Section 8, Northeast Beacon Fire (4)

Subsequently, we met a more senior officer from the Northeast Army, whose rank was Lieutenant Colonel. He first expressed his apologies for the restrictions on our personal freedom over the past month. To compensate us, we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch that day. During the meal, we learned from Lieutenant Colonel Du that the main force of the Japanese army attacking the Northeast had already been defeated, and the overall commander, General Mutō Nobuyoshi, had also suddenly died. Now, the Japanese army, under the leadership of Major General Niinomi Harushige, was retreating to Korea via the Liaodong Peninsula with the assistance of the Japanese Navy, while the Northeast Army was pursuing them with full force.

At 3:30, Zhang Xueliang said in a deep voice: "I command! The 'Zhurong' plan is initiated!" His words were imbued with an overwhelming aura of menace

As we approached Liaoyang from Shenyang, the scenery along the roadside became increasingly bleak, and we witnessed more and more traces of war—burning ruins and the wreckage of downed aircraft. On the road, we also encountered a derailed train, surrounded by many soldiers and medical personnel from Northeast China. This was a train transporting wounded soldiers of the Northeast Army in retreat, but it was attacked by Japanese aircraft during its journey and overturned. Many of the wounded aboard lost their lives due to the train's derailment. On the road, we also encountered a derailed train, surrounded by many soldiers and medical personnel from Northeast China. This was a train transporting wounded soldiers of the Northeast Army in retreat, but it was attacked by Japanese aircraft during its journey and overturned. Many of the wounded aboard lost their lives due to the train's derailment.

The deputy commander of the 101st division, Long Yunfeng, stepped forward and replied: "Yes!"

He displayed an expression of sudden realization, then joyfully patted my shoulder and said, "Oh, you are German! Germans are friends of us Northeasterners!" He pushed away the cash in my hand and enthusiastically said, "This bottle of juice is on me! Today is a day of celebration, so I will treat you!" As he spoke, he stuffed a packet of sunflower seeds into my hand, which truly took me by surprise. "This bottle of juice is on me! Today is a day of celebration, so I will treat you!" As he spoke, he stuffed a packet of sunflower seeds into my hand, which truly took me by surprise.

Everything is ready, only the east wind is lacking! What is the current wind speed?

Despite the fact that the Nanjing National Government employed various obstructive measures, the people in the vast areas under its control still learned of the victory of the Northeast Army. Passionate young students and patriotic citizens celebrated this victory in unique ways specific to their regions. Congratulations and letters of condolence flew to the Northeast like snowflakes, with various relief delegations carrying an array of gifts, even rushing pigs and leading sheep to the military checkpoints between the Hebei Nationalist-controlled area and the Northeast. The "Ta Kung Pao" reported: "This time, the sun of violence has invaded our Northeast, provoking national outrage. General Zhang Xueliang defends the land and protects the people, fighting valiantly with his lone army, displaying loyalty and courage that is beyond words. We hope for the reorganization of the military and continued struggle to reclaim our territory." Shanghai's "Life Weekly" stated: "Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang and the soldiers of the Northeast Frontier Army fought bravely against the enemy, their righteousness soaring to the skies, moving the entire nation and uplifting the people's spirits." The renowned educator and poet Tao Xingzhi composed a poem titled "To Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang" in praise of him.

The raging inferno continued until after 8 AM, completely consuming the urban area north of the Taizi River, which accounts for four-fifths of the entire city of Liaoyang. Due to the obstruction of the ice river, the Japanese troops, who had suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat to the southern district, barely managed to survive. Witnessing the countless bizarre and tragic deaths of his subordinates amidst the lingering smoke and embers, Mutō Nobuyoshi suddenly suffered a heart attack and died on the spot (historically, Mutō Nobuyoshi died of a heart attack after becoming overly excited at a banquet celebrating the Kwantung Army's occupation of Northeast China). Lieutenant General Ninomiya Harushige, who succeeded Mutō Nobuyoshi, immediately ordered the entire army to retreat.

