Chapter 538

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

About one hundred kilometers from Springwuli Port, Yamashita Tomoyuki's troops were racing against time on the road.

The remnants of the Fifth Division and the Imperial Guard Infantry Second Division were squeezed onto the same road; trucks, mules and horses, wounded soldiers, and baggage were all mixed together, and the marching column stretched out over ten-odd kilometers.

The devils' uniforms were covered in sweat stains and mud; some devils were so exhausted they dozed off while walking, only waking when they bumped into the devil in front of them.

The Youth Army's tank column had already intercepted the Imperial Guard Division's rear guard units north of Springwuli.

Sherman tanks deployed on both sides of the road, their seventy-five-millimeter main guns taking aim one by one at the jam-packed Japanese convoy on the road.

The lead truck was blown sky-high by a shell, and the following convoy bunched up into a knot, unable to even turn around.

The Imperial Guard Division's rear guard regiment counterattacked desperately, Type 92 heavy machine guns set up on the roadside sweeping furiously, but the bullets only sparked off the Shermans' frontal armor.

Tanks crushed the roadblocks, and infantry followed behind to mop up the remaining enemy.

The rear guard regiment was routed within two hours, leaving rows of Japanese corpses and burning vehicle wreckage on the road.

Nakamura Akito stood on a small hill; through his binoculars he could already see the dust kicked up by the Youth Army tank column.

The staff officer beside him reported in a low voice that the Imperial Guard Division's rear guard had collapsed, and the Youth Army was advancing toward this side.

Nakamura Akito put down his binoculars, turned to the signalman, and said: "Notify Commander Yamashita that I will hold here with the Fifth Division; ask him to turn toward Springwuli Port as quickly as possible."

Yamashita Tomoyuki was silent on the radio for a moment, then replied: "Nakamura-kun, I'll wait for you in Springwuli."

The Fifth Division's devils deployed in the paddies and ditches on both sides of the road; they knew this was the final battle.

The Youth Army's tanks appeared at the end of the road half an hour later.

The Japanese army used anti-tank guns to bombard the Youth Army's tanks, and both sides engaged in a fierce battle.

Already at the end of their tether, the Fifth Division's combat power was clearly not up to par.

Nakamura Akito ordered fire; the few remaining anti-tank guns fired the first salvo from their camouflaged positions, but aside from damaging one of the Youth Army's light tanks, they gained no significant initiative.

A Calliope tank adjusted the elevation of its rocket launch tubes and, targeting the area where the little devils' firepower was densest, fired rocket shells like mad.

After a torrent of explosions, a gap instantly appeared in the devils' defensive line.

The remaining Sherman tanks and Youth Army infantry followed up, launching a charge at the Japanese defensive line.

Boom!

The devils resisted stubbornly.

One Sherman had its track blown off and lay askew by the roadside, but the rest of the tanks immediately accelerated across the open ground and crashed straight into the Japanese positions.

As the tanks rolled over the Japanese positions, Nakamura Akito stood outside the command post, gripping his command sword.

A shell exploded ten-odd meters in front of him; shrapnel pierced his chest.

When he fell, there was not a single standing staff officer left beside him.

The Fifth Division, in Thailand, finally welcomed its second annihilation.

Yamashita Tomoyuki was destined never to see Nakamura Akito return to him.

Just as Terauchi Hisaichi at Springwuli Port never got to see Yamashita Tomoyuki.

On the road leading to Springwuli Port, Yamashita Tomoyuki received the news of Nakamura Akito's death in battle.

The troops around him dwindled — stragglers, those blown apart, those who collapsed by the roadside and never got up again; with every kilometer marched, the column shortened by a segment.

However, because Nakamura Akito had led the Fifth Division in an all-out blocking action, Yamashita Tomoyuki still held hope of a successful withdrawal.

But the hope was soon dashed; Yamashita Tomoyuki was again blocked by Youth Army paratroopers.

The paratroopers had lain in ambush for a long time, waiting precisely on the inevitable route Yamashita Tomoyuki would take fleeing to Springwuli Port.

Yamashita Tomoyuki had no choice but to engage the Youth Army paratroopers in a battle.

The paratroopers' determination to stop Yamashita Tomoyuki was great; they did not seek to annihilate Yamashita Tomoyuki and his Imperial Guard Infantry Second Division with their few thousand men.

They only sought to delay the Japanese army's steps, waiting for Sun Liren's armored forces to catch up from behind.

Delayed by the paratroopers, Yamashita Tomoyuki could not catch Terauchi Hisaichi's ship.

Terauchi Hisaichi waited bitterly at Springwuli Port; he did not get Yamashita Tomoyuki, but he got a rebellious Thai division.

The Thai division commander leading them, to demonstrate his value before the China-Burma Theater Command, ordered an assault on Springwuli Port, where the Japanese Marine Corps and warships were entrenched.

This greatly shocked Terauchi Hisaichi, and coupled with the gradual loss of contact with Yamashita Tomoyuki's forces.

