Chapter 1: Early Spring (Part I)

"Your Excellency Chief of Staff. It can't be counted like that." The deputy chief of staff of the Kwantung Army, Otozaburo Yano, immediately fell into a hurry. Explain aloud with red eyes." In fact. Whether it is an independent battalion of the Jinsui Army or a **guerrilla detachment. Their combat effectiveness is very poor. When there is first contact between friend and foe. There were more than fifty of them. But even more than 200 Manchurians** were not invincible. He was beaten straight and fled."

"Hmm." The Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army, Ryosuke Isoya, was stunned. The brow furrowed even deeper. He can understand why his deputy is desperately trying to belittle the combat effectiveness of the enemy army. Because that's the only way to do it. In order to minimize the responsibility of improper planning when formulating a crusade plan in the first section of the General Staff. But now that the enemy has been routed by Manchuria. How could he turn around and cause so much damage to the Mitsui detachment. This is not the same as saying. Kwantung Army of the Great Japanese Empire. Isn't the combat effectiveness as good as that of Manchukuo?

Don't wait for him to say his doubts. Otozaburo Yano has already begun to add loudly. The subordinates have checked it many times. When the two sides first fought. The Mitsui detachment was indeed not present. They. They were busy punishing the stubborn Mongols of the Uqi Yete Right Banner."

The so-called punishment. It's nothing more than burning, killing and looting. Ryosuke Isoya has been in the army for many years. I know what kind of virtues my soldiers are. But as Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army . He was in no mood to seek justice for the natives of the conquered lands. Shrugged his shoulders slightly. Frowning and ordering." You go on. Later, how did the Mitsui detachment fall for the **guerrillas again. The terrain of that desert is terrifying. Or are the guerrillas hiding a large number of helpers in the desert?"

"That's right!" Otozaburo Yano secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The pace of speech will be slowed down slightly." Manchuria**. Someone found a big cadre with a Walt-Nawalt P38 pistol hidden in the ** partisans. For the sake of asking for credit. Report the matter to Mitsui Tachibana Nakasa. Mitsui Tachibana Nakasa tries to capture the man alive. He led the entire Manchurian detachment to chase after him in a car. The soldiers of Manchukuo were not skilled in horsemanship. In addition, it suddenly snowed heavily in the sky at that time......."

"Pick and choose." Ryosuke Isoya looked at his watch. Some interrupted impatiently. A lot of situations. There is no need for Otozaburo Yano to be verbose at all. He could guess it too. In the eyes of the vast majority of people within the Kwantung Army . The Manchukuo soldiers were only slaves of the empire. Of course, there is no qualification to ride in the car with the owner. And at that time, since the guerrillas of the Eighth Route Army had been defeated. Mitsui Tachibana also did not need to rely on Manchukuo's cannon fodder. It's not just one person Mitsui Tachibana. Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army, Ryosuke Isoya, believed. Replaced any rank and file officer in the circumstances at the time. will make a similar choice.

"Halfway through. The guerrillas and the independent battalion of the Jin Sui Army wanted to have one more chance to escape. Halfway through, the troops were divided." Otozaburo Yano nodded. Ignore most of the details of the engagement that have little to do with the subject matter as the boss asks." Mitsui Nakasa accurately judged the whereabouts of the guerrillas. So they drove the car and followed the horseshoe prints they left on the snow. They first chased through a frozen seasonal river. Then he chased him into the desert. The guerrillas suffered heavy casualties. Only two or three people were left after being beaten. Find yourself cornered. The cadre of the Eighth Route Army with a Walter P38 pistol. He used himself as bait to lure the Mitsui detachment to a desert lake covered in snow. Then ......."

"Desert Lake." After all, it was the Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army . Ryosuke Isoya intuitively guessed the crux of the matter." The water of that lake is very deep isn't it. It just so happened that Mitsui idiot had just crossed a seasonal river. I think that the ice surface of the lake can carry a car. This idiot. He deserves to fall into the lake and freeze to death."

"Sir, wise." Otozaburo Yano couldn't wait to slap Sima on the head." The water in that lake is not very deep. But the water inside is the result of years of evaporation. The salt concentration is extremely high. Therefore, the thickness of the ice is far from the surface of the seasonal river. These details. Even the locals know very little. Mitsui Nakasa's ......."

"And they all fell into the holes in the ice. Together with the precious car. Tachibana Mitsui this bastard. Damn it. It's long overdue. Even if he didn't die in the hospital. Sooner or later, I will personally be court-martialed." Ryosuke Isoya gritted his teeth. Curse in a low voice.

Lack of shelter in the grasslands. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach minus thirty or forty degrees in winter. And the freezing temperature of salt water. It may also be as low as minus 15 or 6 degrees. A flock of landlubbers that can't swim fall into the salt water in freezing water. Even if you're lucky enough not to drown. The body and internal organs can also be affected by low temperatures. Suffer from various injuries that cannot be repaired on their own. Not to mention the fact that it was surrounded by a large desert after snow at that time. I can't even find a dry firewood for heating.

