(I had a few drinks today and am a little tipsy. I am a little tired and confused about what I wrote. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.)
September 15, 1937. October 18, 1937.
Wang Yan, wedding.
Foshan Restaurant was bustling with guests that day.
The wedding was simple, and neither Gong Er nor Gong Baosen said anything. Given the current situation, that's fine.
Accompanied by gunshots and shouts, the process was completed and Gong Er was sent home. Wang Yan returned to the restaurant to greet guests who had come from all over the place to show their support.
Everyone was chatting about the martial arts world, their country, and their own affairs, some were absent-minded, some were filled with indignation, and some felt something was wrong and left halfway through with excuses.
When everyone had almost finished eating, the restaurant staff cleared the tables and served tea. Suddenly, the atmosphere became cold and no longer as lively as before.
Wang Yan, dressed in wedding attire, stood at the front and surveyed the area. Here sat the Foshan Jingwu Association, members of the Shanghai Jingwu Association who had braved the odds to come, representatives from various branches of the Chinese Warriors Association, the Central Guoshu Museum, representatives from martial arts organizations in Tianjin, Qilu, Sichuan, and other regions, and the heads and leading disciples of various schools, including Tai Chi, Xingyi, Baji, and Bagua. All of them, separated by gangs and groups, sat together. In this critical moment, the cream of the crop, save for those who had joined the military, were essentially all gathered here.
Even though Wang Yan was a good fighter, he didn't have such a big face. This was thanks to what Wang Yan had done over the years, as well as the words of seniors including Gong Baosen, and even Li Qiankun, the prince of the Li family, who helped out by using Li Shuwen's connections.
As Wang Yan looked around, everyone quieted down. Wang Yan said, "Today is a big day for me, Wang Yan. Thank you all seniors and colleagues for coming to support us." After that, Wang Yan clasped his fists and bowed, expressing his gratitude to everyone.
Everyone below bowed in unison, no one spoke, as everyone knew this was not the point.
Wang Yan stood up and continued, "In 1931, the Japanese bombarded Beidaying and gradually occupied the entire Northeast. The seniors trusted me, Wang, and sent elite disciples to follow me and fight in the Northeast for more than five years. Nearly a thousand people died during this period, and they were all great people." As he spoke, Wang Yan bowed to the north, and then bowed to the seniors sitting in front of him.
The senior waved his hands, unable to hide his grief, and said nothing.
Wang Yan continued, "I, Wang, always go ahead in every battle. I'm not afraid of death, and I absolutely have no intention of using the lives of my fellow brothers to gain fame." As he spoke, Wang Yan took off his outer wedding dress and inner sweat shirt, revealing his muscular body and the crisscrossing scars on it, and turned around.
The people below looked at the scars of varying sizes, gasped, and were speechless for a moment.
One of the seniors said unhappily, "What are you doing? Are you trying to humiliate us? Put on your clothes."
"Yeah. We all saw it."
"Put it on."
Wang Yan put on his clothes. He knew with his toes that someone must have had some ideas.
"I don't need to tell you about the results of the battle; you've all heard about them. They were all earned at the cost of lives. I want to tell you that I, Wang, have a clear conscience." Wang Yan suddenly raised his voice and said, "Right now, millions of people in Shanghai are in chaos..." Then Wang Yan presented the facts and reasoned, explaining the current situation. Seeing the indignation of the crowd below, Wang Yan said, "I believe my country is destroyed and my family is ruined. I don't want to be a slave of a conquered nation. What about you?"
Someone shouted from below: "We won't be slaves of a conquered nation." Wang Yan arranged several people, otherwise no one would show their support and the mood would not be aroused.
Many people below shouted in agreement, and gradually the voices gathered together.
Wang Yan nodded, pressed his hand to signal silence, and said, "Since you all share the same idea, I would like to ask for your help."
Someone said, "If you need anything, just ask."
Seeing someone taking the lead, everyone expressed their willingness to help.
Wang Yan said, "What we need are people. I hope you can send some disciples. As for allowances and pensions, they will definitely not be bad. Of course, many sects and organizations have sent disciples to join the army, and I won't force them. Fighting means bloodshed and death. You can give your all."
Everyone gathered together to discuss some things, and then it was over. Wang Yan stood at the door and said goodbye to them one by one.
He knew in his heart that even though the words were all good, it was still uncertain how many people would actually come. Not all of them were here for the country and the people; many were here for their families and sects. As long as they didn't surrender to the enemy, their choices were more or less understandable.
Everyone had left. Gong Baosen came over with Ma San, Ip Man and others. "Go back. Ruomei has been waiting for a long time. Today is a happy day. We can talk tomorrow if you have anything to say."
