Agents of the Republic of China

Lin Xiaotang woke up after a whole day of lethargy. After waking up, the first thing he saw were three excited faces, Lao Quan, He Chong and that socialite Chu Yuyan.Thirteen wounds, large and small, had been bandaged. According to Lao Quan, it was Chu Yuyan who took care of him all day, which made Lin Xiaotang feel better about her.

He Chong also heaved a sigh of relief, and relayed Xiao Shan's orders, and arranged for boats to send Lin Xiaotang and others across the river at dawn, and sent him to the First Army Field Hospital in Jiangbei for further treatment.

Lin Xiaotang was lying on the hospital bed, but his mind was spinning rapidly. He just heard from Lao Quan and the others that during this day, due to the effect of electricity, the whole country's enthusiasm for the war of resistance was high, and all walks of life organized fleets to transport soldiers and civilians across the river.But after such a grand event, Lin Xiaotang still had secret worries in his heart. He proposed to He Chong that he wanted to meet Xiao Shanling before leaving.

Lao Quan and others did not lie to him. In less than two days, Yijiangmen Wharf became a sea of ​​ships. Countless ships were docked outside the wharf, waiting to bring the hope of survival to the people who were waiting on the shore.From time to time, Japanese and Japanese planes passed by in the sky. Behind the high clouds, the Chinese Air Force was fighting the invaders with weak strength to cover this unprecedented retreat on the river.

After a day and night of tense retreat, the Japanese army in Nanjing has withdrawn nearly two-thirds of its troops to the north of the Yangtze River. The battle at the Yijiangmen blocking position has become more and more fierce. The Japanese army has completed the removal of the remaining resistance forces in Nanjing. , The troops were also assembled, and in order to wipe out the only remaining Japanese troops in Yijiangmen, they launched an extremely fierce offensive.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the fall of Yijiangmen was only a matter of time, and the key was how much time to retreat for the troops in this final stage.The troops in charge of blocking the Japanese army were the officers and soldiers of the teaching corps and part of the 36th Division. The commander was Lei Zhen. Facing the Japanese bombing and crazy attack, the blocking troops suffered huge casualties.

Xiao Shanling had just ordered an additional battalion of troops to support Lei Zhen's headquarters. Seeing Lin Xiaotang escorted by Lao Quan and others to the riverside, his brows relaxed and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Lin Xiaotang was still lying on the stretcher, wearing a naked general's wool trench coat and a cotton cap on his head.Xiao Shanling signaled the guards, Lao Quan and others to step aside, leaving room for a conversation with Lin Xiaotang.

Lin Xiaotang struggled to stand up, but was held down by Xiao Shanling.He sat down on a bluestone beside Lin Xiaotang.

"The retreat should be completed today." Xiao Shanling pointed to the troops on the dock who were retreating in an orderly manner. "They should all thank you. If it wasn't for you, they might all be buried here, as well as those ordinary people!"

Lin Xiaotang squinted his eyes and looked at it for a while. Since the ghost entered his body, he felt that his soul was merging with it bit by bit, and what it brought him was not only a lot of knowledge that he had never heard before, but also more What complex emotions.Lin Xiaotang faintly felt that its arrival might be to change the world with the help of his own body.

"After the retreat, what's Commander Xiao's plan?" Lin Xiaotang said this sentence suddenly.

Xiao Shanling sighed softly, he understood the meaning of Lin Xiaotang's words very well, there were too many things he couldn't understand about the young man in front of him, even if he was recruited under his command, at best it was only a platform for him , But, on the eve of the storm, can I protect him?Is he really suitable for the current **?

Xiao Shanling knew very well that on the surface he had done a great job in retreating from Yijiangmen, but in fact he forced himself to be the target of public criticism.Powering the whole country, expressing the determination of the war of resistance, and seeking support from all walks of life, all of this has not been approved by the Wuhan base camp and Chongqing, and these have just broken the bottom line of the supreme leader. Although I have no regrets for my actions, but What about the other people involved in the Nanjing campaign and the forces behind them, will they sit back and watch themselves become heroes who take away all the glory and make them incompetent?

the answer is negative.Because of this, he had to face all the consequences.

Xiao Shanling smiled freely, "Don't say anything that you and I understand in our hearts. I will not regret this matter, because I have no choice. The reason why I want to meet you before crossing the river is because I am curious. , what are your plans?"

Lin Xiaotang wanted to go to Changsha, because two friends, Ergou and Fang Rou, were there. Lin Xiaotang felt that only by being with them would he not feel that heart-wrenching sense of loneliness. Although the two of them were only his neighbors , but years of feelings made him feel that they are the only remaining relatives.Also, some of the teachers and classmates of Nanjing University heard that some of them have also gone to Changsha and joined Hunan University. He also wants to visit, maybe he will meet the person in his heart.

Xiao Shanling breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, "It's good to have a goal, you don't have to worry about the itinerary, I will arrange it."

Xiao Shanling walked a few steps, came to the steps by the river, picked up a stone, and threw it far away, "Do you know the identities of the Yungong and the two Americans who you and Platoon Leader Shen sacrificed their lives to save?" ?”

Lin Xiaotang shook his head.

Xiao Shanling smiled, "Yun Gong is the chairman's old team. He has followed him for many years and is in charge of intelligence work. He has a deep relationship with the Americans. He is currently an important staff member of Mrs. Jiang. Lost in the city. Platoon Leader Shen and the others were ordered to rescue him. Your appearance helped them a lot. Yun Gong paid great attention to you. The other two Americans, one is a reporter, took some pictures The photos of the Nanjing massacre were hunted down by the Japanese. The other one was an embassy official. Before he retreated to Jiangbei, he asked me for your identity. I fooled you. Let’s not provoke these Americans. .”

