Chapter 29: The Twists and Turns of Recruiting Soldiers

  After returning from the Nanjiao barracks, Chen Jifan felt much more at ease. In any case, being able to establish a relationship with General Sun Liren, a national army officer, would make things easier in Wuhan. Especially since General Sun had already tacitly approved his recruitment efforts, it was now up to him.

  After returning to the inn, the three of them had drunk a lot of wine and didn't say anything else, each going back to their room to rest.

  The next morning, when Wang Jicai rushed back to the hotel in a hurry, Chen Jifan and his two companions had just gotten up. Seeing Wang Jicai bursting into the room with an excited face, he shouted from afar: "Officer Chen, I have some good news and some bad news, which one do you want to hear first?"

  Chen Jifan looked at his dusty appearance and felt very grateful. He first asked Wang Jicai to sit down, then poured some water from the thermos and handed it over, "You've had a hard time, Mr. Wang. Come on, take your time."

  "Director Chen, don't be polite. These past few days I've been to Wuhan's three towns mainly to meet with old business friends. Relying on this old face of mine, my friends are still willing to give me some consideration. The supplies you ordered have basically taken shape. However, there's a piece of bad news next - I don't know if Director Chen is willing to listen?" Wang Jicai said with a hint of pride as he took over the water cup.

  Chen Jifan couldn't help but feel both annoyed and amused by his behavior. Is this a problem with people in this era? "Mr. Wang, just spit it out already. Even if it's bad news, I want to hear it clearly."

  "Luckily, I have not disgraced my mission. The supplies that Director Chen entrusted me to purchase are basically fine, it's just..."

  "Mr. Wang, please rest assured that money is not a problem, we absolutely believe in Mr. Wang." Chen Jifan saw him pause on purpose and immediately added. Now, money is far less important to Chen Jifan than tangible materials, and Chen Jifan is not a businessman, so for him, money is just one of the many spoils of war, so he is very generous.

  "Director Chen misunderstood, the national crisis is at hand, how could these friends of mine make a fortune from this crisis by being disloyal? Moreover, I volunteered to join everyone, would I be here to act as an intermediary to pull in business? Don't worry, all the materials are priced fairly. The bad news I'm telling you is about transportation, Director Chen, think about it, once we purchase these materials, how can we transport so many things back? I've contacted several transportation companies, and as soon as they hear that we need to transport to Chuzhou, they immediately refuse. To put it nicely, they're afraid of safety concerns, but to be blunt, they suspect us of being enemies of the state. Honestly, Director Chen, I'm really at a loss for what to do." He finished speaking, took a sip of water, and sighed.

  "So, Mr. Wang, I'll trouble you to make another trip this afternoon and pay them some deposit money. Let's finalize the quantity and delivery time. I'll have Luo Yuguang accompany you, it's safer with him on the road. As for transportation, don't worry about it, I'll think of a way." Chen Jifan said after thinking for a moment.

  "By the way," Wang Jicai put down his teacup and said, "I have a friend who wants to sell his small repair factory. He says he's thinking of going to Chongqing and asked me if I'm interested. With all the chaos and war, what would I do with a repair factory? So I turned him down."

  "What's a repair factory? Is there a machine tool?" Chen Jifan's eyes suddenly lit up.

  "Look what you're saying, what kind of repair factory doesn't have a lathe? This friend said his factory was relocated from Shanghai, the equipment was newly purchased, with one lathe, two drilling machines, four small punch presses and an arc welding machine, in addition to some tools."

  "It's really effortless, Mr. Wang. Let's put other things aside for now and trouble you to make another trip. You must acquire this repair factory. Of course, if we can save some money on the price, that would be even better."

  Wang Jicai asked with a puzzled face: "Officer Chen, what are we going to do with these things? Are we still going to do business in Wuhan? Besides, they also proposed a condition that there are several master craftsmen who have followed him for many years in his factory, hoping to come over with the factory..."

  "You mean he's also suitable for Teacher Fu?" Chen Jifan excitedly stepped forward and grabbed Wang Jicai's hand, "Then there's even less to say, we must get him on board, remember definitely! Trouble you!"

  "Alright, I'll try my best."

  After Wang Jizai left, Chen Jifan called Hu Yunfeng and Luo Yugang to his room and briefly introduced the situation to them. Luo Yugang had no opinion on the arrangement of the company commander and saluted before going out to find Wang Jizai directly. Only Hu Yunfeng was a little heartbroken about the gold and silver coins in his hand.

  "Commander Lian, after we return, our brothers will have to drink the northwest wind." Hu Yunfeng joked.

  "What's wrong with you, kid? If we run out of money, we can always earn more. But if Wuhan falls, we won't even be able to spend our money."

