Rise From Eight Hundred

That night, Brigade Commander Cheng presided over the event in person, and Tang Dao and Ye Chenghuan served as witnesses. Lei Xiong raised his right hand under the red flag and swore solemnly.

Brigade Commander Cheng looked at Tang Dao with joy in his eyes.

So far, the top three commanders of the Four-Line Regiment are all under the command of the Eighth Army Group. Under their influence, the Four-Line Regiment, which has tens of thousands of elite troops and huge resources, will become a force that the Eighth Army Group can rely on.

Even many years later, when Brigade Commander Cheng talked about this night, he still thought it was a memorable night in his military career. Even if he personally commanded hundreds of thousands of troops to beat up the American cowboys on the ice field in the future, it would not be as great as the harvest of this night.

For Lei Xiong, who solemnly swore under the red flag, it was extremely difficult to make this decision. Before this, he had not joined any party.

"My ideal is very simple, to earn some money to support my family, and to give my wife and children a better life to the best of my ability. If the Anti-Japanese War is victorious one day, my greatest wish is to retire and go back to accompany my wife and children." This was Lei Xiong's answer to Tang Dao's straightforward words when he and Tang Dao sat in Tang Dao's courtyard a few days ago.

After more than three years of fighting side by side, the two trust and rely on each other. They are not brothers, but brothers. Even if Tang Dao told him in person that he had joined the 80th Army more than a year ago, Lei Xiong was not surprised at all.

However, even if Tang Dao persuaded him, Lei Xiong still had reservations about the 80th Army and maintained his own views.

This is also what Tang Dao admires most about Lei Xiong. Although Tang Dao's influence in the Four Lines Group is so great that no one can match it, even Ye Chenghuan, who is both civil and military, can only follow orders when he comes to the group, Lei Xiong still maintains his personal views and often makes suggestions on Tang Dao's deployment and improves it.

He obeyed orders but did not follow them blindly. This was almost unique in the Four-Line Regiment. Tang Dao made him the highest commander of the garrison brigade, which was not only trust, but also recognition of his ability.

Otherwise, Tang Dao would never feel at ease to put the lives of 7,000 people in his hands.

"Brother Lei, it's okay for you to accompany your wife and children after the war. I actually think so too, but have you ever thought about one question, if the Japanese are driven away, will the war end?" Tang Dao said with a smile.

"This" Lei Xiong's eyes condensed slightly.

Having been in the 88th Division for several years, he certainly knew the attitude of the 80th Army Group. "To ensure foreign peace, we must first resist the internal affairs" was the national policy set by the 80th Army Group after the September 18th Incident. If the Anti-Japanese War was won, how could the 80th Army Group tolerate its existence?

And if it were anyone else, how could he sit and wait for death, let alone the 80th Army Group with more than 100,000 elite soldiers.

"The 80th Army Group has only more than 100,000 soldiers. Even if the armed forces of An County are added, it is only 200,000. How can it be the opponent of the 80th Army Group?" After thinking for a long time, Lei Xiong gave a pertinent opinion.

"Whether a war is won or not is not determined by the strength of the troops, but by the will of the people. If the two sides are at war, there is a fundamental difference between the war of national defense. Both sides are Chinese, and 90% of the soldiers who make up the army come from the grassroots like you and me.

Let me ask you, if you were in this situation, would you be willing to help a regime that maintains the rich and beautiful life of the elites, or would you be willing to help a regime that helps the poor people in the world live a stable life with their wives and children?" Tang Dao cast his eyes into the distance.

"Perhaps, Brother Lei, you will say that history has proven that after anyone seizes power, there will be power struggles and corruption within the regime, but that also requires a process, which is much better than a regime that is now completely rotten and can only suck blood from the people and represent the interests of the landlords and comprador classes!

Just like a person's life, everyone will make mistakes in the course of life. We must learn to accept mistakes and just correct them.

