Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 186 A blessing in disguise
"Vice Minister, something terrible has happened!"

The assistant rushed to Sato Haruno in a panic, his voice frantic and tense: "The Eighth Route Army has attacked the Zhangjiacun section of the railway again. A freight military train has been intercepted and attacked, and we have now completely lost contact with it."

Upon hearing this, Sato Haruno was instantly stunned, his eyes widening: "Baka! Didn't the Eighth Route Army attack the Wangzhuang Railway? And now they've attacked the Zhangjiacun Railway!!!"

The Eighth Route Army attacked the Wangzhuang Railway, and Kuroshima Morita and Ueno Village have already gone to reinforce it.

Unexpectedly, the newly completed Zhangjiacun Railway was attacked again.

Isn't this a bad thing?

The Wangzhuang Railway and Zhangjiacun Railway were destroyed, and the railway lines were cut off. This meant that supplies, weapons, and ammunition fell into the hands of the Eighth Route Army. What would happen to the Imperial Army's logistics?
"Yes." The assistant nodded, his tone grave. "The Eighth Route Army has received ample weapons and ammunition from our cargo trains, and they are now charging aggressively towards Heyuan County. Several reinforcements that tried to intercept them have been completely cut off, and the outposts and sentry posts along the way are simply no match for them."

"Baka!" Sato Haruno jumped up and down angrily. "The Eighth Route Army is too rampant. They're heading straight for Heyuan County. It's obvious they're after me."

The Eighth Route Army's attack on the military train succeeded, but instead of withdrawing and looking for more important targets, they marched directly towards Heyuan County, clearly intending to take Sato Haruno's life.

“Fortunately, Vice Minister, you were required to personally arrest these Eighth Route Army spies at the former Cui Village arsenal site. Since you weren’t in Heyuan County, judging by the time, Heyuan County is probably already surrounded by the Eighth Route Army.” The assistant nodded and said, “Should we gather all the Imperial Army forces to surround the Eighth Route Army?”

“Even if we gather all the Imperial Army troops in this area now, and even surround the Eighth Route Army, it won’t make much difference,” Sato Haruno said calmly.

The main problem is that we're running out of ammunition and supplies.

Meanwhile, the Eighth Route Army received ample supplies of weapons and ammunition on the military train, so even if they were surrounded, they would be able to break through.

"Could it be that Heyuan County is going to fall into the hands of the Eighth Route Army?" The assistant was stunned.

“There’s an old Chinese saying, ‘A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise!’” Sato Haruno said. “Fujita Ichiji is such a idiot, he’s making things worse. We can just use the Eighth Route Army to do his dirty work.”

Anyway, there's not much profit to be made in Heyuan County. Let the Eighth Route Army take it over. It's good that they can help deal with Fujita Ichiji.

As long as we capture the Eighth Route Army spies at the former site of the Cuicun Arsenal, we can protect the copper smelter first.

Then, I proceeded with my original plan as usual. As long as I could pinpoint the location of the Eighth Route Army's arsenal, I wasn't worried about not being able to turn the tide.

Immediately afterwards, Sato Haruno said, "However, we still need to put on a show. Let's gather the Imperial Army forces to reinforce Heyuan County. Remember, just a symbolic reinforcement is enough. Don't fight the Eighth Route Army head-on. We don't have much ammunition and supplies left."

Even if we need to use the Eighth Route Army to get rid of that idiot Fujita Ichiji, we can't make it too obvious. We can't just stand by and watch him die.

After all, Sato Haruno still had a headache about Fujita Ichiji's background.

When Fujita Ichiji is dealt with by the Eighth Route Army, Sato Haruno will have a reason to question Fujita Ichiji's background.

The Eighth Route Army had ample weapons and ammunition, but the Imperial Army's logistics were inadequate, preventing the Imperial Army from fully utilizing its combat capabilities—this is an objective fact.

"Yes, Vice Minister." The assistant went to leave.

"Good, without that idiot Fujita Ichiji dragging me down, my plan to locate the Eighth Route Army's arsenal will definitely be successful again." Sato Haruno quickly adjusted his emotions and continued to carry out his treacherous scheme, eliminating the Eighth Route Army spies at the former site of the Cui Village arsenal.

……

Japanese Military Police in Heyuan

"Captain, the Eighth Route Army has already reached the city walls." His trusted confidant approached Fujita Ichiji and said in a very solemn tone, "I have gathered all the forces and am waiting for your final orders."

Although Fujita Ichiji was replaced by Sato Haruno, his confidants still called him captain.

"The Eighth Route Army has three regiments surrounding the county town. They are carrying heavy weapons. With our small force, we are like a mantis trying to stop a chariot." Fujita Ichiji is now filled with regret.

If I had known this would happen, why would I have parachuted into Heyuan County to become the captain of some lousy military police unit, and why would I have bothered getting angry with Hirata Ichiro?

It's okay now.

