Chapter 32: In Peril

Chapter 32: In Peril

(I)

The General understood their meaning all too well. Ever since Yasuji Okamura—that so-called "China Expert"—had taken command of the North China Area Army last July, the Japanese invaders had shifted their strategic focus. Their various blockades and "mopping-up" campaigns against the Eighth Route Army and the enemy-rear base areas in North China had become incredibly ruthless, stopping at nothing to achieve their ends.

The Deputy Chief of Staff spoke tactfully, "General, you know as well as I do that since the Nationalist forces suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain last year, our Taiyue Military District has lost its southern shield..."

The General waved his hand, signaling the Deputy Chief of Staff to stop.

"General, I know you are unwilling to accept it, but it is the truth! In our current situation, we are effectively surrounded on three sides. It is no longer appropriate for the headquarters to remain in the Taiyue region!" The Deputy Chief of Staff persisted in finishing his thought.

The General slammed his hand on the table. "Why is it inappropriate? I think it is perfectly appropriate! The mission of our Eighth Route Army is to carry out anti-Japanese activities behind enemy lines. If we run off to places where there are no Japanese, how can we call that resisting Japan?"

The Deputy Chief of Staff grew anxious. "General! Everything you say is correct! But you must consider the reality of the situation. Although we have raised our forces, we lack weapons, training, food, and supplies. The Japanese are currently hoping we stay here; they are dying for us to fight them head-on..."

"Enough!" The General’s expression hardened. He understood what the Deputy Chief of Staff was saying, of course.

Looking the Deputy Chief of Staff in the eye, the General challenged him, "I understand what you are saying, Comrade Zuo, but have you considered that the summer harvest is only two months away? If our headquarters were to relocate now, how would the common people and our comrades in the local forces perceive us? What would they think?"

With that, the General’s face remained stern as his fist thudded against the table once more.

The Deputy Chief of Staff gritted his teeth, fell silent, and let out a long sigh.

"Furthermore! We are currently in the gap between the old harvest and the new. Northwestern Shanxi produces even less grain. We are talking about tens of thousands of people—all the mouths to feed, both human and animal. If we fail to protect this year's summer harvest and instead relocate to Northwestern Shanxi now..." The General trailed off, refusing to continue, and simply shook his head slightly.

"General, could we try this?" The Deputy Chief of Staff walked to the map. "Could we organize a phased withdrawal? For example, we could move the non-combatants first—the cultural workers, propagandists, and journalists. That way, at least when the Japanese launch their larger-scale sweep in two months, our combat troops will face less pressure."

"Report, General!" the communications officer announced. "General, Chief of Staff, the Division Commander requests that you evacuate your current position as soon as possible! He says that only when you have retreated to a safe place can he feel free to fight without restraint!"

(II)

Near the Huting stronghold, since moving into their ambush positions before dawn, Li Yunlong and the Independent First Battalion had been lying in wait for an entire day.

In fact, starting from yesterday morning, Japanese troops had been moving in and out of the Huting stronghold intermittently.

At first, Chu Yunfei assumed the Japanese were sending out bait to lure Li Yunlong, but Li Yunlong keenly observed that the soldiers entering and exiting were wearing field boots, not the rubber-soled shoes typical of garrison or security units. He ordered his troops to hold their fire and wait, determined to see what the Japanese were truly up to.

Chu Yunfei whispered, "Brother Yunlong, I have a doubt, though I am not sure if I should ask."

Li Yunlong turned his head, squinted at Chu Yunfei with a sly glint in his eyes, gave a chuckle, and said, "Then don't ask."

Li Yunlong’s unconventional conversational style left Chu Yunfei momentarily speechless.

"Hehehe, what is it? Go ahead and ask!" Li Yunlong said with a grin.

Chu Yunfei curled his lip in annoyance and asked, "Brother Yunlong, you have already analyzed the enemy's intentions. Why haven't you moved to provide support, instead choosing to divide your forces and push forward? Don't tell me you're doing this just to put on a show for me!"

"That's definitely not it. You don't have that much influence, Brother Chu!" Li Yunlong’s knack for biting remarks made Chu Yunfei roll his eyes.

"Brother Chu, do you think we are in a difficult situation—unable to fight and unable to withdraw, with strong enemy forces both ahead and behind us?" Li Yunlong countered.

Chu Yunfei said nothing, but his silence was an admission.

"Heh, that is only your perspective!" Li Yunlong raised his binoculars to observe the distance and added nonchalantly, "But in my view, there is no one in our division who has a better position than me!"

(III)

Three military trucks sped southward along the road. As they approached a dirt track near a mountain pass, the trucks began to slow down before turning onto the path.

Unlike the open-topped trucks often seen in dramas, Guan Shan saw three trucks, all of them tightly covered with tarpaulins.

Art, after all, must be higher than life, and one must consider production costs and ensure the audience understands the scene at a glance; there is no need for excessive realism.

Tian Daqing whispered to Guan Shan, "That must be them, right?"