"Coward! The medicine was wasted on you!"

  Changsha outer suburbs national army position.

  Comrade Dong held a pair of binoculars and observed the front line, Comrade Sun stood beside him.

  Soldiers fleeing from the front line ran for their lives like a flock of frightened sheep...

  Comrade Dong put down his binoculars, extremely vexed: "How is this battle being fought? In just a few days, the new Wall River and Miluo River defense lines have been breached by the enemy. In just one short week, three main force armies have been defeated, and the enemy is advancing as if there's no one in their way. The soldiers are so scared that they lose their souls when they hear the sound of the 38th rifle."

  "Hmph! It's not that the soul is gone, it's that the soul has been lost."

  Director Dong was taken aback: "What soul is gone?"

  "Han Soul! National Soul!"

  Comrade Dong nodded silently.

  "Commander Sun said: 'Look at those retreating soldiers, they've all thrown away their guns.'"

  Comrade Dong: "Damn it, Comrade Sun, execute any soldier who drops his gun and runs away!"

  "Commander, most of them are new recruits, it's their first time on the battlefield, many haven't even fired a gun before, they're learning as they go, and they don't even pull the safety pin on grenades before throwing them."

  "Command all regiments to immediately assemble and reorganize the troops, we must block the enemy and hold the outer defense line of Changsha. Anyone who dares to retreat one step will be shot on the spot!"

  Sun's advisor: "Yes!"

  Sun's advisor was about to leave when Dong battalion commander stopped him again: "Is there any news from Feng company commander?"

  Sun's advisor: "Not yet, will they be unable to break out?"

  Director Dong's face showed a hint of worry.

  At this moment, Feng Lianchang, who was seriously injured, was being carried by two soldiers on a stretcher, and under the cover of Old Yang and machine gunner Old Cao, he was moving to the south bank of the Luo Dao River.

  Old Yang held a rifle and walked cautiously in front of the stretcher, while Old Cao carried a Czech light machine gun in one hand and a box of ammunition in the other, with a large knife on his back, walking behind the stretcher.

  Old Cao grumbled as he walked: "From Xinzhuan River to Guanluo River, now we're retreating to Laodao River, if we retreat again, we should be back in Changsha."

  Old Yang turned back and smiled: "What do you know? It's said above that this is called luring the enemy in deep, gathering and annihilating them."

  Lao Cao: "Old Yang, can you hold the defense line of Luo Dao He?"

  Old Yang: "The Luo Dao River is no ordinary river. In the past, Lord Guan's big knife fell into this river and turned into a green dragon -"

  Feng Lianchang, who was lying on the stretcher, woke up at this time and interrupted Old Yang: "Old Yang, how many of us are left?"

  Old Yang: "Report to Company Commander, twenty or thirty."

  "Have you all crossed the river?"

  Old Yang: "It's been a long time."

  Feng Lianchang: "It's all because of me holding you back, this time thanks to you and Old Cao..."

  Old Yang was a bit anxious: "How can Lian Zhang say that! You have nothing to say to everyone on ordinary days, how can our brothers abandon you!"

  Old Cao echoed: "Exactly, exactly."

  A group of people arrived at the riverbank, Old Yang gazed out at the river surface, where only a few bridge piers remained.

  Old Yang cursed: "These damn sappers, they blew up the bridge so quickly, without even waiting for us."

  Lao Cao: "What's going on?"

  Old Yang took out the wine gourd on his back and drank a big mouthful of wine: "It seems that we can only swim over."

  Lao Cao turned his head and took a look at Feng Lianzhang on the stretcher, lowering his voice: "Can Colonel Feng make it?"

  Two soldiers gently set the stretcher on the ground.

  Lao Yang walked up to the stretcher and squatted down: "Company Commander, the bridge was blown up by the engineers."

  Feng Lianzhang struggled to sit up: "Help me up, swim over!"

  Lao Yang hastily pressed down Feng Lianchang: "Commander, can you hold on?"

  Feng Lianchang: "If it can't be done, then make it happen."

  Old Cao suddenly pointed excitedly at the riverbank: "A boat! There's a boat!"

  Everyone rushed to look towards the river surface, a small boat was floating on the river.

  Old Yang ordered two soldiers: "Quick! Carry the company commander over!"

