Chapter 59: Ji Hongchang's Salute

  At 3 am on the second day, the security guard army finished breakfast ahead of schedule and set off in an orderly manner according to the marching sequence formulated by the general staff.

  The cavalry regiment set out first, they were the vanguard of the army, and had to scout along the way to ensure the safety of the main force. Then came Gao Zongbao's second division, this time Gao Zongbao solemnly asked Song Zhiwu to let his second division take the lead. Song Zhiwu understood Gao Zongbao's intention, he was anxious to see Zhang Yafei win a battle, and thought it was time for his second division to show its face. After the second division came the guard regiment, Song Zhiwu's fourth route army headquarters, and the logistics regiment, with Zhang Yafei's first division bringing up the rear. Because the logistics regiment had enough trucks and pack horses, all supplies were carried without needing human labor, and no extra civilian workers needed to be hired, they could keep up with the speed of the troops' march. Moreover, Song Zhiwu's purpose for this campaign was to conduct a long-distance raid, so food and ammunition had to be taken along, therefore he did not let the logistics regiment follow behind.

  The troops marched quickly and by around 7 o'clock they had already approached Wushengguan.

  Xinyang is the southernmost part of Henan, and the solar terms here are much earlier than those in Hebei. In early April, most parts of Hebei have not yet started plowing and planting, but the seedlings here have already emerged from the soil, and some plots of rape have even grown to over 10 centimeters. Under the illumination of the morning sun, as far as the eye can see, both sides of the road are covered with large areas of bright green, and in the gentle breeze, the dew drops on the seedlings sparkle and shine with a silver light. All this makes this land, which has been a battleground since ancient times, radiate with vigorous vitality.

  Song Zhe Wu, riding on horseback, took a deep breath of the air filled with the fragrance of mud and earth, gazing at the vast army rolling forward beside him, his heart overflowing with emotion! This traverser, after more than two years of hardship and hiding, was about to rise from the depths, soaring across the land of China, guarding her with blood and even life.

  In the distance, Wushengguan Pass has already appeared vaguely in front, with mountains on both sides of the pass stacked up, and large pieces of new greenery covering the grayish-green mountains. Under the reflection of the mountain peaks, the majestic ancient road is fully revealed without a doubt.

  In front of the two divisions, a communications staff officer rode over on horseback, reined in his horse in front of Song Zhiwu, jumped off and saluted to report: "In front of Wushengguan Pass, the 22nd Division is lined up to welcome the commander, and Division Commander Ji Hongchang wants to see the commander."

  Song Zhe-wu was surprised to hear that Ji Hong-chang had personally led the 22nd Division to welcome him, and he thought: "No wonder Han Fu-chu said he was a stubborn donkey, this is clearly a challenge to Han Fu-chu!" Song Zhe-wu secretly cursed in his heart, if Ji Hong-chang had quietly or on a small scale expressed gratitude, that would have been best. Song Zhe-wu had already achieved the goal of getting along with the officers and soldiers of the 22nd Division, and it wouldn't have made Han Fu-chu unhappy. Now, with such a grand welcome, Han Fu-chu was definitely going to be unhappy.

  Xiao Guodong saw through Song Zhe Wu's mind and said in a low voice, "Now that we are on the march, Han Fugui is waiting for you at the pass to see you off. Ji Hongchang won't be unaware of this, it seems like avoiding him is unavoidable, so making an appearance won't hurt."

  Song Zhe Wu thought so too, since he couldn't avoid it, he might as well go and meet Ji Hong Chang openly. Thinking of this, he immediately summoned the guards and Xiao Guo Teng and others, carefully tidied up his military uniform, then gently patted the belly of the big white horse that Wei Guang Hui had bought for him from Kazakhstan, the big white horse's four long legs lightly stepped out, and quickly galloped away. Xiao Guo Teng and others also hurriedly rode their horses to catch up.

  In the distance, I saw a large square formation of over 10,000 people on the open ground in front of the Wushengguan city gate. The soldiers in the formation were all fully armed and stood upright, with each team's officer standing in front of their own troops, as if they were undergoing an inspection by a superior officer. As I approached closer, I saw that about 10 meters in front of the formation, there was also a tall man wearing a lieutenant general's insignia. Song Zhe Wu knew this person and was certain that he was Ji Hongchang, who had left behind the famous phrase "Regret not resisting Japan to death, leaving only shame for today".

  Before Song Zhiwu could dismount, he heard Ji Hongchang issuing orders in his slightly hoarse but very thick voice. With this order, all the officers and men of the 22nd Division, including Ji Hongchang himself, collectively saluted Song Zhiwu. Song Zhiwu was so surprised that he hastily reined in his horse, dismounted, and returned the salute.

