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

On the official road leading to Kaifeng City, north and south of the hills, traffic was heavy and the 41st Infantry Regiment was marching in a grand procession.

Because it was located on the eastern Henan plain, with flat terrain and good road conditions, the Japanese army adopted a three-column formation for convenient and rapid marching.

Leading the charge was the 2nd Infantry Battalion, followed by the Supply Company, Mountain Artillery Company, Rapid-Fire Artillery Company, and the Regiment Headquarters, with the 3rd Battalion bringing up the rear.

The first brigade led the way, with high slopes on both sides and a low middle section. Small mounds could be seen everywhere, and the alluvial plain was full of gullies. There was not a single mountain in sight for dozens of miles around.

Colonel Hashimoto sat upright on his tall horse, with Senior Staff Officer Major Yasui beside him, the two exchanging casual words:

"Yasui-kun, in your opinion, will Zhao Yunwen defend Kaifeng to the death?"

After finding something readily available in Lanfeng, Colonel Hashimoto seemed to have a different kind of expectation for his trip to Kaifeng.

Major Yasui analyzed in a very serious manner:

"Commander Kuoxia, the main force of the Yudong Corps has gradually withdrawn to the west of the Pinghan Railway, and the Nationalist government of China has abandoned the Yudong Plain."

The 107th Division's mission is merely to cover the rear. Zhao Yunwen will not engage the Imperial Army in a deadly battle. As long as my 41st Regiment appears on the flank of Kaifeng, creating a three-pronged attack, the 107th Division will surely abandon the city and flee.

"Yoshi, Yasui-kun's analysis is spot on. Kaifeng is under attack from both the east and north by the Imperial Army and has reached its limit."

"Tell the warriors to quicken their march and deliver a fatal blow to Zhao Yunwen as soon as possible!"

Colonel Hashimoto was in high spirits, as if victory was within his grasp. The Lanfeng Campaign was nearing its end, and the 14th Division had been tackling tough challenges; now it was their turn to reap the rewards.

"Boom boom boom..."

A volley of shells came whistling from the depths of the loess hills to the side, exploding in the valley and cutting the long line of artillery in half. Colonel Hashimoto's warhorse was startled and almost threw him to the ground.

Major Yasui, a man of great experience and knowledge, cried out in terror:

"Imperial mountain artillery, and 105mm heavy artillery; at ten o'clock, that's the 107th Division's artillery regiment!"

Colonel Hashimoto broke out in a cold sweat. He knew better than anyone what the appearance of the heavy artillery group meant. His worst fears had come true, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

Shells rained down in rows, dozens of shells fired simultaneously, almost covering the valley.

The long snake formation was blown to pieces, and the soldiers fled in all directions, with panic spreading among them.

There was no shelter in the valley; even lying on the ground wouldn't help, as the shockwave would kill you.

Dozens of cannons bombarded the ground, and even the most elite infantry would be slaughtered. The Japanese soldiers of the 41st Regiment became lambs to the slaughter.

Colonel Hashimoto finally managed to reunite with the two battalion commanders, but they didn't have many men with them combined.

The troops had been scattered by the bombing, and the battalion commander could not contact the company commander or control the soldiers.

Everyone was fleeing for their lives. A company commander brandished his military knife and slashed several people before finally dying under the bayonet of a veteran soldier.

The bugle call rang out loudly, and the shouts of battle shook the heavens. Colonel Hashimoto, his face ashen, pulled out his pistol and fired two shots into the head.

Fate played another trick on him; the Nambu pistol jammed, and Major Yasui seized the opportunity to grab the gun and yell at him:

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war; suicide is an act of cowardice. Break out and rejoin the 38th Regiment!"

Colonel Hashimoto suddenly realized that the 107th Division had ambushes on both the north and south flanks, leaving no way to advance. Fortunately, the 38th Infantry Regiment was following behind them and could provide support.

Thinking of this, Hashimoto, as if suddenly grasping at a straw, screamed wildly:

"Quickly, move towards the 38th Regiment!"

At this moment, the ambushers hidden in the loess hills emerged, and thousands of soldiers charged into the valley like tigers descending the mountain. The 322nd Brigade began to close in.

At the same time, the cavalry regiment, having completed its assembly, also increased its speed, charging towards the fleeing soldiers like an overwhelming tide, their gleaming sabers sending chills down one's spine.

Colonel Hashimoto's desperate howl:

"Damn it, the Chinese cavalry have blocked our retreat! What do we do?!"

Major Yasui was at a loss. The ambushes on both flanks were already a headache, and now thousands of cavalrymen had appeared to block his way.

Cavalry groups are the nemesis of fleeing troops; only they dare to confront them head-on. Their high-speed galloping warhorses will crush the fleeing soldiers into dust.

Colonel Hashimoto was very glad that he had not brought the regimental flag. Ever since the regimental flags had been involved in one incident after another, the Japanese soldiers had become more cautious and had left all their regimental flags at the division headquarters.

