Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 289 is no longer an ordinary civilian armed force.

Just as the various battlefield machines outside Taiyuan City were operating at high speed and entering the final pre-battle preparation stage, the atmosphere inside the militia headquarters in Wutai County was also extremely tense.

Staff officers moved back and forth among the huge sand table and maps, the constant ringing of telephones and the ticking of telegraph machines creating a unique rhythm on the eve of war.

Su Yaoyang and Bai Chongxi stood side by side in front of the sand table, deducing all of Yoshio Shinotsuka's possible counterattacks and formulating corresponding contingency plans.

Although they had gained initial air superiority and begun transporting artillery to the front lines, Taiyuan was, after all, the core of Japanese control in Shanxi, with strong defenses and a large troop force. Any underestimation of the enemy could lead to disastrous consequences. Their greatest concern remained the insufficient infantry force during the siege.

It should be noted that the main force responsible for the defense of Taiyuan is the Japanese 36th Division. Although this division is a Class B division, it has rich combat experience and relies on Taiyuan for operations, making it easy to supply weapons. It is definitely a tough nut to crack.

Moreover, according to aerial reconnaissance reports, the 27th Division stationed in Hejian and the 7th Independent Mixed Brigade stationed in Zhangjiakou have already set off and are expected to arrive in Taiyuan within five or six days. At that time, they will have to deal with two divisions and an independent mixed brigade at the same time, which will put them under great pressure.

Just then, a confidential staff officer hurried in, carrying a newly translated telegram, his face showing barely suppressed excitement.

"Commander-in-Chief, Commander Bai!"

He stood at attention and handed over the telegram: "A telegram from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters!"

Bai Chongxi took the telegram and, together with Su Yaoyang, leaned over to read it. The text on the telegram was short, but its content instantly made the two commanders' eyes light up.

The telegram was sent by the Eighth Route Army Headquarters. The content was very simple: In order to cooperate with the friendly forces in the recapture of the capital of Shanxi Province, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters decided to dispatch the 386th Brigade under the Eighth Route Army to Wutai County immediately to assist the Shanxi militia in the campaign to attack Taiyuan. If the number of troops is insufficient, both sides can discuss and increase the number as appropriate.

"Great!"

After reading it, Bai Chongxi, who was usually calm and composed, could no longer contain his joy and clapped his hands. "This is truly a timely help... Mingxi, we were just worried about not having enough troops to attack the city, and the 386th Brigade has delivered itself to our doorstep! This is one of the most capable units in the Eighth Route Army. With them, our chances of taking Taiyuan have increased by at least 20%!"

A smile also appeared on Su Yaoyang's face.

He knew all too well how important an experienced and tenacious unit like the 386th Brigade was in the complex mountain warfare. This was not merely a supplement to manpower, but a tremendous boost to combat effectiveness.

“What Jian Gong said is absolutely right.”

He nodded and made a decisive decision: "For us, anyone who can fight the Japanese is a good brother! Send a telegram back to the Eighth Route Army headquarters immediately!"

He turned to his confidential staff: "The telegram reads as follows: Thank you for your righteousness. Our unit agrees to and warmly welcomes the 386th Brigade to come and cooperate in the operation."

Please dispatch troops to Wutai County immediately for rest and reorganization. All weapons, ammunition, food, clothing, and other military supplies will be replenished and supplied by our Shanxi militia! We will provide as much as you need!

"Yes, sir!" The confidential staff officer saluted excitedly, then turned and ran off.

Bai Chongxi looked at Su Yaoyang, a complex yet approving light flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Su Yaoyang to be so generous, even taking on such a large amount of military supplies. To make such a promise, one must have absolute confidence in their logistical capabilities.

"Mingxi, you've really gone all out this time."

Bai Chongxi remarked with a sigh, "However, this deal is worthwhile. With the 386th Brigade providing flank support, Yoshio Shinotsuka's days will be even more difficult!"

In the Eighth Route Army headquarters, in a simple civilian house command post, the light of an oil lamp illuminated a huge battle map on the wall.

He stood up, paced back and forth in front of the map, and his tone became serious.

