In 1949, Yao Dabang, a notorious giant bandit in Xiangxi, planned to go down the mountain and surrender to the People's Liberation Army. Just as he was about to leave, someone brought two carp as gifts.
However, when Yao Dabang saw these two fish, his face changed suddenly, and he shouted nervously: "I can't go!"
In the mysterious land of Xiangxi, Yao Dabang is a well-known bandit leader. Unlike many bandits who are forced by life to fall into the grass, Yao Dabang was born in a wealthy landlord family, with a solid family and a worry-free life, but he chose a different path.
"Dabang, you are the hope of our family!" Yao Dabang's mother often said to him. They did not hesitate to spend a lot of money to send him to the lecture hall in Guizhou to receive military education, hoping that he would return from his studies and glorify the lintel.
In the lecture hall, Yao Dabang showed a very high level of understanding, mastered various military skills, and learned how to strategize. However, when asked about his future plans, he surprisingly said, "I want to go home and be a bandit." ”
The crowd was stunned and puzzled. Yao Dabang smiled indifferently and explained: "In troubled times, being an official is the same as a bandit. I'm tired of being controlled by people, I want to be free, I want to live my life my way. ”
After returning to Xiangxi, Yao Dabang relied on his cunning and toughness, and soon pulled up a vote and became the leader of the local bandits. He led his men to shuttle through the mountains and forests, robbing passing merchants and travelers, and causing disaster to the world.
"Yao Dabang, you are a bandit leader, aren't you afraid of thunder and thunder?" someone once questioned him.
Yao Dabang laughed and replied: "I, Yao Dabang, was born not afraid of thunder and thunder, but what I am afraid of is that I can't live according to my own wishes." ”
In the western part of Xiangxi, the mountains are stacked on top of each other, the ravines are vertical and horizontal, the caves are deep, and the folk customs are fierce. Since ancient times, this has been a "happy land" for mountain bandits. Yao Dabang took advantage of these conditions, became a local bandit, and established himself as the king.
This bandit leader in Xiangxi, he has been reading books for several years, and he does have some ink in his stomach. He has been able to do evil in Xiangxi for forty or fifty years, and naturally he has his uniqueness. One of the things he often said was: "Rabbits don't eat the grass next to their nests, and eagles don't hit stones under their feet." This is not only his life creed, but also his code of conduct as a bandit.
"Dabang, we have been in Xiangxi for so many years, so many villages, why do we show mercy to Fang Jiatun's subordinates?" Once, a new subordinate did not understand the rules and asked suspiciously.
Yao Dabang smiled slightly, lit a cigarette, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "Because Fangjiatun is our foundation." Rabbits don't eat the grass around the nest, that's a sign of wisdom. If we spoil our own homeland, will it last?
The eagle does not hit the stone under its feet, which is a symbol of vision. Fangjiatun is our cornerstone, if we destroy it ourselves, can we still fly high and see far?"
After hearing this, his subordinates were silent, deeply impressed by Yao Dabang's wisdom and foresight.
Since then, in the deep mountains of Xiangxi, Yao Dabang's name has been like thunder, making people feel different. He is not only the leader of the bandits here, but also a leader who is unmistakable and majestic. Under his command, although the bandits under him are fierce, they are also well-behaved and measured.
But someone just dared to touch his rules.
One day, a shocking news reached Yao Dabang's ears: one of his bandits surnamed Wu had actually killed an innocent passing merchant in his area! The news spread like wildfire, and people were talking about it, speculating about how Yao Dabang would respond.
After Yao Dabang heard the news, his face turned pale, and his eyes flashed with anger. He gathered his men and asked sharply, "Who did it?"
For a while, everyone was silent, and no one dared to answer. Only the bandit surnamed Wu, whose face was pale and trembling, stood up, knelt in front of Yao Dabang, and begged for mercy: "Big boss, I really deserve to die! Please spare my life!"
Yao Dabang stared at him, a trace of complicated emotions flashing in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "You know the rules of my Yao Dabang, those who kill will pay for their lives." But for the sake of you following me for many years, I give you a good time. ”
With that, he pulled out the gun from his waist and aimed it at the bandit. The bandit's eyes widened in horror, but it was too late to react when a gunshot rang out, and he fell to the ground.
