Chapter 26: Capturing the Japanese Regiment's Banner!

“It’s good that you’re alright! Though your comrades may have fallen in battle, you still have me! In the future, we’ll walk this path together—fighting the Japanese, resisting the invaders, leading our nation to strength, and fulfilling the dreams your brothers could not achieve!” Chen Qingzhi comforted Huzi as he spoke.

“Absolutely! As long as you’re willing to have me by your side, I’ll follow you forever and fight the Japanese together!” Huzi replied with unwavering determination.

Having spoken what was on his mind, Chen Qingzhi could sense a change in Huzi’s demeanor—he had become more cheerful and relaxed. This was a good sign, and Chen Qingzhi felt gratified by the transformation.

After talking with Huzi for a while longer, Chen Qingzhi shared his intention to form a broadsword unit in the future and asked Huzi to serve as its instructor. Without hesitation, Huzi agreed enthusiastically.

Satisfied, Chen Qingzhi nodded with approval. In this battle at Zhonghua Gate, their single battalion not only annihilated an entire Japanese regiment, but also brought to light a treasure like Huzi. Chen Qingzhi was overjoyed.

This was only his first day after arriving in the Republic, and already he had accomplished so much. Chen Qingzhi believed that as long as he moved forward steadily and relied on the Iron-Blooded Resistance System, he would surely be able to drive the Japanese out of China!

On this point, Chen Qingzhi held an unshakeable faith.

By now, the soldiers had finished clearing the battlefield. After wiping out the Japanese 115th Regiment, they had captured over three thousand rifles, more than eighty thousand rounds of ammunition, and thirteen light and heavy machine guns.

They had also seized more than twenty Type 89 grenade launchers, six Type 92 infantry guns, and various other supplies.

Notably, among the spoils was the regimental flag of the Japanese 115th Regiment, already more than half burned.

This regimental flag, in the Japanese army, was a matter of great importance. Each regiment was granted a regimental flag personally by the Emperor, reserved only for infantry and cavalry regiments. According to army regulations, the existence of a regiment was tied to its flag: if the flag was lost, the regiment was to be disbanded. The flag was so vital that the most outstanding junior officer was appointed as its bearer, with a dedicated squad for its protection.

As recorded in Hattori Tatsujiro’s “A Complete History of the Greater East Asia War”: “Since January 23, 1874, when Emperor Meiji personally bestowed regimental flags upon the 1st and 2nd Imperial Guard Infantry Regiments, all newly formed infantry and cavalry regiments have been personally granted flags by the Emperor, serving as the core of unit cohesion and the spiritual focus of officers and men, unmatched in the world.”

If such a flag, symbolizing a regiment’s honor and glory, fell into enemy hands, it was the greatest disgrace for a Japanese soldier. Thus, in most cases where a regiment fought to the last man, they would burn the flag before being annihilated.

This particular flag hadn’t been completely burned, likely because the Japanese never expected to be wiped out so suddenly. By the time they realized defeat was imminent and tried to destroy it, it was already too late.

For Japanese soldiers, the regimental flag was the most critical object, the emblem of their honor. If it was lost or captured, the regiment could only face disbandment.

Chen Qingzhi still remembered that, in his previous life during the Second World War, the Allied forces longed to capture a Japanese regimental flag, but never succeeded. Japanese regulations required the flag to be burned if there was a risk of total annihilation. No matter how dire the defeat, the Japanese always found time to destroy their flag before committing suicide.

On the Chinese front, throughout fourteen years of resistance, not a single regimental flag had ever been captured.

But today, what Chen Qingzhi had obtained was truly unprecedented. The significance was profound and far-reaching. In fact, capturing such a flag could be considered even more meritorious than wiping out an entire Japanese brigade.

This was because the regimental flag represented not merely a unit’s standard, but the highest embodiment of Japanese militarist spirit.

When a soldier, with an air of secrecy, handed the flag to Chen Qingzhi, he could not help but examine it carefully.

During World War II, all 444 regimental flags symbolizing the Japanese army were either burned on the Pacific fronts, lost at sea with transport ships, or destroyed in the “flag-burning ceremony” after Japan’s defeat. Currently, only one regimental flag remains, preserved in the Yasukuni Shrine’s “Yushukan”—the flag of the 321st Infantry Regiment, hidden by Colonel Goto Shirou through an organization known as “Shinto Tenko-kyo.” According to legend, it is the only surviving regimental flag in existence.

This piqued Chen Qingzhi’s curiosity.

He took the flag in his hands: it was about one meter long, eighty centimeters wide, with a fringe of purple silk at the edges. The flagpole was a long black staff topped with a chrysanthemum crest. Near the lower end, sewn onto the flag, was a white cloth inscribed with “115th Infantry Regiment.”

“What do you think, Commander? This is quite a prize!” the soldier said with a grin.

Chen Qingzhi nodded in agreement. Indeed, it was a prize—if handed over to headquarters, they would be beside themselves with excitement. To them, capturing this flag far outweighed the destruction of the entire 115th Regiment.

“Excellent! Truly remarkable!” Chen Qingzhi exclaimed in admiration.

While the flag might not mean much to Chen Qingzhi personally, to those above him it carried great weight. If properly publicized, it could strike a heavy blow to Japanese arrogance and inspire the patriotic fervor of the Chinese people.

All in all, the campaign had yielded rich rewards.

Without opportunity, there is no gain—indeed, war is the path to fortune.

With the annihilation of the Japanese 115th Regiment, the captured military supplies were enough to fully equip two or three regiments in any other army.

All the soldiers were elated, and Chen Qingzhi was as well. Though he himself had little use for these items, they were valuable assets—whether to expand his own forces or to hand over or sell for silver dollars.

“In this operation to eliminate the Japanese 115th Regiment, every one of you has performed outstandingly. I will make sure to report your achievements to our superiors!” Chen Qingzhi declared aloud, prompting a cheer from the troops.

“Fang Xiaodong!”

“Present!”

“Send a telegram to headquarters and report our situation! Also, dispatch a courier immediately to deliver the captured 115th Regiment flag to headquarters without delay!” Chen Qingzhi ordered.

“Yes, sir!” Fang Xiaodong’s face lit up with delight as he turned to find the signal corps.

Everyone understood that wiping out the Japanese 115th Regiment was a tremendous feat—surely their unit would be awarded a handsome citation.

Since the outbreak of resistance after the September 18th Incident, such a complete victory over a Japanese regiment had never occurred—let alone the capture of their regimental flag.

This triumph was truly unprecedented—a historic and extraordinary victory for the Republic.