PFC Chapter 9 Temporary Military Camp
Chapter 9 Temporary Military Camp
"Aren't they using us as cannon fodder?" Zhang Xiuwu was very dissatisfied. He walked to the weapon rack, picked up a spear at random, and with a little force, the spear broke in two.
Chen Feng's heart sank, and he followed, staring at the rusty weapons. He found it hard to imagine how these things could withstand the guns and artillery of the American army.
"Let's just make do with it. Maybe the higher-ups are planning to send us to fight off the independence army!" Juan said calmly, his tone even carrying a hint of anticipation.
Chen Feng glanced at him and asked, "Captain Hu, how many men does the Independent Army have now? What is their combat strength?"
Juan paused, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, but still told the truth: "The exact number is unclear, and their combat effectiveness is not comparable to that of the US military. Only half of them are equipped with firearms."
There was definitely a problem!
This person is most likely connected to the independence army.
Chen Feng felt a little more at ease and picked up the dark pancake to eat.
Zhang Xiuwu, however, had no appetite and pressed on, "What are the arrangements for us? Did they say how long the training will last? When can we go back?"
Seeing that he was not very old, Juan assumed that he was scared and patiently comforted him, "Don't worry, the Spanish have been operating in Luzon for hundreds of years. The American army is far away across the ocean and may not dare to launch a landing operation. They may withdraw on their own in two months."
Seeing that he was being looked down upon, Zhang Xiuwu immediately explained, "I'm not afraid of the Americans, it's just that I was inexplicably dragged into this war, and I feel suffocated and uncomfortable all over."
"You'll get used to it! Just find somewhere to sleep tonight, and we'll have training tomorrow morning." Juan patted him on the shoulder and turned to attend to his own business.
Chen Feng munched on his flatbread, his eyes darting around.
The sentries at the gate were indigenous people, standing crookedly, and one of them was even dozing off while leaning on his rifle.
The courtyard was almost entirely filled with Chinese people; a quick count revealed a total of twenty-seven, mostly young adults, with only two middle-aged individuals.
Chen Feng approached the nearest middle-aged Chinese man and initiated a conversation: "What's your name, brother? You shouldn't be old enough to be conscripted, right?"
"Ugh!"
The middle-aged Chinese man sighed, sat cross-legged on the ground, and slowly said, "Just call me Old Zhou. I used to run a fabric shop in Manila. But now that we're at war with the American army, the colonial government wants to collect war taxes. My son just had a serious illness, and we've spent all our money. Because we couldn't pay the taxes, I was arrested."
As he spoke, he pointed to another middle-aged Chinese man: "This is Lao Cao. He used to run a rice shop. The reason he was arrested is similar to mine."
Seeing himself being pointed at, Old Cao said angrily, "Everyone here was captured! Damn it, the Spanish want us to risk our lives, but they don't even give us anything in return!"
Hearing that the two men had previously done business in Manila, Chen Feng's heart stirred: "Brother Zhou, Brother Cao, have you ever heard of a timber merchant named Yang Boqing?"
Yang Boqing is the formal name of my master Yang. According to my master, he has been in Luzon for almost twenty years, so he shouldn't be unknown.
Old Zhou thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I know a few timber merchants with the surname Yang, but none of them are named Yang Boqing."
Old Cao also shook his head: "I don't know any timber merchant named Yang Boqing either."
This is going to be tricky!
Chen Feng sighed inwardly, and then continued to inquire about the Independent Army.
These two are much better informed and more willing to communicate.
According to them, Andres of the Independent Army was killed last year by Emilio, the number two figure in the army.
Furthermore, Emilio signed a peace agreement with the Spanish authorities last December, received 800,000 pesos, and went into exile in Hong Kong, after which the independence army ceased to be a force to be reckoned with.
"I heard that the Independent Army seems to be preparing supplies for the siege," Old Cao said.
"Are we attacking Manila?" Old Zhou asked hurriedly.
"Probably not. The city wall here is six or seven meters high and is made entirely of stone. It's not that easy to attack." Old Cao shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng began to ponder.
The US military dared not land easily, but they could provide supplies to the independence army!
The two are most likely in cahoots!
As he was pondering this, he heard a quarrel.
"We're all just cannon fodder, why are you putting in so much effort?"
"It's better than being a useless coward like you, just sitting here waiting to die!"
"Who are you calling trash?"
......
After listening for a few minutes, Chen Feng understood the situation. It turned out that Zhang Xiuwu couldn't stay idle, so he picked up a long sword and started practicing, which woke up the young Chinese man who was dozing off next to him.
This man had a face full of scars, a bare chest, and a scar that stretched from his left shoulder to his right chest; he was clearly no pushover.
Seeing that a fight was about to break out between the two sides, Chen Feng immediately walked over and stood in the middle of the group: "Brothers, we are already in a precarious situation. What's the point of fighting amongst ourselves? Instead of wasting your energy, you should think about how to save yourselves."
Old Zhou also stepped in to act as a peacemaker: "We're all Chinese, calm down."
"snort!"
The young Chinese man sneered and glared fiercely at Zhang Xiuwu: "My name is Sun Qinglin. Give Lao Zhou some face and let this matter go today. But if you mess with me again, I will never let it go."
"Do you think I'm afraid..."
Zhang Xiuwu had barely opened his mouth when Chen Feng interrupted him: "Stop arguing."
"Okay! Brother Chen, I'll listen to you." Zhang Xiuwu reached out to stop his companion who wanted to say more.
Just then, Juan walked in.
Seeing that the crowd seemed to be arguing, he didn't intend to interfere and calmly called out, "Two people, come with me outside."
"I'll go!" Chen Feng immediately signed up.
"I'll go too!" Zhang Xiuwu chimed in.
Once outside the courtyard, Chen Feng saw that there were hardly any people on the road, only a few patrolling indigenous soldiers.
Juan glanced around and lowered his voice, saying, "We're guarded by indigenous people on this side, while the indigenous strongmen are guarded by Chinese."
"Will these guards become the supervisory team?" Chen Feng asked.
"Smart!" Juan nodded approvingly, then added softly, "The guards are all veterans who have fought alongside the Spanish against the independence movement."
Is this a warning that the guards cannot be trusted?
This person is definitely not simple!
Chen Feng glanced at Juan's back and wondered if this man was a spy recruited by the Independent Army.
If so, what should I do next?
The Spanish are bound to lose. Is there any point in joining the independence army?
Furthermore, Luzon eventually became an American colony, which meant that the independence army was bound to fail. Was jumping over there really a wise choice?
Chen Feng was preoccupied with his own thoughts and unknowingly ended up in the kitchen with Hu An.
"We're going to eat this tonight?" Zhang Xiuwu stared wide-eyed at the filthy wooden bucket in front of him, unable to believe it.
Chen Feng snapped out of his daze and looked at the wooden bucket. Inside, he saw cornmeal porridge that was so thin it couldn't be thinner, with not even a sweet potato in it.
"Stop talking!" Juan glanced at the local man beside him, signaling him not to speak carelessly here.
The three men left the kitchen, and Chen Feng immediately caught up with Juan, carrying a wooden bucket. He asked in a low voice, "Captain Hu, I heard the Spaniards aren't that short of food!"