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

Chapter 340 Those damned Hellfire Missiles Again

Eighth Route Army Logistics Office

"Minister Zhang, the workload you've been giving our Logistics and Political Work Department lately is getting heavier and heavier," came the complaining voice of the Political Work Minister over the phone.

Zhang Wanhe said, "There's nothing we can do. The combat troops are just too efficient, and they've captured too many prisoners. Besides, our arsenal is in dire need of workers, and the shortage is huge. The workers and technicians captured by the Japanese are very valuable, and only your side can do this work. Don't worry, I've already sent someone to deliver the necessary supplies to your side."

The person on the other end of the phone said, "Minister Zhang, you should know that what I need isn't just supplies, I need people. I heard you've gathered another group of intellectuals; what do you think about sending them to us...?"

Zhang Wanhe interrupted, "That won't do. I'm sending this to the border region's arsenal."

Although there were students at the border region's arsenal, it did not prevent Zhang Wanhe from continuing to send and train talent there.

"I only need five people, just five people, is that okay?" the person on the other end of the phone said.

"I'll give you three, that's all I have," Zhang Wanhe said after a moment's consideration.

After all, it's also quite important for the political work team to do ideological work with the prisoners.

"Three people are not enough, let's add one more person."

"We can't add any more. If you think it's not enough, then don't order it..."

"No, no, no, three is fine, just bring them to me quickly."

"it is good."

Zhang Wanhe responded, and the call ended.

"Zhang Yu, pick three people from this group of intellectuals and send them to the Political Work Department." Zhang Wanhe called over a deputy minister.

"Minister Zhang, should we choose the best or the worst?" Zhang Yu asked.

"That goes without saying, of course we'll choose the least outstanding talent." Zhang Wanhe said solemnly, "The best talent will still be sent to Xiao Li's side. The more flexible their minds are, the better they'll be able to absorb military industry knowledge."

"Yes, Minister Zhang." Zhang Yu went to get busy.

"Minister Zhang, Section Chief Wu has arrived." At this moment, someone came to report to Zhang Wanhe.

Without hesitation, Zhang Wanhe immediately instructed another deputy minister, saying, "Bring the person out immediately and hand him over to Section Chief Wu's men."

This combat unit captured many prisoners from the Japanese natural gas arsenal, including the arsenal's director.

These people must have very important and valuable information inside them; the intelligence department needs to extract that information from them first.

"Yes." The deputy minister went to carry out the order.

Zhang Wanhe invited Wu Yaohan to his office and poured him some water: "Old Wu, why did you come in person? You could have just sent one of your men."

Wu Yaohan took the water glass from Zhang Wanhe, took a sip, and said, "I came here to remind Minister Zhang of something."

"What's the matter?" Zhang Wan asked suspiciously.

"I just received news that Kawashima has been defeated, and his troops are being pursued by the Jin-Sui Army," Wu Yaohan said.

"The Jin-Sui Army defeated Kawashima, that's a good thing." Zhang Wanhe was pleased for a moment, then asked suspiciously, "But what does this have to do with me?"

After all, in Comrade Zhang's view, the Jin-Sui Army could not afford to be defeated.

If the Jin-Sui Army is defeated and forced to become homeless dogs, wouldn't that delay our business?

Furthermore, once the Jin-Sui Army was driven out of Shanxi Province, the strength of the resistance against the Japanese in this second war zone would be reduced.

When that happens, the Japanese will devote more of their troops to us and their elite forces, which will only increase the pressure on us.

"According to reliable sources, the Jin-Sui Army launched a surprise attack on Kawashima's command post with Hellfire missiles, wiping him out in one fell swoop..." Wu Yaohan didn't finish his sentence.

Zhang Wanhe immediately understood: "I know, the Jin-Sui Army must want to come to me to buy goods right away, right?"

If that Hellfire missile had taken down Kawashima, it would have been a game-changer.

Having tasted the benefits, the Jin-Sui Army will certainly not hesitate and will soon come to me to purchase more goods.