"Immediately send a message to the 386th Brigade, instructing them to proceed with the original plan, entering Wutai County in batches to replenish supplies and familiarize themselves with the defense zone. Also, I want to emphasize one point!"

He turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, "After entering Wutai County and the areas controlled by the Shanxi militia, all troops must strictly abide by the military discipline and conduct of our army."

They must not take a single needle or thread from the masses, and they are absolutely forbidden from initiating conflicts with friendly forces.

"Anyone who dares to cause trouble for me at this critical juncture and tarnish the reputation of the Eighth Route Army, no matter who they are or how high their rank, I will punish them severely! There will be absolutely no leniency!"

"Yes!"

The deputy chief of staff immediately straightened up and turned to draft a telegram.

The radio waves pierced the sky and soon reached the 386th Brigade, which was marching rapidly along the rugged roads of the Taihang Mountains.

Brigade Command
The brigade commander, who was convening a meeting of all his political commissars, received a telegram from headquarters. He said in a deep voice to the dozen or so regimental commanders and political commissars below who were staring at him expectantly, "The headquarters leaders have officially approved our request, and the Shanxi militia has also sent a telegram agreeing to let us enter Wutai County to replenish supplies."

Su Yaoyang stated, "They will provide as much as we need!"

At this point, he deliberately turned his gaze to the regimental commander beside him, who was grinning widely and looking very excited.

"Furthermore, I would like to reiterate the importance of military discipline to all units!"

The brigade commander's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an invisible authority, "Especially..."

He paused, his gaze fixed on the regimental commander like a nail, "Especially you... Li Yunlong."

Li Yunlong, who was just imagining how much equipment and canned beef he would receive in Wutai County, froze with a smile upon hearing this. His neck stiffened, and he began to complain:
"Hey, Brigade Commander, what do you mean by that? Why are you singled out Old Li again?"
"Out of all these people in the brigade, am I, Old Li, the only one who looks like I'm undisciplined? When have I ever caused you any trouble?"

His stubborn and unyielding demeanor almost made the brigade commander laugh out loud.

Before the brigade commander could get angry, Political Commissar Zhao Gang, who was standing next to Li Yunlong, pushed up his glasses and advised, "Old Li, the brigade commander is saying this for your own good, for the good of our Independent Regiment."

This time, we are cooperating with the Shanxi militia, and we represent the face of the entire Eighth Route Army.

The Shanxi militia is large and well-equipped. We are there as guests, but more importantly, as comrades-in-arms.

The importance of military discipline cannot be overstated.

You'd better keep your little schemes to yourself. If you dare to steal anything, not only the brigade commander, but I'll be the first to object!

"Go! Go! Go……"

Li Yunlong waved his hand impatiently, muttering, "Am I that kind of person? Political Commissar, you're just a cunning fellow... I was just thinking, since Commander Su is so generous, we can't go empty-handed, can we? We can capture a few more Type 92 infantry guns from the Japanese and give them to him as a greeting gift. That's not a violation of military discipline, it's just reciprocity!"

Upon hearing that Li Yunlong was going to give Su Yaoyang the few Type 92 infantry guns that he had been hiding like precious gems as a "gift," Zhao Gang's prepared sermon was instantly choked back. He almost followed in the brigade commander's footsteps and was so angry at this blockhead that he laughed.

Before he could even speak, another regimental commander next to him, Kong Jie from the New Second Regiment, couldn't help but burst into a loud laugh.

"Old Li... I said Old Li... did I hear you right?"

Sitting next to Li Yunlong, Kong Jie laughed so hard he almost fell over, pointing at Li Yunlong and saying, "You're going to give those Type 92 infantry guns you finally managed to capture as a greeting gift to Commander Su? My God, that's quite a... heavy gift!"

He then changed the subject, his tone becoming even more sarcastic: "In my opinion, you might as well give away that broken command sword you captured from the Japanese officer."

What kind of wealth does Commander Su have?
Do you think they'd even want those old cannons you're sending them? Maybe if you sent them a knife, they'd be so pleased they'd give you two 105mm howitzers instead!

"Hahahahaha..."

As soon as Kong Jie said this, the regimental commanders and political commissars around him all burst into laughter.

