Chapter Sixty-Nine: Ishigane Matsui’s Schemes!

“Because of that openly coded telegram he sent, the Chinese are now fiercely hostile toward us, making the Empire's aspiration to build the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere impossible to advance!” Matsui Iwane declared. “So many brave warriors of the Empire not only failed to capture him, but even let him depart Nanjing unscathed. Tell me, what is the Empire keeping you for?”

Having said this, Matsui Iwane, as if still unsatisfied, swung his arm and slapped the officer sharply.

“Haai!” The officer dared not retort at all, enduring Matsui Iwane’s furious reprimand as if he were a child being scolded. Spittle sprayed across his face, soaking him as if drenched by rain.

Yet the officer showed no hint of resentment, not even daring to wipe the saliva from his face, standing obediently and bowing respectfully to acknowledge his fault.

“The Nanjing Incident has led the Western nations of the world to slander our Empire continuously, humiliating us internationally and causing countless losses. Can you bear the consequences of this?” Matsui continued.

“Headquarters just called me, demanding an explanation for the Nanjing Incident and ordering me to capture Chen Qingzhi, who has sabotaged the Empire’s grand plans, and eliminate him. But you—so many of you—allowed him to slip away right under your noses. Utter fools!”

“This is a disgrace the Empire cannot wash away!” The more Matsui Iwane spoke, the angrier he became. Seeing the officer standing before him, meekly accepting his scolding, a nameless fury flared in his heart, and he couldn’t help but slap him several more times.

He delivered a dozen slaps in succession, the crisp sound echoing repeatedly.

The officer’s cheeks swelled visibly, his eyes nearly squeezed shut, giving him the appearance of a pig’s head. Blood oozed from the corners of his mouth, and bright red finger marks appeared on his face.

Feeling the burning pain, as if his face had been splashed with hot pepper water, he soon felt numb, losing all sensation.

Even so, the officer dared not move, not even to wipe the blood from his mouth, standing motionless and allowing Matsui Iwane to beat him.

After a while, even Matsui Iwane grew tired, letting out a cold snort and saying, “I’m giving you one last chance. If you fail to capture or eliminate Chen Qingzhi this time, don’t bother coming back—commit seppuku!”

“But…” Hearing this, the officer hesitated, “But Chen Qingzhi has already fled to Qingyuan County. That’s where the Chinese army is heavily concentrated; it’s not easy for us to get there!”

“Moreover, Chen Qingzhi is now the commander of an independent brigade with many soldiers under him. Even if we break through the Chinese army’s blockade, we might still fail to capture him!”

As he spoke, the Japanese officer’s face showed a troubled expression.

Matsui Iwane snorted coldly and shouted angrily, “Bakayarou! Fool! Did I say you must capture him now?”

“Soon, the Empire’s main forces will march south to attack Xuzhou. Then, the entire region will be engulfed in war, and Chen Qingzhi will certainly be sent into battle. At that time, your task will be to intercept and annihilate Chen Qingzhi and his troops!”

“To ensure his complete destruction, I will dispatch large units specifically to attack his garrison! I want all the Chinese to see that anyone who dares to resist our great Empire will meet a miserable end!”

“Anyone who dares to stand in the Empire’s way will be crushed to dust beneath our wheels!” Matsui Iwane spoke fervently, then glanced at the officer and asked coolly, “Do you understand?”

“Haai! Commander, your wisdom shines!” Hearing this, the officer managed a smile. “With this plan, Chen Qingzhi is certain to die!”

“Yoshi!” Matsui Iwane nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice, “This time, to help you eliminate Chen Qingzhi, the headquarters has provided you with tremendous support. If you still fail to destroy him, you know the consequences! Now go!”

“Haai!”

The officer bowed deeply and replied in a solemn voice, “If I fail to eliminate Chen Qingzhi, I will commit seppuku myself!”

…

Independent Brigade Garrison

Except for a few soldiers out on patrol, nearly all the warriors were fervently training on the drill field. The live-fire training ground, which had been unused since the last exercise, was now in full swing.

After the Nanjing Massacre, the new recruits unexpectedly requested that Chen Qingzhi reopen the live-fire training ground for their drills.

Though surprised, Chen Qingzhi gladly agreed.

Since then, the sound of machine guns at the training ground was nearly unceasing.

If nothing else, just the three machine guns at the live-fire range consumed tens of thousands of rounds daily.

If any other unit trained this way, they’d have been ruined long ago, but the Independent Brigade was different—flush with resources.

Hundreds of thousands of silver dollars were still piled up in the barracks. If they ran out of bullets, they simply bought more; ammunition was always plentiful.

Even so, nearly two hundred thousand silver dollars had been spent on ammunition, a cost that pained Chen Qingzhi deeply.

But effort yields reward. Watching the new recruits train daily amid gunfire and explosions, their progress was swift.

At first, some new soldiers were nervous at the sound of gunfire, but now they had become accustomed to it.

Some warriors even felt uneasy if they didn’t hear gunfire every day. Crawling under barbed wire had once filled them with dread, but now they were all fully adapted.

After retaining the live-fire training ground, the soldiers and officers even devised simulated combat drills as a collective effort.

Using companies and platoons as units, two groups would engage in mock battles against each other. To make the drills realistic, they used machine guns, mortars, grenades—nearly everything available.

Chen Qingzhi was astonished by their ingenuity.

Since the Nanjing Massacre, the soldiers’ mindset had fundamentally changed.

At first, training brought complaints and reluctance.

Now, the soldiers rose voluntarily every day, undertaking drills and exercises on their own initiative. Often, even when officers announced mealtime or rest, some new recruits persisted in training with gritted teeth.

Why did they do this?

Chen Qingzhi knew well.

Though they seldom spoke of it, Chen Qingzhi understood.

They were preparing themselves for the imminent great battle, so they could better kill the invaders and avenge their compatriots.