Bright Sword: Iron Will 11

Chapter 11: Board’s Hasty Success

After clearing the battlefield, Wang Feng led the 414th Regiment along mountain paths, making a rapid raid. Circling around Yangyuan County, they quickly moved south, heading straight for Uixian. At this time, the Fifth Division had just captured Guangling and was advancing towards Lingqiu and other places.

The farther south they went, the closer they got to the main Japanese forces. The most obvious sign was the increasing number of Japanese aircraft markers on the three-dimensional combat map – a dense cluster of red dots. Wang Feng was forced to slow down their march, adopting a strategy of resting during the day and marching at night. During the day, they rested in the dense mountain forests, emerging only after nightfall for rapid movement.

Along the way, using the three-dimensional combat map in his mind, Wang Feng repeatedly ambushed several Japanese supply lines, with considerable success. Most importantly, being able to observe the battlefield situation in real-time allowed him to skillfully avoid each Japanese sweep.

In the forest, Wang Feng leaned against a tree trunk, eyes closed in a pretense of sleep. Zhao Fangyuan, bending over, jogged over, holding a telegram.

“Regimental Commander, a confidential telegram from Commander Yan.”

Wang Feng opened his eyes. Even an iron man couldn’t withstand the continuous night marches. After several days, the soldiers of the 414th Regiment were exhausted.

“Read it.”

Zhao Fangyuan cleared his throat and read in a formal tone:

“This telegram is sent to the remnants of the 61st Army, the 414th Regiment. Your unit seized a golden opportunity, acting decisively and achieving remarkable results, boosting morale… A special reward of 10,000 yuan is granted, and all soldiers will be promoted one rank to encourage you.”

Wang Feng yawned, “That’s it?”

Zhao Fangyuan handed over the telegram. “Regimental Commander, that’s all.”

Wang Feng stood up, took the telegram, and quickly scanned it.

“This Commander Yan is a real miser!” he exclaimed. “His calculation is so loud, he’s afraid others won’t hear it.”

Zhao Fangyuan frowned, pondering the Regimental Commander’s words. “Does it mean Commander Yan won’t pay the 10,000 yuan, or…?”

Wang Feng shook his head. “It’s not quite like that.”

“To be precise, our commander is not a pure military man, but a shrewd businessman.”

“He’s likely to do anything that’s profitable.”

“Now that my 414th Regiment is trapped behind enemy lines, in Commander Yan’s eyes, with only a thousand of us deep in the heart of the Fifth Division’s territory, the chances of us breaking out alive are very low.”

“See, if Commander Yan truly had any faith in our unit, why wouldn’t this telegram contain clear combat orders?”

“The 414th Regiment, as a special force hidden behind the Japanese lines, could play a significant role if used properly.”

After this explanation, Zhao Fangyuan scratched his head. “I see.”

“That 10,000 yuan, we’ll probably only get it if we’re alive.”

Zhao Fangyuan wasn’t a graduate of a formal military academy; he came from a peasant background. At that time, the entire 61st Army was being rebuilt. Since his time travel, Wang Feng had always emphasized the absolute purity of his troops. However, the chief of staff sent from above was deeply entrenched in the old warlord habits. So, he found ways to subtly pressure him. A year later, the original chief of staff, unable to bear the humiliation but unable to do anything to Wang Feng, voluntarily applied for a transfer from the 414th Regiment to another unit. By chance, Zhao Fangyuan, who could only write a few characters but was absolutely loyal, was promoted to the new chief of staff. Under Wang Feng’s guidance, he showed the potential to become an independent leader, although he still lacked experience.

Compared to the 10,000 yuan, Wang Feng was more curious about the promotion order—all soldiers promoted one rank! He was already a colonel and regimental commander in the Shanxi Defense Army, the highest rank at the officer level. Above that was the general rank.

“Assemble the troops and advance southwest.”

“Keep this telegram. I don’t want to lose that money.”

As the sun set, Wang Feng looked at the time. Twenty more li and they should reach Uixian. The Fifth Division had just taken Guangling; there might still be a large number of troops stationed in Uixian. Itagaki’s Fifth Division was eager to attack, and it was common for the vanguard and the rear to become separated. After the fall of Taiyuan, a saying arose: ‘Half a division swept across Shanxi.’ The Fifth Division was still famous in Japan, earning the title of ‘Steel Army.’ If they continued to advance, they would inevitably encounter the main force of the Japanese army sooner or later.

Zhao Fangyuan snapped to attention and saluted loudly.

“Yes!”

The most feared thing in commanding an army is having incompetent soldiers and commanders. If the top commander is confident in a breakout, troop morale will naturally be high.

Uixian, Fifth Division Headquarters.

Military conference.

Itagaki Seishiro’s face was cold as he glared at the officers below.

“Baka!” (Idiot!)

“Why are you only advancing to Lingqiu now?!”

Itagaki Seishiro slammed his fist on the table, furious. The officers on either side lowered their heads, unable to meet the division commander’s gaze. Looking at these incompetent officers, Itagaki Seishiro was even more enraged.

The attack on Shanxi was his idea, but he was assigned a secondary attacking role. Tojo Hideki, in charge of the Chahar Expeditionary Army, was responsible for the main attack and had swiftly captured the more famous Datong after departing from Zhangjiakou. Meanwhile, Itagaki had been fighting in obscure places like Guangling and Yangquan, suffering heavy casualties and getting overshadowed by Tojo. He had come to achieve great merit.

Chief of Staff Nishimura Toshikage stood up and slowly explained, “General, the Shanxi Defense Army troops stationed in Lingqiu are a reinforced elite regiment, far superior to ordinary Shanxi Defense Army units.”

Itagaki Seishiro waved his hand; he didn’t want to hear excuses.

“Issue my order: Within three days, the vanguard will capture Lingqiu. No mistakes. Those who disobey will be punished by military law!”

The officers on either side stood up, bowing their heads and murmuring, “Hai!” (Yes!)

As the meeting was about to end, Nishimura Toshikage remembered something and presented a confidential telegram.

“General, according to reports from the rear logistics units, a Chinese army has been operating behind our lines, repeatedly attacking supply lines.”

“The logistics units launched several sweeps, but all failed.”

Itagaki Seishiro took the telegram, glanced at it, and threw it on the table.

“A mere thousand or so Shanxi Defense Army soldiers? Are the rear units a bunch of good-for-nothings?”

“Step up the sweeps. We absolutely cannot delay the offensive!”

Nishimura Toshikage’s lips moved, wanting to say something, but Itagaki Seishiro waved him off. He only had eyes for capturing Taiyuan as quickly as possible; nothing else mattered.

(Chapter End)

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