The vanguard of the Second Army Group was the 8th Army. Commander Zhou Zaixing received a telegram from the Air Force: "To 8th Army Headquarters. At 7:00 AM on the 14th, Air Force reconnaissance discovered that the Japanese army has deployed air defense positions on the heights of Pyongyang and is constructing defensive positions on the city walls and outside the city..."

The General Staff Department agreed with the conclusion drawn from this intelligence observation. As the most important city in northern Korea, the loss of Pyongyang would mean Japan losing control over half of the Korean Peninsula. This would not only be a military defeat but also a severe political failure.

Commander Zhou Zaixing asked, "What is the status of the troops?"

The 8th Army had paused for about a day on the 13th. The 12 motor transport battalions had covered a distance of 600 kilometers in over two days. Although maintenance personnel did their best to maintain and repair the vehicles along the way, 60% of the vehicles still could not be guaranteed to maintain their condition for the subsequent operations. They had to stop for a day of major overhaul.

During the advance over the previous two days, the Japanese troops and personnel in various towns had already withdrawn. Before withdrawing, they destroyed the railways in Korea, preventing the 8th Army from advancing more rapidly.

In order to commit air power during the attack on Pyongyang, the Air Force also needed to construct forward airfields. Lacking engineering troops, the units relied entirely on manpower to quickly tamp down simple foundations and drag steel plates weighing several tons to piece together runways.

As the vanguard, the 8th Army had to pave the way for the follow-up main forces, bridging mountains and rivers as they encountered them. Having stopped for a day, the 8th Army, however, did not get fully rested.

Hearing Commander Zhou Zaixing's inquiry, the Chief of Staff replied, "The troops are ready to set out."

"Tell the troops to be careful; we are very likely to encounter the enemy," Zhou Zaixing instructed.

***

In Pyongyang, 100 kilometers away from the 8th Army's location, Ishiwara Kanji, who had become the highest-ranking officer, handed over affairs inside the city to Colonel Takeshita. He took some core comrades of the Future Society and rode horses to inspect the communication lines leading to the rear.

For the past four days, Ishiwara Kanji had done his utmost to gather personnel and supplies from north of Pyongyang. Personnel from key departments such as local government, hospitals, and schools were gathered to the maximum extent and transported to the rear.

Some of these people arrived by train, but more came on foot. The Korean laborers hired by these people were immediately incorporated into the coolie teams under Japanese military management to participate in the construction of Pyongyang's defensive fortifications. The non-combatant Japanese personnel began to be transported to the rear.

Military hospitals and field hospitals had already been established in Pyongyang to prepare for the coming battle. Ishiwara Kanji's purpose was to inspect the last batch of non-combatant personnel leaving Pyongyang.

Leaving Pyongyang city, Ishiwara Kanji stopped. He dismounted and posed a question to the core members of the Future Society, "Comrades, if it comes to a point where we can no longer fight, what choice will you make?"

The comrades of the Future Society were somewhat puzzled by such a question. Some immediately replied, "Naturally, we will die bravely in battle and show our loyalty to Japan."

Ishiwara Kanji's eyebrows raised involuntarily. "Foolish! Whose interests will your sacrifice buy? Are the current rulers of the Japanese Empire worth your sacrifice?"

The comrades of the Future Society were stunned; they found themselves in a very awkward situation. Ishiwara Kanji did not give everyone time to discuss and said decisively, "We are now fighting for our motherland, Japan. Dying on the battlefield is the duty of a soldier. But when it becomes completely impossible to fight, you must live on."

"Live on to accept shame?!" Lieutenant Kurita in the group asked loudly.

Ishiwara Kanji took a step forward and grabbed Lieutenant Kurita by the shoulder. "Kurita-kun, I can hardly guarantee whether your actions will be commended by those people. Moreover, to be commended by those people, and then have your heroic deeds used to incite more officers and soldiers to die for them—is that your original intention?"

Even the core members of the Future Society found it difficult to express support at this moment, but no one objected anymore. Having finished the last thing he felt was important, Ishiwara Kanji mounted his horse and led his subordinates south along the road.

After walking less than 4 kilometers, they saw a chaotic crowd squeezing onto the road, blocking it almost completely.

Some sergeants were shouting angrily and whipping the crowd. But the more they did so, the more chaotic the crowd became. Seeing that the situation was indeed heading towards the worst-case scenario, Ishiwara Kanji immediately spurred his horse to catch up and shouted at the sergeants who were raising their whips and sticks and roaring, "Stop!"

Seeing it was Ishiwara, the sergeants stopped resentfully. Before the sergeants could speak, Ishiwara Kanji shouted, "Where are the soldiers responsible for command? I don't see them!"

