In the wilderness three kilometers east of Phoenix Ridge.

Yamashita Fengwu led the remnant army like a bereaved dog, and fled for ten minutes. They stopped only after confirming that the Eighth Route Army behind them was not pursuing them.

While taking a breath, the Japanese medical soldiers finally had time to treat the wounded.

At this time, Chief of Staff Tomie Chiba, who carried the rank of Major on his shoulders, tidied up his somewhat messy military uniform, went to Yamashita Fengwu and asked for instructions: "Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, what should we do now? We have bypassed the Eighth Route Army's set up at Phoenix Ridge.

If we continue to go south, we can drive straight into the ambush circle and head straight to Jinzhong County."

Yamashita Fengwu said with a gloomy face: "In the Battle of Phoenix Ridge, although we successfully broke out of the Eighth Route Army's encirclement, we suffered 60% casualties and lost all our heavy firepower weapons. We only had a few light machine guns and some grenade launchers.

.

There are still a few mortars, but none of the heavy machine guns are gone. Even if they arrive at Jinzhong County, what can they do?

Moreover, the Eighth Route Army may not have set up a blocking line. The fact that the Eighth Route Army just did not pursue it is the best proof.

If we fall into an ambush by the Eighth Route Army again, it will not be that easy to break through again."

After a pause, Yamashita Fengwu changed his voice and continued: "In addition, even if the Eighth Route Army only set up an ambush circle halfway, the Eighth Route Army in Phoenix Ridge can still defend.

I have just observed carefully that the strength of this Eighth Route Army is no less than that of our 8th Mixed Brigade, and it has all kinds of light and heavy weapons.

In our current state, even if we encounter it head-on, we probably won't be able to defeat it."

When Chiba Tomijiang heard this, his expression became ugly, and he asked again: "Your Majesty, Brigade Commander, what should we do now? Return to Taiyuan City?"

Yamashita Fengwu shook his head, his eyes flashed with a ferocious light, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Shall we fight back?"

Chiba Tomie was stunned and didn't understand what brigade commander Yamashita meant. He just said that even if he encountered the Eighth Route Army on Fenghuang Ridge, it would be difficult to defeat it, and now he wanted to fight back again.

"Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, we have just been reorganized and are no match for the Eighth Route Army. And you also said that almost all of our heavy firepower weapons have been lost. Even if we encounter the Eighth Route Army on Fenghuang Ridge head-on, we will not be able to defeat the Eighth Route Army."

It's hard to beat it.

If we fight back now, wouldn't we be falling into a trap?"

"This is different!" Yamashita Fengwu shook his head.

Chiba Tomie: "What's the difference?"

Yamashita Fengwu: "We have just entered the ambush circle of the Eighth Route Army. Not only did they condescend to seize a favorable position in advance, deploy light and heavy firepower points, but they also laid a large number of landmines on the road.

In that case, the advantages of our Imperial Japanese Army's well-equipped and well-trained soldiers could not be fully utilized.

Failure is completely understandable.”

"Our current state is very bad. If we encounter them head-on, it will be really difficult to defeat them.

But right now, the Eighth Route Army has just won a great victory, so it must have let down its guard. Maybe it is greedily cleaning the battlefield and picking up the weapons and equipment of our Imperial Japanese Army. If we go back now, we will definitely be able to catch them off guard!"

After a pause, Yamashita Fengwu changed the topic and continued: "Moreover, the battle at Phoenix Ridge was a huge shame for our invincible Imperial Japanese Army.

If this place is not restored, our shame will definitely be recorded in the military history of the empire and we will be ridiculed by the descendants of the empire forever."

"Moreover, if we can't get this place back, how can we have the dignity to go back to see Commander Yoshio Shinozuka and His Majesty the Emperor?"

This last paragraph is the real reason why Yamashita Fengwu wanted to go back for revenge.

He is an extremely arrogant person, but his brother Yamashita Fengfumi's light is so bright that it completely covers up his light.

When people mention the Yamashita family, they always only mention his brother. Even if they mention him, they will subconsciously think that he got to his current status through the back door.

At this moment, Yamashita Fengwu returned to Taiyuan in such a dejected manner, wasn't he in line with what others said?

Chiba Tomie's brows knitted tightly together, and he said: "This matter is of great importance. Should we ask Commander Yoshio Shinozuka for instructions first?"

Yamashita Fengwu said with a serious face: "How can we have the face to ask Commander Shinozuka Yoshio for instructions now?"

"After we finish this battle and wash away our shame with the blood of those Tobali, I will apologize to Commander Yoshio Shinozuka.

I will bear all the blame!

Now, all you need to do is follow my orders!"

"Hiyi!"

Although Tomie Chiba felt that Yamashita Tomu's decision was very risky and might even ruin the entire 8th Independent Brigade, seeing that the other party had made up his mind, he could only give a heavy pause.

The internal hierarchical system of the Japanese army is extremely strict. If he dares to continue to speak out at this time, the other party may give him a few big slaps in the light, or directly reward him with a peanut in the worst case.

Anyway, if the sky falls, there will be taller people holding it up, so why should he ask for trouble?

Just when Chiba Tomie frowned and was about to convey the order, a communications soldier carrying an individual radio station suddenly ran over in a hurry.

The communications soldier held a translated message in his hand. He walked quickly to the foot of the mountain and stood in front of Fengwu, his legs snapping together and standing at attention. Then he paused and said: "Report to your Excellency, the Brigade Commander, the 9th Brigade of the Jinzhong Imperial Army."

General Naoomi Hattori sent an urgent message asking where we were, what happened on the way, whether we were blocked by the Eighth Route Army, and when we would arrive in Jinzhong.

He also said that the situation in Jinzhong County is very serious. The Eighth Route Army has invested at least 15,000 troops and is gradually compressing the 9th Brigade's defense line.

If they cannot get tactical guidance in time, they may not be able to hold on until dawn."

Yamashita Fengwu frowned and thought for a moment, then instructed the communication soldier in front of him: "Immediately call Hattori-kun back and tell him that we were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army in Fenghuang Ridge and are currently exchanging fire with the Eighth Route Army. Wait until we destroy this damned army."

After the Eighth Route Army, he will go to Jinzhong County as soon as possible, please be sure to hold on!"

"Hiyi!"

The Japanese communications corps wrote down the order from brigade commander Yamashita Fengwu, nodded heavily, then turned around and left, sending a telegram.

Immediately afterwards, Chiba Tomie also conveyed Yamashita Fengwu's order.

After taking a short rest, the remnants of the 8th independent mixed brigade immediately followed the brigade commander Yamashita Fengwu and turned back in the direction of Phoenix Ridge.

It has to be said that the quality of the Japanese army is really not that strong. If it were replaced by an ordinary army, it would have lost its combat effectiveness long ago after the casualties exceeded 60%.

But right now, there was no trace of fear or flinching in the eyes of this remnant army of Japanese soldiers. They looked like a group of cold-blooded machines.

…

(End of chapter)
Chapter completed!