Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 1271 Survival from desperate situation

Chapter 1271 Survival from desperate situation

Winter has passed and spring has arrived. The cold winds have faded, and a new busy farming season has begun on the Bailu Plain. Melted snow from the Qinling Mountains nourishes the land, and the withered fields are covered with a layer of tender green. Tender buds break through the soil, swaying gently in the warm sun, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of earth and the stirrings of hope.

On the ridges of the fields, more and more farmers appeared. The rustling of hoes turning the soil, the mooing of oxen, and the laughter of children chasing each other intertwined to create a concerto of spring.

Although Bai Jiaxuan is old, his hair has turned white, and his back is not as straight as it was when he was young, his years of farming habits keep him busy.

As soon as dawn broke, he shouldered his hoe and went to the fields, trudging along the muddy country paths.

Qin Hao was helpless and couldn't persuade him otherwise. He could only take on the heavy work himself, holding the plow and urging the oxen, while letting Bai Jiaxuan do the lighter weeding.

At midday, the sun climbed high, and the air was thick with heat. Bai Jiaxuan wiped away his sweat, looked at the flat land, and a rare smile appeared on his lips.

"Hao'er, if we plant this land, we'll have a good granary full of grain in the fall."

Just as the two were driving the cattle home for dinner, Bai Jiaxuan noticed that the villagers passing by were looking at him strangely. He became suspicious and, after returning home, he felt increasingly uneasy and wanted to find someone to ask him what was going on.

Xiancao served the two fragrant oil-splashed noodles and said softly upon hearing this, "Isn't it all because of the farmers' association? The other villages are making a big fuss about distributing land, and they're all envious!"

Bai Jiaxuan smacked his lips, tapped his pipe against the sole of his shoe, and sparks flew down: "That land isn't ours, how can we farm it with peace of mind? It's an ancestral rule that only with a land deed can we have roots. Without rules, wouldn't everything be in chaos?"

Xiancao shook her head: "Those who toil in the fields, who cares about those things? As long as you plant, you'll get a harvest."

Qin Hao broke off half a steamed bun, took a bite, and said, "Da, for us farmers, what's more attractive than land? Grain grows from the soil, and life is sustained by grain. People who have been starving are like wolves seeing bones when land is distributed; who cares about rules and morality then?"

Bai Jiaxuan sighed deeply, his white beard trembling, his eyes filled with helplessness and exhaustion: "Why not just live a peaceful life instead of making a fuss all the time? If we just farmed peacefully and paid our taxes in peace, none of this would happen."

Before the words were finished, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by a hoarse shout: "Brother Hao! Is Brother Hao home?"

The newcomer was none other than Heiwa. He swept into the courtyard like a whirlwind, his face covered in sweat, his khaki uniform from the security regiment stained with mud, and his pistol hanging askew at his waist, unorganized. Normally as strong as a mountain, he was now panting heavily, his chest heaving, and a rare look of panic crossed his dark face.

"Brother Hao! Something big has happened at the farmers' association!" Qin Hao said in a deep voice, his expression unchanged, "What's the panic? There are no outsiders here, explain in detail."

He steadied the swaying fairy grass, helping her sit up. Heiwa grabbed a bowl of cold water from the stone table and gulped down several mouthfuls, his throat still trembling: "Just now, the brothers from the county ammunition factory secretly sent word! They said the whole county is arresting members of the peasant association. The brothers from Xiagou Village sent word back that the county has brought men to our Bailu Plain, probably with guns and cannons, and they're probably here to arrest Zhaopeng!"

Xiancao covered her mouth in fright, while Bai Jiaxuan stood up abruptly, his old face deathly pale.

Qin Hao pressed down on Bai Jiaxuan's arm, his voice steady: "Da, don't worry. Stay home and don't go out. It's chaotic outside. You stay home and protect Aunt and the others. I'll go check on them."

Bai Jiaxuan gripped his son tightly with his withered hand, his knuckles turning blue: "Haowa! No matter what, Zhaopeng is a boy from our Bailu Village. We should help him if we can."

