Fighting on the Hutuo River.

Author: Li Yingru
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The characters and stories in the novel are largely based on real-life events. In terms of plot organization and structure, they generally align with the specific circumstances of the time. Events such as Zhang Laodong organizing the local self-governing committee, setting fire to and blocking the Hutuo River, the Eighth Route Army's strategic retreat and breakout, the mass killings in Yanhe Village, and the tunnel warfare—all were incidents that actually occurred in nearby villages. When the army withdrew, officials left the village, and militia members dispersed, many reactionary landlords like Zhang Laodong collaborated with the enemy to form self-governing committees, acting with great arrogance. I remember one time when we passed through Dazexian's Daxing Village, the puppet organization forced every household to hang a Japanese flag, and the old man with the blurry sun flag of the self-governing committee actually yelled at a few liaison officers to tie us up. Only when we fiercely slapped his face and pointed a gun at his chest did he obediently take down the flag and put it back in his stall.