Chapter Sixteen: A Cry for Help from Spain (Vote Collection)

  ument.write(

  A civil war has broken out in Spain! The whole base is passing on the news. Sun Xiang thought about the situation of civil wars throughout history: On July 17, 1936, under the cryptic message "the entire Spanish sky is clear", the army stationed in Melilla, Spanish Morocco, first launched a rebellion, and the next day, Francisco Franco, the commander of the colonial army in Morocco, flew to Tetouan to command the rebel army. The rebellion spread throughout major cities in Spain, at which time 80% of the Republican Army's officers and soldiers were controlled by the rebels.

  On November 8, 1936, the streets of Madrid echoed with the singing of "The Internationale" in French, English and German as the first international brigade to support the Spanish people's anti-fascist struggle arrived in Madrid. In the battle to defend the newly-born Republic, defend Spain's independence and freedom, the International Brigades made immortal contributions and wrote a song of internationalism that can be sung with tears.

  In February 1936, the Popular Front, composed of progressive organizations such as the Socialist Party, Republican Left, Republican Union, and General Union of Workers, among others, won a majority in the general election and formed a coalition government, opening up a promising prospect for the development of democratic institutions through peaceful means.

  The Republic of Spain was soon established, and the military leaders led by Franco, with the support of German and Italian fascists, launched an armed rebellion on July 18, 1936. The German and Italian fascists not only provided a large number of weapons to support Franco but also sent armed forces to intervene in Spain. The Spanish people who loved freedom and independence, various progressive forces, and all laboring people rose up to defend the Republic.

  Sun Xiang knew this was a great opportunity for himself, and he must have a reasonable identity before returning home. Participating in the International Brigade became the fastest and most convenient way to do so. Thinking of this, Sun Xiang clarified his current goal and decided to join the International Brigade. In these few days, some people in the army began to sign up for the International Brigade, all of whom were participating in the war as individuals. The desire for war is a hallmark of every professional soldier. Today was August 16th, and Sun Xiang planned to depart four days later. Within those four days, he had to arrange everything.

  He first went to the Hughes Institute, and after learning about Sun Xiang's idea, Hughes strongly opposed: "Listen, Steve, this is an irrational act, you shouldn't take the initiative to find trouble in war! Since you say that World War II is going to start, then you shouldn't go to Spain at this time. Listen to me, buddy, now that place is very chaotic, with various forces fighting together, **, Democratic Party, rebel army, government army, and other countries' forces. This is not a simple war."

  Sun Xiang: "I know this isn't a simple war, Hughes! But it's important to me, you have to understand that I'm not going to Spain for independence or liberation. I just want to experience this war because many new weapons will be unveiled in this conflict. And I need your help to transport two of our planes to Spain to test their performance. A fighter plane can only truly demonstrate its capabilities by fighting against another fighter plane. Hughes, your dream is to fly around the world, and you spare no effort to make it happen, even going so far as to acquire a national-level aircraft manufacturer. My dream is simply to protect my hometown! Nothing more. But when I return to my country, I need a good reputation, or else I won't be able to change anything. And this war is my chance to make a name for myself, only through it can I let the world understand me and have the opportunity to change everything."

  "Hughes fell silent for a long time: 'Alright, pal, I know what you're thinking. The aircraft factory will continue to support you. To avoid our new plane from being obtained by competitors and getting more information, I'll modify an existing F4U plane, install our Storm engine, and try to deliver it to Spain within two weeks. But Steve!! You must come back alive!!'"

  Xun Xiang looked at Hughes emotionally: "Thank you for understanding me, Howard!"

  "Hmph, we're all crazy, aren't we? We'll do anything for our dreams."

  Sun Xiang burst out laughing: "You're right, Hughes! For our dreams!"

  After leaving the Hughes Institute, Sun Xiang went to the base hospital to find Sherry. On the way, Sun Xiang's heart was in a mess, not knowing how to talk to Sherry. At the entrance of the hospital, he saw Emile, "Steve~~hello, are you here to see Sherry?" "Hello, Emile, is Sherry around? I have something to find her."

  Amy replied: "Ah, she's in the duty room, want me to call her for you?"

  Sun Xiang: "Never mind, I'll go find her myself." Emile looked at Sun Xiang strangely: "Alright then, just keep going straight and you'll reach the duty room."

