Chapter 95: Seiya Kai’s Fury
“Have you contacted Deputy Regiment Commander Huang?”
“Not yet, Regiment Commander!”
“This bastard… actually lost contact!”
Su Yaoyang was so angry that he started cursing.
Ever since he was ordered to rush to the aid of Teng County, Su Yaoyang felt like nothing had gone smoothly for him.
First, Teng County fell, and Division Commander Wang Mingzhang heroically died for the country. Then the vanguard troops encountered the Japanese army. Although they annihilated one Japanese cavalry company and one tank company, now the vanguard troops led by Huang Guantao had lost contact.
It must be known that this vanguard force led by Huang Guantao consisted not only of one infantry battalion, but also all the armored forces he had and one heavy mortar company. If they were eaten up by the Japanese, he didn’t even dare to imagine how to cope with the brutal Xuzhou Campaign next.
Although his history wasn’t great, he had watched《Blood Battle of Taierzhuang》, and the battle scenes in it, which could be called a meat grinder, left too deep an impression.
Moreover, he had a premonition that Li Zongren would definitely not let go of his well-equipped troops, and would absolutely use them to the death.
This was not him using a villain’s heart to speculate on a gentleman’s intentions, but if he were Li Zongren, he would do the same.
Which commander would allow such a well-equipped force under his command to sit idle? Didn’t you see in the movie that the 31st Division, ordered to garrison Taierzhuang, after bloody battles with the Japanese for several days, Division Commander Chi Fengcheng coughed up blood while shedding tears and called Second Army Group Commander Sun Lianzhong to request withdrawal from Taierzhuang to leave some seed for the 31st Division, but was rebuked by Sun Lianzhong.
“Even if only one man remains, you must fight! If you want to withdraw, bring your head to see me first, then I’ll bring my head to see the Commander-in-Chief.”
From this, the ferocity of the Taierzhuang battle is evident.
At this time, Su Yaoyang led the security regiment to a small village more than fifty li east of Teng County to rest, preparing to send people to scout the situation in Teng County.
In his view, since he was ordered to rush to the aid of Teng County, he had the obligation to avenge Division Commander Wang Mingzhang and the 122nd Division.
Just one hour passed, and they still couldn’t contact the vanguard troops, which made Su Yaoyang extremely anxious.
It must be known that the tank company was being cultivated by him as a seed. If the tank company was gone, it was unknown how much effort it would take to train another batch of armored soldiers.
Just as he was jumping with anxiety, the radioman delivered a telegram.
“Regiment Commander… telegram from the theater command.”
Su Yaoyang took the telegram and read it.
“Fifth War Zone Commander-in-Chief Department Urgent Telegram
To Security Regiment Commander Su Yaoyang of Nanjing:
Just received urgent report from the front line: Teng County fell into enemy hands yesterday. Our 122nd Division General Wang Mingzhang led his troops to defend the isolated city to the death, but ultimately due to being outnumbered, the entire division died for the country! Division Commander Wang faced death unyieldingly and heroically perished, truly a model for us soldiers.
Now that Teng County has fallen, rushing to aid is meaningless. Upon receipt of this telegram, immediately stop advancing, lead the entire regiment to quickly withdraw to Xuzhou and await orders! Strengthen vigilance along the way, strictly guard against Japanese pursuit. If encountering the enemy, dispose of as appropriate, but do not engage in prolonged fighting, strive to return the entire division intact.
At this time of national crisis, hope brother prioritizes the overall situation, preserves strength, and plans for future battles. The enmity of Division Commander Wang will surely be avenged another day!
Fifth War Zone Commander-in-Chief Li Zongren
27th Year of the Republic, March 18th, Chen Hour
After reading Li Zongren’s telegram, Su Yaoyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this Commander Li was indeed as rumored, honest and kind; otherwise, if it were someone with a slightly narrow mind, they would probably have vented anger on him long ago.
Perhaps because his mood improved, good news came one after another.
“Regiment Commander… we’ve made contact, we’ve contacted Deputy Regiment Commander Huang and them.” At this time, the communications soldier excitedly ran over to report.
Su Yaoyang was overjoyed upon hearing this: “Oh… where is Deputy Regiment Commander Huang now?”
“Deputy Regiment Commander Huang said they are now at a place called Shatun Village, more than thirty kilometers west of Teng County.
The reason they didn’t turn on the radio earlier was because they were hurrying to chase an artillery unit of the 33rd Brigade.
After a brief battle, they destroyed four 150mm heavy guns, twelve 75mm mountain guns of the Japanese army, eliminated over four hundred Japanese soldiers, and captured some rifles and ammunition.”
“Good… good…” Su Yaoyang slapped his thigh, “Well done, now let’s see if the little devils will feel the pain.”
Although Japan’s industrial strength and steel production far exceeded China’s, limited by scarce resources, the Japanese Army didn’t get much, and for them, every gun was extremely precious.
Now, losing dozens of guns at once was like cutting flesh for the 33rd Brigade or even the 10th Division; there was no way to replenish them for at least two or three months.
“Immediately order Huang Guantao to withdraw from the battlefield immediately to prevent the 33rd Brigade from jumping the wall in desperation, rendezvous with the main force at… at Sha Tou Town… then advance to Xuzhou!
Right, have Huang Guantao take photos while cleaning the battlefield, focusing on the destroyed Japanese guns and corpses, got it?”
“Understood!”
The telegram in Seiya Kai’s hand trembled rustlingly, and not far away, the smoke of gunpowder still lingered on the walls of Teng County.
He suddenly felt his throat tighten, as if someone was strangling his neck, making even breathing difficult.
Although it was now noon with the blazing sun, he still felt cold all over.
The sunlight stretched his shadow long, slanting and nailed to the bluestone road, and that shadow was also trembling slightly.
“Baka…”
He heard his hoarse voice drifting in the wind, powerless like a withered leaf.
In the distance came the uneasy snorting of warhorses. Only then did Seiya Kai realize that his saber had unknowingly been drawn half an inch, the cherry blossom pattern on the scabbard glowing coldly in the twilight.
He recalled the division commander patting his shoulder before departure and saying “Bushi masu,” now those artillerymen of the two artillery battalions were probably cursing him in hell.
“Brigade Commander, sir!”
The staff officer’s voice rang in his ear.
Seiya Kai suddenly crumpled the telegram into a ball viciously. The paper ball smashed against the rammed earth wall, bounced back, and rolled to the edge of his leather boots. He stared at the paper ball, dazedly seeing the division commander’s banner burning before his eyes, flames licking the “Bushi masu” satin ribbon.
He didn’t know how much time passed before a voice filled with endless hatred rang out in a daze.
“Do you know which Chinese force annihilated the artillery battalion?”
“According to the surviving soldiers, it was a unit called the Nanjing Security Regiment, and their commander is called Su Yaoyang.”
“Su Yaoyang…” Seiya Kai’s teeth ground with a creak, his eyes red as if bloodshot.
At this moment, he swore he had never hated anyone so much.
“Order the 10th Regiment to assemble immediately and pursue towards Xu!” Seiya Kai roared word by word.
Suddenly, a cool sensation fell on his nape.
He jerked his head up and saw the lead-gray clouds split open, pouring rain cascading down, instantly turning the wheel tracks into turbid mud.
This damned heavy rain was even going to extinguish the last chance of pursuit.
