nucmednet Chapter 220 The Capture of Osaka
Chapter 220 The Capture of Osaka
"Matsushita, is it alright to have your troops land alongside the Marine Brigade later?"
"Yes! I am willing to serve Your Highness!" Matsushita Kosuke said with a bow.
Kosuke Matsushita, a graduate of the 4th Division, was the highest-ranking Japanese officer to defect this time, holding the rank of colonel.
Shen Lian organized the more than 20,000 Japanese soldiers who had defected into a support division, and appointed Matsushita Kosuke as its major general commander. Matsushita Kosuke was extremely grateful!
He was born into a wealthy merchant family in Osaka, and under his patronage, the Matsushita family also developed into a well-known business family in Osaka.
He had no intention of risking his life for some damned Emperor. The Chinese were now overwhelmingly powerful, surpassing Japan in every aspect. He could already see the defeat of the Japanese Empire imminent.
For the sake of his family and his own future, he had to make a good impression on the prince, hoping to secure a high position in postwar Japan.
An hour later, the Japanese coastal defense batteries were basically destroyed. The landing ships began to rush towards the shore.
The Japanese fortifications on the shore had been plowed through by naval guns several times, and the landing troops rushed ashore without much effort.
"Kill them!" The Japanese officer in the auxiliary force, his eyes red, brandished his sword and led his soldiers forward. They even outpaced the armored vehicles of the marine brigade.
These Japanese are really putting in a lot of effort! The Marines shook their heads and followed behind in armored vehicles, providing cover for their attack.
"Nani! Baka yarou! You traitors, you damned bastards!" The resisting Japanese soldiers were stunned, not expecting that the people rushing up were actually their own.
The Japanese soldiers who had joined the army showed no mercy and opened fire, killing their former comrades.
The Japanese troops were caught off guard by the attack from their own side, and their morale plummeted. They were forced to retreat repeatedly.
The Japanese army's artillery had barely opened fire when it was met with a barrage of gunfire from the naval vessels, which were already prepared.
With the support of the Marine brigade's armored vehicles, the morale of the coerced soldiers soared. They followed the Japanese army all the way into Osaka Castle.
"General, that was a brilliant move! These Japanese are really effective!" Sa Zhenbing, standing to the side, shook his head and said.
"Hehe! There are always people who are afraid of death everywhere. And these Osaka people are the most afraid of death in Japan. It might be hard to say about people from other places! Hehe!" Shen Lian chuckled, taking a drag on his cigarette.
The Second and Third Divisions of the Army quickly followed, and no one expected the landing to be so smooth.
By nightfall, the 2nd and 3rd Army Divisions had completed their landing and pushed the battle line to the outskirts of Osaka Castle.
The city is in complete chaos, with the coerced troops engaged in fierce fighting with the Japanese army. To minimize losses, the marine brigades have all withdrawn.
Since there's no danger, the armored division doesn't need to land overnight. Let's wait until dawn!
Shen Lian yawned and went to bed early!
The Japanese Army Ministry naturally received news that Chinese troops had landed in Osaka and captured Osaka Castle.
Terauchi Masatake stared angrily at the officers below!
"You bastard! You bastard! This is a disgrace to the Great Japanese Empire! Damn Osaka people!"
He knew the Osaka Division was cowardly and afraid of death, but he never expected them to surrender to the Chinese and turn against their own country. They even led the charge into Osaka Castle!
Upon receiving this news, Terauchi Masatake was so angry he almost vomited blood! But all he could do now was curse and swear.
There were tens of thousands of elite Chinese troops outside Tokyo, and he was unable to send troops to support Osaka. He could only order troops from various regions to rush to their aid.
The next morning, Shen Lian had just finished washing up and was about to have breakfast when Sa Zhenbing walked in.
"General, the auxiliary troops are burning, killing, and looting in Osaka Castle. Should we issue an order to stop them?"
"Let them vent! We'll talk about it this afternoon." Shen Lian waved his hand. Let the Japanese fight like dogs; it's not like it's their people who are dying. He'll clean up the mess later.
By the afternoon, all troops had completed their landing, and Shen Lian assigned the 2nd and 3rd Army Divisions to enter the city. The gunfire that had raged for a day and a night finally subsided in Osaka Castle.
The discipline of the new army was extremely strict, and they would not engage in any acts of burning, killing, or looting. Of course, any Japanese who were hostile to our side would be executed immediately.
The auxiliary troops, who had amassed a fortune through looting, were driven out. Of course, they couldn't keep everything they had stolen. They had to hand over 80%, and only the remaining 20% would go to them.
Even those who were coerced into joining the army dared not resist, and even 20% of them became wealthy. Osaka is a famous commercial city in Japan, with many rich people.
After the new army took control of the entire city, it immediately began to investigate and eliminate any resistance fighters who supported the Japanese army.
This civilized and orderly search was far more effective than the looting by the auxiliary troops. Ordinary Japanese people were just like ordinary citizens back home, struggling to even get enough to eat; what benefit would there be in robbing them?
Moreover, these people are still useful to Shen Lian. No matter when, manpower is a great asset; it all depends on how you utilize it.
Before setting out, Shen Lian set three policies for Japan: de-emperorization, demilitarization, and de-industrialization!
The Japanese imperial family and nobility must be completely eradicated to prevent them from making a comeback.
All military organizations nationwide must be abolished, and any army that resists must be eliminated. Those who are willing to lay down their arms and surrender can be allowed to return to farming or mining.
Japan should stop developing industry and just focus on farming! It can provide itself with food and manpower.
Then, after stationing troops there for several decades and adding brainwashing education, that should be about it!
When the second and third generations of Japanese grow up under the influence of Chinese culture and education, this place should then be integrated into the greater Chinese family.
Although Shen Lian deeply hated the Japanese, he wasn't a bloodthirsty maniac at heart. Eliminating the Japanese upper class was one thing, but he simply couldn't bring himself to slaughter millions or tens of millions.
Of course, if someone is disobedient and wants to die, then you can't blame him!
If they are willing to submit, it wouldn't be a problem for the Chinese nation to have one more Japanese or one more Emishi.
Two days later, Osaka Castle was mostly quiet. Shen Lian rode in an armored vehicle, escorted by the guard regiment, into the city.
The streets were lined with trembling Japanese people, all of whom had been driven out to welcome Shen Lian into the city.
The rumble of wheels echoed through the street. Eight tanks led the way, followed by ten armored vehicles. Finally, dozens of trucks formed a long convoy and slowly drove in.
The Japanese had never seen such a modern army before, and any remaining thoughts of resistance in many of their minds were instantly crushed. Such a powerful army was something they had never even imagined.
International journalists accompanying the troops witnessed this scene and frantically pressed their shutters to capture this precious moment.
Osaka Castle at that time was similar to cities in China, mostly consisting of low-rise wooden houses. Moreover, the buildings were even shorter and smaller than those in China. Shen Lian glanced at it a few times and quickly lost interest.
His lodgings were arranged in the "Tenshukaku", which was the former residence of the Osaka Castle lord.