Chapter One: Starting with a Squad, Training for Two and a Half Years!

“I live my days in wild song and arrogance—who do I show my strength for?”

Ru Yue Kou, the forward position.

Colonel Chu Yunfei, commander of the 358th Regiment, stood with his hands behind his back, brimming with heroic spirit.

“Colonel, the Japanese reconnaissance unit is less than ten kilometers from our army.”

“Their reconnaissance planes have been taking off frequently. Should we consider taking cover?”

Chu Yunfei turned to glance at his adjutant, Sun Ming, and asked in return, “Why take cover? Are our anti-aircraft machine guns merely decorative?”

It had been two and a half years since his arrival in this era.

He had waited for this day for so very long.

As a young man of the twenty-first century, Chu Yunfei—sharing the same name as his predecessor—had spent years immersed in military enthusiast circles, dealing with all sorts of passionate aficionados. He had developed unique insights into military command during the War of Resistance against Japan.

Chu Yunfei hailed from the same hometown as Commander Yan, and was a graduate of the fifth class of the Whampoa Military Academy. He was supposed to be a neglected figure, neither favored by his grandmother nor his uncle. Yet, in these two years, though he hadn't gained any so-called golden finger or system cheats, his own talent and skill at navigating relationships had enabled him to turn the 358th Regiment into a trump card under Commander Yan's command.

At least within the Second War Zone, his days were better than those of many division commanders.

Chu Yunfei half-turned and looked at his silent chief of staff, Fang Ligong, flashing a confident smile. “Brother Ligong, no need to worry.”

“Sun Ming.”

“Present!”

“Go inspect all frontline defensive positions to ensure fortifications are dug to standard. If anyone dares to slack off at this critical moment, military law will deal with them!”

“Yes, sir!”

Sun Ming saluted, murderous intent in his eyes, and charged out with the guard company.

Fang Ligong seemed long accustomed to such orders. On ordinary days, Chu Yunfei might be lenient with his men, even caring about their welfare and offering support as a commanding officer. Among the entire Jin-Sui Army, only Chu Yunfei ensured his soldiers ate, slept, and received equal treatment, never exploiting them, and always delivering pay on time.

In the whole National Revolutionary Army, perhaps only Chu Yunfei dared to raise a ruckus with his superiors for the sake of his common soldiers.

Moreover, Chu Yunfei ran a tight ship. If anyone shirked duty during training and he found out, they would be whipped. Disturbing locals or insulting women was even more severely punished.

Once, an old soldier who had served with Chu Yunfei for years and earned many honors failed to restrain himself and assaulted a young girl. The locals came to the regiment headquarters to complain. Upon hearing of it, Chu Yunfei immediately ordered a thorough investigation. Once the truth was clear, he gave the order without hesitation—military law.

Major Wu Ziqiang from the second battalion pleaded for mercy, but it was useless. Nothing could stop Chu Yunfei in his fury.

Executed. No negotiation.

After this incident, Chu Yunfei, determined to prevent such disgrace from recurring, placed even greater responsibility on Sun Ming’s shoulders. The guard company not only handled protection but also served as the disciplinary force.

Whenever soldiers saw someone with a red armband, they knew it was Chu Yunfei’s guard company.

Sun Ming regularly corrected bad habits among the men, often earning Chu Yunfei’s ire. The officers knew it was for their own good. After all, to rapidly raise combat effectiveness, proper discipline was essential. Military discipline was paramount.

Over the past two years, Fang Ligong had witnessed the 358th Regiment’s transformation firsthand. Under Chu Yunfei’s leadership, despite limited resources, officers and soldiers worked together, trained hard, and ensured combat strength.

Now, the 358th Regiment’s fighting power far surpassed that of the Jin-Sui Army’s elite infantry brigades. In just over two years, Chu Yunfei had led the regiment from obscurity to become a crucial force in Shanxi, a truly elite unit, a trump card in Commander Yan’s hand.

But Fang Ligong also understood: these soldiers’ loyalty was to Chu Yunfei, not Commander Yan.

Fang Ligong was a shrewd man, adept at reading the situation. Although personally appointed by Commander Yan, as long as Chu Yunfei didn’t align too closely with the Red Party and maintained loyalty to Commander Yan, he could do as he pleased without affecting the broader situation.

Moreover, from a personal perspective, Fang Ligong deeply admired Chu Yunfei’s talent.

He still remembered when he had first been assigned as chief of staff to the 358th Regiment. Chu Yunfei introduced the “Three Rigorous, One Broad” training method, which was first implemented in the regiment. In half a year, the combat effectiveness of a force of less than fifteen hundred men increased several times. Commander Yan was greatly impressed.

The “Three Rigorous, One Broad” method meant rigorous physical training, difficult marksmanship drills, and tactical exercises based on actual combat. The “One Broad” referred to extensive patriotic ideological education.

The results were excellent. Fang Ligong thought this method was perfectly suited—almost tailor-made—for the 358th Regiment.

Chu Yunfei knew well that most of his officers and men were locals from Shanxi. Their thoughts of protecting their homeland ran deep; in their eyes and hearts, Shanxi was all that mattered. It was nearly impossible to change this outlook in a short time.

When Chu Yunfei first arrived, he told the men about the fall of the Eastern Four Provinces and the suffering of countless compatriots. Many soldiers would naively ask, “Where are the Eastern Four Provinces? What’s it like there? I hear it’s cold—is that true?”

After several rounds of practical experience, Chu Yunfei quickly changed his approach. Instead, he warned them that the Japanese were ambitious and might invade Shanxi. If they did, they would seize their mothers and sisters, their fields, their salt, their mines—Commander Yan wouldn’t be able to pay their wages, and their livelihoods would suffer.

The soldiers became anxious. These words made sense to them, and they trained desperately. After all, they actually received their pay, and many had mothers and sisters. Who would willingly lose what was rightfully theirs?

Since then, the 358th Regiment had become a united force, determined to defeat the Japanese—for this very day.

Fang Ligong adjusted his glasses and gazed toward Datong. “Colonel, for this defense of Ru Yue Kou, Commander Yan has arranged for other units as well.”

Chu Yunfei nodded. “That’s right. I received the order half an hour ago.”

“The 203rd Brigade of the 34th Army, led by Commander Liang. According to the battle plan, we will be assisting them in the defense of Ru Yue Kou.”

A touch of emotion colored Chu Yunfei’s tone, as if he could not fully express it. “Ru Yue Kou is a strategic chokepoint, the gateway to Fanshi County. Holding it will thwart the Chahar Corps’ plans to advance south and attack Taiyuan.”

Fang Ligong’s expression grew solemn. “Indeed, the defense of Ru Yue Kou is crucial to the entire battlefield.”

Chu Yunfei said, “Commander Liang graduated from the Japanese Army Officer School and is skilled in command. Brother Ligong, you should have much in common with him.”

Fang Ligong smiled lightly. “With such strong allies in this battle, I trust victory will be ours!”