Chapter 10: Issuing an ultimatum to the little devils

"Captain Chang, I happen to have something to ask for your help. Does your county brigade have anyone who can write?" Li Guotao inquired

I am determined to avenge my parents, so I believe my father in the heavens will surely understand me! At this point, tears streamed down Bai Wei's face once again.

Well, I think we should discuss this matter further," Li Guotao said with a furrowed brow

"Alright!" Changde quickly nodded and turned to walk outside

Bai Wei stared intently at Li Guotao, as if she wanted to see through him, making Li Guotao feel somewhat embarrassed. Bai Wei sighed and said, "I hope you can teach me the skills to kill the Japanese. I want to take revenge by killing the Japanese myself. Do you think I'm just a woman and therefore refuse to teach me?"

Li Guotao couldn't help but frown. In fact, Li Guotao himself has graduated from high school, but he can only write in Simplified Chinese, while what is currently used is Traditional Chinese. If Li Guotao were to write by himself, regardless of whether others could recognize it, he would certainly be laughed at by others. Therefore, Li Guotao wanted to find someone to help him write something.

Li Guotao sighed and said, "That white girl, I just mentioned, you are currently blinded by hatred. I think you should calm down first. Let's discuss this matter later! I have important business to attend to, so let's end our conversation here for today"

"I can write. What do you want to write? I will help you!" At that moment, Bai Wei walked over and said.

No problem, I will help you write it! Bai Wei nodded and said, then turned and walked into the room to fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone

After Changde left, Bai Wei then whispered, "Do you dislike me, which is why you are unwilling to marry me?"

No! No!" Li Guotao quickly waved his hand and explained, "Miss Bai, you misunderstand. A naturally beautiful and kind girl like you, which man wouldn't like? It's just that I am merely a rough man and truly unworthy of you.

Li Guotao couldn't help but cast a glance at Changde, thinking to himself, why are you everywhere! However, at that moment, Li Guotao was not in the mood to deal with this person, and turned to Bai Wei, saying, "Miss Bai, I believe you have misunderstood! Today, the enemy has invaded, occupying our territory and killing our people! Every patriotic Chinese person should stand up and fight against the enemy to defend our country! Therefore, Miss Bai, you do not need to thank me at all, nor do you need to offer yourself in return! Every patriotic Chinese person should stand up and fight against the enemy to defend our country! Therefore, Miss Bai, you do not need to thank me at all, nor do you need to offer yourself in return! Because killing the Japanese is our duty and responsibility."

Bai Wei turned her head to glance at Chang De and said, "Captain Chang, could you please step outside for a moment? Li Guotao and I still have something to discuss."

Oh! I apologize, please continue!" Changde quickly apologized and stepped back out.

I cannot argue with you, so I can only remain silent!" Li Guotao said with a helpless expression

There is nothing wrong! Since Miss Bai has already agreed, why are you being so pretentious? I think this matter is settled just like that!" Changde suddenly burst in from outside and said loudly

"Why are you not speaking?" Bai Wei asked Li Guotao.

"No, I have never looked down on women," Li Guotao said, feeling quite troubled, and quickly explained, "It's just that fighting and killing the enemy is ultimately a task for men; a girl like you really shouldn't..."

Li Guotao slapped his forehead and said with a serious expression, "I almost forgot that Miss Bai has been to school before and can definitely write. So, please help me draft a notice for the little devils, telling them that if they dare to come out and harm our common people again, this will be the fate of those little devils who come to Xiaozhangzhuang!"

So this is the calculation you are making! Li Guotao's head hurt even more; dealing with a hundred or eighty enemies would not make him feel this way, but a single woman is enough to give him a headache. "However, your father has just passed away; discussing such matters now seems inappropriate, doesn't it?"

"Did you not say yourself that if we do not get married, you will not join the Eighth Route Army?" Bai Wei said to Li Guotao, "Moreover, I have already thought it through. We are not related by blood, and you would certainly be unwilling to teach me. If we were to get married, it would be different; even if you wanted to refuse to teach me, you would not be able to."

"You say you do not look down on women, yet history has shown us figures like Hua Mulan, who took her father's place in the army, and Mu Guiying, who led the troops to a great victory at the Tianmen Array. Each of them was a woman of strength, not inferior to men. On what grounds do you look down on us women? Moreover, today, the enemy is invading our homeland in large numbers. Once the war begins, there will be no distinction between north and south, nor between young and old. Everyone has the responsibility to defend our territory and should be prepared to sacrifice everything. Furthermore, I have a deep-seated enmity with the Japanese devils; why should I not kill them?" Bai Wei said to Li Guotao, her face filled with excitement.

Ah! I did not expect that Miss Bai not only has a beautiful appearance but also writes exceptionally well!" Changde said with a look of admiration as he watched from the side

Li Guotao was rendered speechless. According to the memories of that deceased man, Li San, this Bai Wei was not an ordinary rural girl. Back in Northeast China, she had attended a girls' school for several years and had excellent academic performance. If it had not been for the outbreak of the September 18 Incident, she would likely have graduated from university by now

"Miss Bai, what happened yesterday was a moment of confusion on my part, which led to my wrongdoing. I hope you can forgive me!" Li Guotao quickly explained, "Rest assured, I promise you that I will avenge your loved ones by killing the enemy, and I will certainly not go back on my word. As for this matter, I think it is better to let it go!"

"Are the Li brothers writing something? I truly apologize, but in our county team, I am the one who knows the most characters, although I only recognize twelve characters: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, plus my name," Changde said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You are right, Miss Bai. Given the current special circumstances, we need not be overly concerned with such trivial formalities. On behalf of our An Guo County team, I sincerely invite you to join us," Changde suddenly interjected.

"Discussion, what is there left to discuss!" Bai Wei said with a frown

"Captain Chang, are you not aware that eavesdropping on others' conversations is a very impolite behavior?" Li Guotao said with a displeased expression

"Participating in the Eighth Route Army is fine, but the matter of marriage should be discussed further! It is primarily about you, and you should consider it carefully." Li Guotao quickly explained

"If you don't speak, I will take it as your agreement. I don't want to wait even a day now; I just want to kill the enemy and take revenge as soon as possible. Tomorrow, we will join the Eighth Route Army together," Bai Wei said in an unequivocal tone.

Ah! This doesn't seem quite right!

Li Guotao finished speaking and, without waiting for Bai Wei to respond, strode out. Chang De, who was waiting at the door, quickly approached him, saying, "Brother Li, where are you going?" Having finally caught hold of such a talent as Li Guotao, Chang De was certainly not going to let him leave easily

"You wanted to propose to me yesterday! Why are you unwilling to marry me today?" Bai Wei said with a slight frown, feeling somewhat embarrassed.