"Blood and Tears Military Discipline: Zhang Zizhong's Tearful Horse Chopping"
Strict discipline is the key to the continuous victory of troops in battle, and since ancient times, the vast majority of the divisions that are famous in history have extremely strict military discipline, such as the Yue Family Army, the Qi Family Army, the Ye Ting Independent Regiment, and so on.
During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the troops led by Kuomintang general Zhang Zizhong also did not hesitate to give in discipline; he repeatedly demanded that everyone in the army must abide by military discipline and mercilessly sentenced his subordinates who violated discipline to death.
In March 1938, Zhang Zizhong's troops were on their way to Linyi to support friendly forces, but as the troops passed a village, a young girl from the village was ruined by his soldiers. But because it was dark, the girl did not see the soldier's face, making it difficult to identify the murderer.
The matter soon reached Zhang Zizhong, as an army with iron discipline, Zhang Zizhong's eyes could not tolerate the existence of moths, he immediately rectified the three armies, and roared: "Who did this?" Stand out, count you as a kind! ”
Of course, the murderer also knew Zhang Zizhong's fierce behavior, and did not say anything for a while, Zhang Zizhong was furious, and according to a key clue provided by the girl, he immediately let everyone, including himself, take off his pants and check his thighs one by one.
In the end, the murderer was caught out, Zhang Zizhong in order to serious military discipline, immediately ordered the law enforcement officer to shoot the murderer, but at the time of the execution, Zhang Zizhong cried...
So, who is the murderer who spoiled the young girl? Why did Zhang Zizhong let everyone take off their pants and check their thighs? Why did he shed tears for a subordinate who violated discipline? What's the secret in this?
In fact, the murderer who spoiled the girl was the famous anti-Japanese hero Sun Eryong, and the story of Zhang Zizhong's "tearful slashing horses" began when he participated in the Anti-Japanese War.
Zhang Zizhong, born on August 11, 1891 in Tangyuan Village, Linqing County, Shandong Province in an official family, his father Zhang Shugui was a late Qing magistrate with a sense of justice, under the influence of his father, Zhang Zizhong received a good education from a young age, admired Yue Fei, Guan Yu and other ancient loyal and righteous people, and gradually developed the idea of loyalty and love for the people.
In his youth, Zhang Zizhong actively responded to Sun Yat-sen's call for the Three People's Principles and took the initiative to join the Chinese League, and later joined the Feng Yuxiang Department of the Northwest Army, participated in warlord melee for many years, had very rich military experience, and became a general of the Northwest Army.
Sun Eryong mentioned above took the initiative to join the army during this period and joined Zhang Zizhong's team, his original name was Sun Yong, born poor, but he learned martial arts since childhood, strong martial arts, and courageous, and soon after entering the army, he was selected as Zhang Zizhong's personal guard, and the two were as close as brothers.
Shortly after Chiang Kai-shek's victory in the Central Plains, the remnants of the Northwest Army were reorganized into the 29th Army of the Kuomintang Army, and Zhang Zizhong served as the commander of the 38th Division of the army.
In 1931, when the 918 Incident broke out, the pace of aggression by the Japanese army gradually accelerated, and a few months later, the entire territory of Northeast China fell, and Japanese imperialism held Puyi hostage and established a puppet Manchukuo in Northeast China, and its expansion ambitions swelled sharply.
On March 4, 1933, Chengde was occupied by the Japanese army, and Xifengkou was in danger, which was one of the important passages from the northeast to the North China Plain, and its strategic position was extremely important, so the 29th Army was ordered to garrison here, and Zhang Zizhong's troops were stationed in the area of Zunhua Santunying.
A few days later, the Japanese army launched a fierce attack on Zhang Zizhong's department, although our army occupied the Great Wall Pass, defended by danger, and had the advantage of terrain, but helplessly the Japanese firepower was too fierce, and the battle fell into white heat at the beginning.
In order to prevent the Japanese from invading the Great Wall, the 29th Army specially set up a big knife team to raid the Japanese invaders, and the team was full of fighters who knew how to fist and foot kung fu, Sun Eryong was one of them.
