Chapter Thirteen: America? More Like Stealing a Nation!

Just as Stilwell was about to say something, Liu Jianguo interrupted him rudely.

“The Springfield rifles used in World War I were stolen from Germany’s Mauser rifles!”

“The M2 model 60mm mortars currently under development are copied from France’s Brandt mortars!”

“Are you planning next to have that Sherman thing steal the Soviet T-34 tanks and just rename them Sherman M4s?”

“America? More like a thief nation!”

Seeing Stilwell beside him flushed with embarrassment, Montgomery felt secretly pleased.

The relationship between Great Britain and America could be summed up in one word: chaotic.

They had gone from father and son, to enemies, to allies, and back to father and son again.

The whole process was like a national version of “Don’t underestimate a young man’s potential” for America.

But with Britain’s pride as the empire on which the sun never sets, how could they ever bow to their former son?

Therefore, even though America was now Britain’s creditor and perhaps future master, a true Englishman like Montgomery still looked down on Americans.

Seeing Liu Jianguo best the other side made him feel very happy.

But the next moment, his smile vanished.

“And you!”

Liu Jianguo showed disdain.

“What are you laughing at? Still sitting there eating curry like some Indian!”

“Your homeland is almost lost, and you don’t even know it!”

“What?”

Montgomery was bewildered.

Then he realized Liu Jianguo was referring to Germany’s actions on the European continent.

As far as he knew, the mustachioed man was planning to violate the Treaty of Versailles by annexing Austria.

For this, a somewhat waning Britain did not want to provoke the mustachioed man and hoped he would turn his sights northward toward the Soviet Union.

After all, France in the north possessed what was said to be the strongest army in Europe.

Along with the Maginot Line, reputed to be the world’s strongest defensive fortification, Britain and France felt at ease.

Montgomery was no exception.

The mustachioed man would never be foolish enough to attack that tough nut called France!

“I swear to God!”

Liu Jianguo seemed to read Montgomery’s thoughts and sneered even more.

“Fool! You think the mustachioed man is one of you shortsighted white idiots?”

“He’s a true heir of Rome; he can’t fight the Iron King Turtle head-on, so why wouldn’t he take a detour?”

“As for the French army, they’re just a bunch of rotten fish and shrimps.”

“Believe it or not, when the mustachioed man’s troops move into France, they’ll surrender!”

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Montgomery grew anxious.

Though not French himself, he highly respected their centuries-old rival.

If they were rotten fish and shrimps, then what did that make the English?

A lump of nonsense?

Montgomery swore solemnly.

“The French army is absolutely the strongest in Europe; Germany will never break into Paris!”

“Heh! They won’t reach Paris indeed,” Liu Jianguo waved his hand disdainfully. “No one can take Paris before France surrenders!”

What the fuck!

They were about to continue debating when Liu Jianguo lost patience.

“Monk! Send these two old soldiers back to training camp; I’ll see them when I have time!”

The tall and burly Wei Monk smiled kindly.

But to the two on the opposite side, his smile looked devilish.

“Please see them out.”

“What? I warn you, I am an English general! Don’t come near me! Don’t come near me!”

...

When Stilwell and Montgomery returned to the recruit camp, the new first regiment had already arrived at the familiar terrain of Cangyun Ridge.

Back then, Nobutaka Sakata was the hunter, and Li Yunlong was the prey.

Now, the roles had reversed.

After carefully surveying the terrain, Li Yunlong narrowed his eyes.

“Da Biao!”

Zhang Dabiao straightened up. “Reporting!”

“Do you see those two depressions to the north?”

Li Yunlong pointed.

Zhang Dabiao glanced over and nodded.

“Commander, if we ambush the Sakata regiment here, those two spots will surely be the Japanese counterattack points!”

“Should I lead troops to destroy the terrain there?”

“Idiot!” Li Yunlong couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Sakata Nobutaka’s men are not blind.”

“We won’t be able to disguise that entire area properly in such a short time.”

“Go and bury all the new type mines the division commander sent over in those spots.”

“Remember, disguise them thoroughly so the Japanese don’t find any flaws!”

Zhang Dabiao immediately understood Li Yunlong’s plan and chuckled.

“The commander is really devious!”

“I like it!”

After sending Zhang Dabiao away, Li Yunlong called over Wang Chengzhu.

“Zhuzi! I’m giving you only one order!”

“That is, fire the artillery!”

“Use all the shells you have!”

“Fire well, and I’ll reward you with two jin of roasted sweet potatoes!”

Really? Such a good deal?

Artillery expert Wang Chengzhu was thrilled and immediately patted his chest confidently.

“Commander, just watch! I promise to make those Japanese suffer!”

...

With four infantry battalions and one artillery battalion consolidated, Sakata Nobutaka regained his confidence.

“I’ve got this again!”

“What?” Sakata Nobutaka crumpled the telegram in his hand and slammed it on the head of the intelligence officer responsible for his regiment’s secret police.

“Two hours, two hours!”

“You give me only this much information?”

“What’s the difference between this and the previous intel?”

“Idiots! What a bunch of idiots!”

“Hey!” The intelligence officer dared not utter a sound and silently endured Sakata Nobutaka’s outburst.

Having vented, Sakata Nobutaka felt much better.

He turned to his adjutant, Matsuda Takeshi.

“Matsuda, has the battle plan been finalized?”

Matsuda bowed deeply. “Yes, it’s completed!”

“This operation will have the 4th Infantry Battalion stationed at headquarters, while the other three infantry battalions and the artillery battalion will all participate in the attack!”

“In addition, we contacted Colonel Kawamoto from Taiyuan Airport.”

“He guaranteed that as soon as we engage, at least seven fighter planes will come to support us!”

Matsuda continued confidently.

“The 2nd Infantry Battalion, second only to the 1st, will lead the frontal assault, while the 3rd and 5th Infantry Battalions will execute flanking maneuvers.”

“The artillery and air units will provide fire support.”

“Before the overwhelming offensive of the Sakata Regiment, the Chinese won’t stand a chance!”

“Even if the enemy has German equipment, so what? We have fought them before.”

“I believe this battle will be over in at most an hour!”

“This afternoon, the regimental commander will be enjoying afternoon tea inside Changye City!”

At present, the Sakata Regiment had not been stripped of soldiers or officers to form the independent mixed brigades responsible for security.

Not even the undefeated 1st Infantry Battalion.