Chapter 52 The Current Situation: Strike at the First Sign!

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Wang Chengfei stood rooted to the spot, his brows tightly furrowed as he faced the shadowy silhouette of Wang Family Mountain. Conflict raged within him. He knew that once they crossed the mountain, it was highly likely they would have to engage the Seventh Reinforced Division of the Chengyun Army in a real battle, facing immense danger to their lives.

Yet at the same time, he was keenly aware that time was of the utmost importance; every minute lost could mean an unfavorable shift in the tide of war.

At this moment, Deputy Brigade Commander Song Yong stepped forward, his tone resolute. "Commander, you're hesitating because you're worried there may be an ambush on the mountain, aren't you?" A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in his eyes. "But no matter what, we must cross this mountain. If it's not occupied, we can station our brigade headquarters here. This position allows us to advance or retreat and secures our line of retreat. If the enemy is indeed present, we can probe and then quickly withdraw to Wangkou, and telegraph Officer San that we have uncovered the enemy's plan to assault Wangkou, so we can return to the city and bolster its defenses for the greater good."

Song Yong's words seemed to light a lamp in the darkness, illuminating a broad path of retreat for Wang Chengfei. At last, a rare smile appeared on his face. "Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that!"

He excitedly patted the deputy brigade commander on the shoulder, exclaiming, "That's the talent of a man educated in the classics! And have someone send a telegram to Commander Yan Chun—tell him our Second Composite Brigade is crossing Xiaoliang Mountain, and he should hold on. We’ll rescue you and help you break out at once!"

With Song Yong's suggestion, a smile finally returned to Wang Chengfei's face.

He then issued his orders with fervor:

"Inform all units: Proceed into the mountains with caution. At the first sign of anything unusual, withdraw immediately—do not engage. Is that clear?!"

"Yes, sir!" his soldiers responded in unison, their spirits high.

Their purpose in this battle was far more than just formality; they did not crave victory, only to survive and return home.

As Wang Chengfei and his troops advanced warily through the mountainous terrain, frequently glancing back in case of pursuit,

they were unaware that, deep within the valley, a force lay in ambush, silently awaiting their entry.

"Commander, the enemy has entered our forested ambush circle."

Inside the command post of the 66th Infantry Brigade, a communications officer reported urgently to Brigade Commander Liang Fei.

Upon hearing this, Liang Fei, who had been resting outdoors, sprang to his feet,

his gaze sharpening instantly from its previous haze, as keen as a falcon locking onto its prey.

"They’ve finally come! This is our perfect chance to prove ourselves!"

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As the newly appointed commander of Jiang Bai’s 66th Infantry Brigade,

since taking command, Liang Fei and his men had yet to participate in any major battles.

Most of their time was spent clearing battlefields or performing guard duty.

While other units fought fiercely at the front and accumulated honors,

Liang Fei and his brigade could only watch from afar, hungry for a chance to prove their worth.

He understood it was because their unit’s combat effectiveness still needed improvement,

but for a soldier who yearned for glory, always staying behind the safety line was not what he desired.

The heavy heat of late September autumn brought more than just discomfort— even at night, the ground radiated residual warmth, leaving people restless and irritable.

The mountain insects had bitten Liang Fei all over, but at this moment, every discomfort and pain seemed trivial, for all their efforts were about to be rewarded.

The soldiers hidden in the night, their camouflage blending perfectly with the environment, were nearly invisible. Their weapons glinted coldly in the faint moonlight, foreshadowing the imminent clash.

Liang Fei took a deep drag on a thick tobacco leaf, the nicotine jolting his nerves awake. Amid the swirling smoke, he appeared exceptionally calm. Glancing around, he saw determination and anticipation etched on every officer’s face.

"Brothers, you must endure. Only by suffering more than others can you rise above them," Liang Fei’s voice was resolute, infusing the night wind with strength.

He continued to issue orders: "We’ve trained for so long for this very day—to make our mark! I know some other units still look down on us as bandits. But remember, we wear the uniform of the Seventh Reinforced Division, not some bandit rabble. Win this battle and earn your honors—if anyone dares call us bandits again, you have my leave to show them exactly who we are!"

"Let me reiterate: Commander Jiang has ordered us to block the enemy reinforcements, but my order to you is to utterly crush them. I need every one of you to tie your heads to your belts, unleash your full ferocity, and show the true might of the 64th!"

Liang Fei’s orders snapped the entire brigade into combat readiness. The soldiers checked their gear and weapons once more, ensuring all was in order, then concealed themselves at their designated ambush points, waiting in silence for the enemy to arrive.

The tension of impending battle thickened in the air.

Twenty minutes later, the battle erupted without warning.

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As the 67th Infantry Brigade’s artillery company unleashed their 75mm rapid-fire cannons, a torrential barrage rained down on the enemy’s heads.

The Second Composite Brigade plunged into chaos, its soldiers panicking and scattering in all directions; the battlefield was instantly thrown into turmoil.

"We’re ambushed! It’s a trap! Run, run!" Soldiers shouted in terror amid the mayhem.

On this dark and bullet-riddled battlefield, Wang Chengfei, commander of the Second Composite Brigade, bloodied and disoriented, was thrown from his horse in the chaos, overwhelmed by fear and confusion.

The fighting was fiercer than anyone could have imagined—explosions and gunfire filled the night, bullets rained down like a storm, and the situation seemed perilous beyond belief, life and death hanging by a thread.

In his desperation, Wang Chengfei found refuge in a clump of shrubs, clinging to a sliver of hope for survival.

To his surprise, within that thicket he stumbled upon his deputy, Song Yong, who was just as disheveled. Their eyes met in the firelight, filled with helplessness and anxiety.

Wang Chengfei, his face pale, eyes blazing with anger and despair, lashed out at Song Yong: "Song Yong, this is all your fault! Your damned suggestion led our brigade into this mess—you ought to be shot!"

Song Yong, startled by the sudden accusation, had thought he’d run into an enemy, only to find it was his own commander. He turned pale, his eyes brimming with resentment and grievance as he protested, "Commander, I never expected the Chengyun Army bastards to be so cunning, ambushing us in the woods with such ferocious firepower. If I hadn’t needed to piss and gone off to hide, that volley would have turned me into a sieve—I only survived by pure luck."

"To hell with running! Get the troops together and counterattack—take out the Chengyun Army’s artillery positions!"

"Yes, Commander."

But, faced with such an order, Song Yong could only find it laughable.

Counterattack? With what? No one even knew the enemy’s exact artillery positions.

Finding a place to hide from the hail of bullets was already something; in the current situation, sticking your head out meant certain death.