Chapter 231: Mend The Fold After The Sheep Is Lost
Heyuan County Town Gendarmerie
“Deputy Minister, the latest news just came in: the Eighth Route Army attacked the garrison of the Twenty-first Brigade and the garrison of Colonel Kuroshima Morita.”
The confidant came before Sato Jino, his tone extremely poor. “All the rations and supplies at Colonel Kuroshima Morita’s garrison were completely looted, including horse feed. Several hundred war horses were also snatched away. Fortunately, Colonel Kuroshima Morita was not there, otherwise he probably would not have escaped the Eighth Route Army’s clutches. However, what is even more unacceptable is the Yanzhen Arsenal at the Twenty-first Brigade’s garrison, which was looted by the Eighth Route Army. More than a dozen military industry production lines inside were all taken by the Eighth Route Army into the mountains.”
Upon hearing this, Sato Jino’s eyes immediately widened in disbelief: “Baka, real or fake? General Shinozuka has already organized the encirclement and suppression army to conduct raids against the Eighth Route Army. At this critical moment, instead of busily making transfer preparations, the Eighth Route Army dares to come out and launch attacks! I remember the Yanzhen Arsenal well; it is an important arsenal providing artillery and ammunition to my First Army. It actually fell into the hands of the Eighth Route Army too. Major General Kawashima, the commander of the Twenty-ninth Brigade of the vanguard army, did he not stop them at all!”
“According to intelligence, the Eighth Route Army troops obtained a large amount of artillery ammunition replenishment at the Yanzhen Arsenal, and their troop numbers were considerable, so Major General Kawashima’s Twenty-ninth Brigade not only failed to stop them but suffered heavy losses instead.” The confidant replied.
Smack!
Sato Jino slammed his fist hard on the table: “Baka, damn it! The speed at which the Eighth Route Army’s wings are growing is truly too terrifying.”
Not long ago, let alone one brigade.
Even just one regiment was something the Eighth Route Army could not confront head-on.
How long has it been? The Eighth Route Army now has the ability to fight head-on against our entire brigade of elite troops.
If this continues, it will probably not be long before they can even fight head-on against our division troops.
The confidant nodded too: “Yes, the Eighth Route Army’s combat power has improved really too quickly. Before, their equipment was poor and combat power weak; we could still control the situation with their sporadic harassment in the rear. But now, with their combat power rising rapidly, our control over the situation is becoming increasingly inadequate. If we do not hurry to take measures, our strategic rear area will probably only exist in name.”
“It’s just a pity that General Shinozuka and Your Excellency Commander no longer support my military dog scent-tracking plan.” Sato Jino sighed.
Although the Eighth Route Army has not bitten the bait yet at present, they have already discovered the bait.
Sato Jino believed that the Eighth Route Army would bite the bait sooner or later.
Using people for tracking is ultimately not as concealed as leading military dogs for scent tracking.
But there was no way; he could not rely on military dogs.
The confidant continued: “The news also says that only a portion of the Eighth Route Army took the Yanzhen Arsenal equipment back to the mountains, while another portion is still outside. They are hiding now and have not been found yet.”
Upon hearing this, Sato Jino was puzzled: “This is strange. The Eighth Route Army took the Yanzhen Arsenal and got such a huge benefit, so they should all immediately shrink back like turtles in a jar. Because our encirclement and suppression army will arrive this afternoon. At that time, it would not be realistic for them to go back. This portion not going back—what do they want to do? Could it be they want to link up inside and out with their own people in the encirclement?”
The confidant analyzed: “I thought about it too. The Eighth Route Army might think that even if they go back to the mountains, during the encirclement they would still have to break out. So not going back now saves them the later breakout operation.”
“Things will not be that simple.” Sato Jino shook his head directly in denial. “This portion of the Eighth Route Army outside, we must completely find and eliminate them, because they are now an isolated army.”
“That makes sense. They have now become an isolated army; even if hidden, being found is just a matter of time. Once found, heavy troops can surround and eliminate them. Why are they doing this…” The confidant nodded.
“I think I understand a bit.” Sato Jino pondered for a moment and said, “The Eighth Route Army’s biggest problem now is still weapons and ammunition. Although their Border Region Arsenal has obtained quite a bit of equipment snatched from our side, and now even the Yanzhen Arsenal equipment has been snatched, but!”