The sergeants were stunned. They hadn't expected Ishiwara Kanji to grasp the key point in a single sentence. Ishiwara Kanji's goal was for the retreat to be organized and efficient, so he asked loudly, "Where did the soldiers go?"

"They were transferred away by Lieutenant Colonel Takakura," a sergeant answered quickly.

More than ten minutes later, Ishiwara Kanji finally led about a squadron of soldiers on a small path beside the main road to catch up with Lieutenant Colonel Takakura, who was heading towards Pyongyang.

Seeing Ishiwara Kanji arrive, Lieutenant Colonel Takakura quickly said, "Ishiwara-kun, I am leading the troops back to help with the defense!"

Ishiwara Kanji roared, "Baka! Who allowed you to change the plan without authorization?"

Seeing Lieutenant Colonel Takakura stunned, Ishiwara Kanji ordered the soldiers behind Takakura, "Platoon leaders, immediately lead your troops back to the road to guide the retreating people and maintain order! Now, listen to my command, move out!"

The non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and soldiers did not know that Lieutenant Colonel Takakura, according to the orders of the Joseon Army Headquarters, was already a captain banished to the front line. However, they all knew that Ishiwara Kanji was now the deputy commander of Pyongyang, and the plans formulated by Ishiwara Kanji were very detailed and highly executable. Just like this retreat, due to the dispatch of enough soldiers to guide the way along the route, even though there were many people retreating, they could move quickly and very smoothly, and the soldiers were not that exhausted.

On the other hand, Lieutenant Colonel Takakura had gathered the soldiers, delivered a speech about dying bravely in battle, and then led the soldiers towards Pyongyang. The vast majority of NCOs and soldiers dared to be angry but dared not speak out, feeling very depressed in their hearts.

Hearing Ishiwara Kanji's order, the Japanese squads immediately accepted the order and rushed back.

Ishiwara Kanji looked at the embarrassed and dissatisfied Lieutenant Colonel Takakura. "Lieutenant Colonel Takakura, return to the headquarters immediately. Takeshita-kun has something to convey to you."

After speaking, Ishiwara Kanji immediately led his subordinates back. He knew his own plan best. Ishiwara Kanji had organized the least combat-effective troops into the unit responsible for retreat discipline, with the starting point of the plan being the most efficient retreat. Although there were these accidents, they were not enough to affect the entire retreat plan.

Returning to Pyongyang, Japanese observers on the city walls and high buildings were desperately using binoculars to check the sky for Northeast Army reconnaissance planes. Ishiwara Kanji arrived in front of the troops preparing to set out, reined in his horse, and shouted loudly, "Gentlemen, the moment to be loyal to Japan has arrived. Do not worry, gentlemen. Although we are currently at a disadvantage, it is only for a very limited time. As long as you obey orders and fight bravely, you can contain the enemy's fierce attack and achieve feats praised by the country! Now, move out!"

This was a regiment that Ishiwara Kanji had pieced together over these four days. Due to the orders of the Joseon Army Headquarters, this unit unexpectedly received a replenishment of former field-grade officers. These field officers, who had been demoted two ranks, must want to wash away their shame at this time, and would fight even more bravely, giving Ishiwara Kanji a great boost in confidence.

After the air defense observers confirmed that the Northeast Army Air Force had left, Ishiwara Kanji immediately commanded the troops out of Pyongyang and advanced towards the north.

The Northeast Army's 8th Army, 1st Division, was also riding in trucks straight towards Pyongyang at this time. Just hearing the place name Pyongyang (Pingrang), one could feel from the characters that this place was probably flat ground. The fact was indeed so; Pyongyang is located in the northwest of the Korean Peninsula, with the Taedong River flowing across it, and was named for its flat terrain.

The convoy carrying the 8th Army's 1st Division was traveling on the road at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour. The roads in Korea were not paved with asphalt. It was not a problem for pedestrians or livestock to pass, but for trucks, it was bumpy and uneven. The members in the vehicles felt as if they were riding on wild horses, rising and falling unsteadily.

Fortunately, the security work was carried out very thoroughly when the troops advanced. The units almost formed an advancing mode of echelon movement, covering each other. The troops could also get off the vehicles to soothe their physical discomfort.

By around 3:00 PM, seeing fewer and fewer mountains ahead, the troops knew they were about to reach their destination. Compared to bumping around in the mountains in trucks, marching on flat terrain was simply enjoyment.

Just as they were feeling a little delighted, gunshots suddenly came from the nearby mountains. The security troops immediately returned fire. However, the number of enemies increased, quickly exceeding a thousand. This Japanese force also carried mortars. A violent bombardment immediately hit three trucks. The fuel tanks of the vehicles were blown open, and they burst into flames instantly.