The Southern Expeditionary Fleet Commander advised Terauchi Hisaichi to order a retreat, and put forward the idea that Yamashita Tomoyuki had most likely perished.

With no other choice, unable to reach Yamashita Tomoyuki, Terauchi Hisaichi could only order the Southern Expeditionary Fleet to weigh anchor directly for Singapore.

And Yamashita Tomoyuki, at this moment, was caught in a pincer from front and rear.

Youth Army paratroopers in front, Sun Liren's armored forces behind.

This Malayan Tiger, Yamashita Tomoyuki, finally fell into utter despair.

He walked into an abandoned hut by the roadside and knelt in the wall corner.

The adjutant outside the door only heard the sound of a blade entering flesh, then the dull thud of a body hitting the ground.

Upon learning that Commander Yamashita had committed suicide, the Imperial Guard Division's remnants surrendered their weapons to the Youth Army.

Thus, the fighting in the Springwuli direction concluded entirely; the Fifth Division and the Imperial Guard Infantry Second Division were declared annihilated.

On the western front, the Eighteenth Division's fate was not much better than the other two divisions.

The division commander led his troops attempting to break out through the mountains west of Bangkok, but was blocked.

That was Plaek Phibunsongkhram's Third Division pressing over from the Bangkok direction.

Long Wenzhang's Youth Eighteenth Division and Ruan Linqing's Indochina First Division also clung tightly to the Eighteenth Division's tail.

The Eighteenth Division was surrounded on three sides in a hilly area.

On the third day of the siege, upon learning that Terauchi Hisaichi had already withdrawn and that Commander Yamashita had committed seppuku, the Division Commander likewise chose seppuku.

Only Commander Terauchi Hisaichi led a group of military police and marines, along with the Southern Expeditionary Fleet's warships, arriving alone in Singapore, attempting to hold the Malay Peninsula.

To ensure he still had troops available for deployment, Terauchi Hisaichi ordered the 56th Division inside Burma to ultimately abandon the garrison at Rangoon and retreat directly overland into the Malay Peninsula.

By this point, the Japanese Army within Thailand and Burma had been completely annihilated.

——————

Once the Japanese Army left, Thailand began facing a power distribution.

Major General Plaek Phibunsongkhram exploited a loophole; taking advantage of the various generals being at the frontline, he suddenly staged a coup and seized power.

Currently the various Division Commanders are announcing surrender and uprising one after another; they are very dissatisfied with Major General Plaek Phibunsongkhram's attempt to grasp Thailand's power, and are calculating how to topple Plaek Phibunsongkhram.

Major General Plaek Phibunsongkhram worries his subordinates will imitate him and likewise launch a coup to pull him down.

After thinking it over, Plaek Phibunsongkhram explained a few sentences to the Chief of Staff, then boarded a transport aircraft arranged by the Youth Army.

The plane took off from an airport in Bangkok's northern suburbs, crossed the mountain ranges on the Burma border, and landed at Mandalay Airport.

Yes, General Plaek Phibunsongkhram decided to cling tightly to Lv Muzhi's thigh.

Mandalay Airport was packed with transport aircraft and fighter planes; ground crew ran back and forth, a scene of bustling activity.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram descended the gangway; looking at the formation before him, he silently revised his estimate of the Youth Army's strength.

The Youth Army officer who came to receive him did not engage in excessive pleasantries, directly bringing him to the building housing the China-Burma Theater Command.

Lv Muzhi met Plaek Phibunsongkhram in the office; there was no welcome ceremony. He raised his head, glanced at Plaek Phibunsongkhram, and nodded once as a greeting.

"General Plaek Phibunsongkhram, the things you did in Bangkok, I and the War Zone Headquarters are very satisfied."

Lv Muzhi cut straight to the point: "You led a division to announce uprising, attacked the Marshal's Mansion, and killed Lawan."

"This avoided meaningless resistance by the Thai Army, saved many Thai lives, and also reduced Allied Forces casualties."

Plaek Phibunsongkhram stood before the desk, his back ramrod straight.

Before coming he had prepared a pile of talking points, but truly standing before Lv Muzhi, those words suddenly felt unnecessary.

He said: "Commander Lu, Thailand previously went down a wrong path."

"Lawan led us to follow the wrong people and did many wrong things. I want to lead Thailand to start anew."

Lv Muzhi looked at him, did not immediately respond.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram continued, tone sincere: "Although Thailand announced uprising, the various Division Commanders do not truly submit to me."

"I have the Third Division in hand, but the other several divisions may not listen to me."

"My coming this time is precisely to hope for China-Burma Theater Command's support, to maintain domestic stability."

Lv Muzhi leaned back in his chair.

He knew Plaek Phibunsongkhram was a secret member of the Unity Party, but Plaek Phibunsongkhram did not know his, Lv Muzhi's, identity in the Yixin Society.

Currently Zhongnan State's Fan Jing, Burma's Sada Monk, Thailand's Major General Plaek Phibunsongkhram — without exception all are Unity Party people.

The game Lv Muzhi and Lin Shirong laid out years ago is moving one by one into the positions they ought to go.

