The Courtyard House: The Little Red Devil Returning from the Peninsula

Zhao Weiguo woke up before dawn.

He wasn't woken up by the cold. The shed was drafty on all sides, and there were ice crystals under the hay, but he barely slept for the rest of the night. It was as if someone was drawing a diagram with charcoal sticks in his mind, sketching out the outline of the new regiment's camp stroke by stroke.

The orientation of the rocky cliff to the north. The slope of the dry gully to the west. The location of the ammunition pile. The distance between sentry posts.

Last night he went through these three times with his eyes closed.

Chen An's voice came from next door, very low: "Brother, are you awake?"

"woke up."

The door was pushed open a crack. Chen An held a chipped bowl, the hot water inside steaming, so thin it looked like it was about to break.

"It was given to us by Uncle Wei, half a bowl each."

Zhao Weiguo glanced at the bowl: "Yours?"

"I've already drunk it."

Chen An didn't look at him when he spoke.

Zhao Weiguo took the bowl, dipped his finger in it, and handed it back: "You and Shitou share it."

Chen An didn't take it; his hand was still hanging there. "Brother, does the regimental commander really want you to go check on the camp today?"

"Um."

"What if you're mistaken?"

Zhao Weiguo pulled his cotton-padded coat tighter around his neck. The cotton filling was uneven, thinner at the shoulders and thicker at the waist, so when the wind blew in, it felt cold against his ribs.

"If you've made a mistake, just leave."

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere is better than staying here and waiting to die."

Chen An's face turned pale: "Brother, don't scare me."

Zhao Weiguo looked at him: "Are you afraid I'll be kicked out, or afraid I'll say the wrong thing and someone will point a gun at me?"

"Everyone's scared." Chen An lowered his head. "The way Commander Li looked at you last night was different from the way those people checking your belongings on the road. Those people were searching your bags for food; he looked like he wanted to dissect you to see if you were a human or a ghost."

Zhao Weiguo smiled slightly.

"Let him see. Li Yunlong isn't one of those guys on the road who only cares about the baggage. He's foul-mouthed and ruthless, but he knows what can save his life. Don't interrupt me today, and no matter who asks, don't try to explain for me."

Chen An pursed his lips: "What if I hear them cursing at you?"

"Bear with it," Zhao Weiguo said in a lower voice. "We haven't even established ourselves yet. If you want to stay, you'll have to learn the rules first."

Footsteps sounded outside.

Zhang Dabiao stopped at the door, and before even entering, he cursed, "Are they all awake? Don't keep the commander waiting for a kid."

Zhao Weiguo stood up.

Zhang Dabiao wasn't carrying his belt, and his expression was somewhat better than yesterday. He noticed that Zhao Weiguo wasn't holding a bowl, frowned, and took half a sorghum cake from his pocket, tossing it over.

"Just something to eat. The commander said, 'When you're hungry and watching the defenses, everything looks like a ghost.'"

The pancake landed in Zhao Weiguo's arms; it was as hard as a stone, with soot stuck to the edges. He took a bite, and the dry, hard bits scratched his throat.

Zhang Dabiao glanced at Chen An: "You kids, don't follow. Old Wei keeps an eye on things; anyone who runs off, I'll tie them up with the leg-binding rope."

Chen An shrank his neck.

Zhao Weiguo followed Zhang Dabiao outside, chewing on a biscuit as they walked.

"Kid," Zhang Dabiao suddenly stopped, "Last night the regimental commander told you to find the weaknesses in the base. If you can't find anything today, do you know what the consequences will be?"

"There's no hot porridge left."

"Dream on," Zhang Dabiao sneered. "If you're going to make fun of the regimental commander, I'll personally escort you to the brigade headquarters. Then we'll ask you where you learned it, who taught you, and who you contacted. You'll have to answer every single word. If you can't explain yourself, no one will protect you."

Are you trying to scare me, or are you trying to remind me?

Zhang Dabiao was taken aback, then glared at him: "Stop trying to fool me."

"If you really wanted to scare me, you wouldn't have given me the pancake," Zhao Weiguo said, taking another bite. "You're afraid I'll say something wrong, and you're also afraid I'll say something right."

Zhang Dabiao's face darkened: "Are you afraid you're right?"

"If I'm mistaken, you'll just have made a wasted trip. If I'm right, this place needs to be changed immediately."

There was a moment of silence at the entrance.

Zhang Dabiao pointed at him and said, "Kid, don't think too highly of yourself. An old soldier like me has eaten more gun ash than you've eaten salt."

"So I'll only talk about what I saw."

