Chapter 120: Brigade Commander Liu San Has Sent an Urgent Telegram!

Facing Lieutenant General Ando’s fury and dissatisfaction, Lieutenant General Nanlou maintained the composure and calm characteristic of a career soldier. His voice was steady and firm as he attempted to inject a sense of reason into the tense atmosphere.

"General, please remain calm. I believe this is because the Cheng-Yun Army's defenses are exceptionally formidable." A faint, imperceptible trace of worry crossed his face. "They have clearly mastered a vast array of trench warfare techniques from the Western Dynasty."

After hearing Nanlou’s words, Lieutenant General Ando took a deep breath, struggling to steady his emotions. He turned to Nanlou, his eyes flashing with a mix of anticipation and urgency. "Nanlou-kun, it seems we must now rely on your 2nd Division to enter the battle ahead of schedule!" His voice carried the weight of someone staking his every hope on this decision. "If we cannot win this battle, our entire offensive plan will suffer a devastating blow." His words underscored the critical nature of the impending clash.

Deeply aware of the gravity of the responsibility, Lieutenant General Nanlou’s expression grew more solemn. "Please rest assured, General. I will ensure this battle is a resounding victory. Look forward to my good news."

Following Ando’s decision, the entry of the 2nd Division provided fresh momentum. Their tactics were clever; they chose to coordinate with the 21st Infantry Brigade of the 5th Division to strike the Shahe defense line rather than confronting the Biliu River positions head-on. Ando’s strategy was shrewd: utilizing the 5th Division to draw the enemy’s fire from the front, thereby allowing the 2nd Division to execute an enveloping maneuver from the flank.

"Warriors, charge the enemy positions and wipe them out!" Lieutenant General Nanlou’s cry was not only a command to advance but a rallying shout to inspire his men, his voice resonant with power and courage. The gunners of the 2nd Artillery Regiment operated their cannons with nervous focus, launching a fierce bombardment against the Cheng-Yun positions; every shell fired was an expression of their hunger for victory. Following a brief artillery preparation, three infantry regiments of the 2nd Division and two from the 21st Infantry Brigade charged forward like a torrential storm, shouting their battle cries.

As the artillery of the Japanese 2nd Regiment roared, the gunners of the 4th and 5th Mixed Brigades, under the command of Jiang Bai in the 7th Field Army, scrambled to return fire. Though their expressions were tense and focused, they soon realized the disparity in the number and caliber of their guns, a realization that left each gunner with a look of frustration. In particular, the gunners in the newly formed brigades were still fumbling with their new artillery pieces; faced with the severity of the situation, their expressions were especially anxious. Helpless against the advanced artillery of the Western Dynasty, every gunner and commander felt a shadow cast over them.

This technological inferiority led to a predicament where they were suppressed by the enemy, and the mounting casualties left them burning with impatience. When the commander of the 4th Mixed Brigade’s artillery battalion reported to Brigade Commander Liu San, his face was filled with frustration and tension. "Report to the Brigade Commander: the enemy’s artillery caliber is generally over 100 millimeters—likely heavy artillery. Our casualties are severe!"

Upon hearing this, Liu San’s face turned ashen, his anger simmering. His eyes blazed, and his voice was filled with irrepressible fury: "These bastards dare to pick on our soft spots? Do they really think we’re so easy to bully?" He immediately scolded the artillery battalion commander, each word squeezed through gritted teeth, heavy with disappointment and rage: "You idiots, didn't I tell you to study the new artillery techniques diligently?"

The artillery battalion commander’s face was filled with shame and regret; he felt he had no place to hide, his pupils flickering with a hint of despair. However, after the reprimand, his gaze suddenly became resolute. He threw his hat down in anger, his voice filled with determination: "Don’t say any more, Brigade Commander. I know it’s a disgrace, but I promise, even if we are wiped out to the last man, I will not let the enemy’s artillery have an easy time!"

Though the battalion commander knew that persisting would lead to heavy sacrifices, his face was etched with resolve and courage. He understood that if they retreated now, the enemy would concentrate their fire on their vulnerable infantry positions. If that happened, the lines of the two mixed brigades would be easily breached—an outcome he could not accept. On the battlefield, though artillerymen hidden behind the infantry might seem the safest, he knew that once at a disadvantage, they would become the primary target of the enemy’s fire.

When the infantry battalion commander rushed over to report that the enemy had begun their assault, his face was etched with urgency and worry, his voice taut with tension. "Report, Brigade Commander: the enemy has begun their attack. They have committed approximately 25,000 infantrymen in a single surge against the entire Shahe defense line!"

Liu San was struck by a mix of shock and disbelief. "Damn it, 25,000 infantry? Where did those bastards pull so many men from!" Knowing the enemy held an absolute numerical advantage, Liu San’s expression suddenly turned resolute, his voice filled with defiance and inspiration: "No matter what means you use, you must hold firm against the enemy’s assault!" His words acted like a war drum, buoying the morale of every soldier.

As the infantry battalion commander responded quickly and departed, Liu San did not hesitate. With the decisiveness characteristic of a soldier, he immediately issued instructions to the signalman beside him: "Immediately report our situation to the Frontline General Headquarters and the 19th Infantry Division." To him, the slightest slip could not only lead to the collapse of the 4th and 5th Mixed Brigades but potentially reverse the situation on the entire battlefield. The ambition of the past was gone from his face, replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility. In his heart, preserving the lives of his soldiers would be the greatest victory.

Meanwhile, at the Frontline General Headquarters, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao and 63rd Division Commander Li Jian were busy processing battlefield intelligence, their expressions grave and focused. The sheer volume of work left them almost no time to rest, yet they both understood that they alone could shoulder this burden. When an operations officer rushed in to report, a flicker of surprise crossed their faces, quickly replaced by satisfaction and confidence.

"The 19th Infantry Division has successfully repelled the first wave of the enemy’s 5th Division, inflicting heavy losses on them!"

"At the same time, the 27th and 28th Reinforced Divisions, along with the 6th and 7th Mixed Brigades, have engaged the enemy in the Yalu River sector and have currently gained the upper hand!"

After hearing the report, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao allowed a smile to grace his face, his eyes filled with a positive outlook for the coming battles. "It seems the situation is better than expected," he said confidently—a confidence derived not only from the current status of the front but from his trust in the capabilities of his own troops. Lieutenant General Li Jian beside him also displayed a hint of agreement; as he mentioned the potential victory of the Corps Commander on the Lan Province front, a gleam of strategic wisdom shone in his eyes.

The good news temporarily eased the tension within the General Headquarters, but this reprieve did not last long. When an operations officer rushed in with an urgent telegram, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao’s face turned grave, and the atmosphere of relief vanished instantly.

"Chief of Staff, Division Commander Li, Brigade Commander Liu San has sent an urgent telegram!"

His brow furrowed deeply. After reading the contents of the telegram, his expression became even more severe. The crushing weight descended upon them instantly; every decision they made now could affect the trajectory of the entire battlefield.