Chapter 57: Two Divisions of Japanese Troops Join the Battle!

Kawashima Hiro's eyes flashed with cunning as he swiftly proposed, "We may not be able to deploy troops openly, but we can certainly have our soldiers dress in the uniforms of the Jin faction."

"As long as we firmly deny it afterwards, even the domestic civil administration will find it difficult to take any action against us." With that, Kawashima Hiro pulled a detailed military dossier from his briefcase and spread it out on the table.

Inside, the document meticulously listed the designations of the Jin faction's army and other vital information, revealing how thoroughly he had prepared in advance.

"But can we be sure this plan is foolproof?" Muto Nobuyoshi was tempted, yet remained apprehensive about provoking the civil authorities.

As he pondered, Muto Nobuyoshi's gaze inadvertently swept across the dossier on the table. Seeing Kawashima Hiro's thorough preparations, his resolve began to waver.

At that moment, seeing his opening, Kawashima Hiro pressed the advantage, "General Muto, should this scheme succeed, our reputation will soar, and we shall reach the very pinnacle of our military careers!"

"Even if we fail, we stand to lose almost nothing. This is a rare opportunity that comes only once in a lifetime!"

After a fierce bout of contemplation, Muto Nobuyoshi finally made up his mind. A flash of determination appeared in his eyes, "As the New Dynasty says, wealth and honor are found in risk. Today, let us take a gamble!"

"Well then, at present, the two elite divisions commanded by Major General Amatani are undergoing repairs. Although we suffered some losses at the Battle of Xuzhou, we still have thirty thousand troops."

"I shall order Major General Amatani to lead these two divisions and advance swiftly to Wangkou."

Within the quiet office of the Governor of Guan Chenyun, the moonlight filtered through thin gauze curtains, casting its pale glow upon Muto Nobuyoshi's resolute face. His gaze was unwavering, as though he could already foresee the plan's triumph.

This was not merely the arrangement of a military operation, but a steadfast belief in future victory.

Each word spoken by Muto Nobuyoshi struck Kawashima Hiro's heart like a heavy hammer, stirring him to excitement. Kawashima's cheeks were flushed with exhilaration.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Muto Nobuyoshi spoke again, his tone even more resolute:

"For the sake of ensuring the plan's success, I intend to organize two additional infantry regiments in Guan Chenyun Prefecture to reinforce the front lines at Wangkou."

"Once the Seventh Enhanced Division under Jiang Bai's command launches an assault on Wangkou, we shall strike fiercely at their rear, determined to annihilate the entire division in one fell swoop!"

Kawashima Hiro's eyes shone with anticipation and excitement upon hearing this decision, and he responded fervently:

"In this way, we shall bear the glory of the dynasty and stride toward an even more brilliant future!"

With Muto Nobuyoshi's orders issued, the soldiers of the imperial army at Guan Chenyun railway station appeared especially fierce. Clad in deep yellow uniforms, rifles in hand and packs on their backs, their faces were marked with resolve and cruelty as they boarded the slowly departing train. The whistle echoed through the clouds, heading toward distant Wangkou.

In Xuanhua City, Major General Amatani received Muto Nobuyoshi's handwritten secret order in his spacious command tent. His gaze, sharp as the edge of a blade, swept across the order and he immediately commanded:

"The foolish New Dynasty people shall, under the iron hooves of our empire, be ground to dust!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a thunderous clatter of hooves erupted in the quiet morning. The imperial cavalry surged from beyond the city like a flood, dust billowing as they sped toward Wangkou, their battle flags snapping in the morning breeze.

The shadow of war hung heavy over the land.

At dawn on October 1st, with the rising sun, Jiang Bai's troops had finished their breakfast and were busy making final preparations for battle. Logistics teams moved ceaselessly, delivering supplies and ammunition to the front lines, and the atmosphere outside Wangkou grew ever more tense.

Jiang Bai stood atop a hill not far from Wangkou, binoculars in hand, his gaze unwavering as he looked upon that strategic stronghold.

Since Marquis San Lao had made this place a crucial control point for Chaha, Jiang Bai had ordered the city's defenses be strengthened.

The abandoned arrow towers had been transformed into modern fortifications—some converted into infantry firing bastions, others remodeled as artillery emplacements.

Under the sunlight, the city walls of Wangkou appeared exceptionally sturdy. With elite troops guarding the place, it would undoubtedly become an unbreakable line of defense.

Yet, from the anxious expressions of the patrolling soldiers, it was clear that despite the formidable defenses, their inner fears remained unassuaged. They were evidently uneasy about the impending battle.

Had the 23rd and 24th Guard Divisions chosen to defend here, the situation might have changed completely—perhaps even triggering a drastic upheaval.

However, that remained but a conjecture.

In the first rays of dawn, Jiang Bai lowered his binoculars and turned to the chief of staff at his side, his voice calm yet laden with significance: "How have the defenders in the city responded to our final ultimatum? Are there any signs of surrender?"

Chief of Staff Wang Xiao immediately stepped forward to report, "Commander, according to our reconnaissance company, the defenders have taken an extreme stance toward our offer of surrender, burning the document outright. Furthermore, they have purged all pro-surrender factions within the city. For now, it seems they are determined to hold out to the end. To prevent us from breaking through from within, they've cleared all civilian housing near the walls and blocked every gate with massive stones. There is only one way left—storming the city."

Infantry Brigade Commander Li Jian furrowed his brow in thought before raising a question, "Given the thickness of Wangkou's city walls, will our artillery be able to breach them?" His words betrayed a hint of urgency and expectation.

In modern warfare, artillery plays an increasingly prominent role. For ordinary walls and non-permanent fortifications, powerful guns can easily smash through. But confronting city walls several meters thick is an entirely different challenge.

The thirty imported Keppo 120mm medium howitzers, though mighty, were limited in number. Against the formidable walls of Wangkou, their effectiveness was greatly diminished.

Jiang Bai drew a deep breath, his gaze becoming even more resolute in the dawn light, and shook his head to dismiss the proposal.

His expression was confident and decisive, his eyes gleaming with indomitable spirit. "Relying solely on howitzers to bombard the walls will hardly succeed against the thickness of Wangkou's ramparts. Not only is time pressing, but the enormous consumption of shells would be a substantial drain on our resources."

In the dim light of the command tent, Jiang Bai stood before a table covered with maps and strategic documents, his brows knit, his gaze sharp as a hawk.

Before him stood two military officers: Infantry Brigade Commanders Li Jian and Chen Shan. Both fixed their eyes intently on Jiang Bai, awaiting his decision and orders.