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

Upon arriving at their designated positions, the soldiers quickly dispersed and constructed makeshift fortifications using the terrain. Their movements were skillful and swift; after two days of intensive training, their previously clumsy coordination had become more organized.

"Commander, according to the intelligence relayed back, the Japanese forces in Lashio are indeed very sparse."

Lin Yi immediately took a telegram to Huang Zurong and said with a slightly nervous expression.

"As expected." Huang Zurong appeared calm, without the slightest surprise. He even picked up his coffee and took a sip. Since a battle was about to begin, he needed to stay alert, so he bought black coffee to keep himself awake.

"Have some. It's a bit bitter, but it'll keep you alert. We'll be busy from now on." Seeing Lin Yi's gaze fall on the black coffee, Huang Zurong smiled and poured a cup, handing it to him. He knew Lin Yi was from Shanghai and had a touch of bourgeois sentimentality in his bones. He probably used to enjoy coffee and tea, but during the war, resources were scarce, and these small preferences had long been suppressed by the flames of war and could only be kept in his heart. Now that resources were plentiful, letting the brothers fulfill a small wish was better than nothing.

Seeing this, Lin Yi didn't stand on ceremony. After thanking him, he took the cup, took a sip, and the intense bitterness instantly enveloped his taste buds. Then, a mellow aftertaste slowly emerged. The familiar taste made him shudder, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

"It's been so long since I've tasted this flavor."

"Like it? I'll have logistics send you some later. There's still plenty in the warehouse." It's just a little black coffee, not worth much money, Huang Zurong said with a smile. Making the brothers happy and getting them into better shape for battle is more important than anything else.

"Thank you, Commander." Lin Yi nodded.

"What's your opinion on this battle?" Huang Zurong suddenly asked.

"Judging from the current situation, the Japanese forces in Lashio are weak, and we have the 200th Division to launch a frontal assault. If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to win. My only concern is the 200th Division—they have suffered heavy losses, lost many heavy weapons, and their combat effectiveness has declined significantly. Even after two days of replenishment and rest, I'm afraid they will find it difficult to sustain the assault for an extended period of time." Lin Yi thought for a moment and gave his assessment.

"You're right. Although the 200th Division has suffered heavy casualties, the brothers are eager for revenge, and with the replenished weapons and ammunition, we should be able to launch a surprise attack without any major problems. The most crucial thing now is not the main battlefield, but the Japanese reinforcements." Hearing this, Huang Zurong slowly nodded, acknowledging the other party's assessment.

"Then the only option is to blow up the railway! The railway around Lashio is the fastest route for Japanese reinforcements. As long as we blow up the key sections, we can delay the Japanese reinforcements and buy us enough time to take Lashio." Lin Yi said, walking up to the map and pointing to the railway.

"Is there no other way?" Huang Zurong asked again.

"Commander, do you mean you don't want to blow up the railway?" Lin Yi was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant, his eyes filled with doubt.

"That's right." Huang Zurong nodded. In his mind, this railway would be of great use in the future, allowing direct travel south. Although it would feel good to destroy it now, it would be troublesome to rebuild it later.

"In that case, it might be a bit troublesome. If we had heavy artillery, that would be great. We could directly block the strongholds along the railway and hold back the Japanese army. What a pity," Lin Yi said with a regretful expression.

"Heavy artillery?" Huang Zurong was taken aback. Although he didn't have any, it didn't mean there weren't alternatives.

The gas cylinder cannon is a really cool thing, and there's also that so-called pressure cooker landmine.

How do these things work together?

Is that enough to give the Japanese army a run for their money?

In particular, the gas cylinder cannon, though rudimentary, was a genuine "homemade heavy artillery." Once filled with explosives, it was powerful enough to destroy Japanese strongholds and transport vehicles. The pressure cooker mine was even more well concealed and extremely powerful. Buried along railway lines or on essential routes, it would detonate instantly whenever Japanese vehicles or troops passed by, causing massive casualties and effectively blocking roads.

This thing was used to fry squid terribly in later generations.

The key question is, who will be in charge of fighting this battle?

Currently, few of the officers under his command have combat experience, and it seems that none of them are adept at commanding with cunning and tactical skill.

Because the use of "primitive weapons" such as gas cylinder cannons and pressure cooker mines was necessary, the most taboo thing was rigid combat. It was essential to be flexible and cunning, and to know how to adapt to changing circumstances, so as to accurately strike the Japanese army while protecting oneself and successfully completing the blockade mission.

"Commander, Long Wenzhang should be quite suitable. I think he's cunning in battle, quick-witted, unpredictable, and bold. He's also very skilled at ambushes and blockades. Letting him carry out this mission would be perfect for him." At this moment, Lin Yi gave a candidate.

"Long Wenzhang? Hmm, he is indeed quite good." Huang Zurong pondered for a moment. Long Wenzhang was indeed a good prospect. He was brave in battle and knew how to adapt. He was not bound by conventional tactics and was indeed suitable for carrying out this kind of mission that required cunning and flexibility. After hesitating for a while, he agreed.

"Commander, artillery fire has started from the 200th Division's position. It must have started fighting." At this moment, the communications staff officer walked in and quickly reported.

"Understood." In fact, even without the other party's report, Huang Zurong knew from the sound of artillery fire that the 200th Division had launched an attack.

"Pass down the order: proceed according to the original plan. All troops must immediately enter combat readiness and be ready to support the 200th Division at any time. Notify Long Wenzhang to depart immediately and, at all costs, hold the passage for Japanese reinforcements!"

"Yes!" The communications officer responded and left.

Meanwhile, in Lashio, Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe, who was eagerly awaiting news of a great victory from the front lines, was stunned for a moment upon hearing the sound of cannons outside the city.

"Baka! Where's that cannon fire coming from?"

He thought the garrison had been attacked by guerrillas, which was why he asked that question.

His subordinate's answer completely stunned him.

"Baka! What did you say? The 200th Division? They're attacking our positions?" Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe grabbed the collar of his subordinate, clearly not believing the claim.

"Your Excellency, it is indeed the 200th Division. The flags they are flying bear the designation of the 200th Division." The subordinate also looked aggrieved. He didn't believe it either, but that's what the stronghold outside the city reported.

"Baka! How is this possible? This is absolutely impossible." Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe still couldn't believe it; it was simply too shocking for him.

"Didn't they retreat to the Savage Mountain? How could they possibly be here?"

"Commander, please calm down..." The major, whose collar was being pulled, felt a little short of breath, and his subordinates next to him quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Baka..."