Chapter 242: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 242 The Future of the Empire

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The question Chen Shaokuan raised was difficult for Lv Muzhi to answer.

The Imperial Japanese Army's North China Area Army had already gained the upper hand in the northern regions of Xia Guo; in North China, Hebei had already fallen; with the Taiyuan Campaign concluded, the Japanese would dominate Shanxi.

In the northern region, the North China Area Army's next phase target would continue southward, attacking Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, etc., ultimately engaging Li Zongren's Fifth War Zone in a decisive battle.

According to the predetermined plan, if all went smoothly, Matsui Iwane's Central China Expeditionary Army would break through the Xicheng Line, capture Jinling City, cross the Yangtze River to join forces with the North China Area Army, and pincer Li Zongren's Fifth War Zone's several hundred thousand Xia State Army troops.

But now, Matsui Iwane's Central China Expeditionary Army was blocked on the Xicheng Defense Line, and Gu Qingchuan's Third Fleet of the Navy suffered heavy casualties on the Yangtze River.

Would the Central China Area Army still choose to continue northward?

Lv Muzhi could not reach a conclusion either.

The only certainty was that the Youth Army would fulfill its duty as soldiers, making the enemy pay a heavy price for every step forward!

——————————

Inside Jinling City, everyone on the streets and in the alleys was discussing the great victory at Jiangyin.

"Extra! Extra! Great victory at Jiangyin! All eighteen warships of the Japanese Sui River Fleet sunk, the greatest naval achievement since the Jiawu War, the Central China war may turn!"

As soon as the newsboy shouted, the newspapers in his hands were snapped up by citizens.

"A great battle was won at Jiangyin!" A middle-aged man wearing a melon-skin cap held the Central Daily News with an excited expression, surrounded by several citizens who had failed to buy newspapers.

"It's in the newspaper! Whatever Japanese Sui River Fleet was sunk entirely by Commander Lu's batteries into the Yangtze River at Jiangyin!"

A man dressed in a half-worn Zhongshan Suit, looking like a teacher, pushed his glasses, leaned in to read the newspaper closely, nodding repeatedly:

"Not just Jiangyin! A few days ago at Suzhou, the Japanese elite Third Division was routed by Commander Lu's Ninth Group Army, abandoning helmets and armor, even Division Commander Fujita Susumu went to see King Yama; also at Taihu, a whole combined regiment of the Sixth Division tried to sneak across, and all were fed to the fish and shrimp!"

"Don't doubt it,"

"Tremendous! Truly tremendous!" An old man with white hair and beard stroked his beard: "Ever since the Japanese started trouble, all we heard was where else was lost, our Guo Fu Army making victorious retreats somewhere in North China, just fooling people!

Better to report honestly how many little Japanese were killed, what big Japanese officials were killed; I just love reading Commander Lu's news, this time we finally vented our anger!"

Similar scenes played out everywhere in Jinling City's winehouses, restaurants, streets, and alleys.

The names of Lv Muzhi and the Youth Army were repeatedly recited by ordinary citizens, carrying an almost legendary color.

Near Gulou not far from the Confucius Temple, outside a courtyard with a wooden sign of the Burma Road Engineering Bureau Jinling Recruitment Office hung, a long line formed.

Mostly young and middle-aged men, their clothes not very fine, their eyes showing longing for livelihood; some brought their families and carried simple luggage.

The clerk seized the opportunity of the great victory at Jiangyin, raising his voice: "Everyone heard? Great victory at Jiangyin! Commander Lv Muzhi led our army and taught those little Japanese a harsh lesson again! What does this show? It shows we can win!

But, fighting a war relies not only on the soldiers at the frontline, but also on the support of the rear!"

He pointed to the sign of the recruitment office: "Building the Burma Road is the most important work in the great rear! The Japanese are blockading the sea route;

but as long as this Burma Road is opened, the weapons we buy can be transported in, and the soldiers at the frontline will have more guns, cannons, and bullets to fight the Japanese!

Commander Lv bleeds and fights at the frontline, we sweat and build roads in the rear, both contributing to the country!

