[A special envoy from the provincial government has arrived at Dujuan Mountain]

A Special Envoy Arrives at Dujuan Mountain
Author: Unknown
Spring arrives exceptionally early at Dujuan Mountain. Having barely shed its winter coat, the mountainsides are ablaze with green flowers and
trees. In the misty air, birds sing merrily among the trees, and the azaleas unfurl their buds like
mature young women.
On the mountain path through the dense forest, Ke Xiang, the party representative of the Dujuan Mountain Red Guards, and the towering captain Lei Gang,
are walking happily. Not far behind them are their orderly, Juanzi and Erzhu, both clever
and capable young men.
Yesterday, news came from the secret intelligence station that a special envoy from the provincial committee had arrived at Dujuan
Mountain today to inspect and guide the future work. Ke Xiang and Lei Gang, having received this order, led their orderly
to the mountain pass to welcome the special envoy.
Ke Xiang walked quickly, a long-lost smile spreading across his face. Ke Xiang was genuinely happy to see people sent by the higher-level Party again
. Since arriving at Dujuan Mountain, all of Ke Xiang's communication with the organization had been through
secret intelligence stations. Now, the Provincial Party Committee had sent a special envoy to Dujuan Mountain, making Ke Xiang feel much more at
ease and giving her more confidence in her future work. Seeing Ke Xiang's happy expression, Lei Gang grinned and
joked, "Party Representative, you look so happy, it's like your family has come."
Ke Xiang slowed her pace, wiped the slight sweat from her face, tossed her hair, and said, "The Party
is my family. This time, you're really right, the people sent by the Provincial Party Committee are definitely family, haha,
how could I not be happy?" Lei Gang smiled憨厚ly and said, "That's right, that's right, they are indeed
people from the organization." After a moment of silence, Lei Gang's face turned red, and he stammered... Lei Gang asked, "Party...Party Representative, then
...then do you think I...can I become a member of the organization?"
Seeing Lei Gang's expression, Ke Xiang chuckled and said, "Yes, of course you can! You come from a worker-peasant background,
with deep-seated hatred for the reactionaries. However, I can't make the decision about you joining the organization alone
. Last time, I reported your application to join the Party to higher authorities through the secret intelligence station, and I believe
there will be a result soon." Lei Gang became even more excited and eagerly asked, "Then how can I become a member of the organization
?"
"Loyalty and trust." Ke Xiang stopped and said very seriously, "No matter when or
what the conditions, you must be 100% loyal and trusting to the Party. Similarly, you
must 100% implement and carry out the Party's resolutions and policies. Implement what you understand, and implement what you don't understand." "Heh
heh." Lei Gang waved his hand and said, "That's too easy. I can do it, 100%." Ke Xiang smiled because of Lei Gang's simplicity and straightforwardness. Perhaps because of this, Ke Xiang 　　had grown somewhat fond of this burly, iron-tower-like man
during the past six months in Dujuan Mountain . 　　"Isn't that so?" Lei Gang said, "Look, before I met you, the real Communist, I had never 　　met a real Communist. But everyone said Communists were good, that they fought for the poor. So 　　, I stormed the execution ground and kidnapped you, the female Communist. Isn't that 100% loyalty and trust 　　? For the past six months since I came to the mountain, you've been the Party representative, you're the organization. Whatever you tell me to do, I do. 　　Isn't that 100% execution and implementation of the Party's resolutions and policies?" 　　Hearing Lei Gang describe the execution ground incident, Ke Xiang's heart stirred. He remembered how, 　　after his lover's death, he had been arrested by the reactionaries, subjected to torture and humiliation, and walked on 　　the edge of death in handcuffs and shackles. If it weren't for this fierce, Zhang Fei-like outlaw who rescued him from the National Guard, 　　he would have already reunited with his lover in the afterlife. 　　Since joining the revolution, Ke Xiang had always worked under his lover's leadership, and his understanding of the Party's theories 　　and policies wasn't particularly profound. Driven mostly by enthusiasm, loyalty 　　, and trust in the Party, Ke Xiang saw the Party as a god, a deity, a bodhisattva in his heart. Who knew that just as he was about to 　　give his life for the Party, he was kidnapped by this mountain bandit and taken to Dujuan Mountain? And he, an ordinary Party 　　member, became a god, a deity, a bodhisattva in the eyes of this mountain bandit who held the Party in such high esteem 　　. "Party Representative, isn't this special envoy sent by the Provincial Committee an even greater comrade?" Lei Gang's slightly naive 　　question brought Ke Xiang back from his reverie. "Of course," Ke Xiang replied with a smile. "Then 　　should I listen to this special envoy from now on?" Lei Gang asked again. 　　"Yes," Ke Xiang said solemnly, "Not only do you have to listen to the special envoy, but I, as the Party representative, also 　　have to listen to him, because he represents the Party. This is our Party's discipline; only in this way can we 　　avoid making mistakes and achieve revolutionary victory. Besides, they come from the higher-level Party organization; they know the revolutionary situation 　　, and this time they will definitely bring us new instructions and spirit." Lei Gang clenched his fist and said, " 　　Party representative, I understand. I will definitely listen to the special envoy and listen to the Party." 　　"Hey, what are you talking about? So intimately—" Juanzi and Erzhu caught up from behind, 　　panting, and asked mischievously. Juanzi was holding a bunch of early-blooming azaleas. 　　Compared to Ke Xiang's calmness and maturity, Juanzi appeared more youthful and naive. If Ke Xiang was a pine tree 　　, then Juanzi was a mountain spring, or an azalea beside a pine tree. Ever since being taken to Azalea 　　Mountain, Juanzi had always followed Ke Xiang. At the beginning, 　　the torture Ke Xiang suffered in the Jingwei Corps' den of iniquity was healed by Juanzi using mountain herbs and folk remedies. Therefore, 　　after six months in the mountains, Ke Xiang's body regained its youthful whiteness, without any scars. 　　Hearing Juanzi's teasing, Ke Xiang blushed slightly. Since her lover Zhao Xin's sacrifice, Ke Xiang's heart had 　　been dead, so she faced the Jingwei Corps' torture and death threats without fear. Even when 　　Lei Gang later abducted her to Dujuan Mountain, even when Lei Gang clumsily unlocked 　　the iron shackles binding her hands and feet, Ke Xiang's heart remained numb. Only later, seeing Lei Gang's loyalty and trust in the Party, seeing...

When Ke Xiang encountered Lei Gang's honest and simple nature, a fleeting thought crossed his mind. However, his identity as a Party representative bound
him, and as a god, he could not be swayed by worldly desires—it was Lei Gang's words that broke Ke Xiang's awkwardness.
"We're almost at the mountain pass. Let's wait under that big camphor tree to welcome the special envoy sent by the Provincial Committee."
Although it was early spring, the wind at the mountain pass was still quite chilly. Ke Xiang, Lei Gang, and the others
waited under the big camphor tree at the pass. From there, they could see the situation below and the distant
Sanguan Town, still occupied by reactionaries. Farmers were already working diligently in the fields below, and the winding
mountain path was partially obscured by shadows. Before long, four people were seen slowly climbing up. Leading them was
Old Wei from the secret liaison station, who had been to the mountain several times before. Two men and a woman followed behind. The couple was dressed
lavishly, like a wealthy family, while the younger man was dressed casually and carried a load on a shoulder pole,
like a lackey.
Ke Xiang and Lei Gang quickly went to greet them. Old Wei was very happy to see Ke Xiang and Lei Gang,
as if a heavy burden had been handed over to them. He quickly introduced the people behind him to Ke Xiang and Lei Gang: "
These are comrades sent by the Provincial Party Committee—this is Comrade Ke Xiang, the Party Representative of the Dujuan Mountain Red Guards, and this
is Captain Lei Gang." Ke Xiang quickly extended his hands and shook hands with each of the comrades sent by the province,
saying, "Welcome, comrades!!"
The one at the head of the group glanced at Ke Xiang and said, "Are you Comrade Ke Xiang? You must be tired from your journey on the mountain. I am
Liu Yang, a special envoy sent by the Provincial Party Committee to Dujuan Mountain. This lady is Comrade Li Sha, the confidential secretary of the Provincial Party Committee
. She is working with me on Dujuan Mountain this time. The one behind me is my bodyguard, Comrade Xiao Ma." Ke Xiang quickly
said, "Comrades, you must be tired from your journey. Come on, let's go up the mountain to rest." "Yes, yes, comrades, let's
go up the mountain to rest." Lei Gang, who had been grinning foolishly to the side, quickly took the load from Xiao Ma's shoulder and called out. Liu Yang turned around
and said to Lei Gang, whose face was beaming with joy, "You must be Comrade Lei Gang?" Lei Gang quickly nodded and
said, "Yes, yes, hello, Special Envoy." Liu Yang laughed heartily and said, "Don't be nervous, Comrade Lei Gang
. I heard about your work in the province. Good, good, you are indeed a fine piece of revolutionary steel." Hearing the Special
Envoy's praise, Lei Gang's face turned even redder. He turned around and saw Juanzi and Erzhu, who were secretly laughing, and said, "What are you laughing at? Hurry up
and lead the comrades up the mountain." Old Wei waved his hand and said, "Party Representative, Captain Lei, I
have safely handed over the provincial leaders to you. I won't go up the mountain; there are still many things
waiting for me down there."
The Red Guard camp on Dujuan Mountain was located in an old temple. The courtyard was large and surrounded by high mountains
, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. At this time, it was as lively as a festival, with pigs and sheep being slaughtered, a scene of bustling activity. The Party representative
and Captain Lei received the special envoy sent by the province, which filled everyone with even more confidence in the victory of the struggle ahead.
After Ke Xiang led the special envoy to the brigade headquarters, Juanzi and Erzhu went outside to help with the work.
After everyone was seated, the special envoy Liu Yang asked Xiao Ma to unfurl the load he had brought and said, "We came down from the province this time and
know that the situation in Dujuan Mountain is very difficult. So, we brought twenty rifles, ten pistols, and some ammunition.
It's a timely help to develop and strengthen our own revolutionary ranks." Seeing the brand-new, azure weapons,
Lei Gang's eyes lit up. "Hey, that's great! With these weapons, we can strike hard
against those reactionaries and white dogs!" Liu Yang waved his hand, told everyone to sit down, and said, "Now, I'll
convey a few decisions from the province. Xiao Ma, go stand guard outside the door." "Yes, sir!" Xiao Ma saluted and went
to the door to patrol vigilantly. Liu Yang glanced at Lei Gang and asked Ke Xiang, "Has Comrade Lei Gang requested to join
the Party?" "Yes, I reported it to my superiors through the liaison station last time," Ke Xiang quickly replied
. "Now, I announce: In view of Comrade Lei Gang's deep hatred for class enemies and his
significant contributions to the establishment of the Dujuan Mountain Red Guards, with special approval from the Provincial Party Committee, Comrade Lei Gang is hereby granted formal membership in the Communist Party of China." Lei
Gang's mouth dropped open, stammering in disbelief, "I—I've really become a member of the organization
?" Ke Xiang quickly stood up, grasped Lei Gang's large hand tightly, and said, "Congratulations, Lei Gang, you are now
one of our comrades."
Lei Gang also quickly stood up, recalling what Ke Xiang had said on the mountain road, and said as if making a declaration, "
I will definitely be a true..." "Comrades, you must have 100% loyalty and trust in the Party, and
you must implement and carry out the Party's resolutions and policies 100%."
Liu Yang seemed surprised that a rough man like Lei Gang could utter such profound words, praising him, "
You truly are a comrade with deep-seated grievances; your feelings for the Party are so deep. Now we have four Party members on Dujuan Mountain,
which can form a branch, and I am the temporary branch secretary appointed by the Provincial Party Committee."
Hearing this, Ke Xiang was even more excited. Since her husband's sacrifice and since going to Dujuan Mountain, she had been
like an orphan, drifting outside the organization. Now, with the comrades sent by the Provincial Party Committee forming a branch, Ke
Xiang felt a sense of belonging, a feeling of coming home. Ke Xiang couldn't help but exclaim, "That's wonderful!
"
Liu Yang waved his hand, stopping Ke Xiang's exclamation, and said, "Now, we are all members of the organization. Just
as Comrade Lei Gang said, we must implement and carry out the Party's resolutions and policies one hundred percent. Now,
I announce the second decision of the Provincial Committee: In view of Comrade Ke Xiang's adherence to factionalism after arriving at Dujuan Mountain
, his allowing the class enemy to grow stronger, and his right-leaning escapist errors, and considering that Comrade Ke Xiang
bears an unshirkable responsibility for the sacrifice of our Party cadre Comrade Zhao Xin
, and is suspected of betraying the Party and surrendering to the enemy after his arrest, the Provincial Committee has decided to retain Comrade Ke Xiang's Party membership, suspend his work, and place him under isolation and investigation on the spot." Liu Yang's announcement was like a thunderclap
, shocking both Ke Xiang and Lei Gang. How could this be? They had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of
the special envoy from the Provincial Committee, but instead, they received this bolt from the blue. "Xiao Ma," Liu Yang called out. "Here."
