The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

While the Military Control Commission's special operations team was sneaking towards the city of Nanjing like a ghost, eagerly searching for the traces of the mysterious armed Nanjing National Protection Column, in another place, Meng Xiaoyu and several military doctors and nurses were struggling to move forward in the smoke of war under the escort of several guerrillas.

Those were the days after the evacuation of Nanjing, and every step felt incredibly heavy. They witnessed the devastation of Nanjing, their eyes filled with pain and indignation. Meng Xiaoyu's once plump face had thinned considerably, but her bright eyes still burned with hope. After bidding farewell to Lei Tao and the guerrillas, she embarked on a new journey with unwavering faith.

Their journey towards the Eighth Route Army base in the Taihang Mountains was long and arduous. Crossing mountains and crossing enemy blockades, Meng Xiaoyu clutched her medical kit tightly in each moment of danger, for it held her mission. The howling winds couldn't shake their resolve, nor could the torrential rains extinguish their passion.

Finally, they arrived at the Eighth Route Army base in the Taihang Mountains. Upon arrival, Meng Xiaoyu sensed a distinct atmosphere, one filled with vitality and hope. The soldiers warmly welcomed them. Seeing their sincere smiles and their well-worn yet neat uniforms, Meng Xiaoyu knew this was her new battlefield.

Meng Xiaoyu soon began her duties at the field hospital. The simple wards were filled with wounded soldiers, some bleeding from their wounds, others wincing in pain. Meng Xiaoyu, along with the other military doctors and nurses, quickly set to work. Her eyes were focused and gentle, and the tweezers and gauze in her hands seemed to come alive. She gently cleaned and bandaged the soldiers' wounds, offering words of comfort.

In the midst of her busy schedule, Meng Xiaoyu occasionally found moments of leisure, and during these moments, Lei Tao's image would inevitably surface in her mind. Especially the experiences Lei Tao had mentioned: he had been the captain of a special operations sparring team at a secret Soviet military academy, and later served as a combat staff officer for a mercenary group in war-torn Europe, having recently returned to China. The more Meng Xiaoyu pondered this information, the more she felt it was significant. It could be a bombshell for the Eighth Route Army, the National Security Force, and even the Japanese.

That day, Meng Xiaoyu seized a break from work and trotted all the way to the division headquarters. Outside the headquarters tent, she took a deep breath, straightened her messy hair and clothes, and shouted, "Report!"

The division commander was studying the battle plan on a map when he looked up at the voice. "Hey, isn't that Doctor Meng? Come in quickly. You're in such a hurry. What's the urgent matter?"

Meng Xiaoyu walked into the tent and gave a somewhat uncharacteristic military salute: "Commander, I have important intelligence to report."

The division commander became interested and said with a smile, "Oh? What kind of information could pull a busy man like you from the hospital? Tell me quickly."

Meng Xiaoyu approached the division commander mysteriously and said, "Division commander, do you know Lei Tao? He's the one who evacuated Nanjing with me. We later separated."

The commander nodded: "I know, he's a capable young man, what's the matter?"

Meng Xiaoyu approached the division commander mysteriously. "Division Commander, you don't know, but he's quite a character. He was the captain of the special warfare sparring team of the former Soviet secret military academy! Just imagine, the special warfare training at that Soviet academy must have been incredible! Moreover, he later served as a combat staff officer for a mercenary corps in a war-torn region of Europe. He's a man who's been through the rings of gunfire and rain of bullets."

The commander's eyes widened. "Really? This kid is really hiding his true abilities! Is your information reliable?"

Meng Xiaoyu patted his chest and said, "Commander, it's absolutely reliable! He told me this himself. I think this information is extremely important. For our Eighth Route Army, we might be able to figure out some new combat strategies from it. Besides, if the Japanese army or those people in the Military Control Commission knew about it, they would definitely have to reconsider their plans."

The commander stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and then laughed: "You're right, Doctor Meng. You have a pretty clever little head. Lei Tao's experience is like a treasure trove, we have to dig it out. But, you said he was doing so well abroad, why did he come back?"

Meng Xiaoyu blinked. "I don't know about that, Commander. Maybe he's homesick, or maybe he saw the Japanese bullying back home and came back to fight them."

The commander nodded. "No matter what, this is an important clue. I need to discuss with other leaders how to use this information. Doctor Meng, you've made a great contribution this time!"

Meng Xiaoyu smiled sheepishly. "Commander, I just learned this by chance. I hope it helps us. I'll get back to work now. There are still many wounded waiting for me in the hospital."

