Chapter 3, Deployment

No one expected that the first formal military cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan would take place in the Diaoyu Islands. Everything seems both unexpected and yet entirely reasonable. When a son is bullied, who else but the father will intervene

Before we begin our collaboration, let us introduce ourselves. The ten individuals here are my subordinates, who have come with me to carry out the assistance tasks.

Taiwan seems to have been driven into a dead end, and even those so-called 'legislators' have begun to echo the same sentiments as the public for their own interests. As for whether they can win or not, that is a matter for the military. If they do not speak out, they will definitely face consequences.

It is still difficult to say whether this incident is advantageous for Japan. Although the naval defense forces have confirmed the sinking of the Japanese patrol vessel, why did the Zuoying sink the Baihemaru?

Upon hearing the captain's response, the people on the island fell silent. After a few unbearable minutes of silence, suddenly, from behind a pile of rocks on the island, a head popped out, and a person shouted loudly in non-standard Mandarin: "Come up, come up."

There is someone on the island! Upon hearing the shout, the team members felt a sudden jolt in their hearts and turned their gazes towards their captain behind them

We are the People's Liberation Army of China. We are here to fight the Japanese; Chinese do not fight against Chinese. The captain fell silent for a moment, then suddenly shouted.

In a moment of desperation, he thought of seeking mediation from the United States. Unfortunately, the responses he received were all the same: "The U.S. government is currently engaged in urgent consultations regarding this unexpected incident and will notify your side shortly..."

"You will definitely be deceived," the deputy chief of staff replied calmly

"Pack up the equipment, destination Diaoyu Island." The captain climbed onto the rubber boat and immediately issued a serious command.

Unfortunately, these are merely his wishful calculations. The Japanese government shows him no regard, simultaneously issuing a serious protest to Taiwan while demanding an investigation into the perpetrator—the Zuoying.

"Long, Commander, I..." Upon hearing the captain's words, A Liang felt a sudden numbness throughout his body. The abruptness of the situation had exceeded his imagination. Suddenly, he realized that the fishermen had been sunk, then that the Japanese ship had been sunk, suddenly he was dispatched to garrison Diaoyu Island, and suddenly a team of the People's Liberation Army came to follow his command. A Liang wanted to say something, but he found himself unable to utter a word

Japan's stance on the Senkaku Islands is extremely clear; this time it must be resolved, and Taiwan must bear full responsibility. If it is possible to compel Taiwan to sign certain agreements, that would be the best outcome. The absolute minimum requirement is to deploy troops to the Diaoyu Islands. Therefore, when Taiwan first proposed negotiations, Japan firmly rejected it with an extremely strong attitude and exerted pressure on Chen Shui-bian through various forces.

From ancient times to the present, warfare has gradually evolved from its early ambiguity to precision. Every action of the combat troops, every mission, and even the deployment of each aircraft originates from the operations department. It can be said that the personnel in the operations department are typical of those who engage in theoretical discussions. However, it is precisely these individuals, who engage in theoretical discussions, that have created one miracle of warfare after another

Brothers, our task this time is..." the captain softly stated the details of the mission

Upon hearing the response, the team members looked at each other, seemingly afraid that this was a trap. The captain appeared to sense their apprehension and was the first to climb onto the rocks, saying as he climbed, "Damn it, what’s there to be afraid of? If we fight again, can we still deny our roots?"

"What a high success rate. Now let me ask you, if you were the enemy, what would happen?" the commander continued to question.

"Fatty, redeploy the plan, Monkey, contact the higher-ups and inform them that there has been a change in the plan. There are ceramics on the island that need escorting." In a moment of urgency, the captain disregarded Ah Liang's response and continued to issue orders.

The sudden shout made the pilot in the cockpit think he had discovered an enemy situation. When he learned the reason behind it, he could only smile wryly. It seemed that this group of special forces was born to be killers. Although he thought this in his heart, he did not dare to voice it. If he had said it, his Y-8 transport aircraft would surely have no chance of returning.

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The deputy chief of staff's old face flushed with embarrassment as he hurriedly saluted, then turned and left the room. Outside the door, two plain-clothed soldiers, who had appeared at some point, followed closely behind him like bodyguards.

***

The special operations team leader now feels particularly displeased, as he has just been thrown from the rear door of a Y-8 transport aircraft traveling at over 200 kilometers per hour. Such a high speed made the sea surface as hard as sand. Had he not been wearing a life jacket, he would likely have already sunk to the bottom of the sea, unconscious.