The Washington Post: The Battle of Northeast China dealt the Japanese army the heaviest blow it has faced in modern times

I am from Berlin, sir, I replied

Regarding the doubts and concerns of Major General Ninomiya, who was somewhat suspicious, Mutō Nobuyoshi did not take them to heart. When the situation in the war was bound to end in defeat, Zhang Xueliang would naturally do his utmost to retain more troops to defend the last strategic stronghold in Northeast China—Shenyang. Therefore, it was not unexpected that when Liaoyang could no longer hold out, they would actively abandon the city and retreat while fighting. Most importantly, the reality was clear: the Imperial Army was the victor of the Battle of Liaoyang. The city was now completely under the control of the Imperial Army, with more than one division having already entered the city. With such a strong military presence, it was hard to believe that Zhang Xueliang could mount a counterattack. After waving his hand to dismiss Major General Ninomiya, Mutō quickly fell into a deep sleep.

We were all surprised and astonished when an Italian journalist asked in broken Chinese: "Has the war ended?"

The Times of London: The Northeast Army of China - A New Military Star Rising in the Far East

Finally, this resilient city has been captured! Under the reception of Major General Kanda, the group moved to the former command post of Zhang Xueliang, gazing at the continuous influx of Japanese troops into the city. Mutou felt a slight relief from the heavy burden he had been carrying, yet at the same time, an inexplicable sense of melancholy arose within him. He couldn't help but mock himself, realizing that he had been far too tense during this period. Now, he finally had the confidence to report the results of the Northeast campaign to Tokyo. The cost had been high, but at least he now had a fig leaf for self-comfort in Tokyo. This was all an unspoken understanding. At this moment, he should gracefully return to his country for 'rest' due to 'poor health.' The subsequent military affairs could be left to the army and the next commander of the Kwantung Army to handle.

After General Mutou Nobuyoshi issued several commands to ensure the steady control of the city, he, having not had a proper rest for over half a month, was about to collapse onto his campaign bed to take a well-deserved break, when the cautious Major General Ninomiya Harushige came to report several unexpected phenomena. Rather than saying that the Northeast Army was "routed and fled," it would be more accurate to say they were "withdrawing in an orderly manner while engaging in battle," as Major General Ninomiya had carefully observed that the Northeast Army's wounded and supplies were all taken away after the occupation of Liaoyang. If it had been a hasty retreat, it would have been impossible for them to be so thorough. "The Northeast Army must have actively abandoned this city," Major General Ninomiya concluded his thoughts.

At the end of October, when the war between the Northeast Army and the Japanese army was about to break out, we, the foreign journalists in Shenyang, including those from southern China, suddenly found our freedom restricted by the Northeast Army's military police. We were placed under house arrest at the Shenyang Press Center's guesthouse, which housed over 300 journalists and photojournalists from Europe, America, and South America. Later, we learned that not only in Shenyang but also in other parts of Northeast China, such as Beiping, Tianjin, Changchun, and Harbin, foreign nationals were similarly controlled by the Northeast military police. This measure was reportedly ordered directly by General Zhang, aimed at preventing any of us who might sympathize with Japan or be bribed from providing intelligence about the Northeast Army to the Japanese. Despite our serious protests, we remained under surveillance; objectively speaking, we did receive humanitarian treatment during this period. However, several Japanese journalists among us were not so fortunate; they were unceremoniously detained by armed Northeast military police and taken to other locations. It is estimated that Japanese journalists in other areas faced similar treatment, and we could not ascertain their subsequent situation.

The great fire in Zhang Xueliang not only resulted in the complete destruction of over 30,000 houses in four-fifths of the urban area of Liaoyang, but also incinerated a significant number of Japanese soldiers. The number of charred Japanese corpses dragged out from the blackened ruins by the Northeast Army was roughly estimated to exceed 12,000. Later, from declassified documents of the Japanese military, it was revealed that in this fire, which instilled fear in the Japanese army, the total number of Japanese soldiers who were burned, injured, or went missing amounted to over 15,800, roughly equivalent to the strength of a fully organized B-class division of the Japanese army.

