108: Chapter 18 The Demise of the Allied Forces

I. At the End of the Road

The news of Zhao Hengti's surrender exploded like a bomb among the Southern Allied Forces.

The defenders in Hubei collapsed first. Hearing that the Commander-in-Chief had surrendered and Wuhan had changed hands, the soldiers who didn't want to fight anyway threw away their weapons and ran back to their hometowns. The officers couldn't control them; some ran away too, while others simply led their troops to surrender to Li Ling.

Wang Zhanyuan in Hubei tried to organize resistance, but his troops had no morale and couldn't fight at all. The soldiers he sent out to scout either ran away halfway or came back reporting, "Li Ling's troops have aircraft and artillery; we can't beat them." Wang Zhanyuan scolded them furiously, but it was useless.

The situation for Chen Guangyuan in Jiangxi Province was even worse. His hometown, Nanchang, had been occupied by Li Ling, and most of his troops had scattered. The remaining few thousand were holed up in Jiujiang, not daring to come out. One of Li Ling's brigades surrounded Jiujiang, bombing with aircraft and shelling with artillery every day, leaving the defenders inside disoriented.

"General, someone sent by Li Ling has arrived," the adjutant reported, running in.

"Let him in," Chen Guangyuan said weakly.

The messenger handed over a letter. The content was similar to the one given to Zhao Hengti—lay down your weapons, surrender your territory, and your safety will be guaranteed.

After reading the letter, Chen Guangyuan was silent for a long time, then said, "I surrender."

The gates of Jiujiang opened, and Chen Guangyuan led his remaining troops out. He handed his sword to Li Ling's officer, bowed his head, and followed the escort team away.

Chen Jiongming in Guangdong Province tried to resist stubbornly. He bought a batch of new-style rifles from Great Britain and borrowed several cannons from France, setting up a defense line in the Shaoguan area, claiming he would "fight to the death."

But Li Ling didn't give him the chance.

Twelve Air Force planes flew over Shaoguan, destroying Chen Jiongming's ammunition depot and headquarters. The moment the bombs fell, flames soared into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and the explosions were deafening. Chen Jiongming was sleeping in the headquarters, was awakened by the explosions, rolled off the bed, and was bruised and battered. He threw on his clothes and ran out to see the entire headquarters reduced to ruins; adjutants and staff officers were dead or wounded, with blood and dismembered bodies everywhere.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" he shouted hoarsely.

But it was too late. Li Ling's ground troops attacked from three directions simultaneously, breaking through the Shaoguan defense line. Chen Jiongming fled toward Guangzhou with his remnants, encountering Air Force bombing again on the way, suffering heavy losses.

By the time he reached Guangzhou, he had less than three thousand men left.

"General, Li Ling's troops have chased us to the outskirts of the city," the adjutant said, his face pale. "The vanguard is only thirty kilometers from Guangzhou."

Chen Jiongming sat in his chair, his face ashen, his hands trembling.

"Prepare for negotiations," he finally said, his voice hoarse and exhausted.

Li Ling's conditions were the same as before—lay down your weapons, surrender your territory, and your safety will be guaranteed. But there was one more point: local armed forces must be disbanded and accept the unified management of the central government.

Chen Jiongming hesitated for a long time before finally agreeing.

When the news spread, the warlords of Guangxi Province, Yunnan, and Guizhou were completely panicked. They didn't want to fight in the first place, and now seeing that Zhao Hengti, Chen Guangyuan, and Chen Jiongming had all surrendered, continuing to hold out would just be asking for death.

Governor Lu Rongting of Guangxi Province was the first to announce his surrender. He greeted Li Ling's troops at the gates of Guilin, offered his own sword, and expressed his willingness to accept reorganization. Warlord Tang Jiyao of Yunnan followed suit, announced his resignation in a telegram, and took his family to Hong Kong. Governor Liu Xianshi of Guizhou also announced his surrender, handing over his territory and army.

