One

  In the autumn of 1928, the total number of troops deployed by both China and Japan exceeded 13.5 million, and the four-month-long Battle of Wuhan had reached a critical turning point where both sides were engaged in a fierce and exhausting struggle.

  In this battle, the National Revolutionary Army of China fought bravely and selflessly to defend their country. As a result, the Wuhan Battle has developed to the point where the Japanese army, with limited troops and insufficient understanding of the development of the war situation, is struggling to hold on.

  The Japanese army was at a disadvantage at this critical moment, and Niwa Okamura, the commander of the 11th Army, which was newly formed by the Japanese army during World War II, made a surprise move and gathered three divisions to form a temporary army corps, numbered as the 21st Army of the Central China Front. With the cooperation of the 5th Fleet of the Navy, on October 11, 1938, they successfully landed in Daya Bay, Guangdong Province, and quickly made a large-scale breakthrough in Guangdong Province, capturing the entire province at once.

  At this point, the National Revolutionary Army had lost 400,000 men in total, and the advantageous situation of this battle was completely lost!

  Guangdong has completely fallen, meaning that Wuhan, the central China's first stronghold, has thoroughly lost its southern supply line. Making heavily besieged Wuhan a city without support from both north and south.

  Actually, as early as the beginning of Okamura Yasuji's secret plan for this landing sneak attack, Yang Ju, a legendary figure in the Republic of China's War of Resistance, had intercepted this important intelligence from the North China Area Army headquarters. After passing on the intelligence and successfully delivering it to the Guangdong garrison, however, Chiang Kai-shek, the nation's highest commander-in-chief who was always suspicious and stubborn, surprisingly believed that this was a Japanese plot to lure the tiger away from its lair by making a false attack in the east while striking in the west. Not only did he not deploy troops to defend Guangdong, but he also ordered General Yu Hanmou of the Guangdong army to withdraw troops to support Wuhan! Moreover, Yu, who was well-versed in politics, also lacked confidence in using his own military strength to protect Guangdong. As a result, Guangdong, which had stationed 500,000 troops, was taken down by 70,000 Japanese soldiers within ten days!

  The fall of Guangdong also means that the strategic significance of Wuhan has been lost! From then on, Chiang Kai-shek learned from the lesson of Nanjing's isolated city and ordered the million National Army troops who were holding out in various battlefields throughout the Battle of Wuhan to withdraw from the battlefield and retreat to the rear. At the same time, he telegraphed Guan Linzhen's 32nd Army Corps to be responsible for covering the retreat of all units on the Wuhan battlefield.

  "Chinese Women's Comfort Association for the Anti-Japanese War and Childcare Association during Wartime", this non-official social organization was initially aimed at rescuing children who had lost their families and homes under Japanese aggression, to protect the future talents of the Chinese nation. It was founded on March 10, 1928, in Hankou, a major city in central China, by Li Dequan, the wife of Feng Yuxiang, a prominent military leader in northwest China. The association received strong support from Soong Mei-ling, the First Lady of China, who also served as its director-general.

  The founding of this association is an outstanding manifestation and achievement of the unity, patriotism and selflessness of women from all walks of life in China during the War of Resistance against Japan. It has received strong support and selfless cooperation from people from all walks of life and social organizations. Among them are important female figures from the Communist Party of China, such as Meng Qingchu, wife of Wang Ming, Deng Yingchao, wife of Zhou Enlai, Shen Zijiu, wife of Hu Yuzhi, An Wei, wife of Tian Han, and Guo Xiuyi, wife of Huang Qixiang. Since its founding, the association has established more than 20 branches and over 60 orphanages across the country, rescuing, nurturing, sheltering, educating and caring for nearly 30,000 homeless children during the war. Among these rescued children, some have become well-known figures, including the future Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

  As early as the beginning of the Battle of Wuhan, Soong Mei-ling, as the First Lady and Chairman of the Child Welfare Association, began to actively plan for the future safety of many orphans in Wuhan. However, due to her position, she could not let the people lose confidence in defending Wuhan. Therefore, the secret transfer work to Chongqing was instructed to be carried out in a low-key manner by various forces. As a result, after the Chairman ordered the abandonment of Wuhan, many children were still unable to be successfully transferred.

  At this time, the commander of the 32nd Army, Guan Linzheng, who was ordered to lead the 32nd Army from Ruichang, Jiangxi to the Wuhan Xiaogan area, after receiving the news that the last troops in the Wuhan area had retreated safely, believed that his 32nd Army had successfully completed the task of covering the withdrawal and transfer of various troops according to the orders of the Chairman. Just as he was about to issue an order for the entire army to withdraw from Wuhan, he was reported by a messenger soldier that there was an urgent phone call from the Wuhan Garrison Command.

  The caller was Xue Yue, the commander of the First Army Corps. After Xue reported his name, Guan Linzheng said into the receiver: "It's actually Brother Boling (Xue Yue's courtesy name), I thought it was Chen Cheng's phone call again. When did your First Army Corps replace Chen Cheng as the Wuhan Garrison Command?"

