Chapter 130: The Times Have Changed, Don't You See?

The lines traced by the bullets were like death sentences, heralding the end for the Japanese invaders. As the enemy fell in droves, their cries echoed across the ground, laying bare the brutal reality of the battlefield. The offensive, which had been so menacing just moments before, shattered like foam the instant it struck the steel defensive line of the 212th Division.

The Japanese commander, his face twisted in frustration and shock, roared, "Damn these Xinchao soldiers! They’ve deployed heavy machine guns even in their rear positions!" His expression was a mixture of disbelief and fury, his mind clouded by chaos and resentment. "How did they know our route of attack? And worse, we are vastly outnumbered in heavy machine guns!" His voice carried both the helplessness of the present and a profound fear for the future. "Judging by the 212th Division's firepower, they have deployed a massive number of heavy machine guns."

Under the 212th Division’s relentless barrage, the Japanese casualty count soared. If the previous shelling had already cost them dearly, this heavy machine gun fire was nothing short of a death warrant. On the field, a Japanese second lieutenant, his face deathly pale and his eyes filled with desperate urgency, shouted for reinforcements. But before he could act, a precise sniper round extinguished his hope of survival. Having witnessed his comrade fall, the lieutenant’s face flickered with fear at the realization of the threat, but before he could react, he too met his fate.

When the Japanese finally managed to charge to within a hundred meters of the 212th Division, their ranks had been decimated. Yet, they did not stop; instead, they displayed incredible courage, attempting to storm the frontline trenches for a final hand-to-hand struggle. Facing the Japanese soldiers as they drew their bayonets, the men of the 212th Division showed no fear, a mocking smile tugging at their lips. In near-unison, they drew their sidearms and calmly opened fire.

Gunfire echoed through the trenches as the Japanese soldiers collapsed, answering the call of death. One of them, at the very end of his life, looked up with defiance and shouted with his last breath, "If you are warriors, have the guts to face me in a real fight!"

*Bang!*

The shot rang out the moment the Japanese soldier finished his sentence. An officer fluent in Japanese approached the fallen man, a look of contempt on his face. He pressed his pistol barrel against the soldier's cheek and coldly replied, "The times have changed—haven't you realized that yet?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

*Bang!*

Without hesitation, he ended the soldier's life. He stood up expressionlessly, his eyes glinting with the thrill of combat, as if savoring the pleasure of the fight, and prepared to engage the next wave of enemies.

Back at the command post, an urgent report arrived: the Japanese had broken through a section of the line. Brigade Commander Shi Jin'an of the 212th showed no sign of panic. Responding with icy precision, he ordered reinforcements to the front. His voice was firm and powerful: "Hold the line at any cost, or the battalion commanders will face severe punishment." His brow was set with unquestionable resolve.

As more troops joined the fray, the Japanese offensive was completely halted. The newly arrived reinforcements, equipped with advanced weaponry and rapid-fire capabilities, quickly suppressed the enemy. After a series of fierce engagements, the Japanese were completely surrounded, and the situation turned heavily in favor of the 212th Brigade.

Tension filled the command headquarters. Jiang Bai asked anxiously about the latest developments at the front, his brow furrowed in concern. Moments later, a staff officer rushed in, bursting with the excitement of a victor. "Reporting to the Commander! Brigade Commander Shi has pulled off something incredible! They’ve completely blocked the Japanese advance!" His voice was thick with irrepressible excitement and admiration. "They’ve managed to trap a group of them—at least a thousand men!" He wore a look of joyful disbelief. "If all goes well, not one of these Japanese soldiers will escape!"

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly; everyone was stunned. No one had expected Shi Jin'an to perform so brilliantly—not only stopping the assault but executing such a masterful encirclement. It was a massive boon for the current state of the war.

Jiang Bai, hearing this, allowed a smile of satisfaction and approval to grace his face. He issued orders immediately: "Tell the 212th Brigade to intensify their pursuit. I want Shi Jin'an to use every means necessary—do not let these Japanese soldiers escape! Once dawn breaks, we will use our superior numbers to launch a grand counter-encirclement!" It was clear that if this encirclement succeeded, the 7th Field Army would gain the upper hand in the Lan Province theater.

Jiang Bai gazed deeply toward the direction of the enemy command, a provocative smirk playing on his lips, as if saying, "Kamio, are you ready for our onslaught?" His face, a mix of confidence, defiance, and a hunger for victory, betrayed a man who had already foreseen the turning point of the war. His smile was filled with anticipation for the challenge and absolute faith in the triumph to come.

After several days of intense fighting, the two sides ceased fire briefly before dawn. The carnage had convinced the Japanese commander that even throwing in fresh reserves would not change the tides of battle. It was as if he had been casting stones into a lake, failing to stir even a ripple. Seeing that his last reserve unit could not turn the tide, the commander’s face grew weary and dejected, and he was finally forced to order a retreat.

The main force of the 64th Division retreated in strict formation, leaving no openings for a counter-attack, their faces blank and their eyes filled with iron resolve. The 29th Brigade, however, fared far worse. Though they abandoned their advance and attempted to pull back, they were exhausted from a night of forced marches and subsequent combat, leaving them vulnerable during the withdrawal.

This lapse was spotted by the fiery-tempered Shi Jin'an. A cunning smile crossed his face as he quickly rallied his cavalry to launch a sudden flank attack on the 29th Brigade. The hastily constructed Japanese defensive line was shattered in an instant, and their formation fell into total chaos. The raid caused massive casualties, staining the battlefield red. Watching this, Shi Jin'an was deeply satisfied.

The once-formidable 29th Brigade had entered the battle with nearly six thousand men, but by the end, fewer than two thousand remained to retreat. Their elite forces had been decimated by the cavalry pursuit, dealing a crushing blow to the Japanese invaders.