novelAbuy Chapter 41 Sakurai So
Chapter 41 Sakurai So
As night fell, the area around the Huting stronghold was thirty li away.
Blockhouse No. 7.
There was only one watchtower, built of brick and stone, with three floors. There were two sentry posts on the left and right sides, plus a ring of checkpoints and defenses.
Outside the pillbox, in the sentry post, the captain of a Japanese platoon sat in a chair, carefully wiping the award certificate in his hand.
His name is Sakurai Takeshi, and he comes from the Sakurai family in Japan.
A while ago, I participated in a swordsmanship competition and killed 10 prisoners and 30 civilians in one minute. The certificate I received was issued not long ago and has the personal signature and seal of the division commander.
Sakurai Takeshi received the news that several friends would be coming over to celebrate later, so tonight would be lively.
"Report!"
At that moment, a sentry came to report.
"explain."
Sakurai Takeshi didn't look up, still wiping the chrysanthemum with a border on the certificate with a tender look, just like he was caressing his wife.
The communications soldier reported: "Captain Fujita from the Huting stronghold, Squad Leader Haruka from Block 6, and Squad Leader Yamaguchi from Block 8 have arrived."
"Captain!"
A hint of delight flashed across Sakurai Takeshi's face as he said, "The captain's here too? Please invite them in."
A moment later, the communications soldier led three Japanese officers in.
Leading the way was Fujita Jiro, a lieutenant colonel, commander of the 1st Battalion of the Fujita Regiment, and the younger brother of brigade commander Fujita Ichiro!
The other two were the commanders of nearby pillboxes, who were his classmates and close friends.
The three officers were followed by six guards carrying gifts, clearly there to congratulate Sakurai Takeshi.
When Sakurai So saw Fujita Jiro, he looked surprised, thinking that he was just a small squad leader, yet he could receive a congratulatory gift from the battalion commander.
Sakurai Tsuyoshi quickly realized that it must be due to his brother's connections in Yangquan. His brother had helped him succeed in participating in the swordsmanship competition.
"Sakurai-kun, congratulations!"
Fujita Jiro walked in and made a bowing gesture.
Sakurai Tsuyoshi hurriedly got up and ordered the soldiers to bring chairs for the three officers to sit down.
Sakurai Takeshi stood at attention and said solemnly, "It is an honor for me, Sakurai Takeshi, to have the battalion commander come. I never expected that you would still remember me."
Fujita Jiro patted Sakurai Takeshi on the shoulder with satisfaction and laughed, "Sakurai-kun! You are a soldier I trained, how could I forget you? Haha, champion of the swordsmanship competition, excellent! You are a true warrior of our great Japanese Empire."
"Hai!" Sakurai Takeshi smiled confidently, and at the same time poured a cup of tea for Fujita Jiro.
Captain Haruka and Captain Yamaguchi, who had taken their seats, offered their congratulations repeatedly, their faces beaming with smiles.
Fujita Jiro added, "Sakurai-kun has won such an honor, and I should commend him in front of the whole team. However, the Eighth Route Army has been rampant lately, and I have been unable to spare the time. I came here today to express my apologies."
As he spoke, Ichiro Fujita looked intently at Takeshi Sakurai.
Although Sakurai So won a swordsmanship championship, it was nothing in Fujita Jiro's eyes. His real purpose in coming was to improve his relationship with Sakurai So.
Fujita Jiro had already learned from his elder brother Fujita Ichiro that Sakurai Takeshi's older brother, Sakurai Yu, had become the division chief of staff, and that he had been personally promoted by General Shinotsuka!
With the help of Yu Sakurai, So Sakurai also obtained a spot to participate in the competition and won the championship.
With the Sakurai family's status rising rapidly, how could Fujita Jiro miss this opportunity?
Sakurai Takeshi wasn't stupid. His current success was the glory of the Sakurai family. As fellow soldiers of the Yamato race, he was content as long as it benefited him.
Sakurai Takeshi replied, "Captain, you flatter us. We still need to work hard."
"Hmm, not bad." Fujita Jiro smiled with satisfaction.
