Chapter 66 Hirata Ichiro is bewildered-Brilhando a Espada: No Início, Ajudo Li Yunlong a Conseguir um Canhão Italiano(Iniciar jogo)

Seeing the brigade commander approach, the intelligence officer hurriedly stopped his animated, spittle-flying explanation and snapped a salute: "Brigade Commander!"

"Brigade Commander!"

...

The others stood up one after another and quickly saluted the brigade commander.

The brigade commander's gaze fell on the intelligence officer's face: "Don't stop, keep talking."

"Yes, Brigade Commander." The intelligence officer continued with radiant enthusiasm, "The situation at that time was extremely critical. The fields of fire for the soldiers of the New Regiment and the Independent Regiment were blocked by the artillery, making it impossible for them to provide support. They could only watch helplessly as the puppet troops soldiers clutched explosive packs, attempting to blow up the ammunition crates. Right at that moment, Li Yunlong had actually ambushed a marksman. This man fired three shots; the third shot hit the explosive pack held by a puppet army soldier, and the blast took down more than a dozen puppet soldiers. Thus, the artillery was preserved..."

Before the intelligence officer could finish, the brigade commander had already bolted forward: "Quick, quick, quick! Bring me my horse, I'm going to the New Regiment right now!"

---

Jiang Deshui and several puppet army officers fled in a panic, trailing behind the Japanese squad leader.

Although the dozens of them had shaken off the pursuit of the Eighth Route Army, they remained jittery all along the way, fleeing for their lives.

Many of them had lost their shoes while running, and they had discarded their weapons and ammunition, leaving them with only the clothes on their backs.

They fled to a stronghold, but even after entering and reaching safety, extreme terror lingered on their faces.

Especially for Jiang Deshui and the others, an entire force of three regiments had simply vanished like that.

When they set out to encircle and suppress the New Regiment, how majestic and imposing they had been, even bringing six artillery pieces.

And now, only a handful of bare commanders were left—it was as wretched and humiliating as it could possibly be.

The contrast between then and now was stark.

Ever since setting foot on this land, the Japanese squad leader had always been victorious and unimpeded.

Now, watching with his own eyes as his detachment was reduced to a mere dozen or so men, he felt as though a lifetime had passed.

When had the Imperial Army ever suffered such a devastating defeat?

How was he to report this situation back to Ichiro Hirata?

The puppet garrison troops at the stronghold stared in shock and silence at the miserable state of the fleeing dozens.

A force of over three thousand men had marched out grandly to encircle the New Regiment, and only a few dozen had returned?

Wasn't this a bit too exaggerated?

Had the New Regiment grown to such a terrifying extent?

One had to know that Ichiro Hirata had already set up a celebration banquet in the county seat, eagerly waiting for their triumphant return.

If they returned in this state, how incredibly awkward it would make Lord Ichiro Hirata.

Regardless of whether Ichiro Hirata felt awkward or not, the reality was right before them: the encirclement campaign had failed, and it still had to be reported.

There were trucks at this stronghold, and the dozens of men boarded them, heading straight for Heyuan County Seat.

Watching the trucks carrying Jiang Deshui, the Japanese squad leader, and the others disappear from sight, the highest-ranking puppet army officer at the stronghold instructed his subordinates: "Everyone, get busy and prepare. Once Lord Ichiro Hirata learns of the defeat, he will inevitably fly into a rage, and we will be requisitioned immediately."

"Sir, one hundred and twenty men from our stronghold were already requisitioned previously, leaving only sixty. If there's another requisition, our defense will practically be reduced to a sham," a puppet army squad leader said to the senior officer.

"The New Regiment has already become a colossal threat and must be wiped out. Get ready," the senior officer said, then picked up the telephone.

He had to report upward that the campaign to encircle the New Regiment had failed.

---

Heyuan County Seat

Ichiro Hirata's adjutant had prepared a celebration banquet for him, booking the finest restaurant in Heyuan County Seat.

Delicacies that were rarely seen on ordinary days were all meticulously prepared.

There was fine wine, and even a local opera troupe had been invited.

Although the celebration banquet had not yet begun, a lively and bustling atmosphere already filled the air.