The simple meeting room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Ding Wei, the commander of the new First Regiment, also suppressed a laugh, patted Li Yunlong on the shoulder, and said earnestly:

"Old Li... Old Kong may have been rough in his words, but the reasoning behind them is sound."

Keep your tricks to yourself. Although none of us have ever dealt with Commander Su, his past exploits—the battles of Nanjing, Xuzhou, and now Taiyuan—have all been earth-shattering feats.
Judging from these events, Commander Su is definitely a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, and is magnanimous and forthright.

Ding Wei's eyes gleamed: "Since he has already replied and promised to cover all our ammunition consumption during the operation, there is absolutely no reason for him to go back on his word."

So you don't need to play those useless little tricks.

Whatever you want—good equipment and ammunition—you don't need to ask; they'll prepare everything for you without you even having to say anything.

What we need to do now is demonstrate our true abilities, not resort to clever tricks.

Li Yunlong's dark face turned bright red as his old comrades teased him relentlessly. He waved his hand dismissively and stubbornly retorted, "Go away... what do you all know!"

"I call this courtesy! I call it building relationships! It's not as sordid as you all make it out to be! Do you think I, Old Li, am the kind of person who takes advantage of others?"

These words were met with even louder laughter from those around them.

On June 6, after two days of forced march, the dusty 386th Brigade finally arrived at the border of Wutai County.

When the vanguard soldiers, dragging their weary steps, descended the last rugged mountain ridge and stepped onto flat ground, the entire column seemed to be frozen in place, stopping in their tracks without prior agreement.

Everyone was completely stunned by the sight before them.

Before them were no longer the bumpy, dusty dirt roads they were used to seeing.

Instead, there is a flat, wide cement road with a sophisticated gray color.

The road was so wide that the soldiers subconsciously estimated that it would be more than enough for six large trucks to drive side by side.

The road surface was smooth and clean, gleaming solidly in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the mud-covered cloth shoes on their feet.

On both sides of the road, there was an unbelievable scene of prosperity.

The vast fields were densely planted with corn, potatoes and sorghum.

The crops are growing well, a lush green expanse full of vitality. Every now and then, you can see farmers dressed in clean clothes, with rosy complexions, leisurely tending to their crops in the fields. When they see this large army of farmers, they don't show the slightest panic; instead, they smile kindly and wave from afar.

An eerie silence fell over the entire group, broken only by heavy breathing and the rustling of the wind through the crops.

"Oh my God!"

A signature loud voice shattered the silence. Li Yunlong's eyes widened, his mouth agape, pointing at the cement road beneath his feet, and he exclaimed incredulously, "They...they actually used cement to build the road?"
That's such a damn wasteful thing!

Even the wealthiest landlords don't squander their wealth like this!

It's important to understand that cement was a very precious and scarce commodity in China at that time.

Not to mention the Eighth Route Army, even the Japanese army used them as strategic materials to build their most important bunkers and fortifications.

They wouldn't even use it for building houses, let alone road construction. Now, seeing Su Yaoyang using it to pave a wide, winding road that stretches for who knows how far, completely overturned Li Yunlong's understanding.

Although Political Commissar Zhao Gang, who was standing next to him, did not shout out like him, his eyes, behind his thick glasses, also gleamed with undisguised shock.

He adjusted his glasses, gazing at the orderly and thriving scene before him. The impact on him was no less than that on Li Yunlong. This couldn't be explained simply by "being rich"; it represented a terrifying level of industrial and organizational capability.

The brigade commander and political commissar Wang, who were on horseback at the rear of the column, also saw this scene.

The expression on his face gradually changed from initial surprise to deep emotion and solemnity.

He reined in his horse and whispered to Political Commissar Wang beside him, "It seems that this Shanxi militia is much wealthier than we imagined. This is no longer an ordinary civilian armed force."

"Yes!"

Political Commissar Wang nodded: "We need to write a letter to headquarters about this matter, suggesting that headquarters increase cooperation with the Shanxi militia. This would be very helpful to our cause."

"Yes, it seems we all underestimated the Shanxi militia and this Commander Su," he remarked with a sigh.

(End of this chapter)