Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 123 Deputy Class Monitor He Yuzhu
The second platoon leader and his soldiers returned in high spirits after cleaning up the east slope. They brought back enough weapons and ammunition to equip a company, which was just enough to make up for the losses of the platoon.

You should know that during the enemy's last attack, many guns ran out of bullets, and they didn't have a single grenade left. In the hand-to-hand combat, they even smashed a lot of guns.

Now that we have this batch of guns, the company is more confident, but we are short of manpower.

The people who returned from Dongpo looked at He Yuzhu with strange eyes. It seemed that Dongpo's enemies were killed without any resistance.

Being shot by machine guns wasn't so bad; it just meant more holes in their bodies. What shocked them the most were those who had their heads blown off.

It's important to know that there weren't just one or two, but a dozen or twenty. Everyone gained a new understanding of He Yuzhu: "Sharpshooter".

The second platoon leader walked over to He Yuzhu, tossed him a first-aid kit, and said, "Well done!"

So they went to find the company commander. The company commander looked at the guns the soldiers had brought back and was a little worried. There were too few men left in the company. Even if each person carried three guns, it was impossible to take all the weapons.

But how can a person carrying three guns run? There's still a march and a battle to be fought.

Therefore, the company commander decided that each person should carry two guns, and carry as many bullets as possible without affecting the marching speed. Weapons that could not be carried should be buried somewhere, and dealt with later if there was an opportunity.

Why are they still making us carry two guns? The company commander is hoping that the higher-ups will provide more manpower. What if the new recruits arrive and there are no guns? You have to understand that the troops didn't bring any extra weapons when they crossed the river, and who knows when the supplies will arrive.

The soldiers who buried the weapons were very reluctant, but they knew they really couldn't take them with them. The heavy machine gun alone required three people, and there were only a few left in the entire line. So they gritted their teeth and buried everything they couldn't take with them.

After the soldiers had eaten, the company commander ordered a retreat.

As they left, everyone saluted the mountaintop. The soldiers' remains could not be taken back and had to be buried on the spot.

He Yuzhu memorized this nameless mountain peak, thinking that when the time was right, he would tell the relevant departments to transport his comrades' remains back.

The instructor was carried on a makeshift stretcher made by the soldiers, with two long wooden sticks and leg wraps, along with several seriously wounded soldiers who had survived after being rescued by He Yuzhu.

The group was not moving quickly toward the rendezvous point, as everyone was carrying excessive loads and there were also wounded individuals, some with minor injuries, who needed care.

This journey took three whole days. Along the way, they encountered other companies from the regiment. They silently paid their respects to the short line of soldiers and the smell of gunpowder emanating from their clothes.

The second and third companies of the same battalion were particularly ashamed. If they had fought harder or spared some troops to support the first company, the first company would not have ended up in such a state.

Unfortunately, the battalion commander just wouldn't give the order. When the company commander saw the battalion commander of the third company, he was a little embarrassed to talk to Liang Jian. The second and third companies didn't fight very well and didn't help the first company hold off too many enemies. Also, he hesitated when giving the order on the battlefield. He thought that the first company was in a similar situation to the second and third companies, so he didn't send troops to support them.

The result was that he was repeatedly crippled, but an old comrade is an old comrade. He told Liang Jian that he would go to the regimental headquarters to admit his mistakes in command.

Liang Jian didn't say anything. It was the first time they had encountered soldiers from the White Eagles. Who knew what kind of temperament or firepower they had? Opportunities on the battlefield are fleeting, so what was the point of saying anything now?

The later teams didn't fight as fiercely; they mostly lost 10-20% of their troops. The teams they encountered later were more complete.

Their gazes toward the company were filled not only with admiration but also with envy—envy of the company's impressive arsenal of high-quality rifles, with each soldier carrying two.

Upon arriving at the regiment's assembly point, Company Commander Liang Jian wanted to send the wounded, both lightly and seriously, to the division headquarters. However, only there was a field hospital there, and the lightly wounded refused to go.

