Chapter 5, Explosive Package

At this time, the Kuomintang was completely surrounded by the Japanese army, with only the China-Burma Road connecting it to other countries. The China-Burma Road had limited transport capacity, which led to a shortage of domestic supplies. Moreover, the engineering corps was not a main combat unit, so the rifles they were equipped with were still the Hanyang type.

Deputy Commander, please take a look! Zhang Chi did not elaborate further, instead, he focused on the map for a while, then pointed to a spot and said: "Here, there is a tunnel... I buried several explosives in the tunnel while sabotaging the railway."

Zhang Chi could not help but mutter to himself how unfortunate he was. At this point in time and space, it seemed that death was always just around the corner, as if life itself was worth very little.

Wang Mazi's considerations are certainly reasonable. With over 1,000 men in the engineering regiment and weak firepower, they simply do not have the capability to split into two groups to both cut off the Japanese army's supply lines and attack the airport. If this is not handled properly, it could lead to another major defeat, or even the possibility of being completely annihilated by the Japanese army

Wang Mazi raised his head and said, "Stop being so damn wishy-washy!"

However, Zhang Chi had long since made up his mind about this. He glanced around, leaned closer to Wang Mazi, and lowered his voice to say: "Deputy Regiment Commander, while it is true that the situation is as you say, the enemy has hurriedly marched along the small road to the airport, and it is likely that they do not have much ammunition with them. As long as we can timely cut off their supply line and then deplete their ammunition at the airport, then this airport..."

Deputy Regiment Commander! Zhang Chi said: "We do not need to allocate too many troops to cut off the enemy's supply line; sending one platoon will suffice"

Wang Mazi's eyes glinted with a cold light as he fiercely glared at Zhang Xian: "How did you know the enemy was coming?"

What Zhang Chi did not know was that in this era of war, due to the Japanese invasion of China, the loss of life often amounted to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands, and human life truly held little value

Wang Mazi turned his gaze to the adjutant beside him, who understood and immediately opened the map to compare it with the intelligence. After a long while, he nodded and said: "Deputy Regiment Commander, the enemy indeed came around from Pada."

Zhang Chi also learned some information from his comrades. Although the 200th Division can be considered the only mechanized division of the National Army, and its equipment ranks among the best in the National Army, the problem is that they are an engineering regiment

"Yes!" Zhang Chi slightly organized his thoughts and said, "Deputy Regiment Commander, I believe that if we want to spare the Regiment Commander from military punishment, there is only one option now, which is to retake the airport and redeem ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He had heard about that small path from an elderly person in Myanmar during modern times. Just now, he was merely taking a chance, and he didn't expect to actually stumble upon it.

Damn it, this is yet another capital offense

It is indeed fortunate that Zhang Chi was able to save his life; how could he dare to blame Wang Mazi

Zhang Chi initially intended to leave just like that, but upon reflection, he felt it was not right... Just as he had considered before, his fate was already tied to that of the expeditionary force. Wasn't it time to take some action? He did not want the expeditionary force to retreat from the Wild Man Mountain in a few months like history, while he himself had barely a survival rate of less than half.

Upon mentioning this, Wang Mazi let out a heavy sigh once again, casually pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it while lost in thought

Hmm! Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi couldn't help but nod, but then he shook his head again: "The enemy is not foolish; whatever we can think of, they can think of as well. They are certainly strengthening the defense of their supply lines at this moment. Moreover, with our engineering corps being so few in number, how can we split into two parts to cut off their supplies while simultaneously feigning an attack on the airport?"

If this were to escalate into a conflict, it would indeed be as Wang Mazi said, that even three engineering regiments might not be able to capture the airport held by the Japanese army

Thinking of this, Zhang Chi immediately stood up and said to Wang Mazi, "Deputy Regiment Leader, there are some things... I am not sure whether I should say them"

Deputy Commander! The adjutant glanced at Zhang Chi again and reminded Wang Mazi, "If he were truly a spy for the Japanese, there would be no need for him to sound the alarm, would there?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chi finally understood where the problem lay

Initially, he thought it was nothing serious, but upon deeper reflection, he quickly broke out in a cold sweat: indeed, if he were merely an ordinary soldier, how could he possibly know that the Japanese army was coming! ... Unless he had the ability to see a thousand miles away, or was a spy for the Japanese ...! ... A spy!

Wang Mazi thought it made sense as well, nodded, and handed the rifle to Zhang Chi, saying: "I apologize, brother. You know, the Japanese are very skilled at infiltrating our army with spies, so I have to be cautious in my actions!"

The Hanyang 88 is something that Zhang Chi is also aware of; it can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. Although it has undergone improvements, its range is still less than half that of the Japanese Type 38 rifle. As for machine guns and artillery, there is no need to mention them, as they cannot be compared to the Japanese at all

It is fortunate that Zhang Chi's mind works quickly; with a furrowed brow, he came up with an idea. He steadied his heart and replied: "Deputy Regiment Leader, I once accompanied my father to Myanmar when I was young, and I happened to know of a mountain path that can bypass Tonggu and reach the rear from Pada. This mountain path is not a secret to the Burmese. I have also heard that the Burmese have been deceived by the Japanese and are helping them in the war. Therefore, I thought the Japanese would most likely take this small path to bypass us, and feeling anxious, I reported it to the squad leader..." This mountain path is not a secret to the Burmese. I have also heard that the Burmese have been deceived by the Japanese and are helping them in the war. Therefore, I thought the Japanese would most likely take this small path to bypass us, and feeling anxious, I reported it to the squad leader..."

A squad? Hearing this, Wang Mazi couldn't help but chuckle and said: "Do you think this is just playing house? A platoon is needed to cut off the enemy's supply line..."

Wang Mazi was taken aback upon hearing this, and then he laughed, saying: "It's easy for you to say. Do you think those little Japanese are so easy to deal with? Not to mention that there are at least over 1,000 troops of theirs infiltrating the airport, just their equipment, quality, and firepower... it wouldn't be a problem for them to take on our three engineering regiments."

Perhaps preventing the commander of the engineering corps from being executed is the beginning of changing the outcome

Deputy Regiment Leader, this is... Zhang Chi felt somewhat bewildered, like a monk who cannot grasp the situation

"Explosive package?" Upon hearing this, Wang Mazi was taken aback: "You actually buried an explosive package in the tunnel?"

Before Zhang Chi could react, the rifle on his shoulder was seized by the guard, followed by two dark gun muzzles pressed against his back

Zhang Chi certainly considered this point as well; if he did not have a backup plan, he would not have made this suggestion

"Put down your gun!" As soon as Wang Mazi stepped into the side room that served as the regiment's headquarters, he issued the command in a stern voice

Zhang Chi listened, unable to hold back his tears; if possible, he would have loved to embrace this exceptionally intelligent adjutant and give him a kiss.

If only you had reported earlier!" Wang Mazi sighed and said, "Then we would have been prepared, and we wouldn't have been scattered by the little devils at first sight. Now the regiment commander also...