Chapter 48: The Decision of the Headquarters Leaders, The Little Japanese Concoct a Conspiracy at Lugou Bridge

June 1937.
Yan'an.

"Take a look at this. This is the intelligence transmitted from the Wutai Mountain base."
"Su Changqing is truly a man of remarkable foresight!"

The chief at the headquarters took a drag from his cigarette and tossed the telegram in his hand to another chief.

"July?"
"How could Su Changqing's judgment pinpoint such a precise timeframe?"

The other chief asked with a hint of astonishment after reading the analysis provided by Su Changqing on the telegram.

"Su Changqing's strategic vision has always been extraordinarily precise."
"Based on my judgment, these Japanese devils will likely launch an offensive against the northern Hebei region right around this timeframe."
"Moreover, the possibility of a simultaneous two-front offensive mentioned by Su Changqing is extremely high."
"Nanking is close to Shanghai, and the Japanese naval forces have no rivals in East Asia."
"Yet, the Japanese possess one fatal flaw: a severe lack of resources."
"There are quite a few pro-Japanese factions within the Nationalist Party. If they can swiftly capture Shanghai, Nanking, and other key areas..."
"There is a distinct probability they could coerce the Nationalist Party into surrender, thereby reaping the maximum benefit at the minimal cost."

The headquarters chief placed his hands on his hips and looked up at the huge map of East Asia hanging inside the cave dwelling.

"Is that why Su Changqing repeatedly mentioned the idea of rushing to reinforce Nanking in his telegram?"
"Yet!"
"Since the Japanese are preparing to launch a two-front offensive, the ultimate objective of resisting the war can be achieved whether we fight in Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei or in Nanking!"

The other chief asked with a trace of puzzlement.

"Do you remember the Liukou Massacre and the Jinan Massacre?"
"In my view, Comrade Su Changqing's analysis is extremely sound."
"Even though the Japanese have constantly been learning from Western nations—emulating them in politics, economics, military affairs, and even culture—"
"this still cannot change the militaristic nature of their system under the autocratic rule of the Emperor."
"To put it in Western terms, the Japanese are nothing more than a horde of uncivilized barbarians."
"For such a horde of barbarians, once war is unleashed, they will inevitably choose unbridled slaughter to showcase their formidable might."
"If an inhuman and brutal massacre must be unleashed upon a single city in the Great Xia nation,"
"then Nanking is the most suitable place."
"The Japanese choose Nanking precisely because they wish to terrorize our Great Xia nation, forcing us to surrender out of fear."

The headquarters chief took another drag from his cigarette, plunging into deep thought.

"It seems you agree with Su Changqing's analysis and judgment as well?"
"However, I do have some good news that reached us today: the negotiations between our delegation and the Nanking side have achieved a breakthrough progress."
"Ending the civil war and jointly resisting the foreign aggression have also become a shared consensus."
"During the talks, an extremely interesting thing happened, though."
"That person in Nanking mentioned Comrade Su Changqing on multiple occasions."
"It appears that the man in Nanking still cannot let go of this favorite pupil of his!"

Upon hearing this from the chief, the headquarters chief burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
"How many people can ever truly forget someone they desired yet could never attain?"
"Besides, during this period, under the leadership of Comrade Su Changqing, the First Red Column has indeed achieved remarkable results."
"It is entirely natural for that person in Nanking to be preoccupied with this."

Hearing the headquarters chief's loud laughter, the other chief asked, "Then how do you plan to reply to Su Changqing's request?"

The headquarters chief fell silent for a moment, then raised his head to gaze into the distance.

"If this tragedy is bound to happen, then no matter how capable Comrade Su Changqing is at creating miracles, he will most likely be unable to turn the tide."
"After all, the strength of an individual is limited."
"Comrade Su Changqing might even plunge himself into a desperate situation."
"However, if this event is destined to occur, then as a party member, knowing full well that it will happen and yet remaining indifferent out of principle..."
"that would be a betrayal of the country and the nation."

The headquarters chief took a fierce drag of his cigarette; even for him, making a decision was immensely difficult.

"It seems I must find an opportunity to have a thorough discussion with Comrade Su Changqing."
"For now,"
"I cannot make any decision."
"Perhaps once I meet with Comrade Su Changqing, he will help me arrive at the best possible decision."

The headquarters chief took a deep breath of his cigarette, his profound gaze seemingly piercing through layers of fog to behold the ultimate answer.
In truth, the headquarters chief already had his answer in mind.
Perhaps he merely wanted to witness the depth of determination possessed by Su Changqing, who had put forth this proposal.
Beyond that!
The Battle of Nanking would be a trial where nine out of ten died and only one survived.
Watching one's comrades plunge into perilous danger, perhaps never to return—
even an iron-willed titan would hesitate for a fleeting second.

...

Fengbei.

"Baka yaro!"
"How on earth did such a faction suddenly emerge in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei region of the Chinese?"
"In just a short span of time, they have taken control of one hundred thousand square kilometers of land in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei region and more than fifty counties."
"Prior to this, these Chinese troops even wiped out a cavalry squadron of our Great Japanese Empire."

Okamura Neiji, who had been prematurely appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese North China Area Army, cursed furiously.

"Your Excellency, General Okamura."
"According to intelligence obtained by our agency, this force belongs to the Chinese Red Army."
"They are known as the First Red Column."
"Their military commander is Su Changqing, a graduate of the fourth cohort of the Whampoa Military Academy."
"The reason this unit's strength expanded so rapidly in such a short period is presumably due to weapon support from the Polar Bear Empire."
"Currently, a large number of M1910 Mosin-Nagant rifles have appeared among the ranks of the First Red Column."

A staff officer of the Japanese North China Area Army closed a file and reported to the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese North China Area Army, Okamura Neiji.

"A graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy?"
"The Chinese Red Army?" Okamura Neiji's brows furrowed tightly.
"The Chinese are merely a group of weak worms, not worth mentioning."
"The Polar Bear Empire has repeatedly aided the Chinese"
"solely to bolster the military strength of the Chinese and obstruct our Great Japanese Empire from conquering Great Xia."
"Without the support of the Polar Bear Empire, the Chinese Red Army is utterly insignificant."

Okamura Neiji shifted his gaze toward the Chahar Province region.

"Once His Majesty the Emperor approves the military's operational plan,"
"the Imperial Japanese Army must capture Chahar Province at the very earliest opportunity."
"Cut off the connection between the Chinese Red Army and the Polar Bear Empire."
"Without the support of the Polar Bear Empire, the Chinese Red Army will crumble at a single blow."

If it weren't for the fact that an Imperial Japanese cavalry squadron had been completely annihilated in the Chahar region, Okamura Neiji would not have cast even a shred of attention toward the suddenly rising Wutai Mountain base in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei area.
Right now, his focus remained firmly fixed on Peiping, on the North China region, and on the Lugou Bridge!

"Colonel Doihara!"
"Look, the Lugou Bridge!"
"If a soldier of the Great Japanese Empire goes missing from the ranks during military exercises..."
"And our Imperial North China Area Army seizes the opportunity to demand permission to search the city..."
"Would that not serve as an excellent pretext?"

Okamura Neiji asked, grinning hideously as he looked toward the Japanese head of the special service agency, Kenji Doihara.

"Yoshi!"
"Yoshi!"
"Splendid, absolutely splendid!"
"Hahaha..."
"Hahaha..."

The two Japanese devils looked at each other and burst into loud laughter.