Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 1997, Arrogant and Fierce Generals

chongqing.

Supreme Command Headquarters.

General Wen Bai is working overtime every day now.

Especially after the offensive on Nanchang began, he practically ate and slept at the headquarters.

There's no way around it; all the bigwigs are paying close attention to the fighting on the front lines.

Both the 18th Army and the 5th Army were capable of reaching the highest levels of government.

Their battle reports were all reported directly to the General Headquarters. Then the General Headquarters forwarded them to the Ninth War Zone.

Xue Yue, the commander of the Ninth War Zone, was completely an observer.

What exactly is Zhang Yong doing?

General Wen Bai still had a deep-seated question. He was puzzled.

The reports from the 18th Army and the 5th Army both stated that Zhang Yong did not interfere in the war.

It was all the 18th Army and the 5th Army that were left to their own devices.

This doesn't seem like Zhang Yong's style at all!

In the past, Zhang Yong always personally participated in battles. He even personally cleared minefields and paths.

This is so unusual...

Anything unusual must be sinister...

"Report."

His secretary arrived.

General Wenbai nodded, withdrawing his thoughts.

"Minister, latest battle report."

"it is good."

General Wenbai focused his attention.

They carefully analyzed the battlefront surrounding Nanchang, down to the smallest villages.

Battle reports can be deceiving. But the front lines can't.

As with previous battle reports, today's progress was also minimal.

Both the 18th Army and the 5th Army were engaged in a protracted stalemate with the Japanese invaders. Every step forward was extremely difficult.

This attack was launched under heavy artillery fire and air cover.

The Fifth Army's heavy artillery fired over a thousand shells a day.

Even Chiang Kai-shek was secretly surprised by the enormous amount of ammunition consumed.

If Zhang Yong hadn't been on the front lines, ammunition supplies would definitely not have kept up.

however……

even so……

Progress has been extremely difficult.

Although the Japanese suffered heavy casualties, they fought to the death and refused to retreat.

No matter how many died in battle, the Japanese invaders would continuously replenish their ranks, continuing the fierce battle against the Nationalist army.

No matter how fierce your artillery fire is, you still need infantry to occupy the positions.

Once the infantry enters, they will be subjected to close-quarters combat by the Japanese invaders, and then they will perish together.

So far in the battle, the Fifth Army's infantry casualties have exceeded five thousand. Almost every regiment has suffered losses.

Relatively speaking, the 18th Army suffered fewer casualties, but made even less progress.

Hu Lian's 11th Division, as the main force of the 18th Army, fought fiercely for many days but advanced less than two kilometers.

Now, Japanese invaders have even infiltrated the rear of the National Revolutionary Army and are launching raids.

Many Japanese troops infiltrated the area, causing considerable trouble for the National Revolutionary Army's rear. The Ninth War Zone had to deploy a large number of troops to help maintain order in the rear.

Currently, troops from the Ninth War Zone have been stationed in Yichun and Xinyu to be responsible for the security of transportation lines.

So, nominally, it was four armies around Nanchang attacking, but in reality, there were many supporting units behind them. The 54th Army was also preparing to go to the front line.

Based on the above estimates, everyone felt that things would be very difficult if things continued this way.

We must increase our troop strength. We must prepare for a protracted war.

However, Zhang Yong did not respond.

No one knows what Zhang Yong is doing right now.

Perhaps he's also trying to find a solution?
I hope for a breakthrough.

After all, Nanchang is a big city.

The Japanese invaders' defensive positions were very well-developed and fortified.

"Report."

The secretary arrived quietly again.

General Wenbai knew that the Attendants' Office wanted to know the battle situation.

In fact, the battle reports from the Fifth Army and the Eighteenth Army were both sent to the Generalissimo's Office. In reality, they were sent directly to Chiang Kai-shek.

However, some things cannot be written down.

For example...

What exactly is Zhang Yong's plan?

What method will Zhang Yong use to break this deadlock? And so on.

In fact, it all boils down to one question—

Can the Battle of Nanchang be won?
How long will it take?

……

"Commissioner!"

The top officers of the 18th Army came to welcome Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong nodded. He dismounted and returned the greeting with a gesture of respect. His expression was calm.

Haha, after just a few days, these proud and fierce soldiers of the 18th Army all seem a bit haggard!

Even Hu Lian's eyes were bloodshot. He must be exhausted.

The division commander was naturally anxious about the troops' slow progress.

"Let's talk after we go in."

"Yes."

The group entered a large brick house.

This is the headquarters of the 18th Army, located in an inconspicuous little village.