Xiao Ma, who was on guard outside the door, entered the room. "Put handcuffs on Comrade Ke Xiang." "Yes, sir," Xiao Ma replied.
He then pulled a pair of gleaming handcuffs from his bag, grabbed Ke Xiang's hands, and swiftly locked them together.
Ke Xiang stood there dumbfounded, helplessly watching her hands being handcuffed together, as if those
hands bound by the cold handcuffs weren't even her own. Two
uncontrollable tears streamed down her youthful face.
The broken shackles were put back on.
Seeing Ke Xiang, handcuffed and standing frozen in the room, tears streaming down his face, Lei Gang was the first to recover from his shock.
He looked at Ke Xiang, then at Special Commissioner Liu Yang, and shouted, "Special Commissioner, is there a mistake? The Party
Representative is a good person! How could a Party Representative betray his comrades and defect to the enemy?" Seeing the extremely agitated
Lei Gang, Liu Yang, as if he had a premonition, patted Lei Gang's shoulder and said kindly, "Lei Gang, my good
comrade, you are now a member of the Party too. You must calm down—" Before Liu Yang could finish speaking, Lei Gang chuckled
and turned to go into the inner room. Xiao Ma nervously pulled out the pistol he was carrying. Liu Yang waved his hand and said to Xiao Ma
, "You go out and guard outside."
When Lei Gang came out, he pulled and carried a pile of iron chains and shackles, excitedly
saying to Liu Yang, "Special Commissioner, the Party Representative is absolutely a good person! She could never betray the revolution. These are
the instruments of torture those reactionaries put on her when I rescued her from their butcher's knife!"
Liu Yang took the shackles from Lei Gang, weighed them, and placed them on the ground, saying to Lei Gang
, "Comrade Lei Gang, I didn't say absolutely that Comrade Ke Xiang is a bad person, an traitor..." "Is this just
a routine review procedure? It's part of our Party's discipline. Our Party rigorously reviews every comrade who is arrested
. Even after my arrest, I had to go through this procedure. This is both a responsibility to the Party and to the arrested
comrades. Right now, Comrade Ke Xiang's Party membership is still intact. If there are no problems with the review, he can continue
working, right?" After a pause, Liu Yang patted Ke Xiang's shoulder again and said, "Comrade Ke Xiang—" Ke Xiang was stunned.
Liu Yang's address of "Comrade Ke Xiang" seemed to pull him out of a nightmare. Waking up, she raised her tear-streaked face and
murmured, "Special Commissioner, am I still a comrade?" Liu Yang said, "Yes, of course you are! As long as
you've explained your situation clearly and passed the organization's review, you're still our good comrade, aren't you? Comrade Ke Xiang, you're a
veteran revolutionary comrade, how can you not understand such a simple principle—" Ke Xiang raised her handcuffed
hands, wiped the tears from her face, and said, "Special Commissioner, I accept the organization's review of me. I understand, and I
will definitely cooperate fully with the organization."
"Is that so?" Liu Yang said, "That's what a good comrade of the Party should be like! This time, the Provincial Party Committee attaches great importance to your case
. They were worried that it would be inconvenient for me to question you alone, so they specially sent Comrade Li Sha, the confidential secretary, to assist you." After saying that,
he pointed to Li Sha, who had been quietly observing from the side and rarely spoke. Ke Xiang extended his handcuffed hands,
shook hands with Li Sha, and sincerely said, "Thank you for the organization's concern. I've caused trouble for the organization and comrades." Li
Sha smiled faintly and said, "Comrade Ke Xiang, I sincerely hope that you can pass the organization's investigation and prove
your innocence. I hope that next time we shake hands, your hands will no longer be handcuffed." Seeing
this, Lei Gang said to Liu Yang, "Special Commissioner, we all believe that the Party Representative will not betray the organization, much less run away.
Shouldn't we remove the handcuffs during the Party Representative's investigation, so that he doesn't look like a prisoner?" Liu Yang
looked at Ke Xiang and said to Lei Gang, "Comrade Lei Gang, these are extraordinary times, so we must treat them with extraordinary measures."
"I believe Comrade Ke Xiang can handle this matter correctly, given the Provincial Party Committee's decision." Ke Xiang looked down at
the gleaming handcuffs on his wrists and said gratefully to Lei Gang, "Captain Lei, don't worry about me. I am a member of the Party, and
everything I have belongs to the Party. Since it's an organizational decision, we must resolutely carry it out."
Liu Yang said, "How about this? Today, Comrade Ke Xiang will begin to reflect on his own problems. Starting tomorrow,
we will formally investigate Comrade Ke Xiang's actions during his arrest. Comrade Lei Gang, why don't
we gather some key comrades from the team for a short meeting, and Comrade Ke Xiang can also give some instructions regarding his work?" "Special Envoy,
am I still attending the meeting?" Ke Xiang was surprised. Liu Yang said, "Go ahead and participate. It's best if you personally
explain some issues to the comrades. This will help clear up misunderstandings and benefit our future work." After a pause, Liu Yang added
, "How about we take off the handcuffs temporarily and do it again after the meeting—"
Ke Xiang thought for a moment and said, "No, I'll keep them on. I know this is the organization's decision, and
I'm willing to accept any punishment from the organization until my issues are clarified. Wearing handcuffs is good; it
will allow the comrades to prepare themselves mentally, because this investigation won't end in a day or two."
Liu Yang exchanged a glance with Li Sha and nodded approvingly. Ke Xiang then said, "Comrade Lei Gang, could you please
help me wash a towel? I don't want the comrades to see me looking so aggrieved." Lei Gang nodded, walked to the basin, and
silently washed the towel.
Taking the towel from Lei Gang, Ke Xiang carefully wiped away the tears on her face. She then walked to the wall, facing
the mirror she had obtained during the land reform movement, raised her handcuffed hands, smoothed a few stray strands of hair from her head,
and examined herself. Finding nothing amiss, she said to Lei Gang, "Captain Lei, have Erzhu and Juanzi
inform the others." Lei Gang walked to the door and called out to the busy crowd in the courtyard, "Erzhu, Juanzi, you
two come here." When Erzhu and Juanzi entered the room and saw Ke Xiang's handcuffed hands, they
were both very surprised. Juanzi threw herself into Ke Xiang's arms and asked, "Party Representative, why did they
lock your hands? What happened?" Ke Xiang gently pushed Juanzi away and said, "Nothing, silly girl. This is an
internal Party matter; I asked to wear them myself. Go, listen to Captain Lei's assignments." Lei Gang said, "You two,
separately notify several squad leaders to come to the headquarters for a meeting."
Soon, several squad leaders arrived at the headquarters one by one. Perhaps they had learned about the situation inside from Erzhu and Juanzi
, because after entering the room, they all first looked at Ke Xiang wearing handcuffs, then at Lei Gang and
the smiling special envoy, and then found a place to sit down silently without saying a word.
Seeing this, Ke Xiang feigned a relaxed expression and said, "What's wrong, comrades?" As he spoke
, he raised his wrists, making the handcuffs on his hands clang. "Does seeing me handcuffed
make you feel like the sky is falling? Haha, comrades, this isn't the first time you've seen me in shackles. Last
time you rescued me from the reactionaries' butcher's knife, I had even more shackles on me, didn't I?"
The people who came in, along with Erzhu and Juanzi, didn't expect that the handcuffed party representative would still be so relaxed and cheerful,
so they unconsciously relaxed their initial tension as well.
Ke Xiang turned to Liu Yang and introduced them, saying, "These are basically the core members of our Dujuan Mountain Red Guards. Also,
Deputy Captain Li Shijian led a small team down the mountain to raid local tyrants and raise funds; they
should be back tomorrow." Then she turned back and continued, "This is our provincial committee's special
envoy, Comrade Liu Yang, and Comrade Li Sha. They will be taking over my work. Due to personal reasons, I will be temporarily
suspending my duties. I hope you comrades won't misunderstand. I am a member of the Party, and I voluntarily accept the organization's review of me
. I hope you comrades will cooperate fully with the special envoy's work."
Liu Yang took over, clearing his throat. The envoy said, "Comrades, hello. Comrade Ke Xiang is only temporarily suspended
from work. Once the issue is clarified, she will still fight alongside you. I came down from the province this time
knowing how tough things are for you on the mountain, so I brought some weapons. Captain Lei will distribute them later.
This way, we'll have weapons and be able to better fight the enemy and protect ourselves."
Seeing the weapons the special envoy brought, these burly men who had been wielding broadswords and spears on the mountain were overjoyed
. They gathered around the carrying pole, excitedly admiring the weapons, completely forgetting that just yesterday they had revered their Party representative like a god,
and now they were handcuffed, suspended from work, like prisoners.
Ke Xiang's cell was deep in the courtyard. Two Red Guards stood blankly
outside the door, holding guns. The room was simply furnished with a bamboo bed and a chair. Through the window in the high wall, one could see the distant
mountains and lush green trees. Ke Xiang sat quietly on the bamboo bed, handcuffed. Although she had no
complaints about the organization's decision, a sense of sorrow and desolation lingered in her heart. This was Ke Xiang's second time in
prison. The first time was in a reactionary cell, and this time, she was in one of her own. Thinking of this, Ke Xiang's
eyes welled up with tears again.
In the reactionary cell, the leader of the Jingwei Corps, Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder, to guard against this
female communist they considered a monster, had put Ke Xiang in full handcuffs and shackles. Those cold, heavy iron instruments caused
Ke Xiang immense pain. But even then, Ke Xiang's will remained as strong as steel, without any
sign of discouragement. Because she was a communist, she could not show any fear in the face of the enemy.
And now, in her own cell, although the handcuffs restricted her freedom,
Ke Xiang felt much more at ease than with the instruments of torture inflicted by the reactionaries. Ke Xiang tried to move her wrists in the handcuffs to improve
blood circulation. Ke Xiang wasn't worried about her own investigation and imprisonment; she was worried about whether her
comrades on the mountain would handle it properly.
What if she caused unnecessary trouble or loss to the organization because of her?
Lei Gang had a fiery temper, but he was truly sincere to the Party. Even if he had reservations or misunderstandings, she
believed he would still listen to the special envoy's decision. Besides, the provincial committee's special envoy had brought the organization's resolution today, approving
his application to join the Party. Deputy Captain Li Shijian wasn't on the mountain now; she didn't know
how he would react when he returned tomorrow and learned of her situation. She hoped he would understand and support the special envoy's work. Juanzi and Erzhu were still children; she
feared they couldn't bear to see her, whom they considered family, suffer yesterday. She must try to persuade them when she had the chance
. "Who's there?" the guard outside the door shouted sternly. "It's me, Juanzi. Captain Lei and the special envoy asked me to
deliver some food to the Party Representative." The door opened, and Juanzi entered the cell carrying a bamboo basket. The guards locked the cell door again. Juanzi
put down the basket and threw herself into Ke Xiang's arms: "Party Representative, you've suffered." Ke Xiang
gently pushed Juanzi away with her handcuffed hands, smiling and saying, "Silly girl, I'm fine, aren't I? How could you suffer again
?" Juanzi looked Ke Xiang over, rubbing the handcuffs on Ke Xiang's hands, and asked, "Party Representative, does it hurt?"
Ke Xiang sat on the bed, gently shook her head, and said, "It's alright. This is much lighter than the handcuffs and shackles the reactionaries put on me
." Juanzi carefully examined Ke Xiang's wrists, and only after finding no
signs of wear and tear did she feel relieved. "Party Representative, shall I feed you?" Juanzi said.
This time, Ke Xiang was genuinely amused by Juanzi and laughed, "My hands aren't cuffed behind my back, why would I need
you to feed me?" As she spoke, she picked up the cornbread from the bamboo basket with her cuffed hands, shook it, and said, "See
, isn't this quite convenient?" Juanzi didn't speak, but silently sat down beside Ke Xiang, as if pondering
something. Ke Xiang asked Juanzi, "How are the comrades?"
Juanzi pouted and said, "Why ask them? They're all ingrates, they'll follow whoever feeds them. They were given
a few broken guns and they've forgotten everything, only listening to that special envoy, not even asking the Party representative anymore. Humph, Captain Lei is the
same. Only Erzhu is tough; Captain Lei offered to change his gun, but he refused, saying he was used to his old,
beat-up pistol."
Ke Xiang thought for a moment and said, "Juanzi, don't be like that. I'm a Party member, and accepting the organization's investigation
is our discipline. You should persuade the comrades and Erzhu to actively cooperate with the special envoy and Captain Lei
's work. Absolutely no resistance. If my actions affect the work, I'll be uneasy
." Juanzi looked at Ke Xiang, wanting to say something, but didn't speak. At this moment, the cell door opened again, and Liu
Yang, Lei Gang, and Xiao Ma walked in.
