Countless torches were held high in the slightly dim light of the fire.
This scene of a group of generals, a colonel, and more than a hundred officers and soldiers saluting each other not only remains in the memories of the officers and soldiers of the guard platoon and the second company of the Bayonet Battalion.
It also remains in the memory of all officers and soldiers present.
When Liu Lang strode forward, he loudly reported: "Reporting to Commander Liu, Liu Lang of the 22nd Army Independent Regiment has successfully completed his mission and reports to you."
"Okay, very good, Commander Liu, you are very good." The future military god suppressed the excitement in his heart, took the initiative to stretch out his hands towards Liu Lang, held them tightly and said: "Captain Liu, congratulations to you and the soldiers on your triumphant return.
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"Haha, Commander Liu, I can congratulate you, but Liu Lang and the officers and soldiers of the Independent Regiment don't dare to accept the salute you and the officers just gave you!" Liu Lang said with a chuckle.
If it had been five years ago, Liu Lang would have accepted this military salute after returning from a great victory. But Liu Lang, who has gone through years of experience, is not the same as before. In the past, he was just a 21-year-old young man who was just starting out. But
Now he is not only the commander of a regiment with 4,000 troops, he even represents the Sichuan Army to a certain extent, an independent regiment directly under the 22nd Army Headquarters. Not just anyone can be the chief officer.
The military salutes of these lieutenant generals and major generals represent a kind of recognition to a certain extent. It is nothing here, just the joy of victory. But in the eyes of some people in the government, it may become a political force.
s contact.
Even though the two parties, the Kuomintang and the Red Party, seem to be closely united to fight against the Japanese, Liu Lang knows that in just two or three years, the Japanese offensive will no longer be as aggressive as it is now, and the situation across the country will gradually ease.
Come down, this kind of honeymoon period is no longer possible.
If he didn't say anything about accepting this gift, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to survive tonight, and the news would have to reach the ears of the person in Nanjing.
He, Liu Lang, was just a small regiment leader, but the Sichuan army behind Liu Lang, as soon as he left Sichuan, he and the troops affiliated to the Red Party came to say hello, I am good brothers, this, I am afraid some people don't think so well.
"No, Commander Liu, you are wrong." The future military god's expression suddenly became serious, he shook his head and said: "When I know you are coming back, I will notify the commanders above the colonel level in Jingxing to come to the train station to greet you.
, is an honor that belongs to you and the Independent Group. But this gift is not just a tribute to you."
Taking a deep breath, the future military god looked around, towards the soldiers standing at the train station with guns on their backs and on guard at various commanding heights. His voice suddenly rose, deafening, "This salute
, is the salute that we division commanders and brigade commanders pay to all the soldiers participating in this battle. Whether you are the 129th Division, the Independent Regiment, the 17th Division, or the Third Army, you are all our Chinese Army.
, in this battle to annihilate the 20th Division of the invading Japanese army in Shanxi Jindong, you were not afraid of sacrifice, fought hard for seven days and nights, and finally achieved this rich result.
Each of you is worthy of this salute from all the military generals here."
Then, the voice of the future military god became a little deeper, "However, many of you will never have the chance to see victory again. They all sleep in this Chinese land under our feet.
I once stood on the main peak of Snowflake Mountain and felt the passion of all 150 officers and soldiers of the fifth company of the 102nd Regiment of the 17th Division; I was also on the rear wing of Niangziguan, listening to the tens of thousands of officers and soldiers of the Third Army fighting with their flesh and blood.
The unyielding roar of the heavy artillery of the Japanese invaders; I also personally stroked the undried blood on the pale faces of the young soldiers of the 386th Brigade of the 129th Division. As the commander of a division of the Chinese Revolutionary Army, I am extremely heartbroken. These soldiers are buried here.
How young our soldiers are! They may be sons, fathers, or husbands. The passing of each one represents the sadness of a family.
However, I feel extremely proud of them. It is because of them, because of you, because of all the officers and soldiers who faced the Japanese invaders' aircraft, artillery, machine guns and bayonets in this battle to defend Shanxi.
You will not be trampled by the iron hoofs of the Japanese invaders. Because you have used your blood, life and loyalty to the country and the nation, and used the tears of your relatives to buy more people's peace.
Please tell me with your own words, should I, and the other division commanders, brigade commanders, and regimental commanders here, respect this salute?"
In the firelight, the eyes of the future military god behind the lenses had a faint water color, but his gaze was extremely bright.
The officers and soldiers around him all had tears streaming down their faces.
General, saluting them, they should be extremely honored.
But glory is not the reason for tears to flow freely on the face.
It was them who thought of their comrades who could not enjoy the glory with them.
What is a comrade? A person to whom you can give your back. When he falls, you have no time to grieve and must continue to move forward in the direction in which he fell forward.
No, it's not just that.
It is when you suffer failure, he is by your side, silently handing over the gun, telling you, brother, you are not alone, I will always be by your side, no matter life or death; it is when you enjoy the glory, you also hope that he is there.
