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

It should be noted that Commander Liu always loved his soldiers like his own children and always advocated avoiding casualties among the soldiers whenever possible.

But Kong Jie did something terrible; in a short time, the Independent Regiment lost two companies, which meant more than two hundred lives.

Many of these people are young people under the age of twenty, born to parents. Their parents must be heartbroken.

"Commander Kong, let's continue the meeting. Your Independent Regiment lost two companies. I want to ask you, how do you view your dereliction of duty?"

Kong Jie felt wronged, thinking that it was impossible for people not to die in a war.

Besides, encountering a highly capable special forces team like Yamamoto Ichiki and suffering heavy casualties is normal, so what does it have to do with dereliction of duty?

But while Kong Jie thought this in his heart, he dared not say it aloud.

He then defended himself, saying, "I admit that my on-site command was somewhat inadequate, resulting in significant casualties among the troops, but I do not believe that I have failed in my duty."

Seeing Kong Jie's attitude, Commander Liu slammed his hand on the table in anger.

"Kong Jie, you are making excuses. Many of the more than two hundred soldiers who sacrificed their lives were veterans who participated in the Long March."

"Don't you feel guilty? Do you think you've done right by their parents and relatives? They joined the revolution not to die in vain. I have nothing to say about their legitimate sacrifices, but if they sacrificed themselves because of the incompetence of their commanders, then it was not worth it."

Seeing Commander Liu so angry, Kong Jie lowered his head and dared not argue any further.

Commissar Deng then took over the conversation and continued.

“I completely agree with what Division Commander Liu said. We don’t have many troops right now, and the veterans who participated in the Long March are even more precious.”

"The soldiers are the spark and wealth of the revolution, so we must avoid unnecessary casualties."

Long Fei glanced at Kong Jie and thought to himself, "Calling you Kong the Fool is truly fitting."

"Commander Liu, Political Commissar Deng, may I say a few words?"

Commander Liu and his colleague nodded.

"Commander Kong, I would like to ask, after your Independent Regiment encountered Yamamoto Ichiki's special forces, knowing that the enemy had strong firepower and that their individual combat capabilities were also very strong, why did you choose to fight them head-on?"

Kong Jie replied in a serious tone, "I was just anxious when I learned that the division headquarters had been attacked, so I was eager to wipe out the Japanese when I encountered them."

Long Fei shook his head and sighed, "As far as I know, the division headquarters had already moved by then. Commander Liu ordered your Independent Regiment and the New First Regiment to rush to Yangcun in order to carry out a mopping-up operation in the surrounding area."

"So when your Independent Regiment encountered the Japanese, the division headquarters was not in any danger. Therefore, it was problematic for you to order your troops to fight the Japanese head-on."

Kong Jie, somewhat unconvinced, asked Long Fei for an explanation.

"Commander Long, are you suggesting that if we encounter the Japanese and find that their firepower and combat strength are superior to ours, we should avoid battle and run away?"

Seeing that Kong Jie spoke rudely to Long Fei, Commander Liu was about to reprimand him when Long Fei waved his hand at him.

"Commander Kong, now I know why people call you Kong the Fool."

Kong Jie frowned: "What do you mean by that? Are you mocking me?"

Long Fei took out a cigarette and handed one to Kong Jie, while pointing to the pipe hanging on Kong Jie's waist.

"Are you going to take this from me or your own?"

Kong Jie ripped off his pipe: "I'll stick with mine."

Long Fei smiled, lit his own cigarette, took a couple of puffs, and looked at Kong Jie, who was silently puffing away, before continuing.

"In skirmishes, commanders need to make the most correct and advantageous decisions in the shortest amount of time."

"Knowing that the division headquarters was not in danger, and that the Japanese had the upper hand in terms of firepower and combat strength."

"If it were me, I would have the troops outflank from the left and right flanks, while simultaneously establishing a tiered defense."

"This has several advantages. It can distract the Japanese soldiers and reduce their firepower. If the Japanese advance, I can use tiered defense to continuously deplete their ammunition and seize opportunities to inflict casualties on them."

"If the Japanese retreat, then pursue and flank them simultaneously from the left, center, and right, and engage them in close combat."

"You have to understand that the Japanese were operating behind enemy lines in the Eighth Route Army's base area. They couldn't possibly carry too much ammunition, let alone get timely supplies."

"Every bullet fired is one less bullet available, every grenade thrown is one less available."

"As long as we keep the Japanese occupied and use time to exhaust their advantages, we can eventually eliminate them with minimal casualties."

"I wonder if Commander Kong agrees with my point of view?"

Long Fei's words were substantial and reasonable, and Kong Jie couldn't help but nod in agreement.

"Commander Long, what you said is not only reasonable, but also very correct. I admit that I made a mistake in command during this encounter."

“Commander Liu, Political Commissar Deng, I admit my mistakes, I will seriously reflect on them, and I will resolutely correct them. I will accept whatever punishment you may give me.”

Division Commander Liu and Political Commissar Deng both cast admiring glances at Long Fei.

The two thought to themselves that Long Fei was not only good at fighting, but also a master at ideological work.

At this moment, Long Fei spoke up again, suggesting, "I have a suggestion. Now that the Japanese devils in Shanxi are on their last legs and about to be wiped out, the Eighth Route Army should take this opportunity to establish a wider area of ​​control."

"And this requires a large number of troops. I know that the 129th Division currently only has the Independent Regiment and the New 1st Regiment outside its regular ranks."

"Therefore, it would be better to relieve Commander Kong of his post as commander of the Independent Regiment and appoint him as commander of the newly formed Second Regiment, allowing him to build a completely new force within three months, so that he can atone for his mistakes."

Long Fei's suggestion was quite effective; it not only preserved Kong Jie's position as regimental commander but also allowed the Eighth Route Army to grow stronger, achieving two goals at once.

After exchanging opinions, Commander Liu, Political Commissar Deng, and Brigade Commander Chen adopted Long Fei's suggestion.

Commander Liu then said, "Commander Long, your suggestion is excellent. We all agree and will immediately report it to headquarters for approval."

Kong Jie then gave Long Fei a grateful look.

When Kong Jie admitted his mistake, he was already mentally prepared for demotion or even dismissal.

Unexpectedly, with just one sentence from Long Fei, he was able to retain his position as regimental commander.

Moreover, Kong Jie was very confident that it wouldn't be long before he could build a strong and well-equipped new Second Regiment.

Besides, the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment are essentially no different, and Kong Jie is confident that he can build the New Second Regiment into an absolute main force regiment.

Just as they finished dealing with Kong Jie's matter, Li Yunlong brought an elderly man in his seventies into the house.

"Commander, this old man Liu is from Shima Village. He participated in the expansion of Shima Temple during the Qing Dynasty and is very familiar with the internal structure of the temple."

Commander Liu hurriedly stood up and invited Grandpa Liu to sit down.

Then he turned to Long Fei and said, "Commander Long, feel free to ask me anything you want to know."

Just as Long Fei was about to ask a question, he suddenly noticed that Grandpa Liu's clothes were very tattered.

So he immediately took out five silver dollars and placed them in front of Grandpa Liu.

"Uncle Liu, please take these five silver dollars as a reward for asking you questions."

Grandpa Liu was clearly frightened. He had only come to find out what was going on, so why was he being rewarded with five silver dollars?

Grandpa Liu stared blankly at the silver dollar, but dared not accept it.

Long Fei shoved the silver dollar into Grandpa Liu's pocket before starting to ask questions.