Chapter Seven, The Female Student in the Church

Lin Shiqian is quite capable; he swiftly organized a group of soldiers to go out on guard duty

After Su Rui and the others had all entered the church, Wang Dezi, who was the last to walk in, did not forget to close the main door, secure the door frame, and add several large stones for reinforcement

Su Tong nodded while walking and said: "Hmm, not bad. Mr. Tabitha, please go prepare food for our soldiers now, as both my soldiers and I are hungry"

"Major, you have violated our agreement. You should not have entered here; this place is filled with innocent civilians"

Surui's expression carried a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile. The Japanese army had not yet entered the city, and he could hardly believe that so many female students would simultaneously come seeking the protection of this bearded man. After all, Nanjing had not yet fallen.

As Su Rui turned around, he saw Tabitha standing behind him, her expression filled with anger. Su Rui had no good feelings towards this foreigner, and with a stern face, he asked: "Pastor Tabitha, what on earth is going on? How come you have such students here? And they are all female?"

Beneath the cross stands a large wooden table made of white birch, which is likely used by Tabitha during her sermons. Two candles are lit on the table, and the dim candlelight casts an especially somber glow around the surroundings

At that moment, a slender figure stood up and walked straight to Su Rui, staring at him fearlessly and said: "It was I who said it, so what? You soldiers can shamelessly hide in a church, yet we are not allowed to speak up? I believe our country and its resources are being bullied by the small Japanese because there are too many cowards like you, you shameless deserter!" The female student's words were like a machine gun, leaving Su Rui speechless.

You bastard

After seeing Tabise leave, Su Rui looked at Lin Shiqian and said, "Squad Leader Lin, although we have temporarily found a place to settle down, I estimate that it is not very safe here. You should arrange for a few people to keep watch at the surrounding high points, so that if the enemy breaks in, there will be someone to sound the alarm."

Having spoken, Su Rui let out a soft sigh, turned around, and walked away. At this moment, his heart was filled with sorrow. He knew that a tragic and unimaginable event was about to unfold before him, yet he felt utterly powerless to intervene.

Unable to hold back a curse again, Su Rui felt that the number of curses he uttered today exceeded that of an entire month in the past

What is going on here

Surui's face turned red with anger. Having grown up and struggled in society for several years, it was not surprising for someone like him, a poor loser, to be looked down upon by rich and beautiful women or handsome and wealthy men. However, he had never been directly insulted by any woman as a coward or a deserter.

The crowd arrived at the front of the church, and Tabitha pushed open the large door, saying to Suri: "We have arrived, Major. You and your subordinates may enter, but I hope you will keep the promise you just made."

Tabitha looked deeply at Suri and nodded, saying: "Of course, please wait a moment."

Surui suddenly turned around, staring straight back, her face filled with anger

Tabitha's expression darkened, "Their principal from m.hetushu.com was killed by a Japanese bomb on the way to the market!"

Surrey asked unhappily, "What about their principal? How could he be so irresponsible as to leave these students here? Where has he gone?"

Isn't it so? Or have they all felt the call of the Lord, coming here specifically to seek solace from you during this time of chaos and turmoil

In an instant, the hall fell silent, with only the soft sobbing of a group of female students in the corner being heard

"Commander, is it not the duty of you soldiers to protect us common people? Why are you so pessimistic when Nanjing has not yet fallen? You Nationalist troops are truly pathetic. Do you still deserve to wear this military uniform?"

After a long while, Su Rui finally managed a bitter smile. She strode over to the corner of the wall, just about to speak, when unexpectedly, those female students all screamed in fright, huddling together. At that moment, they resembled a group of quails trembling in the cold wind.

Having finished speaking, Su Rui reached out to take the revolver that Lin Shiqian had handed over, and walked deeper into the hall...

Surrey paid him no mind, the muzzle still aimed at the bearded priest's face.

Who is speaking? Step forward!

Do I really look so much like a bad person?

Surrey shook his head and quickened his pace towards the door. At that moment, a hoarse voice filled with anger sounded behind him

When Su Rui entered the church, he discovered that this church was not only magnificently built but also exceptionally sturdy. The entire structure was constructed from hard bluestone, reinforced steel, and high-quality bricks. The main body of the church was divided into three levels, with an adjacent two-story annex. In Su Rui's view, this church was more than sufficient to serve as a fortress.

