Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 17 Chu Yu Joins the Army

Tang Weiguo, having left the arsenal, passed by the newly built small hospital and went inside. At that moment, Chu Yu was giving a lesson to the newly recruited medics.

When Chu Yu saw Tang Weiguo enter, she stopped lecturing and said to everyone, "That's all for today's lecture. Everyone, please review what I taught today."

"Yes, Dr. Chu."

"Commander, hello." The newly arrived medics saluted in unison as they saw their commander enter.

"Everyone has worked hard, go and rest first."

After listening to Tang Weiguo's speech, the group of medics tactfully left.

"Miss Chu Yu, you've worked so hard lately, setting up the hospital and training new recruits, and you've done it all so well. You truly are a woman who doesn't yield to men," Tang Weiguo praised.

"It's all part of my job. My work isn't hard at all. Besides, Chu Xin helps me out all the time." Chu Yu didn't find her recent work hard at all.

Here, she felt as if she were part of an organization. The soldiers around her were full of spirit and exuded vitality. In her eyes, these were not just militia soldiers, but her comrades.

Of course, Chu Yu couldn't say these things in front of Tang Weiguo right now.

"Where is Miss Chu Xin?" Tang Weiguo asked.

The two of them are usually inseparable, so when Tang Weiguo saw that Chu Xin was not there, he became curious.

"Commander Tang, you didn't come here specifically to see Chu Xin, did you?" Chu Yu said sarcastically.

"Haha, that's right. I'm just curious."

"I came here today to see how the hospital construction is going; it's a matter of life and death for the soldiers in the future." Tang Weiguo changed the subject.

"Haha, Commander Tang, you look mature, but you're actually quite shy. I was just teasing you," Chu Yu joked.

"Chu Xin went down the mountain with the logistics platoon early this morning. She hasn't received any news from my hometown, and a lot of time has passed. She doesn't know what has happened to her family," Chu Yu said.

“That’s right, we should see if there’s any news,” Tang Weiguo replied.

In truth, Tang Weiguo still hoped that the Tang sisters would stay, at least so that the hospital would have doctors to choose from.

"Don't worry about the hospital construction, Commander Tang. Come on, I'll take you to see it." With that, Chu Yu led Tang Weiguo into another room.

When Tang Weiguo looked into the room, he saw that the walls were all whitewashed. There was a medical table with several commonly used diagnostic tools on it, including a stethoscope, a blood pressure monitor, and several thermometers. There was also a bed on the side, and the layout was basically the same as that of hospitals in later generations.

"Commander, this is the clinic, mainly for soldiers to see a doctor. It's officially operational now, and Chu Xin and I take turns working in the clinic."

"I didn't expect the hospital to be operational now," Tang Weiguo praised.

"The main problem was converting the hospital, but fortunately the militia soldiers worked hard and the conversion was completed much faster than I expected."

"These rooms next door are where the wounded soldiers live." Chu Yu led Tang Weiguo to a room next door.

This room is no different from the previous consultation room, except that it's filled with beds.

"The innermost room is the operating room." Chu Yu led Tang Weiguo into the operating room. The operating room was fully equipped with surgical instruments and sterilization equipment.

In Tang Weiguo's eyes, the hospital, though small, had all the necessary functions.

"Moreover, this operating room is connected to the cave, so in case of an emergency, we can be quickly transferred inside the cave," Chu Yu explained as they walked.

"Chu Yu, you've really thought this through. I really hate to see you leave now, and I hope you can stay in the future." Tang Weiguo said sincerely.

"Brother Tang, I've stayed here for so long and I like it here, but I still have to follow my family's arrangements." Chu Yu also had a little regret.

"I respect your decision. You've worked hard these past few days, building the hospital and training my medics," Tang Weiguo said gratefully again.

"Chu Yu, how's the recruitment going?" Tang Weiguo asked. Recently, Tang Weiguo had been leaving everything to Chu Yu and hadn't been paying much attention to it himself.

