Chapter 82: Steadily Fishing From The Platform
“What I think doesn’t matter. What matters is how you choose.”
Su Yaoyang looked into Huang Guantao’s eyes and said seriously: “I told you before that you are here to help. Once the matter is settled, the officers of the original military police regiment, including you, will have completed their mission.
All of you can decide for yourselves whether to stay or go. You can return to your units or stay here. I can accept either choice.”
Seeing Su Yaoyang’s solemn expression, Huang Guantao sighed lightly and said with some distress: “I knew you would say that.”
Su Yaoyang laughed: “You knew and still asked?”
“You…” Li Gaoyuan, who was nearby, couldn’t stand it anymore. “Regiment commander… Old Huang has put it this bluntly. Can’t you give him a way out?”
Su Yaoyang burst into hearty laughter. How could he not know what Li Gaoyuan meant?
After these days of fighting side by side, Su Yaoyang, this “tycoon,” had been incredibly generous, which made the battle-hardened soldiers very unaccustomed.
Whether it was the elite weapons and equipment, the ample ammunition supply, or the meals worthy of a “landed rich man,” all of it shocked everyone’s worldview.
Take the food as an example. These days, whether common folk, central army, or miscellaneous troops, who didn’t eat two-part flour or even three-part flour mixed with wild vegetables? Who had good meals of sorghum rice with meat every time?
Not to mention occasionally issuing biscuits, candies, and even cigarettes. Even a landlord’s family wouldn’t dare to be so extravagant.
After getting used to the fine bran that Su Yaoyang provided, it would be strange if they could go back to coarse grains.
It’s the same as being a soldier eating army rations, the same as fighting the war against the Japanese devils. Why wouldn’t I find a wealthy and generous boss instead of following you to eat chaff and swallow vegetables? That would be crazy.
Seeing Huang Guantao’s old face turning red, Su Yaoyang couldn’t help but extend his right hand to him: “Alright, alright, it’s my fault.
Old Huang, I hereby formally invite you to join my New Security Regiment and serve as deputy regiment commander. Would you be willing to accept the position?”
Looking at the hand Su Yaoyang extended, Huang Guantao also laughed heartily and grasped it with both hands. “Since the regiment commander has put it this way, if I, Old Huang, refuse again, that would be ungrateful.
Alright… I am willing to serve the regiment commander loyally.”
“Hahaha…”
The three looked at each other and burst into laughter.
After laughing, Li Gaoyuan took out a map from the leather pouch at his waist and placed it on the stone table: “Regiment commander, Old Huang… Next, we should discuss the main matter.”
Su Yaoyang looked down and saw it was actually a map of administrative divisions of the Republic of China.
After unfolding the map, Li Gaoyuan said to the two: “Regiment commander, Old Huang, since we’ve already fought our way out of Nanjing city, next we should consider the survival of our team.
As of now, most of Hebei, Chahar, Suiyuan, Shanxi, and other places have fallen. After occupying Beiping and Tianjin, the Japanese advanced along the Pinghan, Jingpu, and Ping Sui railways.
The JS Province where we are has also become a key target of the Japanese. To survive, we must find a foothold. Do you two have any thoughts on this?”
Huang Guantao said straightforwardly: “I know my own affairs. I think I’m barely competent at fighting and training troops, but this kind of meticulous work concerning the life and death of thousands in the regiment is not my strength. So you decide this matter.”
Li Gaoyuan looked at Su Yaoyang: “Regiment commander, you are the head of the regiment, so this matter still falls to you.”
“I…”
Su Yaoyang scratched the back of his head helplessly, feeling inwardly troubled.
In his original plan, he just wanted to find a way out of Nanjing, then take Little Lu, and at most add that delicate-eyebrowed proprietress Song who looked like Pengpeng’s mom, find a safe place, marry a few beautiful wives, and steadily survive until the victory of the war, then live out the rest of his life.
But somehow, things turned into him becoming the regiment commander, muddleheaded into being the breadwinner for thousands. This was completely unforeseen.
Seeing both of them turn their gazes to him, Su Yaoyang said helplessly: “To be honest, asking me about this is asking the wrong person. I don’t even know which way to go from here.”
“No…” Huang Guantao was anxious. “Regiment commander… You are everyone’s pillar. Haven’t you thought about this at all?”
“Think my ass.”
Su Yaoyang said irritably: “A week ago, I was just a poor student fleeing from Rehe. What I was thinking about was how to survive with that little girl at home.”
Li Gaoyuan and Huang Guantao both rolled their eyes.
You’re fooling ghosts with that. Poor student… Have you ever seen a poor student who doesn’t blink an eye to produce so many American weapons and equipment, including tanks, trucks, and mortars?
Believing you’re a poor student is less likely than me being the Jade Emperor.
The two didn’t speak, just stared straight at him, posing as if to say, keep making it up… continue.
“I… alright… believe it or not.” Seeing the two looking at him with eyes that said I’m not well-read, don’t fool me, Su Yaoyang finally gave up explaining.
Think whatever you want, I don’t care.
Finally, unable to withstand their gazes, Su Yaoyang could only say helplessly: “I think it’s too early to think about these now. Our dangerous situation hasn’t been resolved yet.
The reason we’re temporarily safe now is that the Japanese were stunned by our poison gas attack. They’re currently overwhelmed, busy treating the wounded, so they have no time for us.
In just one or two more days, once the Japanese come to their senses, I guarantee that old boy Prince Asaka Yasuhiko will frantically mobilize forces against us.
So we shouldn’t think about where to settle now. The best course is to leave here quickly.”
“Go where?” Li Gaoyuan asked concisely.
“Here!” Su Yaoyang pulled out a confidential map of the Nanjing area from his hand and pointed to a place.
“Cihu Town… We’ll find a boat here to cross the river, then head to Pukou. After all, Xu Yuanquan’s Second Army Group is stationed there. We can link up with them, rest and reorganize there for a while, then plan further.”
Seeing the two not speaking, just quietly pondering, he added: “Moreover, the most important point is that we’re now just a self-proclaimed ragtag troop with no official designation or establishment. This is very unfavorable for our future development… so…”
Hearing this, Huang Guantao and Li Gaoyuan immediately understood:
“So… the regiment commander plans to emulate Jiang Taigong, sit steadily on the fishing platform, and wait for Chongqing to make an offer?”
“Smart…”
“Hahaha…”
