Chapter 180: Old Comrades Drinking
Ushijima Mitsu constantly stared incredulously at Chief of Staff Kineura Kyuzo: “You’re saying our air fleet’s attack failed?”
“Yes, Division Commander.” Major Kineura Kyuzo lowered his head. “The Chinese have deployed a large number of anti-aircraft guns in Wild Wolf Valley, over a hundred guns in total.
Due to the complex and treacherous terrain of Wild Wolf Valley, our bomber fleet could only conduct low-altitude bombing. After over forty minutes of bombing, our fleet lost most of its aircraft, with only three returning; the remaining twenty-seven were all shot down.”
“Crash…”
Ushijima Mitsu constantly plopped down into the chair, his face turning pale.
Because he knew that starting today, there would be no more support from the Army Air Force.
Kineura Kyuzo forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart and comforted: “Division Commander, how about we try sending a report to Commander Terauchi Juichi, requesting him to…”
“No use.”
Ushijima Mitsu shook his head dejectedly: “Right now, most of the Imperial Army’s efforts are focused on the Battle of Wuhan. Those high officials’ attention won’t fall on the Shanxi battlefield.
Moreover, we’ve just wiped out all the air force strength stationed in Shanxi. Do you think Commander Terauchi would make an exception for a defeated general like me? Most importantly, if we report over his head, where does that leave Commander Mutaguchi?”
Kineura Kyuzo fell silent. In any army at any time, reporting over one’s superior’s head is a major taboo; no commander likes a subordinate who bypasses them.
You can bypass him today; will you bypass me tomorrow?
Kineura Kyuzo hesitated: “Then… what do we do? The Shanxi militia is not an ordinary Chinese force. Without air force support, it’s very hard to defeat them with ground troops alone!”
“We must defeat them even if it’s very hard!” Ushijima Mitsu suddenly stood up, his face showing a ferocious expression. He slammed his palm on the table and said coldly: “This Shanxi militia has become the greatest enemy of the Great Japanese Empire in Shanxi. If we don’t defeat him, the Empire can never achieve long-term stability in Shanxi.
So whether for the honor of the 20th Division or the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Su Yaoyang must die!
Tell Takagi Yoshito that Wild Wolf Valley must be taken!”
“Hai!”
………..
Yang Village, New 1st Regiment garrison
In a room, it was quite lively as Li Yunlong was treating his old comrades Ding Wei and Kong Jie to drinks.
“I say, old Ding, it’s been a long time since we last met. Today, we won’t stop until we’re drunk.” In the room, somewhat drunk Li Yunlong shouted in his loud voice.
Kong Jie at the side also slurred: “Yeah, old Ding. Li Yunlong is right. Ever since you went to the Jizhong Military District, us old comrades haven’t drunk together for a long time. If not for you coming to headquarters for a meeting this time, we wouldn’t know when we’d get together again.”
Li Yunlong said: “Who says otherwise? The Jizhong Military District is far away in the Hebei plains, quite a distance from our Shanxi. Without some special reason, it’s really not easy for us to see old Ding.
No more words, drink…”
The three took another sip of wine. Kong Jie suddenly said: “I say, old Li, old Ding, have you heard? Fighting has broken out again in Wutai County.”
“Nonsense, who doesn’t know about such a big thing?” Li Yunlong belched. “This time it’s blown up big. The Japanese actually moved the 20th Division over. Looks like that old boy Mutaguchi is really anxious.”
“What… 20th Division?” Ding Wei was puzzled upon hearing this: “What exactly happened to make the Japanese mobilize a whole division? Could it be they’re starting another big sweep?”
Although Ding Wei had been leading troops in the Jizhong Military District for the past year or so, due to the inconvenient message transmission of this era, he wasn’t very clear on Shanxi matters. Moreover, during this time, most people’s attention nationwide was drawn to the Battle of Wuhan, so relatively little was known about Shanxi.
Even so, he still knew about the 20th Division.
This was a proper 4-4 formation, A-class division with over 25,000 men. Once such a division mobilizes, all of Shanxi would be in chaos. But seeing his two old comrades not anxious at all, what was going on?
He asked puzzledly: “Old Li, old Kong, what’s really going on?”
“Old Ding… here’s the thing.” Kong Jie briefly recounted the events in Wutai County over this period.
Ding Wei stared wide-eyed like he was hearing a fairy tale. “Old Kong, you’re not fooling me, right? The Japanese put on such a big show just to deal with a militia? Do you think I’m that easy to fool, making up such a story to trick me?”
“Who’s fooling you!” Kong Jie rolled his eyes at him. “Am I that kind of person?”
“That’s true.” Ding Wei trusted Kong Jie’s character. This guy was an honest kid, even in battle he followed orders to the letter, obeyed commands and discipline.
“Did you see Li Yunlong’s troops when you arrived?” At this point, Kong Jie’s expression grew somewhat complex. “This kid happened to run into that Su regiment commander’s troops last time, coincidentally followed behind them and fought a battle, then made a fortune. The whole person got rich.
Good grief, a full four or five hundred rifles. If that were given to my independent regiment, how great would that be?”
At this point, envy, jealousy, and hate showed on Kong Jie’s face.
Hearing this, Li Yunlong curled his lip. “I say old Kong, don’t play armchair strategist with me.
Wanting to get rich is simple. There’s an opportunity right now.
Take your independent regiment to Dingxiang County right away to help Su regiment commander. As long as you help Su regiment commander repel the 20th Division’s attack, I guarantee with that Su regiment commander’s personality, he’ll give old Kong at least a thousand rifles.
I reckon not just rifles; probably even a few Type 92 infantry guns. How about it, old Kong, wanna do it?”
“Li Yunlong, you think I’m stupid?” Kong Jie got anxious and slapped the table. “That’s a whole division! If I really pull the independent regiment up there, it probably won’t last half a day before it’s all gone.”
“Old Kong, you’re too modest; it won’t take half a day.” Li Yunlong sneered and held up three fingers. “Three hours… Old Kong, your independent regiment can hold out for three hours at most before the whole regiment is wiped out.”
Faced with Li Yunlong’s assessment, Kong Jie unusually didn’t retort. Ding Wei also picked up his bowl and took a big gulp.
Li Yunlong’s words were harsh, but rough words hide truth.
With the independent regiment’s current just over a thousand men and six or seven hundred worn-out rifles with barrels almost worn smooth, facing Japan’s elite field division under three-dimensional assault from aircraft, heavy artillery, and tanks, holding for three hours would already be thinking highly of them.