Seeing Juanzi and Ke Xiang sitting together, Liu Yang frowned and said to Juanzi with displeasure, "I told you to bring
food to Comrade Ke Xiang, who told you to talk to her? You need to understand that Comrade Ke Xiang is currently under isolation and investigation, not sitting
in her private room. From now on, no one is allowed to speak to Comrade Ke Xiang casually; this is a matter of discipline." Juanzi
He stood up, glanced at Liu Yang, said nothing, snorted, and turned to leave. Liu Yang then instructed
Xiao Ma, "Tonight, you will guard Comrade Ke Xiang. Be vigilant. No one
is allowed to speak to Comrade Ke Xiang without my permission." Xiao Ma stood at attention and said, "Yes, sir."
Liu Yang then said to Ke Xiang, "Comrade Ke Xiang—" Seeing this, Ke Xiang unconsciously
stood up from the bedside. Liu Yang continued, "You must correct your stance, examine your own
problems from the depths of your mind, don't harbor any illusions, and don't gossip to others. Our Party will not wrong a
comrade, and similarly, we will not let a bad person go unpunished."
Darkness gradually fell, and the guards outside the door and Xiao Ma were still vigilantly patrolling. Ke Xiang lay on the bed, his
handcuffed hands placed on his chest, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Special Envoy Liu Yang's last words had completely
pushed Ke Xiang into the abyss. Now, Ke Xiang truly felt imprisoned and abandoned. It felt as if she were
in an ice cave, her whole body chilled to the bone.
From the distant mountains, the cries of owls occasionally drifted into the cell. As a Party member, Ke Xiang understood
the organization's need to investigate those arrested and released; after all, the situation was one of intense struggle, and even the slightest negligence
could cause fatal losses to the Party and the revolution. Ke Xiang stared wide-eyed in the darkness, the past vividly
flashing before her eyes, everything she had suffered in the reactionary prison resurfacing. She could endure the physical torture and pain,
but the emotional wounds, the humiliation and shame, were her eternal pain, etched
into her heart.
Everything had to be confessed to the Party, down to every tiny detail—this was an unquestionable part of the investigation.
Thinking of this, Ke Xiang stroked her chest with her handcuffed hands, tears welling in her eyes. She even
regretted that Lei Gang had forced her onto Dujuan Mountain instead of letting her heroically sacrifice herself under the reactionary's butcher's knife
. That way, Ke Xiang could reunite with her lover in the afterlife, sparing her from reopening those deep
wounds and immense pain. Just then, Ke Xiang vaguely heard the sound of metal striking bricks outside the window. She sat up alertly
and asked, "Who's there?"
Xiao Ma, who was outside, also heard the noise. He quickly opened the cell door and went inside. The footsteps outside the window quickly
faded away, as if they already knew the plan was doomed. Xiao Ma glanced at Ke Xiang, who was still on the bed, then strode to the window
, observed her for a moment, and then pulled out his pistol, firing two shots into the night. The piercing gunshots
shattered the night in Dujuan Mountain. Liu Yang, Lei Gang, and Li Sha all arrived at the cell. Ke Xiang had already gotten up from the bed
and stood respectfully to the side, pondering what had happened. Liu Yang asked, "What happened?
Why did you shoot?" Xiao Ma holstered his gun and said, "Someone tried to break into the prison, and I shot them away."
"What? What—" Liu Yang's face turned ashen, utterly shocked. He looked at Ke Xiang and said, "This is
serious, extremely serious. Comrade Ke Xiang, what exactly happened? You must tell me the truth." Ke Xiang,
still dazed, said, "I don't know what happened either."
"Don't know?" Liu Yang was exasperated. "There must be accomplices on the mountain who, together with
the reactionaries down below, came to rescue you. Humph, what a coincidence! We just announced your investigation today, and this happens tonight
. You must confess honestly, who are your accomplices?" Ke Xiang was also anxious,
tears welling in her eyes. She said, "Comrade Special Envoy, please don't be so arbitrary. Everything needs solid
evidence. What do you expect me to confess to if there's nothing to show for it?" At this moment, Xiao Ma returned from searching outside the courtyard wall,
holding a heavy iron rod. He said to Liu Yang, "Special Envoy, we found this outside—"
Liu Yang took the iron rod and roared at Ke Xiang, "I'm arbitrary! I don't have solid evidence? What is this?
This is the evidence! Ke Xiang, I can no longer call you comrade. Your problem has escalated. You
are highly suspected of betraying the country and defecting to the enemy. We will increase our investigation and surveillance of you." Ke Xiang was shocked,
her mouth agape, speechless. Liu Yang turned to Lei Gang and Li Sha and said, "To prevent
class enemies from the mountain and the foot of the mountain from rescuing Ke Xiang again, it is necessary to upgrade the surveillance of Ke Xiang. Xiao Ma, you and Comrade Lei Gang
go to the team headquarters and prepare those shackles—" Lei Gang's eyes widened, and he asked, "Special Envoy, are we really going to
put shackles on the Party Representative?" Liu Yang said, "She is no longer the Party Representative; she is our enemy, the
subject of investigation." Lei Gang said, "That can't be—" Liu Yang looked at Lei Gang and patiently said, "
Comrade Lei Gang, leniency towards class enemies is cruelty towards our class brothers. This is
a lesson our Party learned with blood!" Lei Gang said, "I can't bring myself to do it, and besides, the brothers on the mountain wouldn't agree
. I was the one who knocked those shackles off the Party Representative's feet; I can't just put them back
on her!"
Ke Xiang, who had been standing there stunned, felt anxious seeing the situation turn out this way. She knew
the pain and inconvenience of wearing those shackles, but she couldn't let Lei Gang and the special envoy clash because of her.
Besides, although Ke Xiang couldn't determine who was planning to rescue her tonight, the comrades' good intentions might
bring unnecessary trouble or even losses to the revolution on the mountain. If that happened,
wouldn't she, Ke Xiang, become a sinner against the revolution? "Captain Lei," Ke Xiang said calmly, "Stop arguing.
Listen to the special envoy; I'm willing to wear the shackles." Seeing Ke Xiang like this, Lei Gang paused, said "Yes, sir,"
and went out with Xiao Ma. Ke Xiang: Heavy Shackles
The furnace on the mountain was originally used to forge broadswords and spears for the Red Guards, and occasionally to repair
tools such as digs and sickles for the mountain people. Now, the flames in the furnace were burning brightly, illuminating a corner of the courtyard. Old
Zhang, his face grim, sighed as he fiddled with the two rivets heating in the furnace. Seeing Lei Gang and
Xiao Ma bring over the heavy shackles, Old Zhang felt even worse.
In the beginning, after rescuing the Party representative from the reactionaries' butcher's knife, Old Zhang had his eye on
the shackles taken from the representative. He had repeatedly suggested to Lei Gang that the steel from those shackles be forged into several pairs of saddlebags.
A broadsword or a spear, or something like that. For some unknown reason, Lei Gang refused, instead keeping the
shackles like treasures in the team headquarters. Now, not only was the Party representative handcuffed and interrogated
, but now he was to be shackled as well—it was truly a tragedy.
Lei Gang held the heavy shackles in his hands, his large palms trembling slightly. To be honest,
ever since he saw Ke Xiang, Lei Gang had felt a tremor in his heart, a strange
feeling. Ke Xiang had been wearing these heavy shackles, his steps heavy, being escorted by the reactionaries, his
clothes torn and tattered, revealing the marks of torture, yet his resolute face still showed an unyielding
expression.
Lei Gang was also a man, a normal person with emotions and desires. From then on, for
reasons unknown, the image of Ke Xiang in shackles frequently appeared in Lei Gang's dreams, filling him with immense satisfaction. Although,
upon arriving on the mountain, Lei Gang personally broke the shackles that bound Ke Xiang like venomous snakes,
treating this female prostitute with the utmost reverence, as if she were a true god, daring not to harbor any lewd thoughts, he still
kept those shackles.
Yesterday, the special envoy arrived on the mountain, announced the decision to investigate Ke Xiang, and handcuffed her
. Although Lei Gang was extremely unwilling, seeing Ke Xiang in handcuffs stirred
a devilish desire and pleasure within him, leaving him conflicted and at a loss. Now, with
this unexpected turn of events, and the fact that someone wanted to kidnap Ke Xiang,
Lei Gang objected to the special envoy putting shackles on Ke Xiang out of concern for him. However, since Ke Xiang agreed to the shackles
, Lei Gang couldn't say anything.
Lei Gang gently placed the shackles beside the furnace, looked at the rivets glowing red-hot in the fire, shook his
head, and sighed. He knew that once the rivets were secured,
the shackles wouldn't be easily removed until Ke Xiang's case was thoroughly investigated, and Ke Xiang would have to endure these heavy
shackles for many days. "Captain Lei, I can't put shackles on the Party Representative. He's a good
person; I can't bring myself to do it," Old Zhang said timidly to Lei Gang. Lei Gang waved his hand and said, "No need for you,
I'll do it."
At this moment, Liu Yang, Li Sha, and Xiao Ma had already brought Ke Xiang, who was wearing handcuffs, to the furnace. Looking at
the familiar shackles and the red-hot rivets in the furnace, Ke Xiang couldn't help but feel a surge of painful memories. These shackles,
like venomous snakes, had accompanied Ke Xiang for many days and nights. Half a year ago, her lover, Zhao Xin, had died tragically under enemy fire
. She herself had been arrested and subjected to severe torture, wearing these same shackles and seeing the same red-hot
rivets in the furnace. Li Sha weighed the shackles in her hand. Out of compassion for her fellow women, she said to Ke Xiang, "Comrade Ke Xiang,
if you tell us who is planning to rescue you, we won't put the shackles on, okay?" Ke Xiang shook her head and said,
"No need to ask, nail them on." Liu Yang snorted and said angrily, "Incorrigible! Do you think
we won't know just because you don't tell us?" Ke Xiang didn't say anything. She walked to the furnace, looked at Lei Gang, found a place
, sat down on the ground, stretched her legs out parallel, and calmly said, "Captain Lei, nail the shackles on."
Lei Gang felt a surge of excitement. He squatted down in front of Ke Xiang and gently encircled the two shackles around
Ke Xiang's clean ankles. After thinking for a moment, he loosened his grip, got up, fetched a ladle of water, soaked the towel around his neck
, and wrapped it around Ke Xiang's right ankle before finally placing the shackles around the towel. Throughout this time, his gaze never
met Ke Xiang's; it remained lowered.
Seeing this, tears of gratitude welled in Ke Xiang's eyes. What a thoughtful man! He never imagined that the brutish
Lei Gang could have such a tender moment. Having already been shackled once before, Ke Xiang knew that the intense heat of the
red-hot rivets piercing the iron rings would be unbearable for his skin. In the reactionary prison,
when those ruthless executioners pierced the red-hot rivets through Ke Xiang's shackles and nailed them in place, Ke Xiang's
ankles had been severely burned, developing large blisters.
Therefore, many times, what shackled prisoners feared most was the moment the shackles were tightened. After walking only
a few steps, the scalded skin and friction from the shackles would leave her feet a bloody mess, slow to heal. In the reactionary
prison, Ke Xiang's foot wounds never truly healed; every movement of her shackled feet
was excruciating.
Lei Gang silently placed an iron chisel under Ke Xiang's shackles, used tongs to pick up a rivet with his right hand,
inserted it into the seam of the shackles, and swung a hammer with his left hand, striking the shackles three times in rapid succession. Then, he grabbed a ladle of water and
splashed it onto the shackles; a hissing sound followed as the steam dissipated. During this time, Ke Xiang's eyes were slightly closed. Although her ankles
were wrapped in a wet towel, she could still feel the burning heat of the rivet, and the hammer blows caused her
ankles to ache painfully. However, compared to her previous time in the reactionary's prison, Ke Xiang felt a sense of relief and comfort
.
Lei Gang threw down his tools, carefully pulled the towel from the shackles on Ke Xiang's ankle, checked
that she was unharmed, and then looked up at Ke Xiang with a simple, honest smile. He then
wrapped the towel around Ke Xiang's left ankle and carefully fastened the other shackle in the same way, before splashing water on it to cool it.
Ke Xiang moved her ankle, found no discomfort, and used her handcuffed hands to support herself as she prepared to get up.
Lei Gang hurriedly said, "Party Representative, let me help you." He stretched out his arms and helped Ke Xiang to her feet. Ke Xiang
was deeply moved. As she got up, Ke Xiang's head approached Lei Gang's head, and for some reason,
she couldn't help but gently breathe warm air into Lei Gang's ear.
Lei Gang's heart skipped a beat. That intimate greeting made him somewhat distracted, and his movements involuntarily
slowed. Perhaps Ke Xiang also sensed her lapse in composure; although no one could see,
her face still flushed with embarrassment. Ke Xiang broke free from Lei Gang's support, struggled to stand upright, and lifted
her left foot, causing the iron shackles on her leg to clang loudly.
