Chapter 10: Sworn to Share Life and Death with Jifengkou!

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  The moon is high and the wind is strong, on the first high ground of position 217 of the regiment's array.

  All officers and men of the whole regiment, except for a small number responsible for sentry duty, were ordered to assemble.

  Squad leader Wang Changhai and several deputy officers stood sternly in front of the formation, one of whom held a name list.

  "Brothers, I know you're all exhausted from the intense battle today and should be resting to recharge. But we've just received an urgent order from the division headquarters for a critical mission - tonight's raid on the enemy artillery position! We all know how much of a threat their artillery poses to us during the day, and if we don't destroy it in one blow, more brothers will sacrifice themselves. So let's muster our spirits, endure hardship, and embody the unyielding spirit of the Northwestern Army! Let's make another contribution to the nation and the people - kill the enemy and avenge our country!"

  "Alright! This time, we'll be selecting personnel from each battalion and company. Vice Officer Li will take roll call, and those whose names are called can step forward. Of course, if anyone is unwilling to go, they don't have to step forward either! I don't want to deceive everyone, this mission is extremely dangerous, with a high chance of death! However, as soldiers, it's our duty to protect our homes and country. If we die in battle, sacrificing ourselves for the nation, then we'll have no regrets! Everyone has their own aspirations, and I won't force anyone!" Wang Changhai finished speaking, nodded his head towards a vice officer beside him, and said: "Begin."

  "Wang Changhai!" Vice Officer Li rang out the first name with a loud and clear voice.

  "Yes!" Commander Wang Changhai stepped forward! He stood at attention with a loud "crack" and responded thunderously.

  "King Little Tiger!"

  Yes!

  "Big Mountain Chen!"

  Yes!

  ……

  "Hou Wanshan!"

  "Yes!" Hou Wanshan stepped forward with a loud response.

  "Zhao Hei Ta!"

  "Yes!" Zhao Hei Ta's thick and heavy voice boomed in response, like thunder.

  "Zhang Xinghan!" The deputy officer continued to read.

  "Yes!" Zhang Xinghan hastily responded loudly, quickly stepped out of line, and stood at attention with a crisp "click".

  The deputy officer glanced at the list and immediately looked up at Wang Changhai: "Commander, the entire list has been read out!"

  "Hmm!" Wang Changhai's expression became serious and he nodded slightly. He immediately turned around, stood at attention, and shouted loudly: "Report the number! One!"

  "Two, three, four... two hundred ninety-eight, two hundred ninety-nine, three hundred." The named officers and soldiers loudly reported in unison.

  "Alright! A full meal for everyone! Get your weapons and ammunition ready, assemble at the brigade headquarters in half an hour!" Wang Changhai ordered loudly.

  "Yes!" The crowd responded in unison with a thunderous assent.

  "Let's go too!"

  "Right! The comrades who were named are good examples, we aren't cowards either, let's go!" Those officers and soldiers who weren't named all volunteered to go into battle.

  Wang Changhai looked at the eager faces with some emotion, his hands slightly raised to signal: "Brothers, you are all good! My 217th Regiment has not a single coward! Every one of my Northwestern Army is a top-notch hero! If you all leave, who will stay and guard? Who will guard Xifengkou? So, you must stay! We cannot let our brothers' blood flow in vain! I swear to fight the Japanese devils to the end! Because Xifengkou absolutely cannot be lost! Otherwise, North China will not be secure, and Pingjin will be in danger!"

  "Swear to live and die with Xifengkou!!!!! Fight the Japanese invaders to the end!" All the officers and soldiers shouted excitedly.

  "Alright! Execute the order!" Commander Wang Changhai said with a slightly moistened eye socket.

  ………

  Half an hour later, on the wall of Jifengkou Pass, Wang Changhai and Ji Xingwen each led three hundred big knife team warriors to gather on the wall. These six hundred warriors, each carrying a large red blade on their back, with homemade hand grenades at their waist, were majestic and awe-inspiring, with an air of heroism that was overwhelming.