Sato Jino paused, then continued: “But they mainly lack enough time for production. Once our encirclement and suppression army closes in and ferrets out their arsenals, their arsenals will have to stop and relocate too. So!”
Sato Jino paused again, summarizing: “So I judge that this Eighth Route Army troop outside definitely wants to harass our encirclement and suppression army to buy production time for their arsenals.”
Although this group of Eighth Route Army obtained artillery ammunition supply from the Yanzhen Arsenal, Sato Jino did not believe they had the capital to fight the encirclement and suppression army.
Therefore, Sato Jino used the word “harass” rather than “containment”!
“Our encirclement and suppression troops number over 60,000; how can the Eighth Route Army harass them?” The confidant questioned. “Once they are found, airplanes will go for fierce bombardment first, and ground troops will pursue and intercept; the Eighth Route Army would then be turtles in a jar.”
“I cannot figure it out either right now.” Sato Jino shook his head, changing tone: “But since the Eighth Route Army dares to come out and harass our encirclement and suppression army, they definitely have some reliance. We still need to remind General Shinozuka. With the encirclement and suppression army out, our rear is empty. If the Eighth Route Army infiltrates the rear area, that would be no joke.”
“Mm.” The confidant nodded in deep agreement. “Once the Eighth Route Army infiltrates the rear area to harass Taiyuan, if the encirclement and suppression army goes back to rescue, that would be Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao as the Chinese put it.”
Sato Jino picked up the microphone, wanting to call personally, but put it down again, looking at the confidant: “When the Eighth Route Army attacked the Twenty-first Brigade and Colonel Kuroshima Morita’s garrison, did they go straight there, or was it by chance?”
Going straight there versus going there by chance—these are two different concepts.
The former is planned in advance, with strong purposefulness.
The latter is coincidence.
“According to the news, the Eighth Route Army went straight there with purpose.” The confidant replied.
“That’s strange again.” Sato Jino questioned. “The reason the Eighth Route Army attacked Colonel Kuroshima Morita’s garrison, I can judge directly: although they snatched quite a few war horses from Colonel Kuroshima Morita, they have no horse feed and cannot afford to raise them, so the main purpose of attacking his garrison was definitely to snatch horse feed. But attacking the Twenty-first Brigade garrison does not make sense. Why not impact other brigades’ garrisons, but purposefully charge into the Twenty-first Brigade garrison, heading straight for the Yanzhen Arsenal?”
“Deputy Minister, do you mean…” The confidant looked puzzled. “The Eighth Route Army obtained intelligence on our Yanzhen Arsenal location in advance?”
“Only this explanation fits.” Sato Jino nodded heavily, stating firmly, “The Yanzhen Arsenal location is very concealed; generally few people know it, yet the Eighth Route Army knew. Where do you think the problem lies?”
The confidant thought with head down for a moment, then quickly looked up, shocked at Sato Jino: “Could it be the Eighth Route Army pried open the mouths of the Cuicun Arsenal management personnel and obtained the Cuicun Arsenal location from them?”
The Cuicun Arsenal management personnel, especially senior ones, are the Empire’s most loyal guards, even trained in some anti-interrogation techniques.
For their psychological defense line to be broken by the Eighth Route Army intelligence officers in such a short time is truly too terrifying.
This Eighth Route Army interrogator is no ordinary person.
“So, we must immediately remind General Shinozuka: all arsenals connected to the Cuicun Arsenal and Yanzhen Arsenal should swiftly relocate.” Sato Jino said solemnly.
Since the Eighth Route Army could capture and interrogate Cuicun Arsenal management personnel, the Yanzhen Arsenal management personnel cannot escape Eighth Route Army interrogation either.
So, mending the fold after the sheep is lost must be done quickly.
“Deputy Minister, the Taiyuan Arsenal is also connected to the Yanzhen Arsenal. We cannot ask General Shinozuka to move the Taiyuan Arsenal too.” The confidant, though thinking Sato Jino’s words made sense, noted that transferring combat troops and moving an arsenal are completely different matters.
The former can march away anytime, the latter drags family and all, not something that can go just by saying so.
