A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Zou Zuohua held two positions: Director General of Artillery and Chief of the Army Artillery School. He also served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Third War Zone Artillery on the Shanghai-Nanjing battlefield.

He was extremely dedicated to the education and training of artillery shooting and tactics, achieving remarkable results and making significant contributions to the development and construction of the National Revolutionary Army's artillery. He can be considered the foremost figure in artillery.

In the recent Battle of Meipu Highway Bridge, Song Hongfei deployed only the 3rd Training Regiment to block the enemy. The regiment's infantry artillery company and a 75mm mountain gun company from the 2nd Artillery Regiment occupied several concealed positions. Relying on the fire control network map, they fired indirect fire under the command of the forward observation and guidance group. The accurate and rapid artillery fire terrified the Japanese army.

Meanwhile, the Japanese ground observation posts could neither observe the artillery positions behind our lines nor the flashes, smoke, and dust from artillery fire, leaving them helpless.

"The Training Corps truly deserves to be called a model unit! Their artillery skills are proficient, swift, and efficient." At that time, Peng Mengji, the commander of the 10th Heavy Artillery Regiment, was deeply shocked, as if a tidal wave had crashed over the dam.

Peng Mengji suffered greatly from the counterattacks of Japanese aircraft and heavy artillery in Shanghai, and was also troubled by the lack of infantry units proficient in infantry-artillery coordination and artillery tactics. He could only conduct guerrilla warfare in a dispersed manner, which can be described as having heavy weapons but being unable to make use of them.

During the Battle of Meipu Highway Bridge, due to the inconvenience of arranging 150mm heavy artillery in formation and constructing firing positions, he simply observed the battle from the sidelines.

Commander Peng dispatched personnel from the 10th Artillery Regiment to assist in observation, calculation, and guidance. Each battalion of the 3rd Training Regiment was equipped with an artillery command group, and the rear artillery was available on call, able to hit exactly where it was pointed!

This battle can be considered an excellent example of the National Revolutionary Army's infantry-artillery coordination, close cooperation among various units, and multi-service joint operations.

After the battle, Peng Mengji reported the course of the battle to Zou Zuohua. Zou Zuohua was deeply moved and exclaimed, "The Training Corps not only led all infantry units, but even artillery units."

Although the Nationalist Army's artillery training at that time included shooting techniques such as firing without observation or test firing on maps, these techniques were not applicable on the battlefield, and direct aiming and firing were often the norm.

Therefore, Zou Zuohua's visit was not only about personal relationships, but also contained his earnest hope for the modern artillery tactics of the National Revolutionary Army.

The group engaged in an in-depth discussion on infantry-artillery coordination and artillery tactics.

Even after Zou Zuohua and Peng Mengji left, Song Hongfei was still overwhelmed with emotions and his mind was still unsettled.

Gui Shuaizhen looked at him meaningfully and said, "Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was aimed at Liu Bang."

Song Hongfei was a little embarrassed and said, "Captain, please don't joke with me."

Gui Shuaizhen smiled and said, "Just watch, there's more to come. You need to be prepared. You should also get to know the people in different units, departments, and parties better; it will be helpful for carrying out your work in the future."

"Yes," Song Hongfei nodded silently.

Gui Shuaizhen then said, "I have some news for you. Captain Gao Muyu of the Attendant's Office Guard Group, who is also someone you know, is going to be transferred to the General Headquarters."

Song Hongfei was quite surprised. He recalled that after returning from Europe at the end of August, Gao Muyu from Zhanghuabang in Songhu had indeed mentioned such a thing, but he hadn't paid much attention to it at the time, thinking that the other party had just said it casually.

"This kid, this kid! The adjutant's office is something so many people dream of, desperately trying to get into but never succeeding. And here he is, giving up such a promising future to come to our combat troops who have been through so much hardship." Song Hongfei said with a look of surprise, "Is this guy really so obsessed with fighting on the battlefield, making great achievements, and saving the country and its people?"

Gui Shuaizhen said, "Hey, how can we criticize the enthusiasm of young people for serving the country and the military? Let me tell you, he specifically sought out Director Chen Liren of the General Staff Office to transfer him here."

This surprised Song Hongfei even more.

“He came from a high-level organization and knows many people there. This connection will be helpful to the brigade in the future,” Gui Shuaizhen added. “Captain Gao is a graduate of the 9th class of the Whampoa Military Academy, but he has never served in combat units. It is not appropriate for him to be directly appointed as a military commander. I am worried about what position to assign him.”

Song Hongfei thought for a moment and said, "It's not difficult. It's not appropriate to send someone from a high-level organization to the front line. But surely there's a suitable position in the headquarters or among so many directly subordinate teams?"

