Black Flag Army

After boarding the Kaga warship, Kamio Mitsuomi shouted at Kato Masayoshi with an angry face: "Our navy of the Empire of Japan has more than 60 warships! And the Akagi is in the middle of the fleet, and there are so many warships escorting it! What on earth are you doing with these outer warships? You actually let the enemy fire torpedoes directly into the center of the fleet! This is simply a great shame! The captains of the outer defense escort ships should commit seppuku immediately to apologize!"

Facing Kamio Mitsuomi's roar, Kato Masayoshi had an indifferent expression. He responded calmly: "General, please calm down. In fact, the ship that attacked the Akagi was not an ordinary warship or torpedo boat, but a submarine. Submarines can sneak underwater and are difficult to detect, so they pose such a great threat to us. In the world war that just ended not long ago, German submarines sank countless ships from Britain and France."

Kamio Mitsuomi asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Don't we have any other way?"

Kato Masayoshi frowned and said in a heavy tone: "Of course there is a way, that is to use submarines to fight submarines. If we now have a hundred submarines underwater, we can definitely effectively defend against the opponent's attack. However, our fleet currently has only three submarines! This is really too few." He sighed helplessly and then said: "Due to the serious lack of naval funds, we are unable to increase the number of submarines. I heard that this is because your army has taken too much military funds."

Kamio Mitsuomi was furious when he heard what Kato Masayoshi said. He widened his eyes and angrily retorted: "Mr. Kato, you are shirking your responsibility! Our army is fighting on the front lines, so we need a lot of military funds to support the war. But you navy can't go ashore, but you are complaining about insufficient funds! Humph, I think you are just a bunch of cowards who are afraid of death!"

Kato Masayoshi stood up suddenly, his face turned very ugly, "General Kamio, how can you talk like that? Our navy is also serving His Majesty the Emperor and the country! If there is not enough military funding and submarines, how can we resist the enemy's attack?" The two men were tit-for-tat and refused to give in to each other. The scene was once extremely tense.

At this moment, an adjutant rushed over and interrupted their quarrel. "Report to the two commanders-in-chief, we just received news that our transport fleet was attacked by a Chinese submarine ten nautical miles off the south coast of Sakhalin Island! Five transport ships sank, and more than a thousand Imperial Army warriors sank into the sea." Kamio Mitsuomi and Kato Masayoshi were stunned. They looked at each other and realized that the situation had become increasingly serious.

"Immediately order the escort fleet to use depth charges to sink the Chinese submarine! At the same time, strengthen the vigilance of the surrounding waters!" Kato Masayoshi issued an order. Kato Masayoshi gritted his teeth and secretly vowed to find a way to solve the military expenditure problem and strengthen the strength of the Japanese Navy.

Di Xiong was in Hanbing City, the largest city on Sakhalin Island at this time. It was originally called Smi City, but Di Xiong thought the name given by the Russians was not good, so he changed the name to Hanbing City, of course, to commemorate his sworn brother Leng Hanbing who died. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the second largest city on Sakhalin Island, was also renamed Xiuling City.

In the evening, the sun sets and the afterglow shines on the building of the temporary headquarters in Hanbing City, giving people a sense of tranquility and solemnity. However, the atmosphere inside is extremely tense. Di Xiong and Jiang Hongyu sit in the conference room, listening carefully to the report of their subordinates.

An intelligence officer stood in front of them and said solemnly, "Report to the Commander-in-Chief! Chief of Staff! The previous intelligence was wrong. The Japanese army's invading army this time is more than 80,000. According to the latest intelligence analysis, the 18th Division alone has as many as 50,000 people, and the 6th and 15th Divisions have more than 20,000 people each. The actual number of enemy troops is about 100,000. Do we need to increase our forces to deal with the enemy's attack?"

Di Xiong shook his head and said, "We are the defending side. We have six divisions with about 72,000 people, plus the second-line security force of more than 7,000 people, close to 80,000 people, which is about the same as the Japanese army. Why do we need to increase the number of troops?"

Jiang Hongyu said: "In order to avoid heavy casualties in our army, tank units and napalm bombs will be used when the Japanese army lands."

Di Xiong nodded in agreement. He gave orders to his staff: "Notify the troops in various places immediately and be ready to reinforce the Red Beach beachhead at any time. In addition, strengthen the construction of fortifications and improve the morale and training level of the soldiers. We must hold on to this land and make the enemy pay the price!"

Everyone agreed in unison and took action. Di Xiong and Jiang Hongyu's eyes were full of determination and they would lead the army to fight a life-and-death battle with the Japanese army.

Another communications staff officer said, "News came from the front that the Japanese flagship Akagi was sunk by a torpedo fired by our submarine Kitaling, and hundreds of Japanese sailors were buried in the sea. Another four submarines sank five transport ships, drowning more than 1,200 Japanese soldiers. However, the Japanese ship later used depth charges, and two of our submarines were damaged. Commander Deng ordered all submarine formations to retreat to the port to avoid the limelight and repair the damaged boats."

