Chapter 271: China Will Surely Win, Japan Will Surely Lose
Two days later, Guizhou
A steel dragon stretching for several kilometers, carrying the dust of the road, finally slowly entered this ancient city guarding the vital Yangtze River passage.
Hundreds of military trucks and armored vehicles, like giant beasts returning to their nest, parked orderly outside the city, and the moment the engines shut off, the whole world seemed to fall silent.
After marching continuously for several days, even without major battles on the road, everyone’s nerves were stretched to the limit.
Su Yaoyang pushed open the car door and jumped down from the jeep, his military boots landing on Guizhou’s solid ground with a muffled “thud.”
Only at this moment did that vague sense of crisis, always hanging over his heart, completely dissipate.
He stretched lazily, his joints crackling with a series of “pop pop” sounds.
“Commander!”
Huang Guantao hurried over and saluted, “The troops have all entered the designated areas and can rest at any time!”
“Well done.” Su Yaoyang nodded and patted the dust off his body, “Let the brothers relax properly, but don’t slack on vigilance.”
With that, he led a few guards toward the Guizhou city gate.
He needed to meet with the high command of the Fifth War Zone to coordinate subsequent defense and evacuation matters.
However, when he was still a hundred meters from the city gate, he was stunned by the scene before him and stopped in his tracks.
Under the tall Guizhou city gate, a dense crowd of people was standing.
Leading them was a man in a crisp two-star general uniform, standing tall and resolute, none other than the Fifth War Zone Commander-in-Chief—Li Zongren.
Behind him, Bai Chongxi, Li Pinxian, Sun Lianzhong… dozens of National Revolutionary Army senior generals renowned in later generations stood in neat rows, their shoulder stars gleaming in the sunlight, forming a wall built of stars.
This reception… was way too grand, wasn’t it?
Su Yaoyang was stunned. He had imagined various meeting scenarios, but never this: Li Zongren welcoming him with the highest honors reserved for a triumphant hero.
Before he could react, Li Zongren led the group of star-studded generals behind him and hurried forward.
“Mingxi… we’ve been waiting here for a long time!”
Li Zongren’s voice was loud and sincere. He walked up to Su Yaoyang, and before Su Yaoyang could salute, he stepped forward first, extending both hands to grip Su Yaoyang’s firmly.
“Commander Li, this is…” Su Yaoyang was flattered and hurriedly tried to pull his hand free to salute.
“Hey… no need for formalities!”
Li Zongren shook his hand vigorously, his eyes filled with complex and sincere emotions—gratitude, and a hint of guilt.
“On behalf of the Fifth War Zone, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who have safely relocated behind me, thank you!
Thank you and your Shanxi Militia for risking your lives to cover the army’s retreat and holding the rear alone! Such noble righteousness, Delin will remember forever!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the dozens of generals behind him snapped to attention and saluted Su Yaoyang in unison.
Looking at Li Zongren and the generals saluting him, Su Yaoyang suddenly felt his eyes moisten, as if all the hardships and sacrifices of these days had been rewarded.
In the sunlight, the shadows of the dozens of senior generals stretched long; opposite them stood Su Yaoyang, returning the salute at attention.
Under the night sky, Guizhou city was brilliantly lit, sweeping away the gloom of war. The city’s largest restaurant, “Wangjiang Tower,” had been entirely reserved by the Fifth War Zone headquarters today, with sentries every three steps and guards every five outside, security tight.
Inside the tower, however, it was bustling with voices and warm with cheer.
To express his sincerest gratitude, Li Zongren had specially arranged this grand banquet here to host Su Yaoyang and all his regimental-level and above officers.
In the spacious banquet hall, more than a dozen huge redwood round tables were pieced together to form an extra-long feast accommodating nearly a hundred people.
The tables were covered with white tablecloths, laden with a dazzling array of Guizhou specialty dishes.
There were golden-hued, aroma-filled Zigui rice dumplings.
And sweet, crispy Three Gorges sweet potato crisps that made one want to grab them at first sight.
As well as streaky bacon, marbled and translucent, emitting a rich smoked aroma;
And cold shrimp made with cool well water, served in glass bowls like translucent white jade.
Even more, slag stew cooked with local bean dregs and fresh vegetables, as well as various freshwater fish dishes freshly caught from the Yangtze…
The table was piled high with steaming, fragrant dishes, forming a vivid and appetizing feast.
For Su Yaoyang and his men, who had been gnawing on dry rations and canned food for over half a month on the Yichang front line, rolling in mud and shellfire, this sight was nothing short of paradise.
“Brothers, don’t stand on ceremony… dig in!”
Su Yaoyang was the first to pick up his chopsticks and shove a big piece of fatty bacon into his mouth.
