Chapter 140: Objective Existence
Wutai County was an important Japanese stronghold in Shanxi, so the Japanese deployed a company of troops and a regiment of puppet troops there. Moreover, the Japanese also built strongpoints in places like Longquan Pass, Shizui Village, and Shache Town under Wutai County’s jurisdiction.
In response, Wutai County’s highest commander, Garrison Captain Major Nagano Masa three, even arrogantly claimed that with Wutai County’s defenses, even if the Chinese came with a brigade, they couldn’t take Wutai County.
Logically speaking, there wasn’t much wrong with his statement—who could blame him when neither the Jin-Sui Army nor the Central Army could beat them, and as for those dirt-road Eighth Route Army, forget it, how could a bunch of hicks without enough rifles take down their carefully built strongpoints?
But today, Nagano Masa three’s mysterious confidence was shattered, because he received a call from Captain Nishiyama Toru at the Shizui Village strongpoint—they were under attack by Chinese troops, and the enemy had a large number of tanks.
When he first got the call, Nagano Masa three almost laughed in anger. Just as he was about to curse, he heard gunfire and soldiers’ screams coming from the receiver.
Then the line went dead, and at that point, even Nagano Masa three realized what was happening no matter how slow he was.
“Baka!”
Hearing the dial tone on the phone, Nagano Masa three practically jumped up, dropping the phone on the ground, but he quickly picked it up again, cranked it a few times, and almost roared: “Immediately send a telegram to the brigade commander!”
The Japanese command structure in Shanxi was like this: strategic locations（ like Taiyuan, Datong）, etc., were guarded by division direct troops or independent mixed brigade headquarters.
Unlike those field divisions or brigades, independent mixed brigades were specifically set up for maintaining security, each brigade with about 5000 men, subordinate to 5 independent infantry battalions as well as artillery, engineers, and other units.
Taking county seats and transportation lines’ security as an example, it was handled by battalions or companies under the independent mixed brigade, supplemented by puppet troops.
As for village and town strongpoints, they were usually handled by platoon-level Japanese（ 30-50 men） plus puppet detachments, under the command of the parent battalion.
Major Nagano Masa three was the captain of the fifth battalion under the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade.
As a mid-level officer, upon hearing that tank forces had appeared in his jurisdiction, accompanied by a large number of National Army troops, Nagano Masa three immediately realized the severity of the situation.
He didn’t immediately order reinforcements, but instead sent a telegram to his direct superior, Major General Kitayama Yumi of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade.
“To Brigade Commander Sir:
The Shizui Village strongpoint under Wutai County was raided by Chinese troops at 8:36 a.m. today.
According to the report from the Shizui Village strongpoint garrison captain, the enemy has several tanks, fierce firepower, and the fortifications are completely destroyed.
This subordinate, though in the county seat, can hear the faint sound of artillery explosions, with smoke rising, fires still burning among the ruins, the garrison suffering over half casualties, rifles abandoned everywhere.
At this moment, dark clouds press over the city, muffled thunder rumbles, fearing heavy rain is coming. If the enemy advances with the momentum, this unit may not be able to hold.
Wutai is at a key crossroads; once lost, the Xinkou flank will be exposed. This subordinate will fight to the death with his unit, but with enemy tanks rampaging, flesh and blood ultimately cannot withstand.
Urgently request the brigade dispatch an artillery company and anti-tank platoon for reinforcement.
Respectfully submitted by Nagano Masa three
June 7, Showa 13
When Major General Kitayama Yumi of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade received this telegram, a sudden gale had risen outside the window, whipping sand and gravel against the panes, as if enemy iron hooves were approaching.
“Baka… how is this possible?” Kitayama Yumi looked at the telegram in his hand, eyes full of disbelief.
As the brigade commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, though his status and abilities couldn’t compare to those field brigades, he at least had vision.
Ever since the Japanese captured Taiyuan and Datong last year, the Japanese government had proudly announced that the Imperial Army had occupied all of Shanxi.
Of course, that was just Japan’s one-sided claim.
In fact, Chinese forces in Shanxi had never given up resistance.
Although major cities and core areas like Taiyuan, Datong, and along the Zhengtai and Tongpu Railways had been occupied by the Japanese, Central Army Wei Lihuang’s forces were still active in the Zhongtiao Mountains in southern Shanxi, relying on the mountains to establish defenses.
The Jin-Sui Army, under Yan Xishan’s leadership, centered on Ji County, Xi County, and Daning, controlling the western side of the Lvliang Mountains.
Armed forces led by the Eighth Route Army had also established three large base areas: Jinchaji, Jinjilu, and Jinxibei, relying on rugged terrain and vast rural areas for fierce resistance.
Under the resistance of these three forces, the Japanese had to spend large numbers of troops on so-called security warfare to maintain control over Shanxi.
Seeing this sudden unknown force popping up in Wutai County, Kitayama Yumi immediately realized the severity of the situation.
Out of a soldier’s sensitivity, he immediately sent a telegram to First Army Commander in Shanxi, Meizumi Kiyotaro.
Then he quickly gathered two battalions from various strongpoints and rushed toward Wutai County… Wutai County absolutely could not be lost.
10:30 a.m.
Gun smoke swirled over Shizui Village like gray snakes coiling around the ruined bunkers.
Nine Xiafei tanks were scattered on the scorched earth, the tracks’ imprints stark in the mud.
Beside one tank, John leaned casually against the still-warm engine, a wisp of blue smoke rising from the cigarette between his fingers, watching curiously.
His gaze followed that group of dejected prisoners. The puppet soldiers’ raised hands looked like a row of frost-wilted reeds in the sunlight.
One puppet soldier’s leggings had come loose, dragging a wretched trail in the dust with every step.
Driver Qiao Erdan sneered disdainfully, spitting on the ground, the spittle splattering on the track mudguard.
John had a Camel cigarette in his mouth, exhaled a long puff of smoke, and said to Qiao Erdan: “Qiao… I’ve noticed a problem.”
“Mm…” Qiao Erdan looked over.
“It’s like this, no offense intended.”
John explained first before saying: “What I’m curious about is that you are a contradictory nation.
Why, facing the Japanese invasion, does your nation have both heroes like you who step forward without hesitation, risking life and limb to fight the Japanese to the end, and cowards like them who surrender to the invaders? It’s so contradictory—can you explain?”
“Well…”
Qiao Erdan was momentarily speechless.
“Let me answer this question.”
A voice sounded from behind. John turned his head, startled, and quickly stood at attention, shouting loudly: “Attention… stand at ease!”
“At ease!”
The newcomer was Su Yaoyang, followed by Chief of Staff Pi Ruoyu and officers like Li Gaoyuan and Huang Guantao.
Su Yaoyang walked to John’s side and nodded to him: “John… your question just now is quite representative.
Though it makes people uncomfortable, it does objectively exist…”