Finally, the seriously wounded soldier was taken away, with the regiment's supply company helping with the transport. When the political instructor left, he solemnly handed his little notebook to the company commander, instructing him to take good notes.

After the company commander put the package away, he saluted and then told the supply company to be careful on the road. He said that some people had survived the battlefield but died on the road, and he would not forgive them.

The men from the supply company hurriedly assured them that they would deliver the supplies properly, and only then did the company commander let them leave.

Then, the battalion commander and the company commander went to the regimental headquarters. When they returned, the company commander was accompanied by a platoon of soldiers.

However, he looked very unhappy. He went to ask why they were retreating and was scolded by the regimental commander.

What he didn't know was that the regimental commander was also frustrated. The map had been captured and sent up, so they wouldn't get lost anymore.

The 141st Regiment ran like mad to catch up with the enemy, and the 1st Company of the 3rd Battalion even ran to the front to block the gap. The following troops were dozens of miles away from them. Who could he complain to?

In the end, to appease him, the regimental commander gave him a squad of reinforcements, which were drawn from the regimental guard company. The guard company hadn't gotten to fight this time, so it suffered no losses.

The guard company consists of elite soldiers selected from the regiment. When they hear that they are going to the 1st Company of the 3rd Battalion, they are definitely unhappy, even if they don't say it.

But when they got to the company, their mindset changed. The people in the company now seemed a bit relaxed and were all resting.

But they sensed a murderous aura emanating from the men of the first company, a feeling only those who had seen blood on the battlefield could perceive.

The entire company assembled. At the company commander's command, the troops lined up in three rows. The first row had only four people, and the second and third rows were not much better, barely enough to form a squad.

"Reporting to the company commander, the first company should have 135 men, but only 25 are present. Please give instructions," shouted Hu Sanxi, the squad leader of the first platoon at the head of the line.

"Take a break!"

"Clang!" The 24 people moved in perfect unison.

"Hu Sanxi".

"arrive."

"You've been recommended by the management and approved by the regiment to be promoted to acting platoon leader of the first platoon."

"Yes." Hu Sanxi's expression was solemn.

"Zheng Shuanzi".

"arrive."

"I hereby appoint you as the squad leader of the first company, first squad."

"Yes."

"He Yuzhu".

"arrive."

"Due to your outstanding performance on the battlefield, you are hereby appointed as the deputy squad leader of the first squad."

"Yes." He Yuzhu remained calm. The pressure of leading troops on the battlefield was much greater than that of being a regular soldier, and this battle made him realize that.

"The second and third platoons will be temporarily disbanded, leaving only the first platoon. The candidates for platoon leader and deputy platoon leader will be reported to me in a moment."

"Yes."

"Seven of you will come out and join the first platoon, first squad. The rest will be one in the second platoon and two in the third platoon," Liang Jian said, pointing to the men from the guard company.

"Yes, sir." The guards quickly separated and stood in formation.

In this way, they barely managed to muster enough soldiers for a platoon.

"Everyone, please!" Liang Jian called out once everyone was in position.

"Clang!" Everyone stood at attention.

"Disband. Each platoon is to be taken back to their respective units for familiarization."

"Yes."

Why wasn't the merit mentioned? The whole army was just gossiping. The company commander did ask, but the regimental commander replied that he would remember and talk about it later. It just meant that their unit couldn't turn the tide in the next battle, so they shouldn't mention anything. No one would remember small, local victories, and even if they were reported, no one would care.

This was another reason why the company commander returned from the regimental headquarters with a dark expression. After the company commander returned, the platoon leaders and squad leaders below him still came to ask him about it.

Besides Hu Sanxi, the second and third platoon leaders also came to ask. They weren't asking for themselves, but rather they all came to ask He Yuzhu. If He Yuzhu didn't have any questions, then no one else would either.

Based on his performance on the battlefield, he should at least have received a second-class merit award. The company commander patiently explained the situation to his subordinates. When they learned that he could not be awarded a merit, they all fell silent.

