Chapter 6: Poverty breeds filial sons, and national calamity brings forth heroes!

The Chief of Staff hesitated for a moment. "Should we place a call to verify?"

"Oh?" Brigade Commander Liang raised an eyebrow. "Is the telephone line already connected?"

"Yes. As soon as the 358th Regiment's communications platoon heard we were coming to reinforce them, they connected the lines. They also mentioned that if we are to engage in coordinated operations, the flow of information is key..."

"That’s interesting." Brigade Commander Liang walked toward the field telephone. "Hello, get me the 358th Regiment headquarters."

[This is headquarters, please go ahead.]

"This is Brigade Commander Liang Jiantang of the 203rd Brigade. I need to speak with Colonel Chu!"

[Please hold...]

Sun Ming turned to look at Chu Yunfei. "Colonel, it's Brigade Commander Liang. He wants to speak with you."

Chu Yunfei set aside his binoculars and walked to the phone. "Hello, Brigade Commander Liang! How have you been lately?"

[Brother Yunfei, my forward observation post reported that you repelled the Japanese and puppet forces and even pursued them. Is this true?]

"Haha!" Chu Yunfei chuckled. "That is correct, Brigade Commander Liang. This victory serves as a promising start for both of us! The enemy has been pushed back over ten miles. I suggest you take this time to reinforce your frontline defenses; I expect them to return soon."

[Very well, I appreciate your advice, Colonel Chu!]

Brigade Commander Liang hung up the phone and turned to his curious Chief of Staff. "It is highly probable that it is true. Although I don't know Chu Yunfei well, the arrogance in his tone is unmistakable."

The Chief of Staff asked, "Brigade Commander, what are our orders?"

Liang clasped his hands behind his back, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, "Order the 427th Regiment to continue reinforcing the primary defense line. Until an order to retreat is given, they are to remain fixed on their positions, regardless of whether the Japanese attack or not."

"Yes, sir!"

Elsewhere, having hung up, Chu Yunfei refocused his attention on the battlefield. The cleanup was proceeding rapidly. Those who needed a finishing shot received one, and the bodies were being cleared. As for prisoners, the 358th Regiment had no use for them. Unless Governor Yan ordered them to capture Japanese soldiers, the enemy would be lucky to even leave a whole corpse behind.

Sun Ming approached Chu Yunfei and asked in a low voice, "Colonel, we fought quite well today. Should we report this to the Second War Zone Headquarters?"

"If Governor Yan does not call to ask, then follow the usual protocol: just send a simple telegram after seven o'clock tonight. If he does call to inquire, report the facts."

Sun Ming looked puzzled. "Colonel, is there more to it than that?"

"You must learn to grasp these things yourself. Look, Brother Ligong wouldn't ask such a question."

Fang Ligong, sitting before the tactical map, smiled. "Colonel..." Seeing Sun Ming's sincere desire to learn, he cleared his throat and said, "Governor Yan rewards and punishes clearly and is fair, but he dislikes people fishing for credit, especially at such a critical juncture. If the 358th Regiment reports its own merits, the Governor is likely to think we are exaggerating our achievements, which would be counterproductive for us."

Sun Ming sat to the side, lost in thought. A moment later, he whispered, "Chief of Staff, what do you think the Colonel is looking at?"

Chu Yunfei, back in his seat, set aside his binoculars. "I am watching what the soldiers on the front line are doing. Sun Ming, go notify the mess squad. Since it's getting dark, have them dig pits and get the stoves going—the men need a hot meal!"

"Yes, sir!"

...

Suzuki Shige-yasu suffered a heavy blow and immediately decided to lead his troops back to Datong to regroup.

"Brigade Commander, we have 437 casualties: 136 missing, 28 lightly wounded, and the rest are severely wounded..."

After a moment of grim contemplation, Suzuki decided to report the situation truthfully. "Send a telegram to Divisional Commander Itagaki. Our forces have encountered the main strength of the Chinese army near Ruyue Pass. We have suffered heavy losses and request time to reorganize. We will break through the Ruyue Pass line no later than... the day after tomorrow!"

He hesitated for a split second, then firmly repeated, "No later than the day after tomorrow, we will break through the Ruyue Pass and crush this elite Chinese unit!"

"Hai!"

To achieve his objective, Suzuki returned to Datong and immediately began gathering all available artillery, totaling about thirty pieces. These included sixteen 92-millimeter infantry guns and Type 41 mountain guns, with the remainder consisting of 90-millimeter mortars, which the Japanese considered infantry support artillery. A brutal battle was looming.

...

That evening, shortly after dinner, Chu Yunfei and his staff received a telegram from the Second War Zone asking for an update on the situation at Ruyue Pass.

At Chu Yunfei’s direction, Fang Ligong drafted a report detailing the elimination of over a thousand enemies and the capture of significant supplies.

Taiyuan, Second War Zone Headquarters. The facility was brightly lit, especially the confidential room, which was buzzing with activity. A new telegram reached the desk of Section Chief Liu Tao. A quick glance told him this was exactly what Governor Yan wanted to see. He hurried to the adjacent operations room, quickly adjusted his expression, and waved the telegram. "Governor Yan, good news!"

Governor Yan was standing before a sand table, his brows furrowed with worry as staff officers moved markers representing the opposing forces. He looked up. "Section Chief Liu, what news could possibly make you so excited?"

"Governor, the 358th Regiment has achieved a major victory at Ruyue Pass. They eliminated over a thousand enemies and seized countless supplies and ammunition..."

At the mention of Chu Yunfei, Governor Yan’s brow relaxed, his face showing surprise. But upon hearing of the thousand enemy casualties, he grew suspicious. "A thousand?"

"This report is corroborated by Brigade Commander Liang of the 203rd Brigade..." Liu Tao stepped forward and handed both telegrams to the Governor.

"In times of national crisis, heroes emerge. As the situation at the front continued to deteriorate, Yunfei stepped forward and struck a heavy blow against the Suzuki Brigade, eliminating over a thousand!" Governor Yan was ecstatic. "Everyone, look at this! This is our army, this is the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army!"

He ordered the telegrams to be passed around. "As long as Yanmenguan, Pingxingguan, and Ruyue Pass hold, our reinforcements can arrive. The Japanese will not find it easy to further invade our Shanxi! The battered Japanese will naturally know when to retreat, and Taiyuan will be saved!"

Just as the Governor was rejoicing, his confidant, Sun Cuiya, who had just returned from the front, whispered in his ear: "Governor, the troops attacking Ruyue Pass are the elite of the Kwantung Army, the 11th Independent Mixed Brigade. They are equipped with numerous artillery, tanks, and armored vehicles. The 358th Regiment lacks anti-armor weapons. Should we send reinforcements?"