At the same time, Sakurai Takeshi ordered, "Quickly, prepare food and drinks; I want to entertain the captain."
Upon receiving the order, the two soldiers beside him turned to leave, but were stopped by Fujita Jiro.
"Sakurai-kun, no need to be so polite. I have official business to attend to and will be leaving soon. Let Yamaguchi-kun and Haruka-kun keep you company." He slowly stood up and added, "Tomorrow I will host a grand banquet at the base to celebrate your victory! I will promote you to company commander."
"Squad leader!"
Sakurai Takeshi's face lit up with joy; he hadn't expected to be promoted so quickly!
Sakurai Takeshi thought to himself: It's better to receive the battalion commander's commendation in front of the entire battalion than to stay here.
Fujita Jiro shared the same idea: eating here is pointless; having a meal at the base is the only way to truly build rapport.
Moreover, the reason why Sakurai Takeshi was promoted to company commander was because Sakurai Yu suggested it to the brigade commander, and Fujita Jiro was just going along with it to gain an advantage.
Fujita Jiro nodded slightly and said, "Do a good job. There's a Chinese idiom that goes something like this..."
"Captain, you have a bright future ahead of you!" a Japanese translator nearby immediately replied.
This Japanese translator was a guard left behind in the pillbox. He was in his early twenties, dressed in a black brocade uniform, with big round eyes and a slicked-back hairstyle. He was a translator captured by Sakurai Takeshi.
Fujita Jiro glanced at the translator, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said, "Not bad, very promising!"
After saying that, he left with two guards.
After Fujita Jiro left, Captain Haruka said excitedly, "Sakurai-kun, congratulations! You've gained the captain's approval!"
Captain Yamaguchi echoed, "Sakurai-kun will surely become a rising star in the army in the future. Congratulations!"
Sakurai Takeshi appeared flustered and said, "You two are too kind. Soldiers! Prepare a banquet; I want to reward you all."
"Hai!"
The Japanese soldiers inside the pillbox were hastily cooking up the supplies they had looted recently, and the entire pillbox was filled with a rich aroma...
-
In the open space outside the pillbox, Zhou Huaiqi walked ahead, followed by Wang Xikui, Wang Gensheng, and Zhang Shan pushing an oxcart.
To deceive the Japanese, Wang Yousheng had Zhou Huaiqi pay for several bottles of good wine, steamed some hot dishes, and then added some medicine...
Zhou Huaiqi looked nervous and trembling. He was surrounded by three Eighth Route Army soldiers, and he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
Just as the oxcart reached the checkpoint, a Japanese sentry ran up and stopped the four of them.
"Hey, stop right there! What do you mean, 'work'?!"
Zhang Shan stared at Zhou Huaiqi, who shivered in fright.
Zhou Huaiqi immediately flashed a fawning smile: "Sir, it's me, Zhou Huaiqi!"
"Oh? Zhou Sang! Why aren't you looking for the Eighth Route Army? What are you doing here?!"
"I'm giving Sakurai-kun some important information, and I'll also send him some good food to try."
"Huh? Okay, just you wait!"
The Japanese soldier glanced at the food on the oxcart and revealed a satisfied, lewd smile.
After a short while, the Japanese sentry hurriedly returned and let a few men in.
At this moment, in an open area below the pillbox, Sakurai Takeshi and his soldiers had just sat down at the table and were about to start eating.
"Zhou-san, have you made any progress?" Sakurai Takeshi glanced at Zhou Huaiqi, his expression indifferent.
Zhou Huaiqi relayed what Wang Yousheng had told him: "Yes, there is an Eighth Route Army unit in a small village in the southwest. I've found out that there are several dozen of them."
"Um?"
Sakurai raised an eyebrow.
At the same time, Captain Yamaguchi and Captain Haruka, who were standing next to him, also glanced over.
Sakurai Takeshi had an idea; he needed to report the situation to the Toratsubing base immediately.
However, he then realized something.
He asked again, "Where are your carrier pigeons? Why aren't you using them to deliver messages?"