Hu Hao stood before the map, analyzing the current situation with the staff officers, Bai Ye, and the other commanders. The men listened with furrowed brows.
Previously, they had all declared they would rather die than retreat. But after hearing Hu Hao’s analysis, they realized things weren’t that simple!
“Hao-ge, is the situation truly that dire?” Xiao Quan asked.
“Hao-ge, we really don’t want to retreat anymore! If we retreat again, who knows where we’ll end up, or when we’ll finally be able to fight our way back home! We have no idea if our families are even dead or alive right now!” Bai Ye added, his voice laced with profound sorrow.
“It is dire, but it’s not like we don’t have a chance! Like I said, as long as we execute this properly, we still have a shot. Don’t forget: the rainy season is rapidly approaching!
“As long as we annihilate this corps pushing in from the west and the Limaguo 11th Corps, the Allied forces currently attacking our Southwest Combat Zone defensive line might divert, at most, two to three corps to deal with us.
“But beyond that, they likely won’t be able to mount any major offensives. When the rainy season hits, the roads will turn to mud. Coupled with the fact that they aren’t necessarily adapted to our region’s high heat and humidity, their non-combat attrition rate will likely be catastrophic!
“Furthermore, just because they can’t move doesn’t mean we can’t! Our regimental units can launch targeted strikes against the Allied garrisons stationed in the various cities! By wiping out their garrisons, we can gradually reclaim those cities!
“Through continuous combat, our recruits will gain invaluable experience, and their combat effectiveness will slowly rise! When the time comes, we will have a formidable army at our disposal! The rainy season lasts for over two months. I believe that if we utilize this time effectively, we can drastically increase our chances of survival and future victory!” Hu Hao comforted them.
“Mm. Hao-ge, just tell us how to fight! First, we wipe out the Allied forces pushing in from the west, then we annihilate the Limaguo 11th Corps! If the Allied forces continue sending troops, we’ll just keep fighting! There’s nothing more to say; we are not retreating!” Xiao Quan nodded firmly.
“Bai Ye, Bo Gang, your troops are currently ambushing in the forest west of Muqiao City. See this patch of forest here? Right now, the only geographical features we can utilize are rivers, cities, and forests!
“Our armored units will position themselves in this forest. Simultaneously, the Air Cavalry will immediately relocate to Muqiao City! The moment the battle begins, the Air Cavalry will launch instantly to provide close air support for our two armored divisions!
“Meanwhile, Li Jingsong, you will lead your division and begin moving toward Zhangshan City immediately. Firstly, you will act as a reserve force for Bo Gang’s units.
“Secondly, once Bo Gang and the others annihilate the Allied forces, your troops will immediately begin marching toward Luotang City! Bo Gang will accompany you! Once you reach Luotang City, establish a defensive line along the river immediately! Start construction right away! Requisition excavators and heavy machinery!
“You must complete the defensive line before the rainy season hits! As for Xiao Quan, your division will move as well. Head to Baitao City! Once Bo Gang’s forces wipe out the Allied troops, your division will immediately advance to Xiwan City and establish a defensive line there!
“All of you, remember this: once you reach a new city, you must conscript troops! Specifically target discharged veterans! Make sure to categorize them properly: former Air Cavalry to the Air Cavalry, former tankers to the tank units, former artillerymen to the artillery! Only by doing this can our forces expand with maximum speed!
“Once the battle on the Western line concludes, the Air Cavalry will immediately return and coordinate with Wu Kexiao’s troops to attack the Limaguo 11th Corps and swallow them whole!” Hu Hao ordered, his gaze sweeping across the commanders.
“Understood!” They all nodded in unison!
“Bai Ye, remember: do not engage small Allied units! Let them pass and head toward Muqiao City! Li Jingsong, you will dispatch a single regiment to Muqiao City to block the Allied vanguard! Bai Ye, you are to wait for the Allied main force! Do not strike until you see a marching column of at least two divisions!
“If the Allied forces are marching in dispersed formations, I will order you to take the initiative and attack! Dispersed formations are even easier to wipe out!” Hu Hao continued issuing instructions, and the commanders nodded.
Hu Hao then proceeded with further deployments, detailing crucial points they needed to pay attention to during the battle. About half an hour later, Xiao Quan and the others departed to execute their orders.
Hu Hao’s forces in Daman City were currently organized into three infantry divisions, two tank divisions, one artillery division, and one Air Cavalry division, totaling over 60,000 men. The Air Cavalry and artillery divisions were not yet at full strength.
Hu Hao, Xiao Quan, and Li Jingsong each personally commanded one of the infantry divisions.
After Xiao Quan and the others left, Hu Hao stood there deep in thought for a moment before turning to Wang Yao. “Notify Li Jiahang! Tell him to come see me immediately!”
“Yes, sir!” Wang Yao immediately contacted Li Jiahang.