  Old Yang finished speaking and jumped into the water, swam to the side of the boat, pushed the boat to the shore, climbed onto the boat, and saw Qin Zhiyong lying in the boat in a coma.

  Two soldiers and Old Cao helped Feng Lianzhang onto the boat, and then carried the stretcher onto the boat. Old Yang was bending down to examine Qin Zhiyong's wound.

  Lao Cao put the machine gun and ammunition box on the boat, Lao Yang took a look at the ammunition box, dissatisfied: "Lao Cao, don't take the ammunition box, the boat is going to sink."

  Old Cao glared: "No bullets, encountering devils, you want me to use the gun as a fire poker?"

  Feng Lianchang took a look at Qin Zhiyong who was unconscious and asked Old Yang: "Who is he? Is he dead?"

  Old Yang: "It's probably the boatman, he seems to still have a breath of life."

  Lao Cao: "Could he be a spy? Throw him into the river, the boat is too small."

  Old Yang pointed at the wound: "One shot two holes, it should be a Type 38 rifle."

  Two soldiers used their guns as oars and rowed towards the opposite bank.

  Feng Lianchang: "Old Yang, bandage him up."

  Lao Yang took out a piece of gauze and simply bandaged Qin Zhiyong's wound.

  The small boat slowly came ashore on the south bank of the river.

  Everyone disembarked, and two soldiers helped Feng Lianzhang onto a stretcher.

  Feng Lian lay on the stretcher and said to Old Yang: "Bring that boatman along too, maybe he can be saved."

  Lao Yang was unconvinced: "Commander, on this road, how many brothers have died without anyone bothering to save them? He's just a commoner..."

  Feng Lianchang's face was solemn: "It's precisely because too many brothers have died that we must bring him along. Today he is an ordinary person, but if we save him, perhaps tomorrow he can go to the battlefield and fight against the devils; besides, if it weren't for his boat, we wouldn't be able to cross the river."

  Old Yang helplessly said: "Alright."

  Two soldiers carried the company commander and continued on their way.

  Old Yang turned around and pointed at Qin Zhiyong on the boat, to Old Cao who was carrying a machine gun and holding an ammunition box: "Carry him on your back, it's the company commander's order."

  Lao Cao looked back at Qin Zhiyong and said discontentedly: "What makes you think I should take the blame?"

  Old Yang: "I'll help you carry the machine gun and ammunition box, they're about the same weight."

  Lao Yang didn't wait for Lao Cao to speak, and snatched the machine gun, ammunition box, and big knife on his back, then walked forward.

  Lao Cao reluctantly returned to the boat, carried Qin Zhīyǒng down from the boat and put him on his back.

  Old Cao had just taken two steps when he shouted at Old Yang's back in a loud voice: "You're far from it!"

  Old Yang turned back: "Speak softly! When can you change this loud-mouthed habit of yours?"

  Old Cao muttered: "Damn it, I've been outsmarted by this old guy again."

  A figure disappeared into the night.

  Guozi was lying in bed, and Dongmei was bandaging his wounded leg.

  "Are you still having other relatives?"

  Dongmei shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes.

  "What plans do you have for the future?"

  Dongmei covered her face and began to sob quietly.

  "Zhuāng zi took down her hand covering her face and grasped it in his own, gazing at Dongmei with deep emotion: 'Dongmei, this is your home. My aunt is great, she's the one who raised me, and there's also my cousin...'"

  At this time, Zhangshan Niang was carrying a bowl of rice and her son Gu Zhangshan lifted the curtain to come in, and the two hands that were held together quickly separated.

  Changshan Niang saw it in her eyes and smiled knowingly: "Zhuāngzi, let's have dinner."

  "Ah-zi": "Auntie."

  Changshan Niang handed the rice to Shuānzi, looking at his legs wrapped in gauze, and said with great concern: "How is it? Does it hurt?" Shuānzi ate while saying: "Seventh Uncle came to see me and said that no bones were injured, I'll be fine after resting for two days."

  Changshan Niang: "Zhuāngzi, we've shed blood and fought battles. Listen to your aunt's words, don't go again, ah."

  "Once I've recovered from my injuries, I'll still go!"

  Changshan's wife sadly wiped away her tears: "If anything happens to you again, how can I face your deceased parents..."

