Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 218 Wedding
For Cheng Rufeng and his group, the fact that the Shanxi militia agreed to pick them up by transport plane was an unexpected surprise. But on the other hand, it was also a huge surprise for Su Yaoyang.

Although the Shanxi Civilian Flight Squadron recently gave the Japanese a good beating, everyone knows that Japan's industrial strength and pilot training system are far superior to China's.

Today, the flight group is nominally composed of two fighter squadrons and one bomber squadron, but in reality, the group is not at full strength.

Take fighter squadrons for example. In theory, each squadron should have 16 fighter planes. Bomber squadrons would have fewer, but they should still have 12 medium bombers or dive bombers.

However, due to a shortage of personnel, the flight squadron is currently in a state of understaffing. Now, the Central Flight School has actually contacted him, saying that more than ten pilots plan to go to the Shanxi militia "in their personal capacity" for "inspection and study". This is like a pie falling from the sky.

It should be noted that these pilots included the last remaining elite of the Central Air Force, the kind who could be immediately incorporated into the combat force upon arrival.

Even if some flight trainees were mixed in, they were all advanced trainees who had studied for at least two years and were already capable of soloing. With a little training and familiarization with the aircraft, they could participate in combat.

Overjoyed, Su Yaoyang immediately decided to send a C-47 transport plane to Kunming to pick up those valuable pilots. He was determined to have them, and no one else could change his mind.

…………

Just as Su Yaoyang was excited about the upcoming arrival of the air force elites and was making arrangements for a C-47 transport plane to Kunming to pick them up, the field hospital in Wutai County was also celebrating a joyous occasion today – a special group wedding was to be held there.

Today, the field hospital, unlike its usual somber atmosphere filled with the groans of the wounded and the pervasive smell of medicine, is filled with a festive and lively atmosphere.

Apart from a few doctors and nurses who needed to be on duty, the rest of the staff gathered excitedly in front of the somewhat simple but clean dormitory building located at the back of the hospital.

Bright red paper-cut "囍" characters were pasted on the doors and windows of the dormitory building. Although simple, they exuded a strong sense of joy.

In the courtyard, a small makeshift altar was set up, covered with a red cloth and decorated with simple flowers and ribbons. A sweet fragrance seemed to permeate the air.

Today, two couples will be getting married here.

The first perfect couple was Colonel Li Gaoyuan, commander of the First Regiment and one of Su Yaoyang's most capable subordinates, and Wu Min, a gentle and virtuous nurse in the field hospital.

Li Gaoyuan was not only brave in battle, but also deeply trusted by Su Yaoyang, while Nurse Wu Min was kind and resilient.

In truth, their union was largely thanks to the matchmaking efforts of Su Yaoyang and Song Mei. It was their enthusiastic introduction that helped the newlyweds overcome their initial insecurities and ultimately become a couple.

The other couple is even more legendary and romantic, with a cross-border love story. They are John Miller, the commander of the 1st Armored Regiment of the Shanxi Militia, who is from the United States, and Yu Mo, a former famous courtesan on the Qinhuai River and now a nurse in a field hospital.

John and Yu Mo's acquaintance was already marked by the smoke of war. They met in Nanjing, a city that was once prosperous but is now devastated. Before that, Yu Mo had rejected John's advances several times because of her background and past.

But as the old saying goes, "Even the most virtuous woman can be won over by a persistent suitor."

Under John's persistent pursuit, Yu Mo finally agreed to his proposal. When Su Yaoyang found out, he waved his hand and decided that the two couples should get married on the same day to save trouble.

And so today, the once quiet and solemn hospital has become a sea of ​​joy.

At this moment, on the makeshift altar set up in front of the dormitory building, the red "囍" character shines brightly in the sunlight.

Su Yaoyang, dressed in a smart uniform, stood on the stage, beaming as the officiant.

"Today is a joyous day for our Shanxi militia."

We have two couples who will be tying the knot here, witnessed by all of us!

Su Yaoyang's voice, amplified by a simple loudspeaker, clearly reached every corner.

"The first couple is the pride of our militia: Colonel Li Gaoyuan, commander of the First Regiment, and his beautiful and virtuous bride, Nurse Wu Min! They are heroes on the battlefield and role models in life! Their union is a powerful alliance and the best embodiment of unity and friendship within our militia!"

