Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

Outside Cao Village, several Japanese soldiers were bowing to the gate, and they seemed quite polite. Apart from being a bit short, they didn't look as scary as the rumors suggested.

Cao Wang was extremely nervous and didn't even dare to open the gate of the stronghold. He also didn't draw the guns of the guards for fear of angering the Japanese.

Cao Wang cleared his throat and, standing atop the fortified village, tentatively asked:

"We apologize for not welcoming your great army soon. The Cao family has prepared four fat pigs, ten thousand catties of grain, and two thousand silver dollars to reward the troops. We hope you will accept them with pleasure."

Company Commander Captain Matsushita said impatiently:

"Nishimoto-kun, is it necessary to be so polite with them? Just let me lead my men and charge in."

Senior staff officer Major Nishimoto shook his head and said:

"Things are different now. His Highness the Prince values ​​military discipline and advocates for Greater East Asia Co-operation. If the Chinese are sensible, we can spare their lives—let's try diplomacy first, then force!"

Captain Matsushita was among the first group of Japanese soldiers to land. They were used to burning, killing, and looting all the way from Shanghai to Nanjing, and they had no patience to go through all that trouble with a Chinese man.

However, since Major Nishimoto was one rank higher and therefore subordinate to him, Captain Matsushita didn't say anything more, but his gaze towards Cao Wang was filled with intense murderous intent.

Nishimoto forced out a smile:

"The Imperial Army came to southern Henan to help the Chinese people establish a peaceful and prosperous land. Your refusal to welcome our guests is not the behavior of a nation of etiquette."

Could we discuss this in detail at the village?

Cao Wang was still hesitating when Captain Matsushita drew his katana halfway out and roared:

"Baka yarou, open the gate right now, or you're dead!"

Cao Wang shuddered in fright, only then realizing that the other side was armed. Since ancient times, no army has been easy to deal with; they would draw their swords at the slightest provocation.

Major Nishimoto did not stop Matsushita from intimidating the other party; his patience was also limited.

Cao Wang hurriedly begged for mercy:

"Commander, please calm down! It's a misunderstanding, absolutely a misunderstanding. The Cao family will warmly welcome you!"

Captain Matsushita snorted coldly, and his sword was sheathed with a whoosh, startling Cao Wang into immediately ordering the gates of the stockade to be opened.

Major Nishimoto, accompanied by several Japanese soldiers, swaggered into the Cao family home and plopped down in the main seat.

Seeing that Major Nishimoto was rude and disrespectful, Cao Wang could only smile awkwardly and obediently sit down beside him.

In order to please the Japanese and gain the upper hand, Cao Wang clapped his hands.

Before long, a dozen servants carried several heavy boxes and swayed as they walked into the main hall.

Cao Wang had the door opened, and instantly the room was filled with dazzling white silver dollars.

Major Nishimoto, who came from a humble background, had never seen so many silver dollars before, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face:

"Yoshi, Cao Sang Liangmin is great!"

I have come here to discuss something with Cao Sang. The Imperial Army has pursued the resistance fighters to this place, and it will soon be dark. I would like to ask to stay at Cao's house for the night.

Cao Wang wanted to refuse, but he swallowed his words. These Japanese people could turn on you faster than flipping through a book; he couldn't afford to offend them.

"It is an honor! It is an honor! The Emperor has come from afar, and the Cao family will certainly do everything in its power to entertain him."

Major Nishimoto's smile widened. This was exactly the effect he wanted. Getting the Cao family to willingly offer up their wealth to entertain the regimental personnel was even more satisfying than robbery.

Major Nishimoto and his men were only there to scout ahead. They wouldn't cram all their troops into Cao's camp; it would be safer to keep the regimental headquarters and supplies inside the compound walls.

After reaching an agreement with Cao Wang, Major Nishimoto left Captain Matsushita and others to keep an eye on the Cao family, while he personally went outside the camp to invite Colonel Kondo and take the opportunity to show off his achievements.

Upon hearing that it was a fat pig, Colonel Kondo's face immediately broke into a satisfied smile, and he exclaimed:

"Mr. Xiben is indeed a China expert, well done. Stay at Cao Village tonight and have a hot meal."

Let's go, lead the way.

Colonel Kondo, along with his entire regimental headquarters, swaggered in to invite Cao Zhai, treating it no differently than entering his own home.

Cao Wang went out to greet them again, and arranged for his steward to slaughter pigs and sheep, cook a meal, and receive the Japanese soldiers with the highest standards.

Colonel Kondo was invited into the main hall to drink tea and chat. During this time, two small boxes of gold bars were brought over, all made of pure gold gold, neatly stacked and arranged, making Colonel Kondo squint.

"Mr. Cao, you're too kind!"

Colonel Kondo was unusually modest, and Cao Wang, flattered, said:

"It's nothing, just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you'll accept it."