In the courtyard, the Red Guard members watched in the darkness as the Party representative was shackled, their emotions varying.
Lei Gang glanced around and saw Juanzi and Erzhu whispering together. He called out, "Juanzi, come quickly,
help the Party representative to the room."
Juanzi rushed to Ke Xiang, supporting his arms, her large, tearful eyes filled
with guilt. Ke Xiang didn't refuse. With Juanzi's help, he lowered his head and laboriously moved the heavy
shackles towards the cell. The clanging of the shackles
was so jarring and helpless in the quiet night.
Ke Xiang didn't sleep well that night. The series of events that had happened that day had left him still
reeling. He had been so happy and expectant to see the Party officials from higher levels, only to be immediately placed in solitary confinement
for investigation, handcuffed, and locked up. What was initially thought to be a routine check
turned into a serious suspicion of treason because of the unknown reason for his rescue. The shackles he had worn before were once again placed
on his feet.
Having experienced shackles before, Ke Xiang didn't feel particularly uncomfortable. Aside from the difficulty in
moving his legs, he felt perfectly normal. Lying in bed, Ke Xiang laboriously moved his legs,
stroking the cold shackles with his handcuffed hands, yet a trace of warmth stirred within him. Lei Gang's
meticulous care and concern during the shackle-fastening process had indeed
stirred a ripple in Ke Xiang's heart, which had become indifferent to romantic love.
The death of his lover, Zhao Xin, was the greatest blow to Ke Xiang. Although Zhao Xin, due to his work,
wasn't particularly affectionate towards Ke Xiang, as a man, he had shown her the joy of love through intimacy
. Since arriving at Dujuan Mountain, Ke Xiang had rarely thought about such things. As a Party representative, she
understood that her every word and action represented the Party's image. Therefore, she could only fill her time with relentless work,
deeply concealing her romantic feelings.
But today, Lei Gang's actions shattered the ice in Ke Xiang's heart, rekindling that
impulse within her. Ke Xiang stroked her shackles, wondering, "What's wrong with me? Just because I'm no longer a Party representative,
does that mean I can indulge my desires?" Ke Xiang tried desperately to deny it, but Lei Gang's caring gestures kept
entering her mind, making it difficult for her to control herself. Ke Xiang gripped the shackles tightly again, happily
recalling the scene of Lei Gang fastening them for her, thinking of his gentleness and thoughtfulness, as if
he were fastening exquisite jewelry that women love.
Thinking of this, Ke Xiang felt a wetness in her lower body, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. Ke Xiang moaned softly,
enjoying the pleasure of being with a woman, a pleasure that had been suppressed for so long. Her handcuffed hands
gripped the shackles tightly, as if they were the source of her happiness.
Similarly, Lei Gang didn't sleep well either, tossing and turning in bed. Ke Xiang's deep, affectionate breath
still made him feel the heat rising in his ears. Lei Gang was still a virgin,
somewhat confused about women. Since forming a gang with his brothers on the mountain, Lei Gang had always been independent,
believing that only men were capable of great things. Although some women had later joined the group,
Lei Gang had always kept his distance from them.
So, when he first learned that the woman captured down the mountain was a woman, Lei Gang hesitated
—should he take her or not? But when he saw Ke Xiang, saw her resolute figure in shackles,
a possessive desire arose in Lei Gang's heart. Upon reaching the mountain,
when Lei Gang broke the shackles on Ke Xiang's hands and feet, it was the closest he had ever been to a woman, to a young woman. At that moment, Lei Gang felt empty inside
, with an indescribable feeling.
Later, through Ke Xiang's efforts, the entire Azalea Mountain project flourished, and Lei Gang felt
more respect for this female Party representative than any improper thoughts. But in Lei Gang's heart, he couldn't erase Ke Xiang
's image, couldn't erase the feelings he had for her while she was in shackles. It could be said that Lei Gang respected the capable, energetic
Party representative, and loved the shackled woman he could rescue and fight for like a man.
Therefore, when Lei Gang took the shackles to fasten them on Ke Xiang, he still harbored a desire
. This contradictory feeling left Lei Gang feeling lost. When Lei Gang's hands caressed Ke Xiang's feet
, that possessive desire also brought him satisfaction, a sense of hope. He knew that
the woman he loved, who could wear shackles, had reappeared.
Lei Gang lay in bed, imagining Ke Xiang's current situation—shackled, alone and helpless, curled up in the dark
cell. He couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. Especially when the shackles were nailed to Ke Xiang's feet, her
grateful eyes and her fragrant breath filled him with a deep sense of intoxication. Lei Gang didn't know if
what he was doing was right or wrong, or if his thoughts were shameful. Lei Gang sat up,
found his pipe, and hurriedly lit it. In the night, the red light from the pipe flickered
—Ke Xiang: Painful Memories
. The next morning, the birdsong from the mountain awakened Ke Xiang. A beam of sunlight shone brightly through the window onto the wall
. Ke Xiang tried to get up as usual, but the handcuffs and the clanking of the chains on her feet prevented
her from doing so. Ke Xiang finally came to her senses, understanding her situation and her current identity.
She was no longer the busy Party representative who woke up every day; now, she was a prisoner
, a woman under interrogation, shackled and handcuffed.
Ke Xiang shook her head, gave a bitter smile, and slowly moved her shackled legs to the ground, trying to
adjust to the inconvenience of being shackled again. The clanking of the chains startled
the guards outside the door. They glanced at Ke Xiang through the window, but remained silent and retreated.
A bitter feeling welled up in Ke Xiang's heart. This change in status wasn't something she could adapt to overnight—just like these shackles on her feet
; she had to gradually adjust.
Ke Xiang turned around, dragging her shackles, and moved back to the bedside, sitting down quietly.
His handcuffed hands were neatly placed in front of his chest. Being in prison meant acting like one,
especially in a cell belonging to his own people—a far cry from being in a reactionary prison. In the face of the enemy, in a reactionary prison,
one could display righteous indignation, unyielding spirit, silent contempt, and loud condemnation
—
but now, none of these so-called acts of heroism could be displayed. He could only passively accept the organization's investigation
. The key was attitude; even if he felt wronged, he couldn't overreact.
Deep down, he had to place himself in the position of being investigated. Although he had worked diligently and conscientiously
for the Party—that was his duty, the duty of a Communist Party member—then, because of his
past arrest, the organization's investigation of him was also justified. Thinking of this, Ke Xiang felt somewhat at ease.
Head bowed, she stared blankly at the shackles on her hands and feet, as if those shackles were meant to bind her. She
began to reflect on the past—
at breakfast, a team member carried a wooden table to Ke Xiang's cell.
Jin Hua, the beautiful cook who cooked for the Red Guards on the mountain, came in carrying a basket. She looked at
Ke Xiang, who sat peacefully on the edge of the bed in handcuffs and shackles, placed the food on the table, gave a disgruntled "
humph," and left.
Ke Xiang moved her feet, making a clattering sound, until she reached the table. Because of the handcuffs,
her hands weren't very free to move. Ke Xiang only ate a cornbread and drank a few mouthfuls of porridge,
barely touching the vegetables on the plate. Ke Xiang wasn't surprised by Jin Hua's attitude, because back on the mountain, Ke
Xiang had always felt that Jin Hua was strange, there was always something inexplicable about her.
When Liu Yang, Li Sha, and Xiao Ma entered, Ke Xiang had just put down her chopsticks. Li Sha glanced at
the food on the table and said to Xiao Ma, "Unlock the handcuffs." Ke Xiang looked up, gave Li Sha a grateful look,
and stretched out her hands, watching Xiao Ma skillfully unlock the handcuffs. Ke Xiang rubbed her wrists, now
freed, and remained silent, head bowed, awaiting her fate. After a moment of silence, Liu Yang asked, "Aren't you still willing to tell us who
tried to rescue you last night?" Ke Xiang shook her head, offering no answer. "Hmph, stubborn fool," Liu Yang said. "Do you
think we can't find out just because you don't talk? The truth will always come out eventually
. Don't regret it then." Ke Xiang still didn't speak, her gaze fixed on the shackles on her feet,
her composed demeanor like a stone statue.
Li Sha placed the paper and pen she had brought on the wooden table and said, "The key reason we've come here is to examine your
behavior during your arrest. Reporting truthfully to the organization about your arrest and everything you've endured is something a
Party member should do. Comrade Ke Xiang, do you still remember your oath when you joined the Party?"
Hearing this, especially Li Sha's address of "Comrade Ke Xiang," Ke Xiang felt a surge of emotion. Ke Xiang
quickly stood up, and like a devout believer, solemnly recited: "Strictly maintain secrecy, obey
discipline, sacrifice oneself, engage in class struggle, strive for revolution, and never betray the Party." "Good, Comrade Ke Xiang, since you
still remember your oath when you joined the Party, then we believe you won't hide anything from the organization. We hope you will truthfully
confess everything to the organization, okay?" Li Sha said. Ke Xiang nodded solemnly.
After Liu Yang and Li Sha left, Ke Xiang sat at the table, trying to organize her thoughts. She picked up the paper and pen on the table and began
to recount her painful experience in fits and starts.
Zhao Xin and Ke Xiang, as secretaries of the special branch, were not only husband and wife in life but also partners in work. On one occasion,
they were simply going to another county to mobilize work when they unexpectedly encountered the Jingwei Corps (a secret police unit) near Sanguan Town
. Unable to dodge in time, Zhao Xin and Ke Xiang destroyed all the classified documents during their retreat. When Zhao Xin
's pistol ran out of bullets, a fatal bullet struck him in the head.
Ke Xiang watched helplessly as her beloved sacrificed himself before her eyes, her heart filled with immense pain.
As the Jingwei Corps shouted "Capture the female communist alive!" and surrounded her, Ke Xiang, still holding Zhao Xin's
body, glared angrily at the enemy. Her eyes burned with a fiery rage, so much so that the surrounding Jingwei
Corps only pointed their guns at her, not daring to make a move. A short while later, Ke Xiang saw a short, stout man
approaching from the mountain path. One of the men, presumably the leader, immediately stood at attention and excitedly reported, "Reporting to Commander
She, we've captured a female communist." The short, stout man looked at Ke Xiang, who was clinging to Zhao Xin, turned to
the leader, and shouted, "What are you all standing there for? Tie this female communist up!" "
Yes, sir!" The guards rushed forward, forcefully pulling Ke Xiang off Zhao Xin and pinning her to
the ground. They then used the ropes they had brought to tightly bind Ke Xiang. After finishing tying up Ke Xiang,
the short, fat man approached her and struck her several times with his cane,
cursing angrily, "You can't kill all of you! You run, you run! Why aren't you running anymore?"
Ke Xiang endured the pain, stood up straight, and spat in the
face of the short, fat man. Then, taking advantage of his surprise, she bent down and rammed into him forcefully.
The impact sent the short, fat man rolling several times on the ground. He scrambled to his feet, enraged
and humiliated. He approached Ke Xiang, who had been forced back to the ground by the militia, grabbed her hair with his left hand, and
began slapping her delicate face repeatedly with his right, cursing, "You fierce woman! I
'll teach you to be fierce, teach you to be fierce—"
Ke Xiang's face immediately swelled and turned red, blood oozing from her mouth, her eyes
flashing with stars, and her head spinning. After finishing the slapping, the short, stout man huffed, "Do you know who I am
? I'm She Wuyi, the head of the Sanguan Town militia, born to kill bastards, the one you call 'Poisonous Serpent'
!"
Ke Xiang knew that this "Poisonous Serpent" was the most ruthless leader in the surrounding counties, and
countless party members and civilians had died at his hands. The Special Committee had always wanted to eliminate this vicious enemy, but the opportunity was...
He had always been immature and had no opportunity. Now that he was in his hands, he was sure to suffer no good end. Therefore
, Ke Xiang glared angrily and said, "A blood debt will be repaid in blood, you dog! If you have the
guts, kill me!" Viper Gall laughed and said, "Killing you would be too easy for you. Looking at the two of you, you're not
ordinary people. Haha, it seems I've caught a big fish this time. I'll get
all the secrets of the Communist Party from your mouth." "Don't even think about it," Ke Xiang said seriously. "We Communists are not afraid of death
. Forget about it." Viper Gall snorted and said, "Just you wait. I'll make you wish you
were dead." With that, he turned and ordered, "Back to town." "Yes, sir."
The head of the Jingwei Regiment standing guard snapped to attention, then asked, "Commander, what about this dead Communist?"