Zhang Dabiao didn't say anything more and stepped aside.

The mornings in the new regiment were genuinely poor.

Water was boiling in the cookhouse pot, the aroma of rice faint, as if only the stale taste of the bottom of the pot had been cooked out. Two mules were tethered to the base of the cliff, their ribs pressed against their skin, white steam billowing from their nostrils. Several soldiers squatted by the rocks, cleaning their rifles; they didn't have enough gun oil, so they could only rub them back and forth with rags.

Li Yunlong stood in the middle of the open space, a tattered map spread out at his feet. A stone was pressed against the corner of the map, and the edges of the paper rustled in the wind. He saw Zhao Weiguo come over, rolled up the map, and stuffed it into his pocket.

"How did you sleep?"

"It's drafty."

"That's good, it'll be drafty." Li Yunlong grinned. "If the barracks weren't drafty, the Japanese would be standing guard for me."

A few soldiers nearby chuckled.

Li Yunlong turned and glared at him: "What are you laughing at? Listen up, everyone. Last night I said I'd test this kid's eyesight. If he can spot the loopholes in the base today, and I'm right, we'll fix it. If not, Zhang Dabiao will deal with him."

Zhang Dabiao added, "I've been waiting for this."

Li Yunlong then looked at Zhao Weiguo: "Are you afraid?"

"I'm afraid you won't change after hearing it."

Zhang Dabiao's face darkened: "Kid, don't be so impulsive."

Li Yunlong raised his hand to stop him, staring at Zhao Weiguo for a few moments: "Fine. I like people with good breath. A strong breath is fine, just not hollow. Let's go, starting from the east entrance."

The eastern entrance was a narrow path leading to the garrison, flanked by stone walls, allowing only a mule to pass by with its head down. The sentry post was located at the foot of the cliff, with rocks behind it and a view of about two hundred paces ahead. The two sentries stood ramrod straight, and when they saw the regimental commander approaching, they lowered their guns.

Li Yunlong pointed: "How about it?"

Zhao Weiguo didn't answer immediately. He first looked at the sentry's position, then at the cracks in the rocks, then at the snow pits left by their feet, and finally at the bridge clips around their waists.

"Just three bullets?"

The sentry on the left looked a little uncomfortable.

Zhang Dabiao said, "Three rounds per person at the sentry post. The area is poor; do you think we can carry bullets in a basket like the Japanese?"

"We have enough warnings, but if we want to buy time, we won't have enough bullets."

The young sentry on the right couldn't help but speak up: "Kid, there aren't many gunshots at the east gate all year round. If too many bullets are fired, get damp, get lost, or accidentally discharge, who's responsible?"

Zhao Weiguo looked at him: "What's your name?"

Zhang Dabiao frowned: "The regimental commander is asking you a question, and you're asking about the sentries?"

Li Yunlong waved his hand: "Let him speak."

The young sentry, his neck stiff, said, "Wang Erxi."

"Wang Erxi, if a small group of enemies sneaks in tonight, you fire the first shot to warn them. Even if you hit the target with the next two shots, what can you do if you run out of ammo? You can't even buy the team two minutes to prepare?"

Wang Erxi's expression changed.

Zhao Weiguo squatted down, picked up a clod of frozen soil, and drew three lines on the ground.

"The narrowness of the eastern entrance is a good thing. But we still need to block it with firepower. If you can't give our troops some buffer time, you won't even be able to hold them off for two minutes. If the enemy takes over this advantageous terrain, the consequences are predictable. So, each sentry carries three bullets, and another quiver of spare ammunition is placed in a crevice in the rocks. Wrap it in tarpaulin, and leave the spare ammunition there during handover without touching it."

Another, older sentry coughed and said, "Commander, the kid's right. If we really sneak up at night, after firing three shots, I'll feel uneasy."

Li Yunlong looked at Zhang Dabiao: "Write it down."

Zhang Dabiao took out a pencil from his pocket and wrote on the cigarette box paper.

Zhao Weiguo added, "It's not that they're issuing extras to people; they're being allocated to specific sentry posts. They don't move around normally; they're replenished after each firing. The accounts are clear, so there won't be any confusion."

Li Yunlong glanced at him: "You're quite the shrewd one, aren't you?"

Li Yunlong pointed north: "Let's go to the next place. I refuse to believe you can see anything on a cliff face!"

To the north is a rocky cliff. The cliff is over three zhang high, with withered vines hanging from its grayish-white stone walls. At the base of the cliff, firewood is piled up, and beside the pile is a trodden path. The wind is strong at the top of the cliff, blowing the snow thin and revealing a few patches of black stone.

