Chapter 3: Cutting off their retreat

  "Hui Qing, the students have been through hardships on Huangpu Island. Now that they're here, let them relax a bit and don't be too strict with them. As long as they don't violate major military discipline, turn a blind eye to other things." Sun Xinghua handed a large pancake to Jin Fuzhuang in front of him.

  "Vice-Commandant Sun, they are Whampoa students and Mr. Sun Yat-sen has high hopes for them. We cannot violate any regulations." Jin Fuzhuang politely declined Sun Xinghua's kind intentions.

  Sun Xinghua shook his head helplessly, took two more bites to regain some strength, and continued walking forward with the Colt pistol in hand.

  Most of the merchant fleet has been cleared out, with only a small portion continuing to resist.

  However, under the impact of the Huangpu Student Army, the resistance ability of the merchant team has been getting weaker and weaker.

  Although Jin Fuzhuang had differing opinions with Sun Xinghua, in order to protect the school's tactical deputy commander, Jin Fuzhuang temporarily dispatched Chen Gong and two others to stand guard beside Sun Xinghua.

  However, the kindness of Jin Fuzhuang brought great suffering to Sun Xinghua. On the battlefield, it was not Chen Gong and the other two who protected Sun Xinghua, but rather Sun Xinghua who protected them, fearing that something unexpected would happen because of his presence.

  "Captain Sun, let me go ahead instead. It's too dangerous for you." Chen Gong said with a worried face as he looked at Sun Xinghua scouting ahead.

  Sun Xinghua didn't dare to let the future founding general pioneer the way, waving his hand to signal Chen Gang not to speak. Sun Xinghua carefully looked ahead before walking back towards the rear.

  "Now the troops have launched an attack on the merchant group, and the merchant group's troops may not be able to withstand our attack. Chen Gong, please ask Chiang Kai-shek immediately to increase some troops for me, we will take charge of blocking their retreat route and prevent them from escaping." Sun Xinghua thought that the battle had reached this point, the merchant group was no longer a match for the student army, so he thought of this move to prevent the leader of the merchant group, Chen Lianbo, from escaping.

  "Yes, Instructor Sun." Chen Gong hastily saluted and ran towards the distance.

  Guan Linzheng and Du Yuming surrounded Sun Xinghua, cautiously looking around, fearing that Sun Xinghua would have some unexpected move.

  Looking at the two young people in front of him, Sun Xinghua shook his head and gestured for them to sit aside, but no matter what Sun Xinghua said, the two refused to sit with him.

  At that time, Guan Lianzeng and Du Yuming didn't have as many tricks up their sleeves as they did later. Within less than ten minutes, Sun Xinghua had completely spilled the beans about his situation, adding to his remaining memories, and finally figured out what was going on.

  Sun Xinghua was an overseas Chinese, and his father also provided financial support to Sun Yat-sen's revolution multiple times. After graduating from the Japanese Military Academy, Sun Xinghua participated in some local uprisings, but they were all unsuccessful. He then went to Germany for further study, where he spent more than two years. When Sun Yat-sen was preparing to establish the Whampoa Military Academy, he specifically sent a telegram to invite Sun Xinghua back from Germany to serve as the vice commandant of the academy.

  Of course, Sun Xinghua served as the deputy commander of the military academy, and there was a reason for that. Because his father had arranged a marriage for him, Sun Xinghua was so angry that he directly returned to China from Germany and became the deputy commander of the Whampoa Military Academy.

  Sun Xinghua was only 24 years old and had always gotten along well with these Whampoa students, so they had a very good impression of him.

  Just as Sun Xinghua was carefully sorting out his memories, Chen Gong walked over with three people.

  Chiang Kai-shek received Chen Gong's report and felt that Sun Xinghua's words were very insightful, so he specially strengthened their heavy machine gun to cut off the rear of the Shangtuan army.

  "Reporting to Instructor Sun, students Huang Jie, Li Xianzhou and Sun Yuanliang have arrived as ordered. Please instruct." The three students stood together, standing at attention and saluting.

  A Russian M1910 heavy machine gun was placed on one side, with two small wheels and a shield installed on the machine gun. Fortunately for Sun Xinghua, the merchant team did not have artillery, otherwise, relying on this clumsy thing, as long as the artillery aimed at it, there would be no chance to move even if they wanted to.

  "Alright, come with me." Sun Xinghua said and walked towards the side.

  Huang Jie and Sun Yuanliang were pushing the heavy machine gun forward, while Chen Gong handed his rifle to Li Xianzhou on the side and prepared to use the heavy machine gun.

  Gradually, the semicircle of bright moonlight, emitting a white-golden glow, quietly, almost imperceptibly, was embedded in the dark blue sky.

  The fierce battle was still going on. Sun Xinghua's troops had circled around to the back of the West Gate, making preparations for defense.

