Chapter 248: Double Joys Arrive
“Damn it, these damned Japanese invaders actually used poison gas shells!”
“Damn it, these Japanese invaders are too shameless.”
“Damn it, the Japanese invaders are too ruthless.”
……
Li Yunlong, Ding Wei, Gao Xigang, and Gao Liujin with their four regiments followed the plan and dismantled the railway along the Zhengtai Line. The ten thousand Japanese invaders drawn over by Shinozuka Yoshio were utterly unscrupulous; at the first encounter, they directly used poison gas shells.
Li Yunlong’s four regiments gathered together, and all the regiment commanders were so angry they cursed.
“Li Yunlong, should we seize the time to break out now?” Gao Xigang came up to Li Yunlong. “This encirclement of ten thousand Japanese invaders hasn’t been completed yet; we still have a chance to break out.”
“If we break out, how can we draw in the Jin Sui Army!” Li Yunlong solemnly shook his head. “We’re not leaving; this bitter meat stratagem must be carried out. Moreover…”
Li Yunlong paused, then continued, “Moreover, haven’t you noticed? Although the Japanese invaders used poison gas shells against us, the quantity was very small. What does that indicate?”
Ding Wei hit the nail on the head: “That means the Japanese invaders have very limited poison gas shells on hand.”
Li Yunlong nodded in agreement and said, “Exactly, the Japanese invaders don’t have many poison gas shells. Even if we’re encircled, we can still break out.”
Immediately after, Li Yunlong added, “The Japanese invaders using poison gas shells actually increases the credibility to some extent. Think about it: us being trapped by ten thousand Japanese invaders—doesn’t that seem a bit fake? Even if we can’t beat them, surely we can run? But if the Japanese invaders used poison gas shells, then when the Jin Sui Army hears about it, they won’t suspect anything.”
Gao Xigang immediately laughed, “That’s true. The Japanese invaders used poison gas shells, we’re trapped, and when the Jin Sui Army hears that, they’ll definitely rush out in a hurry.”
“In that light, the Japanese invaders using poison gas shells has actually provided cover for us.” Gao Liujin also nodded.
“So, let’s pretend to break out now. We must make it look real—multiple failed breakout attempts, and the Jin Sui Army side will soon be unable to sit still.” Li Yunlong made the final decision.
“Yeah, let’s do it that way.”
Next, according to Li Yunlong’s meaning, the troops of the several regiments carried out multiple high-intensity breakout actions, all suppressed back by the Japanese invaders.
Regimental Commander Yoshino laughed, “Excellent, Commander Shinozuka is truly wise to equip us with poison gas shells. Although the artillery fire of these Eighth Route Army’s four regiments is fierce, in front of our poison gas shells, they can’t exert any force at all. Their artillery advantage is gone, their combat power has greatly declined, and now they’re encircled. Hahaha.”
Regimental Commander Yoshino was the highest commander of these ten thousand Japanese invaders troops. These ten thousand Japanese invaders troops were all drawn from various places, with Regimental Commander Yoshino serving as commander-in-chief.
“Regimental Commander, although these Eighth Route are encircled, their firepower is still very fierce. In the short term, I’m afraid we can’t completely eliminate them.” A Japanese officer said to Regimental Commander Yoshino.
“What’s the hurry.” Regimental Commander Yoshino was very calm. “These Eighth Route have fierce firepower, but with our poison gas shells suppressing them, they can’t get out. The Kumamoto Division side can then sweep away the Eighth Route main force troops on a large scale without worry. Once the Kumamoto Division finishes the job there, these Eighth Route trapped by us—I estimate their grain will be exhausted by then. No need for us to attack; they’ll collapse on their own.”
“That’s true.” The Japanese officer nodded. “To maintain rapid combat efficiency, these Eighth Route absolutely didn’t bring much rations and supplies. Trapped by us and unable to get out, perhaps they won’t last until the end of Kumamoto Division Commander’s large-scale raid.”
“Report the good news to Commander Shinozuka.” Regimental Commander Yoshino’s expression was radiant.
“Hai.”
……
Taiyuan First Army Headquarters
Ding ling ling!
The telephone on the table rang. Shinozuka Yoshio picked up the microphone: “This is Shinozuka Yoshio.”
From the phone came Miyano Doichi’s surprised voice: “Your Excellency Commander, I’m at Unit 731 now. The autopsy results just came out. The corpse’s skin and flesh tissue has been analyzed—it can be confirmed it’s not the sakura tree.”
Hearing this, Shinozuka Yoshio was instantly overjoyed: “Excellent, Miyano-kun, is it confirmed? Confirmed not the sakura tree?”
These damned Eighth Route, their trick of deception nearly wore me out.
That word “suspected” gave both hope and despair.
Now it’s good—Unit 731 confirmed it’s not the sakura tree, so I still have a chance to report to the domestic high-level.
“Yes.” Miyano Doichi said excitedly, “Unit 731’s results are very definitive. This is a Chinese woman; her skin and flesh don’t match the sakura tree’s Navy high-level nutritional characteristics at all.”
“Excellent, Miyano-kun, you’ve worked hard.” Shinozuka Yoshio laughed. “Then hurry back. The sakura tree must be in the Eighth Route lair. Kumamoto is launching a large-scale attack on the Eighth Route lair. Once we take the Eighth Route lair, we’ll find the sakura tree.”
“Your Excellency Commander, is Kumamoto Division Commander’s large-scale raid going smoothly?” Miyano Doichi still asked one more time.
