Industry began in 1937

Chapter 42 Preparation

After the emergency operational meeting, the entire Xingxi mountain area was like a deep pool where a boulder had been thrown in; beneath the surface, surging undercurrents began to rush wildly along countless ravines and mountain paths.

Battle preparation and scorched earth – these two fronts concerning survival unfolded simultaneously, in different ways, on every inch of the base.

In Jiangshui Town and surrounding villages, under the command of County Head Hu Zhen, County Official Zhou Huan, and others, district and village cadres, militia members, and other personnel became the busiest people.

They went door-to-door, their voices hoarse but their determination unwavering: "The Japanese devils are coming, with guns and cannons, with murderous intent! Take everything you can—food, clothes, pots and pans! Hide what you can't! Dig cellars, bury it in caves, sink it in ponds! Don't leave the Japanese a single grain of rice or a piece of salt!"

"Dismantle or hide anything in the house that you can't take with you, like jars and large pieces of furniture! Cover the well with stone slabs and sprinkle it with dirt and ash! Smash the water vats! We'll make sure the Japanese devils have nowhere to eat, drink, or live!"

A mixture of sorrow and resolve.

In silence, every household sprang into action. The elderly shakily gathered their meager belongings, the women sewed the last bit of grain into quilts or children's jackets, and the men, with red eyes, dug up the frozen soil at the base of their courtyard walls, under the stove, and even beside their ancestral graves, carefully wrapping the last remaining seeds and a few decent farm tools in oilcloth and burying them deep within.

The stone mill at the village entrance was overturned, the well was buried, and the stacks of firewood were scattered and hidden.

This is not running away; it is using the most decisive method to temporarily erase the foundation of one's survival from the land, leaving the enemy with nothing to exploit.

Gouzi Village is also experiencing division.

When Wen Shizhou returned from Jiangshui, his face was more solemn than ever before.

He called Chen Yuan, Third Master, and Zhao Dachui aside, away from the noisy work shed, and said in a low voice, "The situation is very bad. The Japanese are coming too fiercely this time, with far more troops and firepower than us. The higher-ups have ordered us to prepare for the worst. If we can't hold out in the Jiangshui direction, the district will organize the villagers to move to deeper into the mountains."

He looked at Chen Yuan with a complicated expression: "Brother Chen, your 'Justice Blacksmith Shop' is the culmination of our hard work, and it's also a thorn in the side of the Japanese. You must be prepared... to relocate at any time. Take as many tools and materials as you can. What you can't take... must not be left to the Japanese."

Chen Yuan's heart sank.

Transfer?

He looked at the rudimentary "production lines" that had been painstakingly set up in the workshop, at the heavy furnaces, grinding wheels, lathes, and the "flint" platform in the mine that was absolutely immovable and held all his secrets and hopes.

People can walk, but what about these bulky creatures?

In particular, the consequences of exposing the "flint" would be unimaginable.

He didn't think the Japanese could use the platform, but if the platform was damaged, then history would remain the same, and the suffering of the Chinese people would continue.

Then he would truly have committed a sin.

"Secretary Wen," Chen Yuan said slowly after a moment of silence, his voice somewhat hoarse, "the furnace, the lathe, these large items can't be dismantled or moved in a short time. Carrying them around in the chaos of battle would be a burden and make us too conspicuous."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the hidden mine entrance, and a bold yet helpless idea gradually formed in his mind: "Rather than risk moving and being exposed, it's better to... hide it here. Find a way to seal off and disguise the mine entrance. These things, and some of the... 'belongings' inside, will remain inside."

As long as the entrance to the hole remains hidden, it's actually the safest place. Even if the Japanese occupy the village, they won't be able to find it for a while. When we fight our way back, we can dig it up and use it again.

Wen Shizhou stared intently at Chen Yuan, seemingly trying to discern the deeper meaning and risks of his proposal.

"Seale the mine shaft? What's inside...?"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the important and portable stuff beforehand." Chen Yuan met his gaze, his tone confident. "What I'll leave behind are all heavy, durable iron pieces. The key is the entrance; we need to make it look like a natural landslide or something that's been abandoned for years."

Wen Shizhou pondered for a long time before finally nodding slowly: "...You're right. A hasty relocation would indeed make us more vulnerable to being exposed. Let's do as you say and prepare for a blockade. But we also need to be prepared that once we receive the relocation order, you, Shuanzhu, Tiedan, and the other key members must immediately follow the team! People are more important than machines!"

"I understand," Chen Yuan nodded.

He didn't know what the outcome of this counter-offensive would be, whether Battalion Commander Pan and his men could hold out, or whether Jiangshui would fall.

