The War of Resistance Against Japan: Starting with a Calm View of Life and Death

Wang Beichen walked behind the table, facing the Party flag, and stood ramrod straight.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan followed suit, turning towards the Party flag, raising their heads, and focusing their gaze on the red cloth and the simple hammer and sickle pattern.

Under the dim light, the red flag seemed to come alive. The sickle and hammer patterns cut from yellow paper, simple and even rough, appeared incredibly solemn at this moment.

Zhou Jindong felt his throat was dry, and his heart was beating strongly in his chest, so loudly that he could hear it himself.

Wang Yuan, standing beside him, was also breathing rapidly, but they both stood firmly, their eyes fixed straight ahead. Wang Beichen raised his right fist to his temple, palm slightly facing outward.

His movements were slow but firm.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan followed suit, raising their right fists as well. Wang Beichen began to recite, "I swear—"

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan immediately repeated, their voices not loud, but exceptionally clear: "I swear—"

They could even hear the slight tremor in their own voices.

"I volunteer to join the Communist Party of China—" Wang Beichen raised his voice a little.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan repeated: "I volunteer to join the Communist Party of China—"

Zhou Jindong felt a surge of heat rise from his chest and rush to the top of his head.

When I joined the Party in my previous life, it was a solemn occasion, but it felt completely different from standing in front of the Party flag now, reciting the oath word by word with Minister Wang.

This is not just a sentence; it is a promise, a promise to give one's life.

"Uphold the Party's program and abide by the Party's constitution—" Wang Beichen continued.

The two immediately echoed, "Uphold the Party's program and abide by the Party's constitution—"

"Fulfill the obligations of a Party member and carry out the decisions of the Party—" Wang Beichen recited with a strong and resounding voice.

"Fulfill the obligations of a Party member and carry out the decisions of the Party—"

Zhou Jindong's voice steadied.

He recalled the days he spent training with his soldiers, the life-or-death captures in Shuoxian County, the public trial and execution of Liu Shunfa and Guo Fuyuan, and the possible appearances of Zeng Rong and Li Degui before their sacrifice.

Aren't these things, one by one, and one by one, the embodiment of the Party's decisions and instructions?

"Strictly abide by Party discipline and keep Party secrets—" When he read these eight words, Wang Yuan subconsciously straightened his chest.

"Be loyal to the Party, work diligently, and fight for communism for life—" When Zhou Jindong heard the words "be loyal to the Party," he seemed to see the comrades who had sacrificed their lives, and he also saw the flag in front of him.

He knew that from this moment on, his loyalty had a clear and unique target.

"Be ready at any time to sacrifice everything for the Party and the people, and never betray the Party—" Wang Beichen read out the last sentence.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan practically shouted these words: "We are ready at any time to sacrifice everything for the Party and the people, and will never betray the Party!"

The sound struck the earthen wall, producing a low echo that reverberated throughout the house.

After taking the oath, Wang Beichen lowered his fist, turned around, and faced them.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan also lowered their hands, but still stood upright, their chests heaving.

Wang Beichen walked up to the two men and shook hands with them firmly, his hands warm and strong.

"Comrade Zhou Jindong, Comrade Wang Yuan, on behalf of the organization, I welcome you!" A genuine smile appeared on his face. "From now on, you are probationary Party members. The probationary period is an observation period, as well as a period of in-depth study. The organization will continue to observe you."

But I believe that, based on your performance in the brutal struggle, you will certainly withstand the test and be admitted as full Party members on schedule.

He picked up the two old application forms and two red five-pointed stars from the table, first handing them to Zhou Jindong, then to Wang Yuan.

"Minister Li has kept this all along. This red five-pointed star is the symbol of Party membership in our army. You don't have to wear it normally, but you should always keep it in your heart. Please keep this application form safe."

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan accepted it with both hands, as if they were receiving a heavy burden.

The red paper five-pointed star was very light, but it felt heavy in my hand.

The yellowed application for Party membership had worn edges, but the handwriting was still clear—their names and determination written by hand.

"Sir, we understand."

Zhou Jindong carefully folded the application form, intending to put it in the inner bag, but then felt it wasn't formal enough, so he held it in his hand.

"We will certainly live up to the trust of the organization and the expectations of Minister Li."

Wang Yuan also solemnly stacked the red star and the application form together and held them tightly in his hand.

Looking at them, Wang Beichen said earnestly, "Joining the Party is not just an honor. It means that the responsibility on your shoulders is heavier. In the past, when you led troops into battle, you were responsible for your comrades and the soldiers under your command."

From now on, you will be responsible to the organization and to the cause of the people's liberation.

Commanding operations requires both courage and strategy; leading and training troops requires both verbal instruction and personal example; and observing discipline requires setting a good example.

In particular, Party discipline is an ironclad rule that no one can violate.