Qin Hao patted his father's hand heavily: "Don't worry, Da, I know what I'm doing."

After saying that, Qin Hao strode out of the courtyard gate, with Heiwa immediately following closely behind.

After leaving the courtyard and going around the earthen wall, Qin Hao whispered to Heiwa, "Go and gather all the security guards! Bring all their equipment, but remember—don't get into a conflict with the county people. Just block them at the village entrance. I'm going to find Zhaopeng."

Without a word, Heiwa pulled out a brass whistle from his pocket, took a deep breath, and blew it hard. The sharp whistle instantly tore through the village's tranquility, spreading like a horn in the spring breeze.

Qin Hao walked quickly alone towards Bailu Village Primary School at the east end of the village, where several children were still chasing each other in the yard.

I headed straight for Lu Zhaopeng's usual office, but it was empty! The documents on the desk were scattered, and the half-cup of cold tea was still warm, indicating that he had left in a hurry.

Qin Hao stopped a thin boy and asked, "Where did your Principal Lu go?"

The child said timidly, "The teacher was teaching arithmetic this morning. Later, Han, the tailor who sews clothes at the village entrance, came, said a few words, and then went out with him. He never came back."

Without a second thought, Qin Hao immediately turned towards the village entrance to meet up with Heiwa. Halfway there, he suddenly saw Sang Laoba and Erlaizi blocking the road, one in front and one behind. Sang Laoba had a rope draped over his shoulder, while Erlaizi was shoving someone beside him, cursing under his breath. The person's hands were tightly bound behind his back, and his mouth was stuffed full of a tattered sock, making muffled noises as he struggled—it was Lu Zhaopeng! His clothes were torn in half, his face was bruised and swollen, and his eyes were filled with despair and anger.

Upon seeing Qin Hao, Sang Laoba immediately put on a fawning smile: "Oh! Young Master Bai! You've come to join the fun too?"

Qin Hao's gaze turned icy, but he slowed his pace, his expression remaining impassive: "What are you doing?"

Old Man Sang smiled obsequiously: "Young Master Bai, I heard the county is looking for him. Aren't we just trying to make amends for our crimes?"

A flash of disgust crossed Qin Hao's eyes, but he immediately shook his head at the two men and said, "Make amends for your crimes? You're just going to hand the person over like this?"

Sang Laoba and Er Laizi exchanged a glance: "Then what does Young Master Bai mean?"

Qin Hao pretended to give advice: "Lu Zhaopeng is a wanted criminal. If you catch him, you'll get a reward of three hundred silver dollars and a promotion of three ranks. If you personally deliver him to the county, you might even be able to wear an official's uniform."

Upon hearing Qin Hao's words, Sang Laoba and Er Laizi's eyes lit up: "It's all thanks to Young Master Bai's insight that we almost missed the chance to make a fortune."

Lu Zhaopeng struggled desperately, and Qin Hao stepped forward and gently kicked him: "Behave yourself, you're going to die anyway, so you might as well do something for your fellow villagers."

Sang Laoba and Er Laizi nodded repeatedly: "That's right, Lu Zhaopeng, you should go all the way and give us two brothers a fortune."

As he was saying this, he was leading Lu Zhaopeng toward the village entrance, but Qin Hao stopped him: "The people from the county are already at the village entrance. If you go there like this, aren't you just handing over the credit to them?"

Sang Laoba and Er Laizi looked troubled: "But we can't get through the village entrance, how are we going to get the person to the county?"

Qin Hao said, "How about this, you share the credit with me, and I'll lead you out of the village through the back mountain. There's a small path there."

When Sang Laoba and Er Laizi heard that they were going to share the credit, they were a little reluctant. Qin Hao snorted coldly, "You can't expect me to work for nothing, can you? Besides, without me, do you even know which way the yamen gate faces? In the end, someone else will steal the credit, and you might even get a beating."

Upon hearing this, the two immediately agreed with smiles, but a hint of murderous intent flashed in Qin Hao's eyes.