Beside you, together with you, are raising their guns high and shouting wildly: We are victorious.
However, many people do not have this opportunity. They are either lying in a cold grave, or they are wrapped in white cloth, or they have been burned to ashes and live in a small box.
Under the order of Zhao Shoushan, Xigua of the fifth company was rebuilt. A big-headed soldier with the rank of lieutenant Xigua stood upright on the outside. His figure was like a javelin nailed to the ground, but he was crying like rain.
He must have thought of his company commander, his brother-in-law, and his comrades who ate and slept together in the company!
However, he is alone now.
Even if the lieutenant's collar badge shines brighter, he may not be as happy as the big-headed soldier ten days ago.
Sometimes, victory cannot make you forget your sorrow. Even now, when the last train was captured and rolled into the railway station, Liu Lang and the last batch of officers and soldiers participating in the Battle of Shimen set foot in Jingxing, the Battle of Jindong has been completely declared a victory.
time.
Among the generals and colonels, no one reprimanded the soldiers under their command for their weakness at this moment. Because tears were also shining in their eyes.
Those soldiers, those soldiers who died, are also their comrades!
"Salute to all the officers and soldiers participating in the war!" Liu Lang's metallic voice spread throughout the audience.
He and all the officers and soldiers of the Guard Platoon and the Second Company of the Bayonet Battalion once again raised their right hands high and saluted to the group of generals in front of them and to all the officers and soldiers around them, whether they were wearing dark gray or dark blue military uniforms.
"Salute!" The officers and soldiers, with tears streaming down their faces, all stood upright and raised their right hands high.
The generals, school officers and soldiers just stared at each other, using the unique etiquette of soldiers to pay tribute to each other, to themselves, to the comrades who could not come here in person, and to the comrades who could not wait for this scene.
Liu Xueyuan, who was standing by the side, was in tears, but he was writing furiously.
Just like what she wrote in "Liu Xueyuan's Seven-Day Battlefield Diary" published in the People's Daily the next day and reprinted and published by Nanjing Central Daily, Red Daily, Shenbao, Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao and other media.
"I have to admit, I cried again. I thought I had become strong enough after seeing too many deaths. At least, I wouldn't shed tears like rain like now. Because, this should be
It was a moment of joy for the whole army. The 343rd Brigade was back, and the Independent Regiment was also back. They returned with the glorious record of annihilating the headquarters of the 20th Division of Shimen. At this moment, Jingxing County, which had gathered more than 20,000 troops, should
The cheers resounded through the sky, and the smile on his face should be brighter than the rhododendrons and red leaves all over the mountain.
However, when these generals solemnly saluted the soldiers with gunpowder smoke still on their faces, and when the soldiers raised their right hands high to their commanders with tears in their eyes, I still couldn't control myself.
Emotion, crying.
I cried because I saw the sadness in the eyes of the generals and the soldiers. Yes, at this moment when the whole army should be celebrating, they are sad.
They are sad, not because they are weak. Faced with a standing division armed to the teeth, but able to divide and annihilate an army, how could they ever be weak?
If you know that in this battle, the 17th Division suffered more than 60% casualties. Before this battle, the 17th Division with a strength of 13,000 troops only had two infantry regiments.
; If you know, an infantry brigade of the Third Army should originally have a strength of more than 5,000 people, but General Cun Xingqi, who personally led the entire brigade officers and soldiers to pursue the remnants of the 78th Regiment, could only report a number of less than 4,000 people, and they still
It only serves as the main reserve force and can only participate in the defense on the Niangziguan front line for one day; if you know that the entire 129th Division has 12,000 officers and soldiers participating in the war, but only more than 10,000 can still stand here to carry supplies; if you know,
Trucks from the Logistics Department of the 22nd Army Independent Regiment transporting the coffins of officers and soldiers killed in battle kept whizzing past my eyes; you will understand why they are so sad.
Commander Liu said that without sacrifice, there would be no victory. But at this moment of victory, of course they will not forget the sacrifice.
I am not one of those people who never retreats in the hail of bullets, but at this moment, I am a steel warrior who just raises his hands to his eyebrows and stands as straight as a green pine.
I, Liu Xueyuan, am just a little woman, born and raised in China, with Chinese blood flowing in my veins and bones. Please allow me to write the "Victory at Niangziguan" before writing the victory,
This article is used to commemorate the soldiers who died in this battle.
I can't write down their names one by one. In fact, I don't know the names of most of them. But I ask you to remember them and remember that they stepped forward when the nation was in crisis.
In the starry sky of the Chinese nation, their names and spirits are destined to be engraved and shine brightly.
I would like to use a sentence sent to me by Liu Tuanzuo as the conclusion of this diary: I know why there are always tears in your eyes, because you love this land deeply..."
Sister, some things can be communicated privately. Do you know that I am piracy!
The next day, Lang Tuanzuo had tears in his eyes when he saw the beautiful reporter's article in the newspaper. He was pretending to be too fat.
.......
PS: Sorry, I pirated Ai Qing's poem, because I really can't find a poem that better describes Fengyue's heart at this time.