Chapter 25: Either Conquer the World or Guard Against the Wolves!

After a month of sweeping operations against the bandits, the Seventh Reinforced Division had achieved an astonishing casualty ratio of 1:100. The division’s officers were brimming with confidence about the remaining two months of their assignment.

In stark contrast was Chief of Staff Wang Xiao. His face etched with seriousness, Wang Xiao clutched a report as he jogged into the temporary command post. Not even pausing for a sip of water, his throat parched, he entered the tent and snapped to attention.

“Commander Jiang, intelligence from our forward scouts reports that the bandits around Chengyun Mountain are gathering in an unusual manner, showing signs of moving towards Sanping and Chengyun County. Clearly, our month-long high-intensity operations have driven them to desperation. Instead of fleeing, they’re preparing to strike back.”

“How reliable is this intelligence?” Jiang Bai inquired.

“Eighty percent. It comes from our reconnaissance unit’s tailing agents,” Wang Xiao replied.

“Consider them real men, then. If they’d simply run without a word, I’d lose all respect for the so-called Northern Giants of Chengyun,” Jiang Bai said, gesturing for Wang Xiao to hand over the report.

“Commander, even a cornered rabbit bites. The bandits are targeting you and the Seventh Division’s command. Perhaps you should withdraw from Chengyun County? Let me lead the Military Police Battalion and Guard Battalion to hold this position,” Wang Xiao suggested, stepping forward to hand Jiang Bai the report.

Each word on the intelligence sheet was like a golden nugget, instantly lifting Jiang Bai’s spirits.

“Withdraw? Why? If I run, would the bandits dare to risk coming down the mountain to attack? Since they’re planning to assault Chengyun County, let them come. This is a perfect opportunity for the Seventh Reinforced Division to wipe them out in one stroke. If Chengyun Mountain is cleared, the root of the northern bandit threat will be exposed, and the province’s bandit problem can finally be resolved.”

Jiang Bai would not let such an opportunity slip away.

This seemingly minor anti-bandit operation was now center stage—without solid results, there’d be little to show the people watching from the sidelines.

“Commander, should we call in the Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Infantry Regiments nearby for support? Just say the word and I’ll draft the orders,” Wang Xiao proposed.

“No need for now. They’re just a disorderly rabble. Our current forces are more than enough. If I recall correctly, military theory teaches that when besieging an enemy, one should always leave an opening. Let’s test your knowledge, Chief Wang—why is that?”

Wang Xiao pondered briefly before responding, “Commander Jiang, my humble opinion is this: From a commander’s perspective, leaving an opening prevents the enemy from fighting to the death, thus avoiding unnecessary casualties. The reasons are twofold—either to preserve forces for future struggles for dominance, or to maintain the threat for leverage and continued supply.”

Jiang Bai met Wang Xiao’s gaze and smiled knowingly. “Chief Wang, which do you think I would choose?”

Wang Xiao paused, then quickly bowed, “I would not presume to guess. But I believe, Commander Jiang, that you would never betray those who feed you. You will choose to destroy the bandits utterly.”

Jiang Bai hesitated, then smiled and nodded. “You’ve guessed my intent, but not my heart.”

“We both eat not just at the table of our superiors, but from the people here. This campaign is not only to show results above, but to give the people basic security.”

As he spoke, Jiang Bai walked to the desk and handed Wang Xiao another intelligence report.

“This is from the recon company commander of the Twenty-Fifth Regiment. They uncovered a bandit den where, in a natural pit, they found a mass grave of a thousand bodies, mostly women and children, decomposed to the bone. In a nearby cave, they found another hundred captives, also women and children, likely hostages taken by the bandits.”

“That’s not all. They found ten thousand yuan in silver, ten chests of gold and jewelry, and a box of correspondence with high-ranking local officials.”

Wang Xiao’s face blanched. “Commander Jiang, those letters... are valuable!”

“You want me to act as an official chronicler? I’m neither so noble nor so base. I ordered the recon company commander to burn them on the spot. Only you and I know of this.”

“Yes, Commander Jiang.”

“Now, to business. I will not withdraw. Order the division command to remain in Chengyun County. No officer with a star on his shoulder is permitted to leave, for any reason. Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot, without consultation. The fish are coming in—however many there are, the Seventh Division will devour them all.”

“Notify all regiment-level units with radios nearby: without my direct order, no one is to intercept any bandit coming down the mountain; without my order, no unit climbing up is to withdraw. No order, no change in battle posture.”

Wang Xiao was still reeling from the information.

Not fed by the superiors, but by the people.

No ambitions for power, no maintenance of threats for leverage; burning the officials’ records—what was Commander Jiang planning?

“Yes, Commander Jiang,” he answered, now only capable of wooden obedience.

With the issuance of battle orders, the Seventh Division’s forces rolled into Chengyun County. The division’s artillery regiment, military police, and guard battalions entered the town as well.

With no natural defensive terrain outside the city, the lines could easily be breached by tens of thousands of bandits. Especially if the bandits attempted a night assault, the artillery’s advantage would be sharply reduced.

Complete annihilation of the bandits was Jiang Bai’s aim, but minimizing casualties was equally important.

Though Chengyun County was small, it could accommodate over a thousand troops.

On the narrow ramparts, the Seventh Reinforced Division’s military police and guard battalions were hard at work constructing defensive fortifications. They would bear the brunt of the bandit attack.

Sandbags were used to establish machine gun and rapid-fire artillery nests.

Soldiers took cover behind the parapets, firing from protected positions.

Utilizing the city walls as fortifications would greatly reduce losses for the Seventh Division in the coming battle.

“Where are the bandits now?” Jiang Bai entered the magistrate’s office, now serving as division headquarters.

“According to intelligence, the main bandit force is only forty-five miles from Chengyun County.”

“Are all units ready for battle?” Jiang Bai nodded in confirmation.

“The artillery has set up in the town center, ready to support in all directions. The military police and guard battalions are defending all sides of the walls. All units are on standby,” Wang Xiao reported.

“Good. Order all regiment-level units on the mountain: once the main bandit force attacks, immediately encircle them.”

“Also, send out a wartime control notice—make sure all civilians stay in their homes to avoid injury.”

“Order the military police and guard battalions: anyone suspicious in town is to be arrested immediately. Resistance or refusal is to be met with summary execution!” Jiang Bai commanded sternly.

Wang Xiao understood Jiang Bai’s concern. Chengyun County bordered the northern mountains—there was no guarantee bandits wouldn’t infiltrate the town. If fighting broke out and enemy agents inside acted, the consequences would be dire.

“Yes, Commander.”

With the Seventh Division’s thorough preparations, Chengyun County was now fully ready for battle.