During the entire Xifengkou War of Resistance, Sun Eryong cut off 18 heads of Japanese troops with a large knife in his hand, which instantly became famous throughout the country, Zhang Zizhong was very pleased, personally awarded him for meritorious service, and officially changed his name from Sun Yong to Sun Eryong.
However, due to the strength of the enemy army and Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance, the Japanese invaders finally broke through the Great Wall defense line, Xifengkou also fell into the enemy's hands, the pass was wide open, and the situation in Pingjin was critical.
On July 7, 1937, under the pretext of the disappearance of soldiers, the Japanese army intended to seize the county seat of Wanping through the Lugou Bridge, and immediately launched a fierce attack on the mainland defenders of the Lugou Bridge, and Sun Eryong led a half-company of soldiers at this time to participate in the battle to block the Japanese army at the Lugou Bridge.
In the face of the strength of a brigade of the Japanese army, Sun Eryong was not afraid at all, he immediately shouted to the soldiers "people are in the bridge, the bridge is lost and killed", and fought bravely with the enemy, but in the end, because he was outnumbered, most of the soldiers suffered casualties, and Sun Eryong also had to accept the order to withdraw from the battlefield, but his bravery was once again known to the world, and Zhang Zizhong also valued him more.
After the loss of the Lugou Bridge, the main force of the Japanese army began to launch a fierce attack on Beiping, and the soldiers of the 29th Army held the city and fought bravely, but due to the lack of support and the strength of the enemy, the deputy commander Tong Linge and the commander of the 132nd Division Zhao Dengyu unfortunately died and died heroically.
Army commander Song Zheyuan knew that Beiping was no longer possible, and in order to preserve the living forces resisting the Japanese army, he immediately instructed the main forces to withdraw from Beiping, and in order to cover the orderly withdrawal of the troops, Zhang Zizhong was ordered to stay in the city and serve as the acting mayor of Beiping City.
On July 29, Beiping fell, Zhang Zizhong lay down and continued to serve as the mayor of Beiping City, but he was also hated by the traitor spies, who wanted to put Zhang Zizhong to death, and Sun Eryong at this time stayed by Zhang Zizhong's side as a personal guard.
One night, Zhang Zizhong encountered an assassin on the road, his life was in danger, and at the critical moment, Sun Eryong rushed to Zhang Zizhong's body at once, firmly blocking the front with his body, his body was hit by three bullets from the enemy, and blood flowed to the ground.
But even though he was seriously injured, Sun Eryong did not fall, he gritted his teeth and continued to stand, until the assassin was killed by the accompanying guards, and then passed out, but fortunately survived under the doctor's rescue, but his body was also scarred.
After this incident, Zhang Zizhong trusted Sun Eryong even more, and soon after withdrawing from Beiping, he appointed Sun Eryong as the battalion commander of the guard battalion, and Sun Eryong lived up to his expectations, and under his full protection, Zhang Zizhong remained unharmed.
At the end of 1937, Nanjing and Jinan fell one after another, and in order to penetrate the battlefields of the north and south and realize its ambition of "destroying China", the Japanese army quickly mobilized heavy troops to attack Xuzhou along the Jinpu railway, and Taierzhuang, north of Xuzhou, became a strategic point for the Kuomintang army to block the enemy's southward movement.
In order to lure the enemy deeper, Li Zongren, who was in charge of the command of the campaign, ordered the Kuomintang army Pang Bingxun to build defensive positions in the Linyi area to attract enemy troops to attack, and sure enough, the main Japanese army, the 5th Division, planned to go south and launch a fierce attack on Linyi.
Seeing this, Li Zongren immediately ordered the 59th Army of the Kuomintang Army stationed in the Huaihe River Valley to reinforce Linyi, and the commander of the 59th Army was Zhang Zizhong, who had had a disagreement with Pang Bingxun in the past, and according to the intrigue within the Kuomintang, he could completely avoid reinforcements or deliberately slow down the speed of reinforcements.
But when it came to this insult, Zhang Zizhong decisively gave up his previous grudges and immediately ordered his troops to march to Linyi, and on the way to Linyi, an unexpected incident made Zhang Zizhong very angry...
