Chapter 45: "Coward! You've entered the wrong profession!"

  Qin Zhiyong returned to the troops and met his long-time friends, Shu Zi and Huang Xintian. The three comrades had a lot to talk about after being separated for so long. Shu Zi learned about the suffering of Qin's family, and the sacrifice of Old Cao and Liu Canmou also weighed heavily on Qin Zhiyong's heart. The three men sighed endlessly.

  Spring 1945.

  US heavy bombers taking off from Zhijiang Airport heavily attacked the Japanese army's strategic targets in China, and transportation lines such as railways and highways were also bombed by the US and Chinese air forces. The Japanese headquarters decided to launch the Battle of Zhijiang.

  Japanese military base.

  Iwai stood in front of the military map in his headquarters, pointing at the characters "Zhijiang" on the map and said to Kuroda: "The threat posed by Zhijiang Airport to the Empire is too great. The Xianggui and Yuehan railways have been paralyzed, and the General Headquarters has decided to launch a battle for Zhijiang."

  Kuroda was somewhat excited: "Is it going to attack Sichuan? In that case, the Chongqing government will soon surrender too?"

  "Iwai rubbed his temples and smiled wryly: "Who knows? The staff at headquarters once said that if we occupy Nanjing, the enemy will surrender. Later they said that if we occupy Wuhan, the enemy will surrender. But what was the result? I hope they're right this time."

  Iwai walked to the window, pushed it open and took a deep breath, saying with great sadness: "I really miss the seaside weather! When can I smell that salty, fishy smell in the air again?"

  Kuroda was also moved: "Yes, sir, I don't know when we can return!"

  Iwai: "Why must we bury our bones in our hometown? Every place is a green mountain for us."

  Kuroda: "What a wonderful poem!"

  Iwai: "Do you know what this poem means?"

  Kuroda shook his head.

  Iwai: "You don't need to understand. Just get ready for battle."

  Kuroda Tatsuaki: "Yes!"

  Kuroda Kunitarō turned around and walked a few steps before stopping again. He turned to face Iwai, wanting to say something but hesitating.

  Iwai: "Anything else?"

  Kuroda complained, "Many of the newly replenished soldiers are some inexperienced teenage soldiers and some old veterans, how can we fight this battle?"

  Iwai also felt helpless: "I know all this. The purpose of launching the Battle of Zigong is to force the Chongqing government to negotiate as soon as possible, and if we continue to fight like this, the consequences will be unpredictable. This battle may be the empire's last chance, and we must go all out!"

  Kuroda: "Yes."

  Kuroda Kiyotaka stepped down.

  Iwai gazed out of the window, and in her heart, she couldn't help but think of Shunichi again.

  A few days later, tens of thousands of Japanese troops marched in unison along the highway and began to advance towards Zhijiang.

  Iwai rode a tall horse and walked beside the troops with a majestic air.

  "Look! Ohara, the captain's horse is so spirited!"

  Uehara: "Yes! It seems like every time before a big battle, it has a premonition!"

  "What a divine horse!"

  At this time, Iwai's horse suddenly raised its neck and let out a loud whinny. Iwai affectionately patted the horse's neck.

  At this time, Iwai Toshikazu was also walking in the procession. He heard the neighing of horses and looked up to see Iwai riding a horse in the distance. He rushed to the front of the squad leader, saluted, said a few words, and the squad leader glanced at Iwai on horseback, nodded slightly to Toshikazu, and Toshikazu ran towards Iwai.

  Iwai saw Toshitsune, who was busy holding the reins of his horse.

  Junichi bowed to Iwai: "Uncle, please take care of yourself!"

  Iwai Kōshun bowed back and nodded silently.

  Junyi turned around and ran back into the team.

  Iwai gazed at Shunichi's back, feeling extremely uneasy in his heart. "Shunichi, the next battle will be a fierce one! If possible, Uncle would rather die for you!"

  On the highway, there were black and shiny steel helmets and bright bayonets everywhere. Boots stepped on the road surface, making neat footsteps.

  Tank after tank and gun carriage after gun carriage rumbled past the troops.

  Xuefeng Mountain

  Gunsmoke filled the air, with gunfire and explosions ringing out everywhere.