“He came all the way here specifically for you,” Gui Shuaizhen said earnestly, looking at him. “When I met him at the Military Commission a few days ago, he made it clear that…”

Song Hongfei looked at Gui Shuaizhen with great surprise, and after confirming that the expression on his face was not a joke, he couldn't help but blurt out: "This kid, does that mean there are no suitable positions in my 3rd Brigade?"

Gui Shuaizhen said half-jokingly, "What benefits did you promise him when you were at the front? How could you be so good at persuading him?"

Song Hongfei spread his hands helplessly and said, "I'm innocent! I swear to God, I didn't say anything. It has nothing to do with me. How could I have instigated this? Hmm, thinking back, the deputy captain mentioned it casually at the time, but no one expected that this kid would take it seriously."

Gui Shuaizhen thought for a moment and said, "I think it would be better if he served as your staff officer at the brigade headquarters first."

Song Hongfei thought to himself silently.

Gui Shuaizhen picked up his teacup and leisurely sipped his tea, letting the young man think about his headaches slowly.

A staff officer without a chief is like a fart that makes no sound!

In combat units, whether or not one leads troops, whether or not one has real power, the difference between a commanding officer and a staff officer or adjutant, between a principal officer and a deputy officer, is like heaven and earth.

Song Hongfei's eyes lit up, and he had an idea. He said, "I have an idea, but it depends on whether you, the captain, agree to it."

"Go ahead and say it," Gui Shuzhen said, putting down her teacup.

Song Hongfei said, "Gao Muyu comes from a family of Southern Fist fighters and is a skilled pistol user. The brigade headquarters does not have a suitable military commander position. I was thinking, could we form a special operations company? It could include guard and communications detachments, with him as the commander."

According to the organization of the National Revolutionary Army at that time, the brigade headquarters of the division-level infantry brigade was just a command organization with few personnel and directly subordinate units.

Gui Shuai thought about it seriously and said, "Okay. You're quick-witted. There's no problem with the staffing; I'll handle that. You can arrange the personnel and officers yourself, just write me a report."

"Yes," Song Hongfei said.

Gui Shuaizhen added, “Speaking of soldiers and officers, these are precisely the most urgent needs right now. Not only are we short of them, but other units are too. During the Battle of Shanghai, our army suffered a severe shortage of personnel. Our brigade is in a much better situation than others, having expanded by three regiments, but we are still in dire need of veterans with combat experience.”

Song Hongfei nodded and said, "Veterans who have fought in battles are a formidable fighting force."

Gui Shuaizhen laughed again, "When you were covering the retreat, you helped bring back the wounded and stragglers along the way. Your righteous act is now being rewarded. Many lost soldiers and wounded soldiers who have recovered from minor injuries have come to you by word of mouth, which has greatly helped the brigade to quickly replenish its manpower. Of course, the other unit commanders will not do anything to you openly, but there are quite a few who are complaining about you behind your back."

Song Hongfei said with a wry smile, "So, the captain got all the benefits, and I'm the one who got scolded!"

“You, Brigade Commander Song, are a big celebrity,” Gui Shuaizhen laughed, mimicking the gesture of spreading his hands. “Heaven and earth bear witness, you can’t blame me, I didn’t do anything. Since others have come here because of your reputation, I can make the decision that your Third Brigade will choose first. However, the requirements and training for these soldiers must also be up to par.”

Song Hongfei said, "Yes, I understand."

Gui Shuaizhen added, “The national reserve and reserve personnel system is imperfect, and there is a shortage of personnel, equipment and supplies. All units need to be replenished. The expansion of the brigade is being watched by everyone, and the principal also needs to balance all parties, so at present we can only form 3 brigades and 6 main regiments.”

"As you can see, Liao Yaoxiang, the former battalion commander of the armored cavalry battalion, has been transferred to the position of chief of staff of the 2nd Brigade. The new battalion commander is Lu Jianxiong, the company commander of the 'Dragon Company' of the armored corps. This is to balance the interests of all parties, since we still need to maintain our relationship with the artillery and armored forces."

"Your exchange and deployment of veterans and new recruits between the two regiments of the 3rd Brigade is a good way to quickly build up combat effectiveness. The other two brigades are also promoting this approach. The situation is critical. The Japanese army, riding the momentum of the Battle of Shanghai, is launching an offensive against Nanjing, which is imminent. The high command has not yet decided whether to withdraw or retain our brigade. In any case, we must be prepared and we cannot slacken our training and preparation for war."

"It's the same old routine," Gui Shuaizhen continued, "You still have to personally oversee the education and training of the sergeant battalion, the armored cavalry battalion, the entire brigade's modern tactics, infantry-tank coordination, infantry-artillery coordination, and the training at the Mufushan training ground and the Baguazhou artillery range. If there are any problems that you and Chief of Staff Qiu can't solve, I'll coordinate them. There are so many things to do, and the burden is heavy. I really appreciate your hard work."

