Holding the original shares, they fought all the way to the Korean War!

The village is situated on high ground, offering a wide view.

You can see the main road in the distance from the village entrance.

If the Japanese soldiers came, they could be spotted from a great distance.

It's also good at concealment.

The village is hidden in a mountain valley and is difficult to find from the outside.

"Let's go into the village."

Zhou Tianyang strode towards the village.

Village entrance.

Several locals were sitting under the tree.

Some were smoking, and some were chatting.

They saw a group of Eighth Route Army soldiers approaching.

They all stood up.

His eyes held a mixture of nervousness and curiosity.

These days, ordinary people get nervous whenever they see a soldier, no matter what kind of soldier they are.

Whether it was the Nationalist Army, the Eighth Route Army, or the Japanese invaders.

People are afraid of anyone who is in the military.

What are you afraid of?

They feared the theft of grain, the conscription of men, and the harm caused.

However, the Eighth Route Army was known for its strict discipline and never took a single needle or thread from the people.

This is something that the people in southeastern Shanxi all know.

An old man in his fifties stepped forward and looked Zhou Tianyang up and down.

"Who are you?"

"Grandpa, we are the Eighth Route Army."

Zhou Tianyang smiled.

Try to make your tone sound calm.

"I am Zhou Tianyang, the commander of the 2nd Regiment of the 386th Brigade of the 129th Division."

"The Eighth Route Army?"

The old man's eyes lit up.

But they quickly regained their vigilance.

"What are you doing in our village?"

"Grandpa, we'd like to stay in your village for a while."

Zhou Tianyang spoke frankly.

"Don't worry, we won't stay for free, we won't take anything from the people, and we won't harm them."

"We will pay every penny that is due and abide by every rule."

The old man stared at him for a few seconds.

He then looked at the soldiers behind him.

The soldiers, carrying their rifles, stood in neat rows, not one of them moving.

Although the military uniform was old, it was washed clean.

Although his face showed signs of fatigue, his eyes were clear and he didn't have the roguish air of a soldier.

The old man's vigilance gradually relaxed.

"Are you really the Eighth Route Army?"

"It really is."

The old man turned around and spoke to the villagers behind him.

"Go and call the village chief."

A young man turned and ran into the village.

A short while later, an old man in his sixties came out of the village.

He was not tall and had a slight hunchback.

The wrinkles on his face looked like they were carved by a knife.

He was wearing a coarse cloth jacket with several patches and straw sandals on his feet.

But his eyes are bright, and he walks steadily.

He looks like a worldly person.

"Village chief, they are the Eighth Route Army, and they want to station themselves in our village."

The old man from before stepped forward.

He whispered a few words in the village chief's ear.

The village chief looked Zhou Tianyang up and down for a moment, then stepped forward.

"Are you the commander?"

"Yes, sir, my name is Zhou Tianyang."

Zhou Tianyang extended his hand.

The village chief looked at his hand and shook it.

His hands were rough and covered with calluses, clearly the result of years of farm work.

"Are you planning to set up camp in our village?"

"right."

Zhou Tianyang nodded.

"Our new Second Regiment has just been formed and does not yet have a fixed location."

"I think your village is in a good location, backed by mountains and facing water, easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"I just want to settle down here."

The village chief remained silent for a while.

His gaze swept back and forth over Zhou Tianyang.

Then, he looked at the soldiers behind Zhou Tianyang.

The soldiers stood in neat rows, displaying strict discipline.

No one whispered to each other, and no one looked around.

The village chief nodded.

"I've heard about the discipline of the Eighth Route Army."

"We will not take a single needle or thread from the people; borrowed items must be returned; and damaged items must be compensated."

"Speak to ordinary people in a gentle manner."

"These are all the usual rules, I know them all."

His tone carried a hint of admiration.

"The people have all seen you fighting the Japanese devils."

"A while ago, you fought a battle with the Japanese in Changle Village, and many people were killed."

"Several young men from our village also went to help carry the stretcher."

"When they came back, they said the Eighth Route Army fought the Japanese with their lives on the line."

Zhou Tianyang nodded without saying anything.

The village chief continued.

"We welcome you to set up camp in our village."

"However, I have a few conditions."

"Please speak."

Zhou Tianyang said solemnly.

"First, we must not harm ordinary people."

The village chief held up one finger.

"Secondly, we must not rob the people of their food."

He then extended a second finger.

"Third, you must not fight in the village, and you must not harass women."