Hirata Ichiro was recuperating peacefully in the field hospital; at most, he would lose an eye and have a piece of intestine cut off.

But what I lost was my life; it wasn't worth it at all.

"Captain, so you mean..." The confidant was suspicious. Could it be that we are going to surrender?
“Abandon the outer defenses and focus on the military police,” Fujita Ichiji said.

As for surrendering, Fujita Ichiji would not do that.

If he surrenders, his family will be implicated.

"Yes, Captain." The confidant nodded and left.

Fujita Ichiji took out the Nambu Type 14 pistol and carefully wiped it with a handkerchief.

Even if you can't turn the tide, you still have to leave with some dignity.

……

"Commander, Commander, the situation has changed."

Zhang Dabiao ran up to Li Yunlong and reported, "I captured a few prisoners, hoping to find out Sato Haruno's location beforehand, but they all said that Sato Haruno is not in Heyuan County."

"What? That bastard Sato Haruno isn't in Heyuan County!" Li Yunlong exclaimed, his eyes widening immediately. "These gossips aren't talking nonsense, are they?"

Damn it, one of the reasons I came to attack Heyuan County was to kill Sato Haruno.

If the Japanese devils aren't in Heyuan County, then things are really going to get messed up.

"Commander, they said that Sato Haruno led his men away from Heyuan County, and many people saw it." Zhang Dabiao nodded.

"So who is guarding the military police in Heyuan County now?" Li Yunlong asked.

"It's Fujita Ichiji."

"The troops must immediately cease their attack! Cease the attack!" Li Yunlong immediately ordered his troops to stop attacking.

"Old Li, why did you stop?" Ding Wei ran over and asked, puzzled.

With our hell cannons all set up, all we need to do is blast open the city walls or gates and rush in to end Sato Haruno's life.

Why are you stopping at this critical juncture, Lao Li?

"Da Biao arrested a few prisoners and said that Sato Haruno, that little devil, is not in Heyuan County now; it's Fujita Ichiji who is guarding the city," Li Yunlong said angrily.

"What? Sato Haruno isn't in Heyuan County?" Ding Wei's expression immediately froze upon hearing this.

If the main character isn't there, wouldn't that spoil the meal?

“Old Ding, this county town is within our grasp now. If we don’t take it in, I’m afraid…” Li Yunlong didn’t finish his sentence.

Blind Cheng rushed over, his expression excited: "Li Yunlong, the Japanese reinforcements have arrived! They're surrounding us outside. How about we leave this county to you, and I'll go deal with the Japanese reinforcements?"

Blind Cheng had plenty of weapons at his disposal, and he hadn't had enough of killing Japanese soldiers along the way.

Now that the Japanese reinforcements have arrived, Commander Cheng can finally unleash his fury.

"No way." Li Yunlong stopped him abruptly, saying, "Let the Japanese reinforcements surround us, but don't you dare destroy them."

If we don't let the Japanese reinforcements surround us, how can we get the Jin-Sui Army involved? Even if we can't deal with Sato Haruno now, we still have to eat the main course later, and we still have to get the Jin-Sui Army involved.

"Li Yunlong, if we don't crush the Japanese reinforcements, they'll cut off our retreat. This is no joke!" Blind Cheng glared.

By letting the Japanese surround us, Li Yunlong, you're courting death!
Ding Wei said from the side, "The Japanese have surrounded us, Yan Kai is in our hands, and the Jin-Sui Army will definitely join the battle. When that happens, it will be easy for us to break out."

"The problem is, we can break out right now, so why let the Japanese surround us?" Blind Cheng asked, puzzled. "Is it just to drag the Jin-Sui Army in?"

"Because there's more to come, we need to get the Jin-Sui Army involved to help us tie down the Japanese troops," Ding Wei explained.

"What's the main dish?" Blind Cheng asked.

When Blind Cheng followed them out, he didn't hear the brigade commander give any other orders.

Could it be that Li Yunlong and Ding Wei are planning to do something else on their own?

"Blind Cheng, as for what the main course is, don't ask now." Li Yunlong cut the subject off. "If you're afraid of being surrounded and unable to get out, then you should lead your 772nd Regiment out first. Go back now."

"I won't leave until I see the main course." Although Blind Cheng was a little worried, he was mostly excited and looking forward to it.

Li Yunlong and Ding Wei took such a huge risk, deliberately getting surrounded by the Japanese, and then dragging the Jin-Sui Army into the fray as well.

Needless to say, this main dish is incredibly juicy and flavorful.

If we leave, we'll definitely regret it later.

"Blind Cheng, you'd better think this through," Li Yunlong said solemnly. "Don't let this end up ruining my fun."

"I've already said, as long as there's enough profit, I'll cooperate with you." Blind Cheng nodded emphatically.

"Alright then, go and fight the Japanese reinforcements now," Li Yunlong said. "Remember, you can only lose, not win. You have to act convincingly and let the Japanese surround us."

