Chapter Twenty: Four Sides Pay Attention

  After nearly a week of fighting, "Divine Eagle" finally returned to Xiaowang Village. The villagers of Xiaowang Village also returned to the village one after another after the devils withdrew.

  "This time, the 'Divine Eagle' completely crushed the Japanese devils' security sweep of the surrounding areas in Chuxian County, annihilating over 230 Japanese soldiers, killing one Japanese captain and one lieutenant. The captured light and heavy weapons were enough to expand the 'Divine Eagle' into a reinforced regiment. The seized grain was enough for the entire 'Divine Eagle' unit to eat for more than three months. Adding the gold and silver yuan 'sent' by Shan Xiaojie, it can be said that the 'Divine Eagle' achieved a complete victory."

  There were 42 martyrs in this battle, with the fourth squad suffering the most. Deputy Squad Leader Shang Changfu was seriously injured and is still in a coma to this day. Of the 40 soldiers in the fourth squad, only 13 survived, with a mortality rate of three-quarters, making it the heaviest casualty since the establishment of the "Divine Eagle" unit. The fourth squad made significant sacrifices, buying time for the main force to capture Zhulang Town and rendering the enemy forces below unable to pursue.

  The significance of capturing Zhulang Town went beyond that, as ōshima Yasuaki was forced to withdraw due to the severance of supplies and reinforcements, and this was the first time since the July 7 Incident that Chinese armed forces captured a supply depot heavily guarded by Japanese troops. The reputation of China's "Divine Eagle" anti-Japanese special operations team spread far and wide.

  The KMT's intelligence station in Chuzhou County reported to the Third War Zone that "Shenying" was a mysterious unit, established around December 1937 after the fall of the capital. The commander's name is unknown. Since its establishment, nearly 500 Japanese soldiers have been eliminated. The unit uses mainly Japanese-made weapons and some KMT weapons. In early February 1938, during the anti-Japanese pacification campaign, "Shenying"'s commander demonstrated remarkable command skills, annihilating over 130 Japanese soldiers with less than 300 troops in a field battle, then attacking the enemy's logistics base in Zhulong Town and successfully implementing a pincer movement. Notably, "Shenying" soldiers received regular training, fought bravely, and had excellent combat quality. During the attack on Zhulong Town, a small unit infiltrated the town beforehand and coordinated with external forces to achieve victory. The battle resulted in 15 casualties for "Shenying", which annihilated the garrison and captured large quantities of war materials. The commander of Zhulong Town committed seppuku in shame, and the highest commander in Chuzhou County was demoted. After this battle, "Shenying"'s prestige among civilians reached an unprecedented level.

  The staff and intelligence personnel of the Third War Zone were stunned by this information. If what was said in this information was true, then this mysterious armed force was too terrifying. Not long ago, the Third War Zone had already received news that no National Army unit had left guerrilla forces behind enemy lines. In other words, this was a purely civilian armed force, whose commander not only had superb tactical command ability but also possessed extremely strong personal military qualities.

  Is it the National Army that escaped from Nanjing? Or is it the Communist guerrilla force?

  After careful analysis, the Third War Zone unanimously believed that it was impossible for the Communist Party's guerrilla forces. Given the Communist Party's style in Shanxi, they had already stirred up a storm in rural areas, and intelligence personnel could not have failed to notice. Moreover, there were no reports from the Communist Party's newspapers or radio stations. Although it was a period of cooperation between the Nationalists and Communists, the latter would have certainly publicized such an event to boost their prestige. The only possibility is that "Divine Eagle" was formed by some low-ranking officers and soldiers of the Nationalist Army who survived the Battle of Shanghai and the Defense of Nanjing. As for whether they were bandits? The possibility is zero, as bandits would not dare to attack the Japanese on their own initiative, seeking death?

  As long as it has nothing to do with the Communist Party, intelligence is quickly passed up until it reaches Chairman Chiang of the Military Commission. Chairman Chiang was being driven crazy by the defeat of the National Army, and this small unremarkable unit from Xuan County finally brought a bit of sunshine to his gloomy face.

  "Tell Gu Zhutong to send someone to take a look, don't let others get ahead."

  At the same time, the New Fourth Army headquarters and Yan'an also received similar intelligence reports. The report not only detailed the combat history and characteristics of the "Divine Eagle" but also anxiously stated that the existence of this unit in enemy-occupied areas had struck at the Japanese army's arrogance, greatly boosting the morale of the Chinese nation. However, it also brought a certain negative impact to our party's work in the region. Due to its immense prestige among the people, our party found it extremely difficult to mobilize and arm the masses in rural areas. Please provide further instructions from the organization on this matter.

