Chapter 218: Wedding
For Cheng Rufeng and the others, the Shanxi Militia surprisingly agreeing to send a transport plane to pick them up was nothing short of an unexpected delight. But on second thought, wasn’t this also a tremendous surprise for Su Yaoyang?
The current Shanxi Militia flight detachment, although it had just given the Japanese a sound thrashing a few days ago, everyone knew that Japan far surpassed China in both industrial strength and pilot training systems.
The current flight detachment nominally had under its command two fighter squadrons and one bomber squadron, but in fact, the detachment was not at full strength.
Take the fighter squadrons as an example: by rights, each squadron should have 16 fighter planes, and the bomber squadron would have fewer, but it should still have 12 medium bombers or dive bombers.
But now, due to a shortage of personnel, the flight squadrons could only remain understaffed. Now, the Central Aviation School had actually taken the initiative to contact him, saying that more than ten pilots planned to go to the Shanxi Militia “as individuals” for “study and inspection,” which was like a pie falling from the sky.
It must be known that among these pilots were included the remaining elites of the Central Air Force, the kind that could be directly incorporated into the combat sequence and used upon arrival.
Even if mixed in with some flight cadets, they were at least advanced trainees who had studied for two years and could already fly solo, the kind that could participate in combat after a little training and familiarization with the aircraft type.
Overjoyed, Su Yaoyang immediately decided to dispatch a C-47 transport plane straight to Kunming to pick up those precious pilots. He was determined to have these people, no matter who objected.
…………
Just as Su Yaoyang was excitedly preparing for the arrival of the air force elites and hurriedly arranging for the C-47 transport plane to go to Kunming to pick them up, the field hospital in Wuta County today also welcomed a great joyous event— a special group wedding was about to be held here.
Today’s field hospital was a far cry from the usual heavy atmosphere filled with the groans of the wounded and the smell of medicine; everywhere was brimming with joy and liveliness.
Except for a few doctors and nurses who needed to be on duty, all the rest of the personnel had gathered excitedly in front of the somewhat simple but spotlessly clean dormitory building located behind the hospital.
The doors and windows of the dormitory building were all pasted with bright red paper-cut “double happiness” characters, simple yet exuding a strong festive spirit.
In the courtyard, a small makeshift platform had been set up, covered with a piece of red cloth, adorned with some simple fresh flowers and ribbons. The air seemed to be filled with a faint sweet scent.
Because today, two pairs of newlyweds were tying the knot here.
The first pair of perfect matches was one of Su Yaoyang’s most capable generals, First Regiment Commander Colonel Li Gaoyuan, and the gentle and virtuous Nurse Wu Min from the field hospital.
Li Gaoyuan was not only brave in combat but also deeply trusted by Su Yaoyang; Nurse Wu Min was kind and resilient.
Speaking of it, the union of these two was largely thanks to the matchmaking by Su Yaoyang and Song Mei. It was their enthusiastic introduction that helped the couple break through that window paper and finally come together.
The other pair of newlyweds was even more legendary and romantic with a cross-national love story—they were the Shanxi Militia Armored First Regiment Commander, John Miller from America, and the former famous courtesan by the Qinhuai River, now Nurse Yu Mo of the field hospital.
John and Yu Mo’s acquaintance was already marked by the smoke of war. They met in that once prosperous but now devastated Nanjing city; previously, Yu Mo had repeatedly rejected John’s pursuits due to her background and past.
But as the old saying goes, “Even the chastest maiden cannot fend off a persistent suitor.”
Under John’s persistent pursuit, Yu Mo finally agreed, and when Su Yaoyang learned of it, he waved his hand decisively, deciding that the two pairs of newlyweds would simply marry on the same day to save trouble.
Thus, the hospital, which was originally quiet and solemn, turned into a sea of joy today.
At this moment, on the simple platform temporarily set up in front of the dormitory building, the red “double happiness” characters shone brightly in the sunlight.
Su Yaoyang, dressed in a crisp uniform, stood on the platform, beaming as the master of ceremonies.
“Today is a day of great joy for our Shanxi Militia.
We have two pairs of newlyweds who will tie the knot here, under our collective witness!”
Su Yaoyang’s voice, amplified through the simple sound equipment, clearly reached every corner.
“The first pair is the pride of our militia, First Regiment Commander Colonel Li Gaoyuan, and his beautiful and virtuous bride, Nurse Wu Min! They are heroes on the battlefield and models in life! Their union is a perfect match, and the best embodiment of unity and friendship within our militia!”
Thunderous applause erupted as Li Gaoyuan, dressed in a well-fitted uniform, tightly held the small hand of Wu Min, who was adorned in a phoenix coronet and rosy cape with red flowers in her hair; his eyes were full of tenderness and determination. Wu Min shyly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed with two clouds of happy red.
