Chapter 18: You Think Handing Out Silver Dollars Makes You One Of Them?
“Rip…”
Su Yaoyang yanked off the cloth strip covering the basket. Although it was still just dimly lit, a dazzling burst of sparkling light still blinded everyone’s eyes.
“Brothers, I, Su, keep my word. Fifty silver dollars each. Consider it hard labor pay for everyone. Everyone gets a share.
Xu Dapeng, come over and distribute the money.”
“Yes!”
Under Su Yaoyang’s arrangement, everyone lined up to collect the money, while Xu Dapeng and more than ten soldiers from the training team were in charge of handing out the silver dollars.
Watching the smiles on the faces of the soldiers after receiving the silver dollars, Li Gaoyuan, who was silently watching from the side, showed a complicated expression on his face.
A cigarette was handed to him. After he took it, Su Yaoyang lit it for him with a lighter and then lit one for himself.
After taking a deep drag, he sighed, “Do we really have to use this method?”
“What else?”
Su Yaoyang retorted, pointing at the soldiers who looked delighted after receiving the silver dollars.
“Most of these brothers come from poor families. Some can’t even afford a single piece of clothing for each person at home. To make them fight for their lives, what should we give them if not money?
Just rely on instilling patriotism and painting big pies?”
Li Gaoyuan hesitated for a moment and said helplessly, “My Young Master Su, you’re speaking from a comfortable position. The country is so vast, and we’re so poor.
The nation is not yet unified. The central government can only collect money from these few places, so there are bound to be oversights. You should understand the central government a bit.”
Su Yaoyang sneered, “Understand… understand what? Understand how those officials tighten their belts at the front and gorge themselves at the rear?”
“You…” Li Gaoyuan was speechless for a moment. “Brother Su, I think your misunderstanding of the higher-ups is too deep.”
“Misunderstanding my ass…”
Su Yaoyang snorted coldly. “Nanjing suffered such a catastrophe, and I think most of it was due to man-made disasters.
Since they knew the Japanese were going to attack Nanjing, why not evacuate the civilians in advance? Why not prepare defenses beforehand?
Only when the Japanese were about to breach Nanjing did they order the ferry crossings sealed, preventing civilians from retreating. That’s naked murder. And appointing someone like Tang Shengzhi as the Nanjing Garrison Headquarters commander—what a stupid decision. How could he even think of it!”
The angrier Su Yaoyang got as he spoke. In his view, at least half of Nanjing’s catastrophe could be blamed on that Chairman Jiang and Tang Shengzhi.
If not for these two idiots’ constant blunders, would he have had to risk his life to escape Nanjing?
After venting, Su Yaoyang felt much more relieved. He let out a long breath and said to Li Gaoyuan somewhat embarrassedly, “Old Li… I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at you.”
“It’s fine.” Li Gaoyuan waved his hand. “Everyone has times when they’re upset. It’s good to vent the pent-up anger.”
“You’re right.”
Su Yaoyang nodded. He looked up at the sky. “Old Li… I reckon once it’s light, the little devils will spot us. It’s less than two hours until dawn. Hurry and set up the firepower points and defensive positions. If we delay any longer, it’ll be too late.”
“I know. It’s already been arranged.”
Li Gaoyuan took a deep drag on his cigarette, gazing into the distant darkness with deep eyes, lost in thought.
After a while, he suddenly said, “Brother Su, do you think we can drive the little devils out of China?”
“Drive them out?”
Su Yaoyang was slightly stunned, then suddenly chuckled lightly. “Of course we can. That’s without a doubt.”
“Oh… you’re so sure?” Li Gaoyuan looked at him doubtfully, his eyes revealing confusion and reluctance.
He murmured, “I’ve fought in quite a few battles these past few years, from the Battle of Shanghai to the current Defense of Nanjing. Watching our armies lose again and again, with our land constantly falling, it hurts my heart.
I don’t know when these days will end, when we can drive the little devils out of our land.
Tell me, will we see the day of victory?”
“Of course we will!”
Su Yaoyang’s firm voice rang in his ears.
Su Yaoyang patted his shoulder. “Old Li, I can tell you right now, you’re too pessimistic.
In terms of national power and military strength, our country is indeed far inferior to Japan. But in terms of war potential, land area, and resilience, Japan isn’t fit to carry our shoes.
Don’t think just because the Japanese are fighting fiercely now and we’re retreating step by step that it’s over. That’s just surface-level.
Japan is an island nation and a small country, scarce in resources and sparse in population. This dooms them to being unable to wage a prolonged and total war.
We, on the other hand, are a great nation, backed by 450 million people. We can even use a strategy of trading space for time to wear down Japan’s strength.
This war is destined to be a protracted one. It’s not unusual for it to last seven or eight years. Now is the early stage of the war, the defensive phase. After a few years, once the Japanese strength is worn down to a certain point, both sides will enter the stalemate phase.
A few more years, until their national power is exhausted—that’s when we’ll counterattack. Then we’ll settle new and old scores together. Good food isn’t afraid of being late!”
Watching Su Yaoyang’s firm expression and confident tone as he spoke, Li Gaoyuan’s expression shifted from surprise and doubt to admiration.
Though Su Yaoyang had only said a few casual words, it was an analysis of the war from a strategic perspective. People with such vision were rare geniuses.
He had been in the military for years and had seen plenty of talented people, but this was the first time he’d met someone with such insight and perspective.
Amid his astonishment, he couldn’t help but say, “Brother Su, did you come up with this yourself?”
“I… of course not. This is Mao… huh…”
At this point, Su Yaoyang suddenly remembered that the instructor’s great work 《On Protracted War》 wouldn’t be published until next year.
He gave a dry laugh. “I’m just parroting others. It’s nothing.”
“Mm…”
Li Gaoyuan didn’t press further. He pondered for a moment. “Brother Su, I intend to recommend you as the supreme commander of this unit. What do you think?”
Su Yaoyang pointed at himself, looking surprised. “Me… as the supreme commander of this unit? Are you joking?
Don’t forget, I’m just a common civilian with no military registration. What joke is this?”
“I’m not joking.”
Li Gaoyuan’s expression became exceptionally serious. “As you’ve seen, this unit is a ragtag group of stragglers pieced together. The only reason they still obey me is because of the immediate enemy threat. Once there’s any disturbance, it could fall apart.”
“Could I make them obey me?” Su Yaoyang was both exasperated and amused. “I’m just a common civilian. Why would they listen to me?”
“Because you paid them silver dollars!” Li Gaoyuan suddenly raised his voice, staring straight at him.
