Liang Jian: Commander, save some for me

"What if they really are there?! Now that all the watchtowers and checkpoints have been attacked, it's hard to say that the Northeast Army isn't there."

"If we send our small force to provide support, do you think we'd be a match for that Northeast Army?!" the Japanese regimental commander retorted.

That Northeast Army was already stronger than them, and if they were to go to their aid, they would have to split their forces. If they were to actually encounter that Northeast Army, they would be no match for them.

"That's true, but are we just going to abandon thousands of soldiers like this?!" The Japanese major felt that this was a huge loss.

"I'll call the brigade commander. If he agrees to provide support, then we'll go. Otherwise, forget about it." The Japanese regimental commander finished speaking and went to the phone.

Anyway, as long as it wasn't his decision, he can't be blamed if something goes wrong.

Soon, the brigade commander's slightly angry voice came from the other end of the phone, asking what had happened!

"Brigade Commander, something's happened..." The Japanese regimental commander didn't dare delay and quickly explained the situation.

"Brigade Commander, I'm not sure whether I should go to provide support or not. Please give the order!" the Japanese regimental commander added.

"Don't worry, let me call Division Commander Banheng and ask," the Japanese brigade commander said after a moment of silence.
"Yes, sir!" The Japanese regimental commander nodded, and a busy tone came from the other end of the phone.

"Commander, I think that Northeast Army unit shouldn't be here. We came here to deal with the New 1st Regiment, didn't we?" the Japanese major said.

"Who can say for sure? Besides, we haven't even made a move against the New First Regiment yet, and they've already attacked us. I think that Northeast Army might be involved," the Japanese regimental commander said, shaking his head.

They were indeed there to deal with the New First Regiment. Their orders were to launch an attack on the New First Regiment's base, but now the New First Regiment had suddenly launched an attack on them, which made him somewhat worried that there might be some kind of conspiracy involved.

In short, it's always better to be safe than sorry. That Northeast Army has a good relationship with the New First Regiment, so they have to be careful. There have been so many precedents, and he doesn't want to follow in their footsteps.

.........

Taiyuan, Japanese military camp.

Seishiro Itagaki was still in his office, not in a hurry to rest, because there were only a few days left before he took the initiative to take action against the Eighth Route Army, so he had to be cautious.

Suddenly, the phone on the table rang. Seishiro Itagata frowned. Who could be calling so late?

He didn't think much of it and answered the phone. When he finished listening to the report, his brows immediately furrowed.

"You mean, the New First Regiment attacked all the checkpoints and pillboxes on your side?!" Seishiro Itagaki asked again.

"Yes, I'm worried that the Northeast Army might get involved, so I haven't sent them to provide support yet. But if we don't, more than two thousand of our two regiments will be killed tonight," the Japanese brigade commander said.

He didn't want to go to provide support; he wanted his troops to stay behind to avoid greater losses. As for the soldiers at the pillboxes and checkpoints, he had no choice but to abandon them.

"Damn it! We haven't even made a move yet, and they've already attacked us!" Itagaki Seishiro cursed, but his subordinates had a point.

The New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment actually launched attacks on their pillboxes and checkpoints. Could that Northeast Army unit also be involved?!
If that's the case, it means that the Northeast Army never intended to attack the Sixth Division, and therefore their plan could not be implemented.

However, this matter still needs to be confirmed.

"Immediately send orders for them to provide support! Remember, if they are attacked en route, retreat immediately!" Seishiro Itagaki gave the order.

If the supporting soldiers were attacked fiercely and suffered heavy casualties, it was highly likely that the Northeast Army was also involved.

"Division Commander, if our men really encounter that Northeast Army, it might be difficult for them to retreat!" the Japanese brigade commander couldn't help but say.

That Northeast Army was so fierce, if their soldiers encountered them, would they ever come back?

"Baka! How could you be so stupid? Why didn't you send an advance team to explore places where the enemy might be lying in ambush? If something happened to the advance team, the rest of the troops could just retreat!" Itagaki Seishiro scolded angrily. How could he have such a stupid subordinate?

"Yes, sir! I'll give the order right away!" the Japanese brigade commander said hastily.