Especially the Taiyuan Arsenal: when the Imperial Army took it, although over 1,000 small machine tools and over 200 power motors were transported away, the machinery and equipment remaining in the factory is still a considerable number.
Not only producing weapons and ammunition for the First Army, but even for the entire North China Area Army; it cannot just stop and move on a whim.
Sato Jino said: “The Taiyuan Arsenal is in the core heartland of the First Army, definitely hard to move, but General Shinozuka can send heavy troops to guard it in advance. Otherwise, if the Eighth Route Army really infiltrates Taiyuan, their artillery threat would still be very serious.”
“That’s true.” The confidant nodded.
The Taiyuan Arsenal has a huge operation and cannot be moved, but strengthening troop defense works too.
It is just that the First Army organized three brigades for the encirclement and suppression of the Eighth Route Army, so enhancing troops for the Taiyuan Arsenal would be hard to muster in the short term.
“As long as General Shinozuka can prevent the Eighth Route Army from infiltrating the rear, I think he has ways to reinforce the defense of the Taiyuan Arsenal.” Sato Jino picked up the microphone again. “Connect me to First Army Headquarters.”
…
Taiyuan First Army Headquarters
Upon learning of the loss of the Yanzhen Arsenal, Shinozuka Yoshio was in a great rage: “Tell Kawashima and Muto that if they cannot find the Eighth Route Army arsenal and bring back the snatched equipment, they should not come back.”
“Hai.” The Japanese invader staff officer hurriedly scurried off to relay the order.
Ding ling ling!
The phone on the table rang; Shinozuka Yoshio picked up the microphone: “This is Shinozuka Yoshio.”
“Your Excellency Commander, this is Sato Jino…” Sato Jino did not finish.
Shinozuka Yoshio interrupted: “If you are calling for military dogs, then shut up.”
“Your Excellency Commander, I am not calling for military dogs.” Sato Jino was somewhat annoyed by Shinozuka Yoshio’s words.
In his heart, he actually did have some thought of asking for military dogs.
Blocked directly by Shinozuka Yoshio, Sato Jino had to get to the point: “Your Excellency Commander, according to analysis here, the Eighth Route Army went straight to the Twenty-first Brigade garrison and took the Yanzhen Arsenal, very likely by prying open the mouths of Cuicun Arsenal senior management. I want to remind you that all arsenals connected to the Cuicun Arsenal and Yanzhen Arsenal should either have heavy troops for protection or relocate…”
“You make it sound simple. Where do the troops come from? So much equipment—try moving it yourself!” Shinozuka Yoshio interrupted bluntly.
Although the First Army has 60,000-70,000 men, there is so much territory to defend.
Drawing three brigades and quite a few puppet army to form the encirclement and suppression army, Shinozuka did not have many usable troops on hand.
Facing Shinozuka Yoshio’s roar, Sato Jino paused, then continued doggedly: “Also, a portion of Eighth Route Army troops is outside the encirclement; we still must prevent them from infiltrating the Taiyuan rear—the Taiyuan rear troop defense is empty.”
“Mm, that’s true.” Shinozuka Yoshio did not get angry this time, paused a few seconds, then asked: “How is your search for the Eighth Route Army arsenal going?”
Although Shinozuka Yoshio raged and told Kawashima and Muto not to come back without taking the Eighth Route Army arsenal.
But Shinozuka Yoshio also knew that finding the Eighth Route Army arsenal would probably not be that easy.
“The bait is laid, but the Eighth Route Army has not bitten yet. I believe it is just a matter of time before they do.” Sato Jino said quickly.
“Sato-kun, I have always known your loyalty and ability.” Shinozuka Yoshio’s tone eased a bit. “I can give you two more military dogs, but this is your last chance.”
If Sato Jino could find the Eighth Route Army arsenal, then when the encirclement and suppression army charged it, this group of Eighth Route Army outside would definitely come back to rescue.
At that time, set up an ambush midway and take them out.
Two military dogs, giving himself a chance and Sato Jino his last chance.
“Please be at ease, Your Excellency Commander; I certainly will not disappoint you again.” Sato Jino was overjoyed.
After the call ended, Sato Jino put the microphone back on the stand, his expression greatly uplifted: “With two military dogs for scent tracking, it is enough. Once I find and lock the Eighth Route Army arsenal, that will be the end for the Eighth Route Army!”
