Wang Yao saw the refugees approaching and immediately stood up. When he saw so many refugees begin to help carry the wounded, and even some former doctors heading into the hospital to assist, he was deeply moved.
“Thank you. Thank you all. On behalf of the brothers of the 87th Division, I thank you!” Wang Yao stood there, saluting the refugees.
“Child, what is there to thank? You just focus on fighting at the front; leave the rest to us. We know you’ve been fighting hard on the front lines. We know you fought the Allied forces in Santong County and Daman City, and you fought brilliantly, completely wiping them out! You have to wipe them out completely this time too!” a civilian who had fled from Daman City told Wang Yao.
“We will, don’t worry. This time, we will absolutely annihilate the Allied forces!” Wang Yao stood there, assuring the refugees.
The doctors and nurses in Bopa City watched them, bewildered. They didn’t understand why these refugees trusted the soldiers so much. There had been many rumors that the soldiers couldn’t be trusted and would just retreat. But looking at the situation now, that didn’t seem to be the case at all!
“Sir, we don’t have enough beds here, and space is limited. We might not be able to accommodate so many wounded!” an elderly man approached Wang Yao and said.
“Not enough space?” Wang Yao asked, looking at the man.
“No, even if our entire hospital is dedicated to treating your wounded, it won’t be enough!” the old man continued.
“What do you suggest?” Wang Yao asked.
“There’s a school nearby that can be used as another treatment center. We can send medical supplies and personnel over there. I also saw that quite a few of the refugees here are doctors; they can help out too!” the old man told Wang Yao.
“Take us there right now. To the school, right now!” Wang Yao said, looking at him.
“I’m a doctor. How about I have an orderly take you there?” the old man offered.
“Alright, thank you!” Wang Yao said. Soon, Wang Yao took the newly arrived wounded and headed toward the new location.
When they arrived at the school, the gates were locked. Wang Yao simply used his rifle to shoot the lock off, allowing the vehicles to enter. The classroom doors were also locked, so Wang Yao kicked them open. Working with the other soldiers, he stacked all the desks together, clearing out the majority of the classroom space.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!” Shortly after they finished setting up, massive explosions echoed from the south.
Wang Yao knew the Allied forces had launched another attack on the front lines. After handing the wounded over to the volunteers, Wang Yao immediately got back in the truck with his soldiers and drove straight toward the front.
He knew today would be another fierce battle!
Meanwhile, Hu Hao stood by the observation port, watching the bombardment across the river. He ate a steamed bun with one hand while holding his binoculars with the other, observing the situation on the opposite bank.
“New troops. It’s the Limaguo forces. The Limaguo troops have finally been deployed!” Spotting the Limaguo 7th Corps troops on the opposite bank, Hu Hao immediately spoke up.
“So that means the main force of the 7th Corps has already reached Santong County, and there aren’t many troops left in Daman City! If we can wipe out a large portion of them here, the Allied forces’ actual combat strength will be severely reduced!” Xiao Quan, who was also eating a steamed bun, remarked from the side.
“Mm, it’s a pity it’s daytime. The Allied forces might deploy bombers. Otherwise, I’d devour them right now. But it doesn’t matter, we still have a chance tonight. Our casualties might even be lower then!” Hu Hao said, staring at the opposite bank.
“How many Limaguo troops arrived? Did they all come?” Xiao Quan asked.
“We only have one division facing us here; I don’t know about the other sectors. Call the other regimental commanders and ask if they’re facing Limaguo troops too.
“The 7th Corps only has two divisions left. If the other sectors are also facing Limaguo troops, then it proves they’ve all been deployed!” Hu Hao ordered.
“Alright, I’ll go ask!” Xiao Quan nodded and walked into the command center! Just then, a staff officer walked over and called out, “Hao-ge, phone call from the Corps Commander!”
Hearing this, Hu Hao walked inside, picked up the phone, and answered, “Hello, Corps Commander!”
“How are things on your end? Can you hold the line? My intelligence shows that the Allied forces launched an attack on your position starting at midnight last night, and they’ve launched another one now. Are you facing any difficulties?” Li Tianyuan asked over the phone.
“No problems for now, we can still hold. Corps Commander, what about your side? Have the Allied forces attacked?” Hu Hao asked.
“The Allied forces are preparing to attack now, and our troops are currently eating. You only have one division over there; are you sure you can hold?” Li Tianyuan asked, his concern evident.
“I conscripted a portion of the reservists. Otherwise, how could I possibly have enough troops to fight?” Hu Hao reported to Li Tianyuan.