  "By the way, Battalion Commander, where did Su Ni Hong that little girl go? Doesn't she want to stay in the troops anymore and is avoiding us on purpose?" Hu Yunfeng quickly changed the subject.

  "How do I know? Never mind her, this afternoon you and I will go to the Nanjiao barracks again. We must take advantage of these few days to find a few who can fight, otherwise those silver dollars will really be wasted." Chen Jifan said with a serious face.

  "Commander Lian, I feel like you're becoming more and more like a businessman. If your general fellow townsman were to hear this, it would probably be very bad for you?" Hu Yunfeng also pretended to be serious.

  "I'm saying you little kid don't understand humor? Am I that kind of person?" Chen Jifan retorted.

  The two of them walked out of the hotel and got on the bus while they were talking.

  When the two returned to the Nanjiao barracks again, all the wounded soldiers in the camp welcomed them like long-lost relatives, and everyone gathered around their car. As the saying goes, "once you're familiar, twice you're friends", this was Chen Jifan's third visit, and the previous two times he had given them money and haircuts. These soldiers had been away from home for a long time, especially after withdrawing from Wuhan, and no one had shown as much concern for them as Chen Jifan and his companions, so they unconsciously regarded them as their own people.

  "They're all simple and honest men, we just treated them a little better than usual, and they've become like this..." Chen Jifan gazed out the window at the swarming soldiers.

  Chen Jifan and Hu Yunfeng quickly got out of the car and extinguished the fire. As soon as they stepped out of the car door, they were surrounded.

  "Hello sir, sir has come to see us again."

  "The boss must eat here today and then leave, the kitchen has left good dishes."

  "Officer, why don't you come in and sit down for a bit? We have some hot water to drink."

  "Go away, your dog den is full of stench, even the officials can't stand it when they come. Let's go to our house instead."

  "Boss, your marksmanship was incredible that day, teach me sometime when you're free."

  "With those two punches of yours, it's useless to teach you. Can you even hit a little devil with your skills?"

  Before Chen Jifan and Hu Yunfeng could speak, everyone started chattering and gossiping, with occasional bursts of laughter.

  Chen Jifan watched these wounded soldiers quarreling with each other, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. The decadent atmosphere that had pervaded this military camp before was now completely gone. Watching them, Chen Jifan felt as if he had returned to his original unit once again.

  "Looks like we're out of luck this time," Hu Yunfeng said quietly to Chen Jifan.

  "Brothers, we appreciate your enthusiasm!" Chen Jifan shouted loudly with a hint of a smile, "But I didn't bring any money today!"

  Everyone burst out laughing. "How can we let Director Chen spend money again? We know that the money Director Chen gives is earned by the brothers of 'Shenying' with their lives, no matter what, we remember the great kindness of Director Chen and 'Shenying', brothers, do you agree?"

  A burst of applause followed.

  Chen Jifang said solemnly, "I came here today to ask you all a question: Do you still want to fight the devils? Do you still want to avenge our fallen brothers?"

  As soon as Chen Jifan's voice fell, the relaxed and warm atmosphere that everyone had just now suddenly turned cold. Some lowered their heads, some gazed at the sky, letting the tears in their eyes swirl around.

  A bold soldier slowly walked forward, standing at attention and saluting Chen Jifang and the other two, "Reporting to the superior officer, it's not that we don't want to fight, but the battle is being lost miserably. The brothers are defending their positions, but often they haven't even seen the enemy's face before being bombed by planes and cannons. If you say we should fight the devils to the death, I, Liu Erwa, have no complaints, but the brothers are all afraid, afraid that if they go up again, they won't even see the devil's face before seeing King Yan. If the brothers below ask, I'd be too ashamed to say anything."

  Chen Jifan patted his shoulder, "Liu Erwa brothers, I remember you," then raised his head and shouted loudly: "Brothers, it's not your fault that the battle hasn't been won yet. You've all done your best! In the future, our descendants will forever remember you! Will forever remember every single person who fought for the country and nation to avoid being bullied!"

  Everyone below listened intently to Chen Jifan's words, and Chen Jifan paused for a moment before continuing: "In our 'Divine Eagle', the most precious thing is not guns, nor bullets, but the life of every warrior! We can seize guns and ammunition from the devils, but if we lose people, if the lives of our warriors are exhausted, then the common people will have no hope! The devils are getting closer and closer, more and more of our land is being occupied, more and more civilians are being killed, more and more sisters are being raped. Can you eat your meals in peace? In a few days, we'll be done with our business and leave, because I'm going back to kill the devils. As long as I'm around, those little devils won't dare sleep soundly. As long as 'Divine Eagle' is around, those devils won't dare rampage on our land again. To tell you the truth, many people in 'Divine Eagle' are just peasants who have only held guns for a few days, but we need brave warriors like all of you who have received regular training and fought with the devils! Today, we came to find a few such brave warriors among you, to go with us to the devils' doorstep, to kill those beasts! Whoever is willing to go, report your name, I'll go talk to Officer Sun, he's an old acquaintance of mine."

