Amid the swirling mists at the summit of Mount Lu, dignitaries and luminaries summoned by the Nanjing government had gathered inside the auditorium.
Addressing the nation's elite from all walks of life, Chiang Kai-shek delivered a public speech entitled "The Final Moment," calling upon the people across the country to mobilize against the crisis unfolding in the north. The core purpose of his address was to convey a single resolve to the entire nation: prepare for self-defense!
"If war begins, there is no distinction between north and south, young and old; everyone bears the responsibility of defending the homeland and fighting the war of resistance, and everyone must resolve to sacrifice everything!"
***
The battle at Nanyuan raged on into the morning. Entangled in chaotic fighting, positions repeatedly changed hands. Exploiting their superior numbers and equipment, the Japanese deployed two regiments of armored units, thrusting directly from Fengtai Station into the vast expanse between Nanyuan and the city of Beiping. Upon learning that his entire force was at risk of being cut off and encircled, Tong Linge immediately ordered a phased withdrawal.
Inside Beiping, before the sky was fully light, the streets were already bustling with clamor. News of the Japanese breaching Guang'anmen spread like wildfire, quickly sending shockwaves throughout the city.
Upon hearing the news, some citizens began packing their bags and boarding up their doors and windows, intending to flee south out of the city. Others made a special trip to the south of the city to catch a glimpse of the fierce battleground from the night before; though the bodies had already been cleared away, the bloodstains on the ground still chilled the onlookers to the bone.
Student groups took to the streets once again, waving flags, shouting slogans in support of the 29th Army's resistance, and raising funds and provisions.
After returning from Shizi Hutong, Sun Yi immediately sought out Zhu Shiqing at regimental headquarters, informing him, "The higher-ups have conferred and decided that the Military Training Corps should hold off on engaging the Japanese in direct combat for now. With the heavy fighting outside the walls, the Garrison Regiment has decided to place the entire city under lockdown."
"Has the situation gotten that dire?" Zhu Shiqing sat dumbfounded in his chair, looking at the massive dark circles under Sun Yi's eyes as he asked.
Sun Yi fished a cigarette out of the paper pack in his chest pocket, stuck it in his mouth, bit down, and muttered, "Don't even ask. We only found out this morning that the Japanese troops attacking Guang'anmen last night were from their 20th Division stationed in Korea. On top of that, they brought in two Kwantung Army brigades, and now they're surrounding Nanyuan. You tell me—is that serious or not?"
"Twenty to thirty thousand extra Japanese out of thin air... Things look grim." Zhu Shiqing sighed. He suddenly remembered Liang Xiyun's words before dawn and felt a strange sense of absurdity. Viewed like this, Beiping really had become a dead city.
"Our regiment's assignment is security duty across the outer city." Sun Yi struck a match, lit the cigarette dangling from his lips, and continued, "But you have another assignment."
"Name it, Regiment Commander."
"Considering that Beiping might fall, even though martial law is in effect throughout the city, a shipment of cargo still needs to be evacuated."
"That stuff from the Palace Museum?" Zhu Shiqing's face twisted into a grimace.
"Hah! You know quite a bit, don't you? But it's not just the things from the Palace Museum. I hear rare books and chemical supplies from the universities have to be moved as well." Sun Yi's eyes gleamed as he took the cigarette in his fingers and gave a gruff chuckle.
"Damn it, they only think of moving things when the enemy's at the gates..." Zhu Shiqing grumbled helplessly. "With that much cargo, can it even make it out of the city without taking two whole days?"
"Don't complain to me. What do I know? In any case, I'm putting you in charge of this. As for the specifics, work them out with Director Lin from the Transportation Department."
"Lin Hongwen?"
"You little rascal. If I'd known, I would've sent you to the meeting instead—you know everything before I do!"
Zhu Shiqing let out a dry laugh and replied, "Understood."
