Chapter 8: No Choice (1)

  One

  After being hit by a wave of sea and air combined cruise missiles from the Chinese Expeditionary Force, Jakarta's dawn was shrouded in a gloomy cloud. The Islamic extremists who had previously thrown themselves into looting Chinese shops with unparalleled enthusiasm and welcoming the Japanese Self-Defense Forces seemed to have realized their difficult situation overnight - they were just insignificant cannon fodder in the showdown between East Asia's two most powerful military powers.

  Cruise missiles disrupted by Japan would drag their homelands into real battlefields overnight (not joyful anti-Chinese violence). Muslims naturally convert their fear into anger towards the authorities and Japanese Self-Defense Forces.

  Everything went according to the inherent procedure, first was the funeral procession, then was looting along the way and various institutions could also be looted (of course now Jakarta only has Japanese business associations, Indonesian military spokesperson-professional group-controlled enterprises and empty embassies of various countries), finally was crazy shouting at the military police. Unfortunately, they were not facing Americans who wanted to save face, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces replied their questions with bullets without any courtesy.

  In the streets of Jakarta, beside an Indonesian military vehicle set on fire by a petrol bomb, a large number of Japanese soldiers took cover behind Type 89 infantry fighting vehicles and formed a skirmish line to shoot at rioting Indonesian civilians.

  "Inferior races are inferior races." Looking at the several city blocks ablaze in the riot, Usui Junro gazed at General Sutjipto Dabriwahyti, the highest leader of the Indonesian military government behind him, with no regard for his feelings.

  The situation is getting out of control, last night's actions by the Chinese army have proven the determination of the Chinese to take over Java Island, and on this morning that will decide our fate, the Japanese Self-Defense Force is going to withdraw one division and another brigade from here to suppress the riot in Jakarta. Uesugi Jun is wondering if those numerous Indonesian troops can still be called an army.

  There were also several Japanese Self-Defense Forces UH-1 helicopters flying low over Jakarta. Of course, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces not only poured bullets on the Indonesian people but also adjusted their deployment to counter the Chinese military's airborne operations last night. The two independent regiments besieging Tangerang quickly retreated to the northern coast of Java for reorganization and to establish a new defensive line. The 16th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force, as well as the directly affiliated 18th Reinforced Tank Regiment and the 4th Airborne Brigade of the Southern Cross Expeditionary Army Command, broke away from the circular defense line on the outskirts of Jakarta and formed the Second Attack Group to attack the Chinese military in the Sampit area.

  The 16th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force is different from the conventional divisions in Japan, and its personnel are mainly composed of core personnel drawn from various active-duty divisions in Japan and a large number of reserve soldiers temporarily recruited. Although it also adopts the A-type division organization, its combat effectiveness is far weaker than that of the 2nd and 11th Divisions with the same type of organization in Japan. It is even much weaker than the two independent regiments of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces that besieged Sampit and Tanjung areas in the previous stage. It is completely a "security division" organized by the Japanese government to maintain long-term military presence in Indonesia.

  However, such a division also has its advantages. The abundant troops made it sufficient to cope with the large-scale ground battle that was about to unfold with the Chinese army. Before receiving the order to depart, the 16th Division had been devoted to building a large number of permanent fortifications on the outskirts of Jakarta. It can be said that Japanese men who have left their well-constructed solid fortifications and engaged in field battles with the powerful Chinese expeditionary force are already "Oji-san". For many non-active soldiers of the 16th Division, this is indeed a cruel punishment.

  "What's going on?! Didn't we agree to just assist in restoring security within Indonesia?!" On the dawn of September 16, 2007, such complaints and murmurs filled the departing troops of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's 16th Brigade. Like most soldiers of the 16th Brigade, 35-year-old Takashi Matsumoto had also left the Japan Self-Defense Forces to join the reserve eight years ago.

  However, after retiring from the army, he found it difficult to make a living in Japan's highly competitive society, and had to rely on temporary work to support his family. For his wife and three children, for the sake of 50,000 yen per month, Domoto chose the Type 89 automatic rifle that he had long been unfamiliar with and went to distant Indonesia. "It shouldn't be a big deal," Domoto comforted himself as he boarded the military truck. But what awaited Domoto and his 16th Division was an unmitigated journey through hell.