As per Zhang Yong's request, all the army-level, division-level, and brigade-level officers of the 18th Army have arrived today. There are approximately fifty of them.

Simply put, everyone with the gold triangular star collar insignia was summoned.

There was no conference table. It was conducted directly in a classroom setting.

There was an octagonal table in front of them. Zhang Yong and Peng Shan were sitting there. Everyone else was on a long bench.

There was no opening statement.

Zhang Yong stood up.

Loud voice.

Be blunt.

"Your performance was mediocre."

"In seven whole days, we have made less than three kilometers of progress."

"If I weren't giving you face, I would have been utterly humiliated to curse you!"

"What 18th Army! What main force! Is this all the level they've got?"

"The Fourth Army has advanced five kilometers! Their binoculars can already see the walls of Nanchang!"

"If this continues, the title of 'elite army' will be revoked."

There were no profanities. But the words were harsh.

All the officers of the 18th Army immediately felt extremely uneasy.

They all looked haggard before, but now they all seem to have been injected with chicken blood.

Not convinced.

Not reconciled.

Want to refute.

Zhang Yong certainly saw it.

But they ignored it.

He's here today to strike at the 18th Army.

Call it settling a personal score if you will, call it petty if you will, but the point is to teach these arrogant and unruly soldiers a lesson.

I gave you seven days to do whatever you wanted. And you ended up making a complete mess of it.

"What? You're not happy with that? You're glaring at me?"

"What are you complaining about? Am I the one who's holding you back?"

"Is it a shortage of ammunition? Or a shortage of food?"

"No need to raise your hand. Just stand up and refute me. Who's up?"

Zhang Yong sneered.

His gaze swept across the entire room.

Then sit down.

Waiting for someone to stand up and refute it.

result……

No.

Many people looked at each other in bewilderment. But no one stood up.

Ammunition was certainly sufficient. Food was also sufficient. Heavy artillery was available. In these respects, there was really nothing to complain about.

In terms of current treatment and conditions, the 18th Army is definitely the best in the National Revolutionary Army.

"If you have any opinions, you can raise them now."

"I do have a conflict with Chen Cheng. However, I would not deliberately target you."

"If you do a good enough job, you can prove me wrong anytime."

Zhang Yong's face was grim. He spoke slowly and deliberately.

They were all direct descendants of the Whampoa Military Academy.

All officers were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy.

There were no outsiders present.

This is the 18th Army.

The same applies to Du Yuming's Fifth Army.

It's fair to say that these two units are the bald man's most trusted confidants.

Where do all those graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy (later renamed the Central Military Academy), including its branch campuses, go every year?

They were basically all deployed to these trusted and loyal teams.

"report!"

Finally, someone stood up.

The collar insignia is a single star. I don't recognize him. I'd deduce he's a brigade commander.

"explain."

"Commissioner, we have encountered the strongest Japanese force. It is the 18th Division. Our attack route has been heavily fortified by the Japanese."

"So, the enemy is too strong?"

"This is a fact."

"Okay. I'll remember that reason. Are there any others?"

"No."

"sit down."

"Yes."

The brigade commander sat down.

The others were all quietly observing Zhang Yong's expression.

Finding nothing amiss, I was slightly relieved. It seems the commissioner disdains retaliation.

"Does anyone agree with his opinion?"

"If so, please raise your hand."

Zhang Yong spoke in a calm tone.

A moment later, people started raising their hands one after another.

The first one is Hu Lian.

Clearly, the one just now was most likely a mouth double.

Hu Lian's ineffective attacks likely stem from this perception. He feels the restrictions are too restrictive, preventing him from utilizing his strengths.

silence.

In the end, 28 people raised their hands.

More than half.

Zhang Yong's expression turned solemn. "Put everything down. Are there any other reasons?"

No one answered.

Clearly, everyone believes this is the biggest reason.

It's just that the Japanese invaders were too strong.

That Japanese 18th Division was extremely difficult to deal with.

Every step forward comes at a huge cost.

Hu Lian's 11th Division has already suffered more than 2,000 casualties. It's already somewhat weakened.

It must be understood that those who were injured or killed were all combat soldiers. And a division actually doesn't have that many combat soldiers.

Even with a full complement of 12000 men, after deducting auxiliary troops and logistics personnel, the actual number of combat personnel is not that many.

It's probably around seven thousand people.

That's equivalent to losing a third of their lives. Of course, it will damage their morale.

It's not a serious injury. It's a minor one.

"You are the 18th Army, and the Japanese invaders are the 18th Division."

