Chapter Seventy-Four: Trouble at the City Gate

After several days of marching, the Independent Brigade finally arrived at their designated position—Dingyuan.

Chen Qingzhi rode at the front of the column, mounted on his horse. He raised his binoculars and gazed far into the distance at the town of Dingyuan. The entire region was almost deserted; between villages and towns, not a soul could be seen. Even within the county seat itself, residents were few and far between—Dingyuan had become a wasteland.

This was the result of the impending battle; almost all the inhabitants had been driven out by the army, evacuated to other places. Those who remained were mostly young men conscripted for labor—to transport supplies for the troops or, in times of emergency, to be handed a rifle and sent to the front.

Chen Qingzhi lowered his gaze and turned to the soldier beside him. “Send word to headquarters—we’ve arrived at Dingyuan and are preparing to build defensive positions.”

“Yes, sir!” The soldier nodded, removed the radio set from his back with the help of another, and began transmitting the message.

Shortly after the report was sent, headquarters responded. Their orders were clear: the Independent Brigade was to construct defensive fortifications at Dingyuan, stand ready for the arrival of the Japanese, and await further orders—to support allied forces in Chuxian or, should the allied troops in Chuzhou retreat, to cover their withdrawal.

The mission was simple, and Chen Qingzhi nodded in understanding. Dingyuan was a secondary defensive position in the Xuzhou Campaign; the primary lines were still further forward, at Chuzhou. For now, the brigade would not have to engage the enemy immediately.

It was, by all accounts, an easy assignment. Chen Qingzhi was prepared for such a role—after all, in the eyes of the command, the Independent Brigade was a newly formed unit, composed mostly of raw recruits. If not for the desperate need for men in the Xuzhou Campaign, they might never have been ordered to the front.

Having clarified his orders, Chen Qingzhi glanced back at his troops, then raised his arm and commanded, “Move out! Enter Dingyuan!”

At his order, the brigade resumed its advance toward the county seat.

Yet, to Chen Qingzhi’s surprise, as they reached the city gate, a squad of soldiers standing guard stopped them, bringing the column to a halt. Sensing something amiss, Chen Qingzhi frowned and asked, “What’s going on? Why aren’t the troops entering the city?”

“Commander, our vanguard has been stopped by the gate guards—they’re arguing about something,” reported a soldier who hurried up from the front.

Chen Qingzhi’s frown deepened. He spurred his horse forward. “Let’s go and see for ourselves.”

Upon reaching the gate, Chen Qingzhi found Regiment Commander Fang Xiaodong in a heated argument with another officer. Riding up, he called out, “What’s the matter here? Why haven’t the troops entered the city?”

“Commander!” Fang Xiaodong turned and saluted upon seeing Chen Qingzhi. “This officer is preventing our brigade from entering!”

The opposing officer, seeing Chen Qingzhi approach and noting his uniform and rank insignia, restrained his arrogance somewhat but still replied, somewhat condescendingly, “Am I wrong? Why should some ragtag unit from who-knows-where need to enter the city? Our unit is already garrisoning Dingyuan—you should set up defenses outside the walls.”

The tone and words, laced with disdain, ignited Chen Qingzhi’s anger. He fixed the man with a cold stare. “Who are you? Which unit do you belong to?”

“Oh, so you’re a brigadier general. My apologies,” the officer replied, feigning recognition, “We’re with the 31st Army. I am Zhang Zhisong, commander of the 566th Regiment, 135th Division, 31st Army, subordinate to the 11th Group Army. Pleased to meet you, sir.”

His manner was still arrogant, and his salute was perfunctory, as if he barely acknowledged Chen Qingzhi’s authority.

“So you’re with the 31st Army,” Chen Qingzhi muttered, displeased. He had heard of this unit before—the 31st was led by Liu Shiyi, a famous Guangxi general, known for his ferocity and tactical acumen. The 31st Army was renowned for its valor, but with a large force, there were bound to be all sorts of characters. Chen Qingzhi had not expected such open contempt for non-regular units.

He knew that regular troops looked down on independent brigades, but he hadn’t expected such blatant exclusion.

A mere regimental commander dared treat a brigadier general with such disrespect, even barring his brigade from the city gates.

Chen Qingzhi glanced at Zhang Zhisong, who continued, “Sir, Dingyuan is a vital position. To prevent any mishap, our 135th Division is already garrisoned here. There’s no need for your brigade’s concern. Perhaps you could set up outside the southern walls—this way, our units can support each other. If the Japanese attack, we could coordinate our defense.”

“If both our units are quartered inside the city, each defending its own sector, it’ll complicate command. If one sector falls, the other can’t reinforce in time.”

Though Zhang Zhisong’s reasoning was sound, his words were laced with disdain, making it clear he doubted the Independent Brigade’s ability to withstand a Japanese assault.

Chen Qingzhi merely smiled at this.

Just then, Huzi rode up, having overheard the exchange. Enraged, he lashed out with his whip, striking Zhang Zhisong across the shoulder and shouting, “You filthy wretch! Are you blind? Do you even know what unit this is?”

“Do you know who you’re speaking to? You’ve got some nerve!”

Huzi’s furious tirade echoed off the walls.

“You—you dare strike me? Such arrogance from a ragtag unit! Shall I have my men disarm you all?” Zhang Zhisong was stunned by the lash, a bloody welt forming on his shoulder. He could hardly believe it.

“Disarm us? Who do you think you are?” Huzi sneered. “Even if your division commander were here, ask him if he’d dare speak to our brigade commander like that!”

“Which unit are you, anyway? If you have the guts, name yourselves!” Zhang Zhisong shouted through gritted teeth, his shoulder burning with pain, fury rising within him. He wanted nothing more than to report this to his superiors and have the brigade stripped of their weapons.

“Listen up! We are the Independent Mixed Zhongzheng Brigade under the 15th Group Army. Standing before you is our brigade commander, Chen Qingzhi!”

Huzi’s voice rang out, loud and clear.