Chapter 186: A Blessing In Disguise
“Deputy Minister, bad news, bad news!”
The assistant rushed to Sato Jino in a panic, his tone extremely flustered and tense: “The Eighth Route Army attacked the Zhangjia Village section of the railway again. A cargo train was intercepted and attacked, and it has now completely lost contact.”
Sato Jino was stunned upon hearing this, his eyes widening: “Baka, didn’t the Eighth Route Army attack the Wang Zhuang Railway? Now they’ve attacked the Zhangjia Village Railway too!!!”
The Eighth Route Army attacked the Wang Zhuang Railway, and Kuroshima Morita and Ueno no Mura had already gone there for reinforcement.
He hadn’t expected that the newly repaired Zhangjia Village Railway would be attacked again.
Isn’t this a disaster?
With the Wang Zhuang Railway and Zhangjia Village Railway destroyed and the railway line cut, the rations and supplies and weapons and ammunition falling into the Eighth Route Army’s hands, how is the Imperial Army’s logistics resupply supposed to proceed!
“Yes.” The assistant nodded, his tone grave. “The Eighth Route Army obtained ample weapons and ammunition replenishment from our cargo train. They are now charging toward Heyuan County Town with great momentum. Several groups of reinforcements trying to intercept them have now completely lost contact. The strongholds and sentry posts along the way simply can’t stop them.”
“Baka!” Sato Jino jumped in fury. “The Eighth Route Army is too rampant. They’re charging straight for Heyuan County Town, clearly coming for me.”
The Eighth Route Army succeeded in attacking the military train but didn’t withdraw or go after a more important target. Instead, they’re charging straight for Heyuan County Town, clearly intent on taking Sato Jino’s life.
“Fortunately, Deputy Minister, you’re personally capturing those Eighth Route Army scouts at the Cuicun Arsenal Site. You’re not in Heyuan County Town. By my calculation, Heyuan County Town is probably already surrounded by the Eighth Route Army by now.” The assistant nodded and said, “Should we gather all the Imperial Army forces to surround the Eighth Route Army?”
“Even if we gathered all the Imperial Army in this area now, even if we surrounded the Eighth Route Army, it wouldn’t mean much.” Sato Jino was very calm.
The main issue is that ammunition and provisions are running low.
Meanwhile, the Eighth Route Army obtained ample weapons and ammunition replenishment from the military train. Even if surrounded, they would break through.
“Are we just going to let Heyuan County Town fall into the Eighth Route Army’s hands?” The assistant was stunned.
“There’s an old Chinese saying: ‘The blessing of the lost horse, who knows if it’s fortune or not!'” Sato Jino said. “That fool Fujita Ichi has been causing too much trouble. This is the perfect chance to borrow the Eighth Route Army’s hand to borrow a knife to kill.”
Anyway, there’s not much profit in Heyuan County Town. Let the Eighth Route Army take it. It would be good if they help get rid of Fujita Ichi in the process.
As long as we capture the Eighth Route Army scouts at the Cuicun Arsenal Site first, we secure the copper refining plant.
Then proceed with the original plan. As long as we can locate the Eighth Route Army Arsenal’s position, there’s no worry about turning the tables.
Then Sato Jino still said, “However, we still need to put on a show. Still gather Imperial Army forces to reinforce Heyuan County Town. Remember, just symbolic reinforcement. Don’t engage the Eighth Route Army head-on. Our ammunition and rations and supplies are running low.”
Even if using the Eighth Route Army’s hand to eliminate that fool Fujita Ichi, it can’t be too obvious. We can’t just stand by and watch him die.
After all, Sato Jino still had some headaches about that fool Fujita Ichi’s background.
When Fujita Ichi is dealt with by the Eighth Route Army, facing questions from Fujita Ichi’s background, Sato Jino would have a reason.
The Eighth Route Army has ample weapons and ammunition, but the Imperial Army’s logistics resupply can’t keep up, so Imperial Army combat power can’t be brought to bear. That’s an objective fact.
“Yes, Deputy Minister.” The assistant left.
“Good. Without that fool Fujita Ichi dragging me down from behind, locking down the Eighth Route Army Arsenal won’t run into any more accidents.” Sato Jino quickly adjusted his emotions and continued with the poisonous scheme at hand, to eliminate the Eighth Route Army scouts at the Cuicun Arsenal Site.
……
Heyuan Japanese Gendarmerie
“Captain, the Eighth Route Army has now reached the city walls.” The confidant walked over and said to Fujita Ichi with an extremely grave tone, “I’ve already gathered all our forces, just waiting for your final order.”
Although Fujita Ichi had been replaced by Sato Jino, his confidant still addressed him as captain.
“The Eighth Route Army surrounding the county town has three regiments, carrying heavy weapons. With our numbers, it’s just like an ant trying to stop a chariot.” Fujita Ichi was now extremely regretful.
