Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 37 Dress Up
“Support…what do you expect me to give them as support?” Xiao Shanling rolled his eyes at him, annoyed.

"But are we just going to stand by and watch?" the adjutant said with some concern. "The Training Corps has already suffered heavy losses, and now they are fighting a bloody battle with the Japanese at St. Paul's Church to protect a group of women and children."

The Japanese have also deployed heavy artillery; without support, they won't last long!

At this moment, Xiao Shanling and his adjutant were unaware that the shelling they had just received was actually launched by their own side.

This is not surprising. Artillery is precious to any country, especially to the Republic of China, which had to import even 70mm shells.

Today, the Republic of China's arsenals (such as the Hanyang, Jinling, and Taiyuan arsenals) can only produce some light artillery, such as 82mm mortars and 75mm mountain guns (copying Krupp).

Even so, production was extremely low, and artillery with a caliber of 100 mm or more simply could not be produced.

German-equipped divisions (such as the 87th and 88th Divisions) were only equipped with 4-8 mountain guns per division.

If even the most elite German-equipped divisions were like this, the situation was even worse for ordinary troops.

So when they heard the rumbling of cannons coming from the direction of the church, their first reaction was that the Japanese army was mobilizing heavy artillery to attack the church.

After a long silence, Xiao Shanling said irritably, "I'm just the deputy commander of the military police, not the commander of the capital garrison. They're not under my jurisdiction, so what can I do?"

"Whoosh... Boom..."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a shell suddenly exploded next to the command post, the loud bang shattering the windows.

"Sir... the Japanese artillery has already started firing. Let's take cover for now." The adjutant tried to pull Xiao Shanling out of the office, but he refused.

"I'm not leaving. I'm staying here."

"Sir..."

The adjutant was getting anxious and was about to try to persuade him when Fang Chao, the deputy director of the police department, dressed in a black police uniform, rushed in and handed him a telegram. "Sir... Commander Tang has ordered all garrison troops to immediately withdraw from Nanjing and retreat to the north bank via various docks. Hu Zongnan will lead the 17th Army Corps to cover us on the other side."

"Absurd!" Upon seeing the telegram, Xiao Shanling not only did not show any joy, but instead angrily slammed the telegram on the table.

"How could Tang Mengxiao (Tang Shengzhi) be a commander who changes orders frequently and gives orders haphazardly?"
Just a few days ago, he shouted that he would live and die with Nanjing, firmly blocking the civilians and retreating troops at the dock. Now that he doesn't want to defend it anymore, he suddenly decides to retreat. Doesn't he know that this is sending the civilians and his brothers to the muzzle of Japanese guns and bombs?

Seeing Xiao Shanling's angry gaze, Fang Chao advised, "Sir... military orders are absolute. Since Commander Tang has given the order, we have no choice but to obey."

"Sigh... What kind of bullshit order is this?" Xiao Shanling sighed to the heavens, but had no choice but to obey.

He walked to the wall, grabbed his hat, and put it on his head. "Let's go... let's go to the riverbank."

After saying that, he strode toward the door, but when he reached the door, he seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped. He said to his adjutant, "I remember that Luo Yousheng (commander of the 2nd Military Police Regiment) just reported that he had gathered almost two battalions of military police and was now preparing to move toward Xiaguan."

"Immediately inform Luo Yousheng to hand over these two emergency aid supplies to St. Paul's Church to the command of the local officials. It's my way of doing my part; the outcome is beyond our control."

The adjutant was immediately startled: "Sir... this is your last remaining mobile force. Are you really going to use it up like this?" "Alright... no need to say more. It's settled then." Xiao Shanling waved his hand: "It's all part of China's national defense force. As long as it's used for the important task of resisting foreign aggression, what do I have to be reluctant about?"

After saying that, Xiao Shanling strode out of the office.

Just half an hour after Xiao Shanling headed to Xiaguan Ferry, a dusty army in khaki uniforms appeared near St. Paul's Church and was immediately stopped by the soldiers on guard.

"What...you mean you're military police from the Military Police Headquarters, and you've come to reinforce us on the orders of Deputy Commander Xiao Shanling?"

Su Yaoyang looked at the man standing in front of him, who looked tired but still had a sharp look in his eyes, and a big question mark rose in his mind.

The man snapped to attention and saluted loudly, saying, "Yes, Huang Guantao, deputy commander of the Second Training Regiment of the Military Police, has come to reinforce the troops on the orders of Deputy Commander Xiao Shanling of the Military Police, and will obey the commander's orders."

Su Yaoyang touched his forehead, but he didn't have a fever. How could he encounter such good fortune?

Perhaps because the puzzled look in Su Yaoyang's eyes was too obvious, Huang Guantao immediately explained: "Commander Xiao just received orders to go to Xiaguan Ferry to stop the main force from retreating. He also heard that your unit risked danger to block the Japanese army here in order to cover the retreat of civilians and students. He admires you very much, so he ordered his unit to come and provide support."

"The Order of Xiaoshan..."

Su Yaoyang frowned and thought for a while, when suddenly a figure flashed through his mind.

Is this the same person Xiao Shanling, the deputy commander of the military police who bravely fought against the Japanese invaders during the Battle of Nanjing, was ordered to go to Xiaguan to stop the retreat, and saw that the Xiaguan army had no hope of survival and the Japanese army was attacking continuously. He was already wounded in many places and knew that he could not escape. In order not to be captured by the Japanese army and humiliated, he picked up his pistol and committed suicide in anger and died for his country?

Hearing that the troops in front of him were actually sent by Xiao Shanling to support him, Su Yaoyang felt both moved and ashamed.

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Deputy Commander Huang, where is Commander Xiao now?"

"Commander Xiao should have arrived at the Xiaguan ferry crossing by now to direct the evacuation of the civilians and troops."

Su Yaoyang glanced at the more than 700 military police standing neatly behind Huang Guantao, and his heart burned with excitement.

Just moments ago, he was worrying about the ragtag army he had in his hands. Now, a group of well-trained and disciplined military police has arrived. Isn't this just the perfect opportunity?
"Deputy Regiment Commander Huang, you lead the troops into the church for a meal and rest now. I will give you instructions in two hours."

"Yes!"

"Xu Dapeng, go tell Xiaolu to arrange for Yu Mo and the other girls to immediately distribute food to Deputy Regiment Commander Huang and the others, and then have the troops change their uniforms."

"Wait... changing clothes?" Huang Guantao looked at himself and the military police behind him, completely bewildered.

Our troops are equipped with some of the best gear in the National Revolutionary Army, so why would we need to change our equipment?

"understand!"

Xu Dapeng ignored the still somewhat bewildered Huang Guantao and led them downstairs.

(End of this chapter)