Lessons from the past, iron discipline
One day in late March 1938, Zhang Zizhong was leading the soldiers of the 59th Army to gallop along the Jinpu Line, when suddenly it rained heavily, but Zhang Zizhong knew that the military situation was urgent and could not be delayed, so he strictly ordered the troops to continue to advance, and at the same time not to disturb the people, and the violators would be dealt with heavily.
The soldiers knew that Zhang Zizhong would do what he said, and at first no one dared to enter the homes of the people privately, but the rain in the sky kept falling, and the soldiers were very tired.
When passing by a small shop, two soldiers saw that umbrellas were being sold in the store, so they walked over, because they couldn't stand the heavy rain, they took two umbrellas in their hands, turned away without paying.
Seeing this, the shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward to stop and ask for umbrella money, and instead of giving money, the two soldiers beat the shopkeeper, who was very puzzled because he heard that this was Zhang Zizhong's troops.
The shopkeeper thought to himself, "Everyone rumors that Zhang Zizhong's troops have iron discipline, how can they act like this?" So, he decided to go to the army to find an officer in charge to understand, and coincidentally, the officer he asked was Sun Eryong, the commander of the guard battalion.
Sun Eryong, as a child of a poor family, has always been jealous of this bullying of the people, and he immediately reported the matter to Zhang Zizhong, who did not expect that there would be soldiers who openly violated military discipline in his ranks, and was immediately very angry, and immediately asked Sun Eryong to take the shopkeeper to find out the two soldiers who forcibly took umbrellas.
Sun Eryong was very efficient, and in less than ten minutes, the two soldiers were escorted by him to Zhang Zizhong, and before interrogation, the two confessed to the crime, and claimed that they took the umbrella only to avoid the rain, and the reason why they took it was because they didn't have a penny on them.
But these statements could not be a shirk of the two people's violation of discipline, Zhang Zizhong immediately asked people to blow the assembly number, and then read out the crimes committed by the two in front of all the soldiers in the army, and issued the punishment of shooting the two people, and the soldiers were shocked.
Zhang Zizhong said sincerely: "These two soldiers, it's not that I can't tolerate them, it's that military law is ruthless, we must have iron discipline if we want to win the battle, although they have made battle merits before, as long as they violate military discipline, they must be punished!" Only then did the soldiers show their understanding.
The shopkeeper did not expect Zhang Zizhong to make such a decision, he came here just to ask for an explanation, thinking that the soldiers who were about to go to the anti-Japanese front were going to be executed by their own people, the shopkeeper could not bear it, he hurriedly pleaded with Zhang Zizhong, but it had no effect.
Zhang Zizhong said to the shopkeeper: "Old man, the military order is like a mountain, you don't care anymore, this is our business, as for your umbrella to return in full, I will let people compensate you for your losses in a while." Although the shopkeeper felt sorry for the two soldiers, he admired Zhang Zizhong's deeds in his heart.
The execution was carried out by Sun Eryong, and after the two soldiers died, he untied the rope tied to them according to Zhang Zizhong's instructions, and then found two coffins and buried them.
Early the next morning, Zhang Zizhong personally went to the grave of the two soldiers, took off his military hat, and said very reproachfully: "I am sorry for you, and I complain that I did not teach you well on weekdays." Subsequently, he again strictly ordered the troops to strictly observe military discipline.
But early on the morning of the third day, an even worse thing reached Zhang Zizhong's ears, a mother and daughter from Tian Gezhuang Village came to the barracks crying, they specified their request to see Zhang Zizhong, and Zhang Zizhong's adjutant asked why.
The girl's mother's eyes were a little red and swollen, obviously she had been crying for a long time, and at this time she still had tears in the corners of her eyes, and said to the adjutant excitedly: "Last night, one of your soldiers climbed over the wall and entered the house and ruined my daughter, but my daughter has not yet married, how can she have a face in the future!" Because the night is too dark, I haven't seen the face of the warrior..." As she spoke, tears couldn't stop falling, and the girl cried.
