Chapter 15: Mutual Remembrance

As the retreating Japanese soldiers stumbled back in disarray, slapping themselves level by level, the soldiers at the New First Regiment’s position hurried to aid the wounded and reinforce their defenses.

Zhang Dabiao gulped down several mouthfuls of water. “Everyone, make the most of your time to rest and replenish ammunition!”

At that moment, Li Yunlong ran over. “Zhang Dabiao! What’s the casualty situation?”

Zhang Dabiao’s face turned grave. “The Second and Third Companies suffered the heaviest losses, along with the First and Sixth Companies — more than a hundred comrades wounded or killed!”

Hearing the casualty figures, Li Yunlong’s weathered face darkened instantly. “Damn those little devils! They’re tough nuts to crack. I’ve really taken a hit!”

Although a one-to-one casualty ratio was considered respectable compared to other units, Li Yunlong was far from satisfied.

Despite all the preparations made beforehand, exploiting the enemy’s overconfidence and concentrating fire to catch them off guard, they had only managed a one-to-one casualty ratio.

Going forward, once the Japanese were prepared and their own ammunition ran low, fighting would become even more difficult. The thought pained Li Yunlong deeply.

The more it hurt, the angrier he became. When brave men meet on a narrow path, the boldest prevail. Damn fear — he was determined to wipe out these devils.

“Zhang Dabiao, I’m assigning the Fourth Company to you as well. You must buy enough time for headquarters and the field hospital to evacuate!”

“Hold the position at all costs. If you lose this ground, I’ll skin you alive!”

Zhang Dabiao was brimming with confidence. “Commander, just watch! Those devils won’t set foot past our lines!”

Li Yunlong nodded. “Ha! That’s the spirit I want!”

With that, Li Yunlong continued inspecting the front lines, checking on the wounded and rallying the troops. Since the New First Regiment had no political commissar yet, old Li had to juggle multiple roles.

Meanwhile, on the Japanese side, Major Fukuda’s face was ashen as he withdrew the slap he had just dealt the captain of the Fifth Company.

“Captain Koizumidera, I’m giving you two more hours. If you still can’t take the main position, prepare to offer your apologies to Tenko.”

Captain Koizumidera bowed respectfully. “Yes, sir! You can count on it, Commander!”

Fukuda waved his hand dismissively as Koizumidera hurried back to his unit.

Once back, Koizumidera roared orders to his officers: if they failed to take the position, everyone would commit seppuku to atone.

The Japanese forces pressed on relentlessly, regrouping and howling madly as they launched a renewed assault on the New First Regiment’s defenses.

This time, Captain Koizumidera sent every member of the company headquarters forward. “Move like rabbits! Tenko, advance!”

Over the next two hours, the Japanese exploited their superior firepower, launching wave after wave of charges against the New First Regiment. Several times, they even breached the defenses.

The fierce clashes saw the first line of defense change hands repeatedly.

As noon approached, the enemy surged forward once more. Zhang Dabiao shouted loudly, “Fix bayonets, everyone! Brothers! Charge!”

“Charge!”

“Comrades! Old Tian has avenged you!”

One soldier, ignoring the bayonet thrusting at him, pulled the pin on his grenade and charged straight into several Japanese soldiers.

All the troops fought fearlessly, drenched in blood, and finally repelled the enemy once again.

Amid the smoke and scorched earth of the battlefield, the New First Regiment’s soldiers hurried to repair their damaged defenses.

At the temporary headquarters of the Third Regiment, Sakata Nobutetsu lowered his binoculars with a heavy sigh as the Third Battalion retreated once more.

At that moment, Lieutenant Colonel Uramichi received a message from the communications officer and quickly approached Colonel Sakata.

“Report, Sir! The Brigade Commander is calling!”

Sakata, already suspecting the brigade commander’s displeasure at the delays, felt a surge of irritation. His tone was low as he said, “Speak.”

Uramichi read the message aloud: “According to reliable intelligence, your immediate enemy is the main force of the 129th Division of the Eighteenth Group Army. The North China Front Command orders your regiment to seize the enemy’s main position by noon and annihilate all defending troops!”

“Long live the Tenko Empire! Long live the Great Tenko Army!”

Sakata suppressed his frustration and responded tersely, “Understood!”

He had decided to deploy the Fifth Battalion as a reserve force to outnumber the enemy.

This decision did not sit well with Sakata, who prided himself on his elite status. Naturally, he became intrigued by the enemy force and its commander, who had so thoroughly embarrassed him.

To be fair, Sakata had to admit the enemy’s skill in positional warfare was remarkable. This was the first time he had been so interested in an opposing commander.

“Which Eighth Route Army unit holds the main position at Cangyun Ridge?”

Unfortunately, Uramichi could only reply, “The Eighth Route Army’s 129th Division.”

Sakata spun around sharply. “I asked which regiment of the 129th Division?”

Uramichi hesitated, lacking confidence. “That’s… unclear. So far, we have not captured a single prisoner.”

Sakata’s anger flared. “Baka! We’ve been fighting all this time and still don’t know who we’re facing?!”

The atmosphere grew awkward. They’d been fighting blindly, forced to rely on intelligence leaked by enemy allies to identify their foes. This smacked of incompetence.

Sakata quickly recovered and decided to flatter the enemy commander to salvage some pride.

“Uramichi, this Eighth Route Army unit is a master of tactics!”

With a tone that said, whether you believe it or not, I do, he elaborated, “I’m certain this Eighth Route commander is a veteran of defensive warfare!”

He went on to explain his reasoning: “Their circular defensive line is distinctive, especially the way they’ve combined trenches and foxholes with such precision!”

“The deployment of light and heavy machine guns is carefully planned! And, remarkably, they set up minefields in key locations in advance!”

“Our Fourth and Fifth Companies suffered heavy losses and were stalled because of those minefields.”

Sakata concluded, “This person is no ordinary opponent.”

Uramichi, ever tactful, applauded, “Excellent insight, Sir!”

Since he’d praised the enemy commander so highly, Sakata naturally ordered, “Tell our attacking troops to capture this person alive. I want to see what kind of man he really is!”

Uramichi gladly agreed. “Yes, Sir! Otherwise, if the regiment commander loses face, where would that leave me?”

Meanwhile, fate had a twist in store. The Japanese officer Li Yunlong had been obsessing over was also focusing his attention squarely on him. It was a perfect match—like a turtle eyeing a green bean.

But Li Yunlong had no interest in taking any Japanese officer alive. Right now, he only cared about Sakata Nobutetsu’s head and his command saber.

Taking advantage of the enemy’s momentary respite, Li Yunlong lay by the trench edge, binoculars raised, carefully studying the Japanese rear.

He felt his luck was shining brightly these days. It would be utterly unreasonable if he didn’t snag a prize this time.