Chapter 8: The Invitation from Changde

Brother Li is in a difficult situation! If Brother Li has any troubles, please feel free to share them with us. Although we may not possess the same remarkable skills as Brother Li, as the saying goes, three cobblers can outsmart Zhuge Liang! With so many of us here, we can brainstorm solutions together; no matter how great the difficulty, there is always a way to resolve it. " Changde said with a chuckle. It is evident that Changde sincerely wishes to invite Li Guotao to join the Eighth Route Army. A talent like Li Guotao is indeed a rare find; he effortlessly dealt with over fifty enemy soldiers. What does that signify? It is likely that even among ten thousand people, one might not find such a talent! Since Changde encountered Li Guotao today, he certainly would not let this opportunity slip away easily. The Eighth Route Army is undoubtedly in dire need of talents like Li Guotao, who can eliminate enemies!

"Wait a moment! It seems I haven't agreed to you yet?" Li Guotao hurriedly interrupted. Li Guotao felt that he had almost been ensnared by this fellow in a state of confusion.

Of course not, I am just an ordinary citizen now!" Li Guotao replied with a smile

Hehe, yes! Is there a problem?" Changde said with a smile.

The enthusiasm of Changde made Li Guotao feel somewhat embarrassed. With the conversation reaching this point, there was little else for Li Guotao to say. However, he was calculating in his mind that having just crossed over to this era, he was still not very familiar with everything, and to the Eighth Route Army, he was merely a person of unknown origin. To avoid unnecessary troubles in the future, it would be best not to participate too actively in the Eighth Route Army for now; he could join later once he was more familiar with the situation. Li Guotao's mind was racing as he sought a reasonable excuse, and suddenly his eyes lit up. He smiled and asked, "Captain Chang, I have heard that after joining your army, one is not allowed to casually engage in romantic relationships or get married. Is there any truth to this?"

From Chang De's demeanor and the military aura he naturally exudes, it is evident that he is not an ordinary person. The killing intent he carries is not something that can be possessed by someone who has not experienced countless battles and the rain of bullets. Because of this, Li Guotao couldn't help but regard Chang De with a higher opinion and smiled as he said, "Captain Chang indeed has a good eye. I hail from Cangzhou and once trained for a few years under a rural master in farming techniques, which must have amused Captain Chang. A few years ago, in order to make a living, I served as a soldier for two years. After the Great Wall War ended, feeling disheartened, I returned to my hometown to farm." To avoid raising this guy's suspicions, Li Guotao could only fabricate a story on the spot.

Li Guotao hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain it properly.

Changde replied with a smile, "It seems that Brother Li has a good understanding of our army. You are correct; we soldiers are indeed here to fight. If soldiers are allowed to casually date and marry, it will inevitably affect the combat effectiveness of the troops. Although there are no explicit regulations from higher authorities, all units do not encourage soldiers to date or marry. This tradition has existed since our time in Shaanxi North. Why did you suddenly ask about this, Brother Li?"

"Does Brother Li have any more questions? Does Brother Li not wish to drive the little devils out of China? Look, over two hundred innocent civilians in Xiaozhang Village have been brutally slaughtered. Does Brother Li not want to avenge them? If Xiaozhang Village is like this, think about it! How many innocent compatriots across Hebei, across North China, across the whole of China have suffered at the hands of the little devils? Does Brother Li not want to take revenge for these innocent victims? Then what are you hesitating for? Join us, and let us fight against the Japanese and kill the devils together!" Changde shouted loudly. How many innocent compatriots across Hebei, across North China, across the whole of China have suffered at the hands of the little devils? Does Brother Li not want to take revenge for these innocent victims? Then what are you hesitating for? Join us, and let us fight against the Japanese and kill the devils together!" Changde shouted loudly.

"Why? In this time of national crisis, it is precisely the moment for us to fight against the enemy and serve our country. Does Brother Li still have any doubts?" Changde could not help but furrow his brows as he spoke

To fight for the country is undoubtedly a duty that cannot be shirked. However..." Li Guotao said with a troubled expression. Li Guotao is indeed in a very difficult position; he does not actually wish to join the Eighth Route Army. In his previous life, he served as a special forces soldier for several years. Although he has now arrived in the wartime period, his patriotism and love for the people have not changed, and he naturally feels a strong affinity for the Eighth Route Army led by our party. Joining the Eighth Route Army is certainly a very good choice. What troubles Li Guotao is that after he enlisted, he was selected for the special forces right after completing basic training, and he has always been among the elite. Li Guotao has his own pride, so even if he were to join the Eighth Route Army, there are currently no special operations units within it, and he would have to enter the main force! However, this Anguo County unit, to put it nicely, is called an army, but to put it bluntly, it is just a group of militia. The thought of joining such a unit is something Li Guotao finds hard to accept.

