Liang Jian: Commander, save some for me

"Sigh... I should report this." Tani Hisao sighed. He had held back from reporting to the commander, wanting to wait until the 33rd Brigade was safe before doing so.

But now, the 33rd Brigade probably won't last much longer, which makes him think of Yamamoto's special attack force.

In fact, not long after they lost contact with Yamamoto's special attack force, the 33rd Brigade sent a telegram explaining that the enemy had immediately telegraphed the troops attacking the 33rd Brigade after attacking Yamamoto's special attack force, ordering those troops to launch a general offensive as well.

This made Tani Hisao somewhat regretful, as the enemy's plan was clearly to use a two-pronged approach to simultaneously annihilate Yamamoto's special attack force and the 33rd Brigade.

If he hadn't sent Yamamoto's special attack team to provide support, the 33rd Brigade might have been able to hold out until the enemy retreated. After all, the plan had failed, and the enemy wouldn't keep attacking the 33rd Brigade indefinitely.

"Division Commander, I'll go send a telegram to the Commander." The Japanese regimental commander was about to leave when he was stopped.

"Wait, send another telegram to Division Commander Banheng, telling him that since the enemy wiped out the 33rd Brigade so quickly, they will surely retreat even faster."

"We need to get the other units moving faster and block all the key routes in time, especially in the mountains. Knowing the enemy as I do, they'll most likely choose to escape into the mountains," Tani Hisao instructed.

He didn't want the enemy to get away so easily.

"Yes, sir!" The Japanese regimental commander nodded before leaving.

After giving his explanation, Tani Hisao slumped into his chair. It was now almost certain that the 33rd Brigade was doomed, which pained him deeply.

This was the strongest unit in his division, having won countless battles and defeated numerous Nationalist troops. But now, this invincible unit was gone, which was truly hard for him to accept.

"Damn Mu Jin! I will never let you off easily!" Gu Hisao gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with intense killing intent. This was the first time he had ever hated someone so much.

However, after thinking about it carefully, he felt that something was not quite right. Mu Jin was not far from their command post. The fact that the other side was able to ambush Yamamoto's special forces so accurately meant that they had obviously found the location of his command post.

That's how they figured out the route the Yamamoto Special Attack Corps was going to support, and thus were able to set up an ambush precisely.

If Yamamoto's special operations team is wiped out, who will be Mu Jin's next target?! He felt that Mu Jin might not just retreat like this.

The enemy may have guessed that they would think this way, so they will fight some unexpected battles. And the enemy's target may have been the command post from beginning to end!
Thinking of this, Tani Hisao's face turned pale, and he stood up abruptly.

"Division Commander, the telegram has been sent to the Commander and Division Commander Itahisa. What's wrong with you?! You look so pale?!" The Japanese regimental commander came in to report the situation and happened to see Tani Hisao's somewhat pale face.

"Send a telegram to the 31st Brigade immediately, telling him not to go west to provide support yet, but to head towards the command post first!" Tani Hisao immediately ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The Japanese regimental commander was full of doubt, but he knew he couldn't ask any more questions and had to send a telegram immediately.

"Mu Jin, you're definitely after me! You won't let me off easily!" Gu Shoufu muttered to himself. If Mu Jin really intended to come after him, and if Mu Jin attacked the command post, the command post's two thousand-plus soldiers wouldn't be able to stop Mu Jin's attack.

However, if the troops heading west turn back now and head towards him, there might still be a chance to launch a counter-encirclement and wipe out Mu Jin.

"Then let's see who's dead!" Tani Hisao sneered. It would take Mu Jin at least half a day to get here, and the Thirty-First Brigade would arrive around the same time.

So, in terms of time, there is still enough time.

"Division Commander, the telegram has been sent." At this moment, the Japanese regimental commander walked in again.

"I want to ask, Division Commander, why did you suddenly change your mind? Isn't it very likely that the enemy will break out from the west? Why did you send the 31st Brigade to the command post?!" The Japanese regimental commander couldn't help but ask.

According to the division commander's analysis, the enemy would definitely choose to break out from the west, which is why the brigade in the north was sent to provide support in the west.

"Because the enemy will most likely launch a surprise attack on the command post before breaking out!" Tani Hisao said slowly.