Tang Taizong Li Shimin once said: Water can carry a boat but can also overturn it! Whoever has the hearts of the people can dominate the world.

Why did the powerful Mongol Yuan Dynasty fall? Why was the powerful Ming Empire that overthrew them and established broken into the capital by a group of peasants, and the noble emperor could only hang on a tree?

The long river of history will make the most correct choice."

Lei Xiong's eyes were deep and he fell into deep thought, but Tang Dao did not disturb him and refilled his teacup with hot tea.

Seeing that Brother Lei was already struggling, Tang Dao added another fire.

"Brother Lei, let me ask you, if the Japanese leave, those Westerners still want to maintain their former interests, continue to maintain concessions in China, occupy ports and mines, are you willing?"

"Of course not, we can beat the Japanese devils, and we can beat those foreigners again. If they dare to come, they must first ask me and the brothers whether the guns in our hands agree or not." Lei Xiong answered without hesitation.

"Then do you think that person will do as you think?" Tang Dao smiled.

"I already knew that person in the battle of Sihang Warehouse. He doesn't have the ability and courage!" Lei Xiong shook his head and gave his own definition.

"But the 80th Army will!" Tang Dao answered very confidently.

"The reason why I chose to join them is very simple, just because one of their generals said a sentence at a military meeting: You and I were born in this era, and sacrifice is the price we must pay. If you don't pay, your son will pay, your grandson will pay, and our generation, covered in blood and mud, will pay."

Brother Lei was shocked.

What Tang Dao said was like a bullet, hitting his heart hard.

He had been in the army for nearly ten years. Facing the enemy's heavy artillery and the infantry that surged like a tide, he had never been afraid. Even in the desperate situation of the Sihang Warehouse that day, trapped alone and without any way to retreat, he did not even frown.

But in the middle of the night, thinking of his wife and young son in his hometown, thinking of the Japanese devils with bayonets breaking through the defense line and rushing into his hometown, with bloody bayonets facing them, Lei Xiong woke up from his dreams countless times. That was indeed the most terrifying thing in his heart.

So, he fought hard on the front line, just for the peace of his loved ones in his hometown.

If their generation did not sacrifice, then his son would have to sacrifice when he grew up. The words of the general of the 80th Army relayed by Tang Dao really hit the softest corner of his heart.

"Good man!" Lei Xiong praised loudly.

Tang Shanhe's crying came from the house.

"Since you two have so much strength, come and coax Shanhe to sleep." Tantai Mingyue carried Tang Shanhe, who was frightened and crying by Lei Xiong, out of the house, looking at the two rough men with anger.

"Ouch! I'm sorry, sister-in-law, I'm leaving now!" Lei Xiong awkwardly dragged Tang Dao away from the courtyard.

"Hehe, commander, don't look at you talking for a long time just now, but do you know the real reason why I am willing to join the 80th Army?" Lei Xiong, who had made a decision but looked relaxed, asked Tang Dao with a smile.

"What is it? It can't be that you just frightened your nephew and cried, and you agreed reluctantly because you were afraid of Mingyue scolding you! Then I'll tell you, if you don't have the ideal of making decisions for the people, you can still observe for a few more years before making a decision." Tang Dao answered seriously.

"You and I are both from the village, who doesn't know how hard the people are? The ideal of the 80th Army is quite in line with my mind, and I am willing to follow them." Lei Xiong said. "But, compared to this, I am more afraid that we two brothers will become rivals in the future!"

"The main thing is that we can't beat him!" Lei Xiong added.

Looking at the man with a bright smile in front of him, Tang Dao didn't say anything more.

Tang Dao understood Lei Xiong too well. With Lei Xiong's personality, he couldn't beat him, but he couldn't lose? It's just a life. What he feared was probably not that he couldn't beat him, but that his brothers would quarrel with each other!

I'm afraid no one knows that a certain army colonel who made one of the most important decisions in his life was sitting on a piece of grass, and Tang Tuanzuo was also sitting on the grass with him.

