Sharpness
Volume Two, Chapter Five
The stench of blood lingered in the forest, like an invisible curtain, suffocating everyone's breath. Gu Tieshan stood amidst the seven Japanese soldiers' corpses, leaning on his chipped broadsword, his chest heaving violently, not from exhaustion, but because the power and memories that had been surging within him for too long, finally found an outlet.
Geng Dashan and Xiao Chen silently began clearing the battlefield, collecting weapons and ammunition, and dragging the bodies to a distant ditch to bury them. Their actions carried the relief of surviving a disaster, but also an almost awe-inspiring reverence for Gu Tieshan. The brief but brutal fight they had just witnessed had completely overturned their understanding of "combat."
Shen Lanjun didn't offer any help. She walked to Gu Tieshan's side, said nothing, but simply took out a clean handkerchief and gently wiped away the half-congealed bloodstains from his face and neck. Her movements were meticulous and gentle, a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere at the cave entrance just moments before.
Gu Tieshan didn't move, letting her wipe him. He kept his eyes closed, as if processing the torrent of information flooding his mind. After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze no longer empty or sharp, but a settled, unfathomable calm, like the deep sea returning to tranquility after a storm.
"You remember everything?" Shen Lanjun asked softly, this time asking more specifically.
Gu Tieshan nodded, his voice deep and clear, carrying a long-lost, soldierly strength: "The 37th Division of the 29th Army, under General Zhao Dengyu, the vanguard battalion of the Big Sword Team, deputy battalion commander, Gu Tieshan." He paused, then added, "At Xifengkou, we held out for seven days and seven nights. Brothers... we did not disgrace the Chinese people."
He spoke calmly, but Shen Lanjun could sense the surging sorrow and pride beneath that calm. She grasped his clenched fist, feeling the hardness of his knuckles and their slight trembling. "It's all in the past, Tieshan. You're still alive, and that's the most important thing. We have a new battle ahead of us."
Gu Tieshan gripped her hand tightly in return, as if drawing strength from her, or perhaps confirming something real. "Yes, a new battle." He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the unfamiliar northern forests. "This is my new battleground."
Night fell completely, and a small campfire was lit in the cave, dispelling the chill and darkness. For safety, the fire was kept to a minimum, casting a dim, yellowish light that illuminated several tired yet unusually excited faces.
Gu Tieshan leaned against the rock wall as Shen Lanjun carefully cleaned and bandaged his reopened chest wound. This time, Gu Tieshan didn't try to endure it. He clearly described the feeling of the wound and even instructed Shen Lanjun on how to apply pressure to the acupoints to help stop the bleeding. His familiarity with human anatomy and wound care reassured Shen Lanjun that the officer who had once commanded respect on the battlefield had truly returned.
"What are your plans next?" Shen Lanjun asked while bandaging the wound. She knew that Gu Tieshan, whose memories had returned, would no longer be content with passively lying in wait and hiding.
Gu Tieshan's gaze fell on the flickering flames, his eyes sharp: "Ichiro Onizuka moved the directional vehicle, which means he has his sights set on this area. We can't go back to Jiangwan Wooden House, and in fact, we can't use this area as a fixed base for the foreseeable future."
He paused, then continued, his thoughts as clear as if he had considered this countless times: "We need to break down our forces into smaller units and operate more flexibly. But before that, we must improve our own capabilities. Before, it was about survival; now, it's about winning."
He looked at Geng Dashan, Xiao Chen, and Zhao Xiaoshuan sitting around the fire: "Dashan, you are experienced and familiar with the mountains and forests, but hunting skills alone are not enough to deal with organized Japanese troops. Xiao Chen and Xiaoshuan, you are courageous and unafraid of death, but the battlefield is not about brute force."
Upon hearing this, all three of them involuntarily straightened their backs, like soldiers listening to their superior's instructions.
“Starting tomorrow, we will train while we move.” Gu Tieshan’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable determination. “I will teach you how to identify the Japanese soldiers’ ranks and equipment, how to judge their tactical intentions, how to use the terrain for concealment and to approach the enemy, how to set up simple traps and ambushes, and how to maintain communication and coordination while on the move.”
He began to explain in detail, from the most basic military knowledge to specific tactical maneuvers. He picked up a twig and drew a diagram on the ground, explaining how to use crossfire to block a pass, how to retreat in small groups with alternating cover, and even how to judge the size and distance of the enemy by observing smoke and sound.
His explanations were insightful yet easy to understand. Combined with the example of the recent skirmish, they captivated Geng Dashan and the others, as if a new world had opened for them. For the first time, they realized that there was so much to learn about warfare, and that individual bravery was so inadequate in the face of scientific tactics.
Shen Lanjun listened quietly, her heart churning with emotion. She had witnessed Gu Tieshan's skills and knew he was extraordinary, but only now, listening to him systematically explain military knowledge, did she truly realize the heights this man beside her had reached and the responsibilities he had shouldered. His return was not merely the addition of a powerful warrior, but also the infusion of an exceptional soul and mind into this small team.
For the next few days, they moved through the dense forest like ghosts, constantly changing their locations. Every day, Gu Tieshan would squeeze out time for training. He demonstrated how to crawl low to minimize exposure, how to use natural materials in the forest to make camouflage, and even taught them several simple and effective close-quarters combat techniques—valuable experience that the Big Sword Squad had accumulated on the battlefield with countless lives lost.
Although Geng Dashan was older, he studied the most diligently. He discovered that his decades of experience in the mountains and forests could be put to greater use under Gu Tieshan's guidance. Xiao Chen and Zhao Xiaoshuan made even faster progress, especially Zhao Xiaoshuan, who seemed born to be a soldier, with a tactical understanding and execution ability far surpassing others.
During a break, Gu Tieshan and Shen Lanjun stood side by side on a high ground, gazing at the Heilongjiang River that was faintly visible in the distance.
“Once we get in touch with Political Commissar Yang and receive the new instructions,” Gu Tieshan said, “I suggest that we upgrade the functions of our transportation station. It should not only transmit intelligence, but also take on the functions of training grassroots military personnel, harassing enemy supply lines, and even cooperating with the main force to carry out specific missions.”
Shen Lanjun turned her head to look at his resolute profile, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair: "Have you made up your mind?"
“Yes.” Gu Tieshan nodded. “Before, I was in a daze, only wanting to live. Now that I’ve remembered, this skill and this life cannot be used for nothing more than living. Lan Jun,” he called her name so solemnly for the first time, “the road ahead will be more difficult and more dangerous.”
Shen Lanjun met his gaze, a faint yet unwavering smile curving her lips: "From the moment I decided to head north in Shanghai, I never intended to take the easy path. You helped me before, and now, we're together."
Her hand gently covered his large, calloused hand.
Gu Tieshan gripped his hand tightly, saying nothing more. Everything was understood without words.
Amidst the flames of war, they were not only husband and wife, but also each other's strongest support and most trusted comrades-in-arms. The sharp edge of memory has already been revealed; what follows will be an even more formidable outburst.
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