Chapter 128: The Japanese: The Chengyun Army not only dares to engage us head-on, but holds the upper hand?

Chen Shan and the other senior military officers deeply grasped Jiang Bai’s strategic intent, their expressions grave.

They understood that although the Seventh Field Army had not been established long, even the seasoned 63rd Division had undergone expansion, with a significant influx of new recruits lacking combat experience.

This made the mental confrontation with the enemy particularly arduous.

If the enemy were to fully break through the defensive line, they all felt morale teetering on the brink of collapse. Beneath the surface, a dark tide surged, threatening a large-scale rout. The chaos following the loss of unified command meant facing the enemy felt like standing at the edge of a precipice.

Against this backdrop, the frontline position of the 211th Brigade became the final bastion.

Soldiers fought desperately in the trenches; every trigger pulled was a yearning for survival and a defiance against death.

They inflicted severe blows upon the enemy, but faced with the relentless onslaught, anxiety and despair churned within their hearts.

At this critical moment, Wang Mu’s eyes blazed with the fire of vengeance, his voice resolute and powerful: “Ignite all the gasoline!”

His movements were swift and decisive as he seized a torch from the trench and hurled it outward.

Following his command, the soldiers’ actions revealed a determination for a last-ditch counterattack; through this flame, they seemed to burn away their fear and helplessness.

As the fire ignited, the sudden burst of light not only illuminated the battlefield but also revealed the enemy’s faces twisted in terror and disbelief.

They struggled amid chaos and pain; those still alive cried out in despair: “What is this ghost fire? What’s happening?”

Their voices trembled with fear and confusion; upon realizing the blaze was caused by petroleum, panic overtook them.

Meanwhile, Jiang Bai listened quietly in the command post to the reports from the frontline. His face betrayed little emotion, but deep in his gaze lay a tense anticipation for the battle’s outcome.

When news arrived that Wang Mu had successfully sown chaos and that many enemies were engulfed by flames, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Jiang Bai’s lips.

He knew this battle was not merely a contest of force but a clash of psychology and will.

As the enemy descended into turmoil from the unexpected fire, on the battlefield of the 211th Brigade, Wang Mu stood bare-chested, his eyes sharp and blood boiling.

He shouted to his soldiers with irresistible might: “All units, listen up! Throw every grenade at once!”

The soldiers, sensing Wang Mu’s resolve and courage, acted swiftly, carrying baskets filled with grenades to the frontline. Their movements brimmed with the hunger for victory as they hurled the explosives.

In an instant, grenades rained down like a storm upon the enemy’s position, each explosion symbolizing the 211th Brigade’s indomitable spirit and valor.

Amid the continuous detonations, many enemies fell.

Yet this did not fully halt their assault. They stripped away burning clothing, desperately stamping out the flames on the ground, their eyes blazing with fury and unwavering resolve as they pressed the attack.

Seeing the enemy closing in, a young lieutenant platoon leader’s eyes burned with anger, his face taut with rage as he cursed vehemently:

“Those damned bastards really think we’ll fear them!”

His voice brimmed with defiance and unyielding spirit. Raising his bayonet-fixed rifle high, he rallied his men:

“Brothers, charge with me!”

Faith and courage flickered in his gaze, igniting every soldier’s fighting spirit:

“Let’s show these bastards what we’re made of! They think they can bully us?!”

Each word blazed like fire, stirring the warriors’ hearts:

“We’ll never let them roam free! This time, we’ll demonstrate the bravery of the 211th Brigade!”

As the clash of metal echoed, the two sides plunged into fierce hand-to-hand combat.

Led by their officers, the soldiers of the 211th Brigade fought not only with courage but with unwavering determination.

They formed assault formations, bayonets fixed, charging out of the trenches to engage the enemy in brutal close quarters battle.

The battlefield was thick with the scent of blood and iron; each man fought with every ounce of strength.

“Charge! Finish them off!” shouted a valiant warrior of the 211th Brigade, his eyes burning with resolution, his expression resolute as though life and death no longer mattered.

He launched a fierce attack on an enemy soldier, who was physically stronger, yet he showed no fear. The sneer in the enemy’s eyes only fueled his fighting spirit.

When the enemy deftly dodged the initial bayonet thrust, he was caught by two sudden, piercing strikes—one from the left, one from the right—into his abdomen.

“Impossible!” The enemy’s eyes flickered with terror and disbelief, but before he could voice this shock, another bayonet swept across his throat, blood spurting.

As he fell, his gaze was filled with disbelief and confusion, unmoving until death.

Through tight coordination, the soldiers thwarted the enemy’s close combat tactics, turning their assault into a catastrophic defeat.

Seeing the enemy fall one by one, a proud smile spread across Wang Mu’s face. He laughed heartily, his voice dripping with admiration for the corps commander:

“The corps commander is truly remarkable! He has revived General Qi Jiguang’s tactics against the pirates. Even after a thousand years, these strategies still effortlessly defeat the enemy!”

Picking up a wooden stick from the ground, Wang Mu’s eyes sparkled with battle excitement as he shouted, rallying his comrades:

“Brothers, charge with me!”

After a fierce fight, both sides suffered heavy casualties.

Soon, a reserve force from the 64th Division joined the fray, flanking the enemy. The fresh troops, expressionless, opened fire mechanically, suppressing the enemy with overwhelming firepower.

Under our full firepower pressure, the enemy, who had held some advantage, suffered rapid losses.

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