The three men, escorting Lu Zhaopeng and led by Qin Hao, headed straight for the back mountain. The path was steep, desolate, and overgrown with shrubs, rarely trodden by anyone. Lu Zhaopeng staggered, his eyes filled with a complex, unfathomable expression as he watched Qin Hao's retreating figure. They reached a wide, empty pine forest halfway up the mountain. There was no one around, only the howling mountain wind and the sound of the pines like waves. Qin Hao suddenly stopped, turned, and stood with his arms crossed. Sang Laoba, thinking he was tired, smiled obsequiously, "Young Master Bai, can't walk anymore? Want to rest?"

Qin Hao's face was ashen: "Sang Laoba, Er Laizi, Lu Zhaopeng did help you out, after all. You've turned your hearts away and traded his life for wealth. Have you lost all your conscience?"

Sang Laoba realized something was wrong and his scalp tingled: "You...you weren't going to take us to collect the reward? You're in cahoots with Lu Zhaopeng!"

Qin Hao suddenly raised his voice: "I'm not on his side! But I hate traitors the most!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already approached like a ghost. Erlaizi reacted faster, grinning as he pulled a Browning pistol from his back waist—the one he had taken from Lu Zhaopeng's waist in the chaos.

"You ungrateful wretch! I'll arrest you too and take the reward...!" Before the word "gun" was even finished, a scream rang out. A pine branch as thick as an arm flew out of nowhere and pierced his wrist holding the gun with a "thud," and the pistol clattered to the ground.

Sang Laoba was terrified and ran away. Qin Hao moved with lightning speed, stomping on the trunk of a dead pine tree next to him and snapping it like a spear, piercing Sang Laoba's heart with a "crack".

Old Man Sang collapsed with a thud, twitched twice, and then fell silent.

Erlaizi knelt down and begged for mercy: "Young Master Bai, spare my life! I..."

Qin Hao showed no mercy, stepping on his chest with a muffled "thud" as bones shattered. Er Laizi bled from all seven orifices and died.

Qin Hao then walked to Lu Zhaopeng's side and snapped the ropes binding him with two quick cuts.

Lu Zhaopeng spat out his smelly sock, coughing incessantly. His lips moved, but no words came out. His eyes were bloodshot, a mixture of gratitude, guilt, and despair. Qin Hao picked up the pistol from the ground, dusted it off, and shoved it into Lu's hand: "Let's go. The village entrance is blocked by the security team. Yue Weishan's men can't get in for the time being. If you want to survive, you have to cross the Qinling Mountains. There are three emergency kits in the factory warehouse; they have food, herbs, and maps..."

Lu Zhaopeng's hand holding the gun trembled, and he suddenly said in a hoarse voice, "Zihan, you... I thought you wouldn't help me anymore..."

"What? Are you afraid I'll do what they did and kidnap you to collect the reward?" Qin Hao said casually, but his eyes revealed seriousness.

Lu Zhaopeng's throat tightened, and tears mingled with blood streamed down his face: "Zihan, this time it's really... everything is gone... the farmers' association is gone, the comrades are dead..."

Qin Hao pressed down on his shoulder sternly: "Listen to me! You may not be the right person to be a friend—but the country needs people like you!"

Lu Zhaopeng looked up in surprise.

Seeing that he was still dejected, Qin Hao raised his voice: "You're giving up after just this little setback? When has GM ever succeeded? Have you ever thought that it's precisely because you're on the right path that some people are so eager to destroy you?"

Lu Zhaopeng's pupils suddenly contracted, like flames igniting in the abyss. Qin Hao's words were like a thunderbolt cleaving through the thick fog, instantly dispelling the boundless despair. He straightened his back, his eyes no longer hesitant, only filled with a wildfire-like determination.

The two arrived at the ammunition factory. Lu Zhaopeng took the emergency kit and resolutely headed into the depths of the Qinling Mountains. The mountain wind ruffled Qin Hao's clothes as he watched the figure disappear into the dense forest, muttering to himself, "In this chaotic world, someone always has to be the spark."