The adjutant was shocked when he heard this, of course he knew the seriousness of this matter, because just the day before yesterday, two soldiers were dealt with by military law just for grabbing umbrellas, and they ruined the girl of the good family!
But the adjutant was very hesitant to tell Zhang Zizhong about this for a while, he understood that as long as he said it, it would mean that another soldier would lose his life, but out of sympathy for the mother and daughter and the mission of the soldier, the adjutant still informed Zhang Zizhong of the matter.
Zhang Zizhong was furious when he heard this, he couldn't understand that there would be people who would commit crimes against the wind, so he immediately asked Sun Eryong to gather the whole army, Zhang Zizhong said very angrily: "Last night, when our army was camping in Tian Gezhuang, a brother actually sneaked into a private house, and ruined the girl. Stand out, count you as a kind! ”
Facing the majesty of the military commander, Sun Eryong did not dare to speak, and his heart was full of regret...
The law did not tolerate mercy, and he was executed twice
Seeing that no one answered, Zhang Zizhong was even more angry, and he said loudly: "Who did it?" Hurry up and stand up for me! Don't you have a mother and a daughter? Think of them, be worthy of your conscience, stand up, I Lao Zhang will give you a salute first. ”
Sun Eryong's heart became even more nervous, and his body trembled subconsciously, but fortunately, he was standing behind Zhang Zizhong at this time and was not noticed.
Zhang Zizhong was completely enraged at this time, and he roared: "Don't you dare to admit it, right? I had a way, according to the victim, last night she scratched the root of the murderer's thigh and was bleeding, and after camping tonight, the whole army took off their pants one by one in a company unit for examination, including me. ”
That night, Zhang Zizhong entrusted the task of inspection to Adjutant Wang, Sun Eryong and Chief Zhou of the Military Justice Department, and the three immediately examined the soldiers after receiving the order, and Sun Eryong's heart was raised to his throat.
Soon, the results of the inspection came out, and Adjutant Wang hurriedly reported to Zhang Zizhong that no suspicious warriors were found, Zhang Zizhong was very puzzled, felt that this was impossible, so he asked him sternly: "Who else has not checked?" ”
"Only... Only me, Director Zhou, and Camp Commander Sun didn't investigate," Adjutant Wang replied tremblingly.
Sun Eryong was so frightened that he did not dare to look at Zhang Zizhong again, but in the end he could not bear the pressure and took the initiative to admit his crime, and Zhang Zizhong and the others present were shocked when they heard it.
Zhang Zizhong did not expect that this henchman who had followed him for many years and killed countless enemies would do such a unconscionable evil deed, you must know that just the day before yesterday, he specially let Sun Eryong execute the execution of those two soldiers.
Faced with the interrogation of the Military Justice Department, Sun Eryong said the cause of the matter, and he said to the military justice chief very movingly: "I am almost thirty now, but I have not touched a woman, this time I hit Taierzhuang, I know that the murder is more than bad, so I committed a wrong thing without paying attention..."
Zhang Zizhong's heart was very uncomfortable, and Sun Eryong's heart was full of regret, but the law did not tolerate mercy, in order to train an "iron army", Zhang Zizhong would not be merciful to any soldier who violated discipline, so he immediately ordered the people of the Military Justice Department to execute Sun Eryong.
In the spring of Lunan, the weather was still a little rough, Sun Eryong was tied up like the two soldiers who were shot the day before yesterday and escorted to the previously improvised execution ground, and the head of the Military Justice Department, Zhou Zhou, read Zhang Zizhong's order to the whole army: Sun Eryong committed a serious crime, he must die, and there is a remnant of death.
The soldiers were as angry as last time, some thought that he deserved it, some thought that he should be allowed to make meritorious contributions, unlike last time, Zhang Zizhong did not personally supervise the execution, because he also felt heartache in his heart.
