Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 256 Not Knowing What to Do
At the headquarters of the 11th Army in Yingshan, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.

When Chief of Staff Masataka Yamawaki presented the telegram from the front lines confirming the complete withdrawal of the Shanxi militia to Commander Kazuo Sonobe, the lieutenant general, known for his cunning and ruthlessness on the Chinese battlefield, nearly lost his temper with rage.

"Nani?!"

Sonobe Kazuo snatched the telegram, his sharp, hawk-like eyes fixed on the message as if he wanted to burn two holes in the thin paper.

Every word on the telegram was like a resounding slap across his face.

Ran?

They just ran away like that?!

His meticulously planned "iron pincer movement," which mobilized several divisions and brigades, and his proudly perfect trap that could be included in military textbooks, were so easily broken.
Before he could even give the order to "begin the encirclement," his inescapable net hadn't even been closed yet, and the prey had already sensed the danger and made their escape!
"Li Zongren..."

Sonobe Kazuichiro squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with a complex expression of hatred and resentment.

He had to admit that the supreme commander of the Fifth War Zone possessed a beast-like, keen battlefield intuition. His own army's movements had barely begun when the commander had already grasped his entire strategic intent and, without hesitation, chose to retreat, ordering the Shanxi militia, whom he so deeply resented, to flee immediately.

It was like two top chess players playing blindfold chess. He had only just placed his first piece when his opponent had already predicted his next dozen or so moves.

Aside from marveling at his opponent's agility, Sonobe and Ichiro could only sigh inwardly at his opponent's good fortune. If it weren't for Li Zongren's order, that despicable Shanxi militia would already be besieged in Nanguadian by his army, awaiting their fate of being crushed to dust.

But, is that all?
To admit that the operation, which they had planned with enormous resources and effort, had failed so anticlimactically?
No! Sonobe Kazuichiro's pride and ambition would not allow him to give up so easily.

His gaze returned to the massive battle map, his eyes growing increasingly cold and crazed.

The Shanxi militia had fled, but the massive forces mobilized to encircle and suppress them were already poised to be deployed! The Sixth Division had already approached the flank of Yichang, and the Fourteenth Brigade and the Fortieth Division had also moved to their designated positions.

Since we can't catch that cunning rat, let's just burn the whole granary down!
A sinister smile appeared on Sonobe Kazuichiro's lips.

"Pass on my orders!" He suddenly raised his head and issued a new, menacing command to all the silent staff officers in the headquarters.

"Order the Sixth Division to disregard any flanking maneuvers! Speed ​​up and launch a full-scale frontal assault on Yichang immediately! I want to see the Imperial Japanese Flag planted atop the city walls of Yichang as quickly as possible!"

"Order the 14th Brigade, the 40th Division, and all troops moving towards Nanguadian to change direction! Target—Yichang! I will use overwhelming force to wipe this city, along with the Fifth War Zone Command headquarters inside, off the map!"

Since the strategic encirclement had failed, he decided to make the best of a bad situation and turn this failed annihilation campaign into a decisive siege! He wanted to use the fall of Yichang to wash away the shame of his failed plan!

With his new orders issued, the entire war machine of the 11th Army once again roared into action with even greater ferocity.

Countless Japanese troops began to change direction, like a turbid, iron-gray torrent converging, rushing towards Yichang, the lonely city on the banks of the Yangtze River.

Thanks to the high mobility of the entire motorized force and the Japanese army's belated confusion, Su Yaoyang's Shanxi militia retreated safely back to Yichang in less than two days.

When the long steel convoy of thousands of trucks, tanks, and armored vehicles drove into Yichang, it immediately caused a huge sensation among the city's garrison and civilians. They had never seen such a well-equipped and imposing Chinese army.

Su Yaoyang had no time to pay attention to the astonished looks. He handed over the rest and recuperation of the troops to Pi Ruoyu and Li Gaoyuan, and then, with a few guards, drove to the headquarters of the Fifth War Zone as soon as possible.

He had to personally report to Li Zongren on the details of the operation and understand the next strategic deployment.

The headquarters of the Fifth War Zone was located in a former Qing Dynasty government office in the center of Yichang City. The outside was heavily guarded, while the inside was a scene of tension and busy activity.

As soon as Su Yaoyang stepped into the command post, he keenly sensed that the atmosphere here seemed even more somber than when he left the front lines.

An aide quickly led him to Li Zongren's office.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Su Yaoyang immediately saw Li Zongren standing in front of the huge map, his brows furrowed. Beside Li Zongren stood another person.

When Su Yaoyang saw the person's face clearly, he paused slightly, a look of surprise on his face.

