Chapter 53: Drain This Cup of Farewell Wine!

After death, there will be plenty of time to rest.

Chu Yunfei rejected Fang Ligong's proposal and continued, "Sun Ming, saddle the horses, we're heading to the 1st Battalion!"

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, over at the 1st Battalion.

1st Company Commander Bian Fucheng was still stripped to the waist.

This northeastern giant seemed to have an intense fondness for going shirtless.

Standing atop a large boulder in front of the assault troops, he wore a holster strapped to his waist and had four wooden-handled grenades hanging from his belt.

The broadsword clenched tightly in his hand glinted with a cold edge under the moonlight.

"Brothers, the regimental commander has personally ordered us to form an assault team with the 1st Company as its core."

Bian Fucheng paused, jumped down from the boulder, and walked up to the soldiers. "Do you know why?"

"1st Platoon Leader!"

"Reporting to the Company Commander! Because the regimental commander knows we are the fiercest, the strongest, and the bravest company!"

Bian Fucheng burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha!"

His fierce eyes widened as he swept his gaze across the men. "That's right! Our 1st Company is not only the vanguard company of the 1st Battalion, but the razor-sharp tip of the entire 358th Regiment!"

"I suppose you've all noticed that today, noticeably more wounded soldiers were sent back down from the front."

At these words, the soldiers' expressions turned solemn.

The casualties had increased significantly, and the mountain artillery battalion had also opened fire.

The Japanese reinforcements had arrived, and there was a high probability they consisted of seasoned, veteran devils.

The soldiers of the 1st Company were battle-hardened veterans; they knew this very well in their hearts.

The Japanese held air supremacy. Once they managed to pinpoint the location of the artillery positions, the mountain artillery battalion would suffer inevitable losses.

"The objective of tonight's raid is to keep those Japanese bastards from sleeping in peace, and to buy more time for the annihilation of the main enemy force."

"Brothers, our allies are currently holding the military flags and charging up the mountain ridges at Xinkou. By comparison, our 1st Company has been handed the better job!"

Saying this, although Bian Fucheng laughed out loud, he could hardly conceal the bitterness in his heart.

"1st Platoon Leader!"

"Present!"

"Go prepare the parting wine. Half an hour from now, we set off punctually!"

"Dismissed!"

Yet all the men remained standing in place.

They had long since made their combat preparations.

Bian Fucheng stopped turning around, looked back at his brothers, and asked, "Why are you still standing there? Have you all already prepared for battle?"

"Company Commander, the brothers are ready at all times to take to the battlefield and kill the devils!"

"That's right, we're ready at all times!"

"Those damned little devils want to occupy our Shanxi, and even if I die, I'll never agree to it!"

"Wipe them out and let them taste the might of our Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!"

Bian Fucheng stepped forward and cursed, "What do you mean by dying, you bunch of good-for-nothing rascals!"

"Back then, which of those sons of bitches were shouting about fighting our way back to the Northeast with me?"

"If you all die, am I supposed to fight my way back to the Northeast all by myself?"

Seeing Bian Fucheng's slightly exasperated expression, the soldiers burst into loud laughter.

"The Company Commander is getting worked up!"

"Hahaha!"

Bian Fucheng lowered his gaze to the wristwatch on his wrist. "Half an hour from now, it will be precisely midnight. We depart on the dot. The Hour of Zi is when men are at their sleepiest—we're going to roll some heads tonight!"

The sound of hoofbeats rang out.

"Whoa~!"

Chu Yunfei and Sun Ming dismounted in a fluid motion.

Not far behind them followed the fully armed soldiers of the guards company.

"The Regimental Commander is here!"

"Strange, why did the guards company come too?"

"Damn, carrying automatic weapons, they really look imposing!"

The soldiers snapped to attention, standing straight and quiet, not daring to make a sound.

Bian Fucheng stepped forward and saluted. "Regimental Commander."

With a stern expression, Chu Yunfei returned the salute to the assembled men.

"Regimental Commander, why have you come?"

Chu Yunfei cleared his throat and stood before the soldiers. "Right now, the enemy directly facing the 1st Battalion is a major detachment of the 5th Division—the Shibuya Regiment, the same little devils we fought previously at Ruyue Pass."

