Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 157 A Tribute to the Warriors

The next morning, Tang Xiaohu and his men traveled through the night and finally returned to the Wolong Mountain militia's camp. Today was the day of a memorial ceremony for the fallen soldiers, and almost everyone in Wolong Mountain had gathered at the training ground. Even the engineering corps, who usually worked underground, were unusually lined up for training.

"Commander, we're back." Tang Xiaohu and his group reported to Tang Weiguo after their return.

"Thank you all for your hard work, coming all night without having breakfast."

"It's not hard work, I'm used to walking at night. But, Commander, now that you mention it, I'm really hungry. I'll go straight here as soon as I get back to the militia," Tang Xiaohu said, rubbing his stomach.

"Commander, we are a little hungry," Tang Dazhuang and the others said.

"I'm also fine with this. I haven't eaten yet, let's go grab some breakfast together. I also need to tell you guys something." Tang Weiguo called out to the group as they headed towards the cafeteria.

"You all understand why I called you here today, right?" Tang Weiguo said while eating.

"Yes, everyone knows that we are here to pay tribute to the soldiers of our militia who sacrificed their lives. If the soldiers of our militia who sacrificed their lives knew in the afterlife, they would be grateful for everything the commander has done for them."

"Doing these things is what I, as a regimental commander, should do. Seeing one soldier after another fall on the battlefield, I feel guilty as the regimental commander," Tang Weiguo said sadly.

Having lived in peacetime for so long, even after so much time since his transmigration and the many battles he had experienced, Tang Weiguo still couldn't let go of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for this country and this militia.

"Commander, they all sacrificed themselves for the war against Japan. They lived a great life and died a glorious death." Tang Xiaohu, who was standing to the side, noticed that Tang Weiguo was a little upset and quickly comforted him.

"Therefore, we must hold this afternoon's ceremony with solemnity. Today's ceremony is not only for the fallen soldiers, but also for the living soldiers to see. We must let them know that the militia will not forget their sacrifices!"

"We understand."

"Okay, after you finish eating, you guys go to Tang Guo at the soldiers' service office to make arrangements."

"Yes."

Before long, Tang Weiguo and the others finished their meal and began to split up.

Soon it was afternoon, and the militia soldiers on Wolong Mountain arrived at the newly cleared area on the back of the mountain the day before. They stood in formation, their expressions solemn and sacred.

Tang Guo, who is in charge of the entire memorial ceremony, is still a little nervous despite having rehearsed it several times in the morning.

Before the ceremony began, Tang Guo took a deep look behind him at the comrades-in-arms who had lived and fought alongside him. Suddenly, he felt a surge of strength that soothed his inner tension.

Tang Guo knew that it was the support from his fallen comrades, and he looked gratefully once again at the soldiers' graves covering the mountain behind him.

Tang Guo had his deputy carefully tidy up his appearance.

The memorial ceremony officially began at 3 p.m.

"Now we will proceed with the first item: Regiment Commander Tang Weiguo will lay a wreath at the memorial for the fallen militia soldiers."

After Tang Guo finished speaking, Tang Weiguo walked forward, followed by two rows of militia soldiers holding wreaths, five in each row, with various elegiac couplets written on them.

Tang Weiguo stopped in front of the memorial erected specifically for the fallen militia members. Soldiers lined up on either side, placing wreaths on either side of the memorial. Tang Weiguo walked up and carefully straightened the wind-blown elegiac couplets. Then he returned to the memorial.

"Now we will proceed to the second item: everyone, please bow three times to the fallen soldiers!"

"One bow." Led by Tang Weiguo, everyone bowed solemnly.

"Two bows."

"Three bows."

"The ceremony is over."

"Now we will proceed with the third item: fire a warning shot!" As Tang Guo finished speaking, a group of fully armed militia soldiers stepped out from the ranks, holding Type 38 rifles, and stood solemnly on both sides of the monument.

"Ready, fire the gun."

The soldiers on both sides performed their movements in perfect unison.

"put!"

"boom!"

"put!"

"boom!"

......

The crisp sound of gunfire echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time. With the final shot, the firing ceremony concluded.

"Now we will proceed to the fourth item. Please welcome our group leader, Tang Weiguo, to give a speech."

Tang Weiguo turned to look at everyone, picked up the megaphone that Cheng Shanshan handed him, and shouted.

"Today, with a heavy heart, I stand here with you to remember the militia soldiers who sacrificed their lives in our fight against the Japanese invaders. In less than a year, we fought against the vicious Japanese invaders to defend our homeland."

"In the battle, our militia fighters displayed unparalleled fighting power and won victory after victory against the Japanese invaders."

"But our victory came at a price; it was won with the lives of our militia soldiers. Now, those fallen soldiers lie forever in the mountains behind us."

"How can we inherit the spirit of our fallen soldiers? How can we live up to their expectations? We have only one way! That is to fight the Japanese devils to the bitter end and drive them out of this land beneath our feet!" Tang Weiguo shouted.

"What should we do if we encounter the Japanese devils?"

"Fight to the bitter end."

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Amidst the shouts of battle cries, Tang Weiguo signaled to Tang Guo that his speech was over.

As the voices calmed down, Tang Guo continued to announce.

"Now we will proceed with the last item: the officers of each unit will offer paper money to the fallen soldiers."

After Tang Guo finished speaking, Tang Xiaohu and the others led the soldiers to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers in turn, according to the pre-planned locations.

"Brothers, eat and drink well over there. If you need anything, remember to tell our leader in a dream."

"Brothers, don't worry, we will definitely drive the Japanese devils out!" Tang Xiaohu muttered as he offered sacrifices.

By the time everyone had finished, it was almost dark. Tang Weiguo told them to leave first, but he sat in front of the monument for a long time without moving.

Chu Yu, who had left earlier, returned, carrying a thick cotton coat. She went to Tang Weiguo's side and draped it over him.

"Thank you!"

"Brother Tang, you're too kind! I didn't even have a chance to thank you for how much you cared for me last time." Chu Yu's ears turned red as she recalled that Tang Weiguo had carried her to bed and covered her with a blanket, as she learned from his assistant last time.

"Brother Tang, are you still sad?" Chu Yu asked with concern.

"Ah."

“Brother Tang, don’t be so sad. My mother said that the dead will become stars every day. I believe that these sacrificed soldiers of the militia are watching us right now, watching us drive the little devils out.”

Following the direction Chu Yu pointed, Tang Weiguo looked up at the sky and saw a dazzling array of stars shining brightly.

"Yes, you're right. Let's drive the Japanese out and pay tribute to the spirits of the militia soldiers in heaven."

"Yes, Commander, we definitely will."

"Alright, let's go back, it's getting late."

"Wear this coat. You're our militia's darling, you can't get cold."

After saying that, Tang Weiguo got up and walked towards the regimental headquarters with Chu Yu.

Under the moonlight, the two people's shadows stretched very long.