  "Eldest aunt, it's not that we want to fight a war, but the devils won't let us live! River East Village - Winter Plum and their village, all old and young were killed by the devils!"

  Tears streamed down Dongmei's face once again.

  Changshan Niang hugged Dongmei into her arms: "Poor child..."

  Dongmei buried her face in Changshan Niang's bosom and began to sob quietly.

  Changshan Niang stroked Dongmei's head: "If you want to cry, just cry out loud, it'll be better once you've cried."

  Dongmei stopped crying and wiped away her tears: "Auntie, I won't cry anymore. What's the use of crying?"

  "Child, go and sit in your aunt's house for a while. Changshan, you persuade Baozi that this time he almost lost his life, it's really worrying."

  Changshan Niang finished speaking and pulled Dongmei out of the cabin.

  Changshan sat down beside Zhuozi's bed: "Zhuozi, you're lucky, fortunately it didn't hit the bone. Listen to me, stop following Lu Baicheng and causing trouble. The Central Army can't even beat the Japanese, what can you do with those few broken guns? Isn't that just sending yourself to death?"

  "Brother, the little devils have bullied us to our own doorstep. If we don't resist now, in the end we'll all be killed off like the folks from River East Village."

  Changshan: "War is a national affair, you don't understand anything! Your aunt just hopes you get married and have children soon."

  "Ha ha, brother, isn't sister-in-law about to give birth soon?"

  Changshan burst out with a big smile: "It's almost here, Qiuniang said it would be in these few days."

  Changshan's wife pulled Dongmei into her own room, where Changshan's pregnant daughter-in-law was sitting on the bed making baby clothes. Seeing Changshan and Dongmei enter, she quickly got up and invited them to sit down on the bed.

  "...... Zhangzi lost his parents at a young age, I brought him up myself, just like my own. This child is so stubborn, insisting on following Lu Baicheng to fight, I couldn't stop him even if I tried, it's just that I'm worried."

  Changshan Niang wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, and Dongmei listened quietly with her head lowered.

  Changshan Niang: "You...do you still have any relatives to rely on?"

  Dongmei shook her head, and Changshan Niang let out a deep sigh, wanting to speak but stopping herself: "Then... then have you promised someone else?"

  Dongmei lifted her head and stared blankly at the moon in the night sky outside the window...

  The person who was thinking of Winter Plum is now lying on a hospital bed in Changsha's field hospital.

  Qin Zhiyong's consciousness was somewhat blurry, but he could still faintly hear the conversation between the doctor and nurse:

  Doctor: "The patient needs a blood transfusion."

  Nurse: "There's no plasma left, take mine."

  Doctor: "Xiaobai, you've already had one blood draw today, can't have another."

  Nurse: "It's nothing, I'm physically strong. Who says I have type O blood? Hopefully this guy isn't a coward."

  Nurse Xiao Bai's blood was transfused into Qin Zhiyong's body, and Qin Zhiyong slowly opened his eyes.

  Xiao Bai exclaimed in surprise: "He's awake! This kid has finally woken up! His life is really big!"

  Qin Zhiyong looked around in surprise: "This... where is this?"

  Xiao Bai: "Hospital. You've been unconscious for three days already. Feng Lianchang! The person you rescued has woken up!"

  Feng Lianchang struggled to sit up on another hospital bed, walked to Qin Zhiyong's bedside and leaned down: "Where did the gunshot wound on your body come from?"

  "It was done by Japanese people."

  "Feng Lianchang: 'What's your name?'"

  Qin Zhiyong: "Qin Zhiyong."

  Feng Lianchang nodded: "Zhi Yong, you've recovered from your injuries. Are you willing to follow me and become a soldier to fight against the devils?"

  Qin Zhiyong was about to speak when Old Yang rushed in with a bunch of wildflowers, looking very excited. Seeing Feng Lianchang, he was overjoyed: "Lianchang, you can get out of bed so soon?"

  Feng Lianchang: "Much better, hey, what are you doing with that flower? I don't care about it."

  Feng Lianzhang lay back down on his bed.

  Old Yang smiled: "It wasn't meant for you in the first place."

  Old Yang walked up to Xiaobai: "Little White sister, this is what brother specially picked for you——"

  Xiao Bai didn't even look: "No! Take it away!"