  On the National Army's position

  Lieutenant Colonel Qin Zhiyong, who had just been promoted to battalion commander, was directing the battle. The soldiers were firing at the enemy with light and heavy machine guns, submachine guns, carbines, and grenades.

  "Brothers, fight hard!"

  "A warrior pointed ahead of the formation and exclaimed: 'Company Commander! The enemy's tank is coming!'"

  With a deafening roar, a Japanese Type 97 tank burst out of the smoke, followed by a group of Japanese soldiers shouting and charging behind it.

  The tank adjusted the height of its barrel, and the muzzle suddenly flashed with fire, firing a shell that landed on the National Army's position, killing several soldiers instantly. The mud stirred up by the explosion poured down from the sky like a blanket.

  Qin Zhiyong spat out a few mouthfuls of dirt and shouted loudly at Gou Pailang: "Gou Pailang, kill that tortoise shell!"

  Duanzi crawled out of the mud, picked up an anti-tank rifle, and lay down behind a bunker, aiming at the tank. A US Army major liaison officer crouched beside him, shouting in not-so-fluent Chinese: "Hit its fuel tank! Fuel tank!"

  Zhangzi held his breath, aimed at the tank's fuel tank, pulled the trigger, and the tank was hit, instantly catching fire and exploding.

  A cheer erupted from the troops, and the American major smiled and gave Zhang a thumbs-up.

  "Good fight! This thing is really useful! If we had this back in the Shanghai War, we would have driven those devils into the sea and wouldn't be fighting here today!"

  The old soldier gave a thumbs up to the US major and shouted: "American guns are the best!"

  The American major smiled complacently and said to Qin Zhiyong, "Captain Qin, with our weapons and your bravery, let's send all the Japanese devils to hell!"

  Both of them burst out laughing.

  On the battlefield, Japanese tanks were constantly hit by anti-tank guns and caught fire, and the soldiers of Iwai's squad all lay on the ground and did not dare to get up.

  Iwai's anger was like thunder, Kuroda kicked the buttocks of a Japanese soldier who was crouching on the ground and scolded: "Are you all paralyzed? Cheer up!"

  Suddenly a bullet knocked off his hat, scaring him so much that he also quickly lay down on the ground, not daring to get up.

  This shot was fired by Huang Xintian, he regretfully removed the scope from his rifle, breathed a few mouthfuls of air onto the lens, and then put it back on, continuing to search for targets.

  In the trenches, many local people, regardless of gender or age, braved the hail of bullets to transport ammunition and supplies to the front lines, and carried the wounded down on stretchers.

  At this time, the Japanese soldiers were struck down by the powerful firepower, throwing down corpses and tank wreckage with black smoke, and retreated in disarray.

  "Section leader! The devils have been repelled!"

  Qin Zhiyong glared at him and took off his military cap to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

  Huang Xintian leaned in close to Guan Zong's ear and whispered, "Guan Zong, you're the squad leader now, how could you forget that I'm the company commander now?"

  "Wait, I said 'line up'!"

  "What are you yelling about? You don't even know yourself?"

  "Hehe, I'm used to calling you that."

  A signal soldier rushed in front of Qin Zhiyong and said urgently: "Report to the company commander, the enemy is attacking Qing Shan Jie and Eagle Mountain, the regimental commander ordered us to reinforce immediately!"

  "Got it."

  Qin Zhiyong gazed out at the eagle-shaped mountain standing tall in the distance.

  At this time, the Japanese army was launching an attack on the No. 3 highland defended by the National Army in Yingxingshan.

  A blue sky and white sun flag was flying high on the heights, guarded by a company. At this time, only the company commander, a platoon leader surnamed He, and more than a dozen soldiers were left on the position, shooting and throwing grenades at the Japanese soldiers who were rushing up. On the mountain slope, rows of Japanese soldiers fell down, and soon they came up again like a tide, shouting towards the heights.

  Qin Zhiyong led his troops to defend the No. 2 highland on Eagle Mountain as ordered, and everyone was tense looking towards the No. 3 highland.

  Huang Xintian: "Do we need to reinforce No. 3 High Ground?"

