Chapter 11: "Heroes and Cowards are Revealed on the Battlefield!"

  In front of Changsha Field Hospital.

  The big fire has gone out, and white smoke is rising from the broken walls. A white cloth covers Xiaobai's body, with his left hand exposed outside the cloth. The gauze on his wrist is fluttering in the wind. Old Yang and Xiao Niu stand silently in front of Xiaobai's body.

  An old woman was vividly telling the surrounding villagers: "...... I saw it with my own eyes, peeking through the door gap. This girl used an axe to kill two devils, and they died a heroic death..."

  The people around were all amazed and sighed with admiration.

  Little Cow: "Auntie, who is she? Do you know her?"

  Old Yang shouldered his pole: "Let's go."

  The calf also picked up its load and followed closely behind Old Yang.

  Old Yang's tears flowed down uncontrollably, he hated himself in his heart, not even as good as a woman!

  Liuyang River defense line outside Changsha City.

  All the soldiers lined up on the battlefield, Director Dong held the precious tripod merit badge and stood in front of the troops, Adviser Sun had a bandage wrapped around his leg and stood behind Director Dong.

  Commander Dong: "Qin Zhiyong, step forward!"

  Qin Zhiyong took a step forward from the team. Duanzi and Zhou Guangren, wearing National Army uniforms, stood in the team behind Qin Zhiyong, with Duanzi still holding that "crooked handle".

  "Second-class soldier Qin Zhiyong, for his bravery in rescuing a superior officer in a critical situation, is awarded the Seventh Class Precious Tripod Medal."

  Comrade Dong pinned the medal on Qin Zhiyong's left chest military uniform, and Qin Zhiyong saluted.

  Director Dong and Advisor Sun led the applause, followed by Zhuozi, Zhou Guangren and other soldiers. Only Old Cao did not applaud, instead he snorted in disdain.

  Comrade Dong: "Next, I announce that Comrade Sun Fulin, the staff officer, will act as your company's deputy captain. Please give a speech, Captain Sun."

  Sun Zhen stood at the front of the troops, scanning the entire company: "In these days, I have witnessed with you many officers and brothers sacrificing their lives for the country. At this moment, their spirits in heaven are watching us. We, the living, have only one mission - to kill as many devils as possible, so that they can smile in the afterlife! Can we do it?"

  All the soldiers shouted in unison: "Yes!"

  "Entire company, enter formation! Prepare to intercept and annihilate the enemy fleeing north!"

  All soldiers enter the position.

  Qin Zhiyong walked past Old Cao, and Old Cao said with a strange tone: "I didn't expect you little brat to still be alive! You're really lucky for being stupid!"

  Qin Zhiyong deliberately provoked him: "Yes, great fortune and great fate, didn't die, and even made a meritorious achievement, thanks to the misfortune, all thanks to you, Big Brother Cao, who saw death but did not save."

  Lao Cao looked somewhat embarrassed: "It's not that I didn't want to save you, the situation was critical at the time, and besides, it wasn't just you who were left on the battlefield..."

  Qin Zhiyong cut him off: "Yeah, what about me? Wasn't Feng Lianzhang also abandoned on the battlefield?"

  Old Cao's face turned red with rage: "What do you mean! Are you saying I won't save Lian Zhang!"

  Lao Cao rushed up and wanted to hit Qin Zhiyong, but was pulled back by Huang Xintian.

  Old Cao pointed at Qin Zhiyong and said angrily: "You little brat, just you wait!"

  Qin Zhiyong was not weak either: "Come on! Who's afraid of you?"

  Lao Cao listened and wanted to rush up again, but was pulled away by Huang Xintian.

  Zhuāngzi and Zhōu Guǎngrén also pulled Qín Zhìyǒng to one side.

  At this time, Japanese troops were withdrawing along the entire highway.

  Kuroda walked in the advancing troops, grumbling: "It's really annoying, we were on the offense yesterday and now we're being chased."

  Uehara: "I heard that the logistics supply was cut off."

  Maeada: "I heard that the Chongqing army has attacked Yichang."

  Hei Tian turned back and gazed at the distant Changsha City, unwillingly waving his fist: "We will be back!"

  Qin Zhiyong and Duanzi sat in the trenches.

  "......Then I'll call you Zhìyǒng brother since you're one year older than me!"

  "Alright!"

  "Zi: 'Zhì Yǒng Gē, do you have any cigarettes?'"

  Qin Zhiyong smiled: "Aren't you very nervous?"

