When the restless bandits heard that Yang Ling would give them a chance to atone for their crimes, hope rekindled their lifeless faces.
"Sir, how can we atone for our sins?" A bandit in the crowd asked impatiently.
The blacksmith glanced at the bandit who was speaking, paused and said, "It's very simple, follow us to fight the Japanese! Recover the country!"
After hearing the blacksmith's words, the bandits all whispered to each other and buzzed.
Many of them had fled here from outside the mountains, so they naturally knew the cruelty and ferocity of the little devils, who were all murderous masters.
They were full of fear of the Japs, and now that they were asked to pick up guns and fight the Japs, their hearts were filled with many worries.
"What? Aren't you very capable when you bullied your fellow villagers, but now you are too timid to fight against the little devil?"
Seeing that these bandits were hesitating, the blacksmith cursed angrily: "What a bunch of fucking cowards! You know they're in trouble!"
Facing the blacksmith's disdainful gaze, these bandits felt that their self-esteem had been insulted, and they all stared at the blacksmith with anger on their faces.
"Damn, I really think highly of you."
The blacksmith did not expect that these young and middle-aged bandits, who looked good, were so afraid of the little devils and were greatly disappointed in them.
"Since you don't want to make atonement by beating up the Japanese, then just wait here and get shot one by one."
"Sir, I can follow you to fight the Japanese, but we have one condition, that is, we cannot be allowed to rush forward and serve as cannon fodder during the war."
As soon as the blacksmith finished his threats, the bandits began to negotiate terms.
None of these bandits want to die, but following the blacksmith and the others to fight against the Japanese is a big risk. If they are allowed to go ahead and serve as cannon fodder during a war, it would be better to stay in a prison camp and wait for trial.
"I'm not here to negotiate terms with you. You only have two choices. Either follow us and fight against the Japanese to atone for your sins, or you can wait here for trial and execution. You can think about it yourself!" the blacksmith replied fiercely.
After the blacksmith finished speaking, he turned around and wanted to leave. He had given these bandits a way to survive. It was up to them whether they wanted to die or live.
"Sir, I am willing to follow you to fight the Japanese!" As soon as the blacksmith turned around, Huang San, one of the bandits, spoke up.
The blacksmith turned his head, looked at the sallow-looking Huang San, stared at him and asked: "Aren't you afraid that I will let you rush to the front and be cannon fodder?"
Bandit Huang San also looked the blacksmith squarely in the eyes and replied: "Not afraid!"
The bandit Huang San was betting. He was betting that the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps was short of men, otherwise bandits like them would not be incorporated into the army.
If you want them to integrate into the army wholeheartedly, then they will definitely be treated equally, and they will not be allowed to charge forward and serve as cannon fodder. Otherwise, they will lose their support and everything else they do now will be in vain.
The blacksmith looked at the upright bandit Huang San with interest. Although he didn't know why he was so sure that he would not send them as cannon fodder, Huang San's tough temperament still made him like it.
"Okay, if you have the guts, go and register!" The blacksmith nodded, accepting Huang San.
"Thank you, sir, for not killing me!"
The bandit Huang San bowed his hands to the blacksmith and walked straight to the staff officer holding the roster in his hand without looking back.
Several of Huang San's companions saw that Huang San was willing to follow the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps to fight the Japanese and make atonement. They looked at each other, gritted their teeth and stood up.
"Sir, we are also willing to perform meritorious deeds and atone for our sins against the Japanese."
When the blacksmith saw someone taking the initiative to come forward, he was very satisfied and waved to them to register.
"Thank you, sir." Several people followed Huang San as if they were granted amnesty.
With Huang San and others taking the lead, more bandits came forward one after another, expressing their willingness to follow the blacksmith and others to fight the Japanese.
In just over ten minutes, the blacksmith succeeded in recruiting 150 people from the bandits, preparing to add them to his own camp to replenish the casualties in the battle.
"Sir, count me in."
When more people stood up and wanted to join the army to fight the Japanese, the blacksmith shook his head: "I have given you the opportunity today. If you didn't grasp it in time, you should stay here now."
After hearing what the blacksmith said, those who had not registered in time were very upset, because their future in the prison camps was uncertain. Who knew whether the North Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps would settle old accounts and send them to trial and then be shot.
.
Huang San and others saw that the blacksmith only wanted 150 people and stopped asking for them. Then they looked at the pessimistic and disappointed bandits who were stranded in the prisoner camp. They were all glad that they had made the right choice.
"Don't be discouraged. There is no chance of performing well in the prisoner camp. As long as you perform well, we will see it. It is not impossible to give you a chance to atone for your sins."
Seeing the hope rekindled on the faces of these bandits, the blacksmith changed the subject: "Of course, once those stubborn people are discovered, don't blame us for being ruthless."
The most heinous bandits in these prison camps have been shot one after another. Although the remaining ones have helped the tyrants, they will not be shot.
Now the blacksmiths treat these bandits with a big stick and red dates, just to educate and reform them, so that they know how to repay their kindness, and then they will follow them wholeheartedly to fight the Japanese.
After the blacksmith completed the selection of the bandits, he returned to the camp with one hundred and fifty bandits who volunteered to follow them to fight the Japanese. Amid the envy of everyone in the prison camp, the blacksmith returned to the camp.
After returning to his first battalion's station, the blacksmith directly called the three company commanders and asked them to take the bandits back.
"These people who have been brought back are dispersed to each platoon and each class. Let the brothers strengthen surveillance and prevent them from getting together."
Although he personally selected these people from the prisoner camps, most of them were bandits who had not done anything harmful to heaven and earth after comparing them with the list given by the intelligence department, and they all voluntarily followed them to fight the Japanese.
But after all, people sometimes make mistakes, so the blacksmith is still prepared to observe for a while to ensure that there are people who are playing tricks on these people. Such people must be kicked out resolutely.
"When they get to our troops, if they dare to be careful again, then let them see the master's methods." The first company commander was eager to give it a try.
"Okay, hurry up and make arrangements. Military training will begin tomorrow."
They have been fighting since the breakout of Huaiyin, and after entering the mountains, they have been busy helping people build houses. Now training is an urgent matter, and the blacksmith no longer wants to wait any longer.
"yes!"
The three company commanders all saluted in unison and prepared to lead the troops. Although they were bandits, they were in a good mood after all, as they could replenish the casualties in the battle.