Chapter 73: Even Though the Road Ahead Is Shrouded in Mist, I Shall Ride Alone and Leave All Others Behind!

With a wave of his hand, he signaled the soldiers to clear a path, allowing their families to come forward for a final meeting with their loved ones before they departed for the battlefield. Instantly, the villagers hurried up, bringing clothes, cloth shoes, and even food they had made themselves, and pressed them into the hands of their sons or husbands. Choked sobs soon echoed through the crowd.

“Son, why did you join the army? Now you’re off to war, who knows if you’ll ever come back? If you die out there, what will your father and I do?” Old Mrs. Liu wailed.

Hearing this, Liu Dayou felt awkward and hastily comforted her in a low voice, “Mother, I’m going to fight the invaders on the battlefield. This is a noble deed for the country and the people, why are you crying?”

“Enough! Stop crying, woman—it’s embarrassing!” Old Mr. Liu glared at his wife, his tone stern. “Our son is heading to the battlefield to fight the enemy and serve the country—this is something to be proud of!”

“Besides, soldiers fighting on the front lines is only right and proper! Since he’s accepted the army’s pay, he can’t just avoid the battlefield. Where in the world does such good fortune exist?” At this, Old Mr. Liu turned to Liu Dayou and said, “Don’t listen to your mother. Once you’re on the front lines, fight the enemy well, kill them fiercely! Never, ever become a deserter. If I find out you’ve deserted, I’ll break your legs when you come home!”

“We Liu’s are upright people, honest in our work. Whatever you do, do it seriously—being a soldier is no exception. Do you understand?” Old Mr. Liu’s voice rang out sharply.

“Father, rest assured! I will fight the enemy with all my might. I will never bring shame to our family!” Liu Dayou patted his chest firmly, his resolve clear.

“Good!” Old Mr. Liu nodded, patting his son’s shoulder before stepping aside to let his wife speak.

Tears streamed from Old Mrs. Liu’s eyes as she gripped her son’s hand, her voice low and steady, “Dayou, I’m not as wise as your father, so don’t mind my nagging. On the battlefield, protect yourself. Come back safe and whole. Your father and I will be waiting for you at home.”

As she spoke, she took the clothes and shoes from her basket and pressed them into his hands. “I’m worried the army’s clothes won’t fit, so I’ve made these for you. Keep them, wear them well. If you wear them out, write to me and I’ll make more.”

“I’ve also brought you some eggs, laid by our own hens—all boiled, so if you get hungry, eat one.”

Old Mrs. Liu continued to advise him patiently, saying much more. Liu Dayou knew his mother couldn’t bear to let him go, so he nodded and promised everything she asked, soothing her worries.

Time passed, and soon an officer called for the troops to assemble. Liu Dayou quickly stopped his mother’s words, knelt down with a thud, and spoke solemnly, “Mother, your son goes to war with his fate unknown. You and father must take care of yourselves at home!”

“I will do my best to fight the enemy. If I die on the battlefield, please forgive your son for failing to fulfill his filial duty. If I survive and return, once the enemy is driven out, I will come back and care for you both!”

“And then, I will marry and have children, so that you two may enjoy the happiness of family!” Liu Dayou said earnestly.

After speaking, he knocked his head three times on the ground. His words brought tears streaming down Old Mrs. Liu’s face, and she cried, “Good, good, I will remember! I’ll wait for you, wait for you to come back safe!”

“Fall in! It’s late, assemble and prepare to depart!” The officer’s voice urged from the ranks.

Liu Dayou stood up and spoke, “Father, mother, the captain has called us to assemble. I won’t say more. Take care of yourselves, wait for my return!”

He put the eggs and clothes into his marching bag, then saluted his parents solemnly before turning without another glance and joining the ranks.

Old Mrs. Liu watched her son’s retreating figure, her cries hoarse and unrestrained. Old Mr. Liu, witnessing the scene, could not help but sigh. He stepped forward, gently patting his wife’s shoulder and whispering, “Don’t cry. Our son will surely return safely.”

“He will…”

The troops began to assemble, and the soldiers hurried to bid farewell to their families before returning to their units. The Independent Brigade resumed its march forward.

On both sides of the road, the villagers watched as their loved ones grew distant, their sniffles, sobs, and cries rising in waves. Every face was filled with hope and longing for their family’s safe return.

Silently, all prayed for their loved ones, wishing they might survive the battlefield.

Chen Qingzhi mounted his horse and clasped hands in farewell to Liu Zhian. “County Chief Liu, who knows when we may meet again after today’s parting? Your help to the Independent Brigade while stationed in Qingyuan County has deeply moved me. I can offer no greater gratitude.”

“I hope that after this great battle, I may return and visit you once more.”

“Of course!” Liu Zhian replied with a smile. “Commander Chen is off to fight the invaders; you will surely return victorious. I, Liu Zhian, will await your triumph and the Independent Brigade’s glorious news!”

“Farewell!”

“Farewell!”

After bidding Liu Zhian goodbye, Chen Qingzhi swung his arm and called out in a clear voice, “Forward!”

With that, he cracked his whip, urging his horse to speed after the vanguard.

Leading his troops to the battlefield, Chen Qingzhi had spoken confidently in the meeting room about victory at the Battle of Xuzhou. But knowing history, he was well aware: the Battle of Xuzhou was the first time the Republic had defeated the Japanese army on the main front since the outbreak of the war.

Yet that was only victory in the broad sense.

In truth, to win this battle, countless soldiers who fought at Xuzhou paid the ultimate price, and the victory was hard-earned.

Though Chen Qingzhi knew the course of history, whether he could lead the Independent Brigade to survive this massive conflict, to kill the enemy, he had no certainty.

His brigade was but a small force in such a vast battle—so small that even he could not say if they would hold out to the end, or how many would remain if they did.

All of it was unknown.

All Chen Qingzhi could do was give his utmost.

Do all that is humanly possible; leave the rest to fate.

Ahead, the road was still shrouded in mist, but Chen Qingzhi felt no fear. He knew the war against the invaders would end in victory, and having come to this era, he was determined to contribute to that triumph.

Even if the path ahead was clouded in uncertainty, Chen Qingzhi pressed forward, fearless and resolute.

“Hyah!” he shouted, urging his steed to gallop swiftly ahead…