He was a middle-aged man in a crisp Central Army officer's uniform, with a square face, shrewd eyes, and a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

Although the years had left some marks on his face, Su Yaoyang still recognized him at a glance.

Chen Shijie.

The officer from the Ministry of Military Affairs was also an old acquaintance of his.

They hadn't seen each other for over two years since their parting in Nanjing and their hasty breakout. Su Yaoyang never expected to see this old friend again here, at this critical juncture.

"Lord De." Su Yaoyang gave Li Zongren a standard military salute first.

"Oh, Mingxi is here!"

Li Zongren turned around and saw Su Yaoyang. His tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared on his face. "Well done! Beautifully fought! This time, your Shanxi militia has really earned us, the Fifth War Zone, and all of China a lot of face!" He patted Su Yaoyang's shoulder forcefully, making no attempt to hide his admiration.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Zongren turned to the side, pointed to Chen Shijie beside him, and introduced him: "Mingxi, let me introduce you. This is Commissioner Chen Shijie, sent by the Ministry of Military Affairs."

"Brother Shijie, it's been a long time."

Su Yaoyang smiled and extended his hand.

"Commander Su, it's been a long time."

Chen Shijie smiled and shook Su Yaoyang's hand, but a complex light flashed in his eyes. "Brother Su's name is well-known even in the capital."

From Shanxi to Hubei, you fought fiercely against the Japanese invaders, achieving numerous military exploits. Even Chiang Kai-shek praised you repeatedly in Chongqing, saying you were a pillar of the nation.

The two shook hands, both wearing formulaic smiles and exchanging polite pleasantries, but what they were really thinking remained a mystery.

Su Yaoyang's mind raced.

Chen Shijie was a member of the Ministry of Military Affairs, which, to put it bluntly, meant he represented Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing.

He didn't come earlier or later, but just when he had won a great victory and was riding high, his intentions were probably self-evident.

Are they here to reap the rewards? Or to offer amnesty? Or perhaps... both?
Two years have passed since we parted ways in Nanjing, enough time for many things to change.

What started as a small militia leader has now grown into a powerful force that commands a large army and dares to confront even the elite Japanese divisions head-on.

So what brings Commissioner Chen here this time?

Li Zongren and the others, this big shot who had been through the ups and downs of officialdom and struggled for decades, had seen all sorts of things and people in his life. After seeing the fake smiles on Su Yaoyang and Chen Shijie's faces, he immediately guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

He cleared his throat lightly and said, "Mingxi, it's good that you're back. Commissioner Chen has been waiting for you for a long time. He has something important to discuss with you this time."

"Important matters to discuss?"

Su Yaoyang looked astonished.

"Commissioner Chen, I am but a minor local militia chief. How could I possibly trouble you, Commissioner Chen, to come all the way from Chongqing to discuss important matters?"

Li Zongren couldn't help but cough lightly, his meaning clear: "Don't go too far, kid. He's a special envoy sent by the Ministry of Military Affairs, don't embarrass him."

Chen Shijie felt helpless; after two years apart, this man's temper was still as bad as ever.

Knowing this man's temperament, he stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Commander Su, I came here because Minister He heard that you have deep connections in the United States and wanted to ask you to help purchase a batch of weapons to solve the government's current urgent needs."

"Buying weapons?"

Su Yaoyang frowned: "What does Minister He want to buy?"

"It refers to the 105mm and 155mm heavy artillery currently in service with your troops, as well as those fighter jets."

"Does the government have money?" Su Yaoyang countered. "As far as I know, our country's finances don't seem to be very tight right now, do they?"

"Minister He..." Chen Shijie hesitated for a moment, seemingly a little embarrassed, and said, "Minister He hopes to purchase these weapons through a loan."

"Hey……"

Su Yaoyang almost laughed out of anger, pointed to the door, and said, "Commissioner Chen, the door is over there... Goodbye and don't come back."

Seeing that Su Yaoyang was angry, Chen Shijie quickly said, "Hey... Commander Su, don't be angry. You can name your conditions."

"Try to bring it up as much as possible?"

Instead of getting angry, Su Yaoyang laughed and said, "Alright, I only have one request. I can sell you the goods, but you must pay in gold or US dollars. Cash on delivery, can you do that?"

"This..." Chen Shijie was dumbfounded. The Nationalist government was dirt poor. Where would they get gold and US dollars to settle accounts?

"You guys aren't trying to get something for nothing, are you?" Su Yaoyang said with a sneer, arms crossed.

"This one……"

Chen Shijie was at a loss for words...

(End of this chapter)