On the way back, Ning Zhiheng sat in the car looking out the window without saying a word.
Zhao Ziliang was also heavy-hearted. Two of his trusted subordinates were also on the list of casualties. The casualties were so heavy that they had never expected it.
According to reports, the special forces suffered even greater casualties, with many dying before they even had a chance to put on their issued uniforms. Japan's aircraft, artillery, tanks, and machine guns formed a three-dimensional battlefield attack, and their superior equipment was several times better than that of the National Revolutionary Army. The National Revolutionary Army was completely using the flesh and blood of its soldiers to withstand the enemy's barrage of fire.
Wang Shucheng's sacrifice was sudden. He was leading his troops to defend the defensive positions on the north bank of the Suzhou River when they were hit by machine gun fire from Japanese aircraft. The machine gun bullets were extremely lethal, and he did not have time to react before he was killed on the spot.
He left no last words, so the logistics personnel simply collected his usual military uniform and a few personal belongings left at the base and sent them back to his family.
Back at the Military Intelligence Investigation Department, Ning Zhiheng returned to his office, locked the door, and sat there in a daze.
Wang Shucheng was the first brother and comrade to leave him, and Ning Zhiheng felt this especially deeply. Wang Shucheng was a kind and compassionate person. He pleaded with Ning Zhiheng many times for the sake of Liang Shi'an's family, who were not related to him. Finally, through Ning Zhiheng's efforts, Liang Shi'an was saved and his family was spared.
He was of upright character and had always been resistant to some of the practices of the Military Intelligence Investigation Department. He longed for a real military career, but unexpectedly, he died young on his first battlefield!
Thinking about Wang Shucheng's past, I couldn't help but feel sad and melancholy, and sat quietly for a long time!
Just then, the phone rang, bringing Ning Zhiheng back to his senses. He picked up the phone, and this time it was Huang Xianzheng calling.
"Zhiheng, come here!"
"yes!"
Ning Zhiheng stood up, calmed himself down, straightened his military uniform, and then quickly left the office.
Just as Ning Zhiheng arrived at Huang Xianzheng's office door, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Huo Yueze.
It seemed that Huang Xianzheng had summoned them as well. The two exchanged a glance and nodded. Ning Zhiheng knocked on the door, and Secretary Yu opened it, whispering to Ning Zhiheng, "The director is not in a good mood."
Ning Zhiheng nodded and followed Secretary Yu into Huang Xianzheng's office.
At this moment, Huang Xianzheng was pacing anxiously in his office, his face full of anger. When he saw Ning Zhiheng and Huo Yueze enter, he said directly, "He's about to turn on us! He actually wants our Baoding faction to send people to Shanghai again, and he specifically named the two of you, especially Zhiheng!"
Ning Zhiheng and Huo Yueze were immediately shocked; the "he" Huang Xianzheng was referring to must be the section chief.
Huang Xianzheng then explained the situation to the two of them. It turned out that the battle at the front was intense and the special operations team had suffered too many losses of officers. In order to replenish the shortage of officers and cadres at the front, the director decided to urgently transfer a second batch of officers to the Shanghai front.
But this time everyone knew that the battle was unexpectedly fierce and the casualties were too heavy. Huang Xianzheng and Shen Xun were unwilling to throw their men into this bottomless pit again.
As a result, the three of them started arguing in the office. In the end, the section chief made a decisive decision and ordered the transfer, otherwise they would be punished for disobeying military orders. This put the conflict on the table and confronted each other in a real fight.
There was no room for compromise now. The chief of staff bluntly stated that if they could not work together, then they would have to break off all pretense of civility. As military commanders, Huang Xianzheng and Shen Xun ultimately yielded.
In particular, Ning Zhiheng, a key member of the Baoding clique, must participate in the roll call by the Chief of Staff to set an example for other officers. This time, the Chief of Staff will also lead a large number of his trusted subordinates to personally supervise the battle.
It can be said that the Chief Executive has devoted all available resources to this effort, going all out. One can imagine how determined he is this time. Given his strong personality, he will never allow anyone to go against his decision.
When Ning Zhiheng heard Huang Xianzheng's account, he was surprisingly calm and had no fear whatsoever. He had been trying to avoid this major battle all along, harboring a desire to escape. Even when he was carrying out the anti-traitor mission in Shanghai, he was still carefully calculating and worried about gains and losses.
But when the time came, he didn't feel any fear. Since military orders were like mountains, they could not be disobeyed and there was no way to escape, so he would just face it head-on. In the end, he was not someone who was afraid of running away from death. It was just that he had too many worries and concerns in his heart, which made him hesitate. Now that there was no way to retreat, he felt relieved.
The scene of two hundred officers setting off for the front lines a few days ago was still vivid in his mind. Since they were willing to die for their cause, why should he hesitate to give his life? Wang Shucheng's words when he left were still ringing in his ears!
"We are both soldiers, and it is our duty to fight on the battlefield. Even if we sacrifice ourselves, we will have no regrets!"
Ning Zhiheng was not an only child. He had already sent his family to Chongqing and left them enough money to support them. Now, his senior brother Wei Liangbi was also working in Chongqing. With his abilities, he could naturally take good care of his family. In addition, there was his teacher He Feng. Although he did not have real power, he had extensive connections in the Baoding clique and many comrades and old friends. It would not be difficult for him to protect his family's safety with just a word.
As Wang Shucheng said, with no worries, what is there to fear? A man's blood will be spilled on the battlefield!
Ning Zhiheng smiled slightly and said calmly, "You don't need to worry. Since the military order has been given, we have no choice but to carry it out. Besides, we might not be in any danger on the battlefield. The National Army has hundreds of thousands of elite troops, and we still have the strength to fight!"
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