Chapter Thirty-One: Grandiose Delusional Disorder

  "Kill", "kill", "kill". The intention to kill was overwhelming, blood flowed like rivers, and the bodies of thousands were left behind. The intense stench of blood filled the air, as charred human remains lay scattered on the pyre. It was a scene of utter madness, reminiscent of a Buddhist hell. This was the first time General Gao's soldiers had been given free rein, and even he hadn't anticipated such a thorough and merciless slaughter. As General Gao slowly approached the military camp, he felt a twinge of fear. He couldn't recall any Red Army unit that would engage in such bloody carnage, especially one composed of young people. Nearly four hundred men had been killed, not a single one left alive.

  Looking at the pale-faced soldiers standing upright with their chests out, waiting for his inspection, looking at the brand new rifles they had just captured and the fully loaded bullet bags, Gaoquan didn't know what to say. Although these were enemies, they were also his compatriots! Among these dead soldiers, many of them were also forcibly conscripted! How could they be killed so cleanly?!

  The angry gaze stared straight at those familiar old soldiers, staring at the eyes of Jiuzhe who was already a company commander and dodging left and right. If new recruits on the battlefield still have a chance to kill with their eyes open, how can he, as a company commander, be so indulgent towards his subordinates? If it were an external enemy, Gaoquan would definitely take responsibility for everything without saying a word, but these people are all Guanzhong soldiers! Can't they also say hello to the new recruits and call them fellow villagers?

  Inside the dilapidated house of Guo's family, the dim kerosene lamp flickered and shone on the commanders attending the party committee meeting of the regiment. Gao Quan's stern and icy gaze pierced through the souls of those present, who hung their heads in silence. The occurrence of such a heinous event was unimaginable to them! As veterans from the main force of the Red Army, they had always believed that enemy officers should be killed, while soldiers should be educated to do good deeds and not be enemies of the Red Army after being released. Who would have thought that such a large-scale massacre of prisoners would occur?

  "Our newly established troops, because they were just converted from guerrilla forces, may have some problems, and our officers are mostly suddenly promoted, lacking in political work cadres, it is inevitable that various big and small problems will arise. I think this time we should take education as the main focus!" Wei Lao looked at Gao Quan's inquiring gaze and asked.

  As the special commissioner, Wei Lao was just temporarily in charge of the team's political commissar due to a lack of personnel. In the newly established 228th Brigade, which even lacked a deputy brigade commander, and given his busy schedule with local government affairs day and night, he naturally felt guilty for not fulfilling his responsibilities. Therefore, it was only natural that he would want to handle matters lightly when it came to his comrades.

  "With the party member's identity, comrades who are subject to internal party discipline will be demoted from their military positions all the way down. With such severe punishment and education, our comrades should fully recognize the importance of the issue. Moreover, with the addition of instructors and guidance officers assigned from local Soviet governments...". Looking at the majestic face of Wei Lao, he hadn't even finished speaking when he saw Wei's iron-like complexion and his angry gaze, and under that gaze, he couldn't help but lower his head, looking wronged, and suddenly became speechless.

  Gao Quan glanced at Wei Lao with a hint of apology, then angrily looked at the battalion commanders who were lowering their heads in silence: "Wei Lao, you've been busy with local affairs and didn't have time or energy to take care of this matter. I bear primary responsibility for this indiscriminate slaughter of prisoners. I will make a profound self-criticism to the Party Committee and resign as regiment commander."

  However

  Gaoquan's expression suddenly changed and he fiercely stared at several company commanders who had been involved in the massacre.

  "Furious, he roared: 'You slaughtered more than 400 prisoners who had laid down their arms! How could you be so ruthless?! Even if they were three or four hundred kittens or puppies, no one would have the heart to do such a thing! And yet they are not beasts, but living human beings!'"

  Looking at several young officers with tears in their eyes, Gao Daquan became even more furious, slamming his fist on the table and scolding: "Don't say you don't know our Red Army's policy towards prisoners of war! If you don't know, you can't execute it, then you're not worthy of being a Red Army soldier!"

  Gao Duanwan, who had just taken a big gulp of water from the grayish-black ceramic bowl, felt that his words might have been too harsh and hurt their self-esteem. After a moment's reflection, he softened his tone and said with emphasis: "Our Red Army image will definitely be severely affected by your behavior today! In the eyes of ordinary people, what difference is there between us and bandits who burn, kill and loot? What difference?! We are even more bloodthirsty than they are! If one day the families of those massacred prisoners, their children join the Red Army, how will you face them then? We must put ourselves in others' shoes! They too joined the army because of poverty at home!"

