Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 233 Return to the old place
In late February, Shanxi was still chilly with the lingering cold of early spring.

The wind blew from the barren distant mountains, sweeping across the vast airport lawn, carrying a chill that could seep into your bones.

Cheng Rufeng lay sprawled out on a cot in the middle of the lawn, covered with a thick wool blanket.

He squinted, looking at the clear, high, and azure sky above him, which had been washed clean.

On the small coffee table beside the bed, there was an item that could be considered a luxury in this era: a glass bottle of Coca-Cola with a layer of fine water droplets condensing on its surface.

An opened package of imported chocolates, and a few butter biscuits.

This was specially approved by Commander-in-Chief Su Yaoyang. In the entire Shanxi militia, only the pilots of their flight squadron could enjoy this top-level treatment that was unparalleled in the entire army.

But no one felt jealous, because everyone knew that these things were earned with their lives. Every takeoff could be a final farewell, and every return flight could leave the wings stained with the blood of their comrades.

Cheng Rufeng reached out and picked up the bottle of cola from the coffee table.

The cool glass stimulated his palms as he skillfully pried open the bottle cap with his thumb. With a "hiss," the black liquid bubbled merrily. He tilted his head back and took a large gulp. The stimulating sensation, a mixture of sweetness and carbonation, rushed down his throat and into his stomach, allowing him to exhale comfortably.

This taste reminded him of his days at the Hangzhou Flight School, when he and a few brothers sneaked out and first tasted this stuff in a Western restaurant in the city. They thought it was the most magical drink in the world.

But now, most of the brothers who used to drink Coke together have become names on tombstones.

His thoughts drifted back to the air battle a few days earlier.

That day, he witnessed a mercenary named Stephen, piloting a P-47, being targeted by three Zero fighters. The P-47 plunged into the mountains, trailing a long plume of black smoke, without even a chance to parachute.

This guy is usually very talkative and always likes to brag about how many girls he has in Chicago, saying that he'll take his brothers to see them after the war ends.

Now, he can only go to see God.

"Captain."

A slightly immature voice interrupted his thoughts. Cheng Rufeng turned his head and saw a young pilot standing not far away, looking at him somewhat reservedly.

It was Ma Jun, whom everyone in the team called "Little Ma". He had just graduated from flight school not long ago and still had a childish look on his face, but when he flew, he was like a madman.

"What's up?" Cheng Rufeng's voice was a little hoarse, with a lazy quality from just waking up.

"No...it's nothing," Xiao Ma scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "I just saw you were here alone, so I came to check on you."

The ground crew just finished inspecting my "Pirate," calibrated the machine guns, and filled up the tank.

Cheng Rufeng sat up and patted the grass beside him. "Sit."

Little Ma obediently sat down, but his back was ramrod straight, like a new recruit waiting for inspection.

"Are you scared?" Cheng Rufeng took another swig of cola and suddenly asked.

Xiao Ma paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously, then shook his head quickly, and finally whispered, "Before takeoff, I was afraid... But once we were in the air and saw the Japanese planes, I wasn't afraid anymore. All I could think about was how to shoot them down."

“Yes, that’s right.” Cheng Ru-feng nodded approvingly. He broke off a large piece from the chocolate packaging and handed it to Xiao Ma. “Try it. It’s something good that the regimental commander got.”

Once you're in the sky, you become an eagle, and an eagle's eyes must not show fear.

Your life, and the life of your vehicle, are in your own hands. We, the "Pirates," either send the Japanese devils to hell, or we drag them down with us. There is no third way.

Xiao Ma took the chocolate, and the rich, bittersweet aroma made him swallow hard. He carefully took a small bite, and the silky texture and mellow flavor exploded on his taste buds—a wonderful taste he had never experienced before joining the flight squadron.

"Thank you, Captain," he said sincerely.

"Why thank me? Thank the Chief Executive."

Cheng Rufeng's gaze turned to the distance again, where rows of silver F4U "Corsair" fighter jets gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, like a group of ferocious beasts poised to pounce.

"It was he who gave us the best of the best, gave us dignity, and gave us... the chance for revenge."

A gust of wind blew by, swirling up a few withered yellow blades of grass.

In the distance, the roar of engine testing could be heard—the background noise of an endless war.

