Chapter 26: Which Class Of Whampoa Are You From?
“This works too?”
Su Yaoyang was stunned for a moment, then thought better of it: “The current national government is extremely chaotic in management, and the appointment procedures are not very formal either. Li Gaoyuan doing this doesn’t seem too irregular.”
Thinking of this, he nodded: “Alright then… anyway, as long as we can recruit people, anything goes. I’ll take people over right now…”
Nanjing Xiaguan Ferry Terminal
At this time, the Xiaguan Ferry Terminal was in chaos, with countless surging crowds squeezing the narrow ferry terminal airtight.
Countless citizens planning to leave the city surged forward like a tide, their faces haggard yet filled with a frantic desperation to escape, as if fleeing the impending darkness.
Children wailed in their mothers’ arms, their heart-wrenching cries intertwining with the adults’ anxious and angry curses, forming a scene of despair.
On the terminal’s only pier, a rank of 36th Division soldiers responsible for guarding held Type Zhongzheng rifles, glaring fixedly at the group of ragged, defeated stragglers who had just retreated from the front lines.
A captain raised his pistol high and shouted loudly: “By order of the Garrison Commander’s Deputy Commander Tang, all Nanjing garrison troops without orders from the headquarters are not permitted to withdraw on their own. Violators will be shot on sight!”
“Everyone listen up, no one is allowed to withdraw, all go back… all get the hell back for me!”
“Go back to your grandma’s leg!”
From the crowd of defeated soldiers, a major wearing his cap askew angrily said: “My battalion fought until only a few dozen brothers were left, no reinforcements came at all, even the position was lost. Where do you want me to go back to? Back to die?”
“That’s your own business!” The captain from the 36th Division, ordered to block them, also angrily said: “Our orders are that no one is allowed to cross the river. Even if you’re going to die, you die in Nanjing!”
A flash of blood-red ferocity appeared in the major’s eyes as he roared: “Screw your mother, if you won’t let me live, then we’ll all die together!”
With that, he raised his pistol and fired a shot into the air, then pointed the pistol at the captain, his face twisted ferociously as he asked: “I’m asking you one last time, are you going to let us through or not!”
The dull gunshot echoed over the pier, suppressing the original noisy curses. The previously clamorous shoving also came to a halt.
Since guns had been drawn, this was no small matter. The 36th Division soldiers, who had originally just held hands to block the stragglers from boarding the pier, also drew their rifles and aimed at the major and his group.
Seeing this, the stragglers also drew their guns and aimed at the major, the captain, and the other 36th Division soldiers. For a moment, the sounds of pulling bolts rose one after another, and a firefight seemed about to erupt.
“Stop… all stop for me!”
With the voice came a burly major general who exuded authority without anger, striding quickly to the scene escorted by four guards. This general was Song Xilian, the current commander of the 36th Division.
Seeing Song Xilian arrive, the stragglers stirred in commotion, with many even retreating several steps. After all, they were all soldiers, and the concept of obedience to superiors was deeply ingrained, especially since the arrival was a major general.
Song Xilian stepped forward to the crowd and angrily said: “Which unit are you from? Don’t you know the headquarters has already issued the order that all troops must stand or fall with their positions? Who allowed you to retreat?”
Seeing Song Xilian arrive, the major who had instigated the trouble had his originally fierce expression falter, but upon hearing Song Xilian’s words, grief and indignation appeared on his face again:
“Commander Song, you have to speak with a conscience!
The headquarters officers told us to stand or fall with the positions, but they themselves boarded ships and withdrew, leaving us to die on the positions. Is that reasonable?
We’re all born of parents, why should we be the ones left to die while the officers run first?
We just want to live, is that wrong too?”
Listening to the major’s indignant outburst, the originally somewhat fearful stragglers also grew indignant, gripping their rifles tightly at the same time.
Yeah, why should we poor soldiers be left to die while those officers can just pat their asses and leave?
Looking at the ever-increasing stragglers in front of the pier, Song Xilian also felt a massive headache.
After the Battle of Shanghai, his 36th Division had suffered heavy casualties, with over ten thousand officers and men reduced to just over three thousand, yet he still led the division to participate in the Nanjing Defense Battle under the command of Nanjing Garrison Commander Tang Shengzhi. After being reinforced with two regiments of troops and a batch of rifles and ammunition, the 36th Division was assigned to defend the line from Hongshan, Mufu Hill, Xiaguan, to Yijiangmen.
Just yesterday, he had received orders from headquarters to seal off the pier, not allowing Nanjing garrison troops or stragglers to withdraw without authorization, and to use force if necessary.
But now it seemed the headquarters had made a blunder.
There were so many stragglers who had retreated; if they continued to block them with hardline measures, it would inevitably turn into a firefight.
If it really came to that, he as division commander would not escape responsibility.
He took a deep breath and said: “Brothers, I know everyone’s difficulties. Many of you fought bitterly in Shanghai for months, then retreated to Nanjing without time to rest.
But we are soldiers, and for soldiers, obeying orders is the highest duty. Since headquarters issued the order to defend to the death, they must have their considerations and reasons.
Moreover, ships at the pier are in short supply right now; there’s no way to arrange for everyone to withdraw, so only the elderly, weak, women, and children can board. As soldiers, don’t you even understand that?”
“Bullshit… then why do I see all those officers boarding ships too, leaving us poor soldiers to wait and die at the back?” Suddenly, a furious shout rang out.
“Who… who said that, step forward for me!” Song Xilian was furious and bellowed on the spot.
The scene fell silent, with no one speaking again. Though Song Xilian was livid, he couldn’t use hardline measures anymore.
With his rich experience in leading troops, he could see at a glance that these stragglers’ nerves were already taut; any further stimulation and who knew what they might do.
Just as he was in a dilemma, accompanied by the beep-beep of a horn, two three-wheeled motorcycles drove up from behind and finally stopped by the pier.
“Make way… make way…”
With the shouts, six officers in German-style uniforms got off the two motorcycles, led by an officer wearing major’s rank.
Seeing the uniforms on the newcomers, Song Xilian first grew angry, then frowned and went forward to block them: “I am the 36th Division commander Song Xilian. Are you from the Cadet Corps, 87th or 88th Division?”
Su Yaoyang, who had just gotten off the motorcycle, saw a major general in German-style uniform coming toward him with a question, couldn’t help but shiver, snapped to attention with a slap, saluted, and loudly reported: “Report sir, I am Su Yaoyang of the Cadet Corps 1st Regiment.”
“Cadet Corps?”
Song Xilian sized him up again, glanced at his rank, with a hint of doubt in his eyes: “Su Yaoyang? I know almost all the field-grade and above officers in the Cadet Corps 1st Regiment. How come I’ve never seen you? Which class of Whampoa are you from?”
“Oh no.” Seeing the hesitant look in Song Xilian’s eyes, Su Yaoyang inwardly cried out in dismay.
