Chapter Thirty-Three: Upright and Just!

Never in all his years commanding troops had Chiang ever encountered anything that stunned him so deeply, to the point he could not help but gasp in disbelief. The news before him left him utterly speechless with shock.

Since the Japanese invasion, the Nationalist forces had always paid a heavy price to repel the enemy—often three, five, even ten times the casualties just to eliminate a single Japanese soldier. Yet, here with Chen Qingzhi, that precedent had been shattered.

A mere battalion held off an entire Japanese regiment. Just two hundred men annihilated their foe. Had it not been for the regimental flag of the 115th Regiment placed before him, Chairman Chiang would never have believed it. Even so, it remained almost inconceivable, a revelation that left him shaken.

“What is the name of the man who wiped out an entire Japanese regiment? Which unit is he from?” Chiang took a deep breath and asked.

“The battalion commander of the First Battalion, 527th Regiment, 246th Brigade, 88th Division, 71st Army. His name is Chen Qingzhi. Currently holds the rank of Major.” Clearly, Dai Li had prepared thoroughly before arriving. Hearing the Chairman’s inquiry, he answered smoothly.

“Chen Qingzhi… Chen Qingzhi…” The Chairman murmured the name, pacing the living room, his face marked by deep contemplation.

Dai Li stood respectfully nearby, smiling as he watched Chiang ponder.

After a few circuits, Chiang suddenly looked up and exclaimed loudly, “Excellent! Excellent! Truly excellent!”

“This Chen Qingzhi is indeed a lucky star for me!” Chiang’s face brimmed with excitement and delight.

The entire situation in the Republic was chaotic; reports of defeat came from all directions, morale was unstable, and the future of the war and the nation seemed bleak. At such a moment, the Republic desperately needed an event to rally the people’s spirit.

Yet, after combing through all the battle reports, Chiang found not a single deed worthy of celebration, which weighed heavily on him. Unexpectedly, at this critical juncture, Chen Qingzhi appeared, bearing such a remarkable achievement before him.

It was, without exaggeration, a timely boon.

For two hundred men to annihilate a Japanese regiment—such an extraordinary feat deserved to be recorded in history. Once publicized, it would shake the entire Republic.

As for stabilizing morale and inspiring the nation, it would trigger a tremendous chain reaction. If properly promoted, the Republic might well organize a new major battle against the Japanese at Xuzhou.

With this thought, Chiang turned suddenly to Dai Li and said, “Chen Qingzhi deserves a reward! And a grand reward at that!”

Hearing this, Dai Li asked tentatively, “Chairman, what kind of reward do you intend to give Chen Qingzhi?”

“What is his current position?”

“Major, battalion commander of the 527th Regiment.”

“The 527th… I recall the entire regiment was wiped out, wasn’t it?” Chiang furrowed his brow, then said, “In that case, let him be the regimental commander of the 527th, promote him to Lieutenant Colonel.”

Then, without waiting for Dai Li’s response, Chiang mused aloud, “For such a feat, merely promoting him to regimental commander—does that make me seem stingy?”

Dai Li replied, “That reward does seem a bit modest.”

“But if I make him brigade commander, jumping from battalion commander to brigade commander—isn’t that much too rapid a promotion?” Chiang frowned, clearly torn.

He could scarcely believe that he would one day agonize over how best to reward a battalion commander for such a feat.

“Chairman, in my opinion it would be better to appoint Chen Qingzhi as a regimental commander. Though the reward seems small, we could compensate in other ways!” Dai Li watched Chiang’s expression, then cautiously suggested, “For example, grant him an independent reinforced regiment, assign him to the Central Army’s combat sequence, provide full military pay. In that case, who would dare say you are miserly?”

“Rainong, your suggestion is excellent!” Chiang’s eyes lit up at Dai Li’s advice, and he clapped his hands. “We’ll do as you propose!”

“However, for an independent reinforced regiment, the rank must be elevated. Let’s set it at Colonel. As for the unit’s designation… let’s call it Zhongzheng. The Zhongzheng Regiment!”

Chiang nodded, evidently satisfied with his own reward plan.

To Dai Li, however, the significance was startling.

The name Zhongzheng was not given lightly. It was, after all, the Chairman’s own name. What’s more, the Chairman often bestowed a short sword called the Zhongzheng Sword to favored graduates of Whampoa. The meaning carried by Zhongzheng was momentous.

Clearly, Chiang placed great importance and high hopes upon Chen Qingzhi.

Dai Li had intended to advise caution, but seeing the Chairman’s pleased expression, he abandoned the thought.

Just as Chiang, contented, was about to draft a commendation for Chen Qingzhi, a sudden urgent knocking sounded at the door.

Chiang frowned, displeased. Everyone knew that interruptions during his official business were strictly forbidden. Now, as he was discussing matters with Director Dai Li, who would be so tactless as to knock?

Chiang glanced at Wang Shihe, who immediately understood and strode to the door. He opened it to find a sweating Lieutenant Colonel whose face was bright with excitement.

Upon seeing Wang Shihe, the Lieutenant Colonel said, “Chief of Security, I request an audience with the Chairman. There is an urgent matter to report!”

“The Chairman is speaking with Director Dai Li. Please wait a moment,” Wang Shihe replied calmly.

“Chief of Security, this is a major issue concerning General Tanaka Yoshio of the Japanese Sixth Division!” The Lieutenant Colonel’s face turned anxious as he spoke quickly.

“Tanaka Yoshio, division commander of the Sixth Division? What has happened?” At the mention of the Sixth Division, Wang Shihe’s expression shifted, his curiosity piqued.

“We have just received a telegram: from General Tanaka Yoshio to the Chief of Staff, brigade commanders, regimental commanders—the entire high command of the Sixth Division has been nearly wiped out!” The Lieutenant Colonel glanced around, then whispered to Wang Shihe.

“What!” Wang Shihe’s expression changed dramatically, instantly realizing this was an extraordinary event.

He hurriedly said, “Wait here. I will inform the Chairman.”

With that, he rushed inside.

Though Wang Shihe’s face betrayed nothing, his heart was in turmoil.

Who was Tanaka Yoshio? Division commander of an elite Japanese division, a lieutenant general. Yet now he had been killed—a truly momentous event for the Republic.

And, without doubt, an excellent piece of news.