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

"That makes sense." Huang Zurong gave him an approving look, but then said with a regretful expression.

"So I'm taking them home with me. According to intelligence, there are suspected Japanese footprints ahead. They must be chasing the 200th Division. If I don't go to their aid, you should know very well what will happen to the 200th Division."

Upon hearing this, Long Wenzhang fell silent for a moment. He knew better than anyone that the 200th Division, already starving and exhausted, would likely suffer heavy casualties in the face of the Japanese ambush.

But it's better to die for a friend than for myself. Who cares about the life or death of others right now?

Let's take care of ourselves first.

This is based on his many years of military experience.

"Okay, let's not talk about changing the route. When we get back, stay in the logistics area and don't cause trouble for me, let alone try to escape. Those defeated soldiers are eager to beat you up." After Huang Zurong finished speaking, he let the other party leave.

To everyone's surprise, Long Wenzhang did not leave; instead, he pleaded.

"Commander, could you let me go back and continue leading that defeated army?"

"Huh? Why?" Huang Zurong asked in surprise. Wasn't this guy afraid of dying?

I let him stay in the logistics department to put his mind at ease and assure him that he wouldn't be in any danger, but now he's asking to continue leading that group of defeated soldiers.

Huang Zurong's plan for these defeated soldiers was to disperse them among various companies to increase the combat effectiveness of the troops. However, he was somewhat dissatisfied with some of the bad habits of these defeated soldiers, so he was still hesitant. Now that Long Wenzhang had taken the initiative to propose it, he was indeed quite surprised.

"I don't want to do logistics anymore, I just want to lead troops into battle," Long Wenzhang answered truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Huang Zurong couldn't help but laugh.

"You're getting addicted to impersonating your superior, aren't you?"

"You find leading troops into battle much more interesting than distributing supplies?"

"Yes," Long Wenzhang admitted. He had previously led hundreds of men in the jungle to fight guerrilla warfare against the Japanese army. The feeling of being in charge was incredibly exhilarating. Especially after returning to the logistics unit, the contrast became exceptionally strong, so he was eager to lead troops into battle.

Looking at Long Wenzhang's expression, Huang Zurong pondered for a moment and felt that Long Wenzhang still had some talent for fighting. Although there were more than a thousand graves buried on Nantianmen, that was not the result he wanted.

"Alright, since you're so eager to lead troops into battle, then you can temporarily serve as the acting company commander. As for the recruits, I'll have someone arrange for them to be sent to you." Huang Zurong thought for a moment and then agreed. As for some of the defeated soldiers, he would definitely transfer them to his side.

For example, Major Lin Yi, although he has never fought in a war, should be fine as a strategist, offering advice and such. After all, he graduated from the officer corps and has theoretical knowledge, which is much better than the people under his command.

Others, such as cannon fodder, can also find a place to make the most of their talents.

"Yes, Commander." Long Wenzhang didn't expect that he would actually be able to lead troops again. Although he was only an acting company commander, it was enough. After all, before this, he had only commanded a hundred or so defeated soldiers.

After Long Wenzhang left, Huang Zurong ordered the First and Second Battalions to prepare for a forced march, with Langke Village as their destination.

On the other side, on the high ground along the road from Langke Village to Mogu, the Japanese Sakaguchi Detachment was quietly waiting for its prey to take the bait.

According to intelligence provided by the Burmese, the 200th Division is retreating in this direction.

Indeed, the reason why the Japanese Sakaguchi Detachment was able to ambush so accurately was because of the intelligence provided by the Burmese. Otherwise, how could the Japanese army have found the 200th Division so quickly in this primeval forest and accurately ambushed it on the enemy's marching route?

"Colonel, we just received news from the Burmese that the vanguard of the 200th Division is about to enter the ambush zone." The operations staff officer came to Colonel Shizuo Sakaguchi and quickly reported the news he had just received.

"Alright, then let's just wait quietly for the prey to take the bait. This time, we must annihilate the 200th Division completely." Colonel Shizuo Sakaguchi nodded with satisfaction, but a hint of regret flashed through his mind. If he had brought more men, he would definitely have been able to wipe out the 200th Division.

Two battalions would be enough. Even if they couldn't annihilate the enemy, they could severely damage them. If they could take out some of the enemy's mid- to high-ranking officers, that would be even better. At that point, the entire 200th Division would be practically crippled.

"Hai." The operations staff officer responded and left.

After the other party left, Colonel Shizuo Sakaguchi was naturally in a good mood. It was so great to have someone guide them. They had hardly encountered any decent resistance along the way. Although they suffered a small loss in the Battle of Toungoo, they quickly turned the tide and won. A large part of the reason for this was that the Burmese provided intelligence. Without them, things would not have gone so smoothly.

Especially during the infiltration and occupation of Lashio, how could the Japanese army have reached Lashio so quickly without Burmese guides?

This time, it was thanks to the Burmese that they were able to advance so smoothly ahead of the 200th Division. Thinking that they could severely damage the 200th Division this time, Colonel Shizuo Sakaguchi felt that he was about to get another medal and that he was closer to being promoted to general.

"Colonel, the vanguard of the 200th Division has entered the ambush zone. Should we order them to open fire?" At this moment, the operations staff officer appeared before him again.

"Wait a little longer." Colonel Shizuo Sakaguchi was not in a hurry at all. This kind of ambush would definitely interrupt the attack, making the enemy unable to attend to both ends. Then, they would bombard the enemy with artillery fire. The enemy would surely collapse instantly, and then it would be a matter of reaping the rewards.

"Hai."

Before long, the 200th Division was completely encircled. As a signal flare was launched, intense gunfire erupted on both sides of the road.

The 599th Regiment was the first to be caught off guard by this sudden ambush. Regiment Commander Liu Shuren quickly recovered and began to organize his troops to fight back.

As a result, a shell landed right next to him, an explosion rang out, and Liu Shuren fell into a pool of blood.

"Commander, Commander..." The guards around Liu Shuren shouted as they saw him fall to the ground, but they were met with even more shells.

For this ambush, the Japanese grenade launchers were practically smoking, and shells were flying one after another towards the middle of the road.

"Why are there Japanese troops here?" When he learned that the vanguard had been ambushed, Dai Anlan was stunned. Although it was a highway, it was still relatively well hidden. How could the Japanese troops have appeared here?

"There must have been a guide, otherwise why would the Japanese army be ahead of us?" Zhou Zhi thought for a moment, and this was the only explanation he could come up with.

"These sons of bitches!" Dai Anlan could only curse angrily before leading the guard company to provide support, while simultaneously ordering all regiments to begin their counterattack.

Unfortunately, the 200th Division was exhausted and starving at this time, and its fighting strength was no longer what it used to be. Its counterattack was also weak and feeble.

Especially when faced with the Japanese army's firepower blockade, the troops were instantly cut into several sections, making it impossible to organize an effective counterattack.

Soon, more devastating news arrived.

Dai Anlan went to the front line and was hit by stray bullets, one in the chest and one in the abdomen, and fell to the ground seriously injured.