The Freedom Quest

In Nanjing at Shanghai, Xiao Chang found himself at the mercy of a group of relentless bullies. They unleashed their fury upon him, leaving no part of his body unharmed. Helplessly watching from his hidden vantage point, Xiao Li, his uncle, yearned to intervene, but he knew that doing so would jeopardize their meticulously planned scheme to deceive the sinister Japanese major.

This wasn't the first time that Xiao Chang had endured such torment from his fellow Chinese townspeople. Being half Chinese and half Japanese, he stood as a living embodiment of the strained relations between the two nations. Life in China became a living nightmare for him, a constant battle against prejudice and cruelty.

Yet, this time, their suffering served a purpose. They had devised a daring plan—to infiltrate the ranks of the enemy's army and exact revenge. To accomplish this, Xiao Chang needed to appear more wretched and miserable than ever before, fooling the major into adopting him. Failure was not an option, and every detail had been meticulously considered, except for the brutal beating inflicted upon Xiao Chang by the bullies.

Intentionally provoking his assailants by reminding them of his Chinese heritage, Xiao Chang succeeded in agitating them further. In their blind fury, they intensified their assault, leaving him coughing up blood. His uncle, unable to bear witness any longer, contemplated intervening but was quickly dissuaded by a subtle motion from Xiao Chang. Their plan hinged on Xiao Chang enduring this ordeal.

Driven by an unyielding desire for vengeance, Xiao Chang was willing to sacrifice his own well-being, even his life, to avenge his mother. None of his neighbors believed that he was Chinese, and each encounter only brought about more merciless beatings. The depth of the Chinese people's hatred for the Japanese invaders knew no bounds—they had caused immeasurable pain and suffering. But what they were unaware of was the truth recently revealed to Xiao Chang by his dying mother.

In her final moments, his mother disclosed a harrowing tale—the wicked Japanese major Santo was his father. He had brutally raped his mother and her sister, before murdering their entire family. Only through the intervention of an unknown savior had Xiao Chang's mother escaped with her life. The pain inflicted upon him could never be measured against their own.

During those beatings, Xiao Chang had always refrained from shedding a tear. However, today was different. His mind filled with thoughts of his mother, he couldn't help but weep. With each blow delivered by the bullies, his yearning to fight back intensified. He had restrained himself before, honoring his mother's plea, but now, with her tragic fate fresh in his memory, his resolve wavered.

The Japanese, driven by their imperialistic ambitions, sought to colonize China. They massacred countless Chinese citizens, seized businesses and lands, and subjected the population to brutal oppression. The Chinese people harbored an intense hatred toward the Japanese, but Xiao Chang's loathing surpassed even their own.

On the brink of surrender, when Xiao Chang's life hung by a thread, the sound of a car horn pierced the air. It was the Japanese major's arrival. The bullies scattered in fear, knowing the major's merciless reputation. Xiao Chang's survival now rested on his own faith. The car came to a halt, drawing closer to him. "Hey boy, get off the road," the major called out.

Xiao Chang wanted to comply, but his frail body betrayed him. He lacked the strength to move. Moments later, the sound of footsteps approached, and the major stood before him. This was his opportunity—a chance that could not be squandered. Summoning his last reserves of strength, Xiao Chang fought against his collapsing body, desperate to make his move before succumbing to darkness.

As Xiao Chang struggled to find his voice, the world around him blurred, and everything went black. He had fainted, succumbing to the overwhelming pain and exhaustion. The evil major, with a mere glance at Xiao Chang's features, recognized his Japanese lineage. Realizing the potential value of the situation, he swiftly scooped up the unconscious boy and carried him to his car.

Inside the vehicle, the major contemplated his next course of action. Xiao Chang's presence had piqued his curiosity, and he intended to extract as much information as possible once the boy regained consciousness. With a final glance at the desolate scene, the major revved the engine and drove away, leaving Xiao Li, Xiao Chang's uncle, with a sense of relief tinged with apprehension.

As the car disappeared into the distance, Xiao Li understood that Xiao Chang's fate now rested solely in his own hands. "Xiao Chang, my nephew," he murmured with a heavy heart, "you can only rely on yourself from now on."

The journey that lay ahead was fraught with uncertainties, dangers, and the weight of a deeply buried past. Xiao Chang, unconscious in the major's car, remained oblivious to the challenges that awaited him. Yet, deep within his subconscious, a determination flickered—a burning resolve to uncover the truth, seek justice, and avenge his mother's tragic demise.

Little did Xiao Chang know that this encounter with the major marked the beginning of a treacherous path filled with secrets, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The true extent of Xiao Chang's resilience and strength, as well as the depths of his resolve, were yet to be revealed.

As Xiao Li watched the car disappear from view, he knew that Xiao Chang's destiny had taken a monumental turn. The bond between uncle and nephew would be tested like never before, their lives entangled in a dangerous dance with power, deceit, and a yearning for retribution.

In the wake of Xiao Chang's abduction by the major, Xiao Li braced himself for the challenges that lay ahead. The stage was set for a battle that would not only define Xiao Chang's life but also reshape the intricate tapestry of history itself.