Di Xiong said, "Well done! The navy won the first battle, but it was right to retreat without taking credit. Our battle with the Japanese is mainly on land. Order Air Force Commander Gu Yuan not to bomb the Japanese ships yet, but let them go ashore. We need to destroy more Japanese troops on land. I want them to come ashore but not go back."

Jiang Hongyu said: "The Japanese army has more than 500 fighter planes, and we only have more than 300. We are at a disadvantage and it is not advisable to dispatch too early. If the Japanese army dispatches planes to bomb first, we will use anti-aircraft guns to deal with them first. When the Japanese army enters the Red Beach position, the Japanese planes will have almost consumed their gasoline and will be eager to return. Then our planes will be dispatched to chase them and fight them."

After the meeting, Di Xiong announced that the command center would move forward to Baiyang Town, Xiuling City, which was closest to the Japanese landing point and only three kilometers away from the Red Sand Beach.

It was six in the morning, and the sky was just beginning to light up. The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was already turning pale, casting a hazy glow over the earth.

"Kill them!" A Japanese major battalion commander waved his command knife and shouted wildly on the red beach. His voice resounded throughout the battlefield, inspiring the soldiers behind him to move forward bravely.

Groups of Japanese soldiers in yellow uniforms came down from the landing rubber boats, their expressions tense but full of fighting spirit. They took firm steps and rushed towards the Black Flag Army positions behind the Red Beach. The Japanese warships at sea began to fire their guns to cover the army's attack.

At the same time, Japanese bombers were also circling in the sky, dropping bombs from time to time, causing the Black Flag Army's positions to be covered with flying dirt and dust. These bombers became an important support force for the Japanese offensive, putting the Black Flag Army in a passive situation. Although Japanese planes fell one after another under the attack of ground anti-aircraft guns.

However, the Black Flag Army was not intimidated. They held their positions in the bunkers, which were covered with thick steel plates, and fought back with their weapons. Despite the bombing and artillery fire, they still resisted stubbornly and showed their indomitable fighting spirit.

Some Japanese soldiers fell on the way to charge under the shooting of the Black Flag Army in the bunker. Other Japanese soldiers rushed to the front of the trench by chance and found that there were no Black Flag Army in the trench, only some burnt scarecrows. It turned out that the scarecrows were blown up by Japanese planes and naval guns. The machine guns in the bunker were spitting out flames crazily. The Japanese soldiers had no time to hide and fell down in rows. Snipers aimed at the officers and shot them. The officers were shot in the head and fell in a pool of blood.

In a five-story building in Baiyang Town, they all stood on the fifth floor. Only from here could they see the battlefield. Jiang Hongyu put down the telescope and said to Di Xiong: "Commander-in-Chief! The beach is full of Japanese troops, at least 30,000. The air force and tank units can be dispatched, otherwise the Japanese will cross the bunkers and go deep into the territory."

Di Xiong held up the telescope and looked ahead, saying, "I said I won't interfere with your command. Give the order!"

Jiang Hongyu said to a communications staff officer: "Order the artillery division commander Wang Shitou to immediately open fire on the Japanese troops on the Red Beach, and order the Air Force Commander Gu Yuan to dispatch four squadrons of fighters to destroy or drive away the Japanese planes, and then dispatch three squadrons of bombers carrying napalm bombs to bomb the transport ships and rubber boats on the coast, and then turn around and bomb the Japanese troops on the Red Beach."

He then said to another communications staff officer, "Order the tank regiment commander Zhang Wei to lead the tank regiment to attack. Be careful of the soft beaches on the seashore, as they will trap the tanks. Do not go too close to the seashore. Order the fleet commander Deng Haoxiong to lead the three undamaged submarines to attack again. Target the enemy flagship Kaga. Destroy as many warships as possible!"

The staff officers started to make phone calls. Jiang Hongyu suddenly saw Di Xiong picking up a sniper rifle and walking out. He hurried forward to stop him and asked, "Where is the commander-in-chief going?"

Di Xiong smiled and said, "I am the supervisory officer. Now that the battle has begun, of course I have to go to the front line to take a look!"

Jiang Hongyu said nervously, "Commander-in-Chief, this is already the front line. You should command and supervise the battle here. Don't go any further!" Di Xiong replied disapprovingly, "How can this be considered the front line? The real front line should be where the bunkers and trenches are!" Jiang Hongyu frowned, muttered to himself, and said suspiciously, "I don't think you are here to supervise the battle, but you are itching to go and snipe, right?"

After hearing this, Liu Zhennan and Li Hanyong, the guards behind Di Xiong, couldn't help but smile at each other. Liu Zhennan said to Jiang Hongyu with a joking look on his face: "Chief of Staff Jiang, you are overreaching! You are the Chief of Staff, but what right do you have to restrict the personal freedom of our commander-in-chief?"

Liu Zhennan also wanted to follow Di Xiong to the front line to show off his skills. Jiang Hongyu was pushed aside by Liu Zhennan, but just as Di Xiong took a step, he was grabbed by the shoulder by someone behind him and could not move. Di Xiong looked back and saw that it was his secretary Huo Qingtong. Huo Qingtong said seriously: "Commander-in-chief, you are not a sniper now, you can't go. You are not only the commander-in-chief of the Black Flag Army, but also the leader of the Justice Party and the supreme ruler of the three northern provinces. If something happens to you, neither Wu Juzi nor Lan Juzi can replace you. The three northern provinces will fall into chaos and will not be able to resist the powerful enemies of Japan and Russia."

