Chapter 498: The Freedom Army Is a Knife

In fact, whether on the Myanmar battlefield or the Huaxia Battlefield, the Expeditionary Force captured Japanese artillery.

Jiang Anguo mostly gave them away, either to the local Anti‑Japanese forces or to support allies; his own troops never equipped them.

After all, compared with the Type 92 Infantry Cannon, he prefers German or American large‑caliber artillery, which has greater firepower and deterrence.

But Jiang Anguo also knows that the South China Freedom Army under Zhi Tian Xinzhong, according to Japanese Army tables of organization, amounts to the strength of two battalions and is now designated as a regiment‑level unit, with a force close to two thousand.

Equipping such a not‑small unit with artillery is inevitable, and the Type 92 Infantry Cannon is simple to operate and highly mobile, indeed suitable for these Japanese prisoners of war, and it meets the operational needs of the northern Myanmar campaign.

After all, northern Myanmar is full of mountainous jungle, where large‑caliber guns are hard to deploy, making the Type 92 Infantry Cannon's advantage even more evident.

Thinking that, Jiang Anguo slowly nodded and said in a flat tone: "Since that's the case, Zhi Tian, compile the complete weapons and equipment list the Freedom Army needs, tally it together with Lin Yi and Zhuge Mingliang, verify it carefully, and later I'll have someone deliver it to you all at once."

At that point Jiang Anguo's tone shifted, becoming serious, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes: "However, to be safe, all weapons and equipment may be issued on schedule, but ammunition will not be supplied in full for now; for each training or operation, you may draw limited amounts according to need."

Lin Yi and Zhuge Mingliang heard this without surprise; they fully understood Jiang Anguo's concerns.

After all, the soldiers of this Freedom Army were, until recently, the opposing side of the Expeditionary Force—Japanese prisoners of war whose hands were stained with Chinese blood.

Now that they suddenly join his own camp, no one can guarantee there aren't a few radical elements among them.

If they were given full ammunition and someone seized the chance to rebel, brandishing weapons against Jiang Anguo and the Expeditionary Force, the consequences would be unimaginable—simply not worth the risk.

Rather than take that risk, it is safer to temporarily control ammunition supply.

Jiang Anguo also calculated internally: if a rebellion truly broke out, he would not be lenient; at worst he would execute all those prisoners, and there are still endless Japanese captives on the Myanmar battlefield to replenish them, so losing those two thousand plus men means nothing to him.

Zhi Tian Xinzhong immediately grasped Jiang Anguo's worry and hurriedly said: "Understood, Commander.

I am clear on your concerns; rest assured, besides arranging their daily military training, I will devote most of my effort to ideological education, continuously strengthening their sense of obedience.

Make them understand that now they serve you, and only by obeying your orders can they obtain freedom and a full belly.

So that later no one develops other thoughts and does anything detrimental to you or the unit."

"Very good." Jiang Anguo nodded with satisfaction, his tone turning stern: "Zhi Tian, on ideological education you must tighten up; there can be no slack at all.

If you encounter those who are obstinate, refuse discipline, or even covertly incite others to rebel, you may discreetly eliminate them on your end.

No need to report to me; I don't mind a few Japanese soldiers dying; at worst you can simply capture more prisoners in Myanmar later to replenish."

Just a few Little Devils, Jiang Anguo doesn't care.

"Yes! Understood, sir!" Zhi Tian Xinzhong immediately rose, gave a respectful military salute, and said firmly, "I will strictly discipline the troops, allow no mishaps, and never betray your trust."

Finishing, Zhi Tian Xinzhong bowed slightly and said: "Commander, since the matters here have been settled and I have nothing else, I will return to continue arranging the soldiers' training and ideological education, and also compile the weapons list, and promptly verify it with Deputy Division Commander Lin and Mr. Zhuge."

Jiang Anguo stood, waved his hand, and said in a flat tone: "Alright, you go handle your tasks, be sure to seize the time, get the Freedom Army combat‑ready as soon as possible, and be prepared to carry out missions at any moment."

"Yes! Sir, I take my leave!" Zhi Tian Xinzhong saluted again, then turned and briskly walked out of the command post.

Watching Zhi Tian Xinzhong's retreating back, Division Commander Lin Yi looked at Jiang Anguo and whispered: "Division Commander, I will supervise the entire weapons issuance and list verification, and also assist Zhi Tian Xinzhong in managing the troops and their ideological education, ensuring no mishaps occur."

Zhuge Mingliang also spoke slowly, adding: "Division Commander, I will help the two of you verify the weapons list, and, taking the northern Myanmar battlefield conditions into account, give Zhi Tian Xinzhong some training and combat suggestions, so this Freedom Army can adapt faster and truly become a usable force in our hands."

It must be said, Zhuge Mingliang adapted quickly.

Even though he previously served the Japanese, after joining the Expeditionary Force's ranks, he has performed any task he undertakes quite well.

Zhuge Mingliang looked at the Division Commander and Lin Yi, and couldn't help saying, "Division Commander, are you planning to use the Freedom Army as a knife to strike the local indigenous people of Myanmar?"

It must be said, Zhuge Mingliang asked very directly.

The participants are confused, the observers are clear.

Lin Yi beside Zhuge Mingliang suddenly had an epiphany; he had been pondering the Freedom Army's interests, and only now truly grasped the Division Commander's intention.

"Shh, this matter only needs to be known by the few of us, absolutely confidential, don't tell anyone. Myanmar's population is still too large; the Expeditionary Force isn't suited to intervene, so let Zhi Tian's Freedom Army handle it," Jiang Anguo said forcefully.

Lin Yi inhaled sharply, recalling what the Division Commander had just told him: Myanmar's population exceeds sixteen million; if they were to kill the indigenous people, how many would that be?

"Division Commander, you intend to carve out a piece of land for the Chinese," Zhuge Mingliang continued.

Jiang Anguo gave a slight nod, fell silent, and his gaze turned to the window, watching the South China Freedom Army training in the distance, a hint of depth flashing in his eyes.

He not only wants to secure a piece of land for the Chinese, but also to leave himself an escape route.

He knows that equipping this Freedom Army is only the first step; subsequent ideological education, training management, and many other tasks remain.

But he is confident that as long as he firmly controls this unit and wields this "knife hidden in the shadows," he can clear the obstacles on South China's development path, protect the Chinese in northern Myanmar, and achieve his strategic goal.

And those armed Japanese prisoners will eventually become his pieces for conquering northern Myanmar and consolidating South China, used by him until they are exhausted of any value.