Chapter Ten: Recruitment of Soldiers

  Xu Liang had already learned about the formation of the 4th Security Regiment through the party's liaison officer and was preparing to return to this unit as soon as possible according to the party's instructions, when Liang You Tian arrived.

  They recruited their first new soldier, Yan Xuewen. After spending some time together, he made up his mind to follow Xu Liang, no matter where Xu Liang went, he would follow. Geng Zhongyue heard that Xu Liang and others were recruiting soldiers and expanding their troops, and also volunteered to help. During the war, the railway department was a quasi-military unit, and the government generally did not forcibly recruit soldiers from railway employees. Geng Zhongyue told Xu Liang that there were many temporary resettlement personnel in their section who had retreated from the occupied areas north of the Yellow River, these people would rather leave their homes and become refugees than work in the railway department under the occupation of the devils, and should be easily mobilized to join the army. Workers are the Communist Party's primary reliance, so Xu Liang was very happy when he heard this. The two men ignored the doctor's advice and immediately processed their discharge procedures.

  Among the workers, a propaganda was spread, and more than 50 people signed up to join the army. Xu Liang selected over 30 young men with no burdens from among them. Zhang Lin had long wanted to join the military and fight the enemy, but Geng Zhongyue had been reluctant to let him go. This time, he reluctantly handed Zhang Lin over to Xu Liang. Old Geng was somewhat emotional: "To be honest, if I didn't have official duties, I'd want to join the army and fight those little devils to the death! Commander Xu is a good man, you can follow him with confidence. Remember, you're fighting for the country, not as bandits, but to protect the people. Be ruthless against the enemy, go to the battlefield to defend your home and country, don't be afraid of death or you'll shame us." "Don't worry, Geng Section Chief, Commander Xu said the same thing, that's why so many brothers are willing to join the army with him. I, Zhang Lin, will definitely learn from Yue Fei and Yang Family Generals to become a good man who fights against the enemy and reports back to the country."

  Xu Liang let Liang You Tian take the new recruits to Kaifeng, and he took Yan Xuewen and Xiao Wangzi back to Gongxian Arsenal by motorcycle. Before parting ways, Geng Zhongyue was reluctant to leave, saying: "Good brother, this time I didn't treat you well, next time you come to my house, we'll have a good drink together." Geng Zhongyue's words reminded Xu Liang, who instructed Liang You Tian to use the telephone at Kaifeng Railway Station to strengthen their contact. At that time, telephones were rare, and being able to use them for communication greatly enhanced their ability to take action. It's worth noting that until the late 1980s, many county towns in China still only had one public telephone switchboard for the entire county.

  Here is the translation:

  He Wuting saw Xu Liang and excitedly popped out from behind the table: "Ah, my old brother, you're back! Are you healed? The several seriously injured brothers who stayed in our factory for treatment later sacrificed two more. I was worried about you at the time, and I quickly sent someone to Zhengzhou to check on you. When they came back and said you were fine, I really wanted to sing praises for our great leader Li Chang. You've been idle in Zhengzhou for so long, ah, these days have been frustrating me to death! This guard post is a mess, big things and small things are all mixed up. But recently it's been better, people have dispersed more or less. Tonight the brothers will drink well! I'll treat you! Ah, old brother has been promoted. Good, great difficulties bring great blessings, we must celebrate again."

  Xu Liang smiled and waited for He Wuting to finish speaking before saying: "Thank you, older brother. When I was in the hospital, you sent people to visit me every now and then, and took care of my food and clothing. I don't know what to say."

  He Wuting said: "Older brother, your words are too kind. Every time Li Chang spoke with me, he mentioned you, saying you were a hero who helped our factory safely retreat to the rear lines. He told me to take good care of you. You're a talented and brave man, and I admire you greatly. Don't mention it, rest first. Your room is still reserved for you. Our factory is currently short-staffed, but we don't lack rooms. Rest first, and I'll have the duty officer buy wine and meat. Tonight we'll gather together."

  Xu Liang said: "Older brother, I have something to trouble you with this time."