That day, Ichiro Hirata summoned his adjutant.

"My birthday is also approaching soon. How about we combine it with my birthday banquet? What do you think?" Ichiro Hirata asked the adjutant.

"That's entirely fine, there's no conflict at all," the adjutant smiled. "The good news of wiping out the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment will be the greatest birthday gift for the lieutenant colonel."

"Hahaha," Ichiro Hirata laughed heartily. "Well said, go ahead and arrange it."

"Hai!" The adjutant went off to make the arrangements.

Not long after the adjutant left, someone hurried over, disbelief coloring his tone: "Lieutenant Colonel, a phone call just came from the He Family Stronghold, saying they saw the troops sent to encircle the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment returning."

"Is that so? So quickly, Noichi Fujimura has already wiped out the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment?" In his high spirits, Ichiro Hirata failed to notice the extreme shock in the newcomer's tone.

For Noichi Fujimura to eliminate the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment so quickly could indeed be considered astonishing.

After all, the New Regiment was no longer the rabble of the past, short of guns and ammunition.

"No, no..." Seeing that Ichiro Hirata still had not realized something was amiss, the man shook his head, his tone weighing heavier by a couple of notches: "Lieutenant Colonel, they failed."

"What? They failed?" Hearing this, the smile on Ichiro Hirata's face instantly stiffened.

Noichi Fujimura failed?

How could this be!

Noichi Fujimura and his men had brought over three thousand troops, and even hauled six artillery pieces.

With a lineup like that, they could have easily crushed one of Yan Xishan's brigades into the dust.

At most, the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment had two thousand men. Even with weapons and ammunition, their combat effectiveness couldn't possibly compare to one of Yan Xishan's brigades.

And now you're telling me Noichi Fujimura failed?

This was a joke!

This was sheer nonsense!

This was a false military report!

This was a blatant challenge to the combat capability of the Imperial Army!

Seeing the smile freeze on Ichiro Hirata's face, the newcomer knew that Ichiro Hirata could not believe or accept it for the moment.

Then again, even he himself couldn't believe it to this very moment.

Yet how could the puppet army officer at the He Family Stronghold dare to make such a joke at a time like this? Was he tired of living?

Furthermore, the officer had reported that out of more than three thousand men, only a few dozen had returned, and those few dozen were already on their way to Heyuan County Seat by truck.

The newcomer had even called the strongholds along the route to verify, and the garrisons along the way had indeed seen the defeated soldiers.

"Lieutenant Colonel..." The newcomer wanted to continue.

Slap!

Ichiro Hirata struck him across the face with a hard blow: "Baka! Nonsense! On the battlefield, uttering such words would be considered subverting military morale!"

Because Hirata Ichiro used considerable force, one side of the newcomer's face swelled up instantly, and his mouth filled with the taste of blood.

Yet he could only cup his swollen cheek with one hand while lowering his head, not daring to meet Ichiro Hirata's eyes as he braced himself: "Lieutenant Colonel, I wouldn't dare report false information..."

"Baka! Get out, verify it again, and then come back to report!" Ichiro Hirata kicked him so hard he tumbled across the floor like a rolling gourd.

"Hai." The newcomer scrambled up using both hands and feet, fleeing the room in abject terror.

He knew he had to give Ichiro Hirata some time to accept the reality.

An army of over three thousand men had set out with great fanfare, bringing six artillery pieces—how full of spirit and confidence they had been.

Ichiro Hirata had even guaranteed his superiors that he would wipe out the Eighth Route Army's New Regiment completely and wash away their shame once and for all.

In fact, Ichiro Hirata had even prepared the celebration banquet in advance, intending to hold it alongside his own birthday celebration.

To be told at this very moment that the encirclement campaign had failed—whoever was in his shoes could never accept it in a short period of time.

"How could this be? How could this be? Noichi Fujimura had over three thousand men, he couldn't possibly fail, he couldn't possibly fail..."

After the newcomer retreated, the strength seemed to drain out of Ichiro Hirata all at once.

He collapsed into his chair, muttering to himself, a dazed look of utter bewilderment on his face.

He simply could not fathom how Noichi Fujimura, such an outstanding commander, could possibly have failed.