The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

"Kusuma, if you are greedy, the devil will find you. You are already obsessed. Go back. I will not agree to this." (Pegu language)

After a while, Kusuma came out of the village chief's thatched hut, cursing, and walked towards the small fishing boat docked by the river.

Zhang Chi hurriedly explained to Xiao Dongbei, who didn't understand Pegu language, what they had said in the house:

"This kid wanted to row his boat downstream to report to the Fuso patrol, but the village chief didn't agree."

"I think he wants to go there secretly. We can't let him succeed."

After saying that, Zhang Chi stretched out his hand and gestured at his neck, indicating that Xiao Dongbei could be ruthless later.

While Kusuma's attention was focused on the boat by the river, Zhang Chi and Xiao Dongbei approached him from behind, one on the left and one on the right.

The two of them pounced hard and pinned Kusuma to the ground.

Kusuma wanted to struggle yet, but Zhang Chi held his head with both hands and pressed his face into the dirt. A large amount of dirt was immediately pressed into Kusuma's mouth, preventing him from shouting.

Xiao Dongbei pounced forward, sitting on Kusuma's waist and holding him down. The tip of the silver dagger, shimmering in the moonlight, thrust straight out, piercing Kusuma's lower back. The excruciating pain of the blade piercing his kidneys made Kusuma gasp, and then he went into shock.

"Staff Officer Zhang, you know so many foreign languages! You even understand the local dialect of the Pegu people. That's amazing."

As Xiao Dongbei spoke, he stepped forward and broke Kusuma's neck with a "click". Then he carried Kusuma's body on his shoulders without changing his expression.

"My family has been doing business overseas for generations. If we want to do business with foreign merchants, shouldn't we learn from their ways?"

Zhang Chi answered without raising his head. It was his first time witnessing a murder up close, so he was not panicked. He first calmly wiped off the traces of the fight on the ground, then took out a handkerchief and wiped off the few drops of blood dripping on the ground.

After sorting out the traces and making sure a cursory glance wouldn't reveal anything unusual, Zhang Chi said, "Alright, just stuff his body into the cargo hold of that amphibious tank. If this guy doesn't show up anytime soon, the village chief will just think he snuck off on his own and won't take it seriously."

Xiao Dongbei asked in confusion, "Staff Officer Zhang, why are you so afraid of these villagers? This guy is going to inform on us, so isn't it only natural for us to kill him? Do these villagers dare to resist? We have guns in our hands."

After hearing these murderous words, Zhang Chi said to Xiao Dongbei in a serious tone:

"I have a principle. I will never kill innocent people. Otherwise, how am I any different from the Japanese devils? You are eating my food and obeying my orders. My principles are your principles. Don't say such things again."

Before he traveled through time, he was a college student in the new century. His values ​​and outlook on life were very different from those of people of this era. Killing innocent people undoubtedly exceeded his bottom line.

That's why he warned Xiao Dongbei:

"We are outsiders after all. If we want to survive here and fight the Fuso devils, we will have to rely on the help of the locals. But don't worry, I only trust my compatriots. After we control the local villages, I will send you to manage the Pegu people."

After Zhang Chi emphasized the principles, he painted a rosy picture for Xiao Dongbei. He needed Xiao Dongbei to spread his ideas and will to the remnants of the 66th Regiment.

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The next morning, Xiao Dongbei came to report that four brothers had finally given up and passed away last night.

Zhang Chi was silent for a while. Although he did not recognize the four dead people who had just traveled through time, he still felt sad for the passing of these brave compatriots who went abroad to fight.

God is unfair. The warriors fighting bravely on the front line died inexplicably due to lack of food and clothing, while the corrupt officials in the rear are alive and well. Zhang Chi, who is now living in the same world with the remnants of the expeditionary force, clenched his fists in anger. He vowed to seek justice for these brave expeditionary soldiers.

He commanded those who were still able to move to cremate the bodies of the four people with gasoline, and temporarily stored the ashes in the transport compartment of the amphibious tank.

The remaining soldiers of the 66th Regiment looked at the blazing fire, and light gradually appeared in their eyes. At this moment, Zhang Chi finally became their true leader.

Zhang Chi followed suit, producing a pile of Type C field rations from the tank and giving the remaining soldiers of the 66th Regiment a hearty meal. Having rested all night, they finally felt strong enough.

Zhang Chi struck while the iron was hot and immediately began to reorganize these remaining soldiers.

He first counted the number of these remaining soldiers.

Including Xiao Dongbei, there were 11 soldiers who were unharmed. Among them, Xiao Dongbei had the highest rank, sergeant.

There were 49 lightly wounded soldiers who were able to move, among whom Platoon Leader Hao Yi had the highest rank, second lieutenant.

The remaining seven were seriously injured and could only lie down. Among them, an artilleryman nicknamed "Mountain Cannon" had the highest rank, which was sergeant.

67 people in total.

Add to that a Sherman Organ Tank and an LVTA-1 amphibious tank, and these are Zhang Chi's entire team at present.

"We must set out before sunset. This is a map we seized from the body of a Japanese second lieutenant. It was updated two days ago."

Zhang Chi sat on the ground in the middle, holding a map of the Japanese army and starting to explain. Several non-commissioned officers with military ranks in the team sat around him.

"Captain Zhang, how do you know this map was updated two days ago?" asked a corporal.

"The Japanese are very meticulous. After their staff work on the map, they always mark the date and name of the person who did it on the map. I can understand their writing, so I know this was updated two days ago."

In the army, soldiers are more willing to follow those who are strong.

Therefore, Zhang Chi is now happy to show his abilities in front of everyone so that everyone will be more convinced of him.

He cleared his throat, pointed to a river on the map, and continued:

"According to the map, we should walk five miles south along the river next to Raminta Village. When we reach a three-way fork in the river, we'll turn west and walk another seven miles. We'll come across a field airfield belonging to the Sindhu Army of John's Kingdom."

"Judging from the markings on the Japanese map, the airport should still be in the hands of the arrogant John people. The Japanese army should be chasing the commander and his men. This airport should be safe for at least the next seven days. We can go there to rest and recover."

After Zhang Chi finished speaking, he raised his head and glanced around. Seeing that the people around him showed excitement when they heard the word "airport", he had to pour a bucket of cold water on them.

"That's a frontline field airfield, unlikely to accommodate large transport aircraft. So, if you're still hoping to escape to Sindhu by plane, I advise you to give up the idea as soon as possible."

"The seven seriously injured brothers are in a critical condition. We must find a doctor to perform surgery on them as soon as possible. There should be a field hospital and doctors at the airport. John's men must have left a lot of supplies at the airport and built fortifications. It must be much safer there than this village."