Chapter Thirty-Six: Reactions from All Sides

The news that most of the senior officers of the Japanese Sixth Division had been killed was transmitted in clear code, so not only did Chairman Chiang receive the message, but commanders in other war zones across the country learned of it at the same time. In addition, newspapers everywhere were publicizing the event, causing a great stir. When the leaders of various war zones heard about it, they were all profoundly shocked.

Only then did they realize that Chen Qingzhi had not only killed the senior officers of the Japanese Sixth Division, but had also annihilated an entire Japanese regiment with just a single battalion under his command. It was truly astounding.

But the facts were plain before their eyes: the newspapers even printed a photograph of the captured regimental flag of the 115th Regiment, leaving them no room for doubt.

For a moment, many could not help but sigh in wonder. At a time when the entire nation was retreating in defeat, someone had stepped up and nearly wiped out all the senior officers of the enemy’s Sixth Division. This news was like a timely gift in the bitterest winter.

The entire front at Shanghai had collapsed, and the Battle of Nanjing had ended in defeat as well. Everywhere, there was nothing but news of failure. This left both the citizens and the government of the Republic deeply pessimistic about the country’s chances of resisting the Japanese advance. Since the outbreak of war, almost all the news had been of defeat, giving the people of the Republic no hope for the future. Many had even sunk into despair.

But now, suddenly, there was the astonishing report that a mere battalion commander had killed the commander of the Japanese Sixth Division. It was a cause for great rejoicing.

It was as if a bright lamp had been lit in the darkness, offering a glimmer of hope.

For a long time, thanks to the relentless victories of the Japanese army, they had been all but demonized. Many believed the Japanese soldiers were invulnerable, impervious to bullets and blades. How, then, could the Republic’s troops possibly resist?

Yet now, with the death of Tani Shoufu, everyone understood a crucial truth: the Japanese were human too. They were not made of steel, and a bullet could kill them as surely as any other man. Even a Japanese divisional commander could die from a gunshot.

This single event shattered the myth of the Japanese being invincible, and dispelled the demonization that had clouded people’s minds for so long. It also made the commanders of the various war zones look at Chen Qingzhi with newfound respect. Some even began to collect information about him.

Everyone knew that a man who could accomplish such a feat was no ordinary person.

While the various commanders were privately discussing and studying Chen Qingzhi, in Yan’an, there were others recounting his deeds as well.

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In a cave dwelling in Yan’an, two men sat cross-legged on a kang, drinking a little wine and nibbling peanuts as they spoke.

One of them appeared to be in his thirties, with a dignified air, a trace of stubble on his face, and an aura of integrity. Setting his newspaper aside, he shelled a peanut and said with a smile, “Comrade Luo Cheng, the Chen Qingzhi you recruited is truly remarkable. I never expected he would achieve such extraordinary things. I am truly astonished!”

Sitting opposite him was none other than Luo Cheng, who had parted ways with Chen Qingzhi on the Nanjing battlefield.

At these words, Luo Cheng smiled as well. “To tell the truth, I didn’t expect it either,” he replied. “When I first brought him into the Party, it was because I saw that he came from a humble background, had a deep hatred for the Japanese, and—most precious of all—had received a higher education. He was a rare talent indeed, so I investigated him a bit and decided to bring him into the Party.”

“But who could have imagined that Comrade Qingzhi would so quickly achieve such merit? I am truly filled with admiration!”

As he spoke, Luo Cheng recalled the moment he had parted from Chen Qingzhi. Qingzhi had been a progressive young man, full of knowledge and insight; after only a short conversation, Luo Cheng had felt a deep regret that they had not met sooner.

After their hasty farewell, Luo Cheng had been busy helping to evacuate the people of Nanjing and had no time to pay attention to the battlefield situation. When they left, they heard the city had fallen and the garrison was retreating in disarray. Many units were trapped inside, surrounded by the Japanese and unable to escape.

At the time, Luo Cheng had deeply regretted this, thinking that Chen Qingzhi must have died a hero’s death. But who could have imagined that, in the blink of an eye, Chen Qingzhi would achieve such an unprecedented feat? Luo Cheng was truly shaken to his core.

Now, thinking back, he felt both admiration for Chen Qingzhi and a proud satisfaction in his own judgment. To have discovered such a talent and brought him into the Party was something he could be proud of.

“To wipe out an entire Japanese regiment with a single battalion, and to kill the Major General commander of the Japanese Sixth Division, Tani Shoufu—either of these would be an extraordinary achievement, but both were done by Comrade Qingzhi. Comrade Luo Cheng, your judgment is truly exceptional!”

The man opposite Luo Cheng smiled as he praised him. He was Li Zhiyu, chief of the Communist Party’s Nanjing office; not only Luo Cheng’s superior, but also a close friend.

When Luo Cheng learned from Chen Qingzhi that Nanjing was in grave danger, he and Li Zhiyu, who had not yet evacuated, gathered the citizens and helped them escape. They left the city two hours before it fell.

Afterward, the two had to report on the situation, so they traveled by train to Yan’an. It was when Li Zhiyu was briefing his superiors that he learned of Chen Qingzhi’s deeds. He also knew that Luo Cheng had recruited a Party member named Chen Qingzhi. When he mentioned this to his superior, the latter was both surprised and delighted. After receiving detailed information about Chen Qingzhi, Li Zhiyu was astonished by what Comrade Qingzhi had accomplished. After reporting his duties, he immediately sought out Luo Cheng to discuss Chen Qingzhi’s situation.

Luo Cheng was greatly pleased at Li Zhiyu’s praise for Chen Qingzhi. He felt genuine happiness for him.

Li Zhiyu said, “Comrade Luo Cheng, when I went to report to the chief today, he told me that Comrade Qingzhi is an extraordinary talent and that the Party must make every effort to nurture him. The chief also said that even the top leader knows of Comrade Qingzhi’s deeds and has praised him as an outstanding Party member.”

“Really? The chief really said this?” Luo Cheng asked in delighted disbelief.

“Of course; the chief told me personally,” Li Zhiyu replied. “He also said that Comrade Qingzhi’s identity must be kept absolutely secret, classified at the highest level. Everyone who knows his true identity must keep their lips sealed—it cannot be leaked.”

“Now Comrade Qingzhi’s identity has been sealed by the chief. Other than a few leaders, only you and I know the truth.”

“The chief originally wanted me to be Comrade Qingzhi’s sole contact, but considering that you recruited him, he decided to entrust this duty to you,” Li Zhiyu said. “Comrade Luo Cheng, I hope you will strictly adhere to the secrecy regulations and never reveal Comrade Qingzhi’s identity.”