Chapter 14: The Militia Squad Leader

The villagers rekindled the excitement they felt last night. Who wouldn’t be scared when they saw wolves? But Zhang Yang, that boy, seemed as if killing wolves was an everyday, trivial matter. Not only was he calm, he even suggested that everyone spontaneously form a village patrol team. Though he looked rough around the edges, when it came to serious matters, he was reliable and steady.

Zhang Haiquan saw the recognition and admiration in the villagers’ eyes. He knew then that Zhang Yang had firmly secured his position as the squad leader. However, it was easy to form a militia team, but what about weapons?

As the team leader, Zhang Haiquan had the responsibility to protect the villagers. He didn’t want to hide anything, so he openly said, “But the guns we have for the militia are old, and the ammunition is very limited. Later, I will entrust Uncle Min De and Zhang Yang to organize the team and select the members.”

“I will also hand over the guns to them, so they can distribute them to the new members.”

“As for the bullets…”

At that moment, Zhang Yang interrupted calmly, “Team Leader, I have a suggestion.”

Zhang Haiquan looked at Zhang Yang with some expectation. “Go ahead.”

Zhang Yang said steadily, “First, these two wolves cannot be left in the village. Until we confirm whether there are any others on the mountain, we must remain vigilant. Leaving these two wolves here will only bring endless trouble.”

The villagers around him gasped in fright, “Yes! It’s too dangerous!”

Zhang Yang continued, “Second, although I killed these two wolves, the guns belong to the public. Since everyone will need to help clean up later, I think we can sell the wolves. After exchanging them for money, we can find proper channels to buy guns and ammunition and distribute them to the new militia team members.”

After he finished, Zhang Haiquan frowned slightly but was not very surprised. In his heart, he had long known Zhang Yang was no ordinary young man.

Zhang Haiquan had also heard about Zhang Yan’s divorce and that Wang Jie was demanding compensation of eighty-eight ration tickets from the Zhang family.

He believed Zhang Yang had taken up the responsibility to support his family, which had awakened his fighting spirit and brought about such a great change. This was definitely a good thing.

But where would he sell the wolves? Buying guns and ammunition on his own would cause many problems if word got out.

Zhang Haiquan was somewhat uncertain.

At this moment, Zhang Min De stepped forward. “Team Leader, I vouch for Yangzi!”

As an old mountain patrolman, Zhang Min De understood discipline well.

He didn’t want to put Zhang Haiquan in a difficult position. After all, he was the team leader and had many eyes watching him. If others started to follow suit and break the rules, it would be hard to manage the production team later.

So, he came forward to vouch for Zhang Yang!

Zhang Min De puffed out his chest proudly. “No matter what happens in the future, it’s on me! I’m an old man; there’s nothing I won’t take responsibility for!”

Other villagers stepped forward. “Zhang Min De, is it just you?”

Zhang Min De was stunned, thinking they would object, but instead, the villagers stepped forward one after another, volunteering, “I can vouch for Yangzi too!”

“Me too!”

“I’m willing!”

With each promise louder than the last, Zhang Haiquan felt warmth welling in his eyes.

“No need for so many guarantors!” Zhang Haiquan said excitedly. “It seems our Zhangjia Village is very united! Unity is strength in any age! What happened today, whether you say it or I say it, it won’t be spread around; it’s our village’s secret!”

“Absolutely not a word!”

“I’ll see who dares to say anything—we’ll all go and flatten their homes together!”

The villagers raised their arms in unison, all standing firmly behind Zhang Yang.

By then, Zhang Haiquan no longer had any doubts.

“You froze your hands and got frostbite protecting everyone’s safety. The villagers have noticed,” Zhang Haiquan said with emotion.

Zhang Yang shyly withdrew his hands. “It’s what I should do.”

“All right, handle the wolf issue together! Now that the militia team is settled, I can finally sleep soundly!” Zhang Haiquan smiled.

With a firm nod, Zhang Yang felt relieved.

After Zhang Min De saw Zhang Haiquan off, the villagers gathered around, smiling and calling out, “Long live the squad leader!”

Zhang Yang hurriedly waved his hands. “Don’t be so formal, uncles and aunts. Just call me Yangzi!”

“What’s there to be shy about? You weren’t afraid when you killed the wolves. You deserve to be called squad leader!”

“Exactly, squad leader!”

“Squad leader!”

The villagers’ words were half in jest, half sincere joy. Who wouldn’t want to live better days? Having stronger protection in the village meant greater peace of mind.

Zhang Yang no longer refused the title, though he was still a little unaccustomed. Scratching his head, he laid out a plan for dealing with the wolves.

“To be honest, Dongzi and I plan to head to the town today and find a way to get rid of these two wolves.”

“The round trip will take quite some time, so we’ll set off soon.”

“After we drag the wolves away, everyone will need to dig up the snow stained with their blood, preferably with some soil beneath, and carry it outside the village—far away if possible!”

He didn’t have to explain further; the villagers understood. This was a precautionary measure.

Fortunately, Zhang Yang was both bold and meticulous.

Without delay, Zhang Yang and Zhao Dong loaded the wolves onto a cart and found something to cover the headless dead wolf from home. They transported them together.

The journey to Maoli Town would take at least half a day, even at a fast pace.

They didn’t know what kind of people they might encounter along the way.

Not wanting to draw attention, Zhang Yang borrowed an old cloth from Li Huifang to cover the cart before they hurriedly left Zhangjia Village.

Half a day later, the two arrived safely in Maoli Town.

After asking around several times, they finally found the location of the black market.

This place had once been a temporary medical station during wartime.

A cluster of low, earthen huts now served as the black market.

The huts were extremely rudimentary, but the items displayed on the two tables were all rare and unusual.

“Yangzi! Look at that head! Whose skull is that?” Zhao Dong was excited, shaking Zhang Yang’s arm, pointing at a huge yak’s head.

Zhang Yang couldn’t explain why he recognized it, so he said, “I haven’t seen it before either.”

Nearby, a little old man snorted, “Why are you shouting? Keep it down! Don’t you know this is the black market? Afraid of trouble, huh?”

Startled by the scolding, Zhao Dong immediately silenced himself, holding onto the cart and walking more cautiously.

Zhang Yang observed the sellers carefully; each person’s eyes gleamed with shrewdness.

They were clearly veterans of the black market.

He had once been taught face-reading by an old monk.

Half of the people in this black market weren’t kind souls; many had blood on their hands.

So, the moment he stepped in, he sensed the hostility.

Only Zhao Dong, young and fearless with an open temper, had given the old man a chance to intimidate them.

Zhang Yang turned his head and whispered to Zhao Dong, “Stick close to me and don’t say anything. If anyone asks what’s in the cart, don’t answer. Most of these people are sellers; our buyers might not even be here yet. We might still have to wait.”