Chapter 256: The Special Operations Team Has Arrived
The continuous rainy weather ended today.
Early in the morning, the sky cleared up, cloudless for miles, with brilliant sunshine, fresh air, and a clear, open view.
Li Muzhi, as usual, got up on time, dressed, washed up, and then went to the canteen to eat.
He had just started eating when the roar of Japanese aircraft engines came from far to near in the sky.
Many workers were cursing: “These damned airplanes are out, putting a lot of pressure on our combat troops.”
Some gathered in front of Li Muzhi: “Factory Director, when will you lead us to produce anti-aircraft weapons?”
Although the Border Region Arsenal’s factory buildings were in cave dwellings, even if discovered by Japanese aircraft, they weren’t afraid of the bombing.
But our combat troops had no protection.
Without anti-aircraft weapons, they couldn’t check the Japanese aircraft; it was too frustrating.
“You eat rice one bite at a time, and walk the road one step at a time. Our most urgent task now is to keep producing weapons and ammunition.” Li Muzhi said solemnly, “Hurry up and produce the new type rockets.”
“Yes, Factory Director.”
Li Muzhi ignored the circling Japanese aircraft, kept his head down, and continued eating.
Only one airplane came, passed by, and didn’t return.
It seemed the Japanese aircraft were still in short supply.
After finishing the meal, Li Muzhi went to the workshop, supervising the workers making parts for the new type rockets and handling defects.
The Border Region Arsenal’s operations continued as usual!
……
Yang’er Mountain
“Faster, check it carefully one more time!”
Staff Officer Guo had already, according to the Brigade Commander’s meaning, “hidden” five trucks of fake tungsten ore here.
Although the sky had brightened and the rain had stopped, he had completed the task on schedule.
But he still planned to check one last time.
“Staff Officer Guo, we’ve checked again; no problems.” Twenty-odd minutes later, the inspection personnel reported to Staff Officer Guo.
“Mm, since there are no problems, hurry up and withdraw.” Staff Officer Guo acknowledged, then led the people away with relief.
Returning to Brigade Headquarters at top speed, Staff Officer Guo reported to the Brigade Commander: “Brigade Commander, the five trucks of fake tungsten ore have been placed at the designated location on Yang’er Mountain as you instructed.”
“Good work, go rest.” The Brigade Commander nodded his head; Staff Officer Guo saluted and withdrew.
The Brigade Commander didn’t dawdle and immediately issued instructions: at nightfall, bite Sato Jino’s bait.
As soon as night fell, the Eighth Route Army underground operatives immediately launched the action.
They killed the guards and flipped over the wall into the courtyard.
The guards arranged by Sato Jino’s assistant engaged in a fierce gunfight with the Eighth Route Army underground operatives.
In the end, the Eighth Route Army underground operatives succeeded, taking away all the bait.
To be precise, Sato Jino’s people let them.
Sato Jino’s assistant led people in a feigned pursuit, blocked by the Eighth Route Army rearguard with jumping mines, ultimately “losing” the target.
The assistant rushed to Sato Jino: “Deputy Minister, the Eighth Route Army underground operatives robbed our bait.”
Sato Jino instantly stood up from the chair, excitedly rubbing his hands, looking at the assistant: “During the operation, did your side show any flaws?”
Previously, when Sato Jino learned the location of Eighth Route Army Headquarters, and Colonel Yamamoto Ichiki took the special operations team to sneak attack Daxia Bay, Sato Jino hadn’t been this excited.
Now, if successful, they could take down the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, recover the robbed tungsten ore and equipment, even rescue the sakura tree, and uproot the Eighth Route Army in one go.
Even with Sato Jino’s stable mentality, he couldn’t hold back at this moment.
“Everything went according to your plan, Deputy Minister. The Eighth Route Army’s snatching was very fierce, our resistance was very fierce, and we lost two-thirds of our people.” The assistant answered solemnly, “The act was more real than reality; the Eighth Route Army surely has no suspicions.”
For losing two-thirds of their own people, the cost was not small, but the assistant didn’t even blink.
Because the dead were all Chinese people, our running dogs.
Anyway, there were plenty of Chinese people on this land, plenty scrambling to be our running dogs; we didn’t care about the lives of these running dogs.
“Good, that’s good.” Hearing this, Sato Jino excitedly paced back and forth in the room twice, took two deep breaths, forced his emotions to calm down, then said: “Let’s go, I’ll check the scene first.”
Sato Jino quickly arrived at the scene, examined it carefully, confirmed nothing was amiss, then returned to check on the two military dogs.
The two military dogs’ condition was, as always, healthy, with no signs of illness.
Only then was Sato Jino completely reassured, returned to his office, picked up the microphone on the table: “Connect me to First Army Headquarters.”
……
First Army Headquarters
First Army Commander Shinozuka Yoshio and North China Area Army Chief of Staff Miyano Doichi sat together drinking tea.
The former was calm and composed, the latter clearly a bit restless, unable to sit still.
