Wang Chengzhu retracted his thoughts and asked, "Where do these refugees come from?"

Wolf Teeth Team members: "It seems they escaped from Xing County, just 3 kilometers ahead, with about a thousand people."

Refugees usually flee in groups, just like ants moving. On the one hand, there will be a way to take care of them, and on the other hand, they will not get lost.

During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was not like the modern era, with maps and navigation.

Although there were maps at that time, where could ordinary people have strategic things like maps?

Many people have never left their hometown for 50 miles in their entire lives. They don’t know the way after walking far away. It’s normal to get lost.

When Wang Chengzhu learned that these refugees fled from Xing County, he guessed the reason and said, "Let's go, take me over and take a look!"

Immediately, Wang Chengzhu took Wang Shugen and Monk Wei to leave the army and accelerated to rush forward.

Because of the war horses, Wang Chengzhu quickly caught up with the refugee group.

These refugees went out one or two kilometers along the road, and could not see the end at first sight.

There are elderly people, women and children, and children, which basically cover every age group, but there are relatively few young and middle-aged people.

Some of them carry luggage, some push a wheelbarrow, and some hold babies in their arms...

The reason why so many refugees appeared during the War of Resistance Against Japan was thanks to the Japanese. It was because China was too weak at that time and could not resist the strong enemy outside the country.

Seeing this scene, Wang Chengzhu, as a time traveler, felt a little touched and his hatred for the Japanese devils increased a little.

"Well!"

Soon, Wang Chengzhu rode his war horse over the refugee group and stopped him in front.

Seeing a soldier blocking his way, these refugees were suddenly panicked.

However, when he saw that Wang Chengzhu was wearing an Eighth Route Army uniform, the refugees breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved in their throats.

Wang Chengzhu turned over and dismounted, looked at the frightened refugees and said, "Don't be afraid, fellow villagers, I am Wang Chengzhu, the battalion commander of the Independent Battalion of the New First Regiment of the Eighth Route Army."

"I would like to ask, why did you escape from Xingxian?"

An old man separated the crowd, came to the front, sighed and said, "Hey! It's not that the Japanese are not going to give us a way out.

A few days ago, the Japanese suddenly went to the countryside to arrest the strong men, and even kidnapped them if they were unwilling to do so.

What they said was that they were recruiting workers and paying wages, but anyone with discerning eyes knew that it was just a lie that the Japanese fooled people, and no one believed them at all.

But if you don’t believe it, you can’t help it. You will be beaten by the Japanese and you will suffer together with your family.”

After pausing, the old man continued: "Before this, the Japanese had also gone to the countryside to recruit workers. However, those who were recruited were like missing. Not only did they not bring their wages home, they never came back."

"This time, the Japanese devils were even more overwhelmed. They not only arrested the elderly, but even women. As long as they could do their jobs, they would be arrested. We really couldn't survive and had to leave our hometown and flee..."

Yes, if you don’t have to survive, who would be willing to leave your hometown?

After hearing what the old man said, Wang Chengzhu confirmed his guess that the Dashawan Mine must have started construction again.

If this mine is not solved, similar problems will inevitably continue to occur, but the problem is that the Dashawan mine is open-pit, not mine caves, and it cannot be destroyed at all.

The Independent Battalion has the ability to conquer it, but it is not able to defend it.

Moreover, the Japanese who suffered losses will definitely strengthen their defenses, and it will only be more difficult to capture the mine again.

Retracting his thoughts, Wang Chengzhu said: "I'm sorry, it's because of the dereliction of duty of our soldiers and the failure to resist the enemy outside the country, which made you suffer so much."

The old man said: "Bath Commander Wang, don't say that. We see the efforts and sacrifices made by your Eighth Route Army.

It’s just that the Japanese are too powerful and too cruel.”

"Yes, yes, we see the efforts and sacrifices made by your Eighth Route Army."

The rest of the people followed suit.

Thanks to the propaganda of our party and the execution of party members' practice and words and deeds, the Eighth Route Army has a very good influence in the Jin-Cha-Hebei region, so the people have a good impression of the Eighth Route Army.

Wang Chengzhu was moved by the sound of his ears and asked again: "By the way, fellow villagers, do you have a purpose?"

The old man said: "We have no destination, we just want to find a place without war to live a stable life.

If you want to say anything, it is the border base where your Eighth Route Army is located.

I heard from them that although the conditions there were a little hard, they would not be bullied and oppressed by the Japanese.”

"But we can't find out where the border area is. Can you take us there?"

"Yes, Battalion Commander Wang, can you take us in?"

The old man's words immediately resonated with the refugees, and they all asked Wang Chengzhu to lead the way and take them in.

Looking at their expectant eyes, Wang Chengzhu followed the trend and said, "If you want to go to the border area, I can send someone to lead you, but the journey is too far and the conditions there are very difficult.

Judging from your situation, I am afraid that many people will find it difficult to stick to it.

Of course, if you want, I can take you back to the base of my independent camp and divide the land to plant it for you, so as to protect you against the Japanese's raid.

But you need to work together to create your own home. I wonder if you are willing?"

The need for the development of the independent camp base is naturally inseparable from population and labor, and it is obviously not enough to rely solely on the people of Wangjia Village and the nearby villages.

The refugees' idea is very simple, they are nothing more than having a meal and a stable residence.

Since ancient times, the land has basically been in the hands of landlords and gentry. The common people rarely have land. Even if there is one, they are some thin soil with poor crop harvests.

Now, Wang Chengzhu said that not only would he share land for them and help them create their homes, but he would also provide them with protection. The fleeing people were overjoyed.

"Captain Wang, we are willing to go back to the base with you!"

"Yes, Captain Wang, we are willing to go back to the base with you!"

The eyes of the refugees were full of hope, and some emotional people even shed tears of emotion.

The reason is that refugees are unpopular in any era, even in the 21st century.

Because there are too many refugees, it will bring a lot of unpredictable troubles.

For example, the resettlement of refugees, as well as food, drink, defecation and urination, will even increase the crime rate.

If you have no food to eat, don’t rob or steal, are you waiting to starve to death?

Therefore, many Central Army and the Shanxi-Sui Army Defense Zone are unwilling to accept refugees.

In their opinion, refugees are burdensome and have no value at all. They only have the powerful and noble class in their eyes.

This is a top-down issue for the National Government.

But in Wang Chengzhu's view, these refugees are all treasures.

Wangjia Village is backed by Luliang Mountain and has a wide area but a very sparse population.

With this group of refugees moving in, the labor problem was solved.

As for the food problem, because of the existence of super sweet potato seeds, the food problem is not a problem with Wang Chengzhu.

There will even be more military rations for the independent battalion due to the increase in labor force and the increase in sweet potato production.

In addition, workers are also needed after the independent operation of the military uniform factory.

In short, if the independent camp wants to grow and grow, it cannot be separated from population in any aspect.

Refugees have their homes and independent camps have developed, which is a virtuous cycle...
Chapter completed!