  "Hey, don't underestimate me! I've been fighting devils for more than just one or two days!"

  Qin Zhiyong was searching his pockets for cigarettes and matches when he accidentally dropped the purse from his pocket, and the button was picked up.

  "Wow, it's really beautiful! Was it a gift from your sweetheart?"

  Qin Zhiyong snatched back his bag and stuffed it into his pocket, puffing on a cigarette as he gazed sorrowfully at the horizon.

  The boy struck a match to light his cigarette and also lit one for himself.

  Zhuangzi looked at Qin Zhiyong's worried expression and asked with concern: "Don't Mom and Dad agree?"

  Qin Zhiyong shook his head.

  "Did you run away with someone?"

  Qin Zhiyong lowered his head: "Was caught by the devils, perhaps already ——"

  "Perhaps he's still alive, waiting for you somewhere, who knows?"

  Qin Zhiyong smiled and raised his head: "Are you married?"

  He nodded with a happy face: "I'm newly married, and on the second day I was pulled out by our squad leader to fight against the devils. At this time, I really miss her."

  Old Cao, who was wiping his machine gun on the side, heard Tiezi's words and sneered: "If you want to go out and fight the devils, don't marry a wife. What if you die or become disabled? Wouldn't that be harming someone else?"

  Zhou Guangren interjected disapprovingly, "You can't just be a bachelor to fight the devils! If you want to fight the devils, you should also take a wife. Otherwise, how can you be considered a real man?"

  The soldiers in the trenches all burst out laughing, and Qin Zhiyong stretched out his thumb towards Zhou Guangren.

  Lao Cao's face was a bit unsightly, he looked at Zhou Guangren: "You come over!"

  Zhou Guangren walked up to Old Cao, and Old Cao said: "You're that guy who works for the devils?"

  Zhou Guangren: "In the past I worked for the devils, but now the work I'm doing is killing devils."

  Qin Zhiyong exclaimed loudly: "Well said!"

  Lao Cao took a glance at Qin Zhiyong and asked Zhou Guangren: "What have you been doing for the devils? Have you ever fired at the National Army?"

  Zhou Guangren hastily defended himself: "I am a groom, only responsible for raising horses. The Japanese did not give me a gun to fire."

  Lao Cao's face turned red with rage, he strode forward and grabbed Zhou Guangren's collar: "What? Horseman! A few days ago, our regiment was ambushed by the enemy cavalry, more than a hundred brothers were killed in their sleep by the enemy's sabers. The horses they rode were also fed by you, weren't they?"

  Zhou Guangren stuttered: "I, I..."

  Old Cao: "I'll beat you like a Japanese devil!"

  Lao Cao punched Zhou Guangren to the ground, Lao Cao rushed forward and wanted to hit again, Qin Zhiyong hurriedly rushed over and pushed Lao Cao away, Shuazi went to help Zhou Guangren up.

  Lao Cao glared at Qin Zhiyong with his eyes wide open and growled: "Get out of the way!"

  Zhou Guangren hid behind Qin Zhiyong, covering his face that had been beaten: "I have a great name, I am called Zhou Guangren, not 'Second Ghost'!"

  Lao Cao saw Qin Zhiyong standing still and shouted: "Get out of the way!"

  Qin Zhiyong stared at Old Cao without showing any weakness.

  Lao Cao drew out a large knife from behind his back, and Qin Zhiyong also picked up his rifle, attaching the bayonet to it with a metallic click, its tip pointing at Lao Cao.

  The little servant hastily ran over to mediate: "This big brother, this big knife is for chopping the devils' heads, how can it be used against our own brothers? Put it away, put it away."

  Lao Cao and Qin Zhiyong still stared at each other without giving an inch.

  At this time, the class monitor rushed over.

  "A soldier: 'The squad leader is here!'"

  "Class Monitor: 'What are you doing? Put down all the stuff in your hands!'"

  Qin Zhiyong put down his gun, and Old Cao also reluctantly put down the big knife in his hand.

  The class monitor said to Old Cao: "Zhou Guangren is now an anti-Japanese warrior, let's not mention past things again."

  A soldier suddenly shouted: "Squad leader, the devils have entered our position!"

  "Monitor: 'Which of you can climb trees?'"

  Qin Zhiyong volunteered: "I will climb!"

  The monitor pointed to a tree dozens of meters high: "Climb up and observe the enemy's movements, report immediately if there is any situation."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Yes."

