Chapter 146: Fuse Battle On The Verge Of Eruption
In Beiping City, as the Japanese Troops continuously provoked, the citizens inside the city also became extremely tense. Everyone was worried whether the Japanese Troops would start a war, and whether the 29th Army could defeat the Japanese Troops. Of course, there were also many patriots who continuously donated money and supplies to the 29th Army to resist Japanese Invaders.
Therefore, anti-Japanese demonstrations inside the city were still numerous, including demonstrations by those patriotic students, which also appeared frequently. However, no one knew that even if they tried so hard, the shadow of war was still approaching them closer and closer.
On the Lugou Bridge, more than 500 stone lions were lined up in a row, like soldiers in armor standing strictly at attention.
But even so, it was still unable to prevent the outbreak of the fuse of war on the evening of July 7, 1937, when the Japanese Troops near Lugou Bridge used the excuse of a soldier “missing” during a “military exercise” to request entry into Wanping City for a search.
Of course, after the army was sternly refused by Regiment Commander Ji Xingwen of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, large numbers of Japanese Troops quickly surrounded Wanping County Town.
Upon seeing this, all the soldiers holding fast in the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division also became enthusiastic.
“Regiment Commander! These damned Japanese Troops have surrounded our city. What do we do now? Should we immediately charge out and drive away all these dog-day invaders?”
“They are really bullying us too much. Do they think our 29th Army is so easy to bully?”
“Yeah! Kill Japanese Soldiers! Kill Japanese Soldiers! Let these dog-day Japanese People know that our 29th Army is not something they can bully whenever they want!”
“I am willing to be the first to lead the troops to charge out. Please issue the operation order, Regiment Commander!”
After the Japanese Troops fully surrounded Lugou Bridge and the area around Wanping County Town,
Many soldiers gathered around their Regiment Commander Ji Xingwen, noisily requesting to go into battle to kill Japanese Soldiers.
“Don’t make noise. All of you immediately return to your respective operation posts. Guard your combat posts well. I will immediately go report this matter to the higher-ups!”
“Waiting for their instructions. Beating Japanese Soldiers is easy, but the problem is that once we make the first move and trigger a large-scale war, then who will be responsible?”
“This matter is not something a small regiment commander like me can bear the terrible consequences of war for!”
“I am not afraid of death, but there are still many innocent residents here who need us to protect their lives and property!”
Although Regiment Commander Ji Xingwen was also very angry about the encirclement and provocation by these damned Japanese Troops, he remained calm and issued what he felt were relatively wise operation instructions to his various subordinates.
“.”
All soldiers of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division,
For a moment, they also stopped the noisily clamoring, letting Regiment Commander Ji Xingwen immediately go report to the high-level above, waiting for new operation instructions.
And they also immediately returned to their respective operation posts, waiting for the arrival of new operation orders.
For a moment, whether inside the city or outside the city, it was filled with the atmosphere of war.
The great battle seemed ready to break out at any moment.
On this day, the weather was also unusually overcast.
And the actions of the Japanese Troops not only shocked the high-level of the 29th Army, but also shocked all citizens of all classes inside Beiping City.
Major Newspaper Offices also hurriedly conducted interviews and reports on this news that was completely unexpected by everyone, instantly shrouding the atmosphere of the entire Beiping City in gloom.
Many people were worried whether the war would suddenly break out today or tomorrow.
Thus, the entire Beiping City fell into heated discussion.
Some were worried, panic-stricken, afraid, even wanting to flee immediately.
But there were also many patriots who were filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could immediately assist the 29th Army in ruthlessly dealing with these invading Japanese Troops.
Of course, the anti-Japanese demonstration teams also increased, with many patriots enthusiastically donating various supplies and money to support the 29th Army’s war of resistance at Lugou Bridge and Wanping County Town.
And Deputy Army Commander and Beiping Mayor Qin Dechun, to prevent the sudden outbreak of war and the Japanese Troops escalating the situation, also immediately held an emergency meeting with Army Commander Song and other high-level personnel for communication. He also immediately prepared to dispatch personnel, or even personally go to negotiate with the Japanese Troops, arranging for both sides to send personnel to investigate the cause of the incident.
And that evening,
Torrential rain poured down until dawn.
That evening, many people suffered insomnia and could not live or sleep as calmly as usual.
Including all citizens in Beiping City, many were panic-stricken.
As for the telegram saying “Fellow countrymen across the nation! Pingjin is in crisis! North China is in crisis! The nation is in crisis! Only the whole nation carrying out resistance war is our way out!”, it also became the content of heated discussion and chatting topic among major citizens the next day.
At the same time, before Qin Dechun could personally go to the high-level Japanese Garrison Army Commander Lieutenant General Wanichiro Tashiro, Brigade Commander Katsuki Kiyoshi, and Major General Masazo Kawa,
Japanese Troops battalion also suddenly appeared at Lugou Bridge.
And Platoon Leader Shen Zhongming of the 10th Company reserve team of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, who was assisting in guarding the bridgehead, bravely jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, extended his right hand to stop these aggressive and ill-intentioned Japanese Troops from entering their 29th Army’s defense alert line.
