Chapter 18: The Great Tomb

Chapter 18: The Great Tomb

"Wu Ze, with your wisdom, you must help the commander capture Qiujiazhuang and secure the Italian artillery," Xiao Wuzi urged as he led Wu Ze toward the cluster of graves. "Our commander rarely looks this troubled. Even when the First New Regiment was short on guns and ammo before, I never saw him like this."

"I'll do my best, but the First New Regiment doesn't have much food either," Wu Ze replied. "I don’t want to just eat free meals here, especially since the commander is personally looking out for me."

Though the First New Regiment had taken Xiaowangzhuang and Xiaolizhuang, the food seized was minimal. The regiment numbered eight hundred men, all gaunt from prolonged hunger. They needed to replenish their strength and train, which meant they had to eat more. The captured grain wouldn’t last long.

Xiao Wuzi and Wu Ze arrived at the grave cluster, immediately spotted by the puppet troops of Qiujiazhuang, who hurried to report to their leader, Qiu Dabai.

"Commander, there are again the partisan fighters near the graves, wandering around the old patriarch’s tomb. It looks like they’re up to no good again..." a puppet soldier reported.

Qiu Dabai commanded eight hundred men under a puppet regiment designation, earning him the title of commander among his subordinates.

He was in the middle of a mahjong game when the news arrived, instantly souring his mood. He shoved the tiles across the table and cursed, "Damn partisans, when will this end? My father has been dead for over a year, and he can’t even rest in peace. Don’t these partisans know to respect the dead?"

The puppet soldiers, seeing his fury, dared not utter another word.

Anyone would be angry if their ancestral tomb was disturbed.

"Father, calm down. Grandpa has been troubled by the partisans so many times; I believe he’s used to it by now," Qiu Yaocong, Qiu Dabai’s son, tried to soothe him.

"You unfilial brat! That’s your grandfather you're talking about! How can you say such unfilial words? Your grandfather cared for you so much!" Qiu Dabai spat in his son's face and shouted, "As usual, no matter how the partisans dig, no one is to attack without my order."

Leaving the words hanging, Qiu Dabai stormed off in anger.

"Father’s unbelievable. I’m used to grandpa being disturbed by the partisans, but he’s not," Qiu Yaocong grumbled, then instructed the puppet soldiers, "Go. Without my father’s order, no one leaves the village. We don’t want to fall into a partisan ambush."

"Yes, sir," the soldiers responded and left.

"Mother, you should try to persuade father to stop playing mahjong,” Qiu Yaocong said to his mother.

"What’s the point? Let him be alone for a few days. He’ll be fine," his mother replied nonchalantly and pulled Qiu Yaocong to sit down. "Now that your father’s gone, we’re short one player. You’ll have to take his place."

Soon, the clatter of mahjong resumed.

"Eight of Circles!"

"Pung, Three of Myriads!"

"Kong, Seven of Bamboos!"

"I win!"

...

Xiao Wuzi led Wu Ze to the most impressive tomb in the cluster. Wu Ze circled it once, noting the fresh traces on the blue bricks.

Judging by this, the tomb had been recently repaired, probably last month.

There were remnants of incense wax and burnt paper offerings before the tomb, but Wu Ze found no clues from the grave itself.

"Xiao Wuzi, besides this tomb belonging to Qiu Dabai’s close relative, are there any others?" Wu Ze inquired.

"No, just this one," Xiao Wuzi shook his head.

"Let’s check the hilltop," Wu Ze suggested.

"Alright," Xiao Wuzi agreed, carrying Wu Ze toward the hilltop.

From the summit, Wu Ze carefully observed the large tomb’s location.

He had some basic knowledge of geomancy and recognized that the tomb was indeed situated on a feng shui treasure spot.

There were other treasure spots within the grave cluster, each marked by large tombs as well.

Though none matched the grandeur of Qiu Dabai’s father’s tomb, they were among the top in this cemetery.

However, one tomb was different—it was hastily constructed, giving an impression of being rushed or simple.

Put plainly, it seemed the tomb’s occupant was modest and avoided ostentation.

Yet, the incense offerings there were far more frequent and abundant than all others combined.

Wu Ze pointed to that tomb and asked, "Whose tomb is that?"

"I heard the commander say it belongs to a village doctor," Xiao Wuzi explained. "This doctor was highly skilled, saving countless lives in the surrounding villages. He charged very little and never took advantage, earning great respect from the locals. When the Japanese invaded, they wanted to forcibly conscript him as a military doctor to care for their wounded. He refused to cooperate and was cruelly killed by them. The villagers gathered his remains, consulted a feng shui master for a good burial spot, and laid him to rest here. Since he was simple and humble in life, the villagers only built a modest stone tomb. Every so often, they come to pay their respects."

"A truly worthy man," Wu Ze bowed briefly to the tomb.

The Japanese boasted they would annihilate China within three months.

It was the countless indomitable souls like this doctor who thwarted their arrogant schemes.

After wandering the grave cluster without further findings, Wu Ze returned to Li Yunlong’s side.

Li Yunlong asked, "Wu Ze, what did you find?"

"Commander, I don’t want to return to the regiment these days. I want to stay around here for a while," Wu Ze said.

"Then let Xiao Wuzi follow you," Li Yunlong didn’t object. He saw that Wu Ze wanted to scout the surroundings.

Though Li Yunlong thought it was a futile effort, having someone trying was better than nothing.

At least it offered some peace of mind.

Xiao Wuzi was short and inconspicuous but experienced, suitable as Wu Ze’s escort.

"No, I can go alone," Wu Ze shook his head.

"That won’t do. Don’t forget your background. If your enemies find out you’re alive, it won’t be a joke," Li Yunlong said solemnly. "I want Xiao Wuzi to follow you discreetly."

"Alright, then," Wu Ze reluctantly agreed.

"Xiao Wuzi, I’ll assign you another squad. You must protect Wu Ze carefully. If anything happens..." Li Yunlong’s tone grew serious.

"Commander, don’t worry. Not a single hair on Wu Ze’s head will be harmed," Xiao Wuzi vowed. He had witnessed firsthand how important Wu Ze was.

"Everyone, change into civilian clothes. Military uniforms are too conspicuous. Switch your weapons to pistols and carry two machine guns. If anything unexpected occurs, escort Wu Ze back to headquarters immediately," Li Yunlong added.

"Yes, sir," Xiao Wuzi responded again.

"Commander, aren’t you being a bit..." Wu Ze was deeply moved by Li Yunlong’s care.

"You’re the treasure of our First New Regiment. Perhaps this Fortified Village will really fall because of you. We can’t slack on your safety," Li Yunlong said seriously. "If this were a smaller target, I’d have assigned my entire guard squad to you."

"Commander, I won’t let you down," Wu Ze promised.

"Hahaha," Li Yunlong laughed. "Go, kid."

"Yes, commander."

As Li Yunlong watched Wu Ze and Xiao Wuzi depart, his gaze fixed again on Qiujiazhuang, his expression grave. "Damn it! I refuse to believe this! I will find a way to kill Qiu Dabai and take Fortified Village!"

(End of chapter)