If he’d known, why bother parachuting into Heyuan County Town to be some damn gendarmerie captain and pick a fight with Hirata Ichiro?
Now look what’s happened.
Hirata Ichiro is recuperating peacefully in the field hospital, losing at most an eye and a section of intestine.
But he’s the one losing his life. Not worth it.
“Captain, what do you mean…” The confidant looked suspicious. Could it be we’re surrendering?
“Abandon the outer defenses and focus on guarding the gendarmerie.” Fujita Ichi said.
As for surrendering, Fujita Ichi wouldn’t do that.
If he surrendered, his family would be implicated.
“Yes, Captain.” The confidant nodded and left.
Fujita Ichi took out his Nambu Type 14 pistol and carefully wiped it with a handkerchief.
Even if he couldn’t turn the tide, he had to go out with some dignity.
……
“Regiment Commander, Regiment Commander, there’s a change in the situation.”
Zhang Dabiao ran to Li Yunlong to report: “I captured a few captives and wanted to get Sato Jino’s location in advance, but they all said Sato Jino is not in Heyuan County Town.”
“What? That bastard Sato Jino is not in Heyuan County Town!” Li Yunlong’s eyes bulged immediately upon hearing this: “These captives aren’t talking nonsense, are they?”
Damn it, one of the reasons Old me came to attack Heyuan County Town was to take out Sato Jino.
If this little devil isn’t in Heyuan County Town, we’re in trouble.
“Regiment Commander, they say Sato Jino left Heyuan County Town with people, and many saw it.” Zhang Dabiao nodded.
“Then who’s defending the gendarmerie in Heyuan County Town now?” Li Yunlong asked.
“It’s Fujita Ichi.”
“Troops, stop the attack immediately, stop the attack.” Li Yunlong immediately ordered the troops to stop attacking.
“Old Li, why did you stop?” Ding Wei ran over puzzled and asked.
Our hell cannon was just set up. As long as we blast open the city wall or gate, we can charge in and end Sato Jino’s life.
At this critical moment, why stop, Old Li?
“Dabiao captured a few captives who say that little devil Sato Jino is not in Heyuan County Town right now. It’s Fujita Ichi defending the city.” Li Yunlong said irritably.
“What? Sato Jino is not in Heyuan County Town?” Ding Wei froze upon hearing this.
The main target isn’t here. We’re in trouble.
“Old Ding, this county town is within easy reach now. If we don’t push in, I’m afraid…” Li Yunlong didn’t finish his words.
Cheng Xiazi ran over, extremely excited: “Li Yunlong, Japanese reinforcements are here. They’re surrounding us outside. How about we hand this county town to you? I’ll go deal with the Japanese reinforcements. What do you say?”
Cheng Xiazi had plenty of gear on hand. Pushing all this way, he hadn’t had his fill of killing Japanese.
Now with Japanese reinforcements coming, Regiment Commander Cheng could go on a killing spree.
“No.” Li Yunlong cut him off. “Let the Japanese reinforcements surround us. Don’t smash up the Japanese reinforcements for me.”
If the Japanese reinforcements don’t surround us, how do we drag the Jin Sui Army in!
Even if we can’t get Sato Jino now, the main course later still needs to be eaten. We still need the Jin Sui Army dragged in for containment.
“Li Yunlong, if we don’t smash the Japanese reinforcements, they’ll cut off our retreat. This isn’t a joke!” Cheng Xiazi glared.
Letting the Japanese surround us? You’re asking to die, Li Yunlong!
Ding Wei said from the side, “If the Japanese surround us, with Yan Kai in our hands, the Jin Sui Army will definitely join the fight. Then, breaking out will be easy.”
“The problem is we can break out now. Why let the Japanese surround us?” Cheng Xiazi was puzzled. “Just to drag in the Jin Sui Army?”
“Because there’s a main course later to eat. We need the Jin Sui Army mixed in to help us contain the Japanese Troops.” Ding Wei explained.
“What main course?” Cheng Xiazi asked.
When Cheng Xiazi came out, he hadn’t heard the brigade commander issue any other orders.
Could it be Li Yunlong and Ding Wei planning some private action?
“Cheng Xiazi, as for what the main course is, don’t ask now.” Li Yunlong shut down the topic. “If you’re afraid of being surrounded and not getting out, take your 772 Regiment and break out first. Go back.”
“Not going. I won’t leave without seeing this main course.” Cheng Xiazi was a bit worried but more excited and expectant.
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei taking such a big risk, deliberately letting the Japanese surround them, then dragging in the Jin Sui Army too.
No doubt, this main course must be huge profits.
If we leave, we’ll definitely regret it later.
“Cheng Xiazi, think it over.” Li Yunlong said solemnly. “Don’t ruin the mood for me at the end.”