On the afternoon of December 2, the advance troops of the Northeast Army's 101st Division broke through the Japanese army's blockade and stormed into Lüshunkou. Dozens of Northeast Army T-28 and Renault-17 tanks rolled onto the beach, crushing and firing upon the Japanese soldiers who were unable to escape. The ground was littered with the corpses of the Japanese soldiers. In a frenzy of vengeance for the South Bank wounded who had been brutally killed by the Japanese army after failing to retreat to the North Bank, the Northeast Army soldiers retaliated in kind, mercilessly stabbing and killing the incapacitated Japanese wounded at the port with bayonets. At this time, the Japanese fleet, already within the firing range of the Northeast Army's heavy artillery, hastily concluded their four-day-long rescue operation for the army and set sail for Incheon, Korea, managing to evacuate only over 40,000 army personnel under the bombardment of the Northeast Army's coastal artillery and aircraft. Meanwhile, on this day, the remnants of the 8th and 9th Divisions, besieged in Anshan and suffering from starvation after days without food, were completely annihilated by the Northeast Army's 110th and 111th Divisions in the ensuing battles (the commanders of the two divisions committed suicide by disembowelment after ordering the burning of their division flags). The remnants of the Japanese blocking forces on the Liaodong Peninsula and in Lüshunkou were gradually exterminated by the Northeast Army. On December 5, the influence of the Kwantung Army, which had deeply entrenched itself in Northeast China after the Russo-Japanese War, was finally eradicated. The victory achieved after days of hard fighting filled the hearts of all soldiers with joy. Gazing at the Japanese fleet fleeing in disarray on the distant sea, the Northeast Army soldiers at the port shouted slogans madly, firing their last bullets into the air and at the sea, expressing their ecstatic joy—Victory! Finally, victory!

Zhang Xueliang looked around at his two capable aides and resolutely waved his hand, saying: "As long as we can eliminate the Japanese army to the greatest extent possible, I am willing to cooperate with the devil if necessary! Long Yunfeng!"

On the morning of November 26, the Northeast Army launched a large-scale counterattack against the retreating Japanese forces. The demoralized Japanese troops desperately fled towards Lüshun, while the Northeast Army, led by Wu Songlin's 5th Independent Cavalry Brigade, fully utilized the rapid advantages of cavalry to relentlessly pursue the panicked Japanese soldiers. By noon, the Japanese forces barely reached Qingyan, where, in a state of despair akin to the end of the world, they injected alcohol and air into the veins of thousands of wounded soldiers who could not evacuate, hastening their deaths. The injured Japanese soldiers resorted to mutual suicide with rifles or gathered together to pull grenades. Amid the agonizing cries of the dying soldiers, some Japanese soldiers suffered complete mental breakdowns, collapsing to the ground, crying out to the heavens, and losing control of their bowels. The Japanese forces, unable to thoroughly destroy the facilities in Qingyan, left behind a scene of scattered corpses as they hurriedly retreated towards Anshan, accompanied by the thunderous sound of the Northeast Army's galloping hooves.

How is the preparation going

Without external pressure, Zhang Xueliang immediately mobilized elite troops from the four provinces of Rehe, Chahar, Suiyuan, and Heilongjiang to Liaoning to participate in the pursuit of the retreating Japanese army. At the same time, he dispatched militia units to fill the vacancies left by the border defense troops. Seeing that the defeat of the Japanese army was certain, Zhang Xueliang, who had been living in tension for many days, unexpectedly fell asleep during the meeting where he had just assigned the pursuit tasks to the various units.

The merits and demerits, let future generations judge! Yu Xuezhong replied quite boldly.

The international response has stirred up tremendous waves, as the news that a mere local armed force from China, which had been weak for nearly a century, inflicted a crushing defeat on Japan, a nation that had already risen to the ranks of world powers, initially met with skepticism from various governments. However, after verification, they had no choice but to acknowledge the achievements of the Northeast Army. This battle significantly elevated China's status on the international stage and greatly altered the attitudes, positions, and diplomatic strategies of many countries towards China. Waves of military observers and diplomats from various nations flocked to Shenyang and Nanjing to understand the situation and convey their governments' positions. This battle significantly elevated China's status on the international stage and greatly altered the attitudes, positions, and diplomatic strategies of many countries towards China. Waves of military observers and diplomats from various nations flocked to Shenyang and Nanjing to understand the situation and convey their governments' positions.

In the early hours of the 27th, Wang Shuchang's troops in Jinzhou were ordered to march overnight to intercept the escape route of the Japanese army, successfully encircling the incomplete remnants of the 8th and 9th Japanese Divisions in Anshan. The division commanders, Inaba Shirō and Watanabe Yodatarō, had already been killed in the Battle of Liaoyang. Both divisions had suffered heavy casualties, losing most of their troops and equipment along the way, and were left with almost no heavy armaments. Despite their low morale, the 8th and 9th Divisions still attempted to resist and engage in urban warfare against the Northeast Army in Anshan.

