Resistance against Japan: Starting with the local militia

Chapter 56 The Exposed Militia

"Commander Fujino, the transport team that went to Lijiazhuang stronghold to deliver supplies today was attacked. Squad Leader Ikeda has led the remaining personnel back to the county town."

"What?! It's the Eighth Route Army again!" Commander Fujino suspected the Eighth Route Army immediately upon receiving the news. The reason Commander Fujino didn't suspect the previous attack on Ono's company was that if they had attacked, the entire transport convoy would have been wiped out, not just like it is now, with some people even escaping back.

Commander Fujino has been quite troubled lately, as he has been receiving reports from various locations that they have been ambushed by the Eighth Route Army.

These Eighth Route Army soldiers were extremely cunning, striking and then retreating without lingering, leaving the Imperial Army reinforcements empty-handed. This tactic of the Eighth Route Army left Fujino Kisei feeling like he was punching cotton, unable to exert his strength effectively.

Although the Eighth Route Army couldn't significantly impact their troops, the constant raids every few days kept them busy providing support. Furthermore, the troops that attacked Ono's company last time hadn't been found yet, greatly infuriating Fujino Kiichi.

Thinking this, Fujino Kiichi gestured for the reporting soldier to leave, then picked up the telephone on the table:

"Translator Bai, notify Gou Dongxi and tell them to speed up the construction of key transportation hubs and strongholds to reduce the space for the Eighth Route Army's activities."

Since the last attack on strongholds such as Zhao Jiahe, Commander Fujino has reorganized Gou Dongxi to organize personnel for reconstruction. This time, to ensure the safety of the stronghold construction, Fujino Guiyi dispatched two companies of Imperial Army soldiers. The more than 1000 Imperial Army soldiers in the county town were divided into 5 teams, each with more than 200 men, to ensure the safe construction of the stronghold and to control the main traffic routes.

.......

"Sir, sir, good news, good news!" Jia Chusheng shouted as he ran towards Sakai's office.

At this moment, Sakai Taiji was sitting in his seat with a worried look on his face. He had been scolded by Commander Fujino quite a bit these past few days. Just as he was about to pick up the phone to ask Jia Chusheng if there were any results, he heard Jia Chusheng shouting and yelling in the distance.

He didn't have to wait more than a few seconds before Jia Chusheng rushed in, sweating profusely, and said:

"Sake, Sakai, Madam, I've found a lead on the unit that attacked the Imperial Army," Jia Chu said, panting heavily.

"What clue?" Upon hearing Jia Chusheng's words, Sakai Taiji excitedly stood up from the table, rushed to Jia Chusheng, and tightly grasped his shoulders, continuing to ask, "What clue, Mr. Jia?"

Taking advantage of the brief respite, Jia Chusheng calmed his breathing.

"Sir Sakai, a few days ago you asked me to investigate the militia in Tangjia Town. I have some news. I took the detective team brothers in disguise and went to Tangjia Town to investigate. Sure enough, we found that there has been a large-scale movement of people in Tangjia Town recently, and it was around the same time that the Imperial Army was attacked."

“Sir Sakai, one of my detectives happens to be from Tangjia Town. On his way home this time, he met a soldier from Tangjia Town who had joined the local militia. During their conversation, he learned that their militia had recently won a battle, but the other side didn’t know much about the details. To avoid alerting the enemy, I didn’t take any action against this militia soldier.”

"Yoshi, Jia-san, do you mean it was this militia that attacked our Imperial Army?" Sakai Taiji asked in fluent Chinese.

“Mr. Sakai, the militia doesn’t have that much fighting power. I suspect that the Nationalist army has planted an elite force here under the guise of the Tangjia Town militia.”

"Yoshi, Jia-san, your analysis is absolutely right. I'll report this to Commander Fujino immediately and ask for commendation for you." Sakai Taiji patted Jia Chusheng on the shoulder with satisfaction. Sakai Taiji thought to himself with a touch of pride, "As expected of the talent I personally discovered."

"Arigato, thank you for your guidance, Mr. Sakai. I swear to serve the Imperial Army to the death."

“Very good, Jia Sang, you need to continue to investigate the situation of the Tangjia Town militia and see who is selling dog meat under the guise of mutton.”

"Yes, Mr. Sakai, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished."

“Very good, Jia Sang. If this matter is handled well, you will be the big shot in the county from now on.”

"Really?" Jia Chusheng's eyes lit up. Although the detective team served the Imperial Army alongside the puppet troops, they were still inferior to them. That bastard Gou Dongxi had always been arrogant and domineering towards them. If he became a big shot in the county, he'd teach that dog Gou Dongxi a lesson.

"Jia-san, just focus on completing the mission. I won't let you suffer any losses," Sakai Taiji continued.

"Hello, Mr. Sakai, I'll go back immediately and intensify my reconnaissance to find out more about this enemy force as soon as possible." After saying this, Jia Chusheng left Mr. Sakai's office, muttering, "Gou Dongxi, you just wait."

After Jia Chusheng left, Sakai Taijun dialed Commander Fujino's number. Fujino Kiichi, in a fit of rage, answered the phone and immediately began yelling:

"Baka yarou, what is it? Speak up!"

"Reporting to Commander Fujino, this is Sakai Taiji, reporting information about the Chinese troops who attacked Ono's company and stronghold," Sakai said on the phone.

"Hmm? Tell me in detail." Upon hearing this news, Fujino Kiichi's anger subsided.

"Commander Fujino, after our reconnaissance over the past few days, we have discovered traces of large-scale military activity within the Tangjia Town area. Therefore, we conclude that the troops that attacked the Imperial Army are currently hiding in Tangjia Town."

"Since there is a local militia in Tangjia Town, I think the enemy is using this militia as a cover to conceal their presence."

"Currently, I am sending additional personnel to conduct detailed reconnaissance of this unit," Sakai Taijun reported rapidly.

"Yoshi, Sakai-kun, very good, your intelligence department is very efficient." Fujino Kiichi gave a slight compliment to ease the tension of the past few days.

"Commander Fujino, what's our next step?" Sakai asked.

"First, send people to find out the movements of this unit. Keep a close eye on them. Now that we know where they are hiding, they're like Sun Wukong in our hands. They can't escape our grasp. Right now, we have a more important task."

"What mission?" Sakai asked.

"We have just received orders from the North China Command that a batch of military supplies needs to be transported south to support the southward operations. However, according to intelligence, the North China Command has been instructed to ensure the safe passage of the military trains through our defense zone."

"Yes, Commander Fujino, I guarantee to carry out the North China Commander's orders."