Chapter 502: The Final Order

The Japanese Army aircraft fled in disgrace; this news was immediately broadcast by the Republic of China Air Force!

Upon learning this, Okamura Yasuji angrily scolded the Army Aviation for being useless.

The 106th Division was trapped in a perilous situation, yet Okamura Yasuji still wanted to save it; he summoned his officers and began to discuss a plan.

Yoshimoto Teiichi offered a suggestion: "Commander, I believe that our previous dispatch of troops to directly reinforce the 106th Division was a major military blunder."

"That method of reinforcement is merely 'Filling the Oil Tactics'; now, to rescue the 106th Division, I believe we should employ the 'Siege of Wei to Rescue Zhao'."

"De'an..." As he spoke, Yoshimoto Teiichi pointed at the map: "We shall dispatch the 101st Division to launch a fierce attack on De'an."

"This will force the Republic of China defenders in the Wanjialing area to rush to reinforce De'an!"

We have held the drop points to the death, we have defended Jinling, we have rushed to reinforce Xudong, we have fought great battles at Lanfeng, blood has stained red...

The 106th Division, fighting like a trapped beast, heard the singing echoing across the mountains and plains, as well as the battle cries of the Republic of China Army.

Bai Zhuge spoke up: "The Japanese Army launching a fierce attack on De'an at this time is clearly a 'Siege of Wei to Rescue Zhao', intended to make Xue Yue divert troops to strengthen the De'an defensive line."

"I hope so..." Xue Yue looked at the sky outside the air-raid shelter.

The collapse of Matsuura Junrokuro's division was at hand; Yu Jishi of the 74th Army led his troops in singing the 74th Army's military song in unison:

Sun Zhen personally commanded two of Fan Shaozeng's divisions to rush to reinforce De'an, where they engaged in a bloody battle with the 101st Division.

Now that they had finally managed to wash away their shame and annihilate the Japanese 106th Division, they were forced to divert troops to reinforce De'an.

Hearing Yu Hua's voice, Xue Yue looked up and saw Yu Hua and Sun Zhen walking in.

"Adjutant Yu, De'an is in urgent danger, and the 9th War Zone currently has no reserves."

"Excellent!" Chen Cheng and Xue Yue clapped their hands in delight.

Seeing the telegram sent from the Nanjing Command in Hankou, Xue Yue and Chen Cheng were also extremely unwilling to divert troops to reinforce De'an.

"Gentlemen, De'an is now in danger, and Xue Yue and Chen Cheng are currently surrounding and annihilating the 106th Division at Wanjialing; what should we do?!"

"Due to the appearance of the Japanese Navy in Guangdong Province, it appears they show signs of a large-scale landing!"

In a small village, Matsuura Junrokuro had set up his command post in a landlord's large residence, which was a brick-and-tile structure.

Regarding this, Xue Yue expressed his understanding; he never involved himself in politics!

The 88th Army of the Sichuan Army had arrived at the 9th War Zone from Sichuan Province; it seemed Fan Shaozeng's unit was over-strength.

Just as Xue Yue was about to issue military orders, Yu Hua and Sun Zhen returned.

Seeing the 74th Army singing, the Sichuan Army troops were not to be outdone and began singing the "Republic of China Military Soul".

Upon hearing this, Minister He shook his head: "There is nothing left!"

This made Xue Yue feel extremely uncomfortable!!

Chen Cheng stepped forward to comfort Xue Yue: "Old Xue, don't be angry; this war is still far from over. One day, you will surely achieve a stunning military feat."

"I believe Matsuura Junrokuro will be able to break out successfully!!"

"Damn it..."

"Just now, Yu Hua and I went to find Fan Shaozeng; Old Fan's 88th Army has brought two more divisions."

Sun Zhen interjected at this moment: "The reinforcements are Fan Shaozeng's 88th Army."

After listening to Yoshimoto Teiichi's proposal, Okamura Yasuji carefully examined the map.

He then chose to execute Yoshimoto Teiichi's proposal, and immediately, the 11th Army Command ordered the 101st Division to begin its attack on De'an.

In the direction of De'an, the defensive line of the Republic of China defenders was already quite fragile!

