Chapter 19: Heading to Baoding!

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  Xifengkou, 109th Brigade Headquarters.

  Due to the heavy losses of the 218th, 217th and 219th Regiments of the 109th Brigade in the battles of the past few days, the first-line positions are now defended by Wang Zhibang's 110th Brigade and part of the 38th Division.

  The 109th Division's troops temporarily retreated to the second line for reorganization and rest.

  Deputy Commander He Jikun walked into the division headquarters with a telegram in hand, his expression excited. He reported to General Zhao Dengyu, who was studying the military situation on the map: "Division commander, the general headquarters has forwarded a telegram from Chairman Chiang in Nanjing."

  "What does the telegram say?" Zhao Dengyu asked, raising his head.

  "The telegram says that after the third day, Director Chiang will fly to Baoding and has specially ordered all officers above regimental level from the 37th Division to go to Baoding to receive his personal commendation! Also, it says we should bring Private Zhang Xinghan along." He Jiwen replied.

  "Oh! Send a telegram to headquarters, saying that we resolutely carry out the chairman's order and will definitely rush to Baoding three days later." Zhao Dengyu nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

  "Ah! I'll go call back right away!" He Qigong nodded and immediately turned around to leave with big strides.

  After seeing He Jianguo off, General Zhao Dengyu immediately summoned a guard and said: "You go to the 4th company of the 217th regiment immediately and inform Zhang Xinghan to report here at once!" As for Zhang Xinghan, General Zhao Dengyu was extremely fond of him and had been intentionally cultivating him. This time, Chairman Chiang had specifically asked to see him, which would be a great opportunity for General Zhao to recommend him to the chairman.

  "Yes!" The guard stood at attention and saluted with a crisp "click" of his heels, then turned on his heel and strode away quickly.

  ……

  After a while, He Jizhong, the deputy commander of the division, came back and said to Zhao Dengyu: "The arrangement from the headquarters has come down. I will stay behind to command the troops. You take Zhang Xinghan with you and rush to Ji County immediately, and go to Baoding with the commander-in-chief!" He Jizhong handed over the telegram from the Third Army Headquarters to Zhao Dengyu.

  "Ah?" General Zhao Dengyu took over the telegram, read it carefully, and solemnly said to He Jishu: "Brother He, after I leave, this place will be handed over to you!"

  "Don't worry about traveling, I will definitely go all out and command the troops to fight against the Japanese devils!" He Ji replied with a crisp salute.

  Just then, outside the door of the travel department, Zhang Xinghan walked in with his head held high and his chest out, stood at attention with a loud "crack", and saluted Zhao and He loudly, saying: "Private Zhang Xinghan of the 217th Regiment's 4th Company, reporting for duty as ordered, please instruct!"

  "Good news! General Chiang has sent a telegram, wanting to hold an awards ceremony in Baoding to celebrate the great victory of the 37th Division at Xifengkou. He's also personally invited you to attend and receive the award!" General Zhao Dengyu exclaimed excitedly.

  However, after listening to it, Zhang Xinghan did not show the excitement that General Zhao Dengyu expected, but was calm and a little scary, and there was no joy on his face.

  Actually, General Zhao Dengyu knew that at this time, Zhang Xinghan's heart was already turning over and his heartbeat had increased by 100%. He didn't react because he was in shock, shocked that he would soon meet Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, a historical figure. For anyone about to meet a heavyweight figure in modern Chinese history, it's impossible not to be excited; saying otherwise is simply joking.

  Seeing Zhang Xinghan's non-response, General Zhao Dengyu asked tentatively: "What's wrong? Xinghan, is something not right?"

  "Oh! No, thank you for the cultivation!" Zhang Xinghan was shocked back to his senses by Zhao Dengyu's words. This didn't mean he had become stupid. General Zhao Dengyu intentionally cultivated and promoted him, how could he not see that? Maybe soldiers of this era all loved talent.

  "That's good! Hurry back and pack up, we're leaving soon!" Zhao Dengyu instructed.

  "Yes!" Without any hesitation, Zhang Xinghan accepted the order with a smile, saluted with a crisp "click", and immediately turned around and walked away with big strides.

  ……

  Four consecutive temporary residences.

  At this time, the fourth company had been annihilated, with Company Commander Hou Wanshan sacrificing himself heroically and all other soldiers killed in action, leaving only Zhao Heita and one other person. Although the division headquarters had begun to dispatch troops from other units to replenish the Fourth Company, the only person who truly knew Zhang Xinghan was Zhao Heita.

  "Squad leader! Take care of yourself while I'm away. By the way, you should be called company commander now. Once the reinforcements arrive, the appointment and dismissal order from the regiment will come down too!" Zhang Xinghan said with a smile as he packed up his military uniform and weapons to Zhao Heita.

  "What a regimental commander! According to military achievements, this regimental commander should be yours. We can't do it all the same! What's important is that we two brothers can fight against the devils together. However, brother, you have made great contributions this time and went to Baoding. Maybe Chairman Chiang will reward you with a high official position! Unfortunately, our old fourth regiment may be left with only me in the future!" Zhao Hei Ta said with some difficulty swallowing his words.

  Zhang Xinghan was silent after hearing the words, indeed, Lao Si Lian only had him and Zhao Hei Ta left. Whether he would be promoted to a high-ranking official or not was unclear, but if what the class leader said was true, then Lao Si Lian would really only have him left in the future. These new recruits who came to supplement were enough to worry about.

  "Section chief! Don't think so much, maybe if Chairman Chiang gives some verbal praise, I'll be allowed to come back and continue fighting the devils. At that time, we can fight side by side again." Zhang Xinghan hastily said seriously: "Even if you let me become a high-ranking official, I won't do it. I am a soldier, not material for being an official. My duty is to resist enemy invasion, protect the country's territorial integrity! My life belongs to the Chinese nation, when it needs me, I will unhesitatingly sacrifice my own life!"

  "You fool, others can't get it even after eight lifetimes! You're not even interested! If you really have the chance, you must grasp it tightly, save some money, find a wife and have a bunch of kids!" Zhao Hei Ta said more and more with a sense of loss, but still hoped that Zhang Xing Han could make something of himself.

  After listening to Zhao Hei Ta's words, Zhang Xing Han couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart. In this world, he could be said to have no relatives or friends, and was truly alone. The only person who had been good to him was probably this "acquaintance" of less than a month, who was also his class leader, comrade-in-arms, and brother.

  He patted Zhao Heita's shoulder and said: "Class leader, don't worry, no matter where brother is or what he does in the future, you and I are brothers."

  "Hmm! Let's hurry up and go! Don't keep Traveler waiting, you little brat!" Zhao Hei Ta said with a nod.

  "Take care!" Zhang Xinghan slung his backpack and rifle over his shoulder, giving Zhao Heita a military salute.

  "Take care!" Zhao Hei Ta also returned a courtesy.

  Seeing Zhang Xinghan leave, Zhao Heita did not know that today's farewell would be a reunion of four years. This pair of sworn brothers who had gone through life and death together met again on the battlefield of Xuzhou and joined forces to launch a fierce and bloody battle against the Japanese enemy...

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