He is ruthless on the inside, but on the outside he shows a benevolent side to win people's hearts.
One day, Yao Dabang sat in a wooden hut in the mountains, with an old map in front of him and a cup of steaming Xiangxi tea in his hand. His eyes were deep, as if he was thinking about something important.
"Dabang, are you sure you want to run this school?" asked an old bandit who had followed him for years.
Yao Dabang smiled slightly and pointed to a location on the map: "Look, this is our base camp. And the school will be an excellent base for us to collude with the outside world. ”
The old bandit nodded thoughtfully: "I see, you want to control this area through the school. ”
Yao Dabang put down the teacup in his hand and said with a firm look in his eyes: "More than that, I want to make the people feel that I am doing good things for them." In this way, they will willingly die for me. ”
Soon after, Yuping Central School was officially established. When the people saw the plaque of "Yuping Central School" inscribed by Yao Dabang hanging at the entrance of the school, they were all amazed. They have expressed their willingness to send their children here to study in gratitude for Yao Dabang's kindness.
However, they don't know the real purpose behind this school. Yao Dabang colluded with bandits from all sides and used the school as a cover to carry out various illegal activities. They sit on the land and share the spoils, controlling the economic lifeline of Xiangxi, making the people of this land live in pain and darkness.
Yao Dabang's wisdom and skill made him like a fish in water in Xiangxi. He was well versed in the psychology of the common people and knew how to use their kindness and fears to his advantage. At the same time, he is also good at using government resources to strengthen his strength, which is even more difficult to deal with when he becomes a bandit again.
Whenever the government planned to send troops to suppress the bandits, the people always stood up to speak for him and refused to cooperate with the government's actions. No one even wanted to be a guide, guiding officers and soldiers into the mountains to suppress bandits.
Once, a new official did not understand the reason and asked a local citizen: "Why do you support Yao Dabang so much? He is a bandit!"
The common man glared at him and said disdainfully: "You are a foreigner, what do you know!" Although Yao Dabang is a bandit, he is very good to us. He stipulated that his subordinates were not allowed to do anything wrong on our territory, and he would also build bridges and roads for us to help us solve all kinds of difficulties. What about the people in the government? They will only come to collect taxes and don't care about anything else! Why should we help the government to suppress bandits?"
The Nationalist Government made several attempts to exterminate this banditry force, but each time it failed. They had to change their tactics from suppressing bandits to pacifying.
Faced with such a situation, the Kuomintang proposed several times to recruit An Yao Dabang, hoping that he would submit to the government and serve the Nationalist government.
Every time he recruits An, Yao Dabang will pretend to agree, saying that he will serve the government well. But once he gained the government's trust, his true colors were revealed. He will use the government's resources to expand his ranks and acquire better weaponry. Then, after filling his pockets, he fought back and returned to the mountains as a bandit.
Yao Dabang, the bandit leader of Xiangxi, is also an official and a bandit, cunning and changeable. Whenever he got guns, ammunition and supplies from the government, he would sneer proudly: "Hehe, I have the capital to fight with the government again!" But as long as he has the opportunity, he will not hesitate to turn back and return to the mountains and forests as his bandit leader.
The local government has encircled and suppressed him many times, but he has always escaped skillfully.
In an encirclement and suppression, although Yao Dabang escaped successfully again, his wife and children were arrested.
Yao Dabang, who had lost his family, was restless, and at this time, Zhang Benqing, an industrialist from Longxi, took the initiative to come to the door.
"Brother Yao, I heard that your family is sick, are you okay?" Zhang Benqing asked lightly.
Yao Dabang glared at him: "What's your business! Don't think I don't know what you want to do!"
Zhang Benqing smiled slightly: "Brother Yao misunderstood, I was purely out of concern." Between you and me, there is no injustice or hatred, why should we be so stiff?"
After some negotiations, the two decided to work together to operate a mercury mine. Yao Dabang is responsible for security, and Zhang Benqing is responsible for management. At first, the two worked together quite happily. But over time, the distribution of benefits became a problem.