We're looking to get some skilled workers for Xiao Li's side, so let's finalize that deal sooner rather than later.

“This is just one of them,” Wu Yaohan said. “The high-ranking officers of the Jin-Sui Army and the high-ranking officers of their own faction are in secret contact.”

"The secret contact between the high-ranking officials on both sides, could it be that they are plotting to seize our border region's arsenal?" Zhang Wanhe knew exactly what kind of people the high-ranking officials on both sides were; they were all no good.

“They might use the pretense of sending troops to gain your trust,” Wu Yaohan said incisively. “I judge that their initiative to send troops is definitely not to help, but to find an opportunity to attack us from behind while the Japanese are sweeping through us, and to take their eyes on our border region's arsenal.”

"Trying to take over our border region's arsenal? It's not that easy," Zhang Wanhe scoffed. "I know how to deal with the Jin-Sui Army now."

The Jin-Sui Army most likely wants to use this opportunity to communicate with me in order to find out the location of the border region's arsenal.

Ok.

no problem.

I'm currently setting up a fake arms factory here, and I can consider giving you some clues about the Jin-Sui Army.

When the Japanese army is led to the fake arsenal, your allied forces will follow. Then we'll see how the Japanese army feels when they fall for the trap and become angry, and you become their punching bags.

Jingle Bell!
The telephone on the table rang.

Zhang Wanhe picked up the phone: "This is Zhang Wanhe."

A few seconds later, Zhang Wanhe said into the phone, "Okay, I understand. I'll be there soon."

After the call ended, Zhang Wanhe put the phone back on the shelf and said to Wu Yaohan, "Yan Kai is in a hurry. He wants me to come over right away to discuss the deal."

“In that case, don’t delay any longer, go over there quickly,” Wu Yaohan said. “Just have your men give me the prisoners.”

"No rush, no rush," Zhang Wanhe waved his hand and said, "Anyway, it's Yan Kai who's in a hurry right now, not me. It doesn't matter if he waits a little longer."

"Alright then." Wu Yaohan took another sip of water, chatted with Zhang Wanhe for a few more minutes, and then Zhang Wanhe said, "By the way, have you received any news about Fujita Ichiji?"

Zhang Wanhe communicated with Brigade Commander Chen of the 386th Brigade and learned that the natural gas plant was taken down without bloodshed thanks to Fujita Ichiji's timely provision of crucial intelligence.

The bullet production equipment that the border region's arsenal was first equipped with was also a "kind" gift from Fujita Ichiji.

Such a precious treasure, his news can't just disappear into thin air.

"Not yet." Wu Yaohan shook his head and then said, "But don't worry, I've already given the order. As soon as Fujita Ichiji shows up again, we'll definitely lock onto him and won't embarrass ourselves."

Our intelligence department still holds the secrets of those high-ranking Japanese officials provided by Fujita Ichiji. Our assassination squad successfully killed those high-ranking Japanese officials, and that's Fujita Ichiji's weakness.

Fujita Ichiji is like a kite; we must hold the string tight.

"Hmm." Zhang Wanhe nodded, smiling expectantly, "I wonder which department Fujita Ichiji will be working for in the Japanese army next?"

“Fujita Ichiji has connections and influence. If he moves to another department, he’ll definitely be in an important one,” Wu Yaohan said confidently. “Minister Zhang, don’t overthink it. Fujita Ichiji might just give us a huge surprise.”

"That's right, that's right, hahaha." Zhang Wanhe laughed heartily.

After chatting with Wu Yaohan for a few more minutes, Wu Yaohan stood up and said, "The interrogation is urgent, I have to go back quickly."

“Okay.” Zhang Wanhe nodded and saw Wu Yaohan out the door.

Outside, the intelligence team had already completed the handover of the prisoners with the logistics team, and Wu Yaohan took the people away.

Zhang Wanhe didn't rush to see Yan Kai immediately. Instead, he finished up his work first before leisurely heading over to the appointment.