  Six hundred brave warriors stood on the Great Wall, lined up in neat rows, waiting for the arrival of General Zhao Dengyu, the commander-in-chief of this operation.

  North of the Great Wall, the north wind was biting and the cold wind pierced the bones. However, the six hundred brave warriors were all excited, with a great battle imminent, these old soldiers who had been used to licking blood on their blades for days seemed like a pack of wolves craving for blood, without any fear, but instead with a hint of unknown expectation and excitement.

  To be exact, since the Northwest Army was formed, most of the battles they have been through are tough and bitter ones. Plus, the people from the northwest region are known for their bravery and boldness, so the officers and soldiers under the Northwest Army's command not only can endure hardships but also have a strong competitive spirit.

  Years of southern and northern expeditions, such an army can be described as bloodthirsty wolves without exaggeration. The battle knives in their hands take pride in being satiated with the enemy's fresh blood, they take credit for cutting off the enemy's heads! Glory lies in the battle knives in their hands.

  The war sword is raised, the Japanese skull falls. Tonight is destined to be the night when the 29th Army wins its first battle and gains fame, Xifengkou is destined to be the place of honor for the 29th Army, the grave of the Japanese invaders.

  These six hundred brave warriors of the Big Knife Squad will tell the world, tell all the world, that the Chinese army is invincible and unyielding. Though facing a powerful enemy, they are not afraid at all. With my battle knife, I will make known my will; with my blood, I will repay the country's kindness! For the prosperity of our nation, for the freedom and independence of our people, we soldiers will sacrifice our lives, shed our hot blood, fight on the battlefield, and die wrapped in horsehide. What is there to fear?

  In the silent waiting, General Zhao Dengyu had his leg wrapped in gauze and walked up to the city wall with two deputy officers, today's General Zhao Dengyu took off that lieutenant general uniform and put on a ordinary soldier's military uniform.

  Like all the brave warriors, he carried a large iron sword on his back and four hand grenades at his waist, walking to the front of the team with a cold expression.

  Upon seeing General Zhao Dengyu, Commander Wang Changhai immediately shouted: "Attention! Salute!"

  Including himself, 600 brave warriors stood at attention and saluted in unison, their movements neat and uniform, majestic and awe-inspiring.

  General Zhao Dengyu's face was stern as he returned a salute before coldly saying: "At ease!"

  At this time, Wang Changhai and Ji Xingwen stepped forward in big strides and reported: "Commander, all personnel have arrived and are ready for battle. Please give your orders!"

  "Hmm!" General Zhao Dengyu nodded and immediately shouted loudly: "First, I announce a pre-war order! Wang Changhai, Jixing Wen!"

  "Yes!" The two of them responded in unison and stepped forward together.

  "You two, stay and guard the first and second lines of defense. If I don't return before dawn, and a new division commander has not been appointed by the division headquarters and the army headquarters, temporarily follow the unified command of Division Commander Wang Zhibang and join hands with brother units to resist the enemy! Together defend against external humiliation!" General Zhao Dengyu said with profound meaning, looking at the two of them.

  "Travel!" The two were suddenly shocked.

  "Enough! Execute the order!" General Zhao Dengyu's tone was heavy, stern without anger.

  "Yes!" Although the two were somewhat reluctant, they were resolute in obeying their superior's orders.

  After the two retreated to one side, General Zhao Dengyu looked around at all the soldiers on the scene with a stern expression and said loudly: "Brothers! Tonight's battle is extremely dangerous, but I, Zhao Dengyu, will advance and retreat with you, live and die together. From now on, there is no brigade commander, I am just an ordinary big knife team member!"

  "Advance and retreat together! Live and die together!" All the warriors raised their right hands and shouted in unison. Indeed, as an officer, being able to share life and death with his men, going through thick and thin together, what more could a common soldier ask for?

  Leading by example, bravely taking the lead, this is General Zhao Dengyu's consistent style. Therefore, not a single officer and soldier in the entire division does not admire and obey him. To follow such a superior, even if it means death, there is no fear at all.

  "Alright! Let's set off!" General Zhao Dengyu commanded with a wave of his hand.

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