Chapter 41: Nominally a Division, in Reality an Army!

Gurian and his two companions exchanged glances, each seeing excitement mirrored in the others’ eyes. They understood that, though the unit under Jiang Bai’s command was officially a division, in terms of weaponry and manpower, it was the equivalent of an entire corps. None of the three had ever imagined that, as mere field-grade officers, they would have the opportunity to participate in operations on such a scale.

“Respected Division Commander Jiang, is this true?” Lorne’s voice trembled as he spoke.

He had served in the army for many years, rising only to the rank of infantry company commander. If not for Gurian’s appreciation of his abilities and subsequent concealment of his true rank, Lorne would likely not even have set foot in the headquarters of the Seventh Reinforced Division with his mere captain’s insignia.

“Of course it’s true. I, Jiang, do not speak empty words,” Jiang Bai replied, then turned to his chief of staff, Wang Xiao, and Ding Wei. “These three foreign friends are your responsibility now; make sure you take good care of them.”

“Yes, Division Commander!”

“Understood!”

Just then, a guard hurried in to report to Jiang Bai.

“Division Commander, there’s a Japanese man outside requesting an audience. He claims to be the Consul General of the Chenyunzhou Railway Corporation.”

“Consul General?” Jiang Bai frowned and said coolly, “I’ve never had dealings with this man. What brings him here uninvited?”

Though puzzled, Jiang Bai waved his hand. “Very well, let him in.”

Soon after, a Japanese man, standing at about one meter sixty—tall for his compatriots, whose average height was much lower—was brought in by the guard. His eyes gleamed with a shrewd light.

“I presume you are Division Commander Jiang Bai?” The man wore a tailcoat and bore himself with the arrogance typical of those close to the Imperial court. “As the Consul General of the Chenyunzhou Railway Corporation, even Mr. Yang Ting treats me with utmost respect.”

Jiang Bai’s face grew cold at the man’s conceited tone. “If you have something to say, speak quickly. If not, leave at once.”

“What!? How dare you address the Consul General in such a manner? Aren’t you afraid I’ll have you killed?” Before the Consul General himself could react, his two attendants erupted in fury.

But before they could even draw their swords, the two guards at Jiang Bai’s side moved faster. These men, veterans of the bloody siege of Chenyunshan County, had killed their share of enemies. Seeing anyone act disrespectfully toward their commander, they immediately raised their weapons.

“Dare to provoke our commander? Are you looking for trouble?” they growled.

A few dull thuds echoed as the guards struck the Japanese attendants with the butts of their rifles. After several cries of pain, the bloodied attendants quickly fell silent.

“You! How dare you!” The Consul General, Nezu Joi, had not anticipated such decisiveness and brutality. He stepped back repeatedly, then, seething with anger, warned Jiang Bai, “Jiang Bai, you’d best watch yourself. If you value your life, stay outside the Pass. Otherwise, the moment you set foot in Chahe, it will be your death!”

With that, Nezu Joi turned and left in haste, apparently afraid he too would be attacked by the guards, leaving his attendants where they lay.

Watching Nezu Joi’s hurried retreat, Chief of Staff Wang Xiao cursed loudly, “Damn it! The Chenyun forces only issued their operation orders this morning, and these Japanese already know. Clearly our Army Command has been infiltrated!”

Unlike Wang Xiao’s anger, Jiang Bai showed no sign of rage, his expression instead tinged with a chilling resolve. “In fact, I ought to thank Nezu Joi. He’s given me a timely warning today.”

Wang Xiao was puzzled. “Division Commander, what do you mean?”

Jiang Bai did not answer directly, but strode toward the two Japanese attendants, saying coldly, “Before we engage the Japanese in all-out war, we must thoroughly root out all traitors within our own ranks.”

As the two attendants looked up at him in terror, Jiang Bai raised his boot and stamped down hard. Several heavy blows followed, until the attendants’ heads were nothing but broken masses, all life extinguished.

Dusting off his hands, Jiang Bai turned back to Wang Xiao. “By the way, what happened to the driver who ran over that Japanese the last time?”

Though Jiang Bai’s words were vague, Wang Xiao understood immediately. “Reporting to you, Division Commander, the driver is still serving under Commander Tang. His entire personnel file has been erased. Commander Tang also emphasized that the driver can be deployed at your command at any time.”