  "Reinforce them! What if the devils attack our No. 2 high ground? Our regiment's mission is to defend No. 2 high ground!"

  Huang Xintian said worriedly: "If we lose No. 3 high ground, it will be hard for us to defend this side too."

  On the 3rd high ground, the company commander was shot down to the ground. He Qipeng crawled to the side of the company commander, carried him into a machine gun bunker on the high ground, and a Canadian-made machine gun was mounted in front of the shooting hole. The machine gunner had already sacrificed beside the machine gun.

  He Pai Zhang put down Lian Zhang and cried out: "Lian Zhang! Lian Zhang!"

  Lian Chang opened his eyes: "He Pai Zhang - you act on behalf of Lian Chang - must - hold the position -"

  He Pi cried out: "General Lian, we can't hold this position! I'll carry you on my back and retreat!"

  Lian Chang pushed away He Pai's long arm and rushed to the machine gun.

  At this time, Japanese soldiers had rushed up to the high ground and stabbed the wounded soldiers on the position with bayonets.

  Inside the dark fort, Lian Zhang stared at the Japanese soldiers on the high ground with bloodshot eyes through the shooting hole. He Bian, the platoon leader, crouched beside him and also gazed out of the shooting hole in terror.

  A Japanese soldier holding the Rising Sun flag was about to pull down the Blue Sky with a White Sun flag, the company commander pulled the trigger, and the machine gun sprayed fire from the shooting hole, and the Japanese soldier who was about to pull the flag and several other Japanese soldiers were killed on the high ground.

  Inside the dark fort, Lian Zhang excitedly shouted: "Bullets! Are there any more bullets?"

  Lian Chang was rummaging for bullets in the dark bunker, while He Pai Zhang crouched at the shooting hole, gazing out in terror.

  At this time, three Japanese soldiers with bare upper bodies and holding explosive packs rushed towards the bunker.

  "Hei Pai shouted in horror: 'Devils! The devils are coming up! Explosives!' "

  Replenish the machine gun with a new magazine and aim at the target for shooting.

  Bullets whizzed over the heads of three Japanese soldiers, who hastily took cover in a blind spot. One soldier, clutching an explosive pack, charged out first, yelling as he sprinted towards the bunker. He didn't get far before being mowed down by the machine guns inside. As he fell to the ground, he glanced back at the two soldiers behind him, then turned his head, eyes blazing red with blood, and glared at the bunker with a fierce grin. With a sudden movement, he pulled the fuse on the explosive pack, and a deafening "BOOM" shook the air as a thick cloud of smoke billowed up.

  He Qianglong let out a sigh of relief, only to see another Japanese soldier carrying an explosive pack, taking advantage of the smoke cover, and charging again.

  He Qianglong panicked: "Again... again... another one is coming..."

  "Come on! You little devil, if you're not afraid of death, then come on!"

  The Japanese soldier rushed forward for a while, and the company commander pulled the trigger. The second Japanese soldier was shot down again.

  The Japanese soldier who had been knocked to the ground looked back at the last Japanese soldier, then turned his head and glared with bloodshot eyes, grinning savagely at the bunker.

  Inside the dark fort, He Pai's face was distorted with fear. He turned his head to look at the exit of the dark fort and said in a trembling voice: "Company Commander! Let's retreat quickly, or it will be too late!"

  Lian Chang reloaded the machine gun and cursed without looking back: "Get out!"

  The Japanese soldier who fell to the ground pulled out a pack of explosives from his chest and another smoke bomb went off.

  Inside the dark fort, He Pai Chang stood up in a panic and retreated step by step towards the exit.

  The last Japanese soldier, clutching a package of explosives, charged forward through the drifting smoke.

  In the dark fort, He Pai Chang rolled and crawled out of the exit of the dark fort.

  The last Japanese soldier rushed to the front of the bunker, pulled the fuse of the explosive pack and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

  A loud rumbling sound, and the dark fort was destroyed.

  He Pai Zhang, who had run very far away, turned his head back to look at the destroyed bunker and cried: "Company Commander..."

  Japanese soldiers swarmed up the heights, a soldier pulled down the Blue Sky with a White Sun flag and threw it down the mountain, planting a Rising Sun flag on the heights.