The commander waved his hand and said, "Go ahead, Doctor Meng. Thank you for your hard work."

After Meng Xiaoyu left, the commander looked at her back and said to himself, "Lei Tao is really an interesting person."

At this time, the Military Intelligence Bureau's special operations team was extremely efficient. One of their teams carefully searched the surrounding area, like a sharp hunting dog, not missing a single clue. Finally, they found the remnants of the National Security Army who had participated in the bombardment and destruction of the Japanese army's Nanjing City Entry Ceremony.

The remnants of the National Security Army were dressed in rags, their clothes stained with smoke and blood, some even torn, revealing their grimy skin. But their eyes burned like flames, their guns tightly gripped, never letting go, as if they were part of their very being. Their morale remained high, a fortitude forged in the flames of war. Even in the face of adversity, they would never yield. However, they now faced a serious problem: food supplies were severely low, and everyone's stomachs were rumbling. Yet, they remained steadfast.

When the Military Control Commission's special operations team appeared, the remaining National Security Army soldiers suddenly became alert, their eyes filled with vigilance. The atmosphere between the two sides instantly became tense, as if sparks could be ignited in the air.

"Who are you?" A bearded soldier among the remnants of the National Security Army shouted loudly, pointing the gun in his hand at the Military Control Commission's special operations team.

Du Zhiteng, the captain of the Military Control Commission, stepped forward and raised his hands to indicate that he had no hostility, but his eyes remained sharp. "Brothers, don't be nervous. We are from the Military Control Commission, we are one of you."

"Military Control Commission? Humph!" Someone among the remaining National Security Army soldiers snorted disdainfully, "What are you, the Military Control Commission, doing here? We don't want to have anything to do with you."

Du Zhiteng frowned. "Brothers, we are here on a mission. We know you participated in the ceremony of bombarding the Japanese troops entering the city, which is remarkable. We want to cooperate with you."

"Cooperation? We have nothing to cooperate with you. We are well aware of the methods your Military Control Commission uses every day." The remaining soldiers of the National Security Army clamored in unison, and the hostility in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

The situation was at a stalemate, with both sides deadlocked and the atmosphere tense to the point of being suffocating. At this moment, the deputy commander of the first battalion of the remnants of the National Security Army stepped forward. He was a burly man, and although his face was exhausted, he had an aura of authority without even being angry.

"Stop arguing!" the deputy commander of the first battalion shouted, then looked at Du Zhiteng, "You, come over with me, let's talk alone."

Du Zhiteng nodded and followed the deputy commander to a nearby tree. He stared into Du Zhiteng's eyes and said sternly, "What on earth do you, the Military Control Commission, want to do? Don't play dumb with me."

Du Zhiteng took a deep breath. "Deputy Battalion Commander, we sincerely want to cooperate. You're short of food, right? We can find a way to help you with some of it. Furthermore, our mission objectives overlap with yours, and we both want to cause more trouble for the Japanese. Also, I have important news to share with you. Chairman Jiang has awarded you the designation of the Nanjing National Protection Column. The surrounding scattered troops will be under your management and command. This is recognition of you, and it also gives you greater responsibility."

The deputy commander of the first battalion frowned, a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Nanjing National Protection Column? This designation...did the Chairman really say that?"

Du Zhiteng nodded. "Absolutely true. This is the decision from above. With this designation, you'll be more confident, right? Furthermore, this means you can integrate surrounding forces to better fight the Japanese."

The deputy commander of the first battalion was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Humph, the Chairman is trying to bring us together. However, since we have a designation, we cannot betray that trust. But let me be frank, we will not engage in those crooked ways like some of the Military Control Commission members. We only fight against the Japanese army and defend our country."

Du Zhiteng quickly said, "Don't worry, Deputy Commander. We are truly cooperating this time. We all know that the country is in crisis right now, and only by uniting can we drive the Japanese out."

The deputy commander of the first battalion looked at Du Zhiteng, then at his ragged but determined brothers in the distance, and said, "You need to arrange for food as soon as possible. We're barely making ends meet right now. Also, we need some time to integrate the scattered soldiers around us. Most of them are also brothers who have suffered greatly, and we can't let them go hungry."

Du Zhiteng replied, "I understand, Deputy Commander. We will arrange for food supplies as soon as possible. The Military Control Commission will also assist you in integrating these scattered troops. Let's work together to consolidate this force."

The two chatted for a while before returning to their respective teams. Although the grudges between the two sides still existed, the tension had at least been temporarily eased. However, their path to cooperation was still full of unknowns and challenges.