Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 15 Why?
Seeing Li Gaoyuan's nonchalant attitude, Su Yaoyang was speechless.

This guy was indeed a model soldier, dutiful, brave and kind. Otherwise, in the movie based on the original novel, he wouldn't have given up the chance to leave the city to save Meng Shujuan and more than ten other students, and ultimately died a tragic death in battle.

But I'm not that kind of person. I was happily eating barbecue and singing in my home in the 21st century. I didn't do anything to anyone, but that big-headed doll from the fifth level civilization brought me to this time and space. Who can I reason with?
He was just an ordinary citizen who now only wanted to take Xiaolu away from this place that was about to become a living hell and live a good life elsewhere. As for resisting Japan and saving the country, he could think about that later, as long as he could survive.

Looking at Li Gaoyuan, who disregarded life and death, Su Yaoyang felt a throbbing headache. Perhaps this was the generation gap.

After thinking for a moment, he tried to phrase his words tactfully.

"Old Li... I know you're not afraid of death, and you're a good man."

But don't forget, what will happen to the children in the church if you die? What about the prostitutes along the Qinhuai River... um... what about those girls?
Are we just going to leave them here to be abused by those Japanese devils? They are all our compatriots, our sisters.

Li Gaoyuan irritably threw the cigarette, which had burned down to the filter, onto the ground, stomped on it, and said impatiently, "What you say makes sense, but what can I do? I only have a dozen or so brothers under my command, and we're almost out of ammunition. How am I supposed to protect them and get them out of the city?"

Su Yaoyang was waiting for him there, and upon hearing this, he quickly said, "Old Li... you may not have the tools, but I do. Have you forgotten what I do for a living?"

“Hmm…” Li Gaoyuan suddenly raised his head and looked at Su Yaoyang, his gaze instantly becoming sharp.

Su Yaoyang didn't care about anything else and took out another cigarette and handed it to him. "Let me tell you, I stockpiled a batch of weapons and ammunition before, which is hidden near this church. They are all American-made, enough for the brothers to make."

Aren't you worried about not having enough men under your command?

In Nanjing today, there's nothing else but scattered defeated soldiers everywhere. Even if there are no people, we can just raid one or two prisoner-of-war camps and then we'll have people, right?
As long as there are people, we can organize a force to break out. How about it... dare to pull off a heist? Even if it doesn't work out, it's better than waiting to die here."

Li Gaoyuan kept glancing at Su Yaoyang before finally saying suspiciously, "I have a feeling you're trying to fool me."

Su Yaoyang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly chuckled, "Look at what you're saying. What time is it now? The Japanese could come at any moment. What do you have that I can fool me with?"

"Yes!"

Li Gaoyuan gave a bitter smile. "I'm just a soldier, so poor that all I have left is my worthless life. What is there for you, a young master, to fool me about?"
Okay, I agree.

"That's right..."

Seeing Li Gaoyuan agree, Su Yaoyang was overjoyed. With this guy's help, his chances of escaping Nanjing had greatly increased.

He then took out another cigarette and offered him one, before pulling out two packs of Lucky Coin cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket and stuffing them into his hand, excitedly saying:
"Old Li... Let's not delay, let's get started now."

"Now?"

"Nonsense, are we going to wait until the Japanese come before we act?"

"Let me tell you, now we'll split the brothers into two groups. One group will come with me to move things, and the other group you'll personally lead to find people."

No matter how you search, you must gather two or three hundred people before dawn, understand?
Hey... why are you looking at me like that?

Li Gaoyuan stared at him for a long time, then said in a low voice, "Although I only have about ten men now, I am still a major in the Central Military Academy's training corps. Where did you get the guts to assign me tasks?"

"I……"

Su Yaoyang panicked for a moment, then puffed out his chest and raised his voice, "Hey Lao Li, even though you're a major in the Central Military Academy's training corps, don't forget, I'm your sugar daddy now. After I get the stuff over there, I'll feed you, give you drinks, and even provide you with the equipment."

To use an old saying, I'm your boss, is there anything wrong with talking like that? Is there anything wrong with that?

"I……"

Li Gaoyuan was clearly confused by Su Yaoyang's twisted logic. After a long pause, he said in astonishment, "Now that you mention it, it's true... but I always feel..."

"I don't care what you think, I care what I think!" Before he could finish speaking, Su Yaoyang grabbed him and pulled him outside. "Don't forget, you're all my guys now, and you all have to listen to me, understand?"
Now get to work!

Having seen the movie, Su Yaoyang knew that according to the original plot, as soon as it was light the next day, a large group of Japanese soldiers, led by a colonel, would surround the church and take the female students away.

Ostensibly, it was a victory celebration banquet, but in reality, it was about forcing all the girls into military prostitution. Uncles could tolerate this, but aunts couldn't.

Moreover, Xiao Lu and Song Mei are both here; how could he tolerate the Japanese devils taking his women away?

Knowing that time was of the essence, he dragged Li Gaoyuan along and gathered all eleven soldiers from the training team, except for the three wounded who were recuperating in the cellar.

Li Gaoyuan briefly recounted the matters he had just discussed with Su Yaoyang to them, and finally instructed, "Xu Dapeng, Pusheng, and Monkey, the three of you stay here and listen to Brother Su's instructions. The rest of you come with me to search for the Kuomintang brothers scattered throughout the city. Do you all understand?"

"understand!"

"That's good. Everyone else, except for the wounded and Xu Dapeng and the other two, come with me!"

"Yes!"

Soldiers take obedience to orders as their duty. Although the soldiers were tired and hungry, they still followed Li Gaoyuan out.

After Li Gaoyuan and his group left, Xu Dapeng and the other two looked at Su Yaoyang, waiting for his instructions.

Su Yaoyang waved his hand and said, "Don't rush, let's go to the church to call for help first."

After saying that, he led Xu Dapeng and the other two back to the church and gathered together the female students Wang Xiaojuan, Meng Shujuan, Xiaowenzi and others who were praying together, as well as Yu Mo and other women from the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Looking at the chaotic group of women, Su Yaoyang's explanation was very simple.

"Now, everyone come with us to move things. No one is allowed to make excuses to stay here and slack off."

As soon as Su Yaoyang finished speaking, there was a moment of silence, then an uproar broke out.

"Why should I listen to you... Why should I listen to you?"

"Who do you think you are, daring to make me do the work?"

"boom……"

A muffled gunshot echoed through the church hall, making everyone's eardrums buzz.

(End of this chapter)