Chapter 319: Meeting
Time arrived at 9:30 a.m. the next day.
The sea of fire west of Taiyuan City was still burning fiercely, and that massive pillar of smoke connecting heaven and earth had become the most conspicuous and most terrifying landmark in the entire Taiyuan City.
Meanwhile, inside the coalition forces’ general headquarters outside the city, the atmosphere was a bizarre stagnation mixed with anxiety, shock, and ecstasy.
On the table covered with a huge military map, there were three items just urgently sent back from the front lines by John.
A general’s command saber that had been scorched by high temperatures, with its scabbard carbonized and peeling off, but the blade still emitting a chilling gleam.
An officer’s ID card similarly burned black and curled, but its core protected relatively intact by the body, with the photo and writing faintly discernible.
And a major general’s insignia torn from a charred collar, blackened but intact in shape.
These three items lay quietly on the map.
Second War Zone Deputy Commander Yang Aiyuan, Chen Brigade Commander, and Su Yaoyang surrounded the table, their breathing becoming heavy.
They had been staring at these three items for a full several minutes, and no one spoke.
Finally, Chen Brigade Commander broke the silence first.
He extended his calloused hand, not touching the officer’s ID, but slowly grasping the handle of the command saber.
A cold and heavy sensation came from his palm. He took a long breath in, then slowly exhaled, as if expelling all the shock from his chest.
“If there’s no mistake.” His voice was somewhat hoarse from days of issuing orders, “If it’s not wrong, the corpse in that tank should be that Japanese officer.”
This sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
Yang Aiyuan’s body trembled too, he shakily picked up the half-burned officer’s ID, carefully, like holding a treasure, bringing it close to his eyes.
In the name field, those three words ‘Shinotsuka Yoshio’, though yellowed from smoke, were still clearly discernible.
Followed by the title below: ‘Imperial Japanese Army Major General’!
It was real!
It was real!!
The highest commander of the Japanese First Army stationed in Shanxi just… died like that? Died so cleanly, so thoroughly, that not even a complete corpse could be found, only these broken relics left?
Yang Aiyuan’s lips trembled violently, his throat emitting “heh heh” sounds, like ecstasy or like sobbing.
Suddenly, he slammed the table with a “bang”, startling the nearby staff officer.
“Good… good!” He almost roared it out, his voice cracking from excitement, “I want to report to Commander Yan immediately, right now… report this tremendous good news to him!”
Yang Aiyuan’s telegram was like a spark thrown into a pile of dry firewood, instantly igniting all of China.
Upon receiving the telegram and confirming the authenticity of the three pieces of evidence, Yan Xishan was almost ecstatic.
Having been suppressed for too long and beaten by the Japanese for too long, he desperately needed such a resounding, history-making victory to vindicate himself and the entire Jin-Sui Army.
He did not hesitate; on one hand, he immediately sent a victory report to the wartime capital Chongqing, and on the other, he mobilized all his propaganda channels to issue a nationwide telegram!
《Extra! Extra! North China Area Army Japanese officer commander killed on the spot by our brave National Revolutionary Army during the Taiyuan Campaign!》
This bombshell exploded across the nation within a few short hours!
Wartime companion capital, Chongqing.
A ragged newsboy, waving freshly printed newspapers still emitting pungent ink smell, rushed through the street, shouting loudly while running.
“Extra! Extra! Great victory in Shanxi… Our brave National Revolutionary Army kills Japanese major general commander”
The people on the street, originally hurrying with numb expressions, instantly stopped in their tracks.
People surged from all directions, surrounding the newsboy; bills were stuffed into his hands, newspapers snatched away.
Upon seeing that shocking headline printed in the largest font, the crowd fell into dead silence first, then erupted in cheers like an avalanche!
“Real or fake? Killed a Japanese officer?”
“It’s in the newspaper! With photo! Shinotsuka Yoshio! That old devil!”
“Heaven bless China! Heaven bless China!”
A teahouse owner directly carried out a big tray of firecrackers, lighting them at the door with crackling sounds, deafening noises and pervasive gunpowder smoke resounding through the streets.