Su Yaoyang turned his gaze to the other pair of newlyweds, his tone carrying even more emotion: “And this pair, their love story is even more touching! They are our heroic regiment commander from across the ocean, Mr. John Miller, and his brave and kind bride, Miss Yu Mo!
They met in adversity and fell in love amid the flames of war! Miss Yu Mo has endured the deepest suffering of our nation, but she was not defeated; instead, she devoted herself to the great cause of saving lives with even greater resilience!
And Regiment Commander John, with his broad mind and unwavering love, warmed Miss Yu Mo’s heart and showed us the greatest power of love!”
Below the platform, applause, cheers, and whistles intertwined, lasting endlessly.
Mosquito and the other girls who had come with Yu Mo from the Qinhuai River to Wuta County were now teary-eyed, sincerely happy for their good sister’s wonderful home.
John Miller excitedly pulled Yu Mo tightly into his embrace and shouted loudly in his stiff Chinese: “I love Yu Mo! She is the bravest and most beautiful woman in my heart! I swear, I will love and protect her with my whole life!”
Yu Mo nestled in John’s broad chest, tears blurring her eyes; in those tears were bitterness, relief, but more than anything, endless happiness and gratitude.
She knew that from now on, she was no longer that trembling orphan girl by the Qinhuai River; she had a home, a lover, and a new beginning.
Today, the guest lineup for the ceremony was also extremely lively.
In addition to the militia’s officers at all levels, such as Chief of Staff Pi Ruoyu, Second Regiment Commander Huang Guantao, Third Regiment Commander Lu Shaobin, Fourth Regiment Commander Li Tao, and a group of other officers, even the officers from the flight detachment, Doolittle, One-Eyed Jack, Tom, and John’s old friend, Second Armored Regiment Commander Ful, the recently recovered First Regiment Chief of Staff Hodel, and Armored Regiment Logistics Director Flanders, along with a bunch of blond, blue-eyed American officers, all came to show their support.
“God… I simply can’t believe that John, that bastard, is actually getting married, and to a Chinese girl at that?”
As a comrade-in-arms and former superior who had known him for over twenty years, Ful looked at the newlyweds John and Yu Mo standing on the platform in crisp Western suits, his tone filled with indescribable emotion.
Hodel also shook his head: “Yeah, all these years, I always thought this guy would never get married in his life. If I hadn’t gone whoring with him before, I might have even thought he didn’t like women. I never imagined I’d see him enter the halls of marriage in this lifetime; the world is truly wondrous.”
Leaving aside the sighing group led by Ful, on the other side, the invited female medical staff including Elizabeth, Anna, Margaret, Susan, Catherine, and others focused more on the wedding itself.
“Oh my God! Look at the sedan the bride is sitting in! So gorgeous! It’s like a mobile palace!”
The young and lively Susan pointed at the eight-carrier sedan decorated with exquisite embroidery and tassels, unable to hold back an exclamation. Her blue eyes were wide open, full of curiosity about this Eastern mode of transport.
“And the dress the bride is wearing! That vibrant red, the exquisite embroidery, and the thing on her head… what is it called? Phoenix coronet? So beautiful! It has more mystery and nobility than our Western white wedding dresses!”
The intellectual and elegant Margaret carefully examined the bride’s splendid phoenix coronet and rosy cape, sincerely praising it. She even took out her little notebook and pencil to quickly sketch the style of the bride’s dress.
“Yes, Margaret is right!” The relatively reserved Catherine also agreed, “I noticed their wedding ceremony is very solemn, with many rituals we don’t understand. Like that one just now… bowing to heaven and earth? It sounds so profound, as if declaring their union to the entire universe, not just praying to God in a church.”
“Moreover, don’t you think this wedding format is more… romantic than our Western weddings?”
The romance-loving Anna blinked her expressive eyes, speaking somewhat dreamily.
“Look at those brass musicians, the petals and confetti scattered along the way, and the genuine joy and blessings from family and friends… The whole process is full of human warmth and life, unlike our weddings, which can sometimes feel too rigid.”
“If I get married in the future,”
The young Susan suddenly said whimsically, “I want to have a Chinese-style wedding like this! I want to ride in an eight-carrier sedan, wear a phoenix coronet and rosy cape, have my groom come to fetch me on a tall horse amid the blare of suona horns! That would be so cool!”
Her idea immediately received enthusiastic responses from the other women.
“Great idea, Susan! I think so too! If I can find a man willing to experience this romance with me, it would be perfect!” Anna said with a smile.
The eyes of the group sparkled with longing for beautiful future romances…
