Chapter Seventy-Five: Zhang Zhisong

"15th Group Army... Zhongzheng Brigade... Chen Qingzhi..." Hearing Tiger's words, Zhang Zhisong's eyes revealed a trace of confusion.

He knew the 15th Group Army well; it was commanded by General Chen Cheng, the most elite of the Central Army’s elite units. As for the Zhongzheng Brigade... Any soldier living in the Republic would recognize the weight of those two characters, ‘Zhongzheng’, and understand what they represented.

And to serve as the commander of such a brigade—who exactly was this Chen Qingzhi?

Zhang Zhisong glanced again at Chen Qingzhi, and suddenly froze, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

“You, you’re Chen... the officer who, with a single battalion, wiped out an entire Japanese regiment, and killed the commander of the Sixth Division during the retreat!” Zhang Zhisong exclaimed in shock, stammering as he spoke.

“Hmph! Your eyes may be blind, but at least your ears still work, and you know our commander’s name!” Tiger snorted, full of disdain. “So? You still want to confiscate our weapons?”

“This... this...” At these words, cold sweat broke out across Zhang Zhisong’s brow.

He’d assumed they were just another ragtag unit with poor fighting power, and so had planned to drive them out of Dingyuan and make them camp outside the city. After all, Zhang Zhisong knew all too well the habits and combat abilities of such irregular troops.

They were useless in battle, but when it came to bullying civilians, they were experts. His own family had once been looted by a ragtag unit, all their grain stolen by those bastards. With nothing to eat, his parents had to dig up wild vegetables to survive, but his three-year-old brother starved to death. Driven by desperation, Zhang Zhisong joined the army simply to earn a meal.

Because of this, he had hated these infamous units to the core ever since.

Now, with the 135th Division stationed in Dingyuan and their defensive positions set up, another unit had arrived. If it was just another irregular force, letting them into the city would only mean trouble; forget about fighting, they’d be lucky not to cause chaos.

That was why Zhang Zhisong had stopped them at the gate.

But who would have guessed—this unit turned out to be Chen Qingzhi’s Independent Brigade!

Zhang Zhisong was an ardent admirer of Chen Qingzhi; on the Nanjing battlefield, he’d managed to defeat an entire Japanese regiment with just a battalion, and killed the commander of the Sixth Division during the retreat. Such a feat was unprecedented and unparalleled.

Ever since he heard the tale, Zhang Zhisong had idolized the legendary Chen Qingzhi, even taking him as a model for himself.

But now—his idol stood before him, and he’d actually tried to stop him!

Thinking this, Zhang Zhisong wished he could slap himself. He quickly straightened, saluted, and said with difficulty, “Subordinate Zhang Zhisong greets Commander Chen. I must apologize for any offense just now, and beg your forgiveness.”

This time, his tone was sincere, tinged with anxiety. Zhang Zhisong feared that Commander Chen would bear ill feelings towards him for his earlier actions.

After speaking, he glanced up at Chen Qingzhi, whose expression remained impassive. Zhang Zhisong couldn’t help but swallow, feeling bitter inside.

“Indeed, I’ve offended Commander Chen!” he thought gloomily.

Seeing Zhang Zhisong’s shifting emotions—shock, joy, uncertainty—Chen Qingzhi grew curious. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you so opposed to irregular units?”

Zhang Zhisong hurried to explain, recounting the reason for his deep hatred.

Upon hearing his story, Chen Qingzhi understood; so that was the cause.

He had heard tales of such irregular troops himself. Usually, these ‘ragtag’ units were recently incorporated forces, often former local armed groups or even bandits and outlaws. With the outbreak of the war against Japan, these local militias were also mobilized, and the government absorbed them to prevent trouble during the resistance. They were given army status, but not paid—thus earning the moniker ‘ragtag units’.

For instance, when Chen Qingzhi entered Qingyuan County, he’d dealt with the local security regiment, which was precisely such a unit, originally composed of bandits.

That regiment, though nominally a full unit, was utterly lacking in combat capability; useless in battle, but experts at oppressing the populace.

Due to their mixed origins, these irregular troops were undisciplined and disorganized. They couldn’t fight the enemy, but they were adept at squeezing the civilians, earning a notorious reputation.

Many common people hated the military and called them ‘hill soldiers’, their ill will largely caused by these units.

A single bad apple spoils the whole barrel.

Understanding this, Chen Qingzhi nodded. “So that’s how it is.”

“Commander Chen, you... aren’t angry with me, are you?” Zhang Zhisong asked anxiously.

“If the misunderstanding is cleared up, what is there to be angry about? My mind isn’t so narrow,” Chen Qingzhi replied, waving his hand and smiling. “Besides, my subordinate whipped you earlier—don’t take it to heart.”

“Not at all!” Zhang Zhisong said quickly. “If your man hadn’t whipped me, I’d never have realized I was facing the famous Commander Chen!”

He paused, then continued, “Right now, Commander Chen, your name is renowned throughout the Republic—thunderous, truly! I and many others regard you as a model for soldiers like us.”

“It’s just an empty reputation. Besides, I’ve only done what any soldier should do,” Chen Qingzhi replied quietly.

Zhang Zhisong nodded, then said, “Commander Chen, now that your unit has arrived, we’re at ease. But there’s one thing I’d like to mention, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”

“Your Independent Brigade was only recently formed, mostly composed of new recruits, and probably not well-equipped. So I thought...” Zhang Zhisong hesitated. “How about your unit camps inside the city, defending the southern gate and walls, while our 135th Division takes care of the other three sides?”

“What do you think?” he asked.

Afraid of misunderstanding, he quickly explained, “Of course, it’s not because I doubt your combat ability—but our 135th Division is full of veterans with plenty of experience.”

“If your unit is stationed in the south, our forces can support each other, and prevent any mishaps.”

At these words, Fang Xiaodong and Tiger exchanged glances, then burst into hearty laughter.

Seeing their laughter, Zhang Zhisong was puzzled, unsure why they found it amusing.

Chen Qingzhi also smiled, shaking his head. He gazed at the distant landscape, then said in a deep voice, “Thank you for your kind offer, Captain Zhang, but our Independent Brigade will not camp within the city.”

“Ah?”

Zhang Zhisong was utterly shocked.