Japanese-occupied Shanghai.
A middle-aged man in a long robe pretended to casually buy a copy of 《Shen Bao》 at a newsstand, then quickly entered an empty alley.
He unfolded the newspaper, and upon seeing that message cleverly tucked into the social news section, only the size of a tofu block, his hand trembled violently.
He read it three times, confirmed the name, then fiercely pressed the newspaper to his chest, leaning against the cold wall, silently grinning, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Japanese North China Area Army headquarters, Beiping.
“Crash!”
An exquisite blue porcelain teacup was smashed to the ground by Tadashi Ota, shattering into pieces.
In front of him was a photocopy of a Chongqing newspaper just translated.
That glaring headline and the Japanese officer’s photo were like two resounding slaps to his face.
After the anger, Tadashi Ota slumped into the chair, pale-faced staring at the newspaper before him.
He knew that from the moment this news hit the papers, his career, future ideals, and everything were gone; the Japanese officer’s death and the fall of Taiyuan required someone to take responsibility.
The original Japanese officer was the ideal candidate, but with his death, the responsibility and pressure shifted to him.
“Damn it… this bastard, couldn’t even escape properly, and in death still implicates me!” Tadashi Ota cursed bitterly.
After a long while, Tadashi Ota stood up, called the communications staff officer, paused silently, then said.
“Draft a telegram for me to Commander Nishio, text as follows: Urgent report, Japanese officer yesterday（August 9） near Taiyuan during combat command, encountered surprise attack by main Chinese forces, unfortunately perished.
Current Shanxi situation has deteriorated sharply, intense security battles around Taiyuan, First Army command system temporarily in chaos.
Given Shanxi’s extremely important strategic position as the core of the Empire’s North China occupied area, if Taiyuan falls, the entire North China war situation will be severely affected. The First Army urgently needs an experienced commander to assume post quickly, stabilize morale, and immediately organize counterattack to ensure safety of Taiyuan and Tongpu Railway.
Request the Expeditionary Force Command urgently select suitable candidate to succeed the Japanese officer, and transfer necessary troops to support Shanxi battlefield to salvage the current unfavorable situation.”
After Tadashi Ota finished, the staff had quickly prepared the telegram text and presented it with both hands.
But in the instant of handing over the telegram, seeing the commander’s extremely pale face, he finally couldn’t hold back and asked the question lingering in everyone’s mind but no one dared to voice:
“Commander… can Taiyuan still be held?”
“Hold?” Tadashi Ota smiled bitterly and shook his head: “Taiyuan naturally cannot be held; what we must do now primarily is consolidate the defenses and prevent further deterioration.”
But he himself didn’t believe this statement.
Three days later
Tadashi Ota’s premonition, or rather his responsibility-shifting telegram, unfortunately came true.
After several days of mad, indiscriminate heavy artillery bombardment, and the subsequent tide-like irresistible general assault, all organized resistance in Taiyuan City turned to scorched earth and corpses.
This provincial capital fallen for nearly three years finally raised the blue sky white sun flag again.
The city’s streets were full of war’s scars: collapsed houses, bullet-riddled walls, roads crushed beyond recognition by tank treads, and the pungent smell of gunpowder and blood still lingering in the air.
Of course, Yan Xishan would not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rally hearts and minds and put on a political show.
After Yang Aiyuan’s troops had just completed control of the whole city and posted pacification notices, he led his main Jin-Sui Army forces into Taiyuan City in grand style.
At this moment, the main roads in the city were packed with people.
“Commander Yan is back!”
“Shanxi is saved!”
The common people spontaneously surged onto the streets, waving whatever they could find—small flags, handkerchiefs, even relatively clean bedsheets dug from the ruins.
Though war had taken their homes and loved ones, the joy of expelling the invaders was enough to temporarily overwhelm all pain.
Military trucks loaded with Jin-Sui Army soldiers advanced slowly amid the crowd’s escort.
The soldiers straightened their backs, smugly enjoying hero-like treatment.