  Ye Ting, the commander of the New Fourth Army, highly appreciated the tactics of "Divine Eagle" and believed that this was the correct choice under the current situation where the enemy was strong and we were weak, which was worth learning from. Vice Commander Xiang Ying expressed concern about the difficulties encountered by the party organization in the region and instructed the lower levels to always arm themselves with Marxism-Leninism, to propagate the Party's guidelines and policies extensively in rural areas.

  In comparison, Yan'an is much easier.

  The chairman carefully read the intelligence twice, "concentrate our forces, attack in one direction, annihilate the enemy in each battle, accumulate small victories into big ones. I think some of our high-ranking generals are not as good at using guerrilla tactics as others."

  "Chairman, in my opinion, this troop is quite similar to ours when we were in Jiangxi. You see, facing a strong enemy, they don't engage in direct confrontation, but instead jump to the enemy's rear and stir up a big mess."

  "The commander has a very clear mind, not engaging in a life-and-death struggle with the enemy, but rather gradually consuming the enemy's strength, ultimately achieving the goal of annihilation. Such talent will not be found in the Nationalist Party army. My opinion is that we should actively strive to win them over, inform Ye Ting and Xiang Ying, and make every effort to win over this unit. The work of mobilizing the masses must also be intensified."

  At the same time, the Japanese Central China Expeditionary Army Command also began to pay attention to this inconspicuous small unit in Chuzhou, but their intelligence was limited, and they did not know the enemy's strength or the commander's information. Therefore, the intelligence department was tasked with intensifying the collection of all intelligence related to "Shenying".

  Dr. Wu Qing of Chuxian Hospital has been filled with sorrow these past few days. The anti-Japanese propaganda team was dispersed just like that, and over half of the more than 1,000 people were killed by the devils. The remaining people scattered in all directions. On the other hand, the "Divine Eagle" anti-Japanese special operations team defeated the devils, who returned to Chuxian with their tails between their legs. Now, every street and alleyway, teahouse and tavern in Chuxian is talking about the mysterious and elusive "Divine Eagle" anti-Japanese special operations team. Even patients coming to see Dr. Wu would bring up the topic of "Divine Eagle". Some people exaggeratedly claimed that each member of "Divine Eagle" was a master of flying and wall-climbing, while others boasted that they had a distant relative in the "Divine Eagle" team, and there were also those who went around gathering information...

  Every time he heard this, Wu Qing's mouth would curve into a faint smile. The scene of meeting those three people in the hospital a month ago seemed to still be vivid in his mind, and he even remembered their faces clearly.

  "Desert to 'Divine Eagle'"? A bold idea suddenly popped into Wu Qing's mind, "Where can I find them?"

  Wu Qing could no longer find Chen Jihong's led Chinese "Eagle" anti-Japanese special task force, but Chen Jihong did not forget this righteous doctor.

  Chen Jifan's first task after returning to Xiaowangzhuang was to have Hu Yunfeng bring two clever soldiers to mix into Xucheng, no matter what method they used, they had to invite the doctor named Wu Qing back, Shang Changfu's life depended on him.

  The second thing is to record the information of the martyred warriors and immediately distribute condolence money to their families. Also, ask Wang Jicai to be responsible for preparing a grand memorial service.

  "Captain Chen, forgive me for my ignorance, what is the purpose of this memorial service?" Wang Jicai asked with a puzzled expression.

  "Well, the memorial service is to give a decent burial to the martyred soldiers and let all living people remember their contributions to the country and nation." Chen Jifan also couldn't find any good words to explain for a while.

  "So it is, it should be, it should be." Wang Jicai never thought that after dying in battle, he could still enjoy such treatment.

  Chen Jifang believed that a memorial service was necessary. In his conversation with Wang Jicai, he had come to understand that in this era, the status of soldiers, especially low-ranking ones, was actually very low. "Good men don't become soldiers," and the government didn't seem to have any conscription system or anything like that. As for militia reserves, it was even more impossible to discuss. Once a soldier died in battle, sometimes they didn't even leave behind a name, let alone receive compensation. Those who were injured and disabled mostly just received some money and were sent home to fend for themselves, and some soldiers who left the army fell into banditry due to poverty. The army was formed by recruiting, and if recruitment failed, they would resort to abduction or capture. Such an army could barely cope with internal conflicts, let alone face off against the regular Japanese troops. Because the soldiers fundamentally didn't know what they were fighting for - money? If their lives were at stake, then money should take second place, so many people naturally chose to desert and run as far away as possible.