Yao Dabang's eyes narrowed: "Brother Zhang, I think you have taken too much, we have to discuss it again." ”
Zhang Benqing sneered: "Brother Yao, don't forget, without me, you would still be a bandit in the mountains and forests!
Yao Dabang was furious in his heart, and he decided to get rid of this stumbling block. After some careful planning, he succeeded in killing Zhang Benqing.
In 1947, the Xiangxi region was about to be liberated. The People's Liberation Army's iron cavalry is about to enter Huangxian County, bringing new hope to this land.
The people of Huang County cheered and opened their gates, holding flowers and food in their hands, and shouting: "The People's Liberation Army is here! We are saved!" They warmly welcomed the army that brought light.
After the People's Liberation Army entered the city, it quickly launched an agrarian revolution, announcing that the land would be returned to the people, so that they had the security and foundation of their livelihood. The smiles on the faces of the people were like never before, and they felt freedom and dignity that they had never felt before.
However, the situation in Huang County is not all peaceful. In addition to the PLA, there are two other forces operating in this area. On one side was Yang Yongqing, commander of the Zhijiang garrison, who had a heavy army in his hands and was eyeing Huang County, and on the other side was Yao Dabang, the notorious bandit leader of Huang County, who had committed crimes in the Xiangxi region for many years by virtue of his cunning and cruelty.
Yang Yongqing was unwilling to see the People's Liberation Army stationed in Huang County, and he gritted his teeth and said to his subordinates: "We can't sit idly by, we must find a way to stop the PLA's actions!"
Yao Dabang was even more cunning, and he privately approached Yang Yongqing and expressed his willingness to join forces against the PLA. He sneered: "We are all for the people of Huang County, and we should join forces to fight against foreign enemies!"
Yang Yongqing, the commander of the Zhijiang garrison, holds heavy troops and is powerful. When he learned the news that the People's Liberation Army had entered Huang County, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes flashed with a grim light. He slapped the table and roared angrily: "These gangsters dare to invade my Huang County, they don't know whether they are alive or dead!"
Then, he looked coldly at the adjutant on the side and ordered: "Send a report to Yao Dabang and tell him that we need to join forces to fight against the bandits." If he agrees, our grievances will be written off!"
The adjutant answered the call and carried out the order.
Yao Dabang, the leader of the bandits in Xiangxi, is cunning and cunning. He learned the news of the People's Liberation Army's entry into Huang County, and his heart was panicked. He understands that this means that his good days are over. He glared at his subordinates and scolded: "You rice buckets, why didn't you tell me earlier that the People's Liberation Army was coming to encircle and suppress!"
But soon, he calmed down, and a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes. He said to his subordinates: "Tell Yang Yongqing that I agree to join forces." However, after the merger of the family, I demand the dominance!"
The two forces quickly reached a consensus, and they gathered their forces and formed the "Huangxian Guerrilla Force", ready to deal a fatal blow when the PLA entered the mountains.
As for the PLA, they did not regard Yao Dabang as an enemy. On the contrary, they believe that Yao Dabang can still be co-opted. So, the PLA sent an envoy to Yao Dabang's camp.
The envoy looked at the evil bandit leader in front of him, took a deep breath, and said, "Yao Dabang, you should understand that the People's Liberation Army is not here to encircle and suppress you. We have come to liberate the people of this land and bring them peace and tranquility. If you are willing to change your ways, we welcome you to join us. ”
Yao Dabang was silent for a moment, and a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes. But in the end, he still sneered: "Hmph, I don't believe a word of the gangsters! I want them to know that in the land of Huang County, I still have the final say!"
The envoy sighed and turned to leave. And the coalition of Yao Dabang and Yang Yongqing is also preparing to start a desperate struggle against the PLA.
In the winter of 1948, the People's Liberation Army began an orderly retreat for strategic needs, leaving only a small number of elite troops stationed in the mountainous areas of Xiangxi.
At this time, Yao Dabang felt that this was an opportunity, and he personally led a team of more than 100 people to sneak attack the PLA garrison at night. For a time, the flames soared into the sky, the sound of killing shook the ground, and they gained the upper hand, catching the PLA off guard.
