Chapter 133: Are You Planning to Wipe Out Two Japanese Divisions in One Fell Swoop?

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At the Japanese invaders’ strategic conference, Lieutenant General Antonze wore a resolute expression. A light of conquest gleamed in his eyes, and his voice throbbed with power and ambition as he spoke of his longing for this land.

“The people of the New Dynasty have ruled this fertile land for thousands of years. They have enjoyed it for far too long. It is time for them to surrender it.” His face bore the regret of one without remorse, along with a vision of the future. He believed that their inherent national character had already determined that they were unworthy of possessing such vast territory.

“If this land belonged to us, combined with the industrious spirit of our people, we would have become the world’s greatest superpower long ago.”

As Lieutenant General Antonze spoke, a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes, as though he lamented a dream that had yet to be realized.

The Japanese invaders regarded the limited size of their homeland as the greatest obstacle preventing them from becoming the world’s foremost power. That was why their attention had turned toward the currently fragile New Dynasty.

When General Nobuyoshi Muto encouraged Antonze in a kindly tone, an inspiring smile appeared on his face. His eyes were filled with hope for the future and trust in the younger generation.

“Lieutenant General Antonze, if you can seize Chengyun Province, you will become a hero of the Imperial Army.” His words seemed to kindle a flame in Antonze’s heart, awakening his hunger for glory and achievement.

“This is the golden age of your generation.”

General Nobuyoshi Muto’s voice was full of encouragement and support. His gaze was gentle yet firm, as if he could already see the younger generation of Japanese invaders achieving brilliant triumphs under their guidance.

Even though Antonze understood that Muto’s encouragement was little more than ceremonial rhetoric, he was still stirred beyond measure. A flush of excitement rose to his cheeks, and his eyes shone with hope for the future.

To him, this was more than the pinnacle of a soldier’s career. It was the summit of personal honor. If he could rise to the rank of Field Marshal, it would become the most glorious achievement of his entire life.

His gaze was unwavering, and his heart burned with longing for that goal.

When Nobuyoshi Muto began analyzing the current battle situation and warned Antonze to beware of any traps Jiang Bai might have laid, a faint trace of disdain crossed Antonze’s face.

Although he continued to wear a polite smile, the contempt in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Lieutenant General Antonze, remember that the Seventh Front Army under Jiang Bai’s command possesses not only an elite reinforced division, but also six mixed brigades held in reserve.”

Faced with Muto’s warning, Antonze appeared excessively confident, even somewhat reckless.

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“Please rest assured, Field Marshal Muto. These ignorant people, enslaved by the former dynasty, will certainly be defeated by us without the slightest difficulty.”

His confidence had nearly reached the level of arrogance. Muto, listening from the side, could not help frowning. His face revealed both concern and displeasure, and he felt deeply troubled by Antonze’s overconfidence.

Nobuyoshi Muto quietly observed Antonze’s self-assurance.

He admired the young man’s drive, but believed that excessive confidence had pushed caution aside. An anxious look gradually surfaced on his face.

Although Antonze’s earlier battles had brought the Japanese invaders certain advantages, Muto knew that the truth hidden behind those victories was far more complicated than it appeared.

As he reflected on the latest battle reports and speculated that Jiang Bai’s army might deliberately be luring the Japanese invaders deeper into their territory, Muto’s brow furrowed.

He believed that if the enemy’s Second and Fifth Divisions pursued too deeply and lost contact with the forces following behind them, they would fall straight into the trap Jiang Bai had meticulously prepared.

Muto had originally intended to offer Antonze some friendly advice, but when he saw the young general’s arrogant attitude, a trace of disappointment and helplessness appeared on his face.

He realized that his counsel might be dismissed as unnecessary, or even provoke resentment.

Already isolated and unsupported within the army, he became even more cautious, unwilling to stir up needless hostility.

Though Muto knew Antonze’s operation might end in failure, his expression remained cool and composed, as though the outcome had already been decided.

The result of this battle would not directly affect him.

Even if responsibility were assigned afterward, Antonze alone would bear the consequences.

After learning that the withdrawal of the Fourth and Fifth Mixed Brigades had been carefully planned, and that two additional local mixed brigades had joined the defense, Muto found himself filled with both anticipation and tension at the prospect of the great battle about to unfold. The defenders in the Anshan region now numbered a formidable force.

Anshan was a place of immense renown during this historical period. In the era of Jiang Bai’s former life, it had also become a crucial industrial center in the northern territories of the future.

Yet because its infrastructure had never been sufficiently developed, Anshan did not become the city with the vast industrial chain recorded in history.

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The main reason was that the Japanese invaders treated the region solely as a source of raw materials. The iron ore extracted there was not processed locally. Instead, it was transported to Guancheng Province for preliminary processing before being shipped back to their homeland.

As a result, Anshan had essentially become a place whose resources were continuously drained by the Japanese invaders without receiving anything in return.

Although the factories operated day and night, the people of Anshan derived virtually no benefit from them.

A resolute and far-sighted light shone in Jiang Bai’s eyes. Once the war was over, he planned to dismantle the Japanese industrial foundations in Anshan and begin constructing a massive steelworks.

With the support of domestic capital, the project could be launched with ease.

Moreover, it would become possible to acquire machinery and equipment from abroad.

With the foreign economy mired in crisis, the great industrialists would undoubtedly be eager to compete if they heard that the region was about to receive a vast number of industrial orders.

In this way, Jiang Bai’s Seventh Front Army would be able to solve its steel shortage with ease, greatly reduce weapons-production costs, and equip its forces more efficiently.

Yet all of that existed only in Jiang Bai’s plans. For now, the most urgent task was to defend this steel city and utterly defeat the Japanese Imperial Army—to destroy it completely.

Recognizing the paramount importance of the battle, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao and Li Jian, commander of the Sixty-Third Division, wore grave expressions. Their eyes were filled with determination and an unshakable resolve. They decided to personally go to the front and command the battle.

Their arrival would shorten the distance between headquarters and the frontline troops, ensure that orders were transmitted effectively, steady the soldiers’ morale, and demonstrate their determination to the men.

For that purpose, they established a temporary command post only a few hundred meters from the front line.

Although the decision carried enormous risks, they believed the boost it would provide to morale would be immense.

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