Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

In early August, a torrential downpour overnight had just stopped, and most of the summer heat in southern Henan was washed away, leaving the air filled with the pungent smell of damp earth and vegetation.

The defensive fortifications in Xinyang have been largely completed thanks to the concerted efforts of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

Zhao Yunwen, accompanied by several attendants, rode out of the command post and inspected the positions on the outskirts of Xianshan.

Many low-lying sections of the previously dug trenches were filled with murky yellow mud. The newly turned-up compacted clay was swollen by the rainwater, and stepping on it meant sinking into ankle-deep mud. The soles of boots were covered with heavy clumps of mud, making walking particularly difficult.

Many soldiers were using entrenching tools to clear the temporary drainage ditches dug along the sides of the trench, diverting the accumulated water to the streams below the slope; others were bringing tree branches and gravel to pave the passageways inside the trench, so that the brothers on duty later would not have difficulty moving in the mud.

"The clay in the hilly areas of southern Henan is the most troublesome. It is hard to dig when it is sunny, and soft into a pulp when it rains."

The captain accompanying the inspection pointed to a slightly collapsed section of the trench wall and said:

"The rain was heavy just now, and several sections of the slope collapsed. The brothers are already rebuilding it and reinforcing it with gravel. If there is continuous rain, it won't collapse completely."

Zhao Yunwen stepped onto the prepared branches and entered a trench. The pine and bamboo on the slopes on both sides were a deep green after being washed by the rain, and water droplets kept dripping from the branches and leaves, hitting the roof of the artillery shelter. The concealed artillery bunkers built along the hillside were relatively safe, with tarpaulins laid on the roofs beforehand. There was no large area of ​​water accumulation inside, but it was very damp.

The mountain guns used for trial training were covered tightly with gun covers, and the artillerymen took turns on duty, carefully wiping the gun barrels to prevent moisture from corroding the parts.

Looking northeast towards Luoshan, the dirt roads between the rolling hills and valleys were all soaked and deep ruts where carts were stuck in the mud. The mules and horses of the supply convoy kept slipping on the mud, and the carts carrying building materials and grain moved slowly.

Zhao Yunwen looked up and gazed in the direction of Gushi and Yejiaji in the east, and said:

"With such muddy road conditions, if the Japanese advance westward, it will be difficult for cars and heavy artillery to pass quickly, which will give us a few more days to prepare for battle."

But we can't just sit idly by. All forward positions must have their drainage ditches properly constructed, and the reinforcement of trenches must not be neglected.

After speaking, he looked towards the distant mountains in the direction of Wusheng Pass. The rain and mist had not yet dissipated, and the peaks were shrouded in a hazy mist.

"The valleys around the pass are narrow, and rainwater flows faster, so the outposts' bunkers must be inspected one by one. The fortifications are not finished once they are dug; during this rainy season, we cannot relax our maintenance for even a day."

In addition, the top of the bomb shelter must be reinforced with several layers of protective material, a layer of branches and a layer of soil, at least three layers, to effectively buffer against explosions. This is life-saving work, and cannot be taken lightly.

After explaining the precautions, Zhao Yunwen left the Ninth Company's position and continued forward. Along the way, busy soldiers and laborers were everywhere; no one stopped working because of the heavy rain. A damp wind swept across the hills, and in the distance, the Shi River swelled, its muddy waves flowing slowly.

The hilly terrain in southern Henan looks flat, but underneath is mostly hardened clay. After several days of rain, it becomes incredibly muddy, making it difficult to dig with a pickaxe. If the trenches are not cleaned up, they quickly fill with rainwater. Many soldiers simply take off their military boots and work barefoot, with their trousers rolled up to their thighs, their bodies covered in mud.

The soldiers built fortifications along the mountain slopes, reserving artillery concealment positions on the high ground, hidden behind dense bushes, which not only avoided aerial reconnaissance but also allowed them to overlook the river valley below; trenches were dug between the hills so that if one position was attacked, neighboring units could quickly come to its aid.

When Zhao Yunwen wandered to another position, the soldiers were resting. It was past noon, and they took out the dry rations they carried to replenish their strength.

Zhao Yunwen shamelessly approached the veteran, casually offering him a cigarette and lighting it for him.

The veteran didn't stand on ceremony with him, took a few deep breaths, and immediately felt most of his fatigue disappear.

Zhao Yunwen asked casually:

"This is all hard work. Can you really handle it on just this little bit of dry rations? I remember there should be luncheon meat too."

When Zhao Yunwen came out, he had changed into a coarse cloth military uniform and was not wearing the insignia of a lieutenant general, so the veteran did not recognize him, but he knew that he was an officer. There were more than a dozen people following behind him.

The veteran pulled a piece of luncheon meat from his pocket, waved it around, then stuffed it back into his pocket, and said with a smile:

"There's no war, why eat meat? Save it for when you need it."