Seeing the obvious distrust on Su Rui's face, Tabitha shook her head and said, "Well, these students are all from the nearby Jinling Girls' School. The principal and I are old friends. With the war breaking out, classes have been suspended, and the other students have all gone home. Only these out-of-town students are unable to return for the time being, which is why their principal entrusted them to me. The rest of the situation you have already witnessed"

Damn it! Pastor Tabitha gritted her teeth and said: "Do you think I forced them all to come here?"

Seeing the panicked female students, Su Rui felt a deep sense of indignation. She swallowed the words she had originally intended to say and finally spoke softly: "Nanjing cannot be defended any longer. It is very dangerous for you students to remain here. Once the Japanese enter the city, they will not care whether your faces are smeared with dirt; they will do what they must. I suggest you hurry to Yijiangmen. As long as you cross the river, you will be safe."

Lin Shiqian nodded and said, "The commander is right; I will immediately arrange for several brothers to stand guard around the area"

I do not know whether you are innocent or not; I only want to understand why there are so many female students here. What exactly is going on

In an instant, Su Rui's face alternated between pale and flushed, and in a fit of excitement, his right hand began to reach for the revolver at his waist

In the church's book, there is a small door, which is likely leading to the living area of the church. After Su Rui pushed open that small door, what greeted his eyes was a vast hall. Before Su Rui could fully take in the hall, a chorus of gasps and screams immediately rang in his ears

What on earth is going on? When Su Rui focused his eyes and clearly saw the situation in the hall, he couldn't help but be stunned.

Having finished speaking, Tabitha stepped towards the small side door.

Indeed, Su Rui has accurately guessed it. This church was originally built in 1900, funded by the American missionary Joseph. At that time, due to the turbulent situation in Nanjing, Joseph had to consider the defensive function more during the construction of this church.

Forget it, I don't even know if I can escape from Nanjing alive, so how can I care about the lives and deaths of others

Observing the more than ten soldiers on guard outside, Su Rui finally felt a bit more at ease. He glanced around, walked up to Lin Shiqian, and said: "Squad Leader Lin, I would like to take a look inside; could you lend me your gun for a moment"

As Su Rui spoke, the muzzle of the pistol in his hand was subtly aimed at Tabitha's chest.

At that time, the people of the nation were very simple and no one thought of engaging in any shoddy projects. Under the generous financial support from the American church, this church was built exceptionally solidly. Even after more than thirty years of trials and tribulations, it remains as sturdy as ever.

In a corner of the spacious hall, dozens of girls dressed in student uniforms, their faces marked with streaks of dirt, huddled together in terror as they looked at him. The old-fashioned uniforms, a blend of blue and black, gave Su Rui a sense of temporal dislocation. At that moment, they gazed fearfully at Su Rui, who was clad in a blue military uniform, their eyes radiating fear as if they were staring at a prehistoric giant that had suddenly invaded their home.

Lin Shiqian said with some concern: "Chief, should I send two brothers to accompany you? In case that foreign monk resorts to trickery, we would be better prepared."

Su Tong was the first to step inside. Upon entering the church, Su Rui's first sight was the enormous cross hanging in the church hall, along with the hundreds of chairs in the hall

Clang!

Come on, I'm just a bystander, alright? It's not like I borrowed this tiger skin for nothing. How did I become a deserter?

Grass

Before Su Rui could speak, a voice filled with terror and anger rang out beside him

Surrey shook his head: "No need for that, there won't be any trouble here. You should focus on arranging the lookout; in case something happens at night, we won't be caught off guard in our sleep."

The dark, oppressive clouds seemed almost within reach, and the distant, intermittent sounds of explosions created a profound sense of anxiety in one's heart

Seeing the major in front of him aiming the gun at himself, Pastor Tabitha became even angrier, "Oh... Shet, Major, can't you put that damn gun away? I believe your gun should be pointed at those Japanese outside, not at an innocent American like me"

Um ... ...

Pang Gang finally entered the magnificent church with the priest Tabitha.