Chapter 285: Natural Gas Factory
“Haha.” The Guard Captain laughed and said to Li Muzhi, “Factory Director Li, I didn’t expect that the name you gave this Emperor would bring such an unexpected gain today.”
Although the intelligence on Secret Location No. 9 revealed by Takahashi Kōnosuke was just the tip of the iceberg.
But for the elites of the intelligence department, the tip of the iceberg was enough.
As long as there was a clue, there was an opportunity to uncover the full picture.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.” Li Muzhi smiled and said, “Let’s head back now. I still need to hurry and finish the follow-up details on the flashbang.”
“Good.” The Guard Captain nodded, following Li Muzhi back to the Border Region Arsenal.
Old Zhang Comrade had finished his tasks and returned here to the Interrogation Room.
Takahashi Kōnosuke was no longer here; he had been transferred away.
Li Muzhi and the Guard Captain were also gone, so Zhang Wanhe asked the guard here: “Factory Director Li didn’t get anything from Takahashi Kōnosuke and went back first, and Takahashi Kōnosuke was also transferred away, right?”
The guard replied: “Minister Zhang, it seems Factory Director Li did get something out of Takahashi Kōnosuke’s mouth. When Takahashi Kōnosuke was transferred away, his face was full of regret and annoyance.”
Li Muzhi got something out of Takahashi Kōnosuke’s mouth?
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanhe was naturally stunned and disbelieving.
This Takahashi Kōnosuke was clearly different from Yamamoto Sakura; he wasn’t so easy to deal with.
Li Muzhi had broken through this one too?
“So what did he ask out of him?” Zhang Wanhe hurriedly asked.
“Minister Zhang, I’m just a guard; how would I know the details?” The guard replied. “The recording clerk took his notebook and left quickly; he was probably delivering it to the intelligence department.”
“Hahaha, yeah, that’s right, haha.” Zhang Wanhe laughed heartily and didn’t immediately go to the Border Region Arsenal to disturb Li Muzhi. Instead, he found the Guard Captain.
“Guard Captain, the guard said Xiao Li got something out of Takahashi Kōnosuke’s mouth. How did he manage to crack him?” Zhang Wanhe asked.
“Haha.” The Guard Captain first let out a hearty laugh, then said: “Speaking of which, this was pretty unexpected. Factory Director Li tested to see if Takahashi Kōnosuke admired Yamamoto Sakura, then tried to use Yamamoto Sakura to provoke Takahashi Kōnosuke, but it had no effect. So Factory Director Li had the Emperor memorize Takahashi Kōnosuke’s scent and prepared to leave. But Takahashi Kōnosuke saw Factory Director Li name the puppy Emperor, and he immediately flew into a rage. Factory Director Li took the opportunity to scold the dog in front of Takahashi Kōnosuke, ultimately stimulating him into complete fury. In that moment, he let slip some important intelligence.”
“Haha.” Zhang Wanhe laughed heartily upon hearing this and said, “So that’s how it was; this really is an unexpected gain. I was just complaining earlier that Xiao Li fed the Emperor too well, but now it seems the food the Emperor ate was worth it.”
“Exactly.” The Guard Captain nodded. “The Emperor hasn’t even grown up or been trained yet, and he already brought such a pleasant gain. Once he’s grown and trained, there will definitely be even bigger surprises.”
The Guard Captain then added: “Minister Zhang, if you have time, you could still give the Emperor a special meal.”
“I’d like to, but he won’t eat what I feed him.” Zhang Wanhe said.
The puppy had unexpectedly made a contribution, so it deserved a reward.
“You can have the vegetable lady feed him.” The Guard Captain reminded.
“Mm.” Zhang Wanhe nodded. Luckily, this puppy still ate what the vegetable lady fed him; otherwise, aside from Li Muzhi, it really would be impossible to give him a special meal.
“Guard Captain, I’ve already sent your partner over to your younger sister. Besides the rocket launcher and Hell Missile, I gave five extra rifles, two hundred bullets, and thirty grenades.” Zhang Wanhe said to the Guard Captain.