  Qin Zhiyong climbed up with three leaps and two bounds.

  The class monitor looked up at Qin Zhiyong: "Hide well, beware of the devils' snipers."

  The intercepted Japanese troops have entered the position.

  Kuroda lay on the bunker with a sniper rifle, at this time, the Japanese army captain Okazaki, who had a full beard, was walking over with a group of lieutenants led by Iwai.

  Iwai: "General, Changsha is within our grasp, I don't understand the order to retreat."

  "During this battle, we defeated two of Chongqing's ace troops and have completed our combat mission. However, our logistics supply lines have been constantly harassed by the enemy, and their reinforcements are gathering around the outskirts of Changsha. That's why headquarters had no choice but to issue a withdrawal order. I hope you all can understand."

  Iwai and other lieutenants: "Yes!"

  "Retreat must also be carried out in an orderly and organized manner, we cannot lose the prestige of the Imperial Army. Now follow me to inspect the terrain, do not take it lightly."

  "Yes!"

  Ogaki walked and joked with the officials: "I once said that I wouldn't shave until we take Changsha, now it seems I'll have to keep it on for a while longer! What can you do!"

  Okazaki finished speaking and laughed first, and Iwai and other officials also followed suit with a flattering smile.

  Iwai and other officials accompanied Okazaki as he walked along the trench, chatting.

  Kuroda crouched on the bunker, raised his sniper rifle and searched for targets through the scope. Seeing the officers approaching, Kuroda and other soldiers stood at attention to salute them.

  Iwai said with a smile to Okazaki, "Changsha will eventually be occupied by the Imperial Army, so your days of having a beard won't be long! However, the captain's beard is really beautiful, it would be a shame to shave it off!"

  Okazaki and the other officials burst out laughing again.

  Okazaki: "Commander Anan won't give up like this! We're not only going to capture Changsha, but also attack Sichuan! The Imperial Army will conquer all!"

  All officials raised their hands and shouted in unison: "Long live! Long live! Long live!"

  Okazaki sneered: "China has already declined, you guys just need to work a bit harder and it will surrender!"

  The official nodded repeatedly.

  Qin Zhiyong crouched on the tree, observing the movement of the Japanese army's position through the dense branches and leaves.

  Kuroda saw Okazaki and other officers crouching down and crawling into the grass thicket in front of the position, which was over a person tall.

  Qin Zhiyong, who was observing the enemy on a tree, suddenly found several Japanese military officers with swords hanging from their waists, hiding in the bushes beside the slope in front of the position, holding binoculars to reconnoiter and spy on the National Army's position, occasionally pointing and gesturing.

  At this time, Kuroda also found Qin Zhiyong on the tree through the sight. He was about to aim and pull the trigger when Qin Zhiyong suddenly climbed down from the tree and disappeared into the trenches.

  Qin Zhiyong ran to the front of the class leader: "Class leader, there are several devils in the grass thicket ahead."

  The monitor suddenly stood up and looked forward, when a gunshot rang out, a bullet hit his brow, the monitor fell into the trench.

  Kuroda withdrew his gun and let out a stifled breath.

  Qin Zhiyong picked up the class monitor, who in a weak voice said: "Zhiyong... take them down..."

  The class monitor finished speaking and closed his eyes, everyone was very sad.

  Qin Zhiyong put down his class monitor badge and ran in front of Old Cao: "Machine gun, come with me!"

  Lao Cao said stubbornly: "Why should I listen to you? My machine gun position is right here! I'm not going anywhere!"

  Qin Zhiyong had no choice but to run back to Shuangzi's side: "Shuangzi, how many bullets do you have left in your 'crooked gun'?"

  "Six more clips, thirty rounds."

  "Enough! Come with me!"

  Qin Zhiyong finished speaking and ran along the trench, with Zhuāngzi holding "Wai Baizi" closely behind him.

  The two ran along the trench for a while before crouching down and crawling out of the trench.

  At this time, Okazaki and other Japanese military officers were hiding in the bushes to observe with binoculars. Okazaki pointed and whispered something to Iwai, who nodded continuously and drew on the military map in his hand.

  Commander Dong and Advisor Sun, who were observing the enemy situation with binoculars at the command post in Lian, also discovered those enemy officers.

  Son's staff officer held up a pair of binoculars, very excited: "There is a junior lieutenant!"

  Comrade Dong put down his binoculars and turned to order the orderly beside him: "Run and inform the machine gun company to shoot at the enemy officer scouting our position."

