Anti-Japanese War: Starting from Yaobai

Chapter 2738: Startling step by step!

Duanwu felt that the Japanese were addicted to giving away people's heads, but he didn't know that Major Chiharu also had his own plans.

In fact, he didn't want to send troops out.

But his scouts reported one after another that their enemies were preparing to retreat after cleaning up the battlefield.

Major Chiharu paced back and forth in his tent, thinking for a long time, and felt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Of course, there was another thing. He caused irreversible losses to the troops one after another, which led to criticism from some officers.

Although these Japanese officers did not dare to say it to his face, they were talking about it behind his back.

Naturally, some Japanese who were curious about the situation reported these words to Major Chiharu.

So Major Chiharu thought about it and decided that he had to fight a good battle to shut these people up. Otherwise, if the news got to the headquarters, how could he keep his position as the acting brigade commander?

Major Chiharu's eyes gradually became firm. He suddenly stopped, put his hands behind his back, and looked confidently towards the door of the tent.

He knew very well that he had to make a decision at this moment to consolidate his position as acting brigade commander.

Thinking of this, Major Chiharu shouted, "Guards!"

A guard quickly responded and came in, standing at attention, waiting for the major's instructions.

"Notify the First Infantry Battalion immediately and order them to set out immediately to pursue the black-clad troops!"

"Hi!"

After receiving the order, the guard turned around and ran out to convey the major's order.

Lieutenant Colonel Chiharu continued to stand in the center of the tent, gazing deeply into the distance, as if he had already seen the scene of the black-clad troops fleeing in panic under the pursuit of his subordinates.

And when that time comes, he will want to see who dares to disobey him, Major Chiharu.

However, Major Chiharu's little trick was indeed not very good. He did not even understand the most basic four words: Don't pursue the enemy who is desperate.

What's more, are the black-clad troops desperate enemies? They have won two battles and their morale is high, right?

But Chiharu overlooked this point.

He believed that the previous failures were due to his carelessness and the troops he sent out were not careful enough, which led to the enemy's ambush.

But now it’s different. The enemy is there, and the well-trained imperial army can definitely wipe out the enemy in one fell swoop as long as they pounce.

Thinking of this, Major Chiharu couldn't help but sneer.

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At the same time, in the camp of the Japanese temporary First Infantry Battalion, soldiers were sitting in groups of three or four, some were cleaning their guns, some were bowing their heads in thought, and the air was filled with a sense of post-war fatigue and laziness.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the silence, and a messenger ran in breathlessly, shouting: "The major ordered the First Infantry Battalion to set off immediately to pursue the black-clad troops!"

As soon as these words came out, the camp exploded. The soldiers started to curse, some swear, some complain, and the voices rose one after another:

"Has Major Chiharu's brain been bombarded? After tossing and turning all night, he didn't even let us rest, and now he wants to chase us again?"

"That's right. The black-clad troops are very cunning. The two waves that just went out haven't come back yet. If we continue to chase them now, isn't that obviously courting death?"

"It's blind command, purely blind command!" Although the soldiers were full of dissatisfaction and complaints, military orders were as heavy as a mountain and could not be disobeyed.

A captain Japanese officer was their temporary captain. Although he was also dissatisfied with Chiharu's command, he was the captain appointed by Chiharu after all.

And if they win this battle and Major Chiharu is promoted, then he will also be promoted.

So thinking of this, he shouted against his will: "Stop talking nonsense, get ready and set off! We must follow the major's order!"

The soldiers had no choice but to get up and pack up their equipment.

Although they were dissatisfied, they did not dare to slow down in their actions. After all, they knew the consequences of disobeying military orders better than anyone else.

Soon, the First Infantry Battalion was ready to go. They walked out of the camp cautiously, with every step they took, they were shocked!

The silence outside the camp made them feel more uneasy, as if ambushing enemies would emerge from all directions at the next moment.

The Japs held their weapons tightly in their hands, glanced around vigilantly, and even their breathing became cautious.

Therefore, the entire infantry battalion did not march very fast, because everyone knew that any negligence on their part could have fatal consequences.

They followed the traces left by the black-clad troops, praying silently in their hearts that they could find the enemy successfully, but they were also praying that their enemies could run faster so that they would not have to encounter them.

However, at this moment, a scout hurried back, his face covered in sweat, and he reported breathlessly: "Captain, the black troops left in a hurry and didn't have time to take away many spoils. It seems that there is some emergency!"

"Nani?"

When the Japanese captain heard this, he was surprised at first, but then his eyes lit up and his originally furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

He thought to himself that he had thought he was going to die, but he had unexpected gains. If the enemy had no intention of fighting, then it would be the best time for him to pursue them. If he could achieve some results, wouldn't that be a great achievement?

Thinking of this, he immediately gave the order: "Everyone listen up, and chase with all your might! The enemy is obviously in trouble, this is our best chance to make a contribution!"

Although the soldiers were still somewhat nervous, they immediately cheered up and quickened their pace when they heard the captain's order.

They followed the direction indicated by the scouts, and the uneasiness in their hearts was gradually replaced by the desire for military exploits.

Because what are military merits? They are military ranks. And only when their military ranks are promoted can they become officers and take off the hats of privates.

Those Japanese who were originally officers wanted to go one step further, because only by climbing to the rank of major could they truly escape from the frontline battlefield.

So, a large group of Japanese soldiers quickly shuttled through the mountain roads in the dense forest, stopping from time to time to observe the traces on the ground to confirm whether the black-clad troops were really moving in a hurry.

They were sure that the black-clad troops were indeed in a hurry and that many guns were tied up but not taken away.

Discarded ammunition and guns can be seen everywhere on the roadside.

And it makes sense if you think about it. Lord Kujo's army has already set out from Songyuan. The enemy must have received the news, so they are eager to retreat and protect their own camp.

So the group of Japanese soldiers couldn't help but speed up and chase westward along the mountain road.

Although the Anti-Japanese Battalion's base should be on the south side of Sanchongguan, the exit of Sanchongguan was heavily guarded by troops from the Masano Brigade, and it was impossible for the enemy to infiltrate from that direction.

Otherwise, with so many people, unless everyone on the position was blind, they would definitely be able to see that an enemy had infiltrated.

So if the enemy infiltrates from the front line, then it is not possible. Then the enemy must have another way to bypass the three levels.

Therefore, the Japanese officers not only did not doubt, but also felt that they were very lucky. Even if they could not catch up with their enemies, just finding the secret passage where the enemies infiltrated the triple checkpoints was a great achievement!

(End of this chapter)