One man's resistance against Japan, I mobilized a million people to aid Shanghai.

Outside Jinzhou City, the Japanese forward command post.

Inside a sturdy, semi-underground bunker, the atmosphere was completely different from the hellish atmosphere inside the city.

Army Minister General Terauchi Hisaichi, dressed in a crisp military uniform, the gold stars on his epaulettes gleaming.

He wasn't wearing a heavy gas mask like the soldiers on the front lines; he just had a pair of round-framed glasses perched on his nose and a steaming cup of green tea in his hand.

Standing in front of the observation port, I looked through the thick glass at the surging yellow-green clouds over Jinzhou in the distance.

His face radiated a satisfaction and excitement bordering on religious fanaticism.

"Did you see that, gentlemen!"

Terauchi Hisaichi's voice was somewhat shrill due to his excitement.

"Wang Lei is about to collapse!"

"Taking Jinzhou will open the door to the south. As long as the progress on the White Eagle side is smooth and they break through Zhu Ganglie's Pacific defense line, we can stab Zhu Ganglie in the back."

He turned around and looked at the group of officers and soldiers inside the bunker, as well as Shiro Ishii, whom he had specially invited.

Shiro Ishii, still dressed in his neat military doctor general uniform, stood in the shadows with that unsettling smile on his lips and gave a slight bow.

"Any strong fortification is futile in the face of special munitions."

Terauchi Hisaichi waved his arms, "Do the Chinese think they're safe just because they've hidden in the city?"

"Foolish! Our poison gas will seep into every street, every courtyard, every hiding rat hole!"

"Jinzhou is already a dead city."

An advisor promptly handed over the latest battle report.

"Your Excellency, the Fifth Division reports that they have breached the main breach in the eastern city wall and are advancing deeper into the city."

"The enemy resistance remains fierce, but their manpower is being rapidly depleted under the continuous coverage of poison gas."

"Our casualties... are also not optimistic, especially in the areas where poison gas remains, some units have suffered non-combat losses."

Terauchi Hisaichi waved his hand impatiently:

"Casualties? What war doesn't involve casualties!"

"For His Majesty the Emperor, for the Holy War of the Empire, a few sacrifices are honorable!"

"Tell the soldiers on the front lines not to be stingy with special ammunition!"

"Keep bombarding! Fill every inch of Jinzhou City with poison gas!"

He walked to the huge map of North China, pointed westward from Jinzhou, across Chengde, and towards Beiping.

"With the fall of Jinzhou, the gateway to North China was wide open."

"Chengde's morale collapsed yesterday due to the poison gas attack. Next, it will be Gubeikou, then Miyun, then... Beiping!"

His eyes were frighteningly bright.

"Zhu Ganglie's main force was tied up in the south, and Wang Lei's troops were firmly held back by us along the Jinzhou line."

"Once the Jinzhou-Chengde defense line is breached, the Empire's 500,000 loyal and brave soldiers will sweep across the North China Plain like a flood bursting its banks!"

"At that time, we and the Bald Eagle will be in the south and the north respectively, completely annihilating Zhu Ganglie and restoring the glory of the empire."

"The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is just around the corner!"

Terauchi Hisaichi's face was filled with fervor and boundless excitement.

A chorus of flattering voices rose from inside the bunker.

"Your Excellency's vision is truly remarkable!"

"May the Empire's military fortune endure!"

"God bless the Imperial Army!"

Terauchi Hisaichi was enjoying all of this, as if he could already see the Japanese flag flying over the walls of Beiping.

He took a sip of tea and said leisurely:

"Send a telegram to Headquarters and His Majesty the Emperor: The Battle of Jinzhou is progressing smoothly and the poison gas operation is highly effective."

"We expect to completely capture Jinzhou before noon today."

"The Imperial Army is about to begin a new chapter in the Holy War of Reconquest!"

"Hi!"

Terauchi Hisaichi walked over to Ishii Shiro, patted the doctor of death on the shoulder, and whispered:

"Ishii-kun, your invention is excellent."

"Once we take Beiping, I will personally petition His Majesty the Emperor for your reward."

"The Empire needs more scientific talents like you."

Shiro Ishii adjusted his glasses, bowed humbly, but his eyes behind the lenses were frighteningly calm:

"It is an honor for Ishii to serve His Majesty and the Empire."

"North China is just the beginning."

"We need more samples to produce more weapons to help the Empire dominate the world."

"Hahaha, yoshi! Sadaysu na!"

Terauchi Hisaichi laughed wildly and said:

"After conquering China, you can take whatever you want from its 400 million people."

"I think that with these 400 million samples, you can create the biological weapon you want."

Just as the command center was filled with joy, a hurried footstep interrupted Terauchi Hisaichi's pleasant reverie.

"Report!"

A communications officer rushed in, his face pale, clutching a newly translated telegram in his hand.

