Agents of the Republic of China

Facing the bewildered crowd, Xiao Shanling issued a series of orders: first, the regiment-level officers of all ministries immediately went to the Yijiangmen channel to hold a meeting, formed a temporary headquarters, and began to simply reorganize and unify the combat power; second, all the troops moved out of the way, Let the fleeing people enter the wharf and cross the river first; thirdly, the communication company of the 36th Division immediately contacted Hu Zongnan's First Army stationed in Jiangbei, and recruited all available ships to deliver weapons and ammunition to Yijiangmen wharf, and carried the retreating troops on the return journey. People and troops; fourth, in view of the fact that the Wulong Mountain position has been lost, immediately notify the "Wen Tianxiang" torpedo gunboat squadron moored in Caoxie Gorge and Santai Cave to rush to the Yijiangmen River Basin, responsible for blocking the Japanese naval fleet and covering the retreat; fifth. , the Gendarmerie, which is directly responsible to the Temporary Command, immediately began to perform its duties.

Soldiers are ahead of the civilians, those who flee for their lives, kill!

The ministers who boarded the ship before the soldiers, kill!

Funk, kill!

Those who shake the morale of the army, kill!

Surrenderers, kill!

After the order was announced, Xiao Shanling issued a military order in front of tens of thousands of people: he himself will be responsible for leading the troops to stop the Japanese troops rushing towards the Yijiangmen Wharf. He will be the last to board the ship even if he retreats.

As soon as five consecutive merciless killing orders were issued, the officers and soldiers of all ministries were in awe, and the tens of thousands of troops immediately found the backbone.An army of 5 Japanese devils attacked Nanjing, and more than [-] officers and soldiers from various ministries of the Communist Party of China gathered at Yijiangmen Wharf alone. The Japanese have already issued a massacre order. In the game, the outcome is still unknown.If he wins, he can retreat to Jiangbei safely and gracefully. If he wins, he will die with the little devil at worst.

When they arrived at the pier, Xiao Shanling and others discovered that there were very few ships available at present. The retreating troops had already taken away most of the ships, and some of them were burned by the retreating troops who had become frightened. They were afraid that the Japanese would use them. These ships come in pursuit of themselves.As a result, there were only more than 60 transport ships available, and there were nearly 8 soldiers and civilians on site. If only these ships were used, it would take three to four days at the fastest.

Xiao Shanling and Lei Zhen frowned, and their faces became serious. They obviously didn't expect the situation to deteriorate to such an extent.

But the bad news doesn't stop there.The communications soldiers came to report, and the Jiangbei First Army called back. They had not received the news of the Nanjing defenders' retreat, so they could not provide support to Jiangnan in a hurry. They have now started to recruit all ships, but it is estimated that the ships will not set off until the afternoon.So be sure to ask the Yijiangmen defenders to stand by for six hours.Also, the "Wen Tianxiang" gunboat squadron had already retreated towards Datong last night, and there is no contact at all at present. That is to say, the retreat across the river must be carried out without cover.

Xiao Shanling stomped his feet and cursed bitterly: "One general is incompetent, exhausting thousands of troops. Earlier, he said he would stick to Nanjing. As a result, the Japanese ordered the retreat without even hitting the city gate. They did not make any preparations for the retreat, and even There is no plan, it is tantamount to throwing out the [-] defenders as if they were abandoned!"

Lei Zhen and the other officers were silent and exchanged glances with each other, and they all noticed the unconcealable worry in each other's eyes.

The people outside the Yijiang Gate, led by the military police, have begun to enter the dock in an orderly manner. After seeing dozens of lonely ships on the dock, many people began to whisper, but no matter what, there is finally a way to escape. Passage, so people also obeyed the arrangement of the military police and started to board the ship silently.

Under Lei Zhen's arrangement, Lin Xiaotang sent Ergou and Fang Rou to the first batch of ships. Lin Xiaotang put all the money he had in Ergou's hands into Ergou's hands, and told Ergou to think about it as soon as he arrived in Jiangbei. The best way to go to Changsha is not to follow the refugees to Xuzhou or Wuhan. He has a vague feeling that these two cities will soon become another battlefield.

Er Gou and Fang Rou grabbed his hand and refused to let go, saying that you are not a soldier, so why wait here to die!

But Lin Xiaotang has his own difficulties.The first batch of ships carried old and weak women and children. Originally, Ergou was not qualified to board the ship, but Lin Xiaotang found Lei Zhen, and relying on his own merits in killing three Japanese devils, he begged Lei Zhen to let Ergou board the ship. Lei Zhen went to ask Xiao Shan Ling again, but fortunately Xiao Shan Ling had a good impression of Lin Xiaotang, so he let Er Gou board the boat.But these, Lin Xiaotang did not tell Ergou and Fang Rou.

Watching the boat slowly leave the dock, Lin Xiaotang knew that this farewell was basically a farewell forever.But fortunately, these two little guys have been sent out of danger, and I can finally explain to them and their families.As for the road ahead, they can only go on by themselves.

The Nanjing city in the distance is still under heavy artillery fire. It is because the Japanese soldiers in the city who have not had time to retreat are engaged in street fighting with the Japanese army.Since the Japanese army had already entered the city, their artillery and air force fell silent, which also gave the Yijiangmen defenders a certain buffer time.Xiao Shanling ordered the soldiers to use this time to dig fortifications near the wharf and Yijiang Gate, lay mines, and wait for the arrival of the Japanese army.