In just half a month, the Allied Forces of the fourteen southern provinces collapsed. Those once arrogant warlords either surrendered, fled, or were tied up by their subordinates and offered to Li Ling. The army of two hundred and fifty thousand, with some dead, some fled, and some surrendered, offered almost no decent resistance.

Li Ling stood on the city wall of Wuhan, watching the setting sun in the west, and let out a long breath.

"Sir, the southern provinces are basically pacified," the Chief of Staff handed over the battle report. "Only a few places are still resisting, but they pose no threat."

"Good," Li Ling nodded. "Let the troops rest for three days, then continue south. I want to replace all the flags in the south with ours before the end of the year."

"Yes!"

II. Emily's Intelligence

Just as Li Ling was preparing to continue south, a letter from Jinling was delivered to him.

The letter was written by Emily in English, with graceful and neat handwriting. Besides expressing her longing, the letter also attached important intelligence—Great Britain, France, and Meijian Country were secretly planning a new round of intervention in China. They were preparing to unite with the remnants of Japan to form a new intervention fleet in Nanyang, with the goal of cutting off Li Ling's maritime supply lines.

Li Ling frowned after reading the letter.

"System," he whispered in his heart.

Still no response.

Li Ling sighed and shook his head. This system had been mysterious ever since the last lucky draw, and he didn't know what it was up to. However, he wasn't worried; with his current strength, even if the powers came for another joint intervention, he wouldn't be afraid.

"Order the First Fleet to enter combat readiness," Li Ling said to the Chief of Staff. "Strengthen coastal patrols and vigilance, especially in the South China Sea direction. Once unidentified warships are discovered, report immediately."

"Yes!"

After giving the order, Li Ling picked up his pen and wrote back to Emily.

"Emily, thank you for your intelligence. I am prepared to deal with it, don't worry. Wait for me to return."

After writing the letter, he handed it to the messenger and continued to study the map.

The war in the south was nearing its end, but the real challenge was still ahead—the Zhili and Anhui warlords in the north, the Fengtian clique in the northeast, and those powers lurking in the shadows. The road to unifying the whole country was still very long.

But he was not afraid.

Because he had the strongest army, the most advanced weapons, and the most loyal subordinates.

And those who were waiting for him at home.

III. The Final Resistance

After the southern provinces were basically pacified, only two places were still resisting—Sun Chuanfang in Fujian Province and a group of bandits in Guizhou.

Sun Chuanfang was a branch of the Zhili warlords, with over twenty thousand men, entrenched in the Fuzhou area. Relying on support from Great Britain, he refused to surrender and even set up mines and coastal defense guns at the mouth of the Min River, trying to block Li Ling's fleet.

"Order the Second Fleet to attack from the sea, and the Marine Corps to land at the mouth of the Min River," Li Ling ordered. "The Air Force will cooperate and destroy their coastal defense guns."

"Yes!"

The battle began the next day.

Twelve aircraft took off from the aircraft carrier, flew over the mouth of the Min River, and bombed Sun Chuanfang's coastal artillery batteries. One-hundred-kilogram bombs fell from high altitude, accurately hitting the batteries and blasting huge gaps. The coastal guns were knocked crooked, and the gunners were either dead or fled, having no power to fight back at all.

Meanwhile, the Cruisers and Destroyers of the Second Fleet sailed into the mouth of the Min River and shelled targets on the shore. The 305mm main guns let out deafening roars, and shells landed on Sun Chuanfang's positions, kicking up sky-high mud and rocks.

The Marine Corps landed under the cover of artillery fire and quickly occupied the beachhead. They held their rifles, shouting battle cries, and pushed toward the Fuzhou urban area.

Where had Sun Chuanfang's troops ever seen such a formation? Being bombed by planes, shelled by artillery, and chased by the Marine Corps, they were scared out of their wits. Some surrendered, some fled, and some knelt on the ground begging for mercy.

Sun Chuanfang tried to organize a counterattack, but his generals no longer listened to him. One brigade commander took his troops and ran, and another brigade commander simply tied up Sun Chuanfang and offered him to Li Ling.