Di Xiong struggled hard for several times, but failed, because Huo Qingtong's hand was like an iron clamp, making him unable to move. Liu Zhennan rushed over to help Di Xiong, but was kicked to the ground by Huo Qingtong, and he was sweating in pain. Li Hanyong and other guards arrived later. They were afraid of Huo Qingtong's skills, so they didn't dare to help easily. After all, Huo Qingtong was once a candidate for the head of Jingwu Sect, and his martial arts skills were not comparable to ordinary people.

At this time, Di Xiong asked angrily: "Who ordered you to stop me?" Huo Qingtong replied calmly: "This is the order of the madam! Since I have made a promise to the madam, I must do it no matter what!"

Di Xiong frowned and said loudly: "Whose guard are you? Mine or Lan Jinchun's? How can you treat me like this? You are simply rebelling!" His voice was full of anger and disappointment.

Huo Qingtong anxiously shed tears. She cried and said, "Commander-in-Chief, you can order my execution, but as long as I am alive, I will stop you from taking risks. This is not only because of my wife's instructions, but also for the sake of more than 10 million soldiers and civilians in the three northern provinces!" Her tone was firm and sincere, which moved people.

Jiang Hongyu on the side couldn't help but persuade him: "Commander-in-Chief! I understand that you are eager to avenge Commander Leng and Director Bai, and even want to kill a few Japanese yourself to vent your anger. But please don't forget the responsibility on your shoulders! Think about it, is your knowledge not even as good as that of a small guard?" Although his words were a bit harsh, they were full of concern.

Di Xiong sighed and said to Huo Qingtong, "Let go! I'm not going."

Huo Qingtong breathed a sigh of relief and let go of her hand. Her face was covered in cold sweat as she had been very nervous just now.

On the Red Sand Beach, the Japanese army found that the transport ships and rubber boats on the beach were on fire due to the bombing of aircraft. They were horrified and turned around to flee to the beach to fight for the remaining transport ships and rubber boats. The Japanese army fell into chaos. The Black Flag Army's artillery shells rained down on them, and the Japanese army was blown to pieces. The Black Flag Army rushed out of the underground tunnels and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese army in the moat. The Japanese army who were besieging the bunker were caught off guard and were stabbed to the ground in batches. Under the command of front-line commander Feng Anbang, the Black Flag Army eliminated the Japanese troops in the moat, and then set up light and heavy machine guns to fire at the Japanese troops on the Red Sand Beach. The surviving Japanese soldiers fell down like wheat being cut.

A Japanese brigade commander, Hattori Jiro, drew his command sword and said to his men, "The retreat is cut off. We have no choice but to fight forward, for the Emperor! Kill them!"

Thousands of Japanese troops, under the command of Jiro Hattori, rushed towards the unstable position of the Black Flag Army. After half of them were killed or wounded, they actually broke through a gap. The Japanese troops rushed to the rear of the Black Flag Army along the gap and headed straight for Baiyang Town. The news reached the commander of the army group, Feng Anbang, who was shocked. He knew that the headquarters was in Baiyang Town! He hurriedly dispatched a division of troops and led them in person, and handed over the front-line commander to the deputy commander Zhu Anbang.

As time went by, more than a thousand Japanese soldiers had already attacked the fifth floor. They were aggressive and very strong. At this time, a fierce battle broke out with the guard troops of the general headquarters.

Di Xiong looked at the fierce battle scene in front of him, his eyes flashing with determination. He said to the people around him: "You can't blame me for shooting now, right? The Japanese army is right at our doorstep!" There was a hint of determination and resoluteness in his words.

Jiang Hongyu and Huo Qingtong looked at each other in silence, but at the same time they drew their pistols without hesitation and fired at the Japanese soldiers downstairs with Di Xiong. Their eyes revealed a courage to face death and their determination to defend this Dalou.

Di Xiong held a telescope and carefully observed the Japanese soldiers downstairs. Suddenly, he noticed one of the figures - Hattori Jiro, whose highest military rank was a major general. A strong killing intent surged in Di Xiong's heart, and he quickly raised the rifle in his hand and aimed at Hattori Jiro.

"Bang!" A clear gunshot sounded, and the bullet instantly hit Hattori Jiro's head. His head suddenly exploded, blood splattered everywhere, and his body fell powerlessly into a pool of blood.

Di Xiong tightly gripped the sniper rifle in his hand, muttering to himself: "Xiu Ling, Han Bing, did you see it in heaven? I killed a Japanese major general with my own hands and avenged you." His voice was full of sadness and anger, and his eyes were blurred with tears.

This shot was not only to avenge his dead relatives, but also to protect the dignity of the headquarters building. Di Xiong knew that this war would be extremely cruel, but he firmly believed that as long as he was still alive, he would never let the Japanese succeed.