roccoschili Chapter 24: Persuading to Surrender? Go talk to my cannonballs then.
Chapter 24: Persuading to Surrender? Go talk to my cannonballs then.
Even Li Jianghe's third battalion suffered heavy losses in this battle.
The main attacks were aerial bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft, as well as strafing by machine guns.
After replenishing personnel and weapons and ammunition, Li Jianghe had accumulated more than 13,000 merit points.
This was enough for Li Jianghe to arm an entire regiment.
He was thinking that if the fighting could not continue, these accumulated merit points would be the key to his breakthrough of the Japanese encirclement.
According to historical events, the complete defeat of the Nationalist army forces in the Shanghai-Nanjing area occurred after the Japanese 10th Army landed in Hangzhou Bay.
The soldiers inside the Sihang Warehouse were allowed to lay down their weapons and enter the concession on November 1st.
Before that, although the National Revolutionary Army's combat forces had basically lost control of the Shanghai area.
However, in the surrounding areas, hundreds of thousands of main Nationalist troops were still fighting fiercely against the Japanese army.
Li Jianghe had no intention of laying down his weapons and entering the foreign concession.
That's no different from surrendering.
Moreover, the four hundred heroes in history all lived rather miserable lives.
They were subsequently placed in a garbage dump, where not only was replenishing supplies extremely difficult, but Japanese spies also continuously infiltrated their ranks.
Finally, after Japan and Britain and the United States completely broke off relations, they went directly into the concessions, and those surviving soldiers were arrested as laborers.
In the end, fewer than a hundred people returned alive.
Li Jianghe could not possibly be a part of this tragedy; he didn't even want such a tragedy to happen again.
It is now the second day, and if history continues as it should, the mediation will take place on the fourth day.
For Li Jianghe, that was an opportunity to break through.
On the opposite bank of the river, the concession was bustling with people.
They had all witnessed the fierce battle just now.
The fluttering national flag served as evidence that Shanghai had not yet fallen to the Japanese.
The British Consul, Earl Jimmy Williamson, was looking at the contents of the newspaper.
"Father, I believe that even from a humanitarian perspective, this tragic battle should be stopped."
The speaker was Williamson, who, in addition to being a reporter for The Times, also had another identity—the son of Jimmy Williamson, the British Consul in Shanghai.
Jimmy Williamson was naturally also paying attention to this battle.
However, his perspective on problems differed from that of his son, Williamson.
As a consul, he represents the country's position, and in handling any matter, he must prioritize the national interest.
Jimmy Williamson chuckled and said:
"Child, you are still too young. I can understand that you admire their courage, but many things in this world are driven solely by self-interest."
The interests of the nation, the interests of the group, and the interests of the individual.
It cannot be based on personal likes or dislikes.
Williamson looked at his father and said:
"Father, I understand what you mean, but after my report is published, even those thousands of miles away in our country feel great sympathy for these warriors. This is not a bad thing that can win reputation for our British Empire."
But Jimmy Williamson calmly said:
"Child, reputation is something that is actually dispensable."
Your enemies will never cease their aggression and attacks because of your international reputation.
After he finished speaking, he pointed to the Sihang Warehouse across the street and said:
"We need to see what the Nationalist government does. Only if they are willing to do so can we step in, rather than taking the initiative to mediate."
This is not in the interest of our British Empire. Of course, if the fighting continues and the Japanese begin to descend into madness, even disregarding the safety of the concessions, we will need to intervene, of course, for the safety of the British Empire's concessions.
Williamson still couldn't understand. He looked towards the Sihang Warehouse and at the soldiers who had fought to the death.
The fighting continued, but after the failure of the fierce attack in the morning, the Japanese attack intensified significantly in the afternoon.
Several times, their attacks were suppressed by dense machine gun fire before they even got close to the Sihang Warehouse position.
Looking at the still-flying Blue Sky with a White Sun flag, Matsui Iwane said to Yoshizumi Ryosuke:
"Send someone as a representative to persuade them to surrender."
If they are willing to lay down their arms and surrender, we can guarantee them basic humanitarian treatment.
He knew very well that this place could not be bombarded with heavy artillery, in addition to the special location of the Sihang Warehouse itself.
To capture the Sihang Warehouse, at least a thousand soldiers would have to be sacrificed.
Yoshizumi Ryosuke was greatly surprised and looked at Matsui Iwane, saying:
"Commander, to persuade them to surrender would be tantamount to admitting our defeat?"
Matsui Iwane glared at him, his voice suddenly turning cold.
"Do you intend to sacrifice more soldiers' lives to maintain your dignity?"
These words silenced Yoshizumi Ryosuke.
At this moment, Matsui Iwane looked at Yoshizumi Ryosuke and said:
"Explain our purpose and the sincerity of our army to them, and I believe they will accept it."
For these Chinese soldiers trapped in dire straits, the greatest temptation was survival.
Of course, his attempt to persuade him to surrender also harbored malicious intentions.
That was to undermine the unity of the Nationalist army at Sihang Warehouse.
If some people are willing to surrender and others are not, then they cannot unite internally.
The best way to destroy a strong fortress is never from the outside, but from the inside.
An armored vehicle slowly approached the Sihang Warehouse, with two high-powered loudspeakers mounted on either side.
A staff officer from the 9th Division sat in a car, reading the contents of a letter urging surrender.
The loudspeakers began to echo on both sides of the Sihang Warehouse, and the Japanese troops started shouting into the warehouse in Chinese.
"To the Chinese soldiers inside the Sihang Warehouse, I am a staff officer of the 9th Division. You have fulfilled your duties as soldiers, and we deeply admire your courage."
"If you are willing to surrender, we guarantee to provide you with basic humanitarian protection, and even the cost of your journey home."
The voice of the Japanese military staff officer echoed throughout the warehouse via broadcast.
"The Japanese devils are at their wits' end; they're starting to think about how to persuade them to surrender."
Xie Jinyuan said with an icy gaze.
Yang Ruifu adjusted his glasses and said:
"I think it's more like an attempt to undermine our resolve to resist."
Lijiang River Channel standing on one side:
"I think the best way to respond to the Japanese's attempts to persuade us to surrender is to fire a few shots."
He did not doubt the loyalty of the soldiers in the Third Battalion; it was a loyalty bestowed upon them by the system.
But what about the other soldiers? Many of them wanted to survive, especially when the chance to live suddenly presented itself.
"Agreed, fire several more rounds, aiming at the Japanese loudspeakers and propaganda vehicles."
Xie Jinyuan immediately expressed his agreement.
He was also well aware of the Japanese army's intentions.
Responding with artillery fire at this time served two purposes: to express a stance and to deter any disloyal soldiers within the warehouse.
Inside the armored vehicle, the staff officer was reading the surrender proclamation over and over again when a loud bang suddenly rang out.
"Boom!!!"
It's a 45mm anti-tank gun, currently firing at the armored vehicle carrying the staff officer.
"Quickly!!! Get out of here!!!"
The staff officer hurriedly shouted.
The next moment, the entire armored vehicle exploded.
A 45mm shell hit the armored vehicle directly, completely penetrating its side armor.
Matsui Iwane, holding binoculars, saw the armored vehicle that had been used to persuade the enemy to surrender being destroyed, and slammed his fist on the windowsill.
Is this their answer?
Matsui Iwane asked with icy eyes.