Chapter 29: Turning the Heavens Upside Down!

"The mole hasn't been caught, and now the 61st and 83rd Armies are under everyone's scrutiny; they can't move at all!"

"Even the Commander has been branded with the infamy of collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country."

"How can we tolerate this!"

"That is why I forced the Commander to hold this press conference!"

Yan Laoxi, who had been silent all this while, stepped forward and patted him gently on the shoulder.

"Xingru, there is no need to be so distressed."

"Liu Jianguo is not a bad man; he also has the best interests of our fellow countrymen in Shanxi and across the nation at heart."

"Do not hold a grudge against him."

The scene fell into a similar silence. Many people began to search their own consciences.

Have we misunderstood Chairman Yan?

It was no wonder that so many found it easy to believe Yan Laoxi. After all, for so many years, the impression he had left on everyone was never poor. Without ironclad, undeniable proof, it was difficult for people to change their perception of him.

Suddenly, the reporter who had spoken first chimed in.

"Liu Jianguo was originally in Changzhi. How is it that just as Chairman Yan held a press conference in Jincheng, he showed up?"

"And he didn't come early or late; he chose to appear only after Chairman Yan had finished explaining everything."

"He even brought so-called evidence to prove that Chairman Yan is a traitor who colludes with the enemy."

"I think he has ulterior motives!"

Indeed!

This remark sparked a wave of reflection among the crowd. Yang Aiyuan, standing on the stage, blinked his eyes imperceptibly.

Soon, someone shouted in anger.

"Why do I get the feeling that this Liu Jianguo is one of the little devils' men!"

"That tape recorder, it might have been given to him by the mole!"

"Only a mole within the Jin-Sui Army could have brought such a large object into the conference room."

"Even his voluntary takeover of the defense of Changzhi might have been to help the little devils easily capture the city."

"Yes, yes!" someone echoed, "I think this Liu Jianguo must be working with the little devils!"

"Who doesn't know the importance of Chairman Yan to Shanxi?"

"If his reputation is ruined, the Baldy runs away, and the Jin-Sui Army is left leaderless, then we people of Shanxi will surely become a scattered mess!"

"When the little devils attack later, who will stand up to fight?"

Many people felt that this argument indeed held some truth.

***

Liu Jianguo’s actions were simply too coincidental. People always prefer to attribute the worst intentions to others, regardless of the situation. In an instant, the public's perception of Yan Laoxi shifted dramatically.

He was once again the Chairman Yan in their hearts, the man who worked for the country and the people. Meanwhile, Liu Jianguo was quickly and deliberately smeared.

"I really didn't expect him to be this kind of person!"

"Even if he isn't a traitor, he's just an arrogant fool!"

"I think we should arrest him to prevent him from causing any more trouble!"

Seeing the scene unfolding before him, Yan Laoxi advised, "Without evidence, everyone should not speculate wildly. Liu Jianguo is not that kind of person!"

Even at the end, Yan Laoxi did not say a single bad word about Liu Jianguo. Yet, this only fueled the indignation of many.

After returning, Yan Laoxi said nothing to Yang Aiyuan, but inside, he was elated.

*You little brat, as long as these reporters spread the news! Even if you have heaven-defying skills, there is no turning back! You are finished!*

***

Yan Laoxi was happy, and Terauchi Juichi in Taiyuan was also in a good mood. At this moment, he sat in his office, brewing fine tea stolen from Yan Laoxi’s home, enjoying the tea ceremony with great satisfaction.

The Japanese Special Higher Police could not get detailed intelligence on Liu Jianguo and the New First Division, but obtaining intelligence on Yan Laoxi was much simpler. As it happened, the events that had just occurred in Jincheng were related to Liu Jianguo. Therefore, the top brass of the Special Higher Police in Taiyuan reported these matters exactly as they were to Terauchi Juichi to fulfill their duties. Pleased, Terauchi Juichi temporarily let them off the hook for their previous failures.

"The Chinese are truly an inferior race," Terauchi Juichi shook his head with disdain. "Despite possessing a thousand-year-old cultural heritage and a vast continental territory, they never seek progress and are obsessed with internal strife. Even in this moment of crisis, it is no exception. They are truly a bunch of stupid pigs!"

***

Just then, rapid footsteps came from outside the door. A gleam of joy flashed in Terauchi Juichi’s eyes.

"At this hour, it must be Kuroshima-kun bringing good news."

"Come to think of it, Kuroshima-kun’s efficiency is excellent; he managed to wipe out those damned Chinese so quickly!"

As for the possibility that the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment had been wiped out, Terauchi Juichi had never even considered it. The plains were not mountainous or hilly terrain suitable for ambushes. If something seemed wrong, the cavalry could simply ride away, and almost no one could stop them.

Filled with anticipation, Terauchi Juichi looked at the person entering with a smile. After a deep, sweeping bow, the Japanese communications soldier spoke with a trembling voice.

"Re... reporting to the Commander!"

"Hmm? Speak!" Terauchi urged impatiently.

"According to reports from the Fourth Brigade... the brave warriors of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment who went in pursuit have... have all been shattered!"

Upon hearing this news, Terauchi Juichi actually nodded with a face full of delight.

"Wiped out all those detestable Chinese, is that it? Good, very good."

The communications soldier: "???"

*Did the Commander not hear what I said?*

Suppressing his panic, the soldier gathered his courage and repeated himself.

"Commander, the brave warriors of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment who went in pursuit have all... all been shattered!"

This time, Terauchi Juichi heard it clearly. But he could not believe his ears. He widened his eyes and stood up from his seat in agitation.

"Nani!!!"

"What did you say? Say it again!"

"The brave warriors of the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment who went in pursuit have all been shattered?"

"Hai!" the communications soldier said with a mournful face, "According to the telegram sent back by General Miyamoto Ichiro, it is highly likely that Colonel Kuroshima and his men were deceived by the Chinese."

"The enemy did not lack ammunition at all."

"Furthermore, when they ambushed the Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment, they used a large number of autocannons and heavy machine guns."

"No! That is absolutely wrong!" Terauchi Juichi realized something was amiss and quickly asked, "South of Cangyun Ridge is a vast, open plain! Looking across it, there is almost no cover! If the Chinese had an ambush, even if Kuroshima-kun and his men didn't notice, they should have been able to escape the scene quickly! How could the entire regiment be wiped out? This is simply inconceivable!"