Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 282 The Japanese Replace Generals

When Sakai returned to the armory, the place where the weapons were originally stored had already been looted.

Looking at the empty armory, Sakai Ryou felt a sudden darkness engulf him, and a mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth as he lay flat on his back.

"Commander, Commander!" Staff Officer Noda's exclamation rang out in the air.

"Quickly call the army doctor over."

For a moment, the officers around Sakai were in a flurry of activity.

A few days after returning to Wolongshan County, Sakai Lai submitted an application to the headquarters to resign as regimental commander, citing health problems.

Sakai Rai didn't wait long before he received a transfer order from headquarters, asking him to go to the rear as an ordinary logistics officer.

"Commander, Headquarters." Staff Officer Noda looked at the order he had just received from headquarters, somewhat at a loss.

"They approved my resignation, right?" Sakai Rai's voice sounded slightly tired.

"Yes. But the headquarters approved it far too easily. Have they forgotten the regimental commander's previous contributions?" Staff Officer Noda shouted loudly, repeatedly complaining on behalf of Sakai Yori about the unfair treatment he received from the headquarters.

“I didn’t fight well, that’s all. I can’t find any reason to complain. If you want to complain, complain that I’m not as capable as the enemy,” Sakai Yori said calmly.

"But?" Staff Officer Noda hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"There's no 'buts' about it. Failure is failure, there's no explanation for it."

"Besides, I am still serving the empire in the military."

"Take care of things these next few days and arrange the defenses of the county town." After saying that, Sakai Yori patted Staff Officer Noda on the shoulder and left the office.

Watching Sakai Yori leave, Staff Officer Noda wanted to say something more, but suddenly found that he couldn't say anything.

A few days later, the transfer order from headquarters was delivered to Sakai Yori, who packed his bags and prepared to leave.

That afternoon, the sky was dark, dark clouds obscured the sun, and a chilly mountain wind howled through the air. The city gate was crowded with people who had come to see him off.

"Commander, you have had a safe journey," Staff Officer Noda said sincerely.

“Alright, thank you for your kind words. When I return to my homeland, I will definitely send you a case of sake from my hometown,” Sakai Yori said with a smile.

"It's a deal." Staff Officer Noda gripped Sakai Yori's hand tightly.

"I'm leaving." Sakai Yori waved goodbye to everyone and walked towards the car.

Before getting into the car, Sakai Rai took one last look at the distant Wolong Mountain.

He wanted to etch this place deeply into his heart and remember this place that had brought him shame.

As the roar of the car engine sounded, Sakai Yori bid farewell to this land forever.

A few days after Sakai Yori left, the newly appointed regimental commander Yamamoto Rokujo, dispatched by the headquarters, arrived in Wolongshan County with supplementary troops.

In the conference room, Yamamoto Rokuro sat upright, his face serious. The Japanese officers at the conference table all cautiously observed their new commander.

"Good morning, officers. I am Yamamoto Juroku. As ordered by headquarters, I am succeeding Sakai Yori as the new commander of this unit." Yamamoto Juroku's voice broke the silence of the conference room.

"From now on, I will lead everyone to continue the encirclement and suppression of the Chinese army in the Wolong Mountain area. I hope that everyone will cooperate closely and sincerely in the future work to eliminate the Chinese army in the Wolong Mountain area as soon as possible!"

"Hai!" Yamamoto Rokuro said, and the officers at the conference table stood up in unison and shouted.

"Alright, everyone else go back to work. Staff Officer Noda, stay behind."

"Hay."

After the others left, Staff Officer Noda asked.

"Commander, what is it?"

"Come with me to my office."

After finishing his sentence, Yamamoto Rokuro walked toward his office, with Staff Officer Noda following closely behind him.

"Please sit down. I just wanted to talk to you about the situation of the Chinese army at Wolong Mountain." After saying that, Yamamoto Rokuro sat down in the chair.

"Hai." After saying that, Staff Officer Noda sat down.

"Staff Officer Noda, I had already reviewed the detailed intelligence on this unit before I arrived. You have clashed with them several times, and I would like to learn more about this Chinese unit through you."

What is your opinion of this Chinese army?

Staff Officer Noda pondered for a moment before answering.

"Commander, this unit gives me a very special feeling. It is different from any Chinese unit we have encountered before. It is neither like the Nationalist army nor like the Eighth Route Army."

"On the contrary, their attack methods are somewhat similar to ours."

"Oh, that's interesting." Yamamoto Rokuro was surprised when he heard Staff Officer Noda say that.

"Moreover, their individual soldier quality and firepower are both very high, and they are no less than ours."

"Based on these few encounters, I feel that their combat capabilities are close to those of our Class A combat units," Staff Officer Noda said seriously.

"Another point is that their fighting style is somewhat like that of the Eighth Route Army. They rarely engage in direct combat with us, but instead look for various opportunities to ambush us."

"Moreover, they are able to grasp the changes on the battlefield very keenly and adjust their tactics at any time."

"If that's the case, this Chinese army is a formidable opponent," Yamamoto Rokuro said with a serious expression.

"How much do you know about Tang Weiguo, the commander of this unit?" Yamamoto Rokuro asked.

"He is the soul of this unit; without him, there would be no unit."

"At the same time, he is also a very young and very difficult guy." Just thinking about Tang Weiguo, the commander of this unit, gave Staff Officer Noda a headache.

"His fighting methods are very flexible, and we have never gained any advantage over him."

"Moreover, they are extremely adept at managing bases."

"According to intelligence, they have grown to this size in less than three years. If they continue to grow like this, they will inevitably become a formidable enemy in Jin," Staff Officer Noda said with deep concern.

"Yes, this person has been added to the headquarters' list of key assassination targets, and there will be a move soon!" Yamamoto Rokuro said.

"If we can eliminate the commander of this unit directly, that would be best. If not, I suggest we send a large force to encircle and annihilate them as soon as possible," Staff Officer Noda continued.

"Yes, I agree with your point of view, but the Empire's current focus is on the vast southern region of China, especially the economically developed coastal areas, and there are no extra troops to support it at present."

"I believe you can understand the Empire's decision. After all, this place is too small, and the highest levels of the Empire will not notice it!"

“I understand.” Staff Officer Noda nodded.

"The main task that the headquarters sent me here this time is to cooperate with the surrounding counties to restrict the development of this Chinese army."

"Once our empire occupies the southern regions of China, we will be able to spare enough troops to wipe out not only this force, but also the Chinese army entrenched throughout the entire Jin region."

"Hay."

"Don't worry, Staff Officer Noda, we will definitely avenge ourselves. We will take back everything from that Chinese army, with interest!" Yamamoto Rokuro said confidently.

"Hay."