Since receiving the Zuoying Declaration, the staff and librarians of the Bohai Fleet's Operations Department have not left the operations room. Countless possibilities have been argued, then refuted, then argued again, and refuted once more

The sky outside is as clear as a child's smile, and the mist rising from the junction of the sea and sky makes it difficult to distinguish where the sea ends and the sky begins. Exiting the controlled maritime area, the Y-8 aircraft once again lowered its flight altitude, flying towards the target of Diaoyu Island at its maximum cruising speed.

***

"If you fail, you can dismiss me," the deputy chief of staff replied loudly, straightening his neck.

The main island of the Diaoyu Islands has an area of only 0.7 square kilometers, and the enemy only needs one aircraft to cause significant damage. How should this battle be fought, and how should the position be defended? He still has no clear idea in his mind.

"Report, Commander, I am Liu Chongliang, a sailor of the Zuoying, and a Navy Corporal." Upon hearing the captain's inquiry, A-Liang instinctively stood up, performed a standard military salute, and then answered loudly

Do you dare to guarantee it? the commander asked seriously

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When Chen Shui-bian received this report, the news had already spread at lightning speed to every corner of Taiwan. In an instant, people in Taiwan, regardless of their political affiliations, echoed a unified sentiment—saying no to the Japanese!

"They are fishermen. It was because their boat was sunk by the Japanese that the captain, in a fit of anger, destroyed the Japanese ship." Upon hearing the captain's stern inquiry, A Liang involuntarily shrank back and quietly explained the reason.

The airdrop location is very close to the main island, and as the first to land on the island, the People's Liberation Army of China is greeted by a bullet that whizzes past his ear. "Don't come any closer, or I will shoot," comes the warning in Mandarin with a strong Minnan accent, accompanying the bullet.

"Still, it would be better if you took the lead." After hesitating for a long time, A Liang finally began to politely decline.

"Who is the highest authority here?" The captain did not smile, but waited until everyone had calmed down before asking seriously.

The fleet is sailing at full speed towards Naha. Kohta Yoji estimates that they will arrive in the Naha area in another twenty hours, after which they will engage in the pursuit of Zuoying.

Upon hearing Xiao Pang's words, A Liang first looked around, then shyly raised his hand, stood up, and said, "Yes, it is me. I am just too nervous."

Chen Shui-bian never anticipated that Japan's attitude this time would be so strong. He originally thought that his close personal relations with the Japanese government would allow him to make some concessions and resolve the matter satisfactorily. He believed that he could then leverage the credibility established from this incident to successfully eliminate those bothersome issues all at once

When the last team member safely landed on the island, the restless little胖 suddenly shouted, "Who fired the gun just now? It was so accurate!"

"I am not your superior, so you do not need to salute me. I would like to formally inform you of something: I have been ordered to lead a team to support your defense operation, and here I hold no rank. All of my comrades, including myself, are now under your command." After the captain finished speaking, he executed an extremely standard military salute with a sharp and swift motion, startling A Liang, who instinctively stepped aside.

***

The Anti-Japanese War resulted in a death toll of 35 million in China. What does this figure represent? It signifies that every Chinese person's ancestors lost someone in this war. What does it mean to have an irreconcilable enmity?

"That works, everyone can discuss and cooperate together." The captain did not show any humility; instead, he rarely revealed a kind smile. However, for someone who had not smiled in a long time, his smile seemed somewhat stiff and unnatural

"Who the hell drafted this battle plan, do they think we are superheroes?" After cursing, the special operations team leader swam towards the inflatable rubber boat not far ahead. Fortunately, the team members were not too far apart; by the time he climbed onto the boat, several people were already there.

The success rate is very high? The deputy chief of staff quickly replied

Oh, oh, hello to you all. With a timid glance at these large, robust individuals, A-Liang greeted softly. These are our people, but these three are not; they are fishermen from a sunken fishing boat.

Wow! "Long live, long live..." In an instant, the cabin erupted with thunderous cheers

The special operations team leader was intermittently contemplating the impending challenges as the plane jolted. Just moments ago on the aircraft, he had already opened the orders, the contents of which were enough to excite his subordinates, yet he himself felt no joy whatsoever.

What use is it to withdraw? Alright, stop acting like a combative rooster here, hurry back home and tidy up the east side. For the next few days, you will stay here. The commander looked at the deputy chief of staff and chuckled.

The only decision that Yoji Kōta at headquarters agreed with was to sink the Zuo Ying, as this would ensure that whatever was on board would disappear into the depths of the sea along with the sinking of the Zuo Ying

"What are you saying, who are they?" Upon hearing A-Liang's introduction, the captain once again turned his gaze towards the fishermen who had been looking somewhat off earlier, and asked with a serious expression.

