Chapter 21: Comradeship

  When Chen Jifang and other main officers of the "Divine Eagle" went to visit Shang Changfu, Shang Changfu was still in a coma with a high fever that wouldn't subside. He Chunxiang was giving him an injection when she saw so many people suddenly appear before her, and hastily stood up.

  "Chunxiang, you've worked hard. How's Shang Chang doing?" Chen Jifan waved his hand, indicating for her to continue.

  "Commander, all the officers, you must think of a way to save him. I've thought of every possible method and if this continues, Captain Shang won't last much longer." He Chunxiang said with a hint of tears in her voice.

  "Hu has already gone to Chuzhou to invite Dr. Wu, Chunxiang, no matter what, please insist on waiting for Dr. Wu to arrive, if there's anything you need, just mention it and we'll figure out a way." Chen Jifan said as he put some things on the table.

  Hu Yunfeng has been out for two days. Logically speaking, even if he crawled, he should have crawled back by now. Hopefully nothing bad happened to him.

  Zhao Jun remained silent, with tears swirling in his eyes.

  "What's wrong with you? Hurry up and go pick up Old Hu and the others!" Chen Jifan yelled at Zhao Jun.

  Zhao Jun was startled by Chen Jifan's loud shout and came back to his senses, responding with a "yes" before going out.

  "This kid, it's not his first time seeing this scene, why is he like a new recruit." Chen Jifan turned his head to say to Zhong Dingcheng.

  "Captain, I can understand Zhao Jun's feelings. Shang Piao is the first seriously wounded comrade we met after arriving here, and he was also injured while fighting side by side with him. Captain, if someone next to me were to sacrifice or be seriously injured, perhaps I would feel even more sorrowful."

  Chen Jifan knew he was comforting himself and quickly said, "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. How is the situation with the troops?"

  The training of the troops has always been the responsibility of Deputy Commander Zhong Dingcheng, and in recent days, some young men from surrounding villages have come to join the troops.

  "There are over 300 new recruits who have signed up now, I've organized them into three new recruit battalions, with Song Guantao and others in charge of the first stage of basic training, the outline has already been sent out."

  "More than 300 people, plus our original 240 people, Old Zhong, we may be promoted." Chen Jifan smiled slightly.

  Zhong Dingcheng immediately understood his meaning, "The troops are expanded into a battalion, I think it's feasible, but the formation still needs to be considered."

  "When Hu Yunfeng arrives, let's get together! It's been almost two months since we came here, and every day is busy fighting. We should have a good chat." Chen Jifan looked into the distance.

  "Report, report to the two officers, Hu, Hu squad leader they are back, and brought a few people with them."

  Chen Jifan and Zhong Dingcheng suddenly stood up from their seats, hastily adjusting their military attire. "Let's go, take us there quickly!"

  Chen Jifan and Zhong Dingcheng had just walked to the village entrance when they saw Hu Yunfeng and two soldiers carrying several large boxes, with a few more people following behind. The scholar-like person walking in the middle was Dr. Wu Qing, whom Chen had met in Chuzhou a month ago. Next to him were two young women, one of whom seemed to be the nurse from the hospital. Everyone looked very tired and covered in dust, and the clothes of the two girls appeared to be torn.

  "Dr. Wu, I've finally managed to get you here, it's been a long and arduous journey...," Chen Jifan hadn't finished speaking when he heard Wu Qing say: "Officer Chen, let's skip the formalities for now, take me to see the wounded immediately."

  "This, Dr. Wu and his party are so tired, let's wash up first and rest before talking." Chen Jifan hurriedly declined. In fact, Chen Jifan was also eager to rush into surgery to save people, but since they had just arrived and hadn't even had a sip of water, it seemed unreasonable to ask them to operate immediately.

  "The wounded, Officer Hu has already told us about it on the way. We've delayed for too long and every minute is precious now. Saving lives is urgent, let's talk politely after the surgery." Wu Qing had already started taking things out of his box one by one.

  Chen Jifan glanced at Zhong Dingcheng, and after seeing his agreeing gaze, made up his mind: "Alright, I'll follow your instructions. I'll order the preparations for surgery right away, but our medical supplies and equipment are limited, so I'm afraid..."

  "Don't worry about this, I've brought some with me. You lead the way ahead, oh, and this is my assistant Xiao Juan, and this one is my friend, please arrange for Officer Chen to rest first."

  "Dr. Wu, please follow me." Zhong Dingcheng led the way in front of him.

  Wu Qing had just followed Zhong Ding past when Song Guantou led a group of soldiers to kneel on the ground: "Thank you, Dr. Wu, for saving our lives."

  Wu Qing turned his head and took a glance, then strode swiftly in the direction of the hospital.

  The operation went smoothly, fortunately the bullet from the 38 rifle passed through Qiang without staying in his body. However, the bullet pierced a section of Shang Changfu's small intestine and caused inflammation, which worsened his injury.

