Bright Sword: I checked in amidst the aftermath of the battle

Chapter 61 Outwitting the Local Gentry and Landlords

After some maneuvering, Wang Yousheng calmed himself down and now focused on observing the 3D map. If Ma Bao obeyed, he would receive 20,000 jin of grain in three hours.

He wasn't afraid even if his family dared to inform the Japanese.

After all, there are still the soldiers in the district squad, plus the cheat code, so getting away unscathed shouldn't be a problem.

With the overall situation under control, Wang Yousheng felt he could handle things with ease!

The living room was silent; no one spoke as everyone waited for news. Ge Erdan had already ordered soldiers to keep watch for miles around so that they could prepare to retreat should any movement occur.

Seeing that no one was speaking, Zhou Huaiqi kept pouring tea for the soldiers. His obsequious manner puzzled Ma Bao. How could a dignified chairman of the maintenance committee, backed by the Japanese, have to fawn over a group of bandits like a dog?

Gossip less.

Wang Yousheng realized something was wrong.

Because he had already opened the 3D map and was observing the movements within a radius of 100 kilometers.

Mashun County, Ping'an County, Wanjia Town, and Lijiapo were all within his surveillance range.

In addition, he had a complete view of a large number of pillboxes and strongholds that the Japanese had built in order to implement their "cage policy".

As Wang Yousheng was pondering the strength of the Japanese troops at their stronghold, he suddenly felt a sense of crisis from six directions!

Those were six groups of Japanese soldiers and puppet troops, who were now approaching the base area!

Only two flags can be seen marking the attack points on the map: the Japanese Rising Sun Flag and the Wang Jingwei regime flag.

After clicking on the two flags, it's impossible to see how many enemy troops there are.

This made Wang Yousheng very anxious. Damn it, what's the use if we can't see how many Japanese soldiers are coming?

However, knowing that the Japanese were approaching the base area was a form of intelligence interception!

With six directions approaching the base simultaneously, Wang Yousheng felt a sense of danger.

Suddenly, he stood up and looked at Zhou Huaiqi.

Wang Yousheng retorted, "Why didn't you tell me the Japanese were on a mission today?"

Zhou Huaiqi was sipping his tea when he was startled by the roar, which made him tremble all over.

He hurriedly clasped his hands in a mournful voice and said, "I don't know, I haven't attended any meetings these past few days."

Zhou Huaiqi was telling the truth. Ever since the Eighth Route Army released him and sent him home, he hadn't dared to leave the house.

Wang Yousheng raised an eyebrow, thinking that since the old man's intimacy level with him wasn't negative, there was no possibility of betrayal.

Then, his gaze fell on Ma Baohui.

The next moment, a Mauser pistol was pressed against his forehead.

Wang Yousheng coldly questioned, "Tell me, what big moves have the Japanese made recently? Why are Japanese soldiers coming out from the direction of Wanjia Town and the Huting stronghold?"

Upon hearing this question, Ma Bao was completely dumbfounded. This bandit in front of him was truly an extraordinary person.

Early in the morning, he received a message from the local detective team that the Japanese were about to approach the Eighth Route Army base. The Japanese order was issued in less than an hour. How did this mountain king know about it?

Under the threat of a pistol, Ma reported honestly, "They want to requisition grain; they must be heading to the Eighth Route Army's base area."

Upon hearing these words, all the soldiers in the district squad present turned pale.

The Japanese were requisitioning grain? That's ridiculous! It's basically the "Three Alls Policy"—they looted wherever they went...

Ge Erdan and Zhang Shan became visibly anxious, constantly glancing at Wang Yousheng.

Wang Yousheng knew the situation was urgent, and pressed again, "How many Japanese soldiers have come?"

Ma reported for a moment, then countered with, "Sir, if I provide you with information, can you reduce the ransom?"

Fuck you!

Upon hearing this, a comrade nearby went up and kicked him.

Wang Yousheng also started cursing. Damn it, what kind of situation is this? How dare they still make demands of him?

Ma reported that he had taken a hard kick, and rubbed the sore spot, pleading for help.

"Don't hit me, I'll talk, I'll talk!"

Ma reported, choking back tears: "I'm not entirely sure either, but I've heard there are several hundred people."

"Several hundred people..."

This number of words kept flashing through Wang Yousheng's mind.

He doesn't yet know the Japanese army's specific battle plan, but the Japanese army's requisition of grain will inevitably endanger the lives of the villagers along the way.

No doubt, we must stop them!

"Zhang Shan!"

Wang Yousheng called out, and Zhang Shan, the guard standing at the door, hurriedly walked in.

Zhang Shan also seemed impatient.

Wang Yousheng whispered a few words in Zhang Shan's ear, and Zhang Shan's face showed obvious surprise. Then, he nodded vigorously.

Wang Yousheng secretly told him to go back and get reinforcements.

With only a small team, it was impossible to transport 20,000 jin of grain back to the base. In addition, the Japanese were suddenly approaching the base and their origins were unknown, so they had to be taken down.

Zhou Huaiqi was a shrewd man. Knowing that the Eighth Route Army would definitely target the Japanese, he generously donated a fast horse.

With a fast horse, Zhang Shan could greatly shorten the journey back; if all went smoothly, he could arrive in just over an hour.

At the same time, Wang Yousheng noticed something was wrong: a group of troops from the 358th Regiment were also marching towards Baishi Village.

I just can't figure out how large the scale is.

Wang Yousheng was a little worried. Damn it, could they be here to steal his food?

120,000 catties of grain is enough to feed a battalion for more than half a year. If the Jin-Sui Army captures it, wouldn't today's work be for nothing?

At that moment, he questioned Ma, "Village Chief Ma, is there something you're hiding from me?"

Ma was completely bewildered; he had no idea what Wang Yousheng meant. However, after Wang Yousheng's reminder, he became nervous again.

Indeed, he has another important matter to attend to today: collecting grain.

A few days ago, a group of merchants came to his home and said they could provide 20,000 catties of grain. He asked how much they could give him.

When Ma Huiping heard about the large amount of grain, he realized that as a major grain merchant, and with spring planting underway and grain shortages occurring in various regions, he was confident that he could make a fortune by buying low and selling high. Therefore, he agreed to exchange 3,000 silver dollars for 20,000 catties of grain, and today was the day of the transaction.

I thought I could deal with it after I got home, but now it's like I've been kidnapped.

At the same time, Ma Bao was also shocked. He didn't understand how Wang Yousheng knew.

He always felt that he couldn't hide anything from anyone.

Seeing the man's evasive gaze, Wang Yousheng knew there must be a trick involved, and immediately loaded his Mauser pistol.

"Speak! If you don't speak, hmph..."

Wang Yousheng pretended to be about to pull the trigger.

Ma Bao was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground like a dead dog; he was finished!

Ma could only honestly reply, "I've recently been buying a batch of grain. I'm a businessman; surely that hasn't offended any of you big shots?"

"Buying grain? Today? What's the name of the person coming?" Wang Yousheng raised an eyebrow.

Ma reported in a mournful voice, "They didn't tell me his name, but I'm sure he's a soldier."

"Oh?"

Ma reported back, "Their demeanor and movements are so similar to those of soldiers. I don't know if they are Eighth Route Army soldiers or someone else, but they are definitely soldiers."

Wang Yousheng thought about it carefully and thought, "Damn it, the Eighth Route Army is so poor they can't even afford to eat. How could they possibly sell grain?"

According to Ma's report, the people who went to his house today must be from the 358th Regiment.