Chapter 28 Long-term Arrangement

  Daiqin's independent regiment retreated to Xiuning, which was adjacent to the rear of Xue Yue's Tunxi front headquarters. The Japanese army failed to break through the defensive lines of Ningguo and Jingxian, and Xiuning was also in the rear.

  Xiuning was originally a historic city, an important place for ancient culture, with a folk style that tends to be elegant and refined. It is also a famous tea-producing area and a commercial center. Although it is located in a mountainous county, it is not a backward place.

  Diao Qin is not a straightforward person, and he also understands the meaning of transferring his independent battalion to Xiuning. Originally, the people who surrounded Diao Qin every day were Wang Biao, Diao Gui, and Ma Chun, but after Zhang Min and the others came, these men were all driven away, and Diao Qin was occupied by five girls.

  This ancient county town is still relatively backward in thinking, and the folk customs are also very simple. However, due to the Japanese army's attack, a large number of people retreated, this mountainous county town is much safer, many big families from Nanjing, southern Anhui and Jiangsu retreated to the Huizhou area, and Xīnníng, this quiet place, became chaotic.

  Here is not far from the front line of Jingxian, Ningguo and Tongling. A large number of wounded soldiers retreated to Xiuning area. There are also troops scattered in various places gathering here, making the already chaotic Xiuning even more chaotic.

  Head of Haining Security Team, Lin Jianzhi's head was as big as a bucket, these soldiers wearing all sorts of military uniforms didn't listen to him at all. A small security team leader, who dared to provoke them?

  Xue Yue ordered Zhai Kun to retreat to Xiuning for reorganization, also because the third war zone field hospital was in Xiuning. After all, Zhai Kun was injured. According to reports, the independent battalion annihilated more than 1,000 enemies, with casualties as high as 50%, many lightly wounded soldiers and seriously wounded personnel.

  Facing the bombing of Japanese aircraft and the pursuit of ground troops, Zhai Qin was able to withdraw all the wounded soldiers back to Ningguo without losing any, which made Xue Yue appreciate his command ability.

  Diao Qin lay on the hospital bed in the field, looking at the five girls sitting in the tent and said: "You don't have to accompany me anymore. I heard that Huining is a beautiful place, go out and take a walk."

  Zhang Min shook her head and said: "We've already gone out to take a look, it's not interesting at all. It's just a small county town, there's nothing here."

  Dai Qin knew they were all from big cities, so naturally they wouldn't be interested in such a remote county town. He was also feeling a bit nauseous and dizzy, actually the injury wasn't that serious, just his head got shaken up a bit.

  This injury is nothing for other soldiers, but with these five girls, it's a serious problem. Especially Zhang Juan and Zhu Hongxia, Zhai Qin was injured just because of them.

  Watching the two young ladies serving him personally, Diqin felt somewhat complacent. Seeing Zhu Hongxia looking at him, he smiled slyly and said: "I'm your lifesaver, are you planning to repay me with your body?"

  Zhu Hongxia is the most beautiful one among these people, with a tall and slender figure, a pretty face, but she has the worst temper. Maybe it's because she was born into a military family, or maybe it's because Zhu Shaoliang has great power and seniority in the army, Zhu Hongxia is also extremely arrogant. Except for Zhang Min, she doesn't listen to anyone else.

  Hearing Dai Qin's words, she actually blushed a little and spat at Dai Qin, saying: "You're thinking too much, repaying doesn't have to be with your body, at most it's just helping you out."

  Diqin rolled his eyes and said: "Really willing to help me?"

  "Doesn't what I say count? What this lady says always counts."

  Diqin said: "Min'er, are you the same?"

  Zhang Min was really at a loss with Qiao Qin, this guy didn't know where he came from and had so many interesting things to say, and he dared to say anything without caring about the consequences. It made you want to get angry but couldn't get angry, his mouth was especially not honest. Since getting injured, he no longer called a few people by their names. Zhang Juan became just one word, "Zhang MOUTH Juan", "SHUT UP Juan". Even with himself, it was "Min ER" this and "Min ER" that. Hei Ling almost stuck to Qiao Qin's side.

  Zhang Min was different from the other girls, always calm and composed. Since there was no way out, she let him call the shots. With a faint smile, she said: "What do you want? I'll agree to whatever you say."

