Siheyuan: Hang Jia Dongxu, smash Banggeng to death!

After the port was cleared, ground troops began their own cleanup.

Tanks led the way, followed by infantry, as the Huaxia Independent Brigade, the Northeast Army, the Central Army, and the Eighth Route Army launched attacks from all directions.

The Japanese army's last line of defense was as flimsy as paper and collapsed at the slightest touch.

Those once-proud Kwantung Army soldiers are now fleeing like stray dogs.

Some hid in the ruins and fired sniper shots, only to be blown away by a tank shell.

Some crawled into the sewers, only to be found and shot dead.

Some officers organized a suicide squad, strapped with explosives, and rushed toward the tank, but they were mowed down by machine gun fire before they could even get close.

The battle lasted for three days, and Daryan and Lushun were subsequently liberated.

When the news reached Tokyo, the military headquarters fell into a deathly silence.

Hideki Tojo sat in his office, battle reports spread out in front of him, his hands trembling.

The empire's decades-long efforts in Northeast China have come to a complete end.

The puppet state of Manchukuo is gone.

The Kwantung Army is gone.

Of the 300,000 troops, some died, some fled, and some surrendered.

What will His Majesty the Emperor think of him?

What will the public think of him?

News of the liberation of Northeast China spread throughout the land, and the whole country rejoiced.

From the north and south of the Yangtze River to inside and outside the Great Wall, people took to the streets to celebrate the victory.

Students marched, workers set off firecrackers, and the elderly burned incense and prayed to Buddha.

The humiliation committed by Yao Qing over the past ten years has finally been washed away.

Those Northeasterners who fled into the pass during the September 18 Incident wept uncontrollably.

They knelt on the ground, scooped up a handful of soil, and kowtowed towards the northeast. Their hometown was finally back.

In Lin Tian's command post, Brigade Commander Chen was reporting the battle results: "Commander, the entire Northeast has been liberated."

The Japanese army suffered approximately 200,000 casualties, along with 350,000 puppet troops, and captured approximately 50,000 prisoners. Countless supplies were seized. Our combined forces suffered approximately 100,000 casualties, and we also suffered half our casualties.

Lin Tian nodded and asked about the handling of the "Manchurians".

Commander Chen spread out a list: "We have arrested more than 3,000 people, including officials of the puppet state of Manchukuo, remnants of the Qing dynasty, and traitors, according to the list."

Those who committed the crimes have been executed, and others are hiding in the countryside; a manhunt is underway.

"Not a single one can be spared."

Brigade Commander Chen responded, but hesitated for a moment: "However, some people have changed their names and are mixed in with the common people, making them difficult to distinguish."

"Then investigate slowly. Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free."

Lin Tian's tone left no room for doubt: "Those Manchu nobles colluded with the Japanese and betrayed national interests in order to restore the Qing dynasty."

They killed more Chinese people than the Japanese devils. Keeping such people alive is a disaster. Think more about what Yoshiko Kawashima did in history.

Ma Yongzhen walked in, covered in blood, but in good spirits.

He was no longer the dockworker carrying heavy loads; he was now the commander of the Second Independent Regiment of China, having killed countless Japanese soldiers.

"Commander, the Independent Regiment has arrested a group of officials from the puppet state of Manchukuo. Some of them are still wearing Qing Dynasty official robes and say they want to see the emperor."

Lin Tian smiled.

"The emperor? Puyi has all fled, where is the emperor? Kill them all, leave no one alive."

"Yes."

Ma Yongzhen turned and left, with Dajun and Zhou Xingxing following behind, also covered in blood.

Dajun comforted him, saying, "It's alright. We're killing Japanese devils, traitors, and collaborators. They deserve to die."

Zhou Xingxing nodded, recalling the crimes committed by the Japanese in Nanjing in history and the compatriots who were massacred, and the discomfort in his heart disappeared.

They deserve to die, they really deserve to die.

The cleanup operation is still ongoing.

Those officials who had once acted arrogantly and domineeringly in the puppet state of Manchukuo were dragged out one by one and brought to the square for public trial.

The crowd was so large that it was impossible to move; some threw stones, some spat, and some rushed forward to fight.

"Traitorous dogs! You sellouts! You've finally met your match!"

An old man dressed in a silk robe was brought onto the stage; he was the Finance Minister of the puppet state of Manchukuo.

Back then, we followed the Japanese invaders, plundering the people's wealth and causing countless families to be broken up and people to die.

He lowered his head, trembling all over, his voice hoarse: "Have mercy, I was forced into it..."

"Forced?"

The judge sneered, "When you were plundering the people, why didn't you say you were forced to do it?"

When you helped the Japanese exploit the Chinese people and took kickbacks, why didn't you say you were forced to?

When you oppressed the innocent and forcibly took women, why didn't you say you were forced into it?

The old man was speechless and collapsed to the ground.

The judge pronounced the sentence: "Death sentence, to be carried out immediately."

A shot rang out.

Those old-timers were also dragged out one by one.

Some had changed their names and hid in the countryside, thinking they could escape the purge, but they were still caught.

They knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy: "We are innocent, we know nothing..."

The soldiers showed no mercy and executed him.

Some of the ordinary Manchus were also implicated.

They followed the Japanese invaders back then, bullying Han Chinese, seizing land, and occupying houses. Now their retribution has come.

The people reported it, and the soldiers went to arrest them.

Some cried out for justice, some fled, and some resisted, but all met the same end.

But there were also innocent ones who were forced into military service by the Japanese invaders and had never done anything wrong.

Lin Tian had instructed that the matter be thoroughly investigated, that innocent people not be killed indiscriminately, but that those who deserved punishment must be punished, and that they could use the opportunity to mine and build up the motherland.

The cleanup operation lasted for half a month.

Those traitors, collaborators, Qing loyalists, and heinous Manchus were purged.

The people applauded.

I used to be bullied by them, but I dared not speak out against it.

Now, finally someone is standing up for them.

The news spread around the world, and different countries reacted differently.

The Times of London commented: "The situation in Northeast China has changed dramatically, and the small-time forces have been completely eliminated."

The New York Times wrote: "The Chinese Independent Brigade was a force to be reckoned with in the Far East, while the Kwantung Army was completely annihilated."

The Soviet newspaper Pravda stated, "The Chinese people's anti-Japanese struggle has achieved a major victory."

When Chiang Kai-shek received the battle report in Nanjing, he remained silent for a long time.

The power of the Huaxia Independent Brigade is growing, and they have already taken control of Northeast China.

If they want to go south, who can stop them?

He dared not think any further.

Yan'an.

The boss was looking at the map.

"Now that the Northeast has been liberated, North China has become the next target. Tell Commander Lin that we hope they will continue south to cooperate with us in recovering North China."

The chief of staff nodded: "But, sir, will the Chinese Independent Brigade listen to us?"

"Yes."

In Lin Tian's command post, Brigade Commander Chen was reporting: "Commander, the entire Northeast region has been stabilized."

The remnants of the puppet state of Manchukuo have been largely eliminated, and the people are beginning to return to normal life. What's next?

Lin Tian stood in front of the map, pointed his finger at the location of North China, and then withdrew it.

"Let's take a break for a while. The troops are too tired and need rest, replenishment of ammunition and personnel, and recuperation."

Once we're ready, we'll head south. The Japanese devils in North China are still waiting for us.

He raised his head, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"This time, I will restore China, invade the island nation, and take back everything that China has lost."

……