Ding Wei added: "Make it seem like you've been defeated by the Japanese because you're short of ammunition."

"Okay, I understand." Blind Cheng nodded and left.

Ding Wei turned to Li Yunlong and said, "Old Li, I'm going to attack the reinforcements too. I'll pretend that the breakout attempt failed, and I'll leave the county town to you. You have to be careful, whatever you do, don't kill that idiot Fujita Ichiji prematurely, or we'll definitely get a beating from the brigade commander when we get back."

"Don't worry, I know what's important." Li Yunlong nodded.

Ding Wei then led his troops to feign an attack on reinforcements. Li Yunlong, looking at the walls of Heyuan County, called Zhang Dabiao over: "Dabiao, come here for a moment."

"Commander, what are your orders?" Zhang Dabiao asked.

"Release one of those prisoners we captured and send him back to talk to Fujita Ichiji, to persuade him to surrender," Li Yunlong said. "Remember, give this prisoner a little demonstration: we're running low on ammunition, understand what I mean?"

With the Hell Cannon, it would be no problem at all to storm in and take down Fujita Ichiji.

But this idiot is still very useful. We've come this far, and if he doesn't work, we need to find a reasonable reason to convince that idiot Fujita Ichiji that he can't attack the city for some reason.

In case... in case this guy sees things are going badly and decides to commit seppuku or shoot himself beforehand, that would be really bad.

"Yes, Commander." Zhang Dabiao immediately did as instructed.

……

Fujita Ichiji cleaned the gun very thoroughly; it was sparkling clean.

Then he stood up and walked to the window.

He was still a little puzzled as to why the Eighth Route Army, which was attacking the city, had suddenly stopped.

Once their hell cannons fire, blasting open the city walls, and the troops storm in, it'll all be over.

Soon, Fujita Ichiji discovered something through his binoculars: two-thirds of the Eighth Route Army that had attacked the city had quickly retreated and hurriedly gone to distant places.

Fujita Ichiji suddenly realized: "This must be our reinforcements arriving. The Eighth Route Army was afraid of being surrounded, so they left one regiment to attack the county town, while the other two regiments went to fight for reinforcements and break through the encirclement."

"It's still a bit strange." Fujita Ichiji quickly became suspicious again. Why hasn't the Eighth Route Army made any move yet when they are attacking the city?
"Reporting, Captain, a puppet army soldier has been released by the Eighth Route Army and wants to see you." The confidant walked in at this moment and reported to Fujita Ichiji.

"Execute them." Fujita Ichiji probably understood why the Eighth Route Army wasn't attacking the city immediately; they were most likely trying to persuade the enemy to surrender.

Fujita Ichiji didn't even want to see anyone, so he was executed.

"Captain, he says he has something important to report to you," his trusted aide reminded him.

"Then, bring the person in." Fujita Ichiji was still a little puzzled.

The Eighth Route Army's direct attack on the city, if done quickly, is no slower than persuading the city to surrender.

Now it seems there were reasons why they didn't do that.

"Yes."

Soon, the puppet army soldier was brought before Fujita Ichiji and hurriedly said, "Sir, sir, I've discovered that the Eighth Route Army is running low on ammunition."

The puppet soldier didn't dare utter a word when asked to surrender.

"The Eighth Route Army doesn't have much ammunition left?" Fujita Ichiji asked, looking at the puppet army soldier with surprise. "Are you sure you understand?"

No wonder the Eighth Route Army didn't attack the city immediately; they were running low on ammunition.

Although Heyuan County is not large, it would still take a lot of ammunition to take it over.

Fujita Ichiji was thrilled. "Thank goodness Amaterasu! We have a chance to survive!"

"Yes." The puppet army soldier nodded and added, "The Eighth Route Army soldiers who went to fight the reinforcements are also running low on ammunition."

“How could the Eighth Route Army be running low on ammunition?” a trusted confidant questioned Fujita Ichiji. “They attacked a cargo train, which had plenty of weapons and ammunition on it.”

"The Eighth Route Army was very poor. They captured some things, and they probably transported most of the ammunition back. Then they pushed forward, fighting battles that made them rich. They got excited and worked up. It's like nouveau riche spending money in revenge. How could they not use up the ammunition quickly?" Fujita Ichiji analyzed wisely.

Otherwise, why would the Eighth Route Army bother with the pretense of persuading them to surrender? They would have stormed in long ago.

“Hmm, Captain, what you said makes sense.” The confidant became happy and said, “Then let’s pretend to discuss surrender terms with the Eighth Route Army to buy time.”

"The Eighth Route Army asked you to persuade me to surrender, didn't you?" Fujita Ichiji's gaze fell on the face of this puppet army soldier.

"Yes, sir." The puppet army soldier had no choice but to respond when asked.

“Go back and tell the Eighth Route Army that if they want me to surrender, they have to agree to my conditions first…” Fujita Ichiji listed five conditions.

"Yes, sir."

……

(End of this chapter)