  Chen Jifan thought that if Wang Jicai knew that one day, being a soldier would be called "the most lovely person", he would definitely have his mouth wide open.

  Xiao Wang Zhuang's news of holding a memorial service was spread to the surrounding areas by Chen Jifang in various forms. He wanted to establish this idea for these ordinary people through the memorial service: anyone who makes contributions to national independence and freedom, even if they sacrifice themselves, will be remembered by someone, and forever remembered.

  News from rural areas is scarce, even in the 21st century. The news that the legendary "Divine Eagle" team would be holding a memorial service in Xiaowang Village quickly spread throughout the surrounding area.

  "Li family's eldest brother, what is this memorial service?"

  "According to what people from Xiaowang Village said, it was to hold a decent funeral for the soldiers who died fighting against the devils."

  "Hold a funeral? That means we have to invite many monks."

  "Nonsense, they don't just hold funerals for soldiers, they also send money and food to the families of the deceased, and the troops even help with harvesting crops for the family. Such a troop is hard to find."

  "I also want to join the army and fight against the devils, but I don't know if they will accept me."

  "Run, let's go together! The devils have come and no one will be spared. Lijiazhuang has already been bloodbathed by the devils. Those who want to survive should join 'Shenying' and fight against the devils!"

  The memorial service was held on a sunny afternoon at the "Central Square" in Xiaowangzhuang, where the militia was first established.

  The mourning hall is set up in the style of the 21st century. A white cloth serves as the background, with a door made of fir branches adorned with paper-made white flowers. At the top, a long banner written in bold ink reads "Deep condolences to the heroes who sacrificed for national independence and freedom". Below it is the altar, where 42 memorial tablets are placed, with offerings such as steamed buns and pig's head in front. According to tradition, incense burners are also set up.

  What is most shocking is that on both sides of the memorial tablet, 8 fully armed soldiers are standing guard. Behind them are wreaths sent by various villages.

  At 3:00 pm, the memorial service officially began with a 21-gun salute by the Thirty-Eighth Rifle.

  Chen Jifa's first speech:

  "Compatriots, fellow villagers, the Japanese devils have arrived at our doorstep! They are slaughtering our loved ones on our land, humiliating our sisters, looting our food, and burning down our homes. In Wuyi Town, in Lijia Village, the devils show no mercy, killing everyone from children to the elderly, raping women at will. The Japanese devils are a bunch of things that aren't even as good as beasts! To defend our homeland, to prevent more compatriots from being harmed by the devils, over a month ago, right here in Xiaowang Village, 240 brave warriors stood up, taking up arms and training hard, fighting valiantly on the battlefield... Today, some of these warriors have left us forever. They sacrificed themselves for the independence and freedom of our Chinese nation! Their deaths are heavier than Mount Tai!"

  "Today we are here, in front of many parents and fellow villagers, to see them off. We, the living, must continue to fight on until all Japanese bandits who have occupied our homeland are eliminated. I, on behalf of all 'Divine Eagle' warriors, vow to the martyrs: those who kill my compatriots will be repaid in blood! Those who offend China will be punished no matter how far away they may be!"

  "He who offends against China will be punished, no matter how far away he may be!"

  "He who offends against China will be punished, no matter how far away he may be!"

  After Chen Jifan finished speaking, Vice Captain Zhong Dingcheng read out the names of the martyred soldiers and publicly announced the standard for consolation money and care policies for their families. Then he went to comfort the families of the martyrs again.

  The memorial service had an unexpectedly good effect, the flames in the hearts of the common people were ignited, and the hatred in the hearts of the warriors was stirred up. As a result, some people on the spot shouted to join the team to fight against the devils, and the scene was temporarily out of control.

  To ensure the smooth progress of the memorial service, Chen Jifang and Zhong Dingcheng both advocated for deploying a large number of personnel around the venue and at the main entrances to Xiao Wangzhuang. The reason was simple: since the news had been released, it was inevitable that there would be mixed fish and dragons among the attendees, and the location of the troops' barracks would no longer be secret. This move was also a pre-emptive measure to train the troops' safety awareness.

  The number of people asking to join the army is increasing, and Chen Jifan ordered someone to register one by one. Looking at the enthusiastic crowd signing up below, Chen Jifan did not show too much excitement, where should the troops go next? Chen Jifan had no idea in his heart.