  Xiao Bai took the medicine and turned to leave, Old Yang felt a bit awkward, suddenly seeing Qin Zhiyong staring at him: "Hey! You're awake! It's true that saving you wasn't in vain, I'll give this flower to you." Old Yang threw the flower onto Qin Zhiyong's bed. "If it weren't for our Commander Feng saving you, you'd have died on that broken ship. How about it? Don't stay in bed anymore, once your injuries are healed, follow me to the front lines to fight the devils, we're short-handed."

  Feng Lian stared at Qin Zhiyong, Xiao Bai walked over with the dried gauze to re-bandage Qin Zhiyong's wound, and upon hearing Old Yang's question, also stared at Qin Zhiyong.

  Qin Zhiyong did not respond, he dodged Feng Lianchang, Old Yang and Xiao Bai's inquiring gazes.

  Old Yang got annoyed: "Can't you speak up? Are you deaf or mute?"

  Qin Zhiyong remained silent, feeling around in his pocket for the mandarin duck pouch that Dongmei had given him, clenching it in his hand.

  Old Yang paced back and forth in front of Qin Zhiyong's bed, pointing at him: "Damn it! The Lou Knife River is where Guan Gong's big knife was fished out, how did you end up being fished out? You're nothing but a waste. It would've been better to throw you into the river and feed the turtles back then. You have to go today, whether you want to or not!"

  Lao Yang was about to go forward and pull Qin Zhiyong down from the bed when he was stopped by Feng Lianchang: "Old Yang!"

  Lao Yang had no choice but to stop.

  Xiao Bai was wrapping Qin Zhiyong's wound with gauze while scolding him: "Coward! Good-for-nothing! The medicine I gave you is wasted on you!"

  Xiaobai re-bandaged Qin Zhiyong's wound, tightly securing the bandage and causing him to grimace in pain. Xiaobai stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

  A nurse came over to change Feng Lianchang's dressing. Feng Lianchang asked her, "This nurse has a pretty big temper, I don't think I've seen her before."

  Old Yang hastily said: "Little White nurse is new here."

  Nurse: "Xiao Bai is a refugee from Wuhan, her family was killed by the devils. She's very capable and volunteers for all kinds of tasks, such as changing dressings for wounded soldiers, washing bandages, fetching water, chopping firewood..."

  Old Yang remained silent.

  Feng Lianchang asked Old Yang: "Why did you want to give her flowers?"

  Old Yang was a bit flustered: "Last... last time I was injured... she took care of me... just want to express some gratitude..."

  Feng Lianchang looked at Old Yang's tense appearance and couldn't help but laugh: "What are you so nervous about?"

  Old Yang smacked his lips: "Heh heh, if I, Old Yang, can marry a wife like that in the future, I'll be content."

  Feng Lianchang rushed to Old Yang and smiled: "Do you really like him?"

  Old Yang chuckled twice and nodded his head in embarrassment.

  Feng Lianchang: "Alright! After this battle is over, if you're still alive, I'll go and have a word with you."

  Old Yang happily said: "Lian Chang, you can't be joking."

  "Feng Lianchang: 'On the premise that you are still alive.'"

  Old Yang: "Not yet married and can't die."

  "Feng Lianchang changed the subject: 'How is the front line now?'"

  Old Yang: "We've added another twenty or so new recruits, but the devils are about to attack and they haven't even fired a shot yet."

  Feng Lianchang nodded: "Another fierce battle is about to begin—"

  Suddenly a loud voice came from outside the door: "Where is Feng Lianchang? Brother Feng——"

  The door of the ward was kicked open and a tall, majestic and powerful major with a full beard rushed in.

  Feng Lianchang exclaimed in surprise: "Brother Xu!"

  Xu Lianzhang quickly walked to Feng Lianzhang's bedside, Feng Lianzhang hurriedly wanted to get up and get out of bed, but was pressed down by Xu Lianzhang. Old Yang stood up and gave his seat.

  Xu Lian sat down: "Haha! I said you wouldn't die, did I? They all said you died at Xinwa River, and some even said you were caught by the devils, but I didn't believe it. My brother Feng is blessed with good fortune and a long life, he's sure to turn bad luck into good."

  Feng Lianchang glanced at Old Yang: "Thanks to these brothers..."

  Xu Lianchang looked at Old Yang and nodded in approval: "Good job!"

