xymnovel Chapter 247 Is he crazy? What a coincidence, me too! The all-out attack begins!!
Chapter 247 Is he crazy? What a coincidence, me too! The all-out attack begins!!
Qiu Qingquan met Bai Chengshan once during the day.
At that time, Bai Chengshan's tank detachment was charging alongside his tank convoy, their tracks crushing the Japanese positions and their machine guns mowing down wave after wave of Japanese soldiers who tried to resist.
The two units cooperated fairly well, like two strangers who teamed up temporarily but each showed their true skills.
His impression of Bai Chengshan was simple: young, loud-voiced, and straightforward.
Besides that, his fierceness in battle was just like his own.
"Let him in."
After a moment's thought, Qiu Qingquan gave his instructions.
Bai Chengshan strode into the command post, his steps steady, his gaze sweeping over the staff members inside before finally settling on Qiu Qingquan.
Without any formalities, he handed over a telegram, his voice booming as if it would lift the roof off:
"Commander Qiu, our corps commander asked me to pass on a message to you—if you still want to retreat after hearing this, then he has nothing to say."
The staff officers who were busy in the command post all stopped what they were doing and looked over at the same time.
The voice was so loud that it didn't sound like someone relaying a message; it sounded more like someone beating a war drum and shouting.
Qiu Qingquan picked at his ear with his little finger, not out of disdain, but because Bai Chengshan's voice was so loud that it made his eardrums itch.
How did he know we were leaving?
He was indeed surprised.
The order to retreat had just been issued, and the infantry had already begun to assemble in preparation for crossing the river. It was impossible for the news to reach Li Jianghe's ears so quickly.
Unless—the Fifth War Zone Command has leaked the news?
Bai Chengshan did not rush to answer, but spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of composure:
"Your infantry has already set off and is about to cross the river. Will Commander Qiu's tank convoy stay behind to continue fighting the Japanese?"
This statement, though blunt, is not without merit.
After saying that, without waiting for Qiu Qingquan to say anything more, he recited exactly what Li Jianghe had told him.
His voice echoed throughout the command post, every word resounding with conviction:
"Commander Qiu, our commander said: If your unit is willing to join forces to attack the Japanese invaders, you can make a name for yourself in history in just one day and one night."
Most importantly, those beasts of the Sixth Division, those beasts who burned, killed, and looted in Nanjing, will all die here.
Qiu Qingquan didn't react much to the previous phrase "to be remembered in history" and the so-called "to annihilate the enemy in one day and one night," and his expression even carried a hint of indifference.
He had seen too many people who talked big, and too many unfulfilled ambitions that had led to their demise.
But... the words "Sixth Division" entered his ears, followed by "Nanjing City".
A cold glint flashed in Qiu Qingquan's eyes, like the sudden flash of a knife in the winter night.
His right hand clenched into a fist unconsciously, causing the veins on his arm to bulge slightly.
The air in the command center seemed to freeze.
He remembered many things.
Those images are like old photos soaked in rain, yellowed and blurry, yet they are etched deep in my memory, impossible to erase.
Nanjing City.
That winter was exceptionally cold. The wind along the Yangtze River felt like a knife, cutting into my face and my heart.
He remembered the people who couldn't evacuate—men, women, elderly people with hunched backs, and infants still in swaddling clothes.
They lived a peaceful life, perhaps not wealthy, but content with simple meals. (Read Chapter 247: Is He Mad? Coincidentally, Me Too! The All-Out Attack Begins!!) They were living a quiet life, perhaps not wealthy, but peaceful enough.
But everything changed after the Japanese invaders' iron hooves broke through the city walls.
Those soldiers raised their knives for no reason, simply because they "wanted to."
It's like a drunkard kicking over roadside weeds, careless and indifferent.
Do grasses have life? They don't care.
In their eyes, human life is probably no different from weeds.
Qiu Qingquan remained silent for a long time.
No one in the command post dared to make a sound; they even deliberately kept their breathing quiet.
The flame of the lantern flickered gently, casting shifting light and shadow on his face.
Finally, he raised his head, his gaze steady and firm, and looked at Bai Chengshan:
"Brother Bai, go back and tell your superior that my Qiu Qingquan's tank unit will definitely lend a hand. But it has to be as soon as possible."
"Good, Commander Qiu!" Bai Chengshan laughed heartily, his blood boiling. "We'll fight side by side then! To die on the battlefield, wrapped in horsehide, how exhilarating!"
After saying that, he laughed loudly, turned around and left, his footsteps shattering the somber atmosphere in the command post.
Once Bai Chengshan's figure disappeared into the night, Qiu Qingquan's adjutant approached, lowered his voice, and cautiously probed:
"Sir, this isn't a good idea... Commander Hu is urging us to set off immediately and retreat back to the west bank."
Qiu Qingquan glared at him, his gaze like a knife chilled to the bone:
"What? Are you planning to report me to the commander?"
The adjutant trembled in fright and hurriedly shook his head:
"This humble servant dares not, this humble servant is only worried—that Li Jianghe is a madman!"
"How could the Third Column, along with those ragtag units of the Northwest Army, possibly defeat the Sixth and Tenth Divisions? Isn't this like throwing an egg against a rock?"
"madman?"
Qiu Qingquan gave a cold laugh, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of arrogance.
He stood up, straightened the collar of his uniform, and spoke in a low voice, yet it sounded like a hammer striking a steel plate:
"What a coincidence, I'm a madman too."
Having said that, he cleared his throat and raised his voice: "Pass on my orders! After the Third Column begins its attack, all tank convoys will be engaged in battle."
Anyone who dares to retreat even half a step, or hesitate to advance—my bullets don't have eyes!
Upon receiving the order, the staff officers in the command post looked at each other in bewilderment, but no one dared to utter another word.
Under the same night sky, in the command post of Li Jianghe's Third Column, the light of the kerosene lamp flickered.
Li Jianghe sat at the table, clutching the telegram sent by Bai Chengshan in his hand. His gaze lingered on the short sentence for a moment before he finally let out a long sigh.
He exhaled slowly, as if he were expelling all the anxiety and worry of the past few days.
He originally had only about a 50% chance of winning tonight's operation.
But if Qiu Qingquan is willing to join, the chances of winning will increase to 70%.
70% is enough.
There is never anything that is guaranteed to succeed on the battlefield. If you have a 70% chance of success, it is worth risking everything.
We must act swiftly and decisively; we cannot afford to delay any longer.
The only chance is to eliminate the 6th and 10th Divisions, freeing up resources to deal with the Imperial Guard Division and the 13th Division.
If several divisions were to unite, that would be a true catastrophe.
Having made up his mind, Li Jianghe slammed his fist on the table, his voice booming throughout the command post:
"Pass on my orders! Launch a full-scale offensive according to the plan—give the Japanese army no chance or time to regroup!"