The War of Resistance: My Expedition, My Country

Luo Zhuoying said with a worried look on his face, "For over two months, our soldiers have been fighting non-stop. They are extremely exhausted both physically and mentally, and they haven't had a single rest. This isn't a good thing to continue!"

Sun Liren nodded in agreement. "Yes, Chief of Staff Stilwell has already called me, and the president also called me personally. Judging from the current situation, the time is not yet ripe for a decisive battle with the Japanese in Imphal."

Luo Zhuoying gazed thoughtfully into the distance. "Well, it's good that you understand this. Yang Hong and the others are our newly emerged heroes, but war, after all, is not about individual heroism. We can't rely solely on momentary courage and impulse. Don't undermine their morale. Let me talk to them about this matter."

Sun Liren nodded. "Okay, you handle it. I'll make the follow-up arrangements as soon as possible to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation of Imphal."

Luo Zhuoying patted Sun Liren on the shoulder and said earnestly, "We must advance steadily and enter India as victors. Although this battle is difficult, we must persevere until the very end."

Sun Liren immediately said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Commander. I will do my best and live up to everyone's expectations."

Luo Zhuoying suddenly came to the headquarters of the new 22nd Division and summoned Liao Yaoxiang and Yang Hong to meet. Yang Hong hurried back from the front line and saw Luo Zhuoying and Liao Yaoxiang talking and laughing. He immediately realized that China, the United States and Britain had already made a decision on the operation in Imphal.

As expected, Luo Zhuoying was very happy when he saw Yang Hong come in. He waved to Yang and said enthusiastically, "Look, our great hero is back!"

Yang Hong understood what Luo Zhuoying meant, and his heart sank, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he quickly stepped forward and saluted him and Liao Yaoxiang, "Commander, Division Commander Liao!"

Luo Zhuoying casually returned the salute, then warmly invited Yang Hong to sit down. Then, with feigned concern, he inquired about the battle situation. "Deputy Commander Yang, how long can the Yingduo front hold out?"

Yang Hong glanced at Liao and thought, "The New 22nd Division is primarily defending the Yingduo front. You're asking me instead of him. Isn't that obvious?" Yang Hong didn't waste time, saying directly, "The 200th Division can withdraw from Yingduo's flank tonight. When does the commander plan to begin the retreat?"

Seeing that Yang Hong was understanding, Luo Zhuoying stopped his false questions and said seriously, "According to the orders of the President and the Theater General Staff, starting at dawn on the 26th, our troops will gradually withdraw from their positions, concentrating along the route north of Imphal, and then retreat westward to India through another secret passage."

"Who is responsible for the cover?" Yang Hong asked calmly. He didn't want to see the scene of defeat during the retreat again.

At this time, Liao Yaoxiang stood up and said in a low voice: "I am well aware of Deputy Commander Yang's concerns. The New 22nd Division will be responsible for the rear cover. The retreat plan is that after the 200th Division passes through the New 22nd Division's defense line, the New 22nd Division will begin to shrink and gradually retreat towards Imphal. The First Division (New 38th Division) will follow the British and American troops to retreat westward along the Imphal-Bangladesh Highway. After the New 22nd Division briefly takes over the defense of Imphal City, it will follow the First Route Army along the northern line of Imphal and withdraw to Ramgarh through a secret passage!"

Yang Hong nodded, turned to Luo Zhuoying, and asked, "Commander Luo, is there anything else I can do?"

Luo Zhuoying did not speak directly, but opened his eyes wide and looked straight at Yang Hong. Yang Hong knew in his heart that Luo Zhuoying must have something to say to him, so he looked at him calmly, waiting for him to say what he should say.

As expected, Luo Zhuoying sighed deeply in his heart and slowly said, "Yang Hong, since you don't have a nickname, I'll just call you by your first name. I'd like to tell you that after arriving in India, the New 38th Division and the New 28th Division will officially be under the direct command of the Allied Far East Theater Command, and will be upgraded to the Allied First Army, combined into a reinforced army with all-American equipment. You will be appointed commander of the New 1st Division. I hope you remember that this unit is always a Chinese unit. Remember that the National Government is your root!"

Yang Hong understood that Luo Zhuoying was conveying President Jiang's message. He couldn't possibly break with the Jiang family at this moment. He stood up without hesitation and saluted Luo Zhuoying respectfully. "Please tell the Chairman, Commander Luo, that Yang Hong will live up to his trust!"

Luo Zhuoying and Liao Yaoxiang stood up together and solemnly returned the military salute. Then, Luo Zhuoying pulled down Yang Hong's saluting hand and said affectionately, "The president knows that you don't have a courtesy name, so he personally gave you one."

With a wave of his hand, an adjutant immediately entered and solemnly handed a short sword to Luo Zhuoying. Luo Zhuoying took the sword, examined it carefully, and then personally placed it around Yang Hong's waist. "The president has given you the courtesy name 'Po Lu' and has engraved it on the sword. I hope you will remember China's mission and will not rest until the Japanese pirates are defeated!"

Yang Hong clearly didn't realize that President Jiang had gifted him, a non-director, the "Zhongzheng Sword," and had even given him a courtesy name. The meaning behind this was clear. Yang Hong could only salute Luo Zhuoying again and say, "Thank you, President, for your training, and thank you, Commander, for your support! We must fight bravely to defeat the enemy and spread the glory of China!"

Luo Zhuoying was very pleased with Yang Polu's performance, and his heart was relieved. Then, the three of them began to carefully discuss the action plan for the new 22nd Division and the various units on the Yingduo front.

Beginning at dawn on the 26th, the troops defending Imphal began an orderly withdrawal. The Japanese quickly learned of the Chinese withdrawal, and as if in tacit agreement, the defenders, primarily Chinese and British, withdrew in an orderly fashion. The Japanese also took a gradual approach, maintaining a certain distance from the Chinese and British forces. During this process, not even a brief exchange of fire occurred.

The Battle of Imphal began during the Burma Campaign, when the Chinese Expeditionary Force (CEF) was facing a massive defeat, largely due to Britain's India-first policy. The battle trapped over 10 Chinese troops in the muddy terrain of northern Burma. However, the New 38th Division (the Allied 15st Division), led by Sun Liren and others, defied the odds and built a formidable defense at Imphal, ultimately securing victory for the CEF's retreat. The Battle of Imphal lasted 74 days, during which the Chinese, American, and British forces destroyed 18 Japanese tanks, 7000 aircraft, and countless artillery pieces, killing and wounding over 5000 Japanese—nearly one-tenth of the Japanese forces invading Burma. The Chinese and British sides also suffered over 3221 casualties, including 900 Chinese killed and over 751 seriously wounded, 323 British killed and seriously wounded, and varying degrees of American casualties.

The Battle of Imphal gave the Chinese Expeditionary Force new life. At least compared with history, the Chinese soldiers did not die tragically after entering the Wild Man Mountain. This is a great victory!

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