Chapter Twenty-Four: The Big and Little Wives

  Diqin endured the pain in his buttocks and thighs, and finally learned to ride a horse. Looking at other officers and those messenger soldiers riding horses and running fast, Diqin was very envious, this is much better than walking.

  But when he bought a horse, it wasn't long before he realized that riding a horse was not a good thing either. Although he had adapted to it, he still yearned for cars. Zhai Qin knew even better that in the Chinese army, officers at the regimental and divisional levels were either on horseback or on foot, let alone cars.

  In the headquarters, Diqin was unscrupulously generous with his gifts, from the chief of staff to the gate guards, almost everyone in the forward command post had a share, under the pretext of enjoying the spoils of war from the devils.

  In just three days, in Xue Yue's former headquarters, the person with the best relationships was Diqin. Even the sentry standing at the door was more enthusiastic when he saw Diqin than when he saw the commander-in-chief.

  Xue Yue's headquarters became a home for Zhai Qin, where he could freely enter and exit the archives room, machine room, or combat room. Luan Zhengping, who had initially looked down on Zhai Qin, surprisingly became friends with him. This was because the several large trucks of supplies that Zhai Qin brought were all gifts.

  Its distribution rights were handed over to Yuan Zhengping, which made those who wanted to get things done fawn on Yuan Zhengping. Every day, Di Qin went around idle, pulling relationships, and was with the beautiful women in the machine room.

  Xue Yue and Xu Supu thought that Di Qin asked to stay for a few days, wanting to flirt with several women. However, Di Qin actually used the three-day period to hold a large auction in Tunxi. The precious items such as Xuan paper, Xuan brushes, inkstones, etc. captured in Xuancheng were sold by Di Qin at a price lower than twice the market price. No one knows how much silver Di Qin took away.

  This is already a violation of military discipline and openly making a fortune, but when Xue Yue learned that Zhang Min and the five men had privately left the unit, he was even more furious. This is not a problem of desertion, if these people publicly say they are going home, Xue Yue would almost personally send them off.

  But they are participating in Diqin's independent squadron, what a waste? They shouldn't have accepted them in the first place, good riddance this time.

  Diqin's troops were guerrilla warfare units behind enemy lines, more dangerous than defending against the enemy on the front line. No matter who got into trouble, Xue Yue would have a hard time explaining it. Upon receiving the report, Xue Yue hastily ordered Diqin to cease military action and stand by in place. At the same time, he notified the families of the five girls that they must be sent back.

  At the time when Xue Yue was half dazed, Di Qian's head was also as big as a bucket, and he didn't expect it to be like this either.

  He left Tunxi in a hurry to return to Ningguo. He wanted to know about the situation of the troops, and the devils were attacking soon.

  This time, Zhaoqin's actions thoroughly enraged Lieutenant General Nakajima Teishiro, who vowed to attack Ningguo and eliminate Zhaoqin's independent brigade to avenge the Imperial Japanese Army. He also suspended the attack on Tongling and ordered the 23rd Brigade, which had entered Hangzhou, to move towards Ningguo.

  This is also a tactic of the Japanese army. Once Ningguo is occupied, it will cut off Xue Yue's front defense line and open up an attack route to Jiangxi. In recent days, Japanese planes have been frantically bombing the positions of the 12th Temporary Brigade and the 37th Independent Brigade in Ningguo, which is a precursor to the attack.

  Dí Qín obtained Xú Sùpǔ's consent, and the military supplies department supplemented some ammunition and weapons. With Huáng Biǎngjié this big brother around, Dí Qín came to send gifts of horse-drawn carriages, which turned into transporting materials horse-drawn carriages.

  There is a carriage to sit in, Diqin won't ride a horse, it's too suffering, and his butt still hurts now. He sat in the carriage, with the swaying of the carriage, closed his eyes to study tactical problems.

  Xu Supu's mission was to attack the enemy's logistics supply line from behind, pinning down the 35th Brigade. According to intelligence gathered at headquarters, this time Nakajima Teiichi had made a ruthless decision, with two regiments of the 35th Brigade, in coordination with the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, having a total strength of over 9,000 men. With some logistical support troops, the entire brigade was over 10,000 men. However, only the Temporary 12th Brigade and Independent 37th Brigade were defending the Ningguo defense line. The two brigades had a considerable number of men, with a total strength of over 14,000 men.

  This was a newly formed unit, with very limited combat effectiveness. In Jingdezhen and Nanchang, Xue Yue was gathering the 9th Army Corps to reinforce the Ningguo defense line. Zhai Qin was thinking about how to strike at the critical point, hitting the snake's seven inches, shooting the bear's white fur. He had only a battalion of over 700 men, facing a Japanese brigade, and if things went wrong, there was a risk of being counter-encircled.