Zheng Shuanzi led his squad back to their rest area. He first had everyone introduce themselves. When the guards learned that He Yuzhu was a new recruit who had only been in the army for less than a month, their gazes towards He Yuzhu changed.

They were all veterans, at least those who had participated in the three-year war, and were still just ordinary soldiers. Meanwhile, this green recruit had become a deputy squad leader after only one round of training. They really wanted to see what was so special about this recruit.

After the introductions, Hu Sanxi returned, said a few words, and then called Zheng Shuanzi and He Yuzhu out.

"What did the company commander say about Zhu Zi reporting his merits?" Zheng Shuanzi couldn't hold back any longer.

"It's hopeless this time."

"I'll go find the company commander." "It has nothing to do with the company commander. Our army didn't fight well, so we can't report it."

"Oh!"

"Zhu Zi, don't have any ideas. The company commander and we all remember your merits."

“I know,” He Yuzhu said calmly.

"That's good."

Hu Sanxi patted him hard on the shoulder and then said to Zheng Shuanzi, "Squad Leader, what are your plans for the squad members?"

"Zhu Zi, what are your thoughts?" Zheng Shuanzi asked He Yuzhu instead of Hu Sanxi.

"I don't have any ideas," He Yuzhu shook his head.

"How can you not have any ideas? You're the vice class monitor now," Zheng Shuanzi said anxiously.

"How about I take charge of the grenade launcher?" He Yuzhu tentatively suggested.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're in charge of the grenade launcher, so what am I supposed to do? You know I'm terrible at shooting," Zheng Shuanzi complained.

"Alright, I've never seen you two so close before. You're already bickering. Squad leader, aren't you going to hold a class meeting and make Zhu Zi apologize?"

"What are you going to write a self-criticism for?" He Yuzhu asked, intrigued.

“We’re not opening it anymore. Everyone’s gone. Just tell Zhu Zi. He’s the deputy squad leader now, he should be aware of that,” Zheng Shuanzi said.

"No, platoon leader and squad leader, are you two speaking in riddles?"

"What else could it be? It's just that you didn't give orders to carry out the operation when we were trying to capture someone by questioning them," Hu Sanxi said.

“I should reflect on this; I acted impulsively,” He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, everyone in the class is new. If you start by giving a self-criticism, you'll lose your authority as vice class monitor. How are you going to lead people in the future?" Zheng Shuanzi said. He could tell that the newcomers were all troublemakers.

"Well, you just need to apologize to us," Hu Sanxi chimed in.

"Should I write a self-criticism?"

“I have no objection if you want to write it,” Hu Sanxi said.

"Never mind, I'm afraid you won't understand," He Yuzhu joked.

"You little brat, who do you think you are? We've all been to literacy classes too." Zheng Shuanzi lightly punched He Yuzhu.

"Okay, I realize my mistake. I promise you I won't act on my own again."

"Is this the end?"

"It's over!"

"Alright, that's enough. Zhu Zi, remember what you said. This is a battlefield, not your home," Hu Sanxi said.

"Yes."

"Let's continue what we were saying. Whatever you want to do, platoon one, include me. I'll be your platoon leader during the war."

"Platoon leader, you're not reluctant to give up your position as squad leader, are you? I finally got to be a squad leader after a lot of hard work."

"Get lost. If I had three classes, I wouldn't go even if you asked me to."

"Zhu Zi, Deputy Squad Leader He, you really have no ideas?"

"You're asking me what I think?"

"What do you think?" they both said in unison.

"Then I'll tell you."

"hurry up."

“My idea is that during combat, the platoon leader should still lead the assault team, the squad leader should continue to work with his grenade launcher, and Feng Erkui should assign him an ammunition handler.”

"Is that all? Did you forget someone? What about yourself?" Zheng Shuanzi asked.

"Yeah, what about you?"

"As an all-rounder, I'll go wherever I'm needed," He Yuzhu said.

