Chapter 486: Southward to Qinglai

Population is truly too precious; it was exchanged for with the lives of the soldiers of the 201st Division.

Even if Da Qili is a fine place, later generations call it the Golden Triangle, it is still in northern Myanmar, Northern Thailand.

There are many mountains, transportation is inconvenient, and ingress and egress are extremely difficult.

Thus, placing a large population at this location is a very foolish thing.

Northern Thailand, like northern Myanmar, has few people gathered; at present the population is mainly concentrated on the southern plains, and this area is only the Hundred-Mile Plain.

Southern Thailand, that truly is the Ten-Thousand-Mile Plain.

It's a promising place, not only can it accommodate a large population, but it also has a seaport to station Jiang Anguo's warships.

Of course, Jiang Anguo currently will not attack Thailand; his forces are insufficient, the combat front is too long, and he is already fighting on two fronts.

At present his organization includes personnel, among them three thousand sent from Chongqing, with combat strength approaching forty thousand.

But the actual number under command remains around thirty-six thousand; according to the standard infantry division size, he can field the combat power of three infantry divisions.

Naturally, given Jiang Anguo's forces across the regions now, he should be able to form two divisions, plus an air force, tanks, and other special troops.

Among them about three thousand were placed by Jiang Anguo into Dai Anlan's th Division, effectively under Dai Anlan's command.

The battlefield cleanup work in Da Qili is still proceeding in order.

Jiang Anguo's temporary command post is set on an open area on the south bank of the Luo Ke River.

A huge Myanmar-Thailand Border map is spread on a hastily built wooden table, with red pen clearly marking both sides' troop deployments and captured positions.

Holding a command baton, Jiang Anguo's gaze is fixed on the strategic stronghold of Northern Thailand on the map, Qinglai Fu.

His eyes convey a sharpness of pressing the advantage, while behind him Lv Guoquan, Yao Quanyi and other generals stand quietly, awaiting his orders.

Strength represents your authority; one could say Lv Guoquan also bows to the combat capability of the 201st Division.

"Regiment Commander Yao, look here."

Jiang Anguo's command baton heavily taps the position of Qinglai, his tone firm and steady, "In the Da Qili battle, we heavily damaged the Thai Expeditionary Force; although we won a great victory, Da Qili's terrain is flat, with no defenses to hold. If the Thai Army later mobilizes troops for a counterattack, we could easily fall into a passive position."

"And Qinglai is the essential route for the Thai Army's northward advance, regarded as the gateway of Northern Thailand; holding Qinglai equals holding our southern passage, and can completely cut off the Thai Army's northward possibilities."

He paused, then continued, "More importantly, intelligence shows that Qinglai has stockpiled a large amount of military supplies for the Thai Army—food, ammunition, medicine, all present."

"Through continuous combat, our material consumption is significant; capturing Qinglai would not only replenish our supplies but also cut off the surrounding Thai Army's rear, truly a win-win. Look, can we go further and seize Qinglai Fu?"

These words were addressed to Lv Guoquan and the troops of the 93rd Division; the losses are indeed considerable, material consumption is great, but Jiang Anguo does not mind.

The points earned by killing the enemy have long compensated for the war's losses.

Yao Quanyi steps forward, leans over the map, his finger lightly sweeps between Qinglai and Da Qili, his brows relax slightly, then he nods heavily, his tone resolute: "Division Commander, you have considered it extremely thoroughly!"

Da Qili indeed has no defensible terrain; a prolonged garrison easily falls into passivity, whereas Qinglai's geographic position is critical, being both a transport hub and a supply depot.

Seizing Qinglai plays a crucial role for us to later hold Northern Thailand and to check the Japanese Army and the Thai Army.

Jiang Anguo's primary focus and combat objective is first, undoubtedly, to capture Myanmar, seize Yangon, keep the Dian-Mian Highway open, and achieve ultimate victory in the resistance war.

Secondly, only then will the battlefield be placed in Thailand.

Yao Quanyi adds, "Moreover, after the Da Qili battle, Thai Army morale plummeted, the command structure is chaotic; the remaining troops either scatter and flee or curl up in strongpoints, lacking any ability to mount effective resistance.

The garrison at Qinglai is most likely the remnants of previously defeated units, with weak combat power; our taking Qinglai would not be difficult."

With the current Expeditionary Force's advantage, holding Da Qili is naturally no problem, but first we must understand that Da Qili's geographic advantage lies north of the Luo Ke River, i. e., along the river for defense, which part belongs to Myanmar.

South of the Luo Ke River belongs to Thailand; this area is a plain with no defensive terrain.

If the Thai Army organizes a counterattack, it would still harm the Expeditionary Force; to minimize this damage, Jiang Anguo must capture Qinglai.

Thus, not only can we hold Da Qili, but also settle and cultivate there, gaining more Territory.

A hint of approval flashes in Jiang Anguo's eyes as he pats Yao Quanyi's shoulder: "Good! Yao Quanyi, then I order you to lead the Independent Regiment, immediately move south, and attack Qinglai Fu."

"Remember, swift victory, minimize our casualties, and be sure to hold Qinglai's supplies without any slip-ups. After taking Qinglai, immediately reinforce defenses, inventory supplies, and prepare for the Thai Army's counterattack; we must firmly hold Northern Thailand."

"Yes! Division Commander! Guarantee to complete the mission!"

Yao Quanyi straightens his back, renders a standard military salute, his tone resonant and forceful.

As the Regiment Commander of the Independent Regiment, Yao Quanyi fights bravely and commands decisively; in the previous Battle of Yichang and the Da Qili battle he earned great achievements, so Jiang Anguo feels very confident letting him lead the Independent Regiment to attack Qinglai.

Qinglai no longer has large enemy forces, and the Independent Regiment can take it with ease.

After the order is issued, Yao Quanyi immediately turns, briskly walks out of the command post, and heads to the Independent Regiment's camp to arrange the attack.

At this moment, the soldiers of the Independent Regiment have just finished the Da Qili battle; their faces still show fatigue, yet they remain spirited, and upon hearing the order to move south and attack Qinglai to seize supplies, each rubs their fists, morale soaring.

They all understand that capturing Qinglai is not only another victory but also lays a solid foundation for subsequent operations, providing ample supply replenishment, giving them greater confidence on the battlefield.

The key is, the soldiers yearn to achieve great deeds!

"Brothers, the Division Commander ordered us, immediately move south, attack Qinglai Fu!"

Yao Quanyi stands before the Independent Regiment's line, shouting loudly, "Qinglai is a stronghold of Northern Thailand, stocked with food, ammunition and medicine; taking Qinglai lets us replenish supplies, hold Northern Thailand, and make Thai devils and Little Devils never dare to northward again! Any confidence?"

Jiang Anguo stands behind, watching Yao Quanyi's pre-battle rally, very satisfied.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The soldiers shout in unison, their voices loud and echoing through the clouds, fatigue instantly replaced by fighting spirit.

They quickly ready their weapons and gear, board the Transport Vehicles and Tanks already prepared for departure; as a mechanized unit, the Independent Regiment is equipped with many motor vehicles, highly mobile, which is why Jiang Anguo is confident they can reach Qinglai within a day.

"Depart!" Yao Quanyi orders, the Independent Regiment's convoy slowly starts, engine roars shaking the heavens like a steel long dragon, racing along the road from Da Qili to Qinglai.

The forest on both sides of the road retreats rapidly, dust kicked up by the wheels forming murky yellow dragons; the soldiers sit in the vehicles, weapons in hand, eyes steadfast, full of yearning for victory.