Arc of Fire

“`

In order to keep Xie Liaosha from disobeying orders, Wang Zhong added, “This is an order!”

Xie Liaosha slowly shook his head, a blood-like hue from the sunset on his face, “Sir, we cannot leave the tank to the enemy. If they repair it, they will use it against us. The armor that the enemy can’t penetrate, we will also have trouble penetrating. Think about how many of our own people would die if this old comrade falls into enemy hands.

"If we abandon the tank, we must destroy it. Right now, the enemy fears it, and as soon as it is destroyed, they will immediately begin pursuit. Trust me.”

Wang Zhong couldn’t find the words to reply.

Xie Liaosha continued, “Give us a satchel charge. Then we’ll resist until the last moment, and we can even take a few bastards with us using the satchel charge.”

Wang Zhong watched Xie Liaosha, noticing a gleam in his eyes.

——”Thinking back now, it’s incredible how the former me never knew what fear was.”

Wang Zhong, “I’ve taken your suggestion. Do you have any letters you’d like me to pass on?”

"Yes.” Xie Liaosha pulled out a letter from his left breast pocket and handed it to Wang Zhong, “The address is written on it. Just mail it for us.”

"I have one too!”

"And mine!”

Soon, all the letters from Tank No. 67’s crew were in Wang Zhong’s hands.

Clutching the stack of thin sheets, Wang Zhong felt as though they weighed a thousand pounds.

He saw Xie Liaosha and the entire tank crew smiling fearlessly.

It took all of his strength to keep from crying in front of these brave young men.

He pocketed the letters—his pocket already contained a bloodstained letter.

Wang Zhong, mounted on his horse, saluted the soon-to-be-dead.

Then, he resolutely turned his horse around and headed east.

————

Evening, eight o’clock sharp.

Wang Zhong lowered his hand and looked at the troops already lined up in the street.

Compared to 38 hours before, the size of the force had drastically reduced, and nearly everyone was wounded.

But everyone— including those with minor injuries in the hospital—was full of vigor.

Wang Zhong dismounted, helped a wounded man onto the horse, and then ordered to the entire army: “All units, march!”

The troops set off in silence.

Wang Zhong also took steps.

He saw the locals who had decided to stay, standing on the roadside, watching them with complex expressions.

Wang Zhong, “Liven up! Let the locals see our spirit! Let them know that one day we will come back to fight!”

Then, the orderly footsteps grew even louder.

Wang Zhong felt it wasn’t enough, so he shouted, “Sufang! Start us off with a lively song! We are the army of victory, we must have the bearing of victors!”

Sufang’s voice came from the back of the column.

"I remember a small town in another province

"Peaceful, quiet, and melancholic

"With a church, a station, and a tree-lined pathway

"In the crowd, I sometimes glimpse

"That familiar, dear silhouette…”

More people joined in the chorus.

"She wore a blue sun hat

"A blue short coat

"A dark skirt, the silhouette of a young girl

"Ah, my brief, passing love!”

The chorus arrived, everyone singing in unison. The beat of the song mingled with the orderly steps, the forest of bayonets swaying to the song, like an impassible Great Wall!

"Tanya! Tanusha! My Takiyanne!

"Do you still remember that fiery summer

"I can’t forget those moments

"That time of yearning love!”

The summer wind blew through the column, bringing the warmth of summer days.

Someone unknown whistled playfully, as if scoffing at war and invaders!

"Tanya! Tanusha! My Takiyanne!

"Do you still remember that fiery summer

"I can’t forget those moments

"That time of yearning love!”

“`

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