  Xue Yue said on the phone, "Yu Dong Xian Di (Guan Lin's courtesy name was Yu Dong), the party and country are in a precarious situation! At this critical moment, there is no longer any Wuhan Garrison Command! I estimate that now in the entire Wuhan area, it's likely only our two troops are left!"

  Guan Lin knew that Xue Yue would not be calling him at this moment just to chat. So he said, "Brother Boling, if there's something on your mind, feel free to say it. My troops are about to withdraw soon too."

  Xue Yue said, "Alright, the situation is urgent, so I'll get straight to the point. It's like this: it's possible that no one can find Commander-in-Chief Chen now, but I just received a call from Madame Chiang herself. She said on the phone that their wartime children's welfare association has a team of war orphans who are currently being relocated to Chongqing and were ambushed by a Japanese vanguard force of about one company strength in the Hankou area! The troops responsible for escorting these orphaned children consisted of only one platoon from the Wuhan Garrison Brigade. After suddenly encountering the Japanese blocking forces, the entire platoon fought back with all their might, and at the first opportunity, they used the radio transmitter they were carrying to report back to the welfare association and request reinforcements."

  Yu Dong, you also understand that this orphanage is still relying on Madame's reputation to barely hold on. At this time, what ability do they have to send troops for rescue? It won't be long before they find Madame herself. And when Madame can't find Chen Cheng, she'll come looking for me...

  "And you, brother, this file in the entire Wuhan area, can't catch anyone to serve again, so I thought of our 32nd Army Corps at the back." Guan Linzheng said.

  Xue Yue smiled and said, "Since Brother Yu Dong has understood, then I'll trouble you to take a trip with the troops. We must give this lady some face no matter what. It can also be considered as Brother Yu Dong helping me out."

  "Originally, as a soldier, following orders is our duty. Since the lady has personally inquired about it, we should comply. However, Brother Boling, do you think sending troops from my unit to rescue them still makes sense? With just one platoon's strength, without any defensive position to rely on, and with a group of children as a burden, against the Japanese army's regular infantry battalion of over 200 men. Plus, it's almost a hundred miles away from Han River! Can I still make it in time if I send troops now? I'm afraid we'll only be able to collect the children's corpses!"

  Xue Yue's tone was solemn: "Yes, Yu Dong, my younger brother, what you said I also know. But since Madam has spoken, we should give him some consideration. Sigh, do our best and leave the rest to fate!"

  "Alright, if that's the case, I won't waste any more time on idle chatter. I'll dispatch troops to test them out for now." After saying this, he hung up the phone and turned to the orderly beside him: "Summon Colonel Yan Weisu of the Guard Regiment at Headquarters to report immediately."

  Yan Wei, also known as Songquan. He was from Hengshui, Hebei Province, and came from a family of merchants. In his early years, his family was quite well-off, and he studied literature and martial arts with ease. However, fate had other plans, and in the 14th year of the Republic of China, his family's business was ruined by the White Party's deceitful calculations! Overnight, their fortunes declined, and they were unable to pay off their debts. His father became ill due to worry and passed away suddenly. His mother remarried elsewhere with his two younger siblings, leaving behind only 15-year-old Yan Wei, who faced his father's large debt alone. Fortunately, a distant uncle took pity on him and often provided assistance, preventing young Yan Wei from becoming destitute. The following year, Yan Wei's uncle also failed in business and was unable to support them, so he led the family, including Yan Wei, out of the country to make a living.

  Yan Wei followed his uncle's family to the outside of the pass, and in order to make a living with his uncle's family, he had no choice but to work hard every day at a young age.

  In the 17th year of the Republic, the Feng Army changed its flag and submitted to the unified leadership of the National Government, respecting the Three Principles of the People. At that time, Zhang Tinghui, who was the commander of the 12th Brigade of the Northeastern Army, concurrently held the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Third District of Liaoning Province for suppressing bandits, and expanded his troops by recruiting soldiers and buying horses. After consulting with his uncle, Yan Wei, who was only 18 years old at that time, gritted his teeth and joined Zhang Tinghui's Northeastern Army as a soldier.

  Later, Yan Wei was a young man who had read extensively in poetry and literature and had a good writing style. After joining the army, he was highly appreciated by his superiors. Not long after that, he was promoted to junior officer and served in the regimental headquarters. After the September 18th Incident, the entire Northeastern Army entered the pass, and Yan Wei followed the army back to the inland areas he had left for five years.

  In 1933, the Chairman called on the national military forces to unite against foreign humiliation and wage a long wall war against Japan.

  Yan Wei's 112th Division was ordered to defend the Great Wall at Gubeikou. However, Zhang Tingxu, the commander of the division, was afraid of war and did not dare to fight back! After waiting for Gu Zhenzong's Central Army's 17th Corps' 25th Division to take over, he privately led his troops to escape without regard for military orders! Due to the haste of the escape, many units below were not informed. Yan Wei, who was then the deputy commander of the 353rd Regiment, 19th Battalion, 3rd Company of the Northeast Army's 112th Division, did not receive the division's withdrawal order. Under the unfavorable circumstances that the company commander He Ruoquan had died and more than half of the soldiers in each company were casualties, he insisted on leading the remaining soldiers to defend the Chao River line, vowing to fight to the death!

