208: Three Rules

Frontline Command Headquarters of the Shanghai War Zone.

The atmosphere here was even more solemn and oppressive than usual.

Inside a temporarily requisitioned civilian house, Lu Fan and Tang Jifeng met General Zhang Zhizhong, whose face was haggard and eyes were bloodshot.

The general's stars on his shoulders remained, but a lingering haze clouded his brow.

"Brother Wenbai..." Tang Jifeng had just started to speak when Zhang Zhizhong cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"No need to say more, you should already know the situation." Zhang Zhizhong's voice was raspy, carrying deep self-reproach and exhaustion.

"The northern line has collapsed. As the Frontline Commander, I am unshirkably responsible.

The higher-ups have established the Third War Zone, and the Generalissimo is personally serving as the Commander-in-Chief... As for me, the Frontline Commander-in-Chief, my words now... Sigh."

He sighed heavily, his unfinished words filled with helplessness and resentment.

"Commander, victory and defeat are common in war; it is not your fault," Lu Fan comforted him. "The ceasefire order delayed our tactical opportunities; it was not a failure of combat."

Zhang Zhizhong gave a bitter smile and shook his head, no longer dwelling on the matter. He looked at Lu Fan: "You were eager to see me; what is the matter?"

Lu Fan's expression turned serious as he spoke, "Commander, the frontline is under pressure. I have a batch of supplies here that I hope will be of help to the war effort."

As he spoke, Lu Fan handed over a pre-prepared list.

Zhang Zhizhong solemnly took the list.

Given their previous dealings, he knew that Boss Lu's contributions were always incredibly generous.

He quickly scanned the list. In just a second, his gaze froze on the paper, and his fingers began to tremble slightly.

He looked closely line by line in disbelief. The more he read, the more rapid his breathing became, and fine beads of sweat even broke out on his forehead.

"Spr... Springfield M1903 rifles, ten... ten thousand? With two thousand rounds of ammunition per rifle?"

"browning automatic rifles, thr... three thousand? With three thousand rounds per gun?"

"Ei... Eighty-one millimeter mortars, eight hundred? One hundred and sixty thousand shells?"

"Thir... Thirty-seven millimeter anti-tank guns, o... one hundred? Ten thousand shells?"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes wide as copper bells, staring fixedly at Lu Fan.

Previous aids were general supplies; no matter how many, they were just icing on the cake.

But this time, it was solid weaponry and ammunition, and in quantities that could change the course of the war.

"Boss Lu, this list is enough to equip several elite divisions. Are you serious? Where did such a massive amount of munitions come from?"

The numbers on the list were like a heavy hammer, violently striking his perception.

This equipment was exactly what the current frontline desperately craved!

Especially the anti-tank guns and automatic rifles—they were crucial for dealing with the Japanese tanks and infantry charges!

The weight of this donation far exceeded his imagination, refreshing Zhang Zhizhong's understanding of Lu Fan.

Lu Fan's expression remained calm as he nodded with certainty: "The supplies were obtained from the Americans through Ivan Trading."

Zhang Zhizhong took a deep breath, suppressing the stormy waves in his heart, and urgently followed up: "Where are the items now? The frontline needs them urgently!"

"The cargo ship is at Hong Kong Island. Seventh Miss Sheng went there personally a few days ago to oversee and negotiate the transportation," Lu Fan replied composedly.

Then, lowering his voice, he said: "Part of the list has already been urgently airlifted to the Jinling Airport warehouse for temporary storage. However..."

He hesitated slightly before continuing: "I have received word that the Japanese Kamikaze Special Agents have already infiltrated Shanghai.

I fear they might target these supplies. I would like to request, General, if you could immediately dispatch an absolutely reliable unit of your trusted troops there.

We must ensure these supplies are safely delivered into the hands of the frontline soldiers!"

Hearing that the supplies were located and some had already reached Jinling, Zhang Zhizhong was overjoyed.

But hearing that the Kamikaze Special Agents might interfere, his expression immediately turned extremely grim again.

