Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 158 Working Group

Meanwhile, the working groups dispatched by the militia's service center were intensifying their efforts to investigate the situation of the soldiers. One of the working groups had already crossed the county seat and entered the territory of the neighboring county.

"Mo Sheng, we've reached Chen's Shop just ahead, right?" Song Ge said, pointing to the village in the ravine ahead.

"Yes, it's just past a ravine. Team leader, this is the last house we're investigating; it's the home of martyr Chen Shan."

"Chen Shan was a combat hero in our battalion, and he was praised by the regimental commander many times. Alas, he fell in the battle of Liujiagou." Song Ge showed a look of remembrance.

"Yes, he told me before that his wife gave birth to a big, healthy son two years ago, and he was so happy about it. He told me that he joined the army in the first place to earn military pay and save money to send his son to school so that he could leave their poor, remote mountain village."

"But later, during the battles and studies in the militia, he told me that he was fighting the Japanese devils now for his son's future. He didn't want his son to become a slave to a conquered country and a lackey of the Japanese devils. So, in every battle, he rushed to the front to fight the Japanese devils."

"But in the end, he still fell to the guns of the Japanese devils." Mo Sheng's face was filled with sorrow when he thought of this.

“Last year, when I told his wife about his sacrifice, she cried her eyes out. The children were still young and didn’t know their father had died. Seeing their mother crying, they started crying too.” As he spoke, Mo Sheng secretly wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes.

"Thank you, Commander, for allowing us to do something for the fallen soldiers." Mo Sheng's face was full of gratitude.

“Yes!” Song Ge echoed.

The regimental commander established a new department—the Militia Soldiers' Service Department—to commemorate the fallen and wounded soldiers of the militia. All those who were originally responsible for this work were reassigned to the new department.

However, Tang Guo is still the head of the new department, so for these people, the only major change in their work is the change in their office location.

To their surprise, since the establishment of the new department, they could clearly see that the department's efficiency had improved, and they couldn't help but give Tang Tuan a thumbs up for this.

Shortly after joining the new department, Tang Guo relayed the regimental commander's latest mission: to investigate the families of fallen and wounded soldiers. Upon hearing this mission, everyone participated even more enthusiastically.

Song Ge and Wu Sheng had beaten many competitors to secure their spots in the work group. Along the way, they diligently investigated the circumstances of injured or deceased family members.

"Wu Sheng, since you've been here before, you can lead the way," Song Ge said.

"Okay."

After that, Wu Sheng led the way, and then Song Ge and his group of five headed towards Chen's shop.

At that moment, two more people had arrived at Chen Shan's house.

“I said, let’s go find the army and let them stand up for you. These bandits are bullying us too much. Didn’t the comrade who brought Chen Shan back last time say that if we have any trouble, we should go to them?”

“Nephew’s wife, just take your grandson and kneel down in front of their militia. I guarantee they’ll stand up for you,” Chen Shan’s second uncle said to Chen Shan’s wife, who was crying her eyes out.

"Second Uncle, let's not trouble the militia. They're all fighting the Japanese on the front lines, and they've already done so much. We've only lost our eldest brother's pension. As long as he's alright, that's all that matters." Chen Shan's father sighed as he smoked his pipe.

"Brother, what can I say to you?" Uncle Chen Shan said anxiously, slapping his thigh.

"Second Uncle, I know you're doing this for my son and me, but Chen Shan said before he died that we shouldn't trouble the regiment if we could avoid it, so they could focus on fighting the Japanese and protecting this place, and let Xiao Hu grow up safely." Chen Shan's wife wiped away her tears and sobbed as she spoke.

“Damn it, those damned bandits, they even robbed the martyrs’ pensions. My poor grandson, not only did his father die in battle, but the money he was supposed to use for school was also stolen,” Chen Shan’s second uncle sighed.

"Blame the world for what it is. We're backed by Wolong Mountain, and with the local militia blocking the Japanese devils in front of us, we're doing alright, even though life is tough. I heard that in other places occupied by the Japanese, everyone has been killed."

When Chen Shan thought of the militia, he thought of his son who had died in battle, and he felt saddened, a white-haired man burying his black-haired son.

As they looked at each other in silence, they heard a knock on the door from outside.

"Who is it?" Chen Shan's wife stood up, walked into the courtyard, and opened the gate.

"Ah, Brother Mo, what brings you here?" Chen Shan's wife asked in surprise.

"The regimental commander was worried about the situation of you soldiers' families, so he specially sent us to check on you. Hmm? What happened? Why are you crying?" Mo Sheng noticed Chen Shan's wife's red eyes and knew something had happened.

"It's nothing, it's nothing, please come in." Chen Shan's wife quickly put on a smile and greeted the group of people as they entered.

"This is our team leader, Song Ge, and several other comrades," Wu Sheng introduced.

"Please come in quickly."