  The orderly was about to leave when Sun's adjutant, who was using binoculars to observe, suddenly stopped him: "Wait a minute! Battalion commander, look!"

  Comrade Dong raised his binoculars and saw two National Army soldiers circling around the front slope of the position, approaching the flank and rear of the Japanese officer's hiding place.

  At this moment, Qin Zhiyong and Dingzi have gone around to the back of the Japanese officer, found a good shooting position, and Dingzi has set up his machine gun.

  Qin Zhiyong observed for a moment, pulled out a hand grenade and shouted at Duanzi: "Fire!"

  He immediately threw out a hand grenade. The "crooked handle" of the bolt also immediately sprayed out a flame, and Qin Zhiyong threw out two more hand grenades in succession.

  A grenade exploded among a group of Japanese officers and soldiers, hitting Lt. Col. Okazaki and several other Japanese officers and men.

  Kuroda and the Japanese soldiers on the position heard the sound of gunfire and hand grenades coming from the direction of the hillside bushes, and they all stood up to look over. The bushes were on fire, emitting black smoke. Kuroda shouted loudly: "It's bad! Come with me quickly!"

  He crawled out of the trench and ran towards the grass thicket on the mountain slope, with several Japanese soldiers following him out of the trench.

  Iwai's head was injured by shrapnel from a hand grenade, his face covered in blood. He crawled to Okazaki's side and found that Okazaki had been shot in the chest. Iwai picked up Okazaki and shouted loudly: "Company Commander! Company Commander!"

  Okazaki closed his eyes tightly, and his beautiful sideburns had been scorched by the big fire.

  "O-Okazaki... *weak voice*... Let's meet at Yasukuni Shrine..."

  Okazaki finished speaking and closed his eyes, Iwai slowly lowered Okazaki's body.

  At this time, Kuroda came running over with several soldiers. Kuroda carried Iwai on his back and ran, a soldier carrying the corpse of the squadron leader closely followed behind Kuroda.

  Even in the command post, Dong shouted excitedly: "Good fight!"

  Sun Zanmou put down his binoculars and said with great certainty: "It's Zhī Yǒng and Guānzǐ. Captain, I'll go take a look at the front line."

  "Go ahead. Be sure to reward them handsomely!"

  Sun's advisor walked out of the command post with a burst of excitement.

  Qin Zhiyong and Duanzi ran back along the trenches. The two sat in the trench, laughing happily without stopping, when they suddenly saw Sun's advisor standing in front of them, and the two were frightened into immediately stopping their laughter, standing up straight to salute.

  Sun Ziming smiled and said to Qin Zhongyong and Shu Zi: "I've seen it all, you two are fighting well!"

  Qin Zhiyong and Duanzi exchanged a smile.

  "Where is your class monitor?"

  He pointed at the class monitor's corpse: "Over there."

  Sun Zimou glanced at the corpse of the class leader and turned to face all the soldiers in the class: "Qin Zhongyong is now your class leader."

  Qin Zhiyong, Duanzi and all the soldiers in the class stood at attention: "Obey orders!"

  Lao Cao also reluctantly stood up and saluted, humming a sound in his nose.

  Sun Advisor: "Qin Squad Leader, let everyone hurry up and rest."

  Qin Zhiyong: "Yes!"

  Sun Zanmou placed his hand on Qin Zhīyǒng's shoulder, with a very serious expression: "As the class leader, you can't be laughing and joking around with the soldiers anymore. Remember, benevolence does not grasp weapons."

  Qin Zhiyong stood up straight: "Yes!"

  Sun's advisor finished speaking and walked along the moat.

  "Guai guai is very happy: 'Zhi Yong ge, you are now the class monitor!'"

  "Who would have thought, I was still farming at home last month."

  Lao Cao sat on the ammunition box, wearing his hat crookedly, with a cigarette butt in his mouth, and said sarcastically: "Hmph, this officer of ours doesn't have many days left."

  Qin Zhiyong furrowed his brow and walked up to Old Cao, who remained seated, puffing on a cigarette, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Qin Zhiyong with disdain all over his face.

  Qin Zhiyong suppressed his anger and shouted: "Get up!"

  Lao Cao sat still, looking at Qin Zhiyong with a provocative slant of his eyes.

  All the comrades in the class were watching them.

  Qin Zhiyong saw that all the soldiers around him were staring at him, and he felt his face turning red. He raised his voice to Old Cao: "Stand up!"