Zhao Weiguo stood at the foot of the cliff, not speaking immediately.

Last night, moonlight streamed in through a hole in the outbuilding, and he mentally reviewed the area three times: the east entrance, the north cliff, the west ditch, the ammunition pile. The truly dangerous routes are often not on the ground; in the TV series "Bright Sword," Yamamoto's special forces team climbed up the cliff. If the Independent Regiment hadn't been prepared, the losses would have been considerable.

He raised his hand and pointed to the middle of the cliff.

"That rocky platform that extends horizontally."

The crowd followed his finger. In the middle of the cliff face was a narrow rock platform, covered by snow, which looked like naturally undulating rocks if not looked closely. The platform was less than two feet wide, running from east to west, with several sections hidden by withered vines.

Zhang Dabiao stared at it for a while, then frowned: "You call this a road? You can't even stand steadily if your feet are wide enough."

"It's not a road for ordinary people. But for well-trained Japanese scouts, it is a road."

Zhang Dabiao scoffed, "Japanese scouts are human too, not geckos."

Zhao Weiguo did not argue. He walked to a patch of withered vines on the east side, brushed away the snow with his foot, and revealed a sloping rock.

"Go up from here. The vines are old and have deep roots, so you can use them for leverage. Once you're up, stick close to the cliff face. The sentries at the base of the cliff look up, but protruding rocks block their view."

Li Yunlong didn't say anything, but walked to where the sentry had been standing and looked up. Zhang Dabiao followed him.

Looking up from there, the rock platform is completely obscured by a protruding boulder. People walk close to it, with only half their shoes showing at most. If it snows at night, it's completely invisible.

Zhang Dabiao cursed, "Damn it."

Li Yunlong's face darkened: "Find a rope, find two strong men who can climb mountains, and have them go up there."

Two soldiers quickly found a rope; one was named Xiao Tang, and the other Zhu Zi. Xiao Tang looked at the rock platform, his Adam's apple bobbing: "Commander, are we really going to move this thing?"

"If you're afraid of falling, tie the rope tighter. If you fall, I'll give you half a bowl of hot water."

Zhu Zi chuckled, "Commander, half a bowl of water isn't enough; I'd also like a piece of bread."

"If you survive the ordeal, go ask the cooks for it."

Xiao Tang then wrapped the rope around his waist.

Zhao Weiguo said, "Don't step on the thick snow. There might be crevices underneath. First, place your feet on the rock, and don't grab the thin vines; hold onto the roots."

Xiao Tang nodded.

The two men used both hands and feet to climb up from the east side. Those below looked up at them. One soldier still held his bowl in his hand, the water cold but he hadn't drunk it.

After smoking half a pipe, Xiao Tang stepped onto the rocky platform and moved westward, his body pressed against the stone wall. He paused halfway down, looking down at the encampment.

"Commander!"

"What are you shouting for?"

"You can see the kitchen from here! You can see the ammunition depot! You can even see the room where we sleep."

There was a moment of silence below.

The veins on the back of Li Yunlong's hand bulged.

This kid isn't just a kid, he's really got some skills. He's been stationed here for almost a month. If the Japanese really manage to sneak down from here, they'll use explosives first, then block the West Gully, and half the regiment will be thrown into chaos.

Zhang Dabiao was also embarrassed: "Commander, it's my fault. I didn't keep a close watch during my patrol."

Li Yunlong glanced at him: "It's no use blaming anyone now. The Japanese won't wait for you to admit your mistake."

Li Yunlong nodded: "Make a note of it. Send a few skilled individuals to patrol up there later."

Zhang Dabiao wrote another stroke on the cigarette box paper.

The last place was where the ammunition was stored.

A dozen or so wooden crates were stacked in the center of the western part of the camp, covered with tarpaulins, and an old soldier stood beside them holding a rifle. Inside, there was a middle-aged man without a hat, directing the soldiers to check the ammunition that had just arrived yesterday; he seemed to be in charge of the ammunition.

Li Yunlong stepped forward first and said, "Old Zhong, I've really lost face today. I got humiliated by some brat. You can't let me lose face too, can you?"

Before Zhao Weiguo could even get close, Old Zhong glared at him: "Don't touch it. If you close the freezer, I'll have to pry it off for you."

Zhao Weiguo paused: "Ammunition cannot all be piled up in one place."

Old Zhong snapped, "Bullshit! I'm in charge of ammunition. If we're short even one round, the battalion commander will come looking for me first."

"Place them all in one spot. If one grenade launcher lands here, they're all gone."

Old Zhong hugged his gun tightly: "If we keep them separate, who will take responsibility if they get lost? You'll pay for it?"

