The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

The two had just arrived at the bamboo building, but before they could go up, they saw the young nurse leaning against the ladder and sobbing softly. Zhou Zhi took another step forward and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Liu, what's wrong?"

Xiao Liu looked up and saw that it was the deputy division commander and the chief of staff. He quickly wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, looked upstairs, and then said to them in a very low voice: "The division commander vomited blood again just now, and he didn't allow me to tell you. Two commanders, we have to find a way to save the division commander, he..." When Xiao Liu said this, he couldn't help but shed tears again, and his voice choked.

Huang Wei stopped Xiao Liu from continuing and asked softly, "Does Doctor Li know?" Xiao Liu nodded and pointed upwards, "Doctor Li is inside."

Huang Wei and Zhou Zhi nodded to Xiao Liu again, and they tiptoed upstairs. As soon as they reached the top, they heard Dai Anlan's weak, intermittent breaths. "Don't tell Huang Wei and the others about my situation, ahem, don't... tell them... don't distract them. The brothers in the 200th Division... still... ahem... still need them to find a way to get me out..."

"Commander, don't worry. I won't tell them, so they won't be distracted." Doctor Li continued as he treated Dai Anlan, "Commander, your condition is getting worse. These medicines can only simply treat your external injuries. It's a pity we don't have penicillin. If we had one, at least you wouldn't be in this situation."

Doctor Li looked at Dai Anlan, his eyes full of helplessness and sadness. His face was as pale as paper and his lips were bloodless, as if he would take his last breath at any time.

"I know my physical condition, Doctor Li. Don't waste your time on me. Save those brothers who still have hope." Dai Anlan said weakly.

Doctor Li held Dai Anlan's hand, feeling his weak pulse. "Commander, you must hold on. We will find a way to find penicillin. You will definitely get better."

Dai Anlan smiled faintly, a smile filled with endless bitterness and helplessness. "Doctor Li, don't be sad. I've already prepared for the worst. If I can't make it back alive, you must tell my family that I have no regrets for my country and my nation."

Zhou Zhi couldn't hold it in any longer and hurried forward to Dai Anlan's side. "Commander, you can't do this. We must cure you! I have good news for you. We've contacted the 600nd Battalion of the 2th Regiment. They're rushing over with medicine. There's a lot of Western medicine, including penicillin!"

Huang Wei also strode forward and came to Dai Anlan's side. With a smile on his face, he said to him softly, "Commander-in-Chief, we have won another victory. Under the leadership of Chief of Staff Kuang, the 600th Regiment wiped out more than 147 people from a battalion headquarters of the Japanese 300th Regiment in one fell swoop, and killed a Japanese major. We can breathe a sigh of relief for a while and rest here for a while."

Dai Anlan smiled, a rare smile on his face. Perhaps it was the effect of this news, he actually stopped coughing and spoke in a calm tone: "Huang Wei, since you took over the 600th Regiment, you have never let me down. I believe you will lead the 200th Division out of its predicament. You don't need to be the commander of the 600th Regiment anymore. Let Kuang Zhengqi be the commander, and Qin Shi be the deputy commander and chief of staff. I believe they can win more battles. You are the future hope of the 200th Division!"

Dai Anlan paused and continued, "I know myself. No matter how good the medicine is, it's probably useless. Don't use it on me. Give it to the brothers who can be saved." Dai Anlan gestured to stop Zhou Zhizai from interrupting him. He continued, "Huang Wei, I'll leave the 200th Division to you. You must lead everyone out!"

Perhaps it was due to excitement, "cough cough cough," he started coughing again. Huang Wei and Military Doctor Li quickly helped him up, gently stroking his chest and back to help him breathe. Military Doctor Li also signaled Huang Wei and Zhou Zhizai with his eyes, meaning that Dai Anlan was indeed very difficult to cure. Zhou Zhizai could no longer hold back. The man, the chief of staff of the first division, sobbed and muttered, "Commander, we can't live without you!"

