Twenty-two: Commander, Commander

Wang Mingming asked the old housekeeper: "Martial law has long been imposed outside, how did you come back?" ”

The old butler said excitedly: "I met my acquaintance, he is the captain and company commander of the teaching corps, and we are very happy to meet at such a time.

"He told me about the battle situation at the front and the situation in Nanjing, and took me to the front line to see the war scenes. Modern warfare is amazing, and it was an eye-opener for me.

"We came back from the front and he invited me to dinner in the army. He also drank two glasses of wine with me. When Nanjing was about to collapse and die, he and I were probably going to drink for the last time.

"When we broke up, he suddenly hugged me and said to me, old man, go to the safe zone. At your age, devils there won't be trouble.

He also said that I am a soldier, and I am determined to live and die with Nanjing, which is the duty of a soldier. Serving the country with death is my determination to resist the war. His words brought tears to my eyes. ”

Wang Mingming's mood also sank.

The old butler shook his head sadly when he said this. He wiped his beard and continued: "When I returned, he sent two soldiers to bring me back with a pass.

"He also told me that the battle outside the Shuixi Gate was very fierce. The devil approached Andemen along the Jingwu Railway. The road to Anhui has been cut off by devils.

"The people who fled to Anhui and Jiangxi have returned. They went to the safe zone. When I came back, all the people in the family were waiting at the gate, and they were relieved to see that I was back.

"I asked them about going to the safe zone, and I wanted them to go. To be honest, there are not a few days left in Nanjing. To be safe is a person.

"They said they wouldn't go to the safe zone. said that the third aunt was too far to go to the safe zone, and they didn't go either. They will follow you and protect you.

"They swore to Kiko that their heads could be broken and their blood could be shed, and they swore to protect you to the death. They are determined to live and die with you until the day of victory.

"They sent their family to a safe zone and lived in a teaching building at Jinling University. Old man Li's wife was reluctant to leave, and she wanted to accompany Old Man Li to get through the difficulties. She stayed. ”

Wang Mingming said: "They can't suffer misfortune because they protect me. You arrange for them to go to the safe zone. When the time comes, you lead the team. ”

The old housekeeper said, "Third aunt, I listen to you." ”

Wang Mingming said: "There is nothing to do here. You're tired. Rest early. ”

The old butler bowed to her, turned around, walked two steps, and then turned around and said, "Third aunt, have you noticed, Commander Tang ordered to swear to live and die with Nanjing." The army united to defend Nanjing. But ......"

Wang Mingming asked him, "What?" What do you want to say. ”

The old housekeeper said: "Third aunt, vowing to live and die with Nanjing is the battle cry of the Nanjing defenders, and it is the determination to fight the Japanese army to the end.

"Commander Tang closed the river, he refused the persuasion of the Japanese army to surrender, and he ordered the army to prepare for street fighting. These are the actual actions of his vow to live and die with Nanjing, which reflects his determination to resist the war.

"But the 100,000 troops defending Nanjing cannot die, that is the capital of our victory over the Japanese army. The local people in Nanjing and the exiles totaled 500,000 or 600,000 people, and they could not die. ”

Wang Mingming was puzzled and said, "Old butler, I didn't understand what you said. In order to preserve strength, a major retreat should be organized as early as the 7th when Nanjing was declared a war zone.

"Now that the decisive battle has come, it is no longer impossible to die. Now the retreat can only allow the Japanese to rush in. If you break through, I'm afraid it's more dangerous.

"Right now, I can only fight to the death with the devil, and I have no choice."

The old housekeeper sighed and said, "Third aunt, think about it, where are the reinforcements to defend Nanjing." I didn't hear about sending reinforcements. The Third Theater also did not take action in the defense of Nanjing.

"The Japanese army has surrounded Nanjing, why not use the troops to create a counter-encirclement posture to threaten the Japanese army. Achieve the speed of curbing the advance of the Japanese army. It's like the troops in Hangzhou pinning down part of the Japanese army.

"General Matsui Ishine led an army of 200,000 troops. Lieutenant General Yanagawa Heisuke of the Tenth Army led an army of 100,000. They totaled an army of 300,000 men.