Shinozuka Yoshio said to Miyano Doichi: “Miyano-kun, relax a bit. As long as Sato Jino’s side succeeds tonight, finding and locking the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal’s location, our chance to turn the tables will come, and we can rescue the sakura tree.”
“It’s precisely because tonight is too crucial that I can’t calm my heart.” Miyano Doichi said truthfully.
“Miyano-kun, the sakura tree came from the Navy side after all, you…” Shinozuka Yoshio’s intended persuasion trailed off.
Ding ling ling!
The phone on the table rang.
Shinozuka Yoshio picked up the microphone: “This is Shinozuka Yoshio.”
Sato Jino’s voice came from the phone: “Your Excellency Commander, this is Sato Jino.”
“Sato-kun, how did it go? Was the operation smooth?” Sensing Sato Jino’s excited tone, Shinozuka Yoshio instantly guessed the answer but still asked knowingly.
“The operation went very smoothly; the Eighth Route Army underground operatives have swallowed the bait I sprinkled with tracking powder.” Sato Jino replied, “At dawn, when they are asleep, lead the military dogs to track the scent unnoticed; we will surely find the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal’s location.”
“Yoshi!” Shinozuka Yoshio was very satisfied, “Sato-kun, you did well. Colonel Yamamoto set off this afternoon; calculating the time, he should be there. When the time comes, let Colonel Yamamoto personally handle this tracking task.”
Even tracking by scent with military dogs required the most professional people.
So, Shinozuka Yoshio had Yamamoto Ichiki bring the special operations team to cooperate with Sato Jino’s military dogs for scent tracking.
Then, once Yamamoto Ichiki located and locked the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, he would still take thunderous action to see if he could capture alive the expert there, and by the way destroy the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal.
“Understood, Your Excellency Commander, then await my good news.” Sato Jino nodded, and the call ended.
Shinozuka Yoshio smiled at Miyano Doichi: “Miyano-kun, Sato-kun just called; his bait has been swallowed by the Eighth Route Army. At dawn, Yamamoto Ichiki will lead the special operations team with military dogs for scent tracking; finding the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal is no problem. You can rest assured now.”
Miyano Doichi nodded but still said: “Last time, Sato Jino discovered Eighth Route Army Headquarters at Daxia Bay, and Colonel Yamamoto Ichiki took the special operations team to attack, but unexpectedly encountered an Eighth Route Army main regiment midway. Now we’re raiding the Eighth Route Army; their eyes and ears won’t be few. Hopefully Colonel Yamamoto Ichiki won’t repeat last time’s mistake.”
“He definitely won’t; Yamamoto Ichiki won’t make the same mistake twice.” Shinozuka Yoshio said affirmatively.
……
Less than two minutes after Sato Jino and Shinozuka Yoshio ended the call, someone came to report: “Report Deputy Minister, Colonel Yamamoto has arrived.”
Sato Jino hurriedly got up and went out.
In the courtyard outside, several trucks were parked, and dozens of special operations team members were fully equipped and lined up.
The air was filled with a solemn, murderous atmosphere.
These were the First Army’s most elite soldiers; in the Yang Village battle, they fought an encounter with an Eighth Route Army main regiment, achieving a one-sided record of 200 to 0, proving this point.
Special Agent Captain Yamamoto Ichiki saw Sato Jino come out and got straight to the point: “Deputy Minister Sato, for tonight’s scent tracking with military dogs, how are your preparations?”
Yamamoto Ichiki’s special operations team had only two military targets in the Second War Zone: Officer Yan’s command post in the Second War Zone, and 18th Army Group Headquarters, that is, Eighth Route Army Headquarters.
He had no interest in other military targets.
Previously, when asked to attack the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, he had no interest.
But now it was different.
The Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal had a military industry expert and was now producing important weapons and ammunition that could even threaten the tank regiment.
In short, the target significance of the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal had upgraded to strategic level.
So, Yamamoto Ichiki brought the special operations team over.
“Colonel Yamamoto, the Eighth Route Army has swallowed my bait; now we just need to quietly wait until dawn to act.” Sato Jino’s attitude toward Yamamoto Ichiki was quite polite.
He showed no neglect or resentment toward Yamamoto Ichiki for the previous failure in attacking Daxia Bay.
After all, the other was Commander Shinozuka’s favorite; whether this operation succeeded also depended on him locking the Eighth Route Army Arsenal’s location.
“Yoshi!” Yamamoto Ichiki’s expression was very solemn, “Sato-kun, if this operation succeeds perfectly, consider it I owe you a favor.”
In the Yang Village battle, although Yamamoto Ichiki gave that Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment a 200 to 0 bald head, the mission to attack Eighth Route Army Headquarters ultimately failed.
For Yamamoto Ichiki, this was a shame.
Now, if he could rely on Sato Jino’s help again to take down the Eighth Route Army Border Region Arsenal, then Yamamoto Ichiki’s special operations team would truly demonstrate the essence of special operations!
“Colonel Yamamoto, you’re too serious; we’re all serving the Emperor, no distinction.” Sato Jino smiled, “There are still a few hours until dawn; you and your team members rest first.”
“Good.”
