Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 26 Which class of Huangpu Military Academy did you graduate from?

"Is this okay?"

Su Yaoyang was taken aback for a moment, then thought to himself, "The current Nationalist government is extremely chaotic and its appointment procedures are not very formal. It doesn't seem like Li Gaoyuan is breaking any rules by doing this."

Thinking of this, he nodded: "Alright... As long as I can get people, anything is fine. I'll take the men over now..."

Nanjing Xiaguan Ferry
The Xiaguan ferry crossing was in complete chaos, with countless crowds crowding the narrow passageway to the point of being impassable.

Countless people, intending to leave the city, surged in like a tide. Their faces were haggard, yet they exuded a frantic desire to escape, as if fleeing the impending darkness.

The child wailed in his mother's arms, the heart-wrenching cries mingling with the anxious and angry curses of the adults, creating a scene of utter despair.

At the only pier at the ferry crossing, a row of soldiers from the 36th Division, holding Type 24 rifles, stared intently at the group of ragged, defeated soldiers who had just retreated from the front lines.

A captain, brandishing his pistol, roared, "By order of Commander Tang of the Garrison Command, no Nanjing garrison is to evacuate without orders from the headquarters. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

"Listen up, everyone! No one is allowed to leave! Go back... all of you go back to your original places!"

"Go back to your grandma's leg!"

Amidst the rout of soldiers, a major with his hat askew roared, "My battalion is reduced to just a few dozen men, we haven't received any reinforcements, and we've even lost our position! Where do you expect me to go back to? To die?"

"That's your own business!" the captain of the 36th Division, who was ordered to block the river, shouted angrily. "Our orders are that no one is allowed to cross the river. Even if they are to die, they should die in Nanjing!"

A blood-red glint flashed in the major's eyes as he roared, "Fuck you! If you won't let me live, then we'll all die together!"

After saying that, he raised his pistol and fired a shot into the air. Then he pointed the pistol at the captain, his face contorted with rage, and asked, "I'm asking you one last time, are you going to move aside or not!"

The muffled gunshots echoed over the dock, silencing the previous clamor and shouting, and stopping the pushing and shoving.

Since guns had been used, it was no small matter. The soldiers of the 36th Division, who had originally been holding hands to prevent the fleeing soldiers from boarding the dock, also pulled out their rifles and pointed them at the major and his group.

Seeing this, the fleeing soldiers also drew their guns and aimed them at the major, captain, and other soldiers of the 36th Division. The sound of bolts being pulled back rose and fell, and it seemed that a fierce battle was about to begin.

"Stop...all of you, stop right now!"

Accompanied by the sound, a burly and imposing major general, surrounded by four guards, strode into the scene. This general was Song Xilian, the then commander of the 36th Division.

Upon seeing Song Xilian arrive, the defeated soldiers stirred, with many even taking several steps back. After all, they were soldiers, and the concept of obedience to superiors was deeply ingrained in their hearts, especially since the newcomer was a major general.

Song Xilian walked up to the group and angrily demanded, "Which unit are you from? Don't you know that headquarters has already issued an order that all troops must fight to the death? Who gave you permission to retreat?"

Upon seeing Song Xilian's arrival, the major who had instigated the trouble paused, his fierce expression momentarily faltering. However, upon hearing Song Xilian's words, his face revealed a look of grief and indignation:
"Commander Song, you must speak from your conscience!"

The officers at headquarters told us to stay and fight to the death with the position, but they themselves boarded a boat and left, leaving us to die on the position. Is that reasonable?
We are all born of parents, so why should we be the ones left to die while the officials run away first?

"All we want is to survive, is that wrong?" Hearing the major's indignant words, the fleeing soldiers, who had been somewhat fearful, also became indignant and gripped their rifles tightly.

Yes, why should we poor soldiers be left to die, while the officers can just pack up and leave?
Looking at the increasing number of defeated soldiers in front of the dock, Song Xilian felt extremely overwhelmed.

After the Battle of Shanghai, the 36th Division he led suffered heavy casualties, with only more than 3,000 of the more than 10,000 officers and soldiers remaining. However, he still led his troops to participate in the defense of Nanjing. Under the command of Tang Shengzhi, the commander of the Nanjing Garrison, the 36th Division was assigned the defensive task of the Hongshan, Mufushan, Xiaguan and Yijiangmen line after being replenished with two regiments of soldiers and a batch of guns and ammunition.

Just yesterday, he received orders from headquarters to blockade the docks and not allow the Nanjing garrison and defeated soldiers to leave without authorization, and to allow the use of force if necessary.

But now it seems that the command made a terrible mistake.
With so many defeated soldiers, if we continue to use forceful methods to stop them, it will inevitably escalate into a bloody battle.

If things really escalate to that point, he, as the division commander, will also be implicated.

He took a deep breath and said, “Brothers, I know your difficulties. Many of you fought hard in Shanghai for months and then retreated to Nanjing without time to rest.”

But we are soldiers, and soldiers are duty-bound to obey orders. Since the headquarters has issued the order to hold the line to the death, there must be their reasons and justifications.

Besides, there's a shortage of boats at the ferry crossing right now, and there's simply not enough time to evacuate everyone. That's why we can only let the elderly, women, and children board the boats. As soldiers, don't you even understand this?"

"Bullshit... Then why did I see all those officials board the ship, leaving us poor soldiers behind to wait to die?" Suddenly, a loud shout rang out.

"Who...who said that? Step forward!" Song Xilian roared angrily.

The scene fell silent; no one spoke again. Although Song Xilian was furious, he couldn't resort to force.

With his extensive experience in leading troops, he could tell at a glance that these defeated soldiers were already on edge, and who knew what they might do if they were provoked further.

Just as he was in a dilemma, accompanied by a beeping horn, two three-wheeled motorcycles drove up from behind and finally stopped by the dock.

"Make way...make way..."

Accompanied by shouts, six soldiers dressed in German-style military uniforms got off two motorcycles, led by an officer wearing the rank of major.

Upon seeing the military uniforms of the newcomers, Song Xilian was initially furious, but then frowned and stepped forward to block their way: "I am Song Xilian, the commander of the 36th Division. Are you from the Training Corps, the 87th or the 88th Division?"

Su Yaoyang, who had just gotten off his motorcycle, saw a major general in a German-style military uniform approaching and asking him a question. He couldn't help but shudder, snapped to attention, and saluted loudly, "Reporting, sir, I am Su Yaoyang from the First Regiment of the Training Corps?"

"Training Corps?"

Song Xilian looked him over again, then at his rank, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Su Yaoyang? I know almost all the officers above the rank of colonel in the First Regiment of the Training Corps, how come I've never seen you before? Which class of the Whampoa Military Academy did you graduate from?"

"Oh no!" Su Yaoyang thought to himself, seeing Song Xilian's hesitant gaze.

(End of this chapter)