“What?! You conscripted troops on your own authority? That’s a major violation!” Li Tianyuan shouted in shock.
“I know, but I didn’t conscript the reservists from the cities behind us; I recruited from the refugees. We only have one division here. You expect us to hold off an attack from two entire corps—do you think that’s possible?
“If this position falls, what use are the other defensive lines? So, I made the decision on my own authority. But I had no choice, I need enough troops!” Hu Hao yelled into the phone.
“Alright, but you need to report this to the Commander. Tell him about it. Otherwise, when the High Command investigates, we’ll be in a passive position!” Li Tianyuan advised Hu Hao.
“Afraid of what? The High Command? If the High Command truly cared about us and the civilians, they should have let us expand our forces! Keeping our original troop numbers while facing an attack from eight Allied corps—tell me, isn’t that a joke? We’re fighting in our own country, yet we have fewer troops than the enemy. Ha, the irony!” Hu Hao spat out his dissatisfaction over the phone.
“Don’t say things like that. We don’t get to make those decisions. How about this: after the battle, I’ll speak to the Commander first. I’ll tell him that considering your situation, I authorized it. If there are any consequences, let them come at me!” Li Tianyuan offered.
“No need, I’ll take the blame. It would be a waste if you took the fall. I’m just a Colonel anyway; what are they going to do, shoot me?” Hu Hao replied.
“Ah, you have to think ahead! You’re in line for a promotion to General. If this incident goes on your record, how can our Commander recommend you for General? You need to be careful!” Li Tianyuan urged anxiously.
“Corps Commander, I really don’t care about that! All I care about is whether I can defeat the Allied forces, whether I can hold this place, and whether I can keep my brothers alive. I couldn’t care less about being some General!
“What the hell use is their General title? They treat it like some kind of royal reward! Why is it so hard for commoners like us to become Generals?! Alright, Corps Commander, the Allied forces are attacking my position now, so I won’t talk anymore. Don’t worry about my end; I can definitely hold the line!” Hu Hao said firmly.
“Alright. If you say there are no problems, then there are no problems. Also, don’t be so pessimistic. There are many things we aren’t privy to; perhaps the situation isn’t as bad as you think!” Li Tianyuan consoled Hu Hao.
“Whatever! That’s all!” Hu Hao said, and hung up the phone.
He didn’t want to talk about becoming a General or not. Right now, they were fighting a war; who gave a damn about titles? What Hu Hao cared about was how many men and how many weapons he had at his disposal.
When it came to resisting the Allied forces, Hu Hao was starting to lose faith in those Generals. He didn’t know how many of them truly wanted to fight the Allied forces, and how many were just acting in their own self-interest. After hanging up, Hu Hao walked back to the observation port. He needed to assess the advancing Allied forces.
“Report! The 4th Regiment reports they are facing Limaguo 7th Corps troops! The 2nd Regiment reports they are facing Mara Empire 11th Corps troops!” a staff officer approached the observation port and reported to Hu Hao.
“Good! That means they’re all here. It’s good that they came! it’s daytime right now. If it were night, I’d devour every last one of you!” Hu Hao nodded confidently.
Hu Hao hadn’t planned on wiping out the Allied forces during the day. After all, launching a counter-offensive required the cover of darkness.
Furthermore, the weather was scorching hot. Even if his soldiers pursued the enemy, they wouldn’t get far. If the Allied forces truly decided to flee, intercepting them during the day would be incredibly difficult!
“Boom! Boom! Boom!” The artillery bombardment outside continued. Hu Hao stood there, watching the Allied troops approaching the river. He knew the bombardment would likely cease soon; the Allied forces were almost upon them.
Less than two minutes later, the Allied artillery fire ceased, just as expected. The Allied infantry had reached the riverbank, and under the cover of tanks and armored vehicles, they rapidly charged onto the river beach!
“Out! Get out quickly! The Allied forces are here! Take them out!” The junior officers roared as they emerged from the shelters.
“Hurry up! Get out! Keep your heads down!” Mo Qin also shouted loudly as he rushed out. He ran to several nearby air-raid shelters, yelling for the soldiers to come out.
The explosions had deafened many of the soldiers, making it hard for them to hear clearly. However, seeing someone at the entrance shouting with their mouths wide open, they knew it was time. The soldiers grabbed their weapons, some carrying ammo boxes, and rushed out!
“Fire! Rocket launchers, take out their tanks!” Mo Qin roared as he threw himself onto the firing line, aiming his rifle at the opposite bank and opening fire.
(End of Chapter)