As long as the division headquarters is there, the military flag will remain.

Without the constraints of the military flag, Colonel Hashimoto immediately ordered a dispersed breakout. Although the military orders were not clearly communicated, this represented an attitude.

After the cavalry regiment appeared, the 41st Regiment scattered like birds and beasts, and whether they could escape was up to fate.

Two kilometers away, the 38th Infantry Regiment, which had come to reinforce the area with all its might upon hearing the commotion, was blocked by the Independent Regiment.

The Japanese were extremely anxious, but their strength had already been reduced by more than half, and they were no match for the well-equipped Independent Regiment in field battles.

After the Independent Regiment soldiers moved into position, they set up defenses on the spot, with all machine guns and artillery set up. They faced the 38th Infantry Regiment head-on, with no way to retreat.

The 38th Regiment also arrived hastily, and after changing from a column to a line, it charged towards the Independent Regiment's position, instantly overwhelming the machine gun emplacements.

The two infantry battalions of the Independent Regiment lined up on the left and right, with hundreds of light and heavy machine guns in a row, firing wildly at the surging tide of Japanese soldiers.

Bullets swept through like a storm, and the Japanese soldiers fell to the ground like ripe wheat, their offensive abruptly halted.

The Independent Regiment's 3rd Battalion was deployed on the second line, with the artillery company on the right flank. More than a dozen cannons bombarded the Japanese, suppressing the 38th Regiment so they couldn't raise their heads.

The 38th Regiment really wanted to rescue the 41st Regiment, but they belonged to two different divisions and had some selfish motives. Their bottom line was that they couldn't risk their own lives as well.

The 107th Division had deployed blocking forces in advance. The two sides had similar troop strength and firepower. The Independent Regiment was on high alert. The 38th Regiment would normally pay twice the price for a strong charge.

The commotion caused by the cavalry regiment reached the 38th Regiment, and Colonel Sukekawa fell silent. They had suffered a great loss before and were still wary.

The senior staff officer also said in a deep voice:

"Commander, the Chinese came prepared; they are determined to swallow up the 41st Infantry Regiment."

Even if we manage to break through the Chinese infantry's resistance, how can we stop the advance of the cavalry?

Colonel Sukegawa snorted coldly:

"We can't just stand by and watch the Hashimoto Regiment be annihilated!"

"Commander, there are several thousand Chinese troops fighting a blocking action. We have done our best, and there is no way we can just stand by and watch."

"Yoshi, Zhao Yunwen is cunning, leaving some warriors to deal with the cavalry counterattack."

Send a telegram to General Kunisaki requesting tactical guidance!

Colonel Sukegawa finally faced reality and passed the buck to the nominal commander, Kunisaki Noboru.

As for the fate of the Hashimoto team, let them pray for the best!

East of Kaifeng, fierce fighting raged. Kunisaki Noboru eagerly awaited the arrival of the southern detachment. The chief of staff stumbled in:

"General, something terrible has happened! The Hashimoto Regiment has been ambushed by the main force of the 107th Division in the Tubogang River Valley and is in imminent danger."

Hashimoto sent a farewell telegram, requesting tactical guidance!

Kunisaki Noboru was struck dumb, and roared:

"Baka yarou! Isn't the main force of the 107th Division in Kaifeng? Where did this new main force come from?!"

Where are the allied forces supporting Sichuan? Why aren't they sending reinforcements?

The senior staff officer answered tremblingly:

"General, the Chuan Brigade has also sent a telegram requesting reinforcements. They are being blocked by thousands of Chinese soldiers, who are equipped with more than a dozen heavy cannons and have a large number of cavalry to assist them."

Guo Qideng's Dao heart was almost broken. He even suspected that Zhao Yun could conjure soldiers from beans, allowing Kaifeng to withstand the attack of two combined armies, while still having the southern front free to "eat one and watch one".

"You bunch of good-for-nothings! You can't even fight when you see Zhao Yunwen! You've completely disgraced the Imperial Army!"

Kunisaki Noboru was still upset when the senior staff officer quickly reminded him:

"General, the Hashimoto Regiment is in imminent danger and needs immediate rescue!"

"Baka yarou, where am I supposed to get help?!"

Kunisaki Tomoya was like a skilled cook without rice; he only had an under-strength regiment by his side, which could arrive in two hours, while the others were too far away.

"General, we have no choice but to halt our offensive and head south to provide reinforcements. Hopefully, we can make it in time!"

The senior staff had proposed the optimal solution, leaving Kunisaki with no other choice but to loudly issue the order:

"Immediately halt the offensive and assemble troops for a rapid reinforcement. Also, send a telegram to the 16th Division requesting that they dispatch the 13th Mixed Brigade northward to attack the main force of the 107th Division from both sides and rescue the Hashimoto Regiment!"