Chapter 3 Heaven and Earth (Twelve Part One)

"Uncle Scar, it's really thanks to you." Zhang Songling walked forward and reached out to hold the shaking old scab, who was about to fall. With the simple medical conditions of the guerrillas, it was definitely a miracle to be able to rob Zhao Tianlong's life from the King of Hell. As for the subsequent diagnosis and treatment and rehabilitation matters, as long as you think about it, there will always be solutions. If it really doesn't work, it's really like Lao Scar said just now. It's not impossible to kidnap a Japanese doctor in Chenyang, Peking and other places.

After undergoing surgery for one day and one night, Lao Scar was really exhausted. He first leaned on Zhang Songling's arm and sniffed a few times, then whispered: "It's not that I'm sorry for me, but that I'm strong enough. To be honest, I can't save anyone else. Oh, let's not say this anymore, hurry up and see him, remember not to talk to him, and don't make him lose his temper."

"Well, I remember, Uncle Scar." Zhang Songling agreed, raised his legs and walked inside. One foot had already stepped on the threshold, but hesitated and turned around and shouted in a low voice: "Siqin, sister-in-law, go in first. Brother Long most hopes to see now should be you."

"Then, then I will go in." Siqin raised her eyes and cried into Taozi, asking tentatively. After experiencing great joy and great sorrow, then thrilling great joy, her spirit was extremely fragile. No matter what she heard, she couldn't believe it was true. She wanted to re-verify it so as not to be "deceived" again.

"Get in now." Zhang Songling sighed pitifully, opened his head, let Siqin enter the ward, and closed the door from outside.

No one continued to try to squeeze in, nor did he raise any objections, although everyone hoped to see the deputy captain turn the crisis into safety with his own eyes. The ward was too small and at this moment, he could no longer hold a third person.

Two days later, Zhou Heicang led Medical Officer Li from the independent camp to the mountain and used a war horse to carry five or six boxes of special Western medicines that were rare on the market. However, to everyone's disappointment, the experienced professional surgeon was helpless with the shrapnel in Zhao Tianlong's body. He took advantage of the weak and drowsy side of the other party's body and repeatedly checked it several times. Medical Officer Li finally concluded: "Those shrapnel may be stuck in the spine. It's okay if he doesn't work. At least Master Long can still save his life. If he is forced to perform surgery, if he touches the large blood vessels and spinal nerves, he may become disabled even if he doesn't die."

"Then, is there no other way?" Zhang Songling was anxious and grabbed Medical Officer Li's sleeve and asked.

"There's no way." Medical Officer Li shook his head helplessly, with an apology on his face, "Not only here, I'm afraid there will be no one in the entire Northern Army who can perform surgery on him. First, no one has the experience of doing this kind of surgery and cannot be done randomly. Second, if you do this kind of surgery, you must use a professional X-ray machine. At present, even in the Japanese-occupied area, that thing can only be seen in a few large hospitals. I have never heard of it in ordinary hospitals."

"Then, that,." Zhang Songling frowned and was anxious. Just a few minutes ago, he discussed with Zhou Heicang how to rob a Japanese military doctor from Chenyang City without knowing it. At present, the road was completely blocked. Even if they had the means to rob the military doctor, they could not steal an X-ray machine from the hospital.

Just when he was helpless, Fang Guoqiang, who had been silent before, suddenly patted his own head and whispered: "Is it an X-ray machine? I know where to find it? There is one in the Bethune International Peace Hospital, which is the legacy left to the hospital by Dr. Bethune. I read the relevant content in the report on the advanced deeds of the martyrs Bethune two years ago." (Note 1)

"Bethune International Peace Hospital, what you are talking about is located in Tang County, Hebei." As if you saw the first glimmer of light in the boundless darkness, Zhang Songling quickly turned around and grabbed Fang Guoqiang's shoulder.

"Well, it's the one that was originally called the rear hospital in the Jin-Cha-Hebei Military Region. It was changed to its current name early last year to commemorate Dr. Bethune." Fang Guoqiang nodded vigorously, "The current director comes from India, and his level is very high. Many wounded people were pulled back from the brink of death by him. His name was also mentioned in the commendation report for the Hundred Regiments War." (Note 2)

After all, he is a full-time political worker and is familiar with all kinds of documents. Without thinking carefully, he can state the relevant parts as if they are aware of them. After hearing this, Zhang Songling was immediately excited. He grabbed Fang Guoqiang's shoulder and said anxiously: "Hurry and send a telegram to Political Commissar Su and ask him to help contact Bethune Hospital. When Brother Long's condition stabilizes, I will send him over here in person. I am familiar with the road there and guarantee that there will be no problems."

"I, my shoulders." Although Fang Guoqiang was considered strong, he was not on the same order of magnitude as Zhang Songling. He was caught in pain and bared his teeth and protested in a low voice, "Relax your hand quickly, you will remove my shoulders. Let's send the telegram together. As for who will escort Brother Long in the end, you will make a decision now. According to the discipline, if there is any cooperation between several military sub-districts, we have no right to make decisions at all. We have to follow the arrangements of our superiors."

"Ah, that's right." Zhang Songling let go of his fingers awkwardly and apologized in a low voice, "I was too anxious just now, and I didn't expect this level."

"What else can you think of now?" Fang Guoqiang gave him a blank look, rubbed his shoulder and complained. For two days and nights, the other party was either guarding Zhao Tianlong's bed or guarding the door of the ward, not having enough time to sleep or eat. As for the various affairs of the guerrillas and the base area, they pushed them all to others. It was really irresponsible to do so.

"Isn't it that you and Lao Zheng? I just came back and my eyes turned dark. The more I did, the more trouble I caused you to make trouble for you two." Zhang Songling immediately understood the implicit meaning of the other party, smiled again, and responded apologetically.

In front of outsiders such as Zhou Heicang and Medical Officer Li, Fang Guoqiang couldn't speak too deeply, and sighed and reminded him politely: "No matter what, Battalion Commander Zhou and Medical Officer Li have helped us a lot this time. Even if we have money, we may not be able to buy the medicines they brought."

"There is no need to say these words, as long as they can be effective for Brother Long's injury." Zhou Heichang was very unhappy and pinched him with his eyelids, sneering and shook his head, "You came late, I don't know the friendship between the three of us. If I were to lie here today, I can guarantee that Fatty, Brother Long, will also take out all the things to save my life, whether I am a bandit leader or a Kuomintang."

Note 1: Bethune, a member of the Canadian Communist Party, graduated from the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 1916 and received a bachelor's degree. He served as a captain military doctor and director of surgery in the UK and Canada. He was admitted as a member of the Royal Society of Surgery in 1922. In March 1938, he led a medical team composed of Canadians and Americans to China. He soon went to the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region. In addition to going to the front line to rescue the wounded, he also organized the production of various medical equipment, imparted knowledge to medical staff, compiled medical illustration manuals, and trained a large number of health cadres, countless living people. In the late 1939, Bethune died of infection during surgery.
Chapter completed!