"Report to the 5th Cavalry Brigade! The enemy has thoroughly destroyed the airport, warehouses, hospitals, and has set many fires. Their wounded soldiers have taken care of themselves, and the enemy's food supplies have also been burned!" The commander of the 18th Cavalry Regiment, Wang Shanhua, rode forward to report to the arriving Wu Songlin, saying, "Brother, heh heh, the brothers have also captured over three hundred enemy nurses who couldn't escape. What do you think we should do?"

Every train ready to depart at the train station was adorned with colorful flags and bright red slogans, and the carriages were packed with people, most of whom were former residents of Liaoyang. Now that the battle was over, they were eager to return to their hometown. Additionally, there were many volunteers from the northern regions of Liaoning Province who had volunteered to go to Liaoyang to assist the military in clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded. Due to a special permit from the commander of the Shenyang garrison, we had exclusive use of a carriage, allowing us to travel comfortably to Liaoyang. Furthermore, there were many volunteers from the northern regions of Liaoning Province who had volunteered to go to Liaoyang to assist the military in clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded. Thanks to the special permit from the commander of the Shenyang garrison, we had exclusive use of a carriage, making our journey to Liaoyang quite comfortable

Zhang Xueliang glanced at his watch—3:27 PM, with 3 minutes remaining until the planned start. Everyone fell silent, quietly gazing at the city of Liaoyang in the distant night, where tens of thousands of troops stood in silence, with only the howling cold wind and the fluttering sound of military flags.

Italy's "Roman Report": China is quietly rising after the fragmentation of the Qing Empire

Hearing Wang Shanhua's affectionate call of "Elder Brother," Wu Songlin immediately realized that this fellow had set his sights on those nurses. This guy was exceptionally bold, fought valiantly, and wielded a good saber, but he simply could not change his lecherous ways. Well, since they are all Japanese women, Wu Songlin thought to himself with a serious expression: "I don't know anything about this, you handle it as you see fit. However, there are two points: first, do not let the brothers get sick; second, do not go all in at once, or if you end up killing too many, I won't be able to explain it to the Young Marshal!" Wu Songlin thought to himself with a serious expression: "I don't know anything about this, you handle it as you see fit. However, there are two points: first, do not let the brothers get sick; second, do not go all in at once, or if you end up killing too many, I won't be able to explain it to the Young Marshal!"

The Divine General descends from the heavens, with righteous spirit determining rise and fall; The sun ball is cast back to its regular path, yet the twelve gold medals cannot be summoned back

The German newspaper "People's Observer" states that the tenacious spirit of the Northeast Army of China in their courageous battles is worthy of emulation by the German military

We all had our doubts, even though during this period we repeatedly saw reports in the official newspapers of the Northeast government about the Japanese army's continuous defeats. As far as we knew, the Japanese military was considered a powerful force not only in the East but also in the world. How could the Chinese Northeast army suffer such a crushing defeat? After noticing our skepticism, Colonel Du explained with a very philosophical statement: Iron is not crushed because it is not hard enough, but because it encounters harder steel.

History has been completely altered by me. Although I do not know what will happen in the future or what consequences this change will bring, such a change will surely improve the fate of the Chinese nation, won't it?" As the outside world celebrated, the highest leader of Northeast China, Zhang Xueliang, quietly faced the enormous map of East Asia on the wall in his study.

The news of the Northeast Army's victory quickly spread through broadcasts, newspapers, and other media, reaching both inside and outside the borders, as well as across the vast rivers and mountains of the nation. In this Northeast Campaign, over 100,000 Japanese troops were eliminated, with the complete annihilation of the 8th and 9th Japanese permanent divisions. Additionally, three lieutenant generals, five major generals, and twelve colonels of the Japanese army were killed (of which seven died in battle, while the other five were assassinated by the Northeast Army's special forces). Furthermore, 1,275 Japanese soldiers were captured, marking an unprecedented glorious achievement. Not only did this inflict the heaviest blow on the Japanese army in modern times, thwarting Japan's ambition to annex Northeast China, but more importantly, this uplifting news report restored the national pride and confidence of countless Chinese people. Since the First Sino-Japanese War, China has been humiliated and exploited by Japan, a "thousand-year civilized friend across the water." The Japanese army repeatedly invaded Chinese territory, wantonly slaughtering Chinese citizens and plundering China's wealth and resources, occupying territories such as the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan, trampling on China's sovereignty, and forcing successive Chinese governments to sign one unequal treaty after another that stripped China of its rights and dignity. They even attempted to steal China's sacred artifacts, revealing their wolfish ambitions! For nearly forty years, China has been subjugated by this Japan, which once bowed to China for a thousand years, deriving all its civilization and etiquette from it! The national integrity and the self-respect of the people have long been obliterated! However, today, the intolerable China, the intolerable Northeast Army, has finally erupted with the accumulated anger of the Chinese nation that has been suppressed for decades, even centuries! Let the ugly island nation of Japan feel the wrath of the Chinese nation!

