Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 105 Ironworks

Japanese Military Police in Heyuan

"Captain, there's an emergency!"

A trusted aide quickly ran up to Fujita Ichiji, his tone grave: "Eighth Route Army troops are attacking the Third Regiment."

Is the Eighth Route Army attacking the Third Regiment?

Fujita Ichiji was completely stumped when he heard this.

This Third Regiment is not Camp 9, nor Mine 9; that's the territory of combat troops.

Although the original commander of the Third Regiment, Nobutetsu Sakata, was killed in battle, the Third Regiment's fighting strength remained top-notch.

The newly appointed regimental commander, Taro Mita, was also an outstanding commander with a distinguished military record, whose command abilities were in no way inferior to Nobutetsu Sakata's.

That is to say!

The Third Regiment is now a truly impenetrable fortress!

These Eighth Route Army soldiers actually dared to attack the Third Regiment! Aren't they tired of living?
and!

That doesn't sound reasonable either.

Logically speaking, after the Eighth Route Army captured Concentration Camp No. 9 and Mine No. 9, they should have immediately fled into the mountains, because our encirclement and suppression forces would inevitably come to their aid.

Instead of fleeing into the mountains, they continued their attack.

Even if you continue the attack, shouldn't your Eighth Route Army continue to look for important military targets like Mine No. 9?

Your decision to attack combat troops is utterly baffling.

"Has the news been verified? Is it really the Eighth Route Army?" Fujita Ichiji questioned. "Even the Jin-Sui Army and its elite troops don't dare to provoke the Third Regiment. Where did the Eighth Route Army get the guts!"

"Captain, it's precisely because neither the Jin-Sui Army nor the elite troops dare to provoke the Third Regiment that the only enemy attacking it is the Eighth Route Army," the confidant replied. "I've verified it; it is indeed undoubtedly the Eighth Route Army!"

"Why is the Eighth Route Army doing this?" Fujita Ichiji scratched his head. "They clearly knew that our encirclement and suppression forces had come out, yet they still went against the tide, choosing not to target other important military targets, but instead attacking the Third Regiment?"

The trusted aide replied, "Captain, we haven't been here long and aren't very familiar with the situation yet. I just checked with the men of the previous captain, Hirata Ichiro, and there's an important military target in the Third Regiment's territory?"

"What important military target?"

"Ironworks".

"Baka! What? An ironworks?!" Fujita Ichiji's eyes widened immediately upon hearing this.

No wonder the Eighth Route Army dared to risk attacking the Third Regiment's territory; they had their eyes on the ironworks.

Iron is one of the most important resources in war!

Without iron, there would be no guns, cannons, warships, airplanes, tanks, and even bayonets cannot be separated from iron.

If this ironworks were to fall, it would affect the Empire's plundering plans... Oh no, it won't!

Fujita Ichiji quickly rejected the idea. The Third Regiment was a formidable force, and it wouldn't be so easy for the Eighth Route Army to gain an advantage.

As long as I immediately order the encirclement and suppression troops to turn around and reinforce the Third Regiment, this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers will eventually be wiped out because of my arrogance!
Fujita Ichiji immediately said to his trusted confidant, "You should immediately send a telegram to the Third Regiment's commander, Mita, and tell him to make sure that this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers is held back. I will immediately send Commander Kuroshima and his men to reinforce the Third Regiment."

"Captain, Captain Mita has already died," his confidant said.

"Baka! Mita Kimi-tama is broken! How is this possible!" Fujita Ichiji was greatly shocked, even more so than when the Eighth Route Army attacked the Third Regiment's territory.

Are the Eighth Route Army soldiers really that fierce?
How could Mita-kun, leading the Third Regiment, be killed by the Eighth Route Army?
"Commander Mita had some urgent business to attend to in Commander Kasahara's territory. He was ambushed by the Eighth Route Army on his way out," the confidant explained. "I also deduced that the Eighth Route Army dared to attack the Third Regiment immediately because they killed Commander Mita and took advantage of the Third Regiment being leaderless."

