Quartermasters can also fight the devils

Chapter 149 Rick Smith Union

"Oh, Major Smith, maybe God is in a good mood today. I just saw more than a dozen Japanese monkeys who seemed to have stepped on the mines buried by the Chinese army and were blown up badly. I didn't expect that the Chinese army still has such a good thing as mines. I just don't know how many they have. If there are still a lot of mines, it will be a big threat to the attack of the Japanese monkeys." Captain Taylor continued to observe the battle while quickly introducing what had happened before. He did not notice the upturned mouths of Smith and Zhang Wenwu after hearing that the mines caused casualties to the Japanese army.

Zhang Wenwu saw that the Japanese army was attacking the warehouse through several main streets, while the warehouse defenders were counterattacking in the fortifications they were building on the streets with about a platoon of officers and soldiers. In the warehouse facing the road, from the windows of each floor, the defenders were shooting at the advancing Japanese army from a high position.

"Oh, haha, I just saw a Japanese monkey being knocked down. It seems that the Japanese army without heavy firepower support is just like that. Apart from being a little short, there is no ornamental value at all." Smith put down the telescope in his hand, lit a cigar and said happily.

"Yes, Major Smith, I agree with you. If the Japanese want to capture this stronghold of the Chinese army, they can only sacrifice human lives. According to the agreements among various countries, they cannot use heavy artillery in urban areas. If small-caliber artillery is fired horizontally, it will not pose any threat to the thick walls of the warehouse. It can be said that the Chinese government's battle for political purposes this time has achieved its goal very well, but those Chinese soldiers who are guarding it are destined to die." Captain Taylor said at the end, his tone full of regret.

After observing the battle for a while, Zhang Wenwu found that the defenders' defense was very solid. It was now difficult for the Japanese army to get close to the warehouse, so he put down the telescope. After hearing Captain Tate's words just now, he also thought of the end of the battle. The defenders were ordered to enter the concession and were disarmed and detained. Later, after Shanghai was completely occupied by the Japanese army, these people were sent overseas to mine. Only a few people survived. He had to find a way to rescue all these warriors.

"Smith, what do you think of these guards?" Zhang Wenwu asked Smith who was chatting with Taylor. He thought about it and realized that if he wanted to carry out a rescue operation later, he would need Smith's help, so he had to mobilize Smith first.

"Oh, Major Zhang, of course there is no need to say more. They are all true warriors and impeccable soldiers." Smith answered affirmatively, holding his glass.

After hearing what Smith said, Zhang Wenwu knew that now was not a suitable time to talk to Smith. The embassies and consulates of various countries were all here. It would be bad if someone heard his thoughts and affected the future plans.

The Japanese army's attack made no progress in the day. Apart from some additional casualties, there was really no valuable information to be found in the Japanese army's battle record.

Zhang Wenwu and Smith stayed on the rooftop until it was almost dark before leaving. They drove back to the British Consulate in Shanghai and sat in the warm restaurant on the first floor of the consulate. Smith put down his knife and fork contentedly, took a sip of the liquor on the table and said, "It's still more comfortable inside the consulate. The rooftop is a little too cold. Major Zhang, how long do you think your Chinese troops can hold this stronghold?"

"Major Smith, after watching today's battle, how long do you think our army can hold out?" Zhang Wenwu did not answer Smith's question, but asked the question back.

"Oh, Major Zhang, through my observation today, I think it will take the Japanese at least ten to fifteen days to occupy this sturdy warehouse without being able to use heavy artillery. It may take even longer. Of course, unless the Japanese launch an attack regardless of casualties, but I don't think the Japanese will do that. They have successfully occupied the urban area of ​​Shanghai, and now this battle is taking place under the eyes of various countries. They don't want to lose face too much. Too many casualties will definitely make other countries laugh at them." Smith expressed his opinion.

Zhang Wenwu took a puff of his cigarette and said to Smith with a smile, "Major Smith, my conclusion may be disappointing. I think the Japanese army may occupy this warehouse stronghold within four to five days." He knew how long the Sihang Warehouse defense battle lasted. To be precise, it was four days, and the defending officers and soldiers were ordered to withdraw from the warehouse and enter the concession.

Smith looked at Zhang Wenwu with a little surprise. He said in astonishment: "Major Zhang, I think the Chinese troops guarding the warehouse should have sufficient ammunition, and there are a lot of supplies stored inside. The three trucks of food you sent over yesterday are enough for the defenders to eat for a while. Moreover, the warehouse is so strong. In your Chinese words, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack. I really can't think of how the Japanese occupied this stronghold within four to five days. I think it's impossible." He really couldn't think of how the Japanese army would occupy this strong stronghold in such a short time. It was unscientific.

