Snow Leopard: Building the Strongest Elite Group through Robbery

Hirata Ichiro listened to his breathing for a while before taking over his words.

"Are you trying to say that Yamashiro got involved in this matter?"

Yes.

Terauchi Hisaichi nodded slightly; that was exactly what he meant.

Did the mountain city play a role in the Empire's victory in the Northern Soviet Union? In fact, they might even bear a great deal of responsibility.

“I did participate; I asked Zhou Weiguo about it before.”

"What did he say?" Terauchi Hisaichi asked, increasingly feeling that the situation was becoming more and more complicated.

Hirata Ichiro sighed and said, "That battle was initiated by the 4th Division, and the 4th Division bravely and invincibly dealt with the North Soviet Army with almost no pressure. Don't you think there's a problem?"

Is it possible for a nobody to suddenly become so brave and skilled in battle?

"Why did they do that?" It seems like the Battle of Wuhan had just ended, or even earlier; they were probably still dealing with the Empire's offensive at that time.

"I don't know," Hirata Ichiro said, looking at him. "Why don't you ask him later?"

Kaifeng, the headquarters of the 14th Division.

Tani Hisao quietly looked out the window at the street. In March, this would be a sunny day in the south, but in Kaifeng, the chill had not yet subsided. Even though he was wearing a military overcoat, he could still feel the cold wind blowing in through the window.

With a loud boom, a sliver of white light appeared on the horizon.

Tani Hisao looked over.

Thunder rumbled. The thunder grew more frequent, and in the distance, a large, dark cloud appeared, growing increasingly dense. It seemed that before long, this thick cloud layer might engulf the entire city of Kaifeng.

"It's thundering." Tani Hisao crossed his arms and lit a cigarette.

The adjutant, Fujita, smiled and said, "The spring thunder is a good thing for Yamashiro. It seems that a bright sunny day is just around the corner, and the Independent Brigade may be tricked."

Hisao Tani turned to look at Fujita without saying a word.

He hoped so, but he was also very worried.

He wasn't worried about other people facing him, but the enemy was an independent brigade.

The independent brigade itself is not scary; what is scary is its command structure.

He was unwilling when General Headquarters appointed him as a division commander. He knew very well what had happened to Prince Asaka, Matsui Iwane, and himself after that incident.

He didn't believe that Yamashiro had spared him back then; rather, he was simply not there at the time, otherwise he would have died anyway. For years, he had lived a life of secrecy, hoping Yamashiro would never see him. He just wanted to live out his life in peace. Therefore, even if he were transferred to the Central China Group as a minor commander, he would have no regrets; he didn't want to go to the front lines again.

However, all his plans were ruined by that idiot Togo Heiichiro, who destroyed him far too thoroughly.

He was transferred here with just one order.

He refused, but the Prime Minister's Office, the General Headquarters, and the Royal Family all said they would protect his safety.

He came to this place because he had no other choice.

After arriving, he was filled with anxiety, worried that the other party would retaliate against him.

He hadn't had a good rest these past few days. Sure enough, the other side retaliated, but fortunately, their plans were effective, and he had also made some adjustments. So everything was safe.

"Commander-in-Chief," Uei approached him from outside; "It's been several days. Don't you think it's time to withdraw our forces?"

Ever since those people's heads were cut off and hung on the city wall, the military police and plainclothes officers, along with Zhou Weiguo from Jiujiang, have surrounded the area, waiting for the other side to come and retaliate.

However, there has been no response from the other side, which suggests they are unlikely to return. Since they won't come back, shouldn't the talks be called off? After all, this prolonged waiting is unbearable for anyone. Some people below are already dissatisfied with this situation.

“Let’s wait and see.” Tani Hisao turned to look at Uei; “I know them too well. Those people hate me to the core. Maybe they’re waiting for another opportunity.”

Ue's lips twitched. To be honest, when he heard that Tani Hisao was to be the division commander, he felt a surge of confidence.

The 14th Division had already suffered significant negative consequences in two battles due to Togo Heiichiro's command errors. The enemy didn't attack because they were afraid of exposing themselves and being intercepted by our side.

Originally, the situation had stabilized. As long as the attacks from the left and right flanks went smoothly, the Independent Brigade would naturally withdraw accordingly. But who would have thought that at such a critical moment, the higher-ups would make such a foolish decision?

Hisao Tani's appointment as division commander is like adding fuel to the fire.

With so many combat officers in the Empire, he refused to believe that they couldn't find a suitable person to serve as commander and insisted on having Tani Hisao.

What's the difference between this and adding fuel to the fire?

He understood the superior's intention: to exploit the Independent Brigade's hatred for Tani Hisao to induce them to make a wrong judgment.

However, the enemy did not fall for it. Although some of their troops came over, their main force did not move at all.

What is this called?

They've already thrown out the bones, and now the person just won't come.

If they don't come, it means they've figured out what the headquarters is thinking.

They've figured it out, but that doesn't mean they'll give up on their revenge against Hisao Tani.

The problem now is that Hisao Tani has made some adjustments, and the headquarters has also taken precautions. Will the Independent Brigade, which suffered losses, swallow this insult?

Absolutely not. They are waiting for an opportunity, and once they seize it, they will vent their resentment towards Hisao Tani on the 14th Division.

The 14th Division can't stay in Kaifeng forever; the city can't remain outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense forever.

They have plenty of time.

"Commander, we've all been exhausted for days on end. If we continue like this, something bad will happen."

If you're afraid of dying, you shouldn't have come in the first place. You're afraid that once you came, you'll be worried that the other party will deal with you.

How could they not punish you? The things you did back then, not only do the people of Shancheng hate you, but many people in the empire also hate you. Because of this, how many people in Kyoto and your hometown were killed for you?

What? Things have finally calmed down, and now you're starting to cause trouble for the 14th Division? What good will it do you to keep making a fuss here?

“Just in case.” Tani Hisao lit a cigarette and looked at Shikai. “You should know that he has a method that is extremely shameful but we cannot deal with it.”

Nani?