Chapter 503: Southward to Yangon (2)

I also didn't expect the Japanese to employ Thailand's armed forces to attack the 96th Division at Jingdong. Because of this, Jiang Anguo had to go personally to support the 96th Division.

It caused the Expeditionary Force's commander, including the Chongqing side, to overlook how eager they were to open the Dian-Mian Highway.

Jiang Anguo stood on the Runway, watching Tie Quan's figure disappear around the camp corner, then his gaze turned again toward the South.

From the direction of Pingmana came a faint scent of gunpowder; that was where Matsui Hideharu's 113th Regiment was entrenched, and it was his greatest lingering concern at the moment.

That regiment belonged to the Japanese Army's 56th Division.

Having gone north to Lashu, committing countless atrocities, familiar with the terrain and skilled in engineering, if they launched a surprise attack while the Expeditionary Force's main body moved south and the rear was empty, they could sever supply lines and deal a fatal blow to the Expeditionary Force.

And Du Yuming, leading the main force to charge Yangon, would inevitably pass through Pingmana, which undoubtedly gave Matsui Hideharu an opportunity to exploit.

Of course, that regiment was understrength and would not proactively attack Du Yuming's Expeditionary Force.

But if that unit were ignored, the Expeditionary Force's supplies would be exposed right under the Japanese Army's nose, so clearly the Pingmana stronghold had to be eliminated.

"I hope my prediction is wrong, I hope the Japanese 113th Regiment does not dare to act rashly," Jiang Anguo muttered softly, raising his hand to rub his brow.

The wind in Mandalay, humid and tropical, brushed his face, yet made his heart feel icy.

"It's about to rain," Jiang Anguo said.

"Young Master, the weather in Myanmar changes on a whim," Xiao Si muttered.

"Heh, that's because Myanmar is now in the rainy season; the rain won't cease until at least October or November," he said. Myanmar has only two seasons, the dry and the rainy.

He knew that the days ahead were destined not to be calm.

With the main force moving south, Mandalay had only one unit, his st Division, which had to both defend the city and be ready at any moment to support the Southern Theater; every step was taken as if walking on thin ice.

At the same time, it also had to protect the fragile Nanko Democratic Federal Republic.

Jiang Anguo originally intended for Yu Shao's 93rd Division, as well as Sun Liren and Liao Yaoxiang, to defend against the Japanese 33rd Division on the Western Front, to prevent the 33rd Division from launching a counterattack.

His st Division, Dai Anlan's 200th Division, would continue south to Pingmana, Tonggu, and finally launch the final strike against Yangon.

In this way, he could achieve the strategic objective while minimizing losses.

He turned and walked toward the temporary command post, his steps steady and firm.

The current situation seemed chaotic, yet it was not without a chance for reversal.

As long as he could keep a close watch on Pingmana's 113th Regiment, keep Tie Quan's unit close to the main force, and provide timely support, the risk could be reduced to the greatest extent.

As for Stilwell's short‑sighted ambition and Du Yuming's rash sortie, he could not stop them, but he could hold the bottom line.

Preserving the Expeditionary Force's living strength and safeguarding Nanko's foundation was enough.

Inside the command post, staff officers and a host of regiment and battalion commanders had long been waiting; when Jiang Anguo entered, they all rose and saluted.

Jiang Anguo walked to the map, his finger pressing heavily on Mandalay's location, then sliding toward Yangon in the South, finally stopping on the tiny red dot marking Pingmana.

"Immediately reorganize Mandalay's defensive deployments, reallocate the garrisoned units, focusing on the southwest. Also, closely monitor Southern Theater communications and report any changes at once."

"Yes!"

The staff replied in unison and immediately turned to busily attend to the tasks.

Jiang Anguo stood before the map, his gaze fixed on Pingmana, silently praying that Matsui Hideharu's 113th Regiment would be more restrained if any defensive gaps appeared.

But he knew that on the battlefield, events were never under anyone's control.

This rapid southward march was destined to be accompanied by countless risks and variables, and he had to be fully prepared to meet the impending storm.

He did not rush to dispatch troops; the main reason was to let the Expeditionary Force suffer a setback, to make them understand that it was not the Japanese who were weak, but the st Division that was too strong.

The temporary government headquarters of the Nanko Democratic Federal Republic in Mandalay, though not as grand as the Chongqing National Government, still exuded a degree of order and solemnity.

Since Nanko's formal establishment, Jiang Anguo had ordered the courtyard to be tidied; it served both as government offices and as a venue for receiving visitors.

That day, a guard outside the courtyard reported that a messenger from the Chongqing National Government had arrived, requesting an audience with the Nanko government's president.

Jiang Anguo's office was also here, mainly to save manpower; if both locations operated, Jiang Anguo and Chen Jiageng would each need a guard unit.

When the news reached Jiang Anguo's ears, he was unsurprised and calmly instructed, "Please let them in and inform Mr. Chen Jiageng to come as well."

Jiang Anguo knew that the Chongqing Government, upon learning of Nanko's establishment, would surely dispatch people immediately.

Myanmar was the last life‑or‑death line of the domestic anti‑Japanese war, and the Dian-Mian Highway was the sole conduit for aid to China; the Chongqing side would never stand by while a new regime rose in Myanmar.

They urgently needed to determine whether this suddenly formed Nanko Democratic Federal Republic was an enemy or a potential ally to fight side by side.

Of course, Chen Jiageng had always supported the domestic anti‑Japanese war.

At the outset of the war, Chinese overseas contributed 85% of the domestic military expenditures, and the overseas Chinese led by Chen Jiageng in Nanyang were especially preeminent in supporting the homeland.

A moment later, two men in Zhongshan jackets with composed demeanors were ushered in by the guard.

The leading one, about forty years old, with a crisp face and sharp eyes, was Special Envoy Zhang Bingjun sent by the Chongqing National Government, followed by a young aide carrying a briefcase, looking deferential.

The two entered the reception hall, their eyes quickly scanning the furnishings before settling on Jiang Anguo and Chen Jiageng, who rose to greet them.

Zhang Bingjun stepped forward first, slightly clasping his hands, his tone respectful yet measured: "I, Zhang Bingjun, under orders from the National Government, have come to visit the comrades of the Nanko Democratic Federal Republic. Mr. Chen Jiageng, I have long admired your reputation."

"Special Envoy Zhang, you have traveled far, thank you," Chen Jiageng said.

Zhang Bingjun recognized the young general beside him as Major General, commander of the st Division, Jiang Anguo, and nodded toward him.

Jiang Anguo gave a slight nod, gesturing for them to sit, his tone even: "Special Envoy Zhang, you have traveled far, thank you. Please sit, tea is served."

Zhang Bingjun felt a bit odd; logically both were guests, yet it seemed Chen Jiageng was being overlooked while Jiang Anguo acted as the host.

Chen Jiageng also smiled, raising his hand, his expression gentle: "Special Envoy Zhang, no need for formalities; today's favor from the Chongqing side is an honor for Nanko."

The attendant brought out hot tea, its fragrance wafting, slightly easing the formality in the hall.