In the headquarters of the Second Army, the staff officers were leaning over the map table and formulating corresponding combat plans.

"...The China Army unit responsible for the defense of Lianyungang is the First Army of the Central Army, which is composed of five mixed brigades. Its commander is Xu Shuzheng, deputy general of the China Army. However, judging from its combat effectiveness, the First Army does not pose a threat.

The real threat is the Jiangsu Army Teaching Brigade in Lianyungang, and the teaching brigade is the Jiangsu Army..."

Just as the intelligence staff officer was making a report to Chief of Staff Ryuichi Yamada, the door of the office was pushed open by an officer, and then a general with a command knife in his right hand walked in. The staff officer who was writing documents at his desk accidentally raised his head.

Look, stand up quickly.

"Salute to His Excellency the Commander"

The others immediately turned around and bowed to the general standing by the door. Osako Shoudou, who was standing by the door, slowly raised his hands in a military salute. After looking around for a week, he smiled and then walked into the office. The staff officers hurriedly

Turn around and walk to the aisle to line up.

Walking up to the staff officers, taking off his military cap and placing it on the table, Osako Shoudou glanced at the officers in front of him.

"I am Osako Shoudou, who was ordered to serve as the commander of the Second Army."

After the commander finished his introduction, Yamada Ryuichi took a step forward and said.

"I am Yamada Ryuichi who was ordered to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Second Army."

"I am Deputy Chief of Staff Yamanashi Hanzo."

"I am the Undersecretary of Staff..."

When everyone introduced themselves, Osako Shoudou had a smile on his face. He knew most of them, and even some of them, like him, had served in the Second Army Headquarters ten years ago.

A few minutes later, Osako Shoudou and Yamada Ryuichi entered the inner office. Both of them were soldiers from the Satsuma Domain. They had joined the military one after another and had known each other for many years.

"Your Excellency, Commander, Chief of Staff Akashi is currently in Tokyo and is not expected to come to Hiroshima until two days later."

Osako Shangdou just nodded and then said.

"Yamada, long time no see. We are all old, so there is no need to be so formal."

Holding the command sword in both hands, Osako Shangdou, who was sitting on the chair, said in a slightly heavy tone.

"Since the end of the war with Lu ten years ago, I thought that in this peaceful era, I would never have the opportunity to serve the country. Now that I have the opportunity to go to the battlefield again, I have the opportunity to die like a samurai. In other words, the Israeli military

I would rather go to war as a commander than a division commander so that I can give it a try and die where I like."

Laughter burst out from both of their throats at the same time, and Yamada Takashi put out the cigarette butt in his hand.

"If you die like this, the empire will be very upset. Come and take a look at this."

After lifting the blanket covering the table, a combat map was revealed. Then Yamada Takashi held the map table with both hands and said,

"In this war, there is no other choice but to win. Now the main force of the Jiangsu Army has begun to attack in the direction of Jiao'ao. They are trying to join the defenders to form an encirclement of the First Army. Therefore, for the sake of the overall situation,

The Second Army chose to land here..."

Yamada Ryuichi pointed his finger at a point on the map, while Osako Shigemichi just smiled and nodded. Among the two chiefs of staff, he was more inclined to Nobushige Yamada Ryuichi than the intelligence expert Akashi Genjiro.

"From here, we can not only advance and attack, but also cut off the retreat route of the Jiangsu Army, and form an encirclement with the First Army on the main force of the Jiangsu Army. Advance, all we need to face is the First Army of the Central China Army, which is composed of five

It is composed of three mixed brigades, and these five brigades are not the elite of the China Central Army. If they are thrown into the Sixth Division, they can completely tear apart its defense line."

"In this case, the Second Army will free up the Eighth Division and the Twelfth Division will be the strategic reserve."

Looking at the arrows on the map, Osako Shigemichi instantly understood the plan for this battle.

"The China Army has prepared a trap for our army. Then we will go with the flow and put the main force of the Second Army on Jiao'ao at the right time, not Lianyun. Once the main force of the Jiangsu Army forms an encirclement on the First Army, we will immediately

Invest the main force of the Second Army to cooperate with the First Army to form a counter-encirclement."

He leaned over the map table, picked up the compass, and pointed at several points on the outskirts of Jiao'ao.

"My idea is to hold a major battle in the Jiao'ao area in early November. Only in this way can we end the war quickly and avoid the interference of Britain and the United States in China affairs."

"In this case..."

Holding a saber and looking at the map, Osako Shigemichi agreed.

"Once the main force of the Jiangsu Army is lost outside Jiao'ao, the Jiao'ao defenders will be in a situation where they have no troops to save. At the same time, the Sixth Division can force Lianyun to give up resistance. In this case..."

"This is a great victory."

"Um……"

He responded quietly, and Osako, who was holding the command sword in both hands, said calmly.

"As long as the main force of the Jiangsu Army is eliminated, the doors of the entire Shandong and Jiangsu will be open to Japan. If possible..."

After pondering for a moment, Osako Shigemichi thought of Chief of Staff Akashi who went to Tokyo.

"If that's possible, then the rest is up to Chief of Staff Akashi."

(I'm really sorry. Yesterday, I was temporarily detained for a business trip. It's such a hard life. I just had a rest and ended up having to go on a business trip for three days. As a result, I didn't have time to publish the article. I hope you can forgive me and I will make up for it on the weekend.)
Chapter completed!