Chapter 1513 - 43: Drugging (Part 2)

Chapter 1513: Chapter 43: Drugging (Part 2)

"They’re only bullying us, the defenseless common folk, who have no combat capability."

Rovtashenka wasn’t speaking without reason. During the Tsarist Russia Era, he served as a veteran in the army, although Tsarist Russia seemed quite powerful on the surface during his youth.

Therefore, Rovtashenka hadn’t participated in any wars, but that doesn’t mean he lacked military knowledge. Although he hadn’t tasted pork, he’d seen pigs run. He had a concept of the combat effectiveness of a gang like the White Bandits, comprised of hoodlums like Chelvrad.

After listening to the information provided by Village Chief Rovtashenka, Popov also gained some understanding of these White Bandits.

He said to Rovtashenka, "It’s relatively easy to eliminate these White Bandits, but we must also consider whether eliminating them in your village would anger the White Bandit government."

"We could indeed leave it all behind, but our beliefs do not allow us to do so. Therefore, the aftermath of eliminating these White Bandits must also have a detailed plan."

After hearing Popov’s concerns, Village Chief Rovtashenka suggested, "Don’t worry about that, Secretary Popov. If the White Bandits want to pursue the matter afterwards, let me, who half lives below ground, bear the blame. I just hope you can take good care of our village’s residents and my family after I die."

According to Rovtashenka’s thinking, if this nest of White Bandits were eliminated by guerrilla fighters, it would surely alert the Polish government, which would ultimately investigate his village.

At that time, as long as he stepped up to bear the blame of collusion, he should be able to quell the enemy’s anger.

Anyway, he was already old, not expected to live for many more years, so if his sacrifice could eliminate a squad of White Bandits, it’d be worth it.

Popov certainly understood Rovtashenka’s plan well but said, "Village Chief Rovtashenka, I don’t think you should have such pessimistic thoughts before the outcome is even determined."

"Our mission is to overthrow the White Bandit government and German rule. Death is not frightening to us, but why should we act according to the script laid by the White Bandits and the Germans?"

"Who stipulated that when White Bandits come to siege, we must have someone submit without resistance to calm their anger, praying for their forgiveness?"

Facing his series of questions, Rovtashenka asked, "So, what should we do?"

Popov said, "Naturally, we must fight to the end. The current situation is, even if you don’t resist, would the White Bandit government spare you? That is clearly impossible since the White Bandits come to the countryside to collect grain and military funds."

"Even if you don’t resist, the final outcome would be most people starving to death. So, if it’s destined to starve, it’s better to use the most intense methods and tear them apart completely."

"In fact, the current White Bandit government is already a spent arrow, appearing strong but absolutely not resistant as you might imagine."

"After all, the White Bandits also have just one head. Shoot them once, they’ll die, and given the riffraff’s morals, do they have those unafraid of death?"

Rovtashenka agreed with this statement but still said, "However, they do have weapons, and we..."

Popov placed his hand on Rovtashenka’s shoulder and said, "I certainly understand that point. After all, it’s impossible for bare hands to defeat armed enemies directly. But who says we must confront them head-on?"

"At this time, rather, we should use cunning strategies. First, address our lack of weapons, then after gaining more guns and ammunition, we can face them head-on."

Rovtashenka: "What kind of cunning strategy?"

As for Popov’s latter half of the speech, Rovtashenka directly ignored it, considering that if he had a real gun in hand, he’d already deal with the White Bandits, now the issue was how to obtain the first gun for their ’start-up.’

Just like during World War II, when the Allies air-dropped liberator pistols, which had little combat effectiveness behind German lines, these pistols weren’t to confront the German Army head-on, but to provide the necessary ’seed capital’ for acquiring more resources.

Popov said, "We have brave guerrilla fighters, and now possess intelligence advantages. As long as we can take down this nest of White Bandits in your village, we’ll obtain a hundred guns, allowing us to organize a new guerrilla squad."

"Of course, I have an idea that might not even require direct confrontation between guerrilla fighters and the enemy. With your cooperation, perhaps we can easily take them down."

At this point, Popov turned to Rovtashenka and asked, "How is this grain requisition squad’s meal solved in your village, are you able to access it?"

Upon hearing Popov ask this, Rovtashenka immediately thought of the word "spike," Popov must be planning to tamper with the meals of the White Bandits, thus taking down this White Bandit squad without harm.

However, regarding the practicality, Rovtashenka still pondered for a while, then concluded, "If we tamper with their meals, it should be feasible, because this group of White Bandits indeed forces our village to provide their meals now, but we do not have the corresponding drugs available."