Cheng Rufeng and Xiao Ma remained silent, simply sitting quietly, sharing this moment of tranquility and the slightly bitter chocolate.

The two sat quietly, enjoying the rare tranquility before the battle. Looking at the imposing row of "Thunderbolts" in the distance, Ma Jun finally couldn't help but ask, "Squadron Leader, you said... since the F4U 'Corsair' planes are so good, why did the Regiment Commander equip us with P-47 'Thunderbolts'? Wouldn't using both types of aircraft together increase the logistical burden?"

Upon hearing this question, Cheng Rufeng seemed amused and burst into laughter, his voice ringing out brightly on the open lawn.

"You little rascal, you didn't know that, did you?"

He patted Ma Jun on the shoulder and enthusiastically took on the role of instructor, saying, "'Pirates' are our precious swords, sharp and deadly, natural assassins, fighter jets specifically designed to deal with the Japanese devils."

But 'lightning'...

He paused, picked up the bottle of cola that was no longer very cold, and took another sip, as if searching for the most appropriate metaphor.

"'Lightning' is a heavy hammer! Don't be fooled by its lack of agility when flying compared to 'Pirate'. In terms of toughness, it's much sturdier than our 'Pirate'!"
"Let me tell you, last time Old Wang was attacked by three Type 97 fighters. His wings were riddled with holes, but he still managed to fly back. Any other plane would have fallen apart by now!"

His eyes shone with a light, filled with love and trust for his car.

"Moreover, this thing is a jack-of-all-trades! Its eight .50 caliber machine guns are like chainsaws when they fire, they're very useful whether shooting down planes or sweeping up Japanese infantry on the ground! Plus, it can carry bombs and rockets, it can fight and withstand attacks, and it can even act as a bomber. Tell me, how could the commander-in-chief not use something so useful?"

Ma Jun nodded repeatedly as he listened, finally realizing that every weapon has its irreplaceable value and purpose.

Just as Cheng Rufeng was speaking enthusiastically and was about to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the two engines to Xiao Ma, a staff officer hurriedly ran over from the command tent in the distance, his leather boots making a "rustling" sound on the grass.

"Captain Cheng!" The staff officer ran up to him, gave a standard salute, and then handed him a manila folder.

Cheng Rufeng's smile vanished. He knew that someone who came at this time couldn't possibly be offering him a dinner invitation. He took the folder, casually opened it, and quickly scanned the orders on it.

His pupils shrank suddenly.

"What? We're moving to... Yichang Airport in a few days?!" Cheng Rufeng's voice was filled with shock. He suddenly stood up from his cot, his previous lazy demeanor vanishing instantly, replaced by sharpness and seriousness.

"Yes, Captain. This is the Commander's order."

The staff officer's reply was brief and forceful. He then handed over a copy of the newly translated telegram. "Moreover, the order requires that, starting today, you must mobilize all available transport aircraft to cooperate with the logistics department and prepare to urgently airlift Commander Huang Guantao's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Regiments, the 2nd Artillery Regiment, and a large amount of strategic materials to Yichang to assist the Fifth War Zone in resisting the large-scale offensive that the Japanese army is about to launch."

"Um……"

Cheng Rufeng gasped.

The relocation to Yichang... airlifting so many troops and supplies... assisting the Fifth War Zone... these words combined signify that an unprecedented large-scale battle is about to begin.

The Shanxi Militia Flight Squadron will no longer be a secret force confined to Shanxi, but will be deployed to the eye of the storm across the entire Chinese battlefield!

The thought of them going to Yichang to fight the Japanese army filled Cheng Rufeng with excitement, far from making him afraid. He was finally ready to fight!

February 25, 1940, Tanggu.

A cold sea breeze, carrying the scent of coal dust, swept through the heavily guarded Tanggu Railway Station. On the platform, a dark green military train had just come to a stop, white steam hissing from under its wheels, quickly dissipating in the cold wind.

On the platform, Japanese soldiers dressed in khaki uniforms and carrying Type 38 rifles were everywhere. They were organized into companies, lined up in neat rows, and boarded the waiting freight cars one by one under the command of officers of all ranks. The only sounds in the air were the neat footsteps of leather boots and the monotonous clanging of metal.

