Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

In early November 1937.

After several days of waiting, Itagaki Seishiro was in a state of anxiety.

Today he finally received the notice to go to the headquarters.

The atmosphere inside the Japanese North China Front Command was solemn and excited.

General Terauchi Juichi sat in front of a huge battle map, the smoke from the cigar between his fingertips shrouding his face, which was slightly tired from days of hard work, in a hazy state.

His eyes, as sharp as an eagle's, were fixed on the area on the map that was surrounded by mountains and circled in a striking red mark: Shanxi.

"Itagaki-kun." Terauchi Juichi's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of subtle fatigue and determination: "Headquarters... agreed."

Itagaki Seishirō, who was standing opposite him, suddenly stiffened!

Immediately, an irrepressible ecstasy spread throughout the body like an electric current!

His face, which usually showed a sinister and calculating look, was now slightly red with excitement, and his eyes were filled with greed like a hungry wolf seeing its prey!

Straightening his back, Itagaki Seishirō used up all his strength to suppress the urge to roar, his voice trembling with excitement: "Hey! Commander!

I will live up to the Empire's trust! I will sweep Shanxi with lightning speed and open the southwest gateway for the Empire!

Terauchi Juichi slowly exhaled a puff of thick smoke, his eyes still fixed on the map: "The approval from the headquarters... is conditional.

First, the Shanxi Campaign must be concluded as quickly as possible! No dragging of the feet! It will affect the main battlefields of Pinghan and Jinpu!

Second, logistical support must be foolproof! Absolute safety must be ensured along the Zhengtai Railway!

The Third and Fifth Divisions, as the main vanguard, must capture Taiyuan before the end of October!

"Hey!" Itagaki Seishirō responded without hesitation, his eyes gleaming with absolute confidence. "Before the end of October, the Imperial Rising Sun Flag will fly over the walls of Taiyuan! If you violate this oath, you will be subject to severe punishment by military law!"

Terauchi Hisahi nodded, a complicated light flashing in his eyes.

He was well aware of Itagaki's ambitions and abilities, and also well aware of the risks of the Shanxi Campaign.

But the pressure from the headquarters, Itagaki's fanaticism, and the huge temptation of the "Mongol conquest of the Song Dynasty" path eventually overwhelmed his caution.

He picked up a document with a top-secret seal and handed it to Itagaki: "This is the battle plan finally approved by the front headquarters."

Itagaki Seishirō took the document with both hands, as solemnly as if it were a sacred object.

He flipped it open quickly, greedily scanning the text and diagrams.

The core of the plan was the three-pronged attack he had always dreamed of:

The northern route was composed of the Chahar Dispatch Corps of the Kwantung Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo, and was composed of the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, the 15th Independent Mixed Brigade, the Dike Detachment, and the Oizumi Detachment!

This "Mengjiang Corps" composed of the elite troops of the Kwantung Army will set out from the southern part of Chahar, advance westward along the Pingsui Railway, and launch a fierce attack on Datong, an important city in northern Shanxi!

The goal was to defeat the 61st Jinsui Army under Li Fuying's command, seize the Datong Basin, and open the gateway to northern Shanxi! Then, we would advance south along the Tongpu Railway and advance directly towards Xinkou! We would then form a pincer attack from both the north and the south with Itagaki's main force!

On the eastern route, the main force of the 5th Division, commanded personally by Itagaki Seishirō, and part of the troops of the Chahar Expeditionary Corps, served as the real spearhead!

Starting from Laiyuan, Hebei, crossing Taihang Mountains, and heading straight to northeastern Shanxi!

The goal is to defeat the 33rd Army of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army commanded by Sun Chu and seize Pingxingguan! Open the gateway to northeastern Shanxi!

Then, we will march along the Hutuo River Valley, through Daixian and Gangxian, and head straight for Xinkou! We will then join forces with the Northern Route Army! Finally, we will march south together and capture Taiyuan!

South Route: Part of the troops from the First Army of the North China Front Army, part of the 20th Division, and the 109th Division were transferred to advance westward along the Zhengtai Railway!

The goal is to contain Sun Lianzhong's 26th Army, Zeng Wanzhong's 3rd Army and other Chinese troops in the Niangzi Pass and Jingxing Pass areas!

Prevent them from reinforcing Taiyuan!

At the same time, wait for an opportunity to break through Niangzi Pass and threaten Taiyuan's flank!

Three armies! Like three poisoned knives!

Directly pointing to the heart of Shanxi, Taiyuan!

"Itagaki-kun." Terauchi Hisaichi's voice was solemn: "The Northern Route Corps is commanded by Tojo-kun, this man... you should know his depth.

Make sure to coordinate well! I will personally supervise the situation on the South Road Daihui Naoki side and ensure that he is fully restrained!

Your main force on the eastern route is the key to the success or failure of this battle! You must...kill with one strike! Don't give Yan Xishan a chance to breathe!

"Hey! Don't worry, Commander!" Itagaki Seishirō's eyes flashed coldly: "I will mobilize all the elite troops of the Fifth Division! The field artillery regiment, the tank squadron, and the aviation force will fully cooperate!

I will personally command the front lines! I will crush all obstacles with the force of thunder and lightning!"

Terauchi Hisaichi stood up and walked to the huge French window. He looked out at the leaden sky and said in a low voice, "The Empire... is watching us. This battle...

Only victory is allowed! Defeat is not allowed! "

"Hey! The Empire is on board! His Majesty the Emperor is on board!" Itagaki Seishirō straightened his chest and let out a low growl like a beast!

. . . .

The lead-gray clouds in the sky hung low, as if ready to crush the city shrouded in the shadow of war. The Military Police Headquarters Building, located in the core of the Japanese Concession, was like a dormant steel behemoth, emitting a cold and oppressive atmosphere.

A black Ford sedan stopped steadily in front of the heavily guarded gate of the Military Police Headquarters.

The car door opened, and Xu Zhongyi, the head of the trading company, came out with his signature warm smile, as warm as melted honey.

He was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, his hair was sleekly combed, and he was carrying a heavy crocodile leather briefcase that looked very valuable.

"Hey! Mr. Xu! You are here! I haven't seen you come to visit for many days." The military police sergeant on guard was obviously very familiar with Xu Zhongyi. He had a smile on his face and took the initiative to greet him, even bowing slightly.

"Sergeant Yamada! Thank you for your hard work!" Xu Zhongyi's voice was loud and enthusiastic, with a sense of familiarity and intimacy.

He casually pulled out two exquisite cardboard boxes from his briefcase and stuffed them into Sergeant Yamada's hands. "A little treat! Authentic Havana cigars! And two bottles of Scotch whisky! To keep the brothers alert and warm for their nightly guard duty!"

"Oh! Mr. Xu! You are so polite! I feel so embarrassed..." Sergeant Yamada declined, but his hand quickly put the thing into his arms, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

"It's my duty! It's my duty! My brothers, the military police, patrol the streets all day long. Thank you for your hard work!" Xu Zhongyi patted Yamada on the shoulder, his movements as natural as those of old friends.

He turned around and waved to the two followers behind him: "What are you standing there for? Bring the things in!"

The two followers immediately took out several large, beautifully packaged wooden boxes from the trunk of the car.

As Xu Zhongyi walked in, he greeted every officer, captain, and even clerk he met with familiarity, as warmly as if he were back home.