Chapter 453: Smooth Arrival

Myanmar's rainy season is about to defeat everyone.

But Shanben Shiba and Gaoqiao Xinyi still strive to complete the mission; they watch the lone remaining ox cart, and Chen Jiageng and the women and children in the group are placed on the ox cart.

The unit steps one foot after another, treading through mud as they press on.

One reason everyone still retains such belief is that Shanben Shiba opened a radio a few days ago and actually received a message from the Commander.

The victory at the Battle of Yichang returned the Jianghan region to Huaxia Army control.

"We won!" Chen Jiageng said.

"Yes, Mr. Chen, we will win; the final victory belongs to us," Shanben Shiba said with absolute confidence.

Undoubtedly, before this, if a Japanese person had spoken to him that way, Chen Jiageng would have thought he was crazy.

But now it's different; he treats Shanben Shiba as a friend, a true friend.

"The 'him' Chen Jiageng mentioned is Jiang Anguo."

The broadcast repeatedly mentioned the commander of this operation, Jiang Anguo, and Jiang Anguo has also been appointed as a Major General division commander.

Shanben Shiba nodded, "Yes, he is our Commander, Mr. Chen; we will bring you safely to Taunggyi."

"Thank you, my friend." Chen Jiageng, from the moment Xiaochuan Qingzhi blocked a Poisonous Snake for him, finally acknowledged Shanben Shiba.

If they wanted to harm him, there was no need at all.

The perils along this route can only be experienced by them; they must not only contend with Myanmar's harsh rainforest, poisonous insects, rodents and ants, but also Japanese Army patrol squads and Burmese volunteer forces.

But it is precisely because of Shanben Shiba's presence that this march is relatively safe; the enemies they encounter have all avoided them.

"Alright, we've rested enough; let's go," Shanben Shiba said.

Everyone rose with difficulty; this journey has pushed everyone to their limits.

Had Shanben Shiba not brought the radio, no one might have known how many days they had actually traveled.

Finally, after the last ox was killed and its meat smoked dry to become their rations, each person carried a portion of food on their backs and pressed on.

The distant rainforest loomed ahead as if it blocked the way to any destination.

Shanben Shiba and Gaoqiao Xinyi took turns supporting Chen Jiageng; the rainforest was far too harsh for this 68‑year‑old elder.

"Don't move." At last, a familiar voice sounded.

It was no longer a Japanese person, nor a Burmese one, but a Huaxia tongue, and everyone felt a joy‑so‑overwhelming‑it‑brought‑them‑to‑tears feeling.

Everyone honestly raised their hands and submitted to inspection.

This unit is the patrol team in the direction of Lei Gu, that is the Taunggyi 448th Regiment, Song Mengqin's detachment.

The patrol squad's Squad leader, upon learning that the person before him was Chen Jiageng, immediately contacted Taunggyi and dispatched a Transport Vehicle to ferry Chen Jiageng to Taunggyi.

When they arrived at Taunggyi, Shanben Shiba also let out a sigh of relief, but he did not go inside; instead, he and Gaoqiao Xinyi leapt down from the Transport Vehicle.

"Mr. Chen, let's part ways here," Shanben Shiba said, looking at Chen Jiageng.

Chen Jiageng felt incredulous—how could they already have reached the destination, and Shanben seemed about to leave.

"This—won't you go in with us?" Chen Jiageng asked.

Shanben Shiba shook his head and said, "No, our identities cannot be disclosed to many, and we have other missions to carry out; Mr. Chen, this is farewell."

Chen Jiageng watched the backs of Shanben Shiba and Gaoqiao Xinyi, feeling an indescribable sorrow.

"Mr. Chen, tell me—are they really Japanese?" Even Zhuang Mingli's view of the three Shanben men had changed greatly along this passage.

They could, for a stranger, give up their own lives.

For a moment Chen Jiageng didn't know how to answer; after a moment's thought he said, "Perhaps people can be good or bad!"

In Taunggyi, Chen Jiageng received a warm welcome from Song Mengqin and Song Yunfei.

On July 2 in Taunggyi, a new batch of immigrants had just arrived and were being assigned to factories or fields.

Chen Jiageng rode in a vehicle all the way here, feeling that this place was different; he couldn't put it into words, but more and more people spoke Huaxia language, even people from various regions.

There were people from Sichuan, Chongqing, Changsha, Henan, Hebei, as well as Zhejiang and Jiangxi.

People from all over the country seemed to have gathered in Taunggyi.

Although not many, everyone's faces were radiant with smiles.

This differed from the populace under Japanese Army invasion; these smiles were heartfelt.

Inside the house, Chen Jiageng smelled a faint fragrance in the air, the scent of ripening rice.

At that moment, a horn on the street suddenly blared; at first it was a faint electric hum, then a stirring, powerful voice pierced the doors and windows, echoing through Taunggyi's streets and shattering the surrounding silence.

"Dear compatriots, today the Expeditionary Force's 200th Division and the Expeditionary Force's st Division launch a massive offensive on Mandalay, annihilating the Japanese Army's 18th Division on the Mandalay battlefield! They have also killed the Japanese Army's Lieutenant General division commander Mukoda Koya! This is a great victory, the glory of Huaxia's sons and daughters; let us cheer!"

Chen Jiageng's body suddenly stiffened, the solemnity on his face instantly giving way to astonishment; he could hardly believe his ears, instinctively straightened his posture, turned his ear to listen intently, fearing to miss a single word.

The horn's voice repeated the triumphant news over and over, its stirring tone full of exhilaration; sporadic cheers rose from the street, growing louder and merging into a sea of joy.

Tears instantly blurred Chen Jiageng's eyes; he lifted his hand to gently wipe the tear tracks from his corners, yet his mouth involuntarily curved upward, and his eyes flashed with a long‑awaited gleam—a suppressed joy, the light of newfound hope.

He had long yearned for such a victory; watching Nanyang Chinese being brutally slaughtered by the Japanese, seeing his compatriots struggle in suffering, the anguish and helplessness in his heart had piled up like a mountain.

The Japanese Army's 18th Division, a demon unit with its hands stained in Huaxia children's blood and one of the chief perpetrators of the Nanjing Massacre, has now been completely annihilated by the Expeditionary Force; this is not only a victory in Mandalay but also a consolation for all fallen compatriots, a moment of pride for the Huaxia Army.

Chen Jiageng clenched his fists, his whole body trembling slightly, muttering, "Good! Well fought! The Expeditionary Force has not disappointed us, Huaxia has not disappointed us!"

It wasn't only Chen Jiageng who was excited; Zhuang Mingli rushed in, shouting, "Mr. Chen, the Expeditionary Force won again, the Expeditionary Force has retaken Mandalay."

"Yes, the Expeditionary Force won again!" Chen Jiageng repeated.

Outside, the cheers grew louder, Chinese compatriots ran to spread the news, their faces full of excitement and anticipation.

Chen Jiageng looked out the window; the Nanyang Chinese saw hope.

He knew this victory would bring solace to the suffering Nanyang Chinese and ignite everyone's resolve to resist the Japanese.

One day, Huaxia's sons and daughters will drive the invaders completely from this land, and the Nanyang Chinese will finally enjoy peaceful days.