56: Hell Cableway Project

"He's awake!"

"Mr. Chen is awake!"

Voices swarmed in from all directions. Chen Xi opened his eyes to see several faces leaning in close: Xie Jinyuan, Shangguan Zhibiao, and the Scar-faced Platoon Leader. Their faces were smeared with mud and blood, and their eyes were bloodshot.

"You..." Xie Jinyuan began, his voice rasping heavily. "You just now..."

"I won't die," Chen Xi interrupted him.

He pushed against the ground, trying to sit up. A sharp pain shot through his left shoulder, as if the entire bone had been shattered. He let out a muffled groan, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Shangguan Zhibiao hurriedly supported him.

When his hand touched Chen Xi's arm, Chen Xi's body stiffened. It hurt. With 100% pain synchronization, every wound was screaming. But he gritted his teeth and endured it without making a sound.

After sitting up, he took a few breaths.

The warehouse was very dark. There were only a few oil lamps, casting a dim yellow light. He could see the Soldiers gathering around, about twenty of them, huddled in a circle. There was something burning in their eyes—worry, expectation, and a hint of despair.

"How long has it been?" Chen Xi asked.

"Since you collapsed... about twenty minutes," Xie Jinyuan said.

"What about the feint?"

"It's still going on. But it won't last long. The Japanese Army will soon notice the firepower in the warehouse has weakened."

Chen Xi nodded.

He looked out through the breach. It was completely dark. It was still raining—a drizzle, not too heavy. There was gunfire, explosions, and firelight near the bridgehead in the distance. The feint was underway.

"Map," he said.

Xie Jinyuan spread the map on the ground. The paper was worn, with curled edges and various marks made in pencil.

Chen Xi leaned in to look.

The warehouse's location, Suzhou Creek, the buildings on the opposite bank, and the Japanese Army's firing positions.

He pointed his finger. From the roof of the warehouse to the roof of a three-story building on the opposite bank, he drew a straight line.

"We're not taking the water route," he said.

He moved his finger to the bridge's location.

"Nor the land route."

His finger returned to that straight line.

"We're going through the air."

The warehouse fell silent for a moment.

There was only the sound of distant gunfire and raindrops hitting the wooden boards.

Shangguan Zhibiao blinked. "Through... the air?"

"A Zipline," Chen Xi said. "Set it up across the creek, and people slide across."

"Zip... line?" the Scar-faced Platoon Leader repeated the word as if he were hearing it for the first time.

"Yes."

"How do we set it up?" Shangguan Zhibiao asked.

"I have the tools," Chen Xi said. "It can be done."

"What tools?"

Chen Xi didn't answer. He looked at Xie Jinyuan. "Commander, I need cover. Continue the feint to draw the Japanese Army's attention. The more commotion, the better."

Xie Jinyuan stared at the line on the map.

He looked at it for a long time.

Then he looked up. "This Zipline... how much weight can it hold?"

"Two at a time. Total weight not exceeding three hundred catties."

"Over four hundred people, how long will it take to slide across?"

"Half an hour. Maybe forty minutes."

"What if the Japanese Army finds out?"

"That's why we need cover," Chen Xi said. "And it must be done at night. We'll be exposed once it gets light."

Xie Jinyuan fell silent again.

He tapped his finger on the map.

"Mr. Chen," he said, "this plan... is too..."

"Too outrageous?" Chen Xi finished for him.

"Yes," Xie Jinyuan admitted. "I've been fighting for over a decade, and I've never seen such a method of retreat."

"Because no one has this tool," Chen Xi said.

"What tool?" Shangguan Zhibiao couldn't help but ask again.

Chen Xi still didn't answer. He looked at Xie Jinyuan. "Commander, do you trust me?"

Xie Jinyuan didn't answer immediately.

He looked around. The Soldiers were all watching him. There was doubt and confusion in their eyes, but also a hint of... hope. Like a drowning man seeing a straw; even knowing it might not hold, he still wanted to grab it.

"I do," Xie Jinyuan said. "You've saved us many times."

"Then this time is no different," Chen Xi said.

He pushed himself up from the ground. His legs were weak, and he swayed. Shangguan Zhibiao steadied him.

"I'm fine," Chen Xi said, pushing his hand away.

He walked to the wall and leaned against it, taking a few breaths.

Then he pulled a Spool of wire from his chest.

It was wooden, wound with silver-gray wire. It glinted with a metallic luster under the oil lamp's light.

"Just this?" The Scar-faced Platoon Leader leaned in to look. "This thing... can set up a Zipline?"

"It can."

"How?"

"Fire it from the warehouse roof to the opposite bank. It sets itself up automatically."

"Automatically?" another officer frowned. "What does that mean?"

"It means no one needs to go over," Chen Xi said. "The wire flies over and secures itself."

