Spy Wars: Red Agent Codename Phoenix

Chapter 1740 Why Perform a Sacrifice to Heaven?

Akashi suddenly realized that Toihara Hiroki was quite shrewd.

Moreover, the two patted each other's faces, appearing much more affectionate.

Akashi said happily, "Yoshi! Doihara-kun! As long as we cross the Qingjiang River quietly and suddenly appear at Gaojiazui, the stone tablet will be within our grasp."

Doihara Hama shook his head and said, "According to intelligence, the Chinese Iron-Blooded Special Agent Division guarding Gaojiazui is quite formidable."

Akashi scoffed, "How powerful can they be? More powerful than the 74th Army and the 11th Division of China?"

Doihara Hamako said cryptically, "This unit was able to grow like a snowball in just over ten days, from a mere thousand people to eight thousand by absorbing deserters, refugees, and students. They underwent the same grueling training and patriotic education as the Eighth Route Army, making their combat effectiveness immeasurable."

Now, they and the 11th Division of the Chinese Army form a pincer movement, and the areas they control are all places we must attack.

Akashi Shiro sneered, "Don't listen to rumors. They're just a bunch of refugees, deserters, and students. They can't possibly form a fighting force in a short time. I, the division commander, will send out the elite Nojiri Battalion for a flanking maneuver and a sneak attack. We'll definitely annihilate them."

Doihara Hama shook his head and said, "One battalion is too few, at least two battalions are needed."

Akashi said impatiently, "Don't you still have a large battalion? Let's attack together!"

Doihara Hamaji, not wanting to admit that he didn't have many men left, rolled his eyes and smiled, "Yoshi! Akashi-kun! Our army has gone through several major battles and is severely lacking in supplies. Could you provide some?"

Having finally managed to get him to cooperate, Akashika Hiroshi readily agreed, saying, "Of course! But you must work together with Nojiri Kaio to storm into Gaojiazui."

Doihara Hamaji pointed westward and said decisively, "King Akashi! I, the great general, will be the first to charge up Gaojialing and cut off the head of the commander of the Chinese Iron-Blooded Special Forces Division."

Akashi clapped his hands and laughed, "Yosh! This division commander will use the pontoon bridge and attack from the front. Let's move!"

"Hah!"

Doihara Hamahi nodded happily, appearing very cooperative.

After Akashi Kagami had gone some distance, Sakai Taro asked with a smile, "General! Are you really going to be the first to charge up Gaojialing?"

"Go to hell with it! It's just a prank on this bastard."

Doihara Hamako sneered, paused, and then gave the order.

"Send someone to the quartermaster of the 13th Division to collect supplies, especially canned meat, the more the better."

"Hah!"

Taro Sakai bowed and accepted the order.

Gaojiazui, Xiang Chu's residence.

Liu Zhengxiong, Xiao Liu, and Sun Xingzheng were reporting to Xiang Chu, addressing each other by their current official titles.

Liu Zhengxiong said happily, "Commander! Your idea is really good. Those Japanese agents were released out of the cave and started shooting at us with their guns. Little did they know that the bullets inside were blanks, and they were all wiped out by us."

Xiang Chu nodded and asked, "Chief of Staff! Is Takahashi Kosei inside?"

Liu Zhengxiong shook his head and said, "I searched carefully, but I couldn't find this guy."

Xiao Liu hurriedly said, "Commander! The Japanese company commander cursed before he died, saying that Takahashi Kosei was a bastard who didn't cross the pontoon bridge himself and sent him to his death."

Xiang Chu laughed and said, "Takahashi Kosho is just like his brother Takahashi Taisho. He has learned the essence of Doihara Kenji. They are both opportunistic and cowardly people who would never be at the forefront."

Yu Xiaowan said worriedly, "Brother Chu! The main force of the Japanese army is coming soon. Aren't you going to blow up the pontoon bridge now?"

Xiang Chu shook his head and said, "No need to rush! This pontoon bridge is both a lifeline for the troops on the other side and a death trap for the Japanese, so they can't cross it even if they want to."

Liu Zhengxiong said impatiently, "Xiaowan! What's your rush? The pontoon bridge is full of bombs, they could explode at any time."