The reason was not that he found a secluded place for fear of ears on the other side of the wall, but that a little kid named Tang Shanhe was frightened awake.

Tang Shanhe didn't know that because of his feat, his father thought that he had a weak personality, and he threw him to Master Mingxin to start martial arts training since he was five years old.

When Tang Shanhe was exhausted from training at a young age, he always cried and asked Aunt Erya who wiped his scars for him, is that his real father? Otherwise, why find him a devilish master? When he becomes powerful in the future, he must make his master and stepfather look good.

Erya looked at the child who looked more and more like a certain regiment commander, and could only helplessly tell him that his father was his biological father and he could not beat him, but his master could be beaten, but the premise was that he had to beat him.

Mingxin, who was not too far away

At that time, Mingxin had already mastered the national martial arts. Even Tang Dao said that he was not his opponent. Even the headquarters of the 80th Army wanted to invite him to be the chief instructor of the field army's special forces, but Mingxin resigned from the military and brought Tang Shanhe to the Taoist temple to teach his first disciple carefully.

Unexpectedly, the little guy had not practiced anything yet, but he was thinking about beating his master after he learned it.

Even so, he asked if that was his biological father. With this rebelliousness, he was already very Tang Tuanzuo!

Strict teachers produce excellent students. Tang Shanhe, who was also the second time to cause trouble from his mouth, ushered in more rigorous training, which also laid the foundation for the future Lieutenant Tang Shanhe, who was only 22 years old, to shine in the battle on the plateau.

His military exploits on that day were not inferior to his father's exploits in the battle at the Sihang Warehouse when he was the same age as him!

It was a coincidence, or perhaps it was a fateful inevitability.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

That night, the four comrades sat around a table and talked about the war situation in North China and China.

Brigade Commander Cheng had great confidence in the battlefield in North China, but was quite anxious about the national war situation. In his opinion, the current Japanese China Expeditionary Army Headquarters still focused on Central China and South China, hoping to fully occupy the three most important plains in China, and then fully occupy South China, and then march into the southwest and northwest.

With the complete loss of the North China Sea Defense Line, the only channel for China to obtain supplies from abroad is South China. If this place is lost again, China will have to fight alone.

After losing the three major plains, these important grain-producing areas and population, China's war potential in the southwest and northwest will be much less than before. Although there are mountains and Gobi Desert as defense lines, the population and materials are scarce. As one grows, the other loses, and the disadvantages are full. Therefore, Central China can be lost, but South China must not be lost.

"You will go to Central China sooner or later due to changes in the war situation. There are high mountains and dense forests, and the terrain is dangerous. Be careful!" Brigade Commander Cheng said.

As expected, he is worthy of being one of the three heroes of Huangpu. Even if he is in a corner of the north, he can know the battlefields across the country like the back of his hand, and even predict that the Four-Line Regiment will go to the south for a battle.

If it weren't for the confirmation that this was the real Brigade Commander Cheng, Tang Dao almost thought he was also a time traveler. The strategic vision of this senior is really amazing.

As a little butterfly from the future, Tang Dao certainly knew that in order to open up the Burma Road and ensure this valuable transportation route, China sent expeditionary forces into Burma twice, suffering huge casualties.

The casualties were huge, but it was worth it. It not only opened up the international transportation line in southwest China, drove the Japanese army out of the southwestern gate of China, supported the domestic frontal battlefield operations, inspired the people across the country to resist the war, and dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese invaders of Burma. , and was “the first large-scale operation to assist an allied country to fight in a foreign country and win victory since the Sino-Japanese War of 1884-1894.”

Those who are qualified to sit on the position of the victorious nation and share in the fruits of victory in the war are all gained through sacrifice.