A Toyota sedan pulled into the platform, the door opened, and an officer wearing the insignia of a lieutenant general slowly stepped out of the car, surrounded by several field officers.

The lieutenant general was wearing a Showa 5-style military uniform, with a dark-colored general's cloak over his shoulders, riding breeches, and shiny black riding boots. A Type 98 military sword was hanging at his waist.

He was Ichiro Shichida, the newly appointed commander of the 20th Division of the Army, who had only been in office for a few months.

Ichiro Shichida was not tall, but he had broad shoulders. His face was sculpted by years of military service, making him look particularly serious, and his eyes revealed a fierce yet calm expression.

After getting off the bus, he looked around and then habitually reached out to rub his aching lower back; the long ship journey had aggravated his old ailment.

"Your Excellency, please take care of your health."

The chief of staff, Colonel Hisazo Kinemura, immediately stepped forward and said with concern.

Wearing frameless glasses, his eyes were sharp, but at this moment his face showed an undeniable weariness.

After all, even the strongest body couldn't withstand being on a ship for more than a week straight.

"It doesn't matter."

Shichida Ichiro waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the slightly tense and bluish faces of the young soldiers on the platform, his eyes deep.

"Kimura-kun, after all this time, we've returned to...this land."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Kichimura Hisazo followed his gaze and couldn't help but sigh, "From the Korean Peninsula to the mainland, and finally transferred here, after all the twists and turns, we've finally returned to North China. I just never expected that we'd be going to that godforsaken place in Shanxi again, to face our 'old rival'."

He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the words "old rival".

Upon hearing this word, a cold, hard line appeared on Shichida Ichiro's lips.

"Shanxi militia... Su Yaoyang... a name that brings shame to the Imperial Army."

Kimura Hisazo was silent for a moment, as if recalling some unpleasant past events, and said in a low voice, "Lord Umezu Yoshijiro, it was because of the defeat in Shanxi that he was transferred by Imperial General Headquarters to serve as Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, right?"

His tone contained both disdain for the former commander and a complex mix of emotions that were difficult to articulate.

He scorned him for throwing the honor of a Class A division to the ground, but he was also struck by how bizarre his opponent was, so bizarre that it defied all reason.

"Hmph, Umezu-kun's defeat was the inevitable result of his rigid command and his overconfidence and reckless advance!"

Shichida Ichiro snorted coldly, his disdain undisguised in his words:
"He always thought that he could overcome everything with the bravery and will of the Imperial Army, but he ignored the true nature of his opponent. He was not facing a traditional Chinese army at all!"

"You are right."

Kimura Hisazo pushed up his glasses, a hint of apprehension flashing behind the lenses.

"According to intelligence, Su Yaoyang's troops are equipped with unbelievable equipment. Their artillery fire density and accuracy even exceed the full-scale projectile power of our division."

Their planes, those monsters known as 'pirates' and 'lightning,' were an absolutely overwhelming presence in the sky.

Our reconnaissance planes couldn't even get close to their defense zone. Lord Umezu… perhaps, his defeat was indeed not unjust.”

"A defeat is a defeat, there are no excuses!"

Shichida Ichiro interrupted him, his tone resolute. He turned to face west, towards Shanxi.

"This time, I, Shichida Ichiro, will command the 20th Division. I want to see for myself just who this Su Yaoyang really is! Order the troops to rest for one night, and tomorrow morning, proceed at full speed to the Shanxi front!"

A gust of cold wind blew by, causing the corner of his official cloak to flutter and rustle.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..." Just then, the train suddenly let out a piercing whistle, and a cloud of white steam billowed out from the chimney.

"Commander, it's time for us to board the vehicle," Kinemura Hisazo reminded him.

"Ok!"

Immediately, a major who had been waiting nearby stepped forward and said, "General, please come with me."

After saying that, he quickly stepped forward and led Shichida Ichiro to a carriage not far away. "This is an officer's carriage specially prepared for you. Please get on the train and rest. This carriage is exclusively for you, and no one will disturb you."

"Yoshi... Thank you for your hard work." Shichida Ichiro nodded in satisfaction and quickly got into the car.

Soon, accompanied by a whistle, the train slowly started moving, heading southwest...

(End of this chapter)