"Sir, Sun Chuanfang has been brought," an officer walked in, escorting a middle-aged man tied up like a dumpling.

Li Ling looked at Sun Chuanfang and smiled, "General Sun, I've heard much about you."

Sun Chuanfang bowed his head, not daring to speak.

"Take him down and lock him up for now," Li Ling waved his hand. "We'll deal with him after the war is over."

"Yes!"

The bandit armed group in Guizhou was not large, only a few thousand people, entrenched in the deep mountains and forests, living by robbing houses and looting. They neither obeyed the orders of any warlord nor accepted Li Ling's amnesty, being extremely stubborn.

Li Ling did not send a large army to suppress the bandits; instead, he sent the Special Forces.

The Special Forces soldiers disguised themselves as merchants, mixed into the bandits' lair, and figured out their strength and defense layout. Then, one night, the Special Forces launched a surprise attack.

Silenced pistols, tactical daggers, flashbangs... the Special Forces used the most advanced equipment to resolve the battle in the shortest time. The bandit leader was killed, the remnants scattered like birds and beasts, and that bandit armed group that had plagued the area for many years was completely eliminated.

When the news spread, the remaining forces in the southern provinces were completely desperate. Those small warlords who were still watching sent people to surrender one after another, expressing their willingness to accept reorganization.

By the end of this year, all fourteen southern provinces were pacified.

Li Ling stood on the city wall of Nanchang, looking at the distant mountains, a sense of heroism welling up in his heart.

"System," he whispered in his heart.

Still no response.

"This guy, where on earth did it go?" he muttered.

He shook his head, stopped overthinking, turned around, and walked down the city wall.

IV. Triumph

The day he returned to Jinling, the weather was clear and cloudless.

Li Ling rode on horseback, walking at the very front of the procession. Behind him were neatly lined-up soldiers, their uniforms shining in the sunlight, steel helmets reflecting dazzling light. The streets were packed with welcoming citizens, waving flags and shouting, "Long live the Regent!"

"Lord Li is back!"

"Long live the Regent!"

Li Ling smiled and waved to the citizens. His gaze searched the crowd, and he soon found those familiar figures.

Empress Su Wanqing was wearing a light cyan dress, standing at the entrance of the mansion, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands. Her eyes were red, tears swirling in them, but a smile hung on the corners of her mouth. Emily stood beside her, wearing a light blue Western-style dress, her blonde hair shining in the sunlight, waving excitedly at him. Princess Zaiyi stood at the very front, wearing a bright red gown, dignified and elegant, with a faint smile on her face.

Li Ling dismounted and walked up to them.

"I'm back," he said with a smile.

Empress Su Wanqing's tears finally couldn't be held back; she threw herself into Li Ling's arms and hugged him tightly. Emily also rushed over, and the three women hugged into a ball, drawing well-meaning laughter from the surrounding citizens.

"Alright, alright, don't cry," Li Ling patted their backs. "Aren't I perfectly fine?"

"You are not allowed to go away for so long next time," Empress Su Wanqing sobbed.

"Okay, I promise you."

That evening, Li Ling held a banquet in the mansion to reward the meritorious soldiers. The dishes were sumptuous, the wine was exquisite, and laughter and cheers were continuous. Li Ling drank quite a bit, his face slightly flushed, and he was in a very good mood.

"Everyone!" He stood up and raised his glass. "We won this battle! All fourteen southern provinces are pacified! From now on, no one can stop our pace of unification!"

"Unification! Unification! Unification!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

"Come, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

After the banquet, Li Ling came to the study alone.

He sat at the desk, looking at the large map on the wall. On the map, there were still a few areas in the north not marked with color—Zhili, Shandong, and the Northeast. These places were still under the control of warlords.

"Next year," he murmured. "By this time next year, I want the whole map to be our color."

He picked up his pen and drew a few arrows on the map, marking the next offensive route.

