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

Zhou Tianyang extended his second finger.

"Secondly, we will not take a single needle or thread from the people."

"Return borrowed items, compensate for damaged items, and speak kindly to ordinary people."

Why do the people support our Eighth Route Army?

"It's not because we can fight, it's because we don't harm them."

"The Nationalist army harmed the people, the Japanese devils harmed the people, and the bandits harmed the people."

"We, the Eighth Route Army, will not harm the common people."

"That's why ordinary people send their sons to our ranks, and that's why they tighten their belts and save food for us."

"Anyone who takes things from the people or bullies them will face military law."

"Did you understand?"

"I understand!"

One hundred and seven new recruits answered in unison, their voices louder and more synchronized than before.

Zhou Tianyang extended his third finger.

"Article Three: All spoils shall be turned over to the public."

"All captured guns, ammunition, food, and supplies must be handed over; no one may keep them for themselves."

"If you hoard a bullet today, your comrade may be killed tomorrow because he is short of a bullet."

"If you hoard grain today, the people may go hungry tomorrow because you took the grain."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a nail driven into the hearts of the new recruits.

"These three are hard targets."

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

"Did you remember?"

"Got it!"

The voices of the new recruits echoed across the threshing ground.

Zhou Tianyang nodded, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the new recruits.

He saw something.

Awe, faith, and an indescribable light.

That's trust.

"Now that we've covered discipline, let's move on to training."

His tone softened somewhat, but remained serious.

"Some of you may have handled a gun, while others may have never even touched one."

"That's alright."

"If you don't know how, you can learn."

"But there is one thing you must remember."

His voice rose a few decibels.

"The battlefield is not a game."

"Bullets don't have eyes."

"The more sweat you shed today, the less blood you may shed tomorrow."

"So, starting today, you will train your physical fitness, marksmanship, and bayonet fighting."

"Take it one step at a time, do it one thing at a time."

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping across the face of every new recruit.

"Did you understand?"

"I understand!"

The recruits' voices were louder and more unified than before.

He possessed the unique drive and energy of a young person.

Zhou Tianyang nodded and looked at Zhao Wenlong standing on the left.

"Wenlong, begin training."

"yes!"

Zhao Wenlong stepped out of the ranks, stood at attention, and saluted.

Then he turned around and shouted to the veterans.

"Veterans, step forward! Lead the new recruits in physical training!"

"Run three laps around the village!"

One hundred and twenty-six veterans responded and moved.

……

at the same time.

Qinglong Mountain.

Qinglong Mountain is located about 30 miles southwest of Lijia Valley.

The mountain is not particularly steep, but it is densely forested and has many ravines, making it easy to hide but difficult to find.

The council hall is located at the innermost part of the village; it is a large house built with mountain stones and wood.

Although it can't compare to the grandeur of the Black Wind Stronghold's council hall.

But in this mountain village, it's already considered pretty good.

Liu Damaizi sat in the very center.

He had two pistols tucked into his waistband and was sitting in a grand chair, holding a rough porcelain bowl in his hand, which was half-filled with sweet potato liquor.

To his left sat a lean, middle-aged man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, and a tuft of goatee on his chin.

Her small eyes darted around, and she always squinted when looking at people.

It looked like they were examining something valuable.

The man was wearing a melon-shaped hat and looked more like an accountant than a bandit.

He was the bandit leader of Eagle Beak Cliff, nicknamed Sun Wukong (Monkey King).

He had over fifty men under his command and ranked second in the Three Mountains Alliance.

To his right sat a man who looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old.

He was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, with a face full of flesh, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and thick lips. He looked honest and simple, but a fierce glint would occasionally flash in his eyes.

He was Zhang Laoliu, the bandit leader of Hutou Ridge, with more than thirty men under his command.

It is the weakest of the Three Mountains Alliance.

But he is ruthless and fearless in battle.

The three people sat around the table, and no one spoke.

"Big brother, second brother, say something!"

Zhang Laoliu couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his hand on the table.

"Are we just going to sit here like this?"

Liu Dama didn't say anything, picked up the bowl and took a sip of sweet potato liquor, seemingly lost in thought.

Sun Wukong squinted, stroked the tuft of goatee on his chin, and slowly opened his mouth.

"Sixth Brother, what's the rush?"

"The matter isn't even clear yet, what's the point of shouting?"

"Why haven't you figured it out yet?"

Zhang Laoliu's voice rose a few decibels.

"Black Wind Stronghold has been wiped out; who within dozens of miles doesn't know that?"

"My spies saw it with their own eyes, how could it be fake?"

"Do you know you were wiped out, but do you know who wiped you out?"

Sun Wukong's voice was not loud.

But he spoke each word slowly and deliberately, as if he were reprimanding an ignorant junior.

Zhang Laoliu opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Sun Wukong stroked his beard and continued speaking.

"Sixth Brother, the reason why our Three Mountains Alliance has been able to gain a foothold in this area is not because of our large numbers, but because of our caution and prudence."

"Black Wind Stronghold is bigger than all three of us combined, and Liu Feng is more ruthless than all three of us combined, and what happened?"

"The whole operation was wiped out in a single day."

"Tell me, how could we not be careful?"

Zhang Laoliu stopped talking, picked up the bowl on the table, and gulped down a large mouthful of wine.

Then he slammed the bowl on the table and said in a muffled voice:

"Then, second brother, what do you suggest we do?"

Sun Wukong didn't rush to answer, but turned to look at Liu Damazi.

"Brother, what do you think?"

Liu Dama put down his bowl, raised his head, and glanced at Sun Wukong and Zhang Laoliu.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice low and hoarse.

"Old Sun, tell me everything the spies found out, from beginning to end."

Sun Wukong nodded and cleared his throat.

He recounted in detail the information gathered by the spies he had sent out.

"Those Eighth Route Army soldiers were from the 2nd New Regiment of the 386th Brigade of the 129th Division, and their commander was Zhou Tianyang..."

The main room fell completely silent.

The bowl that Zhang Laoliu was holding was suspended in mid-air.

He remained motionless, his expression shifting from shock to solemnity.

Liu Dama's eyes narrowed slightly, a barely perceptible hint of apprehension flashing within them.

Sun Wukong stroked his beard and squinted.

They waited for the two of them to process this news.

After a long while, Zhang Laoliu finally put down the bowl, his voice a little hoarse.

"Second brother, is everything you're saying true?"

Sun Wukong's tone was very confident.

"The message that came back from the person I sent to keep an eye on Lijia Yu."

"Those Eighth Route Army soldiers started recruiting in the surrounding villages yesterday."

Zhang Laoliu frowned.

"Several villages have signed up, I heard there are quite a few, probably around a hundred or eighty people."

Zhang Laoliu's face turned even uglier.

There were more than 120 veterans, plus 180 newly recruited soldiers, making a total of more than 200 people.

This group of Eighth Route Army soldiers had completely established a foothold in this area.

"Big brother, second brother, we need to come up with a plan quickly."

Zhang Laoliu's voice sounded a little urgent.

"Those Eighth Route Army soldiers are increasing in number; sooner or later they'll set their sights on us."

Sun Wukong stroked his beard and remained silent.

Instead, he looked at Liu Damazi.

Liu Dama remained silent for a long time.

He picked up the bowl, drank the remaining sweet potato liquor in one gulp, and then put the bowl on the table.

"Old Sun, Old Six, what do you think? After those Eighth Route Army soldiers wiped out Black Wind Stronghold, could we be next?"

Zhang Laoliu opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But seeing Liu Dama's expression, he swallowed his words.

Sun Wukong stroked his beard and slowly opened his mouth.

"Brother, I think it won't happen for now."