Chapter 42

Thus, Hu Hao comfortably spent his confinement by the fire and eating wild game every day. At first, the battalion commander was puzzled as to why the fool was so obedient. When he came over to take a look, he found the lad eating wild game, roasting by the fire, and sleeping on the side when tired. When he woke up, he would chat with the guard.

After giving Hu Hao a beating, Hu Hao remained the same. Battalion Commander Zhang no longer cared and even came to Hu Hao's place for food when the food in the military canteen was not good. The battalion commander, political commissar, and chief of staff all came to Hu Hao's place for food.

"You guys are so immoral. I'm in confinement, and you still come to snatch my food?" Hu Hao said unhappily as he watched the three of them divide the wild chicken soup he had stewed.

"You're in confinement, but you can go out hunting and chat with people at will. I haven't even settled the score with you for eating my food. If you don't like it, let's settle the score," Battalion Commander Zhang said, looking at Hu Hao unhappily.

"Oh, you eat, you eat. I'm just saying, just saying," Hu Hao said.

"Alright, finish eating and get out of here. You've gained weight in confinement. I'm too lazy to send food to you. Clean up, it's almost the New Year. Don't cause trouble," Battalion Commander Zhang said. In fact, he didn't need to say it; Hu Hao would have been released tomorrow. He had been in confinement for 50 days, almost two months. It was supposed to be 40 days, but when Battalion Commander Zhang first saw Hu Hao cooking, he added 10 more days.

"Really? Alright, I promise not to cause trouble," Hu Hao said happily.

After coming out, it was a sunny day. Hu Hao looked up at the sun and shouted, "I, Hu, will be back, hahaha."

"Ha, your ass," Battalion Commander Zhang kicked Hu Hao from behind.

After following Battalion Commander Zhang back to the living quarters, Hu Hao looked around and said, "Bro, why is it so cold in here? Don't you heat the bed at night?"

"I'm alone, working at the command post during the day and coming back at night. Why would I heat the bed?" Battalion Commander Zhang said.

Hu Hao didn't say anything more and started heating the bed. It was very cold in December. After heating the bed, Hu Hao lay down on it.

"Comfortable, much better than lying on the ground every day. Bro, you really don't know how to enjoy life," Hu Hao said.

"Enjoy what? We're soldiers, not here to enjoy. Alright, I won't talk to you more. Stay at home, I'm going to the battalion headquarters. It's almost the New Year, I'm afraid the Japanese will attack," Battalion Commander Zhang said.

"If they dare, if the Japanese dare to attack during the New Year, I'll make sure they don't have a good year every year," Hu Hao said.

"Blow it out," Battalion Commander Zhang said and left.

Hu Hao continued lying in the room. There was nothing for him to do now. He didn't need to train new soldiers or stand guard. Hu Hao became the most idle person in the entire 3rd Battalion.

That day, after finishing breakfast, Hu Hao started wandering around the base, looking around. He found that many civilians and soldiers were busy preparing for the New Year. Some were cleaning the yard, others were cleaning the house, but Hu Hao had nothing to do.

Hu Hao thought about it and decided to clean the house himself, so he wouldn't be idle.

After cleaning the house, he found there was nothing to eat at home, and no preparations for the New Year. Hu Hao went to find Battalion Commander Zhang.

"Bro, why is there nothing at home? We haven't prepared anything for the New Year," Hu Hao said, leaning on Battalion Commander Zhang's desk while he was reviewing some documents.

"Nonsense, we soldiers spend the New Year in the army. What food do we have?" Battalion Commander Zhang said.

"But if someone comes to our house during the New Year and there's nothing, it won't look good," Hu Hao continued.

"If someone comes, the battalion headquarters will take care of it. Why are you worrying about this? Get out, can't you see I'm busy?" Battalion Commander Zhang said.

Hu Hao came out, still not giving up. How could it be that there's nothing for the New Year? This doesn't feel like the New Year. No, I have to get something. Last time, when they killed the Japanese, Battalion Commander and the others took some loot. Hu Hao still had a lot of silver dollars. He should go to the city to buy some New Year's goods. Yes, I'll go tomorrow, it's too late today.

The next morning, after Battalion Commander Zhang left, Hu Hao changed into civilian clothes, tucked his pistol into his waistband, and took a few silver dollars and went out. Hu Hao deliberately walked with his head down, afraid that the sentries would see and report to the battalion commander, preventing him from leaving.

Fortunately, his disguise was similar to a civilian, and the sentries didn't notice.

By the time he reached the county town, it was almost 10 o'clock. There were many people at the market, as it was almost the New Year, and everyone was buying things for the holiday. Chinese people take the New Year very seriously. No matter how poor, they try to make the New Year special.

Hu Hao mixed into the crowd at the county gate. Although there were Japanese collaborators on guard, most of them were leaning against the wall, basking in the sun, and not checking the civilians. Just as he was about to enter the county, he heard one of the collaborators say,

"I heard that the garrison will send us supplies today. Is that true?"

"Stupid kid, it's not for us, it's for the Japanese inside. I heard that the Japanese also take the New Year seriously, just like us. Be alert, the Japanese will probably arrive at noon," an older collaborator said.

Hu Hao was delighted. It seemed he didn't need to spend money on New Year's goods; the Japanese would deliver them. He decided to buy cigarettes first, as the ones he had confiscated last time were almost gone and wouldn't last long.

Hu Hao hurriedly went to the county to buy cigarettes, buying a whole bag. The child selling the cigarettes was overjoyed, as he could now have a good New Year.

After buying the cigarettes, Hu Hao hurriedly left the city. He followed the route the Japanese would take to deliver supplies, waiting for their convoy. When he reached a bend, he looked around and found it was a good spot. Once the front vehicles passed the bend, they wouldn't see the ones behind. Hu Hao climbed to the top of the hill at the bend to wait for the Japanese convoy.

Hu Hao put down his things, took out his pistols, and carefully checked them. Both pistols were in good condition. After tucking them back, he started watching the road in the distance. Apart from the occasional passerby, the road was empty.

"Japanese, hurry up and deliver the goods. Don't you know it's cold here? Come quickly, finish the handover, and leave. It's freezing here," Hu Hao muttered to himself.

At the battalion headquarters, after Battalion Commander Zhang finished his work, he returned to his yard with hot food.

"Er Langzi, Er Langzi, come eat," Battalion Commander Zhang called out in the yard. No one responded.

"Hmm, where did he go?" Battalion Commander Zhang lifted the curtain and looked around inside but didn't see Hu Hao. Hu Hao's gun was still on the bed. "He must have gone hunting again."

"No, this brat went to the city," Battalion Commander Zhang said, seeing Hu Hao's Eighth Route Army uniform on the bed.

"Damn, this kid never lets me have a moment's peace," Battalion Commander Zhang said, putting the food on the table and placing his hands on his waist. He thought for a moment, then opened Hu Hao's bag. Battalion Commander Zhang knew Hu Hao had money, but he had turned a blind eye to it last time.

"Good for you, you took the silver dollars out. I'll skin you when you come back," Battalion Commander Zhang said, seeing that the silver dollars were gone.