After entering the city with Zhou Weihan and others, Yoshida Mingzhen said that he still had official duties at hand, left a copy of the gendarmerie's ID and contact information, and left.
On the streets, groups of Japanese troops passed by from time to time, and plainclothes soldiers could be seen everywhere.
"Fortunately we didn't enter Taiyuan separately, otherwise we would have been in trouble. Captain, where should we go next?" Dong Jiang said with lingering fear as he looked at the little Japs patrolling the streets.
"Remember, Taiyuan is not like in Wuyi. Don't act like you are at home. Everyone calls me Boss Zhou, and straighten your back. Don't look like you are a thief with a guilty conscience. We are also people with an upright status now.
." Zhou Weihan reminded as he watched Ma Dazui's eyes darting around.
"Boss Zhou, we are just a handyman. Please take a seat." Ma Dazui said and ran over to hold the reins.
Fortunately, Niu Erbao, a soldier from the fourth company of the reserve battalion, was from Taiyuan. Under the leadership of Niu Erbao, everyone first disposed of the mountain goods in the car and then found an inn in the city to rest.
It was just getting dark, because the Japs had issued a curfew, and if caught, they would be killed. Apart from the patrolling puppet troops and Japs, the streets in the city were already deserted.
Since he was not familiar with the situation in Taiyuan, Zhou Weihan did not arrange night operations and let everyone rest early.
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Zhou Weihan was afraid that there would be too many people and would be too ostentatious, so he only took Dong Jiang and Niu Erbao to buy some things and went to visit his uncle.
According to Niu Erbao's introduction, his uncle named Niu Wenfeng was a senior mechanic at Taiyuan Arsenal Branch No. 1. Before the fall of Taiyuan, he did not move south with the team, but stayed in the city.
"Boss Zhou, I haven't heard from my uncle for almost two years. I only know that he stayed in the city and worked for me for the little devils. I don't know." Niu Erbao said anxiously.
"It's okay, let's go explore the bottom first today." Zhou Weihan comforted.
Regardless of whether he can achieve it or not, at least he has a goal and will not be blinded, Zhou Weihan comforted himself.
The Niu family lives in a dilapidated alley in the west of the city, with three slightly old tile-roofed houses surrounded by a small courtyard surrounded by gray bricks.
Several eight or nine-year-old children were playing together in the alley. Niu Erbao recognized his younger brother and immediately shouted: "Xiaobao."
"Brother Erbao, you haven't come to see me for a long time." Xiaobao ran over in surprise and hugged Niu Erbao's thigh.
Niu Erbao was also smart and prepared to talk to the child directly: "Where is your father?"
"My father is not at home, only my mother is."
"Is uncle still in the arsenal now?"
"He's gone a long time ago. Since the Japanese entered the city, my father has stopped going. Now he works in the grain depot in the city." Xiaobao was also at a sensible age. He looked around and said in a low voice when he saw that there were no outsiders.
Zhou Weihan looked relaxed and said: "Er Bao, there are many people outside, go inside and talk."
Xiaobao ran ahead, opened the door, and shouted: "Mom, Brother Erbao is here."
Hearing the noise, a woman in her forties walked out of the house. Her clothes were all patched.
"Er Bao, why are you here?" Xiao Bao Niang knew that Er Bao was serving as a soldier in the Shanxi-Sui Army. When she saw Er Bao coming, she looked a little panicked.
Immediately, he sent Xiaobao to watch outside: "How dare you enter the city? The city is now dominated by the Japanese. There are people from plainclothes teams everywhere. If you are caught, it will be no good."
"Auntie, I just came back to take a look."
At noon, Niu Wenfeng came back with a small bag of grain, and looked at Zhou Weihan and others in the room, obviously stunned.
"Why, your Jinsui Army's arsenal is still short of workers?" Niu Wenfeng said first.
"Uncle, I have joined the Eighth Route Army now, and this is my superior Zhou Weihan." Niu Erbao introduced.
Hearing this, Niu Wenfeng's face softened and he said in a low voice: "There is still potential for success."
Seeing this, Zhou Weihan knew there was something going on, so he simply opened the skylight and said frankly: "Master Niu, we have set up a repair shop in the base area and need talents like you. I came here specifically to invite you to join the Eighth Route Army.
Master Niu, when the kid has entered the city, you would rather go to the grain depot to carry big bags than work for the kid. I admire you very much, but after all, it is not a long-term solution. Xiaobao is just growing up, and the city is very busy.
It's dangerous, so come with us."
Niu Wenfeng let out a long sigh and said: "Oh, this little devil really doesn't have any way to survive. The one and a half kilogram of rations is fucking mixed with pebbles."
"Master Niu, when you arrive at our base area, you will be responsible for food and housing, and a monthly allowance of five yuan, which is enough for the family's expenses." Zhou Weihan continued to persuade.
Historically, the living conditions of employees at the Huangyadong Arsenal of the Eighth Route Army were based on the supply system based on soldier standards, and a small amount of technical allowance was provided as pocket money. Apprentices were given 1-4 yuan per month, and craftsmen were given a maximum of 9 yuan.
"Master, that's all right. Don't you always say you want to join the Eighth Route Army?" Xiao Baoniang also advised.
After hearing this, Niu Wenfeng said, "That's all, I'll leave with you. When will I leave?"
"Of course the faster the better, but I have to trouble Master Niu to introduce a few more familiar workers from the original arsenal."
"I know the address of the deputy director of the original branch factory. He has some connections. See if you can get him away. With him, things will go much smoother in the future." Niu Wenfeng said warmly.
"This man's name is Zhang Fangyin. He is the deputy director of the No. 1 branch and a technical backbone. I heard that he studied in Japan. After the fall of Taiyuan, the Japanese always wanted him to do something. He always disagreed and stared at him for a long time.
Already."
"But it's not easy for him to join the Eighth Route Army. His brother-in-law in the Shanxi-Sui Army is said to have died at the hands of the Eighth Route Army."
Zhou Weihan left Niu Wenfeng fifty oceans of settlement expenses and left with Niu Erbao.
After returning to the inn, Zhou Weihan introduced the situation to everyone.
"Captain, this square seal has a blood feud with us. Can you come with us?" Li Dabo said worriedly.
Zhou Weihan sneered: "What time is it now? The country is about to be destroyed! Look at him not working for the little devils, he is also a man who understands righteousness. As long as he can let go of the past and come with us, I will kneel down for him."
I am willing, but if he is not willing, then don’t blame me, Zhou Weihan, for being unreasonable... Even if he is tied up, I will take him back!"
"Commander, you originally told us that we could not force others. This is somewhat inconsistent with the policy of our Eighth Route Army!" Dong Jiang advised from the side.
"If you can bring Zhang Fangyin back, it's worth the punishment. In the afternoon, Dong Jiang, you and Ma Dazui go to the area around Zhang Fangyin's residence to investigate and understand the situation. Be careful, the little devil is also targeting him." Zhou Weihan ordered.
At this time, Zhou Weihan no longer cared about discipline. Niu Wenfeng said that Zhang Fangyin was not only a technical backbone, but also that many workers left in the city were headed by him and had many connections.
As long as we can win over him, we will definitely be able to take away many people, which will save us a lot of trouble.
