Inside the command vehicle, Hu Hao stared at the map, lost in thought, while the Division Commanders stood in a tight circle around him. After a moment, he began patting his pockets.
“Hao-ge, here! Smoke mine!” One of the older Generals, realizing Hu Hao was looking for a cigarette, quickly produced a pack, handed one to him, and lit it. Despite being twice his age and higher in rank, these men had followed the soldiers’ lead and now called him “Hao-ge.”
“Alright,” Hu Hao said, exhaling smoke. “I need strength reports for each of your units. Give them to me now so I can arrange the sectors.”
“My division has 2,891 men left.” “Mine has 1,709.” The Generals rattled off their numbers.
“Okay, look here,” Hu Hao said, pointing to the map of Sector 9. “We split the sector into three parts. The 27th Corps—our unit—will take the center. We all know the center bears the brunt of the pressure. Your four divisions from the 28th Corps will split into two groups: one on our left and one on our right. You’ll advance with us to protect our flanks. Only then can we focus entirely on the slaughter in the middle.
Also, when you go back to your men, tell them: if they see a tank, an APC, or a machine gun nest, use the rockets to blow them to hell immediately. And when the soldiers are shooting, tell them not to stay in one spot. Rifles produce muzzle flashes; the enemy can zero in on that. They need to fire a few rounds and then shift positions. Don’t just sit there and spray lead.
Of course, if there are too many enemies and we need suppressive fire, then we open up with everything we’ve got!”
“Understood. The 28th will anchor the flanks. Old Zhou and I will take one side—left or right, it doesn’t matter. We’ll split the manpower evenly,” one General agreed.
“Fine. We’ll take the right, you take the left. We don’t know the situation on either side yet, so we’ll figure it out as we fight,” the other added with a nod.
“Everyone, stay sharp,” Hu Hao warned. “In a night battle, sometimes there’s just no way to dodge. It’s all down to fate. If your luck is good, you’ll be fine. If not… dammit, even a falling brick from the ruins could kill you.”
“We know that. My own cousin was killed this morning. We understand,” a General said grimly.
“The 27th will lead the main assault. You keep pace. We push until we hit the city limits, then we stop. One more thing,” Hu Hao pointed to a specific spot on the map. “There’s an air-raid shelter on the left route. I’m worried the enemy will shell us the moment we push them out. Tell your men: if the artillery starts, head for this shelter. Also, once you take this point, set up a light source so the boys know where the cover is.
Same for the right route—there’s a shelter under this housing complex. If they start shelling, dive in. Once it stops, come back out. According to Zone Command, we have to hold this line until morning,” Hu Hao explained, pointing out the locations.
“Got it!” The 28th Army Generals nodded.
“Our center route is here,” Hu Hao said, turning to Li Jingsong and the other surviving 27th Army Division General. “Make sure the brothers know these spots.”
“We will,” they replied.
“That’s all for now. I don’t know the enemy’s exact disposition, but keep the comms open. If anything major happens, report it. We’re in this together.”
“Hao-ge! Hao-ge! Where are you? Dinner’s here!” a soldier called from outside, holding two mess tins.
“In here! Bring it up!” Hu Hao yelled. The soldier climbed into the van with food for him and Li Jingsong.
After finishing his meal, Hu Hao jumped down and headed back into the main shelter. The soldiers stood up immediately as they saw him.
“Brothers, tonight is dangerous. But it’s an order, so we have no choice. I want to remind you of a few things: First, like we said today, if you see heavy weapons, take them out first.
Second, when you’re shooting at night, do not fire continuously from one spot. You’ll give away your position. Fire a few shots and move. Also, take as many grenades as you can—in this terrain, a grenade is better than a rifle. Every man should have at least five, but don’t take so many that you can’t move.”
“SIR!” the soldiers roared.
“Also… squad leaders and men, come over here and look at this. I’ve marked the shelter locations. If we take the objective and they start shelling us, run for these spots, understood?
I’m hanging the map here. Everyone take a look. I’ve marked the attack routes, too. Don’t get lost. And if you do get separated and end up surrounded, stay calm. Look for friendly fire. If our boys are fighting nearby, hit the enemy’s heavy weapons from the side with grenades or rapid fire.
If there are no friendlies around, find a hole in the ruins and hide. Wait for the main force to reach you. Whatever you do, don’t panic. Don’t shoot at everything you see; that’s just asking to be killed. Got it?”
“UNDERSTOOD!”
“Good. We move at 22:00. Get some rest until then,” Hu Hao told them. He walked back to his spot, where Huan Xingtao had already prepared his rucksack.
“Hao-ge, I’ve got 300 rounds of rifle ammo in your pack. Four spare magazines, five grenades, ten buns, and a full canteen,” Huan Xingtao reported.
“Thanks. And listen—make sure everyone in the squad carries an extra bag of grenades,” Hu Hao said with a grin.
“You got it, Hao-ge! You’re the best arm we’ve got; we’ll keep you supplied!” Huan Xingtao laughed, and the nearby soldiers joined in.
“Army Commander on deck!” a voice called out.
The soldiers, busy with their gear, didn’t pay him much mind. When Li Tianyuan entered, he saw the lack of formality but said nothing. He walked straight to where Li Jingsong was packing.
“Hu Hao,” Li Tianyuan said, turning to him. “I’m leaving Jingsong in your hands. I know you’re the one with the talent. Please… look after him.”
“I will,” Hu Hao replied shortly.
“Good. I don’t have much else to say. I just came to see the last of my army. Dammit… a whole corps, and I’m down to 3,000 men.” Li Tianyuan stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the weary troops.
Hu Hao gave a non-committal hum and continued hanging grenades from his webbing.
“Jingsong, a word outside?” Li Tianyuan asked. Jingsong nodded and followed his father out.
“Pfft,” Huan Xingtao spat once they were gone. “Talks about us being ‘his’ army, but he only comes in to talk to his son. Bastard.”
“Heh. You lot don’t even salute him anymore—what do you expect him to say?” Hu Hao asked.
“We don’t salute because he treats us like ghosts until it’s time to die! He’s the Corps Commander, and he can’t even offer a word to the men heading into the fire? Does he even think we’re his soldiers?”
“He’s right!” Xiao Quan and the other Regimental Commanders walked over, agreeing with Huan Xingtao.
“Here, Hao-ge.” A Colonel handed Hu Hao a cigarette and lit it.
“When you’re out there tonight,” Hu Hao told the Colonels, “remind the boys that we’re all we’ve got left.”
“We know. Honestly, Hao-ge… I wish I could just rip off this uniform and run,” Xiao Quan admitted, exhaling smoke. “It’s not just you. We’re all sick of it. What kind of war is this? Sending broken units back in while the full divisions get wiped out in a morning. Our Generals don’t know how to lead. Fighting for them is a waste. Look at the old man—not a single word for us. Just his boy.”
Hu Hao smiled. “Tell you what, Colonel. Why don’t you just fire me? Invent a charge and kick me out. I’m a Captain—you’ve got the rank!”
“Are you kidding?” Xiao Quan laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. “If you leave, who’s going to keep us alive?”