Yu Xiaowan waved her hand and said, "Who's in a hurry? I'm just afraid you've forgotten. I'm going to train the medics, you guys continue."

Xiang Chu pointed to the map and instructed Xiao Liu: "Commander Lü! You should quickly lead the special operations regiment up the Qingjiang River and lay landmines and set up a large number of hunter traps at the landing point on this shallow beach to block the invading enemy."

"Yes!"

Xiao Liu hurriedly accepted the order.

Liu Zhengxiong asked doubtfully, "Would the Japanese soldiers come around from here?"

Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Of course! Flanking maneuvers are a common tactic of the Japanese."

At this moment, Wei Feng entered the cave and reported:

"Commander! Commander Hu is going to hold a ceremony to worship Heaven and asks us to send someone to participate."

Xiang Chu asked in astonishment, "Offer sacrifices to Heaven? Why would you offer sacrifices to Heaven?"

Wei Feng took out a manuscript and handed it to him, saying, "This is the oath to Heaven. Commander Hu asked me to take a look at it and see if there are any problems."

Xiang Chu took the manuscript, glanced at it, and couldn't help but read aloud: "A proclamation to the mountains and rivers... It is right and proper to defend the land that our ancestors painstakingly built and bequeathed to us... Born a soldier, I will die a soldier's soul... Now that the enemy has invaded, I am determined to annihilate them. I will give my life when my strength is exhausted..."

The people in the cave listened quietly as he finished reading, all deeply moved.

Liu Zhengxiong volunteered: "Commander! Wei Feng and I will go."

Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Good! Tell Commander Hu that the Iron-Blooded Special Forces Division will fight to the death and will never retreat a single step!"

"Yes!"

Liu Zhengxiong accepted the order without hesitation.

Sun Xing said worriedly, "Commander! We don't mind dying, but we can't let the Japanese find out that we died here. Otherwise, our brothers behind enemy lines and our wives will be exposed as well."

Xiang Chu nodded and instructed, "Notify all spies to hand over all items that can prove their identity for safekeeping, use Dulong face paint, and prepare two suicide grenades."

"Yes!"

Sun Xing hurriedly accepted the order.

"Boom! Boom!"

A series of explosions echoed along the left bank of the Qingjiang River.

Xiang Chu hurriedly walked to the observation post and looked out.

More than a dozen Japanese planes bombed the bridgehead and the defensive fortifications along the river.

Fortunately, Xiang Chu had taken precautions and the fortifications he set up on the surface were all fake.

The real fortifications were built against the mountains, making aerial bombing ineffective.

Gunshots rang out from the opposite bank of the river, and thousands of Japanese soldiers howled as they charged toward the pontoon bridge.

Yu Xiaowan ran into the cave, walked to Xiang Chu's side, and smiled:

"Brother Chu! What's been waiting for has finally arrived."

Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Yes! Let them never leave alive."

Yu Xiaowan asked, "How do you plan to fight this battle?"

Xiang Chu laughed and said, "There's a saying among the Japanese: 'We'd rather fight the elite 74th Army of the Central Army than touch the 19th Division of the Hunan Army, which is a miscellaneous unit.' This time, we can learn from the tactics of the 19th Division of the Hunan Army, which you mentioned as the third-line reserve force, and combine them with some of the excellent tactics of the Eighth Route Army."

Yu Xiaowan asked doubtfully, "Is the 19th Division's fighting style effective?"

Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Quite impressive! They used the tactics of Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang, who divided their troops to defend their positions, making it impossible for the Japanese to break through. If they also incorporated the guerrilla tactics of the Eighth Route Army, it would be perfect."

Yu Xiaowan smiled wryly and said, "The Iron-Blooded Special Agent Division has a great reputation, but it is a mixed team after all, and the training time is extremely short. How can they carry out such a difficult tactic as you?"

Xiang Chu said noncommittally, "It should be possible!"

Just then, the phone rang.

Ma Fugui answered the phone and reported, "Commander! The deputy division commander requests permission to blow up the pontoon bridge."

Xiang Chu ordered, "When the pontoon bridge is completely covered with Japanese soldiers, blow it up."

"Yes!"

Ma Fugui hurriedly accepted the order.