  Dai Qin said: "Alright, I have a plan that needs your help to complete. If you agree to help, we can start now."

  Upon hearing the plan, several girls gathered around and stared at Zhai Qin. Zhai Qin said: "I plan to establish an independent logistics department for the rear of the army, and you are all suitable candidates."

  Zhang Min said alertly: "The Logistics Department of the Rear Headquarters? Are you going to drive us away?"

  "Women shouldn't be too clever, otherwise they won't get married."

  Zhang Min also got used to saying it these days, and as soon as she opened her mouth, she said: "Then I'll marry you."

  As soon as the words came out, she knew she had said too much and her face turned red. Zhai Qin smiled mischievously and reached out to touch Zhang Min's face, saying: "I'd actually like to marry you, but..."

  Zhang Min's face turned red with some disappointment, they already knew that Zhai Qin's hometown was Changsha, and in the ancient Yuan town of Changsha, the Zhai family was also a big household, with good fields and a typical rich young master, but he already had a wife. With some disappointment, she said: "Stop talking nonsense, speak quickly."

  Diqin was injured this time, again stunned by the plane's bomb. The only thing that made him happy was that after being injured, he actually got a benefit, which is that many fragmented memories in his mind were connected together.

  According to Ji Gui's explanation and memories recalled from his mind, he remembered who his wife was at home and what happened to him, and also understood why he became a soldier.

  Now that he thought about it, Zhai Qin wanted to go home and see his nominal wife, what kind of person she was, who could make the timid and cowardly Zhai Ying fly onto the battlefield to fight.

  However, he is Di Qin, not the original Di Yingfei. If there's an opportunity to go back, he plans to divorce her. He doesn't have any feelings for her anyway. Since she doesn't want to be with him, a divorce would be fine.

  His mindset hasn't changed since crossing over, and he still can't consider himself a person of this era. Judging by age, the girls in front of him are all at the level of elderly grandmothers.

  He didn't want to say more about this, the second battle of Xuan Cheng made Diqin see the cruelty of war even more. An independent battalion with over 700 people returned to Xiuning after the battle and found out that only 341 soldiers were left after counting, even if the wounded would return later, there wouldn't be more than 400.

  Such intense and cruel battles, can't say which day I won't be so lucky and get killed on the battlefield. Why bother delaying someone's youth? Putting on a serious face, he said: "You're right, I'm letting you leave the front line troops. Don't rush, listen to me finish."

  Dai Qin waved his hand to stop Zhang Min from speaking and continued: "Listen to me."

  Look at the five girls staring at themselves, Zhai Qin took a deep breath and said: "Actually, I don't want you to leave either, but we have to face reality. Reality is in front of us, and everyone can't help but accept it. You are all educated, intelligent girls, not ignorant rural women, and many things you also understand. What is the current situation in China? You are very clear. Your anti-war spirit is commendable, but why can't we defeat the Japanese? Why can the Independent Brigade win? It's not that I'm great, it's not that we're not afraid to sacrifice ourselves, or that we're wholeheartedly fighting against Japan. The important thing is that our weapons and ammunition are strong and sufficient. These things come from channels that are not quite right, but there's no way around it, this is reality."

  Dai Qin paused, his voice somewhat heavy. Zhang Min was good too, He Ling and Wei Xiaohui's family backgrounds were not low either, they were all young students, if they didn't have a passionate heart, they wouldn't have gone to the battlefield to fight against Japan despite their families' opposition.

  Dai Qin said, "You all know the reality, so none of you have spoken up. Let me continue: 'There are three issues here. Firstly, your family backgrounds are not ordinary, if you were to sacrifice yourselves on the battlefield, what would be the consequences? Although you personally may not care, but what about your families? Would they not take their anger out on others? If you were to sacrifice yourselves, would your families let me off? This is something that you all understand in your hearts. Secondly, contributing to the war effort is not just about fighting; supporting from the rear by fundraising, solving weapon and ammunition shortages, as well as providing supplies are all forms of support for the war effort. Without these supplies, even if all Chinese people were to rush onto the battlefield, they would still not be a match for the Japanese. You have family backgrounds that can help solve these issues more easily than others. Thirdly, you also saw the Battle of Xuan Cheng; your physical strength and combat skills are not up to par, nor is your military training. Would you want to see the Independent Regiment suffer casualties and defeat?'"

