Chapter Sixty-Three: As Soldiers, How Can We Remain Indifferent?

Again and again, the thunderous voices echoed! Hearing this earth-shaking sound, Chen Qingzhi opened the window and was greeted by the sight of countless soldiers lined up neatly, standing at attention and saluting toward him, shouting in unison.

The sound formed a continuous wave, as if it could tear the heavens apart, as if it would rend the earth itself. Every soldier’s eyes burned with unwavering determination—they shouted with all their strength, heedless of their hoarse voices.

"The officers and men of the Independent Brigade request battle orders from the brigade commander! We earnestly beg for permission to engage!"

The voices resounded across the world, their momentum soaring toward the sky, carrying an indomitable spirit. Even knowing the path ahead would be rugged and perilous, even knowing the dangers that awaited, there was no fear, no regret.

Such was the Independent Brigade.

At this moment, all eight thousand men—every officer and soldier—shouted together, their voices merging into one: "Request to fight!"

Witnessing this scene, Chen Qingzhi was stunned.

"This..." He looked out at the soldiers, then back at the few regimental commanders inside. His lips trembled, wanting to speak, but in the end, no words came.

They wished to fight, and how could Chen Qingzhi not share their desire?

The Japanese army’s brutality had transformed all of Nanjing into a hell of carnage; three hundred thousand civilians slaughtered. Was he to sit by and do nothing?

That was never Chen Qingzhi’s intention!

He could not remain indifferent!

Since arriving in the Republic, Chen Qingzhi had always sought to change Nanjing’s fate, to prevent the world-shaking tragedy, but... he was powerless.

He had done all he could, exerted every effort, yet still could not succeed.

But should failure mean surrender?

No!

A true man must know what to do and what not to do.

Even if he could not succeed, he must rise and fight!

Chen Qingzhi could not remain unmoved!

He drew a deep breath and turned around, two streams of hot tears already tracing his cheeks, yet he seemed not to notice. In a steady voice, he declared, "Fang Xiaodong, report this matter to the higher-ups. Also, request authorization—we, the Independent Brigade, seek to declare war on Japan!"

"The Nanjing massacre—if I do not avenge the victims, I have no right to wear this uniform!"

"Tell the brothers: everyone must prepare for battle. The entire brigade is to enter first-level combat readiness, awaiting orders to march!"

"Yes!" Fang Xiaodong wiped the tears from his face, saluted fiercely, and hurried out.

Chen Qingzhi continued, "As for the rest, return to your posts, discipline and train your men, and await word to join the fight!"

"Yes!"

At his command, the entire Independent Brigade entered a state of combat readiness.

The brigade was like a high-speed engine, quickly settling into formal order.

These new recruits, tempered by the previous attack at Luo Qing Village, now displayed a glimmer of the bearing of a regular army even in their daily actions.

It could be foreseen: once they set foot on the true battlefield, the soldiers of the Independent Brigade would grow swiftly—becoming qualified warriors.

Meanwhile, news and documents revealing the truth about Nanjing were rapidly transmitted upward. Everyone expected the higher-ups to react with fury, perhaps to respond swiftly.

Yet, unexpectedly, after the message was delivered, the higher-ups replied only, "Acknowledged."

Nothing more.

Fang Xiaodong made further inquiries, even stating clearly the brigade’s request to join the battle. Only then did the higher-ups reply impatiently, "This matter is of grave importance. The senior officers are in consultation. During this period, the Independent Brigade must not act without orders, nor may this information be spread. Violators will face military justice."

The news sent a wave of shock through the brigade.

No one had anticipated such a response!

They had assumed the leadership would be outraged and then declare war on Japan, but now it seemed they wanted to suppress the news?

Their request to fight was met with reprimand?

What were the higher-ups thinking? What did they intend?

Everyone was incredulous, unable to believe the authorities would handle it this way, nor could they believe the matter would simply end here.

If so, what of the souls of the three hundred thousand slaughtered civilians in Nanjing?

Were they to die silently, unknown and unremembered?

Chen Qingzhi could not believe it. He could not accept such an answer, so he sent a telegram himself, seeking clarification. This time, the reply was harsher: "This is a grave matter. The senior officers have their own plans. The Independent Brigade must not act without orders, nor may this be publicized. Anyone who violates will face military law, without mercy!"

Hearing this reply, Chen Qingzhi erupted in anger.

"Bastards! Scoundrels! Parasites!"

"Three hundred thousand civilians in Nanjing slaughtered—this is the monstrous crime of the Japanese army. At such a moment, the Republic should throw caution aside and fight to the death, to avenge the victims. Yet now there is hesitation, even suppression of the truth. What are the higher-ups thinking?"

"Are they going to sit by and ignore the massacre of Nanjing’s people?" Chen Qingzhi shouted angrily. "You can remain unmoved, you can ignore it—but I cannot!"

"Fang Xiaodong, immediately send this news out in clear text, broadcast it nationwide! I will reveal what happened in Nanjing, I want the whole world to know of the Japanese army’s atrocities, I will make those devils pay for what they have done!"

Chen Qingzhi’s eyes were bloodshot, his face shadowed with anger and steel.

"Commander, the higher-ups forbade us to publicize this matter. If... if we send it in clear text, there will be serious consequences—the authorities will certainly be furious!" Fang Xiaodong hesitated. "Commander, are you sure?"

"Fang Xiaodong, answer me!" Chen Qingzhi locked his gaze on Fang Xiaodong’s eyes, his voice low and resolute. "What is the soldier’s duty?"

"To protect our homeland and defend the nation!"

Fang Xiaodong answered without hesitation, almost reflexively.

That was the answer drilled into every soldier of the Independent Brigade—every day, every training session. Each man understood his duty as a soldier.

"Very good! You remember!" Chen Qingzhi said. "To protect our homeland and defend the nation is not just an empty slogan—it must be shown in action!"

"As soldiers, our highest duty is to defend our land and people. If we cannot even protect the lives of our compatriots, what right do we have to call ourselves soldiers? What right to shout those words?"

"If we cannot drive the Japanese army from our Republic, it is already our shame. If we lack the resolve to resist, if we lack the courage to avenge our compatriots, how dare we speak of defending our homeland? How dare we claim to safeguard our nation!"