Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 196 Sensational News
Wutai County

As the main base and source of manpower for the Shanxi militia, the entire county has been shrouded in a somber and worried atmosphere ever since the news spread that Su Yaoyang led his troops to fight against the aggressive Japanese 20th Division.

The usually bustling streets were deserted, most shops closed early, and every household kept their doors and windows tightly shut, fearing that if the militia were defeated and Japan reoccupied the area, they, the ordinary people, would be the ones to suffer.

After all, the 20th Division of the Japanese Army was a well-known force in North China, and many people were worried about Su Yaoyang and his militia.

However, when the news of Ushijima Minoru's capture and the annihilation of the main force of the 20th Division rolled over Wutai County like a spring thunder, all the previous repression and worry were instantly replaced by a huge and uncontrollable ecstasy!

"Extra! Extra! Great victory at the front! Commander-in-Chief Su has decisively defeated the Japanese 20th Division! He has captured Lieutenant General Ushijima Sanetsugu, the enemy commander, alive!"

Several militia soldiers in charge of propaganda rode fast horses, galloping along the main streets of the city while waving small flags and shouting in hoarse but excited voices.

In an instant, the entire Wutai County seemed to awaken from its slumber.

"What? Really? President Su won the battle?"

"They captured the Japanese division commander alive? My God!"

At first, people could hardly believe their ears. But as more and more news was confirmed, and even by many wounded soldiers brought back from the front lines, all doubts and worries turned into joy.

"We won! We won! General Su is awesome!"

No one knows who shouted it out first, but then cheers erupted like a torrent from every corner of the county town!

The tightly closed shop doors reopened one after another, and the once deserted streets were instantly filled with excited crowds. People shared this wonderful news with each other, their faces beaming with genuine smiles, and many were moved to tears.

"Great! Great! Those damned Japanese devils have finally met their match!" An elderly man with white hair, leaning on his cane, trembled with excitement.

The old man's son is serving in Su Yaoyang's army, and he's been worried sick about him these past few days.

"General Su is truly the guardian deity of our Wutai County!" A woman holding a child clasped her hands together and prayed to the sky.

Some impatient merchants even brought out strings of firecrackers from their shops and lit them on the street.

The crackling and popping of firecrackers rose and fell, deafening and echoing through the sky, as if trying to blow away all the pent-up frustration and fear that had been building up in people's hearts over the past few days.

Influenced by the adults' mood, the children became bolder and began chasing and playing in the crowd, picking up unburnt firecrackers. The air was filled with the strong smell of sulfur and the festive atmosphere.

The media reporters from all over Shanxi who had come to Wutai County in search of news were as excited as sharks smelling blood. They had originally come to report on this battle where the odds were heavily against them, and many had even prepared articles predicting Su Yaoyang's defeat. But what they hadn't expected was such a stunning reversal!

"Quick! Send a telegram! Front page headline! No! The entire page should report this news!" A reporter from the Shanxi Daily shouted excitedly to his assistant, his camera shutter clicking incessantly to record this historic moment.

"How about this headline: 'Anti-Japanese Iron Army annihilates the elite Japanese invaders, and the militia commander captures the enemy chief Niu Dao alive!'" Another reporter from Kenanpo wrote furiously while excitedly discussing with his companion.

They knew this was absolutely the most explosive news on the entire North China battlefield this year! It would not only greatly boost newspaper sales, but also make them, the eyewitnesses, famous.

In no time, long queues formed in front of the few telegraph machines in the county post office as reporters rushed to send this exciting news to all parts of the country.

A radio wave pierced the sky, transmitting this astonishing news to the Second War Zone Command, located on the east bank of the Yellow River, in a place known locally as "Kenanpo".

Kenanpo

In this heavily guarded cave office, where Yan Xishan had been operating for over a year, the elderly man, Yan Xishan, who was over fifty years old, thin but vigorous, was stroking his signature goatee as his confidential secretary read aloud an urgent telegram from Su Yaoyang.

When he heard that "the Japanese 20th Division Commander Lieutenant General Ushijima Sanetsune was successfully captured," Yan Xishan's deep-set eyes suddenly lit up with surprise. He jumped up from his chair, and his face, which had been slightly tired from working hard for days, was instantly flushed with a rosy glow.

"Good! Well done! That kid Su Yaoyang really didn't disappoint me!"

Yan Xishan slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly, his thick Shanxi accent echoing in the cave dwelling. He paced back and forth a few steps, his smile blooming like a chrysanthemum.

He knew all too well how weighty this battle report was.

At a time when the defense of Wuhan was suffering repeated setbacks and the morale of the anti-Japanese forces across the country was somewhat low, such a brilliant victory was undoubtedly a shot in the arm! More importantly, this achievement was attributed to the Second War Zone under his leadership!
"Immediately! Immediately spread this news throughout the country! No! Spread it to the whole world!"

With a wave of his hand, Yan Xishan was exceptionally spirited at that moment, "Tell that person in Chongqing, and tell that person in Yan'an, although I, Yan, am trapped in Shanxi, my determination and ability to fight the Japanese are no less than anyone else's!"

He squinted, as if he could already see the headlines of major newspapers proclaiming "Great Victory in the Second War Zone, Capture of Japanese Chief Ushijima," the jubilant scenes of the entire nation, and the further enhancement of his own prestige both domestically and internationally.

"I'm drafting a commendation order! I'll reward Su Yaoyang and his meritorious soldiers handsomely! Also, I'm preparing to hold a press conference. I want to personally announce this good news to Chinese and foreign reporters!" Yan Xishan became more and more excited as he spoke, as if he could already see the moment when he would become famous and leave his mark on history.

He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance for him and his Second War Zone to shine on the national stage of the War of Resistance. Ushijima Sanetsune's capture was not merely that of a military prisoner, but a huge political bargaining chip and propaganda tool. And he, Yan Xishan, would be one of the most direct beneficiaries of this tool.

The atmosphere at Kenanpo was filled with jubilation because of the telegram from the front lines. Meanwhile, Su Yaoyang, far away on the battlefield, was unaware of all this; he was still directing his troops in pursuit of the routed 20th Division.

(End of this chapter)