Chapter 27: A Thousand Gold For A Horse Bone
Seeing the suspicious look in Song Xilian’s eyes, Su Yaoyang’s heart also tightened.
Ever since Old Jiang introduced German weaponry and instructors, the German-equipped divisions became synonymous with China’s elite troops.
And the Cadre Training Regiment was even the benchmark among the German-equipped troops; without exception, the officers serving in this unit were all outstanding graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy.
As a first-term senior from Whampoa, Song Xilian couldn’t say he knew all his alumni serving in the German-equipped divisions, but he should at least have some impression of them. Upon suddenly seeing Su Yaoyang’s unfamiliar face, his first reaction was suspicion.
Seeing Song Xilian’s suspicious look, Su Yaoyang hurriedly said: “Commander Song, I am not from Whampoa. I was temporarily recruited by Battalion Commander Li Gaoyuan of the Instructor Battalion. I am mainly responsible for the logistical support work of the 1st Regiment Instructor Battalion. This is the temporary appointment document issued by Captain Li. Please take a look.”
With that, he took out a document and handed it over with both hands.
“Li Gaoyuan?”
Song Xilian took the document and glanced at it a few times. The suspicion in his eyes then dissipated: “I know Li Gaoyuan. He’s a top graduate of the German Munich Military Academy. I heard that Brigade Commander Zhenqiang（ of the 1st Brigade） thinks highly of him.”
With that, he continued asking: “I remember your 1st Brigade is responsible for the defense around Zhonghua Gate. How’s the situation now?”
Su Yaoyang was silent for a moment. “Commander… I don’t know the situation of the other units in our brigade, but our 1st Regiment is down to just over a dozen brothers.”
“What…” Song Xilian was shocked. “How is that possible? Where’s your regiment commander?”
Hearing this, Su Yaoyang turned his head to look at Xu Dapeng behind him.
Xu Dapeng whispered behind him: “Commander Song, our regiment commander was killed in action while retreating to Yuhuatai.”
“What about Deputy Regiment Commander Wu?”
“He was also killed in action.”
Song Xilian’s body shook. This was the model unit of the Central Army, and it was just wiped out like that?
If this got out, how big a blow would it be to the morale of the National Army?
He forced himself to perk up and sized up Su Yaoyang, Xu Dapeng, and the few soldiers. “Since you’re down to just over a dozen men, why isn’t Li Gaoyuan with you?”
Xu Dapeng answered: “Report to the commander, on our way retreating, we encountered a group of female students and civilians. They are now surrounded by the Japanese at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Instructor Li saw there was no way to evacuate those civilians, so he had Commander Su and us come to the riverside to see if we could gather some manpower to go reinforce them.”
“Rescue?” Even though Song Xilian was in a bad mood, he shook his head helplessly upon hearing Xu Dapeng’s words.
“Foolishness… What was Li Gaoyuan thinking? The riverside is already in such chaos now. How could anyone be willing to enter the city to save people? That would be… Never mind… I won’t say it…”
Seeing Song Xilian shaking his head repeatedly, Su Yaoyang said: “Commander Song, that’s not necessarily true.”
“Major Su, do you have some brilliant idea?” Song Xilian narrowed his eyes.
Su Yaoyang shook his head: “I wouldn’t dare call it brilliant, but I believe that where there’s great reward, there are brave men. I recently came into a windfall. Anyway, it’s useless keeping it in Nanjing. Might as well spend it all. Maybe we can recruit some fearless warriors.”
After speaking, Su Yaoyang waved his hand. Xu Dapeng understood, walked to the sidecar three-wheeled motorcycle in the back, yanked off the canvas covering the carriage, and immediately gasps of astonishment rang out.
“My god!”
Even Song Xilian drew in a sharp breath.
Don’t look at him being a major general; truthfully, he had never seen so many silver dollars piled full in a basket like this.
Su Yaoyang wasted no words, pulled out his pistol and fired a shot into the sky. The muffled gunshot instantly drew the attention of everyone around.
“Brothers!”
At some point, Su Yaoyang had a tin horn in his hand.
“I am an instructor of the 1st Regiment Cadre Training Regiment. Now recruiting some fearless brothers to follow me back into Nanjing city to rescue some people.
Of course, I won’t let the brothers risk it for nothing.”
At this point, he pointed to the basket of silver dollars on the motorcycle carriage and raised his voice:
“Whoever is willing to go, I’ll pay fifty silver dollars on the spot, immediate payment with no delay.
If any brother unfortunately gets killed in action, his family can get an additional one hundred silver dollars in compensation. Whoever is willing to go, step forward now.”
After speaking, he walked to an open space and stood there.
The routed soldiers around began discussing animatedly. Many routed soldiers looked at the basket of silver dollars gleaming blindingly in the sunlight, greed flashing in their eyes. But seeing the 36th Division soldiers around them armed and ready, and the several Cadre Training Regiment soldiers holding rifles glaring at them, the ideas that had just surfaced were suppressed.
Time passed bit by bit, yet still no one stepped forward. The soldiers around seemed to be waiting to see what would happen. Song Xilian stood with arms crossed, watching with a half-smile, showing no intention of intervening.
“Commander…”
Just as Su Yaoyang was getting a bit anxious, a slightly timid voice rang out. A skinny, raggedly dressed soldier stepped forward. “Do you think… do you think someone like me is okay?”
Su Yaoyang sized him up and asked: “What’s your name? Where are you from?”
“Commander… I’m Qiao Erdan… from Guiyang, from the 103rd Division.”
“103rd Division… You’re from the Qian Army?”
“Yeah.” Qiao Erdan hung his head and responded, then asked: “Commander, do you think I’m okay?”
With that, as if afraid Su Yaoyang would disdain him, he quickly added: “Commander, don’t look at me being skinny. I can work. I can chop wood, feed horses, do laundry for people. Even washing socks is fine.”
“Hahaha…”
Laughter immediately erupted around them. Someone shouted loudly: “Is this kid dumb? The commander is spending fifty silver dollars to find someone to wash his socks?”
“I… I…”
Qiao Erdan’s head hung even lower, his face flushing red, though it wasn’t very obvious under his dark skin.
“Xu Dapeng!” Su Yaoyang suddenly called out.
“Yes!”
“Give him the silver dollars!”
“Yes!” Xu Dapeng was slightly stunned but quickly reacted, counted out fifty silver dollars from the basket, walked to Qiao Erdan, and handed them over.
“This… this is for me?” Looking at the shiny silver dollars in his hand, Qiao Erdan seemed not to believe it and didn’t take them right away, instead looking toward Su Yaoyang.
“Nonsense, do you want them or not? If not, get lost.” Xu Dapeng showed no good face to this kid who only came up to his shoulder. In his view, this Qian Army kid was just here to scam his commander’s silver dollars.
But Song Xilian on the side showed a trace of a smile and murmured: “Interesting… Buying horse bones with a thousand in gold, huh?”
