Chapter Sixteen: Revenge!

“What did you say?! There are only this many left in our 527th Regiment!” Chen Qingzhi was stunned when he heard Fang Xiaodong’s words. Gazing at the few dozen soldiers Fang had brought, he spoke with deep shock.

“That’s all that’s left! In the entire 527th Regiment, every officer above the company level—except for Captain Chen—has been killed in action!” Fang Xiaodong said. “Captain Chen, you’re now the last backbone of our 527th Regiment!”

The words left Chen Qingzhi so shocked he could hardly speak. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

The 527th Regiment was a reinforced unit, fully staffed with over two thousand three hundred men. Yet, in less than half a day, only this handful remained!

The regiment had been reduced to an empty shell—indeed, strictly speaking, even the shell had been shattered!

“What instructions are there from division headquarters?” Chen Qingzhi asked.

“Division wants us to withdraw to Nanjing city to rest and await orders. They’ll send reinforcements when they can. As for this position, they say manpower is stretched thin, and if troops are dispatched here, it will disperse our forces, so they intend to abandon it.”

Fang Xiaodong continued, “The frontline at Guanghua Gate is unstable, and the higher-ups don’t know how much longer it can hold. Everyone in the whole Nanjing battlefield is anxious and fearful.”

Hearing this, Chen Qingzhi couldn’t help but sink into memories.

He was no stranger to the defense of Nanjing. In fact, as the greatest military leader in the republic’s history, he had a deep impression of this tragic chapter.

Nanjing would fall tomorrow, December 13, 1937, and its collapse was due to the Japanese army’s coordinated surprise attack at Guanghua Gate, destabilizing the front. Moreover, Sun Yuanliang, who was defending Guanghua Gate, seeing the situation deteriorate, fled with part of his troops toward Xiaguan at the critical moment!

Though he was persuaded to return by Song Xilian, the commander of the 36th Division, it was already too late. A Japanese detachment infiltrated the city, causing chaos, and the Sixth Japanese Division seized Guanghua Gate, putting Nanjing in grave peril!

Given these circumstances, if they complied with division headquarters and retreated to Nanjing, once the Japanese broke through, Chen Qingzhi’s troops would be trapped like fish in a barrel, unable to escape!

Thus, under no circumstances could they retreat to Nanjing!

Coming out of his reverie, Chen Qingzhi saw that Tiger and Fang Xiaodong were both looking at him. He drew a deep breath and couldn’t help but say, “We cannot return to Nanjing!”

“Captain… what are your plans?” Tiger asked, not showing much surprise but speaking up.

His trust in Chen Qingzhi was blind; he always executed Chen’s orders faithfully, never questioning them.

Fang Xiaodong, however, was somewhat shocked and couldn’t help but say, “Captain Chen, division ordered us to withdraw to Nanjing for rest. If we don’t, we’re disobeying orders on the battlefield!”

“Besides, even if we don’t go, with just these few men left in the 527th Regiment, what use are we?”

But Chen Qingzhi shook his head. “Under no circumstances can we return to Nanjing!”

“Nanjing is on the brink, Guanghua Gate’s line unstable. Though it’s holding for now, in my view, Sun Yuanliang, defending Guanghua Gate, isn’t someone who can hold his position. If Guanghua Gate falters, the Nanjing front will collapse! Then the Japanese will pour in, and retreating to Nanjing is nothing but suicide!”

“What!” Fang Xiaodong was aghast at Chen Qingzhi’s analysis, crying out, “Captain, are you serious?”

“There’s not a word of falsehood!” Chen Qingzhi replied firmly.

Fang Xiaodong’s face was incredulous, and he drew a sharp breath. He could hardly believe what Chen Qingzhi said, but seeing his unwavering conviction, even Fang began to doubt.

If Guanghua Gate, defended by Sun Yuanliang, really did falter, what would happen to Nanjing?

He dared not even contemplate the consequences.

Seeing Fang Xiaodong’s shocked and incredulous expression, Chen Qingzhi was at a loss for words. He knew the course of history, so he could speak with such certainty.

But Chen also knew that without strong evidence, such words were shocking indeed.

After all, Sun Yuanliang was a division commander, leading a fully organized division. His defense at Guanghua Gate was not foolproof, but as long as the Nanjing garrison command paid any attention, there should be no problem.

Even if other positions fell, Guanghua Gate should have been safe!

But until the event occurred, Chen Qingzhi had no way to prove his words, and once it happened, it would be too late.

These thoughts were not for outsiders. Regardless of whether they believed him, Chen Qingzhi would not lead his troops toward Nanjing—that would be sending them into a fiery pit!

Only a handful remained of the 527th Regiment; they were its seed. Chen Qingzhi refused to let the regiment vanish without a trace.

So, with resolute determination, Chen Qingzhi said, “Gentlemen, even if you don’t believe me, we can stay here for now! Division hasn’t ordered us to return immediately, so we have some leeway. Better to hold here for a while and await developments. If everything is still normal by tomorrow afternoon, I’ll lead the troops to Nanjing at once.”

He continued, “This is for safety. With only this handful left, we must preserve the foundation of the 527th Regiment! Besides…”

“So many have died in the 527th Regiment. If we don’t avenge them against the Japanese, I cannot ease the hatred in my heart, nor properly honor our fallen brothers!”

“Captain, you needn’t say more! I’ll do whatever you say, no questions asked!” Tiger declared, gazing at the ruined battlefield and speaking coldly, “You’re right, Captain. So many have died—if we don’t take revenge, if we don’t give those Japanese devils a beating, I can’t swallow my anger!”

After Tiger pledged his loyalty, he looked at Fang Xiaodong and said, “We of the First Battalion will definitely stay. If you want to leave, take your men from the pistol platoon and go.”

As he spoke, there was a hint of contempt and disdain in Tiger’s eyes, as if mocking Fang Xiaodong for cowardice.

Stung by this, a struggle flashed across Fang Xiaodong’s face, but finally he showed a determined, helpless expression. “Since you’re all staying, how can I leave alone? Besides, Captain Chen is now our highest rank—I’ll follow his orders.”

“Captain Chen, whatever you decide, that’s what we’ll do!”

“Good!” Chen Qingzhi laughed, looking toward the battlefield ahead—the direction of the Japanese. He let out a cold laugh. “In that case, let’s show those devils what we’re made of, to comfort the souls of our brothers in heaven!”