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

"Commander, the 200th Division has sent men." The rest period was only two and a half days, and the training sounds in the camp had not yet stopped when Zheng Tingji came looking for him. Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Huang Zurong immediately went to greet him.

"Does Commander Zheng have any instructions?" Huang Zurong stepped forward quickly, looked at the other party, and asked with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare accept the title of 'instructor,' Commander Huang is too kind. I just came to ask how your troops are preparing and when they can set off at any time?" Zheng Tingji quickly waved his hand, his face showing a sincere smile and his tone humble.

Although Huang Zurong's troops were nominally a militia, Zheng Tingji no longer underestimated them.

In the past two days, the officers of the 200th Division who were sent to assist in the training have been reporting to him almost every day—this so-called militia is not a rabble in the traditional sense.

Although the soldiers were somewhat inexperienced in tactical coordination and lacked experience on a regular battlefield, they were all exceptionally strong and their eyes revealed a tenacious spirit of fearlessness. Moreover, they had a strong learning ability. In just two days, under the guidance of the backbone of the 200th Division, their formation, shooting, and tactical movements made a qualitative leap, and their growth rate was astonishing.

What shocked Zheng Tingji even more was that Huang Zurong seemed to have an endless supply of resources, especially food. Meat, eggs, and milk were supplied in abundance, and the soldiers had meat to eat at every meal. This treatment was something that even the most elite Central Army in the country might not be able to match, let alone the militia.

At first, Zheng Tingji thought the officers were exaggerating, but he only believed it after several groups of people reported the same thing.

Huang Zurong is now nominally the head of the militia, but he commands a large force of 4,000 men, well-equipped and well-supplied. On paper, his strength is no less than that of the 200th Division, which suffered heavy casualties.

Moreover, the 200th Division was able to escape the predicament of lacking food and clothing in the past two days, and the soldiers were able to get enough rest and prepare for battle, all thanks to the material support provided by Huang Zurong.

Therefore, both morally and logically, he had to come, both to express his respect for Huang Zurong and to demonstrate the sincerity of the 200th Division, ensuring that both sides could cooperate seamlessly in subsequent operations.

"Do you really need to make this trip yourself? Just send a messenger to let me know. It's too much trouble for you." Huang Zurong didn't think much of it, but felt that it was completely unnecessary to make the trip in person. At the same time, he felt that Zheng Tingji was too polite, which was different from the hot-tempered person he was rumored to be.

"But don't worry, I've almost finished preparing here. The soldiers are training very hard, and the weapons, ammunition, and food supplies have all been inventoried, packed, and ready to go at any time."

"By the way, how is Commander Dai doing now? Has he woken up?"

"Commander Dai has woken up. The surgery was successful, but his injuries are still very serious, and he cannot handle military affairs for the time being. For now, the entire division's combat deployment is being handled by Deputy Commander Gao and me." Zheng Tingji's expression softened when he mentioned Dai Anlan. He nodded and spoke slowly.

Zheng Tingji's words implied that there was no need to worry about their battle plan, which would proceed as scheduled.

"Okay, no problem." Hearing that Dai Anlan had woken up, Huang Zurong breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, as long as the surgical technique was not too bad and with those medicines, there would be no problem. The only issue afterward was recuperation. Now that he knew that the other party was not dealing with military affairs for the time being, it meant that the other party had tacitly approved their plan.

He was afraid that Dai Anlan would wake up and something would happen. Now it seems that she is reasonable and not inflexible.

"That's good. Commander Dai, rest assured and recover from your injuries. Leave the matters on the battlefield to us. Since your unit is ready, I will immediately issue the order for the troops to assemble and stand by, ready to depart at any time. We will strive to reach the outskirts of Lashio as soon as possible and catch the Japanese off guard." Huang Zurong said immediately.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tingji nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "Alright, I will immediately arrange for the main force of the 200th Division to assemble when I get back. We will proceed according to the original plan. As for the safety of the flank, I will leave it to Regiment Commander Huang."

"Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission," Huang Zurong assured him.

After a brief discussion of the departure details, the two turned around and made arrangements for their respective troops.

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Japanese 56th Division in Lashio, the atmosphere was unusually relaxed. Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe was sitting at his desk, holding a newly delivered intelligence report. His gaze slowly swept over the report, and one particular report instantly caught his attention.

"200th Division Commander Dai Anlan has been severely injured and remains unconscious?" Watanabe Masao read the contents of the intelligence report softly, a smug smile gradually creeping onto his lips, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

He put down the intelligence report, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and thought to himself: Although Sakaguchi suffered a defeat and failed to completely annihilate the 200th Division, he managed to seriously injure the enemy's division commander, which can be considered a meritorious act. At least he doesn't have to commit seppuku.

What pleased him even more was that intelligence showed that, just as he had predicted, the remaining troops of the 200th Division continued to retreat northward, determined to escape back to China.

"Hmph, a bunch of stray dogs. Without their leader, they're even more vulnerable." Watanabe Masao sneered, his tone full of arrogance.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced that he had not rashly sent troops to pursue them. If he had actually sent troops into the Savage Mountain, facing the complex terrain and hidden dangers, he might not have been able to catch up with the remnants of the 200th Division, and it might have caused unnecessary casualties, and in the end he would have returned empty-handed.

In retrospect, his decision was absolutely correct.

"Since the 200th Division, this major threat, is exhausted and no longer a threat, there's no need to keep troops to guard against them." Watanabe Masao's eyes narrowed, and he immediately ordered, "Pass on my order to send another regiment northward along the Burma Road to completely wipe out the remnants of the Expeditionary Force and prevent them from escaping back to China!"

As for the mysterious unit that suddenly appeared earlier, equipped with British weapons, Watanabe Masao had long forgotten about it.

In his view, that unit most likely retreated into the Savage Mountain with the 200th Division.

After all, Myanmar is now almost entirely occupied by the Japanese army, with Japanese strongholds everywhere. No matter how strong that mysterious unit is, it is meaningless for it to remain alone in Myanmar. Sooner or later, it will be wiped out by the Japanese army and is not worth worrying about at all.

"Hi!" the communications officer immediately bowed and replied.

Watching the communications officer's departing figure, Watanabe Masao walked to the map and followed the Burma Road all the way to southwestern Yunnan, his face full of smug satisfaction.

"Once we capture this place, the expeditionary force will be completely annihilated."

At the same time, Huang Zurong's militia and the main force of the 200th Division left the temporary camp one after the other and quietly advanced towards Lashio.