  "Sir, it's not that we don't want to go, but everyone is worried about being a burden to you if they went." Liu Erwa said timidly.

  Liu Erwa said that, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere sank into an awkward silence. Chen Jifan couldn't think of anything to say either, after all, he couldn't point a gun at people. Just as everyone had nothing to say, a truck came speeding in from the main gate, packed with students holding small paper flags, both boys and girls.

  Chen Jifan felt annoyed, why did a truck always appear when he was about to do something serious? This time it definitely wasn't Sun Liren, what were these students doing running around here with nothing better to do?

  The car stopped and a girl jumped out of it in a hurry. It was Su Nianhong who had been missing for a day.

  "Company Commander, you guys are really fast, it's hard for me to catch up!" Su Nianhong said while running.

  What's wrong with this girl again? Just causing trouble. Chen Jifan and Hu Yunfeng thought the same thing in their hearts.

  "I've brought the person over, how's that? Shouldn't I get some credit for it?"

  Bring people? What people? Still remember the favor? This girl must be ill.

  "Little sister, stop messing around!" Su Jingwei followed up from behind. "Officer Chen, I'm really sorry to trouble you. My little sister insisted on having me drive her classmate over here, saying that her classmate wanted to meet the hero who fought against the devils." Since Su Jingwei had seen Chen Jifan and his superior, General Sun Liping, address each other as brothers, he could no longer bring himself to use the familiar term "brother" for Chen. He simply changed his address to "Officer".

  "Commander, don't listen to my brother's nonsense. I've been helping the troops with real work these past few days." Su Nianhong said with a serious face and pursed lips.

  "Su, what's going on here?" Chen Jifan was somewhat perplexed by these two siblings.

  Hu Yunfeng also asked: "Yes, Miss Su, what's going on?"

  "Director Hu, I'm declaring once again, don't call me Su - little - sister, we are comrades-in-arms, please call me Comrade Su Nianhong." Su Nianhong had a dignified and righteous expression.

  Hu Yunfeng didn't dare speak again.

  Su Jingwei slowly said: "Officer Chen, Brother Hu, let my sister tell you!"

  Su Nianghong saw Chen Jifan casting a puzzled glance at herself, so she stepped forward with her chest out: "Reporting to the two superiors, Su Nianghong, warrior of China's 'Divine Eagle' anti-Japanese special operations team, has arrived!" But immediately afterwards, her tone became softer, "Behind me are my junior brothers and sisters, they want to join our troops."

  "What? Join the army? Nonsense! Do you think fighting is a joke? You think it's a tourist trip?" Chen Jifan scolded without hesitation.

  "You——" Su Nianhong was so humiliated that she almost cried out loud.

  Hu Yunfeng saw the situation was not good, and quickly came out to mediate, "Miss Su, no, Comrade Su, the captain means that what we need most now is soldiers with combat experience. That's why I followed the captain to the barracks to recruit soldiers."

  "Turn around and say to Chen Jifan: "Commander Lian, Miss Su is also kind-hearted, don't be anxious."

  Chen Jifan also felt that his previous words were a bit too heavy, so he changed his tone and said to Su Ni Hong: "Comrade Su Ni Hong, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but on the battlefield, bullets don't distinguish between people, and the enemy's bayonet doesn't care who you are. If we want to recruit people, aren't there still few people in Xiao Wang Zhuang? What did Hu and I come to the military camp for? Isn't it to find some real soldiers who have been tested in war? You tell me, what can your fellow students do on the battlefield? Go to be slaughtered by the enemy?"

  "I disagree with the officer's words," said a male student behind Su Nianhong. "Firstly, no one is born to fight, and if we don't know how, we can learn; secondly, soldiers with culture will definitely be good soldiers, and conversely, if an army has no culture or refuses to accept cultured people, I must say frankly, this army will have no future."

  Kid, quite arrogant. However, Chen Jifan took a good look at the student behind him, whose outfit he had seen on TV before - just a long gown and cloth shoes with a gray scarf draped around his neck, no glasses.

  "Well said, very insightful! May I ask what's your name?"

  "Li Xiangtao, the strategist," Li Xiangtao said solemnly, "with national crisis looming, please allow us to join your noble army."

  "Why don't you join the National Army?" Chen Jifan continued to ask.

  "Because I think your army needs us more."

