Half a month later, Xu Guoren finally received news that his father had bought eighteen 60mm mortars.
Overjoyed, Xu Guoren immediately brought nearly a hundred soldiers from the artillery company and rushed back to a warehouse in Jiang City to receive them.
With this batch of cannons, the firepower of the Dragon Shadow Battalion would be greatly enhanced, and their combat strength would naturally increase by a large margin.
There were still two months before the Battle of Shanghai broke out, which was enough time for Xu Guoren to train the artillery.
Xu Guoren and Niu Dagen, the two super Weapon Kings, were able to use this simple light mortar skillfully after a simple trial.
Then, they began training the soldiers of the artillery company. Of course, the other units of Dragon Shadow did not stop their training either. They continued their live ammunition shooting and physical training every day.
Two months passed quickly, and it was finally August 13th, 1926. The Battle of Songhu officially broke out.
Xu Guoren understood that it was time to send troops.
He immediately ended the training and gathered all the soldiers of Dragon Shadow to begin the final mobilization before the expedition.
On the open space in the manor training base, thousands of Dragon Shadow soldiers were fully armed and lined up in neat rows, waiting for Xu Guoren to speak.
Xu Guoren had changed into a military uniform with a box cannon at his waist. He came to the front of the formation in an awe-inspiring manner. His gaze swept across the officers and soldiers present and immediately said in a righteous voice,"Brothers, we have gathered everyone here today because it is time for us to carry out our mission.
Do you still remember when I first formed the Dragon Shadow Brigade, I told you that protecting the people and protecting the country is my lifelong wish? Now that the Japanese invaders have invaded brazenly, they launched an attack on our North China garrison at Lugouqiao in Beiping on the 7th of last month. In just over a month, Pingjin fell and North China lost thousands of miles.
Countless compatriots were reduced to slaves of a subjugated country, trampled by the Japanese invaders, and the people were in dire straits.
North China is too far away for us to take care of, but Shanghai is close at hand. Now, the National Government has already started a fierce battle with the invaders in Shanghai. Soldiers from all over the country are coming to participate in this war of resistance against Japan and national salvation.
We naturally can't just sit by and watch, right?”
"Yes!" Under the lead of Xu Gensheng, Niu Dagen, Zhang Jinhu, and the others, the soldiers responded in unison.
"Before we set off, there are some things that I have to say. Everyone knows that bullets have no eyes on the battlefield. Who can sacrifice their lives for the country? If any of you are unwilling to go to the battlefield with me, you can take the initiative to stand up now.”As Xu Guoren spoke, his gaze was like a knife as he scanned the entire regiment.
Fortunately, the performance of the soldiers did not disappoint him. No one really stood up.
Zhang Jinhu said emotionally,"Captain, I, Zhang Jinhu, have been greatly indebted to the Xu family. I have nothing to repay them for. I only have a rotten life. However, I will do anything for them!"”
Niu Dagen twisted his neck, looked around, and said in his loud voice,""Protecting the country is not a slogan. Think about it, if we are all afraid of death and do not dare to go to the front line, the Japanese will definitely occupy the entire country. At that time, who will protect our parents, wives, children, brothers, and sisters? We are men and soldiers. If we don't dare to go to the front line, are we going to let our parents, wives, and children go to the battlefield?”
"I can tell you very responsibly that once the Japanese occupy China, it will be the moment when our country will be destroyed! The Japanese would never treat us Chinese as humans. Therefore, for the sake of our parents, wives, children, brothers, and sisters, we must take up our guns and fight those Japanese pirates to the end!”
"Vice-captain Niu is right. The Japanese are determined to kill us. We can only survive by fighting back! Today, our Dragon Shadow Brigade has sworn to go to the front line to resist the Japanese. It is for the sake of the nation, the survival of the country, and for everyone's parents, wives, children, and sisters!”Xu Guoren raised his voice and said,"Since ancient times, no eggs are intact when the nest is overturned! If I had a choice, I would rather sacrifice myself for the sake of my hometown and countless compatriots in exchange for the lights of ten thousand families and a peaceful life. A thousand words, I die, the country survives! My wish!"
"I'm willing to follow you to the expedition!"
"I'm willing to follow you to the expedition!"
" I'm willing to follow you to the battlefield!" Thousands of soldiers were stimulated and infected. They raised their spears and shouted in unison.
Xu Guoren led all the soldiers with high morale, brought enough weapons and ammunition, and left the manor, heading towards Jiang City.
Due to the geographical location, the Dragon Shadow Brigade had to circle around the city from the south gate of Jiang City.
The departure of thousands of people quickly alerted the people and patrolling police in Jiang City. Some police officers came to inquire, and Xu Guoren told them that he was going to lead the army south to Shanghai and go to the front line to resist the Japanese.
The police officers were shocked and quickly ran back to the city to report to Wang Hai and the others.
When Xu Guoren led his team around the south gate and arrived at the east gate of Jiang City, he found the bureau chief, Wang Hai, his father Xu Tianyang, his wife Chu Qianwen, and some police officers waiting outside the east gate.
Xu Guoren knew that he couldn't hide anymore, so he got off his horse and walked over.
"Father, Brother Wang, Chief, why are you all here? Xu Guoren asked.
Xu Tianyang's face darkened."You brat, are you planning to leave without saying goodbye if I don't come?"Qianwen is pregnant, and you want to leave without even saying goodbye. How can you face your family?”
Xu Guoren was speechless. He paused and knelt in front of Xu Tianyang.
"You, what are you doing?" Xu Tianyang was quite surprised and at a loss.
"Father, since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and filial. Now that the country is in danger, I can't sit idly by.”Xu Guoren knelt down and said sincerely,"As the saying goes, every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the country. Today, I have to lead the soldiers to the front line to kill the enemy and serve the country.”
When Xu Guoren said this, Xu Tianyang only felt a lump in his throat. He could not say anything to blame him.
Xu Guoren turned to Chu Qianwen and said,"" Qianwen, we were husband and wife, and we should have grown old together. However, war has broken out at the border, and I'm determined to serve the country. Please forgive me. If I'm lucky enough to sacrifice my life for the country, you can remarry.”
Chu Qianwen's tears fell like rain. She bit her lips and shook her head pitifully."No, you have to come back alive. Our child can't live without a father.”
Xu Guoren looked at her guiltily and turned to Wang Hai."Brother Wang, you and I are brothers. If I don't come back, please help me take care of my father, Qianwen, and her son.”
Wang Hai was also deeply moved. He said in a heavy tone,"Brother Guoren, I deeply admire you for putting the country's righteousness first. "However, please forgive me for not agreeing to your request. Just as you said, the rise and fall of the country is everyone's responsibility. I, Wang Hai, naturally can't stand by and watch. I've already decided to resign from my position as the captain of the Jiang City Police Station and go to the front line with you to resist the Japanese. You still have to come back and take care of Uncle Xu and Sister-in-law, so you have to come back alive."”
A few policemen who had a sense of justice and had a good relationship with Wang Hai were also touched. They all expressed their stance,"We won't be police anymore. We'll go to the front line with you, Captain!”
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。