"Baka, baka, baka!" Fujita Ichiji stomped his foot angrily and cursed "Baka" three times!

They originally thought that the Third Regiment could hold off the Eighth Route Army, and that once the encirclement and suppression forces came around, they could wipe out this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers.

The Third Regiment was successfully beheaded by the Eighth Route Army, leaving them in a dangerous situation of being leaderless.

If things go wrong, the Third Regiment might get utterly crushed by the Eighth Route Army again.

On Cangyun Ridge, the Third Regiment was humiliated.

Now that they've been harassed again, those who don't know the situation might still think the Third Regiment is an easy target.

"Contact the Third Regiment again and tell the battalion commanders to hold on. I'll send Regiment Commander Kuroshima and his men to reinforce them immediately," Fujita Ichiji ordered.

"Yes." The confidant ran off quickly.

boom!
Fujita Ichiji slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "Damn it! These Eighth Route Army bastards are getting bolder and bolder. They even dare to attack combat troops now. If this continues, it won't be long before they attack Taiyuan. This won't do. I have to hurry..."

Before Fujita Ichiji could finish speaking, another trusted aide rushed over and saluted him: "Captain, news just came that the 22nd Regiment's area of ​​responsibility has also been attacked by the Eighth Route Army?"

The area under the jurisdiction of the 22nd Regiment was also attacked by the Eighth Route Army.
Fujita Ichiji was stunned again upon hearing this, completely stumped once more.

Even if the Eighth Route Army successfully beheads Taro Mita, the Third Regiment will be leaderless.

But the three battalion commanders of the Third Regiment were not to be trifled with; they were not so easy to deal with.

Shouldn't the Eighth Route Army be focusing all its efforts on the Third Regiment?
Why would they still allocate troops to attack the 22nd Regiment's territory?
Yes!

The 22nd Regiment's territory is currently sparsely populated, as Kasahara Koizumi has taken his main force out. However, there's not much to gain in the 22nd Regiment's territory.

Why would the Eighth Route Army split up its forces? Why not concentrate its superior forces to attack the Third Regiment with all its might?

"Run to the communications room and tell the telegraph operator that another Eighth Route Army unit is attacking the 22nd Regiment's territory. Tell Regiment Commander Kuroshima and his men to quickly return to reinforce." Fujita Ichiji couldn't understand the Eighth Route Army's actions, so he could only suppress his suspicions.

"Yes." The confidant withdrew.

"Baka! What kind of medicine is this Eighth Route Army hiding in their gourd?" Fujita Ichiji sat down, scratching his head, but he couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he tried.

He even began to wonder if his fishing expedition was foolish.

The Eighth Route Army soldiers simply wouldn't take the bait.

If we hadn't launched the fishing operation, and the Eighth Route Army hadn't used the diversionary tactic, wouldn't there have been so much trouble?
……

Mine Ruins No. 9

Kuroshima Morita's cavalry and Ueno Village's mechanized forces were faster, so they arrived at Mine No. 9 first.

Looking at the mine that had become a complete ruin, with no equipment in sight and the mine shafts filled in, Ueno no Mura cursed, "Damn it, we're too late. The Eighth Route Army has already fled."

Kuroshima Morita was also furious: "It feels like we're being made a fool of again."

We clearly prepared bait, but the Eighth Route Army just wouldn't bite. Instead, they attacked other targets, keeping us running around like crazy. It was infuriating!

"Commander, Captain Fujita has sent an urgent telegram!" The communications soldier handed the newly arrived telegram to Kuroshima Morita.

Fujita Ichiji sent another urgent telegram?

Both Kuroshima Morita and Ueno no Mura were quite puzzled when they heard this.

Judging from this situation, it seems that the Eighth Route Army did not stop after seizing Mine No. 9, and has started causing trouble again?
Snatching the telegram from the communications soldier, Kuroshima Morita glanced down and his expression turned a deep shade of liver: "Damn it, these Eighth Route Army soldiers really don't know what's good for them."