“Minister Zhang, who is this partner?” The Guard Captain hurriedly asked.
“Don’t worry; I definitely won’t shortchange your younger sister.” Zhang Wanhe had an attitude of ‘trust me to handle it.’
“Haha, thanks, thanks Minister Zhang.” The Guard Captain laughed heartily, of course with no doubts.
In this world, you could suspect Old Zhang Comrade of being stingy and miserly, but you couldn’t doubt his judgment of people.
……
Taiyuan First Army Headquarters
“Your Excellency Commander, this is the urgent telegram from Major General Kawashima.”
A staff officer handed the newly arrived telegram to Shinozuka Yoshio.
Without lifting his head from the map, Shinozuka Yoshio said: “What did Kawashima say? Don’t tell me he’s been delayed by the local Eighth Route Army, run into some obstacle, can’t deliver the supplies to Kumamoto Division Commander, and needs help from us?”
After Major General Kawashima linked up with Kitano Chuji, they were jointly escorting supplies, suffering delays and harassment from the local Eighth Route Army along the way. Shinozuka Yoshio had already given them a death order.
“Major General Kawashima says the supplies were lost at Gourd Valley…” The staff officer didn’t finish.
Shinozuka Yoshio suddenly raised his head, his expression twitching: “Baka, what did you say? Kawashima lost the supplies! He linked up with Kitano Chuji; with over twenty thousand men, they still lost the supplies!!!”
Even if those over twenty thousand men were over twenty thousand pigs, it wouldn’t be possible for the Eighth Route Army to catch them all that quickly.
Escorted by over twenty thousand men, and they still lost the supplies—how on earth did that happen!
“In the telegram, he said there were pre-dug tunnels by the Eighth Route Army in Gourd Valley. At night, Eighth Route Army troops outside attacked, covering the transfer of supplies by those in the tunnels…” The staff officer didn’t finish.
Shinozuka Yoshio angrily interrupted: “With so many supplies, didn’t he have anyone watching in Gourd Valley!!!”
“There were many captured China civilians in Gourd Valley at the time. At the key moment, they caused a commotion, diverting the guards’ attention, and the Eighth Route Army moved quickly.” The staff officer said.
“Baka, Kawashima and Kitano, those two idiots!” Shinozuka Yoshio jumped to his feet and directly said to the staff officer: “Tell them, if they can’t recover the lost supplies, don’t come back.”
The staff officer said: “Major General Kawashima says in the telegram that the supplies they have left won’t last much longer. He hopes…”
“Hopes for what!” Shinozuka Yoshio roared, interrupting. “I’m racking my brains now to send more supplies to Kumamoto Division Commander. What, do I have to send some to Kawashima too? Good heavens, where would I get that many supplies!”
“Without supplies to support them, the Eighth Route Army definitely won’t give up this rare opportunity. If they get heavily hit by the Eighth Route Army…” The staff officer didn’t finish, but the meaning afterward was obvious.
This was a force of over twenty thousand men; they couldn’t really just let them die, could they?
“The key is I don’t have more supplies on hand right now. Where would I get them from?” Shinozuka Yoshio bellowed.
“Actually, I do have a suggestion.”
“What suggestion?” Shinozuka Yoshio looked at him.
“The direct line’s dozen or so divisions have come out, and quite a few from the Jin Sui Army too. Their defense zones must be empty. Why not have them go to the Jin Sui Army or direct line army areas to replenish?” The staff officer said.
“The problem is the Eighth Route Army probably won’t let them pass easily.” Shinozuka Yoshio fretted.
Even if they went to Jin Sui Army or Jin Sui Army territory to replenish, it wouldn’t be instantaneous.
There was still some distance to cover.
“Alright, have them find a place to garrison first, get support from the county town strongholds below to tide them over the immediate crisis.” Shinozuka Yoshio finally said. “Have them figure out a way to shake off the Eighth Route Army and go to direct line army or Jin Sui Army territory to replenish.”
