The War of Resistance: From Overseas Chinese Mechanics to King of Nanyang

Leaving aside the New 38th Division, it was well-equipped, had many veterans, and had received rigorous training; its equipment was the best (partially German-equipped and domestically-equipped); it had high tactical skills and combat experience (Battle of Shanghai), and performed exceptionally well in the Battle of Mandalay, earning it Stilwell's deep affection.

The New 28th Division, commanded by Liu Bolong, was reorganized from a special operations force. It had many new recruits and few veterans, and focused mainly on political training. It lacked formal field and jungle warfare experience and was mainly equipped with Chiang Kai-shek rifles, with very few heavy weapons, resulting in low combat effectiveness. Therefore, it was assigned to guard the front line.

The newly formed 29th Division, commanded by Ma Weiji, was a combination of the Supplementary Regiment and the New Recruit Battalion of the 16th Supplementary Training Department. It was a purely new recruit unit, formed in a very short time and not yet having completed its full training. It had no combat experience, a weak command system, and the worst equipment, mostly old rifles.

The latter, in particular, was tasked with defending the outer perimeter of Lashio in Myanmar, serving as a mobile reserve force ready to support the front-line troops at any time.

The original plan was to get a batch of weapons from the British army when we arrived in Lashio, so that we could replace their old weapons.

Upon arrival, they discovered that the British refused to provide weapons and equipment. Moreover, when faced with a Japanese surprise attack, the British not only fled but also blew up the armory.

Now the newly formed 29th Division's hopes were completely dashed, and Division Commander Ma Weiji was utterly dumbfounded, preferring to blow it up rather than give it to them. This was indeed a lesson for him.

Because Lashio was suddenly occupied, the organization of the two divisions was disrupted, and they fled for their lives. Some retreated northeastward along the Kunlong River, preparing to return to China.

Some retreated along the Burma Road, while others, lost in the pursuit of the Japanese army, headed northwest to join the 200th Division in their retreat.

"How many people are there?" After clarifying the origins of the two divisions, Huang Zurong asked about the number of the defeated soldiers, because he already had the idea of ​​incorporating them into his own forces.

"Not many, just over a hundred people. The organization is very chaotic. It feels like a rout of soldiers composed of multiple units." Huang Zhiwen thought for a moment and then spoke what he had seen.

"What do you mean?" Huang Zurong was stunned. Could it be that it wasn't the 82nd Regiment of the New 28th Division?

"Because they were divided into several groups, and they were wary of each other." Huang Zhiwen scratched his head. He couldn't quite describe it, but he just felt it was very strange.

"Never mind, Commander, you'll see for yourself when you go."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zurong immediately became interested. He was just thinking about how to incorporate these defeated soldiers. Although these two troops were also terrible, even worse than his own militia, who would complain about having more soldiers?

Moreover, who knows, there might be some hidden veterans among them?

"Alright, let's go take a look. I have some things to ask them." Huang Zurong nodded and then went to an open space. The militia soldiers were on guard with guns around the perimeter, while the defeated soldiers were in the middle. The two sides were in a tense standoff.

Judging from the distribution and formation of the routed soldiers, they certainly did not belong to the same company.

"Which unit are you from? Why are you blocking our way and preventing us from retreating?" The leader was a captain, who was angrily rebuking Du Fan. From the anxious expression on his face, it was clear that he was very scared.

"From the Tengchong Security Corps." At this moment, Huang Zurong stepped forward and introduced in a loud voice.

Upon hearing this, the captain paused for a moment, then paused again when he saw the lieutenant colonel rank on Huang Zurong's shoulder. He then revealed a disdainful expression. What was a local security regiment showing off to him for?

He was a member of the Central Army and also came from the Fuxing Society. Either of his identities would have been enough to command those ragtag troops. Not to mention that he was just a lieutenant colonel in a local security regiment. What was he? How dare he stop them?

Instantly, the captain burst out laughing. He had thought the other party was someone important. He had been intimidated by their equipment, which consisted entirely of British-made weapons and military green uniforms he had never seen before. But it turned out they were just a security regiment. His arrogance immediately rose.

"You, a local security force, dare to stop us? Don't you want to live anymore?" The captain's arrogant tone annoyed Huang Zurong. He knew that it was difficult to communicate calmly with such a person, so he directly pulled out his Truth and pointed it at the other man's head.

Sure enough, the other party immediately backed down. After all, with a dark gun barrel pointed at their forehead, anyone would back down.

Moreover, the other party pulled out a gun without saying a word, clearly a ruthless person.

As a member of the Fuxing Society, he was skilled at reading people's expressions and moods.

If Huang Zurong had said too much, he would have been able to tell that the other party was wary of him. But the other party didn't say anything and just pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. What was there to say then?

Just admit defeat.

"Are you done talking? Was it funny?" Huang Zurong looked at the other person expressionlessly.

"Cough cough cough..." The captain wanted to say something more.

"Don't you know how to salute your superior?" Huang Zurong continued to stare at him.

"Good day, sir," the captain could only manage a forced salute.

Which unit?

"The newly formed 5th Company, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Regiment, 28th Division, Captain Cheng Zhixin," Cheng Zhixin quickly introduced.

"Sir, could you put the gun down? Be careful it doesn't go off accidentally."

With a gun pointed at him, Cheng Zhixin felt his scalp tingle and forced a forced smile, a far cry from his previous arrogance.

Of course, his attitude was ridiculed by some soldiers behind him, but he didn't care. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm; stubbornness never ends well.

"Where is your commander?" Having gotten the answer he wanted, Huang Zurong put away his weapon and then asked.

"I don't know, they must have gotten separated." Cheng Zhixin shook his head. He really didn't know. After learning that the Japanese army had captured Lashio, the troops were on the verge of collapse. Especially after learning that the Japanese army had begun to pursue them, they scattered and fled. Who could care about anyone else?

"Aren't those your men?" Huang Zurong asked, pointing to the fleeing soldiers not far away.

"No, we met them on the road. They were from the newly formed 29th Division. We were all defeated soldiers, so we decided to stick together for warmth." Cheng Zhixin shook his head, then said with a bitter face.

"Sir, I've told you everything I know. Can we retreat? The Japanese are right behind us and could catch up at any moment. You should retreat too. The front lines have been defeated, and all the units are retreating like their lives depend on it. If we don't retreat now, we won't be able to retreat at all."

These words were absolutely sincere; after all, they were compatriots, which is why he offered an extra word of advice.

"Withdraw? Why withdraw?" Huang Zurong asked rhetorically.

"They retreated all the way from Shanghai to the southwest, where else can they retreat to? If they keep retreating, even the southwest will be lost. Are they planning to retreat to Mount Everest then?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhixin immediately fell silent. Clearly, these words were indeed hurtful. As a soldier, not mentioning defending the country and instead suffering a series of defeats was indeed shameful.

Fortunately, Huang Zurong knew that this was not his problem, so he changed his tone.

Have you eaten yet?