Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Through their reports, citizens learned about the heroic deeds and difficult conditions of the soldiers on the front lines.

One reporter wrote in a report: "The soldiers had not had a proper rest for several days. Their eyes were bloodshot and their uniforms were tattered, but their eyes still gleamed with determination."

People in the intellectual and cultural circles also took active action.

They created anti-Japanese songs, dramas and literary works to boost people's morale.

The students organized propaganda teams, gave speeches on the streets, distributed leaflets, and called on citizens to support the war of resistance.

Many young students were inspired by the deeds on the front line and resolutely gave up their pens to join the army and rushed to the front line.

Foreign observers in the concession were shocked by the battle of Juzaobang. They had never seen such a tenacious resistance from the Chinese army.

A Western journalist wrote in his report: "The Chinese army used flesh and blood to block the Japanese army's steel torrent. Every village was fought at a huge cost. The brutality of this battle far exceeded any battle on the European battlefield."

Shanghai citizens are eagerly following the development of the war every day.

Newspapers were sold out as soon as they arrived, and newsboys shouted every day: "The latest news! The national army won a great victory in Zhuzaobang, killing thousands of enemies!" Although the situation was becoming increasingly difficult, the citizens still maintained hope and believed that the Chinese army could hold the line.

However, as time went on, the pressure on the front increased.

The Japanese army continued to increase its troops and intensify its offensive.

Although the Chinese army put up a tenacious resistance, they suffered heavy casualties, and their defenses began to show signs of wavering. . . .

. . . . . . . . . .

Inside the 9th Division headquarters, Division Commander Yoshizumi Ryosuke was leaning over the battle map, his finger running along the line of Yunzaobang.

"Order Colonel Fujii Suekichi's 35th Infantry Regiment to capture this commanding height before dark," he told his staff, his voice hoarse from days of command. "The artillery units must provide uninterrupted fire support."

Suddenly, the curtain of the headquarters tent was yanked open, and Major Jiro Yamaguchi, captain of the 9th Division's military police, strode in with a rare look of anxiety on his face.

He walked straight up to Yoshizumi Ryosuke, saluted, and lowered his voice: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, this is an emergency."

Yoshizumi Ryosuke frowned in dissatisfaction: "Yamaguchi-kun, can't you see I'm deploying the attack? And aren't you in charge of supervising the battle? Why are you here at the headquarters?!"

"I'm sorry, division commander, but this is an urgent telegram sent directly from the Tianjin Military Police Headquarters." Jiro Yamaguchi handed over a telegram, his fingers trembling slightly.

Yoshizumi Ryosuke took the telegram, quickly glanced at it, and his expression suddenly changed.

"What? Immediately leave the battle? Gather at the 101st Division Headquarters? What's going on?"

All the staff officers in the command center stopped what they were doing and looked at their division commander in surprise.

Lieutenant Colonel Ono, the operations staff, asked cautiously, "Division Commander, what happened?"

Yoshizumi Ryosuke didn't answer, but stared at Yamaguchi Jiro. "This order is ridiculous! Fierce fighting is underway on the front lines, and the military police are responsible for maintaining battlefield discipline. How can they withdraw now? Verify the authenticity of this order immediately!"

"It has been verified, sir." Yamaguchi Jiro said solemnly: "The code and seal of the telegram are all correct. This is the personal order of Commander Takuto Takazaki.

I'm sorry, Your Excellency the Division Commander, I'm here to inform you that I need to carry out orders immediately."

The tent was completely silent, with only the faint roar of artillery fire in the distance.

Yoshizumi Ryosuke slammed his fist down on the map table, causing several thumbtacks to jump. "What is Commander Takazaki trying to do? Doesn't he know what time it is?"

The same situation also occurred at the 13th Division Headquarters.

When Division Commander Ogisu Rikubei received the report, he was observing the situation on the front line through a telescope.

When he heard the news that the gendarmerie was going to withdraw, he could hardly believe his ears.