Who will pay for it if it blows up?

Old Zhong choked.

Zhao Weiguo didn't mince words: "Even a cunning rabbit has three burrows. Ammunition should also be stored separately. We'll leave this location unchanged and set aside two more locations. This will make it easier to move ammunition and prevent anyone from taking it all at once."

This sentence left Lao Zhong speechless.

He looked at Li Yunlong: "Commander, the distribution is fine. But the accounts need to be rewritten. Who took how many rounds, when the refills will be, all need to be signed off. Otherwise, I'll be the one taking the blame in the end."

Li Yunlong lifted the tarpaulin and glanced at the few boxes: "Do as he says. If there's no seal, tie a knot with rags. If they can't write, they'll leave their fingerprints."

Old Zhong said in a low voice, "I need someone who can read."

Zhang Dabiao said, "I'll send it to you."

Old Zhong then looked at Zhao Weiguo: "Kid, if you make me lose an extra bullet, I'll settle the score with you."

Zhao Weiguo asked, "What if we blew one less box?"

Old Zhong snorted: "Then I'll give you half a bowl of porridge."

"Don't dilute it with too much water."

Li Yunlong stared at him, his initial suspicion replaced by a newfound appreciation.

This doesn't seem like a twelve-year-old child at all.

In the military, ability is valued more than age.

Li Yunlong took the cigarette box from Zhang Dabiao's hand and looked at the few lines of crooked writing on it.

"Zhao Weiguo."

"exist."

"These three leaks mean you've passed half the test."

"There's still half a stage left?"

"Yes." Li Yunlong folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. "You being able to spot the problem only means you have a sharp eye. Whether you can stay calm when the gun goes off is another matter."

Zhao Weiguo said, "I've been through more than a dozen battles, big and small. My experience might even exceed that of some soldiers in your New First Regiment."

Just as Zhang Dabiao was about to say that he was being stubborn, a short shout suddenly came from the north cliff.

"Commander!"

Everyone looked up.

Xiao Tang, who had just climbed the waistline, was now lying on the edge of the rock platform, half of his body pressed against the stone, his hand pointing towards the north side of the cliff.

Zhang Dabiao took a step forward: "What are you shouting for?"

Xiao Tang's voice tightened: "There are people outside the cliff north!"

The open space fell silent.

The water in the pot was still boiling, and the wooden lid bounced back and forth. The mule flicked its tail, and the bell rang once.

Li Yunlong looked up: "How many people?"

"Can't see clearly. Four or five, dressed in gray, carrying guns. They also have rope hooks; I'm not sure if there are anyone else behind them."

Gray clothes. Rope hook.

Zhao Weiguo looked towards the waistline of the northern cliff.

The path he had just revealed now resembled a bone exposed in the snow. The enemy had already reached the bone.

Li Yunlong's gaze shifted to Zhao Weiguo.

This time he did not test the waters.

He pulled the Mauser pistol from his waist, unloaded it, and glanced inside; there was only one shot left.

The gun was handed to me.

"Take it."

Zhao Weiguo took the gun.

Li Yunlong's voice was low: "You stay near the ammunition pile. Don't run around. If you dare to charge forward, I'll kick your legs off first."

"Know."

Old Zhong ripped off the tarpaulin and yelled at the soldiers beside him, "Don't just stand there! Bring the buckets of water, put out the fire by the stove, and move the ammunition boxes behind the rocks! Anyone who accidentally spills ammunition, I'll beat them up!"

Zhang Dabiao roared, "Assemble in a line! Add two more people at the east entrance, send sentries to the south slope fork, and don't reel in the rope on the north cliff!"

Li Yunlong drew his gun.

"Listen carefully, everyone. The enemy has reached the mountainside, which means what this kid said earlier wasn't just idle talk. Now, if anyone is even half a step slower and the enemy sees our position and goes back to report, it will be their own brothers who die."

No one was watching anymore.

The bowl was placed on the ground, the bolt was reloaded, and the rope was pulled out of the woodpile. The soldiers who were just laughing a moment ago had all found their positions in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Weiguo stood beside the pile of ammunition, his palm pressed against the cold grip of the Mauser pistol.

A preliminary deduction unfolded in my mind.

Outside the north cliff, there are five gray dots. Two are in front, one is close to the left, and two are behind. Using the mountain's waistline as the axis, the west side of the cliff is the landing point, and the ammunition pile is slightly south of the landing point.

He just stared at the waistline.

Li Yunlong had already spotted the leak.

The enemy saw it too.

Now, let's see who can seal this gap first.