East (Upper Middle Lower)

Author: Wei Wei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The novel comprehensively reflects the great victory of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea through its depiction of the Korean battlefield and rural life in China. Company Commander Guo Xiang returns home to visit his mother and learns of the U.S. landing at Incheon. He and his comrade Yang Xue return to the unit early. They were childhood friends, and Guo secretly loved Yang Xue, but Captain Lu Xirong had tricked Yang into falling for him and was preparing to marry her soon. Yang was determined to go to the front lines, while Lu Xirong suspected Guo of undermining their relationship. At this time, a soldier deserted the unit. It turned out to be Wang Dafu, known as the "troublesome mule," who felt the revolution was complete and that his hometown had been divided up, so his mother no longer needed to beg. Guo Xiang placed him in confinement. The Central Committee decided to form the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and soldiers eagerly enrolled. Under the education of the regiment's political commissar, Wang Dafu resolved to defeat the U.S. and not return home. Company Commander Deng Jun returned to the unit early from the hospital. The entire regiment rushed to, determined to fight a good battle abroad. However, Lu Xirong ordered the troops to disperse to the sides of the highway, disrupting the battle plan. Soon after, enemy aircraft bombed them, and Guo Xiang couldn't resist firing his submachine gun. Many soldiers followed suit, forcing the enemy aircraft to flee. Lu Xirong wanted to punish Guo Xiang, but Company Commander Deng Jun affirmed Guo Xiang and the soldiers' "positive air defense." After the battle, the Chinese Volunteer Army finally stabilized the Korean situation. The situation in the rear was also grim. Landlords and rich peasants spread rumors and caused trouble, village cadres were lazy, and many poor and tenant farmers had to sell the land they had been allotted, leading to severe polarization in rural areas. The higher authorities promptly called for the establishment of agricultural cooperatives. The front-line battle intensified as MacArthur boasted that the Korean War would end by Christmas, launching a full-scale offensive with all his forces. The Chinese army resisted step by step and prepared for the second campaign. Deng Jun's regiment annihilated the pro-Japanese 7th Division and was ordered to march 140 miles in a hurry to prevent three U.S. divisions from retreating to Pyongyang. They successfully completed their tasks, creating the "dark December" for the U.S. and ending the second campaign. Lu Xirong had always performed poorly in Korea, causing multiple battle losses. The regiment's party committee decided to give him a warning and place him under probation. Yang Xue was deeply hurt when she realized Lu Xirong's true nature. Lu Xirong even faked a scene, injured his leg himself, and was removed from the unit and sent back home. Guo Xiang was injured in battle but saved by Wen Gongtu female violinist Xu Fang, who donated blood to him. After recovering, he repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. Unfortunately, Yang Xue was killed by U.S. aircraft on the battlefield. It wasn't until July 1953 that Guo Xiang's right leg was shot off and amputated in Shenyang, finally leaving the Korean battlefield. The provincial party committee appointed him as the party secretary of his hometown. Company Commander Deng Jun presented him with the medals of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" and "First-Class Combat Hero of the Volunteer Army." His girlfriend Xu Fang also rushed to see him, and he eagerly greeted her.