Viper Gall glanced at Zhao Xin's corpse, then at Ke Xiang, who was bound to the ground, grieving. He laughed
and said, "What to do? The old way, cut off his head, go back and hang it at the town gate as a warning, see who dares to join
the *** and rebel. As for the body, just leave it in the mountain stream to feed the fish." Hearing the words of the venomous snake gall, Ke Xiang felt
even more grief. Her lover Zhao Xin had already died tragically, and his body would have to suffer further cruelty at the hands of the enemy. She swayed,
stammering incoherently, "No—"
Viper Dan glared at Ke Xiang, paused with his walking stick, and said, "What do you mean no? For you
rebels and rioters, we'll dismember you, behead you. Do you expect me to
build you graves, erect monuments, and write biographies? What a joke—" Ke Xiang lay on the ground. When she saw the militiamen using
steel knives to cut Zhao Xin, to sever her lover's head, her vision went black, and she fainted.
When
Ke Xiang awoke, Zhao Xin's body had already been thrown into the stream below the cliff by the militiamen
, and several militiamen were treating the cuts on Zhao Xin's head and neck with burnt ashes. Seeing this,
Ke Xiang felt as if her heart was being torn apart. Although she had prepared herself to sacrifice herself for the revolution and the Party when she joined the revolution, 　　she was still greatly shocked
when her lover actually bled on the battlefield in front of her and was dismembered by the enemy .
A militiaman brought horses for the Serpent's Gallbladder. Seeing that Ke Xiang had
woken up, the Serpent's Gallbladder approached her, grinning sinisterly, and said, "What? Scared? Or something?
Maybe you can't bear to part with him? Haha—" Ke Xiang glared at the Serpent's Gallbladder and said, "You inhuman wretch!
One day, someone will settle this score with you." The Serpent's Gallbladder waved his hand, ordering the militiaman to place Zhao Xin's head
before Ke Xiang, saying, "Look, this is your man who shared wives and property. This is
the consequence of your revolution and rebellion."
Ke Xiang looked at Zhao Xin's head, forcing back her tears. Zhao Xin's face was ashen
, devoid of any color, his lifeless eyes wide open, devoid of his former strength and confidence.
Ke Xiang bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the head of her former man, her heart filled with boundless hatred for the brutal enemy
. Seeing Ke Xiang's expression, Viper's heart was filled with joy. He looked at Ke Xiang with
the air of a cat playing with a mouse and said, "Tell me, which way do you carry this head, or do I have to drag it on the ground with my horse?"
Hearing Viper's words, Ke Xiang raised her head and said, "Untie the ropes binding me, I'll carry it—"
"Hahaha—" Viper laughed loudly and said, "Untie your ropes? You think it's so easy? If you
run away and jump off a cliff, how am I supposed to catch you?" After saying that, he turned around, mounted his horse, and ordered the henchmen, "Go, hang
this Communist's head around this female Communist's neck."
The henchmen pulled Ke Xiang up from the ground, first hanging Zhao Xin's head in front of Ke Xiang's chest, and then
connecting the ropes binding Ke Xiang's hands to the leather straps of the horse Viper was riding, and fastening them tightly.
After confirming everything was in order, Viper Gall, seated on his horse, raised his whip and lashed it hard across Ke Xiang's back,
saying, "Let's go, female communist."
Ke Xiang staggered along the mountain path, her hands bound behind her back, making movement difficult
. Zhao Xin's head hung on her chest; although the wound had been treated with ashes, blood still trickled
out, staining Ke Xiang's clothes. Viper Gall, like a victorious general, sat arrogantly on his horse,
lashing the bound female prisoner with his whip from time to time, urging Ke Xiang to quicken her pace.
Ke Xiang was utterly desperate. She had planned to find an opportunity to jump off a cliff with Zhao Xin's head on the way back to town,
but now that opportunity was gone. She was surrounded by members of the Imperial Guard, and the ropes binding her
were connected to the massive horse. Ke Xiang had become numb to the constant lashes of the whip from the venomous snake gall bladder.
This was partly due to the devastating death of her lover, leaving her heartbroken, and partly because the ropes binding her
were too tight, leaving her hands and arms numb.
In the distance, the hazy outline of Sanguan Town could already be seen; that was the venomous snake gall bladder's lair, and also
the largest town around Azalea Mountain. When the venomous snake gall bladder and the escorted Ke Xiang arrived at a tea stall not far from the town
, the venomous snake gall bladder reined in his horse, ordering the group to stop.
Viper's Gallbladder glanced at the bound Ke Xiang and Zhao Xin's head hanging around Ke Xiang's neck, then laughed happily
, "Everyone, take a break and have some water. Send a few men back first to let everyone know that Commander She has won
a victory and captured a female Communist. Tell them all to come out and welcome us, haha, haha—"
Ke Xiang: First Steps into the Demon's Den
Sanguan Town was a large town, historically a gathering place for merchants and mountain dwellers from the surrounding villages.
The sale of local specialties and the exchange of goods with the outside world all took place here. In the era before advanced information,
it was also a hub for the exchange and dissemination of various messages. Although the current situation was chaotic, it
was still very lively on market days.
Li Shijian, the second-in-command of the outlaws on Dujuan Mountain, mingled in the bustling crowd. Accompanying him
was Juanzi, a very pretty girl. They dressed as siblings; Li Shijian carried a load
of timber from the mountains, while Juanzi's bamboo basket contained bamboo shoots and mushrooms, among other mountain produce. This was
after they, along with Lei Gang and Wen Qijiu, led a group of poor brothers in a rebellion to Dujuan Mountain several years ago.
Killing wealthy landowners and robbing local bullies, they drank heavily and ate large chunks of meat every day, enjoying a period of merriment. But as
time went on, they felt like headless geese, adrift and without purpose. Moreover, as a peasant armed force, they
couldn't shake off a bandit mentality, which was why they couldn't grow stronger and develop.
Recently, the landlord militias down the mountain had lessened their encirclement and suppression of the mountain, while
rumors were spreading that communism had broken out outside the mountains. It was said that it was also an armed force of the poor, who believed in a foreign ideology
called Marxism or Lenin. Therefore, Lei Gang had an idea: to
contact this organization called the Communist Party and fight for the poor. Now, Li Shijian and Juanzi were on Lei Gang's orders
to go down the mountain to gather information and find the Communist Party.
A flurry of activity erupted in the crowd, and Li Shijian and Juanzi exchanged a wary glance. In the distance, they saw two
members of the local militia carrying a bronze gong, arrogantly banging it and shouting, "Commander She has won a victory!
One Communist has been killed, and one female Communist has been captured alive! Come to the town gate to welcome him!" Pedestrians began to surge towards the town gate
, and Li Shijian and Juanzi followed the flow of people.
At the town gate stood a tall gatehouse, below which was a square, in the center of which
stood a flagpole. When Li Shijian and Juanzi arrived, the square was already crowded with people. Several
members of the local militia stood guard outside the crowd, while most of the villagers craned their necks to watch the approaching figures
.
Li Shijian and Juanzi found a place to stand and saw a group of militia members escorting a woman
from afar. The leader, known as "Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder," rode his horse like a victorious general, his whip occasionally striking the
bound woman. Li Shijian and Juanzi knew that this was the female Communist
Party member captured by Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder and the Jingwei Corps.
Upon closer inspection, they could finally see the captured woman clearly. She was truly
a beautiful and strong woman. Although bound by ropes and trapped in the hands of a devilish enemy,
there was no panic or despair on her face. Her head remained held high, resolute and elegant, showing
no sign of submission. Even as Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder's whip lashed her back, she gritted her teeth and remained
silent.
Li Shijian silently praised her, "A true hero! It's a pity she's a woman." At this moment, Juanzi reached out and
tugged at Li Shijian's sleeve, quietly asking, "Second-in-command, what should we do? Should we go back to the mountain and call the chief
for help?" Li Shijian waved his hand and said, "Let's see first."
At this, a commotion arose in the crowd, everyone vying to get a closer look at the captured female Communist
Party member. On horseback, Viper Gallant drew his pistol, fired two shots into the air, and cursed
, "Damn it, do you all want to rebel? All of you, stay where you are!" The crowd quieted down. Viper Gallant
said, "Go, hang that bastard's head on the flagpole and display it to everyone." "Yes, sir." Two members of the Imperial Guard
came to Ke Xiang, took Zhao Xin's head, which had been hanging on her chest, and hung it high
on the flagpole with a rope.
Ke Xiang's eyes filled with tears, which she forced back, not letting them fall in front of the enemy. Her heart ached as she watched
her beloved's head being hung on the flagpole by the enemy, like a heavy stone
pressing on her heart under the blazing autumn sun.
Viper's Gallbladder pointed his pistol at the severed head hanging on the flagpole and said to Ke Xiang, who was bound in front of the horse, "See
? This is the consequence of trying to rebel, this is the consequence of causing trouble. They practice communism and communal wives, they want to overthrow
the government, they are heinous monsters. From now on, anyone who gets close to the Communist Party and tries to rebel will suffer this fate."
Hearing Viper's Gallbladder's words, Ke Xiang straightened up with difficulty and said loudly, "Fellow villagers, don't listen to
Viper's Gallbladder's nonsense. Our Communist Party serves the poor, we fought for the poor. The Kuomintang and
the reactionaries are the ones who exploit and oppress the people, they are your enemies—" Seeing Ke Xiang like this, Viper's Gallbladder's
courage... The officer relentlessly whipped Ke Xiang, saying, "You bitch, even on your deathbed you
're still spreading rumors—" Ke Xiang glared at the venomous snake, defiantly replying, "We bastards aren't afraid to die!
You kill one of us, but we'll have many more to follow. The revolution will surely succeed!" "Fine, fine—
" the venomous snake said hatefully, "Let's see if your mouth is tougher, or my whip." He turned and ordered the militia
, "What are you all standing there for? Gag her! Stop her from spreading rumors! Take her back, I'm going to torture her—
" The militia pounced on Ke Xiang, quickly subduing her and stuffing a rag into her mouth
. Ke Xiang, eyes wide, was pushed and shoved into the town.
The headquarters of the Jingwei Corps was located in the She Family Ancestral Hall in Sanguan Town, a large, imposing building with high walls and
dilapidated tiles. Ke Xiang was taken directly to the torture chamber in the backyard, a dark and terrifying place, like a
den of demons. The pillars and walls were covered with whips, shackles, ropes, and other instruments of torture,
each stained with dark brown blood. Viper Gall pulled the rag from Ke Xiang's mouth and
lashed her several times, hissing, "Why didn't you incite them? Why didn't you spread the word?"
Blood trickled from Ke Xiang's mouth; she endured the pain and forcefully spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto Viper Gall
's face. Viper's Gallbladder chuckled coldly, pulled out a white handkerchief, wiped his face, and said, "Good, good, good
fierce woman. In a moment, I'll make sure you have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide." He then turned and ordered, "Hang
this bitch up!" "Yes, sir!" The henchman threaded a thick hemp rope through
the rope binding Ke Xiang's arms, tied it tightly, and looped it over the wooden beam of the torture chamber. With a shout, Ke Xiang's body was
lifted off the ground.
Ke Xiang's body swayed in the air, all her weight concentrated on her arms. Viper's Gallbladder stroked
Ke Xiang's face, saying seductively, "You little bitch, just sit here for a while. Later
, see how I deal with you—" Ke Xiang turned her face away in disgust, avoiding Viper's clutches. Viper
's Gallbladder laughed heartily and said to one of the henchmen, "Er Gouzi, you stay here and watch this little bitch, I..."
"Go eat with the brothers first." The henchman called Er Gouzi nodded and bowed, saying, "Yes, Commander. You can
go without worry, leave this to me."
After Du Shedan and the other henchmen left, Er Gouzi went outside to check, then returned to the room, swallowed
the saliva that was drooling from his mouth, took out a cigarette, lit it, and stared at Ke Xiang with lecherous eyes.
Ke Xiang was suspended in the center of the torture chamber, both feet dangling in the air, his entire weight concentrated on his bound
arms. Soon, he was in unbearable pain, as if his arms didn't belong to him. Seeing
the henchman called Er Gouzi looking him over, Ke Xiang turned his head and closed his eyes slightly. At this moment, Ke Xiang was like a
fish hanging in the air, unable to predict his fate or where he would go.
Hearing the boisterous drinking sounds coming from the courtyard, Er Gouzi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
After pacing around the room a few times, he returned to Ke Xiang, who was tied up and hanging. His lecherous eyes were full of desire. He placed one
hand on Ke Xiang's back, groping her as he said, "You slut, while they're all out enjoying themselves
, I have to stay here and watch over you. Come on, come on, I can't just sit around doing nothing, let your brother touch you—"
Ke Xiang's arms were already aching from being tied up, but what she found even more unbearable was Er Gouzi's caresses. Ke Xiang's face
flushed crimson with shame. She struggled fiercely, shouting, "Take your hands off me, you filthy scoundrel!" Er Gouzi
laughed, saying, "I am a filthy scoundrel, haha, wait until our regimental commander comes back after he's eaten and drunk his fill, then you
'll know what a scoundrel really is. Haha—" Hearing Er Gouzi's words, Ke Xiang felt despair, but her female
instincts still made her struggle desperately, continuing to curse, "You're all scoundrels, scum, and trash—
"
"We're scoundrels, scum, and trash?" Er Gouzi laughed, saying, "Aren't you also practicing communism and
communal wives? Today I'll also practice communism and communal wives, and taste what a slut tastes like." He took
the gun off his body and hung it on the wall, then, like a wild beast, pounced on Ke Xiang, tearing open
her outer garment with both hands.