But he knew one thing: this was the Taihang Mountains, the place where the Eighth Route Army had taken root. The Japanese might be rampant for a while, but it was impossible for them to establish a long-term foothold in these thousands of mountains and valleys.

This place will sooner or later become a quagmire that will engulf them. And he must leave a spark for the days to come.

"Alright, I and the guerrillas from the Third District will stay here to protect this place. Even if the village is occupied, we will not let the Japanese devils live in peace here." Wen Shizhou expressed his determination.

The Third District Guerrilla Team was not incorporated into the county guerrilla brigade in order to protect the blacksmith shop here.

Meanwhile, on the military front, three anti-Japanese armed forces, like three daggers poised to strike, quietly thrust out in the predetermined direction.

Zhang Xianyue's Eighth Route Army advance detachment, like a silent stream, seeped into the towering mountains south of Yuanzhuang River.

Instead of forming a large force, they disappeared into the familiar mountains and forests in units of companies, platoons, and even squads.

Their mission was not to engage in a decisive battle, but to entangle the Japanese and puppet troops on the southern route like shadows.

The scouts went forward and kept a close eye on the enemy's marching ranks and camps from a distance.

The sharpshooter chose strategic passes to snipe enemy officers, cavalry, and artillery observers.

Small, elite units, carrying landmines and grenades, would approach potential enemy encampments or routes at night or in inclement weather, lay landmines, throw grenades, and then quickly flee.

Their goal was to keep the enemy on edge at every step, to make gunfire and explosions come from unexpected directions, and to delay, exhaust, and wear down the enemy on the southern route as much as possible.

County Magistrate and Guerrilla Brigade Leader Hu Zhen led the Jiangshui Guerrilla Brigade, which had just received some "gouzi-zao" reinforcements, and the village-based teams to operate in the outer areas closer to Jiangshui.

They were familiar with the people and the land, and their mission was to cooperate with the main force to conduct more extensive reconnaissance and harassment, and to organize, guide, and cover the transfer of the masses to the deep mountains.

Hu Zhen divided his troops into smaller units, like sensitive tentacles reaching out to all possible directions from which the enemy might attack.

They sabotaged small bridges, set up obstacles on secondary roads, harassed enemy reconnaissance squads with sniper fire, and continuously transmitted minute intelligence on enemy troop strength and movements back to the Jiangshui Command and Pan Zhankui's battalion headquarters.

The real iron fist, the 1st Battalion of the 772nd Regiment of the Eighth Route Army, under the command of Battalion Commander Pan Zhankui, quietly left Jiangshui Town on a cold morning.

Instead of taking the main road, they followed the mountain paths trodden by woodcutters and herb gatherers, heading north into the vast mountains of the upper reaches of the Mazhai River.

The troops moved silently and swiftly, the soldiers carrying meager packs and newly replenished weapons, their bayonets tightly wrapped with strips of cloth around the muzzles, and their grenades carefully secured to their chests or waists.

Pan Zhankui walked at the head of the column, his face calm and composed, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain on both sides. He was searching for strategic passes that were impregnable, for hilltops and woodlands overlooking the road, offering easy cover for attacks and convenient relocation. He wanted to drive his eight hundred-plus men like nails into the crucial points of the Japanese Northern Route Army's route, and like mercury, ready to flow, gather, and deliver a fatal blow at any moment.

After arriving at the designated area, the troops did not construct fortifications on a large scale. Instead, they used natural rock crevices, caves, and bushes for concealment, building only the necessary individual bunkers and firing positions. The soldiers silently chewed their cold rations, checked their weapons, and exchanged tactical coordination in hushed tones.

The air seemed to freeze, with only the mountain wind howling past, carrying a chilling atmosphere.

The Japanese finally made their move.

Dust billowed up in the direction of Xingtai County.

The Japanese flag fluttered in the cold wind. Japanese infantrymen in khaki uniforms were arranged in four columns, their bayonets like a forest, and their heavy leather boots made a dull but orderly sound as they stepped on the ground.

Mules and horses carrying infantry guns and ammunition boxes were mixed in with the column, breathing heavily.

The puppet troops were somewhat disorganized, following behind the Japanese troops.

The traitor squad rode bicycles around like hunting dogs, scouting for suspicious targets.

The procession, like a giant, ugly yellow centipede, wriggled along the dusty road, heading west towards the mountains.

The two armies, one from the north and one from the south, moved slowly but steadily toward the heart of the Xingxi Anti-Japanese Base Area—Jiangshui and Yingtou—like two giant iron pincers, encircling it.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the base area.

The tense atmosphere instantly intensified, but this did not cause panic in the base area's response, as there were plenty of places to hide in the mountains.

