Chapter 8: Bloodbath

  The headquarters of the First Army in Jiangbei, Commander Hu Zongnan looked at the smoke across from him with a stern expression, not saying a word. The officers and staff behind him saw his expression and didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

  Hu Zongnan was worried, the Nanjing defense war ended in an unexpected way, which he had not anticipated beforehand. Tang Shengming, who insisted on defending the capital, suddenly ordered a retreat after less than ten days of garrison, and it was a withdrawal without any rules, sending nearly 100,000 elite National Army troops into the encirclement of the Japanese army, and tens of millions of Nanjing civilians who had not received evacuation orders, what should they do? Who is responsible for them?

  But Hu Zongnan was also clear in his mind that Tang Shengming's actions were undoubtedly permitted by the highest leader, and he did not dare to comment on this. But on the other side of the river, there were tens of thousands of lives! Can't they just watch them disappear in the smoke?

  The other side of the Xiangshan Command had previously sent a telegram, reporting that they had intercepted an order issued by the Japanese army to all combat units, ordering them to kill all National Army prisoners of war. This added another heavy stone on Hu Zongnan's mind, and if the Japanese army were to start slaughtering National Army prisoners of war and civilians, the Battle of Nanjing would become the focus of national public opinion. Who would take responsibility for the defeat of the capital's defense? Would the leader's prestige plummet as a result?

  The deputy officer rushed to report that the magistrate of Xiaoshan on the other side sent a telegram nationwide in his personal name, requesting ships to provide support and transport civilians and troops across the river. ?? Counter-attacking agents of the Republic of China 8

  Hu Zongnan was shocked, snatched the telegram and read it several times without missing a single word. He secretly cursed in his heart, "What is this Xiao Shanling doing? Is he crazy? Doesn't he know the principle of shooting the bird that sticks its head out?" This telegram will undoubtedly put the National Government in a difficult position, and the pressure on the leader's shoulders can be imagined. The Battle of Nanjing was not a glorious thing, with tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians retreating in disarray. Just dealing with the aftermath is already a headache, and now Xiao Shanling is announcing to the world that he alone is holding up the precarious situation in Nanjing. Where will this put the leader and the government? Where will it put the high-ranking generals who participated in the Battle of Nanjing?

  Upon reflection, Hu Zongnan immediately understood the good intentions of Xiao Shanling. He was willing to sacrifice his own future for the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

  Hu Zongnan sighed inwardly, it's really a case of "a good general appears in times of national crisis".

  Just as Hu Zongnan was about to speak, the guard came to report that Tang Zhen of Military Intelligence had secretly arrived at the First Army and requested to see Hu Zongnan.

  Hu Zongnan's heart skipped a beat, Military Intelligence! Tang Zong! What is he doing here at this time?

  Tang Zong hastily brought two attendants, rushing to the riverbank, and upon seeing Hu Zongnan, he didn't even bother with pleasantries, directly pulling Hu aside and whispering a few sentences in his ear.

  Hu Zongnan was shocked and lost his color: "What? He's still in Nanjing?"

  A massive explosion of hand grenades lit up the dark night sky, and over a dozen figures carrying long guns were swept into the air by the blast, but bullets rained down on Lin Xiaotang and others like a heavy downpour.

  Lin Xiaotang and Shen Pai Zhang leaned against the bunker, Shen Pai Zhang smiled and looked at him with a gaze full of undisguised admiration and surprise. Lin Xiaotang was still a bit tense. Although he had already killed so many Japanese people, when facing battle, his cowardice hidden in his heart would still unconsciously reveal some.

  Shen Pai Chang pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his military uniform pocket, took one out and handed it to Lin Xiao Tang: "Light up, absolutely good stuff, won't shake hands when firing!"

  Lin Xiaotang was observing the Japanese through a gap in the bricks while using Shen Pai's military lighter to light the cigarette in his mouth. A pungent flavor instantly filled his chest, and he coughed loudly. Shen Pai looked at him and laughed: "Kid, I didn't think you couldn't even smoke!"

