xymnovel Chapter 257 Fellow countrymen in Nanjing, the 3rd Column has avenged you!
Chapter 257 Fellow countrymen in Nanjing, the 3rd Column has avenged you!
Commander He reacted the fastest; he turned to look at the principal, his eyes filled with urgency:
"Chairman, the most urgent task at this time is to get Hu Zongnan's Central Army into pursuit. This opportunity must not be missed, for it will not come again."
The principal slammed his hand on the table, the force of which made the teacup on the table jump.
"That's right! Send a telegram to Hu Zongnan, ordering his troops to immediately engage in the pursuit of the Japanese army!"
After the order was given, the communications officer seemed to have thought of something and pulled out another telegram from the folder.
"By the way, Chairman, here is another telegram, sent by Commander Qiu Qingquan."
The principal then remembered that he had previously sent a telegram to Qiu Qingquan, instructing him to lead his troops in a retreat.
However, Qiu Qingquan did not reply at the time, which made him really angry, and he even cursed Qiu Qingquan for betraying the party and the country.
I still haven't completely swallowed that anger.
"Let me see it."
After saying that, he took the telegram and glanced at the short line of text.
The telegram was very short, consisting of only one line of text, as if it had been carved with a knife.
"Student Qingquan, living up to the expectations of the Party, the country, and the nation!"
Upon seeing this, the principal's lips curled up slightly, and the smile spread from the corner of his eyes to his entire face.
He put down the telegram, shook his head, and said with a hint of relief:
"This madman Qiu still knows he's my student. Well, he fought a good battle, and we'll still reward him according to his merits later."
Commander He quickly echoed, his voice carrying just the right amount of flattery:
"Chairman's insight is excellent."
Principals often show considerable tolerance and magnanimity when dealing with their students.
Commander He was well aware of this.
In Hu Zongnan's command post, he paced anxiously, his leather shoes leaving an invisible mark on the floor.
Qiu Qingquan has not yet called back, which makes him feel like a stone is pressing on his heart.
That was his tank convoy, the main assault force of the entire First Army.
If he were to just go along with Li Jianghe's madness and then die on the other side of the river, the principal would not only blame Qiu Qingquan, but he would also likely be held accountable.
Where will he put his face then?
As for the situation in Huoqiu, Hu Zongnan still doesn't know. How is the battle progressing? Is it a victory or a defeat? Is it life or death?
At least in his opinion, there was probably no chance.
Because the nearby Gushi direction has already entered the stage of street fighting. The city walls have been breached, and there is a risk that it will be captured by the enemy at any time.
No matter how capable those Northwest Army soldiers were, they couldn't withstand the Japanese incendiary bombs burning them repeatedly.
Just then, the communications soldier stood up and shouted:
"Report! An urgent telegram from the Chairman orders our troops to cross the Shi River and pursue the 6th and 10th Divisions. No delays allowed!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Zongnan looked surprised and hurriedly went over to take the telegram.
After he saw the contents clearly, his doubts deepened, like a tangled mess that he couldn't unravel.
What does this mean? They told me to retreat first, and now they're telling me to fight back? Are they making our entire First Army practice shuttle runs?
Wait a minute—what does it mean to "pursue" the 6th and 10th Divisions?
Only when fleeing troops are attacked can it be called a "pursuit".
Could it be that the defenses of the 6th and 10th Divisions have really been completely breached by the 3rd Column?
That seems to be the only possibility. Otherwise, why would the principal suddenly be so brave and decisive?
That must be because we have the advantage, which is why we've committed all our forces to it.
Thinking of this, Hu Zongnan finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of resentment and helplessness:
"Order all units to assemble immediately, cross the Shi River, and pursue the Sixth and Tenth Divisions."
Although he issued the order, he knew in his heart that if the Third Column had truly won, it would be too late for him to pursue them now.
The others have already finished eating the meat, and he might not even get a sip of soup.
Even just a little soup would be better than nothing, better than being scolded by the principal for "missing the opportunity".
The sky gradually brightened.
The vast plains south of Huoqiu County were littered with the corpses of Japanese soldiers.
The corpses lay scattered about, like fallen leaves blown by the wind, covering the fields and ditches.
Some floated on the river, turning the water a shocking blood red, as if someone had poured a bucket of red paint into the river.
Some lay on the mudflats by the shore, their heads buried in the mud and sand, with only half of their bodies showing, looking as ridiculous as ostriches.
Some were blown to pieces in the fields, their bodies torn apart, with limbs and severed parts scattered around the bomb craters, making it impossible to tell whose hand belonged to whom.
Others lay neatly piled up in front of the blocking position, like a swarm of dead locusts, densely packed and enough to make one's scalp crawl.
The air was thick with the pungent smell of blood and gunpowder, mixed together like a jar of aged liquor, making one's throat dry.
Li Jianghe jumped off a Puma armored vehicle, his boots hitting the muddy ground.
Li Jianghe jumped off a Puma armored vehicle, his boots hitting the muddy ground.
He raised his head and looked at Baicheng Mountain across from him.
Bai Chengshan grinned, his smile as bright as if he'd found a gold ingot, his voice so loud it could shake the clouds apart:
"Commander, hahaha, you've finally arrived! What do you think of this officer's sword?"
As he spoke, he presented the captured military knife to Li Jianghe with both hands.
The military knife was exquisitely crafted, with golden patterns inlaid on the scabbard, which gleamed faintly in the morning light.
Li Jianghe picked at his ears; the deafening sound from Baicheng Mountain made his eardrums itch.
This Bai Chengshan is great in every way, except he has a very loud voice.
Where are they?
Li Jianghe asked, his voice not loud, but carrying a sense of pressure.
Bai Chengshan sheathed the officer's sword, and the smile on his face faded slightly.
"The person is gone, only the head is still intact."
As he said this, he ordered his soldiers to bring him the head.
A soldier came over carrying a cloth bag and carefully opened it.
Li Jianghe looked down.
It was a head with wide-open eyes, the expression on its face frozen in the last moment—a mixture of disbelief, resentment, and fear.
Those eyes were wide open, as if asking, "How could this happen?"
Li Jianghe's eyes flashed with overwhelming hatred, like two flames that had been suppressed for a long time, finally finding an outlet to burn.
He grabbed the head with a rough and forceful motion.
Then he crouched down, placed the head on the ground, and pointed it toward the city of Nanjing.
That direction is southeast, and the sun is rising from that direction.
"Fellow countrymen, take a look."
Li Jianghe's voice was deep and hoarse.
"We, the Third Column—will avenge you!"