"The 1st Battalion is under immense pressure. However, having rushed all the way from Fanshi to reinforce us and having participated in the offensive operations during the day, I judge that they will undoubtedly be thoroughly exhausted tonight."

"This is the best opportunity for our army to launch a night raid, and also our only opportunity."

"Of course, the little devils aren't that simple either; we must remain vigilant during this operation."

"Should the little devils spring a trap, you must break away from combat as quickly as possible without getting excessively entangled, prioritizing the preservation of our living forces."

Just as Chu Yunfei was speaking, the 1st Platoon Leader approached carrying several jars of wine, accompanied by a few other men.

Upon seeing Chu Yunfei, the 1st Platoon Leader and his men were instantly dumbfounded.

When did the Regimental Commander arrive? Why didn't anyone give advance warning?

"Zhou Daxing, bring the wine over here!"

"Yes!"

The 1st Platoon Leader glanced back at the soldiers behind him and signaled, "Come over together."

Chu Yunfei gestured with his hand. "Fetch some more bowls and distribute them to the brothers of the guards company as well."

The soldiers proceeded to hand out the porcelain bowls.

Two soldiers went back to fetch another batch, distributing them to the guards company troops participating in the operation.

The soldiers who had been carrying the wine jars earlier stepped forward to pour the wine for everyone.

"For this battle, Sun Ming will lead the guards company to cooperate with your operations. The guards company will be under your command."

"Regimental Commander!"

Bian Fucheng hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice. "Would that be somewhat inappropriate?"

Bian Fucheng held the rank of lieutenant.

Although Sun Ming was also a guards company commander, he was, after all, Chu Yunfei's aide-de-camp and confidant, and held the rank of captain.

Chu Yunfei remained expressionless. "There is nothing inappropriate about it."

Sun Ming took the initiative to step forward and dispel his misgivings. "Old Bian, when did you become so indecisive? If the Regimental Commander tells you to command, then you command. I guarantee that the brothers, including myself, will follow your orders."

Bian Fucheng nodded. "Then I can rest easy!"

As the soldiers of the 1st platoon poured the wine, they muttered amongst themselves. "These are all the regiment's private stock—top-grade old Shanxi Fen wine!"

A newly recruited soldier assigned to the 1st Company wiped away the drool about to spill from his mouth. "If I can get a taste of this, dying will be worth it!"

Hearing this, the squad leader turned around and glared at the kid. "Say something inauspicious like that again and I'll slap you!"

"It really smells fragrant. Damn it, I've never tasted such fine old wine in my life!"

"After all, it was personally procured by the Regimental Commander. Thirty-year-old aged Fen wine, one hundred and eighty silver dollars a jar—our regular pay certainly wouldn't cover it!"

A soldier asked with intense curiosity, "I heard the Regimental Commander doesn't touch a drop of alcohol?"

"That's right. The Regimental Commander once told the Chief of Staff that alcohol impairs his judgment. But this is parting wine, no wonder the Regimental Commander came."

Seeing the soldiers around him showing interest, the veteran squad leader explained, "Not just anyone is qualified to drink this wine."

"I heard previously that the 8th Company Commander wanted to get a couple of sips from the Battalion Commander, only to be cursed out fiercely by the Battalion Commander and chased away."

Standing before the assembled troops, Chu Yunfei raised his voice. "Brothers, for the defense of our Shanxi, for the victory of this battle, for the elders of the Three Jin provinces, and for our country and homeland!"

"I wish you all a triumphant opening battle here and now. I, Chu Yunfei, will wait right here for your victorious return!"

"National and military prestige belongs to the Shanxi Army!"

"Brothers, raise your bowls!"

Chu Yunfei lifted his wine bowl high, shouting, "Bottoms up!"

With that, he drained it in a single gulp.

"Clang!"

He fiercely dashed the earthenware bowl onto the ground, and the soldiers eagerly followed suit, overflowing with heroic spirit.

The sound of shattering earthenware echoed endlessly.

Bian Fucheng stepped forward and called out in a clear voice, "Brothers, attention all, left face!"

"Target, the little devils' camp... March!"

Standing in place, Chu Yunfei held his right hand high in the air, a salute that never came down...