At the onset of the raging fire, Mutō Nobuyoshi quickly received reports. Initially, he did not take it seriously, believing it to be merely a case of a few soldiers accidentally losing control of a fire while cooking or keeping warm. However, as a series of reports about fires breaking out in various locations in northern Liaoyang flooded in, Mutō Nobuyoshi and the senior Japanese military leaders realized the gravity of the situation and hurried outside to observe. They were immediately struck with horror as they saw flames soaring into the sky in the northern part of the city, with large areas of civilian houses engulfed in flames, illuminating half the night sky. The wind intensified the fire, and the raging flames spread southward with the howling wind. It was then that Mutō Nobuyoshi felt as if he had fallen into an abyss; he finally understood that Zhang Xueliang's Northeast Army had deliberately retreated, intending to lure his troops into the city and then set it ablaze, sacrificing all of Liaoyang to eliminate him. Mutō Nobuyoshi deeply regretted not heeding the advice of General Ninomiya. At this moment, the number of Japanese troops that had entered the city had already exceeded the strength of two divisions. Realizing this, Mutō Nobuyoshi shouted hoarsely, "Order the troops! Leave Liaoyang at full speed! Leave Liaoyang at full speed!" To expedite the withdrawal, Mutō ordered the troops to abandon all heavy equipment and leave with all their might. However, it was too late; the towering fire, mixed with scorching hot waves, swept over the entire city of Liaoyang like a devastating flood. Large numbers of Japanese soldiers were unable to escape and were consumed by the flames. Groups of Japanese soldiers, engulfed in flames, rolled on the ground, desperately trying to extinguish the flames on their bodies, but their cries of agony were drowned out by the roaring sound of the raging fire.

This contiguous area of several villages and towns has become an unadulterated military camp, with the main forces of the Northeast Army, including the 101st and 107th Divisions, having retreated here. The beams, corridors, streets, and alleys are densely packed with silent and armed soldiers of the Northeast Army. Behind the soldiers are more than fifty cannons from various units, all aimed at Liaoyang, and under the control of the artillerymen, they are fully loaded and ready to fire at any moment. The beams, corridors, streets, and alleys are densely packed with silent and armed soldiers of the Northeast Army. Behind the soldiers are more than fifty cannons from various units, all aimed at Liaoyang, and under the control of the artillerymen, they are fully loaded and ready to fire at any moment.

Good brother!" Wang Shanhua turned around happily and left

In an instant, over one hundred fire points piled with dry firewood and gasoline in the northern part of Liaoyang were ignited simultaneously; at the same time, several heavy artillery regiments of the Northeast Army gathered around Wangshuitai, unleashing a thunderous barrage of artillery fire, with shells whistling through the air towards Liaoyang. Amidst the fierce north wind, fiery serpents rapidly expanded and spread with the force of the wind. Under the night sky, streams of fire dragons danced wildly from north to south in Liaoyang.

"Report, Young Marshal! The wind speed is at level 7, measuring 8.7 meters per second!" said Tan Hai, the aide beside Zhang Xueliang

At 1:35 AM on November 26, General Nobuyoshi Mutō received a telegram from Major General Masakazu Kanda, who was advancing into Liaoyang. The main content of the telegram was as follows:

"To drive out the Japanese invaders, we shall set our city ablaze—" Rong Zhen's face was filled with a bitter expression.