  There was a map beside him, but Zhai Qin still couldn't figure out where to attack in order to tie down the devils. The 16th Division of the devils was stationed in Nanjing. If they were pushed too close to Nanjing, they would be surrounded by the 16th Division. Hangzhou was the 10th Division of the devils. The 18th Division was attacking head-on, and there were three divisions of devils around them. Although they had not occupied the countryside and towns, the devils had cavalry, cars, and planes.

  "A loud shout of 'Halt!' in front of him made Diqin jump: 'Robbers?'"

  He opened his eyes to see several people standing by the roadside. When he saw who they were, he excitedly jumped out of the car and shouted: "Ah, it's the babies coming to see me off! I'm so touched!"

  Although it was only three days, Zhang Min and the others had already gotten used to Zhai Qin's mouth. This guy was completely unscrupulous, saying whatever he wanted. But he never went too far. Every day, it was all "darling" and "beauty" hanging from his lips.

  Five girls, led by Zhang Min, the earliest habit was Zhu Hongxia. She is the most generous of these people, tall and beautiful, with a strong military quality on her body, making her look elegant and refreshing. Since Zhang Min can become the leader of the five people, it's not because she is Zhang Qun's niece, but because of her brain. With a scholarly air, perhaps due to having a professor father, she is the most calm in front of Zhai Qin. The one who doesn't care about Zhai Qin calling her "baby" is Zhang Juan.

  This is a somewhat arrogant girl, also bold and proud. If she doesn't get angry, her big watery eyes are very cute. But when she gets angry, no one dares to provoke her, only Zhang Min can control her. She always does the opposite of Zhu Hongxia, and the two are most likely to quarrel. As soon as there is a conflict, Lian Zhengping immediately gets a headache.

  Zhang Min revealed a gentle smile: "Dai Qin, we're not here to see you off, we've come to join the Independent Battalion."

  "What? Commander Xue agreed?" Zhai Qin asked in surprise.

  Zhang Min said: "No need, what we do still needs others' consent?"

  Dai Qin almost fell over: "I'm telling you, Zhang Dajie, aren't you harming me? Commander Xue and General Xu will kill me! You're not a brainless woman, why are you being so reckless. Hurry back, I'll visit you when I have time."

  Looking at Diqin's frightened appearance, Zhu Hongxia said disdainfully: "Didn't you say that you're not afraid of heaven or earth? Why are you scared now?"

  Dai Qin naturally wouldn't admit to being afraid, and immediately said: "Nonsense, I'm not afraid of anything. But you're all my darlings, beautiful friends, is the battlefield really that fun? If something were to happen to any of you, I wouldn't be able to live either."

  Seeing Diqin's pitiful appearance, Zhangjuan jumped onto the horse carriage and shouted at Wang Biao: "Wang Biao, hurry up and leave, listen to me."

  Zhang Juan jumped onto the horse carriage, and Zhu Hongxia also climbed aboard, saying to Di Gui who was watching the women with a tense face: "Little kid, what are you looking at? Hurry up and go!"

  Wang Biao looked at Di Qian tensely, they all knew that these women were extraordinary and not ordinary people to be trifled with. He Ling said as she jumped onto the horse carriage: "Di Qian, if you agree to let us go to the front line, I'll marry you."

  It is often said that three women can make a scene, and here are five women, each more elegant than the last. He Ling says this, and the others burst out laughing. Zhang Min says: "Zhai Qin, do you see? Don't even have the courage to do this? Dare to marry He Ling?"

  Dai Qin was originally not a person who feared matters, would he be afraid to talk to girls like this? It's said that during the Republic of China era it was still very feudal, but unexpectedly these girls were no worse than girls from later generations. He smiled and said: "Am I not daring? If you all marry me, I'll also dare to take you in. However, my family does have a wife. You don't mind that I'll take everything as is. Get on the car, I'll drive you back home to get married."

  Such a joke, no one would take it seriously, but Wang Biao was not afraid of chaos and immediately followed with applause. The logistics team of 50 soldiers pushing the vehicle also cheered. Seeing that all five girls had boarded the car, Diqin jumped onto Zhang Min's car and sat shoulder to shoulder, his right arm around Zhang Min's shoulders, saying: "You promised, will you really marry me?"