  He Wuting replied: "We can talk about it tonight. Xiao Wangzi, is that your car? Ah, you've also been promoted to lieutenant? I heard the motorcycle and thought one of my men was driving recklessly again, but it turned out to be you who arrived. Tonight we'll all drink together, Xiao Yan, you come too!"

  Xiao Yan asked: "Me? Do I have to come?"

  He Wuting said: "You've been taking care of Xu Liang for several months, and although you don't have any merits, you do have hardships. You should be rewarded. Besides, Xu Liang has always advocated for equality between officers and soldiers, so since you're following him, you'll be treated equally too. Haha."

  Xu Liang went back to his original room to collect his personal belongings. Before long, some of the workers who were familiar with him and had studied culture with Yan Xuewen came to visit Xu Liang in twos and threes. Xu Liang had originally wanted Yan to find them, but he didn't expect these backbone workers to arrive so quickly. It turned out that when they entered the factory, someone saw them, and with He Wuting's errand boy going out to buy wine and meat, the news of Xu Liang's return spread throughout the factory in an instant. There were not many people left in the factory, among whom some were waiting specifically for Xu Liang. Xu Liang told these people about the situation of the War of Resistance, talking about the brutal Nanjing Massacre and the various atrocities committed by the Japanese devils on Chinese soil. These workers were all filled with righteous indignation. Xu Liang took the opportunity to promote the Communist Party's program, not only to defeat the Japanese devils, defend their own country, but also to establish a new China that was free, democratic, equal, without exploitation or oppression, where people were masters of their own homes. "At that time, everyone will have food to eat, clothes to wear, farmers will have land, farming will be mechanized, and all the common people will live in peace and prosperity, with education for the young, care for the old, living in high-rise buildings, using electric lights and telephones." Xu Liang himself was deeply attracted by the prospect he depicted, while those workers were like seeing a bright future in the dark, their blood boiling with enthusiasm, willing to sacrifice everything for this beautiful ideal, for the sake of their children and grandchildren's strong country.

  Xu Liang talked about the recruitment, and many of his fellow workers present expressed their willingness to follow him into the army: "Officer Xu, we're sticking with you, wherever you go, we'll go, fighting against the devils and for our country, no hesitation." The more they spoke, the more enthusiastic they became, until He Wuting sent a soldier to invite Xu Liang to dinner. After these workers left, some others were influenced by them and also wanted to join the army. There were also some landless peasants who had originally come from poor rural areas to Guanxian Arsenal to find work, but unexpectedly found that the arsenal had moved away, this time they joined the 4th Guard Regiment together with the enlisted workers. Xu Liang's trip to Guanxian eventually brought back more than 50 new recruits.

  It was a lively dinner party that night. With wine, meat and white buns, it was already quite sumptuous. After three rounds of drinks, He Wuting asked: "Brother, didn't you say you had something to do this afternoon?" Xu Liang briefly told him about the establishment of the 4th Security Team. He Wuting's face showed a difficult expression: "Brother, recruiting soldiers is really not easy to handle. Local affairs are not our business, and this is not our jurisdiction...". "Big brother, I only need to find some people among our factory workers." "But these people who haven't left are mostly homesick, and they may not be willing to join the army. Besides, big brother, what can I say? The reputation of the Security Team has never been good. Brother, you know I'm not talking about you, but those guys have already ruined it. We can't follow their example and forcibly recruit soldiers, right?" Xu Liang smiled slightly: "Okay, big brother, don't worry, we won't force anyone to join. I just need a few people, as long as big brother helps me post a recruitment notice, the workers who want to come will come, and those who don't want to won't be forced. It's all voluntary." "That's no problem. As your big brother, I can't let you go back empty-handed. Whoever wants to join you and eat military rations, I'll provide them with full equipment, so they can leave our gate fully armed. Consider it a dowry for the marriage." "Ah, old brother, Xu Liang will drink a cup, and toast you again!" "Wait, brother, I still have something to say." "Oh?" "I said earlier that recruiting soldiers is not easy to handle, and providing equipment seems like an empty promise. Brother, don't rush, I'll give you the equipment for a whole infantry company according to our guard team's standards, no matter how many soldiers you recruit here. The new recruits' personal belongings don't count." Xu Liang was overjoyed: "Good big brother, you...I don't know what to say! Really, let me toast you again!"