But the Northeast Army was well-trained. The personnel on the vehicles had already disembarked and began to form battle formations before the vehicles were hit. Although the destruction of the vehicles did have a slight impact on the troops, they immediately began to counterattack.

Ishiwara Kanji watched from a high vantage point as the Northeast Army below quickly formed three-man combat teams and began to counterattack. He immediately ordered, "Begin executing the retreat plan."

The troops immediately began to execute it. However, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, Lieutenant Masaki, arrived immediately. This captain had gone from major to lieutenant within a few hours, and was then reappointed as battalion commander. Upon seeing Ishiwara, Lieutenant Masaki immediately asked, "Ishiwara-kun, why retreat so soon?"

Ishiwara Kanji pointed down the mountain. Battalion Commander Masaki frowned. According to the original ambush plan, even if the Northeast Army was not thrown into disorder, they would at least be stalled. However, the Northeast Army at this moment had already launched a counteroffensive and began to attack the troops on the ambush line. Such a rapid reaction and strong offensive spirit left Battalion Commander Masaki speechless.

The Japanese rapid retreat was very successful. They shook off the Northeast Army's pursuit and smoothly withdrew into the defensive positions outside Pyongyang.

At 5:13 PM, the pursuing troops of the 1st Division also arrived outside the Pyongyang defense system. They seized the time to measure firing data and draw battlefield maps, and did not rashly launch an attack.

Ishiwara Kanji was very impressed in his heart. He had once doubted He Rui's views on building a new type of army. In He Rui's description, as long as the social system was scientific and reasonable and the purpose of serving the people was implemented, it would be easy to build a powerful military force. Even with whimsical thoughts like Ishiwara's, he could only determine the political nature and organizational level of such an army. He did not harbor illusions about its military combat effectiveness.

However, the army before his eyes was exactly what He Rui had built over six years. Whether in organization, discipline, or professionalism, it was extremely outstanding, not inferior to the armies of the Great Powers that Ishiwara Kanji had seen in Europe.

Soon, the main force of the vanguard arrived. As the 80mm mortars began to roar, the battle began.

Ishiwara Kanji observed the battle from a concealed point on high ground, and soon had answers to several doubts. The Northeast Army had dealt with the Kwantung Army and the Joseon Army so cleanly and neatly, which did not conform to military common sense. No matter how strong the Northeast Army was, it was not strong to this extent.

Now Ishiwara Kanji saw with his own eyes that the Northeast Army's artillery fire was accurately firing at the Japanese defensive strongpoints, as if they knew the locations of these firepower points in advance. And these positions had just been dug in the past four days.

Now Ishiwara Kanji found the reason and couldn't help but smile bitterly. This reason was actually not hard to guess. Just as He Rui's determination to actively attack the Japanese army was so firm, exceeding Ishiwara Kanji's expectations, logically, this was not strange. He Rui understood the Japanese army extremely well. To win, he naturally had to conduct such targeted training. Ishiwara Kanji had not expected the Northeast Army to carry out targeted training against the Japanese army to such a thorough extent.

However, although this attack was very sharp and targeted, it failed to achieve results. Because this vanguard force numbered only one regiment, neither its artillery nor its troop strength was enough to overwhelm the Japanese army.

Pyongyang was a large city after all, and there were quite a few defensive artillery pieces in the city. Although the Northeast Army quickly approached the Japanese positions, Ishiwara Kanji commanded a large number of artillery pieces at this moment to cut off the Northeast Army's follow-up attack routes and ordered a full-scale Japanese counterattack.

The Japanese army, with superior numbers, ended the battle with a bayonet charge after a short and bloody close-quarters combat, wiping out about two companies of the Northeast Army that had rushed up.

Just then, the sun set. Although the evening glow was brilliant, it could not provide illumination for the battlefield. Both sides temporarily stopped fighting. The night of October 14th descended over the city of Pyongyang.

The 8th Army's 1st Division prepared for the next day's battle while rushing to send the news back to the Army Headquarters. While the Army Headquarters studied the operational plan, they also forwarded the battle situation news to the Army Group Headquarters according to regulations.

Hu Xiushan finished reading the list of commanders, his gaze falling back on Ishiwara Kanji's name. This was information interrogated from captives. Hu Xiushan had once heard He Rui talk about Ishiwara Kanji, "Extremely smart, understands strategy, therefore frustrated."

Hearing He Rui's evaluation, Hu Xiushan became curious about Ishiwara Kanji. It could be seen that He Rui had a high opinion of Ishiwara Kanji. For such a person to be frustrated, he must have real ability.

Seeing that the commander of Pyongyang was Ishiwara Kanji, this Ishiwara Kanji should have had the opportunity to display his ambitions. To what extent could an extremely smart person who understood strategy go when he did his best? Hu Xiushan was ready to take a good look.