However, the good times were short-lived. In the continuous confrontation with the PLA, Yao Dabang gradually felt powerless, and his team was also defeated one after another, so he could only continue to retreat into the mountains in order to make a comeback.
One day, an envoy from the People's Liberation Army came to Yao Dabang's camp with a huge carp. He conveyed the wishes of the People's Liberation Army to Yao Dabang, saying: "Yao Dabang, we sent you this carp in the hope that you can accept Zhao'an and join hands with us to build a peaceful homeland." Don't fight against the general trend anymore, otherwise you will only bring about your own destruction. ”
Yao Dabang looked at the fresh carp and had mixed feelings in his heart. He remembered his years as a bandit and countless encounters with the People's Liberation Army. The carp seemed to be the will of the heavens, reminding him to stop being obsessed.
He was silent for a long time, and then finally he spoke: "This carp is really providential! It has made me see my destiny." Perhaps, I should really consider accepting Zhao'an and giving my men a way out. ”
However, as soon as the conversation changed, he said firmly: "But for so many years, I have become Xi to confronting the PLA. Let me suddenly let go of my hatred and accept Zhao'an, which is really unwilling. ”
My father knew Yao Dabang's character very well, and knew that it would be futile to persuade him, so he sighed helplessly: "Son, why are you so stubborn? Now that the People's Liberation Army has gained the upper hand, do you still have to resist to the end?"
However, Yao Dabang mercilessly put the pistol on his father's head, and his eyes revealed a fierceness and determination. "Stop persuading me!" he roared, "I will never surrender to the PLA, and you don't waste any more time." ”
Father was shocked by Yao Dabang's actions, he was stunned for a moment, and then sighed deeply. "Well," he said helplessly, "now that you've made your decision, I can't change your mind. I just hope you take good care of yourself and don't do things that you regret. ”
Yao Yingke glared at his father angrily, and then resolutely turned to leave. His heart was filled with resentment and incomprehension towards his father, but he did not look back and did not say another word.
Since then, the father and son have parted ways and never had the opportunity to see each other again. Their relationship was completely broken by this conflict, and both left deep scars in each other's hearts.
In December 1950, on that harsh winter night, Yao Dabang stood by the river, watching his subordinates busily prepare to smuggle in. "Just cross this river, and we'll have a chance to get back on our feet," he said. ”
Suddenly, he turned his head to look at a bandit and ordered: "Little Liuzi, you go to the shore to see if there is any movement of the People's Liberation Army." ”
Xiao Liuzi answered, and then tiptoed towards the shore. A few minutes later, he ran back in a panic and reported breathlessly: "Big brother, I have found an ambush on the shore! The People's Liberation Army seems to have known our plan!"
Yao Dabang's face sank, and he angrily reprimanded: "How can these People's Liberation Army be so patient?!"
Just as they were about to abandon their plan, a PLA soldier suddenly rushed out of the shadows and shouted: "You have been surrounded!
Yao Dabang was stunned, he didn't expect the PLA to find out about their plan so quickly. He quickly pulled out his pistol, ready to make a last stand. However, the PLA's firepower was too fierce for them to resist at all.
As a dense burst of gunfire rang out, the bandits fell one after another. Yao Dabang also felt a sharp pain hit him, he looked down and found that he had been shot in the thigh. He gritted his teeth and held on, ready to continue shooting, but suddenly a huge force knocked him into the river.
The bitterly cold water of the river rushed into his mouth and nose, making him almost suffocate. He struggled to surface, but the heavy cotton clothes and pants on his body made him sink deeper and deeper.
"Help, who's going to save me!" Yao Dabang shouted, but only the cold river water responded to him. His consciousness blurred, and his body stopped struggling.
In the end, the news of Yao Dabang's death spread throughout Huang County, and the people applauded. They thanked the People's Liberation Army for their heroic efforts to finally get rid of this diabolical bandit leader.
With the death of Yao Dabang, the people of Huang County have lived and worked in peace and contentment since then, and are grateful for the heroism and dedication of the People's Liberation Army.
And the tragic ending of Yao Dabang has also become a profound lesson in the history of Huang County, warning future generations: evil will be rewarded, it is not that it will not be reported, and the time has not yet come.