"No, you lead the assault team. I'll just be with you during combat," Hu Sanxi said outright.

"I have no experience with that platoon leader."

"If you have no experience, learn it. I'll guide you for a few days first, and then you'll be on your own."

"Yes." He Yuzhu knew that being a free agent was definitely not an option, so he became serious.

The following days involved the entire unit (army) making a move, mostly walking at night because enemy planes were conducting reconnaissance during the day.

The company did not receive a second replenishment for the time being. Liang Jian went to the regiment to inquire and was told that they would have to wait for the next batch of troops to cross the river before the replenishment would be sent up.

He Yuzhu and his group could use the daytime for training. The new recruits in the class were all troublemakers, each with their own problems, but they had been organized and their issues were not apparent in the guard company.

These problems surfaced when they got to He Yuzhu's class; in short, they were all "unconvinced!"

Hu Sanxi and Zheng Shuanzi did not show up. He Yuzhu first sent Feng Erkui ahead to scout, and it turned out that there were indeed two soldiers among them who had been trained. Feng Erkui was tall and strong, but he was just an ordinary soldier. He could handle ordinary soldiers, but he suffered a loss against those two.

He Yuzhu found Zheng Shuanzi and asked him, "Squad leader, should you go or should I go?"

"Go ahead and show them that there are always people better than you," Zheng Shuanzi said matter-of-factly. He and He Yuzhu had previously fulfilled their agreement on the battlefield and had a secret sparring session. Zheng Shuanzi was completely defeated. It wasn't that he wasn't good, but he had just faced someone even more monstrous.

He said that because he was just watching the show; were the guards really that great?
That's because they haven't been beaten up yet. Once they see something truly abnormal, they'll probably adjust their mindset.

Then those two guys got a pretty bad beating, and the whole squad became much more obedient. They also realized why a new recruit could become the deputy squad leader.

To be fair, He Yuzhu didn't bully anyone too much. He could choose from bayonet fighting, hand-to-hand combat, grenade throwing, and shooting. Of course, shooting was out of the question now, as the orders from above prohibited firing.

As a result, those two guys were completely defeated, and they became exceptionally serious during the subsequent training.

Another point is that the guns of the first company are the best, and the clothes are also the best. They didn't treat the newcomers too badly. Basically, everyone in the first company has a half-length coat, and by spreading it out, they could give each newcomer half a coat.

There was nothing we could do about cotton-padded trousers and shoes; we didn't have much else. Actually, the food we ate was a little better than other teams. The second platoon leader cleaned up the battlefield spotlessly, bringing back compressed biscuits, canned food, chocolate, and fruit candies.

They even took a lot of watches and other valuables, which were handed over by the company commander. There were so many that the regiment calculated that, apart from those that were to be sent to the division headquarters, most of them could be assigned to the company level.

So the regiment allocated a few more watches back, and now each company commander and platoon leader has one to keep track of time.

Other companies didn't receive such good treatment; only the company commander did, because it was a captured unit, so he was given some special treatment.

The three platoon leaders were overjoyed. Although they were platoon leaders, they wore wristbands that gave them the privileges of company commanders.

November 20th arrived quickly, and the army issued an order to reach the vicinity of Anju, downstream of the Chongchon River, by November 23rd.

They are still located near Ningchon, heading to Taechon, downstream of the Cheongchon River. The straight-line distance on the map is only about 20 kilometers (the actual distance is about 60-80 kilometers, which means they have to walk more than 20 kilometers of mountain roads every day).

But once we started walking, it was a different story. It was mostly mountain roads, and then it started snowing heavily, which made the ample time we had become a bit tight.

After marching all night, He Yuzhu's army began to speed up their march and started marching during the day, otherwise they would definitely not have made it in time.

They must have been criticized by the military last time, so this time they marched very decisively. Although it wasn't as intense as the previous trip to Ningchuan, it still made the troops that were at the back last time suffer a lot.

He Yuzhu's group was fine, because they were used to it, but they were quite different from the last forced march.

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(End of this chapter)