"What?! Is Mu Jin out of his mind?! He dares to plot against the command post?!" The Japanese regimental commander was shocked upon hearing this.

"Nothing is impossible. Don't forget, if Mu Jin anticipated our next move, he would definitely continue attacking the command post."
"At this time, the command post was not protected by Yamamoto's special attack team, and other units could not provide immediate support. So do you think Mujin would not attack?!" Tani Hisao explained.

The troops that fought against Mu Jin in the past thought they had guessed what Mu Jin would do next, but they were instead used by Mu Jin and killed by him.

This time might be no exception, so he was certain that Mu Jin would never let such a good opportunity slip by.

"If that's the case, Division Commander, we should leave here as soon as possible and go to the nearest county town to hold it. The number of people at the command post can't stop Mu Jin's attack." The Japanese regimental commander believed it as soon as he heard it, so he quickly made the suggestion!
He didn't think the small number of people at the command post could stop Mu Jin, so he hoped the division commander could leave as soon as possible!

Retreating to the county seat and waiting for reinforcements was the right choice.

"What's the point of retreating? If Mu Jin wants to kill me, then let him come. Otherwise, why do you think I would have you send a telegram to the 31st Brigade?!" Tani Hisao sneered.

"Division Commander, you're putting yourself in danger! No, I don't agree!" The Japanese regimental commander immediately became anxious. He knew the division commander's plan was to use himself as bait to lure Mu Jin to continue attacking them, thus giving the 31st Brigade a chance to turn around and surround Mu Jin.

But he felt the plan was too risky. What if something really happened to the division commander?!

He used to feel relatively safe with Yamamoto's special forces, but now that they've been wiped out by the enemy, how can they possibly stop them?

"Don't panic. Mu Jin is quite far from us. It will take him at least half a day to get here. The Thirty-First Brigade should be able to get here in about the same amount of time!"
"I know it will be difficult for us to stop Mu Jin's attack with our small force, but we can hold out for a few hours," Tani Hisao insisted.

He felt that now was the best opportunity; as long as he could eliminate Mu Jin, everything would be fine.

“But what if Mu Jin discovers they’re surrounded and, instead of trying to break out, decides to kill us?!” the Japanese regimental commander said. At that point, it would be a fight to the death, and they certainly couldn’t stop him. “No, Mu Jin is the kind of person who cares most about the casualties of his men in battle. So, when he discovers they’re surrounded, he will definitely choose to retreat immediately, rather than fight us to the death!” Tani Hisao said slowly.

He didn't believe Mu Jin would trade a bunch of people's lives for him.

"What if you're wrong?!" the Japanese regimental commander said.

“We have to take a gamble. I trust my intuition! Besides, if we retreat now, it will be even more difficult to take action against Mu Jin again. This is the only good opportunity! It’s worth the risk!” Tani Hisao replied.

He was certain that Mu Jin's men were secretly watching near the command post, so if they chose to retreat, Mu Jin would definitely abandon the attack plan, and they would miss the best opportunity to kill Mu Jin.

As long as Mu Jin can be killed, this Northeast Army will not be able to cause any trouble. As for why it is certain that Mu Jin will personally launch the attack, it is naturally because of Yamamoto's special attack force.

Mu Jin would never entrust the task of annihilating Yamamoto's special attack team to anyone else, so the person leading the attack on him would definitely be Mu Jin!
Hisao Tani didn't want to miss this opportunity!
"Division Commander, why don't you reconsider? I think it's still too dangerous! Or, you could retreat, and I'll lead the troops to draw the enemy's attention," the Japanese regimental commander urged again, still disagreeing with the division commander taking the risk.

In his view, the division commander's life was far more precious than Mu Jin's.

"If I leave, the enemy will definitely notice something is wrong, and they won't fall for the trap. This matter is settled. Don't say anything more. Go and send a telegram to Division Commander Itakane and tell him my plan," Tani Hisao instructed, his tone brooking no refusal.

"Yes, sir!" The Japanese regimental commander had no choice but to obediently go and send a telegram.

"This game will be decided by who comes out on top, you or me!" Tani Hisao looked toward the door.

.........

Taiyuan, Japanese military camp.

