Chapter 15: Over Thirty Miles of Mountain Road
Chapter 15: Over Thirty Miles of Mountain Road
(1)
After some consideration, Guan Shan came up with a somewhat tentative idea.
After thinking it over, Guan Shan said, “Sorry, Teacher Bai, I just had an idea, but it’s not fully formed yet...”
“Don’t mention it, Comrade Xiao Guan. You’re the experts at marching and warfare. If you need anything, just say the word—I’ll tell you everything I know!” Teacher Bai was genuinely excited to be of help.
“All right, Teacher Bai, here’s what I’m thinking...”
Not far off, Shen Xingbei was pouting as he dismantled the surveying instruments. He glanced over at Teacher Bai, who was animatedly discussing something with that Guan fellow, and cursed inwardly. That rustic guy was such a poseur. Seeing how sly they looked, who said Chinese peasants were simple and honest? What a huge misunderstanding!
“This way! This way!” Guan Shan gestured.
“Huh? What do you mean? We’re not regrouping but heading back?” Shen Xingbei asked, puzzled.
“Exactly. This way! I’ll explain later,” Teacher Bai urged.
Li Chenghai and Li Tianzuo exchanged confused looks but, seeing Guan Shan’s firm gestures, refrained from asking further. They hoisted their gear and slowly made their way down the gentle slope toward a narrow mountain path.
“Take care, Comrade Xiao Guan!”
“Thanks, Teacher Bai! See you soon!” Guan Shan gave a slight shake to the binoculars in his hand.
(2)
“One, two, three, four… sly, sly!” Kishi Kusao muttered to himself in the grass.
“What’s wrong, senior?” Kameda Fukun stepped over from a low spot near the shore, grimacing as he rubbed his aching arm.
“There’s one soldier who didn’t leave. The worst part is, I can’t find where he’s hiding!” Kishi Kusao whispered with frustration.
“But senior, are you sure they’ve discovered us?” Kameda Fukun asked.
“What are you implying?” Kishi Kusao whispered back. “Do you think they’re just low-level idiots? Hmph, that’s what they say to those fanatic fools back home. If you want to die quickly, then believe that!”
Kameda Fukun dared not argue and asked, “Then what do we do now, senior?”
(3)
Kishi Kusao didn’t answer immediately; he hadn’t yet figured out the next move. He kept scanning the grass with his binoculars, searching for the elusive Eighth Route soldier.
Finally! He spotted a clue hidden deep in a thicket!
A dark gun barrel protruded from the bushes!
But—
Adjusting the focus knob on his binoculars, Kishi Kusao peered at the barrel…
“Baka!” he cursed under his breath and quietly retreated from the grass.
“What’s wrong, senior?” Kameda Fukun asked.
“Too cunning! Too cunning! This guy has to be a seasoned Eighth Route veteran!” Kishi Kusao’s eyes darted about as he said, “Capture him! He must know a lot of what we want to learn! This way!”
“This way?” Kameda Fukun hesitated but followed.
Kishi Kusao led Kameda Fukun swiftly through the mountain ravine, asking, “Kameda, are you trying to say those Chinese just went the other way?”
“Please instruct me, senior!” Kameda Fukun said respectfully.
Kishi Kusao didn’t answer directly but prompted, “Think carefully. Our ‘Snow Fox’ soldiers must all have this kind of analytical skill!”
“Yes, senior!”
(4)
“Huh? Going back again? Teacher Bai, I swear that Guan kid is just messing with us! Ugh, I’m so tired—I have to rest!” Shen Xingbei flopped down on the ground, grumbling in frustration.
“Then rest for five minutes!” Teacher Bai checked his watch and called to Li Chenghai and Li Tianzuo, “You young men should take a break and drink some water too!”
“Teacher Bai? What do you mean?” Li Chenghai and Li Tianzuo leaned in curiously.
Teacher Bai pointed at Li Tianzuo, “You’re Comrade Li Tianzuo, right?”
Li Tianzuo was probably being called “comrade” by a learned man for the first time and froze in surprise.
“Yes, yes, that’s me, Tianzuo. I’m Chenghai. What’s up, Teacher Bai?” Li Chenghai answered, elbowing the stunned Li Tianzuo.
“Oh right, right, it’s me!” Li Tianzuo nodded repeatedly.
“Well then, Tianzuo, Comrade Guan Shan just told me that we should walk in this direction for about fifteen minutes, then turn back. He also said you should unload your pack and run on foot to Mopán Village to deliver the message...” Teacher Bai spoke as he took down the wooden box containing the map from his back and handed it to Li Tianzuo.
Li Tianzuo’s expression grew serious as he quickly set down his large pack and gear.
“Comrade Guan believes we might have encountered enemy scouts, and I basically agree. The exact location and their possible route are marked on the map. You go find Colonel Li or Political Commissar Zhao. If neither is there, find County Magistrate Wang!” Teacher Bai instructed.
“All right, got it. I’m on it!” Li Tianzuo’s face was solemn and determined.
Though still full of dissatisfaction and reluctance, Shen Xingbei knew better than to complain now.
“Bring some water and rations! It’s over thirty miles of mountain road to Mopán Village. Plan your rests according to your strength,” Teacher Bai reminded.
“Tianzuo, here are water and rations for you...” Li Chenghai was already bustling about, helping to prepare.
(5)
Resting beneath a sheer cliff, Kameda Fukun suddenly spoke, “Senior, I’ve figured it out!”
“Oh? Let’s hear it!” Kishi Kusao said, taking a small sip of water and tightening the bottle cap.
“Based on your judgment, the enemy must have sensed something but couldn’t be certain, so they chose to retreat hastily. Anyone attentive enough to notice such details must be a seasoned veteran!” Kameda Fukun said, watching Kishi Kusao’s expression closely.
Kishi Kusao nodded slightly, encouraging him to continue.
Kameda Fukun analyzed, “Since they’re that experienced, they must easily realize that the direction they headed, given their pace, would never get them out before dark!”
Kishi Kusao smiled and explained, “Exactly, Kameda. This is called reverse thinking. What you see isn’t necessarily the truth but what the enemy wants you to see.”
“However, senior, I still haven’t fully figured out the reasoning of that hidden Chinese soldier,” Kameda Fukun admitted.
Kishi Kusao asked, “Then think carefully. What is the most likely scenario?”
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(End of Chapter)