Lin Xiaotang was a little confused, obviously not clear what the purpose of what Xiao Shanling told him was.

Xiao Shanling went on to say: "Don't get me wrong, I don't mean anything else. The big men you saved may help you in the future, I just remind you."

The sound of artillery fire in the distance suddenly became denser, billowing gunpowder smoke even spread to the riverside, the Japanese soldiers on the pier accelerated their boarding speed, many ships full of soldiers had already left the pier, under the cover of gunboats, Quickly approach Jiangbei.

Xiao Shanling frowned tightly.A messenger rushed over, "Reporting to the commander, brigade commander Lei Zhen telegraphed that the Japanese army has been dispatched, and many defense lines of our army have been breached. They are resisting steadily and trying to delay the Japanese army. Please ask the commander and the command staff to board the ship as soon as possible. "

While speaking, several Japanese bombers flew over the pier. With the roar of engines and the sharp sound of bombs falling sharply, dozens of huge waves suddenly rose on the river, and several ships were hit. Was fried to pieces.

Another messenger ran over, "Commander Xiao, the Japanese army has dispatched tank troops. Our defense line has been breached. At the same time, the bombing density has been increased. Our air force has completely lost and has withdrawn from the battle. Brigadier Lei is leading his troops to retreat towards the pier. , Commander, please board the ship immediately."

But the pier was already in chaos, and many soldiers jumped directly into the icy river, waving their arms, struggling to swim towards the large and small ships by the river.

Xiao Shanling let out a long sigh, "It's impossible!"

After he finished speaking, he turned his head and said to the adjutants and guards not far away: "Send them aboard immediately, and follow my previous arrangement, understand?"

The guards stood at attention and saluted, and then came to carry Lin Xiaotang's stretcher.

"What about you, Commander Xiao?" Lin Xiaotang asked.

Xiao Shanling looked at the rolling Yangtze River, "I said when I came here that I would be the last one to cross the river. Now, it's time to fulfill my promise!"

Lin Xiaotang and others successfully boarded a merchant ship under the escort of an adjutant of Xiaoshan Ling and several guards.On this boat, there were basically soldiers from the Gendarmerie. After boarding the boat, everyone leaned against the side of the boat facing the shore, quietly watching the gunpowder smoke on the shore, as if waiting for something.

The adjutant approached Lin Xiaotang, hesitant to speak.

Lin Xiaotang looked at him, and suddenly smiled, "Do I have the final say on this boat?"

The adjutant nodded quickly, "You are the commander's friend. The commander has issued a strict order to send you to Jiangbei safely, so everything is at your command!"

Lin Xiaotang nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Lao Quan, He Chong and Chu Yuyan, "Then I will be the master on behalf of everyone, don't sail the boat for now, let's see the situation."

The adjutant saluted gratefully, "Yes!"

The gunpowder smoke on the shore became thicker, and the sound of the guns became more and more intense, and the silhouette of the slowly approaching Japanese tank could already be vaguely seen in the distance.But the fierce battle continued, the ships left the dock one after another, but no soldiers retreated, and everyone's hearts became heavier and heavier.

Finally, a group of figures emerged from the gunpowder smoke. They ran to the pier quickly under the leadership of a tall officer. Several soldiers seemed to be carrying a person.

When he got close, Lin Xiaotang realized that the tall officer was Lei Zhen.

Lei Zhen directed the soldiers to carry a person onto the boat in a hurry, and the adjutant exclaimed, "Commander Xiao".Only then did Lin Xiaotang discover that the unconscious man was Xiao Shanling.

Lei Zhen saw Lin Xiaotang sitting on a stretcher on the bow of the boat, and he immediately beamed with joy, "Xiao Linzi, take care of Commander Xiao, he will never retreat, I have no choice but to knock him out, you must send him safely To Jiangbei!"

Lin Xiaotang yelled: "Brigade Commander Lei, get on board quickly."

Lei Zhen laughed loudly, "What are you talking about? Hundreds of brothers of Lao Tzu are still fighting bloody battles in front. Lao Tzu is an imposing colonel and deputy brigade commander. I can't do things like abandoning my brothers and running for my own life. Xiao Linzi, Commander Xiao, please leave it to you." , I, Lei Zhen, will not follow you to withdraw. I will stick to Yijiangmen here. With us here, Little Japan will not even think about stepping on the pier. I just ask you one thing, next year today, give me and my brothers Burn more joss sticks and paper money, we have a lot of people and it costs a lot! Hahahaha!"

After finishing speaking, Lei Zhen waved his hand, "Brothers, it belongs to men, follow me!"

Dozens of soldiers in ragged clothes and faces covered in black mud yelled, followed behind him, and rushed back into the gunpowder smoke.

At this time, an officer on the ship also shouted loudly: "Brothers, don't let the brothers in the teaching corps say that our gendarmes have no eggs and are not afraid of death. Come with me!"

Hundreds of soldiers responded in unison. They jumped out of the ship's side one after another, and some simply jumped into the river and ran towards the bank with big strides.In an instant, it disappeared in the thick gunpowder smoke.

The merchant ship slowly left the pier, and the sound of guns and cannons behind it was like a performance for Lin Xiaotang and the others to see them off.Lin Xiaotang clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He leaned out, grabbed the side of the boat, and shouted sharply in the direction where everyone was going: "Brigade Commander Lei, brothers, go all the way!"

"Brothers, go all the way!" The people on the boat followed him and shouted, and the voice was heard far, far away.