Bright Sword: Construction starts from southeastern Shanxi

"When has our locust army ever suffered such a heavy loss?"

After hearing what Hasunuma Ban said, Sugiyama Gen remained silent.

He also knew that with the war having reached this point, the entire locust army in North China was almost becoming a laughing stock in the military.

His colleagues in China have already told him that if he does not want to go to a military court, it is best to put the blame on the First Army, accusing the First Army of poor combat, which has put other locust armies in North China at a disadvantage in their battles with the Chinese army.

In this case, it would be best if he was transferred to the reserve force like Terauchi Hisaichi.

He had also heard that the headquarters was now planning to re-employ Terauchi Hisaichi. After all, compared with Sugiyama Gen, the military now regretted removing Terauchi Hisaichi.

The main reason why he agreed to Itagaki and his team's plan was that Shijiazhuang was captured by the Eighth Route Army. For a time, domestic and international attention was focused on North China, forcing Sugiyama Gen to agree to Itagaki and his team's crazy plan.

However, the reinforcements of the locust army were intercepted on the road by the Eighth Route Army, and it is still unknown how long it will take to recapture Shijiazhuang.

However, the casualties of each unit began to increase.

Without waiting for Sugiyama Gen to think more, the Chief of Staff Yamashita Tomoyuki picked up the telegram, read it and thought about it, then spoke to Sugiyama Gen seriously.

"Commander, General Numafan's words make sense. I suggest that the locust troops on the front lines withdraw immediately!"

Hearing the chief of staff's words, Sugiyama Gen was a little surprised, and Hasunuma Ban beside him was also a little surprised.

Without waiting for the two to ask, Yamashita Tomoyuki walked to the map hanging in front of the conference room and spoke to them.

"Commander-in-Chief, General Numabe, look!"

"Currently, the reinforcements from the four locust armies in North China have been blocked by the Eighth Route Army. We no longer have the mobile forces to suppress the armed resistance forces in China."

"There are now large numbers of Eighth Route Army troops in Yangquan, Yu County, and Xingtang, and they have surrounded the locust army."

"If we don't withdraw our troops immediately, the locust troops in these three places will most likely be completely wiped out by the Eighth Route Army."

Then, Yamashita Tomoyuki changed his tone with a serious expression, gestured for the two to look towards Datong in the north, and said worriedly.

"At the same time, since Zhangjiakou is being attacked by the Eighth Route Army, what about Datong, which is also short of troops?"

Upon hearing what Yamashita Tomoyuki said, Sugiyama Gen and Hasunuma Ban broke out in cold sweats.

Yes, since Zhangjiakou could be attacked by the Eighth Route Army, Datong, which was short of troops, was probably also in danger.

Now there is only one security battalion of the 26th Division stationed in Datong, and the other security battalions have to defend against the National Army in Suiyuan. If the Eighth Route Army really attacks Datong, the National Army in Suiyuan will definitely not miss this opportunity, and then Baotou, Hohhot and other areas will be in danger.

When he thought of this situation, Sugiyama Gen became a little worried, but if he withdrew his troops now, the previous reinforcements of the locust army would become a joke.

However, before Sugiyama Gen could make a decision, a communications soldier rushed into the meeting room in a hurry.

When the three of them saw the signalman's panicked look, they were suddenly startled.

Without saying much, Sugiyama Gen eagerly took the telegram from the signalman and began to read it.

Yamashita Tomoyuki and Hasunuma Ban watched Sugiyama Gen reading the telegram. His breathing became more and more rapid, and their mood suddenly became heavy.

Suddenly, veins popped up on Sugiyama Gen's forehead.

"Baga~"

He spat out a mouthful of blood and then fell to the ground, which frightened the three people in the room so much that they immediately called for a medic.

Then, the two of them immediately helped Sugiyama Gen to a chair nearby and waited for the medical staff to arrive.

After the medical soldier examined them and told them that it was because of anger that they got angry, and that they just needed to rest, the two of them felt relieved.