"We recruited 20 female soldiers and 30 male soldiers. Some of the male and female soldiers have attended school and can read basic characters. I plan to focus on training them, and then let the advanced ones lead the way for the less advanced ones," Chu Yu said, listing the details with great familiarity.

"This is a good idea, and it will also reduce your workload. From now on, male soldiers will follow the troops, while female soldiers will stay at the hospital. Female soldiers are more meticulous in taking care of the wounded," Tang Weiguo replied honestly.

"So, how was it? Are you satisfied with the inspection?" Chu Yu asked with a smile.

"Satisfied? Absolutely satisfied! You all deserve a big commendation!" Tang Weiguo said happily.

"Brother Tang, if you approve of me so much, then all my hard work has paid off." Chu Yu smiled charmingly.

Tang Weiguo chatted with Chu Yu for a while longer before leaving.

That evening, Chu Xin rushed back from the foot of the mountain to her quarters in the military camp. They lived in the same area as the female soldiers and officers, including Tang Weiguo, for their convenience.

When Chu Yu saw that Chu Xin had returned, she asked:

"Chu Xin, how is it? Have you received any news from your hometown?"

"Sister, I received it, look." Chu Xin carefully took out an envelope from her bag, the seal of which was covered with wax.

After receiving the letter, Chu Yu checked it carefully to make sure it hadn't been opened.

"Sister, I've checked everything, there's no problem," Chu Xin added as she saw Chu Yu checking the envelope.

"Let me take another look, don't worry." Chu Yu then opened the letter and began to read it.

"Sister, what did the letter say? When did it say when they would send someone to pick us up?" Chu Yu asked curiously.

"It seems we'll be spending a lot of time here from now on." Chu Yu handed the letter to Chu Xin to read.

"Really? Let me see." Chu Xin quickly took the letter and looked at it.

The letter reads:

"We are relieved to know that you two are safe. However, things are not very peaceful back home right now. For your safety, you should stay in Tangjia Town for the time being."

"Based on your letter, your family understands that the local militia in Tangjia Town is different from those in other places. You can join their ranks."

"There have been some changes at home recently, so I won't be able to contact you proactively for the time being. If you have any urgent matters, please send this letter to Li's Tea House at No. 78 Baichuan Road, addressed to your Uncle Li, Mr. Li San."

"Remember, remember."

"Finally, burn the letter upon receipt."

"Then should we obey the organization's arrangements?" Chu Xin asked.

“Then we will obey the organization’s arrangements and stay,” Chu Yu decided.

The next morning, Chu Yu took Chu Xin to find Tang Weiguo.

"Brother Tang, I have something to report to you," Chu Yu said.

"Chu Yu and Chu Xin are here. What do you want to report?" Tang Weiguo asked with curiosity.

“We received a reply from our relatives yesterday. My sister and I can’t go there for the time being, so last night Chu Xin and I discussed it and decided to join Brother Tang’s militia,” Chu Yu said earnestly.

"What? Did I hear that right? You two sisters are going to join?" Tang Weiguo's face was filled with shock and ecstasy.

"It couldn't be more real."

"That's fantastic!" Tang Weiguo was so happy he almost jumped for joy. He had been quite anxious lately because he couldn't find a hospital, but with the Chu sisters joining in, the problem would be solved perfectly.

"Brother Tang, this is the first time I've seen you so unsteady," Chu Yu said with a smile.

"Please excuse my rudeness, I'm just so happy," Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"From now on, Chu Yu, you will be the director of the militia hospital, and Chu Xin will be the vice director," Tang Weiguo announced.

"Yes." Chu Yu casually gave a standard military salute.

"From now on, I can't call you Brother Tang anymore; I'll have to call you Commander," Chu Yu said with a smile.

“Names are just labels, it doesn’t matter what you call me,” Tang Weiguo said with a smile.

"Welcome to the militia. From now on, we're all one family." Tang Weiguo extended his hand.

“From now on, we’re family.” Chu Yu also extended her hand to shake hands with Tang Weiguo.