Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 72 Orders from the Ministry of Military Affairs
After a day of fierce fighting, the Chinese and Japanese soldiers retreated back to their respective positions, like two ferocious beasts that had fought all day returning to their dens to lick their wounds and rest, preparing for an even more brutal battle the next day.

After several days of fierce fighting, most of the buildings of St. Paul's Church had been destroyed, leaving only the main cathedral, which was mostly destroyed, and a few small houses still standing stubbornly.

In a hidden underground command post, Su Yaoyang was using a bayonet to pry open a can of Spam luncheon meat, the solidified lard gleaming palely under the kerosene lamp.

I picked up a pair of chopsticks, took a piece of luncheon meat, and put it in my mouth. A greasy taste hit my taste buds.

At that moment, Su Yaoyang suddenly understood what American soldiers in later generations often said: "God help us make Spam disappear."

However, Su Yaoyang dared not say this in front of his soldiers and officers. He clearly remembered the happy smiles on the soldiers' faces when they first ate Spam luncheon meat.

For Nationalist soldiers who suffered from chronic malnutrition and rarely ate meat, Spam luncheon meat was the most delicious food in the world.

Just as Su Yaoyang was feeling helpless looking at the greasy luncheon meat in front of him, Li Gaoyuan walked in.

"Commander... someone outside is looking for you."

"Someone is looking for me?" Su Yaoyang was slightly taken aback.

“It’s someone from above.” Li Gaoyuan pointed to the top of his head.

Su Yaoyang immediately understood. He pushed aside the luncheon meat in front of him and said helplessly, "Let them in."

Soon, two figures wrapped in black cloaks bent down and walked through the broken bricks into the basement. Behind them followed two fully armed security soldiers, the Kuomintang emblem on their helmets gleaming coldly under the lights.

Standing on the left is a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a big smile on his face, as if he could say "Wishing you prosperity" at any moment. If you said he was a businessman, probably no one would doubt it.

The person standing at the back was completely different. With a cold expression, sunglasses, and an arrogance that emanated from his very bones, anyone could tell that this guy's status was definitely not simple.

"Commander, this is Xu Shixiang, deputy head of the Nanjing station of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and this is Major Chen Shijie of the Ministry of Military Affairs," Li Gaoyuan introduced from the side.

Su Yaoyang nodded slightly to the two men. "As the old saying goes, no one visits a temple without a reason. You two must have something important to discuss, since you risked crossing the Japanese blockade to come here."

Xu Shixiang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Su Yaoyang: "Commander Su, it's been a long time since I've heard of you. You probably don't know this, but your achievements and reputation have now reached Chairman Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing."

Chairman Chiang Kai-shek greatly admired your deeds after hearing them, saying you were a pillar of the Party and the nation. Therefore, Minister He of the Ministry of Military Affairs specially dispatched Commander Chen and Mr. Xu to come, bringing your letter of appointment.

Su Yaoyang said calmly, "Oh... tell me about it?"

Xu Shixiang took out a brown paper bag from his briefcase and handed it to him: "Minister He intends to give your unit a provisional Nanjing Security Regiment and incorporate your unit into the 74th Army."

As he spoke, Su Yaoyang pulled out a document from the brown paper bag that read "Provisional Organization Table of Nanjing Security Regiment".

Su Yaoyang glanced at it and a cold smile crept into his heart. The Ministry of Military Affairs was trying to fool him.

During the War of Resistance against Japan, the organizational structure of the National Revolutionary Army was complex and chaotic, including regular central and local armies as well as a large number of temporarily formed units with designations such as "newly formed," "provisional," and "supplementary." These designations reflected the characteristics of the National Revolutionary Army's troop replenishment, factional struggles, and resource allocation during the war.

Designations like "provisional" are mostly used for temporary emergency forces, which are usually pieced together from the remnants of defeated troops, new recruits from the rear, or local security forces. Their missions are mostly to fill gaps in the defense line or to carry out secondary tasks.

To put it bluntly, this kind of unit is a disposable consumable. If the unit is not wiped out after one use, it will usually be disbanded. After all, it is only a "temporary" unit.

What annoyed Su Yaoyang the most was that it was one thing to be a provisional unit, but to add the security regiment's designation after "provisional" was blatant bullying. On one hand, they praised his achievements, but they wouldn't even give him an official designation; it was obvious they wanted to get something for nothing.

Seeing that Su Yaoyang remained silent, Major Chen, wearing a yellow woolen military uniform, opened his briefcase and threw a stack of Chinese currency onto the ammunition box, stirring up dust. Su Yaoyang noticed that the paper strips binding the banknotes were stamped with the blue seal of the Central Bank.

After placing his briefcase on the table, Major Chen spoke.

"Your unit fought valiantly for ten days, which Chairman Chiang greatly appreciated. This 100,000 yuan is a small reward from the Ministry of Military Affairs for you and your soldiers. However, you are, after all, just a self-built ragtag army, without even a proper number. The higher-ups did this for your own good, and it was a last resort to incorporate you into the 74th Army."

The major's Fujian accent was sharp and grating, like the sound of metal scraping glass. "I know Commander Su may be unwilling, but war requires a holistic view. If Shanghai is lost, Nanjing will also fall... Commander Su is a smart man, and I'm sure you can consider the big picture."

"boom……"

The cellar suddenly shook violently. A muffled thud came from overhead as bricks and stones crumbled, and a stray bullet, seemingly from nowhere, landed near the cellar.

The violent explosion sent dust flying through the cellar, and the kerosene lamp teetered precariously in the blast.

Su Yaoyang steadied the swaying kerosene lamp, the flame shrinking to a pinpoint in his pupils—he recalled Xu Dapeng's description of the scene he saw at Xiaguan Wharf:

Trucks were parked on the huge ferry, loaded with boxes of antiques, paintings and calligraphy, as well as gold and silver valuables belonging to high-ranking officials.

The docks were crowded with desperate fleeing soldiers and civilians.

"Please tell Minister He for me." He grabbed the banknotes and stuffed them back into his briefcase, saying each word clearly, "Su and the thousands of brothers in the newly formed security regiment are not your high-ranking officials' foot towels, nor will we let you decide our fate."

He doesn't have the right to use us as cannon fodder!

"you……"

Major Chen's expression instantly turned serious. He narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on Su Yaoyang, who returned a calm look.

At this moment, Major Chen changed his arrogant attitude from before and slowly asked, "Commander Su, are you really going to do this?"

"Is there a problem?" Su Yaoyang's answer was equally firm. "The last order the security regiment received was given by General Tang Shengzhi himself before he withdrew: 'Defend Nanjing to the death.'"

"Okay...okay..."

Major Chen stared intently at Su Yaoyang for a long while before nodding. "Alright... I'd like to see how Commander Su will defend Nanjing to the death. Farewell!"

"It's easy to leave without seeing him off."

Amidst heavy footsteps, Major Chen and Xu Shixiang were led away from the basement.

After a long silence in the basement, Li Gaoyuan said helplessly.

"Commander, although the order from the Ministry of Military Affairs is absurd, you don't need to offend him like this, especially Commander He, whose influence extends throughout the entire army. If you really offend him, it will be very difficult for you to advance in the military."

"Difficult my ass." Su Yaoyang scoffed. "I don't even know if I'll survive tomorrow, why should I be afraid of this and that?"

(End of this chapter)