  Lao Cao remained still.

  Qin Zhiyong: "You! Why didn't you salute when you saw the squad leader? Are you a new recruit? Don't you know military rules?"

  Lao Cao reluctantly stood up and looked down at Qin Zhiyong, who was looking up at Lao Cao with his head tilted back, half a head taller than himself.

  Old Cao spat out the cigarette butt, which flew past Qin Zhiyong's face. Old Cao gave a sloppy salute to Qin Zhiyong and sat back down again.

  Soldiers around couldn't help but burst into suppressed laughter.

  Qin Zhiyong coughed unnaturally twice, and said to Old Cao: "You're also an old soldier now. Look at you, you look like a sloppy soldier!"

  Lao Cao's face turned red with rage as he suddenly stood up and glared at Qin Zhiyong: "Who did you call a soldier?"

  Qin Zhiyong showed no fear: "You're the one being scolded! What are you staring at? Put your hat on straight!"

  Old Cao roared: "I'm like this!"

  The surrounding soldiers looked on in terror.

  Zhou Guangren walked past Qin Zhiyong and whispered: "Mercy is not in command of the troops."

  Qin Zhiyong listened and looked around at the surrounding soldiers, took a step forward, raised his hand and slapped Old Cao's face, scolding: "Who are you calling father?"

  Old Cao, who had been beaten, suddenly pounced on Qin Zhiyong like thunder, but Shuangzi was prepared and hugged Old Cao from behind. Huang Xitian and other soldiers also came to persuade him.

  Old Cao bursts into a rage: "Damn it! You dare to fight with me? Who the hell are you? I've seen many big officials before!"

  Qin Zhiyong sarcastically said: "After so many years, you're still just a big-headed soldier, what are you being arrogant about!"

  Everyone pressed down on Old Cao, who was struggling to break free. As he struggled, he cursed: "You little brat, you've only been a soldier for a few days! When I was wielding my big knife at Jifengkou, you were still pissing and playing in the mud!"

  A low, muffled snicker echoed all around.

  Qin Zhi's face turned bright red with anger, he picked up his rifle and pressed it against Old Cao's forehead.

  Qin Zhiyong gritted his teeth: "You utter one more nonsense, I'll blow your brains out with a single shot!"

  Everyone was frightened and advised Qin Zhīyǒng repeatedly.

  "Class monitor, calm down."

  "Don't bother with him."

  "This kid might have had a bit too much to drink today."

  Lao Cao said fearlessly: "If you have the guts, shoot; I won't even blink."

  Qin Zhiyong "crack" pulled out his gun.

  Lao Cao showed no fear, glaring at Qin Zhiyong with his eyes wide open.

  At this time, a low and majestic voice came from behind Qin Zhiyong: "What are you doing?"

  Everyone turned back to see that Sun Zong had appeared at some point, standing there with a furious expression as he glared at Qin Zhīyǒng and Old Cao.

  Sun's advisor walked up to the two men: "The devils haven't arrived, and you're already fighting each other. Get out of my sight! You've got energy to spare!"

  Everyone let go of Lao Cao and dispersed in all directions. Qin Zhiyong also put down his gun and walked away.

  Sun Zimou walked up to Old Cao, sternly stared at him for a moment, and didn't say anything. Old Cao hehe chuckled foolishly and lowered his head.

  "General Sun looked around and said to everyone: 'The great war is imminent, we must unite with all our hearts! Whether you are a hero or a coward, it will be seen on the battlefield! For Gu Changsheng!'"

  "Got it!"

  "Director Sun: 'Let's sing a song together!'"

  "What song is this?"

  "Sun's advisor: "You will sing... 'The March of the Big Sword'!"

  "Right!" Bangzi sang loudly, "Big knife towards - the devils' heads chop go - sing!"

  All the soldiers sang together: "The big knife chops towards the devils' heads, the brothers of the 29th Army, the day of resistance has come, the day of resistance has come..."

  The little boy sang and clapped his hands.

  Lao Cao also opened his big mouth and sang: "...... Our 29th Army is not a lone army. Take aim at the enemy, eliminate it! Eliminate it! Charge! The big knife chopped towards the devils' heads——"

  All warriors stretched out their palms in the air and chopped down fiercely, shouting in unison: "Kill!"

  At this moment, the sentry suddenly shouted: "The enemy is charging!"

  Sun's advisor drew out his shotgun: "Prepare for battle."

  The soldiers rushed into the trenches and prepared for battle.