Chapter 131: The Japanese Frontline Combat Force Is Less Than Thirty Thousand!

Furthermore, one regiment of the 15th Division has been virtually annihilated, while the other regiments have suffered heavy casualties, rendering them essentially combat-ineffective. The remaining strength of the 29th Brigade is even more harrowing; the combined force of its two regiments totals a mere 1,200 men. With total troop numbers plummeting from nearly 60,000 to 50,000, these catastrophic losses are concentrated primarily among the elite infantry on the front lines. If support units such as engineers and artillery are excluded, the actual front-line combat strength is less than 30,000. Under such circumstances, while they might still hold their own against an average foe, they are almost powerless against a more formidable adversary.

When this news reached the home country, the military high command was deeply disappointed in the commander’s performance, viewing this as the most severe defeat suffered since the start of the civil wars. As the Minister of War contemplated the state of the campaign, his expression was dark enough to wring water from, his heart a tangle of fury and impotence.

"What on earth happened in this campaign? The outcome on the Lan Province front is completely beyond our expectations," he said, his voice low, heavy with bitterness and anxiety.

"We committed nearly 60,000 elite troops," he continued, brows furrowed, his gaze revealing profound doubt and apprehension. "The opposing 7th Army Group had only 40,000 to 50,000 men. How could the result be so disastrous? It is as if our crack units were completely swallowed up. How am I to account for such massive losses to the Noble Council?"

Beside him, the Chief of the General Staff heard these words with a grim expression, his own heart churning with turmoil. He sighed heavily. "According to reports from Kamio, our intelligence on this force was far removed from reality." He spoke with a face full of frustration and self-reflection, clearly feeling the weight of a massive intelligence failure. "The 7th Army Group led by Jiang Bai is well-trained and advanced in equipment; their combat effectiveness far exceeds our expectations."

He paused, taking a deep breath to steady his agitation. "They have surpassed us in weaponry, particularly in infantry and artillery firepower, placing us at a complete disadvantage." His words were heavy with helplessness and concern.

"This has directly prevented our elite infantry from exerting their proper combat effectiveness; every assault is met with the enemy's crushing, concentrated fire."

As he listened to the Chief of the General Staff’s report, the Minister of War’s face was gradually overtaken by rage and disappointment. His brows locked together, and his eyes flickered with unconcealed worry. *We are actually forced to accept such a blow!* he thought, feeling an unprecedented sense of frustration. Faced with the tactics of the Chengyun Army, he realized the situation had turned direly unfavorable, a suffocating pressure that left him breathless.

The internal struggle and anxiety of the Minister of War were laid bare in his heavy sighs. He was the architect of this war plan against Jiang Bai’s 7th Army Group, and he was the one who would bear the consequences. In his mind, he kept replaying the efforts he had made to secure the support of the high-ranking members of the Noble Council. If they lost, he would not only face the risk of losing everything, but he might also become a scapegoat for the Council. This immense pressure made his voice carry an undeniable heaviness and urgency: "We must change the current situation on the battlefield."

The Chief of the General Staff sensed the despair and determination in the Minister’s words, his own eyes filled with concern and reflection. In the silence, he whispered a potential solution, hoping to find a glimmer of survival: "Minister, should we consider reinforcements to reverse the tide of the battle?" Although his words were soft, they stirred ripples in the atmosphere of despair, as if offering the Minister a chance to reconsider.

"Although Kamio’s troops have suffered massive losses, I still believe that the 7th Army Group under Jiang Bai’s command has paid a significant price as well." The Minister’s voice carried a hint of resolve, while deep in his eyes, a complex light flickered, as if he were weighing the gains and losses of the war against the hope for the future.

The Chief of the General Staff pondered for a moment, his voice low and cautious, revealing his deep deliberation over the next strategic move: "Minister, are you considering reinforcements to continue the advance?" His eyes held respect for the Minister's decision, yet revealed an expectation for a shift in the war’s trajectory.

The Minister of War nodded slightly, a look of resolve appearing on his face, his voice growing firmer: "We must dispatch the 3rd Division to Lan Province. Even though the 29th Infantry Brigade has been crippled, the 3rd Division still possesses formidable strength. Combined with the forces already in Lan Province, we will still hold a numerical advantage."

"If we do not act now and allow Jiang Bai time to prepare a counterattack, our previous losses will have been in vain." His tone carried the weariness of one unwilling to see sacrifices wasted.

The Chief of the General Staff nodded, a bitter smile appearing on his face, as if he felt both anticipation and trepidation for the coming battle: "Then, we shall act according to your instructions." He sighed slightly, as if wishing success for the impending engagement.

During their discussion, the Chief of the General Staff suddenly proposed a suggestion regarding Lieutenant General Kamio, his tone tinged with inexpressible regret: "Considering Lieutenant General Kamio’s performance this time, I fear he is no longer suited to serve as a high-level commander." His eyes revealed deep contemplation regarding future decisions, while also showing sympathy for Kamio’s plight.

After hearing these suggestions, the Minister of War remained silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement. His face bore the look of a decision made after careful weighing, yet he was filled with helplessness regarding Kamio’s future.

In an emergency meeting, the Army Command quickly reached a new decision in a tense and solemn atmosphere. The Minister of War and the Chief of the General Staff exchanged firm looks, deciding to appoint Lieutenant General Taro Kamiza as the new Army Commander-in-Chief—a move in which they clearly placed high hopes.

Meanwhile, soldiers of the 3rd Division, upon receiving their orders, departed rapidly from the home territory. Their faces were full of determination and courage, focused solely on bringing glory to the Empire. Naval transport ships cut through the waves, carrying them toward the Lan Province front. Standing on the decks, the soldiers stared into the distance, their hearts filled with both anticipation and anxiety for the unknown battlefield.

Elsewhere, Jiang Bai stood quietly on the battlefield, watching as the wounded were evacuated. His face was etched with heaviness and pain. Upon learning the casualty figures for the 211th Brigade, his main defensive force, a flicker of grief flashed in his eyes, and he heaved a deep sigh. Jiang Bai knew full well that the price of this victory was extremely heavy. His mood was complex, filled with both pride for his soldiers' heroism and deep concern for the battles to come.