Chapter 2

Hu Yi got out of the car, tightened his collar, and straightened his hat. He felt an emptiness in his waist and shoulders, which was very unfamiliar. When he was part of the inspection team, he used a flower machine gun, which he had to turn in upon leaving. According to regulations, he could now go to the logistics department to get a new gun, but Hu Yi dismissed this idea. Not only was it uncertain whether the logistics department still had any guns, but even if he could get one, it might be in poor condition and might not even fire. It would be more of a burden than a help, like carrying a broken stick. He decided to walk directly, pushing through the crowd on the platform to find his new unit and report for duty.

In a corner of the platform, the third company commander sat on an ammunition box with his legs crossed, his rough, dark hands caressing the shiny watch case. He lightly pressed the button, and the watch case popped open. Even in the dim light of the platform, the crystal-clear dial could still be seen, ticking precisely. After examining it closely for a long time, he muttered to himself, "What time is it now? Hmm..."

"Report! Soldier Hu Yi reporting to the third company." His voice was low and powerful, neither humble nor arrogant, interrupting the commander's muttering.

In the dim light, a man in his twenties stood before him, thin but tall. For some reason, the same old gray uniform, with its wrinkles, looked particularly neat and stern on him. On this rainy night at the platform, amidst the disheveled soldiers, he stood out like a serene moonlit lake after passing through a dark and thorny forest.

The third company commander closed the watch and held it in his hand, looking up at Hu Yi. This unlucky guy, even reduced to a private, still looked so impressive. Old Fox Wang had indeed chosen a good son-in-law. Thinking of this, he smiled at Hu Yi, "Hmm, Hu Yi. I heard you let a dozen deserters go and didn't shoot them in the back. Good. You seem like a man of principle, and I like that. In the third company, we'll be like brothers, sharing the same pants and drinking from the same bowl. You'll have to settle down and make a life here. Hmm, by the way, I'm assigning you to the third platoon. You can go find your platoon leader there." Amidst the laughter of those around him, Hu Yi saluted crisply and officially joined the third company.

This is a typical company commander, Hu Yi thought to himself, rash, selfish, and not very flexible. Although he thought this, it didn't mean he disliked him. At least such a person was easy to get along with, not complicated. However, the changes on the battlefield were often complex, and he hoped the third company wouldn't lose too many lives because of this commander. Thinking of this, Hu Yi suddenly realized he might be too complicated himself. On the machine gun company's battlefield, his complexity had cost the lives of the entire company. The faces of pain, fear, and helplessness, the endless flames and continuous wails, suddenly flashed in his mind, making him feel dizzy. He was the least qualified to be a company commander, let alone criticize others!

Old Fox Wang held Hu Yi's hand tightly, making even Hu Yi, who had seen many scenes, blush a bit, but he couldn't find a chance to let go.

"Hu Yi, you're finally here. Are your injuries fully healed?"

"It's fine if you're well, but don't push yourself if you're not."

"I'm definitely older than you, so I'll call you Little Hu."

"Little Hu, from now on, we're family. Don't be distant."

"A platoon leader is nothing. Just call me Brother Wang. If you don't, it means you look down on me."

Zhao Yong, standing nearby, felt his teeth ache. Why didn't he get to call Wang "Brother" when he joined the army? This was too... Da Ge and Xiao Zi just smiled foolishly at Hu Yi. The same cold, battered wall now had five figures...

Joining such a combat unit, Hu Yi didn't know whether to feel fortunate or sad. He didn't think much about Old Fox Wang's enthusiasm, but he had a basic understanding of the third platoon. Including the new arrival, there were five people in total. This size was too small to be a reserve unit; at best, it could be considered a company's direct infantry squad. This wasn't surprising, as the replenishment of soldiers always lagged behind. Some companies had even been disbanded, leaving only a platoon. Hu Yi had heard of such cases. The army's grassroots command was still very backward, focusing on concentrated attacks, defenses, and retreats. Under such simple command, there was no need for further division. The current third company was in this state: the first platoon was the main attack or defense force, the second platoon provided support or served as a reserve, and the third platoon was almost dispensable.

This was fine, Hu Yi thought. He no longer had any寄托 (寄托 means "寄托" in Chinese, which can be translated as "寄托" in English, but in this context, it means "hope" or "aspiration"). Raised by bandits since childhood, he naturally became a bandit. He once dreamed of being a martial arts master and traveling alone, and in his youth, he joined the military, dreaming of making a name for himself. Now, all of these dreams had turned to dust. The lost homeland, the shattered mountains and rivers, the countless lives lost, and the hateful yet invincible膏药旗 (膏药旗 means "膏药旗" in Chinese, which can be translated as "膏药旗" in English, but in this context, it means " Rising Sun Flag"). Failure after failure, retreat after retreat, and constant relocation, all the way to Jiangnan. What was all this for? For the homeland? The distant homeland of Northeast China was already gone. For the country? What had the country ever given him? For love? Unfortunately, he had never loved or been loved. What was love? Hu Yi wished he could be dumber, more foolish, and not have to worry about these troubling things, like the third company commander, who focused on the small gadget in his hand. Because he was already tired, he didn't want to be tired again. Fortunately, heaven had given him the third platoon as a haven, even though it couldn't be far from the smoke of war, Hu Yi was content.

