Anti-Japanese War: Starting from Yaobai

Chapter 3008 Better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me, Maruyama is abandoned!
Upon receiving orders from Kujo Miyamoto, the communications officer immediately sent a telegram to Koizumi Jiro of the reconnaissance unit.

However, as time ticked by, the radio station remained deathly silent, offering no response whatsoever.

Kujo Miyamoto paced back and forth in the central command tent, his eyes filled with anxiety and unease. He kept glancing at his watch and muttering, "What's going on? Why haven't they called back yet?"

A while later, the communications soldier ran back dejectedly and reported: "Reporting to Lord Kujo, there has been no response from Koizumi Jiro. The dozens of telegrams sent have disappeared without a trace."

Kujo Miyamoto felt a buzzing in his head, his vision went black, and he almost lost his balance.

Because he knew that no response meant the worst had happened, and that the reconnaissance unit led by Jiro Koizumi had probably already been wiped out.

"Bagaya road!"

Kujo Miyamoto roared and kicked over the table next to him, scattering the documents all over the floor.

He finally realized that he had been tricked; the anti-Japanese brigade had used a feint to the east while attacking the west, manipulating him at will.

From the very beginning, they fell into a trap carefully designed by the Anti-Japanese Brigade. The so-called trip to Da'an Mine was just bait deliberately released by the Anti-Japanese Brigade to lure them out of Songyuan City and then defeat them one by one.

Suppressing his anger, Kujo Miyamoto immediately ordered the guards around him, "Quickly, find Onizuka Yūmei for me, and be quick!"

After receiving the order, the guard immediately ran out to search for Onizuka Yumei.

Onizuka Yumei is currently setting up defenses to guard against a possible sneak attack by the main force of the anti-Japanese brigade.

But just then, a guard rushed over in a panic, saying, "Lord Onizuka, Lord Kujo requests your presence immediately!"

Onizuka Yumei frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

So he hurriedly followed the guards to the central command tent to see Kujo no Miyako.

When Onizuka Yumei entered the central command tent, he saw Kujo Miyamoto's ashen face.

"Kujo-kun, what happened?"

Onizuka Yumei stopped guessing and asked directly.

At this moment, Kujo Miyamoto shoved the telegram in his hand into Onizuka Yūmei's hand and said through gritted teeth, "Look for yourself! We've been tricked. Maruyama has been ambushed by the anti-Japanese brigade and his fate is unknown. We've also lost contact with Koizumi Jirō and he's probably been wiped out."

Onizuka Yumei picked up the telegram, quickly glanced through it, and his expression turned extremely grim.

He pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Kujo-kun, should we go and rescue General Maruyama?"

Kujo Miyamoto sneered, "Do you think that bastard Qi Dabing will let us go back? It's still light out, we still have a chance to break out. But if we wait until nightfall, when the anti-Japanese brigade ambushes us, none of us will be able to leave. So now, do you still think we have a chance to rescue Maruyama?"

Onizuka Yumei nodded slightly in agreement, saying, "Kujo-kun is absolutely right. So, how should we retreat now?"

Kujo Miyamoto thought for a moment, then righted the overturned table and pulled the crumpled map out from under a pile of documents, spreading it on the table.

He pointed to the location of Black Song Mountain and said, "We are currently in Black Song Mountain. The mountains here are undulating and covered with dense vegetation. Originally, we could have been very well hidden here."

However, if this is a trap set by the anti-Japanese brigade, then we should have already been exposed.

They will also set up ambushes on our way down the mountain or back to the road. Therefore, we cannot return the way we came; we must choose a route they will not expect.

I think there's a relatively flat road to the west from here. Although it's just a small road, the terrain is relatively flat, and our trucks should be able to get through.

In this way, we can avoid the ambush of the anti-Japanese brigade, reach the highway smoothly, and then immediately return to Songyuan City along the highway.

After careful consideration, Onizuka Yumei shook his head and said, "This route is feasible, but it is also quite risky. Due to the narrowness of the road, the marching speed will definitely be limited, and it will be easier to encounter ambushes."

Kujo Miyamoto pondered for a moment before saying, "There's no better way now; this is our only chance. Notify the troops to pack up their equipment immediately and prepare for retreat. Have the soldiers discard all unnecessary baggage and carry only weapons, ammunition, and essential supplies. At the same time, send out a reconnaissance team to clear the way ahead and report immediately if they discover anything."

"Okay, Kujo-kun, I'll arrange it right away!"

After receiving the order, Onizuka Yūmei quickly went to relay it.

Soon, the entire camp was bustling with activity. Soldiers hurriedly packed their belongings, throwing away all the heavy supplies, such as tents, and discarding ammunition boxes after the weapons and ammunition had been distributed.

Meanwhile, the Japanese reconnaissance squad was also ready to go. They carefully descended the mountain from the west side and searched towards the road.

Kujou Miyamoto and Onizuka Yūmei stood in the center of the camp, watching the busy soldiers, their hearts filled with worry.

Because they knew that this retreat would likely be fraught with danger.

However, at that moment, the communications soldier ran over again and said, "Reporting to Lord Kujo, General Maruyama has sent another telegram for help. He has successfully led a small group of men to break through the encirclement and is heading to Kurotsōyama. Please send someone to meet him."

Kujo Miyamoto chuckled and said, "Tell him I will, and put his mind at ease."

"Hi!"

The Japanese communications soldier received the order and immediately went to send the message.

At this moment, Onizuka Yūmei said in surprise, "Kujō-kun, are you going to send people to rescue Maruyama-kun? Going to rescue Maruyama now is nothing short of sending him to his death! Since the Anti-Japanese Brigade has set up an ambush, they must have made thorough preparations. No matter how many people we send, they will all only face certain death!"

Kujo Miyamoto scoffed, "Do you think I'm that stupid? Maruyama is not coming back. Sending any number of men to rescue him will only lead to their deaths. I will not waste the lives of the Imperial Japanese Army in vain!"

Onizuka Yumei nodded approvingly; he had been genuinely worried that Kujo Miyamoto might do something foolish in a moment of impulsiveness.

Fortunately, he was just overthinking it. Kujo-kun thought the same way: in this situation, it's better to sacrifice a friend than oneself.

If they divide their forces to rescue him, they will only face certain death. On the contrary, treating Maruyama like a toddler might offer a glimmer of hope.

For this glimmer of hope, Onizuka Yuumei felt that he would do anything that was not excessive.

He patted Kujo Miyamoto on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, Kujo-kun, we will definitely return to Matsubara Prefecture safely. You rest here for a while, I'll go check on the evacuation preparations!"

Having said that, Onizuka Yūmei turned and left.

At this moment, Kujo Miyamoto watched Onizuka Yūmei's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He could only murmur to himself, "Maruyama-kun, I hope you can find your own way! I can't worry about you right now!"

He then turned back into his tent and began packing his important belongings, preparing to evacuate immediately!