Taiyuan First Army Headquarters
"Your Excellency Commander, a telegram from Commander Okamura."

An aide came over and handed Yoshio Shinotsuka a newly arrived telegram.

Yoshio Shinotsuka found it strange. If Commander Okamura had anything to say, he could have just called him directly. There was no need to send a telegram.

However, seeing that the telegram was encrypted, Yoshio Shinotsuka judged that this information was definitely not suitable to be said over the phone.

After dismissing his advisors, Yoshio Shinotsuka placed the telegram before him.

Upon reading the contents, Yoshio Shinotsuka paused, exclaiming, "Damn it! That damned Xue Yue!"

It turns out that the loss of Taiyuan Airport resulted in insufficient air power.

Furthermore, with some Imperial Army troops from the Ninth War Zone shifting towards the Second War Zone, Xue Yue seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

The situation in the Ninth War Zone is unstable. Commander Okamura has ordered Yoshio Shinozuka to send the troops and other resources that should be reinforced in the Kumamoto Division to aid the Ninth War Zone.

After a moment's hesitation, Yoshio Shinotsuka quickly issued the order.

The situation in the Ninth War Zone is very important. If Xue Yue breaks through there, his troops may be able to advance into the Second War Zone.

This would also be detrimental to the situation in the Second World War zone.

Therefore, Yoshio Shinotsuka only restored the Kumamoto Division to its original structure, and transferred the rest to the Ninth War Zone, including reinforcements drawn from the Kwantung Army.

"When we sweep away the Eighth Route Army, we can draw two more brigades from the First Army, plus the puppet troops, and that will be enough to deal with the Eighth Route Army," Yoshio Shinotsuka pondered.

The reason why the sweep failed was mainly because that damned idiot Kitano Chuuji lost the logistical supplies of the sweeping army.

Another task was to escort the tungsten ore that had been seized back, which slowed down the army's advance.

Although the army suffered heavy losses, fortunately a quarter of its troops were still saved.

The tungsten ore that was salvaged is also en route back to China.

This time, as long as logistical supplies are not lost again and tungsten ore does not slow down the army's speed, the Eighth Route Army's mere three divisions, along with their own rabble, can be wiped out without any problem.

boom!
Suddenly, Yoshio Shinozuka's door was pushed open, and a staff officer rushed to him, handing him an urgent telegram: "Commander, this is an urgent telegram from the 29th Brigade."

When Yoshio Shinotsuka saw the staff officer's posture, his heart skipped a beat. Could it be that something had happened on Kawashima's side?

When Yoshio Shinotsuka grabbed the urgent telegram and looked at it, he almost couldn't catch his breath.

Hell Missile!

It's that damn Hellfire missile again!
With the assistance of aircraft, the Kawashima Brigade destroyed three heavy artillery pieces of the Jin-Sui Army. Seeing that victory was in their grasp, they pressed their advantage and pursued the Jin-Sui Army.

Unexpectedly, they were ambushed by a Hellfire missile fired by the Jin-Sui Army.

Kawashima's command post was destroyed, and Brigade Commander Kawashima was killed on the spot, along with Kitano Chuji.

The situation has reversed, and the Jin-Sui Army is now hunting down the remnants of Kawashima's army.

Without hesitation, Yoshio Shinotsuka grabbed the phone on the table and quickly requested air support from the remnants of Kawashima's army.

Of course, due to the shortage of aircraft, Yoshio Shinozuka was only able to apply for ten flights.

Yoshio Shinotsuka said to the staff officer in front of him, "Send a telegram to the 29th Brigade immediately. The plane will be there soon. Have them withdraw with the assistance of the plane and stop fighting the Jin-Sui Army."

Remembering something, Yoshio Shinotsuka continued, "Send Uenomura and Hojo Naoki's tank regiment to meet them."

Uenomura and Hojo Naoki's tank regiment suffered heavy losses from the Eighth Route Army, with their tanks being severely damaged.

However, if these two forces were combined, they could still provide support for the retreat of the 29th Brigade.

