The Allied forces had recaptured Lashio.
It was a city along the Burma Road, less than two hundred kilometers from the border—a gateway city, so to speak. During the first Expeditionary Force campaign in 1942, it had served as an important base. At the very start of the war, Bald Head had even come here in person with his wife to visit and encourage the troops.
That day, Lashio became lively once more. All manner of important figures appeared at the airport outside the city, including Wang Yan.
After Lashio was retaken, Wang Yan stationed his forces at South Crossing, not far from Lashio. It was also close to Mandalay. His troops were being reorganized and would not join the fighting, but that did not mean he would simply let the Japanese move about as they pleased. His purpose in garrisoning South Crossing was precisely to tie down part of the Japanese forces.
So long as Wang Yan remained still, that portion of the Japanese army would not dare move either. If they dared redeploy, Wang Yan could lead his troops south, and Mandalay would be his for the taking.
And once Mandalay fell, the Japanese would be driven entirely into southern Myanmar. At that point, they might as well withdraw altogether...
Wang Yan wore a full uniform beneath an overcoat. Though general's stars rested on his collar, they hardly amounted to anything among the people present.
He stood ramrod straight with his hands behind his back. Unlike the others, he was not surrounded by followers.
No one stood beside him. Even the closest people were more than two meters away, and no one chatted or joked with him. Even Liu Zhujun, Luo Youlun, and Sun Zhongneng kept their distance, standing together with Chen De, Stilwell, and the others.
No