"I guarantee those little Japanese bastards on the other side are in for a world of hurt!"
September 19, 2:10 p.m.
Fengtian Public Office Building.
Unlike the chaos in Pine Town on the front line, where the fighting had turned into a complete mess, things here were almost unnaturally quiet.
Staff officers and clerks in crisp military uniforms hurried in and out, their steps brisk but orderly. They carried stacks of documents and packed them into boxes.
Anyone who didn't know better would have thought some company was moving.
Zhang Xueliang held a cup of fine Longjing tea, blowing on it leisurely.
He looked out the window, his expression calm.
"Have they all been informed?"
"Move quickly, but don't panic, and don't cause a commotion."
"The Japanese are just stirring up a little trouble this time, trying to get more concessions at the negotiating table. It's business as usual."
He took a sip of tea, looking as though everything was under his control.
"Once we've moved all the offices to Jinzhou, they'll have nothing left to target, and they'll settle down on their own."
An adjutant hurried in and snapped to attention with a salute.
"Commander! Pine Town... someone over there has started fighting the Japanese Army!"
Zhang Xueliang's brow furrowed at once.
He slammed his teacup onto the desk, splashing a few drops.
"Who?"
"Who acted without authorization? Who gave him the nerve?"
He could hardly believe his ears.
The higher-ups had repeatedly ordered them not to resist, to preserve their strength and wait for the League of Nations to mediate.
Why did some clueless idiot always have to jump in and ruin his plans at a time like this?
"Reporting to the Commander, it was... it was Master Wang of the Kanto Forest Guard Army!"
"Master Wang?"
Zhang