Chapter 479: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 489 Governor De Gu: Lure the Tiger to Swallow the Wo

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Governor De Gu wore a crisp white naval dress uniform, his chest covered in medals.

Lv Muzhi looked at the man before him, always sensing some inexplicable contrast.

Was this a surrender ceremony or a medal-awarding ceremony?

Still, Governor De Gu was quite open-minded, appearing very practiced as he said, "General Lu, thank you for leading the valiant Youth Army to come and help us drive out those shameless Japanese aggressors!"

"From now on, our French Indochina formally breaks away from Vichy France and joins General Charles de Gaulle's Free France camp."

"That is to say, we are now comrades-in-arms fighting side by side, right?"

This made Lv Muzhi exclaim that it was truly shameless.

From surrendered prisoner directly to comrade-in-arms.

But Lv Muzhi did not refute; upon careful thought, he himself had borrowed someone else's fleet to strike the Japanese fleet.

"Your Excellency Governor, comrades-in-arms is too much to say; I went south only to open up the railway transport line and ensure supplies could smoothly enter Xia Guo."

"However, I truly admire your army's flexible stance—it really is too flexible."

Lv Muzhi said this while giving Governor De Gu a big thumbs-up.

Governor De Gu pretended not to understand the sarcasm in Lv Muzhi's words, chuckled, and then asked:

"I wonder if the Fifth Division has been annihilated? I hate them to the bone! Alas, willing to kill the bandits but powerless to turn the tide!"

"To be honest, I have long had the heart to defect to Free France, and this time I finally found the opportunity!"

Lv Muzhi nodded: "Our army is pursuing the remnants of the Fifth Division; if the Fifth Division insists on fleeing to Haiphong Port, they will certainly be annihilated, but if there are other variables, I cannot guarantee annihilating the Fifth Division."

Hearing this news, Governor De Gu's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness—he himself had no small part in this!

"That's wonderful! General Lu, since the misunderstanding has been cleared, this place is no longer a Vichy France colony, but a Free France colony."

"I, representing the colonial governor of Free France, will certainly treat the Youth Army's distinguished guests well."

"All logistical supplies for the main force in Hanoi will be entirely borne by our Free France colonial government!"

"I guarantee the Xia Guo soldiers on the frontline will eat the most authentic French bread and drink red wine!"

Lv Muzhi listened to Governor De Gu's seemingly generous speech, his eyes turning slightly cold.

The Youth Army were indeed guests—that was beyond doubt.

But he, Governor De Gu, actually wanted to play the host? Wasn't that a bit naive?

After all this fuss, the Youth Army sent troops to drive the Japanese away, and you, De Gu, just dust off your pants, switch sides, and want to return to the table as master?

This old fellow still thought France was the former hegemon of Europe, wanting to wave the banner of Free France and continue serving as governor.

Lv Muzhi didn't even put Vichy France in his eyes, so how could he fear Free France's exile government?

However, Lv Muzhi did not show his dissatisfaction on his face.

Instead he smiled even more warmly and took the initiative to clasp Governor De Gu's hand.

"Haha, Your Excellency Governor is truly too courteous; since that's the case, I'd rather obey than be respectful."

"Our Youth Army has always been a righteous army, taking not a single needle or thread from the masses, and absolutely will not enter the city to disturb the people of Hanoi."

"Your Excellency Governor and the people of French Indochina, everything remains as before; do whatever you should do—the Youth Army only guards the railway and will not intervene!"

The brief meeting soon ended; Lv Muzhi, accompanied by his guards, smiled, turned, got into the jeep, and drove off in a cloud of dust.

Governor De Gu stood where he was, watching the long motorcade behind the jeep, and for a moment was somewhat stunned.

"Lieutenant Colonel Morel, did you see? This Lv Muzhi is actually so easy to talk to—did you see? We are a skinny dead camel still bigger than a horse!"

Lieutenant Colonel Morel followed closely behind De Gu, asking with a worried expression, "Your Excellency Governor, after the Japanese are thoroughly driven away, how should we handle the Youth Army? Are we really to let them remain garrisoned on the railway line?"

Governor De Gu strode toward Cheng Nei, likewise pondering countermeasures for afterward.

The Youth Army went south to protect the railway with the support of Free France Headquarters.

But taken seriously, Indochina was the Frenchmen's colony—how could outsiders be allowed to meddle?

Lieutenant Colonel Morel continued, "Not only the Youth Army, but the Zhongnan Yixin Society guerrillas outside Chengwai would love to drive us away directly."

"And there are the Thais to the West Side; that madman Lawan has advanced all the way, swallowing most of Laos and Cambodia, and has supported several puppet imperial families."

"It is said Thailand's vanguard troops are still pushing east, with every sign of marching on Annam Hue."

Governor De Gu stopped, snorted coldly, and a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

"These country bumpkins and ambitious men—I have long planned how to deal with them."

"I have a plan: Lure the Tiger to Swallow the Wolf!"

Lieutenant Colonel Morel was very puzzled.

Governor De Gu explained:

"Relying on our own strength, it is indeed difficult to maintain the situation in French Indochina."

"Since that's the case, why don't we defect to the British once more?!"

"The British and Free France are firm allies; I will deliver French Indochina to the British, ask them to extend a helping hand, and send troops into French Indochina!"

"As long as we draw British power in and have them station troops in Hanoi."

"Britain is the tiger; whether it's the Youth Army, the Thais, or the guerrillas, before the British, they all must honestly lie flat for me!"

"By then, the Great British Empire will help us maintain order, I will still be the governor here, and you will still be my adjutant."

Governor De Gu was plotting to defect to the British and bring them into the game.

Anyway, French Indochina was already a mess of porridge, and Governor De Gu was not afraid to keep stirring the water!

At this moment, Lieutenant General Nakamura Akito, commander of the Japanese Fifth Division, was pondering where he should go.

Firelight had already shot into the sky toward Haiphong Port; anyone with eyes and ears knew that place was off-limits.

Going to Haiphong Port had become a suicide mission—the waterway there had been completely sealed off by sunken ships and explosions.

Once there, they would be chased down by the Youth Army from behind and trapped in the port district, unable to escape.

Nakamura Akito closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

The Youth Army came from Xia Guo in the north; the eastern port of Haiphong was no longer accessible, so for now, they could only retreat toward the south side.

There were no Youth Army troops on the south side! Only scattered French colonial troops and guerrillas in the mountains!

"Order all units: the entire army advances south into French Indochina, retreating to the key town of Saigon in Cochinchina!"

"Appeal to Imperial General Headquarters again, have the Combined Fleet send warships and transport ships to the southern ports to cover our retreat!"

The Chief of Staff's eyes lit up—this was indeed the only path to survival left.

More than fifteen thousand surviving soldiers of the Japanese Fifth Division, like a muddy yellowish-brown torrent, began fleeing in disarray toward Annam Region in the south.

At this time, on the map of French Indochina, forces from all sides gathered.

Thailand's objective was very clear: to take advantage of the chaos as the French Army, Japanese Army, Youth Army, and guerrillas fought each other, and thrust into Annam Hue in one stroke.

Provided they controlled Bao Dadi, the Puppet Emperor of the Vietnamese imperial family in Hue Imperial Palace, Thailand could install a puppet emperor in Vietnam and realize the Pan-Thai Empire's vision.

The Thai army marched from west to east toward Annam Hue.

And Hue Imperial City was also the necessary route for the Japanese Fifth Division's southward retreat!