"There weren't really a few people who drowned at the time." Sneaking a glance at the face of the top boss. Otozaburo Yano added in a low voice. But the weather was just too cold. The cotton coat was stained with salt water again. I can't keep out the cold anymore. Mitsui Tachibana wants to find a way out for himself and his brothers. I had to order everyone to take off their clothes and run back naked. Fortunately, the battalion in Manchukuo quickly found them following the car tracks. At the request of the battalion commander Li Chenzhong. I took the initiative to donate the clothes on my body. Then ......."

"Alright. I see." Ryosuke Isoya waved his hand. Interrupt in a low voice. The so-called "active" donation of clothes. He must have put a gun to his head and asked if he was willing to donate. And no wonder that Manchukuo that battalion . More than a third of the soldiers fled after that. Swapped out who experienced a similar event. Loyalty to the Empire will take a heavy hit. Not to mention the servant army of Manchukuo . There is no loyalty to their "country" in the first place.

The reason why Otozaburo Yano mentioned the donation of clothes by Manchukuo soldiers to the Mitsui detachment. It's not that I want to take credit for the pseudo-battalion commander. Rather, I want to prove it indirectly through this matter. There was really nothing wrong with my own planning plan. If Mitsui Tachibana Nakasa hadn't taken the initiative to jump into the ice lake because of greed. The Manchurian detachment will not be attrition of so many people at all. And the Manchukuo servant battalion. It will not be stripped naked by the Manchurian detachment of the Kwantung Army because of anger in the winter. The morale of the army is completely disheartened.

Thought about it. At the risk of being reprimanded by his superiors, he added, "The Black Stone Village is so desolate. There is no hospital and western medicine to be found nearby. Thanks to the help of the local Mongolian nobility. The frostbitten Imperial soldiers were sent to the field hospital of the Western Garrison Command in Hung Yen Province. But the delay on the road was too long. There are many soldiers who lose their heartbeat and breathing before they make it to the hospital. Mitsui Nakasa himself. It was only a month and a half longer than his soldiers who had been in the hospital. At last. In the end, I didn't make it through that."

Can understand that Otozaburo Yano is desperate to get rid of his own state of mind. This time. The Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army, Ryosuke Isoya, did not interrupt. Wait until your subordinates have made everything they want to express clearly. before sighing in response. He was stupid himself. No wonder others. Tell his division commander about it. Just let me do it. You're too young. I can't deal with that unreasonable guy like Kazuichiro Sonobe."

"Thank you, sir. Thank you." Otozaburo Yano took a few steps back. Bow deeply to your immediate boss again. He's just a newly promoted major general. The family background is also very ordinary. The Mitsui detachment has completely turned into a crippled thing. If you let him explain to the arrogant Lieutenant General Enbe and Ichiro. The other party probably didn't wait for him to say it clearly. will split his head and cover his face and scold. And the top boss Ryosuke Isoya came forward. It's much simpler. At least. Kazuichiro Round didn't have the courage to follow the same rank of lieutenant general. Ryosuke Isoya, who also has a deep background, is furious.

"Yano-kun doesn't have to be so polite. It's not your fault in the first place." Ryosuke Isoya smiled. stepped forward and straightened Otozaburo's body with his own hands." Moreover, this time it was a loss. Take a long-term view. It's not a bad thing. At least it will make the arrogant guys in the military department understand . China. It's not that easy to swallow in one bite!"

"Yes. Your Excellency the Chief of Staff said it very well." Although I am very grateful to the other party for helping me. Otozaburo Yano's response was very cautious.

On how to treat China. Officers of the Imperial Japan. It has been divided into several major factions. Some advocate a quick fix. Bringing China into the map in one go. Others advocate supporting puppet governments. Let the Chinese themselves drain the blood first . The empire once again stepped forward to reap the benefits of the fisherman. And the Chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army, Ryosuke Isoya. The view is more conservative. He even advocated taking the initiative to make peace with the Chinese government after only taking the three eastern provinces and Chahar. lest the greed not be enough to swallow the elephant. Hold the Japanese Empire alive.

Ryosuke Isoya doesn't really care if his subordinates have the courage to agree with his views. The reason why he opened the topic to the point. The main thing is to make the staff officers recognize a fact." China is too big. Only suitable for piecemeal cutting. And not suitable for whale swallowing. Piecemeal cutting can slowly drain its blood. Let it die in numbness. And the whale swallows the words. There will be fierce resistance. It may even be worth the loss. The tragedy of the Mitsui detachment. It is a vivid microcosm. If he hadn't been in a hurry to annihilate the enemy in the first place. Words of the Slow Figure. It is estimated that there are no rebels around the Black Stone Village at the moment. And at that time, he chose to eat fat in one go. As a result. The enemy was not killed. But he put himself and half a squadron of Imperial soldiers in it."

The staff officers did not dare to echo such a "deep" topic . Just nodding mechanically. Ryosuke Isoya sighed again. continued: "The reason why the emperor ** team can win all battles. It's because there are a lot of experienced and loyal soldiers in the ranks. And the bigger we spread the spread. The more pressure the soldiers are under. Once this group of experienced and loyal soldiers is exhausted in China. Why will the empire compete with other powers in the world in the future? Penny wise and pound foolish. It's definitely a small loss."

