Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 202 A Disappointing Departure
While Doolittle and his entourage in Hong Kong were busily preparing for the unprecedented aerial transfer, a tense atmosphere still hung over the headquarters of the First Army of the Japanese North China Area Army in Taiyuan, Shanxi.

Ushijima Sanetsune's 20th Division suffered a crushing defeat at Wild Wolf Valley, with almost all of its elite troops wiped out, and the division commander himself became Su Yaoyang's prisoner.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, not only dealing a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Japanese army in Shanxi, but also casting a deep shadow over the face of Lieutenant General Yoshijiro Umezu, commander of the First Army.

Yoshijiro Umezu, a Japanese army general known for his toughness, was standing in front of a huge battle map, staring at Wutai County and its surrounding area with a sinister look in his eyes.

The 20th Division's designation had been marked with a shameful red X on the map. This was Yoshijiro Umezu reminding himself that he must never forget this painful lesson. Defeat and humiliation gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes.

"Baka! A bunch of useless trash!"

Yoshijiro Umezu cursed under his breath, his voice hoarse and filled with suppressed rage.

In recent days, he and his staff at headquarters have reviewed the defeat several times and concluded that Ushijima Minoru's carelessness was the main reason for this huge defeat, while the Shanxi militia's weaponry and the strength of their will to resist were only secondary factors.

He had anticipated resistance, but he never expected that a small local militia could inflict such devastating damage on his elite division. This was not only a military defeat, but also a tremendous humiliation of his personal command abilities.

After taking stock of the enormous losses, Yoshijiro Umezu locked himself in the command post for several days. He mobilized all available intelligence resources in an attempt to find out the details of Su Yaoyang's troops, analyze their tactical characteristics, and find their weaknesses.

He had even begun to formulate new battle plans, preparing to mobilize more troops to launch a larger-scale "mopping-up" operation in the Wutai County area, determined to remove this thorn in the side, avenge the 20th Division, and save face for himself.

This defeat did not dampen his fighting spirit; on the contrary, it made him even more eager to fight back and vowed to wash away this humiliation with an even greater victory.

However, just as Yoshijiro Umezu was preparing to make a name for himself and avenge his previous defeat, a transfer order from the Tokyo headquarters poured ice water over him, leaving him feeling utterly dejected.

That afternoon, a dark green Type 96 land-based attack aircraft silently landed on the runway of Taiyuan Airport.

Unlike the noise of other planes, this aircraft quickly taxied to a secluded apron after landing, and was immediately surrounded by a squad of heavily armed military police.

The cabin door opened and the gangway was lowered. The first to step down were several solemn-looking, upright officers of the rank of lieutenant colonel. After disembarking, they cautiously scanned their surroundings.

Following closely behind was a lieutenant general of medium build, with a thin face, a mustache, and sharp eyes, who stepped off the plane surrounded by a crowd.

He was wearing a crisp Showa 5 military uniform, with several medals hanging on his chest, and the general stars on his shoulders were somewhat dazzling in the autumn sun.

He was the newly appointed commander of the First Army of the Japanese North China Area Army... Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinotsuka.

Yoshio Shinotsuka and his entourage did not stop at the airport. They boarded several black Toyota sedans with general's flags and sped towards the First Army Headquarters under the escort of several guards on motorcycles.

Yoshijiro Umezu's office was located on the second floor of the headquarters building, heavily guarded. When Yoshio Shinotsuka and his group arrived, Umezu was discussing the operational plan against Wutai County with several staff officers when he suddenly received a report from his adjutant that a special envoy from General Headquarters and a new commander had arrived. Umezu's heart skipped a beat, sensing an ominous premonition. He quickly straightened his uniform, strode out of his office, and met Shinotsuka and his group in the corridor.

"Umezu-kun, how have you been?"

Yoshio Shinotsuka wore a professional smile, but his eyes were devoid of warmth. Although he and Yoshijiro Umezu were classmates at the Army War College, their relationship was not exactly harmonious.

"Shinotsuka-kun, welcome to Taiyuan."

Yoshijiro Umezu forced a smile, but his heart was pounding. He knew that the General Headquarters' dispatch of Yoshio Shinotsuka at this time was not merely for an inspection.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two entered Yoshijiro Umezu's office together.

After dismissing his staff and adjutants, a colonel who had accompanied Yoshio Shinotsuka took out an order bearing the bright red seal of the Imperial General Headquarters from his briefcase, unfolded it solemnly, and began to read it aloud:
"By Imperial General Headquarters: Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinotsuka is hereby appointed Commander of the First Army of the North China Area Army, to assume his post immediately. The former Commander of the First Army, Lieutenant General Yoshijiro Umezu, is transferred to the position of Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, to complete the handover within three days and report to Xinjing. This order is hereby issued!"

"boom!"

The command struck Yoshijiro Umezu like a thunderbolt. The color drained from his face instantly, and he swayed slightly, almost losing his balance.

Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army? Although it sounds like an important position, compared to the First Army Commander who held significant military power and was in charge of the entire Shanxi war zone, it was undoubtedly a demotion in disguise!

Moreover, at this crucial moment when he was preparing for a major counterattack to avenge his previous defeat, transferring him away was clearly a denial and distrust of his command abilities!

"Why...why is this?!" Yoshijiro Umezu's voice trembled, filled with resentment and anger. He stared intently at Yoshio Shinotsuka, as if trying to discern something from his face.

Yoshio Shinotsuka's smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried an undeniable air of authority: "Umezu-kun, this is the decision of headquarters."

As soldiers of the Empire, obeying orders is our duty!
The annihilation of the 20th Division had an extremely negative impact on the Army Group and the entire Holy War. General Headquarters needed someone to take responsibility. At the same time, a new commander was needed to stabilize the situation in Shanxi and reverse the decline as quickly as possible.

Although he phrased his words tactfully, the meaning was crystal clear... Yoshijiro Umezu, you caused the 20th Division's crushing defeat due to your poor command, and now you must take responsibility for it and step aside!

Yoshijiro Umezu opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but looking at Yoshio Shinotsuka's cold eyes and the expressionless officers around him, he knew that everything was already set in stone, and no amount of resentment or anger would change anything.

He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were still full of regret and resentment, but with a hint of helplessness and obedience.

“Hai…I understand.” Yoshijiro Umezu lowered his head, his voice hoarse and dry, and left the office with a gloomy expression.

(End of this chapter)