Chapter 10: Has Li Yunlong Fallen? The Deputy Commander's Shock: Is the New First Regiment Gone?

After the initial shock, the division commander quickly turned to the chief of staff and asked, “What exactly is going on? How could we have lost contact?”

“This concerns an entire regiment,” the chief of staff replied helplessly. “After the 1st New Regiment sent their defiant message from the battlefield, they haven’t contacted our division even once.”

“We’ve also tried to get in touch with the 1st New Regiment, but it’s completely impossible.”

“Moreover, none of our units on various fronts have any news about them.”

“It’s as if the 1st New Regiment never even withdrew from the Cangyun Ridge battlefield.”

Hearing this, the division commander’s expression darkened severely. His voice grew heavy as he said, “Could it be that Li Yunlong is dead? Has the entire 1st New Regiment been wiped out in the Battle of Cangyun Ridge?”

“That’s a possibility…” The chief of staff nodded lightly, sighing. “After all, the 1st New Regiment ran into the Sakatani Regiment of the Japanese army.”

“The Sakatani Regiment is an elite unit of the Japanese. One of our brigades suffered a heavy defeat at their hands—let alone just a single regiment like the 1st New.”

“Even though the 1st New Regiment is one of our main forces, the gap between them and the Sakatani Regiment is still as vast as an abyss.”

“Hmph...” The division commander snorted coldly, clenching his fists. “If Li Yunlong died, it’s well deserved. Who told him to disobey orders on the battlefield?”

“We told him to retreat from Yujialing, but he refused... And now look at the result!”

Though his words were harsh, his face was marked by a complex mixture of anger and unspeakable sorrow.

After all, Li Yunlong was the division commander’s favored officer.

Though he often scolded him, upon hearing that Li Yunlong might have fallen, the commander’s heart became unbearably heavy and grief-stricken.

Deep down, he worried about Li Yunlong and hoped he was safe.

Having worked with the division commander for many years, the chief of staff could clearly see his true feelings.

“Commander, please don’t be too anxious,” the chief of staff said, trying to comfort him. “We still have no concrete proof that Li Yunlong is dead, nor that the entire 1st New Regiment has been annihilated.”

“As far as we know now, the 1st New Regiment is only out of contact. Everything is still possible.”

Upon hearing this, the division commander quickly steadied himself and said gravely, “Then send people to find them immediately!”

---

“Chief of Staff, I’m entrusting you with this matter. Dispatch search parties at once to find Li Yunlong and the 1st New Regiment.”

“No matter what it takes, bring Li Yunlong and his regiment back.”

“Even if it means executing Li Yunlong… he must be found first before any punishment!”

The chief of staff understood that the commander cared deeply for Li Yunlong, despite his sharp tongue and tough demeanor.

“Yes, sir!” The chief of staff responded promptly. “I’ll arrange for all available personnel to search for Li Yunlong and the 1st New Regiment with full effort.”

“Also...” The division commander called out as the chief of staff was about to leave. “Don’t forget to send a telegram to our army’s frontline general command, informing the deputy commander and others about the lost contact.”

“This matter can’t be concealed; it’s best they know as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir!” The chief of staff acknowledged.

The disappearance of an entire regiment was no trivial matter.

---

At the Eighth Route Army’s frontline general command, the deputy commander and deputy chief of staff were sitting and talking.

Their conversation focused on the impact of the recent Japanese sweep on their forces.

“Sigh...” The deputy chief of staff sighed deeply. “The Japanese sweep came so suddenly this time that it completely disrupted our main force deployments.”

“To cover the withdrawal of our main forces, many soldiers bravely took the lead and fought desperately to hold off the Japanese sweep units.”

“Our casualties this time were quite heavy.”

“No kidding...” The deputy commander nodded helplessly. “The Japanese are relentless in their intent to exterminate us. This sweep covered a very wide area.”

“Our units have indeed suffered heavy blows. All fronts sustained varying degrees of casualties, and it will take some time to recover.”

“From now on, all our units must hurry to rebuild and strengthen our forces.”

“If we can’t restore our strength quickly, it will be difficult to stabilize the turbulent situation in northwest Shanxi.”

Both the deputy commander and deputy chief of staff wore grim expressions, revealing the enormous impact and losses caused by the Japanese sweep on the Eighth Route Army.

Just as they were talking, a messenger suddenly entered the room and reported, “Deputy Commander, Deputy Chief of Staff, the 129th Division has sent a telegram!”

The two were taken aback.

“What does it say?” the deputy commander asked immediately.

The messenger reported in a low voice, “The telegram states that Li Yunlong and the 1st New Regiment are out of contact.”

Upon hearing this, both the deputy commander and deputy chief of staff were stunned.

They both knew Li Yunlong well.

After all, as the 129th Division commander had said, if Li Yunlong hadn’t constantly gotten into trouble, given the merits he had previously earned, he wouldn’t still be just a small regiment commander!

The deputy commander and deputy chief of staff always learned quickly whenever Li Yunlong distinguished himself, so they were very familiar with him.

“Impossible!” The deputy chief of staff frowned in disbelief. “Li Yunlong is a trickster; how could he suddenly lose contact?”

At that moment, he snatched the telegram from the messenger’s hands, hoping it was a mistake.

But after reading its contents clearly, he gave up all hope, and his expression changed drastically.

He murmured gravely as he read aloud the telegram’s message: “Li Yunlong disobeyed orders on the battlefield, engaged the Sakatani Regiment in the Battle of Cangyun Ridge, resulting in the complete loss of contact with Li Yunlong and the 1st New Regiment.”

Hearing this, the deputy commander’s face also turned grim...

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