Ke Xiang's face turned bright red, her body twisted, and her legs moved aimlessly in the air. But Er Gouzi
, as if possessed, tore at Ke Xiang's clothes. Ke Xiang felt a chill on her chest; she knew her
breasts were exposed—
Er Gouzi's eyes widened at the sight of her two white, firm breasts. These were
the breasts of a city school student, unlike the empty, grayish- black breasts of the prostitutes in the brothels he frequented in town
, which were devoid of luster. "These slut's breasts are so white!" Er Gouzi exclaimed, reaching out
his two filthy hands to touch them, then vigorously kneading them.
Ke Xiang felt as if she were dying; she shook her body violently to avoid Er Gouzi
's intrusive hands. But soon, Er Gouzi embraced Ke Xiang's body with both hands, raised his head, and buried his face in her chest
, taking her small, unborn nipples into his mouth and sucking hard.
A tingling sensation instantly spread throughout Ke Xiang's body. The tears she had been holding back finally flowed;
this was an unexpected humiliation she had suffered. Although the physical sensation was overwhelming,
the hatred for her enemy filled her with deep shame. Soon, Er Gouzi's saliva, snot, and mucus covered
Ke Xiang's chest and breasts, sticky and disgusting. Because Er Gouzi was
holding her tightly, Ke Xiang felt a sense of support. Suppressing her shame, she secretly curled
one leg and slammed her knee hard into Er Gouzi's groin—"Ah—" Er Gouzi screamed
, backing away, covering his groin with his hands, cursing, "You bitch, you're so cruel!
I...I'll kill you!" He then retreated to the wall, preparing to draw his gun.
"What's going on?" With the sound, the door opened, and Viper Gallbladder rushed in with several henchmen.
Seeing the scene inside, Viper Gallbladder laughed. He walked up to Ke Xiang, glanced at her exposed
breasts, then walked to Er Gouzi and asked, "What? Er Gouzi, did you get the better deal?" Er Gouzi, with a mournful
face, said bitterly, "Oh, my dear commander, what better deal? This bitch
is a real vigilante, she almost ruined my manhood!" Viper Gallbladder raised his right hand and slapped
Er Gouzi twice across the face, cursing, "You bastard!" "Useless thing, you're a disgrace to me, get out of here!"
Ke Xiang—unyielding.
Seeing Er Gouzi cover his mouth and retreat sullenly to the side, Du She Dan turned around, glaring at
Ke Xiang, who was hanging naked in the center of the torture chamber, and said, "You bitch, you really are a wild horse. Fine, I
like it—"
Being humiliated with her breasts exposed in front of the enemy was something Ke Xiang hadn't expected and couldn't accept. But
, since things had come to this point, for the sake of the Party's secrets, Ke Xiang was willing to risk it all. No matter what kind of
humiliation and torture she endured, she absolutely could not yield or waver in front of the enemy. This was both the Party's discipline and
the vow Ke Xiang had made from the day she joined the revolution. Thinking of this, Ke Xiang opened her eyes wide, glared at Du
She Dan, and said, "You dog, one day, the people will settle accounts with you."
Du She Dan laughed heartily, a victor's laugh, which seemed somewhat unrestrained. He leaned closer to Ke
Xiang, scrutinizing her fair skin and slightly erect breasts with
a hint of regret in his eyes. He said, "Seriously, such beautiful breasts, such a waste of Er Gouzi's hands, he got the upper hand
."
Ke Xiang straightened up, goosebumps rising all over her body. She tried her best to turn her head away, refusing
to look at the lecherous expression on Poisonous Gallbladder's face. Poisonous Gallbladder took out a handkerchief and wiped away the smears Er Gouzi had left on Ke Xiang's chest
. Then, he reached out and pinched Ke Xiang's cherry-like nipples, rubbing them, saying, "
How's it going, female communist? This 'airplane' isn't a pleasant experience, is it? This leader has a heart of compassion; as long as you tell me
your secret, I'll be absolutely lenient and spare your life."
Although her arms were bound and numb, Poisonous Gallbladder's rubbing still made Ke Xiang feel...
A tingling sensation spread from her nipples throughout her body. Hearing Viper's words, Ke Xiang said, "You can humiliate my
body, but you cannot humiliate my mind. We *** people have convictions, and I will not tell
you anything—" "Good, you have backbone." Viper grinned maliciously, flicking Ke Xiang's
erect nipple with his finger, then turned and ordered, "Put her down. I want to see what she's capable of—"
The militiamen swarmed forward, loosening the ropes binding Ke Xiang's arms. Before Ke Xiang could even stand firmly,
several militiamen untied and removed the ropes from her body, then pulled and laid her down in front of a
large wooden platform. They separated Ke Xiang's left and right hands, binding them firmly to the iron rings on the edge of the platform. At the same
time, Ke Xiang's legs were also spread apart and tightly bound. Ke Xiang was bound face up
on the wooden platform, her bare breasts gleaming white, causing the militiamen to secretly swallow their saliva and fantasize. Viper
Gall, grinning maliciously, looked at Ke Xiang and said, "Female Communist, this is my Ascension Platform! So many heroes of the martial world
have cried and begged for mercy here. A wise man submits to circumstances. You, a delicate woman, would better
speak obediently to avoid further suffering. It will be too late to talk later."
"Dream on!" Ke Xiang spat at Viper Gall, who was lying in front of her, and angrily retorted, "We Communists
are willing to die for our country, we'll shed blood for you. You think we'll bow down to you? No way!"
Seeing Ke Xiang's stubbornness, Viper Gall said with a sneer, "Then you'll taste the flavor of bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat first, haha, I don't believe
you're made of iron—" Seeing that Viper Gallbladder had given the order, the several henchmen who had been eagerly waiting nearby
picked up several bamboo slats that had been prepared beforehand from the rack by the wall, and surrounded Ke Xiang
, preparing to torture her. Ke Xiang kept her eyes tightly closed, hearing only the sound of the bamboo slats cutting through the air. Then, the bamboo
slats struck her chest, the intense pain causing Ke Xiang to involuntarily cry out "Ah!" She then
gritted her teeth, enduring the inhuman torture.
The bamboo slats struck Ke Xiang's chest, and after only a few blows, her snow-white chest turned blue and red,
swollen. Ke Xiang's lips bled, and large beads of sweat dripped from her forehead, soon
soaking her hair. Viper Gallbladder watched from the side, occasionally hefting his walking stick. He
couldn't understand it at all. This was truly a mind-altering drug; anyone who joined the gang became completely devoted.
He never imagined that a woman could be so strong.
Looking at Ke Xiang's snow-white chest, especially her two firm breasts, Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder couldn't
help but have lewd thoughts. He waved his hand, and the thugs obediently stopped waving their bamboo clappers and stepped aside
. Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder walked to Ke Xiang's side, pinched her swollen nipples, and asked, "How
about it? Still stubborn and won't confess?"
Instantly, Ke Xiang's nipples felt a tingling sensation, a common sensation. She
endured it with all her might, closing her eyes in shame. She no longer had the strength to struggle against Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder's humiliation. She
simply shook her head, enduring the pain, and said hatefully, "Don't even think about it—"
As the saying goes, "Tears streaming down her face, she is pitiful to behold." Ke Xiang's exposed chest and her shameful expression aroused
Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder's lust. He smiled wickedly, beckoned Er Gouzi to his side, and whispered a few words in his ear.
Er Gouzi listened, bowing and scraping, his lewd eyes occasionally sweeping over Ke Xiang, who was bound to the execution platform. He
swallowed hard to suppress his lust.
Seeing Du Shedan turn and leave, Er Gouzi ordered several henchmen to untie Ke Xiang from the rack. As soon as
Ke Xiang's hands were freed, she hurriedly pulled at her open clothes to cover her exposed,
swollen breasts. Er Gouzi chuckled, saying, "This bitch, she knows shame, so shameless.
Once you become our leader's woman, you won't be shy anymore, haha—"
Ke Xiang no longer had the strength to argue with the henchmen; she was passively dragged and pushed
to a cell. In the center of the cell stood a wooden stake, connected to which
a long iron chain. Er Gouzi led Ke Xiang to the wooden stake, placed the iron ring at one end of the chain around Ke Xiang
's neck, and locked it. It was like putting a chain around a dog's neck. Ke Xiang
silently endured this inhuman humiliation. She could feel the coldness and solidity of the metal, and
the weight and constraint of the chain. It oppressed Ke Xiang's body, and at the same time, it oppressed her spirit. In this
state, all human dignity vanished. The occasional
clanging of the chain due to her movements constantly reminded her of her state—
a state devoid of dignity, a state of humiliation.
...
As noon approached, a thick stack of papers lay on Ke Xiang's desk, each word
soaked in Ke Xiang's blood-soaked memories. As she wrote, tears streamed down her face.
Since arriving on the mountain, Ke Xiang had tried to forget the horrific scene, frantically working to escape
it. But now, to prove her innocence to the Party and clear herself of suspicion of treason, Ke Xiang had no
choice but to relive the past.
This re-enactment was a torment of the soul, an endless agony.
Looking at the sunlight outside the window, Ke Xiang rubbed her numb fingers, then buried her head in her hands, letting
the tears of pain flow silently. At that moment, in Ke Xiang's heart, that painful experience was
an indelible mark, a black shame etched into her white memory.
—The sound of a horn echoed from the mountain pass, a message relayed by the Red Guards on patrol. Ke Xiang listened
and knew that Vice Captain Li Shijian, who had gone out on a mission, had returned with his squad. Ke Xiang stood up and
laboriously dragged her shackles to the window. She wanted to see her comrade, the
man who had saved her from the enemy's slaughter because of his tip.
Through the window, Ke Xiang saw the courtyard and the people coming and going. As Ke Xiang prepared to look out the window...
As they welcomed the returning comrades, Xiao Ma, who had been patrolling outside the door, walked to the window. He looked at Ke Xiang,
frowned, and said, "What are you looking at? Behave yourself and go back to writing your report."
Ke Xiang felt a chill run through her. She finally understood that she was no longer a comrade; she
was an object of control and investigation. Until her case was thoroughly investigated,
until the Party reached a conclusion on her case, she was not a comrade. Ke Xiang remained silent,
accepting Xiao Ma's rebuke in silence. So, dragging her heavy shackles, she returned
to the table amidst the clanking of the chains and sat down silently.
A commotion arose in the courtyard. Ke Xiang's eyes were fixed on the ground, on the iron shackles that bound her feet like venomous snakes
. She could only listen, trying to sense the joy and emotions of her comrades. She was no longer qualified
to participate; she was like an outsider, adrift from the revolutionary group. This was something Ke Xiang couldn't
bear, something she could never bear—Ke Xiang's mind was blank; she sat there in a daze,
like a lifeless statue. Her eyes fell again on the confession materials on the table. She really didn't want to write
anymore. That experience was something she absolutely didn't want to recall. Physical pain could be endured, but mental
pain was unbearable and unrepeatable. However, she was a member of the Party, an organization. From
the day she raised her hand to swear her oath, she had given everything to the Party, to the organization.
Now, the Party was examining her for the sake of organizational purity. She had to face it with the correct attitude
, and she couldn't feel wronged. Just like these iron shackles on her feet, if she could endure the enemy's
accusations, couldn't she endure the organization's? She had to face it correctly, and absolutely couldn't have
any complaints. Ke Xiang reminded and urged herself in her heart. The door opened, and Xiao Ma led Special
Envoy Liu Yang and Li Sha into the cell. Ke Xiang quickly stood up and respectfully greeted, "Special
Envoy." Liu Yang waved his hand, his gaze falling on the thick stack of confessions on the table. He picked one up and began to
carefully peruse it. Ke Xiang quickly moved aside, the iron shackles on her feet clanking.
Pointing to the only chair in the room, Ke Xiang said, "Special Envoy, please sit."
Liu Yang didn't speak, but handed the materials to Li Sha. He watched as Li Sha locked the completed confession in her briefcase
, then nodded and said, "You wrote it quickly? Good, that's how it should be. You must be completely
honest with the Party to gain their trust and scrutiny. You absolutely cannot harbor any illusions or hide anything. Only
when all your problems are cleared up can the Party trust you, understand?" Ke Xiang quickly
nodded. Nodding, she said, "I know, I will definitely cooperate with the Party's investigation of me."
Liu Yang said, "This afternoon, continue to write down everything that happened afterward. If you have any questions, ask Xiao
Ma outside the door, okay?"