  After the operation was finished, it was already late at night. Chen Jifan saw Wu Qing walking out of the operating room with a stumbling gait and nodded to him, and his hanging heart finally put down. Shang Changfu's life was saved.

  He strode over and supported Dr. Wu with one arm, instructing the two soldiers to help Dr. Wu into the house to rest.

  "It's nothing, just a bit tired, I'll be fine after resting." Wu Qing squeezed out a few words from his mouth.

  Taking advantage of Dr. Wu's break, Chen Jifan asked Hu Yunfeng about the process of picking up Dr. Wu.

  Here is the translation:

  "We went smoothly at first, but things got tough later. The devils had strengthened their guard in Chuzhou, but we still managed to sneak into the city easily. However, the hospital suddenly increased its devilish guards, both inside and out, and they checked every person who came and went. What's more infuriating is that there were traitors following them, damn it! I've only seen traitors on TV before, but this one in Chuzhou was ten times more disgusting than those on TV, no different from a dog. We couldn't get into the hospital, so we waited outside for Dr. Wu to finish work. Who knew that even when Dr. Wu got off work, two devils followed him? We followed them too. The devils were quite clever and discovered us soon after. My two brothers and I had no choice but to take care of them. Dr. Wu immediately recognized me and asked what brought us to find him. I explained our intention, and he readily agreed - this young man was really straightforward! After we went to his place to pack up his things, we headed into the city to pick up two people, those two girls who came with us. With the girls around, our plan to sneak out of the city wall at night had to be cancelled. The next morning, Dr. Wu took a large number of surgical instruments and some medicine from the hospital and packed them into two big boxes. We had just left the city when we heard the sound of whistles at the city gate, and the devils chased after us in the direction we were heading."

  Chen Jifan interjected: "It must be that the devils have discovered something. It's possible that the two devils you killed were found."

  "Yes, I thought so at that time. The devils were chasing us, and we couldn't walk on the main road anymore. Six of us circled around with the devils in the mountain valley until afternoon before we escaped."

  "You've had a hard time. Just because of this commotion, Dr. Wu won't be able to come back again. I wonder what he's planning?" Chen Jifan asked again.

  "I also asked him on the road, he just smiled and didn't answer." Hu Yunfeng looked bewildered.

  "Alright, it's getting late, you hurry up and eat and rest, tomorrow we still have important matters to discuss." Chen Jifan stepped forward and shook hands with Hu Yunfeng.

  "Yes, I'll leave now and let Commander Lian rest early too." Hu Yunfeng bowed and turned to depart.

  After Hu Yunfeng left, Chen Jifan went back to the door of Shang Changfu's ward and took another look before returning to his residence.

  Chen Jifan couldn't sleep after returning to his residence. Recently, he and the six comrades who came with him had been busy fighting and didn't have time to think about anything else. Except for Zhao Jun, who used to be under his command, the others were actually not familiar with him. In this strange yet familiar era, where would everyone's future path lead? What was each person thinking in their heart?

  Thinking of this, Chen Jifan couldn't help but smile, when did he become so nagging. Anyway, they were chosen by themselves to leave their loved ones and the organization far away, and they must take responsibility for them. Also responsible for the team that everyone has pulled together, responsible for every life.

  It's time to have a talk with them.

  "Someone, please call Zhong Lianchang, Luo Pailang, Hu Pailang, Zhao Pailang and Wen Chuanhao leader and Gao Huanjie leader to come here, there are important matters to discuss."

  Zhong Dingcheng was the deputy platoon leader and lived closest, so he rushed over first. As soon as he entered the door, he hastily asked: "What happened? Is it very urgent?"

  Lao Zhong is indeed a straightforward person, Chen Jifan thought. "There's no rush for now, let's talk about it when they arrive."

  Seeing Zhong Dingcheng's restless appearance, Chen Jifan smiled and said: "I told you, Old Zhong, can't you just calm down a bit? Whatever it is, we'll know once they all arrive."

  No wonder he's a professional soldier, just one call and everyone rushed over. After entering the door, they saw Chen Jifan's calm and unhurried appearance, and one by one, they were all puzzled.

  "Everyone's here, let's go out and take a walk!"

  Seven people came together to a small hill behind Xiao Wang Zhuang, Chen Jifan spoke up: "It's so late to call everyone here, actually there's nothing going on, just want to chat. In the army it's not allowed to drink alcohol, otherwise I really wanted to have a few cups with everyone in the house."

  "Head, are you okay? What's going on, just give a direct order." Zhao Jun scratched his head and said.

  "Ah, yes, we're all comrades who came out together, no need to be polite. What's on your mind? Give it to me straight!" Just by the sound of his voice, I knew it was Luo Han.

