Hu Hao was hungry and started eating.

"Hey, Er Lang Zi, the Japanese didn't move much today. It seems they retreated," Xiao Li said.

"Yeah, they retreated. We've made it through one day. I promised the regiment commander we would hold out for three days," Hu Hao said while eating.

"Er Lang Zi, do you think the Japanese can break through our minefield tomorrow?" Xiao Li asked.

"I don't know. No one can guarantee what will happen in a war, but I can say that even if the Japanese break through tomorrow, they will pay a heavy price," Hu Hao said.

"Right, by the way, did you bring me some clothes and a blanket?" Hu Hao asked.

"Ah! You don't plan to go back tonight?" Xiao Li asked in surprise. "I thought you would wait a bit longer and then go back if the Japanese didn't move."

"Why go back? To get beaten? The regiment commander is busy enough. Don't give him more trouble," Hu Hao said with a roll of his eyes. "Besides, if I go back tonight, can I come out tomorrow?"

"True. I guess the regiment commander will tie you to his belt tomorrow," Xiao Li said with a laugh.

"Get lost."

"Wait, I'll bring the blanket over for you later," Hu Hao said after finishing his meal.

"Alright, but I don't know if the regiment commander will let me. Your blanket is at the regiment headquarters!" Xiao Li said.

"I don't care. You have to bring me a blanket tonight, or you can ask the regiment commander to come and collect my body in the morning," Hu Hao said.

"I, alright," Xiao Li didn't know what to say.

After Xiao Li left, Hu Hao looked around. His nicotine craving was back, but he couldn't light a fire here, and he didn't have many cigarettes left. Hu Hao saw a fire at the Japanese camp and thought, "I'll go to the Japanese camp to warm up and see if I can get some food."

So, he slowly crept towards the Japanese bodies. He found a Japanese soldier who died relatively cleanly, with clean clothes. He stripped the Japanese soldier's coat and hid the body. Then, Hu Hao sneaked towards the Japanese camp.

Hu Hao followed the patrol for a while and then broke away. He saw the Japanese roasting sheep and whole pigs, and he cursed, "Damn, I'm out here in the cold, and you bastards are enjoying roasted whole sheep." Hu Hao spat, took out a cigarette, and lit it. After lighting it, he looked at the pack and saw only one left. He put it back in his pocket and slowly approached a fire.

He sat by the fire, didn't speak, and slowly smoked while waiting for the Japanese to finish roasting the sheep.

"Hey, can I borrow a light?" A Japanese soldier nudged Hu Hao. Hu Hao took out his Zippo from his pocket and asked, "Do you have any extra cigarettes? I'm out, and too many of my brothers died today. I'm feeling down."

The Japanese soldier took the lighter and saw it was American. "Sure, brother, American goods. Here," the Japanese soldier took out a new pack of cigarettes and gave it to Hu Hao.

Hu Hao took it and saw it was not the Japanese brand. He wasn't used to it, but it was better than nothing.

"Where did you get these cigarettes?" Hu Hao asked.

"Stolen. I don't like them. They're not as good as the ones from home. If you can smoke them, they're all yours," the Japanese soldier said.

"Alright, thanks. I'll smoke anything when I'm out of cigarettes," Hu Hao took one and put the rest in his pocket, cursing in his heart that they were stolen from the Chinese.

Hu Hao smoked for a while and shouted, "When will the sheep be ready? I'm starving."

"Hey, brother, it'll be ready soon. It's not much longer. It tastes better when it's cooked and the fat drips out!" the Japanese soldier roasting the sheep said.

"Alright, hurry up. I'm hungry. I ate early at noon, and I've been busy all day. The officers are comfortable, though!" Hu Hao said.

"Hehe, that's true. All our officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel are in the city, eating and drinking. We're out here in the cold," another Japanese soldier said.

"Hope we don't have to lead the charge tomorrow. A lot of us were killed by the Eighth Route Army's landmines today. The sappers are useless, can't even clear the mines, and we have to step on them," a soldier next to him said.

"Right, Kuroda, our Imperial Army is invincible. I'm sure the officers will come up with a plan tomorrow," the soldier roasting the sheep said.

"Here, young man, have this," the soldier roasting the sheep gave Hu Hao a large piece of lamb, from the leg. Hu Hao took it, said thanks, and started eating.