  Just as the entire camp was about to be completely lost, instead of waiting for the Northeast Army's arrival and support, they waited for the personal arrival of Guan Linzheng, the commander of the 25th Division of the Central Army!

  At that time, Yan Wei also didn't know what number the troops who had arrived were. He could only vaguely judge from their uniforms and equipment that they should be the Central Army's troops who had come over. So he led the entire regiment of 63 people who remained, jumped out of the trenches and joined the 149th Regiment of the 25th Division led by Guan Linzheng, fighting shoulder to shoulder with them!

  The battle at Chao River was extremely brutal! At that time, Guan Linzheng, who was the commander of the regiment, was injured by a grenade with five wounds all over his body! More than a dozen officers who were fighting alongside him to protect him were all killed in action! Just as he was about to make a final desperate attack and sacrifice himself at the critical moment, facing seven or eight Japanese soldiers charging towards him, Guan Linzheng saw a young officer wearing Northeast Army uniform suddenly appear out of nowhere! He wielded his rifle with bayonet like a flying sword! In an instant, he knocked down three Japanese soldiers who had already reached his side! Seeing this, Guan's spirit was greatly lifted! Excitedly, he let out a loud roar and consecutively knocked down two more Japanese soldiers charging towards him!

  This battle made Guan Linzhen, who had always admired talented people, extremely appreciate Yan Wei's bravery. It also made Yan Wei full of admiration for this Tiger General, who was a high-ranking officer in the central army but could fight side by side with ordinary soldiers and engage in fierce battles with the enemy!

  After the victory of the Battle of Chao River, Guan Linzheng was questioned by Yan Wei beside him while a medical soldier simply treated his wound.

  Guan Linzheng looked at Yan Wei and asked: "Report your unit number and position."

  "Reporting to the superior officer, Yan Wei, deputy commander of the 19th Regiment of the 353rd Brigade of the 112th Division of the Northeast Army, stands at attention and salutes Guan Linzheng who is sitting on the ground."

  "Ah, the 1st and 2nd Divisions, I was just at your Northeastern Army headquarters in Gubeikou two days ago, where I scolded that 67th Division Commander Wang Yizhe and your idiotic Brigade Commander Zhang Tingxu until they were covered in dog blood! Those two bastards! If it weren't for those two cowardly fools abandoning their positions and fleeing in disarray, I wouldn't be in such a sorry state now!"

  Guan Lin scolded his two high-ranking officers from the Northeast Army as soon as he opened his mouth. Yan Wei was at a loss for what to do, so he closed his mouth and didn't speak.

  Guan Linzheng looked at Yan Wei and said: "You little devil, listen to me scolding the two stupid officers of your Northeast Army, are you not convinced in your heart?"

  "Your Excellency's words, I have no objection! Your Excellency's rebuke is justified!" He then turned his head to look at the remaining twenty-odd soldiers of his own battalion in the distance: "Your Excellency, all the soldiers in my battalion, from the battalion commander down, a total of 485 people, including cooks and medical personnel, have almost all been killed! Now, even if I'm included, I'm afraid there's not even one platoon left! There may be only me left without any injuries!"

  Guan Wen spoke with great interest and looked Yan Weiquan up and down, seeing that his whole body was covered in bloodstains, yet he claimed to be unharmed! He was greatly astonished.

  "Alright! Covered in the enemy's blood without a scratch on yourself! You're indeed a Zhūgě Liǔlang of the military! It seems that you, young one, are far stronger than I, your instructor!"

  "Report to the superior, I absolutely did not mean it! It's just that... if our Northeast Army superiors had not withdrawn from the whole army without even giving us a command, my brothers in the first battalion would not be in this miserable state now!" After speaking, he thought that if it were true as General Guan said, his superiors had already privately disobeyed orders and escaped. Those superior officers really didn't care about the lives of their soldiers! This battle was really fought without any interest or enthusiasm.

  After the medic finished dressing his wound, Guan stood up and looked at Yan Wei, who was half a head taller than him: "Your superior has forgotten about you, but I, Guan Linzheng, quite like you as a soldier! How about it? Come with me to the Central Army's 25th Division. I, Guan, love being in the vanguard of battle! I would never abandon my soldiers like that scoundrel!"

  Thus, Yan Wei changed sides on the battlefield of the Great Wall and joined Guan Linzheng's 25th Division. In the following years, more than a dozen major battles fought in the north and south also proved that Guan Linzheng's decision to recruit Yan Wei was not wrong. Yan Wei also used his outstanding military achievements over the years to establish his position under Guan Linzheng. Now, at this critical moment when personnel are needed, Guan Linzheng naturally thought of Yan Wei, who is now a lieutenant colonel and commander of the guard battalion in his headquarters.