At his command, Huang Guantao, Cheng Rufeng, and the other Shanxi Militia officers rolled up their sleeves and dove into the feast like a whirlwind.
For a moment, the banquet hall was filled only with the crisp clatter of chopsticks on bowls and plates, and the chewing sounds of everyone devouring the food.
Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi, and the other Fifth War Zone generals just smiled and watched, without touching their chopsticks.
They knew that for these warriors fresh from blood and fire, no polite words could match the reality of a steaming hot meal.
Su Yaoyang’s eating was hearty but not crude.
He ate until he was seventy percent full, feeling his stomach warm and cozy, the fatigue from days of campaigning much dissipated.
Only then did he contentedly set down his chopsticks and wipe his mouth with a napkin.
He looked up to see Li Zongren smiling at him, eyes full of appreciation and kindness, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.
He scratched his head and said with some honest awkwardness: “It’s just that we haven’t had a hot meal in days, and finally getting a good one made me lose my composure—really made the commander laugh.”
Li Zongren waved his hand with a smile, signaling him not to mind.
“What are you talking about, Mingxi!
You are all warriors who have fought for the country and earned great merits through hard labor. Forget one meal—even if we brought out the best things in all of Guizhou city, it wouldn’t match your contributions! Come, I toast you!」
With that, he raised his glass and drained it.
Su Yaoyang hurriedly raised his glass in return.
After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of dishes, the banquet atmosphere shifted from initial gorging to lively conversation.
Full and satisfied, Su Yaoyang set down his chopsticks and began chatting idly with Li Zongren, Sun Lianzhong, and the other National Revolutionary Army generals.
In the banquet hall, with wine flowing and ears hot, the mood grew ever more cordial. A few cups of strong liquor opened the floodgates of talk.
Sun Lianzhong, renowned for his defensive skills and the iron man who made his name in the Taierzhuang Battle, now sighed heavily, drained his cup, his face tinged with worry.
“Sigh…”
He said with emotion, “Brother Mingxi, though you lifted the siege of Yichang and blunted the Japanese aggressors’ ferocity this time.
Looking at the national situation, the war is still a mess. Shanghai, Nanjing, Xuzhou… the capital fallen, vast territories lost. When will this war end?”
His words were like a bucket of cold water on the lively mood; many generals present felt the same and nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Commander Sun is absolutely right. The little devils’ planes and artillery are too powerful; one division’s firepower is stronger than our entire army.”
“My unit clashed with the Japanese on the southern line; the front positions often changed hands several times a day, with heavy casualties…”
In an instant, the optimistic atmosphere was replaced by heaviness and pessimism.
Su Yaoyang had been listening quietly; now, he gently set his wine glass on the table with a soft “clink.”
The sound was not loud, but it instantly drew everyone’s attention.
“General Sun, gentlemen,”
Su Yaoyang looked around, “I share your worries. However, I believe we need not be so pessimistic about the war situation.”
Everyone was stunned; even Li Zongren cast a curious glance.
Su Yaoyang stood up, eyes sharp and spirited: “Please consider, gentlemen.
The current situation: we are weak, the enemy strong—this is fact, no need to deny it.
But war’s victory or defeat is not determined solely by momentary or local strength.”
He raised his voice: “Japan, a tiny island nation, its national power and resources like a tree without roots, water without a source.
It is an industrial country, but its industry relies on imported overseas oil, steel, and rubber. Every extra day of war consumes it more, weakens its power further. This is its innate fatal weakness!」
Then, he continued:
“In contrast, our China, though weak, is a great power.
We have vast land and resources, 400 million people, and are a typical agrarian nation.
What does this mean? It means we have infinite strategic depth, nearly inexhaustible manpower.
More importantly, even if the coast is entirely lost, retreating inland, we can still be self-sufficient on our vast lands.
As General Bai said, we can trade space for time, dragging the Japanese into a protracted war of attrition.
In the end, the one to collapse first will surely be resource-poor Japan!”
His words had the generals nodding repeatedly.
Su Yaoyang shifted tone, even more spirited: “Not long ago, I came across a magnificent essay titled《 On Protracted War》.
It analyzes these principles profoundly and thoroughly, opening my eyes!
It states clearly that the War of Resistance will go through three phases: ‘strategic defensive,’ ‘strategic stalemate,’ and ‘strategic counteroffensive.’
Now, we are in the most difficult ‘strategic defensive’ phase.
But if we unite as one, endure this period, and drag the war into ‘strategic stalemate,’ then with the balance shifting, it will be time for us to build strength and launch the ‘strategic counteroffensive’!
Therefore, I dare assert—China will win, Japan will lose!”
“China will win, Japan will lose!”
These eight words exploded like thunder in everyone’s ears.
The entire banquet hall fell into dead silence, then erupted in buzzing discussion.
