Chapter Sixty-Six: The Backbone of the Nation

Across the nation, emotions ran high. Everywhere, students and passionate young people marched through the streets, and the newspapers continually published news from Nanjing. In only a short time, people all over the country had learned of the Nanjing massacre.

As for how the outside newspapers obtained the news so quickly, along with authentic photographs, it was, in fact, thanks to Chen Qingzhi. The moment he received word from Nanjing, he had used the organization’s channels to transmit these documents to the leadership.

Many of those who had joined the organization were young idealists and students. When they received this information, they had already intended to spread the word, but Chen Qingzhi unexpectedly issued a clear and public telegram, which left them momentarily stunned.

They quickly regained their senses, however, and immediately printed the materials as newspapers to be distributed nationwide.

This was what led to the current situation.

Following the national uproar, local members of the Communist Party seized the opportunity to launch a wave of propaganda, stirring up anti-Japanese sentiment among the people and calling upon everyone to unite together and resist the Japanese invaders.

In the city of Xuzhou, inside a newspaper office, Luo Cheng was urging the staff to speed up the printing of the papers. At the same time, he was discussing the situation in Nanjing with several others.

“Brother Cheng, all of the students at our university have already been mobilized. They’re marching and giving speeches in the streets, drawing large crowds. Everyone is eager and determined to fight against the Japanese army!”

A young man, a university student who was secretly being cultivated by the Party, spoke excitedly to Luo Cheng.

Hearing this, Luo Cheng nodded. “Good work. But remember, your safety comes first.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Cheng, we all understand,” the young man replied earnestly.

After arranging for everyone to fulfill their respective duties, Luo Cheng went upstairs alone. He gazed out at the crowds on the street, their emotions running high, and could not help but sigh.

Though the spirit of resistance was surging across the country, Luo Cheng couldn’t help but worry about the man who had set all this in motion—Chen Qingzhi.

He knew that once Chen Qingzhi sent out that message, he would surely face punishment from above and become a thorn in the side of the Japanese. The enemy would stop at nothing to eliminate the Independent Brigade and Chen Qingzhi himself.

Chen Qingzhi and his Independent Brigade were now in grave danger.

Luo Cheng wanted to reach out to Chen Qingzhi, but in the end, he restrained himself. He knew that Chen Qingzhi must be overwhelmed at this moment, and Luo Cheng did not want to disturb him or add to his burdens.

With these thoughts, a trace of worry crossed Luo Cheng’s face. He silently offered his blessings to Chen Qingzhi.

…

Chen Qingzhi knew nothing of what was happening outside.

After issuing that clear and public telegram, he no longer concerned himself with the world beyond, focusing instead on reorganizing the Independent Brigade.

But in his heart, he understood perfectly well that his telegram would bring significant trouble. Punishment from above was surely on its way, and the Japanese would go to any lengths to destroy him and his brigade.

Chen Qingzhi was fully aware of all this.

Yet he acted without hesitation.

This was not a case of rushing blindly into danger, but rather, he could not stand by and do nothing.

This was the conscience that every soldier ought to possess.

Since the decision was made, there would be no regrets.

Whatever lay ahead—whether demotion, reprimand, or becoming a target of the Japanese—Chen Qingzhi would face it all with equanimity.

His resolve was firm: to strike the Japanese invaders hard and avenge the victims of Nanjing!

“Commander, didn’t you always teach us that, as soldiers, we must always be prepared to sacrifice for our country?” Fang Xiaodong stood straight before Chen Qingzhi, his voice loud and unwavering. “Now, as the commander of the First Regiment of the Independent Provisional Brigade, I report: the entire brigade is ready at all times!”

“Always ready!”

“Always ready!”

Outside, on the drill ground, all the soldiers of the Independent Brigade stood in formation, their voices united in a thunderous shout.

The sound carried far and wide, so much so that even those in Qingyuan County could hear it clearly.

Watching his soldiers, Chen Qingzhi’s heart swelled with pride.

These are our soldiers!

In the nation’s hour of peril, they do not shrink back or cower. They stand up bravely, prepared to give everything—even if they know death awaits them, they do so without fear or regret.

Always prepared to give their lives for their country.

This was the fundamental reason why this battered and fragile nation could continue to fight the Japanese.

This was the spirit passed down through five thousand years of the Chinese nation—a legacy left by the ancestors.

This is the backbone that has kept the Chinese people unbowed through the ages!

“Excellent!” Chen Qingzhi clapped his hands and laughed, raising his arm to declare, “The time to resist the Japanese and serve our country is now! With you here, our nation will fear no hardship or peril!”

These more than eight thousand men of the Independent Brigade were the source of Chen Qingzhi’s confidence in declaring war on the Japanese.

With them, he feared no one.

With them, even if he stood alone against the Japanese army, he would not flinch.

He ordered every soldier to be prepared for the coming battle, then returned to his office—there were still matters to attend to.

Having taken the initiative to declare war on the Japanese, he knew the consequences would be severe. First, he needed to write a letter of explanation to the organization.

He wrote it sincerely, then entrusted it to Huzi to deliver.

Huzi was his trusted aide, loyal and reliable, usually handling sensitive communications with the organization.

After giving Huzi careful instructions, Huzi tucked the letter securely against his person, nodded, led away a fast horse, and left the camp.

As for Chen Qingzhi, he planned to summon his regimental commanders to discuss preparations for the coming battle.

Just then, a soldier ran over and reported loudly, “Commander, there’s a call from headquarters!”

“Headquarters? Who’s on the line?”

Chen Qingzhi had anticipated that the higher-ups would inquire—after all, what he had done would certainly anger the leadership.

But he was still curious as to who would be calling to reprimand him.

“It’s Commander Chen!”

“Him?” Chen Qingzhi was surprised. He had never imagined that a mere brigade commander like himself would draw the personal attention of this Commander Chen.

This Commander Chen was none other than Chen Cheng, the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifteenth Group Army and the Forward Commander of the Third War Zone.

By rights, such a high-ranking officer would scarcely have time to pay attention to the actions of a humble brigade commander, but now…

Chen Qingzhi gave a wry smile. Clearly, the commotion he had caused was nothing short of extraordinary.

He had even drawn out such a figure.

Nevertheless, Chen Qingzhi did not hesitate. Steeling himself, he walked towards the communications room.