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

Just as Xue Boling and Wang Yaowu were happily accepting the weapons and equipment gifted by Long Fei.

The Nationalist government leaders were throwing a tantrum in their offices in Shuangxi City.

Early in the morning, major newspapers in Zhengzhou published front-page headlines about the Yellow River breaching its banks.

These articles were sharp and incisive, relentlessly attacking the Nationalist government.

Moreover, after the news was released, the news spread throughout the country with lightning speed.

This not only caused the Nationalist government to lose face, but also made its leaders the target of public criticism.

What embarrassed the government leaders the most was that many foreign ambassadors also called to inquire about the matter, expressing their condemnation and serious concern.

No sooner had one wave subsided than another arose. The Dragon Flame Legion then issued a declaration of war against Japan to the entire nation.

Like a stone thrown into a still pond, the Dragon Flame Legion's declaration of war caused a huge stir throughout the country.

The people across the country were greatly encouraged and spontaneously took to the streets to show their support and solidarity, while also demanding that the Nationalist government immediately declare war on the Japanese.

Two bombshells in quick succession left the Nationalist government leadership completely bewildered.

"Damn it, what exactly is Long Fei trying to do? A legion actually declared war on Japan, does he even respect the National Government?"

"He also held a press conference in Xuzhou, making public our plan to blow up the Yellow River dike and use water as a weapon. He even captured the two pilots we sent as witnesses."

"Now the whole country is condemning and denouncing the National Government, and is actively responding to the Dragon Flame Legion's declaration of war, demanding that the National Government also declare war on Japan. What do you think we should do now?"

Several people were standing in the Nationalist government leader's office, and it was the first time they had ever seen the leader so furious.

Seeing that none of these people spoke, the leaders of the Nationalist government became even more furious.

“I called you here to offer suggestions, not to pose for photos. The building is about to collapse, and one pillar cannot support it. The National Government is now on the verge of collapse, and none of you can stand aside.”

Finally, Chief He was the first to speak.

"Sir, given the current situation, I think the only option is to cancel the plan to breach the Yellow River dike."

"Now that the people of the whole country know, we cannot defy public opinion and continue to go our own way."

"As for declaring war on Japan, I think we can ignore it for the time being, since Japan has not officially declared war on our country."

Chen Cheng, a close confidant of the Nationalist government leadership, then echoed this sentiment.

"Leader, the Longyan Legion has now annihilated the Doihara Division, temporarily relieving the crisis in Zhengzhou and preventing the Japanese from achieving their strategic goal of converging from the north and south. This has also given us time to deploy troops to defend Wuhan."

"Therefore, there is little point in breaching the Yellow River dike now, and I also agree with canceling it."

"Furthermore, I believe that since the Dragon Flame Legion has taken the initiative to issue a declaration of war to Japan, our national government should also declare war on Japan."

The government leaders remained noncommittal, turning their gaze to Dai Li: "Yu Nong, what do you think?"

The acting director hurriedly said, "The student agrees with the two officers' opinions. The best course of action now is to categorically deny that the National Government has any plans or actions to breach the dike."

"At present, restoring the reputation of the National Government is the top priority. Also, the National Government issued the 'Declaration of Self-Defense and Resistance' on August 14 last year, which I believe is equivalent to a declaration of war."

"Therefore, we can completely ignore the declaration of war against Japan issued by the Dragon Flame Legion."

"Finally, I would like to say that, according to the intelligence I have received, although the Dragon Flame Legion has 100,000 troops stationed in the Zhengzhou area, they will soon head north to Shanxi."

"There are currently over 100,000 Japanese troops stationed in Shanxi. Let them fight to the death, while we just watch from the sidelines and reap the benefits."

Although the Nationalist government leaders were relatively satisfied with the acting director's answer, they were still somewhat disappointed.

"Yu Nong, do you mean we should still abandon Zhengzhou and focus all our efforts on the defense of Wuhan?"

"Yes, unless the Dragon Flame Legion is willing to continue holding the Zhengzhou front, our National Government's army simply has no ability to defend Zhengzhou."

The leaders of the Nationalist government sighed deeply, feeling extremely unwilling.

"It's a pity that this Dragon Flame Legion cannot be used by me, otherwise the situation of the National Government's resistance against Japan would have been fundamentally reversed."

Chief He suddenly had an idea: "Sir, Shanxi is Yan Xishan's territory. He has a tacit understanding with the Japanese and they will not interfere with each other."

"What Yan Laoxi is really wary of is the Eighth Route Army. If the powerful Longyan Legion were to enter his territory, it would definitely make him restless and uneasy."

"And you, leader, can take advantage of this to sow discord between Yan Xishan and the Longyan Legion, and use the Japanese and the Jin-Sui Army to kill the Longyan Legion with a borrowed knife."

Now that China is facing invasion and suffering repeated defeats in battle, these people are not thinking about how to unite and fight against the Japanese invaders.

Instead, they conspired together on how to eliminate dissidents and destroy the Dragon Flame Legion.

If Long Fei were there, he would definitely have picked up a gun and shot them all.

"Hmm, your idea is good. I'll transfer some more weapons and equipment to Yan Laoxi and tell him to make sure that the Dragon Flame Legion is trapped in Shanxi and find a way to eliminate them."

On the same day, the Nationalist government responded, not only denying any plan or action to breach the Yellow River dike, but also accusing the Dragon Flame Legion of fabricating the story and maliciously smearing them.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist government issued a statement on August 14th of last year, entitled "Declaration of Self-Defense and Resistance," which was tantamount to a declaration of war.

Instead, the National Government warned the Dragon Flame Legion that they could not represent the Chinese nation and that their declaration of war, issued independently, had no legitimacy.

Although everyone felt that the Nationalist government was utterly shameless, there was nothing they could do about it.

When Long Fei found out, he simply laughed it off and ignored it.

After Commander Shang found out, he went to Long Fei and told him.

"It seems my decision was very wise; there's no future in following a leader like that."

"By the way, the Nationalist government called and approved my resignation. After you leave tomorrow, I will also prepare to hand over my work and then retire to my hometown."

Long Fei smiled and said, "I respect Commander Shang's decision. Take care, and see you later."

Commander Shang held Long Fei's hand and said with absolute certainty.

"Take good care of yourself, and I believe we will meet again."

That night, the entire 32nd Army assembled and camped outside Zhengzhou.

The next morning, as agreed, Long Fei arrived outside the city to exchange weapons and equipment with them, and also gave them three months' worth of military pay.

Because Long Fei heard from Commander Shang that his 32nd Army was neither a central army nor a direct subordinate of the Nationalist government.

Therefore, the military pay has been in arrears for half a year.

The soldiers had long been complaining, after all, they also had families who needed their pay to support them.

If it weren't for the war of resistance against the Japanese, the army would probably have seen a large number of deserters long ago.

There has always been the principle that the imperial court would not neglect its starving soldiers, but this government leader completely disregarded this and only cared about his own elite troops.