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

The next morning.

Zhou Tianyang woke up as soon as it was light.

He lay on the kang (a heated brick bed) and opened his eyes.

He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, then turned over and sat up.

Outside the window, the rooster had not yet crowed, and the village was quiet.

He put on his military uniform, adjusted his belt, and tucked his Mauser pistol into his waistband.

Then he picked up the sniper rifle wrapped in old cloth from the inside of the bed and slung it over his shoulder.

Pushing open the door, I could already hear movement in the yard.

Sun Shengli stood in the center of the courtyard, surrounded by nine soldiers, each carrying a gun, standing in neat rows.

"Commander!"

When Sun Shengli saw Zhou Tianyang come out, he stood at attention and saluted.

"Is everyone here?"

Zhou Tianyang's gaze swept over the nine soldiers.

"Everyone's here!"

Sun Shengli answered crisply and decisively.

Zhou Tianyang nodded, walked to the front of the line, and glanced at the soldiers' faces.

"Today we're going to Wolf Valley. Our mission is to talk to Tian Chengjun about incorporating them into our ranks."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

"When you're on someone else's turf, you have to follow the rules!"

"Don't say what you shouldn't say, and don't do what you shouldn't do."

"Do exactly what I say, do as I say, do you understand?"

"clear!"

The nine soldiers answered in unison.

Zhou Tianyang waved his hand.

"Set off!"

Eleven men, carrying guns, strode out of Lijia Yu.

The mountain road was winding and full of potholes.

On both sides are continuous mountains and ravines.

Zhou Tianyang walked in the middle of the group, his steps light and his expression calm.

Sun Shengli walked at the very front.

He held a Type 38 rifle in his arms, his eyes occasionally scanning the terrain on both sides.

We walked for about an hour and a half.

It was already fully light.

The sun slowly rose from the eastern mountain ridge.

"Commander, once we cross that mountain ridge, we'll reach Wolf Valley."

Sun Shengli stopped and turned to Zhou Tianyang.

Zhou Tianyang stepped forward, stood on the ridge, and looked into the distance.

Ahead was a narrow ravine with steep mountain walls on both sides and a stream at the bottom.

A gate was erected at the mouth of the gully using thick wooden stakes, with a watchtower on each side of the gate.

Two sentries with guns on their backs stood on the platform.

"Walk."

Zhou Tianyang strode down the mountain.

at the same time.

Wolf Valley, Hall of Righteous Gathering.

Tian Chengjun sat in the armchair, his brows slightly furrowed, his face bearing an indescribable expression.

There was nervousness, anticipation, and a touch of trepidation.

"Big brother!"

A young man ran in from outside, panting.

"The brothers we sent to keep an eye on Lijia Yu have sent word back!"

Tian Chengjun suddenly stood up.

"What news?"

"The commander of the Eighth Route Army's New Second Regiment led his men to Wolf Valley early this morning!"

The young man's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

"There are about ten people. They've already crossed the mountain ridge, and they'll be at the entrance to our village in another hour or so!"

After listening, Tian Chengjun remained silent for a moment.

Then, he straightened his clothes and paced back and forth a few times.

Then he stopped and looked down at his clothes.

He wore a gray cotton-padded jacket, a military belt around his waist, and a Mauser pistol tucked into his left hip.

He thought for a moment, then turned and went into the inner room.

A moment later, he came out.

He changed into a Nationalist army uniform.

This is the military uniform he was issued when he was a battalion commander.

After breaking out of Niangziguan, he lost everything except this military uniform.

It's not that I can't bear to throw it away, it's that I keep it to remind myself.

He was once a soldier, a respectable soldier.

They are not bandits.

Tian Chengjun stood in front of the mirror, looking at the figure in the mirror wearing the Kuomintang military uniform.

He straightened his collar and adjusted his hat.

He took a deep breath and strode out of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

"Brother, what's wrong...?"

Li Shengjun stared blankly at Tian Chengjun's Nationalist Army uniform.

Tian Chengjun didn't explain, he just waved his hand and strode towards the gate of the village.

Li Shengjun quickly followed.

Outside the village gate, Tian Chengjun stood by the roadside, his eyes fixed on the end of the mountain road.

Behind him stood Li Shengjun and a dozen or so brothers, each carrying a gun.

Tian Chengjun took a deep breath, his heart beating a little fast.

