The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

The war in Vladivostok has been advancing, which has made Japan's internal economic situation increasingly tense. The military expenditure in the Caucasus has now increased to an almost terrifying figure.

Jiang Cheng knew very well: relying on the Meiji Restoration, Japan was able to overtake other countries and become an industrial country in a deformed way.

The reason why they are deformed... is because they have the capabilities of an industrial country, but they do not have the "wealth" of an industrial country.

So on the one hand, they are keen on external expansion, but if their aggression cannot obtain "benefits" in the short term, it will be difficult for them to maintain military spending given their economic size and vision.

Furthermore, their Taisho Emperor of Japan was an unlucky man with mental illness symptoms. Faced with the recent situation in Siberia, his already weak nerves could no longer sustain, so he "retired to the second line" ... and handed over the entire Japanese government to Crown Prince Hirohito, the so-called Japanese Emperor who recruited nuclear weapons.

As soon as this young ruler took over power, he showed an astonishing iron-blooded hand.

Being a warlike person, faced with such an extremely unfavorable situation, he would certainly not withdraw his troops but would "increase investment" like a gambler and find ways to gain benefits from this vast territory.

"We have to help our allies now."

Jiang Cheng clasped his hands together and sneered at the large sand table unfolded at the command center.

On the second day of the troops' full advance, he, the commander-in-chief, moved from the capital to the Hunchun Command Headquarters.

"Yes! The Japanese have been fighting for more than half a year, and the war has basically entered a stalemate stage. If we don't take action now, the Japanese will probably have to keep fighting for a year or two."

Zhang Xuecheng stood straight beside him, also showing a sly smile.

As the commander of the mechanized mixed brigade, he is currently stationed in Jilin, and the entire army is slowly advancing towards the border.

Seeing the burning desire for war gradually emerging in Jiang Cheng's eyes, even he became excited: "My Lord Jiang, when will it be our turn to go out?"

Jiang Cheng waved his hand and smiled: "No hurry. After your troops arrive in Hunchun, they must stay on the spot and wait for the opportunity--"

After all, compared with conventional forces such as infantry and cavalry, the mechanized mixed brigade has fierce combat capabilities, but it also consumes the most military expenditure.

"At present, under the pretext of transporting food and fodder, Brother Chao Liu's troops have advanced towards Siberia, while Lao Guo's mixed brigade is stationed at the border."

Jiang Cheng picked up the bamboo pole lying horizontally beside the sand table and gestured on the sand table. "Under this situation, the Japanese army in Japanese-controlled Korea will definitely worry about our continued reinforcement. Whether we can defend the Sino-Korean border will become the key to this battle!"

Hearing his hidden meaning, Sun Zhengnan looked at the sand table and quickly turned his gaze back to Jiang Cheng: "You mean, the devils from Japanese-occupied Korea will come to the northeast along Sinuiju and other places?"

Compared with the clear border lines in later generations, the division of the China-North Korea border has always been vague due to the repeated harassment and infiltration by the Japanese devils, and the fact that the situation in Northeast China had just stabilized.

"Brother Chao Liu led his troops into the Siberian region. After the Japanese realized our intention to 'grab territory', they would definitely try every possible means to harass the rear and relieve the pressure on Vladivostok by 'encircling Wei to save Zhao'."

Jiang Cheng pointed out on the sand table, "Because of the Changbai Mountain, the only places that can pass the large army are Ji'an in Jilin and Andong in Feng Province."

At present, because Japan annexed Korea for many years, both places are occupied by the Kwantung Army.

Sun Zhengnan took over his words and said: "Once something happens in Vladivostok, the ships in the Nagasaki naval port will definitely cross the strait and land in Busan..."

"By then, we will most likely go into a full-scale war with Japan!" When he said these words, his tone was clearly filled with nervousness.

Given the current overall strength of Northeast China, it would be extremely difficult for it to compete with an up-and-coming industrial country like Japan.

"Why, are you scared?"

Before Jiang Cheng, the commander-in-chief, could speak, Zhang Xuecheng at the side spoke first, "We have planes, tanks, and a large number of guns and ammunition. Why would we be afraid of the Japanese?"

Sun Zhengnan's face suddenly darkened: "You are right... After Mr. Jiang's hard work over the years, Jilin has made great progress in both economy and military capabilities."

"But have you ever thought about it? What are the planes, tanks, and even cars needed to transport supplies to the front line?"

"Gasoline! How much gasoline do we have now? After calculation... it won't even last for three months!"

"Also, at present our arsenal can only imitate rifles, bullets for several types of firearms - and the most common wooden-handled grenades."

At this point, the Chief of Staff of the Jilin Army continued with some concern, "Once the war breaks out, these light weapons alone will not be enough, but we have to rely on imports for the supply of other heavy weapons. This..."

His eyes quickly turned to the sand table, and Jiang Cheng understood what he meant:
Once Japan intends to start a full-scale war, all Japanese warships in the military ports will sail out, and all the seas leading to the Northeast will be blocked by the Japanese.

By then, they wouldn't be able to get any heavy weapons, let alone gasoline.

"Old Sun is right. The war is fought over the economy, steel, gasoline and so on."

He smiled at his chief of staff and said, "But our reserves are insufficient... How capable are the Japanese?"

"And with the European war just over, how much courage, how much appetite, and how much capability do they have for an all-out war with us in the Far East?"

After these words were spoken, the entire Hunchun frontline command center fell silent.

Jiang Cheng looked around at the generals and continued, "Even if the Japanese really go to war with us, we only need to defeat the Japanese in Ji'an and Andong!"

One of Zhang Xuecheng's staff officers whispered, "Master Jiang, what you mean is... the Japanese will not go to war with us?"

Jiang Cheng nodded approvingly and said, "That's right!"

Then he continued to point to the sand table and said, "In this battle, our problem is that we can't fight a protracted war--"

"As for the Japanese, they cannot fight a protracted war! The Japanese Northern Expeditionary Army's armament consumption in Siberia has reached a peak due to the guerrilla warfare near the Baikal and Sikhote-Shan Mountains."

"Moreover, by supporting multiple guerrilla groups of the Russians and letting them constantly harass the Japanese in the Vladivostok area, their already tight supply chain was pushed to the brink of collapse."

Yes, if the Japs had sufficient supplies, they would not have been so upset because of the two raids on their food supplies.

Of course, the Jilin Army would have no chance or excuse to march to the Vladivostok area! (End of this chapter)