Zhang Wenwu knew what Smith meant. From a military perspective, the Sihang Warehouse could be defended for at least half a month. But first of all, the original intention of the Sihang Warehouse Defense Warehouse was to attract international attention. It was a political propaganda war. Negotiations among various countries were currently underway in Shanghai. Japan's diplomatic department would certainly put pressure on the mediation team composed of various countries. Given the current diplomatic policies of various countries toward Japan, it would be 100% certain that they would compromise. Various countries would certainly put pressure on the Chinese government to withdraw this force from the warehouse. Therefore, it was not a question of how long the Chinese defenders could hold out, but a question of whether various countries could withstand the diplomatic pressure exerted by Japan.

"Major Smith, how about we make a bet?" Zhang Wenwu took the first step of his plan.

Smith looked interested and said to Zhang Wenwu, "Oh, Major Zhang, no problem. How much do you want to bet?"

"No, Major Smith, we don't need to bet money this time. If one of us loses, we have to promise the other party something and we will do it for the other party no matter what. How about it?" Zhang Wenwu said to Smith with a smile.

Smith didn't expect Zhang Wenwu to make such a big bet, so he said uncertainly: "Major Zhang, the bet you proposed is very big. It is much more valuable than money, but should we also limit the scope of this bet?"

"Of course, what we ask the other party to do cannot violate the other party's moral bottom line, and it must be within the reasonable scope of ability. How about it?" Zhang Wenwu explained to Smith with a smile.

Smith felt relieved as soon as he heard Zhang Wenwu's explanation. He thought that Zhang Wenwu's rule was very reasonable, so he said, "Okay, I swear on the honor of a British soldier that I will abide by the rules of this bet. But I don't think I will lose. Haha, Major Zhang, from now on I need to think carefully about how to use this bet to get you to do something appropriate. Well, maybe then I can ask you to beat up that ignorant Major Abel at the French Consulate."

Zhang Wenwu listened to Smith's mumbling and smiled without saying anything. This Smith was a little cute. He actually started planning the impossible things that would happen later and even wanted to beat up the military attaché of the French consulate himself. I really didn't know what he was thinking. But it didn't matter. Let Smith be happy for two days. He would have a headache later.

The next morning, Smith and Zhang Wenwu arrived at the rooftop on time to watch the battle. The Japanese attack today was obviously more fierce than yesterday. The Japanese also pushed the infantry artillery to the front and launched a direct attack on the warehouse, but the wall of the warehouse was too thick. The shells of the infantry artillery could only leave a small hole in the wall, and the effect was really limited.

In the afternoon, under the fierce attack of the Japanese army, the Chinese defenders guarding the position outside the warehouse slowly withdrew into the warehouse for defense. The Japanese army finally arrived around the Sihang Warehouse. A group of Japanese troops attacking from the Bank of Communications saw a semi-permanent bunker near the warehouse. This was built by the Chinese government to guard against the concessions, but now it was discovered by the Japanese army. When more than a dozen Japanese soldiers entered the bunker and prepared to use it to shoot at the warehouse, they heard a loud "bang" and the bunker was half blown down.

It turned out that the warehouse defenders had discovered this bunker before. Captain Xie thought that the Japanese army would definitely use this bunker to attack, so he had people bury five mines and twenty grenades in the bunker. When the Japanese army entered the shooting position of the bunker, they stepped on the mines, causing a chain reaction of explosions.

"Oh, Major Zhang, look, that must be the "Rick Smith Union" mine. It's so cool. Did you see those two Japanese monkeys flying in the sky? This time, more than a dozen Japanese soldiers were killed directly. It was so satisfying." Smith said excitedly while holding the telescope. He was now a little grateful to Zhang Wenwu for delivering the mine to the defenders. It made him feel as if he had also participated in the battle. This sense of immersion made him feel great.

Zhang Wenwu was also holding a telescope and corrected with a smile: "Major Smith, that was the effect of the Chinese defenders using a large number of grenades. How could you come up with a name yourself? That's not good, haha." He had to remind the slightly excited Smith that there were people around him and he should not cause trouble for himself.

"Oh, yes, Major Zhang, this is the explosion of a grenade. I just want to give this explosion a resounding name." After hearing Zhang Wenwu's reminder, Smith quickly changed his words and explained.

Fortunately, everyone on the rooftop was attracted by the explosion just now, and no one paid attention to what the excited Smith said.