  On No. 2 High Ground, a lookout post pointed at No. 3 High Ground and exclaimed: "Company Commander Gu! No. 3 High Ground has been lost!"

  Kaneko, Huang Xintian and the warriors crouched down on the bunker, gazing at the Rising Sun flag fluttering in the distance on No. 3 high ground. The American major put down his binoculars and cursed in English: "Damn it!"

  The battalion commander asked Zhuāngzi: "Which unit is defending that high ground?"

  "Is it two in a row?"

  Major: "You should retake that high ground immediately! Immediately!"

  "However, our mission is to defend this high ground!"

  "Major: 'Now I order you to take back that high ground!'"

  " I didn't receive any orders!"

  The major cooled down a bit and said, "We Americans are here to help you. If you Chinese soldiers lack the courage yourselves," he said, tapping the Thompson submachine gun hanging on his chest, "even if we give you better guns, it's useless! No one can save you!"

  "Who says Chinese soldiers lack courage!" Huang Xintian blazed up on one side.

  The other warriors also looked at the major with indignation.

  "Colonel's face was filled with disdain: 'It's not just courage, you also lack honor and responsibility! Why do you always lose battles? It's because Chinese soldiers like you lack courage, honor, and responsibility—'"

  The other warriors gathered around, shouting angrily:

  "Who doesn't have guts! I have a deep blood feud with those Japanese devils!"

  "Shut up and stop waving your hands around! How many devils have you killed? The number of devils that died under my gun is more than you've ever seen!"

  "Chinese soldiers, every one of them is a good fellow! Not a single coward!"

  No sooner had he finished speaking than He Pai rolled into the trench on his hands and knees, causing everyone to jump in surprise and rush over.

  He Qianglong was helped up by Zhang Zuolin, who exclaimed in surprise: "Isn't this He Qianglong of the 2nd Battalion? Where is your battalion commander?"

  He Pai sat on the ground, his face pale, his whole body trembling, and said in a frightened tone: "The position is lost... The company commander sacrificed himself for the country, and the whole company is left with only me."

  He Pai-chang burst into loud sobs, the American major sneered and said with a hint of sarcasm: "This is what you call a good man." He glared at He Pai-chang with extreme disgust, yelling: "Shut up!"

  He Pai Chang was so frightened that he stopped crying, and Zhuangzi squatted in front of him, saying angrily: "He Pai Chang, all the brothers are watching, speak slowly."

  "He muttered to himself, 'They... one by one, they rush up... rush up to pull the fuse of the explosive pack... cover those behind them... it's too terrible... too terrible...'"

  He began to sob quietly and for a long time.

  The infuriated US major grabbed Captain He's collar and pulled him up, cursing: "Lieutenant! You should go take back your position, not sit here crying like a woman! Do you think you can scare away the Japanese bastards with your crying? You make me sick!"

  He Pai Chang cried even harder, almost collapsing to the ground, while the warriors looked at him with contemptuous eyes.

  The American major suddenly pulled out his pistol and pressed it against He's forehead, furiously saying: "You're a useless thing! Go die!"

  His face turned pale with fright.

  Gongzi, Huang Xintian and other warriors stared at the major in surprise, the major opened the gun's safety.

  Suddenly a big hand pressed down on the gun in the hands of the US Army Major, and when he turned his head to look, it was Qin Zhiyong.

  Qin Zhiyong's gaze was fixed on the American major, who unnaturally lowered his gun and put it back in its holster. He said to Qin Zhiyong with a scowl: "Qin, if all Chinese soldiers were like him, we Americans wouldn't need to provide you with aid. Weapons are only given to brave people!" He turned his head and glared at He Pai-chang, "Coward! You're in the wrong profession!"

  The captain finished speaking and stormed off in a rage. He Qianglong lowered his head in shame, while Qin Zhiyong silently watched the captain's back.

  Gaozi rushed to Qin Zhiyong's side: "Battalion Commander - no - Company Commander, Position 3 has been lost!"

  "I understand."

  "What should we do?"

  Qin Zhiyong: "What else can we do? The battalion commander wants us to take it back!"

