"Yes, Master!" Liu Ying, Zhang Tianhai and four other people stood up and responded.
"Tomorrow, except for the 215th Regiment, all law enforcement teams will be issued white cuffs!" Song Xilian finally finalized the order.
"Yes!" Liu Ying, Zhang Tianhai and others responded.
The order to divide the two main regiments of the 36th Division into battlefield law enforcement teams had already been issued to all army divisions and even brigades when Song Xilian convened a meeting of four people.
After this order was issued, the commanders of each division smelled an unusual smell: Commander Tang really wanted to live and die with Nanjing.
Many officers at the division commander level were thinking that the Japanese army would soon invade Nanjing, and if they did not retreat, they would have no chance.
But the issuance of Tang Shengzhi's order undoubtedly shattered the illusions in many people's hearts - no matter what, you can't escape death. It is better to die in the hands of the enemy than to die in the hands of your own people. , If you die in the hands of the enemy, you are a hero after all; but if you die in the hands of your own people, you are a shameful deserter. Not only will you die, but you will also be poked in the spine and scolded after death.
"Everyone, I know that this task is indeed not an easy task for everyone. It is indeed not easy to force your own lord to die with a gun, but there is no way around it. If Nanjing is broken, not only will those who die You and me, Song Xilian, and the tens of thousands of Nanjing people behind us!" Song Xilian said in a deep voice, and the words between the lines were as heavy as a thousand stones.
"I understand, I understand." The four people responded again.
"Okay, do you still have any questions that you can't figure out? If you don't understand, you can ask questions." Song Xilian put his hands on the conference table and leaned forward.
"Master, I have a question that I have never been able to figure out. Could you please ask me, Master?" Zhang Tianhai turned 45 degrees and asked Song Xilian.
"But it doesn't matter." Song Xilian probably knew what Zhang Tianhai wanted to ask. This boy and Hu Jiaji were very compatible. They were almost the same type of people. Apart from asking for a fight, what else could he do now?
As expected by Song Xilian, Zhang Tianhai asked: "Master, what I would like to ask is that our regiment is well-equipped and fully equipped. We are the only one among our thirty-sixth divisions who are fully equipped." The regiment is full, why don’t the commander directly assign my regiment to guard the positions at Qixia Mountain or Hongshan Mountain and Beigu Mountain?”
"Okay, I'll get it straight. First, your regiment has just been replenished for about ten days. Although the composition of the troops is basically composed of veterans, I still don't know your combat effectiveness; second, I don't know what your combat effectiveness is. , just because your regiment is full of people and well-equipped, it should be reserved for special occasions; third, you were promoted too quickly. You were a company commander three months ago and now you have been promoted to regiment commander. I think you It still takes time to settle. You and Captain Hu of the Hu family are similar in temperament. They are not afraid of death. They also like to lead troops on the front line. Times are different now. It can be said that the city of Nanjing is in danger. I, Mr. Song, cannot Take this risk." Song Xilian's thinking was very clear and he directly listed three points, but these three points were all speechless.
"Teacher, please believe in the ability of me. I will defend my position even if I die. I dare to issue a military order! If the people are there, the position is there!" Zhang Tianhai was a little anxious and even dared to issue a military order.
Under the slightly dim light, Song Xilian's face was a little uncertain. Finally he couldn't help it anymore. He slapped his palm on the table with a "bang" sound. The division headquarters suddenly became quiet, with only the room next door. The ticking sound of the telegraph machine working.
"Zhang Yulin! Let me tell you, kid, if we lose our position, it will not only be a question of whether you die or not. People all over the country, including my descendants, will scold me in the spine! Scold me for not being able to command! Why scold me? We must send a newly formed regiment to defend the Japanese army's main offensive position!" After scolding, Song Xilian finally vented some of his anger. He suppressed his anger and said: "If Nanjing is lost because of me, Song Xilian, I, Jiuquan, How should I face my ancestors? I, Song Xilian, am not afraid of death. What I am afraid of is that Nanjing will be lost because of my poor command. Can you understand?"
After hearing these words, Zhang Tianhai stopped talking and just responded: "Yes, Master, I understand my humble position."
Zhang Tianhai can also understand the pressure on Song Xilian's shoulders, and also knows that what Mr. Song said is the truth - just like Tang Shengzhi later. Although it was Chiang Kai-shek who gave the order to retreat when necessary, it was Tang Shengzhi who gave the order to retreat. It was ordered by Chief Tang, so after the news of the Nanjing Massacre, Tang Shengzhi became ill, resigned from everything, and then returned to his hometown in Hunan to recuperate.
It was not because Tang Shengzhi was in poor health, but because he could not bear this responsibility and the infamy - it was his retreat order that sent 300,000 defeated troops and refugees into the jaws of the Japanese army. So, every day, When he thought of this, he blamed himself extremely, and later he fell ill, and he was the kind of person who couldn't afford to be ill and stayed in bed for a long time.
Song Xilian picked up the hot water that had been poured in front of him and took a slow sip to suppress his anger. Then he said in a calm voice as much as possible: "Now, let's officially issue the combat mission!"
With that said, Song Xilian picked up the drafted combat order: "The troops directly under the 108th Brigade and the 216th Regiment are responsible for the defense from Hepingmen to Xiaozhuang Normal School. They must pay attention to resolutely enforce battlefield discipline; The headquarters of the first regiment directly under the war zone will guard Yijiangmen and the vicinity of Xiaguan, all the way to the Hutchison Company Pier, and we must not let a single deserter escape across the Yangtze River!"
"Yes, Master." Everyone stood at attention and saluted. After all, looking at this rhythm, the meeting was about to end.
"Okay, before dawn, all ministries must enter the predetermined area on time." Song Xilian added again, "In addition, after entering the predetermined area, all ministries occupy positions and prepare fortifications. Even if Nanjing's troops are exhausted, We must also leave the final blow to the Japanese invaders!"
"yes!"
"The meeting is over!"
…
When he returned to the headquarters of the Zhiyi Regiment, it was already eleven o'clock at night. At this time, Guo Qiliang still did not go back to his room to sleep. He just lay down on the table during the meeting and took a nap, because he Knowing that Zhang Yulin could be called to the division headquarters for a meeting at eight or nine o'clock in the evening, the division headquarters must have announced something important.
Not only did Guo Qiliang not go back, but Zheng Man was also waiting for Zhang Tianhai to return in the conference room of the regiment headquarters.
It's just that Zheng Man's waiting is not as simple as Guo Qiliang's just waiting for an order to be announced. She hasn't seen Zhang Tianhai's shadow all day long, and she wants to see him.
People who fall in love are always so blind and irrational, because love is not a rational thing in the first place.
At this time, the cold mist of the early winter night was rising, seeming to cover up everything around it, making everything blurry, but it was also bitingly cold.
Even Zhang Tianhai put on the woolen coat that only school-level officers or officers above were allowed to wear, not because it looked cool, but because the weather was getting colder.
…
PS: Day after day. Life is good, life is wonderful.
Thanks to Qidian Book Friends, a big brother who loves reading, for giving me a monthly pass!