Just then, the system's voice suddenly sounded in his mind, with a lazy tone:

"Host, I heard you won quite a few battles?"

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"You still know how to come back?" he teased. "I thought you eloped with that singing and dancing system."

"Ahem." The system coughed twice to cover up its embarrassment. "The system just went to... inspect the operating modes of other systems to enrich its own experience."

"Inspect? I think you went to pick up girls."

"Host, please watch your language." The system's voice carried a hint of shame and anger. "The system has no gender and does not engage in 'picking up girls'."

"Then why are you blushing?"

"The system does not blush."

"Then why has your voice changed?"

"...Host, let's change the topic."

Li Ling laughed heartily and stopped teasing the system.

"System, help me look at the situation in the north," he said seriously. "Zhili, Anhui, and Fengtian cliques, what is their troop deployment?"

"Host, please wait, the system is connecting to satellite data..." The system was silent for a moment. "Zhili clique's Cao Kun and Wu Peifu have about 150,000 troops, deployed in the Zhili and Shandong areas. Anhui clique's Duan Qirui has about 80,000 troops, deployed in northern Anhui. Fengtian clique's Zhang Zuolin has about 120,000 troops, deployed in the three northeastern provinces. Although there are conflicts between the three factions, they might unite when facing the Host."

"150,000, 80,000, 120,000, adding up to 350,000," Li Ling pondered. "More than the Southern Allied Forces, but their strength is also stronger."

"How does the Host plan to fight?"

"Fight the Zhili clique first." Li Ling pointed to the map. "The Zhili clique is the strongest. Once they are taken down, the Anhui and Fengtian cliques won't dare to move. Then defeat them one by one."

"Does the Host have a plan?"

"Yes," Li Ling smiled. "However, I need your help."

"What help?"

"A loan."

"...Host, you haven't finished paying back your previous two loans."

"I know," Li Ling said brazenly. "But I really need it this time. Look, there are over 300,000 enemies in the north, and my ammunition consumption is very high, so I need to replenish it. Can you lend me one more time?"

"Host, you are being unreasonable."

"As long as it works."

"..." The system was silent for a long time, finally compromising. "Fine. Old rules, rock, paper, scissors."

Li Ling chuckled and rubbed his hands. "Come on."

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Li Ling threw scissors, and the system threw paper.

"I won!" Li Ling cheered.

"..." The system was silent for three seconds. "Host, did you cheat?"

"I won by skill, how could I cheat?" Li Ling said triumphantly. "Quick, give me the loan content."

"Third loan content: 50,000 tons of ammunition, 100,000 shi of grain, a batch of medical supplies, and a blueprint for a new type of tank."

"Tank?" Li Ling's eyes lit up. "What kind of tank?"

"Light tank, weighing 12 tons, equipped with a 37mm gun and a machine gun, with a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. Suitable for cooperating with infantry in combat and can also be used in complex terrain."

"Good stuff!" Li Ling rubbed his hands excitedly. "With tanks, the war in the north will be easier to fight."

"Host, the system reminds you that the production of tanks takes time and requires a dedicated production line. It is recommended that the Host build the production line first before putting it into production."

"Understood," Li Ling nodded. "I will arrange it right away."

He picked up his pen, wrote a few lines on the paper, and then called the adjutant to instruct him to make the arrangements.

Outside the window, the night deepened.

Li Ling stood in front of the window, looking at the stars in the sky. That reconnaissance satellite was operating in space, overlooking this ancient land.

"System," he said softly.

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, when can we unify the whole country?"

"If everything goes smoothly, by this time next year," the system's voice was calm and firm. "The Host has already taken down half of the country in the south. Although there are still enemies in the north, they are no longer the Host's match."

"That's good," Li Ling smiled. "At that time, I'll treat you to a drink."

"The system doesn't need to drink."

"Then I'll treat you to watch singing and dancing."

"..." The system was silent again. "Host, you are doing this on purpose."

Li Ling laughed heartily.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling onto the earth.

A new day was about to begin.