Chapter 26 The Seventh Reinforced Division: People First!

At this moment, tens of thousands of bandits had already left the mountains, advancing swiftly toward the county town of Chengyun.
"Pick up the pace! We're almost there."
"Push harder! Charge into Chengyun County, slaughter the town for three days, and whoever grabs grain, treasures, or women, it's theirs!"
Driven by the lure of riches and women, the bandits pressed on toward Chengyun County despite their exhaustion, exerting every ounce of strength.

Two hours later, the outline of Chengyun County had come clearly into view.

"Boss, the government troops have already occupied the county town," reported a small bandit leader.

"What? They've taken refuge in the town?" The face of Zuoshandiao grew grave.
Attacking a city heavily guarded by the Chengyun Army was a completely different kind of battle than fighting them in open countryside.

Many of the bandit chieftains' faces became stern as well.

"It seems the soldiers were ready for us. They must have sent scouts to track our movements—retreating into the town proves it," Hasan analyzed.

"Mr. Hasan, what should we do next?" Zuoshandiao felt his scalp prickling.

The bandits from the Chengyun mountain area had finally gathered for this assault on Chengyun County. If they retreated empty-handed, not only would returning be uncertain, but even the cost of moving would bankrupt Zuoshandiao. His reputation would be ruined forever.

"Lord Zuoshandiao, we have no path of retreat now. The Chengyun Army retreated into the town because they know they can't match us in the field, so they chose to defend. Chengyun County is small, its walls barely over two meters tall, and less than five miles around. For a force as large as ours, taking it is only a matter of time. But we must act swiftly—once government reinforcements arrive, the situation will turn against us."

Hasan's analysis was so thorough that all the bandit leaders believed him without question.

In truth, Hasan had finally established contact with the main force of the Chengyun Army yesterday. From them, he obtained the structure, personnel, and armament of Jiang Bai's Seventh Reinforced Division.

Fifty thousand bandits against a thousand regulars—the odds of victory were only forty percent.

Even with such slim chances, Hasan still chose to have the bandits stake their lives.

Because the Chengyun Army headquarters ordered Hasan to incite chaos among the bandits. All this was a butterfly effect triggered by the failed assassination of Wang Lin.

While Jiang Bai was suppressing bandits in the Chengyun mountains, the old marshal also launched his First Division against the loyalists of the former Qing dynasty hiding in Chengyun City.

Though the Chengyun faction outwardly remained amicable with the Japanese, the real struggle had already begun in the shadows.

This attack on the county by the bandits was not only revenge against Jiang Bai, but also a warning from the Japanese to the Chengyun faction.

How effective this warning would be depended entirely on whether the bandits could successfully take the town.

"Good, we'll follow Mr. Hasan's plan. With our numbers, we can surely conquer Chengyun County," Zuoshandiao nodded confidently.

"Brothers, this is our last chance. If we die, so be it—if we live, we live forever. If we capture Chengyun County and seize Jiang Bai, we'll gain endless glory and wealth—one man's success brings his entire clan into prosperity. Failure is not an option," Zuoshandiao exhorted the bandits.

"Indeed, Brother Bai is right. We've nowhere to retreat—it's all or nothing. Take Chengyun County, capture Jiang Bai!" a bandit leader responded.

The surrounding chieftains all echoed the sentiment, their morale soaring.

"Take Chengyun County, capture Jiang Bai!"

The bandits' shouts shook the land.

Yet, when Hasan gazed into the distance at Chengyun County, a trace of worry flickered in his eyes.

On the city wall, Jiang Bai and Wang Xiao watched the approaching bandit army through their binoculars.

It could not be denied: the massive assault by tens of thousands of bandits put enormous psychological pressure even on seasoned regulars.

Although the Seventh Reinforced Division was composed of trained soldiers, these new recruits, faced with such a spectacle, were all tense, their hands sweating on their weapons.

"It seems all the bandits from the Chengyun mountains have gathered here," Jiang Bai said after lowering his binoculars.

"Looks like it. If we can wipe them out in this battle, the bandit threat in northern Chengyun will be eradicated," Wang Xiao's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Defeating such a force would be a tremendous boost to the division's morale. The soldiers, having survived this battle, would become calmer and braver in future engagements, gradually transforming into elite troops.

The officers would gain invaluable experience for future large-scale military confrontations.

"The whole army is ready. We just need these bandits to walk into our trap, and we'll make them bleed rivers," Wang Xiao said, brimming with confidence.

"Tell the artillery regiment not to open fire yet—we don't want to scare the bandits off. Order the Twenty-Second, Twenty-Third, and Twenty-Fourth regiments to form a triangular tightening net," Jiang Bai instructed.

"Understood." Wang Xiao turned to relay the orders, but Jiang Bai called him back.

"And tell all three regiments: if we hold here but they fail to close the trap and let the bandits escape, I won't punish the company-level officers, but I'll send all battalion and regimental commanders to the military tribunal," Jiang Bai reminded him.

"Got it," Wang Xiao replied, then hurried off.

The artillery of the Seventh Reinforced Division was equipped with German heavy guns—firepower beyond the bandits' imagination.

Jiang Bai was certain that a brief, intense bombardment would be enough to terrify the bandits and scatter them.

If the tens of thousands of bandits really fled, then before the infantry arrived, the two battalions inside Chengyun County alone could not wipe them out.

Therefore, Jiang Bai wanted to keep the artillery silent for now, waiting until the bandits were sufficiently depleted before unleashing a fierce attack.

Relying on the solid city walls, the Chengyun Army could use their firepower to shoot at the enemy, aiming to inflict maximum casualties.

"Commander Jiang, the bandits are now within visible range and about to attack. Should we withdraw the command post?" Wang Xiao suggested.

Jiang Bai nodded in agreement. A wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. He dared to take risks, but not to throw his life away.

The bandits were poorly equipped, wielding only rifles and even older firearms. If hit by a stray bullet, the consequences would be dire.

Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns.

"Brothers, Chengyun County lies before us. If we rush in and capture that man, endless riches and beauties await us. The opportunity will never come again!" Zuoshandiao shouted, stirring the crowd.

As expected, the bandits' eyes burned with desire at the prospect of wealth and women.

They had already risked their lives for fortune and pleasure by becoming bandits; now their spirits soared.

"Charge! Glory and fortune await us!"

"For our future, let's fight!"

"Forward!"