  Dai Qin's hand touched Zhang Min's shoulder, causing her body to tremble slightly, and she hastily dodged away. However, the wooden box on the vehicle was loaded with weapons and ammunition, and the space was limited, almost falling off. Afraid, she quickly grabbed onto Dai Qin, looking as if they were embracing each other. This again triggered a loud shout from the soldiers. Zhu Hongxia also shouted: "Big sister has agreed."

  He Ling discontentedly said: "What about me?"

  Wei Xiaohui said: "You are the third child, that's enough."

  He Ling went to fight Wei Xiao Hui and said: "Then you are Lao Si. Younger than me."

  Several girls burst into laughter, and Zhai Qin was so happy for the first time that he forgot about the consequences of bringing these girls back to the troops. He shouted: "Brothers, hurry up and head back to Ningguo to welcome our wives home!"

  A dozen or so horse-drawn carriages were rushing forward quickly. Looking at the girls on the carriage, Diqin calmed down. It's good to joke around, but since they are going to war, how can they let them go back?

  Due to family circumstances, several women were students at school, they didn't have the same coquettish and feudal nature as ordinary women, their good upbringing made them very generous. After entering the army, they had always been in the confidential room, where everyone knew their identity, no one dared to have any illusions, nor did they dare to overstep, even the director of the confidential room, Luan Zhengping, was serious-faced.

  They were initially quarreling with their families to join the army, to fight against the devils, and they all had the passion of young people. Zhai Qin's alternative made it easy for Zhang Min and others to accept.

  If it were someone else, they wouldn't dare to get in touch with them, let alone take them onto the battlefield. But Zhai Qin came from a later era, he didn't think it was that serious, and his heart wasn't burdened by too many identity concerns.

  Those low-ranking soldiers, they knew very little. They saw the company commander being nice to these girls. Plus each girl was wearing a military uniform, it was easy for them to be taken as soldiers and become bolder.

  All the way chatting and laughing, I didn't feel tired at all, and the speed was much faster than usual. Diqin was worried about the devils' attack and wanted to hurry back to Ningguo as soon as possible.

  According to Zhai Qin's requirements, men should have a sense of chivalry towards women. Even an ordinary soldier would do his best to take care of the five girls. Even Zhang Min, who was very clever, forgot that they were rushing to the battlefield, and instead seemed to be on a tour, laughing and hurrying to Ningguo.

  It only took a little over a day to arrive at the Ningguo Independent Regiment's base, and when these people got off at Guandi Temple, the most surprised was Ma Chun. He pointed at Zhang Min and others in surprise and said to Di Qian: "Commander, you're in trouble."

  Diqin asked: "What's going on? What kind of trouble have I stirred up?"

  Ma Chun handed over Xue Yue's telegram, and Zhai Qin took a look, his mind suddenly calmed down. This was the Chief of Staff's telegram, ordering the Independent Brigade to stop military action and wait in place. At the same time, it ordered Zhai Qin to immediately send the five girls back to Tunxi and do everything possible to ensure their safety.

  Looking at this stern telegram, Diqin felt a wave of depression, as if he had abducted a good family woman. Can't the children of officials sacrifice for the country? Should ordinary people die just for their own official positions?

  Although he was very dissatisfied in his heart, Diqin was not a person without any brains. This world, no matter what era, is not fair. He helplessly said to Ma Chun: "Go and take a look at Zhang Min and the others, arrange their accommodation, I'll think of a way to send them back."

  "Ma Chun originally belonged to the machine room, of course, he was clear about the background and danger level of these people, turned around and arranged."

  Dí Qín Gāng was about to let Dí Guì inform Zhào Kǎi that they had arrived, when Zhào Kǎi came in from outside, followed by Chéng Shìzhōng.

  Dai Qin reported to Zhao Kai: "Commander, the devils are launching an attack on the temporary position of the 12th Regiment in Yanglin Township. Zhang's regiment has suffered heavy casualties and our defensive line is in danger."

  Diqin stepped forward and quickly found the location of Yanglin Township on the map. Without turning his head, he asked: "What's the specific situation?"

  Cheng Shizhong said: "According to the reconnaissance team's reconnaissance, the 116th Regiment's First Battalion attacked Yanglin Township. The other two battalions advanced forward on both sides because Yanglin Township controlled the throat passage, and the devils could not bypass it, so they launched a fierce attack. The devil's first battalion was equipped with field artillery battalion, with aircraft coordination, and the offensive was fierce."

  Dai Qin nodded and said: "Send out scouts to find a road that passes through the Green Leaf Mountain sideways."

  Cheng Shizhong turned around and left. Di Qin said: "Zhao Kai, order the independent battalion to assemble, prepare two days' dry rations, and get ready for battle."