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

The Japanese General Headquarters immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss ways to deal with the Dragon Flame Legion.

As the supreme commander of the Japanese Empire, Tenko presided over this meeting.

Also attending the meeting were Army Minister General Sugiyama Gen, Army Vice Minister Lieutenant General Tada Shun, Army Chief of Staff Prince Kazuhito, and Army Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Imai Kiyoshi.

Tianhuang's expression was very solemn, and he spoke in a low voice.

"Gentlemen, the reason we have gathered you here today is that our Imperial Army has encountered a very formidable opponent in China."

"Starting in November of last year, this unit called Longyan suddenly appeared on the Shanghai-Nanjing battlefield in China."

"After that, the Dragon Flame Army continued to annihilate our Imperial Army. They had advanced weapons, powerful firepower, and extremely strong combat capabilities."

"The Dragon Flame Force always targets brigades or divisions to annihilate our Imperial Army. In less than a year, the Empire lost 300,000 elite troops."

"According to the latest intelligence, the Dragon Flame Force has now grown into the Dragon Flame Legion, with a strength of more than 100,000 troops."

"Moreover, the Dragon Flame Legion has already entered Shanxi Province in China. As soon as they entered Shanxi, they wiped out one of our battalions."

"The First Army Commander, Yoshijiro Umezu, reported to the General Headquarters that his First Army was probably unable to deal with the Dragon Flame Legion on its own."

"In addition, Hata Shunroku, commander of the Central China Expeditionary Army, also reported that his troops had suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Dragon Flame Legion."

"Hata Shunroku even dispatched the Continental Advance Team in an attempt to assassinate Long Fei, the commander of the Dragon Flame Legion, but unfortunately, they failed."

"Therefore, we must come up with a practical solution today to annihilate the Dragon Flame Legion within Shanxi Province."

"Otherwise, the Empire's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere strategy may not only fail, but also gradually lose the areas already occupied in China."

After Tianhuang finished speaking, Army Minister Sugiyama Gen did not take it seriously.

Instead, he said it with self-righteousness.

"Your Majesty, they are just a few Chinese troops. Are they really as powerful as they say?"

"The Imperial Army is currently achieving continuous victories in China, and the Chinese army is retreating one after another, unable to stop our offensive."

"In a few months at most, the Imperial army will be able to reach the western part of China, and the fall of China will be just around the corner."

Tianhuang was somewhat worried about Sugiyama Gen's attitude.

"As the Minister of the Army, aren't you being too optimistic? China is currently engaged in a nationwide war of resistance, and the Imperial Army's offensive is not going too smoothly."

Prince Kazuhito, the Chief of the Army General Staff, also had some opinions about Sugiyama Gen's attitude.

“I think His Majesty the Heavenly Locust’s concerns are not unfounded. I have also received reports about the Dragon Flame Legion before. This force should not be underestimated.”

"I think we should gather our strength and wipe out the Dragon Flame Legion as soon as possible. We cannot allow this force to disrupt our empire's strategic plans."

Army Vice Chief of Staff Kiyoshi Imai hurriedly echoed.

“I agree with Your Majesty and Your Highness’s thinking. We cannot allow any Chinese troops to hinder the Empire’s progress.”

"I suggest that Manchukuo mobilize its troops to enter Shanxi and join forces with the First Army of Shanxi to wipe out the Longyan Legion as soon as possible."

Only Army Vice Minister Tada Shun has not yet commented.

As Sugiyama Gen's deputy, he couldn't afford to kick him while he was down when everyone was criticizing his leadership.

Sugiyama Gen appeared somewhat embarrassed at this moment. He glanced slightly at Tada Shun, hoping to get his support.

Tada Shun knew he had to make a statement, so after thinking for a moment, he spoke.

"As far as I know, the reason why the Dragon Flame Legion caused the Imperial Army to suffer heavy losses is mainly because they have relatively powerful weapons and equipment."

"I agree with Lord Sugiyama's confidence, but I also believe that His Majesty, His Highness, and Lord Imai's caution is absolutely necessary."

"Currently, our imperial army is facing severe shortages of troops on all battlefields in China, and is unable to spare any troops to Shanxi to encircle and suppress the Longyan Legion."

"Based on the international situation and intelligence analysis, we will not go to war with Russia in the short term, so I also agree to transfer troops from Manchukuo to Shanxi."

Sugiyama Gen was relatively satisfied with Tada Shun's stance, since he had at least saved face for him.

Therefore, he decided to follow everyone's opinion and expressed his stance.

"Alright, since everyone agrees that we should immediately mobilize troops to wipe out the Dragon Flame Legion, I agree. But who should lead the operation?"

At this moment, Tenko looked at Tada Shun, because he thought Tada Shun was the right person.

Tada Shun immediately understood what Tenko meant, but he didn't want to take on the role of commander.

Although Tada Shun was arrogant and confident in destroying the Dragon Flame Legion, he knew that there were great risks involved.

He didn't want to gamble his future and take such a big risk.

So, Tada Shun quickly came up with an idea.

Before Tianhuang could even call his name, he offered his suggestion.

"I do have a suitable candidate here..."

Seeing this, Tianhuang had no choice but to swallow back the words that were already on the tip of his tongue.

"Okay, tell me who your choice is?"

Everyone looked at Tada Shun, waiting for him to continue.

Tada Shun paused deliberately before slowly speaking.

"My choice is Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinotsuka."

As soon as Tada Shun finished speaking, he immediately drew opposition from everyone.

Sugiyama Gen was the first to speak up: "How could you suggest him? Don't you know that not long ago, he was ambushed by the Dragon Flame Legion at Yuwang Mountain in China, and his entire army was almost wiped out. He only managed to escape with a few hundred survivors and barely survived. He has utterly disgraced the Imperial Army."

Prince Zai Ren also shook his head in opposition: "Shinotsuka Yoshio is no good. He is a defeated general of the Dragon Flame Legion. A defeated general cannot be considered brave. I object."

Kiyoshi Imai also disagreed: "I also object. Yoshio Shinotsuka is waiting for the General Headquarters' decision. Even if he is not court-martialed, he will be dismissed and forced to retire."

Tada Shun knew this would be the reaction, but he wasn't flustered at all because he had already prepared a good reason.

Tenko remained calm, believing that Tada Shun must have had his reasons for bringing it up.

"Vice Minister Tada, tell me your reasons for nominating Yoshio Shinotsuka."

Tada Shun slowly said, "Hai, Your Majesty, I graduated from the 23rd class of the Imperial Yoshio Shinotsuka Army Academy, ranking fifth in my class. I received Your Majesty's bestowed sword and became one of the members of the sword team that year."

"After that, he went to Hans to study, and after returning to his country, he also served as the principal of the Army Officer School."

"In terms of military talent and command ability, he is absolutely outstanding. Although he suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Dragon Flame Legion, there is an old Chinese saying: 'Shame inspires courage.'"

"I believe that after this setback, he will be more cautious when facing the Dragon Flame Legion."

"Moreover, in order to uphold the honor of soldiers, he will definitely do everything in his power to wipe out the Dragon Flame Legion and wash away the shame."

"In conclusion, I believe that no one in the Imperial Army is more suitable than him at present."