Li Guotao quickly waved his hand and said, "Captain Chang has misunderstood; I do not mean to look down on your An Guo County team. I have my own difficulties that prevent me from joining your army at this time!" Li Guotao was afraid of hurting Captain Chang's self-esteem, so he hurriedly explained, while his mind was constantly pondering a more reasonable explanation.

"Captain Chang has misunderstood; I have no misconceptions about my party, no, I mean your party. " As Li Guotao spoke, he suddenly realized that he was no longer a party member and quickly corrected himself, continuing, "I still have some understanding of your party. I know that your party is one that specifically seeks the welfare of our laboring masses. Today, as the enemy invades our China, our mountains and rivers are shattered, and the common people are suffering. In this time of national crisis, the Eighth Route Army, led by your party, has resolutely advanced into North China and actively resisted the Japanese, truly embodying a genuine anti-Japanese army. In this regard, I hold your party and your army in high esteem."

Oh! I understand now! Brother Li does not wish to join our Eighth Route Army, but rather does not want to join our Anguo County detachment. Indeed, with Brother Li's skills, if he were to join our Eighth Route Army, he should be placed in the main force, and it should be the most elite main force. Our Anguo County detachment is too small to accommodate a talent like Brother Li. However, it is not a problem! Nowadays, in the central Hebei region, Commander Lü's self-defense forces and Commander Meng's Hebei guerrilla army have already been merged into the Third Division of the Eighth Route Army, establishing the Central Hebei Military District. It is true that with Brother Li's skills, if he were to join our Eighth Route Army, he should be placed in the main force, and it should be the most elite main force. Our Anguo County detachment is too small to accommodate a talent like Brother Li. However, it is not a problem! Nowadays, in the central Hebei region, Commander Lü's self-defense forces and Commander Meng's Hebei guerrilla army have already been merged into the Third Division of the Eighth Route Army, establishing the Central Hebei Military District. I, lacking in talent, can also speak with the two commanders. How about this: as long as Brother Li is willing, I will personally recommend you to the two leaders. With Brother Li's abilities, you will surely be valued.

Oh! I see!" Changde nodded with a smile, "So, does this mean that Brother Li is no longer a soldier now?

I never agreed to join your Anguo County team said Li Guotao, quickly waving his hand

No problem!" Li Guotao said with a smile, shaking his head.

"Does Brother Li have any misunderstandings about our Party?" Changde couldn't help but ask when he saw Li Guotao's troubled expression. At that time, less than a year had passed since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, and the Eighth Route Army had only recently entered the North China region. Many local people were not particularly familiar with the Eighth Route Army, and quite a few harbored certain misunderstandings about our Party. Changde had encountered such situations before, so seeing Li Guotao's troubled expression, he thought that Li Guotao was unwilling to join the Eighth Route Army because he had certain misunderstandings about our Party.

Upon hearing Li Guotao's words, Changde felt a surge of joy in his heart, yet he became even more perplexed, "If that is the case, then why does Brother Li not wish to join us"

Since there are no issues, Brother Li has agreed to join our Anguo County team!" Changde said happily

That is wonderful! Changde said with a hearty laugh, "In that case, I would like to formally invite Comrade Li Guotao to join our Eighth Route Army in Anguo County. I believe Brother Li is well aware of the current situation. After the July 7 Incident, the Japanese army brazenly launched a full-scale invasion of China, and the entire Chinese nation has reached a critical moment! Individuals like Brother Li, who are ambitious and capable, surely do not wish to watch helplessly as our homeland falls into the hands of the enemy, while innocent civilians suffer at the hands of the Japanese aggressors. So let us join the Eighth Route Army! I know Brother Li will not refuse. Little Wang! Quickly register Brother Li; starting today, he will be our comrade and fellow soldier!" I know Brother Li will not refuse. Little Wang! Quickly register Brother Li; starting today, he will be our comrade and fellow soldier!

"Wait a minute! Is this how Captain Chang usually recruits soldiers?" Li Guotao quickly waved his hand to interrupt Chang De, wearing a bitter smile as he spoke