  These words were spoken slowly by Zhai Qin, and they carried some weight. Zhang Min and Zhu Hongxia were not foolish people, and what Zhai Qin said made sense. Even Xu Supu, the chief of staff, had advised them before, but hadn't put it so bluntly.

  Zhang Min has always been the leader of the five people and said directly: "We all understand what you said, it's just that we know these realities, so we want to go to the front line, even if we die in battle."

  "Dying is sometimes easy, living on is harder. Dying takes courage, it's a momentary impulse, but surviving requires perseverance, patience and tenacity, which is more difficult than dying. Not being invaded, not being bullied, living upright and dignified is even harder."

  Zhang Min and the others were all intelligent people. Zhai Qin's words made sense, and they all fell into deep thought for a while. After a long time, Zhang Min said: "What do you want us to do?"

  Diqin let out a sigh of relief in his heart. He had thought for a long time and come up with many ways to persuade the girls, but it was clear that all five were stubborn and headstrong. Hearing Zhang Mins words, he knew they had accepted his opinion and smiled: "Each unit has an office and liaison agency in the rear, you are still members of the independent regiment, just becoming personnel of the rear office. In the rear, gather supplies for the independent regiment and support the front line combat."

  Wei Xiaohui said: "Those with liaison stations in the rear are division-level troops, and independent battalions are not enough."

  Diqin smiled and said: "Now it's up to you to show your abilities."

  Zhang Min understood Qiao Qin's meaning and nodded: "I'll go find my uncle, this shouldn't be a problem."

  Dai Qin finally felt at ease. He couldn't help but feel afraid in his heart, these few people were the smallest background of Wei Xiaohui, and her father was a military-level staff officer, if anyone sacrificed on the battlefield, it would cost their own lives. In this life or the next, Dai Qin wasn't someone who didn't understand anything, although he was a young radical, he was also passionate, but after working in business and factories for a long time, he knew what human nature was like.

  He made such an arrangement, which would not only make these dangerous people leave the front line but also leave a way out for himself. He felt that his equipment and ammunition were not the best, and there was no one behind him, and the equipment he had obtained by pulling relationships was still very limited. A large team with a small number of people is not enough to contend with the devils, and simply guerrilla warfare in the enemy's rear, killing a few devils and running away is not what Zhai Qin wants to do, he wants to fiercely fight against the devils.

  Dí Qín said: "This doesn't have to be done this way. Even if the Military Affairs Department disagrees, it's nothing, you just need to find a way to send me the things you've got. There are many methods, I don't know what methods you have, but I have many ways, I'll tell you, it will definitely work."

  He Ling is still the same as before, leaning on Jiaqin's body and saying: "Hurry up and say it, what method?"

  Dai Qin began to speak out the methods that had been brewing in his heart for a long time. Soon, several girls were attracted by Dai Qin's words and everyone came up with many ideas.

  Under the instigation of Diqin, five girls began to think about what connections they had with each other, their family members and some big shots. Listening to the five people talking, Diqin was left speechless. It turned out that the relationships were intricate and interconnected. If all these relationships were united, I believe our independent regiment would be a powerful and mighty force, and those little devils would be in for a disaster.

  Several people studied in Diqin's tent for a whole day until evening, and the logistics department of Diqin's independent brigade was finally formed.

  Zhang Min is the director of the rear military supplies department, Zhu Hongxia is the deputy director, Zhang Juan, He Ling, and Wei Xiaohui are staff members, they return to Wuhan for work. Zhang Min doesn't know why, Zhai Qin lets them prepare a place in Chongqing, saying that the headquarters will soon return to Chongqing.

  Diao Qin did not explain, Zhang Min thought that accompanying was also reasonable in Chongqing. In fact, they had no idea that Diao Qin knew that Wuhan would fall within a year.

  The next morning, Zhang Min and the other four left Xiuning together and headed back to Wuhan. This was the first step for Zhai Qin to establish his own troops and expand the independent battalion.

  For this arrangement, Zhai Qin did not think too far ahead, he also could not confirm things that were too far away, taking it one step at a time.

  But he didn't know that several enthusiastic girls played the most positive role after returning to Wuhan, making Zhai Qin's name shake and a team that no one dared to provoke appeared on the battlefield against Japan.