"I know the dangers of the South China battlefield, but as the Japanese's appetite grows, China alone can no longer satisfy them, and will definitely attack Southeast Asia. At that time, the United States, the sun never sets and other established Western countries will inevitably turn against them and turn their backs. And by supporting our country, South China will receive Western aid, and the Japanese will also suffer.

But because the battlefield in North China is too far away, I have to fight alone. The danger level is by no means less than that in South China! "Tang Dao also has his own understanding.

"You must not underestimate this insidious guy like Okamura Koji. The more silent he is, the more he is holding back his ultimate move. You must deal with it carefully.

In addition, cooperation with friendly forces may not be as smooth as before, so you must be mentally prepared for this. "

In Tang Dao's memory, Okamura Koji, who took office, not only adopted the "iron wall encirclement" and the cruel Sanguang policy. In order to capture Shaanxi Province and encircle Sichuan Province, he seconded soldiers from Japan and the Kwantung Army. Many elite divisions went to North China. Before the launch of the Pacific War, Japan's North China Front did not count the hundreds of thousands of puppet troops it had cultivated. The number of master regiments, independent brigades, and garrison troops alone totaled more than 300,000.

Even after the outbreak of the Pacific War, Japan continued to deploy its elite troops to the Pacific islands in order to resist the attack of the United States. Japan's North China Front Army also had nearly 220,000 troops and more than one million puppet troops.

In May 1941, it was under the command of Okamura Koji that the Nakajo Mountain battle was humiliatingly defeated. Six generals were killed and more than 40,000 officers and soldiers died.

The main reason is that Okamura Koji's insidiousness and cunning are on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is the inevitable outcome of the Yamashiro man who is so afraid of the Eightyth Army that he carries out a material blockade.

Fortresses are breached from the inside. This sentence is very suitable for the North China battlefield at that time. If the two armies still cooperated as seamlessly as they did in the early days of the war, even if Okamura Koji had great abilities, he would not be able to make a comeback.

And this is what Tang Dao wants to remind him most.

"I know this. Since the Battle of Zishan, that person has become more and more wary of the development of our Eightyth Army and has stopped the funding of our Army for half a year." Brigadier Cheng nodded solemnly.

"But it doesn't matter. Even if Butcher Zhang dies, we won't eat pigs with hair on them. Our army now has a mass base in various base areas in North China. It's just that life is a little harder. No matter how hard it is, it can still be worse than when our army climbed the snow-capped mountains and crossed the grassland. ?

No matter what those people think, our army will fight to the end and defend China to the end! " Brigadier Cheng's eyes were firm.

Looking at the angry Brigadier Cheng, Lei Xiong breathed a sigh of relief and expressed his attitude in one sentence: "At any time, the Jinan Garrison Brigade will advance and retreat with friendly forces!"

Then he turned his attention to Tang Dao and Ye Chenghuan: "I will wait in North China for the victorious return of the group leader, Director Ye, and my brothers from the Four Elements Group. I believe that you will definitely be able to return to Taihang!"

"Haha, I love hearing what Brother Lei said!" Tang Dao laughed loudly, stretched out his hand in the middle of the four of them, and said loudly: "Defend my China, and I will have no regrets even if I die!"

"The war in the north is unknown. This head must be hung at the gate of the country!" Brigadier Cheng smiled slightly and put his hand on Tang Dao's hand.

"Generals die in a hundred battles, and heroes return in ten years!" Ye Chenghuan also attached his hand to it.

"The country has been destroyed like this, why should I regret it?" Lei Xiong thought for a while, choked out a poem, and put his hand on it.

The four best soldiers in China currently hold hands together with determination in this dark night.

The real hero knows that the arrival of dawn will take a long time, but still rushes into the night resolutely!

Just like they did in time and space, in the long darkness where they could not see the slightest chance of victory, they still moved forward impassionedly towards the hail of bullets from the Japanese invaders.

It is with such comrades that Tang Dao, who looks into the dark night, knows that these people who are still moving forward in the dark night will eventually create their own dawn for future generations!

And not just because he knows!