“Currently encountering some minor troubles, but the Eighth Route base is fundamentally weak after all; they can’t withstand the consumption.” Shinozuka Yoshio said confidently.
Although the Eighth Route Border Region’s arsenal is producing weapons and ammunition, they don’t have enough production time.
Without enough production time, weapons and ammunition are insufficient, and it’s a foregone conclusion that the Eighth Route can’t withstand the consumption.
“Yes, Your Excellency Commander, I’ll head back immediately.” Miyano Doichi nodded.
The call ended. As Shinozuka Yoshio put the microphone back on the stand, his tone lightened: “Excellent, the sakura tree is still alive.”
At this moment, a staff officer quickly walked in and excitedly reported to Shinozuka Yoshio: “Your Excellency Commander, urgent telegram from Regimental Commander Yoshino: with the biological weapons you provided, he’s already trapped together those four groups of Eighth Route who destroyed our Zhengtai Line Railway. These four groups of Eighth Route gathered in one place, attempted multiple breakouts, all firmly suppressed back by Regimental Commander Yoshino. He says you don’t need to worry about these Eighth Route causing trouble again; they’ll be trapped to death alive by him.”
Hearing this, Shinozuka Yoshio’s emotions surged, and he happily looked at the staff officer: “Confirmed that these Eighth Route are all encircled by Regimental Commander Yoshino?”
These damned Eighth Route hid when the previous three brigades searched for them.
Now, with them encircled, see how they hide.
First confirming the sakura tree is still alive, then these Eighth Route outside the encirclement are trapped—today is truly double celebration.
“Yes.” The staff officer nodded and said, “Regimental Commander Yoshino also said, are you eager to eliminate them? If you are, then provide him with some more poison gas shells.”
“These Eighth Route are hateful, but they’re now trapped beasts.” Shinozuka Yoshio was in high spirits now, his mind sharp, and said: “They can’t escape Regimental Commander Yoshino’s encirclement. Once their carried dry rations and water are exhausted, it’ll be their time of self-destruction. Our biological weapons are also scarce; even using them all couldn’t wipe out these Eighth Route. Better to save them for emergencies.”
“Should we withdraw the key defenses in the rear?” the staff officer asked. “Restore to the original routine defenses?”
Shinozuka Yoshio thought for a moment and said, “No rush on that. Wait until these Eighth Route encircled by Regimental Commander Yoshino are completely eliminated.”
The rear key defenses were originally to guard against these Eighth Route.
Although they’re trapped, they haven’t been eliminated.
Wait until they’re thoroughly wiped out before restoring.
“Pass the news of them being trapped via telegram to Kumamoto-kun and the others.” Shinozuka Yoshio then instructed.
Kumamoto Division Commander was worried about these Eighth Route sneaking attacks from behind, so he left one brigade and one division of puppet army, not daring to use full strength.
Now, with these Eighth Route outside trapped by Regimental Commander Yoshino, Kumamoto Division Commander can use that left-behind brigade and puppet army division fully in the large-scale raid.
I refuse to believe these Eighth Route can hold out.
“Hai.”
……
Kumamoto Division Headquarters
Kumamoto Division Commander looked at the casualty report tallied in his hand, his expression still very serious: “The Eighth Route combat power is much greater than before. This large-scale raid has only been going on for a few days, and these casualty figures already match our previous month’s worth from a raid.”
Major General Kawashima of the Twenty-first Brigade said, “Fortunately, during our raid, we arranged the puppet army at the front as much as possible, so most of the casualties were taken by the puppet army. Otherwise, our Imperial Army troops’ losses would be huge.”
“Yes.” Kumamoto Division Commander nodded. “Letting the puppet army take most of our casualties also gauged exactly how much the Eighth Route combat power has increased. When we later find the Eighth Route lair and fully encircle and suppress it, I’m afraid your Twenty-first Brigade will still need to join in.”
The Twenty-first Brigade was left to guard against rear sneak attacks, but the Eighth Route combat power has risen greatly compared to before, mainly from increased weapons and ammunition, and artillery.
At that time, if the Twenty-first Brigade doesn’t join, the Kumamoto Division side’s troops will still be a bit short.
“Just don’t know about those Eighth Route outside…” Major General Kawashima’s words trailed off.
The signalman hurried over with a new telegram and handed it to Kumamoto Division Commander: “Division Commander, urgent telegram from headquarters.”
Urgent telegram from headquarters?
Kumamoto Division Commander and Major General Kawashima both simultaneously turned their gazes to this telegram.
Could it be some major incident in the rear?
Kumamoto Division Commander quickly grabbed the telegram and looked at it.
After reading the telegram content, Kumamoto Division Commander thought he had misread it.
He rubbed his eyes and read it again, a surprised smile immediately appearing on his face: “Excellent, excellent, this good news comes too timely.”
“What good news?” Major General Kawashima asked suspiciously.
“See for yourself. Those Eighth Route outside—they’re trapped by Regimental Commander Yoshino’s poison gas shells.” Kumamoto Division Commander said as he handed the telegram to Major General Kawashima.
Hearing this, Major General Kawashima surprisedly took the telegram.
After quickly reading it, Major General Kawashima laughed, “These Eighth Route trapped by Regimental Commander Yoshino—then we have no worries at our rear.”
“Yes.” Kumamoto Division Commander nodded. “Not only no rear worries—your brigade and that puppet army division can immediately join the large-scale raid action.”
“Fine, no problem.” Major General Kawashima nodded.
And so, the Twenty-first Brigade and the garrison puppet army division immediately joined the large-scale raid troop formation.