Hu Hao had transferred Li Jiahang from the 1st Regiment to serve as the Chief of Staff for the infantry division under his direct command. He had entrusted the daily management of that division entirely to Li Jiahang.
A few minutes later, Wang Yao walked over and reported that he had notified Li Jiahang. He then stood there, watching Hu Hao, who was still lost in thought.
After a moment, Hu Hao noticed Wang Yao staring at him and asked, “Is there something you need?”
“Hao-ge, I’d like to speak with you privately. Is that alright?” Wang Yao asked.
“Right now?” Hu Hao asked.
“Yes. Right now. It’s urgent!” Wang Yao nodded. Hu Hao agreed and led Wang Yao into an adjacent meeting room. Wang Yao immediately closed the door behind them.
“What is it? Why so mysterious?” Hu Hao asked, amused by his secrecy.
“Haozi, are you an idiot?! Why are you listening to them?! Think about it: their homes have been occupied by the Allied forces, but yours hasn’t! You’re throwing away a brilliant future to risk your life with them! Are you crazy?!” Wang Yao urged Hu Hao in a hushed, anxious voice.
“What ‘brilliant future’ are you talking about?” Hu Hao chuckled and waved his hand dismissively.
“Don’t think I don’t know! The Commander values you immensely! He just gave you command of an entire corps; can you not see it? Once the promotion channels open, you are guaranteed to become a Lieutenant General! Your home is in Huaizhong Province, right next to the capital; it’s completely safe right now! You’re throwing away a guaranteed generalship to go fight desperate battles with them! You… you… I really don’t know what to say to you!” Wang Yao exclaimed.
“Ha!” Hu Hao chuckled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He tossed one to Wang Yao and lit one for himself.
“Haozi, I don’t want you staying here! You should retreat to the rear! You’ll definitely be a Corps Commander when the time comes!” Wang Yao took a drag and continued urging him.
“Do you think being a Corps Commander is that easy? Do you know I was almost executed by the High Command?! Just because I privately conscripted soldiers here! They were solely focused on my ‘transgression’!
“But did they ever consider that if I hadn’t conscripted those soldiers, Late City would have fallen long ago?! It’s been half a month now, hasn’t it? Think about it: aside from the Commander authorizing me to build a 60,000-man force, what actual benefits have I received? I’m not a General, and I haven’t received a single commendation!
“Furthermore… ha! If you don’t believe me, just wait and see! If I continue following Jiang Kai, this incident of privately conscripting troops will haunt me for the rest of my life! They will never forget it!
“Me, becoming a Lieutenant General? Highly unlikely! Also, Wang Yao, let me ask you: if your hometown were occupied, would you want to reclaim it? Especially when you don’t even know if your family is dead or alive… would you want to?” Hu Hao looked at Wang Yao intently.
“Of course I would! But Haozi, this isn’t the time to talk about that, and there are no ‘ifs’ here! Regardless, I don’t think it’s worth it for you to stay here! Becoming a General of the Empire… how glorious would that be?! Even if you won’t do it for yourself, think of your family!” Wang Yao pleaded.
“Mm. I know you’re looking out for me. However, I feel I need to tell you something. I’ve been hiding it from you for a long time… almost 20 days now,” Hu Hao said, his expression turning serious.
“What is it?” Wang Yao looked at Hu Hao, confused.
“Your hometown, as well as the hometowns of Mo Shui, Dong Qipeng, and the other classmates who came here with us… Only Jia Jing and Lu Lizhi’s hometowns in the north are still safe. All the rest… have already fallen,” Hu Hao revealed, his eyes locked on Wang Yao.
“What?!” Hearing this, Wang Yao swayed unsteadily. Hu Hao immediately reached out to steady him, but Wang Yao violently pushed him away.
“Impossible! That’s impossible! Everything was fine when I left!” Wang Yao shook his head vehemently.
“In truth, they had already fallen when you left,” Hu Hao said softly. He knew this news was unimaginably cruel to Wang Yao.
“How is that possible?! Everything was fine when I left! I even called my parents right before I left! They didn’t mention anything like this!” Wang Yao screamed at Hu Hao.
“How many days before you left did you call them?” Hu Hao asked calmly.
“Three days! Three days!” Wang Yao replied.
“Right around the time you all arrived in the Southwest Combat Zone, your hometowns fell. Mo Shui’s hometown actually fell a day before yours,” Hu Hao explained.
“Impossible! How could that be?! Where are my parents?! Where are my younger brother and sister?! Did they make it out?! Did they escape?!” Wang Yao grabbed Hu Hao’s shoulders and shook him frantically.
“I don’t know. I truly don’t know.” Hu Hao grasped Wang Yao’s hands, trying to calm him down.
“Impossible… how is that possible? Our hometown is near the coast! There are two entire provinces between us and the front lines! How could the Allied forces advance that fast?! Impossible!” Wang Yao was completely stunned. He slumped into a chair behind him, muttering the same words over and over, his head bowed in despair.
(End of Chapter)