"The vanguard that really hit Nanjing was only 50,000 people. These tens of thousands of people are not only short of food but also lack supplies, and they are also sleepy and short of horses all the way.

"In this case, the base camp can defeat the Japanese army by organizing a little battle on the basis of the defense of Nanjing. At the very least, it slowed down the Japanese offensive.

"Only by doing this in the base camp or the third theater can we really defend Nanjing, and we can actively defend Nanjing. It's a pity they don't have such a battle.

"I didn't hear that there was an army fighting for the supply of the Japanese army. There were no army sorties to strike at the follow-up units of the Japanese army.

"Although Nanjing is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is now a modern war, with planes in the sky, artillery on the ground, and tanks and armored vehicles on the road. The Tiger Dragon Plate doesn't work.

"Nanjing has become an isolated city. 100,000 national troops are fighting alone. How could this battle be fought like this, the army would be completely annihilated, and Nanjing would be razed to the ground.

Wang Mingming nodded and said: "You were also an officer when you were young, you fought with your master, you know strategy and tactics, and your worries are justified."

"But I believe that the base camp will not abandon his army. Now the speed of the Japanese attack is too fast, and the Japanese army has reached the city of Nanjing in a few days, and it is impossible for reinforcements to come so quickly.

"The defense of Nanjing can only rely on the desperate efforts of the defenders of Nanjing."

The old butler said, "I have seen such a scene on the battlefield, and this is what I am worried about. ”

The old housekeeper was talking about the fact that after the Japanese troops retreated, a tank car on the position opened its lid, and a general wearing glasses and a beard came out of the tank car.

He stood on a tank with a steel helmet, he was not outstanding, the three stars on his collar badge glittered in the starlight, and he saluted the warriors with his chest straight.

The officers on the battlefield saw him in surprise and shouted to him: "Salute! They saluted him, and the soldiers raised their guns and shouted Commander, Commander.

The commanders of the Supreme Headquarters for the Defense of Nanjing all went to the front to direct the battle. They were deeply loved by officers and soldiers. From the twentieth to the present, although it is not long, their prestige in the army is already very high.

Commander Tang said with a microphone: "Brothers, thank you for repelling the Japanese attack. As soon as his words fell, the officers and soldiers shouted together: "Swear to live and die with Nanjing!" ”

It was the voice of the warrior from the heart, the voice was rough, firm and full of human righteousness. This earth-shattering oath reverberated between heaven and earth.

When the tank turned around and left the battlefield, the officers and men rushed to both sides of the road, raised their guns and shouted: "Commander, commander." ”

Wang Mingming said: "Commander Tang has such a high prestige, and the officers and soldiers support him like crazy. The Battle of Nanjing will definitely be won. The old butler shouldn't be worried. ”

The old butler said, "It is this matter that worries me. The scene just now had already begun in the outer positions of Nanjing on the second day of Commander Tang's oath to defend the city.

"The soldiers, under the leadership of the commander, swore an oath in the direction of the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: swear to live and die with Nanjing. Commander Tang's oath to defend the city has taken root in the hearts of thousands of troops. ”

Wang Mingming said, "This is a good thing. I've heard about it, and I've reported it. The officers and soldiers swore an oath to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, which was an oath from heaven. I'm sure they'll fight to the end. ”

The old butler said, "I believe that the other line will report to the base camp with the Express." What will the generals of the base camp think, and what will the first commander think when he knows it.

"Anyway, I remember when I was young, when the emperor went to the school to parade, the soldiers shouted long live."

Wang Mingming said: "These are two different things, Commander Tang is to resist Japan. It is a good thing that the officers and men are united in fighting the Japanese army. Commander Tang had absolutely no other ideas. The cheers of the officers and soldiers were spontaneous. ”

The old housekeeper said: "An anti-Japanese general who is supported by the officers and soldiers, who defended Nanjing and won the battle, what will be his prestige in the army and among the common people of the whole country."

"His army of 100,000 will be reorganized under the banner of victory. It will expand to 300,000, to 600,000. The power is high and the master is covered. This Lord will be restless and will feel the shaking of his throne. ”