Lv Muzhi spoke: "You want to lead Thailand to start anew; I can give you this opportunity."

At these words, a relaxed look appeared in Plaek Phibunsongkhram's eyes.

With Lv Muzhi backing him, those domestic opponents would have no chance to be arrogant.

But Lv Muzhi raised a hand signaling him not to rush to express his stance: "However, this requires you to show some sincerity."

Plaek Phibunsongkhram lowered his arm: "Commander Lu, please speak."

"Xia Guo's north is suffering famine; right now severe winter approaches. You've probably never been to the north, don't know the north's cold."

"Central Plains has too many disaster victims; many won't survive this winter."

"But the Indochina Peninsula climate is warm, three harvests a year; grain is not a problem."

"Zhongnan State has already agreed to accept Xia Guo disaster victims; Burma's Unity Party Guerrilla Control Areas are also following up on the work."

"A prosperous place like Thailand — should it not also contribute a share, as repayment for my backing you?"

Plaek Phibunsongkhram was stunned for a moment; resettling Xia Guo disaster victims. This is no small matter.

He had just seized power via coup; his foundation not yet firm, military peers eyeing him covetously. Making such a large decision now, the slightest carelessness would give someone a handle against him.

General Plaek Phibunsongkhram did not want to agree.

But if he didn't?

Lv Muzhi's voice sounded again: "If General Plaek Phibunsongkhram finds it difficult, I won't force it."

"I can find someone else to act as Deputy for Thai affairs; there will always be someone willing."

Plaek Phibunsongkhram was startled; his bloody coup had killed quite a few people. If he stepped down, where would he have a way to live?

He hurriedly declared: "Commander Lu, I am willing. Thailand is willing to accept Xia Guo disaster victims."

Moreover, Plaek Phibunsongkhram simply laid out his bottom cards: "But truthfully, my position in Bangkok is still unstable."

"If I can have Allied Forces garrison as backing, this matter becomes natural and justified; the other Division Commanders won't dare say much."

"I can sign a garrison agreement with the War Zone Command, providing convenience for Allied Forces stationing in Thailand, also to defend against Japanese Army comeback."

Lv Muzhi nodded satisfied: "General Plaek Phibunsongkhram, you are very sensible!"

After Plaek Phibunsongkhram returned from Mandalay to Bangkok, the garrison agreement was quickly signed.

With Long Wenzhang's Youth Eighteenth Division as the vanguard, they directly entered Bangkok.

Long Wenzhang's task was to ensure Thailand's stability before the Japanese Army fully surrendered, preventing Japanese Army comeback.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram had Lv Muzhi and the Youth Army's backing, and the China-Burma Theater Command's support.

Thailand's various Division Commanders no one dared raise objections to Plaek Phibunsongkhram's position anymore.

Plaek Phibunsongkhram on one hand carried out massive disarmament domestically, streamlined redundant troops, and pressed down troublemakers one by one.

On the other side, they began receiving refugees from Xia Guo.

The work of settling refugees was fully launched in December of that year.

It was the harshest season; grain failed across the Central Plains, refugees could hardly survive on porridge shelters, and even though the Central Government allocated legal tender, it was unable to turn the tide.

To survive, refugees who could no longer go on, responding to the Youth Army's call to action, left their homeland one after another and boarded southbound trains.

Refugees were settled in batches.

One part entered the Irrawaddy River Basin in central and northern Burma, where the land was fertile, and the Unity Party Guerrillas' control area had already allocated reclamation plots in advance.

One part entered the plains of northern and southwestern Thailand, where Plaek Phibunsongkhram's Military and Political Committee allocated wasteland, and the Youth Army provided seeds and farm tools.

Another part entered the northern Vietnam region and Cambodia region of Zhongnan State, where the local government, following Prime Minister Fan Jing's instructions, settled them properly by village as a unit.

Refugees were allocated land, seeds, and simple but wind-and-rain-proof houses.

Here it was not as cold as Northern Xia, with sufficient water and heat, and grain yielded three harvests a year.

Without waiting for spring, refugees who had relocated here hoed and turned the soil under the tropical sunlight, engaging in labor.

From winter to the following summer, in the first half of the year, more than two million refugees were transferred from the Central Plains to the Indochina Peninsula.

During this time, the United States won the Guadalcanal Campaign and took the Solomon Islands.

The Japanese Army's power shrank further.

To further destroy the Imperial Japanese Army Southern Army, the Allied Forces internally established the Southeast Asia Theater and the Pacific Theater.

The Southeast Asia Theater was upgraded from the China-Burma Theater, still commanded by Lv Muzhi, responsible for destroying Japanese forces across the entire Indochina Peninsula, especially those entrenched on the Malay Peninsula, and of course also guarding against the British Army attempting to return to the Burma and Malaya colonies.

The Pacific Theater was responsible for destroying enemies in the Pacific Ocean, commanded by War Zone Commander MacArthur, employing island-hopping tactics, advancing all the way to the Japanese Mainland.