  Ji Hongchang walked up to Song Zhiwu with big strides: "The Fourth Route Army only has one lieutenant general, you must be General Song. I, Ji Hongchang, represent the entire 22nd Division in thanking Commander Song for his righteous assistance in providing food and saving our lives. The entire 22nd Division will never forget this!" Song Zhiwu struggled to control his excited emotions, smiling as he said: "General Ji, you're being too polite. Even if I didn't send the grain, my fellow Northwestern Army comrades and Chairman Han would have." Ji Hongchang slightly pursed his lips, speaking seriously: "Commander Song, I'm a soldier and don't like empty courtesy. Please mount your horse, Commander Song."

  Song Zhe-wu thought to himself, "No wonder he dared to be at odds with Han Fu-chu when he was a battalion commander. He's really stubborn and wants to drive people away as soon as something doesn't go his way. Moreover, just because you're a soldier, does that mean I, a general of the National Army, am not a soldier? This is absurd! And even if you want to drive me away, shouldn't you at least let me say a few words to the officers and soldiers of the 22nd Division?"

  Although he was unhappy in his heart, Song Zhe Wu still had a smile on his face, but seeing Ji Hong Chang's serious expression all the time, the smile on his face became somewhat stiff. At this time, Ji Hong Chang's guard had already led over Ji Hong Chang's mount, and Ji Hong Chang deftly mounted the horse, while Song Zhe Wu could only reluctantly get on the horseback. Ji Hong Chang reached out to grab the reins of Song Zhe Wu's white horse, turned the horse's head, and the two rode side by side towards a higher place at the side of the road.

  Ji Hongchang rode around Song Zhefu's horse head, facing the 22nd Division's phalanx. Ji Hongchang shouted at the 22nd Division: "Brothers of the 22nd Division, were you full from eating white buns last night?"

  The officers and men below were all stunned, early in the morning the division commander said that the Fourth Route Army was going out of the pass and wanted to bring the entire division's officers and men to thank Commander Song of the Fourth Route Army. The entire division's officers and men thought the division commander did the right thing. The 22nd Division had been cut off from supplies, not only did their Third Route Army Commander Han Fuju not care, but also no one among his peers in the Northwestern Army cared either. This made the officers and men in the military camp so angry that they were on the verge of rioting, if it weren't for Ji Hongchang's strict discipline, these Northwestern Hans would have even taken up arms to vent their anger. Today, coming to thank Commander Song of the Third Route Army, everyone was truly sincere. But unexpectedly, Division Commander Ji asked if they had eaten their fill, which left many people momentarily puzzled. The responding voices from below were not in unison and not loud enough.

  Ji Hongchang waved his hand forcefully: "Louder, I didn't hear it." "Full!" This time, the voice from below was neat and loud. Ji Hongchang continued to ask loudly: "Is the canned meat fragrant or not?" "Fragrant" This time the voice was even louder than before. The shout shook Song Zhe Wu's heart, the roar of tens of thousands of people could definitely be heard over ten miles away, Wushengguan Pass was not big, and Han Fuquang inside would definitely hear it.

  Ji Hongchang continued to ask loudly: "Where did the white buns and canned meat come from?" "Commander Song gave them, Commander Song gave them, Commander Song gave them."

  Song Zhe Wu, riding on the horse, looked at this group of simple and honest Northwestern Han men and couldn't help but blush a little. At that time, he was sending grain with "ulterior motives". Unexpectedly, this small amount of food actually brought back the heartfelt gratitude of over 10,000 people!

  "Brothers, yesterday before Commander Song sent someone to deliver food, we had already drunk six bowls of thin porridge. The last time, the porridge in my bowl and that of the chief of staff was so clear that I could see my own reflection."

  Song Zhe-wu noticed that Ji Hong-chang's eyes were already slightly red, and his voice was also choked with sobs: "Brothers, our luggage will only arrive here the day after tomorrow. Without Commander Song, perhaps we haven't even gone to the battlefield yet, and our 22nd Division would have been killed." After a pause, Ji Hong-chang said loudly: "Brothers, next to me is the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Route Army, General Song Zhe-wu. You all take a good look and remember it firmly in your hearts. Commander Song's vanguard has already left the pass and will be marching towards Wuhan." After stopping for a moment, he said loudly again: "At the pass, there are also our Commander Han and those high-ranking officials of our Northwestern Army, waiting to see off Commander Song."

  When Ji Hongchang mentioned "our high-ranking officials in the Northwest Army" again, he emphasized the word "we" heavily, and not only Song Zhiwu but also the people below could hear the tone of resentment.

  "As the saying goes, 'repay kindness with a gushing spring', but now our 22nd Division is penniless and has nothing to offer. However, we still have blood, flesh, and a sincere heart of a Northwestern Han man. All officers and soldiers of the 22nd Division wish Commander Song a successful arrival."

  Horse arrives success

  Ji Hongchang's last few words were shouted out in his loudest, somewhat off-key voice. As soon as Ji Hongchang's voice fell, a thunderous shout erupted from below: "Ma Dao Success! Ma Dao Success! Ma Dao Success!" The sound was like rolling thunder echoing through Wusheng Pass.

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