“Yes.” The staff officer nodded and started to withdraw.
Shinozuka Yoshio added: “Wait, send another telegram to Kumamoto Division Commander, tell him Kawashima lost the supplies, and when he fights the direct line troops, to still hold back a bit.”
Kawashima’s supplies were very important. If they could be delivered, Kumamoto Division Commander could hammer the direct line troops to death without mercy.
Unfortunately, the supplies were lost, so the intensity of hitting the direct line troops had to be eased.
“Yes.” The staff officer withdrew.
“Hmph, once I deal with this Jin Sui Army, then I’ll deal with you Eighth Route Army!” Shinozuka Yoshio forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart, his gaze refocusing on the map before him.
On this map, a huge trap was laid out around the Taiyuan Arsenal.
As long as the Jin Sui Army intended to touch the Taiyuan Arsenal, they would get a good taste of biological weapons.
……
“Report to Brigade Commander, I found no supplies.”
“Report to Brigade Commander, I found no clues here.”
“Report to Brigade Commander, I found nothing.”
One report after another reached Major General Kawashima’s hands.
Kitano Chuji said dejectedly: “General, it seems the supplies really can’t be found.”
Although the troops were withdrawing toward the nearby county town, Major General Kawashima had still sent out quite a few scouts, hoping to find the supplies.
“These damned Eighth Route Army, they moved too fast.” Major General Kawashima cursed bitterly.
Fujita Ichi walked over with the new telegram and handed it to Major General Kawashima: “General, the Commander replied. He wants us to figure out a way to get emergency supplies from county town strongholds, then go to Jin Sui Army and direct line army territory to seize supplies for replenishment.”
“When the Kumamoto Army was raiding, supplies from all these places below were already drawn out. Even for emergencies, it would probably be a drop in the bucket.” Major General Kawashima fretted.
This was over twenty thousand men; a day’s food, drink, and necessities weren’t a small amount.
“I do know of a place with plenty of supplies, it’s just…” Fujita Ichi hesitated without finishing.
Both Kitano Chuji and Major General Kawashima immediately interrupted: “Where?”
As long as the immediate crisis could be resolved now, this game could be revived.
“You two, that place is important…” Fujita Ichi still hesitated.
“No matter how important, is it more important than the lives of our over twenty thousand men?” Major General Kawashima said decisively. “Even if it’s the Emperor’s bedchamber, I’ll go. As long as it solves the urgent problem, even if I’m executed later, I won’t care.”
The supplies had been taken by the Eighth Route Army, and Major General Kawashima had lost as much face as Kitano Chuji.
He knew he would probably still face a military court.
The only chance was to remedy it as much as possible.
Forget the Emperor’s bedchamber—even the Empress’s room, he’d go all out.
Kitano Chuji also said solemnly: “Mr. Fujita, time is tight; we can’t delay. Tell us quickly—what place is it?”
“It’s here.” Fujita Ichi pointed to a blank spot on the map.
“What’s here?” Both Kitano Chuji and Major General Kawashima looked at Fujita Ichi in unison.
A blank on the map didn’t mean a blank in reality.
Generally, only particularly important secret locations weren’t marked casually.
“Natural Gas Factory.”
Upon hearing this, both Kitano Chuji and Major General Kawashima were momentarily stunned.
Natural gas was of course a very important strategic mineral, and the factory location couldn’t be casually exposed.
Fujita Ichi actually knew about it—this was a bit… well, he had a background to begin with. Otherwise, how could he mix in the Gendarmerie, and after failing there, still get to gild himself in combat troops.
What mainly made Kitano Chuji and Major General Kawashima suspicious was, did this Natural Gas Factory have supplies?
Facing their doubts, Fujita Ichi said solemnly: “Believe me, it does!”
Kitano Chuji and Major General Kawashima exchanged glances and finally reached a consensus: go to this Natural Gas Factory to replenish supplies.