It wasn't until Old Fox Wang's bony hand landed on Hu Yi's shoulder that he was pulled out of his numb thoughts.

"Hey, Little Hu, why didn't you go get a gun? Hey, Xiao Zi, you lazybones, go to the logistics department now..."

Hu Yi raised his hand to interrupt Old Fox Wang, "Platoon leader, don't bother. It's lighter without a gun."

"You see, I told you to call me Brother. Why are you still calling me platoon leader?" Then Old Fox Wang slapped his forehead, "Hey, look at my muddled brain. The guns at the logistics department are just for new recruits. Use mine." He grabbed the 7.92mm rifle behind him and handed it to Hu Yi.

All the metal parts were polished to a shine, slightly gleaming. The stock and foregrip were smooth from frequent handling. Guns varied in quality, and it wasn't easy to handle a new one. It often took many shots and long use to get used to it.

Hu Yi returned the gun to Old Fox Wang, "Platoon leader, oh Brother Wang, this gun is your own. You should keep it. I won't be used to it, and you won't be used to a new one. Why should we both suffer?"

Old Fox Wang was a veteran and understood that Hu Yi wasn't just being polite, so he didn't insist.

Zhao Yong, standing nearby, interjected, "Platoon leader, you're being too picky. You even gave away your pocket watch. What's a gun?" He nodded toward the fleeing soldiers, "See, there are plenty of guns. Just buy one for him."

Hearing Zhao Yong's sarcastic tone, Hu Yi knew he was indirectly criticizing him. He smiled bitterly but didn't mind. Old Fox Wang also knew Zhao Yong was mocking Hu Yi and immediately got angry, "When I have money, I'll buy a coffin first and leave it for you, you unobservant bastard. Got it?"

Zhao Yong fell silent, and Old Fox Wang didn't speak either. The conversation ended there, and the five figures of the third platoon continued to sit by the wall, silently watching the 'souls heading west.'

Xiao Zi didn't have a gun either. The platoon leader thought he was too small and short and didn't let him carry one, nor did he teach him. Of course, Xiao Zi himself wasn't interested in guns. He was just there to eat, so why would he need a gun? Could a gun be eaten? But now, seeing the platoon leader almost get angry over a gun, Xiao Zi felt he should do something. He patted his buttocks, stood up, and said he was going to the bathroom, then disappeared into the night.

The fleeing soldiers were scattered, some alone, some in groups of three or five, some in larger groups, and some in entire companies. Some were injured and supported, some were exhausted and hungry, and some were moving quickly. They flowed like a river filled with rocks, sometimes slow and sometimes fast.

Xiao Zi followed the flow of people and targeted three people ahead. The middle person seemed injured, with his arms around the necks of the two people on either side, being supported as they moved slowly. Suddenly, he felt a push from behind, and the three stumbled but couldn't steady themselves, finally falling to the ground. The injured person groaned, and the two supporting him, who hadn't even gotten up, turned and cursed, "Who the hell pushed us?"

Behind them, a young boy was staring at them, suddenly falling to the ground and wailing, "The silver coins on the ground are mine! Don't take my silver coins! I dropped them! Don't pick them up! My silver coins! Waa..."

The three were stunned, even the injured person stopped groaning and turned to look. What was going on? People around them stopped and several figures rushed over, pulling the three on the ground to search them. More figures joined, cursing, "You cowards, you're afraid of the Japanese but not of taking silver coins."

"What's it to you? What unit are you from?"

"I'm from the 48th Army. You bastards are the reason we lost."

"You're a hero? If you're a hero, why are you running west? If you want to be a hero, go back to Shanghai."

"My fists can beat the Japanese and you. Do you believe me?"

"48th Army scum, try touching me. I'm not afraid of the Japanese, why should I be afraid of you?"

In the darkness, it was hard to see who was who, but they finally started fighting. At first, it was a few people, then a dozen, and then dozens more joined in, with more soldiers from their respective units joining in, turning it into a large-scale melee involving hundreds of soldiers from two units. Although no real weapons were used, it was like a battlefield, with heavy breathing and low roars, a chaotic mess, as if they were defending the last line of defense. The emotions of the fleeing soldiers were like a powder keg. They had been sad and suppressed for too long, and once ignited by a small factor, they erupted like a flood, uncontrollable.

Xiao Zi was still sitting on the ground, not fully understanding what had happened. The initial push was indeed his plan, to create a small chaos and steal a gun. He used to use this trick when he was a beggar. But now... Being in the center of the storm, he was also shocked by the scene. "Bodhisattva Guanyin, I'm just a beggar. I didn't mean to do this, really, I didn't mean to!"

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