After hanging up the phone, Seishiro Itagashi's expression also became serious.

Could it be that the Northeast Army really has no intention of attacking the Sixth Division?! That can't be right. The Sixteenth Division suffered a great loss back then, and even its commander, Nakajima Kesago, died!

This is enough to show that the Northeast Army had a deep hatred for the troops involved in the massacre, especially the perpetrators!

Or perhaps the enemy sensed something was wrong and didn't fall for it, instead cooperating with the New First Independent Regiment to attack their people.

"How dare they!" Itagaki Seishiro gritted his teeth in anger. He ordered his men to send troops to provide support, actually intending to see if the Northeast Army was involved.

Once that's confirmed, their plans will need to be changed.

"I think I should call Yamamoto-kun." After thinking for a moment, Itagaki Seishiro decided to tell Yamamoto Ichiki about it.

After all, the plan was devised by Yamamoto Ichiki, and given the current situation, it is very likely that the plan will be stillborn.

Shortly after, Yamamoto Ichiki answered the phone. After learning about the situation from Itakatsu Seishiro, Yamamoto Ichiki fell silent.

"Division Commander, I don't think that Northeast Army unit would be involved. Their target is definitely the 6th Division. This time, the New 1st Regiment and the Independent Regiment just thought it was a good opportunity to attack, so they made their move," Yamamoto Ichiki said.

"How can you be so sure they weren't involved?!" Seishiro Itaga asked in return, wanting to know what Yamamoto Ichiki's basis for judgment was.

"Division Commander, that Northeast Army unit back then was fully capable of annihilating the New 20th Division, but they didn't."
It's important to understand that eliminating the New 20th Division would have yielded the equivalent of a division's weapons and supplies, which is a huge amount of material, yet they didn't have any.
They'd rather forgo these supplies than let down Division Commander Nakajima. Don't forget, the Jin-Sui Army and the Eighth Route Army were also involved.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the Northeast Army had an extreme hatred and murderous intent towards the troops that participated in the massacre; they would even kill them if they didn't want supplies.

"From this, we can see that the target of that Northeast Army is definitely still the Sixth Division!" Yamamoto Ichiki's analysis was very logical.

Although the New 20th Division was only a Class B division, it was still a division and possessed a large quantity of firearms and ammunition. Even if they weren't tempted by such supplies, the Jin-Sui Army and the Eighth Route Army certainly would. However, the Northeast Army disregarded these two units and was willing to abandon these weapons and ammunition to attack the 16th Division, which speaks volumes.

“Well, what you said makes sense. So, I just ordered them to send troops to support us. That way, we can find out if that Northeast Army is involved.” Itagaki Seishiro explained his plan.

"Division Commander, I'll wait for your news then," Yamamoto Ichiki said, though he was also a little worried that the Northeast Army might actually shift its target.

"Don't rush. What if that Northeast Army really has changed its target?! How should we proceed with the subsequent plans?!" Itagaki Seishiro asked rhetorically.

Regardless of the outcome, they still need to discuss follow-up plans. To be honest, the New First Regiment's proactive action was something they hadn't expected.

"Then let the troops launch an attack on these two regiments, and at the same time send heavy troops to support them, try to surround them, and I will also lead men to support them!" Yamamoto Ichiki said slowly.

Since the enemy hasn't fallen for the trap and isn't on their side, let other troops take the initiative to attack and see if they can hold the enemy back. Once they arrive, the enemy will have no chance of escape.

"The most crucial thing is to hold back the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment. They have a good relationship with that Northeast Army. If they find that the two regiments may be completely annihilated, they will definitely not stand idly by. That is our opportunity!" Yamamoto Ichiki added.

He believed that given the friendship between the two sides, coupled with the Northeast Army's overconfidence in its superior combat capabilities, it would never abandon the two regiments. Therefore, as long as the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment were held back, it would buy time for other units to encircle them.

“In that case, the troops holding back these two regiments will probably be annihilated by the enemy,” said Seishiro Itaga.

Holding off these enemies won't be easy; it will inevitably come at a great cost.