Tamura Furo has learned from the intelligence department that the Zuo Ying has not yet returned. The only possibility is that it is still at sea. All task forces have received orders to sink the Zuo Ying immediately upon discovery. The only thing Tamura Furo can do now is pray that the Zuo Ying does not return to Taiwan, as that would complicate matters significantly. However, Tamura Furo has made up his mind; even if the Zuo Ying is hidden in the deep mountains, he will find it and sink it. The only thing Tamura Furo can do now is pray that the Zuo Ying does not return to Taiwan, as that would complicate matters significantly. However, Tamura Furo has made up his mind; even if the Zuo Ying is hidden in the deep mountains, he will find it and sink it

The Second Escort Fleet, currently stationed in Sasebo, has been urgently dispatched southward. Simultaneously, the high-speed destroyer "Kawasaki" from the First Escort Fleet stationed in Yokosuka has been reassigned, along with the Kongō-class destroyer "Kirishima". Additionally, the Kongō-class destroyer "Myōkō" and the Asagumo-class destroyer "Yūgumo" have been mobilized from the Third Escort Fleet stationed in Maizuru and Ōminato to form the First Task Force with the Second Escort Fleet. The Kongō-class destroyer "Kirishima" has been reassigned from the Third Escort Fleet stationed in Maizuru and Ōminato, along with the Kongō-class destroyer "Myōkō" and the Asagumo-class destroyer "Yūgumo" to constitute the First Task Force with the Second Escort Fleet

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The plan of the Deputy Chief of Staff was not returned quickly like those of others after being submitted. When he received the notification that his operational plan had been adopted, the 091 submarine had already been at sea for half an hour

"Wow, if I can shoot so accurately while being nervous, wouldn't I have been done for if I weren't nervous?" Upon hearing A-Liang's words, Xiao Pang smiled indulgently and then patted A-Liang's shoulder in a friendly manner. Hearing Xiao Pang's words, everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere between the two sides also eased up.

However, the order has already been received, and the commander has issued a strict directive. First, it is imperative to hold the position until someone can take over. Second, one must not reveal their identity. Upon seeing this, the captain rubbed his forehead vigorously with his strong hands. Regardless of the circumstances, it is best to inform everyone of the situation first.

"What is your opinion on your battle plan?" The naval commander suddenly asked without any preamble as soon as I was called into the room

Watching the sailors on the deck busily organizing the military equipment, Kohta Yoji's mood remained unperturbed. As the highest commander of this task force, he was still worried about the reckless decisions made by the Ministry of Defense. Japan is in dire need of the sea; the ocean is more than three times the land area of Japan. Each year, 700 million tons of goods need to be transported to Japan by sea, yet the Ministry of Defense naively believes that as long as the submarine forces do not engage in combat, Japan's maritime transport will not be affected. This is utterly absurd. Furthermore, Japan's assessment of China's movements is far too unclear and conservative; the Chinese will certainly not miss such an opportunity. With this thought, Kohta Yoji let out a heavy sigh.

This is absurd, truly absurd. Why did we allow these fishermen to come to the island? Aren't they safer on their boats?" Watching his subordinates busily working in an orderly manner, the captain angrily cursed in his heart.

Just as Chen Shui-bian was contemplating whether to take a step back for a lesser outcome, his secretary reported a surprising piece of news to him— the Zuoying Declaration had been published online. Even more astonishing was that the individual who released it had a remarkably detailed understanding of the events, including specifics that even some authorities in Taiwan were unaware of.

How to say no to the Japanese? Chen Shui-bian certainly wants to, but figuring out how to do so without damaging the goodwill between the two sides is quite a headache

Wingspan: 38.0 meters, Length: 34.02 meters, Height: 11.16 meters, Aspect ratio: 11.85, Wing area: 121.86 square meters, Main wheelbase: 4.92 meters, Front main wheelbase: 9.58 meters, Propeller diameter: 4.5 meters, Maximum takeoff weight: 61,000 kilograms, Empty weight: 35,488 kilograms, Maximum cruising speed: 662 kilometers per hour, Ceiling: 10,400 meters

The only thing that seems a bit strange to him is that the Chinese side appears to be overly calm about this matter, and intelligence personnel have not detected any signs of the Chinese Navy entering a state of readiness. Satellite images simultaneously show that the fleet stationed in the East China Sea shows no signs of activity. What exactly do the Chinese intend to do? Regardless, as long as the fleet can arrive within two days, then no matter what the Chinese plan to do, they will have no opportunity.

Through communication with the Prime Minister and the United States, Tamura Furo has successfully mobilized the 83rd Air Squadron stationed in Naha, Okinawa, and the urgently requisitioned fighter jets can be temporarily stationed there. This has given him some confidence regarding the possibility of winning any potential war.