At that moment, Seishiro Itagata was in his office. He stared at the telegram in his hand, his eyes widening as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"Division Commander, could the 33rd Brigade really have been annihilated by the enemy?! The Yamamoto Special Attack Unit just disappeared at the foot of the mountain, and now the 33rd Brigade has arrived – that's too much of a coincidence!"
"Besides, didn't the 33rd Brigade say they could hold out until noon? How come they suddenly sent a telegram saying they might be wiped out?!" The Japanese brigade commander standing in front couldn't help but say.

The incidents involving the two units occurred too close together, and the telegrams sent by the 33rd Brigade before and after were also quite contradictory.

“It’s not a coincidence. These are all part of the enemy’s plan. In fact, they have the strength to wipe out the 33rd Brigade, but they haven’t made a move. Instead, they’re waiting,” Itagaki Seishiro began to analyze.

"Waiting?! Waiting for what?! You mean they're waiting for Mujin to make a move against Yamamoto's special attack team before launching a general offensive against the 33rd Brigade?!" The Japanese brigade commander didn't understand at first, but quickly realized what he meant.

"That's right, that's exactly it. Only when Yamamoto's special attack force enters the ambush zone should we launch the final assault. Otherwise, with the 33rd Brigade being wiped out so quickly, would Yamamoto's special attack force dare to continue providing support?! Aren't they worried about being ambushed along the way?!"
"The enemy's considerations are truly thorough." As he spoke, Itagaki Seishiro couldn't help but praise them, because the opponent's considerations were indeed comprehensive, making them a very formidable adversary.

"This Mu Jin is truly too formidable. I really can't figure out how his brain works, how he can come up with so many plans to deal with us." The Japanese brigade commander was somewhat helpless.

It seems like they haven't gained any advantage at all since they started fighting Mu Jin! No matter what plan they come up with, Mu Jin can guess it and react accordingly, sometimes even catching them off guard.

"He is indeed very capable." Even Seishiro Itaga had to admit that.

"Fortunately, so many people were killed this time, so the responsibility doesn't lie with the division commander, otherwise the trouble would have been much bigger," the Japanese brigade commander continued.

The loss of an entire brigade of a Class A division, plus the Yamamoto Special Attack Team meticulously trained by the commander, is a serious blow. If the division commander were to take responsibility for this, he would probably commit seppuku right now.

"If it can kill Mu Jin, I'll take responsibility for it," said Itagaki Seishiro. The annihilation of Yamamoto's special attack team was a great pity to him.

If Yamamoto's special attack team hadn't met with this misfortune, they would surely have achieved something great in the future. It's just that they were too unlucky and ran into a series of bad things.

"Division Commander, at least Division Commander Tani Hisao is still alive and well, so you can relax a little." The Japanese brigade commander changed the subject.

He felt that discussing the 33rd Brigade and Yamamoto's special attack force was too depressing, and that it would be better to talk about Division Commander Tani Hisao, who was still safe.

"What did you say?!" Seishiro Itagaki stared at the Japanese brigade commander instantly.

"Uh... Division Commander, I meant Division Commander Tani Hisao is alright." The Japanese brigade commander was startled, but still repeated himself.

"Damn it! The enemy's next target is very likely Tani Hisao! They're not far from him!" As Itagaki Seishiro spoke, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"Probably not. Shouldn't their target have been just the 33rd Brigade and Yamamoto's special attack unit? Now that they've achieved their objective, they should be thinking about how to retreat." The Japanese regimental commander swallowed nervously as he finished speaking.

"The command post only has so few people right now, do you think they can stop Mu Jin?! Besides, the other units all think Mu Jin will choose to retreat immediately."

So everyone is preparing to encircle and intercept Mu Jin, but the command post is currently short of troops. What if Mu Jin seizes this opportunity?!" Itagaki Seishiro asked rhetorically.

When the time comes, what will the depleted command post do when it encounters Mu Jin's powerful army? It will only face certain death.

"Hiss... That's certainly possible." The Japanese brigade commander gasped, realizing that what the division commander said made a lot of sense.

"Immediately send a telegram to Division Commander Tani Hisao, instructing him to lead his men to evacuate to a nearby county town. At the same time, have the 31st Brigade, which is heading west, nod and head to the command post!" Itagaki Seishiro hurriedly gave the orders.

He certainly didn't want to see Tani Hisao killed by the enemy. (End of Chapter)