Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

A few days later, good news arrived. The Central Committee agreed to send some key personnel from the Kyoto Military Region to support the southern front. After careful consideration, Su Tian finally recommended Su Weidong and Chen Dashan, who were appointed as battalion commanders (regimental commanders on temporary assignment) of the reinforcement troops and immediately went to the southern front.

When the news reached the Zhou family, the atmosphere at home became complicated.

Su Qinghe (Su Weidong's younger sister) was packing her brother's luggage, tears streaming down her face. She was an expert at the 301 Hospital and had witnessed too many partings and deaths. The thought of her brother going to the battlefield to her heart ached.

"Brother, don't cry." Su Weidong, dressed in his brand-new military uniform, stood tall and straight, but with a hint of guilt on his face. "I am a soldier, it is my duty to serve my country. Don't worry, I will definitely come back safely."

Zhou Chengbang patted his brother-in-law on the shoulder: "When you get to the front line, be careful, take good care of yourself, and also take good care of Chen Dashan."

"Brother-in-law, I know." Su Weidong nodded, his gaze falling on Zhou Jin. "Jin'er, when your uncle comes back, he'll bring you the spoils of war."

Zhou Jin fought back her tears and nodded vigorously: "Uncle, you must come back safely. I'm still waiting to learn shooting from you."

Just then, Su Qinghe suddenly raised her head, wiped away her tears, and her eyes became firm: "Dad, brother, I've also applied to go to the front line."

Everyone was stunned.

"Qinghe, are you crazy?" Su Tian's tone was reproachful. "You are an expert at 301 Hospital. You can save lives in the rear. There is no need for you to risk your life on the front line."

"Dad, there are even more wounded soldiers on the front lines, and they need doctors even more." Su Qinghe's voice trembled slightly, but it was unusually firm. "I am a doctor, and also a soldier's family member. I can't just wait at home. I need to go to the front lines to save more wounded soldiers and also take care of my brother closer to home."

Zhou Chengbang's face instantly turned pale: "Qinghe, no! The front lines are too dangerous. What will Jin'er and I do if something happens to you?"

"Chengbang, I'm sorry." Su Qinghe looked at her husband and son, her eyes filled with reluctance. "But I have to go. Doctors are compassionate, and on the battlefield, every additional doctor means a greater chance of survival. Don't worry, I will protect myself, and I will definitely come back safely after the war."

Zhou Jin looked at his mother, feeling both proud and sad. He knew his mother's decision was right, but he was also afraid of losing her.

"Mom, I support you." Zhou Jin walked to her mother's side, took her hand, and said, "But you must be careful. Dad and I are waiting for you to come home."

Su Qinghe knelt down and hugged Zhou Jin tightly, tears dripping onto his clothes: "My good son, Mom will definitely come back. You must study hard, take good care of yourself, and wait for Mom to come back to cook you something delicious."

On the day of departure, Kyoto Station was bustling with activity. Soldiers and their families, heading to the front lines, embraced and wept, the air thick with reluctance and sorrow.

Su Tian stood on the platform, looking at his son and daughter with a firm gaze: "When you get to the front lines, obey orders, fight bravely, and be careful. I'll take care of things at home, so go without worry."

"Dad, take care," Su Weidong and Su Qinghe said in unison.

Chen Dashan also brought Chen Panpan. The little girl hugged her father's leg tightly and cried, "Daddy, you must come back. I'll wait for you."

Chen Dashan knelt down, wiped away his daughter's tears, and nodded solemnly: "Panpan, be good, Daddy will definitely come back. You must listen to Mommy and take good care of Brother Jin."

The train whistle sounded, urging us to part ways.

Su Weidong and Chen Dashan boarded the train, and Su Qinghe also carried a medical kit. She took one last look at Zhou Chengbang and Zhou Jin, then resolutely turned around and boarded the train.

Zhou Jin stood on the platform with her father, watching the train slowly pull away, waving and calling out, "Mom! Uncle! Uncle Chen! You must come back safely!"

The train went further and further away until it disappeared from sight.

Zhou Chengbang hugged his son tightly, his voice choked with emotion: "Jin'er, let's go home and wait for them to come back."

Zhou Jin nodded, tears finally streaming down his face. He gazed in the direction the train had disappeared, his heart filled with prayer and hope.

He knew this war would change many people's lives. Whether his uncle and Chen Dashan could achieve military merit, and whether his mother would return safely, were all unknown. But he believed that justice would ultimately prevail over evil, and his loved ones would surely return safely.

Back home, Zhou Jin sat at her desk, picked up her pen, and wrote in her diary: "Spring, 1979, war clouds rise. May our country be safe and sound, and may my loved ones be well."

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on the diary and reflecting the resolute light in the boy's eyes. He knew that in the days to come, he needed to study hard, take good care of himself, and not worry his family far away. At the same time, he also needed to closely follow the progress of the war, pray for his family, and bless his country.

This war is not only a test for the nation, but also a test for the family. And he, as the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, has already demonstrated a sense of responsibility and courage beyond his years in this test.