197: The sudden order

The Shanghai, Luodian Frontline.

After the disastrous failure of their landing at Jinshanwei, the japanese were forced to readjust their strategy.

They once again concentrated their primary offensive pressure on the northern line, specifically around Baoshan and Luodian.

For a time, the fighting on the Shanghai's northern line was unprecedentedly brutal; under the fierce assault of the japanese, the defensive lines were frequently in a state of emergency.

Telegrams requesting reinforcements flew toward various rear units like snowflakes.

The Sichuan Army 122nd Division, having just completed replenishment and boasting high morale, was ordered to urgently reinforce the Luodian battlefield.

At this moment, the 122nd Division was no longer the poorly equipped "beggar army" of the past.

In particular, the entire division had been re-equipped with the type 85 submachine guns and qjy-201 general purpose machine guns provided by Lu Fan.

Their firepower had undergone a complete transformation.

More importantly, with the addition of the Security Team, the Three-Three System of combat had been popularized.

The troops now possessed advanced tactics and powerful precision strike capabilities.

As soon as they arrived at the battlefield, they encountered their first opponent.

The 9th Division, known as the japanese elite, was fiercely attacking a position on Luodian's flank and was on the verge of a breakthrough.

"Those sons of turtles! Let these japanese taste the power of our Sichuan Army's new gear!"

Feng Tiankui observed the japanese formation; far from being afraid, he roared with excitement as he began the pre-battle mobilization.

Instantly, the soldiers responded at the top of their lungs.

"You bet! You bet! Kill all those damn japanese!"

"japanese, screw your ancestors!"

"japanese, you short-lived brats, your grandpas are sending you on your way!"

"Absolutely! Rise up, Sichuan Army!"

Luo Jialie gave the order with a resolute expression: "Everyone, listen up! Follow the tactics Boss Lu taught us and hit them hard!"

In an instant, the Sichuan Army brothers showed no fear, facing the challenge head-on as they charged into the battlefield.

As the lead elements of the 122nd Division joined the fray, the japanese offensive instantly stalled.

Because what greeted them was no longer sparse rifle fire, but a torrential storm of automatic fire.

As the main force took their positions, the type 85 submachine guns were the first to show their power.

The interlocking fire nets formed by powerful close-quarters firepower firmly suppressed the japanese advance.

Ten or so breaths later, the general purpose machine gun positions began to roar, fire-dragons letting out bellows of vengeance.

The dense rain of bullets instantly tore the Japanese Army's skirmish lines to shreds, mowing down their infantry in swaths.

The soldiers of the japanese 9th Division were stunned.

They couldn't understand how this ragtag unit in worn-out uniforms could possess such terrifying firepower.

Their Type 38 rifles and 'crooked-handle' light machine guns seemed weak and powerless before the enemy's fierce automatic weapons.

"baka! It's the main elite of the Chinese Army!" a japanese officer shouted in panic into his communication handset.

"Request artillery support! Mortars! Establish mortar positions immediately!"

Just as the japanese were deploying grenade launchers to counterattack...

Swoosh— Swoosh— Swoosh—

Bullet after bullet arrived like precision-delivered invitations from the King of Hell.

The japanese soldiers setting up the mortar positions were picked off one by one and sent down to the eighteen levels of hell.

However, this was only the beginning.

"Swoosh— Boom!" "Swoosh— Boom!"

Dozens of dazzling trails of flame soared into the sky!

Rockets accurately slammed into the japanese mortar positions and machine gun nests, blowing both men and guns into the sky.

Before the japanese could catch their breath, the next wave of attacks arrived.

The japanese officers, flag-bearers, and machine gunners were given special attention the moment they tried to organize a counterattack.

If they dared to show their heads, they were sent to meet their so-called Amaterasu; every shot hit its mark, without exception.

In a short while, the japanese command system fell into paralysis.

"Charge! Blow the charge! Follow me and crush them!"

Seeing that the japanese were in disarray, Feng Tiankui decisively gave the order to charge.

The stirring sound of the bugle call rang across the battlefield!

With morale like a rainbow, the Sichuan soldiers let out heaven-shaking roars, leaped from their positions, and launched a counter-charge as overwhelming as a mountain tide.

The submachine guns in their hands spat tongues of fire, sweeping through everything like mobile metal storms.

This aggressive style of fighting maximized the firepower advantage of their new equipment.

The Security Team members followed closely behind or provided flank cover.

They used precise sniping and rockets to clear out any stubborn japanese strongpoints attempting to organize resistance.

They perfectly supported the offensive of the Sichuan Army's main force.

A full-strength infantry battalion of the japanese 9th Division...

...collapsed rapidly under this sudden, devastating blow that far exceeded their expectations.

Suffering heavy casualties, the remnants fled to the rear in a rout.

"Well fought! After them! Don't let a single son of a turtle escape!"

Feng Tiankui's face was flushed with excitement as he commanded his troops to pursue and expand their gains.

The soldiers of the 122nd Division grew even more courageous as they fought, their offensive surging like a tide under high morale.

They turned a frontal encounter into a battle of annihilation.

In about an hour, the 122nd Division wiped out the entire japanese infantry battalion in one go.

Seeing that one more step could threaten the main positions of the 9th Division...

...the high-spirited 122nd Division was of one mind, preparing to replenish their ammunition and switch directly into sweep mode.

They vowed to cut down the incredibly arrogant Kanazawa Division.

However, at this critical moment, a fast horse came galloping wildly toward the county command post.

The messenger practically tumbled out of the saddle, rushing breathlessly to Feng Tiankui to hand him a top-secret telegram.

"Division Commander! Urgent telegram! An order directly from the Jinling... Jinling Military Affairs Commission!"

"It orders our unit to... immediately stop the offensive! Withdraw the entire line to the second defensive line; no combat is allowed without orders."

"What?! Withdraw?" Feng Tiankui snatched the telegram away.

With just one look, the excitement and color drained from his face instantly.

In its place was extreme shock and fury.

He violently crumpled the telegram into a ball, slammed it onto the ground, and cursed loudly: "Screw their ancestors!

"Which son of a turtle gave this order? I just wiped out a whole japanese battalion and was about to shove it up the 9th Division's backside!

"Calling for a retreat now? Is this helping the japanese or helping us? Blind command! Utter nonsense!"

The surrounding officers gathered around upon hearing the news; after learning the contents of the order, every one of them beat their chests in frustration, a chorus of curses rising up.

"Division Commander! We can't withdraw! Withdrawing now is just letting the tiger back to the mountain!"

"Damn it! To give up the fat meat right in our mouths? What kind of ghost order is this!"

"Sons of turtles, what a load of crap!"

"Division Commander, we left Sichuan to kill the japanese; we swore oaths before our elders back home!"

"Exactly! If we let the japanese go like this, how can we face our fellow villagers again!"

However, despite ten thousand misunderstandings and ten thousand reluctances, a curse was just a curse—military orders were as unshakeable as mountains.

"Everyone, withdraw from the battlefield for rest and reorganization." Feng Tiankui gave the order with a face full of helplessness, then gave Luo Jialie a meaningful look.

Luo Jialie understood immediately, walked over to Lu Fan, and whispered, "Boss Lu, let's talk in the back."