Maeda Ichiro’s words left all the Japanese soldiers in silence. Many of those who had stayed behind had been forced to do so. To keep as many men as possible, their superior officers had resorted to coercion and bribery, even threatening that if anyone in a small unit refused to stay, the entire unit would be executed. There was no choice; the money offered by the Nationalist army was staggering—who didn't want to make a little extra? Moreover, the Japanese officers who had struck the deal with the Nationalist army believed the Nationalists held the tactical advantage on the battlefield, and that they just needed to follow along; once the Nationalists achieved victory, they might even return home in glory.
Who could have guessed? The Nationalist army appeared well-equipped and formidable, but the moment they hit the battlefield, they fell to pieces. Just like today: a perfectly fine, reinforced U.S.-equipped regiment found itself pinned down in the wilderness, 30 kilometers from the city. No matter how they fought, they couldn't break out, and in the end, even their supply lines were cut. It was damn near hellish.
"Maeda-kun, I went to check the front. There is only one fire point opposite us. Although their accuracy is high, we still have a chance."
Chapter 204