Jiang Bai nodded in satisfaction, his gaze following Nezu Joi’s departing figure. “Have that driver find a suitable opportunity. I want Nezu Joi to ‘die in a traffic accident.’ No later than the day after tomorrow—I expect to read in the newspapers that Nezu Joi was killed in a tragic car crash.”

On September 23, after swift preparations, the Chenyun-affiliated Seventh Reinforced Division departed from its main camp, boarding trains for the defensive line of Changcheng.

The division’s battle-hardened reconnaissance battalion and Li Yunlong’s independent regiment took the lead, the latter clearing the way at the army’s vanguard. The reconnaissance battalion, in disguise, infiltrated the key outpost of Wangkou ahead of the main force to gather intelligence on the Jin faction’s army.

The three newly recruited regiments, though equipped with the latest foreign weapons, had little training and thus were assigned to the rear to secure the logistics and supply routes.

Novices discuss tactics; veterans see strategy; famous generals ride the tide; victors control the logistics.

Jiang Bai placed great importance on supply, personally assigning Ding Wei’s New First Regiment to guard the roads and prevent enemy sabotage.

It was seven days later when the main force reached Shanhaiguan.

Standing atop the ancient and imposing defenses of Changcheng, Jiang Bai gazed through the layers of battlements toward the vast interior lands. This region, birthplace of countless heroes since antiquity, stirred even the normally calm and unruffled Jiang Bai.

If the bandit suppression campaign along the Chenyun River had been a mere prelude, this expedition beyond the pass was his true debut before the whole nation. Whether he could rise to greatness depended on how swiftly he seized the southern part of Chahe.

“Division Commander, the reconnaissance battalion and Li Yunlong’s independent regiment have already crossed the Changcheng line. Both vanguard units have established forward bases outside the city. Li Jian of the 63rd Infantry Brigade will also move out today. The rest of the forces will cross the border in the next two days, and Deputy Chief of Staff Ding has arranged for two full loads of 105mm shells from the Chenyun munitions plant, to be delivered to the front soon.”

Jiang Bai nodded calmly at Wang Xiao’s report. “What about the movement of those two Jin faction divisions? Any plans?”

“Division Commander, after learning of our advance, the 23rd and 24th Security Divisions have gone on high alert. Surprisingly, they’re not defending inside Wangkou itself. Instead, they’re digging trenches and building positions outside Wangkou, establishing a strong line along the Wangjia River. It’s clear they intend to block us there, sparing Wangkou from the flames of war.”

Jiang Bai smiled. “Our forces are evenly matched. Their strategy suits my intentions perfectly. They fear the destruction of Wangkou, but they don’t realize I, too, wish to avoid damaging it—everything inside is meant for us. If we play our cards right at Wangkou, the Seventh Reinforced Division will have a firm foothold within the Pass.”

“In that case, send orders to Chu Yunfei of the 358th Artillery Regiment to accelerate their march. Any heavy equipment that can’t keep up should be left for the follow-up units to bring. By sundown on September 26, I want to see our gun barrels aimed at the enemy!”

“Yes, Division Commander.”

On the morning of September 27, at the artillery positions of the Seventh Reinforced Division, thirty 105mm howitzers were set up in engineer-dug emplacements according to field regulations.

“Hey, who gave you permission to do this? According to artillery regulations, shells must never be stored with the guns—there’s a risk of catastrophic explosions in combat!” Gurian raised his hands in exasperation. “State your unit designation, your commanding officer, and your position—right now!”

The interpreter had only begun translating when a suave voice interrupted.

“And who are you?”

“I am Chu Yunfei, commander of the 358th Artillery Regiment. You must be Captain Gurian. Let me make this clear: your status here is that of an observer, not an officer of our Seventh Reinforced Division; you have no authority to command my men or correct their procedures. Furthermore, I am familiar with your military regulations: ‘When a junior officer meets a senior, whether indoors or out, he must immediately salute properly, showing respect and obedience. The salute ends only when the superior returns it. These rules emphasize discipline and hierarchy, ensuring strict order in the armed forces.’”

Chu Yunfei was not about to indulge Gurian, and with his signature white gloves, he pointed at the interpreter. “Translate every word, without exception.”

Gurian’s face fell. Chu Yunfei was right, especially as he recited the regulations verbatim.

Gurian conceded, instantly coming to attention and saluting.

“Commander Chu, forgive my presumption!”

“Haha, we welcome all guests! Greetings, Captain Gu!” Chu Yunfei graciously returned the salute, removing his glove to shake hands.