Chapter 60: Good Day, Officer

Jiang Anguo's heart suddenly surged; he didn't know how to address him, didn't know what to reply, he sprang to his feet, raised his hand in salute, "Good day, officer."

In that instant, Jiang Anguo even felt he could not speak a word.

The person who appeared was someone Jiang Anguo never expected.

He lifted his hand and said, "Your camp is not easy to get into!"

Jiang Anguo was at a loss.

It turned out Yao Quanyi had indeed intercepted them; the officer's party was forced in by Lin Wei and the staff room, but fortunately Jiang Anguo had told Yao Quanyi in advance that this was our own main base, the rear, and no weapons were needed.

"Are you a Huangpu Student?"

The question left Jiang Anguo speechless.

He thought it over for a moment; Huangpu Military Academy was founded in 1924, and he was only 25 this year, it being 1942; he was born in the 6th year of the Republic, 1917, so, um, it seemed he really had no connection to the academy.

Jiang Anguo's mind was already muddled; he truly couldn't understand why such a busy person would come to his camp.

What is he doing here? He shouldn't be!

He didn't think he had attracted anyone's attention; maybe he had too many troops, but he was only a Major, so it shouldn't be necessary.

Looking around, everyone was at the Major General level or at least a Colonel; how did they focus on him?

Jiang Anguo shook his head; a few things came to mind, but not many, and he dared not fully believe them.

The officials who had come with him also laughed.

This youngster was also speaking nonsense; not to mention Lin Wei, who was the highest‑ranking among them, holding the rank of Lieutenant General; as early as 1936, Lin Wei was already a Lieutenant General.

And this time the Expeditionary Force entered Myanmar, Lin Wei was also the chief of staff of the Expeditionary Force.

He was also curious who this youngster was; actually Jiang Anguo's Supplement Battalion had entered Lashu, and Lin Wei already knew; the subordinates had reported it, but Lin Wei didn't think much about it.

Everyone's eyes were measuring Jiang Anguo.

Only a few elders in the staff room knew the relationship between him and the young man.

The officer waved his hand, those nearby stepped back and came over, perhaps having smelled a fragrance in the air.

"What are you eating?" the officer asked.

"Chicken soup, not yet," Jiang Anguo replied immediately; at that moment fewer people were watching, and he felt a bit better.

"I smell the scent; I'm a little hungry," he said. He had come from Chongqing specifically for the upcoming Pingmana and Mandalay Battle, hoping to eliminate one or two Japanese Army divisions in Myanmar.

Otherwise he wouldn't have traveled thousands of miles repeatedly to Myanmar; suspicion was one factor, and also it was to bolster the generals' morale before battle.

"Please, sir," Jiang Anguo said, truly not knowing how to address him, but the other didn't seem offended, so it should be fine.

He hadn't eaten for a day; after flying from Chongqing, he had no time to rest and went straight into a meeting with everyone.

Jiang Anguo asked She Pigu to bring a pair of chopsticks, handed them to the officer, who smoothly took them.

"Dragon‑Phoenix soup—such a fine meal on the battlefield; what are the soldiers eating?" the officer's tone was not pleasant, clearly thinking Jiang Anguo was getting Special Rations.

"The soldiers eat carrot and onion stewed Beef," Jiang Anguo said earnestly, like a child who had made a mistake.

The officer, unconvinced, set down his chopsticks and said, "Come, let's go take a look."

Jiang Anguo could only lead the way on the side; it was only a short distance, and some soldiers were still serving rice—not all had finished, leaving a large surplus, intended as night rations for the patrol soldiers.

She Pigu also saw the camp commander surrounded by a group, honestly eating their meals.

He recognized the leader, as if having seen him somewhere, but dared not say more.

The officer walked to the big pot, lifted a ladle and inspected; it was indeed Beef, the food was quite good. "Everyone's eating well; I wonder if there's enough to give each of us a portion."

"Yes, there is," She Pigu said, seeing Jiang Anguo nod.

Xiao Si also had a keen eye, immediately brought out forty‑to‑fifty brand‑new lunch boxes from the barracks; after She Pigu prepared a portion, Jiang Anguo personally placed it in the officer's hand.

Jiang Anguo personally took the officer's portion and went to his own Private Cooking station.

"You sly one, why aren't you eating with the soldiers?" the officer still thought Jiang Anguo was getting a Private Cooking.

"That's false; I really didn't, I also ate a portion. This is a snake the kitchen sergeant just caught, then exchanged with the Burmese People for a chicken." Jiang Anguo now felt like kicking She Pigu's rear; why choose today to give me Extra Meal.

Jiang Anguo wasn't lying; She Pigu indeed got Special Rations, but Jiang Anguo usually ate the same as the soldiers, as everyone could see.

The officer also sat on the Ammo Box, chewing slowly.

Jiang Anguo ladled a bowl of chicken soup for the officer, "Please try it; his cooking is good."

"I can see it; the Beef stew is quite good," the officer praised, rarely doing so.

He then shifted tone, saying, "In wartime, one must endure hardship."

Jiang Anguo thought bitterly, "The troops marched hard for seven days to Lashu; this battle is a matter of life and death."

Jiang Anguo said nothing further; he could see the officer's emphasis on Myanmar, repeatedly visiting Lashu and Mandalay.

At this time the Allied Forces' fighter planes were being suppressed by the Japanese; a single slip would mean aircraft loss and death.

"What do you think of the Myanmar Campaign?" the officer asked.

He then made a self‑deprecating remark: with so many generals not being asked, why ask a Major Company Commander?

"Hold the line at Mandalay and Lashu, and wait for an opportunity," Jiang Anguo said.

Jiang Anguo truly didn't want to say more; let's go quickly, otherwise he feared revealing too much. He gave no further answer; indeed it was a defensive stance, and a direct attack to defeat the Japanese would clearly be difficult.

The officer's eyes lit up; he dreamed of defeating the Japanese, yet knew his strength was limited.

"How can I say it? My Expeditionary Force has a hundred thousand soldiers, yet we cannot crush the Japanese head‑on," the officer asked.

"I don't know if I should say it," Jiang Anguo stared at the officer; he truly wanted the other to withdraw now, or at least heavily defend Lashu.

Myitkyina was not a worry; if the Japanese Army had the ability, they could march from Lashu through Mandalay, crossing the pristine jungle of northern Myanmar, ensuring no return.

"Speak, it's just you and me here," the officer said casually.

Jiang Anguo looked and indeed there were only the two of them; he truly couldn't recall what connection he had with the officer—he bore the surname Jiang and came from Ningbo Fenghua; it couldn't be, it couldn't be, it wasn't as he imagined.