The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

When the devastating news of the 10th Regiment's artillery positions being destroyed reached the Japanese 10th Division headquarters, Lieutenant General Isogai Rensuke, the division commander, flew into a rage. His face flushed the color of liver, veins bulged on his forehead, and his uncontrollable roar threatened to tear the roof off the headquarters: "Baka! Why haven't we taken on this tough nut to crack in Fujin County? This is a humiliation to the Imperial Army and has severely disrupted our carefully planned operations and strategic layout!"

Furious, Rensuke Isogai unhesitatingly issued an urgent attack order to the division's independent artillery regiment. Upon receiving the order, Colonel Sato, the regiment's commander, wore a solemn expression and immediately summoned his men. His voice, resolute and resolute, echoed through the camp like a resounding bell: "Assemble! Target Fuji County, march immediately!" The soldiers responded with unwavering, coordinated movements. Twelve 105mm howitzers and twenty Type 97 light 90mm mortars, towed by tow vehicles and carrying three and a half dozen rounds of ammunition, sped towards Fuji County.

Colonel Sato sat upright in the command vehicle, his posture erect, his gaze stern and sharp, staring straight ahead. He knew the weight of this mission was immense; failure would mean death. This was a journey where victory was the only option, not failure. As the troops marched, their faces tense.

Arriving at the Japanese frontline, Colonel Sato leaped from the command vehicle with the agility of a cheetah and shouted, "Everyone, listen! Establish artillery positions immediately! No mistakes!" The soldiers quickly dispersed, each taking up their duties. Some struggled to carry heavy digging tools, leaving deep marks on their shoulders, but they didn't care, jumping into the designated positions to dig artillery pits. Others, working in pairs, carried artillery parts with deep, powerful chants. "Hey yo! Hey yo!" The chants echoed over the battlefield...

"Here, the emplacement isn't deep enough. Make sure the guns are secure!" Colonel Sato's gaze was sharp as he patrolled and shouted commands, his eyes never missing a single corner. "Ah!" the Japanese soldiers responded in unison, swinging their pickaxes even more vigorously, sending dirt flying everywhere...

After a frantic period of activity, the artillery positions took shape. Each cannon, like a steel behemoth, sat steadily within its crater, its black muzzles pointed in unison toward Teng County. The gunners, their concentration rapt, beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads in the sunlight, meticulously adjusted each parameter, avoiding even the slightest deviation, making final preparations for the impending fierce battle.

At the same time, Isogai Lianjie sent an urgent telegram to the Japanese Army Flying Corps stationed at Nanyuan Airport in Peking: "After daybreak, cooperate with the artillery regiment and bomb Teng County with all your strength. This will pave the way for our 10th Regiment to attack the city and let the imperial flag fly over Teng County!"

In the command room at Nanyuan Airport, the flight squadron commander, Major Suzuki, received the order and snapped to attention. With his head held high and chest puffed out, his posture as straight as a pine tree, he shouted, "Hey! The flight squadron will go all out and live up to our mission!" He then turned to the pilots with a serious expression, "Everyone, division headquarters has issued a crucial combat order. At dawn, we will join forces with the artillery regiment, with only one target: Teng County. We must completely destroy it, reducing it to ruins, and clear all obstacles for the infantry warriors' charge. This is a sacred mission that concerns the glory and dignity of the empire, and we cannot afford to fail!"

Upon hearing this, the pilots' eyes blazed with a fervent passion, a blind obsession with the so-called "imperial holy war" brainwashed by militarism, as if they were about to engage not in a war of aggression but in a glorious jihad. The mechanics also quickly became busy, shuttling between planes. Their figures were like nimble ghosts, meticulously checking every component and every function of the aircraft, meticulously refueling, loading ammunition, and adjusting instruments, muttering to themselves as if in prayer to their god of war.

Major Suzuki stood at the edge of the runway, gazing at the bustling yet orderly scene before him, his brow furrowed as he silently considered every detail of his battle plan. He raised his head slightly, gazing at the still inky night sky, and murmured, "This darkness before dawn is but temporary. Teng County! My air force's artillery shells are coming. Let's see how you handle them!"

Meanwhile, the Sichuan Army defending Teng County were completely unaware of the impending disaster. They had posted sentries on the city walls, each soldier standing guard, their eyes warily scanning the streets outside. Other soldiers were either resting, seizing this moment of peace to recuperate, or taking inventory of their ammunition, meticulously counting every bullet and grenade in preparation for the next day's battle. The civilians within the city, for the most part, volunteered to help reinforce and repair their positions. They carried sandbags and ran back and forth along the walls. Elderly, women, and children worked together, unfazed and without a shred of fear.

To more effectively command his troops against the Japanese and boost morale, the commander of a Sichuan Army division defending the city made a courageous decision. He braved the danger and marched overnight with his division headquarters and a guard company into Teng County. As they entered the county town, their resolute steps resonated with the hearts of every soldier, bringing them endless strength. The commander personally visited the front lines to comfort the weary yet resolute Sichuan Army soldiers. His voice was steady and powerful: "Brothers, we are defending not just a city, but our homeland. This is the very backbone of our Sichuan Army! Today, I stand with you. Even to the last man, we will never retreat!" Upon hearing this, the soldiers' eyes, once somewhat weary, brightened, and they shouted: "We will live and die with Teng County, and resolutely resist the Japanese invaders!" That cry resounded through the night sky, a declaration of war against the Japanese and a pledge of their unwavering resolve. It echoed lingeringly throughout Teng County, shrouded in the shadow of war.