Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 156 Preparation Ceremony

While Zhang Haoshan and Bi Shoucai were visiting various locations around the Second War Zone Command headquarters, the tombstones for the fallen soldiers, which Tang Guo was in charge of overseeing, were finally completed.

"Report, young master, the tombstones for the fallen soldiers are all finished." Tang Guo came to Tang Weiguo's office to report in person after the tombstones were completed.

"So fast, I thought it would take more days."

“Young master, the stonemasons we hired from down the mountain were extremely enthusiastic when they heard that we were erecting a monument for the martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting the Japanese devils. They worked overtime and were almost always on site, which is about four days ahead of schedule.”

“Young master, we offered them payment, but they refused. They said that erecting a monument for the martyrs is their honor, and that they all sacrificed themselves to protect this land beneath our feet, so they wouldn’t accept money.”

"Although they couldn't go to the battlefield to fight the Japanese like the soldiers, they hoped to indirectly support the resistance against Japan by erecting a monument for the soldiers and share their meager strength with our militia in the fight against Japan."

"Our fellow villagers are still so kind and simple. Sending a goose feather from afar is a small gift but carries great meaning," Tang Weiguo said, somewhat moved.

"Yes, young master, if all the officials in the city thought and acted this way, how could we have let the Japanese devils reach here?"

"What a tragedy!" Tang Guo sighed helplessly.

"However, we told the stonemasons we hired that we appreciated their kindness and were very grateful for everything they had done, but they must be paid in full for their work."

"They are just ordinary people who need to earn money to support their families. They are working for us for free. How will they support their families when they go back home? So you need to personally oversee this matter and make sure that everyone's payment is distributed to them." Tang Weiguo repeatedly instructed Tang Guo.

"Yes, young master, I will definitely hand over all the money to them."

"Make sure to pay the full amount!" Tang Weiguo emphasized again.

"Yes."

"Young Master, now that the tombstone is ready, when should we prepare for the memorial ceremony?" Tang Guo asked.

“We set a date for three days from now. I will inform Tang Xiaohu, Tang Dazhuang, and several other battalion commanders to come over and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers together.”

"Yes."

"By the way, in the next few days, go back and draft a procedure for commemorating the fallen soldiers. This matter must be done seriously to ensure it is solemn and solemn."

"Yes."

"You should also discuss this matter with Staff Officer Long and the others."

"Yes, young master, I've got it."

"Well, how's it going with the investigation I arranged for the families of fallen and wounded soldiers?" Tang Weiguo asked with particular concern.

“Young Master, I have organized four working groups to investigate each of the addresses listed in the roster of fallen and wounded soldiers.”

"Okay, okay, this matter must be done seriously. Tell the members of the working group that if this matter is handled well, they will be credited for their merits."

"Young master, I guarantee there won't be any problems. Many of the members of this working group are disabled veterans. With them supervising, there won't be any major issues."

"Ah, very good."

"Go back now and prepare for the memorial ceremony for the fallen soldiers the day after tomorrow. This is the first formal ceremony our militia has held. It concerns the dignity of the fallen soldiers and the face of the living members of our militia, so don't make any mistakes."

"Some people have died, but they still live on. As long as we remember them forever, they will live on in our memories and in the memories of our descendants, forever immortal!"

"Yes, young master, I guarantee to complete the mission!" Tang Guo said solemnly.

"Okay, you can go back and prepare now. Notify the logistics department to provide the necessary supplies."

"Yes," Tang Guo said and then left.

After Tang Guo left, Tang Weiguo dialed the phone on the table. Since telephones were installed in all the militia outposts in Wolong Mountain, communication efficiency had improved dramatically.

"Connect me to the intelligence department."

"Okay, Li Qin, notify the battalion commanders of the first to fourth battalions to return to the Wolong Mountain garrison early three days from now to participate in the ceremony to commemorate the fallen soldiers."

"Yes, Captain."

"it is good."

After returning home, Tang Guo immediately got to work. Regarding the proper procedures for commemorating the fallen soldiers, he decided to refer to local customs and then modify them according to the actual situation of the militia. His idea was unanimously agreed upon by the staff of the soldiers' service center. For this purpose, Tang Guo specially went back to Tangjia Town to find the old steward of the Tang family mansion for help.

"Old steward, I'm back." Tang Guo arrived at the Tang family compound, returning to this familiar place once again.

"Tang Guo is back. It's been a long time since we last saw each other. Last time, Xiao Hu told me that you were wounded in battle and lost an arm." The old butler looked at the empty sleeve on his right side with a hint of sadness.

"It was the old butler. He was hit by a Japanese shell on the battlefield and lost an arm, but he survived. I'm much luckier than those fallen soldiers." Tang Guo didn't care at all about losing an arm. Even though he was disabled, he was still working for the young master and contributing to the militia.

"You young men are all excellent!"

"Old steward, I need your help with something this time," Tang Guo asked.

"Tell me, if there's anything this old man can do to help, I'll risk my life to help you." The old butler looked astonished.

"Old steward, it's like this, the young master is preparing to hold a formal memorial ceremony for the fallen soldiers, so I would like to ask you about the relevant knowledge."

"Weiguo, that boy, is thoughtful. He hasn't forgotten the soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting the Japanese devils. He truly deserves to be a member of the Tang family. If our old master is watching from heaven, he will surely be happy for Weiguo." The old steward bowed again and again in the direction of his master's grave.

"Leave this to me. I'll teach you. We must do a good job for these sacrificed children." The old butler immediately accepted the task.

"Yes, old butler."

Over the next day, under the guidance of the old steward and with the collective wisdom of the staff of the soldiers' service department, Tang Guo also specifically asked for the opinions of Staff Officer Long and the young master, and finally formulated a suitable procedure.

"Young Master, please take a look." Tang Guo handed the final version of the plan to Tang Weiguo.

"Okay, let me take a look." Tang Weiguo took it and examined it carefully.

"Hmm, not bad, very good, let's do it this way."

"Can we finish preparing by tomorrow?"

"With the help of the logistics department and the soldiers of the first battalion, there will be no problem."

"it is good."

"When do you plan to hold the event?"

"Tomorrow afternoon."

"okay."