  Facing the numerous shamefaced people bowing their heads, Gao Quan slowly sat down on the chair and said coldly: "This incident has had a very bad influence! Not killing is not enough to calm the public anger! If we don't solve this, if we don't give the ordinary people an explanation, we will suffer greatly in the future!" Looking at the surprised crowd lifting their heads, Gao Quan also turned his head away with a hint of mercy, but his young face was firm and determined.

  On the execution ground, seventeen young bodies knelt down, their faces filled with nostalgia for a beautiful future, but they had no chance left, and could only look at other comrades with eyes full of expectation. The idea of leaving the whole body for these soldiers who had fought bloody battles for the Red Army and the Soviet Union was politely rejected by them, citing the reason that they would save bullets for the Red Army. This scene is heart-wrenching, including nine folds who came out with him from Hubei, Henan and Anhui, as well as many familiar soldiers, but Gao Quan had no way to save them, even though they were so young and had such brilliant military exploits...

  The blade of the giant ghostly sword, which had been stained with the blood of countless enemies, was now broken and worn out. Was it crying for the warriors who were about to die at the hands of their own people?

  A sea of dark heads emerged from the darkness, their angry and sorrowful eyes gleaming menacingly in the flickering torchlight, while the intermittent wails of crying made even Gao Daquan feel unbearable.

  "Squad leader, we are all family members of the Red Army who escaped from the central area of the Soviet district, or family members of Soviet cadres and Red Guards. Most of them have suffered persecution by the Nationalist Party and many have lost loved ones at the hands of the White Dog Gang!" The old man reminded him in a low voice, fearing that Gao Daquan would make some shocking move.

  "Which one is Gao Duozhang!" The angry voices of the crowd made everyone in the room turn their heads. Gao Duozhang, who had just stood up, was suddenly spat on in the face. "This mouthful of saliva is to wake you up, you idiot who has been blinded by demonic illusions! What's wrong with killing the White Bandit Army? Do you know how many people they killed at Yuanjia Goukou?"

  The white-haired old lady was trembling with rage, scolding Gaoquan loudly, her angry fingers constantly pointing at the top of Gaoquan's head, as if Gaoquan were the enemy who wanted to kill her son!

  "They want to kill and burn everything at the mouth of Yuanjia Gou! They want to dig three feet into the ground! We are all Red Army remnants who escaped from the lair! The main force of the Red Army is gone! Chairman Cheng sacrificed himself to cover our breakout! Now you still want to kill our relatives - Red Army soldiers! I'm already 82 years old! If you want to kill, just kill me! I've lived long enough!"

  The old man with tears streaming down his face slowly walked towards the nine-folded men who were tied up and kneeling on the ground, and hugged them tightly as if they were his own sons.

  "You Red Army are our own people! You want to kill your own people! What can we do? Even if they have committed the greatest crimes, they are still children! Still children who haven't even grown their hair yet! How can you bring yourself to do this, Gao Daquan!"

  The crowd surrounding the execution ground slowly closed in, and the masses spontaneously began to help Jiu Zhe and others untie their bound hands. The affection on their faces was beyond words. More people gazed at Gao Quan with longing eyes, trying to find a glimmer of hope from his icy face - a chance for Jiu Zhe and others to survive!

  Looking at the people's hearts, Gaoquan also sat on the ground with a heartache, compared to the tense relationship between the masses and the government in the 21st century, the people of this era are really wholeheartedly supporting the Red Army and the Soviet Government!!!

  A few soldiers and officers who escaped from the mouth of Yuanjia Gou, with tears in their eyes, told reporters and other officers about the brutal atrocities committed by the Communist bandits. The Communists were like devils, roasting human flesh on a fire heap! They were like a group of devils from hell! The ground was covered with flowing blood, the ground was covered with broken limbs! The faces of the dead soldiers who did not close their eyes were filled with terror, pain and numbness...

  Central Daily News, July 24: "The bandit Communist High Daquan's troops have recently committed another heinous crime in the southern Shaanxi region! Over 500 militia members from the southern Shaanxi region were brutally killed and then eaten. This is indeed the most atrocious act since the establishment of the Republic of China! It is another grave sin committed by the bandit army! In response, Chairman Chiang has issued a special order to offer a reward of 10,000 yuan for High Daquan's head, dead or alive, to be used as an offering to our country's heroic martyrs!"