Going to the southwest, not only is there work to do, but factories are also being built there; womenfolk can find opportunities for textile work and odd jobs, much better than staying in the city in fear!

Those who go will be paid two silver dollars first, paid before boarding! If you're dissatisfied when you get there, you can always come back!"

These words obviously worked; some originally hesitant faces in the line became firm.

A man said to his companion: "A good official like Commander Lv leading troops to fight desperately at the front, us going to build roads is not eating this bowl of rice for nothing! Better than waiting in the city for the Japanese to attack someday!"

"Exactly, heard the southwest is stable, going there means having a way to live."

The speed of registration seemed to have quickened considerably due to this sudden good news.

The Jinling Garrison Command, however, had an atmosphere somewhat different from the excitement on the streets.

Commander Tang Shengzhi held a battle report telegram just delivered, pacing back and forth in the office.

The description of the details of the Battle of Jiangyin in the telegram made his emotions surge.

"Good! Well fought!"

Tang Shengzhi slapped his thigh, then sighed, sat back in the wide rattan chair, and shook his head at Qiu Qingquan sitting to the side: "Brother Yu'an, look, your Commander Lv has achieved such an unparalleled feat!

Annihilating the entire enemy fleet at Jiangyin... this is a tremendous merit!

I'm thinking, perhaps this Jinling City... truly cannot be attacked?"

In these words, there was emotion, there was comfort, but perhaps also a hint of imperceptible loss?

As Garrison Commander, if Jinling had no war, it was naturally a blessing for the people, but his Tang Mengxiao's great ambition to take command in crisis and perish with the city would have no place to be used?

This opportunity to leave a name in history and turn back the raging tide at the brink of collapse was probably slipping away.

Qiu Qingquan now held the title of Deputy Commander of the Yangtze River Defense Command, but was actually mainly responsible within Jinling City for the relocation and settlement and Burma Road recruitment matters assigned by Lv Muzhi.

Hearing Tang Shengzhi's words, his expression remained calm; he put down his teacup and said slowly: "Lord Tang, the great victory at Jiangyin is indeed inspiring.

However, in this humble subordinate's shallow view, although the Central China Area Army was set back on the Yangtze, the Japanese are powerful in North China and are almost done occupying all of North China; having fought to this point, they will certainly not easily stop because of this setback.

The defense of Jinling must not be relaxed!"

Tang Shengzhi thought for a moment and said: "The people of Jinling have been leaving in droves recently; since we still have the duty to defend Jinling to the death, should we appropriately control the outflow of people? The frontline clearly won a battle, yet the population is still flowing out; I think this would easily invite criticism!"

Qiu Qingquan immediately said in a firm tone: "Mainly relocating people and recruiting able-bodied men to go to the Burma Road to build roads; this is a strategic project coordinated by our Supreme Command Headquarters, eagerly anticipated by Chairman Yin of the Yunnan Provincial Government; there is also the participation of Americans and Commander Lv within it;

Regardless of how Jinling ultimately fares, retaking lost land is by no means easy; the Japanese are blockading our coastline; this Burma Road directly concerns the material lifeline of the war of resistance; its significance, I think Lord Tang should understand.

Moreover, the people of Jinling voluntarily enlisting to contribute to national construction is good for both the country and the people. Lord Tang, this matter... please do not interfere."

Qiu Qingquan was both from the Supreme Command Headquarters and connected to the Americans; bringing up so many big mountains, Tang Shengzhi thought it best to let it go.

Moreover, this matter overall was planned by Lv Muzhi and the Zhu Family; Tang Shengzhi had to give face—when he himself moved house, he had used Lv Muzhi's ship to transfer his property in Jinling!

At this moment, on the Mutsu Battleship, Matsui Iwane and Gu Qingchuan remained silent for a long time, staring blankly at the sunset in the direction of Jinling.

Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko gripped the railing, his voice choked: "Look up and the Empire's future cannot be seen...... look down and all is shattered sunset......

Must we stop here......

After all...... after all, how can we force Xia Guo to surrender!!!

————————————

Apology, I got home too late, only wrote one chapter, I'll make up the two chapters owed today tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

Good night OVO