Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 37 Student Soldiers

"What's that?" Tang Weiguo asked Zhou Liansheng as he watched more than twenty people walking towards them from a distance.

"Commander, those people are students we brought with us when we broke out of Taiyuan City." Zhou Liansheng immediately changed his address to Commander Tang Weiguo.

"Oh, students, Company Commander Zhou is so righteous, even leading the students to break through the encirclement," Tang Weiguo praised.

"I didn't expect to have such an unexpected gain this time. There are even students here. It would be great if I could keep them all." Tang Weiguo's mind started calculating again.

"Company Commander Zhou, let's talk about something. Can we keep these students with us? Student soldiers are in short supply these days," Tang Weiguo whispered to Zhou Liansheng.

Zhou Liansheng understood Zhou Weiguo's thoughts perfectly well, and said, "Commander, don't worry, I'll take care of it."

"Company Commander Zhou, you've handled this matter well. I'll give you a commendation." Tang Weiguo was very satisfied with Zhou Liansheng's performance.

"These Sichuan soldiers are really good at managing things."

"Professor Zhao, let me introduce you. This is Commander Tang. It was Commander Tang who led his troops to annihilate the Japanese soldiers who were pursuing us," Zhou Liansheng introduced to Zhou Weiguo.

"Commander Tang, thank you so much. You not only saved our brothers in the Sichuan Army, but also us students and teachers," Professor Zhao said to Tang Weiguo.

"Professor Zhao, you're too kind. Fighting the Japanese devils is our responsibility. The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. Our militia in Tangjia Town can't fight the enemy on the front lines, so we fight them from the rear," Tang Weiguo said eloquently.

"You're not a regular army?" Professor Zhao asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes, we formed our own team to fight the Japanese."

“Professor Zhao, you can’t underestimate our commander. Although he formed his own team, their combat effectiveness is extremely high. They easily wiped out the Japanese.” Zhou Liansheng said.

"Military group? Our leader?" Professor Zhao didn't react for a moment.

"Just now, I led the remaining soldiers to join Commander Tang's militia. Commander Tang's militia is a force he formed himself, with the goal of fighting the Japanese."

“Professor Zhao, didn’t you say that students have a lot of patriotic enthusiasm but no physical strength? Why don’t you join the militia with me and contribute to the war effort?” Zhou Liansheng advised.

"Professor Zhao, according to Company Commander Zhou, you are teachers and students from schools in the provincial capital. Our militia is currently short of students. If you have nowhere to go right now, you can join our militia."

"I, Tang Weiguo, am also a student. If Teacher Zhao can lead the students to join the militia, I guarantee your safety," Tang Weiguo added from the back.

"Huh?" Professor Zhao had just escaped from being chased by the Japanese and was now being recruited by the army. His mind was not quite clear at first.

"Commander Tang, Company Commander Zhou, this is a major decision that I cannot make on my own. Please allow me to discuss it with the students first," Professor Zhao said.

"Professor Zhao, no problem."

After seeing that Tang Weiguo agreed, Professor Zhao returned to the students and discussed the matter.

"Company Commander, what's going on? I haven't been gone long, and we've already changed sides." Sun Wukong looked puzzled, staring intently at Zhou Liansheng. Zhou Liansheng was getting really annoyed by his stare.

“They are not regular troops, but local militia,” Company Commander Zhou replied.

"Wow, the militia is that strong? Company Commander, you're not kidding, are you?"

“This is no joke, they really are a militia,” Zhou Liansheng confirmed.

"I think joining them is better than joining any other army. Now that we've joined them, at least we're not afraid of being used as pawns."

"If we don't return to our unit, won't we be considered deserters?" Sun Wukong asked.

“I don’t know where the troops went. What do you mean by ‘not returning to their units’? Let’s all stick to the same story: it’s the resistance behind enemy lines. We’re the only ones left of the Sichuan Army brothers who went to war with us. I want to find a good way out for everyone. I think this militia is a good option.”

"Their regimental commander is young, and he doesn't have the air of those old hands; he exudes righteousness."

"Moreover, judging from his appearance, he has the potential to become a dragon. He will achieve great things in the future. It won't be too bad for us to follow him."

"Company commander, is it really that amazing? Your face reading is so accurate."

"I'll use this skill passed down from my ancestors. Once the War of Resistance against Japan is over, I'll go back to my hometown and set up a stall to tell fortunes," Zhou Liansheng said with anticipation.

"I'll be with you then, and I'll do your chores," Sun Wukong said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Professor Zhao went back with the students and talked about joining the army.

“Teacher Zhao, I’ve decided to join the army. Even though we’ve lost Taiyuan, I’ll fight the Japanese devils.”

"Me too. Countless students died in our school due to the Japanese bombing. I want to avenge them."

"I don't care if it's the regular army or a local militia, I'll join them as long as they fight the Japanese."

"Teacher Zhao, we agree to join," a group of students said in a chorus.

"Commander Tang, we're joining." Professor Zhao walked over and said to Tang Weiguo.

"That's wonderful, Professor Zhao. With you joining us, our anti-Japanese forces have become even stronger." Tang Weiguo felt overjoyed today, with good things happening one after another.

"Company Commander Zhou, Professor Zhao, let's return to our base first." Tang Weiguo warmly greeted them as they headed towards Wolong Mountain.

"Niu Dali, continue your reconnaissance. If you encounter any Japanese soldiers, decide for yourself whether or not to engage them," Tang Weiguo instructed before leaving.

"Yes, Captain."

A day later, Tang Weiguo led his group back to their post.

"Commander, is this our base?" Zhou Liansheng asked in shock. Before him stood a heavily guarded military base.

"That's right, this is our militia's headquarters. We'll all be living and training here from now on."

"Everyone must be hungry, let's go eat first." Tang Weiguo called them to the cafeteria.

Soon after, the cafeteria brought out the prepared food.

"Company commander, there are steamed buns, meat, and even canned Japanese food. It's a real feast!" Sun Wukong drooled as he looked at the food on the table.

"I saw it. Keep your voice down, don't embarrass me." Zhou Liansheng stomped hard on Sun Wukong's foot under the table.

"Everyone, please eat. We're all family now, so don't be shy," Tang Weiguo said.

"Commander, we've been waiting for you to say that." Sun Wukong hurriedly stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth; he had been starving these past few days.

"Eat slowly, everyone, don't choke." Tang Weiguo was a little worried about the group of soldiers and students in front of him who had been hungry for several days.

While Tang Weiguo was settling the new recruits, Niu Dali led his reconnaissance battalion in attacks on all sides, successively defeating three Japanese soldiers and rescuing over 100 Sichuanese troops who had fled the area. Under Niu Dali's guidance, these Sichuanese soldiers readily agreed to join the militia.

After seeing the Japanese retreat to Taiyuan, Niu Dali led the Sichuan Army soldiers he had joined back to the militia's camp.