Chapter 216: You

In Lashu's air, a scent utterly different from Tonggu pervades.

There is no acrid smell of blood and char; instead, the diesel odor from military trucks fills the air.

Lashu, as a logistics base, has its own tension and bustle.

As the core hub of the Expeditionary Force's rear, this place is temporarily away from artillery fire, yet the shadow of war is everywhere.

Lin Yi is also in charge of transporting Lashu's supplies to the Yunnan‑Myanmar border, and where they go afterward is not for Lin Yi to decide.

Jiang Anguo has just finished reorganizing the Lashu Independent Regiment; like Dongzhi's structure, Jiang Anguo divided the Independent Regiment into two infantry regiments.

Independent Regiment 1st Regiment, Regiment Commander Yao Quanyi, specialty: urban warfare.

In fact, Jiang Anguo hadn't initially considered promoting Yao Quanyi, but he always felt Yao Quanyi's urban warfare would be useful someday.

Independent Regiment 2nd Regiment, Regiment Commander Yang Zhi, specialty: defense.

Of course, the Independent 2nd Regiment is also called Lashu Infantry 1st Regiment.

He is still only a Regiment Commander, yet now commands over twenty‑thousand troops.

After touring Lashu, he was about to return to his command post when he saw an unexpected figure at the Lashu headquarters entrance.

A tall, thin elderly man in a khaki American Army uniform, wearing an obviously oversized combat hat, stood with his hands behind his back, pointing at a map and muttering curses in English.

A few Chinese officers surrounded him, their expressions tinged with awe.

Jiang Anguo recognized him at a glance: Stilwell, Chief of Staff of the China Theater, nominal commander of the Expeditionary Force.

Standing beside Stilwell, calmly reporting something, was his brother‑in‑law, the 200th Division commander Dai Anlan.

"General Dai, your 200th Division is truly invincible! I heard you actually launched a counterattack against the Japanese Army at Tonggu, beating them into a frantic retreat!" When Stilwell saw Dai Anlan, the face long known for its "sour vinegar" expression immediately broke into a rare brilliant smile; he slapped Dai Anlan's shoulder vigorously, showing no concealment of his joy.

One could say that since Stilwell took command of the Expeditionary Force, the unit that has given him the greatest satisfaction is Dai Anlan's 200th Division, and the source of his best news has always been this "China's most elite unit".

The Expeditionary Force's overall combat power, especially its tenacity against the Japanese Army, has far exceeded his original expectations.

As for the British? Stilwell twitched the corner of his mouth, his heart full of contempt.

Those allies who only know how to flee and collapse at the slightest touch are utterly insignificant. Their verbally pledged battles are always empty promises, each time failing at the crucial moment and exposing the Expeditionary Force's flank to the Japanese Army's bayonets.

Dai Anlan snapped to attention, performed a standard military salute to Stilwell, and said calmly, "Reporting, General, duty fulfilled."

"No, no, no, General Dai, don't give me that 'duty fulfilled' routine!" Stilwell waved his hands repeatedly, sparing no praise, "Your two Tonggu campaigns were exemplary, textbook‑level defense and counterattack! I have already reported your heroic deeds in detail to President Roosevelt, telling him that material aid to China must be increased, especially to prioritize equipping heroic units like the 200th Division!"

Hearing this, a trace of gratitude flashed across Dai Anlan's face, but he immediately turned aside and pointed with his hand toward Jiang Anguo, who was nearby whispering with his deputy commander Lin Yi.

"General Stilwell, actually, the main credit for this counterattack does not belong to me," Dai Anlan said sincerely.

"Oh?" Stilwell followed Dai Anlan's pointing finger, his gaze landing on Jiang Anguo.

He was an extremely young man, handsome and sharp‑eyed, wearing a special combat uniform without obvious rank insignia, which made him look somewhat out of place among the battle‑worn, impeccably uniformed senior officers present.

"Who is he?" Stilwell asked.

In his memory, he had met every commander of units above regiment level in the Expeditionary Force at pre‑war meetings, even taking photos together. He was certain he could not recall any such young officer.

When Stilwell asked, Dai Anlan raised his voice, his tone laced with unmistakable pride: "He is the commander of my 200th Division's Independent Regiment, Jiang Anguo!"

His recognition of his little brother‑in‑law was heartfelt.

Since the campaign into Myanmar, Jiang Anguo has not only continuously supplied the 200th Division with weapons, ammunition, and medicine through his own channels, but also directly brought in three thousand troops to reinforce the unit.

Sometimes when Dai Anlan sees Jiang Anguo, he feels a bit guilty, as if, as a division commander, he is being taken under the wing of a regiment commander.

"You're saying," Stilwell's brows knit tightly, his face full of disbelief, "that the one who commanded this Tonggu counterattack is him? A regiment commander?"

Dai Anlan nodded heavily, his voice deep, "Yes, General Stilwell. My 200th Division, in this battle, mainly coordinated with his Independent Regiment. Clearly, the result was good."

It was more than just good results! It was the greatest victory the entire Expeditionary Force has achieved since the first Tonggu defensive battle! Before that, the British forces had been constantly chased by the Japanese Army, unable to produce any noteworthy results.

Even the Tonggu Campaign turned into the Tonggu Defense Battle, the Tonggu defensive battle.

The biggest problem is the British; the battles they verbally pledged always end up as a ruse, with the British Army fleeing first, leaving the flank of the position wide open, and by the time Mandalay's command reacts, the Japanese Army has surged in like a tide. This feeling of being stabbed in the back by allies drove Stilwell and all Chinese commanders to the limit of frustration.

An aide immediately brought Jiang Anguo before Stilwell.

Jiang Anguo stood his ground, looking at the famous American general before him, and instead of saluting like Dai Anlan, simply nodded calmly.

A flash of displeasure crossed Stilwell's face; a soldier's duty is obedience, even the most basic courtesy…

Before he could speak, Jiang Anguo seemed to read his doubt and preemptively said, "General, we are still in a combat zone; Japanese intelligence and pro‑Japanese elements in Myanmar are everywhere. Here, your identity is top secret. If I were to give you a standard military salute, a sniper's bullet might pierce your brow in the next second."

Jiang Anguo's tone was half serious, half joking. Of course, he knew Lashu had become a steel bucket; not even a Japanese spy, let alone a fly, could enter without being interrogated for ages. He said this merely to give the American general a profound "first impression".

Sure enough, Stilwell froze for a moment. He examined the young man closely; in his calm eyes there was no trace of fear or flattery, only a composure and confidence beyond his years. He not only didn't get angry at Jiang Anguo's "rudeness", but thought the young man made a fair point.

"You're right, Colonel." Stilwell nodded.