Chapter Sixty-Seven: If the nation's fate hangs in the balance, one ought to face life and death unflinchingly—how can personal fortune or misfortune sway one's course?

"Chief Chen!" Chen Qingzhi took the phone and greeted him.

"Chen Qingzhi! Look at the mess you've made!" Unexpectedly, as soon as Chen Qingzhi uttered a word, the furious voice of Chen Cheng came from the other end of the line. "Because of you, the whole Republic is in an uproar!"

"Do you think that as a soldier, if you don’t make a splash or express your loyalty to the country, you’ll feel uneasy? Have you ever thought about the government, about the difficulties faced by those above you?"

Chen Cheng roared with outrage, unleashing a torrent of reprimands toward Chen Qingzhi.

Yet, despite his words, Chen Cheng felt a deep admiration for Chen Qingzhi. Putting himself in Chen Qingzhi’s shoes, he doubted he would have the courage to stand up in such circumstances. Precisely because of this, Chen Cheng had developed an interest in him. Coupled with Chen Qingzhi’s previous feats, now under the command of his Fifteenth Army Group, Chen Cheng was compelled to intervene personally. On one hand, he wished to question him; on the other, he wanted to understand his character.

On the other end of the line, Chen Qingzhi remained silent. Chen Cheng sighed helplessly and said, "As a soldier, I understand your feelings. I am a soldier too!"

"But a soldier must always obey orders, no matter the circumstances. A soldier who acts on his own initiative is not a qualified soldier. Do you realize how much trouble your actions have caused the government? Acting rashly may seem satisfying, but have you considered whether the country has the strength to engage in a full-scale war with Japan?"

Upon hearing these words, Chen Qingzhi was silent for a moment. Then he finally spoke, "Commander Chen, I understand everything you've said!"

"But I had no choice but to act as I did." The determination in Chen Qingzhi’s voice came through clearly on the line.

"As a soldier, if I cannot protect my fellow citizens, what meaning is there in being a soldier? If, at such a time, the state does not step forward to seek justice for the people, to avenge them, then even if the country grows strong, what purpose does it serve?"

"If the nation shrinks back at a critical moment, if the people lose their faith in their country, then no matter how powerful the state becomes, it is all in vain."

"When the people's hearts disperse, the country ceases to exist."

Hearing this, Chen Cheng couldn’t help but sigh, his face showing a complex expression.

Chen Qingzhi's words were undeniably true, yet the Chairman's perspective was equally valid. Their viewpoints diverged, and it was impossible to say who was right—they simply saw things from different angles.

But...

"Even if you are right, have you considered the consequences of your actions? The Chairman is furious and intends to punish you severely. You’ve put me in a difficult position!" Chen Cheng spoke earnestly.

The Chairman's wrath was clear—he wanted to punish Chen Qingzhi, and as his superior, it fell to Chen Cheng to mete out that punishment. At first, Chen Cheng might have acted decisively, stripping Chen Qingzhi of his rank. But now, after hearing his words, Chen Cheng felt reluctant.

Chen Qingzhi was clearly a talented man!

More importantly, he was a soldier with a sincere heart!

In this era, such pure soldiers were exceedingly rare!

Chen Cheng genuinely felt regret for Chen Qingzhi.

Yet, to Chen Cheng’s surprise, after hearing his words, Chen Qingzhi replied, "Commander Chen, I know I’ve made things difficult for you, caused you headaches, and I’m truly sorry. But even if I had another chance, I would still choose this path without hesitation—no regrets!"

"I am a soldier, a soldier of the nation! If I cannot defend the land and protect the people, what is the point of being a soldier?"

"When the country and the people are in need, stepping forward is the duty of a soldier!"

‘If the nation’s interests require life and death, how can one shrink from danger for fear of misfortune?’

"This is our land, our compatriots who have died, this is our country!"

"Since the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Japanese army has rampaged across our land, committing every atrocity imaginable—burning, killing, looting. The old are stabbed, wives are humiliated, children die tragically!"

"Three hundred thousand civilians have been massacred, countless wronged souls cry out above Nanjing. As a soldier, how can I remain unmoved, turn a blind eye?"

Chen Qingzhi spoke with unwavering resolve: "The dignified land of China, not shamed among the powers of the world, clad in robes and crowns, yet bullied by foreign invaders! After a century of darkness and weakness, we allow a tiny nation from the east to invade. Countless patriots and young men have joined the army, fighting to reclaim our rivers and mountains!"

"To save the people from fire and water, to support the collapsing edifice, so that our descendants may escape enslavement by others!"

"The spirit of our forebears still remains, and my heart yearns for it! Though I cannot rescue the country from peril like the martyrs before me, nor stand shoulder to shoulder with the elders to support the nation,"

"Now, finally, I have the opportunity, and I am willing to exert what strength remains, to fight the Japanese army to the death! Only to avenge the murdered people of Nanjing!"

Chen Qingzhi’s words echoed throughout the staff room where Chen Cheng received the call. Hearing these words, the staff members who had been engrossed in their work all looked up, their faces showing astonishment and shock.

No one had expected to hear such a thunderous response!

Chen Cheng was deeply moved as well. Though he had never met Chen Qingzhi, after hearing these words, he seemed to see before him a towering figure, resolute in his will, his only desire to resist Japan, kill the enemy, and defend the nation!

From the bottom of his heart, Chen Cheng admired Chen Qingzhi!

Though he himself could not do the same, and perhaps disagreed, Chen Qingzhi’s conviction alone commanded Chen Cheng’s respect!

For a moment, he couldn’t help but shake his head, sigh, and say in a deep voice, "You are a true soldier; in some ways, I am not your equal. I will personally explain things to the Chairman and try to see that your punishment is as light as possible."

"Thank you, Commander Chen, for your protection. I am deeply grateful!" Chen Qingzhi said sincerely.

Although he did not know Commander Chen well and had never met him, through this exchange, Chen Qingzhi had gained a rough understanding—Commander Chen was also a soldier with a sincere heart!

Though he lacked boldness, it was only because of the constraints of his position.

Based solely on his character, Chen Qingzhi admired him!

Moreover, in his previous life, Chen Qingzhi had learned about Commander Chen—on the battlefield against Japan, he had achieved remarkable feats!

A Whampoa officer, he had fought alongside the Northern Expedition Army to eliminate the warlords entrenched in the country, participated in the battles of Shanghai, the defense of Nanjing, Wuhan, and others, fighting the Japanese army across the land, earning great military honors.

Such a man, regardless of other matters, his contributions in the War of Resistance alone were enough for Chen Qingzhi to praise him!

Thinking this, Chen Qingzhi heard Chen Cheng continue, "That being said, I cannot resolve matters with the Japanese army! It’s foreseeable that, with your actions, the Japanese will see you as a thorn in their side. The enemy will surely seek to destroy you at once to maintain their prestige!"

"From now on, waves of Japanese forces will come at you without end. What will you do then?"