  "Luohan said it well, we indeed came out together. To be precise, if I hadn't chosen you, you wouldn't have left your families to come to this strange place. Maybe at this moment, you're in the military camp training with your comrades and can still go home to see your parents during leave. Let's be honest, do you miss home?"

  As soon as Lian Chang said this, everyone fell silent.

  Zhong Ding Cheng suddenly became serious and changed the subject, "Captain, we are indeed chosen by you, but we are all fighting for our own country. Speaking of being away from loved ones, aren't you the same? What's wrong with you today, sighing and hesitating, this isn't your style."

  "In Dazhulong Town, we lost more than 40 brothers, and even Zhao Jun almost... I was thinking, where should the few of us go from now on? Going home is impossible, forever impossible."

  Hu Yunfeng took over Chen Jifang's words and said: "Head, I had never seen you before, but your great name has long been thunderous in my ears. You don't know that the time when I was chosen by you is the most memorable day of my life. Being able to go into battle with the famous Chen Jifang, two words, exciting! Although we didn't complete the task given by our superiors, we did something entrusted to us by all Chinese compatriots, eliminating Japanese devils. Head, following you, I have no regrets."

  "I said you, Old Eagle (Hu Yunfeng's nickname), are quite something, almost made me cry. I, Luo Han and Old Eagle have the same mind, following you is enjoyable, fighting Japanese devils with you is even more enjoyable. Who doesn't miss home? Can't go back, just don't know how my old mother's body is now." Luo Yugang said, wiping his eyes.

  "Xiao Gao, is there anyone else at home?" Chen Jifan asked, seeing that Gao Huanjie didn't respond. Apart from the sniper Wen Chuanhao, this Xiao Gao was the most introverted person, and it's unknown who gave him the nickname "Wind Whisperer".

  "Our family is in the city, my parents both have jobs, and they only have me as their son." Xiaogao paused for a moment before continuing, "As a soldier, I spend all day cooped up in the barracks, always feeling like there's energy to spare. But coming here, not one bit of regret, being able to personally take down Japanese bandits... For a Chinese soldier, is there any better battlefield than this?"

  "Head," Wen Chuanhao finally spoke up, "Let's talk about it later, what should we do?"

  "What's next? Now our strength is too weak, and this small Wangzhuang is close to the Tianjin-Pukou Railway, we will face the enemy's clearing at any time. Moreover, the news of our victory must have been spread out, and the intelligence personnel on both sides of the KMT and CPC are not vegetarians. If nothing unexpected happens, we will soon have distinguished guests arriving. It is said that everyone is a communist party member, pulling the troops to the New Fourth Army or Eighth Route Army is not worth considering, I'd like to hear your opinions."

  "Join the KMT? I'm not looking down on them, but putting aside their political stance, the KMT is too incompetent. Especially Chiang Kai-shek. In the past, some people online even tried to vindicate him, saying that he didn't declare war because the conditions weren't ripe, there were warlords everywhere, and the Jiangxi Red Army was causing trouble. If they had declared war rashly, it would have been very unfavorable. What a joke! 300,000 people in Nanjing were slaughtered, half of China fell, and that's favorable? You think China is just a household that has to take responsibility when Japan comes knocking, and lead everyone to fight against the invaders? If you don't have what it takes, then step down. Think about the Korean War, Kim Il-sung didn't even give a warning before attacking, and in the end, he was beaten by the 'UN Army' and had to hide everywhere. Wasn't it us who helped him out of that mess? Did Mao really prepare for war with America back then? China's national strength wasn't ready for war with the US, but Mao just didn't believe it, and in the end, we still won. As for strategy and tactics, don't even get me started. From commanders to generals, hardly any of them truly understood modern warfare. Everywhere they had to defend, everywhere they couldn't defend, and in the end, they just threw lives away. What a waste of China's fine sons!"

  Everyone is a professional soldier and has some research on strategy and tactics. When Zhao Jun said that, the idea of defecting to the National Army was simply vetoed.

  "Shouldn't we join the New Fourth Army then?" Chen Jifan continued to ask.

  "Captain, I think it's better for us to operate independently for the time being. As special forces, we're best at striking the enemy's weak points. Sometimes opportunities are fleeting, and if we have to ask for permission all the time, our deterrent effect on the enemy will be greatly reduced. Besides, joining the New Fourth Army means that whether or not we can fight together in the future is uncertain." Old Zhong was the first to object.

  "Moreover, what identity do we join the New Fourth Army with? If they investigate and it's not thorough, the political struggle is very cruel. Soldiers should die on the battlefield, I don't want to be a political sacrifice." Gao Huanjie actually opposed this too, this kid had received the most orthodox proletarian education since childhood.

  After talking for half a day, everyone agreed to temporarily develop independently and take a cooperative attitude towards all anti-Japanese forces.

  "No matter what the future holds, we are brothers who share life and death." Chen Jifan said finally, stretching out his hand.

  Seven pairs of big hands grasped tightly together.