Chapter Twenty-Eight: An Encounter with Gu Shoufu!

"I understand what you're trying to say. Don't worry, I'm fine!" Chen Qingzhi composed himself, forced a smile, and spoke to Fang Xiaodong.

"That's good!" Fang Xiaodong saw that although Chen Qingzhi was still somewhat dispirited, his mood had clearly improved. Knowing that Chen Qingzhi must have come to terms with things, he decided not to press further.

After a brief pause, Fang Xiaodong asked, "Commander, where should we go next?"

"Where should we go?" Chen Qingzhi showed a hint of contemplation. He thought for a moment, then suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination. He gave a cold laugh and said, "Of course, we must head to Xuzhou, right to the heart of the battlefield!"

He didn't say the next sentence aloud, but silently vowed to himself: "We must seek vengeance on the Japanese, make the Imperial Army pay a bitter price!"

After this incident, Chen Qingzhi understood deeply that the most urgent task was to expand his troops, to build the strength needed to confront the Japanese Army. Otherwise, dreaming of revenge was nothing but fantasy.

Upon hearing Chen Qingzhi's words, Fang Xiaodong nodded. He was about to speak when suddenly a soldier ran over, breathing heavily, and saluted Chen Qingzhi. "Commander, bad news! We've spotted a squad of Japanese soldiers to our left!"

"Japanese soldiers?" Fang Xiaodong was startled. He glanced at Chen Qingzhi, then quickly asked, "How many of them are there?"

"The numbers aren't large, about the size of a squad, but they have an armored vehicle and several officers are accompanying them. The Japanese troops guarding them are well-equipped," the soldier replied hastily.

"A squad of Japanese soldiers, with an armored vehicle and several officers..." Fang Xiaodong frowned, murmuring to himself.

"There must be something unusual about this!" Chen Qingzhi declared decisively. He thought for a moment, then asked, "How far are they from us?"

"About two kilometers!"

"Come, take ten men and let's go check it out. The rest stay here and wait for our return," Chen Qingzhi decided.

"Yes, sir!"

He left Huzi and the others to guard the position, and Chen Qingzhi, with Fang Xiaodong and ten soldiers, headed in the direction of the Japanese squad.

After walking about a kilometer, Chen Qingzhi could already feel the ground trembling slightly, and faint rumbling sounds echoed from afar.

At once, Chen Qingzhi realized this must be the sound of the armored vehicle's engine. He quickly raised his hand for the men to crouch down, then climbed a nearby tall tree, took out his binoculars, and gazed into the distance.

He had a premonition that something extraordinary might happen this time.

...

Lieutenant General Taniguchi Shoufu was in high spirits today. His Sixth Division had captured the Chinese capital, Nanjing, which was a tremendous achievement, sure to add a grand mark to his military career.

Moreover, rumors from headquarters indicated that he was highly regarded, and even the Emperor himself had praised his Sixth Division as one of the Empire's most formidable units. It was said that upon his return home, the Emperor would bestow upon him an honorary medal and personally present him with a treasured imperial sword.

This only made Taniguchi Shoufu all the more excited! To receive the Emperor's treasured sword was the highest honor in the Japanese military.

There were so many division commanders throughout the Empire, including those of more than twenty first-class divisions, yet few could claim to have been personally awarded the treasured sword by the Emperor.

Back in Japan, every time he saw those who possessed the Emperor's sword flaunting their status, Taniguchi couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, even sensing a certain inferiority.

Now, he could finally have one himself!

When he received the news, he couldn't help but rejoice inwardly.

He'd already resolved that once he acquired the treasured sword, he would proudly display it before his colleagues and bask in their envious gazes.

With these thoughts, Taniguchi's mood soared.

He was also exceedingly pleased with the warriors of the Sixth Division, who had fought valiantly in Nanjing. Had they not pressed forward so fiercely and been the first to storm the Chinese capital ahead of the others, how could he have received such an honor?

Therefore, Taniguchi decided to personally visit the front lines to commend the Empire's brave warriors.

As the commander of the Sixth Division, his movements inevitably brought the division's officers along with him.

Thus, Taniguchi set out in an armored vehicle, surrounded by his officers and guarded by a squad of Japanese soldiers, heading toward Nanjing.

...

The armored vehicle jolted so much that Taniguchi couldn't help but frown. In the past, he would have refused to ride in one and rebuked the officers, but now, his good mood left him unconcerned.

After some time, feeling as if his bones were about to be shaken apart, Taniguchi suddenly sensed the armored vehicle lurch and then come to a halt.

Immediately, someone announced, "Division Commander, we have arrived at the Chinese capital, Nanjing!"

"Excellent!" Taniguchi stepped out of the armored vehicle, surrounded by his officers. He gazed into the distance at Nanjing, its majestic city walls and vast fertile lands stretching out before him, and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"To possess such expansive land—what a marvelous feeling!" Taniguchi exclaimed.

The previous owners had been driven out by the Empire; from now on, this vast territory belonged to them.

Whenever he thought of the Chinese, Taniguchi muttered, "How could these lowly, ignorant people ever deserve such enormous lands? Only our Empire deserves such grand territory!"

"Division Commander, look!" A Japanese major approached Taniguchi, respectfully pointing toward Nanjing. "This is the Chinese army's capital. But thanks to the brave attack of our Imperial warriors, it now belongs to us!"

"Furthermore, in the future, our Empire will continue to advance, conquer more cities and lands, and ultimately annihilate the Chinese army!"

"Excellent!" Taniguchi nodded with satisfaction.

"Come, let's move forward. I want to see the city walls of Nanjing up close—to witness firsthand how magnificent our Empire's new city is!"

With renewed pride, Taniguchi spoke out.

From afar, the city walls of Nanjing struck him as a remarkable feat of architecture, and he longed to see them closely.

But the officer, hearing this, hesitated, a troubled expression crossing his face. "Division Commander, there are still some die-hard Chinese troops inside Nanjing, stubbornly resisting. If you proceed now, it may be unsafe."