The War of Resistance Against Japan: Special Operations Battalion Traverses Shanghai and Slaughters

After entering Jinling City, Long Fei told everyone to rest for a while, while he took Xie Qiang to Xiaguan Ferry.

Seeing that the pontoon bridge had been fully erected, Long Fei finally felt relieved.

After instructing the soldiers left behind to protect the pontoon bridge, Long Fei led Xie Qiang straight to the Tang Mansion.

With the pass issued by Commander Tang, Long Fei entered the headquarters without any difficulty.

Upon seeing Long Fei, Commander Tang generously led the applause in front of everyone at headquarters.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome our great hero Long Fei with warm applause."

Under Commander Tang's leadership, all personnel at the headquarters stood up and applauded enthusiastically.

Commander Tang then gestured for everyone to be quiet and continued speaking.

"Gentlemen, do you know? From last night to this morning, Long Fei, with his Longyan troops, wiped out six regiments of Japanese soldiers, totaling more than 20,000 Japanese soldiers."

"This is the most brilliant achievement and unprecedented victory that the Nationalist government has achieved since the start of the War of Resistance."

"I have reported to the National Government, and the top brass of the National Government has decided that in addition to sending a telegram to the entire army and the people of the country to commend him, Long Fei and his Longyan troops will also be given the highest reward."

Unexpectedly, amidst everyone's admiring and envious expressions, Long Fei calmly declined.

"Thank you for your praise, Commander Tang, and thank you for the kindness of the leaders of the National Government. My Long Fei and Long Yan troops killed the Japanese not for any reward."

"It is everyone's responsibility to defend our land and resist the Japanese invaders. Our Longyan troops will hold high the banner of resistance and fight the Japanese invaders to the death."

"Well said... *slap slap slap*..."

Long Fei's impassioned speech stirred everyone's blood, and everyone once again gave Long Fei a warm round of applause.

After finishing his sentence, Long Fei didn't want to waste any more time on it, so he simply said...

"Commander Tang, I have very important military intelligence to discuss with you, what do you think..."

Commander Tang immediately nodded and said, "Alright, let's go to my study."

After entering the study, Commander Tang said with a relaxed expression.

"Commander Long, do you know? Your achievements have greatly boosted the morale of the National Government. The top brass of the National Government is now full of confidence in defending Nanjing City."

Seeing the shallow understanding of Commander Tang and the high-ranking officials of the National Government, Long Fei smiled bitterly.

"Commander Tang, isn't the National Government placing too much importance on the reputation of Nanjing?"

"Hiss... Commander Long, what do you mean by that..."

"Did the Nationalist government fail to seriously analyze and learn from the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Shanghai? Did the loss of 300,000 brave soldiers fail to make the Nationalist government realize its mistakes?"

"Ahem... Commander Long, aren't you being a bit too harsh with your words?"

Commander Tang had already given Long Fei enough face; if anyone else had dared to speak so recklessly and criticize the National Government in front of him, they would have been thoroughly berated.

Long Fei suddenly remembered a saying: "You can't talk about ice to a summer insect, and you can't talk about the sea to a frog in a well."

Long Fei thought to himself, since you are stuck in your ways and unwilling to change, then saying anything more is just like casting pearls before swine.

Cognition is something that cannot be changed by forcibly instilling it.

"By the way, Commander Long, you said there was important military intelligence, what is it?"

"Commander Tang, although my Dragon Flame troops have eliminated more than 20,000 Japanese soldiers, there are still hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers attacking Nanjing. They will soon mobilize troops to fill the gap and continue their fierce attack on Nanjing."

"Based on my analysis, Nanjing will fall in three to five days at most."

Commander Tang burst into laughter: "Regimental Commander Long, you're exaggerating. Our National Army has over 100,000 troops after all."

"Currently, the troop strength of the enemy and our side is basically one to one. Even if our National Army is incompetent, it shouldn't be able to hold out for only three to five days. I think it can hold out for half a month to a month without any problem."

Looking at Commander Tang's self-righteous attitude, Long Fei wanted nothing more than to punch him twice.

"Alright, Commander Tang, let's not argue about this. What I want to tell you is that the pontoon bridge has been built, and it's time to evacuate the people in the city to the north bank."

"What, we're retreating now?"

Commander Tang, who was leaning back in his chair, was clearly startled by what Long Fei said and immediately sat up at the front.

“That’s right. The original citizens of Jinling City, plus the population of the nearby suburbs, and the refugees who have fled here, I estimate that the number is no less than 500,000.”

"This doesn't even include the hundreds of thousands of Nationalist troops who defended Nanjing."

"If hundreds of thousands of people all flock to the ferry at once, it will be difficult to maintain order, and the scene will definitely be chaotic."

"Therefore, in order to prevent this situation from happening in advance, I think we should start evacuating the citizens now."

Commander Tang hesitated for a moment, then looked troubled.

"Commander Long, I have just reported your achievements to the National Government and also informed all troops and citizens by telegram."

"Now that everyone is united and motivated, you want me to evacuate the people at this time. Not only will the government be unhappy, but the people will also not understand."

Long Fei shook his head and sighed, "Commander Tang, Nanjing City has no strategic value. Wouldn't it be better to protect the people, preserve our strength, avoid the enemy's sharp edge, and leave an empty city for the Japanese?"

"Is this what you and the Nationalist government want to see—hundreds of thousands of Nationalist soldiers dying in battle and hundreds of thousands of civilians suffering terribly?"

“This…” Commander Tang hesitated.

After giving Commander Tang a few minutes to think it over, Long Fei said firmly.

"Commander Tang, give the order now: have the city's police and military police maintain order, and my Dragon Flame troops will be responsible for protecting the pontoon bridge and ferries, as well as on-site security."

Despite Long Fei's repeated urging, Commander Tang remained hesitant and dared not issue the order.

Just as Long Fei was stomping his feet in anger and preparing to draw his gun to threaten, Lieutenant Wang knocked on the door again.

"Commander, we have received an urgent military intelligence report."

"Come in."

After entering, Lieutenant Wang first nodded to Long Fei in greeting, and then placed the telegram in front of Commander Tang.

After reading it, Commander Tang's expression immediately turned serious.

Then, Commander Tang looked up, handed the telegram to Long Fei, and said...

“You’re right. Although you’ve wiped out six Japanese regiments, Matsui Iwane has already quickly mobilized two divisions to reinforce you.”

"The Japanese reinforcements will arrive on the outskirts of Nanjing tomorrow, and the defending forces will face even greater pressure."

This was all within Long Fei's expectations. Taking Nanjing, the capital of the Nationalist government, was of great significance to the Japanese.

Therefore, they will definitely spare no expense and do everything in their power to besiege it.

Moreover, the more casualties the Japanese suffered during the siege, the more brutal their retaliation and slaughter would be after the city was breached.

"Commander Tang, the National Government's decision to defend Nanjing was wrong from the start. Now that you are the one executing the decision, you will be responsible for all the bad consequences that will result."

"Once the Japanese reinforcements arrive tomorrow, they will definitely launch an attack immediately. Who knows how long the defending troops can hold out?"

"So, stop hesitating and worrying about gains and losses. Give the order immediately. Hundreds of thousands of citizens will be evacuated to Jiangbei, with their families and belongings. It will take at least three days."

Finally, Commander Tang made up his mind.

"Alright, Commander Long, I believe you. I'll issue the order right away."