Chapter 53: Jungle March, Water Canteen Empty!

The Independent Battalion's main force set out.

Before departure, Jiang Anguo issued new uniforms to all soldiers: the Nationalist Army Type‑24 uniform, plus belts, mess tins, water canteens, engineer shovels, backpacks, blankets, and raincoats, all fully equipped.

The supplies Jiang Anguo had exchanged were unnecessary, since they all brought their own.

The soldiers who had previously earned rewards wore German uniforms, which looked a bit different, but that was fine—it was their honor and well‑deserved.

A single battalion's manpower already exceeds that of a regiment.

Engineer Company 1, led by Company Commander Liu Sheng, marched at the front, clearing the way and building bridges.

Next came the other units of the Expeditionary Force.

The Transport Company and the Artillery Company were at the rear.

When Engineer Company 1 reached Songshan, Jiang Anguo exchanged for two more Engineer Companies, meaning he now had three Engineer Companies.

Engineer Company 2, Wu Xiaoqian (Robust).

Engineer Company 3, Wang Qingshan (Fortress).

Engineer Companies 2 and 3 were left to guard Chanda and Songshan.

They continued constructing the Songshan position, and repairs were also needed near Chanda.

Jiang Anguo left enough supplies for three months, believing that after three months he should be able to return himself.

If nothing went wrong, April would be imminent, three months later—July—so he should be able to get back to Chanda around June.

He hopes to return alive; if he cannot, then he truly will not.

The forces left at Chanda included those 37 soldiers unable to fight.

Jiang Anguo finally turned back to glance at Chanda; having stayed there over a month, he felt reluctant to leave, wondering what would await him next.

Every Company Commander had a map, drawn by Lin Yi working overtime before departure.

The marching route was set: through Longling County, Mangshi, to the border town Wandian, then along the Dian-Mian Highway to Lashu.

Jiang Anguo did not enter Longling County or Mangshi, bypassing them; officials and civilians there wondered why troops were still heading toward Myanmar.

Since all Expeditionary Force units had, in Jiang Anguo's view, already set out, the Fifth Army moved straight into Mandalay, while the Senary Army protected the Expeditionary Force's eastern route.

The th Army stayed at the rear; because of its combat strength, it remained behind the Expeditionary Force, at Lashu.

Lately Jiang Anguo had become obsessed with studying maps; he still didn't understand how the battle would be fought, because as long as Tonggu and Ren'ankiang were held, the Expeditionary Force could both defend a retreat and launch an advance.

He explained that whether it was Ren'ankiang, Tonggu, Mandalay, or Lashu, each had an airfield; although they couldn't host many aircraft, they were sufficient to counter Japanese forces entering Myanmar.

The problem was British non‑cooperation, which caused the loss of Tonggu; both sides of Tonggu are mountainous, making it hard for the Japanese Army to bypass, forcing them to go through Tonggu and northward along the railway to Mandalay.

The British Army was intent on retreating into Myanmar from Ren'ankiang and had no desire to fight the Japanese.

Because the Japanese ignored martial ethics and didn't follow any doctrine, only the French and the British fought in a disciplined manner.

As long as the Tonggu Front Line was held, the initiative remained with the Expeditionary Force; Myanmar's terrain rises in the north and falls in the south, with the northern area being treacherous, making a Japanese northward advance difficult.

The loss of Tonggu triggered a cascade of reactions, especially during the Pingmana retreat; the Japanese Army, now without concerns, let the 56th Division attack Dongzhi from the eastern route, then push northward to Lashu and Myitkyina.

These unexpected troops completely cut off the Expeditionary Force's retreat.

Now these matters no longer concerned Jiang Anguo; his only task was to hurry, to speed up the march.

"All start running, look, when we eat normally no one falls behind, now they can't keep up," Jiang Anguo said, riding his horse leisurely.

These days he had also learned to ride.

Only his rear ached; Xiao Si also had a horse he cherished beyond measure.

Jiang Anguo kept complaining, but Xiao Si thought it was the 'handsome' the Young Master spoke of—riding a horse looked very dashing.

The Independent Battalion's speed increased a few more points; to avoid friendly fire and other hassles, Jiang Anguo raised several flags before departure.

China Expeditionary Force th Division.

Anti‑Japanese, save the nation.

A slogan is essential.

Seeing the troops struggling to move, Jiang Anguo shouted loudly, "Come, let's sing the military song."

The flags fluttered...

A burst of Expeditionary Force song rose, reviving everyone.

If you ask for the most amazing thing, it's that almost every soldier knows how to bind their legs, allowing them to march farther without cramping.

Jiang Anguo's troops didn't wear straw sandals; they wore uniform combat boots—sturdy, durable, reliable, and safe.

The only drawback was that a bunch of men lived together, and their feet were terribly smelly.

To increase marching speed, Jiang Anguo didn't issue excessive weapons; each person carried only a hundred rounds, five mortar shells, with the rest of the ammunition stored in the system.

The only worry was Lin Yi, who was especially troubled.

Every day he asked, "Company Commander, our unit is running low on food."

But at each rest point, Guard Company soldiers delivered food to Lin Yi's Transport Company, leading Lin Yi to wonder whether he was the Transport Company commander or the Guard Company had become a transport unit.

He didn't overthink; after receiving the food, he distributed it evenly to each unit.

Even while marching, Jiang Anguo maintained a standard of one meat dish, one vegetable dish, plus plain white rice.

The Engineer Company led the way, estimating today's marching distance, then set up a cauldron to cook rice; the rest was waiting for the cooking squad led by She Pigu to arrive, who would stir‑fry a big pot of vegetables for everyone.

You must not offend She Pigu; his cooking skill is truly exceptional.

Jiang Anguo often praised it, especially the bowl of Dragon‑Phoenix soup that made him feel great, but unfortunately the snakes near Chanda had long been captured by She Pigu.

She Pigu, now the cooking squad leader, commands a squad of thirty‑five men, responsible for the Independent Battalion's meals.

The mission is arduous.

She Pigu's culinary skill is indeed beyond question!

When entering the combat zone, Jiang Anguo will supply military rations; he has already set the standards—these can be eaten raw or warmed, though in battle there will be no time to heat them.

Having even a single bite is already good.

Pass the order down: inform all Squad, Platoon and Company Commanders that on the march route the water flask for drinking must be emptied, have each Squad's soldier take out a flask and the whole Squad sip from it, forming a habit—no water may be left. Jiang Anguo heard the soldiers' flasks clank clank; this was a hidden danger.

If they encounter the Japanese Army, especially in the jungle while hiding from each other, the flask will be exposed.

It was also Jiang Anguo's first time leading troops into battle; he didn't understand these things, but he was growing, learning to be a Commander.

The soldiers didn't understand at first; only later did they get it.

Moreover, Jiang Anguo ordered all soldiers not to drink water from the roadside; if conditions allowed, all water must be boiled before drinking—marching, combat, boiling water, overthinking.

Therefore, before Chanda's expedition, Jiang Anguo issued purified water tablets to all soldiers.

But he feared the soldiers still hadn't formed the habit; the Myanmar jungle is not like other places.

At the same time, Jiang Anguo observed the changes in Li Yi's unit; the change was in numbers. Fortunately everything was normal—no loss among the 160 soldiers.

They had been on the move for a while; now they should be nearing Jingdong.

ps: Officer trait—mainly when lacking inspiration, just have some water, haha!!