People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

The tent, made of felt, stands out like a white flower on the barren plain.

The cavalry squad personally led by Tsuji Masanobu went the furthest, directly crossing the city of Imeng.

Even when passing through Yimeng City, they deliberately stopped their horses less than a kilometer outside the city and looked out for a moment.

Tsuji Masanobu was quite certain that the garrison in the city would be able to see the imperial army.

But they certainly wouldn't dare leave the city.

Just like all the Chinese armies that came from Manchuria, they all chose to give way.

This also fully demonstrates the power of the Imperial Army!

He was so powerful that he couldn't help but want to provoke them, and this thought was simply impossible to suppress.

For example, he planned to cross the border into Yimeng City to plunder some herders, then drive the cattle and sheep to camp outside Yimeng City and wait for the main force of the brigade to arrive.

Perhaps, throwing the heads of the herders down outside the city walls would be a better option.

With this thought in mind, Tsuji Masanobu quickly moved forward, perfectly avoiding Sun Zhongneng's harassment team along the way.

They also abandoned the reconnaissance steps that should have been taken.

Upon seeing the snow-white felt tents in the distance, he drew his command sword, spurred his horse, and galloped towards them... crashing headlong into Sun Zhongneng's guard platoon!

Gunshots rang out like beans.

A dense hail of bullets swept in.

Most of the Japanese cavalrymen were swept off their horses before they could react.

Tsuji Masanobu, who was charging at the front, was lucky enough to escape unscathed, but his warhorse was hit in the neck.

With a screech, it leaped twice and flung Tsuji Masanobu away.

He charged forward again, was shot once more, and finally collapsed heavily to the ground.

The squad leader who was shot in the shoulder, however, narrowly escaped death.

Lying prone on horseback, he used his superb riding skills to quickly circle in an arc and escape the battlefield.

The situation is quite clear: such dense gunfire most likely indicates an encounter with the Chinese army.

Without the support of infantry or the fire support of machine gun squads.

A small squad of cavalry cannot fully utilize the advantages of cavalry.

Especially when the enemy has superior firepower, continuing to charge will only result in total annihilation.

He spurred his horse and galloped for a full two miles before stopping.

Looking back at his subordinates who had successfully retreated with him, his eyes welled up with tears.

Only a dozen or so riders remained, along with a few wounded.

Looking further ahead, there were no more cavalrymen in sight.

This means that in just this one round of attacks, the losses have already approached two-thirds!

"Sir, it seems that Captain Tsujimasa has been captured!"

A sergeant looked around and then spoke up to remind him.

However, the second lieutenant squad leader had caught a glimpse of Tsuji Masanobu struggling to get up from the ground out of the corner of his eye when he left.

The situation was just too critical at the time, so critical that he had no chance to take over the mission.

As for the sergeant bringing this up at this time, besides reminding him, it also implied that he wanted to go back and rescue Tsuji Masanobu.

This put the squad leader in a difficult position.

Going back will only lead to certain death.

However, if the Imperial Captain is allowed to be captured by the Chinese, the consequences will be equally severe.

In particular, although Tsuji Masanobu did not have a high military rank, he was quite famous even within the military.

Some officers of higher rank than him held him in high esteem, praising him as a model of imperial warriors.

This made things even more serious...

After a moment's hesitation, the squad leader gritted his teeth and said, "Warriors of the Empire, we have been attacked by the Chinese army. In such a critical situation, we must warn the brigade headquarters as soon as possible and prepare for battle."

"Therefore, we cannot save Captain Tsuji Masaru."

"However, I believe that with Captain Tsuji's Bushido spirit, he will not fall into the hands of the Chinese alive!"

Although this was used as an excuse to persuade the soldiers to retreat immediately.

However, the squad leader had no doubt whatsoever about Tsuji Masanobu committing suicide to show his loyalty.

Everyone knows that Captain Tsuji Masaru has long been prepared to serve His Majesty faithfully.

His words were reasonable and logical, and the Japanese soldiers who had escaped death nodded in agreement.

Then, led by the squad leader, they turned back along the same route, filled with grief and indignation...

"Twenty-two enemy soldiers were killed, and five were captured, two of whom were seriously wounded and the remaining three were lightly wounded."

"Moreover, among those who sustained minor injuries, there was an officer with the rank of captain."

Upon hearing from the staff officer that a Japanese captain had been captured alive, Sun Zhongneng looked surprised: "Captain?"

"The collar insignia has one bar and three stars, so it should be a captain."

The staff officer explained.

This was also his first contact with the Japanese army.

Previously, I had only gained some understanding through information.

Hearing this, Sun Zhongneng chuckled: "This is getting interesting. Bring him over."

"Yes."

The staff officer acknowledged, and was about to turn and leave when he stopped and asked, "Commander-in-Chief, what about the two seriously wounded?"

Without a second thought, Sun Zhongneng answered the question: "You decide what to do."

"clear."

The staff officer left excitedly.

Soon after, Tsuji Masanobu, who was bound hand and foot, was led into the tent.

At this moment, Captain Tsuji was in a sorry state. His yellow overcoat had been stripped off, and even the dog-skin hat that he had been wearing on his head was nowhere to be seen.

And because he fell face-first from the horse, half of his face was covered in blood...minor injury!

"idiot!"

As soon as the hand that was choking him was removed, Tsuji Masanobu started cursing.

His face had a rebellious look on half of it.

Then his gaze fell upon Sun Zhongneng.

Looking at Sun Zhongneng's light gray camouflage coat, his gaze became puzzled.

This doesn't look like the uniform of a Chinese soldier.

He frowned and asked in somewhat strange Chinese, "Who are you?"

While he was sizing up Sun Zhongneng, Sun Zhongneng was also sizing him up.

Judging by those collar insignia, he really is a captain.

He ignored Tsuji Masanobu's question and said directly, "Captain, state your name and rank."

The tone, as if interrogating a prisoner, made half of Tsuji Masanobu's face grow increasingly ugly.

He stared intently at Sun Zhongneng for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Chinese, are you killing Imperial soldiers in preparation for declaring war on the Great Japanese Empire?!"

Sun Zhongneng was a little stunned when such a sentence suddenly came out.

He paused for a moment, then chuckled: "Captain, you seem to have misunderstood something. This is Chinese territory."

“With your Japanese army here, we have the right to fire at you regardless of the law of which country.”

"As for declaring war... have you already declared war on China?"

"idiot!"

Sun Zhongneng frowned and waved his hand dismissively.

With that one movement, the two rifle butts struck Tsuji Masanobu directly, and a scream of agony immediately filled the tent.

The beating lasted for a full minute.

Tsuji Masanobu, who was curled up on the ground, took a while to recover before he finally let out a groan.

"Help him up."

Two soldiers helped Tsuji Masanobu, whose head was covered in blood, to his feet.

Sun Zhongneng continued with his previous question: "Captain, can you tell me your name and rank now?"

Panting heavily, Tsuji Masanobu slowly raised his head and said with a pained expression, "I am a prisoner of war. According to the Geneva Convention, I now request that you provide me with medical treatment."

"Until then, I refused to answer any questions."

Sun Zhongneng: "..."