“Yes, I understand,” Song Hongfei said.

Gui Shuaizhen added, "I also have some good news for you. The suggestion you made to Director Yu of the Ordnance Department last time—to equip infantry companies with 60mm mortars as support firepower—has been fulfilled. The Ordnance Department has imported more than a hundred of them, and they have arrived. We will be able to receive them soon."

Song Hongfei looked excited and said, "This is really good news! The front-line infantry have had enough of the Japanese grenade launchers."

"The number of 60mm mortars is enough for each infantry company to have two. As for the corresponding organizational adjustments and tactical training, we will use the old method: start with a pilot program in the sergeant battalion and then promote it throughout the entire brigade. You will also personally oversee this."

"Yes." Song Hongfei pondered. Equipping people with new weapons and involving organizational adjustments was not something that could be done overnight. Time was very tight, and he was afraid there wouldn't be enough time.

"This is very difficult to handle," Captain Gui sighed.

The two pondered carefully and discussed solutions.

Song Hongfei said, "Artillery is far more complex than guns. It involves too many aspects, including organizational restructuring, personnel training, ammunition resupply, and logistical support. Organizing training from scratch step by step would be a long and arduous process. Leaving aside other issues, just consider the mules and horses essential for artillery—the very problem I just discussed with Director Zou and Regiment Commander Peng. Given the current state of our army, it's clearly unrealistic for infantry companies to manage mules and horses; even at the battalion level, it's fraught with difficulties. I suggest we do something like this—"

"The 60mm mortars will not be assigned to companies for the time being. They will all be concentrated in the battalion's 82mm mortar platoon and expanded into companies. This will facilitate unified management and training, allow experienced soldiers to mentor new soldiers, and help them quickly form combat capability. The battalion-level supply platoon will manage the mules and horses in a unified manner, which will also ensure logistical support. In wartime, the 60mm mortars will be assigned to companies in platoons and under the command of the company commander."

Commander Gui Shuaizhen's eyes lit up, and after thinking seriously for a moment, he said with delight, "I knew you had a brilliant mind! Let's do it this way, expand it into a company, and put it under unified management. I'll handle the organizational matters, and you take care of the training organization!"

Gui Shuaizhen was in high spirits and said, "Commander Yu of the Ordnance Department has given us a very generous gift, the only one of its kind in the entire army! Commander Yu and you are very familiar with each other. Find some time for you and me to pay him a visit. It would be only right and proper for us to thank Commander Yu for this great gift."

Song Hongfei nodded and said, "Yes, I understand!"

It is early winter, and the chill is gradually getting stronger.

When the winds rise, the mountains and rivers tremble.

As the ancient city of Nanjing was increasingly bombed by Japanese aircraft, anti-aircraft strips were pasted on shop windows and many house windows along the streets.

The sense of impending war in the city is growing stronger. Anti-aircraft gun positions have been erected on high ground such as Zijin Mountain, Mufu Mountain, Lion Mountain, and Yuhuatai, and even in some street corners, with the dark muzzles of the guns piercing the sky.

Outside the city, entire battalions of soldiers arrived, shovels and pickaxes flying up and down, sweat pouring down their backs, working with great enthusiasm.

A network of trenches, communication trenches, and anti-tank trenches crisscrossed the area.

One by one, bunkers, sentry posts, firing points, pillboxes, anti-artillery shelters, hideouts, abatis, and barbed wire were built.

A series of layered, ring-shaped defense systems gradually took shape and spread across the land outside Nanjing.

On this day, Commander Gui, Song Hongfei, and Zhang Yi went to the Military and Political Department on Zhongshan North Road to handle some business.

At noon, the group didn't want to eat at the military and political department's canteen, so they went to a well-known restaurant on Hehui Street nearby.

Walking back to the Ministry of Military Affairs, a cold wind howled, and the golden leaves of the plane trees lining the streets had begun to fall. With a major battle looming, the citizens were filled with anxiety, and the streets were nearly deserted, with most people hurrying along.

The wind blew, swirling up a sky full of yellow leaves.

A very impressive car drove up from across the street and stopped in front of a shop window, seemingly picking someone up. Two figures stepped out.

Song Hongfei happened to glance up at the opposite side, and in that instant, he froze as if struck by lightning, his entire body seemingly rooted to the spot.

He felt his breath catch in his throat, and his heart pounded wildly as if it were about to burst out of his chest.

His mind seemed to be blank, and everything in front of him seemed unreal. Among the golden sycamore leaves fluttering in the air like butterflies, only that beautiful figure was still clearly imprinted in his eyes.

Song Hongfei involuntarily took a step forward, his face filled with disbelief, and murmured, "She also time-traveled?!"