Chapter Thirty-Five: The Glorious Victory at the Gate of China

"Commander, shall I proceed to issue this appointment order right away?" Dai Li spoke softly, seeing that the Commander had already drafted the official document.

"Go ahead," Chairman Chiang nodded, then added, "And by the way, inform Chen Bulei as well. Have him publicize this event thoroughly. It must be widely proclaimed to inspire the people's morale in the war of resistance!"

"Be sure to emphasize the significance and impact of Chen Qingzhi's remarkable achievement. Let the people understand its weight, and let the outside world know that I, Chiang, also support the war effort!"

Thus spoke the Chairman.

Since the defeat in the defense of Nanjing, a string of losses had left the people deeply pessimistic about the war effort. The government urgently needed news that could stabilize public sentiment and soothe the people's anxieties. Furthermore, rumors frequently circulated outside claiming that Chiang did not support the war, a persistent source of distress for the Chairman.

Now, this news could be used to boost morale and dispel the rumors that he was not behind the war effort!

He wanted the world to know that he, Chiang, was a staunch supporter of the resistance! Otherwise, why else would he promote a mere battalion commander to the rank of brigadier general? Was it not because this commander had distinguished himself in slaying the enemy? Was it not proof of Chiang's support for the war?

Dai Li understood the Chairman's intentions perfectly. Therefore, upon hearing these instructions, he immediately replied, "Rest assured, sir. I will see to this matter with utmost care!"

"Very well, proceed," the Chairman said, waving his hand.

Seeing that there were no further orders, Dai Li saluted, then respectfully took his leave from the Chairman's office.

…

When Chen Bulei received the news, his heart brimmed with delight.

Chen Bulei was the director of the second division of the Chairman's staff office, long responsible for drafting documents on Chiang's behalf. He was also an executive director at The Shenbao and a writer, frequently publishing accounts of the war of resistance in various newspapers.

For years, he had been Chiang's trusted "pen."

Although an official, at heart Chen was a traditional scholar—well-read, brimming with talent, and deeply anguished by the Japanese invasion.

Yet, unlike the pessimists, Chen Bulei encouraged his relatives to go to the front lines, found ways to shelter democratic activists, and wielded his mighty pen to compose immortal articles that stirred national spirit.

Though he never went to the front, the words he wrote inspired countless passionate youths and men of vision to join the war effort.

He was, in every sense, a patriot.

Such a man, upon hearing such glorious news, was naturally moved to tears.

Although a man of letters, by virtue of his government position Chen Bulei was privy to the true state of the war at home. That knowledge only deepened his hatred for the Japanese atrocities. The prolonged string of defeats had seen nearly half the country's vast lands fall to the enemy. Chen, eager to slay the invaders, was nonetheless powerless to do so.

In this moment of peril, Chen Qingzhi emerged from obscurity, leading a single battalion to annihilate an entire Japanese regiment and kill the commander of the Sixth Division—a succession of unprecedented feats.

Though he had never met Chen Qingzhi, upon learning of these deeds, Chen Bulei already felt a strong admiration for this man he had yet to meet.

Naturally, he was more than willing to fulfill the Chairman's request to publicize these events.

His heart stirred, his pen flew across the page, sentences of rousing, stirring prose quickly forming lines of text. In no time, an article was complete.

Chen Bulei reviewed it once more, nodded in satisfaction, and, not daring to delay, immediately telephoned to have the article printed in that night's papers. He wanted every newspaper the next day to carry this story, so the uplifting news would reach the people as soon as possible.

The following day.

"Extra! Extra! Battalion Commander Chen Qingzhi of the 527th Regiment, 88th Division, National Revolutionary Army, annihilates the Japanese 115th Regiment in the bloody battle at Zhonghua Gate!"

"Extra! Extra! Our brave soldiers hold Nanjing, fight valiantly at Zhonghua Gate, destroy the Japanese 115th Regiment, and seize the regimental flag!"

"Extra! Extra! As Nanjing was being evacuated, Battalion Commander Chen Qingzhi of the 527th Regiment, 88th Division, National Revolutionary Army, killed the Japanese Sixth Division's lieutenant general and most of its senior officers, leaving the division without command!"

"Extra! Extra! Our Republic has achieved an unprecedented victory! Over four thousand enemies killed at Zhonghua Gate!"

"Extra! Extra! The lieutenant general of the Japanese Sixth Division, Tani Hisao, has been slain by our soldiers—his head taken as a trophy!"

As the early risers prepared for work or their daily tasks, newsboys spread the word through the streets and alleys.

At first, people were stunned, instinctively doubting the truth of such incredible news.

But seeing the sensational headlines, many chose to buy a newspaper. One look, and their eyes widened in disbelief.

Then, unbridled joy erupted from their hearts.

The news was true!

There was even a photograph, blurry but recognizable as the regimental flag of the Japanese 115th Regiment. Reading the accompanying articles, the entire populace was thrown into a frenzy.

With the newspapers' widespread coverage, the story of Chen Qingzhi and his battalion’s bloody struggle at Zhonghua Gate, along with the death of senior officers of the Japanese Sixth Division, swiftly spread across the Republic.

For a time, the whole nation reverberated with talk of this event.

Beiping, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changchun—the entire country was shaken!

Everywhere, in both occupied and unoccupied territories, all who heard the news rushed to share it, celebrating this historic and unprecedented victory.

Students, workers, even farmers took to the streets to express their joy.

Previously, the Republic’s encounters with the Japanese had almost always ended in retreat; good news was exceedingly rare. But this time, it was a truly unprecedented triumph.

Over four thousand enemies slain, Tani Hisao killed!

Each feat was nothing short of earth-shattering.

Countless patriots delivered impassioned speeches in streets and alleys, extolling the bloody battle at Zhonghua Gate and the slaying of Tani Hisao. In teahouses and restaurants, storytellers wove these events into stirring tales, reciting them with fervor.

In an instant, Chen Qingzhi became a role model for countless passionate youths and patriots across the nation.

Inspired, innumerable young men enlisted, determined to fight the invaders.

Suddenly, anti-Japanese armed groups sprang up everywhere, like bamboo shoots after spring rain. Local resistance forces, vanguard units, guerrilla bands, salvation armies—too many to count.

They banded together to strike at Japanese strongholds, sabotage transportation and supply lines, and assassinate enemy officers and collaborators.

Though the damage inflicted was not always great, it nonetheless caused the Japanese considerable trouble.

Try as they might, the Japanese could do little to suppress them.

These guerrillas made full use of their tactics—sabotage and ambushes on enemy outposts and supply convoys. Whenever the Japanese dispatched large forces, the guerrillas simply melted into the woods, leaving their foes helpless.

In such circumstances, the anti-Japanese spirit soared to unprecedented heights nationwide.

And the great battle at Zhonghua Gate, with over four thousand enemy dead, became known as the "Zhonghua Gate Victory."