Still no staff officer dared to muster up the courage to echo his views. Many people even hang their heads on the table. In case your movements are too obvious. In the future, he will be targeted by other factions. After all, at the moment, from the military headquarters to the grassroots company. Those who advocate a quick victory over China account for the vast majority. Lieutenant General Ryosuke Isoya has a strong background though. But it's an out-and-out minority. Choose to support him. There will never be any good fruit to eat.

Having said so much in a row and getting no response. The chief of the General Staff of the Kwantung Army, Ryosuke Isoya, was inevitably a little depressed. Smiled. Shaking his head, he said, "Forget it. Listen to these words as you please. Don't be too obsessed. Who's right and who's wrong. We'll find out in a few years. Now? Let's move on to solving the problem at hand. Yano-kun. The Mitsui detachment and the Manchukuo battalion were almost crippled. Can the normal security of Heishi Village be guaranteed at the moment?"

The latter topic. Otozaburo Yano is motivated to talk. Thought about it. Whispered "It's okay. The local Mongolian prince Baiyin. Take the initiative to send his private soldiers into the city to assist in the defense. It also has a certain deterrent effect on the surrounding saboteurs. Just ......."

"Just what. What benefits does he want to get. I know these Mongol princes. It will not be in vain to contribute to the Great Japanese Empire."

"Your Excellency the Chief of the General Staff is right." The staff officers of the first lesson suddenly came to their senses. Join the discussion." The little prince of the black flag Yete Left Banner Bai Yin is very greedy. Not only do you want us to replenish him with heavy firepower such as heavy machine guns and mortars. He even started the idea of the Black Stone Village!"

"He wants to be a county magistrate." Ryosuke Isoya's brows jumped slightly. Ask vigilantly.

"Leader." Otozaburo Yano responded quickly. With a bit of a showy ingredient. Explain in detail the ambition of the little prince Baiyin." He is the leader of the Duoyan League. Wuqi Yete Four Banners was originally a family. Back then, because he supported Lin Dan Khan. It was forcibly divided into four by the Qing government. The four of them together. It is the Wuqi Yete Department. Then merge with the northeast of the Uliangha and Zayir banners. It can be traced back to the early Ming Dynasty of Duoyan Sanwei. So it can be called the Duoyan League."

"Doesn't that mean. Let's take the small half of Chahar Province and the Hung Yen Province of Manchukuo. and all for him to govern." Ryosuke Isoya laughed angrily. Frowning eyebrows. Twisting your nose. Summed up with a bitter face.

"Pretty much. He didn't have the courage to make such a request. It's the agents under Miss Yoshiko Kawashima. From the mouth of Merlin of his black banner Yete Left Banner. Heard the news over and over again. Of course. It's also possible that he deliberately let his subordinate Merlin leak out. Turning around and testing us."

"He's not afraid to die." Ryosuke Isoya scolded disdainfully.

"Learn from King De." Otozaburo Yano answered with a smile. There was disdain in his voice." King De that year. Don't you also dream of unifying Inner and Outer Mongolia under his rule? He used to be a county king. Bai Yin is also a county king now. It's all the same starting point."

"Dreaming." Ryosuke Isoya pouted slightly. Then his Merlin officer said no. If we don't support his idea. What will happen to the little prince of Baiyin?"

"Not really." Otozaburo Yano shook his head with a smile. I reckon he's asking for a lot of money. Wait for us to land and pay back."

"Don't rush to respond to him. Hang his appetite first. Inform the Hung Yen Garrison Command. Light weapons such as rifles and grenadiers. You can assign some to the little prince Baiyin as appropriate. It's kind of a carrot hanging on his nose. lest he refuse to work well."

"Hi Yi." Otozaburo Yano replied loudly. Ryosuke Isoya's instructions were recorded word for word.

"And.." Ryosuke Isoya groaned slightly. Keep adding." Let the intelligence services keep an eye on that area. Don't let your guard down. Don't expect Miss Yoshiko Kawashima's men either. They. It's too amateurish."

"Hi Yi. I'll go to the intelligence department to coordinate in a while."

"Hmm." I thought for a moment. Ryosuke Isoya continued to add. Able to use the local Mongolian nobility to maintain law and order. Try to make use of the local Mongol nobility. They were all slave owners. Presumably there is no common language with the guerrillas of the Eighth Route Army. And no matter how many die. None of them will affect the future of the empire. Let them spend some time with the rebels first. We're here in the Kwantung Army. In addition to sending someone to replace Mitsui Tachibana. For the time being, we don't think about new troops going to reinforce there. There are so many places that need to be employed. Liaoning South, Liaoning North and Heilongjiang Provinces. It's not very stable at the moment. The Soviets on their side. It's been eyeing it all the time. Our Kwantung Army Headquarters. It's better to have more maneuver force."

"Hi Yi." This is down. Otozaburo Yano is completely relieved. The answer was extra loud.