General Star Returns to Position
Volume 3, Chapter 8
Breaking through the Japanese blockade was like dancing on a knife's edge. Gu Tieshan led his remaining twenty-odd men, hiding by day and moving by night, relying on his almost instinctive intuition about the terrain and his revived military memory to painstakingly navigate the gaps in the Japanese lines. They forded icy streams, traversed mountain ridges rarely visited by wild animals, ate grass roots and tree bark, and evaded reconnaissance planes that frequently flew overhead and ground patrols.
Everyone was nearing their physical limits, but their eyes were more resolute than ever before. The bloody battle at Eagle's Beak Rock and Geng Dashan's sacrifice were branded into the hearts of every survivor. Gu Tieshan's complete recovery of his memories during the battle and his subsequent display of exceptional command became the only spiritual pillar for this remnant army.
"Chief of Staff, we're at Wild Wolf Valley just ahead!" A soldier who had been scouting ahead ran back, panting, with a hint of excitement on his face. "He saw the signal we left behind. Political Commissar Yang's main force should be in this area!"
Wild Wolf Valley, a valley with complex terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, was one of several secret rendezvous points pre-designated by the Anti-Japanese Allied Army headquarters.
Gu Tieshan's spirits lifted, suppressing his physical exhaustion, and he ordered, "Maintain vigilance, advance in shifts. Send the signal and contact the main force."
The agreed-upon birdsong echoed through the valley. A moment later, a response came from the other side. Soon, several anti-Japanese guerrilla fighters, dressed in tattered clothes but with sharp eyes, emerged from the dense forest. After confirming their identities, they excitedly led them deeper into the valley.
When Gu Tieshan and his group stepped into the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces' temporary camp, they saw faces weathered by time, yet filled with concern and expectation. Political Commissar Yang, having received the news, quickly came out from the wooden hut where the command post was located to greet them. He was thinner than before, with sunken eyes, but his gaze remained bright and piercing.
"Comrade Tieshan! Comrade Lanjun! You're finally back!" Political Commissar Yang grasped Gu Tieshan's hand tightly, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement. "We've heard about what happened at Eagle Beak Rock... Comrade Dashan, you were great! You were all great!"
His gaze swept over the wounded but ramrod-straight soldiers behind Gu Tieshan, his eyes slightly reddening. These were the seeds of revolution, pure gold tempered by blood and fire.
“Political Commissar, we…” Gu Tieshan began, his voice somewhat hoarse.
Political Commissar Yang patted him on the shoulder, interrupting him: "Don't say anything, let the comrades rest, treat their wounds, and eat first!" He immediately instructed the logistics personnel to make arrangements.
After the soldiers were taken to be settled, Political Commissar Yang invited Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun into the command post cabin. The cabin was simply furnished, with a map spread out on a rough wooden table and an oil lamp lit.
“Comrade Tieshan,” Political Commissar Yang’s expression became serious, “we have a preliminary understanding of your breakout, especially the battle report from Eagle’s Beak Rock. You remained calm in the face of danger, commanded your troops to inflict heavy losses on the enemy, and finally led most of your comrades to successfully break out… This is something that no ordinary person could do.”
He stared intently at Gu Tieshan: "Now, there are no outsiders. Can you tell me who you really are?"
Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun exchanged a glance, and Shen Lanjun nodded slightly.
Gu Tieshan took a deep breath, straightened his spine, and spoke in a deep, clear, and firm voice, just as he had sworn an oath under the military flag years ago:
"Reporting to the Political Commissar! This is Gu Tieshan, former Deputy Battalion Commander of the 37th Division of the 29th Army of the National Revolutionary Army!"
Despite having suspected it beforehand, Political Commissar Yang was still stunned for a moment when he heard Gu Tieshan announce the unit number and rank. The 29th Army, Xifengkou! That was the heroic unit that fired the first shot of the War of Resistance against Japan in North China!
"You...you're really an officer of the 29th Army? From Xifengkou?" Political Commissar Yang's voice carried a hint of disbelief.
"Yes!" Gu Tieshan's gaze was calm, filled with reminiscence and pain. "In 1933, at Xifengkou, our battalion was ordered to defend the high ground north of Luowenyu. We fought a bloody battle with the Japanese army's Sumiki Brigade for seven days and nights. Of the more than 500 brothers in the entire battalion, less than 50 survived... I was seriously wounded and mistakenly thought to have died in battle. I was lucky to survive, but I lost my memory and ended up here."
He recounted his experiences briefly but clearly, from the Northwest Army to amnesia, from exile in Northeast China to meeting Shen Lanjun, to the recovery of his memories in battles, until Eagle Beak Rock was completely restored to its original state.
The cabin was silent, save for the crackling of the oil lamp wick. Looking at the composed, sharp-eyed man before him, Political Commissar Yang finally believed him completely. This not only explained his extraordinary military talent but also firmly linked him to that heroic and tragic history of the War of Resistance against Japan.
"Great! Great!" Political Commissar Yang slapped his thigh, his face beaming with excitement and satisfaction. "Comrade Gu Tieshan! On behalf of the North Manchurian Anti-Japanese United Army, I welcome you back to the ranks! You are a hero of the nation and the people!"
He stood up, paced back and forth a couple of times, clearly making an important decision. After a moment, he stopped, his gaze fixed firmly on Gu Tieshan: "Comrade Tieshan, with your abilities and experience, it's a waste to keep you in a small detachment. The situation is dire, the troops have suffered heavy losses, and we urgently need experienced military officers. I have decided, and will recommend to headquarters, to appoint you as our detachment's chief of staff, responsible for military command and troop training! I hope you will not refuse!"
Chief of Staff! This is a crucial position that can influence the brigade's operational decisions! This signifies the organization's complete recognition and trust in Gu Tieshan's abilities and status!
A surge of emotion welled up in Gu Tieshan's chest—a heavy sense of responsibility for being recognized and entrusted with a mission. Without any hesitation, he stood at attention and gave a crisp military salute—the salute of the 29th Army, resounding and powerful:
"Yes, Chief of Staff Gu Tieshan! I will obey orders without question! I will do everything in my power to fight the Japanese invaders and defend our land!"
Standing to the side, Shen Lanjun looked at her husband's upright figure and the renewed soldier's honor and determination in his eyes. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and tears welled up in her eyes. She knew that the real Gu Tieshan had finally returned completely and was standing where he belonged.
That very evening, witnessed by Political Commissar Yang and several key officers of the detachment, in the war-torn northern mountains, in a simple wooden cabin, Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun held a ceremony that couldn't be simpler. There were no red candles, no phoenix coronet or wedding robes, only the heartfelt blessings of their comrades and the biting mountain wind outside the window.
Political Commissar Yang personally officiated at their wedding.
"Comrade Gu Tieshan, Comrade Shen Lanjun, you met and became friends in the revolutionary struggle, and supported each other through life-and-death trials. Today, on behalf of the organization, I approve your marriage as revolutionary couple! I hope that in the future struggles, you will continue to fight side by side, support each other, and dedicate your lives to the revolutionary cause!"
Gu Tieshan held Shen Lanjun's hand tightly, and the two smiled at each other, everything understood without words. This couple, who had come together amidst the smoke and fire of espionage, finally completed the most important ceremony of their lives on this special battlefield.
The general has returned to his post, not only for his duties, but also for the complete placement of his soul and faith. From now on, he will, in the name of Gu Tieshan, together with his lover and his comrades, continue to write their own epic tale of iron and blood on this black soil soaked with blood.
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