Along the way, citizens continuously threw boiled eggs, homemade pancakes, even a few bunches of wildflowers from who-knows-where onto the trucks.
Beside this ocean of clamor and fervor, in a relatively intact three-story teahouse, it was a different scene.
By the window elegant seat, Su Yaoyang, Pi Ruyu, and Chen Brigade Commander were quietly sipping freshly brewed hot tea, as if the tumultuous welcome scene downstairs had nothing to do with them.
The tea was good tea, Biluochun, with a fresh elegant aroma.
Pi Ruyu held his teacup, but his gaze never left the lively scene outside the window.
He watched Yan Xishan’s black sedan escorted by guards, the tearfully joyful citizens, and then this total commander calmly blowing tea foam, as if it had nothing to do with him.
He couldn’t help but let out a long breath, set down his teacup, and sincerely exclaimed:
“Commander, I finally understand why after paying such a price to take Taiyuan, you only symbolically asked for two million silver dollars and then returned the city to the Jin-Sui Army.”
Upon hearing this, Su Yaoyang didn’t even lift his eyelids, just gently sipped tea, let out a satisfied light sigh, then set down the cup, “Tell me.”
“The allegiance of the people is the main reason!”
Pi Ruyu sighed.
“Commander Yan has operated in Shanxi for decades, with countless disciples and old subordinates; his influence has permeated all walks of life, and elites and gentry only recognize him.
Even ordinary folks trust him, plus he is the central government-appointed SX Province Chairman and Second War Zone Commander.
If someone else were to take charge in Taiyuan, who else has the ability and prestige to control so many people?
Moreover, today’s Taiyuan is like a huge mess.
Feeding and housing hundreds of thousands of citizens, destroyed houses, factories, water and electricity… rebuilding all this requires bottomless manpower and resources.
Our militia is newly established with thin foundations; we simply can’t bear such a heavy burden.”
Nearby, Chen Brigade Commander laughed heartily upon hearing this, praising: “Commander Su, your chief of staff is indeed remarkable, truly an excellent staff officer, seeing problems incisively and hitting the nail on the head.
He sees both the military pros and cons and the twists and turns of human relations. Impressive!”
A faint smile appeared on Su Yaoyang’s face; he picked up the teapot and personally refilled tea for Chen Brigade Commander and Pi Ruyu.
Scalding tea water poured into the cups, rising with curling steam that blurred their faces.
“If Ruyu can see this layer, it means he is a qualified chief of staff.”
Su Yaoyang continued: “Winning the world relies on the barrel of the gun.
But ruling the world relies on the hearts of the people and brains. What our militia must do now is win the world, not be trapped to death by one ‘world’.”
He set down the teapot, his gaze turning back to the window.
Yan Xishan’s welcome ceremony had reached its climax, with deafening slogan chants wave after wave.
“Let Commander Yan enjoy his glory.”
The corner of Su Yaoyang’s mouth curved into a profound arc, “The higher he climbs, the louder the cheers, the fewer retreat paths he’ll have when the Japanese come. And we can do what we truly need to do while he draws all eyes.”
Chen Brigade Commander raised his teacup, clinked it virtually with Su Yaoyang, downed it, eyes flashing with sharp light.
The three drank a few more cups of tea until Yan Xishan’s convoy disappeared at the end of sight; Chen Brigade Commander stood up laughing: “Alright, tea’s done; let’s prepare quickly. That Commander Yan will surely want to see us soon.”
Chen Brigade Commander’s words proved prophetic; half an hour later, they saw this Shanxi King who had ruled Shanxi for decades in a heavily guarded compound.
As soon as they entered, they saw an old man with a short flat haircut, neat sideburns, mustache trimmed into short eight-character style, wearing a gray-blue cloth military uniform, striding toward them.
This man was the one called the Shanxi King, Yan Xishan.
As soon as they approached, Yan Xishan proactively extended his hand to Chen Brigade Commander: “Old Brother Chen… long time no see!”
Chen Brigade Commander smiled, saluted, then grasped his hand: “Commander Yan, it’s indeed been several years since we met.”
“Hahaha…” Both laughed simultaneously.
