Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

West of Yixian, at Nigangling, Major Kamei looked ashen-faced. There was still no news of reinforcements. Under immense pressure, the troops' morale was low and their spirits were wavering.

Lieutenant Captain Hoshino excitedly ran over to report:

"Good news! The regimental commander has led the main force to reinforce us. They should arrive on the battlefield in three hours at most. Just hold on!"

Major Kamei didn't seem as happy as expected, but said in a deep voice:

"My fear is that the Chinese won't give us time once they find out. Three hours is enough time for the Chinese to launch a full-scale attack!"

"King Kamei, this is better than being starved to death by the Chinese. The warriors have already built some simple field fortifications. If the Chinese want to force their way in, they'll have to break a few teeth. The Imperial Army is not to be trifled with either."

Captain Hoshino's face was flushed. Having been poisoned by the Bushido code for many years, he was not afraid of death. On the contrary, he believed that this was a perfect opportunity to serve the Heavenly Locusts. A true samurai should be proud of this.

If we define it by this standard, Kamei is not a true samurai. He did not want to die, and he was unwilling to miss this best era.

The Japanese pirates' millennia-long ambition was to invade and destroy China, seize its fertile land, and bid farewell to that barren island plagued by volcanoes and earthquakes.

A thousand-year dream is about to be realized, but who will be content with that?

Major Kamei, in high spirits, said:

"Hoshino-kun, send a telegram back to the regimental commander and tell him that our unit is in a very critical situation and is ready to serve His Majesty the Emperor."

These words sounded encouraging, but in reality, they were telling the regimental commander that if they didn't hurry, they would be annihilated by the Chinese; it was a veiled urging.

Captain Hoshino bowed deeply and said excitedly:

"I am willing to sacrifice myself for the holy war!"

After saying that, he slung his saber over his shoulder and strode away. Major Kamei looked at him as if he were an idiot—only a fool would be willing to sacrifice himself for holy war; it's better to be alive.

News of the Japanese reinforcements entering the mountains was quickly discovered by the 646th Regiment, and Regiment Commander Sui Youlan reported it to Qiu Fengzi:

"Brigadier, the reconnaissance company reports that the Japanese reinforcements have left the main road and are heading towards Nigang Ridge. There are at least 3 men and more than a dozen artillery pieces, which are being transported by mules and horses. They will arrive at the battlefield in three hours at most."

Qiu Fengzi's tactical objective of luring the Japanese into the mountains had been achieved, and he said to Commander Sui:

"Attack the Japanese soldiers inside the encirclement immediately, but be careful to strike the right balance; eliminate the Japanese soldiers while minimizing casualties."

The reconnaissance company conducted tiered harassment attacks, feigning an attempt to block enemy reinforcements, but they couldn't actually engage in combat; the reconnaissance company wasn't meant for positional warfare.

As the main force of Japanese reinforcements was about to arrive, the troops on the front opened the main road, allowing the remaining Japanese soldiers to join the main force. Then, they intercepted the Japanese at Nigang Ridge, provoking them to continue their attack.

Commander Sui seemed to have grasped some of the tricks of the trade and continued to ask:

"What if the Japanese troops manage to pick up their remaining soldiers and then retreat?"

"That's easy, just chase them down! The Japanese are carrying a lot of supplies and heavy weapons, they can't run fast. If necessary, we can feign defeat, abandon Nigangling, and lure the Japanese deeper into the mountains."

In the words of the division commander, "When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy retreats, we advance. We stick to them like glue, not letting them escape."

Commander Sui quickly said:

"Isn't this the Red Army's guerrilla warfare tactics? Won't it cause trouble for the division commander?"

Qiu the Madman said with a disdainful look:

"What about the Red Army's tactics? Is guerrilla warfare something only they can do? Anyone can use tactics. Back when we were in the five encirclement campaigns, the principal even made us learn guerrilla warfare and use it to defeat guerrilla warfare."

The division commander is now a favorite of the principal, and Commander Chen considers him his most trusted subordinate. Don't worry, use him boldly!

Commander Sui suddenly realized that they were now in the same boat as Zhao Yunwen, having long been labeled as part of Zhao Yunwen's faction. Their fates were intertwined, and their successes and failures were intertwined.

"Commander, I understand. It's not that I'm worried; I'm determined to follow you. If anyone dares to gossip about you, I'll be the first to object."

After Sui Youlan finished expressing his loyalty, he left because he had to go and command the battle against the Japanese. Qiu Fengzi was not on his person at all.

Since following Zhao Yunwen, he has become a major general and brigade commander in the army, commanding more than 10,000 troops. This is much better than when he was a colonel staff officer in the training corps with no real power.