  Lao Yang hastily saluted Xu Lianzhang: "Report to Commander Xu, I will bring back Commander Feng even if it costs me my life."

  Xu Lianchang: "Do you know me?"

  Old Yang smiled: "You are our company commander's fellow villager and also his old company commander. Commander Feng often mentions you to us."

  Xu Lianchang: "This little country boy has made rapid progress, and in just a few years, he's become a company commander! But the first time he went into battle, he was so scared that he wet his pants, hahaha!"

  Feng Lianchang's face suddenly turned bright red, and he couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Your elder brother's mouth is still the same."

  Xu Lianzhang waved his hand: "Don't mention it, you're a cultured person, Feng Lianzhang, and your face is thin. How's the wound healing?"

  Feng Lianchang: "Much better, can be discharged today."

  Xu Lianchang: "That's great! Brother Feng, my position is just on your right wing. At that time, we brothers will definitely help each other out!"

  "That's natural."

  Xu Lian stood up: "Now that you're healed, I can rest assured. I have to hurry back to the troops. You stay in bed and don't move, we'll meet again on the battlefield!"

  "Enemy in sight!"

  Xu Lianchang finished speaking and strode hastily towards the door, colliding with Xiaobai who was pushing it open, almost causing the medicine bottle in Xiaobai's hand to drop to the ground.

  Xiao Bai scolded angrily: "Xu Lianchang, this medicine is very precious. If you break it for me, I won't forgive you!"

  Xu Lianchang: "Hey! Little White Nurse, your mouth is still so sharp, be careful you won't get married!"

  Xu Lianzhang laughed loudly and went out.

  Xiao Bai rushed towards Xu Lianchang's back, gritting his teeth: "If you fall into my hands, see how I'll deal with you!"

  Xu Lianchang suddenly stuck his head out of the doorway again, provokingly: "How are you going to deal with me?"

  Xiao Bai: "I'll... I'll sew up all the openings on your body, every single one of them! Suffocate you to death! Hahaha!"

  Xiaobai laughed until he was out of breath, Old Yang and the other wounded soldiers also burst into laughter, Qin Zhiyong couldn't help but laugh too.

  Xu Lianchang was so scared that his mouth was wide open, and he muttered: "I'd rather die on the battlefield than come to a place like this!"

  Xu Lianchang's head shrank back.

  Feng Lianchang looked at Old Yang: "You haven't changed your mind?"

  Old Yang said with a smile: "Why change? This girl is good enough!"

  Outside the door came Xu Lianchang's voice: "Little White sister, if you were a bit more gentle, I, Old Xu, would marry you!"

  "Think again! You're not worthy of this blessing!"

  Old Yang shamelessly went up and said: "Little white sister, do I have this good fortune?"

  Xiao Bai: "Do you also want to be sewn up?"

  Xiaobai finished speaking and went to change the dressings for the other wounded soldiers.

  Feng Lianchang burst out laughing beside him, and Old Yang dryly chuckled twice.

  Feng Lianchang got down from bed and mounted his shotgun.

  Old Yang was puzzled: "What's going on? Even the boss!"

  "Feng Lianchang: 'Gather your things and follow me back to the unit.'"

  Lao Yang: "But your injury—"

  "Alright."

  Feng Lianchang took a glance at Qin Zhiyong, who lowered his eyelids. Feng Lianchang strode out of the ward.

  Xiao Bai, who was just changing the dressing for the wounded soldier, chased after Feng Lianzhang to the door and shouted at his back: "Feng Lianzhang! Who approved your discharge from the hospital?"

  Old Yang quickly picked up Feng Lianchang's luggage and said to Xiaobai, "It's no use shouting, he can't stay here any longer. Little White sister, I'll come see you again after this battle is over."

  Xiaobai returned to the bedside with a humph and continued to change the wounded soldier's dressing, completely ignoring Old Yang.

  Old Yang rolled his eyes: "Sister, watch me catch a live devil for you, and let you sew enough!"

  Xiao Bai looked up and stared at Old Yang seriously: "Really? You're a man of your word!"

  "Just you wait!"

  Old Yang grabbed his luggage and ran towards the door, running a few steps before turning back to glare at Qin Zhiyong: "Don't let him run away!"

  Qin Zhiyong took out a handkerchief from his quilt and looked at it carefully, muttering to himself in his heart: Dongmei, where are you...