"There's no other way. I originally wanted to eliminate the enemy with minimal losses, but if they don't fall for it, this is the only option."

"Isn't this a great opportunity to annihilate them?!" Yamamoto Ichiki responded coldly. In his view, as long as this Northeast Army could be wiped out, any price would be worth paying.

“You’re right. In that case, we can also wipe out both the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment, killing two birds with one stone,” Itagaki Seishiro said after a moment of silence.

“Actually, I think that after the last attack, that Northeast Army unit may have already broken ties with both sides,” Yamamoto Ichiki added.

"You mean, last time they attacked the 16th Division, they didn't consult with either side, but lied to them, right?!" Itagaki Seishiro said, realizing something as well.

"That's right. If we were to negotiate, it's highly likely that neither side would agree. In comparison, the supplies of a division are clearly more useful."
"For them, it's not worth it to exchange the supplies of an entire division for the life of a division commander!" Yamamoto Ichiki said.

In any case, if it were him, he would never do something so stupid. To kill one person for revenge and then forgo the supplies of an entire division is a losing proposition and not worth it at all.

“I don’t think it’s going to break up. Don’t forget the strength of that Northeast Army. Even if they didn’t tell them the specific plans, they wouldn’t dare to break up. Otherwise, if they are in danger in the future, they will lose a powerful ally!” Itagaki Seishiro didn’t think so.

Losing the supplies of a division is indeed a serious matter, but don't forget that without the Northeast Army, the Jin-Sui Army would not have had the chance to annihilate a division, let alone capture its supplies.

Therefore, it would be foolish for them to break ties with Mu Jin over this.

"What you say is true, but after this incident, their relationship may develop cracks and no longer be unbreakable."
"Their relationship with the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment is at most a little better, but that's enough," Yamamoto Ichiki said.

They do cooperate quite often, so those in higher positions can't interfere with these things.

"Yes." Seishiro Itahira nodded in agreement.

"Division Commander, I'll wait for news. I trust my judgment; that Northeast Army won't get involved!" Yamamoto Ichiki said.

"Yes, I hope so." After saying that, Seishiro Itagaki hung up the phone. He got up, went to the window, and then took out a cigarette and lit it.

Frankly, he would have preferred that the Northeast Army hadn't been involved in tonight's attack, so that they could eliminate their biggest enemy with minimal losses.

.........

In Qinghe County, at the Japanese army camp.

At this moment, the Japanese regimental commander was extremely uneasy. Every minute he stood there and delayed meant that the pillboxes and checkpoints would be in greater danger.

"Why is there still no news?" The Japanese regimental commander got up and paced back and forth, looking very anxious.

"Commander, don't worry. There's no use in being anxious now. My superiors will make a decision soon," the Japanese major reassured him.

"Sigh... those Northeast Army soldiers are truly despicable, how come their traces are everywhere!" The Japanese regimental commander sighed, and by the end, he was gritting his teeth in anger.

Why did they specifically target him? Couldn't they have focused their attention elsewhere?! If they were so capable, they could have attacked Taiyuan.

The Japanese major didn't dare say anything more and could only wait quietly.

"Call them again right now and tell them to hold on, reinforcements will be here soon," the Japanese regimental commander ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The Japanese major nodded and turned to leave.

The Japanese regimental commander sat down again, and a few minutes later he began to light a cigarette in frustration. However, before he could finish lighting one cigarette, the Japanese major rushed back.

"Commander, we can't get in touch with them!" the Japanese major hurriedly reported.

"What?! We can't contact them all?!" The Japanese regimental commander jumped to his feet, utterly shocked.

"I've already called the watchtowers and checkpoints, but there's been no response. The others are probably the same," the Japanese major said.

"Damn it, how could this be? It's only been a short time, and the enemy has already taken it over?! Could it be that the Northeast Army really was involved?! Otherwise, how could they have taken it so quickly?" The Japanese regimental commander couldn't help but curse. He simply couldn't believe that they had lost contact with them in such a short time.

He didn't believe that the New First Regiment and the Independent Regiment had such great ability to take down the blockhouse in such a short time.

(End of this chapter)