“I said it before. As long as the profits are enough, I’ll cooperate fully.” Cheng Xiazi nodded emphatically.
“Alright then. Go engage the Japanese reinforcements now.” Li Yunlong said. “Remember, you can only lose, not win. Make it convincing so the Japanese surround us.”
Ding Wei added, “Pretend it’s because of insufficient ammunition and get defeated by the Japanese.”
“Good, I got it.” Cheng Xiazi nodded and left.
Ding Wei turned to Li Yunlong and said, “Old Li, I’ll go fight the reinforcements too, pretend to fail at breaking out. The county town is yours. Be careful. Absolutely don’t kill that fool Fujita Ichi too early, or when we get back, the brigade commander will chew us out.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” Li Yunlong nodded.
Ding Wei took his troops to feign fighting the reinforcements. Li Yunlong looked at Heyuan County Town’s walls and called Zhang Dabiao over: “Dabiao, come here.”
“Regiment Commander, any orders?” Zhang Dabiao asked.
“Release one of those captives and have him tell Fujita Ichi to surrender.” Li Yunlong said. “Remember, put on a show for this captive that our ammunition is insufficient. Understand what I mean?”
With the hell cannon, storming in and taking out Fujita Ichi would be no problem at all.
But this fool still has big use. We’ve pushed this far; if not putting him to work, we need a reasonable reason to make that fool Fujita Ichi believe we can’t attack the city for some reason.
To avoid… to avoid this guy seeing the situation turn bad and committing seppuku or suicide by gunshot ahead of time. That would be really bad.
“Yes, Regiment Commander.” Zhang Dabiao did it immediately.
……
Fujita Ichi wiped the gun very clean, very shiny.
Then he stood up and walked to the window.
He was still a bit puzzled why the attacking Eighth Route Army suddenly stopped.
As long as their hell cannon fired, blasted open the city wall, troops charged in, it would all be over.
Soon, Fujita Ichi spotted the clue through the telescope: two-thirds of the attacking Eighth Route Army had quickly withdrawn, hurrying off into the distance.
Fujita Ichi realized: “This must be our reinforcements arriving. The Eighth Route Army is afraid of being surrounded, so they left one regiment to attack the county town while the other two went to fight the reinforcements and break out.”
“Still a bit strange.” Fujita Ichi soon grew suspicious again. Why hasn’t the attacking Eighth Route Army made a move yet?
“Report to the captain. A puppet army soldier released by the Eighth Route Army wants to see you.” The confidant walked in and reported to Fujita Ichi.
“Shoot him.” Fujita Ichi probably understood why the Eighth Route Army wasn’t attacking immediately. Likely trying to persuade surrender.
Fujita Ichi didn’t even want to see him and ordered him shot directly.
“Captain, he says he has important information to report to you.” The confidant reminded.
“Then… bring him in.” Fujita Ichi was still a bit puzzled.
For the Eighth Route Army to attack the city directly would be faster than persuading surrender.
Now it seems they have a reason for not doing so.
“Yes.”
Soon, this puppet army soldier was brought before Fujita Ichi, who quickly said: “Sir, Sir, I’ve discovered the Eighth Route Army’s ammunition is running low.”
As for persuasion to surrender, this puppet army soldier didn’t dare mention it.
“The Eighth Route Army’s ammunition is running low?” Fujita Ichi was delighted upon hearing this and looked at the puppet army soldier. “Are you sure you confirmed it?”
No wonder the Eighth Route Army isn’t attacking immediately. Their ammunition is low.
Though Heyuan County Town isn’t large, taking it down would still consume ammunition.
Fujita Ichi’s heart grew excited. Truly Amaterasu’s blessing. We have a chance to survive.
“Yes.” The puppet army soldier nodded and added, “The Eighth Route Army that went to fight the reinforcements also has low ammunition.”
“How could the Eighth Route Army’s ammunition be low?” The confidant questioned in front of Fujita Ichi. “They attacked a cargo train loaded with plenty of weapons and ammunition.”
“The Eighth Route Army is poor. After capturing stuff, they probably transported most of the ammunition back. Then pushing this way, fighting lavishly, getting carried away in excitement, it’s like a parvenu spending in retaliation. Of course the ammunition runs out fast.” Fujita Ichi analyzed wisely.
Otherwise, why would the Eighth Route Army bother with this show of persuading surrender? They’d have charged in already.
“Mm, Captain, what you say makes sense.” The confidant cheered up and said, “Then let’s pretend to negotiate surrender terms with the Eighth Route Army to buy time.”
“The Eighth Route Army sent you to persuade me to surrender, right?” Fujita Ichi’s gaze fell on the puppet army soldier’s face.
“Yes, Sir.” The puppet army soldier had to respond when asked.
“Go back and tell the Eighth Route Army that for me to surrender, he must first agree to my conditions…” Fujita Ichi listed five conditions.
“Understood, Sir.”
……