……

At the entrance of Bailu Village, two groups of people stood in a tense standoff near the village's stone archway. On one side was the security regiment led by Heiwa. Dozens of strong men gripped their guns tightly, the muzzles all pointed forward.

On the other side was a regular army squad brought by County Magistrate Li. Although outnumbered by the security regiment, they were well-equipped and uniformed. The soldiers were expressionless, their eyes cold, exuding a sharp killing intent from battles of life and death. The dark muzzles of their guns were equally pointed at the security regiment members without showing any weakness.

"Stop! Put down your guns." Qin Hao's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Upon seeing Qin Hao, Heiwa was the first to lower the muzzle of his gun.

County Magistrate Li's expression was a mixture of anger and uncertainty. He had received a strict order directly from the provincial government, and he was determined to capture Lu Zhaopeng. He absolutely did not want to be blocked at the village entrance by these "country bumpkins." Seeing that the security regiment had lowered their weapons first, he suppressed his irritation and reluctantly turned his head to the side of the soldiers. Only then did the soldiers slowly lower their guns as ordered.

"County Magistrate Li? What a rare guest! What brings you, such a distinguished guest, to our remote and impoverished place? And with so many guards?"

Li Zhiyuan's lips twitched: "Mr. Bai, this visit is not my intention. I am here on urgent orders from my superiors to arrest the wanted criminal Lu Zhaopeng! I would be grateful if Mr. Bai could do me this favor."

"Oh? Arrest Zhao Peng?" Qin Hao raised an eyebrow, as if he had just learned of the matter. "Since it is a provincial government matter, we naturally dare not obstruct it. County Chief Li, please proceed; official business is of utmost importance."

County Chief Li was taken aback, not expecting Qin Hao to be so straightforward, but he quickly came to his senses.

"Listen up! Team One, head to Bailu Elementary School immediately! Team Two, come with me to the Lu family! We'll dig three feet into the ground to find Lu Zhaopeng!"

Heiwa's clenched fists remained tight. He walked to Qin Hao's side and said in a low, urgent voice, "Brother Hao, are we really going to let them search? What if..."

Qin Hao did not turn around, his gaze lingering on the depths of the village, which was engulfed in flames, and he uttered only two words: "It's alright."

Time passed slowly amidst the tension. Before long, both groups returned, cursing and swearing.

The squad leader who led the team to Bailu Elementary School looked dejected, his boots covered in mud. He reported to Li Zhiyuan, "Reporting to the county magistrate! Bailu Elementary School is completely deserted! We've thoroughly searched all the classrooms and offices, but we haven't found a single hair on Lu Zhaopeng's head!"

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

The Lu family naturally couldn't find Lu Zhaopeng either.

Li Zhiyuan's fat face instantly turned bright red with anger, like a pig's liver, and the veins on his forehead bulged. His meticulously planned arrest operation had come up empty-handed! The immense sense of frustration instantly transformed into rage.

He stomped his foot and pointed hysterically at Zao Hua, who had just been forcibly taken to the village entrance by soldiers, and Lu Zhaohai, who was trembling in her arms: "Didn't catch the main culprit? Then take them away! If the son commits a crime, the mother and brother can't escape! Tie them both up! Take them back to the county office!"

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers were about to step forward and take action.

"Wait!" Qin Hao's voice suddenly rang out.

“County Magistrate Li, Lu Zhaopeng is guilty and will be punished by the law. His wife, children, and elderly mother should not be implicated; this is the way of heaven! This is the Republic of China now, and we no longer follow the old Qing Dynasty’s practice of punishing nine generations of relatives! As the local official, your actions are probably against the law and will hardly win the hearts of the people of Bailu Plain.”

Li Zhiyuan looked at the solid wall of people in front of him, at Qin Hao's fearless, cold eyes, and then caught a glimpse of the undisguised murderous intent in the eyes of the security guards.

Finally, he squeezed out the words through gritted teeth: "Good! Good! Young Master Bai... very good!"

"Let's wait and see!"