Seeing that the special envoy was about to leave, Ke Xiang quickly asked, "Special envoy, Deputy Captain Li is back. Are they all alright?"
Liu Yang frowned, looked at Ke Xiang, and said, "You must understand your identity. You are now an object of the revolution
, understand? Everything on the mountain is now a secret to you. You cannot inquire about anything, understand?"
Ke Xiang fell silent. She was ashamed of her question. Yes, who was she? She was no longer
the Party representative whom everyone admired and loved. She was now an outcast, imprisoned in a cell,
writing a confession, an object of the revolution. Hearing the cell door behind her slam shut and
lock, Ke Xiang couldn't help but shed tears.
The woman with the poisonous snake gall had brought her lunch again—it was that woman named Jin Hua. She seemed
quite pleased to see Ke Xiang, shackled and isolated for interrogation, softly humming a folk song, her expression arrogant.
After placing the food on the wooden table, she didn't forget to taunt Ke Xiang, saying, "Oh, Party Representative,
enjoying your retirement in this dark room? Why don't you hold a meeting for us and preach revolutionary principles?"
Ke Xiang ignored her. She simply lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the ground, on the iron
shackles binding her feet. This was both a sign of her respecting her place and a way to prevent outsiders from seeing the sorrowful tears on her face.
Xiao Ma, who was guarding the door, told Jin Hua, "Don't speak. Go back quickly after delivering the food."
Jin Hua left sullenly, giving Ke Xiang a fierce glare as she left, as if harboring deep
hatred. The cell door was locked again from the outside. Ke Xiang looked at the food on the table, her heart heavy, and
she had no appetite whatsoever. She pushed the food aside, picked up the paper and pen on the table, and couldn't help but sigh: Did she
really have to recount all the humiliations, expose everything?
...
Er Gouzi and the gangsters, after locking the tortured Ke Xiang to the wooden pillar in the cell, hurriedly locked
the cell door and left. Ke Xiang struggled to sit up, first straightening her disheveled clothes with her hands. As she straightened them,
the excruciating pain from the whipping in her chest still throbbed intermittently, like being stabbed with a knife.
The cold, hard iron collar around her neck made Ke Xiang feel uncomfortable and ashamed, especially with her movements.
When she moved the chain connecting the collar, the chain made a clanging metallic sound, which made Ke Xiang feel humiliated.
Ke Xiang didn't know what kind of torture and humiliation he would suffer next, but he was mentally
prepared. No matter the torture or humiliation, he would accept it calmly and not let the enemy see his
fear. At the same time, he absolutely could not divulge Party secrets, no matter what insults and torment he endured.
Thinking this, Ke Xiang sat up straight, gripping the iron chains binding him as if he were
holding his fate in his own hands.
The chains were heavy, cold, and merciless, like a venomous snake coiled around Ke Xiang's body. Ke
Xiang knew that the enemy's goal was to humiliate him and break his will. Now that he was
in the enemy's hands, he was like a fish on a chopping board; all struggle and resistance were futile
. This was only the beginning; who knew what other despicable methods the enemy would use—
the cell door opened again, and Ke Xiang saw the militiamen carrying a large wooden barrel in, putting down...
In the center of the room, Er Gouzi and some militiamen brought in hot water and poured it into a wooden tub
, steaming hot. Ke Xiang remained silent, watching coldly, pondering the enemy's intentions.
Er Gouzi laughed heartily, looking at Ke Xiang and saying, "Female Communist, you don't need to suffer anymore. Our militia leader pities
you, doesn't care that you're a newly widowed woman, nor does he care if you're a prostitute. We're going to take you
as a concubine, and tonight we'll consummate our marriage. Come, come, wash off your stinking sweat—"
This was something Ke Xiang hadn't expected, seeing Er Gouzi's hands preparing to undress her. Ke Xiang stood up
and said, "Take your filthy hands off me, I'll do it myself—"
Ke Xiang straightened up, her beautiful face expressionless. She glanced at the lecherous men staring at
her, and slowly, expressionlessly, unbuttoned her clothes. Ke Xiang knew that in the enemy
's hands, all struggle and resistance would be futile. Rather than letting those filthy hands roam over her body,
she would rather unbutton them herself. However, Ke Xiang also knew that no matter how much she was humiliated, she
could not reveal Party secrets, nor could she betray the revolution.
When her clothes were removed, revealing her snow-white body, the thugs stared in disbelief
. They couldn't understand how a human body could be so white. Thinking of the withered,
dark bodies of their wives back home, they realized they had truly wasted their lives. Ke Xiang continued to remove
her underwear, expressionless. When her dark pubic hair was revealed, Ke Xiang's face flushed. The thugs gasped in admiration
. Her snow-white skin and glossy black pubic hair created a perfect human form on Ke Xiang's body,
like a celestial being. Faced with Ke Xiang's naked body, the thugs were truly stunned, and some who couldn't control themselves
had already ejaculated.
While the thugs gasped and marveled, Ke Xiang, with the iron chain around her neck, had already entered the wooden tub.
She slowly squatted down, letting the water gradually wash over her ravaged skin. In the water, Ke Xiang felt
safe, like a helpless infant in its mother's amniotic fluid. Tears streamed down Ke Xiang's face,
both a remembrance of her recently sacrificed husband and an outlet for her current predicament.
To prevent the thugs from seeing her tears, Ke Xiang also submerged her head in the water. Ke Xiang frantically
rubbed her hands, trying to wash away all the pain and humiliation. But Ke Xiang was a revolutionary
, and revolutionaries are realistic materialists. Ke Xiang knew in her heart that even if she managed to shake off the current
pain and humiliation, more pain and humiliation awaited her. The militiamen silently watched
Ke Xiang bathe, but their eyes no longer held the violence and hatred; instead, they held a kind of worship and reverence
. They no longer saw Ke Xiang as a monster, a woman subjected to communist communal wives. In
their eyes, Ke Xiang was the epitome of womanhood, their fantasy being that of
the Guanyin Bodhisattva they worshipped in their homes.
When Ke Xiang stood up from the tub and dried herself, the militiamen's gazes were no longer
fixed on her. They feared their gazes would desecrate this heroine, so their eyes
darted around, avoiding her gaze. As Ke Xiang picked up her clothes from beside the wooden tub to put them back on, Er Gouzi approached
, somewhat timidly saying, "Our... our commander said... said he won't let you wear clothes anymore—"
Ke Xiang gave a cold laugh, put down the clothes, raised her head, and asked, "What else did your commander say
?"
Er Gouzi waved a pair of handcuffs in his hand and said, "Our commander said he's going to take you away, he...
he wants to interrogate you alone—"
Ke Xiang didn't speak; she knew that an even more painful and humiliating moment was about to begin. At this moment, Er Gouzi
had already pulled Ke Xiang's hands behind her back and carefully handcuffed them. Ke Xiang straightened her chest,
making her two bare breasts appear even firmer, and her pubic hair, after being washed by the water,
appeared even darker and shinier. One of the henchmen pulled the chain attached to Ke Xiang's collar, while the rest of the henchmen
surrounded her. Er Gouzi sighed and said, "What's meant to be will be. Let's go—
" As Er Gouzi and the henchmen escorted the naked Ke Xiang into Poisonous Gallbladder's room,
Poisonous Gallbladder, who had been relaxing on the recliner, couldn't help but stand up. Although he had already seen Ke Xiang's bare
breasts, now, completely naked with a chain around her neck, Ke Xiang's beauty
and ethereal quality were even more striking to Poisonous Gallbladder. Poisonous Gallbladder quickly walked up to Ke Xiang, reaching out to caress her snow-white skin
, exclaiming, "Truly... exquisite, absolutely stunning!"
Seeing Poisonous Gallbladder's filthy hands caressing her body, Ke Xiang felt a wave of nausea.
When Ke Xiang saw the venomous snake's hand slide downwards, preparing to stroke her pubic hair, she could no longer bear
it. She spat in the venomous snake's face, cursing, "You scoundrel, you beast—", then
struggled free from the guards' pull, lowering her head to crash into the venomous snake.
This time, the venomous snake was prepared. He staggered, grabbed the iron chain around Ke Xiang's neck, and forcefully
pulled her head in front of him. He stretched out his left hand and slapped Ke Xiang's face several times, grinning maliciously
, "Such a spirited horse, I don't believe I can't mount you."
Then, the venomous snake released the iron chain and pushed Ke Xiang to the guards, saying, "Tie her to the horse
rack."
Blood trickled from the corner of Ke Xiang's mouth, her head throbbing, as the guards pushed her to the two rows of wooden racks
—the "horse racks" that the venomous snake had mentioned. The thugs first forcefully spread Ke Xiang's legs apart and tied them
to a standing wooden stake, with a round log placed across his lower abdomen. Then, Er Gouzi unlocked
the handcuffs behind Ke Xiang's back and pressed his arms and upper body forward; another similar round log was placed in front of him, positioned right at
his shoulders, and the thugs tied his arms outstretched in the same way.
In this way, Ke Xiang could no longer move, his buttocks protruding and his body bent at a ninety-degree angle, truly
like a horse bound to a harness. Faced with this humiliating posture, Ke Xiang was utterly powerless.
She clenched her teeth, her heart filled with hatred for the enemy.
Seeing that Ke Xiang was tied up on the horse stable, Viper's Gall waved his hand, and the militiamen discreetly withdrew from
the room, carefully closing the door behind them.
Viper's Gall casually picked a riding whip from the wall, walked to the bound Ke Xiang, grabbed
her hair, and lifted her face. He saw an angry face, with
eyes that seemed to spit fire.
Viper's Gall smiled; this was the effect he needed. He flicked Ke Xiang's face a few
times with his riding crop and asked, "What? Female Communist, is this comfortable?" Ke Xiang shook her head, trying her best to
break free from Poisonous Gallbladder's grasp. Hearing Poisonous Gallbladder's question, Ke Xiang could only curse angrily, "Rogue, beast—
"
Poisonous Gallbladder released his grip on Ke Xiang's hair and brazenly reached his hand to Ke Xiang's chest, teasing
her nipples as he said, "You can't say that. This horse harness is what I prepared for my woman. By the way, in
your civilized terms, it's what wives and concubines prepare. Now that you can use it, it's your good fortune. I think you
should stop talking about communism and just become my concubine, living a life of luxury, wouldn't that be better—" "
Dream on—" Ke Xiang's body was bound to the horse harness, unable to move an inch. To Poisonous Gallbladder's persuasion, she
could only angrily curse.
"Hahahaha—" Viper Gallbladder laughed loudly, brandishing the riding crop in his hand, saying, "As you are
now, I can do whatever I want with you. Once the deed is done, you'll have no choice but to obey
." After thinking for a moment, Viper Gallbladder added, "But a wild horse like you needs a lot of training.
And the best tool for training a wild horse like you is the whip."
Ke Xiang knew that the most severe test was about to begin. And this test was not physical pain, but
mental pain, and it came at the cost of one's most precious chastity. Viper Gallbladder's hands
groped over Ke Xiang's body. He brought his head close to Ke Xiang's face, leering as he asked, "What, female communist? Do you want my
whip to strike your snow-white buttocks, or do you want my whip to lash your breasts—"
Ke Xiang's face flushed red. These lewd words were something Ke Xiang had never heard before. They
made Ke Xiang feel embarrassed and ashamed. Although from the day she joined the revolution, Ke Xiang had prepared
herself to shed her last drop of blood for it,
she had never imagined being bound naked to this shameful wooden frame by the reactionaries, forced to endure their verbal abuse.
While Ke Xiang was still lost in thought, the whip of the Viper's Gall lashed heavily across her buttocks.
A sharp pain caused Ke Xiang to cry out involuntarily.
Hearing Ke Xiang's cry, the Viper's Gall gleamed with delight. Based on his past experience, he knew that he
had hope of conquering this resolute female communist. So, he laughed heartily and said, "Does it feel good? Scream
harder! Only when you scream harder will you stop feeling pain and feel good." With that,
the Viper's Gall lashed again, striking her hard. Ke Xiang felt
ashamed of her inability to speak. So, when the serpent's whip fell on her body again, Ke Xiang gritted her teeth,
desperately enduring the unbearable pain without uttering a sound. Ke Xiang's buttocks were covered with crisscrossing
whip marks, and blood oozed from the torn skin, creating a stark contrast against her snow-white skin.
Seeing Ke Xiang's ability to endure the torture, the serpent felt utterly bored. He angrily threw away
the whip, and while unzipping his pants, he lewdly said, "I don't believe you can hold out any longer.
Today I'm going to force myself on you, and I'll have to share wives—"
Seeing the serpent's actions, Ke Xiang was utterly desperate. She closed her eyes, deeply regretting
why she hadn't been the one to die on the mountain path. If she had died in battle against the enemy, she wouldn't have had to endure
this torture that concerned her chastity.
