Chapter 47: The Seventh Reinforced Division Are Demons—Commander, We Must Flee!

The vast stockpile of war supplies accumulated behind Wangkou, including grain, was a strategic treasure trove for Jiang Bai. These resources had originally been prepared to support the protracted combat between the 23rd and 24th Garrison Divisions and the 7th Reinforced Division. Once Jiang Bai seized Wangkou and captured these materials, his troops would be able to utilize them for further military operations, especially for capturing the strategic stronghold of Wangkou itself.

This operation would not only weaken the enemy’s fighting power but also ensure a steady supply for his own forces, providing the necessary support and security for subsequent campaigns. Jiang Bai marked the location of Wangkou heavily on the map. The mission was set. The next move for the 7th Reinforced Division would be to capture Wangkou.

Thus, Jiang Bai promptly issued his latest combat orders: “Transmit to the entire division: avoid unnecessary entanglements, and while the 24th Garrison Division has yet to react, launch a swift assault to occupy Wangkou!”

Once Wangkou was taken, not only would it sever the retreat routes of the 23rd and 24th Garrison Divisions, preventing their withdrawal to Wangkou, but it would also secure the transfer of supplies stored in the county town. To achieve this critical objective, Jiang Bai even relieved Li Yunlong’s Independent Regiment from its previous mission, ordering him to focus on capturing Wangkou. His intentions were clear: if there were no defending troops in Wangkou, all the better; if there were, then he was determined to take it by force!

“Yes, Commander! I’ll immediately send the order to the entire division.”

Without any chance for rest, Chen Shan, commander of the 64th Infantry Brigade, and Li Jian, commander of the 63rd Infantry Brigade, ordered their troops to march toward Wangkou without delay.

Meanwhile, in the headquarters of the 24th Garrison Division, a heavy atmosphere pervaded. The faces of all the officers and staff were grave, their eyes fixed on the dense stack of battle reports spread across the table, the entire room suffused with a sense of foreboding. With each new report, the tension mounted.

When Bai Xinyou, commander of the 24th Division, heard that the 7th Reinforced Division of the Chengyun Army was ferociously attacking the 23rd Garrison Division, his brows knitted tightly, his gaze reflecting a profound understanding of the situation. He spoke in a low voice, “The Chengyun Army has come with overwhelming force; they will not let up easily.” His words were laden with a sense of urgency and the severity of the crisis.

As he and his staff anxiously debated strategies to delay Jiang Bai’s advance to the Wangjia River defensive line, a staff officer hurried in, his face ashen, clearly bearing ill news: “Report, Commander! The situation is dire! Under the fierce bombardment of the 7th Reinforced Division, the 23rd Garrison Division has collapsed across the line!”

As his words fell, the room plunged into a deathly silence. Everyone felt a pressure unlike any they had known before. The officer continued, “The 112th Regiment of the 23rd has suffered severe losses; the 113th and 114th Regiments, as well as the Artillery Regiment, have been completely annihilated!” His voice trembled, as if he himself could scarcely accept the reality. “At present, only the 115th Regiment and remnants of the 112th remain. Five minutes ago, Commander Yan Chun led his men to our defensive line.”

This succession of news hammered at everyone’s hearts. A young officer could not contain himself and stood abruptly, fists clenched, his face a mix of shock and disbelief: “Are they a herd of pigs? What kind of fighting was that from the 23rd Garrison Division? To lose a position fortified over half a month in such a short time?!”

“Could their regimental officers have betrayed us?” another staff officer spat, his face taut with fury. “I can’t imagine how a mere defensive battle could cost us three infantry regiments in a single day. Has the 23rd Garrison Division turned into ten thousand pigs? Even the Chengyun Army would need half a month to capture them!”

An experienced, older officer rose, his eyes alight with a fervent gleam. “It’s done—questioning now is useless. We must counterattack! We need to lift our morale and use our cavalry units to launch a rapid assault on the 7th Reinforced Division. If we strike while they are exhausted, there may yet be hope for victory!”

His words offered a glimmer of hope, though the deep lines on his face betrayed his inner anxiety.

“We’re completely cut off! Our flank is totally exposed!” another staff officer cried, his voice nearly a scream, eyes wide with despair.

“Commander, I strongly advise we withdraw into Wangkou City and prepare to defend!” Panic flickered across his face, as if he already foresaw the worst.

However, not everyone agreed with the suggestion to retreat.

“To fall back to Wangkou City would be to walk right into their trap!” objected a young officer, his voice thick with frustration and anxiety. “Besides, if we retreat before the battle even begins and Commander Yan finds out, none of us will escape punishment!”

His eyes were resolute, though fear was plain on his face. At that moment, fierce arguments exploded within the command post. Every face was etched with shifting emotions: shock, disbelief, rage, and fear, each expression replacing the last in rapid succession.

Some advocated for an immediate offensive; others insisted on retreat. In short, everyone had their reasons, and the scene devolved into chaos, with no consensus in sight.

Commander Bai Xinyou, watching his subordinates argue endlessly, could not help but sigh deeply. The enemy had not yet arrived, and his own side was already in disarray. How would things unfold when battle truly began? The outcome was impossible to predict.

Just as Bai Xinyou thought the situation could deteriorate no further, a series of urgent reports plunged him into deeper despair.

“Emergency intelligence, Commander! Wangkou has been struck by a sudden assault; the county town has fallen!”

The news sent a shockwave through the room, as if a bolt of lightning had struck. “Repeat that! How could Wangkou possibly fall?!” a military officer nearly shouted, disbelief written across his face.

“Absurd! We have an entire regiment garrisoned there, and the city walls are sturdy! How could they be breached in an instant?!” another officer demanded, his expression a mix of skepticism and outrage.

A staff officer quickly provided more details: “According to reports, a broadsword team from the Chengyun Army used the cover of night to scale the walls with ladders, slaughtered the gate guards, destroyed the defenses at the east gate, and then the main force stormed through the nearly undefended city gate.”

“What are we to do? The Chengyun Army has already cut off our retreat—we are now surrounded!” The room was filled with panic and despair, every face showing anxiety and terror.

“Commander, a decision must be made at once! Otherwise, we risk repeating the fate of the 23rd Garrison Division!” a staff officer urged, his gaze fixed intently on Bai Xinyou, awaiting orders.

After compiling the series of reports, the officers finally grasped the formidable combat strength of the 7th Reinforced Division.