War of Resistance: Glory of the Beasts

Chapter 279: Consolation Group

The Battle of Xifengkou Baitaizi not only inspired the people, but also made the 29th Army famous. Even the Asahi Shimbun published the entire process of the battle in detail, saying: Since Emperor Meiji built the army, the reputation of the empire has been completely lost at Xifengkou!

At the same time, many newspapers in Beijing and Shanghai published the news of the "Xifengkou Victory". Some newspapers even compared the weapons and equipment configurations of both sides in detail, and exclaimed that the 29th Army was a heavenly army.

At that time, patriotic people from all walks of life began to collect anti-Japanese and national salvation supplies and donations for the Xifengkou defenders. Commander He from the capital personally led a team to visit the soldiers. The girls with modern hairstyles and senior officials in suits entered the military camp like a passing visitor...

"Brother, look at that woman, her hair is as curly as my dog's. How do you think they did it?" Qu Yong was really worldly-wise. He drooled at the sight of the wives of the visiting delegation leaders getting out of the cars, wearing tweed coats, fox scarves and high heels.

Chang Zhan cursed at the person behind him: "Can you f*cking keep your voice down? Isn't that embarrassing?"

When Xu Chaoyang saw all this, he just smiled slightly.

He discovered that there was still animality in humans, just like Qu Yong. Once he saw a woman, he would always try to make some noise to attract her attention. Isn't this the way the wild animals in the forest courted mates?
Of course, even if they had any ideas in their minds, they could only watch from afar. Before these guys arrived at the military camp, Brigade Zhao of the 109th Brigade had already issued a death order that all units must keep a close eye on the soldiers under their command. This was a matter concerning military pay and supplies, and they must not act rashly.

"Chaoyang? Chaoyang?"

When Xu Chaoyang heard the shouting, he turned around his camp and saw the promoted Wang Changhai walking towards him listlessly.

“Lv. Wang!” In the sunlight, Lv. Wang lowered his head with the brim of his hat pulled down very low, and his whole body seemed to be shrouded in a haze.

He hurried over, but Brigade Wang pointed to the tent next to him and said, "Let's talk inside."

If you say that these condolence delegations are useless, their arrival did allow the entire 29th Army to set up tents under Xifengkou; if you say that they are useful, Xu Chaoyang really feels that these officials treat newspapers as their circle of friends, and they just come to send a few photos to share the joy of the 29th Army's great victory.

But one good thing is that ever since the arrival of the condolence group, the 29th Army has no shortage of anything. They send whatever they can get, including food, meat, cloth, and even medicine!
After Xu Chaoyang had his injuries examined by a military doctor, he now takes Dabaiyao tablets every day.

"Wang Lu, what's the matter?"

There was still nothing in the empty tent except the bed that they had made by chopping wood, but at least there was a place to talk.

"Don't embarrass me." Wang Changhai looked unhappy and turned around with a sigh.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong!"

Wang Changhai almost jumped out of his wits!
"Our 217th Regiment won a great victory, but I was transferred to the 113th Brigade as the brigade commander. Is this how it works? Is this a promotion?"

"Hey, Chaoyang, go outside and take a look. The entire 29th Army is celebrating the annihilation of the 14th Brigade. All the equipment of the entire 109nd Division, 110th Brigade, and 113th Brigade has been replaced. We have also installed Type infantry guns and Type guns at Xifengkou. But only my th Brigade is in a gloomy situation!"

"That night, that bastard Tong Zeguang's charge caused more than one-third of the 113th Brigade to lose troops. In addition, morale was low. Everyone in the 29th Army wanted to point fingers and curse at us when they saw us. How can we lead these soldiers?"

"How are we going to fight this war from now on?"

"Do you know what I heard in the barracks just now? Two soldiers were discussing outside my tent, trying to find someone to transfer from the 113th Brigade!"

"damn it!"

“It’s hard to get by.”

Wang Changhai sat down on Xu Chaoyang's bed in anger. Xu Chaoyang had gauze tied on his head and his shoulders were also tied with gauze. This kind of music, it's really a difficult song for every family.

He quickly came over and said, "Lv Wang, what do you mean?"

"Chaoyang..." Wang Lu stood up and stood in front of Xu Chaoyang and asked, "Let me ask you one question, are you still willing to work with me?"

"As long as you nod, I will immediately go find Lao Ding and bring you there no matter what. When you go to the 113th Brigade, I will give you the title of 'acting commander' on the spot, which means you will be the regiment commander!"

"As for soldiers, your regiment will be given priority for replenishment. You are my main force and assault regiment..."

Xu Chaoyang immediately took a step back: "No."

"Uh……"

Wang Changhai was unable to speak, and he couldn't utter a single word of the promises he had made.

"what do you mean?"

Xu Chaoyang responded immediately: "I don't mean anything else. The 217th Regiment is our old foundation. Although the losses were too great, the weapons and equipment and personnel training were all taken care of by me. I am very good at using them. Now you want me to go to the 113th Brigade. I won't know anyone there. Why would I go?"

"Besides, have you informed Brigade Zhao about this?"

"This is anti-Japanese!" Wang Changhai first accused him of being a big shot, then he lowered his head in embarrassment: "I said hello to him, can I still take you away?"