"Your Excellency! Urgent military news! Manchuria... Urgent telegram from Manchuria!"

"Manchuria?"

Terauchi Hisaichi frowned, somewhat displeased.

Manchuria is now a secure rear area; what urgent military situation could there be?

Could it be that the remnants of the Anti-Japanese United Army are causing trouble in the mountains again?

"read."

The staff officer took a deep breath, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly.

"Urgent report from the Kwantung Army Headquarters: At approximately 5:00 AM today, a large number of unidentified enemy troops suddenly appeared west of the Yalu River, along the line from Andong to Ji'an!"

"The enemy forces are extremely numerous, with initial estimates suggesting no fewer than 200,000!"

"Fully equipped and launching a fierce attack!"

"Our river defense troops were caught off guard, and multiple lines of defense were breached in an instant!"

"Currently, the enemy's vanguard has penetrated dozens of kilometers into Manchuria, and their advance is aimed directly at Fengtian!"

"The enemy doesn't seem to be a Chinese force; they are even more ruthless, capturing any imperial citizens and immediately beheading them."

"The garrison troops along the route are finding it difficult to resist. The Kwantung Army Headquarters has ordered an emergency mobilization of all available forces, but... but the situation is critical!"

"Requesting immediate reinforcement from the North China Area Army!"

"Repeating, requesting immediate assistance!"

"Clatter!"

Terauchi Hisaichi dropped the teacup in his hand and shattered it on the ground, splashing scalding tea and porcelain shards all over him, but he was completely unaware.

The bunker was deathly silent.

The officers and soldiers, who had just been immersed in the joy of conquering Jinzhou and looking forward to Beiping, were all struck dumb, their mouths agape and their faces filled with disbelief.

"Two hundred thousand enemy troops? Suddenly appearing on the Yalu River?"

A colonel exclaimed in disbelief, "How is this possible?! Wasn't Bai Qi's main force undergoing an unprecedented purification?"

"Even if troops were moved from the three Korean states, how could our reconnaissance aircraft and river defense posts have been completely unaware of such a large-scale crossing of the Yalu River?!"

Shiro Ishii's hand, which was pushing up his glasses, froze in mid-air. His signature cold smile vanished from his lips for the first time, and his eyes were filled with surprise and doubt.

"Bai Qi..."

Terauchi Hisaichi squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, then lunged at the huge map, pressing his finger firmly against the location of the Yalu River.

Then it moved westward, across the Manchurian Plain, and landed in Fengtian.

Fengtian!

There was the headquarters of the Kwantung Army, a huge arsenal, and mountains of supplies.

If this happens... it won't just be a problem for the war in North China; the very foundation of the empire's rule in Manchuria will be shaken, and His Majesty the Emperor may even be forced to "relocate the capital" again!

"Baka... Baka yakuro!!"

Terauchi Hisaichi slammed his fist on the map in a fit of rage, making the thumbtacks bounce around. "Bai Qi, that butcher!"

"How dare he... How could he..."

How could he have silently amassed an army of 200,000 in the Three Han regions, and crossed the formidable Yalu River like a ghost, penetrating straight into the empire's most vulnerable area?!

This doesn't make sense! This defies common sense!

Unless... unless Zhu Ganglie has resorted to some unknown evil means!

The thought of this possibility sent a chill down his spine.

"Your Excellency, Minister!"

The chief of staff remained relatively calm and said urgently, "A decision must be made immediately! The battle of Jinzhou is at a critical juncture. Although Wang Lei is at his last gasp, Fengtian is more important!"

"If Fengtian falls, even if our army achieves a breakthrough in North China, it will be like a tree without roots, and our rear will be in danger! We must immediately send troops back to reinforce it!"

"Splitting the troops?"

Terauchi Hisashi's eyes struggled as he looked at the marker representing Jinzhou on the map.

The city walls have been breached, poison gas is everywhere, and victory seems within reach...

How could he possibly give up now!

"Can we draw troops from other directions?" He clung to his last glimmer of hope.

"It's too late!"

The chief of staff shook his head. "The enemy's movement was too fast and too sudden!"

"Currently, the only troops that can be deployed most quickly for the defense of Fengtian are our forces on the Jinzhou front! Especially the elite Kwantung Army troops, who serve as a strategic reserve!"

Terauchi Hisaichi closed his eyes in anguish.

After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse.

"Order......"

"Order the 109th and 114th Divisions of the Kwantung Army to immediately withdraw from the Jinzhou front and return to Fengtian at full speed!"

"We must establish a solid defensive line before the enemy reaches the outskirts of Fengtian!"

He paused, then added, with a hint of wishful thinking:

"Furthermore, telegraph the Kwantung Army headquarters that this may be a feint by the enemy."

"Make sure they verify the enemy situation."

"Yes, sir!" The staff officer recorded the order and was about to turn around to relay it.

Sudden--

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Unexpected changes are occurring!