"Everyone evacuate? At this critical moment?" Ogisu Ribei lowered his binoculars, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Are you sure you didn't mistranslate the message?"

The communications officer stood at attention and replied, "We have verified this three times, sir. The order is correct. Our division's military police are already carrying it out."

"Baka! I called Major Kobayashi over, but he just started acting without even telling me! Is he planning to defect?!"

"Division Commander, I'm Major Kobayashi, the one who called me here to tell you. He said he must immediately carry out the highest order from the Military Police Headquarters!"

Ogisu Rikuhei's face turned dark. He quickly walked to the communications desk and personally checked the original telegram.

His expression grew increasingly gloomy. "This is against the rules! Although the military police system is independent, wartime deployments must be approved by the Expeditionary Forces Headquarters!"

He turned to the Chief of Staff: "Contact Commander Matsui immediately and ask if he knows anything about this!"

However, before the expeditionary force headquarters could be contacted, reports from the various regiments began to pour in.

At the front line, the soldiers were surprised to find that the military police were gathering and organizing their equipment, seemingly preparing to leave the position.

At the position of the 7th Regiment of the 9th Division, Private First Class Hiroki Tanaka was lying in the trench, staring vigilantly at the Chinese army position opposite.

Suddenly, he noticed unusual movements in the gendarmerie's bunker at the rear.

"Hey, look." He nudged his comrade next to him. "What's going on with the military police? They seem to be packing up."

The comrade raised his head and squinted his eyes to observe: "Really? Are they going to change guard?"

Not far away, Military Police Sergeant Yamamoto shouted to his men, "Hurry! We must assemble within ten minutes! If you don't have time to pack your personal belongings, leave them behind!"

A young military police corporal asked hesitantly, "Sergeant, are we leaving the front line like this? The regiment is preparing for an attack..."

"Execute the order!" Sergeant Yamamoto shouted sharply, "This is a direct order from the Tianjin Military Police Headquarters. It takes precedence over everything else!"

"Ah! Tianjin Military Police Headquarters!! Is this a direct order from General Takazaki?!" The young military policeman immediately became excited, with stars in his eyes.

"Hey! This is the order of General Takazaki, the flower of our military police! Hurry up and act. This is the first time you are executing General Takazaki's order, so be quick!" The sergeant had a stern face, but there was a smile in his words.

Similar situations occurred simultaneously in various positions.

Under the command of Captain Major Kobayashi, the 13th Division Military Police evacuated their respective posts quickly and orderly, ignoring the confusion and obstruction of the front-line officers.

"Major! The 26th Brigade is organizing a night attack, and our troops need to maintain battlefield discipline!" A military police lieutenant tried to remind Major Kobayashi.

Xiao Lin's face was grim. "The new order overrides all previous missions. Assemble the military police immediately and advance towards the 101st Division!"

Chaos and unrest are spreading in the headquarters of various divisions.

After confirming the authenticity of the order, Division Commander Yoshizumi Yoshisuke was in a dilemma.

On the one hand, he did not dare to openly disobey the direct order of the gendarmerie headquarters, as he could not afford to offend Takuto Takazaki. On the other hand, the sudden withdrawal of the gendarmerie would indeed cause problems for maintaining discipline on the front line.

After thinking for a long time, he finally sighed and said, "Record the order."

His voice was filled with suppressed anger. "The 9th Division Military Police will withdraw as ordered. However, all regiments will be notified to strengthen their own discipline management. If necessary, each squadron will designate temporary discipline soldiers."

He turned to Yamaguchi Jiro, his eyes sharp. "Yamaguchi-kun, I want you to personally convey my doubts to Commander Takazaki. Has the deployment of military police at this critical moment of the offensive been considered in light of the actual needs of the front lines?"

Yamaguchi Jiro stood at attention and bowed his head: "Yes, Your Excellency, Division Commander. But I must follow orders! I am a military police!"

Yoshizumi Ryosuke sighed and waved Yamaguchi away.

He walked to the door of the tent and looked at the hundred-man gendarmes gathering in the night, feeling extremely frustrated.