123: All parties were alarmed

Fengtai japanese Command Post.

Infantry Brigade Commander Mutaguchi Ren was anxiously awaiting news from the front lines.

Suddenly, a staff officer rushed in, his face pale and his voice trembling: "Brigade Commander, sir, something terrible has happened!"

The Wenzi Mountain Artillery Squadron... the Dragon King Temple Third Infantry Squadron... annihilated! Completely wiped out!"

According to on-site investigation, it was done by the same mysterious unit.

Their... their firepower is extremely fierce, and their movements are like ghosts.

We... we don't even know who they are!"

"Nani?" Mutaguchi Ren suddenly stood up, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, the pencil in his hand snapping with a crack.

"Two squadrons? Annihilated? baka! Impossible! What unit is this? Which unit of the 29th Army?"

"I... I don't know..." the staff officer stammered, sweating profusely in fear. "Judging from the shell casings found, their... weapons... are unprecedented.

The density of fire is terrifyingly high. There are no survivors at the scene... none..."

"Incompetent! A bunch of incompetents!" Mutaguchi Ren flew into a rage, kicking over the table.

He roared hysterically: "Investigate! Find out at all costs. Mobilize all intelligence forces in Beijing.

I want all information on this devil unit by tomorrow morning.

Who is their Commander? Where did their equipment come from? Where are they stationed?

I want them torn to pieces! Torn to pieces!!!"

His ferocious roar echoed through the command post, filled with shock, fear, and insane killing intent.

Meanwhile, at the 219th Regiment headquarters in Wanping City.

Ji Xingwen paced back and forth in the regiment office, not with anxiety or fear, but with excitement.

Half an hour ago, dense gunfire was heard again near the Dragon King Temple north of the city.

No need to think—it was that mysterious Friendly Forces striking hard again.

A few minutes later, the scouts returned, and their report matched his expectations perfectly.

The japanese Third Infantry Squadron was completely annihilated 300 meters east of the Dragon King Temple, with no survivors—another total annihilation.

What shocked him even more was that the Friendly Forces withdrew unscathed, with at most one minor injury.

Others might not understand what this meant, but as a veteran with 15 years of service, he knew very well.

What it means to annihilate an infantry squadron without a single death.

Overwhelming, absolutely overwhelming... no~~ that can't even be described as overwhelming—it's a dimensional strike.

"Get me the Beijing Municipal Government! Mayor Qin's direct line!" Ji Xingwen growled at the telephone operator.

A moment later, the call connected, and a tired but alert voice came through the receiver: "This is Qin Yide."

"Mayor Qin! This is Ji Xingwen! Major combat report!" Ji Xingwen's voice was low but couldn't hide his excitement.

"Tonight, a Friendly Forces unit annihilated a japanese artillery squadron and an infantry squadron!

They've secretly delivered captured operational documents and some weapons to our city walls!"

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Qin Yide's voice suddenly rose: "What? Say that again!"

"Absolutely true!" Ji Xingwen reported quickly. "The japanese artillery position at Wenzi Mountain has been completely destroyed!

An infantry squadron near the Dragon King Temple has also been annihilated!

This unit's firepower is extremely fierce, and their movements are like ghosts. They..."

"Wait!" Qin Yide interrupted him. "Did you witness the battle yourself? Are you sure it's not a japanese trick?"

"I sent scouts to verify. The area around the Dragon King Temple is filled with japanese corpses—exactly one squadron, no more, no less."

As he spoke, Ji Xingwen picked up a document on the table and said urgently: "What's even more amazing is,

they somehow delivered captured machine guns and documents directly to our most heavily defended east wall!

The sentries didn't even notice how they approached!"

The sound of a teacup being knocked over came from the other end, followed by another, longer silence from Qin Yide.

Ji Xingwen could almost imagine the shocked expression on the usually composed mayor's face.

"This... how many people are in this unit?" Qin Yide asked, his voice now extremely serious.

"Completely unclear, but judging by the gunfire, their numbers definitely don't exceed a hundred."

"Not even a hundred?" Qin Yide gasped. "How is that possible..."

"Mayor Qin, I swear on my life, every word is true!" Ji Xingwen grew anxious, using his life as a guarantee.

He immediately added: "Old Commander, I just observed that this Friendly Forces unit has a very powerful firepower configuration.

Judging by the muzzle flashes during the battle, the firearms their soldiers are equipped with start with submachine guns."

"My goodness~~" Qin Yide muttered to himself in astonishment. As a former soldier himself, he knew what this meant.

Starting with submachine guns meant these men were armed to the teeth.

Even the Central Training Regiment couldn't achieve this level of armament~~

The sound of Qin Yide's hurried pacing came through the phone.

After a moment, he regained his usual calm and decisiveness: "Regiment Commander Ji, your information is very important.

After dawn, immediately send people to try to make contact with this unit. Be sure to express the 29th Army's gratitude. At the same time..."

He paused and instructed solemnly: "Try to understand their background and needs.

But remember, be friendly and don't cause misunderstandings.

If they have any needs, fulfill them to the best of our ability."

"Yes! Understood!"

After hanging up with Qin Yide, Ji Xingwen wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Turning back to the telephone operator, he said: "Now, get me Army Commander Song's direct line."

This time, the wait was longer.

When Song Zheyuan's lazy and impatient voice finally came through the receiver, Ji Xingwen's heart tightened.

But he repeated the combat report exactly as before.

"Bullshit!" Song Zheyuan suddenly roared, startling Ji Xingwen so much he almost dropped the receiver.

"Ji Xingwen! Has your brain been blown to pieces by artillery?

A hundred-man squad annihilating two japanese squadrons and secretly delivering supplies to the city walls?

Do you take me for a three-year-old child, or has your entire 219th Regiment drunk too much horse piss~~"

"Army Commander! I dare not speak falsely! There is solid evidence..."

"Shut up!" Song Zheyuan cut him off sharply. "I think you've been fooled by those civilian resistance groups!

These people are more trouble than they're worth, always boasting about achievements but actually only causing trouble.

Listen carefully: without my orders, you are not to contact any civilian armed groups.

And do not cooperate with their actions!"

Ji Xingwen grew so anxious that veins bulged on his forehead: "Army Commander, but this unit really helped us out of a tight spot. They..."

"Enough!" Song Zheyuan snapped impatiently. "Why make such a fuss over a minor skirmish?

The japanese aren't bold enough to really start a fight.

I'm returning to my hometown in Shandong tomorrow morning to visit my elderly mother. Deputy Army Commander Qin will temporarily handle military affairs in Beijing.

Don't bother me unless it's something major!"

"Army Commander! This..."

Click.

The phone was hung up roughly, leaving only the dial tone echoing in Ji Xingwen's ear.

Ji Xingwen held the receiver, standing still for a long time.

Outside the window, the eastern sky was showing the first light of dawn—a new day was about to begin.

He thought of Mayor Qin's swift instructions and then of Army Commander Song's indifferent attitude, suddenly feeling a tightness in his chest.

Finally, he slowly put down the receiver and said to his adjutant with a bitter smile: "Pass the order: send out the reconnaissance company after dawn.

Focus on finding traces of that Friendly Forces unit... Remember, if encountered, be respectful and say Mayor Qin has invited them."