Many of these mountain valleys are places that outsiders cannot find.

Under the organization of Zhou Huan, Gao Yang, Hu Zhen, and others, the elderly, women, children, and important supplies in Jiangshui Town and villages near the front line began to be evacuated in a step-by-step manner to nearby, more secluded mountain valleys or prepared cave complexes.

However, given the harsh winter, large-scale, long-distance "escapes" are not feasible. But hiding the most vulnerable people and the most precious food and seeds nearby is both necessary and feasible.

The able-bodied laborers and core militia remained behind to continue the final stages of the scorched-earth policy—burying the last batch of grain, destroying wells, and setting up roadblocks.

On the other hand, under the leadership of the militia captain and core members, armed with guns, they moved into high points and dangerous intersections around the village and set up lookout posts and warning lines.

Their mission was not to fight the Japanese army head-on, but to act as the eyes and ears of the base area. Once they discovered enemy activity, they would immediately fire shots and light signal fires to alert the enemy. They would also harass and delay small groups of enemy troops as needed, buying time for the main force to move and for the masses to evacuate further.

Gouzi Village, due to its relatively remote location and being the site of the "Gongyi Blacksmith Shop," adopted more cautious measures.

Most of the villagers who were not in need of assistance, especially the elderly, children, and women, were relocated to several large caves in the deeper and steeper ravines behind the village, where some food and firewood were stored and where they could temporarily shelter from the wind and snow.

Only the core members and guerrilla squad led by Third Master, Wen Shizhou, and Zhao Dachui remained in the village, along with essential workshop personnel represented by Chen Yuan, Shuanzhu, and Tiedan.

Wen Shizhou urgently summoned those who remained and gave them instructions: "The Japanese devils went to Chongjiangshui and Yingtou, so we are still in the rear for now. But we must prepare for the worst! Starting today, the entire village will be on high alert. Double guards will be added to all entrances and exits, and the core team will take turns guarding them day and night."

"Big Hammer, take a few quick-witted young men and head ten miles to Crow Ridge. Make contact with the mobile sentries sent by the Jiangshui Guerrilla Brigade and establish a communication channel. Report back immediately if there's any disturbance!"

"Understood!" Zhao Dachui nodded emphatically and immediately went to select manpower.

Wen Shizhou then looked at Chen Yuan, his tone serious: "Brother Chen, your business is of paramount importance. From today onwards, reduce open flames during the day and avoid work at night as much as possible. All finished and semi-finished products, except for a portion reserved for emergencies, should be immediately transported in batches by reliable personnel to a more secluded cave in the back mountains. Your place… should be prepared to be sealed off and covered at any time, but don't seal it off yet. Your men must be ready at any time; if they hear gunfire approaching, or receive a evacuation order, they must be able to handle the situation efficiently within fifteen minutes and then retreat with the team!"

Chen Yuan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing this was the most pragmatic arrangement. "I understand, Secretary Wen. I'll arrange the transfer of raw materials and finished products with Shuanzhu and the others immediately. As for the mine, I'll make all the necessary preparations to ensure it can be disguised without leaving a trace at any time."

Soon, Gouzi Village also entered this state of alert, which was relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside.

On the surface, the village was much quieter than usual, with only a few wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.

But secretly, the core members, armed with newly equipped old-fashioned rifles fitted with "gouzi-made" bayonets or carrying red-tasseled spears, vigilantly patrolled the village entrance and the mountain ridge.

From the back mountain direction, Shuanzhu and Tiedan, along with several absolutely reliable young men, used the cover of the mountains and forests to transport baskets of bayonets, landmine casings, and bundles of wooden handles, still reeking of smoke, to Jiangshui Town.

Even though the Japanese are coming, production cannot stop. Every bit we can produce helps us fight the Japanese.

Chen Yuan spent most of his time in the inner "fine workshop," working on the "flint" platform to produce the last batch of urgently needed kettles and cooking utensils while meticulously planning every detail of the famous sealed mine tunnel—which stones to build first, how to spread the topsoil, and how to arrange the withered grass and fallen leaves in the most natural way.

He stroked the cold cave wall, silently saying to the immovable "Flint" platform in his heart: Buddy, we may be apart for a while, but you have to hide well and wait for me to come back.

……

While the western mountainous region was preparing to resist the enemy, the Red Spear Society, which was entrenched in Luluo Town, was packing its belongings and preparing to flee after hearing the news.

Zhang Juejiu did not actually intend to resist the Japanese.

Even though some people suggested fighting back, saying it would be doing justice to the villagers, he directly ordered the person who said that to lead men to resist the Japanese.

He needed to run away as soon as possible.

If someone has a gun, he can still be a local tyrant.