There are many factions within the Nationalist government and military, so why can't Zhao Yunwen create his own under the Whampoa clique?

If Hu Shoushan can do it, so can Zhao Yunwen!

Qiu Fengzi was determined to become a key figure in this faction, just like Zhang Yi, Wang Guohua, and others. He was now a main force brigade commander and had the qualifications.

At Nigangling, the general offensive had begun. Shells rained down from both sides of the mountain ridge. The hastily constructed fortifications of the Japanese could not withstand the bombardment of more than a dozen artillery pieces. The trenches were leveled, and the Japanese soldiers hiding inside were either blown up or buried alive. Those who survived were simply lucky.

Major Kamei is tough enough to still be alive, but his eyes have lost their light.

He knew his time was running out, and the agony of waiting for the verdict was unbearable for most people, especially someone who did not want to die.

Captain Hoshino was the same; he wasn't afraid of death, but he couldn't bear such torment either, and roared with bloodshot eyes:

"Kame, fight the Chinese! The warriors of the Empire would rather die on the charge than be trapped and killed by the Chinese. They don't deserve it!"

"You bastard, you're not a true warrior. Dying is easier than living! As commanders, we have a duty to ensure that more warriors hold out until reinforcements arrive."

Kamei's words were so eloquent and respectful that even Captain Hoshino was moved, and he bowed deeply, saying:

"Kame-kun is right. True warriors are invincible! Reinforcements are on their way soon. Perseverance is victory."

"Yoshi, that's more like it. We still have over 100 warriors who can fight. As long as we stick together, we can survive."

Tell the warriors that reinforcements are on their way!

Major Kamei also resorted to making empty promises, little did he know that their survival until now was not due to divine intervention, but simply because the 646th Regiment had not yet decided to kill them all.

Outside the encirclement, the vanguard Hashimoto Battalion of the 39th Infantry Regiment had already arrived. They had broken through the reconnaissance company's layers of obstruction and had finally arrived on time.

The sounds of gunfire still echoed through the valley. Battalion Commander Koji Hashimoto shouted excitedly:

"Warriors, the Chinese are engaged! Only a few hundred meters left! Charge forward and coordinate with the surrounded warriors to wipe them out!"

"Thrust, thud!"

"Heavenly locust, how can you be so cruel!"

"Kill all the Chinese!"

Slogans came one after another, like they were on steroids, and the effect was indeed good. The Chinese who were besieging the Guijing Brigade were thrown into chaos and fled in panic to the mountain ridges on both sides, proving to be no match for them.

The commander of the 9th Company of the 3rd Battalion shouted as he fled:

"We can't hold on any longer, brothers—retreat!"

"Why are you still carrying around this junk? Just throw it all away!"

The brothers of the Third Battalion threw the captured equipment and supplies all over the ground, but all of these equipment were missing important parts, such as the bolt action, so even if the Japanese soldiers picked them up, they would be useless.

Captain Hoshino shouted excitedly:

"Kame-kun, the regimental commander is coming! We're saved! Thank goodness!"

Major Kamei breathed a sigh of relief, never expecting that he had actually won his gamble and would finally be spared the dreaded toilets in Yasukuni.

"Hoshino-kun, quickly organize the warriors to break out! I'm going to counterattack! Kill the chickens!"

The remaining soldiers of the Kamei Battalion were overjoyed, having just escaped with their lives. They followed Major Kamei and fought their way out of the encirclement, successfully reuniting with the Hashimoto Battalion.

At this time, the Third Battalion and the First Battalion, which were blocking the front, all withdrew to the mountains on both flanks, forming a standoff with the Japanese.

Major Hashimoto, who had just won a battle, was in high spirits and couldn't stop himself. He launched an attack on the left flank of the mountain.

The defending troops were caught off guard and their firepower was greatly reduced, barely managing to hold off the Japanese.

Hashimoto was not discouraged. He was waiting for the main force and artillery battalion to arrive. As long as the howitzers were set up, he would be able to defeat the defenders who did not even have fortifications.

The battle lasted for half an hour. Hashimoto's battalion captured the mountainside and drove the defenders to the summit, where their full strength was exposed.

The regimental headquarters then realized that Regimental Commander Takazo Numata had taken over command and was receiving a report from Major Hashimoto:

"Commander, there are fewer than two thousand Chinese who have retreated to the mountains on both flanks. They must have suffered heavy casualties in the previous battles and have consumed a lot of ammunition. I only need one charge to rout them!"

Numata Battalion commander said with satisfaction:

"Well done, Hashimoto-kun. You and Captain Nagata will each attack one side and finish the battle before nightfall!"