  Under the same tropical sunshine, at the Sanbao Ridge International Airport. The newly arrived 77th Amphibious Infantry Brigade of the People's Liberation Army Navy has quickly assembled and cooperated with the re-gathered Chinese Armed Forces - Nanyang Liberation Army to expand its existing control area and extend the front line outward. Ren Lingyu, who was just appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Southeast Asia War Zone of the People's Liberation Army, is busy integrating his existing forces.

  In preparation for the next more arduous battle. So far, the troops that have landed on the island are mainly two: the 77th Marine Brigade of the Chinese People's National Defense Army and the 22nd Airborne Division of the Chinese People's National Defense Army. However, the main force that Ren Lingyu truly values is the "Nanyang Liberation Army" formed by Indonesian Chinese. Whether they can cooperate with the Chinese expeditionary army in a tacit understanding will be the key to the next phase of combat. For this reason, Ren Lingyu specially took out an hour in the morning to meet with the highest military commander of the Nanyang Liberation Army - Yang Quan Shangwei.

  To be honest, Ren Lingyu had a high opinion of the young officer in front of him. This man from Guizhou province, who had been serving in the regular Chinese army for less than three years, was able to build an army that could fight tough battles with tens of thousands of undisciplined troops in a short period of time, and he was absolutely a military genius.

  After a simple understanding of Yang Quan's deployment after the defeat of the three treasures, Ren Lingyu became more determined in his own views. All Nanyang Liberation Army were informed: once dispersed, they should quickly withdraw to the mountainous area west of Sanbao Ridge and reassemble in designated areas, while the command center of the Nanyang Liberation Army could contact each combat group directly by satellite phone. As long as the group was not completely annihilated, it would definitely be able to gather quickly.

  After the Chinese Expeditionary Force fully controlled the Myitkyina Airport, Yang Kui quickly gathered and reorganized the scattered troops in the outer defense battle of Myitkyina into 3 light infantry strike columns through this way.

  "Since you've already made preparations that the three treasures can't defend against, why not withdraw ahead of time to ensure the smooth command of the troops?" Ren Lingyu asked curiously. "The Chinese in Indonesia and throughout Southeast Asia are fighting for freedom and honor, I shouldn't just hide in the command post. Besides, the advantage of guerrilla warfare lies in - this army is not useless without anyone." Yang smiled shyly and replied lightly.

  At this moment, Ren Lingyu was so fortunate that the cruel war did not make him miss such an excellent colleague. And from this meeting on, the fate of Ren Lingyu and Yang Quan were closely linked together.

  On the same day, Indonesian President Lin Guangzhao, who had been in exile in China since the coup, arrived at Kundur Port in Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, which is across the sea from Sampit, under the escort of the Chinese Air Force.

  Under the escort of Indonesian Eastern Military Commander General Pratari, Lin Guangzhao simply reviewed the follow-up troops of the Nanyang Liberation Army who were about to reinforce the battlefield in Java and solemnly declared to the world:

  "In the long past years, Indonesian Chinese have only contributed their strength to the country in the economic field. In this battle against powerful rebels and foreign armed intervention forces, Indonesian Chinese have proven their bravery and fearlessness even more...In a multi-ethnic nation like Indonesia, no member should be excluded from the national armed forces. Therefore, today I officially represent the people of Indonesia to confer the honorary title of 'Indonesian Chinese Salvation Army' to the Indonesian citizens and foreign soldiers who are currently fighting against the rebels in Java."

  Although later, in order to win over the Indonesian old warlord forces on his side, Lin Guangzhao also awarded the honorary title of "Indonesian Islamic Guardian Army" to the Indonesian Eastern Army commanded by General Pratari and the Islamic extremist armed group "Paradise Corps". However, the appearance of the Indonesian Chinese Salvation Army as the first single national armed force composed of Chinese in Southeast Asia is still worthy of being recorded in history.

  "Ren Lingyu?" General Hu Weifeng, 38-year-old commander of the Jinan Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, was somewhat surprised to hear the name from the Chinese official opposite him. "It seems we should choose Minister Wu's son, Wu Zuqin, first?"

  "No, we must now force Ryo to reveal his attitude. If not, he will become a great threat to us in the future. Either he becomes our friend and we let him rise to prominence; if he refuses our invitation, it's easy for us to destroy him now."

  In the darkness, an old voice slowly said. "So what about Qian Xiao?" Another younger voice echoed in the darkness. "Heh heh, Qian Xiao? He should understand our strength, he won't take Ren Lingyu's place." The old voice continued: "Please remember that on this land of China, we are the true dominant force." Several figures in the darkness swayed slightly, with shining general stars on their shoulders.