  "Oh?" Chen Jifeng became more and more interested in this young man. "Tell me, you seem to have some understanding of our army."

  "It's not that I understand," Li Xiangtao continued in his calm and composed tone, "I once knew about your army from the brief words in the newspaper and Su's introduction. I dare to say that your army must be a promising unit."

  Hu Yunfeng finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, it seemed that Su Nianhong had done a lot of advertising. And in front of him, a student actually said with a straight face that his own unit "had great prospects", which sounded full of humor.

  Li Xiangtuo didn't care about him and continued to say: "With the current strength of your army, if tactics are used properly, it will be of great help to the National Army's resistance against Japan. However, I must speak frankly, without a solid foundation among the people in the enemy's rear, we cannot rely on it. We students may not be good at fighting, but we can serve as propagandists, organize the masses, collect grain and recruit soldiers, and even do intelligence work..."

  "Halt! Who taught you to say these words?" Chen Jifeng didn't believe that an ordinary university student would understand these things, and there must be someone around him who was capable.

  "I apologize, sir. Some of the views are indeed not mine, but I promised him not to reveal his identity and name. As for us, sir, you only need to know that we are also Chinese people who do not want to be slaves of a lost country." Li Xiangtao said.

  He didn't say that Chen Jifang could also guess it. This kid, even if he's not a Communist Party member, is still a target for development. Only someone who has received party education can express such views.

  However, Chen Jihong didn't care about these things. Although he was a Communist Party member from the future, when the country is in danger, he couldn't care about other party struggles, as long as it was beneficial to the war effort, he would unite with others.

  "Alright. Comrade Li Xiangtao, we, on behalf of all members of 'Divine Eagle', welcome you and your schoolmates. Just be prepared to suffer afterwards, mentally prepare yourselves."

  As soon as Chen Jihong finished speaking, those students burst into cheers, as if they had picked up a treasure.

  "Thank you, Director Chen. Is there anything else we need to do?" Li Xiangtao seemed very excited.

  "Not for now, you and your classmates go back and make some preparations first. Also, write down each of your own, the more detailed the better. Su Nianhong!"

  "Here!" Su Nianhong excitedly stood up.

  "I've approved their application, you take everyone back first, and don't spread the word about what happened today, got it?"

  "Yes!" Su Nianhong turned around and prepared to leave.

  "Wait! We will remember everything you have done for our troops." Chen Jifeng said sincerely.

  Su Jingwei had no choice but to follow him back, because only he could drive. As they were about to leave, Su Jingwei suddenly ran to Chen Jifan's side and stood at attention: "Reporting to the superior officer, original tax police team lieutenant colonel Su Jingwei applies to join 'Divine Eagle', please approve."

  What's going on today, the east isn't shining but the west is shining brightly. The main character doesn't have any reaction, but there are some unexpected gains. Su Jingwei this kid isn't a bad talent, and he has feelings and righteousness. Moreover, among these tax police team soldiers, once they join, there's no one more suitable to lead them than him.

  Chen Jifeng immediately grasped his hand, somewhat excitedly saying: "Su younger brother, thank you for your trust, but what about Lord Lao's place? And General Sun's place, will he let you go?"

  "My father and I have already discussed this yesterday, he will be moving to Chongqing soon, but I definitely won't be going. The country is in a state of emergency, as a soldier, I should be fighting on the front lines, there's no reason for me to hide in the rear. Officer Chen, although we haven't known each other for long, you and your team have given me the confidence to fight again. I, Su Jingwei, am willing to become a 'Divine Eagle' warrior, to fight against the Japanese devils under Officer Chen's command until the end. Please accept my application." He then stood at attention again.

  "Alright! I accept your application. Let's go to General Sun together and talk about it. By the way, you should also know the purpose of our visit today, but my brothers have some concerns..."

  "Director Chen, I think this way, you and Director Hu go back first, the brothers' affairs will be handled when I come back, in any case, the brothers here admire you a lot, I believe some of them will make their choice."

  "Alright, I'll leave it to you for now. Remember, don't bring too many people, and those who are seriously injured won't go either. The medical conditions over there are poor, don't put them in harm's way." Chen Jifan added a few more words of caution.

  After Su Jingwei sent the students away, Chen Jifan never mentioned the topic of recruiting soldiers to the wounded again. However, the wounded insisted on keeping two people for lunch, and the two did not decline, eating a second meal in the Nanjiao barracks.

  Recruiting soldiers can't be rushed, otherwise it will cause resentment and that would be bad.

  After lunch, the two went back to Wuhan directly and planned to meet Wang Jicai in the evening to finalize all kinds of supplies. After all, they couldn't stay in Wuhan for long.