A private first class chimed in:

"Sir, the squad leader is just reluctant to eat it. He said he's saving it to take home for his mother to have some meat. It won't spoil anyway."

Although canned luncheon meat can be stored for a long time, it still has an expiration date. Zhao Yunwen wanted to remind him, but he swallowed his words.

Filial piety has no expiration date, and for veterans, it's a cherished memory.

Zhao Yunwen patted his pockets and realized he didn't have any luncheon meat, so he gave the old soldier the half-pack of cigarettes he had left.

"Take this; it'll keep you alert when needed!"

The veteran pulled one out of his pocket and hid it inside, then tossed the rest to the private, saying:

"Distribute it to the brothers, just say it's the commander's treat."

The private grinned as he offered cigarettes to the others, keeping the last one for himself. Before he could even light it, a veteran confiscated it, glaring at him and scolding him:

"You're barely grown up, and you're already smoking!"

The private said in a fawning tone:

"Squad leader, I'm twenty years old, I've killed two Japanese soldiers, I'm a veteran, I'll smoke this one!"

"Eighteen! You think you can be two years younger? Your cigarettes are confiscated!"

The veteran defiantly tucked the cigarette into his pocket, then magically shoved his luncheon meat into the man's hand, saying sternly:

"Eat more meat to grow stronger. Don't say I'm taking advantage of you. I'll trade this can of meat for this cigarette."

Zhao Yunwen didn't want to interrupt; the class monitor had the final say. So he took out some compressed biscuits and started eating them.

The ration standard for building fortifications was set by Zhao Yunwen. They ate hot food in the camp in the morning and evening, and used dry rations on the front line at noon. It was time-saving and labor-saving. Each person had two compressed biscuits and a can of luncheon meat. This logistical support was absolutely unique in the Nationalist Army.

Compressed biscuits don't taste good, but they're high in calories. Paired with canned luncheon meat, they're enough to sustain your energy.

While eating his dry rations, Zhao Yunwen asked the veteran:

"Brother, when did the Tiger Legion arrive?"

The veteran's smile faded, and after a moment of silence, he said:

"Nanjing City, the 58th Division of the 74th Army."

Zhao Yunwen patted him on the shoulder and said:

"I know the 58th Division; they're all excellent!"

Private First Class couldn't help but ask:

"Sir, we've been building fortifications all day. When are these Japanese devils coming over?"

All eyes turned to Zhao Yunwen. In the Nationalist army, soldiers preferred fighting to building fortifications. Building fortifications was strenuous, and with people often not even having enough to eat, they had no energy left for such work.

Fortunately, the Tiger Legion did not have this problem. Through Zhao Yunwen's on-site visits, no cases of withholding military rations were found, and everyone received canned luncheon meat.

Even so, the soldiers were still reluctant to dig trenches; the work was too tedious and not as enjoyable as fighting.

Zhao Yunwen understood their feelings, but the necessary repairs could not be compromised in the slightest, so he said:

"It'll be soon. You'll have your turn to fight them. There are a lot of Japanese soldiers, from the 13th and 16th Divisions. They've all been to Nanjing. Don't let a single one of them escape."

Brothers, I know you're tired, covered in mud and sweat, but no matter how tired you are, you have to finish digging the fortifications. It'll save your lives!

After Zhao Yunwen finished speaking, he bid farewell to everyone, as he had to go elsewhere. Only after he had gone some distance did the platoon leader suddenly remember and exclaim in surprise:

"It's the commander! The officer who just left was the commander!"

"I've seen him before, there's no mistake!"

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. They had actually seen the commander! Another veteran exclaimed excitedly:

"The commander just offered me a cigarette!"

The squad leader, who had just been chatting with Zhao Yunwen, touched the two cigarettes in his pocket. He couldn't bear to smoke them; he'd keep them as family heirlooms. He roared at his men in the squad:

"Stop laughing like that, get back to work!"

The following afternoon, Zhao Yunwen returned to the military headquarters covered in mud. He spent the night on the front lines. When Xie Polu saw him, he said:

"Commander, it's already summer harvest season. We need to harvest the rice while the weather is good, and then we need to plant winter wheat."

Should we send all the laborers back to their farm work?

Zhao Yunwen had almost forgotten about this, and immediately said:

"The farming season must not be delayed. The repair work should be put on hold for now. All troops should be organized to help the people harvest the rice."

In addition, soldiers going to work should bring their own dry rations, and officers should keep their men in check and strictly abide by military discipline.

Tell everyone, anyone who dares to break military discipline, don't blame me for disowning my brothers; military law is merciless!

The Tiger Legion has always been known for its strict discipline, but it must be said upfront that once the discipline of an army is compromised, the army is finished.