He didn't know what he was nervous about.

Having fought in so many battles, rising from a common soldier to a battalion commander, what kind of situation haven't I seen?

But today, he was actually nervous.

Perhaps it's because of the person who came today.

This could change the fate of him and his more than one hundred brothers.

Perhaps it's because he's been waiting for this day for far too long.

"Big brother, you're here!"

Li Shengjun said in a low voice.

Tian Chengjun raised his head and looked towards the end of the mountain road.

The group came down from the mountain ridge.

Leading the way was a young man.

He was in his early twenties, dressed in a gray military uniform, and carrying a long gun wrapped in cloth on his back.

He walked at a moderate pace, with steady steps and a calm expression.

Ten Eighth Route Army soldiers followed behind him, each carrying a gun.

Tian Chengjun looked at the young man, and his heart pounded even faster.

Is this Zhou Tianyang who destroyed Black Wind Stronghold?

He was younger and more composed than he had imagined.

Zhou Tianyang walked to the entrance of the village and stopped.

His gaze swept over Tian Chengjun, lingering for a moment on his Nationalist Army uniform.

Then, he smiled slightly and reached out his hand.

"Battalion Commander Tian?"

Tian Chengjun was stunned for a moment, then quickly reached out and grasped Zhou Tianyang's hand.

"Commander Zhou, I've long admired your name."

The two clasped hands and shook them vigorously.

"Commander Zhou, please come in."

Tian Chengjun released his grip and stepped aside.

Zhou Tianyang nodded and strode into the village gate.

Tian Chengjun followed behind, while Li Shengjun and the others followed at the very back.

The group passed through the village gate and walked along the road in the middle of the village.

Zhou Tianyang's gaze swept over the buildings on both sides.

The wooden and stone houses are built against the mountain and are arranged neatly, unlike the chaotic Black Wind Village.

Although the bandits were dressed in all sorts of clothes, they were all in high spirits.

"good."

Zhou Tianyang nodded to himself.

Tian Chengjun is indeed skilled at leading troops.

Gathering Hall.

Tian Chengjun led Zhou Tianyang to the seat of honor, and sat down next to him.

Sun Shengli stood at the door with nine soldiers, but did not come in.

Li Shengjun stood behind Tian Chengjun, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Zhou Tianyang's face.

Zhou Tianyang picked up the bowl on the table, took a sip of water, then put the bowl down and looked directly at Tian Chengjun.

"Battalion Commander Tian, ​​you should have guessed why I'm here today."

Tian Chengjun nodded without saying anything.

"Then I'll just say it directly."

Zhou Tianyang spoke calmly, but every word he uttered was firm and resounding.

"I'm here to recruit you."

The Hall of Gathering Righteousness fell silent for a moment.

Tian Chengjun's expression didn't change much, but his heartbeat noticeably quickened.

"Our new Second Regiment has just been formed and urgently needs to expand its strength."

"All of the hundred or so people in your Wild Wolf Valley are veterans."

"I've fought the Japanese, seen blood, and have combat experience."

"Moreover, you don't rob or beat ordinary people, so it doesn't conflict with our discipline."

"Therefore, I want to recruit you into the new Second Regiment."

Tian Chengjun listened, tapping his fingers lightly on his knees, without saying a word.

"I know that some of you may not be willing."

Zhou Tianyang continued, his tone remaining calm.

"Living as king of the mountain, free and unrestrained, with no one to control me."

"Being a member of the Eighth Route Army meant having to follow discipline and obey orders; it wasn't a very carefree job."

"But I also know that most of you don't want to be bandits."

His gaze was fixed directly into Tian Chengjun's eyes.

"You, Tian Chengjun, are also unwilling."

Tian Chengjun's body trembled slightly.

"You served as a battalion commander in the Nationalist Army, led troops, and fought in battles."

"You come from a regular military background; you know why you join the army."

"You've become the king of this mountain in Wolf Valley because you have no other choice."

"Now, I'm giving you a chance."

"Let you and your brothers put on your uniforms again and fight the Japanese devils honorably."

Zhou Tianyang's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck Tian Chengjun's heart like a hammer blow.

Tian Chengjun remained silent for a long time.

His fingers stopped tapping, and he lowered his head.

I don't know what she's thinking.

Zhou Tianyang didn't urge him; he simply picked up the bowl and took another sip of water.