A thunderous applause erupted. Li Gaoyuan, dressed in a well-fitting uniform, held Wu Min's small hand tightly, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, adorned with a red flower in her hair. His eyes were filled with tenderness and determination. Wu Min lowered her head shyly, two happy blushes rising on her cheeks. Su Yaoyang's gaze shifted to another couple, his tone more sentimental: "And this couple, their love story is even more deeply moving! They are our hero, our commander, Mr. John Miller from across the ocean, and his brave and kind bride, Miss Yu Mo!"

They met in times of crisis and fell in love amidst the flames of war! Yu Mo, a young woman, experienced the deepest suffering of our nation, but she was not defeated. Instead, she threw herself into the great cause of saving lives with even greater resilience!
Commander John, with his magnanimous heart and unwavering love, warmed Yu Mo's heart, showing us the greatest power of love!

Below the stage, applause, cheers, and whistles mingled together and lasted for a long time.

Mosquito and the other girls who came to Wutai County from the Qinhuai River with Yu Mo were now filled with tears, genuinely happy that their good friend had found such a good home.

John Miller excitedly hugged Yu Mo tightly, shouting in broken Chinese, "I love Yu Mo! She is the bravest and most beautiful woman in my heart! I swear, I will love her and protect her with my whole life!"

Yu Mo nestled against John's broad chest, tears blurring her vision. In those tears were bitterness, relief, but even more so, endless happiness and gratitude.

She knew that from now on, she would no longer be that orphan girl trembling on the banks of the Qinhuai River; she had a home, a lover, and a new beginning.

Today, the lineup of guests attending the ceremony was also extremely impressive.

Besides officers of various ranks within the militia, such as Chief of Staff Pi Ruoyu, Second Regiment Commander Huang Guantao, Third Regiment Commander Lu Shaobin, and Fourth Regiment Commander Li Tao, even a large group of blond-haired, blue-eyed American officers, including Doolittle, One-Eyed Jack, Tom, John's old friend and Second Armored Regiment Commander Fell, First Regiment Chief of Staff Hoddle who had just recovered from his injuries and returned to the unit, and Armored Regiment Logistics Director Flander, all came to show their support.

"My God... I can't believe it, that bastard John actually got married, and to a Chinese girl at that?"

As a comrade-in-arms and former superior who had known each other for more than 20 years, Fell looked at John and Yu Mo, the newlyweds, standing on the stage in their sharp suits, and his tone was filled with indescribable emotion.

Hoddle shook his head: "Yeah, for so many years, I always thought this guy would never get married in his life. If I hadn't gone with him to find a prostitute before, I would have even thought he didn't like women. I never thought I would see him walk down the aisle in this lifetime. This world is really amazing."

Leaving aside the sentimental group of For, the female medical staff invited to the wedding, including Elizabeth, Anna, Margaret, Susan, and Catherine, focused their attention more on the wedding itself.

"Oh my God! Look at the sedan chair the bride is riding in! It's so magnificent! It's like a moving palace!"

Young and lively Susan pointed at the elaborately embroidered and tasseled eight-bearer sedan chair and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Her blue eyes were wide open, filled with curiosity about this oriental mode of transportation.

"And the bride's dress! That vibrant red, that exquisite embroidery, and that thing on her head... what's that called? A phoenix coronet? It's so beautiful! It has a more mysterious and noble air than our Western white wedding dress!"

The elegant and sophisticated Margaret carefully examined the bride's magnificent phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and sincerely admired it. She even took out her notebook and pencil and quickly sketched the design of the bride's dress.

“Yes, Margaret is right!” Catherine, who was relatively calm, agreed. “I noticed that their wedding ceremony was very solemn, with many rituals that we don’t know. For example, that… bowing to heaven and earth? It sounded very meaningful, as if they were announcing their union to the entire universe, rather than just praying to God in a church.”

"And don't you think this kind of wedding is more...romantic than our Western weddings?"

Anna, who always pursued romance, blinked her expressive eyes and said somewhat absentmindedly.

“Look at the musicians playing music, the flower petals and confetti scattered along the way, and the heartfelt joy and blessings from relatives and friends… The whole process is full of warmth and life, unlike our weddings, which sometimes seem too rigid.”

"If I get married in the future,"

Young Susan suddenly had a whimsical idea and said, "I want to have a Chinese wedding like that too! I want to ride in a sedan chair carried by eight men, wear a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, and have my groom ride a tall horse to greet me amidst the sound of suona horns! That would be so cool!"

Her idea immediately received positive responses from several other women.

“Great idea, Susan! I think so too! It would be perfect if I could find a man who would be willing to experience this kind of romance with me!” Anna said with a smile.

The group's eyes sparkled with anticipation for a beautiful future of love...

(End of this chapter)