Chapter 253: The Brigade Commander’s Handiwork
386 Brigade Brigade Headquarters
The Brigade Commander looked up at the gloomy sky, watching the pattering raindrops falling, and laughed: “This rain is great. Looking at this, it will at least last three more days.”
The Deputy Brigade Commander laughed beside him: “Yes, I thought once the sandstorm weather stopped, the Japanese invaders’ airplanes would come out and act arrogantly. Now it seems Heaven is still on our side.”
A staff officer added: “It’s raining, some people are happy, naturally others will curse.”
“Hahaha.” The Brigade Commander, Deputy Brigade Commander, and others all laughed. Who was cursing at this time? The answer didn’t need to be stated.
The command post was filled with laughter, and the oppressive atmosphere brought by the Japanese invaders’ raid had dissipated a lot.
Ding ling ling!
The telephone on the table rang. The staff officer picked up the microphone, and Li Muzhi’s voice came from inside: “This is Li Muzhi. Let your Brigade Commander take the call.”
“Brigade Commander, it’s Factory Director Li from the Border Region Arsenal calling.” The staff officer hurriedly handed the microphone to the Brigade Commander.
“Looking at this, Xiao Li’s side should have finished making the fake tungsten ore.” The Brigade Commander thought to himself as he took the microphone.
“This is Chen*” The Brigade Commander stated his identity into the microphone, then got straight to the point: “Xiao Li, have you finished making your fakes?”
“It can be wrapped up today.” Li Muzhi’s voice came from the microphone: “Brigade Commander Chen, it’s raining now, transportation is inconvenient. How about I store it in the warehouse first, and when the weather clears, you come pick it up…”
The Brigade Commander interrupted: “No need. I can have people carry it on their backs, shoulder it. Today, have the transportation team come take all the stuff away.”
With the bad weather now, wheelbarrows and livestock carts won’t work well. They can only rely on manpower to move it.
Fortunately, what we have the most of is manpower. The vast civilians are our strong rear support.
“Alright then, Brigade Commander Chen. You can come pick it up anytime. I’ll go get busy first.”
“Okay, Xiao Li.”
The Brigade Commander ended the call with Li Muzhi and immediately said to the staff officer: “Take the transportation team right now to the Border Region Arsenal and transport all the fake tungsten ore to the designated location for me.”
To bite Sato Jino’s bait, when the time comes to bite this bait, how the road goes will be up to us.
When our people bite the bait and pass by the placement site of the fake tungsten ore, Sato Jino “accidentally” discovers the fake tungsten ore, and the matter is done.
The staff officer said: “Brigade Commander, it’s raining now, the roads are muddy and hard to travel. It will probably delay some time.”
“No problem. As long as you get it done before the rain stops.” The Brigade Commander said he didn’t mind the extra delay.
On the contrary, this was still racing against time.
This rain would probably last three days.
If we place the fake tungsten ore within three days, when the sky clears, the Japanese invaders’ raid will begin.
And at that time, if Sato Jino discovers the fake tungsten ore, then this raid operation will be affected.
If we handle it well, the Japanese invaders’ raid operation will end early.
“Yes, good.” The staff officer nodded and left.
The Deputy Brigade Commander immediately said to the Brigade Commander: “Brigade Commander, since the fake tungsten ore arrangements have begun, can I start biting the bait now?”
The Brigade Commander nodded: “Go make the final preparations. Once the fake tungsten ore is placed, immediately bite the bait.”
“Alright, I’ll go arrange it.” The Deputy Brigade Commander left.
“Go, call the intelligence group leaders over for me.” The Deputy Brigade Commander left, and the Brigade Commander had someone call the intelligence group leaders.
Although the Brigade Commander came from intelligence background, now he had to command troops, so intelligence work was still handed to the subordinates.
Therefore, under the 386 Brigade, several intelligence groups were set up.
Soon, several capable intelligence officers came before the Brigade Commander and saluted him: “Brigade Commander.”
“Gentlemen, now there is a very important task for you.” The Brigade Commander spoke in a serious tone.
“Please give the order, Brigade Commander.” The intelligence group leaders all looked at the Brigade Commander with firm gazes.
“Here’s the thing. The Border Region Arsenal has already prepared five cartloads of fake tungsten ore. I’ve sent people to pick it up. It will be pretended to be hidden at Yang’er Mountain.” The Brigade Commander pointed to the position of “Yang’er Mountain” on the map, then continued, “Later, I’ll arrange things so the Japanese invaders discover these five cartloads of fake tungsten ore. At that time, the Japanese invaders will definitely go all out to seize the fake tungsten ore. We’ll pretend to desperately defend it, and both sides will fight intensely.”
“Brigade Commander, what is our task then?” The intelligence group leaders didn’t hear their task from that.
“Your task is to leak the news to the Direct Line Army side.” The Brigade Commander said.
Leak this news to the Direct Line Army side?
The intelligence group leaders were all smart people and immediately understood the Brigade Commander’s meaning: “Brigade Commander, are you planning to use this reason to pull the Direct Line Army in too?”
This was five cartloads of tungsten ore. The Japanese invaders would go crazy to seize it from us.
If the Direct Line Army learned the news, they might not be able to sit still.
Once they joined in and fought the Japanese invaders’ mopping-up troops, our pressure would be greatly reduced.
If handled well, we and the Direct Line Army together could heavily damage the Japanese invaders’ mopping-up troops, and their raid operation would end early.