Just as Ke Xiang was feeling desperate, and as Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder unzipped his pants, preparing to rape her, the tightly
closed door was flung open. A fat, tall woman, dressed in bright red clothes, rushed
towards Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder like a gust of wind, angrily cursing, "You heartless bastard, how dare you cheat on me with another woman—
"
Ke Xiang: A Test of Iron and Fire The
woman who burst into the room was Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder's first wife, Ma Sanying, the daughter of the Kuomintang county party secretary. Because
of her tall and strong figure, and her fondness for wearing vulgar bright red clothes, people secretly called her "Big
Foreign Horse." "The foreign woman" entered the house and immediately grabbed Viper's ear, angrily cursing, "You
heartless bastard! What have I ever done to wrong you? You sent me to the theater, and you're at home cheating on me with other women—
"
Viper, disheveled, pulled up his pants and pitifully begged for mercy, "Ouch, ouch, madam, please be gentle!
I wasn't cheating on anyone! I was interrogating a case!" "Interrogating a case in the bedroom?"
The foreign woman turned around and saw Ke, who was tied to the horse rack. Xiang, especially upon seeing Ke Xiang's slender and fair body,
was enraged. She snatched the whip from Du She Dan's hand and began lashing Ke Xiang's naked body with brutal force
, cursing as she did so: "You vixen, I'll beat you to death, let's see how you seduce men then—
"
Ke Xiang silently endured the beating. Still shaken, she felt a strange
sense of relief at the foreign woman's frenzied whipping; after all, it was because of this woman that she hadn't lost her virginity. In Ke Xiang's heart,
she even felt a little grateful to this woman, but the humiliation of receiving another
woman's whipping made her feel utterly ashamed.
Du She Dan would never dare to challenge her woman; after all, her father was the county party secretary
, and her official position and future were in his hands. He awkwardly approached the foreign woman, trying
to ingratiate himself, "My dear wife, don't tire yourself out, let me help you with the horse-riding—"
"No," the woman said, "This horse-riding frame is for my exclusive use, how can that vixen have it?"
"What? If you want to hear the case, you have to be in the jail, not on my horse stable."
"Good, good, my good wife, tonight I will definitely tie you to the horse stable and whip you for several
hours, let you have your fill before I stop." The foreign woman laughed, as if she had gained great satisfaction.
She stretched out her finger and tapped the forehead of the viper, saying in a coquettish tone, "That's right, isn't it? Don't do
that next time."
"Certainly, certainly." The viper stammered, turned around and called to the militiamen outside the door, "Men, drag this female communist
back to the jail and keep a close eye on her—" Ke Xiang, who had been locked back in the jail, had already put on her own clothes
. She still felt a great sense of shame for surviving today's ordeal. She turned and lay down in
front of the earthen bed covered with straw, letting her tears flow silently.
Although she had joined the revolution and sworn to dedicate everything she had to the Party and the revolution
. However, traditional Chinese values still constrained and bound Ke Xiang. The loss of life might
not have mattered much, but the loss of her virginity was something Ke Xiang, and many women like her, could not
accept.
As Ke Xiang's emotions gradually stabilized, the pain inflicted by torture and abuse slowly surfaced
. She could endure and overcome the physical pain, but the mental anguish
was unforgettable—
thinking of her naked state that day, of being bound to a wooden frame in such a humiliating manner
, subjected to the enemy's humiliation. Ke Xiang now felt a lingering fear; she couldn't guarantee that if
the enemy's filthy possession were to enter her body, she could still keep the Party's secrets and
succumb.
Night fell, and a militiaman opened the cell door, bringing in dinner. Ke Xiang glanced at it indifferently,
without moving. In Ke Xiang's heart, there was no appetite left; survival was perhaps just a habitual continuation
. In fact, in Ke Xiang's mind, only death could prevent him from suffering greater humiliation.
The guard seemed to have anticipated this situation. He didn't speak, only sighed, and
went out, locking the cell door again. He looked at Ke Xiang through the window, at Ke Xiang,
who was immobile with the iron chain around his neck, then sat on the steps outside the door, staring blankly.
In Viper Gall's room, Viper Gall and his wife—that plump foreign woman—had already eaten
dinner and were rolling around in bed. The table in the center of the room was a mess of cups and plates, and no one had been called
to clean it up.
Viper Gall embraced the plump body of the foreign woman, his mind still on Ke Xiang. He just couldn't understand
why this woman was so stubborn, unyielding to both soft and hard approaches. It was as if her body and life didn't belong to her; no matter
what he did, she remained silent and unyielding, like a stone in a latrine, leaving him truly helpless.
But regardless, Viper's Gallbladder knew that the woman he had caught today was definitely a good fish,
and if he couldn't conquer her, he absolutely couldn't let her go and allow someone else to have her.
Seeing that Viper Gallbladder was distracted, the Western woman also got angry. She rolled over and nudged him to
the side, saying, "What? Still thinking about that vixen?"
Viper Gallbladder sighed and said, "Madam, I don't mean it that way. That woman
is a cadre of the Communist Party. I've caught a big fish this time. If things go well, I can get their information, and
my promotion and fortune will all depend on her."
The Western woman pursed her lips and said, "You men only think about promotions and fortunes. Anyway, I just can't let
you think about her—" "Okay, okay—" Viper Gallbladder, as if trying to please her, reached out and placed his hand on the Western woman's ample breasts
, rubbing them vigorously, and asked... "Tell me," said the woman, "how come she won't say a word after all this interrogation
? Doesn't she feel pain? Doesn't she appreciate the preciousness of life?"
The woman glanced at the woman with a smug look, saying, "We women, once we've made up our minds,
we'll stick to it forever, unlike you men, so fickle. Besides, we women have a
higher tolerance for pain than you men, and some women even secretly look forward to that kind of pain. Take me, for example; if
I'm not tied to the horse and whipped every few days, my skin will itch."
Saying this, the woman swayed, saying, "Didn't you say you were going to tie me to the horse? Why
didn't you?"
"Fine, fine—" the woman got up, casually picked up the whip from beside the bed, looked at the woman
's plump body and the whip marks left from previous beatings, and a desire arose within her. He
first lashed the foreign mare's belly and udder a few times with the whip, then said, "Get up, you mare—
"
The whipping seemed to act as a stimulant, giving the foreign mare an indescribable excitement. She quickly
scrambled to her feet, wiggling her rump, and crawled on all fours to the wooden frame in the center of the room, obediently settling down like
a lump of white flesh, awaiting the binding of Viper's Gall.
The ropes used to bind Ke Xiang during the day were still on the ground. As Viper bound the foreign mare in front of him, he
thought of the unruly, resilient Ke Xiang, and of Ke Xiang's absolutely alluring body. But
who knew who had leaked the news, letting this fierce foreign mare ruin everything, what a disappointment.
"Report—" Just as Viper had finished binding the foreign mare and was about to fantasize about her as an embodiment of Ke Xiang
, the voice of the guards came from outside the door.
"What is it? A funeral dirge—" Viper asked hatefully.
"Reporting to the commander, suspicious persons have been found in town."
"What?" Viper's heart skipped a beat. This couldn't go on. They had just captured a female communist; nothing could
go wrong. Thinking this, Viper hurriedly dressed, glanced at the naked
foreign woman bound to the stable, and left.
When the cell door opened again, Ke Xiang turned her face. She saw Viper's grim face and
several militiamen surrounding him. Ke Xiang turned away in disgust. She didn't know what kind of misfortune awaited
her. But Ke Xiang was prepared; no matter the pain and humiliation, she would bite...
Clenching her teeth, she absolutely refused to yield to the enemy or reveal the Party's secrets.
Viper's Gall remained silent, circling Ke Xiang twice. He glanced at the chain around her neck,
then waved his hand. A henchman stepped forward and used a key to unlock the collar. The chain clattered down
in front of Ke Xiang, who felt a sense of relief, but knew in her heart that something else awaited
her.
Ke Xiang remained motionless, her gaze fixed on one spot, her composed posture like a
statue. Viper's Gall chuckled and asked, "Still so stubborn? I ask you,
do you have any accomplices outside?"
Ke Xiang ignored Viper's Gall's question, remaining seated quietly. Viper
's Gall waved his hand and said, "Take her away. Handcuff and shackle her. I don't believe they can fly to the sky
." Two militiamen came up and grabbed Ke Xiang's arms. Ke Xiang stood up, struggled for a moment,
and said, "Let go of your hands, I'll walk by myself."
The militiamen didn't insist. They looked at Ke Xiang, then at the poisonous snake gall, and simply surrounded her
, as if afraid this strong female communist would grow wings and fly away. In their hearts,
the initial fear of communism was gone; now, they only had
respect for this arrested, strong female communist. In this arrested female communist, they saw
something they had never seen before, including an inviolable beauty.
At the back of the cell, in the room where Ke Xiang had been tortured during the day, a red-hot stove was burning brightly
, making the whole room glow red. Beside the stove, there was a pile of iron chains— the shackles that bound Ke Xiang's hands and feet. They were coiled like black snakes, 　　occasionally revealing a metallic luster
in the firelight . 　　Ke Xiang's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the chains. She stole a glance, wondering if her 　　frail body could bear their weight. She also didn't know if 　　she could move freely once these snake-like chains bound her hands and feet. 　　Several thugs forced Ke Xiang to the ground. She could smell the musty, earthy odor of the ground. 　　Then, she heard the clanking of the chains, followed by the iron shackles around her 　　ankles. When Ke Xiang felt the cold metal, she couldn't help but shiver, her bound 　　feet involuntarily tensing—a natural physiological reaction. 　　Immediately afterward, she felt a wave of heat approaching her feet. The thugs had 　　used tongs to remove red-hot rivets from the furnace. When the rivets were driven into the iron hoops of Ke Xiang's shackles, the 　　burning sensation made Ke Xiang involuntarily open her mouth and cry out, "Ah—!" Hearing Ke Xiang's 　　groan, Poisonous Serpent Gall couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Haha, weren't you very strong? What, even you have 　　a moment when you can't take it—" 　　Ke Xiang bit her lip tightly in regret, feeling ashamed of her loss of composure in front of the enemy. When 　　the militiaman picked up the hammer and riveted the shackles in place, the hammer's strikes made Ke Xiang's leg bones ache unbearably 　　, but Ke Xiang didn't cry out again. She simply buried her head in the ground, biting her numb 　　lips, silently enduring the pain. 　　Soon, Ke Xiang's other foot was also shackled and secured with red-hot rivets in the same way 　　. The same burning heat and the same vibrations, Ke Xiang endured silently, only 　　fine beads of sweat appearing between her short hair. Those beads of sweat were the only 　　indication of Ke Xiang's clenched teeth and silent suffering; only they knew how much pain she was enduring. 　　The shackles on her hands were long, locked iron chains. With a "click," Ke Xiang's hands and 　　feet were bound by the heavy chains. They were like venomous metal snakes, restricting Ke Xiang's freedom, 　　tormenting her nerves, and revealing her identity—a bound female prisoner. 　　Seeing Ke Xiang's hands and feet in shackles, the venomous snake felt immense satisfaction. He 　　laughed, saying, "How's it going, these shackles and handcuffs?" Several henchmen 　　dragged Ke Xiang up from the ground. Amidst the clanging of the chains, Ke Xiang struggled to regain her footing. 　　The heavy chains pulled her hands down, but Ke Xiang bit her lower lip, gripped the chains in her hands, 　　weighed them in her hands, and smiled contemptuously, saying, "It's just some chains. We *** people aren't afraid of death, why would we 　　be afraid of these shackles and handcuffs?" 　　Hearing Ke Xiang's words, Poisonous Serpent Gallbladder wasn't angry. He said, "Don't be stubborn, you'll regret this 　　." Then, he ordered the militiamen, "Take her to the cell. There will be double guards tonight. If anything goes 　　wrong, you'll all come back to me with your heads—" 　　Ke Xiang gripped the chains and slowly raised her left leg. The heavy shackles moved like a thousand-pound boulder 　　under the pull of Ke Xiang's left foot. Then, Ke Xiang raised her right foot, tentatively taking a difficult 　　step. The weight of the chains and the pain in her ankles were unbearable for Ke Xiang, but the conviction of a communist 　　sustained her, supporting the body of a woman in shackles and handcuffs. 　　Ke Xiang moved with difficulty, each step accompanied by the piercing clang of the chains in the night 　　. As she walked, she tried to adjust her posture so that her 　　legs could pull the heavy, dragging chains along the ground. A gentle wind blew, and Ke Xiang bit her lip, holding 　　her head high. She didn't want the enemy to see her distress; she wanted to show them the 　　strength and grace of a female communist. 　　The militiamen didn't urge Ke Xiang on; they simply followed slowly beside her, some watching her 　　graceful figure, others the shackles on her hands and feet. They knew the weight of the shackles and 　　the inconvenience of being in them. Although Ke Xiang walked slowly, and even with an awkward gait, 　　they already felt a deep respect for this woman in shackles. 　　 [The End]

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