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

Chapter 226 One must always be wary of others. After the meeting, Long Fei was wide awake. He lay on his cot and continued to think seriously.

This operation involved penetrating deep behind enemy lines, which was extremely dangerous and involved the lives of hundreds of people. He dared not be careless in the slightest.

Every detail must be carefully considered, and no accident can be tolerated.

At the same time, Long Fei was furious about the acting director's secret execution.

At this time, the whole country was fighting hard against the Japanese invasion, but the leaders of the Nationalist government were fighting amongst themselves and made such a foolish move that pleased their enemies and saddened their own people.

However, Long Fei held back his anger and did not intend to retaliate immediately.

During this period, the Military Intelligence Bureau (MIB) still collected a lot of intelligence for the War of Resistance against Japan and took many actions against the Japanese, which can be considered as making some contributions to the war effort.

However, not retaliating does not mean that deterrence and warnings cannot be carried out.

Long Fei decided to send someone to infiltrate Shuangxi City to warn the acting director and the National Government leaders so that they would not dare to have any more thoughts about killing him.

Of course, Long Fei wasn't saying he would let the acting director off the hook. Since he had died by crashing into Mount Dai in history, he would just go with the flow.

As soon as it was light, Long Fei, who hadn't slept all night, immediately got up, then woke up Wang Shijun, and the group quickly ate breakfast.

Long Fei then called Liu Wei and Xu Peng, and the group headed straight for Commander Sun's headquarters of the 22nd Army Group.

Since Commander Sun had decided to lead his troops to join the Dragon Flame Legion, the meeting and conversation went very smoothly.

Because after the Battle of Tailiangxiadian, the 22nd Army Group had less than 15,000 men left.

Therefore, Long Fei gave Commander Sun's unit the designation of the Eighth Army of the Dragon Flame Legion.

The previous four divisions, 122nd, 124th, 125th and 127th, all came under the command of the Eighth Army.

The divisions were numbered 22, 23, 24 and 25.

Commander Sun was appointed as Lieutenant General, Deputy Corps Commander, and Commander of the Eighth Army.

Wang Mingzhang, Wang Shijun, Chen Li, and Shui Tiqing each served as major general division commanders of four divisions.

In order not to have too much impact on Commander Li's Fifth War Zone, Long Fei decided to postpone sending the telegram until after the Battle of Xuzhou.

However, it was, after all, an army group that had been removed from the Fifth War Zone's command.

Long Fei thought that he should inform Commander Li.

So after discussing it, the group came to Commander Li's place.

"What? Your entire 22nd Army Group is going to join the Dragon Flame Legion?"

After Commander Sun finished speaking, Officer Li was shocked.

Commander Sun hurriedly explained, "Commander Li, our Sichuan Army is very grateful to you for including us in the Fifth War Zone."

"But you also know how much humiliation we've suffered before. Our Sichuan Army isn't an adopted son. We can sacrifice ourselves for our country and die on the battlefield, but I can't let my brothers die with grievances."

"On another note, our 22nd Army Group in Liangxiadian is prepared to fight the Japanese to the last man."

"If the Dragon Flame Legion hadn't arrived, the 22nd Army Group would have been wiped out."

"All the soldiers of my 22nd Army Group owe the Longyan Legion a life. We can never repay this debt of gratitude. We can only repay it with our lives by joining the Longyan Legion and fighting the Japanese devils with Commander Long."

Commander Sun spoke with such sincerity and passion that even Commander Li was moved.

After a moment of contemplation, Commander Li made a solemn statement.

"Alright, Commander Sun, I admit that what you said makes a lot of sense, and I agree with your decision."

"Long Fei is an exceptional commander, and the Longyan Troops are a sharp sword for our Chinese army. If you follow him, you will be able to eliminate the Japanese devils even better."

Seeing that Commander Li did not object or make things difficult, Commander Sun quickly stood at attention and saluted.

"Thank you for your understanding, Commander Li. We will certainly live up to the spirit of the Sichuan Army and fight the Japanese to the bitter end."

Commander Li smiled and praised, "Good, good. I believe in you. You fought very well in Liangxiadian this time. You showed me the fighting spirit and bravery of the Sichuan Army."

Commander Li paused, then thoughtfully offered his reminder.

"Now that the decision has been made, let's not delay any longer and leave with the Dragon Flame Legion as soon as possible."

“I have placed quite a few eyes and ears in my Fifth War Zone, and Commander Tang’s 20th Army Corps of the Central Army is nearby.”

"I'm afraid the National Government will receive this information and it will be detrimental to you. Although the Dragon Flame Legion is not afraid of Commander Tang's troops, we should be united against external forces. It's best to avoid internal strife as much as possible."

Long Fei agreed with Commander Li's point of view and said...

"Commander Li, please rest assured, we will leave first thing tomorrow morning, but..."

Seeing that Long Fei seemed hesitant to speak, Commander Li hurriedly asked.

"Commander Dragon Legion, but what?"

"I'm just worried that after suffering heavy losses at Taierzhuang, the Japanese might become enraged and make a desperate gamble."

"They are determined to take Xuzhou, and it won't be long before they gather a large army and make a comeback."

"And my infrasound weapons have all become ineffective after this use, and can no longer pose a threat to the Japanese."

After hearing this, Commander Li couldn't help but ask.

"Commander of the Dragon Legion, although you don't have any new weapons to help us, I know that your legion's weapons and equipment are very powerful. Can't you come and help me fight the enemy?"

Long Fei looked at Commander Li and said earnestly.

"Commander Li, in the Battle of Shanghai, the Japanese deployed more than 200,000 troops, while the National Revolutionary Army deployed more than 700,000, including the two most powerful German-equipped divisions."

"As a result, the Japanese suffered more than 300,000 casualties and were defeated, while the Japanese only suffered tens of thousands of casualties."

"In the Battle of Nanjing, the National Revolutionary Army had only a few hundred thousand remnants against two hundred thousand Japanese troops, so their defeat was inevitable."

"What I want to say is that if the Japanese army gathers 300,000 troops to capture Taierzhuang and Xuzhou, given the National Army's strategy and tactics, I don't believe you can defeat the Japanese."

"I don't want my Dragon Flame Legion to become a victim of low-level command by the National Government. We have more important things to do and more crucial battles to fight."

"So, Commander Li, please forgive me for not being able to help this time."

Long Fei spoke frankly and openly, and every word he said made sense. Commander Li gave a wry smile and nodded.

"Alright, then I won't force Commander Dragon. I wish you all the best in your endeavors and a resounding victory."

Before dawn, Song Xiaoan and Zhao Jianzhi were sent to the airport by the acting director.

Three hours later, the two landed at Xuzhou Airport.

Then a waiting car took them to Taierzhuang.

Not long after Long Fei returned to his post from Commander Li, someone came to report that the acting director of the Military Intelligence Bureau had sent two representatives who wanted to meet him.

Xie Qiang had been waiting outside Long Fei's tent since early morning, even though Sixth Brother had told his two men to give up the assassination attempt and join Long Fei's side.

But he was afraid of something unexpected happening; after all, one should always be wary of others and be cautious for the long term.

After Xie Qiang met Song Xiaoan and Zhao Jian, he sent a guard to report to them while speaking to the two of them.

"For the safety of our legion commander, I must conduct a body search on you."

Unexpectedly, Song Xiaoan and Zhao Jianzhi laughed heartily after hearing this and immediately took off their outer garments.

He then handed Xie Qiang a leather suitcase that he was carrying with him.

"No problem, search freely. By the way, those two vests are in the box; we weren't wearing them at all."