A Japanese K57 transport plane, escorted by two Nakajima fighter jets, landed on the airport runway.
The K57 transport aircraft, also called the Mitsubishi Type 100 transport aircraft, is based on the Type 97 bomber. The power plants and frames of the two models are exactly the same.
The plane door was opened, and the Japanese ground crew quickly put up the ladder.
Dressed in a yellow shirt, wearing glasses, and a beard under his nose, Kohisao was the first to step down from the ladder with a lieutenant general's sword in his arm.
The chief of staff of the North China Front, Moritake Tanabe, and the deputy chief of staff, Seizo Arisu, and others who were preparing to receive the reception, hurriedly stepped forward.
"Gu Shoujun is tired from the long journey!"
"We have arranged a banquet and a singer to welcome you."
Moritake Tanabe, who also holds the rank of lieutenant general, said in a deep voice.
Hisao Furu glanced at him and saw that Okamura Neji didn't come to the airport to pick him up in person, and he couldn't help but look a little unhappy.
But then I thought about it, Okamura Neji's military rank is general, and his own military rank is only lieutenant general.
Asking a general to pick up a lieutenant general at the airport is indeed a bit of a loss.
Immediately, Gu Hisao snorted coldly in his heart. If he hadn't ordered the killing of too many Chinese people in Jinling, the headquarters would have transferred him back to the country in order to avoid causing international public opinion.
Otherwise, with his qualifications and military exploits, he would have been promoted to general and become the commander of a certain front army long ago.
Is it your turn for Okamura Neji to show off his power?
I'm afraid you, Okamura Neiji, won't be able to hold the position of commander of the North China Front for long.
This time, Kohisafu led the observation group ostensibly to inspect the headquarters of the North China Front and several armies under the North China Front.
In fact, he came to seize the position of commander of the North China Front, Okamura Neiji.
The Ishihara faction applied to Tianchu for Gu Hisao to succeed him as commander of the North China Front.
However, Okamura Neiji was quite talented, and Tian Locust was still hesitant, so he sent Ko Hisao to North China to understand the enemy's situation.
After Guhisuo understands the enemy's situation, he will see if he can formulate a good plan to clean up public security and solve the problems of the Japanese army in North China.
At present, the Japanese army has suffered heavy losses in North China. A large number of soldiers and combat supplies have been transported to North China, but they have been defeated continuously, which makes the cabinet and Tianhao very dissatisfied.
If Kohisao's public security plan is good, then the cabinet and Tian Locust will let Kohisao succeed Okamura Neiji and become the commander of the North China Front.
As for Okamura Neiji, he will be transferred back to his homeland, become a military counselor, and then be incorporated into the reserve force.
Although the salary is very good, there is no real power.
Under the reception of Shun Tada and Seizo Arisu, Hisao Fururu and two major generals, as well as several Dazuo and other entourage, got into thickened armored vehicles and went to the Japanese headquarters in Beiping City.
While taking the wind and washing away the dust, Okamura Neji still didn't show up.
During the dinner, Hisao Fururu asked why he didn't see Okamura Neji despite knowing it. Tanabe Moritake replied that General Okamura Neji was busy with something.
If it were him, and someone came to usurp his position as commander of the North China Front Army, he would definitely not look down upon him, and might even secretly arrange for someone to assassinate him.
Thinking of this, Gu Hisao couldn't help but tighten his anus.
Hisao Gu said: "Tanabe-kun, I heard that the loss rate of your Locust Army generals in the North China Front Army is very high. I will go to Taiyuan where the First Army is stationed in three days..."
This time, Gu Shoufu focused on observing the First Army and the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi.
The Japanese mainly wanted to deal with the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi and the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi.
Formulating a detailed combat plan to deal with the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi and the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi was also the purpose of Gu Shoufu's trip.
"Furuju-kun, you can rest assured." Moritake Tanabe said with a confident expression, "I have already said hello to Lieutenant General Yoshio Iwamatsu, commander of the First Army. By then, the 41st Division of the First Army will be at Takesu Airport.