"Kuroshima-kun, what has the Eighth Route Army done this time?" Uenomura asked suspiciously.

"Look, not only did the Eighth Route Army not hide, but they split into two groups. One group is attacking the Third Regiment, and the other has already entered Kasahara-kun's territory." Kuroshima Morita gritted his teeth as he handed the telegram to Ueno no Mura. "These Eighth Route Army bastards really don't take us, Kasahara-kun, or them seriously. They know we're out here to deal with them, yet they still defy the odds and dare to attack the Third Regiment head-on. Do they really think they're invincible from now on? Do they really think we're useless? Do they really think we're monkeys?"

"Is that so?" Upon hearing this, Ueno no Mura immediately took the telegram, glanced at it, and gritted his teeth, saying, "The Eighth Route Army is going head-to-head with the Third Regiment. They've really got a death wish. They've even entered Kasahara Koizumi's territory. This is clearly a further provocation against us."

"Ueno-kun, this time, we absolutely cannot let the Eighth Route Army escape again." Kuroshima Morita was so angry that his lungs felt like they were about to explode. "Let's both turn back immediately to reinforce them, and send a telegram to Kasahara-kun as well, telling him to return to defend."

"If the Eighth Route Army escapes again, we'll both become a laughingstock." Uenomura's face was extremely grim.

Instead of eliminating the Eighth Route Army, they allowed them to cause constant sabotage, and were made fools of.

If we can't destroy them, we'll be nailed to the pillar of shame.

"Go!" Kuroshima Morita waved his hand, turned his warhorse around, and immediately led the cavalry regiment back. The mechanized regiment of Ueno Village also turned around and returned together.

……

22nd Regiment
"Commander, we can't run anymore, the soldiers are all too tired."

The adjutant leaned close to Regiment Commander Kasahara Koizumi and began to speak haltingly.

"Baka! Even if we can't run anymore, we have to run. Mine No. 9 is very important. We can't let the Eighth Route Army escape." Kasahara Koizumi was also exhausted.

Unfortunately, the 22nd Regiment was an infantry unit, so they couldn't have mounts like cavalry, nor could they ride in vehicles like mechanized units.

Marching on foot alone is really tiring.

What's more.

The troops had already been outmaneuvered twice by the Eighth Route Army, and hadn't had a proper rest. Then they had to go on a forced march, so how could they not be exhausted?

"Commander, an urgent telegram from Commander Kuroshima!" The communications soldier handed the newly arrived telegram to Kasahara Koizumi.

The commander of the Black Island Regiment sent an urgent telegram?

Upon hearing this, Kasahara Koizumi's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Kuroshima Morita's group was attacked?
Kasahara Koizumi quickly unfolded the telegram and looked down at it.

"Damn it! Those damned Eighth Route Army soldiers have already escaped from Mine No. 9!" Kasahara Koizumi cursed after reading the message. "Not only did they not hide, but they attacked the Third Regiment and even broke into our regiment's defense zone. This is simply blatant disrespect!"

Knowing full well that we're going to kill you, you Eighth Route Army guerrillas brazenly continue to act recklessly and even raid my base. This is utterly intolerable!
Kasahara Koizumi immediately informed his Japanese soldiers of the news. Upon hearing that their stronghold had been breached, the soldiers were filled with righteous indignation.

"Damn it, I can't believe it! The Eighth Route Army has actually invaded our defense zone. This is like taking a dump on our face!"

"The Eighth Route Army is too despicable. Taking advantage of our absence, what kind of skill is that?"

"Baka! We're going back right now. We're going to choke these Eighth Route Army soldiers to death in the cesspool."

……

The Japanese soldiers of the 22nd Regiment were already exhausted, but the loss of their homeland fueled their anger and gave them strength!

With swift steps, he turned back.

(End of this chapter)