If you have opinions or ideas, you can raise them through the organization, but in terms of action, you must resolutely implement the resolutions. You must study and carefully understand these points during the preparatory period.

"Yes, we will definitely study hard."

Zhou Jindong said earnestly.

"And another thing," Wang Beichen pointed to his head, "is to learn culture and principles. Fighting is a hard skill, but mobilization and mass work require both brains and words."

Only by understanding the principles of revolution can we clearly explain to the soldiers and the people why we must fight the Japanese and why we must follow the Communist Party.

Minister Li specifically instructed me to entrust this task to you. Besides military training, political study cannot be neglected. Literacy classes must be established, and Party member study groups must be maintained.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuan quickly nodded: "Don't worry, sir, we've already started working on it. Captain Zhou and I are leading the core members to learn to read at night and study the documents issued by higher authorities. But... but there are many things we don't quite understand ourselves, and we're afraid we won't explain them well."

Wang Beichen waved his hand: "If you don't understand, just ask. We can send people to the district party school to study. Our work team has also brought instructors this time. We'll arrange a few party classes for you tomorrow when the main force arrives. You need to learn thoroughly yourself before you can lead others in learning. This is like fighting a war; it's a tough task."

"Understood!" Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan answered in unison. The ceremony ended, and the atmosphere relaxed somewhat.

Wang Beichen pulled over two stools, gesturing for them to sit down and talk. The guards came in and poured each of them a bowl of hot water.

Wang Beichen picked up the bowl, blew away the few tea leaves floating on the surface, took a sip, and asked, "I just heard from the communications officer that you're conducting live-fire exercises. Other units wouldn't dare to do this!"

"Your county-level brigade has certainly set a precedent! I'm only concerned about the results and the morale of the soldiers."

Zhou Jindong sat down, but his back remained ramrod straight as usual: "Reporting to the commander, the results have improved compared to the previous times, but we are still far from hitting the bullseye every time. The main reason is that there are too many new recruits. Many of them used to handle hoe handles more than guns, so their feel for guns is poor, and they are also prone to panic."

Wang Yuan added, "Morale is very high. We just won a battle recently and publicly tried a traitor, so everyone is motivated. They are also very enthusiastic about training. It's just that some of the people recruited from other mountain strongholds are used to being wild and their discipline needs to be strengthened. They keep having minor problems."

Wang Beichen listened attentively, tapping his fingers lightly on the rim of the bowl: "This is normal. With the team expanding so rapidly and its composition becoming so diverse, management will be more difficult."

My opinion is that Party building work should be extended to the squad and platoon levels. It is not necessary to establish Party branches immediately, but Party groups can be set up first.

"Recruit the most reliable, hardworking, and resolute soldiers into Party members or activists, and let them play a leading role in their squads. One Party member is a banner; ten Party members can unite a squad as one."

Zhou Jindong's eyes lit up: "Commander, this is a good idea. In the past, we always felt that developing Party members was a big deal and dared not do it lightly. If we can establish Party groups in the squads and platoons first and gather the key members, training and management will definitely take a step forward."

Wang Beichen nodded approvingly: "That's exactly what I mean. You are now in charge of the county brigade and also Party members, so you must carry this 'banner' on your shoulders."

Military training must be combined with ideological education. During breaks in training, we can talk to everyone about why they want to join the army and why they want to fight the Japanese. Once the reasons are clear, everyone will have direction in their training and will know who they are fighting for and who they are willing to sacrifice for.

He then inquired in detail about the current organizational structure, weaponry, equipment, food supplies, and clothing of the county brigade.

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuan answered one by one. When they encountered specific numbers that they were unsure about, Wang Yuan would look them up in his notebook.

Wang Beichen listened attentively, occasionally jotting down notes in his small notebook. "Ammunition should still be used sparingly, but necessary live-fire training cannot be stopped."

After taking notes, Wang Beichen closed the notebook. "The higher-ups will find a way to send you another batch, but you still have to rely on yourselves to seize supplies from the enemy. As for the food and fodder issue, besides taking it from the enemy, we also need to mobilize the masses. We can't just ask the people for it; we have to help them solve their difficulties and organize production for self-help."

"You have plenty of land in these mountains. You can mobilize the soldiers to help the villagers with farm work during the busy season, planting melons and vegetables to lighten their burden and improve the lives of the troops. If this work is done well, the grassroots foundation will be solid, and the troops will be able to take root."

Zhou Jindong and Wang Yuanping had vague ideas about these things, but when they heard Minister Wang put them out in such a systematic way, their thoughts became much clearer.

Wang Yuan said with some shame, "What the commander said is true. In the past, we only thought about how to fight and how to expand our troops. We did a lot less in mobilizing the masses and organizing production."