At this time, the Japanese army, having suffered heavy losses and abandoned their equipment, still had 4 incomplete divisions and 1 independent mixed brigade. Although they could still contend with the Northeast Army, their defeat was overwhelming, and the sudden death of their supreme commander along with the loss of two lieutenant generals further depleted their morale. The demoralized Japanese troops desperately fled towards the Port of Lüshun, which was still under the control of the Kwantung Army, under the relentless bombing from the Northeast Army's air force and the pursuit of several cavalry brigades. Following the sudden death of Mutō Nobuyoshi, unfavorable news regarding the Northeast front, which had been suppressed, began to reach Tokyo, shocking the Japanese cabinet and military. The outcome for the 8th and 9th divisions, which were encircled and doomed in Anshan by the Northeast Army, was already sealed, and the Japanese government could no longer tolerate the fate of the remaining 4 permanent divisions also being buried in the Northeast. On November 28, the main force of the Japanese Navy, under the command of Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, was fully mobilized. The outcome for the 8th and 9th divisions, which were encircled and doomed in Anshan by the Northeast Army, was already sealed, and the Japanese government could no longer tolerate the fate of the remaining 4 permanent divisions also being buried in the Northeast. On November 28, the main force of the Japanese Navy, under the command of Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, was fully mobilized, once again deploying a large fleet led by the aircraft carriers "Akagi" and "Kaga," along with four "Kongō" class battleships and nearly a hundred destroyers and transport ships, to Lüshun to assist in the evacuation of the remnants of the Japanese forces from the Northeast.

Around 3 a.m., in the vicinity of Wangshuitai, more than ten kilometers north of Liaoyang

After lunch, a small number of journalists went to contact their country's consulate in Northeast China to leave this land ravaged by war. However, the vast majority of journalists, like myself, chose to stay behind. As journalists, we must seize this opportunity to head to the front lines and gather news material. Under the arrangement of Colonel Du, our group successfully obtained train tickets to the center of the conflict in Liaoyang

German war correspondent Wolfgang Markus described his experiences in Liaoyang at the end of 1935 in his later memoir "The First Gunfire of the Far East - The Battle of Liaoyang" as follows

Yes! It is over! The captain, with his hands behind his back, declared loudly, "We have won!" With his proud response, several soldiers behind him also stood tall with pride, displaying the demeanor and posture characteristic of victors.

At this moment, the core personnel of the troops—Zhang Xueliang, Yu Xuezhong, Rong Zhen, and others—stood on a prominent rocky outcrop at the village entrance, observing the distant flickering bonfires of Liaoyang City through binoculars. The night breeze gently stirred the lapels of Zhang Xueliang's leather coat, momentarily giving him an air of a heroic figure, reminiscent of one who commands the scene and points out the landscape.

Upon seeing this telegram, Mutō Nobuyoshi suddenly felt a sense of liberation, as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest. The heavy burden that had pressed down on his shoulders for many days seemed to have eased all at once

Report, Young Marshal! There are a total of 135 fire points in the city, all preparations are complete! The artillery units and the air force squadron are also fully prepared!

This is to report to Commander-in-Chief Mutō that since our Imperial Army launched a full-scale assault yesterday, the enemy has been retreating steadily under the fierce offensive of our troops, who have fought valiantly and with a sense of duty. Our Imperial Japanese Army has now completely occupied Liaoyang. The officers and soldiers of my unit have successfully fulfilled their mission by capturing Zhang Xueliang's underground command post in Liaoyang at 0:50 AM today. I am currently seated in the command room where Zhang Xueliang was located, and I am sending this message to the Commander-in-Chief. The severely battered forces of Zhang Xueliang have retreated entirely to the north of Liaoyang, fleeing towards Shenyang, while a small number of Northeast Army troops are still engaged in fierce combat with our forces. Our campaign to capture Liaoyang has achieved a great victory.

What relieved Zhang Xueliang was that the overall situation both domestically and internationally was favorable for the Northeast Army. Domestically, although Chiang Kai-shek's central army suffered significant losses during the fifth "encirclement and suppression" of the Communist Red Army due to the erroneous command strategies of leaders like Bo Gu and Zhang Guotao, the Red Army still managed to tie down over one million of Chiang Kai-shek's central troops during the subsequent Long March. Many elite divisions of the central army, which were in a standoff with the Northeast Army in places like Suihua, were also drawn away to continue the "encirclement and suppression" of the Red Army, thereby significantly reducing the pressure on the Northeast Army. As for other factions of the Kuomintang, such as Yan Xishan and Han Fuqu, they were forced by Chiang Kai-shek to adopt a posture of approaching the Northeast Army, but these factional troops had already suffered at the hands of the Northeast Army during the Central Plains War. At this point, they were merely putting on a show for Chiang. The frontline commanders were wary of provoking the "plague god" that was the Northeast Army, and in some areas, the two armies stood off for dozens of days, feeling bored to the point of engaging in social activities to "enhance their feelings" for each other.