  Heavy machine guns were set up at the highest point, with Chen Gang and Li Xianzhou in charge. Sun Yuanliang and Huang Jie were deployed on the left flank of the heavy machine gun, while Guan Linzheng and Du Yuming were deployed on the right flank.

  The task of these four people was to cover the heavy machine gun. As for the main striking force, it was undertaken by the heavy machine gun. Sun Xinghua held a pistol and was responsible for killing and wounding enemy soldiers at close range.

  A day of fierce battle had left the student army extremely exhausted; all they could rely on was their youthful bodies and unyielding revolutionary will.

  "You all take a rest, if there's any situation I will notify you." Sun Xinghua said looking at Chen Gang and the others.

  Several people looked at each other and shook their heads.

  No matter what Sun Xinghua said, they were unwilling to rest and focused their attention on the west gate direction, fearing that a single merchant soldier would escape from here.

  For a night's time, several people chatted casually, but the soldiers of the merchant group did not appear here.

  October 16, 1924, 3:00 AM

  The merchant group leader Chen Lianbo urgently dispatched troops from Foshan and Humen to attack Huangpu Island, in order to lift the siege of Guangzhou. However, Huangpu Island had the protection of the Zhongshan warship, with a battery set up on the south side of the island, and machine guns, two old-fashioned field guns and two Japanese-made Hasaka guns deployed on the southwest and front sides, leaving no room for the rebels to maneuver.

  Xiguan, Chen Lianbo's residence, is a five-story European-style building with an independent architectural style, facing east and west. The first floor of the building has an area of about 400 square meters, with a French-style semi-underground floor that helps to prevent moisture and pests from disturbing the living quarters. The stone staircase leads up to the first floor, highlighting the noble status of the owner.

  The east gate entrance originally had an independent door hole guard, provided for the guards to watch, the building with a large spiral staircase, supplemented by a corridor, convenient for each layer to unify the ladder room connection, with a sense of style, and maintaining the independence of each layer use, another craftsmanship, the top floor is decorated with four eaves and Chinese-style glazed tile roof, presenting a combination of Chinese and Western architectural features.

  At this moment, Chen Lianbo stood outside, looking at his carefully built villa, with a dull expression on his face. He had miscalculated, the combat effectiveness of the Huangpu student army was astonishing, far beyond what his business team could match.

  "Master, the troops attacking Huangpu Island have failed. If we don't leave now, it will be too late." A subordinate walked over from outside and said to Chen Lianbo.

  Chen Lianbo let out a helpless sigh and slowly walked towards the sedan.

  He still had a chance, as long as he rushed to the sandy surface now, the British would assist him in escaping to Hong Kong. Once there, no one could touch him, but he was not willing to give up, his business which he had worked hard for so many years was completely destroyed overnight.

  "Take that woman away, she might still be useful at a critical moment." Chen Lianbo said coldly from inside the sedan.

  His subordinate nodded and walked towards the villa.

  More than 20 business team soldiers surrounded the sedan and followed it as it retreated towards the sandy area.

  But Chen Lianbo absolutely did not think that on the road from Xiguan to Shamao, Sun Xinghua had been waiting for a long time.

  Ishioka Arsenal became Sun Yat-sen's temporary office, guarded by the first batch of students from Whampoa Military Academy.

  Soong Ching-ling stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery outside, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

  "Xiang Ning, is there still no news of Shen Nong?" Song Qingling turned her head and asked He Xiangning behind her.

  "Not yet, I heard that Principal Chiang has already launched a fire attack on Xiguan. I'm really worried about Shen Nan's safety, if only I had known earlier, I should have stopped her from going to Xiguan to persuade Chen Lianbo." He Xiangning said with some regret.

  Soong Ching-ling sighed, hesitated for a moment, and looked at He Xiangning: "The situation is true. Mr. Sun personally issued the order to attack with fire. I will immediately contact the front line and let them rescue Shen Nan."

  After finishing speaking, Soong Ching-ling walked out towards the outside.

  He Xiangning let out a sigh and sat silently on the sofa.

  "Xiang Ning, still no news of Shen Nan?" Sun Zhongshan walked over from outside, asking seriously.

  He Xiangning saw Sun Yat-sen and hastily stood up, nodded and said: "There is no news for the time being, she may be in Xiguan."

  "Why didn't you say so earlier? I would have let Zhong Zheng rescue Vice Minister Shen first." Sun Yat-sen said with some regret, a pained expression on his face.

  He Xiangning looked at Sun Yat-sen, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't say it.

  Shen Nong is an early member of the alliance, although only 27 years old, but a veteran figure, now serving as Deputy Minister of Women's Department, with Liao Zhongkai's wife He Xiangning and Sun Yat-sen's wife Soong Ching-ling, all have very good feelings.