Wang Beichen smiled gently: "At the beginning, there were so many things to do, but it was already quite good that you could think of winning battles and consolidating the team. We learned as we went, and the work was figured out step by step. Minister Li, I, and the organization all trust and support you. If you encounter any difficulties in your work, you can report them directly to the work team, or you can send someone to report to the district party committee."

Zhou Jindong nodded emphatically: "Commander, we have remembered. We will certainly live up to the organization's trust, lead the team well, and consolidate the Ningwu base area."

Wang Beichen glanced out the window; it was already late at night, so he told the two of them to go and rest.

The next day, Wang Beichen left a few cadres behind to help the county brigade sort out its ideological work, while he himself hurriedly left the county brigade's location with his bodyguards.

It can be said that they came and went in a hurry.

Three days after Minister Wang Beichen left.

The training ground behind Laojun Temple was still bustling with activity, but Zhou Jindong keenly sensed an unusual atmosphere in the air.

At midday that day, the sun shone brightly in the sky.

Zhou Jindong and Zhao Laosi were spreading out a map on a large rock at the edge of the woods, studying the main transportation routes of Ningwu and several surrounding counties.

He could practically recite the contour lines on the map that represent mountains and ravines.

"Dongzi, look here, Zifeng Gully." Zhao Laosi pointed to an inconspicuous curved mark on the map with his short, stubby finger. "Coming from Shuoxian, taking the official road involves a huge detour, and nine out of ten groups in a hurry will take this shortcut. The gully is long, narrow at both ends and wide in the middle, like a gourd. If someone blocks both ends beforehand..."

Zhou Jindong didn't respond. His finger slid along the dotted line extending from Shuoxian County, eventually stopping at the names of several villages in the northwest corner of Ningwu County: Gaojiabao, Liushuzhuang, and Laoyaling.

These villages are located to the north and are closest to Shuoxian County. In previous years, when the Japanese and their puppet troops came down to plunder grain, they were the first to be targeted.

He frowned. The public trial a while ago had caused quite a stir, and Jin Wanfu had suffered a setback. Knowing that old fox's nature, he wouldn't dare to come openly, but he would definitely resort to even more underhanded tricks. The Japanese troops had withdrawn their forces, focusing on guarding the county town and the railway line. This dirty and tiring work of raiding the countryside for grain would most likely be left to the puppet troops.

Just as they were pondering this, a rapid sound of horseshoes came from outside the courtyard. The horseshoes clattered on the stone slabs at the entrance of the town, fast and urgent, clearly indicating that something urgent had happened.

Zhou Jindong immediately raised his head, exchanged a glance with Zhao Laosi, and the two of them stood up from the rock at the same time.

The sound of horses' hooves stopped at the entrance of the team headquarters, followed by the dull thud of a heavy object hitting the ground and a few brief words of conversation.

Less than half a minute later, a communications soldier covered in dust, his face a mixture of sweat and mud, jogged into the yard, led by Wang Quan.

The communications soldier's hat was askew, his leggings were half-undone, he had been running so fast that his chest was heaving violently, and when he opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse.

"Report...Report to Captain Zhou! Urgent...urgent military intelligence!" The communications soldier, barely catching his breath, pulled a slightly damp brown paper envelope from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

Zhou Jindong took it, tore open the envelope, and pulled out a thin strip of paper.

The handwriting on the note was somewhat messy, and it was clear that it was hastily written on the bumpy back of a horse.

His gaze swept quickly over the few lines of text, and his expression gradually darkened.

The shouts and calls from training in the yard seemed to have faded away, leaving only the soft rustling of paper in his hands.

Wang Yuan, Zhao Laosi, and Wang Quan all gathered around, looking at Zhou Jindong's face.

Wang Quan couldn't help but ask, "Dongzi, what's wrong?"

Zhou Jindong handed the note to Wang Yuan: "The Japanese from the Shuoxian direction have sent a puppet army corps, claiming to 'assist in grain requisition.' They entered our Ningwu territory from the Dawakou area. The number of people is estimated to be over 800, and they are pressing towards Gaojiabao and Liushuzhuang along the official road."

He was speechless; what he feared most had come to pass!

He would rather not have such uncanny foresight.

"Over eight hundred?" Zhao Laosi gasped. "Damn it, a whole regiment? Are the Japanese trying to wipe out all the people's food supplies?"

Wang Yuan quickly read the note, his brows furrowing: "The leader is Feng Laoliu, the head of the puppet security regiment in Shuoxian. I've heard of him; he was originally a bearded man from the Yanbei area, but later defected to the Japanese. He's ruthless, and his men are all desperate criminals."

The note said they arrived at the border yesterday evening and started entering the villages early this morning. They moved quickly, seizing any grain they saw and taking any livestock they could find. The militia from two villages had already clashed with them and suffered considerable losses.