At the Japanese garrison headquarters in Lingqiu City, several squadron leaders and adjutants of the Watanabe Brigade all gathered in the war room, looking anxious.
From time to time, his eyes glanced at the closed door of Lieutenant Colonel Watanabe's office next to him, wanting to know what was going on inside.
"Yin Mujun, the squadron leader has locked himself in the room for a day without eating, will something happen?" A squadron leader couldn't help but asked the deputy captain.
Several other squadron leaders agreed upon the same thing and at the same time focused their attention on the deputy captain.
The last time the troops were defeated in Dongtian Village, the superiors did not hold them accountable. Last night, the troops were defeated again. The Imperial Army lost more than 400 people. No matter how much Shangfeng likes the captain and favors him very much, it is impossible for him to do so.
Just like last time, turn a blind eye and remain indifferent.
The best result is to punish the team leader and demote him.
If you are unlucky, you may be dismissed directly and sent to a military court.
As an old man in Watanabe's brigade, they all knew that Watanabe had a strong personality to save face. What they were most worried about was that Watanabe would commit suicide because he wanted to save face and could not bear the punishment at the top, so as to preserve the honor of the military.
The vice-captain was very aware of everyone's concerns and wanted to knock on the door and rush in to see what was going on.
But when he thought of Lieutenant Colonel Watanabe's murderous look at him before closing the door and his death order not to disturb him, he gave up.
Although I don’t know if Watanabe can survive this disaster, as long as Watanabe remains the captain, he will have absolute authority over the entire Watanabe brigade, and no one can question his orders!
He didn't want to be the fuse that detonated the captain's powder keg and let the captain vent all his pent-up anger on himself.
After hesitating for a long time, he replied: "Everyone, please be patient. We have to trust the captain!"
Another hour passed while waiting in agony.
The atmosphere in the war room became increasingly depressing. In addition to being anxious, several squadron leaders also had a hint of nervousness on their faces.
The office, where some movement could be heard before, had not made any noise for more than an hour just now.
When several people began to wonder whether Lieutenant Colonel Watanabe had performed a caesarean section to apologize, the closed door was suddenly opened.
Watanabe came out tired, but his eyes were sharp.
He glanced at his subordinates waiting in the war room and ordered in a deep voice: "All officers above the squadron should come to the conference room. Commander Zhou of the Imperial Association Army and Captain Tian of the Special Agent Team will also participate!"
After everyone arrived and sat upright on both sides of the conference table, Watanabe spoke.
"Now I announce His Excellency the General's punishment for our defeat last night!"
"The Watanabe Brigade was reorganized into the Lingqiu Garrison Brigade. All the officers of the original Watanabe Brigade were demoted one rank and became acting squad leaders and squadron leaders!"
"I myself will be demoted one rank to act as the captain of the Lingqiu garrison brigade, the garrison commander of Lingqiu city, and temporarily take over all military affairs in Lingqiu!"
The military rank was downgraded and the troops were reduced from field troops to local garrison troops.
For a soldier, this is absolutely a huge shame.
All the officers lowered their heads and had solemn expressions on their faces. Some of them had a look of reluctance on their faces and clenched their fists. They wanted to stand up and ask why!
Watanabe is also frustrated!
He can be sure that even if he rises again in the future, today's punishment will become a stain on his military career that will never be erased.
But he had to endure it, took a deep breath and shouted.
"Everyone, raise your heads. Don't forget that we are all soldiers. Soldiers who refuse to bow their heads will be beaten to death!"
"We will get up from where we fell. I have received a promise from His Majesty the General. As long as we kill the independent battalion that has repeatedly defeated us, everyone's military ranks can be restored. We can also leave the garrison, reorganize the Watanabe Brigade, and cleanse
The shame I suffered today!”
"Sir, is this true?" A glimmer of hope rekindled on the solemn faces of several squadron leaders!
Watanabe affirmed: "Your Majesty the General personally promised me!"
"In addition, in order to increase our strength, I also asked Your Majesty the General for two new squadrons, a garrison squadron, and an armored detachment reinforcement."
"At the same time, the brigade headquarters will work together to replace all the heavy weapons we lost!"
The solemn expressions on the faces of several squadron leaders completely disappeared, and then they were covered with excitement.
The brigade headquarters replenished Lingqiu with so many troops and equipment at once, further proving Watanabe's answer just now.
The brigade headquarters did not give up on everyone.
And he also strongly supports everyone to defeat the Independent Battalion as soon as possible and reorganize the Watanabe Brigade.
Just when the atmosphere in the conference room relaxed, Watanabe changed the subject and continued: "Don't be too happy, everyone!"
"Although Your Majesty the General promised to replenish our troops and equipment, this sweep not only caused heavy losses for us, but also caused heavy casualties to other troops!"
"The limited troops and equipment must be the first to replenish the main night fighting force, and then it will be our turn!"
"So, I can't guarantee when the additional troops and equipment promised by the general will be available!"
Several squadron leaders slowly calmed down.
The deputy captain stood up unexpectedly: "Sir, if the additional troops cannot arrive in time, will the remaining troops in the county be too few?"
"All three strongholds fell last night, and all the garrisons were wiped out. Except for the county seat, we no longer have any other strongholds or garrisons in Lingqiu. The outside of the city has almost become the territory of an independent battalion?"
"Leave the villages and towns outside the city to them!" Watanabe replied sullenly.
"I have been thinking about it all day today. From the time we came into contact with the independent battalion, I have studied every battle and found one thing in common!"
"Whether we take the initiative to attack the Independent Battalion, or we are attacked by the Independent Battalion, the initiative on the battlefield is in the hands of the Independent Battalion!"
"Even if we have absolute superiority in troops and equipment, we will still be passively beaten in front of this independent battalion!"
"I think the reason for this is that apart from the fact that the Independent Battalion is too cunning and the Shenlong never sees the end, there is another very important reason. We don't understand them!"
"At the same time, during these several battles, we had other tasks to hold on to and were unable to deal with them wholeheartedly, thus giving the Independent Battalion an opportunity to take advantage of!"
"So I decided to change my tactics. In Chinese terms, I'll hide my strength and bide my time. I'll have a thorough understanding of the independent battalion's strength before attacking them!"
"During this period, we ourselves cannot be idle, and all troops must strengthen training!"
"When the time comes, send troops decisively and use your absolute superiority in troops and firepower to capture them in one fell swoop!"
The deputy captain hesitated and reminded: "But, sir, while we are training troops, the independent battalion operating outside the city is also training!"
"Once their expanded recruits complete training and form combat effectiveness, even if all the additional troops and equipment given to us by the brigade headquarters are in place, it will be difficult for us to eliminate them!"
A sneer flashed across Watanabe's lips, and then he replied: "No, you only thought of one aspect!"
"We will give up all the villages and towns outside the city to the independent battalion. We only need to ensure the safety of the county seat and traffic arteries. Although this is a helpless move on our part, it can also be said to be a strategy on our part!"
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