Cao Wang wore a smile on his face, but his heart was bleeding. In order to continue to establish a foothold in southern Henan, the Cao family had invested heavily, and these assets were almost half of the Cao family's savings.

One shouldn't hit someone who brings a gift. Seeing that the Cao family was so sensible, Colonel Kondo stopped trying to snatch it. He understood the principle of having enough to eat at every meal.

With gold and silver paving the way, the atmosphere became very harmonious, and Cao Wang's mood improved considerably. Just as he had expected, as long as the money was right, he could handle both domestic warlords and Japanese.

Before long, a sumptuous banquet was served. Those who could enter the inner hall were officers of major rank or above, while ordinary officers were in the outer hall. A continuous banquet was also set up in the courtyard.

They slaughtered a total of six fat pigs and two sheep. The officers ate the sheep, while the soldiers ate stewed pork with cabbage.

The main table was naturally much better, filled with delicacies from land and sea. It wasn't difficult for the Cao family, the biggest landlord in the surrounding counties, to obtain these things.

If it were any other time, giving him more time would have resulted in a more lavish feast; he was determined to curry favor with the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers had been living in the open for a long time, and even the regimental commander, Colonel Kondo, had not had a hot meal, let alone wine and food.

Under the flattery of Cao Wang and his son, Colonel Kondo completely let loose, eating with grease on his face and getting quite drunk.

In a man's world, wine and meat are not enough without women. Major Nishimoto took the initiative to suggest that a pretty girl accompany Colonel Kondo.

Now Cao Wang was a little worried. Everything else was fine, but this woman was the one who was giving him trouble.

Although the Cao family had many female servants, they were all employees who worked and were paid. Cao Wang had no right to make them drink with the Japanese soldiers.

Unless he pays, someone else will be willing.

In China, the traditional social norms and etiquette were very strict. Ordinary women might not even agree to marry a man, even if he offered money. But he couldn't bear to part with his own woman, so he could only stammer and politely decline.

This really stirred up a hornet's nest. Major Nishimoto immediately turned hostile and shouted:

"You bastard, your conscience is completely gone! There must be pretty girls, otherwise the Imperial Army will find them themselves."

"Don't worry, Cao-san, I'm just having drinks with the regimental commander."

Colonel Kondo waved his hand and said:

"It's not just me, it's everyone here!"

Colonel Kondo does have some skill in winning people over, and he can't keep it all to himself now, since the Cao family will provide it anyway.

When Cao Wang heard that the Japanese wanted him to go and invite them himself, he was terrified. How could he dare? His precious daughters were all in the inner room.

He finally witnessed the ferocity of the Japanese, gritted his teeth, and said to his eldest son:

"Eldest brother, go and invite a few concubines over so they can come and offer a toast to the matriarch."

The eldest brother, Cao Linchuan, said with difficulty:

"Father, what about those concubines—"

Cao Wang quickly interrupted him, saying:

"If we don't let them come, are we going to let the ones in your room come?"

Cao Linchuan immediately shut his mouth and hurriedly went to invite Cao Wang's concubines and maids.

Not long after, Cao Linchuan led in several beautifully dressed women, which astonished the Japanese soldiers, revealing their bestial nature.

"Yoshi, flower girl's work!"

These Japanese soldiers even knew to let the regimental commander choose first, and then each of them would reach out and grab one to hug.

These concubines, accustomed to a life of luxury, had never witnessed such a rude scene before, and were all shocked and pale.

Cao Wang stammered and begged for mercy:

"Sir, sir, these are my wives. Didn't we agree to offer them a toast? How can you do this? Please give me some face—"

"You bastard, what face do you have!"

Major Okubo pulled the fourth concubine into his arms and started making love to her in front of everyone.

Other Japanese soldiers followed suit, showing no shame whatsoever.

Cao Wang tried to dissuade him, but Major Nishimoto pushed him to the ground. The fifth concubine was usually the most favored, and Cao Wang always coaxed her. He bit the Japanese soldier hard in shame and anger.

The third brigade, already enraged, raised his hand and slapped the victim, shouting:

"Baka yarou!"

After that, they started committing evil deeds, and others followed suit, turning the entire inner hall into chaos.

Suddenly someone exclaimed:

"Murder!"

"Baka yarou!"

Major Nishimoto cleaved Wu Ma, who was serving the dishes, in two with a single stroke. Only then did Cao Wang realize that the Japanese had killed the fifth concubine, who had resisted the most fiercely. He collapsed to the ground, muttering to himself:

"What a tragedy!"

Because of Wu Ma's murder, the entire courtyard descended into chaos. The Japanese soldiers dropped all pretense and went on a killing spree, unleashing all the evil in the world upon the Cao family. Cao Village became a living hell...