You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

"What?!"

"The regimental flag?"

This time, the principal could no longer remain calm and abruptly stood up from his chair.

"Are you sure? Is the information reliable?"

He knew all too well the significance of the regimental flag!

That was the Japanese devils' spiritual totem, a humiliation far worse than losing a division!

Since the start of the War of Resistance against Japan, they have never captured a single regimental flag!

"Reporting to the principal, the information has not been fully verified yet. The Eighth Route Army has kept this matter under tight control, and only a very small number of high-ranking officers know about it."

"Our people can only infer based on some unusual movements and the level of secrecy, and cannot confirm it with 100% certainty."

The principal slowly sat back in his chair, his brows furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the table.

The night raid on He County, which resulted in the defeat of the main force of the Japanese army in ten minutes, is not impossible given such an incredible feat.

The principal was very clear about the course of the battle in He County.

In such a lightning-fast attack, it is entirely possible that the Japanese soldiers did not have time to burn the regimental flag.

In addition, there was the unusual information blockade imposed on the Eighth Route Army...

Suddenly, the principal smiled.

"Regardless of whether the Eighth Route Army actually captured the flag or not..."

"We must make it appear as if it has been captured, and as if it has been captured in a way that is known to the world!"

Boss Dai was taken aback, not quite understanding: "Principal, you mean...?"

The principal smiled slightly and said slowly, "Immediately notify all the newspapers under our control to use their front page headlines, in the most eye-catching large print, with the most detailed information, to report extensively on the 'good news' of the Eighth Route Army's surprise attack on He County, their unprecedented victory, and their glorious capture of the Japanese regimental flag!"

"We must create a huge buzz! We must let the whole nation know, we must let the whole world know!"

"This is another glorious victory for our Republic of China army outside the main battlefield! It is a great feat to strike a blow against the arrogance of the Japanese invaders!"

Boss Dai finally understood what the principal meant.

This is an open conspiracy!

Moreover, it was a well-intentioned scheme that put both the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese in an extremely passive and uncomfortable position!

If the Eighth Route Army had actually captured the regimental flag, such a public announcement would surely have prompted the Japanese to retaliate at all costs, and the military pressure on the Eighth Route Army would have been unprecedented.

Unless they publicly state that they did not seize anything, but that would be incredibly embarrassing!

What's even more interesting is that, regardless of whether it's true or not, this propaganda will greatly provoke the Japanese high command, especially Okamura Yasuji, who has just succeeded Tada Shun as commander of the North China Area Army!

Tada Shun has been transferred back to headquarters, and his successor is none other than Okamura Yasuji, the former commander of the 11th Army of the Central China Area Army!

Okamura is not that good-for-nothing Tada Shun.

The Battle of Wuhan, the Battle of Nanchang, the Battle of Changsha, the Battle of Suizao... all were fought by this man!

"The principal is brilliant!" Boss Dai praised sincerely.

"The principal's plan is ingenious, killing several birds with one stone; the students admire it!"

The principal gave a soft hum and leaned back in his chair.

"Okamura Yasuji... he caused us a lot of trouble in Central China!"

"Now that he's gone to North China, it's just the right time for the Eighth Route Army to... give this 'China expert' a good headache."

"Pass down the order and execute it immediately! I want the whole city to be filled with this 'victory report' by tomorrow morning!"

"Yes! I'll take care of it immediately!"

Boss Dai solemnly accepted the order and quickly left the office.

. . .

The next day.

As dawn broke, the clear calls of newspaper vendors echoed through the streets of cities in the rear areas, including Chongqing and Chengdu, which had not yet fallen.

"Breaking news! Breaking news!"

"A stunning victory! A great victory in North China!"

"The 18th Group Army launched a night raid on He County and recovered lost territory!"

"The 18th Group Army descended like a divine force, annihilating an entire Japanese regiment in one fell swoop!"

"Breaking news! Our valiant soldiers have captured a Japanese regimental flag! This has brought glory to our nation!"

……

Newsboys waved newspapers with still-wet ink and frighteningly large headlines.

Pedestrians were drawn to the unusual commotion and stopped to watch.

"Kid, one serving, please!"

"I want one too!"

"Really? Let me see!"

The newspapers were quickly snapped up.

Those who bought the newspaper eagerly unfolded it, and the huge, bold black headline on the front page immediately caught everyone's eye:

Thunderclap in North China! The 18th Group Army achieves a triumphant surprise attack, recapturing He County and killing over 6,000 enemy soldiers!

A first in national history! Our loyal and valiant soldiers fought valiantly and captured the flag of the 36th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese pirates!

A Major Aerial Victory! North China Air Defense Forces Display Divine Power, Shooting Down Ten Enemy Aircraft in One Day!

These ordinary people didn't know what the regimental flag meant, but that didn't matter, there was a newspaper editor there.

He gave a thorough explanation of the importance of the regimental flag to the Japanese.

The streets and alleys instantly erupted in excitement!

"My God! An entire regiment! That's three or four thousand Japanese soldiers! And they were just wiped out like that?"

"The regimental flag! Presented by the Emperor himself! And we actually captured it! Hahahaha! That's satisfying! That's fucking satisfying!"

"Ten years! Since the Japanese devils came in, when have we ever heard such good news! It's so satisfying! It's so satisfying!"

"The Eighth Route Army... I always thought they were just guerrillas fighting in the mountains, I never imagined... I never imagined they were such good fighters!"

"Well done! You're all great!"

Excitement, ecstasy, disbelief, triumph... a torrent of emotions erupted like a volcano.

Many people were moved to tears, especially those who had fled from the occupied territories and experienced the tragedy of their families being torn apart; they wept uncontrollably.

At the school, students spontaneously gathered together.

"Students, this is not just a military victory, but also a victory for the indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation!"

"It proves that the Japanese invaders are not invincible! As long as we unite as one and fight bravely, we will surely drive the robbers out of our homeland!"

"Unite to resist the Japanese invasion! Reclaim our lost territories!"

"Long live the Chinese nation!"

……

To be honest, if the Eighth Route Army hadn't possibly captured a regimental flag, the principal wouldn't have made such a fuss!

But in any case, this was indeed an exhilarating victory!

The news spread like wildfire across the country at an alarming rate, thanks to deliberate efforts from the city authorities.

Not only in the Kuomintang-controlled areas, but also in the occupied areas through various channels.

Even the international community took notice, with major news agencies forwarding the news.

The whole country was shocked!

Shocked the world!

. . .

Beiping.

Northern Area Army Headquarters.

The newly appointed commander, General Okamura Yasuji, had a grim face.

"Baka yarou!"

He had only been in office for less than five days, and before he could even sort out the relationships within the headquarters, he received this shocking and devastating news!

The North China Army actually lost a regimental flag?

Is this okay?

"shame!"

"An unprecedented disgrace!"

Of course, Okamura was also wondering if Yamashiro was up to something.

This guy is a true China expert!

"A calculated scheme! This is a calculated scheme by the Chinese!"

Soon, Gangcun realized that whether it was Shancheng causing trouble or the Eighth Route Army had actually captured a regimental flag, none of that mattered anymore!

The important thing is that now the whole world knows that the Imperial Japanese Army has lost a regimental flag!

He, Okamura Yasuji… must respond!

"Immediately send a telegram to the First Army Commander, Kazuo Shinotsuka..."