Dai Anlan stretched out his right hand, tremblingly grasping Zhou Zhizai's, and said weakly, "Wanzhi, you and I have known each other for many years, and have witnessed countless separations and deaths. Today, it's my turn, and you must remain calm... You are an excellent advisor, and I hope you can assist Commander Huang as you have assisted me."

Dai Anlan then turned and looked at Huang Wei. This once insignificant staff officer had, in just over a month, grown into the indispensable backbone of the 200th Division. Dai Anlan raised his left hand tremblingly. Huang Wei understood his intention from the look in his eyes and quickly took Dai Anlan's left hand in his. He nodded to him, giving him a firm response with his eyes.

Dai Anlan smiled with relief, and glanced at the two beloved generals in front of him. His expression suddenly returned to the demeanor of a scholar-general. He said in a firm and commanding tone: "As the commander of the 200th Division, I appoint Huang Wei as the acting commander of the 200th Division, with full command of the 200th Division. I also appoint Zhou Zhizai as the deputy commander and chief of staff to assist Commander Huang in combat!"

Huang Wei and Zhou Zhi stood up again and solemnly saluted Dai Anlan!

Dai Anlan looked at the two of them carefully again, smiled with satisfaction, nodded slightly, and then waved to them, signaling them to leave and return to their posts. Huang Wei and Zhou Zhi finally understood what Dai Anlan meant, and reluctantly left his side and slowly walked down the bamboo building.

The two men went downstairs but did not leave immediately. They signaled Xiao Liu to go upstairs and replace Doctor Li. A moment later, Doctor Li hurried out, and the three of them slowly walked to an open space not far from the bamboo building. Huang Wei asked Doctor Li, "What is the situation with Commander Dai?"

Without hesitation, Doctor Li said, "This is very bad. The bullet in his chest has caused suppuration and necrosis in his left lung, and the fluid accumulation has affected the normal beating of his heart. Even with penicillin for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, surgery is impossible. I'm afraid Commander Dai won't be able to hold on for much longer."

"What does the operation require?" Zhou Zhi asked anxiously.

Doctor Li shook his head. "We can't perform this kind of surgery unless we're in a top European or American hospital!"

Doctor Li's words had already sealed Dai Anlan's death. Huang Wei felt a pang of sadness. History couldn't change this. Just then, Qin Shi and a few others rushed over. Seeing Huang Wei and the others, they couldn't wait to say, "Medicine, penicillin, I brought it!"

Huang Wei quickly said to Doctor Li, "Quick! Give it to Commander Dai. No matter what, we can't just watch him die. We have to believe in miracles!"

Dai Anlan (November 1904, 11 – May 25, 1942), whose original name was Dai Bingyang, whose courtesy name was Yangong and whose self-proclaimed name was Haiou, was a native of Wuwei County, Anhui Province. He served as commander of the 5th Division of the Fifth Army of the National Revolutionary Army and was a renowned anti-Japanese general. In 26, Dai Anlan participated in the Northern Expedition. In 200, he led his troops in the Battle of Northern Hunan and the Battle of Kunlun Pass. In March 1924, Dai Anlan led his troops to Burma to join the Chinese Expeditionary Force. During the Battle of Dongguabang, he personally commanded the front lines and was unfortunately seriously wounded. On May 1939, Dai Anlan succumbed to his wounds in Maobang Village, northern Burma, at the age of 1942. After his death, the Nationalist government posthumously awarded him the rank of Lieutenant General of the Army and enshrined him in the Nanjing Martyrs' Shrine. On September 3, 5, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China posthumously recognized him as a revolutionary martyr. On September 26, 38, Dai Anlan was named one of the "1956 Heroes and Model Figures Who Made Outstanding Contributions to the Founding of the People's Republic of China." His heroic deeds and noble spirit have inspired countless Chinese people to strive for the prosperity and strength of their country.

——Based on real historical records!