After all, the Jin-Sui Army did not have rocket launchers.

"Hai." The staff officer quickly left.

"Damn it! Those damned Eighth Route Army bastards actually secretly provided the Jin-Sui Army with Hellfire missiles!" Yoshio Shinotsuka slammed his fist on the table and cursed. "Just wait, I'll soon have Kumamoto launch a sweep, and I'll definitely get the technology for those Hellfire missiles."

Although the Hellfire Missiles were extremely hateful, Yoshio Shinotsuka was also keenly aware of their value.

This thing has inflicted heavy losses on the Imperial Army several times, which is enough to prove its battlefield value.

If the Empire could acquire the relevant technology, it could produce even more Hellfire Missiles.

This can be launched without cannons, requires very little logistical support, and is more conducive to the expansion of the empire.

Jingle Bell!
The telephone on the table rang, untimely.

Yoshio Shinozuka composed himself and picked up the phone: "This is Yoshio Shinozuka."

"Commander, I've been unable to make routine contact with the logistics and natural gas arsenal. I sent someone to check on the natural gas plant, only to find that it has vanished into thin air at some point." The angry voice of Military Police Chief Uemura Tomohisa came through the phone.

Tomohisa Uemura was the head of the military police, so the disappearance of the natural gas plant didn't really concern him much.

After all, the military police's duties were to supervise military discipline, maintain local security, and arrest anti-Japanese personnel, while this natural gas plant was under the control of the logistics department.

As for why Uemura Tomoyuki was angry, the reason is quite simple.

Because his business had grown to this point, he secretly stole a lot of natural gas and was selling it for money.

The demise of the natural gas plant will affect Tomohisa Uemura's business and his ability to make money.

Upon hearing this, Yoshio Shinotsuka was immediately dumbfounded: "Baka! Uemura, what does it mean that the natural gas plant has vanished into thin air?"

“It means it’s gone,” Uemura Tomoyuki cursed. “My men told me that the natural gas plant seems to have been dismantled.”

"It was dismantled?" Yoshio Shinotsuka paused, then scolded, "You idiot, are you sure you're not talking nonsense? A natural gas plant isn't a military train; it can't be dismantled so easily. Besides, there's Keiji Hojo with his men guarding it. Are those hundreds of Imperial Army soldiers there all idiots who just stood by and watched the enemy dismantle the plant?"

I can accept that the military train simply vanished from the railway, because there's little risk in dismantling a train.

This natural gas plant is a dangerous facility; the pipelines and tanks are filled with hazardous gases.

Even the slightest spark could cause a spectacular explosion.

These Chinese people, how could they handle this dangerous gas and dismantle the factory without anyone noticing?

Bullshit!

"Commander, I don't believe the Chinese could do that either, but it's a fact." The angry yet helpless voice of Uemura Tomoyuki came through the phone.

"Investigate! Uemura Tomoyuki, you're the military police chief, you need to find out the truth as quickly as possible!" Shinozuka Yoshio roared. "Once I find out who did it, I will definitely..."

Uemura Tomohisa interrupted Shinotsuka Yoshio: "Commander, neither the Jin-Sui Army nor the elite troops have the capability for rapid, clandestine transportation. Judging from this, it's highly likely the Eighth Route Army was behind it. Moreover, didn't the Eighth Route Army recently produce a military industry expert? This person is extraordinary; he must understand natural gas, which is why..."

Before Uemura Tomoyuki could finish speaking, Shinotsuka Yoshio was so angry he felt like his lungs were about to explode: "Baka! It seems you have a point. It's highly likely that it was these damned peasants who did it."

Slamming the phone receiver down on the shelf, Yoshio Shinotsuka yelled like a pig being slaughtered: "Go and urge Commander Kumamoto to carry out the sweep operation as soon as possible! Those damned Eighth Route Army guerrillas, I can't wait a second longer! We must uproot them as quickly as possible and get back everything we've lost! Baka, baka, baka!"

"Hayi!"

……

(End of this chapter)