The Mysterious Soldier of the Anti-Japanese War

Chapter 172 Returning to the Temporary Camp after the War

Lei Tao rushed back to the temporary camp after destroying the Japanese stronghold to the east. He was covered in smoke and fatigue, but his eyes remained determined. As soon as he entered the camp, the colonel staff officer strode over hurriedly with a hint of mockery on his face.

"So what? Failure?" The colonel staff officer spoke with a tone full of disdain. "The Japanese army is not so easy to deal with. Your reckless actions are really overestimating your own abilities. Also, you acted without permission and disrupted the previous peaceful situation. This has caused a big trouble. The Japanese army will surely retaliate wildly in the future. Just wait to bear the consequences. It is only a matter of time before you go to court-martial!" The colonel staff officer folded his arms across his chest and glanced at Lei Tao with contempt, as if he had already seen his miserable appearance when he was dealt with by military law.

Lei Tao frowned slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he still suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and tried to keep his voice calm: "Although our action was not formally requested, we successfully destroyed the Japanese army's eastern stronghold, which is of great significance to our strategic layout. Moreover, the Japanese army's retaliation is inevitable. Our proactive attack has at least caused them to suffer losses and weakened their strength." Lei Tao straightened his chest and met the colonel's eyes without flinching. His eyes revealed a firm belief in his own actions and a hint of contempt for this staff officer who only knew how to talk.

The colonel was stunned for a moment after hearing Lei Tao's words, seemingly unprepared for such a response. But he quickly regained his arrogant demeanor and sneered, "Hmph, you think bombing a stronghold will change anything? Just wait and see. The Japanese army's wrath will make us pay a heavy price." With that, he tossed his sleeves, turned, and strode away, muttering something discontented.

Lei Tao watched the colonel's departing figure and sighed inwardly. He knew that in this complex situation, internal misunderstanding and constraints were sometimes more difficult to deal with than external enemies. But he firmly believed that his actions were correct.

At this time, the Military Intelligence Bureau's special operations team, along with National Security Army soldiers, were returning to the camp, carrying spoils of war, along with the bodies of wounded and fallen soldiers. Lei Tao approached and asked, "Looks like you've returned with a full load, so it was a smooth journey... Were there many casualties?" The Military Intelligence Bureau captain replied, "We seized the Japanese supply depot, so the casualties weren't heavy." Suddenly, the words "We're back too" were heard from a distance. Lei Tao and the others turned to see the Eighth Route Army company commander and his men, carrying spoils of war, also entering the camp.

The Eighth Route Army company commander stepped forward and saluted Lei Tao, who quickly returned the salute. The company commander said, "This battle was truly difficult, but we've also gained a lot. We destroyed the Japanese stronghold to the west and seized a lot of weapons, ammunition, and food." Lei Tao nodded and said, "It was the same for me. We bombed the stronghold to the east, dealing a significant blow to the Japanese."

At this time, the Military Control Commission members began to sort out the spoils, while the National Security Army soldiers were busy arranging the wounded. The Eighth Route Army soldiers also arranged the captured supplies in an orderly manner. However, the colonel staff officer saw this scene and walked over again, shouting: "Look at you, you have made a mess here, and brought back so many wounded and dead bodies. This is the result of your unauthorized actions!"