"Still!"

"Morale is just that, you don't have to worry too much about it. After winning one or two battles, morale will be back..."

Wang Changhai was really upset, and said with a wronged look on his face: "With the current morale of our 113th Brigade, is it possible to restore morale from the Japanese?"

"You must be dreaming!" Xu Chaoyang seemed to have heard something behind the words and asked quickly, "What's going on?"

"Lengkou has been lost. If it hadn't been discovered early, the Japanese would have marched straight into the Central Plains!"

"In addition, the Eighth Division could not bear such a great humiliation, so it dispatched the Fourth Brigade equipped with the Eighth Cavalry Regiment and two puppet brigades..."

This is not right!
What Xu Chaoyang was considering was not historical issues, but military issues. Ever since the 29th Army wiped out the 14th Mixed Brigade, the level of their weapons and equipment had been raised to the same level as that of the Japanese army. At this time, they would have no advantage at all if they came to Xifengkou.

"They have already charged towards Luowenyu. Lao Ding's intention is to have Commander Liu of the Second Division and our brigade stationed on a 40-kilometer front from Luowenyu to Longjing Pass. How can we defend it?"

Xu Chaoyang took a step back, an unhappy look on his face: “Wang Lu, you are not old and authentic now.”

"What?"

Xu Chaoyang continued, "You know how many people the 217th Regiment lost. When you came down from the battlefield, you were still the commander of the 217th Regiment. I was injured in the ear and shoulder and I'm still taking pills. You turned around and sent the guys from the 217th Regiment who had finally survived the battlefield back to the battlefield? What, are you upset that we don't die?"

"fart!"

Wang Changhai was a little panicked, not knowing how to explain: "Isn't there anything I can do about it?"

Xu Chaoyang waved his hands at him again and again: "Captain Wang, I definitely can't go to Luowenyu. It's not for anything else. My wounds haven't healed yet, and the new soldiers of the 217th Regiment haven't arrived yet. Even if I can lead the entire 217th Regiment to go with you, what's the use of having an incomplete regiment on a -kilometer front?"

"In the fight against the Japanese, I, Xu Chaoyang, will definitely lead the charge, but I can't act recklessly, right?"

"Oh, just because the morale of my 217th Regiment is high, you want to take it away for us? The German equipment and bullets in that regiment are almost used up. Where do you want me to get them?"

"Our 217th Regiment has gone through two major battles, Rehe and Xifengkou, and we lost all the money we got from fighting the German devils. Can't you see it?"

Xu Chaoyang took out a cigarette from his pocket with his left hand and lit it with the lighter that his subordinates had brought back from the battlefield as a gift. Before he could finish the cigarette, Wang Changhai snatched it from his mouth...

"Captain Wang, you really can't blame me for not remembering our friendship. Lao Ding knew to let our 109th Brigade withdraw to rest, so how can you not feel sorry for me?"

"As long as the 217th Regiment is fully staffed and equipped, I would be nothing if I, Xu Chaoyang, don't go. But I can't just watch the soldiers go in, right? If I do that, what's the difference between me and Tong Zeguang?"

"Wang Brigade...Wang Brigade?"

Wang Changhai left without saying another word and just turned around and left.

At this time, Yang Jingyu crawled into the tent, holding a notebook in his hand. Looking at Wang Changhai's leaving figure, he asked: "Wang Lieutenant was promoted? Why did he return to his old unit?"

"They wanted us to go to Luowenyu with them. The Eighth Division sent a brigade, a cavalry regiment, and two brigades of puppet troops to attack Luowenyu. Lao Ding was thinking of sending the newly equipped Second Division and the 113th Brigade to take over. Didn't he think of me?"

Yang Jingyu glanced at Xu Chaoyang: "So what did you say? Did you not break up?"

"What else can I say? Tell the truth!"

Xu Chaoyang took out another cigarette and lit it: "You want me to use those smooth foreign tricks, but I can't do it."

"You!" Yang Jingyu looked at Xu Chaoyang helplessly: "Can't you just talk it over nicely?"

"Okay, what do you want from me?"

"Oh, take a look. This is the list of people who have applied for promotion and the list of people who have been awarded for their meritorious service that our regiment has submitted."

Xu Chaoyang didn't even read the notebook carefully. After seeing that the battalion commanders at the front of the platoon were his brothers, he simply put the notebook aside: "Old Yang, do you really not know what's written in the letter?" He remembered this again.

Yang Jingyu hissed and smacked his lips: "Can I still fool you?"

"Then the higher-ups haven't given us any orders on what to do next?"

"The orders are given to you. You are the military commander."

This time I was so frustrated. They had clearly made contact and had clearly issued an order...

"Well, send someone to make another trip..."

Before he could finish his words, a voice called out from outside the tent: "Xu Tuan? Xu Tuan?"

"Is Xu Tuan here?"

Xu Chaoyang hurried out of the tent and saw the soldiers coming from the military headquarters: "Here!"

The soldier hurried on his feet: "Captain Xu, the commander orders you to go to the military headquarters for a meeting."

Meeting?
Xu Chaoyang looked back. The military camp was full of visiting delegations. What kind of meeting was this?

(End of this chapter)