He held up his third finger.

His gaze was fixed on Zhou Tianyang.

"Is it possible?"

"able."

Zhou Tianyang answered decisively.

"Sir, don't worry, we won't break any of these three rules."

"Anyone who violates this rule will be dealt with according to military law, without any leniency."

The village chief stared at him for a few seconds and then nodded.

"Okay, I believe you."

He turned around and spoke to the people behind him.

"Fellow villagers, the Eighth Route Army wants to station themselves in our village. What do you all say, is that alright?"

"OK!"

"welcome!"

"The Eighth Route Army is here, our village will be safe!"

The people began to speak, their voices filled with excitement and anticipation.

Two elderly women even came forward.

He held the soldiers' hands and looked them up and down.

"This kid is so energetic!"

"You're really handsome. Do you have a boyfriend?"

The soldiers were embarrassed by the question, scratching their heads and chuckling.

Zhou Tianyang felt a warm feeling in his heart as he watched this scene.

This is what ordinary people are like.

If you treat them well, they will treat you well in return.

If you protect them, they will support you.

This is what enabled the Eighth Route Army to gain a foothold behind enemy lines.

The village chief turned around and said to Zhou Tianyang.

"Commander Zhou, there are too many of you. It's inconvenient and there's not enough room for you to stay in the people's homes."

"Our village suffered a famine a few years ago, and many people fled, leaving many houses empty."

"There is a row of houses at the east end of the village, which used to house more than a dozen families."

"Later, they all fled the famine, and it's been empty ever since."

"If you don't mind, please tidy up the place and stay there."

Zhou Tianyang nodded.

"Okay, then I'll trouble you."

The village chief waved his hand.

"It's no trouble at all."

"You're fighting the Japanese, risking your lives. What's a little shelter from the storm?"

He pointed to the east end of the village.

"It's over there. Go take a look. If you need anything, just tell me and I'll try to get it for you."

Zhou Tianyang led his team and followed the village chief toward the east end of the village.

There is indeed a row of houses at the east end of the village.

Facing south, the buildings consist of two rows of rooms, totaling more than a dozen.

The house had mud walls and a thatched roof, and it was somewhat dilapidated.

But the main structure is still there; it can be renovated and made habitable.

In front of the house was a large open space.

It's as big as two or three basketball courts.

Several large willow trees were planted around the open space.

"This is a threshing ground."

The village chief pointed to the open space.

Every autumn harvest, the villagers thresh and dry their grains here.

"It's usually empty and not very useful."

"If you want to train your troops, this place is perfect."

Zhou Tianyang looked at the threshing ground and was extremely satisfied.

This place is absolutely perfect.

It's spacious and flat, perfect for training troops.

"Grandpa, this place is wonderful."

Zhou Tianyang turned to look at the village chief.

"thank you."

The village chief waved his hand.

"No need to thank me. You're living well, training your troops well, and killing more Japanese devils is more important than anything else."

He pointed to the row of houses.

"You guys pack your things first, I'll go get someone to boil some hot water for you."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Zhou Tianyang turned around and looked at the row of empty houses.

He glanced at the threshing ground again and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Zhao Wenlong!"

"arrive!"

Zhao Wenlong strode over.

"Get some people to tidy up the house, fix what needs fixing, and patch what needs patching."

"Everyone must be settled by today."

"yes!"

Zhao Wenlong turned and ran back to the group.

"Everyone in the group, follow me!"

The soldiers immediately sprang into action.

Zhao Wenlong stood on the threshing ground, directing the soldiers.

"You guys, go clean the house!"

"You guys, go and move the supplies!"

"You guys, go to the village entrance and cut some branches to weave a few baskets to hold things!"

"Hurry up, don't dawdle!"

The soldiers worked with great enthusiasm, and smiles were on their faces.

Zhou Tianyang stood on the threshing ground.

With his hands in his pockets, he watched the soldiers busy at work.

He was already planning what would happen next.

The house was tidied up, the people were settled, and the sentries were assigned.

Then came the recruitment of soldiers.

Lijia Yu has fifty or sixty households, plus several surrounding villages, so there are quite a few people living there.

There should be quite a few people willing to join the army.

But there are conditions to recruiting good soldiers.

First, the people need to know.

The Eighth Route Army was genuinely fighting the Japanese invaders.

Secondly, the benefits of joining the Eighth Route Army.

Many policies need to be effectively publicized.

Zhou Tianyang was pondering these things in his mind.