  Qin Zhiyong walked up to He Pai Zhang, who hastily stood up, wiped the snot and tears from his face, and saluted Qin Zhiyong.

  Qin Zhiyong said in a gentle tone, "He Pai Zhang, you're more familiar with the terrain of No. 3 High Ground than we are. You lead the way and we'll work together to take back the high ground from the devils. What do you think?"

  Hei Pai Chang's eyes were suddenly filled with fear, and he stuttered: "Qin Lian Zhang, I...I...my head hurts terribly..."

  The person next to him blurted out: "I think you're not just having a headache, your guts have been scared out of you!"

  He crouched down again, holding his head in both hands, and remained silent.

  The US major's words had already made Zhang choke with rage, and when he saw He's furious expression, Zhang's anger reached a boiling point. He charged forward, fist clenched, ready to punch He, but was stopped by Qin Zhiyong. Zhang pushed Qin away, causing him to stumble backward several steps. Then, Zhang rushed at He, bellowing: "Are you going or not, damn it?"

  He let out a long, crisp fart and sat down on the ground, burying his head deeply between his legs.

  The squad leader pointed at He Pai Zhang and scolded loudly: "Bastard! You've disgraced the Chinese army!"

  Shuō zhe shuān zi shēn shǒu qù tāo bó qiāng, bèi Qín zhì yǒng lián máng àn zhù, hé pái cháng jīng kǒng de kàn zhe shuān zi.

  "Zhangzi: 'Paichang, do you know how that American liaison officer scolded us?'"

  Qin Zhiyong calmly said: "I've heard it all."

  "What's the point of keeping a coward like him around?"

  Baozi wanted to pull the pistol out of its holster, but Qin Zhiyong firmly pressed down on his gun-wielding hand. He stared at Baozi and said sternly, "Have you never been afraid?"

  Duanzi was stunned for a moment, his hand slowly loosening its grip on the gun, and He Pai Zhang looked at Qin Zhiyong and Duanzi in surprise.

  Qin Zhiyong also let go of his hand and said calmly: "We were all afraid, but who dared to take out a gun and fight the devils here? There are no cowards!"

  He Pai Chang listened, his eyes filled with tears.

  Qin Zhiyong raised his binoculars to observe the No. 3 high ground, and Duanzi adjusted his mood and walked to Qin Zhiyong's side.

  "Zhang: 'Not taking back No. 3 High Ground - how are you planning to take it back?'"

  "Of course, the old way - organize a dare-to-die corps! Stack, you hold this position for me, damn it, watch as I personally pull down that plaster flag of his! Let those American devils see, we Chinese soldiers may lack everything, but we don't lack courage!"

  "Alright, let him take a look - but, the whole company is exhausted - not just the battalion commander, we've all been wiped out. How are we supposed to hold our position? Besides, it's not necessary for you, Battalion Commander, to come personally!"

  Qin Zhiyong put down his binoculars: "No more nonsense, the 3rd high ground is lost, and our position can't be held either."

  Qin Zhiyong finished speaking and walked towards the command post, with Shu Zi following closely behind, saying reluctantly: "But, platoon leader——"

  Qin Zhiyong stopped in his tracks and glared at Duanzi with annoyance.

  Embarrassed, Zhangzi corrected himself: "Lianzhang..."

  Qin Zhiyong's face was furious: "I'm stuck here with you and can't get promoted!"

  Dingzi chuckled and stood in front of Qin Zhiyong.

  Qin Zhiyong: "Gu Pai Zhang, what I say doesn't work!"

  "Alright, Lieutenant Colonel! Organize a dare-to-die corps immediately! Take back No. 3 High Ground!"

  Qin Zhiyong turned around and was about to leave, when Zhang grabbed his arm and said in a pleading tone: "Captain Lian, I'll lead the dare-to-die corps instead."

  He Pai Chang stood by, biting his lip tightly, silently listening to their conversation.

  Qin Zhiyong shook off the handcuffs and said without a doubt: "You guard this position, obey orders!"

  Duanzi grabbed Qin Zhiyong's shoulder with one hand, raised his head and said coldly: "What if I don't obey?"