Chapter 39: System Lottery Critical Hit! The Iron Triangle of Northwestern Jin!

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While the two were caught up in their argument, Jiang Bai, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke up:
“Ding Wei, let me guess the reason you’re refusing. Is it because you feel you lack actual combat experience, and don’t think yourself qualified for such an important position?”
Ding Wei immediately straightened his back and replied solemnly, “Commander Jiang, you are absolutely right!”
“My highest post so far has only been regimental commander, and even the foundation of this new regiment was laid for me by Li Yunlong.”
“That’s why, I still have doubts about my ability to lead a regiment, let alone take on the command responsibilities at the division level or higher!”
“Therefore, I request that you revoke your order and allow me to continue as regimental commander!”
Seeing Ding Wei’s candor, Jiang Bai realized he might indeed have been too hasty.
He nodded helplessly and said to Ding Wei:
“Since you insist, I won’t force you.”
“But with your talent, simply commanding an infantry regiment is a waste.”
“From today, while you will no longer serve as the new regiment’s commander, you will assume the post of operations staff officer for the Seventh Reinforced Division!”
Though cautious by nature and still not quite comfortable with the staff officer position, Ding Wei knew that to refuse again would be excessive.
So he snapped to attention and responded firmly:
“Understood, Commander Jiang! I, Ding Wei, will not let you down and will fulfill the tasks you assign!”
Beside him, Chu Yunfei said with anticipation:
“Excellent! With Ding Wei holding the fort at headquarters, our operational orders will be unstoppable!”
With the addition of four elite military officers and attached units, the Seventh Reinforced Division’s numbers had surpassed sixty thousand.
Its combat power had reached an unprecedented level.
But this time, the enemy they faced was no longer the undisciplined, loosely organized bandits of before.
Now, the Seventh Reinforced Division would be up against the rigorously trained elite forces of the Jin faction.
Clearly, the weapons of the Jin’s 23rd and 24th Security Divisions, supplied by the Japanese, could not compare to the wire-aided arms of the Seventh Reinforced Division.
Yet, as the military puppets now actively supported by the Japanese, determined to stop the Chengyun forces from advancing into the Jingjin region and seizing victory,
the Japanese had once again provided arms to San Lao Deng, and were even preparing to send more support troops to the front.
In some cases, if the situation on the battlefield became dire, the Japanese would not hesitate to have their soldiers change into Jin uniforms and join the fight.

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Of course, this support wasn’t given for free.
As the saying goes, inviting the gods in is easy, sending them away is hard.
Once the Japanese were allowed to participate in battle, getting their soldiers to withdraw would be no simple task.
For this reason, Jiang Bai, Wang Lin, and other senior Chengyun officers all hoped to bring the conflict to a swift conclusion.
If they could seize all of Chaha before the Japanese could react,
then even if the Japanese came charging in, they could use the terrain to their advantage and respond with composure.
After the lottery was complete, Jiang Bai immediately ordered the chief of staff Wang Xiao, the commanders of the 63rd and 64th Brigades, and all regimental and above officers to headquarters for a military council on the Jin campaign.
Once everyone had assembled, Jiang Bai spoke first:
“All officers are present. Chief Wang, read out the relevant intelligence.”
“Yes, Commander.” Wang Xiao opened his journal and began:
“The Jin’s 23rd and 24th Security Divisions were originally experienced and powerful former Western-trained units. Although they have undergone several expansions and are now filled with new recruits,”
“both divisional commanders excel in leading troops and fighting in mountainous terrain.”
“In the recent direct conflict with Chengyun, these two divisions not only held off four divisions’ assaults, they even gained tactical advantages in certain engagements.”
Upon hearing this, Li Jian, commander of the 63rd Infantry Brigade, said gravely:
“We absolutely cannot underestimate them this time!”
Yet Chen Shan, commander of the 64th Brigade, was unimpressed: “With our combat strength, defeating the 23rd and 24th Security Divisions will be a breeze.”
“The real headache is the Japanese units.”
“According to intelligence, several Japanese units have secretly landed at Jinan, and their whereabouts after coming ashore are unknown.”
“We could very well face the Japanese directly, and must prepare for that possibility!”
After Chen Shan’s analysis, Ding Wei asked, his tone both nervous and excited:
“So, in the coming battle, are we going to fight the Japanese?”
His words caused the expressions of the officers, who had only ever fought bandits, to tense slightly.
If the Jin’s 23rd and 24th Security Divisions were like a healthy young man,
the Japanese units were like a bodybuilder in his prime!
The two weren’t even on the same level.
What’s more, the situation had changed.
This time, San Lao Deng had the explicit backing of the Japanese.
With that public endorsement, the Japanese could easily deploy ground combat units.

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They could even call upon the navy and air force for joint operations!
If the two sides truly clashed, the outcome of the war would be impossible to predict.
No one present could say with certainty what might happen.
Sensing the subtle shift in the room’s mood,
Jiang Bai frowned; the battle hadn’t even begun, and already the troops were showing fear of the enemy.
Such a mindset, once they entered combat, would severely undermine their fighting strength.
At that moment, Jiang Bai called out sternly: “What are you afraid of? No matter how strong the enemy, they’re flesh and blood like us, just as mortal!”
“If a shell hits them, they’ll die too!”
“A bullet to the vital point and they’ll fall just the same!”
“A bayonet across the throat and they’ll draw their last breath!”
“Your mission is to use your shells, rifles, and bayonets to eliminate the enemy!”
“True courage is proven when rivals meet on a narrow path—only by bravely wielding your sword can you defeat your foe!”
“Of course, if you think you’re not up to the task, that’s fine—leave at once!”
“Any child off the street would be stronger than you then!”
“Have I made myself clear?”
After Jiang Bai’s rousing words, the officers felt their blood surging, especially the battle-hungry Li Yunlong.
“Commander, tell me who to strike—maybe I can’t speak for the other regiments, but my Independent Regiment will be the first to charge in with sabres drawn.”
Hardly able to contain himself, Li Yunlong whipped out his tiger-head blade.
“Old Li, this is headquarters, not our cave! Mind your manners!” Kong Jie quickly grabbed Li Yunlong’s arm to check him.
Seeing even a regimental officer so fired up, Li Jian, commander of the 62nd Brigade, threw down his hat and shouted:
“That regimental commander is right! To hell with it—if I die, so be it. Eighteen years later I’ll be a hero again! Let’s go get them!”
“Let’s go get them!”
The other officers followed suit, flinging their hats to the ground with force!
In an instant, the fighting spirit soared to the heavens!