Still, an intelligence group leader questioned: “Brigade Commander, just letting the Direct Line Army know about the five cartloads of tungsten ore, they might not join in. Although the Kumamoto Division has withdrawn one brigade of Japanese invaders, their troops still number over sixty thousand. No matter how greedy the Direct Line Army is for the five cartloads of tungsten ore, they might not dare to fight the Japanese invaders and traitors.”
“What if the Kumamoto Division army’s logistics and supplies are raided?” The Brigade Commander changed the subject.
“If the Kumamoto Division army’s logistics are cut off, their ammunition and supplies can’t keep up, and their combat power is greatly reduced, then the Direct Line Army will definitely join in.” The intelligence group leaders all nodded immediately, then asked again: “But the Kumamoto Division Commander isn’t stupid. His logistics won’t be that easy to cut off. He must be prepared.”
“Under normal circumstances, cutting off the Kumamoto Division army’s logistics supply would definitely be very difficult.” The Brigade Commander affirmed the question, then changed the subject again: “But don’t forget, when the five cartloads of tungsten ore are exposed, if you were the Kumamoto Division Commander, what would you do?”
“Do we need to say it? Definitely go all out to seize back the five cartloads of tungsten ore.” The intelligence group leaders said in unison.
“That’s it.” The Brigade Commander laughed. “When the Kumamoto Division army goes to seize the five cartloads of tungsten ore, most of their troops will head this way. If their attention is drawn by these five cartloads of tungsten ore, then their logistics supply…”
Although the Brigade Commander didn’t finish, the intelligence group leaders were smart people. How could they not understand his meaning?
The five cartloads of tungsten ore draw the Japanese invaders army’s attention away. That would be the opportunity to hit their logistics supply.
As long as the logistics for the Japanese invaders army is destroyed, the Direct Line Army will inevitably join the fight, no doubt.
“Since you all understand my meaning, go make preparations in advance.” The Brigade Commander ordered seriously.
“Yes, Brigade Commander.” The intelligence group leaders saluted and withdrew.
The Brigade Commander’s gaze fell back on the map.
There was a circle drawn there, Li Yunlong’s current position.
To buy enough time for the Border Region Arsenal, Li Yunlong used Yan Kai to pull in the Jin Sui Army.
On one hand, Li Yunlong was deliberately staying outside. On the other hand, because of the rain, Li Yunlong couldn’t come out either.
So, twenty to thirty thousand Japanese invaders and Li Yunlong’s Jin Sui Army were pulling at each other there.
As long as the Kumamoto Division’s main army here is heavily damaged, the Japanese invaders army surrounding Li Yunlong and them will definitely have to withdraw troops.
This way, it would indirectly relieve pressure for Li Yunlong’s side again.
When the time comes, if this kid makes trouble we’re not satisfied with, don’t come back to see me!
……
“Baka, this damn ghost weather!”
Watching the rain falling from the sky, Sato Jino cursed harshly: “First sandstorm, then rain, endless.”
“Yes, this rain doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon. Isn’t this delaying our sweeping army’s business!” The assistant echoed beside him, then continued: “I hope after this rain stops, this ghost weather doesn’t act up again.”
“What has that idiot Fujita Ichi been doing lately?” Sato Jino changed the topic and asked.
“Deputy Minister, didn’t you already sideline him? Why are you still asking about him?” The assistant looked suspicious.
“I have a feeling the Eighth Route Army will soon bite the bait. I’m not worried this idiot will ruin my big plan at that time!” Sato Jino said seriously. “The Eighth Route Army has suffered raids, their material consumption is high. This bait of mine is quite tempting to them. They’ve probed for so many days, they should bite soon.”
“Fujita Ichi seems to have gone to help the Kumamoto Division with transportation of supplies.” The assistant answered.
Fujita Ichi helping the Kumamoto Division transport supplies?
Upon hearing this, Sato Jino felt like he was hearing something from heaven. He questioned: “No mistake? Although Fujita Ichi is no longer the Gendarmerie Captain, he should still assist with some Gendarmerie affairs. Him running off to help the Kumamoto Division transport supplies feels so absurd.”
The assistant answered: “Mainly because I don’t trust him, so I simply didn’t let him touch any Gendarmerie affairs. Don’t know what connections he used, but now he’s gone to the Kumamoto Division’s logistics side.”
“Yes, you did very right. This idiot is a big drag. Not letting him touch Gendarmerie affairs is correct.” Sato Jino nodded immediately, then worried a bit: “I’m still a little concerned. If this idiot drags down the Kumamoto Division Commander’s logistics, then wouldn’t it mess up the big plan! Once I find and lock onto the Eighth Route Army Arsenal here, I’ll still need the Kumamoto Division Commander’s troops to do the work.”
“Deputy Minister, aren’t you being too sensitive?” The assistant looked suspiciously at Sato Jino. “Fujita Ichi is just helping with transportation of logistics there. He shouldn’t drag down the Kumamoto Division Commander’s logistics rear.”
“I hope I’m overthinking it.” Sato Jino dropped the matter. Transportation logistics doesn’t need brains. Gendarmerie work needs brains. Perhaps letting that idiot Fujita Ichi do logistics is the best arrangement for him.
At this time, another assistant ran over happily and reported to Sato Jino: “Deputy Minister, good news. The Eighth Route Army’s underground agent is finally speaking up, about to bite the bait you set.”
Sato Jino laughed upon hearing it: “Hahaha, finally this moment has arrived. Let’s go take a look quickly.”
After the sandstorm weather ended, it rained again, making moods very gloomy.
Now the Eighth Route Army was biting the bait. At least it was good news.