Director Zhou shouted at Sun Eryong on the execution ground, "What else do you have to say?" ”
Sun Eryong knew that his crime was unforgivable, and at this moment, he did not resist or raise any protests, he only made one request to Director Zhou: "I hope to see the commander again." ”
Zhang Zizhong was sitting quietly in the barracks at this time, and after learning of Sun Eryong's request, he slapped the table with his right hand, and then said coldly: "Quick kill, no see!" ”
Adjutant Wang went to convey the order, but tears appeared in Zhang Zizhong's eyes at this time, because Sun Eryong was not only meritorious against Japan, but also his own lifesaver.
After the execution, Zhang Zizhong picked up the wine glass, drank it, and then asked the adjutant Wang who came back to his life: "What else did he say before he died?" ”
Adjutant Wang of course knew the friendship between Zhang Zizhong and Sun Eryong, and replied word by word: "Camp Commander Sun said that he will be a good man in twenty years, and when the commander needs it, he will also serve you as a guard!" Zhang Zizhong listened to the wine glass, did not speak, just let out a sigh...
In the following days, Zhang Zizhong could always recall the days when he fought with Sun Eryong when he was alone, and the simple and honest, loyal and brave warrior seemed to be by his side, and every time he thought of this, Zhang Zizhong couldn't help but shed tears.
One night, Zhang Zizhong was studying the combat map with a magnifying glass under a kerosene lamp, when suddenly, a guard walked in and hurriedly reported to him: "Report to the commander, Sun Eryong is back..."
Zhang Zizhong thought that he was dreaming, so he ignored it, and the guard reported to him again, and he woke up and immediately said loudly: "What, he is back, how is it possible, it has only been 20 days!" What the hell is going on here? ”
Subsequently, Sun Eryong appeared in front of Zhang Zizhong again under the leadership of the guards, Zhang Zizhong was even more surprised, and Sun Eryong truthfully told him the ins and outs of the matter.
It turned out that on the day of the execution, the soldier in charge of the execution could not bear to beat Sun Eryong to death because he admired him very much, but the military order was difficult to disobey, and he had to fight, but the hand holding the gun kept shaking, so that even two shots did not hit the point, and Sun Eryong just passed out.
At that time, everyone thought that Sun Eryong must have been killed, because the march was in a hurry, the executive officer gave the local people a burial fee, asking them to bury Sun Eryong on their behalf, but they did not expect that when the people buried him, they found that he was still alive, so they saved him.
Later, after more than ten days of careful care, Sun Eryong's body also improved, and his anti-Japanese deeds were also known by the villagers, and everyone admired him very much, and they advised him to stay incognito, go away from his hometown, and spend his life in peace.
But Sun Eryong is still a soldier in his bones, he still wants to protect his family and defend the country, so he refused the kindness of the villagers, and found Zhang Zizhong's troops alone and returned to the army, at this time he just wanted to kill a few more Japanese invaders in front of the battle and die on the battlefield.
After Zhang Zizhong saw Sun Eryong, his heart was very excited, and he also had the idea of letting him make meritorious contributions, but he knew that he couldn't, because once he started this head, strict military discipline would be impossible to talk about.
After some hesitation, Zhang Zizhong decided to execute Sun Eryong again, Sun Eryong was very puzzled, he felt that he had died once, thought that Zhang Zizhong did this is really unreasonable, in order to show his determination to return to the battlefield, he also exposed Zhang Zizhong to multiple scars on his body.
But Zhang Zizhong knew that the law was not merciful, he not only untied his clothes, but also let several division commanders under him show their chests one by one, showing Sun Eryong the scars, Sun Eryong saw this and immediately understood Zhang Zizhong's intentions, and said very movingly: "Please give me execution!" ”
In the early morning of the next day, Zhang Zizhong personally accompanied Sun Eryong to breakfast, and said to him with tears in his eyes: "Brother, you can go on the road with peace of mind, from now on, your mother will be my mother, and I will definitely kill more Japanese devils for you!" ”
Sun Eryong was executed again, this time the magistrate determined that he had lost his breath, and Zhang Zizhong also fulfilled his promise to kill more Japanese invaders, and since then led his subordinates to fight everywhere, and has been active in the anti-Japanese battlefield.
On May 16, 1940, Zhang Zizhong was unfortunately surrounded by heavy Japanese troops in the Battle of Zaoyi and died heroically at the age of 49.