After a brief thought, he replied: "Rest assured, Boss Lu. I will immediately send my Guard Battalion.

On behalf of all the soldiers, I thank Boss Lu for your generous aid. We will certainly not fail your trust and will kill more of the Japanese Army."

As he spoke, Zhang Zhizhong took off his white glove and gave Lu Fan a standard military salute.

"Commander Zhang, you flatter me. Killing the Japanese Army is the duty of every descendants of yan and huang. Let us strive together~~" Lu Fan returned the military salute.

He then took the opportunity to make a request: "Commander Zhang, I request to transfer the Sichuan Army 122nd Division north to reinforce the Luodian frontline!

As you know, the Security Team has already integrated into the 122nd Division. I want to launch a counterattack against the Japanese salient to stabilize the battle line!"

"Transfer the 122nd Division to Luodian?" Hearing this, Zhang Zhizhong's brow immediately furrowed tightly.

He stood up abruptly, walked to the map, and pointed to the area that had already turned into scorched earth.

"Do you know what the situation in Luodian is right now?

The main forces of the Japanese 11th and 3rd Divisions are gathered there, supported by Heavy Artillery Brigades, and air support is available on call!

We throw in a division every day, and it's wiped out in less than half a day! That place is a furnace! A meat grinder!

The 122nd Division just received new equipment, and its combat power has indeed improved; it is a rare surprise force!

It should be used in more critical directions for more important mobile assault missions,

not thrown into this bottomless pit to engage in a war of attrition with the Japanese!

This is irresponsible toward the nation's resistance forces!"

Zhang Zhizhong's words were powerful, filled with the foresight of a strategic Commander and his cherishing of the nation's precious combat power.

He looked far beyond the gain or loss of a single city or piece of land.

Lu Fan admired him from the bottom of his heart; he understood Zhang Zhizhong's concerns.

Indeed, according to their configuration, a unit like the 122nd Division, which had initially achieved modernized equipment,

should be used for maneuver warfare to annihilate the enemy, not for positional attrition.

He took a deep breath and looked at Zhang Zhizhong with a firm gaze: "Commander, you are right!

From a long-term and global perspective, the 122nd Division should not be used this way.

But, Commander, right now the northern line is in imminent danger, and military morale is shaken!

We desperately need a victory, even if it is a tragic one,

to tell everyone that the Japanese are not invincible!

To stabilize the crumbling defensive line!

This is not the time to calculate gains and losses; this is the critical moment concerning whether the entire Shanghai battle situation can hold on!

For the sake of the big picture, some sacrifices must be borne by someone!

I, Lu Fan, and the soldiers of the 122nd Division are willing to be those who bear this weight!"

His words were resonant and powerful, filled with the national righteousness of sacrificing oneself for the greater good and absolute determination.

Zhang Zhizhong looked at Lu Fan's incredibly firm face and the unquestionable resolve for death in his eyes, deeply shaken.

With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in the small room, an intense struggle raging within him.

After a long time, he stopped and looked at Lu Fan with sharp eyes: "Fine! Since your mind is made up, I will no longer stop you.

However, we must have a three-point agreement!"

"Please speak, Commander!"

"The 122nd Division can go north to join the battle, but you must personally oversee and command it!

I do not doubt Feng Tiankui's bravery, but this battle requires precise tactics and the strongest application of firepower!"

Zhang Zhizhong said in a heavy tone, "Second, once the 122nd Division suffers over fifty percent casualties, regardless of the battle situation, it must immediately withdraw from the combat sequence.

Retreat and regroup! It is absolutely not allowed to be wiped out completely! This is the bottom line!

You are the seeds of the nation's future; you cannot be exhausted here all at once!

Third, I will do my best to secure artillery support for you, but you must mainly rely on yourselves!"

"I agree!" Lu Fan accepted without hesitation. "If casualties exceed half, I will personally lead them out!"

"Go then... in everything... be careful!" Zhang Zhizhong heavily patted Lu Fan's shoulder.

His eyes were filled with complex emotions: care, expectation, and even more so, the pain of letting go.