As we exited the Shenyang News Release Center onto the street, we were astonished by the sea of people outside. At least over 100,000 residents of Shenyang were celebrating victory in the streets, with red flags and banners flying everywhere. Colorful balloons floated in the sky, and every face was marked with joy. People held hands, danced, and drank, shouting slogans like "Long live General Zhang Xueliang," which seemed a bit overly enthusiastic. The sounds of firecrackers and cheers were deafening. The streets were so crowded that it resembled the Chinese idiom "shoulder to shoulder, heel to heel," causing our group to sway and nearly get separated. At the train station, I bought a bottle of drink, and when I paid, the shopkeeper looked at my yellow hair and blue eyes, then asked where I was from.

France's Le Figaro: Who is the true hegemon of East Asia, the Northeast Army of China or Japan

In a state of desperation, Mutō Nobuyoshi ordered the artillery and air force units outside the city to mobilize fully, disregarding the risk of friendly fire, in an attempt to bomb a path for the encircled Japanese troops in Liaoyang. At that moment, Mutō employed every fire-extinguishing method available to him, even considering the use of poison gas as a "poison for poison" strategy. However, all these efforts yielded little result. While the Japanese forces were bombarding the city, the Northeast Army's artillery exacerbated the situation by firing incendiary shells into the city. Simultaneously, the Northeast Army's aircraft took to the skies in droves, resembling flocks of night owls, and dropped large quantities of white phosphorus bombs onto the struggling Japanese troops engulfed in flames. From above, Liaoyang appeared as a city of fire, with the entire city fiercely ablaze throughout the night.

Regarding the external international situation, the so-called just individuals from Europe and America who "call for peace and oppose the Sino-Japanese war" are directly ignored by Zhang Xueliang (justice only applies to the victors; the weak have no right to demand justice). The primary factor remains the attitude of the Soviet Union. At the onset of the conflict in Northeast China, Stalin indeed considered cooperating with the Japanese army to divide Northeast China, thereby securing a military buffer zone for the Soviet Union's stability in the Far East. However, after careful consideration and under pressure from the Northeast government and the pro-Northeast German Hitler government, he ultimately abandoned this plan. Stalin was acutely aware that at this time, "socialist Soviet Union" was perceived as a "threat to the world" by the Western world. If the Soviet Red Army were to invade Northeast China, this blatant act of aggression would provide factual basis for the aforementioned "communist threat theory," thus giving Western society a legitimate reason to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions and blockades against the still-developing Soviet Union. Therefore, military actions in Northeast China would be detrimental to the survival and development of the Soviet Union. Later, as the Northeast army grew increasingly courageous and gradually entered the counteroffensive phase against the Japanese army, the Soviet government immediately took the opportunity to align with the German government and issued a statement to the world, declaring "strong condemnation of the Japanese government's brutal invasion of Northeast China, and support for the Northeast army and the people of Northeast China in expelling the Japanese invaders to defend their homeland."

After about an hour of bumpy travel, when I arrived in Liaoyang, I looked out the window and couldn't help but gasp. My God, this is no longer a city! Everywhere I looked, there were charred walls, and not a blade of grass could be seen. As far as the eye could see, there was not a single building taller than two stories, and wisps of black smoke were rising from this city that had already turned to ruins, with flames still burning in many places. In my memory, the once magnificent Liaoyang Railway Station now stood as nothing more than a blackened wall, and there was not a single building taller than two stories in sight. Wisps of black smoke were rising from this city that had already turned to ruins, with flames still burning in many places. In my memory, the once magnificent Liaoyang Railway Station now stood as nothing more than a blackened wall, on which soldiers of the Northeast Army had scrawled bold, thick characters in charcoal: "Drive the Japanese invaders out completely!" and similar slogans.

The Soviet newspaper "Pravda" reported: The Northeast Army of China has achieved a tremendous victory in defending their homeland

On the morning of December 1, just as we were increasingly yearning for our families and worrying about not being able to return home for Christmas, several soldiers from the Northeast Army suddenly came to see us, their faces unable to hide their joy. The leading officer, a spirited captain, kindly said: "Dear foreign friends and southern friends from the homeland, from now on you are free again. You may go anywhere in the Northeast to conduct the interviews you wish."