  Shen Pai grew up with a big mouth sucking on cigarettes, but his hands didn't slow down at all as he pulled the trigger. With every shot, a yellowish figure would fall to the ground. Lin Xiaotang looked at him with admiration, this was the first time he had seen the marksmanship of the Chairman's guard soldiers, and indeed, their military skills and demeanor were far superior to those of ordinary National Army soldiers.

  Lin Xiaotang took a glance at the mountain slope behind her, and vaguely saw that there was no one in sight. It seemed that they had already rescued the foreigner and retreated.

  The Japanese army in front of them was getting more and more, with the smoke and fire rising from time to time, and the figures in the fog were becoming denser. The Japanese hand grenades were thrown over one after another, some of which were directly thrown back by Lin Xiaotang and others forced the two to change positions.

  So Lin Xiaotang and the other two soldiers joined forces, dividing into two small groups to take turns providing cover fire.

  As a string of grenades exploded, Lin Xiaotang and the two men had to abandon the ruins they had just retreated to. Under the cover of Shen Pai's two subordinates, they retreated to a small hillside, firing as they slowly withdrew in the direction of Yangtze River Gate. After waiting for a while, the two soldiers still didn't come down.

  The fog gradually dispersed, and a hint of dusk appeared on the horizon. Lin Xiaotang and Shen Paichang clearly saw that the Japanese had occupied the place where they were hiding earlier, and the silhouettes of the two soldiers were submerged in the yellowish crowd.

  Shen Pai's face was filled with hatred as he slammed his fist on the ground, his tiger-like eyes welling up with tears, but he said nothing.

  The two hidden mountain bags were shot by the Japanese bullets like a fortress that rose with smoke, Lin Xiaotang and others were pressed down and could not lift their heads, they could only take advantage of the gap between the Japanese shooting to counterattack. ?? Counter-attack Minguo's special agent 8

  Not long after, with the rifle in hand going "click", they looked at each other, understanding in their hearts that there were no more bullets left, and the final moment was about to arrive.

  The Japanese did not rush into an attack but kept firing from a distance.

  Shen Pai threw away the rifle in his hand and pulled out a short knife from his leg. After a moment's thought, he also took out a pack of cigarettes and a military lighter from his pocket: "Old brother, we can't both die here, you're not a soldier, you go first! We've met once, this pack of cigarettes and the lighter will be left to you as a memento!"

  Lin Xiaotang silently took over, pulled out one, helped Shen Paichang light it up, and lit one for himself. He still couldn't stop coughing: "Cough, cough, no need to, I'm the only one who ran out of my house, living is meaningless, killing so many devils, I've made enough, two people can travel together, on the road, it's good to have a companion!"

  As he spoke, he waved at Shen Pai's cigarette and lighter in his hand, then directly stuffed them into his own pocket: "You said it, this thing belongs to me now."

  Shen Pai Zhang stared at Lin Xiao Tang, a smile slowly spreading from the corner of his mouth: "Can't tell, not very old, really is a top-notch man." He stretched out his hand and gently patted Lin Xiao Tang's dusty head, but his eyes flowed with infinite nostalgia: "You and my brother are about the same age, that dead kid, didn't finish college before sneaking out of the house to join the army, now don't know where he is!"

  Lin Xiaotang nodded: "I also have an older brother, but I know where he is!" Lin Xiaotang raised her head and pointed to the sky: "I know he will always be watching me!"

  Shen Pai Chang also nodded: "Yes! We will eventually reunite."

  The Japanese gunfire gradually ceased, and over a hundred yellowish figures wearing helmets slowly rose up and began to encircle the mountain.

  Shen Pai shook off the dirt on his body, gripped the short knife in his hand, and looked at Lin Xiaotang: "How about it, are you scared?"

  Lin Xiaotang took the samurai sword off his back, slowly drew it out, and the fresh blood on the blade had not yet faded. A bright red light illuminated his face. He nodded and shook his head: "I was a bit scared just now, but I'm not afraid anymore. Your cigarette is really useful."

  Shen Pai Zhang stood up and pulled Lin Xiao Tang up: "Get ready, let's go."