The surrounding area is fortified, and as soon as the plane lands, the most elite special agent team of the First Army will protect Gu Shoujun 24 hours a day. Gu Shoujun does not have to worry about safety issues when he arrives in Taiyuan."
"Hey! Thank you Tanabe-kun and Arisu-kun."
Hisao Furu picked up his wine glass and made a toast to Tanabe Moritake and Arimoe Seizo, and then drank the sake in one gulp.
…
Two days later, at night.
The moon and stars are sparse.
Zhao Gang, Wang Dehou and Xing Zhiguo saw off the team performing the mission at the entrance of Dagu Town.
This mission was personally led by Commander Li Da.
Since they were not going to attack Taiyuan and the mission itself was not very dangerous, Zhao Gang, Wang Dehou and Xing Zhiguo all agreed that Li Yunlong should go.
Stretching from the highway in Dagu Town toward Zhaojiayu, more than 100 Jiefang vehicles were ready. Behind the forty vehicles in front were all towing a 1939-style 37mm anti-aircraft gun.
The trunk of each vehicle was loaded with a new regiment of soldiers, an Oerlikon 20mm machine gun and ammunition.
As for the mules, horses and two cavalry battalions, they have already taken the lead and headed south along the Tongpu Highway.
Li Yunlong looked at the line of cars in front of him with a satisfied expression.
The new group's maneuverability is extremely powerful right now.
In just a few hours, the machine gun battalion and anti-aircraft gun battalion can be transported more than 100 kilometers away.
"Two days later, the Japanese Lieutenant General Gushou, two major generals, and an observation group composed of several leftists will arrive at Taiyuan Wusu Airport by plane."
"Our mission is to kill this Japanese observation group!"
"..."
Before departure, Li Yunlong briefly introduced the mission to He Jie, commander of the machine gun battalion, and Gao Tianyi, commander of the anti-aircraft gun battalion.
After learning that Gu Shoufu was one of the culprits of the Jinling Massacre, He Jie and Gao Tianyi's expressions were full of killing intent.
Before leaving, Zhao Gang instructed: "Old Li, no matter whether you shot down the Japanese plane or not, come back immediately after opening fire. If the Japanese catch up, don't be reluctant to fight."
"Don't worry, Lao Zhao."
Li Yunlong patted Zhao Gang on the shoulder: "We, Mr. Li, will not engage in loss-making business."
He knew that Zhao Gang was worried that his hands would be itchy, so he took the troops to tease the Japanese in Taiyuan.
Li Yunlong didn't even have this idea in his mind.
Today's Taiyuan is no better than when he led his troops to attack Taiyuan. Today's Taiyuan defense is a bit abnormal.
Although the firepower of the machine gun battalion and the anti-aircraft gun battalion is very powerful, what is the difference between using this firepower to attack Taiyuan and seeking death?
Hearing what Li Yunlong said, Zhao Gang immediately felt relaxed.
Xing Zhiguo and Wang Dehou also came up to say a few words.
Li Yunlong jumped on a jeep and shouted: "Let's go!"
Then the jeep started and drove towards Tongpu Highway, followed by the Jiefang brand car behind it at a constant speed.
…
Early the next morning.
Taiyuan.
First Army Headquarters.
"At noon tomorrow, Lieutenant General Gu Shoufu will lead the observation group to arrive at Taiyuan Wusu Airport by plane!"
Iwamatsu Yoshio looked at the commanders of the 41st Division, Shimizu Noriki and Yamamoto Kazuki, and said in a deep voice:
"Qingshui-kun, you immediately assemble the 40th Division and deploy defenses within 10 kilometers of Wusu Airport!"
"Yamamoto-kun, when the observation group arrives in Taiyuan, your special agent team will be solely responsible for the safety of Lieutenant General Hisao Fururu and the observation group!"
"Hi!" Kazuki Yamamoto and Shimizu bowed their heads in unison.
Yamamoto Kazuki lowered his head and his expression was slightly startled.