The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

Before six o'clock in the morning, Commander Li and Bai Chongxi got up early.

After washing up, the two each took a steamed bun and hurriedly went to inspect the city's defenses.

The sky had already brightened, and the sunrise reflected in the horizon was exceptionally beautiful.

But the two of them were not in the mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery; instead, they vaguely felt that the red glow resembled the blood of soldiers.

Long Fei's troops withdrew entirely into Taierzhuang last night, but he set up three artillery positions overnight with Wild Bee self-propelled artillery, howitzers, and rocket launchers.

At the same time, Long Fei also dispatched more than a dozen reconnaissance teams.

Long Fei's mission for the reconnaissance team was to locate the Japanese artillery positions and relay the information back immediately.

Now, all the necessary preparations have been completed. Long Fei moved a reclining chair and rested on the city wall last night.

So, after a short while on their inspection tour, Commander Li and Bai Chongxi encountered Long Fei, who was still fast asleep.

“Jiansheng, look at this Dragon Legion Commander, he’s really calm, he can still sleep at this hour.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Chongxi couldn't help but say, "Commander Li, to be honest, I'm conflicted. I hope that Commander Long can keep his promise and annihilate the Japanese devils under the city walls."

"At the same time, I'm afraid he'll fail. I've seen so many amazing things in him, and I really don't want him to fail..."

Commander Li nodded and exclaimed, "This Long Fei must have something extraordinary about him to be able to get so many outstanding KMT generals to work for him."

"The Wu Zi·Ying Bing states, 'To defeat ten with one, nothing is better than a narrow pass; to defeat a hundred with ten, nothing is better than a dangerous place; to defeat ten thousand with a thousand, nothing is better than an obstruction. Wherever the general commands, all will follow; wherever the general directs, all will rush forward to their deaths.'"

"Long Fei's fighting methods are unpredictable; he doesn't play by the rules at all."

"As far as I know, he has a very high reputation in the Dragon Flame Legion. He cares about the people, is considerate of his subordinates, and is ruthless and decisive in dealing with enemies."

"He dared to make a vow to annihilate the Japanese invaders and promised to die if he failed. This boldness, courage, and sense of responsibility make him an outstanding man and a military leader."

This was the first time Bai Chongxi had heard Commander Li speak so highly of someone.

Just as I was about to say something, Long Fei's voice came through.

"Commander Li, you flatter me. I, Long Fei, am quite ashamed to hear this."

Although the two were talking very quietly, Long Fei had already woken up and heard every word clearly.

Commander Li chuckled dryly, "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

Long Fei stretched and stood up, saying, "Have you two officers had breakfast yet? My Dragon Flame Legion is having glutinous rice balls for breakfast today. Would you like to try some?"

"Eating glutinous rice balls? Commander Long, your troops' meals are quite good. Commander Bai and I each ate a steamed bun."

In response to Commander Li's teasing, Long Fei grabbed his arm and said...

"Eating tangyuan is for good luck, symbolizing that our battle today will definitely have a successful outcome. Let's go, officers."

Commander Li was pulled down the city wall by Long Fei and walked to the self-propelled kitchen vehicle.

When Commander Li saw this kind of kitchen truck, his jaw almost dropped.

"What kind of car is this? It's amazing! You can cook in it and drive it wherever you want."

"This is called a field self-propelled kitchen vehicle, which we also bought from abroad."

After a brief introduction, Long Fei hurriedly picked up two bowls of glutinous rice balls and handed them to the two of them.

Commander Li took a bite and exclaimed, "This is meat-filled glutinous rice ball!"

Long Fei chuckled: "With lofty ambitions, we'll feast on the flesh of the barbarians and drink their blood. We're eating meat dumplings now, and later we'll eat the flesh of the Japanese devils and drink their blood."

Commander Li gave Long Fei a deep look, thinking to himself, "You can even use eating glutinous rice balls to boost morale; you're truly a talent."

Of course, if Li Yunlong were here, that famous quote would definitely come out again.

"You're a fucking genius."

After eating the glutinous rice balls, Commander Li and Bai Chongxi bid farewell to Long Fei and prepared to return to the command post.

But Long Fei persuaded him, "Officers, today's battle is a rare sight. Would you like to come with me to the city wall to watch the battle?"

The city gate tower was an extremely dangerous place; if the Japanese bombarded it, the city gate tower would definitely be the first to be hit.

Seeing the hesitation on the faces of the two officers, Long Fei laughed and turned away gracefully, chanting as he did so.

"The great river flows eastward, its waves sweeping away countless heroes of the past. To the west of the old fortress, people say, lies the Red Cliff of Zhou Yu of the Three Kingdoms."

"Jagged rocks pierce the sky, and surging waves crash against the shore, churning up thousands of piles of snow. The landscape is like a painting, and how many heroes have emerged in this era."

"Thinking back to Gong Jin in his prime, when Xiao Qiao had just married him, he was a man of great talent and valor."

"With a feather fan and a silk turban, he talked and laughed, and the enemy's ships and towers were reduced to ashes."

"My thoughts wander to my homeland; those who are sentimental should laugh at me for my prematurely gray hair. Life is but a dream; let me offer a cup to the moon over the river."

Especially this line—"With a feather fan and a silk turban, in the midst of laughter and conversation, enemy ships and towers were reduced to ashes."

Long Fei deliberately increased the volume.

Commander Li and Bai Chongxi were completely overwhelmed by Long Fei's imposing aura. After exchanging a glance, they quickly followed after him.

On the city tower, Xie Qiang, following Long Fei's instructions, had someone arrange seats and brew a pot of tea.

After inviting the two officers to sit down, Long Fei offered them tea.

"Officers, the tea we are drinking today is called 'Flag and Spear' tea. It was given to me by Chen Defa, the former commander of the 37th Independent Brigade."

"Oh, the Dragon Legion Commander specifically mentioned that, is it meant to be something else?"

Commander Li took a sip and then asked.

Long Fei nodded slightly: "This tea comes from the Maolu Tea Garden founded by Mr. Ji Zhengang. Mr. Ji was an elder who participated in the Xinhai Revolution and the anti-Yuan movement."

"This tea has a history of four hundred years. It is named Flag and Spear Tea because the leaves resemble flags and the buds resemble spears after being brewed with boiling water."

"Not long ago, General Chen passed by Maolu Tea Garden during his retreat and met Mr. Ji. The two had a very pleasant conversation."

"Before parting, Mr. Ji, to encourage General Chen, specially presented him with ten catties of Flag and Spear Tea, with the inscription: Drink Flag and Spear Tea, unfurl the banner, grasp the steel spear, and kill the Japanese pirates."

At this point, Commander Li and Bai Chongxi solemnly raised their teacups again and silently took a sip.

After Long Fei's explanation, the two of them felt that the tea tasted completely different.

Long Fei lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, then refilled the cigarettes for the two of them, and raised his glass to say something.

"Today, we'll sit atop this city wall, sipping Mr. Ji's Flag and Spear Tea, chatting and laughing as we watch the enemy's ships and forts crumble to ashes."

After finishing the pot of tea, it was past ten in the morning.

Just then, the walkie-talkie next to Long Fei rang.

It was Gao Hong who spoke: "Reporting to the corps commander, the vanguard of the Japanese army is about eight kilometers away from Taierzhuang."

"Okay, got it. Any news from the reconnaissance team?"

"Yes, two teams have reported that they have identified two Japanese artillery positions, including 92mm infantry guns and eight large-caliber howitzers."

After a moment's thought, Long Fei ordered, "Once everything is confirmed, do not report back, open fire and destroy it immediately."

"Yes, legion commander."