Furthermore, a Japanese Detachment had previously inserted itself into Wanjialing from the De'an defensive line.

Rise up!

Inside the air-raid shelter!

"Division Commander, the enemy's offensive is too fierce; our defensive lines have been breached in many places, and the situation is extremely critical!"

Now that a full Japanese division was attacking, De'an was in immediate danger!!

Upon receiving the news of the emergency in De'an, the Nanjing Command in Hankou was frantic.

Sun Zhen stepped forward: "Old Xue, when you reply to the higher-ups, just say the reinforcements were diverted from Wanjialing."

"You know that Yu Hanmou previously requested the Nanjing Command to withdraw many of the 9th War Zone's Guangdong Army units to return and defend Guangdong Province."

"Commander Xue..." Yu Hua stepped forward: "De'an is in urgent danger; this is clearly the Japanese Army's 'Siege of Wei to Rescue Zhao' strategy."

"Once the Republic of China Army begins to withdraw, the strength of the defensive perimeter will weaken, and our Imperial Aviation will provide air cover."

He also heard the roars echoing across the mountains and plains; Matsuura could not help but shiver, his heart suddenly turning cold!

At this time, Mushima Kesao, the Regiment Commander of the Mushima Kesao Regiment accompanying Matsuura Junrokuro, rushed urgently to the division command post.

We launch a counterattack against the Japanese bandit invaders!

He has invaded our national territory, he has slaughtered our women and children!

We know shame, we bear the burden, we are the nation's armed force, we are the vanguard of the people!

But now, there was no other way, so they had to divert troops from the encirclement battle.

There could be no mistakes made in De'an now!

We grow in battle, we follow one another through the gunfire.

Chen Cheng and Xue Yue nodded, "In this way, we can focus on annihilating the 106th Division with peace of mind."

"Don't mention that this army just arrived from Sichuan Province!"

"I've asked Old Fan to hand these two divisions over to my command; I cleared it with him, and Old Fan agreed."

If Principal in Hankou found out, he would surely be even more displeased and would certainly cut back on some of the material supplies for the Sichuan Army in Hankou.

Xue Yue cursed angrily, "At this critical moment, for this to happen—isn't this just forcing me, Xue, to leave behind regrets!!"

"Originally, we had a division of the Guangdong Army acting as a reserve in the De'an direction."

Before Yu Hua had even entered the air-raid shelter, he shouted: "Commander Xue, are you preparing to mobilize troops to reinforce De'an?"

"Minister He, do we still have any troops?"

The Japanese Army's operational space was constantly being encroached upon by the Republic of China Army, and the combat effectiveness of the 106th Division was also continuously weakening.

Brothers, the time has come.

"The two newly arrived divisions under Fan Shaozeng are less than ten kilometers from De'an; with these two divisions joining, the crisis in De'an can be resolved."

"Oh?" Xue Yue and Chen Cheng looked at each other: "Where are the reinforcements?!"

Everyone discussed it back and forth, but still had no relatively secure solution, so they could only inform Xue Yue to have him divert troops to reinforce De'an.

"Once the troops in the Wanjialing area are diverted, that old devil Matsuura will definitely choose an opportunity to break out."

A single corps now fielding five divisions—this is clearly no longer a corps.

During the Xuzhou Battle, Xue Yue had been beaten by the Japanese Army at the Lanfeng Battle until he threw away his helmet and armor; the shame of Lanfeng had always been a sore spot for Xue Yue.

At the same time, the troops at Wanjialing seized the time to encircle and annihilate the resisting 106th Division.

"The Nanjing Command in Hankou has also sent a telegram to me and Commander Chen, ordering us to divert troops to reinforce De'an."

"Commander Xue, Commander Chen..." Yu Hua spoke up: "There are reinforcements... we still have reinforcements!"

"Now that the Guangdong Army has returned to Guangdong Province, the troop strength in the direction of De'an has become empty."

"I have already ordered the flag guard unit to burn the Regimental Flag, and now I implore the Division Commander to issue the final order."

Inside the residence, Matsuura sat on a long bench, his right hand tightly gripping his pistol!

(End of this chapter)