Little Bobo - A Centennial Classic Chinese Film Story []

Author: Huzi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: The story takes place on the plains of Jizhong in 1943. On a summer morning, just as dawn was breaking, the vast and misty Baiyangdian Lake appeared particularly tranquil and peaceful. In the swaying reed marshes, a small boat drifted on the water. Onboard was a fishing boy, about twelve or thirteen years old, named Zhang Gazi. His name matched his personality—his sharp, clever eyes and expressive face gave him a mischievous yet endearing aura. If his eyes darted, you had to be careful, because he might just pull another trick. In short, this little fellow was playful but beloved by everyone. Look, he was completely focused, probably having spotted a big fish. He quietly crouched down, holding his fishing net ready to scoop it up, when suddenly, two sharp gunshots rang out. The sound scared the fish away and startled Gazi, who looked up to see the shots coming from the embankment. Gazi knew there was a Japanese stronghold on the embankment, surrounded by strict guard posts, barbed wire fences, and other obstacles. At that moment, the stronghold on the embankment was ablaze with fire, dark smoke billowing into the sky. Japanese soldiers and puppet troops shouted and chaos erupted. Gazi suddenly noticed a shadow emerging from the embankment. The shadow swiftly tossed a hand grenade behind him, then leaped into the water, swimming hard toward the lake, using the smoke from the explosion to cover his escape. The pursuing Japanese and puppet troops stood on the shore, firing continuously at the water. The gunfire grew denser, and seeing the danger, Gazi jumped into the water and hid. After a while, the gunfire gradually subsided. Near Gazi’s small boat, a middle-aged man dressed as a farmer emerged from the water. He cautiously glanced at the shore and, seeing no one on the boat, quickly climbed aboard. The embankment was crowded with people, and puppet troops wielded flashlights, scanning the water back and forth. The middle-aged man was rowing hard toward the distance when suddenly, a gunshot rang out. A bullet struck him, causing him to sway and fall onto the boat. The small boat lost its direction and began spinning in the water. However, in no time, it mysteriously moved forward again, turning left and right before vanishing into the dense reed marshes.
It turned out that Gazi, who had watched everything clearly, had been pushing the boat to the shore after the brave man could no longer row. The shore was the village where Gazi lived, a village with a peculiar name called "Gui Bu Ling." Among the tall, dense willow trees stood rows of low, dilapidated mud-brick houses. With the help of the village head, Comrade Chun Gang, Gazi recognized the rescued man as Captain Zhong of the reconnaissance platoon of the Eighth Route Army’s regional detachment. Captain Zhong had come to the enemy stronghold on a reconnaissance mission but was discovered by the heavily guarded enemy and injured while escaping via water. The village head arranged for Captain Zhong to recuperate at Gazi’s home. Gazi’s family consisted of only a grandmother and her grandson. The grandmother was an elderly woman in her sixties, with white hair and a kind, benevolent face. Under her meticulous care, Captain Zhong’s injuries healed quickly. One evening, a medical orderly from the Eighth Route Army’s regional detachment came to visit Captain Zhong from the unit. After examining his wound, she excitedly said,