The Flames of Resistance Against Japan in Jiangnan

Xu Wenqing said earnestly:

"Only by protecting our own forces can we better fight the enemy!"

Xu Wenqing gave repeated instructions, and Chen Hongwei only left the Mengshan position and headed to Fengshan after the cadres and soldiers of the 57th Regiment had put on their helmets and he assured them that he would supervise the implementation.

The mountain road connecting Wenzhou city and the highway passes under Fengshan Mountain, where several small rivers from upstream also converge, making its geographical location extremely important.

After observing the construction of the fortifications and the firepower configuration, and listening to the report from Deng Shan, the commander of the 56th Regiment, Xu Wenqing felt that the 56th Regiment's preparations were very thorough. In particular, the entire 56th Regiment attached great importance to the battle, and the soldiers discussed the methods of combat while repairing the fortifications.

During the conversation, Xu Wenqing emphasized the advantages of occupying Fengshan. The highway was sandwiched between a mountain and a river, and the road was not wide, which was not conducive to the deployment of enemy troops. As long as Fengshan was held firmly, the enemy would have no way to advance and would be forced to take another route, thus achieving the two days needed by the 19th Red Army Division.

Finally, Xu Wenqing ordered the 56th Regiment to build another trench leading to the back of the mountain, and to deploy troops with a light force in the front and a heavy force in the back. A small number of soldiers were to be stationed on the front line to monitor the enemy, and the troops would quickly move into the position through the trench when the enemy attacked.

Deng Shan, the commander of the 56th Regiment, proposed that, just in case, a backup blocking position should be built at the foot of the persimmon tree behind the main position. Xu Wenqing agreed and prepared to arrange for the engineering battalion of the special service regiment to come and help.

After returning to Wenzhou, Xu Wenqing sent a messenger to inform the Special Service Regiment's engineering battalion to send two companies to the Fengshan area to assist the 56th Regiment in building fortifications.

Having just finished dealing with the engineering battalion's affairs, Xu Wenqing saw Lan Hua excitedly coming to find him, asking him to accompany her to the market. Xu Wenqing thought that since he had already arranged his work and was relatively free, he also wanted to see how Wenzhou in the 1930s differed from later generations. So he took his guard, communications officer, and Lan Hua and prepared to go out. However, when he reached into his pocket, he realized that he was penniless.

"Brother Xu, you don't need to buy me anything. I just want to go for a walk!"

Lan Hua discovered Xu Wenqing's secret and immediately offered her understanding advice.

With a wry smile, Xu Wenqing returned to the regimental headquarters, borrowed money from the logistics director, and, trembling with fear, headed to the market with a few other young men.

Upon entering the market, Xu Wenqing was delighted to see that most of the shops were open and doing business. He was very satisfied, as this showed that the army's propaganda was very effective. Looking back at the orchids, he noticed the little girl was like a country bumpkin visiting a grand garden, full of wonder. The goods on display were dazzling, and she kept touching this and looking at that, frequently asking Xu Wenqing questions.

"I can buy all of these things?"

Xu Wenqing laughed heartily and said jokingly:

"Take whatever you like!"

Lan Hua spent her time browsing through the shops on the street, carefully selecting a comb and a small mirror. Xu Wenqing paid with a smile, her heart filled with emotion:

"Young girls these days are so down-to-earth!"

Further on, you'll see a lot of ironware on display, including rafter nails for fixing rafters, axes for chopping firewood, and sledgehammers, hand hammers, and steel chisels for breaking stones. In short, it has almost everything a farmer needs in terms of ironware.

Passing the ironware vendors, the roadside stalls displayed bamboo and rattan products, such as bamboo sieves, bamboo baskets, and large and small rattan baskets. Xu Wenqing turned to the guard and said:

"Stone, inform the logistics department to purchase a batch of ironware and baskets."

The three of them were wandering aimlessly when Lan Hua was suddenly drawn to a commotion ahead. She squeezed through the crowd and saw a man selling needles. Although selling needles didn't earn much, this man was very good at attracting customers. He held a small rectangular wooden board in one hand and sang:

"The tiny silver needle shines brightly, just like Zhao Yun's spear..."

They shot silver needles at the wooden board.

Lan Hua, who hadn't bought much along the way, kept her eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought. After a long while, she looked at He Feng with pleading eyes:

"Brother Xu, can I buy more needles and thread?"

"Young lady, what do you need needles and thread for?"

Xu Wenqing felt something was strange.

Lan Hua clasped her hands together and said shyly:

“Brother Xu, I saw that many of the soldiers’ clothes were very tattered, and I wanted to buy needles and ask Sister Bu Li and the others to mend the soldiers’ clothes.”

"Comrades also need needles and thread when mending their uniforms, and I didn't expect Lan Hua to be so thoughtful."

Xu Wenqing was extremely annoyed, blaming himself for not thinking of this.

He hurriedly said to the orchid:

"Little girl, go and buy all his needles and thread, and then find someone to prepare a sewing kit for each soldier!"

As the three strolled around, Xu Wenqing inadvertently noticed a large sign standing in front of a restaurant not far away.

Looking at the shop sign, Xu Wenqing recalled an amusing incident from his past life:

Once, when visiting a retired comrade-in-arms, the comrade-in-arms knew that Xu Wenqing often talked about Wenzhou cuisine, so he treated Xu Wenqing to a good meal at a restaurant. Wenzhou cuisine, represented by Wenzhou flavor, has a wide variety of dishes, but most of them use seafood from nearshore waters and small rivers and lakes. They are freshly killed and cooked. Its traditional cooking methods are good at stir-frying, clear soup, cold dishes, and braised dishes, which has established the local characteristics of "seafood as the main ingredient; light oil and light starch, heavy knife skills; fresh and light taste; delicate and exquisite cooking".

With a sense of nostalgia, Xu Wenqing and his two companions entered the restaurant. The waiter, with a towel draped over his shoulder, greeted them, brushing the dust off his clothes while introducing the restaurant's dishes.

Xu Wenqing waved his hand to shut him up and told him directly:

"One serving each of shredded fish, double-flavored crab, and fried razor clam rolls."

Sipping the tea served by the waiter, Xu Wenqing felt a warm and comfortable sensation throughout his body. Soon after, the dishes began to arrive. When a plate of authentic shredded fish was placed on the table, a rich aroma filled the air, whetting everyone's appetite. The taste was even more delicious—spicy and flavorful, with a rich and savory sauce—making Xu Wenqing exclaim repeatedly:

"What a feast!"

Before long, the three of them devoured the food, leaving it all clean. Even after finishing, He Feng still felt the lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth, a truly delightful aftertaste.

At this moment, the restaurant owner cautiously asked from the side:

"Red Army commander, how is the food at this shop?"

Xu Wenqing couldn't help but say:

"The purpose of good food is to bring happiness and joy to people, and I think your restaurant has achieved that!"

"Well said, every word is precious!"

The restaurant owner exclaimed in exaggerated praise:

"Could you please leave your calligraphy, sir? The fee for it will be substantial!"