The warehouse fell silent again.

This time, the silence lasted longer.

"Mr. Chen," Shangguan Zhibiao spoke up, his tone cautious. "Did you... hurt your head?"

"No."

"Then what you're saying..."

"Is a fairy tale," the Scar-faced Platoon Leader cut in. "The wire flies over on its own? And secures itself? Do you think this is a magic trick?"

"It's not a trick," Chen Xi said. "It's technology."

"Technology?" The Scar-faced Platoon Leader didn't understand the word.

"It's... overseas technology," Chen Xi rephrased.

"Overseas technology can make a wire fly on its own?" Another officer shook his head. "Mr. Chen, we know you're incredible. We've seen the scythe, the slingshot, and the spray. But this... is too far-fetched."

"Yeah," someone echoed. "How is that possible?"

Doubts began to pile up.

"Where does the cable come from? Can such a thin wire support a person?"

"Even if it can be set up, how will people slide? What will they use?"

"What if there are Japanese Soldiers on the roof of the opposite building?"

"What if they fall into the river halfway across?"

"Over four hundred people in half an hour? One after another? How long would that line be?"

Questions came one after another.

Chen Xi didn't answer.

He leaned against the wall and listened.

His body was in pain. His left shoulder, right hand, left ribs, internal organs. Everywhere hurt. But his face remained expressionless.

When the questioning died down a bit, he spoke.

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear in the warehouse.

"When the scythe cut through iron like butter, you also thought it was impossible."

"When the slingshot sniped from three hundred meters away, you also thought it was impossible."

"When the spray saved the critically wounded, you also thought it was impossible."

He paused.

"Now, with a Zipline across the creek, you still think it's impossible."

He looked at the officers.

"Then you tell me, how do we retreat?"

No one spoke.

"Forcing a breakthrough across the bridge means seventy percent casualties," Chen Xi continued. "That's your own calculation. Fewer than fifty people would survive."

He pointed outside.

"Over there, at the bridgehead, the brothers in the feint are fighting for their lives. Every extra minute is another minute of danger. They are using their lives to buy you time."

"Now, I'm saying there's a way to live. And you don't believe me."

He stopped.

He took a breath.

Then he said, "Then forget it."

He put away the Spool, turned, and prepared to walk out.

"Mr. Chen!" Xie Jinyuan called out to him.

Chen Xi stopped but didn't look back.

"Where are you going?"

"To the roof," Chen Xi said. "To set up the Zipline. Believe it or not. Once it's up, those who want to leave can leave. Those who don't can stay."

Having said that, he continued walking.

His steps were a bit unsteady, but he didn't stop.

"Mr. Chen!" Shangguan Zhibiao caught up. "I didn't mean that..."

"Then what did you mean?" Chen Xi asked.

Shangguan Zhibiao choked on his words.

Chen Xi reached the stairwell and began to climb. The stairs were steep; he grabbed the handrail and moved up step by step. His movements were slow but steady.

Xie Jinyuan watched his receding back.

Then he turned to face the officers.

"Did you all hear that?" he said.

The officers looked at each other.

"Commander, this plan..." the Scar-faced Platoon Leader still wanted to speak.

"The plan is outrageous," Xie Jinyuan interrupted. "But has Mr. Chen done few outrageous things?"

He scanned the crowd.

"Was the scythe outrageous? It was. But it cut through the Japanese Soldiers' bayonets."

"Was the slingshot outrageous? It was. But it killed a machine gunner three hundred meters away."

"Was the spray outrageous? It was. But it saved a brother whose stomach had been ripped open."

He paused.

"Now, he says he can set up a Zipline. I believe him."

"Why?" someone asked.

"Because there is no other way," Xie Jinyuan said. "Because he is Chen Xi. Because he has never let us down."

Having said that, he turned and also headed toward the stairs.

"Commander!" Shangguan Zhibiao called out.

Xie Jinyuan stopped.

"Pass on my orders," he said. "Continue the feint, and intensify the firepower. Use everything that can make a noise. Grenades, explosive packs, iron drums—throw everything you've got. Buy Mr. Chen some time."

"Yes, sir!" Shangguan Zhibiao snapped to attention.

"Also," Xie Jinyuan looked at the officers, "those who are willing to believe, come upstairs with me to help. Those who don't, stay here and prepare for a forced breakthrough."

He finished and turned to go upstairs.

His footsteps echoed on the stairs.

The officers were stunned for a few seconds.

Then the Scar-faced Platoon Leader was the first to follow.

Then the second.

The third.

Everyone followed.

Shangguan Zhibiao stood where he was, looking at the empty warehouse.

Then he turned and roared toward the outside, "Pass the order! Increase the pressure! Hit them with everything you've got!"

After roaring, he also rushed toward the stairs.