May 16, 1940, Shilonggang, Xiangyang, Hubei. The Japanese army could not attack for a long time, so they changed their strategy and launched a siege from all sides, trying to force Zhang Zizhong, the national general who held Shilonggang, to go north to the open area of Changshanping to encircle and annihilate.
In the fierce moment of the battle, the screeching sound of swords and guns from the west, east and south, the heart-rending shouts of killing, and the terrible screams were mixed with the smoke and dust rolling in.
Zhang Zizhong decisively inserted the pistol back into the holster on his waist and strode towards the direction where the battle was most intense. Suddenly, a bullet flew and pierced the deltoid muscle of his left arm. Zhang Zizhong pressed the wound with his right hand and said humorously: "Haha!
I am a general, if I die today, next year's memorial service will be very lively! ”
The front line was full of dangers, and the commander-in-chief Zhang Zizhong was suddenly injured, and the guards around him were heartbroken and vowed to protect him from any harm. However, a cannonball fell near Zhang Zizhong, and the entourage ** Shi Quansheng died heroically, and the situation was even more critical.
Despite this, Jia Yubin, Cui Yongxiang, Gu Ruixue and other guards still insisted on moving Zhang Zizhong to a safe place. However, Zhang Zizhong was furious, refused to leave the front line, and scolded loudly: "What are you going to do?
Afraid of death! "Even though the guards dragged him away by force, he insisted on returning to the forward position.
When the commander of the fourth company of the pistol battalion heard this, he ran to put his head on Zhang Zizhong's chest, and while pushing him out of the line of fire, he cried and said: "We are not afraid of death, please take the first step in chief, we will not repel the enemy in front of us, and we will not leave the position even if we die!" ”
Zhang Zizhong looked at them approvingly and expressed his appreciation. Despite his serious injuries, Major Adjutant Ma Xiaotang insisted on sitting on the ground, worried about Zhang Zizhong's safety.
Jia Yubin, Cui Yongxiang and other guards ran over to pull him, but he still insisted on staying where he was, saying they should protect the commander-in-chief. Zhang Zizhong was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude to them.
In the dangerous moment on the front line, Zhang Zizhong and his guards showed the firmness and fearlessness of the soldiers with their courage and determination. Their actions have shown us the hope of the country and the nation.
In a fierce battle, Zhang Jing, Jia, and Cui were unfortunately shot and died when they turned around.
Zhang Jing's ** was faulty and had to be replaced. Seeing the sacrifice of his comrades, he stuck the two pistols left behind into the belt around his waist and prepared to fight again.
At about one o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy rushed to Almond Hill, and the two armies engaged in a fierce battle with hand-to-hand combat. The enemy's aircraft artillery was ineffective, and Zhang Zizhong's pistol battalion took advantage of this opportunity and used their unique firepower superiority.
Zhang Zizhong shouted: "The enemy retreats and fights quickly!" Zhang Jing also preached the same order, and under the direct command of Zhang Zizhong, they swept a "20-shot" pistol like a machine gun at the enemy.
The battle was fierce, and the hillside was filled with blood and corpses from both sides. However, there were only two people left by Zhang Zizhong's side, Zhang Jing and guard Gu Ruixue.
The enemy army poured in from the southeast, and Zhang Jing ordered Gu Ruixue to help Zhang Zizhong retreat to the northeast, while he himself rushed towards the enemy with two guns in hand.
The enemy's offensive crumbled under his twin guns, and rows of enemies fell. Eventually, when the bullets ran out, he dropped his twin guns, leaped into the crowd, grabbed one of them by the neck, and rolled with them.
However, he was outnumbered, and he was eventually killed by the enemy's knives. During this time, Gu Ruixue successfully helped the injured Zhang Zizhong to walk in the direction of Changshan.
However, the fighters of the 74th Division were wiped out, the officers and men of the pistol battalion were either killed or wounded, and the enemy was already about to rush in front of them.
In an emergency, Zhang Zizhong vowed not to retreat, and even Gu Ruixue's advice was resolutely refused. He said: "How can you command a battle when you walk from the ravine and you can't see anything?" ”
Gu Ruixue had no choice but to help him go up the mountain beam. Bullets chirped around them with a sharp whistle, and devils howled in the distance.
Gu Ruixue supported Zhang Zizhong step by step on the blood-red fire and thin ice, his face was pale, his eyes were bloodshot, for fear that if he was not careful, Zhang Zizhong would fall into the sea of fire or ice caves.
But Zhang Zizhong is as calm as walking on the ground. His tall, burly body showed no signs of timidity or pain, and still strode forward with his head held high. He is not retreating, but looking for the enemy.
His comrades have died, and now it's time for him to play. Suddenly, a particle came and passed through the left side of his chest, and Zhang Zizhong was seriously injured. The enemy surrounded him from all directions, and Zhang Zizhong was in great danger!
Gu Ruixue was anxious, but Zhang Zizhong smiled easily. He looked at Gu Ruixue and said: "It is the duty of a soldier to die on the battlefield, and I think this is the best reward for the country, the people and the governor, and my conscience will be comforted." ”
At this moment, the enemy was approaching, and Zhang Zizhong drew his gun to meet him, but he was unfortunately hit by six bullets and died heroically. When Gu Ruixue heard the news, she let out a long roar and pounced on Zhang Zizhong desperately.
She saw that Zhang Zizhong had been shot in the temple and on the tip of his left eyebrow, and it could not be recovered, so she cried and covered his body with Zhang Zizhong's coat. Gu Ruixue then continued to fight, suffering multiple serious injuries, until she met the detectives of the 9th Cavalry Division and was able to escape.
At this time, the Japanese army already knew that Zhang Zizhong was killed in battle and recognized his body. They carried Zhang Zizhong's body on a stretcher to a vacant lot south of the Chen family ancestral hall, and a wooden sign was erected next to it, which read, "The Spirit of Zhang Zizhong, Commander-in-Chief of the Branch."
On August 6, the bad news reached Yan'an, and the ** Committee of the Communist Party of China held a grand memorial service, and ** personally inscribed an elegy: "Serve the country loyally and sacrifice your life for the country."
** is even more praised: "His loyalty and heroic spirit are enough to become a model for Chinese soldiers in the War of Resistance." ”
Zhang Zizhong's sacrifice shocked the anti-Japanese front, shocked the entire Chinese nation, and also shocked the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and the world.
His fame will always be with the land of China for eternity.