Chapter 178: Lashu Muster

Lashu.

Lin Yi, Second Battalion Commander Yang Zhi and Third Battalion Commander Hu Dali, after receiving the front's telegram, immediately set aside their bowls; Hu Dali promptly organized his troops, and Lin Yi likewise immediately provided Hu Dali with the appropriate material supplies.

When Lin Yi first saw the telegram, he could not believe it, even considered replying to the regiment commander to dissuade him, but after a moment he was convinced that something must have occurred to prompt the Division Commander to make this decision.

The troops quickly assembled and collected ammunition, supplies, and medical drugs.

Such a commotion in the camp naturally attracted Dai Anlan's attention.

Dai Anlan arrived at the command post; having been there several times, he was familiar and also knew that Lashu was now under Lin Yi's administration, and his troops' logistical supplies were also being provided through Lin Yi.

"Regiment Commander Lin, why is there personnel movement in the Independent Regiment?" Dai Anlan asked.

Lin Yi is now the Deputy Regiment Commander of the Independent Regiment; Song Yu and Wang Fei are still battalion commanders due to their current abilities, and are not yet qualified to be regiment‑level commanders.

In fact, Dai Anlan is Jiang Anguo's superior; the Independent Regiment originated as a Supplement Battalion and belonged to the th Division.

But Dai Anlan seemed to realize that the Independent Regiment no longer had much to do with him, so he was also very courteous to Lin Yi.

Dai Anlan was not foolish; as a division commander, he could see just by looking that Lashu's troop strength clearly exceeded that of a regiment, and could even be comparable to a division's strength.

He felt ashamed; as the th Division commander, he didn't even know the troop strength of the Independent Regiment under him.

"Division Commander, this," Lin Yi suddenly truly didn't know how to answer Dai Anlan.

Lin Yi gathered his thoughts and said, "Division Commander, it's like this: our regiment commander is pursuing the Japanese Army; because our Special Forces Unit suffered heavy losses, the regiment commander decided to retaliate against the Japanese Army, and he plans to let battalion commander Hu Dali lead the troops in pursuit."

Lin Yi naturally couldn't mention the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Battalions; you have an Independent Regiment, starting from the Third Battalion, so what about your First and Second Battalions—how many battalions do you actually have?

Dai Anlan nodded; pursuing the Japanese Army and dispatching reinforcements was not a big issue, just a normal deployment.

But he still wondered whether this action was a bit excessive.

"Regiment Commander Lin, is there anything you're hiding from me? Jiang Anguo is my brother‑in‑law; just tell me whatever you have," Dai Anlan said, looking at Lin Yi.

"Division Commander, actually our regiment commander dispatched a Special Forces Unit to intercept the 56th Division, and successfully captured the 56th Division commander Watanabe Masao, as well as the 146th Regiment commander Jin Gang Zong Si Lang."

"What?"

"We captured a Lieutenant General."

"No, also a regiment commander."

The officers behind Dai Anlan all shouted in surprise.

"Really," Dai Anlan continued to ask.

Lin Yi nodded, "Yes, Watanabe Masao has already arranged for people to be sent over, Jin Gang Zong Si Lang is already dead. And the entire Special Forces Unit was killed in action; our regiment commander decided to attack Tonggu."

Tonggu—Dai Anlan felt a pang in his heart.

The battle at Tonggu caused the th Division severe casualties and heavy losses.

"What, Jiang Anguo is going to attack Tonggu. Crazy!" As a general, Dai Anlan naturally understood what attacking Tonggu at this moment meant.

The problem is your point of attack is wrong; marching from the mountains for six or seven hundred kilometers to assault Tonggu is simply impossible.

After Dai Anlan saw the Myanmar rainy season arrive, he somewhat regretted having let Jiang Anguo pursue the Japanese Army; he should not have done so at the time.

The most critical issue is that the British Army was completely captured by the Japanese Army, the Expeditionary Force was retreating, and Jiang Anguo faced isolation with no reinforcements at all.

Currently no army can help Jiang Anguo contain the Japanese Army, especially the Japanese forces in Mandalay; if Jiang Anguo attacks Tonggu and is surrounded by the Mandalay Japanese, withdrawing would be extremely difficult.

Under such circumstances, launching an attack is unwise.

"Regiment Commander Lin, send a telegram in my name to Anguo: 'Brother Anguo, revenge need not be rushed; proceed gradually. We have now captured the 56th Division commander Watanabe Masao; promptly escort this tiger back to Lashu.'" Dai Anlan still hoped to bring Jiang Anguo back.

However, Lin Yi did not send the telegram immediately, standing his ground, "Division Commander, I feel even you cannot stop our regiment commander."

"Regardless, it's an emergency of ten thousand fires; now is no time for jokes. Our th Division is fighting hard at Tonggu and withdrew in a mess; Anguo wants to take Tonggu with just a regiment's strength—simply impossible. We must ensure Anguo's troops can retreat." Dai Anlan hurriedly said.

Lin Yi nodded, "Division Commander, you're right; I'll first send a telegram to the regiment commander."

The th Division's Chief of Staff Zhang Zhige stepped forward and said, "Division Commander, I doubt you can persuade Anguo to come back."

【9】 Previously everyone didn't understand Jiang Anguo and Dai Anlan's situation; after entering Lashu and learning a bit, the relationship became clear.

Earlier everyone didn't yet understand Jiang Anguo and Dai Anlan's situation; after entering Lashu and getting a brief glimpse, they realized the relationship between Jiang Anguo and Dai Anlan.

Dai Anlan chuckled wryly, "Anguo did something huge in Myanmar—he actually captured the 56th Division commander Watanabe Masao alive. That's a tremendous piece of good news; if the Principal finds out, a Major General won't escape. Anguo now plans to attack Tonggu; it's sheer rashness."

Dai Anlan naturally understood how painful it was to see a brother‑in‑arms die before his eyes.

Yet as a commander, you must keep a clear mind, constantly ensuring your orders allow more soldiers to survive.

Indeed, after Jiang Anguo received Lin Yi's telegram, he replied, "Brother, as you wished, we can help. Our troops will move from Xibu straight to Taunggyi; our two armies will meet, then take Tonggu."

Dai Anlan's eyes widened; he hurried to the map, while others, not fully understanding, picked up the telegram and gathered around.

Dong—dong—dong.

Dai Anlan's hand pounded the map, "Incredible. If this works, we can avenge Tonggu's single arrow of revenge."

This is their retreat route from Lashu; if followed as Jiang Anguo described, it would form a two‑pronged strike—maybe not retake Tonggu, but at least eliminate the Japanese at Taunggyi.

"Division Commander, it looks simple, but now Mandalay has been seized by the Japanese. If they cut off our rear, the supply line along this route will become a nightmare," Regiment Commander of the 598 Regiment, Gao Jiren, said.

"The key is we entered Myanmar with over 9,000 men; now fewer than 4,000 are combat‑ready, with nearly 2,000 wounded. In the short term we can't restore combat power, even if we reach Tonggu we may lack fighting strength!" Chief of Staff Zhang Zhige also said.

Dai Anlan shook his head, "The manpower issue is indeed a problem; Anguo has about two or three thousand troops, which together with us makes roughly a division. Capturing Tonggu is a stretch, but supply isn't the issue—you all remember Anguo used transport aircraft to deliver supplies to us back then."

Dai Anlan's greatest worry remains manpower; the th Division withdrew from the battlefield only recently, and without reinforcements its combat effectiveness has dropped considerably.