Lin Xiaotang was still wearing the school uniform. Although the clothes had long lost their original appearance, he had a frail face, but he was carrying a brand-new [-]-type light machine gun, and his body was full of magazines. He raised his arms outside the Yijiang Gate, so many soldiers, including ordinary people, recognized him, and when they saw him, they all stood up and greeted him.

Lin Xiaotang didn't know where he was going. He lowered his head, as if he hadn't heard the greetings from the people around him. From morning to now, he seemed to be in a dream, so much so that until now he couldn't clearly distinguish the current situation. Is it a dream?

The temporary headquarters was set up in the air-raid shelter of the wharf warehouse. Lei Zhen stood smoking at the door of the warehouse. He had just buried the body of his colleague Xie Chengrui, and he was not in a good mood.As soon as he looked up, he saw Lin Xiaotang walking over in a panic.

He yelled a few times, but Lin Xiaotang didn't seem to hear him, so he simply threw away the cigarette butt in his hand, strode over and grabbed Lin Xiaotang.

Lin Xiaotang looked up and saw that it was him, and called out "Mr. Lei", but there was still no expression on his face.Lei Zhen sighed, patted him on the shoulder, and beckoned him into the headquarters.

The space of the headquarters is not too big, and all the equipment of the communication company of the 36th Division is placed here. As soon as you enter the door, you can hear the sound of "tick" and the knocking of buttons.Xiao Shanling stood behind the communication soldier, with his hands on his hips, his face livid.

Lei Zhen yelled a report, Xiao Shanling turned his head and saw Lei Zhen and Lin Xiaotang, he finally squeezed a smile on his face, and then he was a little surprised, "Why didn't you get on the boat?"

Lin Xiaotang forced a smile, "I sent my younger brother and younger sister to the boat. Now the boarders are old, weak, women and children. My younger brother has already been taken care of by Commander Xiao and Commander Lei. I am a big man with arms and legs. , can also shoot, it’s not suitable to go up. Besides, I also want to stay and fight devils.”

Xiao Shanling listened to Lin Xiaotang's old-fashioned answer, looked at his slightly immature face, his expression relaxed a lot, he nodded approvingly, and said to Lei Zhen: "Old Lei, I will hand over this kid to you." You, this is a good seedling for a soldier, you have to look after me!"

Lei Zhen saluted with a smile and agreed.

Lin Xiaotang looked around casually, and said a word in a daze. After finishing speaking, even he was a little surprised, "Commander Xiao, we are fighting desperately at Yijiangmen, does the rear know?"

Xiao Shanling was taken aback for a moment, but he replied involuntarily: "I have notified the Wuhan base camp, why, what do you mean?"

"Electrify the whole country, saying that we will fight to the end, especially the areas along the Yangtze River in the rear. Spread the massacre order of the Japanese, mobilize the power of the people, and win support from the rear. If we maintain the status quo, we will be a lone army. With broken ships and meager ammunition, the retreat cannot be completed anyway. It is better to give it a go, make the momentum bigger, and attract all parties to send ships to support them."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Xiaotang touched his mouth and chin, his eyes were a little strange, as if he couldn't believe that the words came from his own mouth.

Xiao Shanling and Lei Zhen were completely stunned, they looked at Lin Xiaotang again as if they didn't know each other.

Xiao Shanling's eyes lit up in an instant. After all, he is the mayor of Nanjing and also serves in the army. He is an official with both military and political skills.After thinking about it for a while, I immediately understood the true meaning of Lin Xiaotang's seemingly logically confusing words.

"These, these, how did you, a student, come up with the idea." Xiao Shanling asked doubtfully.

Lin Xiaotang lied and didn't write drafts. He said that he cared about domestic and foreign politics, especially loved the military, and had devoted himself to the study of the Sino-Japanese War, and so on.

After speaking, the old man blushed.Fortunately, the lights in the headquarters were dim, and his face was covered with sludge left by gunpowder smoke, so Xiao Shanling and others did not notice him.

"Also," Lin Xiaotang suddenly had a thought in his mind. He imitated Lei Zhen's appearance and heeled together, "Commander Xiao, it's not an option for us to stick around here. I understand Japanese, and I want to sneak into Nanjing City to find out the real situation of the Japanese army. When you meet our troops, you can guide them to join us at Yijiangmen, at this time, one more person is more strength!"

The curiosity and surprise on Xiao Shanling's face gradually faded, he stared at Lin Xiaotang without blinking, "Tell me the truth, you have other goals!"

Lin Xiaotang lowered his head, "My eldest brother and sister-in-law are still in the city. They are the only relatives I have left. I want to go back and look for them. If, if they are really killed, I also want to make sure!"

Xiao Shanling was silent, and all the staff in the headquarters were silent.

Lin Xiaotang raised his head again, two obvious marks were washed away from the black mud on his face by tears, "Commander Xiao, please help me!"

Xiao Shanling thought for a long time, and walked back and forth in the headquarters several times.It took him a long time before he walked in front of Lin Xiaotang, "Remember, I let you go to fulfill your affection, just go back after looking at it, and be careful!"

After finishing speaking, he turned his head, "Lei Zhen, send a few people to follow him, so as to have someone to take care of him, and keep an eye on him by the way, don't let him do anything stupid, make it clear, and come back immediately when we have news, no Go deeper, you know?"

Lin Xiaotang thanked Xiao Shanling, and followed Lei Zhen out.When he reached the door, he stopped again, turned his head and smiled at Xiao Shanling, "Commander Xiao, I have something to remind you! Devils have snipers in every brigade and even squadron. Your military uniform is really conspicuous. You'd better change."

Xiao Shanling opened his mouth wide, stared blankly at the thin but firm back, then lowered his head to look at his military uniform, "What is the origin of this kid?"