Chapter 30: Let the Bullets Fly for a While

Faced with Terauchi Juichi’s anxious questioning, the Japanese signal soldier replied with a deathly pale complexion:

“Reporting to the Commander, according to reports from the front, the Chinese are extremely treacherous and cunning.”

“They have secretly dug tunnels behind several low hills, concealing themselves and various weapons within them.”

“Even more infuriating is that when our brave soldiers pursued them, these despicable Chinese soldiers planted a vast number of landmines along the way.”

“Colonel Kuroshima failed to notice these traps, and ultimately, he and all the brave men of his cavalry regiment were buried in the enemy’s scheme. They were all annihilated.”

“Baka! Baka! Baka!”

“Cunning Chinese, I will kill every last one of you!”

Upon hearing this tragic news, Terauchi Juichi gnashed his teeth in fury, trembling all over, his eyes seemingly spitting fire. He had completely lost his composure.

The battle had not even truly begun. In a single day, the Sakata Regiment was gone, and now the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment was finished as well. Even with an army of one hundred thousand, he could not afford such losses! If the rest of the Japanese Empire were to see this, they would think he was nothing but a fool.

“Tell those idiots at the Special Service Section!”

“One hour! One hour!”

“If they cannot get specific intelligence on the New First Division within an hour, they can go sell their bodies in Siam!”

…

Inside Changzhi City.

At any time, people love to watch the spectacle. Through the deliberate incitement of certain unscrupulous individuals, the events that occurred in Jincheng spread rapidly throughout Changzhi. Many locals, upon seeing Liu Jianguo, no longer showed the initial respect and admiration, but only suspicion and disgust.

However, since learning of the developments in Jincheng, Liu Jianguo had remained as steady as Mount Tai, showing no signs of panic. Instead, he summoned Gu Zidi, who had just arrived, and Tan Ziwei, who was in charge of the New Third Regiment, to have tea together.

“Old Tan, Old Gu, this Japanese supply train is a truly tough nut to crack.”

“It has an armored train in front and armored vehicles in the rear, plus two or three hundred Japanese soldiers and over twenty light and heavy machine guns. It is practically a mobile fortress.”

“Without sufficient artillery, it is impossible to take the train in a short time.”

“Furthermore, this is in occupied territory; it is impossible to let your entire New Third Regiment move out.”

“I reckon you can only reasonably deploy seven or eight hundred men.”

“And if the battle drags on, Japanese troops from nearby strongholds will certainly surround you. I fear you might end up paying a heavy price for little gain.”

“How about it? Do you want to find a simpler opponent for the New Third Regiment’s first battle?”

Faced with Liu Jianguo’s teasing, Tan Ziwei picked up his cup, took a sip of tea, and revealed a confident smile.

“Commander, you can rest assured! When it comes to the delicate art of night combat, our New Third Regiment is the most skilled!”

“A mere Japanese armored train is hardly worth mentioning.”

“You can safely leave this task to our Third Regiment!”

“That’s right!” Gu Zidi, standing beside him, nodded repeatedly in agreement. “Indeed, Commander, leave this to us and it will be foolproof!”

“You can rest easy; there will definitely be no problems!”

“Good!” Liu Jianguo did not hesitate and nodded immediately. “If you have any requirements, go talk to Old Sun in logistics.”

“I have only one request: do not leave a single supply for the Japanese. Let those bastards freeze and starve to death!”

“Yes!” they both replied.

After sending the two away, Liu Jianguo sat down and had some more tea. He was sitting quite calmly, but someone else could not sit still.

“Commander, Commander!” Wei Dayong said anxiously. “Yan Lao-xi is smearing your name like this, why aren’t you worried at all?”

Liu Jianguo waved his hand.

“Monk, why be in such a hurry?”

“Let the bullets fly for a while.”

Wei Dayong was full of question marks. What did that mean? Why did the Commander say things he couldn't understand from time to time? Could he have been driven mad by Yan Lao-xi? Should he find a doctor to check on him?

Liu Jianguo did not realize the complexity of Wei Dayong’s train of thought. Regarding the smears by Yan Lao-xi, it was not that he had no way to respond. However, Liu Jianguo felt that no matter which method he used, it would not be enough to make his fellow countrymen in Jin Province and across the nation see Yan Lao-xi’s true face.

This old man looked respectable on the surface, but in reality, he was a selfish old scoundrel. To prevent the Eighth Route Army from entering Jin Province, he colluded with the Nationalists to attack his own people. When he saw the Japanese were unstoppable, he proactively cooperated with the Eighth Route Army. When he felt the Eighth Route Army was a threat, he secretly traded with the Japanese. He was a pure hypocrite, a villain!

As long as Liu Jianguo was in Jin Province, he was bound to clash with Yan Lao-xi. That was why he had laid out his plans so early and detonated this time bomb in a timely manner. He just hadn’t expected Yan Lao-xi to resolve it so quickly. It seemed there was an expert advising him from behind the scenes!

“Hahaha!”

Before the person even arrived, a familiar booming voice echoed from outside the door.

“Commander, congratulations on making a fortune!”

Li Yunlong had returned!

Liu Jianguo’s lips curled slightly.

My bullets have arrived.

Yan Lao-xi, let’s see how you argue your way out of this!

…

Inside Jincheng.

Yan Lao-xi was also leisurely drinking tea in his mansion. Although his flight from Taiyuan had been hasty and most of his assets had fallen into the hands of the Japanese, he had operated in Jin Province for many years and could live a luxurious life anywhere.

“The method Xingru thought of is truly excellent!”

“Not only did it restore my reputation and smear that little brat Liu Jianguo, but it also elevated my standing even further.”

“Excellent, truly excellent!”

“It seems I should rely on him more in the future.”

After happily stroking his mustache, Yan Lao-xi began to contemplate which mistress he should visit tonight to celebrate. However, before he could choose, someone hurriedly pushed the door open.

Who was being so impolite?

Yan Lao-xi’s face turned cold. But upon noticing who it was, he immediately changed to a kindly expression.

“Xingru, come, come, have some tea.”

“Tea my foot!” Yang Aiyuan shouted in a panic.

“Commander, it’s bad, it’s bad!”

“The New First Division not only wiped out the Sakata Regiment but also destroyed the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment.”

“Not only that, they even captured the regimental flag of the Sakata Regiment!”

“What?!” The teacup in Yan Lao-xi’s hand dropped to the ground, shattering into pieces.

They captured the Sakata Regiment’s flag?!

My friend, you were so formidable when you were attacking our Jinsui Army! How did you become so limp when you encountered Liu Jianguo’s men!

An reinforced infantry regiment, a proper cavalry regiment.

Just like that, they are gone?

And they had a regimental flag captured? You really are a bunch of losers!