  Two men slowly climbed up the mountain, Shen Pai Chang cleared his throat and shouted at the Japanese soldiers who were surrounding them: "You little devils, dare you to have a one-on-one fight with your grandfather?"

  Lin Xiaotang's emotions gradually returned to calm, he took a deep breath, the sun had already secretly emerged from the horizon, a strand of golden sunlight shone on their bodies, covering them with a dazzling layer of golden armor.

  Looking at the Japanese formation, there were as many as 300 people. They had already realized that the two men's bullets had been exhausted. Seeing Lin Xiaotang and Shen Pai Zhang on the mountain bag, like a heavenly god, most people's expressions were astonished with a hint of admiration.

  The Japanese formed a circle around the two men, advancing on them until they stopped twenty paces away, leveling their bayonets and pointing them at the two people in the encircled area.

  Suddenly, a command was given in the crowd, and the Japanese soldiers raised their guns in unison, pulled open the gun bolts, and ejected the bullets from the barrels. The golden bullets "rattled" and fell to the ground.

  "What does it mean!" Shen Pai Zhang was stunned.

  Lin Xiaotang replied disdainfully, "This is what the Japanese call Bushido spirit. When their opponent runs out of bullets, they will choose to end their life in close combat. They think this is a kind of respect for both their opponent and themselves."

  Shen Paichang burst out laughing: "Damn it, there are really a lot of tricks!"

  After the Japanese army finished firing, they fell silent for a moment. Two Japanese lieutenant officers walked out of the troops, holding long knives and spoke to Lin Xiaotang in a flurry of words.

  "What's going on now?" ?? Counterattack Republic's Special Agent 8

  "They said they have great respect for us, saying that the two of us are true warriors, so they accepted our challenge and want to duel with us one on one!"

  Shen Pai Chang licked his dry lips and smiled, showing his teeth: "Just what I wanted, brother, I'll go first!"

  After finishing speaking, Shen Pai Zhang suddenly jumped down from the mountain package and rushed towards a tall Japanese military officer with a mustache.

  Lin Xiaotang held the samurai sword upside down, slowly walking down from the mountain bag, holding the knife flat and pointing at the Japanese officer who was similar in stature to himself, indicating that he should make a move.

  The Japanese officer was infuriated by Lin Xiaotang's arrogant attitude, and with a loud "Hah!", he raised his hands and charged at Lin Xiaotang with his sword.

  Lin Xiaotang dodged to the side, her feet jumping non-stop, and she even used her fingers to beckon the Japanese officer, saying in pure Japanese: "Faster, your speed is too slow!"

  The Japanese officer was thoroughly enraged, and with a loud shout he again rushed forward, his sword flashing in the sunlight. Lin Xiaotang dodged easily, and with one swift kick sent the Japanese officer flying sideways, crashing to the ground five meters away.

  Lin Xiaotang deceived him and moved forward, raised his knife with one hand, and nailed that Japanese officer to the ground.

  The Japanese officer fell into a pool of blood, but the one who was stabbed was not the one he wanted to harm. He couldn't move and could only let out a loud, mournful cry. The surrounding Japanese soldiers made a move to come and rescue him, but Lin Xiaotang's hand applied more force, and the blade sank in another few inches.

  The Japanese officers' cries became even more mournful and the soldiers hastily retreated.

  Lin Xiaotang coldly gazed at the surrounding Japanese soldiers, her foot trampling on the officer's head, her right hand grasping the hilt of the knife, slowly rotating it, loudly saying a sentence in Japanese: "Everyone watch closely, I'm helping him commit seppuku. Look carefully, this is a horizontal cut!"

  After finishing, the steel knife in his hand cut a wound of about ten centimeters along the abdomen of the officer. The Japanese officer let out a loud and mournful cry, but he had not died yet, and his whole body was still **.

  Lin Xiaotang pulled out a steel knife and stabbed it again: "This is a cross cut!"

  The surrounding Japanese soldiers were silent as ghosts, and their eyes looked at him as if they had seen a bloodthirsty devil that they had never seen before!