Leaving regimental headquarters after receiving his orders, Zhu Shiqing began turning over in his mind how to deal with that skinflint Lin. Knowing Lin Hongwen's temperament, the biggest worry for this shipment wasn't even the Japanese they might encounter along the road, but Lin Hongwen himself! After pondering for a moment, he saw Fang Wenjian walking over from a distance, and an idea struck him at once.
Nothing worked better than a gun barrel!
"Fang Wenjian, assemble the men, grab a machine gun, and follow me," Zhu Shiqing shouted from afar, leaving Fang Wenjian convinced he had misheard.
"Brother, where are we supposed to get men? Old Xiang and Old Tan are holding onto all of them," Fang Wenjian replied flatly.
"Bullshit! Didn't the commander just give us a squad of men last night?!"
"Oh, them? What good is one squad?" Fang Wenjian only then realized what he meant. For a moment, he had thought Zhu Shiqing was planning some major military operation. Seeing that Zhu Shiqing didn't answer, he refrained from asking more, lowering his head and going off to summon the men.
A moment later, the squad was assembled. With Fang Wenjian personally shouldering a Czech light machine gun, the group formed ranks and set off, heading down Guang'anmen Great Street toward Zhengyangmen.
The farther they walked, the more Fang Wenjian sensed something was off. He eyed Zhu Shiqing from the side and whispered, "What's the deal? Now that you've got men and guns, are you using public resources to settle a personal score?"
Zhu Shiqing said nothing. When they arrived at their destination, he merely instructed, "See the mouth of this alley? Every one of you, raise your rifles! Don't chamber a round, just aim right at that doorway and wait for me!"
Lin Hongwen had also just received the order to escort this cargo out of the city. The municipal government demanded that he put every mule, horse, handcart, and motor vehicle at his disposal into service, and guaranteed that he must ensure the safety of the goods. Naturally, the authorities had promised to dispatch troops to provide protection.
Sitting in his office, Lin Hongwen was still brooding over it. It really was an enemy's narrow path—the very things he had failed to pocket were now things he had to help transport...
He also wondered about the promised escort. Surely it couldn't be Mi Yonghua's pack of police dogs? Those bumbling fools couldn't guard a damn thing, and if something went wrong, wouldn't the higher-ups take his head off? But on second thought, after the massive uproar last night, Mi Yonghua had probably already been taken into custody.
*Bang!*
Right in the middle of his brooding, the door was kicked open once again by Zhu Shiqing.
"Damn it, can't any of you knock?!" Lin Hongwen cursed without looking up. Only when Zhu Shiqing walked right up to him did he see who had entered. Springing to his feet, he pointed at Zhu Shiqing and barked, "You son of a bitch! How are you not dead yet?!"
Zhu Shiqing offered a faint smile, acting as if the office were his own home. He plopped down onto the adjacent chair, pointed at his own drill uniform, and said, "Station Master Lin—no, Director Lin—higher authorities have ordered me to coordinate with you to transport the goods you failed to smuggle out of the city."
"You, coordinate with me?" Lin Hongwen's face twisted with pure disdain. "I, Lin, am the dignified director of the Transportation Department. What difficulty is there in moving a shipment of goods properly? I don't need your assistance—kindly see yourself out. I have documents to submit to the government, so I won't entertain you any longer."
Deep down, Lin Hongwen had no desire to exchange another word with Zhu Shiqing. If not for the blue military uniform Zhu was wearing, Lin would have called men in right then and there to have him shot.
Gathering several documents from his desk and tucking them under his arm, Lin Hongwen walked toward the door without looking back. Zhu Shiqing rose and followed right behind.
The moment Lin Hongwen stepped out the door and turned the corner, he snapped his head up—only to find over a dozen rifles pointed straight at him!
"Mother of God!"
Lin Hongwen let out a terrified screech. His knees buckled, his limbs went limp, and the files under his arm tumbled to the floor. Zhu Shiqing quickly moved to steady him, saying soothingly, "Director Lin, Director Lin, my apologies for giving you a fright. These are the men I handpicked to help you carry out your escort mission."
"Damn you, Zhu! You've gone way too far!"
Chapter 74