  It's noon now, and there are very few people in the corridor. Walking to the end of the corridor, I saw Sherry sleeping on the desk in the duty room. Sun Xiang smelled the faint scent of disinfectant, just silently looking at Sherry. The sunlight from outside shines in, evenly scattered around Sherry's body, and now Sherry is like a princess in a fairy tale. Sun Xiang still stands silently at the door, his heart filled with strong reluctance, but that strong sense of responsibility he felt at Hughes' place woke him up! Sherry seemed to feel something, suddenly lifted her head, saw Sun Xiang standing at the door, and couldn't hide her surprised eyes. "Darling! You're here, we haven't seen each other for a whole day!"

  Xun Xiang seemed a bit quiet: "Sherry, listen to me..."

  Sherry looked at Sun Xiang with a puzzled face: "What's wrong, dear?"

  "Maybe I'll be leaving for a while..."

  "Where are you going?" Sheri asked tensely.

  "Spain."

  Sherry's face was expressionless: "Can't we not go?"

  Sun Xiang couldn't bear to say: "I think... it won't work, that's the way to my dream place!"

  "Can't you just consider it a little more? You know how much I love you, I can't lose you!"

  Looking at Sherry's painful crying face, Sun Xiang was about to change his decision, but then Sherry stopped her crying and choked back tears, saying: "Okay, Steve, that's your dream, I have no right to stop you from pursuing it, but I will also pursue my life! You have no right to interfere with this matter!"

  When Sherry spoke, Sun Xiang's heart sank. Is she going to break up with me? Sun Xiang smiled self-deprecatingly. Yeah, I couldn't ask her to follow someone who doesn't know his future. Sun Xiang's expression was complex as he looked at Sherry's serious face. In the end, he helplessly shook his head: "Okay, Sherry, I'll let go! Go pursue your life, I know I shouldn't selfishly keep you by my side. You're so captivating, I wish you find someone who truly loves you. But before you leave, please allow me to say it one more time - I love you; I love you, dear Sherry, your figure has been deeply imprinted in my heart! Goodbye, my love!!!" After saying this, Sun Xiang's body seemed to have lost all its strength in that instant. He didn't say anything else and turned around to leave. Why does my heart hurt so much? Sun Xiang thought to himself as he walked back to his room at the base in a daze... Gentle village is a hero's tomb, ah!

  Sherry was stunned after hearing Sun Xiang's long speech, the words at first deeply hurt her heart, tears couldn't stop flowing down, but when she finished listening to what Sun Xiang said, a charming smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, this silly guy...

  Sun Xiang fell asleep, sleeping very soundly, and when he woke up again it was already the afternoon of the second day. The pain in his heart could only be buried with time. When he saw his comrades again, he still wore his signature smile. He told Andy and a few others about his plan, and they all expressed their understanding, but reminded him to be careful. Almost every student from the 10th period came, and Sun Xiang smiled as he hugged each one and accepted their blessings.

  Ruide looked at Sun Xiang, feeling a pang in his heart. He couldn't abandon his wife and family to go to Spain with Sun Xiang. At first, when he received the news, he was also excited, but thinking about his responsibilities, he dispelled the flames of enthusiasm.

  "Alright buddy, don't be disappointed! When I get to Spain, I'll show off all my skills, then tell them that there's another guy in America who's even more awesome than me! How's that? Giving you face, right?" Sun Xiang said with an exaggerated expression, and the surrounding soldiers burst out laughing.

  "Steve! You have to come back alive!! I'm waiting for you to compete with me on flying skills, this is our agreement!" The surroundings were quiet, no one spoke.

  "Alright, this is our promise! Thank you for your blessing, Ruid." After bidding farewell to everyone once again, Sun Xiang resolutely walked out of the base with his backpack... At this time, two moving figures emerged from the corner, possibly having just watched the scene of the men parting ways. The faces of the two women still had tear stains on them. "I can't take it anymore, why don't they cry? Laughing is even harder to look at than crying!" Emile said while sobbing. Xue Li: "Men are a species that's hard to understand. Don't look at how good our relationships are with each other as women, but between men, sometimes two people who aren't very familiar with each other can even give their lives for each other! They're just such strange guys, but they always tug at the hearts of us women."

  Emil looked at Sherry with a weird expression: "When did you study men so deeply?"

  Cherry's face turned red as she replied: "That was all between Steve and me."

  Emil: ...