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

"Indiscriminate... shelling?"

Both Iseki Ren and Shinotsuka Kazuo were terrified by Adachi Nyuzo's insane plan.

Adachi Twenty-Three, however, grew increasingly excited as he spoke: "That's right, it's about indiscriminately shelling He County!"

"If one day isn't enough, bombard for two days! If two days aren't enough, bombard for three days!"

"Until the Eighth Route Army troops inside the city surrender, or... all of them are killed!"

"In this way, we can capture He County with minimal infantry casualties while simultaneously deterring all resistance forces to the greatest extent possible!"

"Let all Chinese people see the utterly miserable end that comes from resisting the Imperial Japanese Army and General Okamura's will!"

"This is what a truly effective 'counter-terrorism' operation looks like!"

"Good!!" Iseki Ren was the first to cheer, his face contorted with ferocious excitement.

"Anda-kun's plan is exactly what I wanted! Let's crush all resistance with the iron torrent of the empire! Let's see who among those Chinese will dare to shelter the Eighth Route Army in the future!"

"That's right! Rather than letting soldiers fill the gaps with their flesh and blood, we should plow the land with cannonballs!" The other officers echoed.

This plan could avoid heavy infantry casualties, make full use of the Japanese army's firepower advantage, and achieve a terrifying deterrent effect. It was simply "perfect"!

As for whether there are still civilians in the city who have not been evacuated?

In the eyes of these high-ranking Japanese officials, it was utterly insignificant!

After Nanjing, such concerns were long forgotten.

Efficiency and deterrence are what they pursue.

Shinotsuka Kazuo finally nodded slowly.

"Adachi-kun's suggestion is excellent! Let's proceed with this plan!"

"Immediately order all artillery regiments to assemble at their designated firing positions! Ammunition supplies must be fully replenished! The First Army's directly subordinate heavy artillery units should also be mobilized immediately!"

"This time, I'm going to make He County disappear completely from the map!"

"Let this 'grand fireworks display' be a gift to General Okamura, and also... a sacrifice to wash away the shame of the regimental flag!"

The Japanese army's second plan was thus finalized—to shell He County!

Carpet bombing, indiscriminate artillery fire!

. . .

at the same time.

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

The principal, leaning on his cane, stood in front of a huge military map of North China, his gaze falling on the two characters "He County" that were specially circled in red.

Boss Dai stood by with his hands at his sides, reporting the latest intelligence in a low voice.

"Principal, the Japanese army's actions in North China this time are indeed unexpectedly large."

"Shinotsuka Kazuo's First Army, with two divisions deployed together, plus an independent mixed brigade, and countless puppet troops assisting... roughly speaking, the forces gathered around He County are probably no less than 100,000."

The principal frowned slightly and gave a soft "humph".

"100,000 troops... Even in the first Battle of Changsha, the Japanese only deployed this many troops. To use them to deal with a small county like Hexian, and a mere few thousand peasants... Okamura Yasuji really thinks too highly of them."

To be honest, even the principal was frightened by the commotion caused by the Japanese.

A full 100,000 troops!

It even surpassed some of the main battlefields.

Boss Dai continued, "However, I have some doubts! The Japanese have completed the encirclement for several days, yet there has been no strong attack on the city. This... doesn't seem like they intend to finish the battle quickly."

Upon hearing this, the principal was slightly taken aback at first, then a knowing sneer appeared on his lips.

"What's so hard to guess?"

The principal walked to the sofa and sat down, his fingers tapping habitually on the armrest.

"It's nothing more than the old trick of besieging a point to attack reinforcements! He County has become a piece of fat meat, and also a hedgehog; it would be too costly to bite into it head-on."

"The Japanese are very cunning. They're waiting for other Eighth Route Army units to emerge from the mountains and walk right into their trap! This way, they can both deplete the Eighth Route Army's manpower and take He County more easily—a win-win situation."

Boss Dai immediately feigned sudden realization, bowed slightly, and put on an admiring smile:

"Principal, your insight is truly remarkable! You see things clearly! I was dull-witted, but after your guidance, I have finally understood!"

He had obviously seen through the Japanese soldiers' intentions long ago, but that didn't stop him from offering a perfectly timed compliment.

In front of the principal, sometimes being "dull-witted" is safer and more effective than being "shrewd."

"It's been seven days already."

The principal stopped looking at Boss Dai and turned his gaze back to He County on the map, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

"Any movement from the Eighth Route Army? Have their reinforcements arrived yet?"

"Reporting to the principal," Boss Dai shook his head, "It's unusually quiet! Apart from the initial two units, the New First Regiment and the New Second Regiment, joining He County, there are no signs of large-scale mobilization of the other main forces of the Eighth Route Army."

"It seems that the Eighth Route Army... has no intention of sending troops to rescue us."

"Oh?" The principal raised an eyebrow, then his sneer deepened. "As expected! Two full-strength divisions—not to mention the Eighth Route Army, even if they were placed on the main battlefield, my Central Army would have to be cautious and avoid their sharp edge."

"With their broken guns and cannons, what can they possibly use to save us? They'll only increase the casualties."

"Those Eighth Route Army soldiers are cunning in battle, but they're definitely not stupid! It seems they're planning to make a tough decision and abandon He County."

The principal was not surprised by the Eighth Route Army's "pragmatic" choice, and was even somewhat pleased.

After all, it's always a pleasant thing to see your "biggest threat" driven to the brink by an even more hateful enemy.

"Oh, right," the principal suddenly remembered something, his eyes sharpening.

"Last time you mentioned that the mysterious figure 'Shen Mingyuan' gave the Eighth Route Army a batch of new equipment, especially those powerful tanks and artillery. Is it confirmed that they are still in the county town?"

"Is it possible that the Eighth Route Army has already secretly moved away?"

This is one of the issues he truly cares about.

The power of those weapons can be glimpsed from the limited descriptions in the battle reports.

Whoever gets them is far more important than the gains or losses of a county town.

Boss Dai was prepared and replied confidently, "Don't worry, Principal! Our people have verified this from multiple sources and can confirm that the equipment is still in the county town and surrounding hidden areas."

"The Japanese moved too fast, their encirclement was too swift, and the Eighth Route Army...didn't even have time to evacuate most of their belongings!"

Initially, that equipment was intended for guarding He County and the arsenal, but the Japanese actions were unexpected by the Eighth Route Army, and they didn't have time to move it.

"Good! Very good!"

A genuine smile finally appeared on the principal's face, and he even clapped his hands gently.

"Thank goodness they didn't leave! Thank goodness they didn't leave!"

His mood suddenly improved.

Those incredibly powerful weapons were better destroyed by the Japanese during the siege than left in the hands of the Eighth Route Army.

Even if... it ends up in the hands of the Japanese, in the principal's eyes it's better than it falling into the hands of the Eighth Route Army!

With the current situation, surrounded by an army of 100,000, He County is trapped and cannot escape.

Those equipment were destined to be either destroyed or changed hands; in any case, they would no longer strengthen the Eighth Route Army.

"The Eighth Route Army has probably lost both its wife and its troops this time."

The principal leaned back on the sofa, his tone relaxed, as if he were enjoying a good show that had nothing to do with him.

"Keep a close watch on the situation, and report to me immediately if anything changes."

The principal waved his hand, indicating that Boss Dai could leave.

In his view, the fate of He County was already sealed, and there would be no more "surprises".

Right now, all he wants to do is watch the show!