Chapter 467: 93rd Division at Jingdong

Jingdong, Lv Guoquan's 93rd Division.

Since the main force of the Expeditionary Force withdrew to Myitkyina, the 93rd Division also considered retreating back to the interior, that is, retreating toward Xishuangbanna.

Especially when the Staff Department at Lashu issued an order to bomb the bridge leading toward Jingdong, that is, the bridge over the Nujiang within Myanmar.

As a result, the 93rd Division's material supply became very difficult.

Later Lv Guoquan realized that the order was not issued by the Staff Department, but by the Independent Regiment under Jiang Anguo at Lashu, who is now the commander of the 201st Division.

Nevertheless, that no longer mattered; at least the current situation is very favorable for the Expeditionary Force.

First, we have occupied the strategic towns in northern Myanmar, and a few days ago we counterattacked Mandalay and successfully captured it.

Speaking of it, the 93rd Division's supplies are entirely dependent on Air Drop.

By land, the mountain road from Lashu to Jingdong is over three hundred kilometers; a round trip takes at least a month and requires setting up supply points along the way to refuel transport vehicles.

Therefore, the most convenient route is still the air.

It is also because Lin Yi has transport aircraft that we use the air route.

To conduct Air Drop resupply for the 93rd Division.

Lv Guoquan was also troubled by the supply issue; this division, with nearly ten thousand troops, finds it truly difficult to be supplied in the small locale of Jingdong.

Of course, Jingdong is relatively close to Huaxia.

Even part of the language is mutually intelligible with the Dai people of Yunnan, but communication remains difficult for the Expeditionary Force; fortunately, the Chinese Dai here are very willing to help.

When Lin Yi was at Lashu, he would order five transport aircraft each day to fly toward Jingdong.

Thus, ten tons of supplies are Air Dropped over Jingdong daily, greatly boosting the morale of the Expeditionary Force there.

The officers and soldiers of the 93rd Division now have high morale, and their combat power can be put to use.

Lv Guoquan was also decisive; in the northeast of Jingdong, he built a simple two‑kilometer runway to facilitate the air force's ability to airdrop directly into Jingdong.

Supplies Air Dropped inevitably suffer damage, but if they land, that problem disappears.

After learning that Jingdong has an airfield, Lin Yi at Lashu immediately opened the warehouse and sent the 93rd Division two thousand Mauser rifles, fifty Czech light machine guns, thirty 60mm mortars, fifteen 80mm mortars, one million rounds of ammunition, and some artillery shells.

The Expeditionary Force's weapons were already superior to domestic troops, except for the 66th Army of the Expeditionary Force.

Now Lv Guoquan's 93rd Division has received further equipment upgrades, raising the unit's combat power by another level.

As for why more ammunition and weapons weren't given directly, Lin Yi strictly followed the words left by Regiment Commander Jiang Anguo: "A steady drip."

Lin Yi, accustomed to hard times, also thought it unwise to give everything away at once.

Jiang Anguo's idea is simple: first win you over with some sweet incentives; once the candy is mostly eaten, you will naturally need to come back to me.

Arming the 93rd Division was already part of Jiang Anguo's plan; now the Expeditionary Force's units are too scattered, almost in a Single Line Long Snake Formation, with no threats except in the central Myitkyina, Bamo, and Lashu areas, while the threat from the Jingdong direction is the greatest, especially since the Thai Army is right on the border.

As for the "South China Democratic Federal Republic" established in Mandalay, this country does not have much impact on these Expeditionary Force commanders.

In any case, for them, the country's leader Chen Jiageng has always contributed to the anti‑war effort.

The Expeditionary Force's goal is not to seize a piece of land and rule the mountains; the main purpose is to ensure the Dian‑Mian Highway remains open, allowing international supplies to reach the deep rear.

Northern Myanmar, the 93rd Division headquarters' temporary garrison.

In a simple wooden hut, a yellowed map of the Burmese border hangs on the wall, with enemy and friendly troop deployments marked in red ink.

Division Commander Lv Guoquan holds a telegram just received from the Da Qili direction, his brows knit, his gaze fixed on every character.

The telegram, brief yet striking, reads: "Da Qili forward observation post report: Thai forces are moving frequently; at least three divisions are massing at the Thai‑Myanmar border, well equipped, operating covertly, apparently with offensive intent."

This is a dangerous signal.

Lv Guoquan slowly puts down the telegram, his tone heavy, a barely perceptible wariness in his voice: "Thailand is set on aligning with the Little Devil and preparing to attack us."

Since he joined the Expeditionary Force into Myanmar, the 93rd's defensive sector has been the right wing of the Expeditionary Force, facing Thailand.

He never imagined that the previously ambiguous Thailand would so readily side with the Japanese, even willing to send troops against the Expeditionary Force.

Chief of Staff Qian Yunzhou, standing beside him, darkened at the words, stepped forward, his gaze landing on Da Qili's position on the map.

His tone urgent: "Division Commander, this matter cannot be taken lightly; we must guard against it immediately. Da Qili is the throat passage from northern Myanmar to Thailand and our 93rd Division's forward position. If seized by the Thai Army, it will cut our rear communications and give the Japanese an opportunity to strike us from front and rear—truly a serious trouble."

Da Qili is a plain covering five hundred square kilometers, with the Mekong River at its edge.

It is also known as the Golden Triangle.

At Da Qili's border lie Thailand and Myanmar, the tri‑national junction.

Ultimately, Thailand is the beneficiary, occupying the best position; the vast plain can be used as farmland.

Lv Guoquan slowly nods, his gaze on Qian Yunzhou, his tone tinged with admiration: "Yunzhou, your thoughts are meticulous and you know the border situation well; this matter still relies on you for more ideas."

He continues: "Speaking of it, you were born on the Yunnan‑south border and spent years in Thailand; you understand the Thai Army better than any of us. Tell me, how confident is Thailand in this deployment?"

"Division Commander, not to hide from you, I was born in Pu'er, southern Yunnan, only a few dozen li from the Thai‑Myanmar border, and from childhood I often dealt with the Burmese and Thai people at the border. Later, because my family's business shuttled among China, Thailand, and Myanmar, I stayed in Chiang Mai for five years, so I indeed know more about Thailand's customs, conditions, and its army than most."

He paused, then continued: "My father was in the tea trade, frequently traveling among China, Thailand, and Myanmar. Influenced by the Father of the Nation, I abandoned commerce for the military, entered the Army Officer School, and after graduation served continuously in the Yunnan army. Later I was assigned to the Expeditionary Force's 93rd Division, fortunate to follow you, Division Commander, into combat in Myanmar."

"Because of that experience, I know the Thai Army's details clearly."

Qian Yunzhou's tone grew serious: "Although the Thai Army numbers are large, their combat effectiveness is uneven; ordinary soldiers largely lack systematic training, are cowardly, and in single combat they are no match for our 93rd Division."

"Division Commander, we have also received the benefits of the 'Gift of Wealth Boy'; now the 93rd Division's combat power has improved considerably."

When the 'Gift of Wealth Boy' was mentioned, Lv Guoquan and Qian Yunzhou both laughed.

Now the name Jiang Anguo has spread through all Huaxia armies; he is wealthy and his weapons are all top‑notch.