In 1946, at the beginning of the Chinese Civil War, a tense standoff emerged in Northeast China. Remnants of the defeated Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) bandits fled into the deep mountains and dense forests. There, they allied with local bandits and oppressive landlords, forming armed gangs that rampaged through the region, burning, killing, and looting. Their actions severely disrupted the land reform movement led by the Communist Party.
To protect the hard-won gains of the people and fully support the war of liberation, a small, elite detachment of our army entered the vast, snowy forests during the harsh winter. Relying on the Party and the support of the local people, they overcame countless hardships and obstacles. Their mission: to thoroughly and cleanly eliminate several groups of entrenched bandits, including the notoriously powerful Xu Damabang (许大马棒) and the cunning Mountain Eagle (座山雕), who significantly outnumbered them.
This entire series consists of three volumes. This first volume tells the thrilling tales of Commander Shao Jianbo (少剑波) and reconnaissance hero Yang Zirong (杨子荣), including their clever capture of "Little Stovemaker" (小炉匠), the surprise attack on Milk Head Mountain (奶头山), the elimination of bandit leader Xu Damabang, and the live capture of "Tuft of Hair" (一撮毛).
- In the late autumn of 1946, a biting cold swept through the Mudanjiang (牡丹江) region. Shao Jianbo, the Chief of Staff for a People's Liberation Army regiment, was inspecting military training when he received urgent orders to suppress the bandits. His heart ablaze with urgency, he spurred his horse and galloped directly back to regimental headquarters.
2. At the headquarters, in front of a military map, Regiment Commander Wang (王团长), Political Commissar Liu (刘政委), and Jianbo meticulously studied the enemy situation. It turned out that over two hundred bandits who had fled into the mountains the previous night had launched a surprise attack on Shanlan Station (杉岚站), engaging in widespread burning and killing. Simultaneously, the land reform work team led by Jianbo's elder sister, County Chief Ju (鞠县长), was besieged. The situation was critical.
3. The mastermind behind these atrocities was none other than Xu Damabang. He was a tyrannical landlord from Shanlan Station, who had served as the police chief of Mudanjiang City during the Japanese puppet regime. Now, he was the commander of the "Third Brigade of the Central Advanced Expeditionary Army, Binsui Tujia Security Force." A truly formidable foe.
4. Jianbo led his troops to the blazing Shanlan Station, but the bandits had already fled. The soldiers extinguished the raging fires, then sorrowfully wrapped the bodies of County Chief Ju and other martyrs in military blankets. Surrounding them, they furiously shouted, "Blood debts must be paid with blood!" Even the warhorses neighed and roared in a mournful echo.
5. Following the tragedy, a thousand-strong bandit suppression force scoured the dense forests of Lao Ye Ridge (老爷岭) day and night. But half a month passed, and no reliable clues about the bandits were found. The soldiers grew increasingly anxious.
6. One day, Deputy Commander Tian (田副司令) and Regiment Commander Wang, among others, were meticulously reviewing the recent bandit suppression efforts. Deputy Commander Tian stated, "The enemy's large forces have been routed. Now we only need to deal with small bandit groups like Xu Damabang, Mountain Eagle, and Ma Xishan (马希山). To use a large force to suppress them now would be like trying to hit fleas with a fist—utterly useless."
7. Deputy Commander Tian pointed to the map and continued, "Now, we should use a nimble and strong small detachment to engage the enemy in these mountains and forests. We will scout and fight simultaneously until the enemy is completely eliminated."
8. Everyone vied for the challenging mission, but Deputy Commander Tian's gaze settled firmly on Jianbo. He asked, "Will you select highly conscious, skilled, resourceful, and physically strong soldiers to form a small detachment and accomplish this arduous task?" Jianbo, unable to contain his excitement, repeatedly expressed his determination to the commanders.
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