Wang Yan nodded and watched Gong Baosen, the teasing Ip Man and others walk away.
Seeing that everyone had left, Li Qiankun, who had been waiting for half a day, came over and said, "Ayan, everything is done. You're worried too much. Only two teams of people came, only a few dozen people."
"It's better to be prepared. Okay, go settle the brothers. I'm going to have my wedding night."
With a smug smile, Li Qiankun took his men away.
When I returned to the house and entered the room, Gong Er was sitting quietly on the bed.
Wang Yan asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
Gong Er nodded and said, "I've eaten some."
"We can't let this beautiful scenery go to waste. Let's get started." After saying that, he pushed Gong Er down with a cry of "Ah"...
Gong Er has been practicing martial arts for many years and has a good physique... One night of passion...
The next day, Wang Yan served Gong Er breakfast, talked for a while, and then came to Gong Baosen's temporary residence.
After everyone sat down in the hall, Lao Jiang poured tea for them and then sat aside to play with the monkey.
Wang Yan said, "Master Gong, I might have to trouble you to become a coach in a while."
"It's okay. I used to do this when I was in the palace." Gong Baosen put down his teacup and sighed, "I've seen your tricks. They hurt others and yourself."
"There's nothing we can do about it. The country is in crisis, and there's no time for them to grow slowly." Wang Yan said, "But... Master Gong, there's no safe place to stay in the future. You could invite some veterans over here, so it'll be safer. We could also pool our wisdom and work together to develop a set of effective methods. Master Gong, you know I've been researching those prescriptions for years. After we win the war, we can promote them and improve the physical fitness of our people. That would be a great benefit to both the country and the people."
Gong Baosen pondered for a moment after listening and said, "What you said is indeed feasible. I'll contact them later and see."
Wang Yan nodded and said to Ma San who was standing beside him, "Senior Brother Ma, you should become a coach when the time comes. Master Gong is old, so it will be up to you, Senior Brother Ma, to take charge."
Ma San said unhappily, "I know that without you telling me."
With a nonchalant smile, Wang Yan said, "Okay, that's all. Master Gong, I'll be leaving first."
Gong Baosen waved his hand and ignored Wang Yan. He was now thinking about who to invite.
In the following time, many disciples from various places came one after another to support Wang Yan. It took a lot of time to properly settle these people.
On November 11, the National Army suffered heavy casualties, Shanghai fell, and the Japanese launched a massive attack.
On December 13, Nanjing fell and a massacre took place.
Influenced by this, some of the people from the martial arts world who came here last time joined the army directly, some came with their families to join Wang Yan, and some sent their disciples away... guarding the coffin. Of course, some did not move at all, and no one knew what they were going to do.
Many of the senior colleagues invited by Gong Baosen came with their families, and there were also many who did not come.
Wang Yan began to train his men and relocate those who had come to seek refuge. He would not only help if he could, but also would not refuse the help he had received on his way south.
Not long after getting married, Wang Yan had to separate from Gong Er and go to the battlefield.
Wang Yan now has several thousand men under his command, but most of them have never fought in a war and lack sufficient weapons and ammunition. The overall quality of the Japanese is indeed quite good at this time, and their weapons are not bad. Their aircraft and artillery are simply no match for them. Otherwise, the National Army could not have fought 800,000 against 200,000, and suffered 300,000 casualties.
So they could only roam around the southern battlefield, constantly launching small-scale harassment attacks, and constantly developing themselves to delay the Japanese's actions.
The Japanese were helpless. A large force pursuing them wasn't enough to outrun them, and it wasn't worth it. A small force pursuing them couldn't even defeat them, and they were furious, but there was nothing they could do. At that time, the Japanese had a total force of over one million, fighting on multiple fronts simultaneously. Encirclement was also unrealistic. With large forces engaged, they didn't have enough manpower.
In 1938, what was to come would eventually come, and he could not control the overall situation. On the eve of the Battle of Yangcheng, Wang Yan led his troops back to Foshan.
After such a long time, Wang Yan's team has developed well. In addition, Zhou Qingquan has been doing business. Although affected by the war, there is still some surplus. At least there is no shortage of guns and ammunition.
Thanks to (book friend 20190913143835332) for the reward of 100 coins.
Thank you to all the big brothers who voted for the monthly tickets. There are too many of you to thank me enough. I appreciate your kindness.
Thanks to the good brothers who voted and recommended it.
Thanks to the good brothers who spoke and those who did not speak but just read.
Thank you brothers for your strong support.