"Father, Second Uncle, Brother Wu is here, along with other militia members," Chen Shan's wife called into the house.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shan's father hurriedly went out to greet him.

"Uncle, please sit inside. There's no need to come out to greet me." Wu Sheng quickly ran forward.

"Please come inside and sit down."

"Daughter-in-law, quickly boil some water and make some tea."

"Second Uncle, go to the backyard and catch a chicken. We'll treat Chen Shan's comrades to a good meal tonight." Chen Shan's second uncle was about to go out when Wu Sheng stopped him.

"Uncle, there's no need to go. Our commander instructed us that we can't eat at your house. We've already eaten dry rations on the way."

"How can that be? How can you not eat? Listen to your uncle tonight and have a good meal here."

"Uncle, you're too kind. We have a mission, so we'll be leaving soon," Wu Sheng repeatedly declined.

"I see. Then please sit down and let's talk." Chen Shan's father quickly invited the group to sit down.

"Tiger has grown up again." Wu Sheng looked at Tiger, who was clinging to Chen Shan's father's leg, and looked at them with curiosity.

"Tiger, these are all your father's comrades-in-arms. Quickly call them uncles," Chen Shan's father said affectionately to Tiger.

"Hello, Uncle. Where's my dad? My mom said he went to a very far place. Do you know when he'll be back?" Tiger suddenly asked Wu Sheng.

Looking at Hu Zi's innocent and bewildered eyes, Wu Sheng and the others almost couldn't help but shed tears. They really couldn't bear to tell him the truth.

“Your father is fighting the Japanese far away right now. He can’t come back, so he sent his uncles and a few others to come and see you,” Wu Sheng said softly to Hu Zi as he squatted down.

"Can you uncles beat up bad guys?"

"Tiger, go find your mother and see if the water has boiled yet." Hearing Tiger's words, Chen Shan's father quickly told him to go find his mother.

"Okay, Grandpa." With that, Tiger skipped away.

"Uncle, who is the bad guy Tiger is talking about?"

"It's nothing, just a few kids fighting, nothing serious," Chen Shan's father quickly explained.

"Oh," Wu Sheng replied after a moment's thought.

“They must have run into trouble.” Song Ge keenly sensed that something was wrong, something was very wrong, so he turned to Wu Sheng and whispered.

"I think so too," Wu Sheng replied softly.

"Uncle, have we encountered any difficulties recently? I saw that Chen Shan's wife's eyes were swollen from crying just now."

"Nothing much, I just miss Chen Shan."

“Uncle, you don’t need to hide anything from us. If you really encounter trouble, our militia will help you. The task our leader gave us this time is to help you and solve your difficulties.”

“Chen Shan sacrificed his life fighting the Japanese, and our militia will never forget his contributions. If you have anything to say, just say it; don't worry about causing trouble for our militia. Only if you are doing well can Chen Shan rest in peace,” Wu Sheng asked again.

"No, it's nothing."

"Big brother!"

"Why are you calling me 'big brother'? Go get some peanuts from the kitchen."

"Sigh!" Uncle Chen Shan sighed and went out.

"Something really has happened!" Upon seeing this, Mo Sheng's doubts turned into certainty.

"Uncle, what happened to you? Tell us with confidence. Our militia will definitely stand up for you. Don't be afraid, just tell us."

“We’re not even afraid of the Japanese devils, let alone you causing us trouble,” Mo Sheng asked patiently again.

"Brother, if you won't tell me, I will." Uncle Chen Shan suddenly walked in from outside.

"Officers, Chen Shan's pension has been stolen by bandits! You must stand up for us!" Chen Shan's second uncle shouted.

"His second uncle!"

"Brother, even if you don't care about Chen Shan's wife, you have to think about Hu Zi. That's tuition that Chen Shan risked his life for! Chen Shan dreams of letting Hu Zi go to school!"

"What!" Upon hearing this news, Wu Sheng immediately flew into a rage.

"That blind bandit actually dared to rob Chen Shan's pension; they must have a death wish."

Chen Shan's wife, who was in the kitchen, heard the commotion and ran in. Seeing that her second uncle had told everyone what had happened, she couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears in front of Wu Sheng while holding Hu Zi.

"Chen Shan's wife, don't worry, leave this matter to our militia. I'll make those bandits pay for messing with our militia," Song Ge said menacingly from the side.

"Wu Sheng, the rest of us will stay here to prevent the bandits from returning. Qian San, go back immediately and report this to Director Tang Guo, and have him find the regimental commander."

"Yes, team leader." After saying that, Qian San immediately left the courtyard and ran towards Wolong Mountain. He had retired from the reconnaissance battalion, so this distance was no problem for him.

"Rest assured, our militia will definitely uphold justice for you and comfort Chen Shan's spirit in heaven," Mo Sheng assured the three people in front of him.