"Your army has about 34,000 men, while the Japanese 18th Division has about 25,000 men. You have the advantage in manpower."

"The Japanese invaders were on the defensive and could utilize their fortifications, giving them a strategic advantage."

"So, you think we can't crack this nut, right?"

Zhang Yong remained unhurried and methodical.

not angry.

Not in a hurry.

Both the 18th Army and the 5th Army were proud and fierce soldiers.

Especially the 18th Army, which had never fought alongside Zhang Yong. They knew nothing about him.

With Chen Cheng's intentional or unintentional promotion, most people felt that Zhang Yong's military achievements were probably exaggerated.

Seeing is believing, hearing is not.

It needs to be treated properly now.

"Commissioner, under normal circumstances, the attacking side needs three times the number of troops."

"Do we need three 18th Armies?"

"More may be needed."

"But there isn't one. What should we do?"

Zhang Yong shrugged.

Three 18th Armies?
Don't even think about it.

You're just one army. Fighting head-on against the Japanese 18th Division.

silence.

Dead silence.

No one spoke.

However, it is clear that neither side is convinced.

They're probably thinking to themselves, "You, Commissioner, are all talk; you're not the one who's actually on the front lines."

Zhang Yong turned to look at Peng Shan.

Peng Shan had remained silent until now.

"Commander Peng."

"Commissioner, please speak."

"From now on, I will take command."

"it is good."

"From now on, I'm in command. Any questions?"

Zhang Yong raised his voice.

This was said to the other officers.

silence.

"No," Hu Lian answered first.

"Anyone objecting?" Zhang Yong's gaze swept across the room. "You can raise your hand."

of course not.

Zhang Yong then nodded.

"Then let's break up the meeting!"

"Return to your positions and await orders."

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

The crowd stood up and gradually dispersed.

Peng Shan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Commander Peng, let's go to the front line."

"it is good."

Zhang Yong downplayed it.

We stepped out of the brick house and walked forward with Peng Shan.

The ground was pulverized. There was loose soil everywhere.

This shows that the artillery fire was very intense, but it didn't hit any vital points. No shot was fatal.

Simply put, they were unable to inflict maximum damage on the Japanese invaders. Most of the shells were essentially wasted. However, this cannot be blamed on the 18th Army; it was simply the norm.

Artillery fire covers an area.

It's very difficult to achieve accurate strikes unless there's a system in place.

Therefore, radar maps are the most crucial element.

"Commissioner".

Zhang Yong arrived at the front line.

An infantry regiment is preparing for an attack.

Hu Lian was also there. He was still organizing his troops, intending to continue the offensive.

This infantry regiment has just launched an attack, suffering casualties. Now they are preparing for a second attack.

"Cease the attack. Withdraw and regroup."

"Yes."

The infantry regimental commander turned to look at Hu Lian.

Hu Lian nodded, indicating that he would carry out the order. So everything was withdrawn.

Only a very small number of guard troops remained at the front line. Fewer than three hundred men. And they were all armed with light weapons.

"Commissioner, isn't this too dangerous...?"

"fine."

Zhang Yong shook his head. Dangerous what?
We can see at a glance what the Japanese are doing. Not a single red dot can get close.

Of course, I won't say it out loud.

Now is the time to witness a miracle...

When you all think there's no chance of winning, I, Zhang Yong, will make a grand entrance.

"Call me."

"Yes."

"To take over the 15mm heavy artillery position."

"Yes."

Soon, Zhang Yong got the microphone.

The 18th Army's support equipment was truly impressive. Telephone lines were even laid to the front lines.

Even the 100th Army, which Zhang Yong himself was supervising, couldn't do it. This was because the system didn't provide telephone lines, and he couldn't buy them himself for the time being.

Within the National Revolutionary Army, only the Fifth Army and the Eighteenth Army were capable of achieving this level of capability.

It must be admitted that having a telephone makes command much easier.

"A heavy artillery regiment?"

"I am Zhang Yong."

"Now, the artillery fire is under my command."

"15cm howitzer, 20-35 mil, range 8600."

"10-centimeter howitzer, 24-30 mils, range 9000."

"Ready, thirty rapid shots."

Zhang Yong gave the order into the microphone.

Then wait.

He was targeting the Japanese troops' encampments.

Zhang Yong didn't know exactly how the Japanese invaders had amassed their troops. The radar map showed numerous red dots.

There are approximately five hundred people.

It's probably a tunnel or something. Or maybe a hidden troop shelter.

If it were a regular artillery barrage, it probably wouldn't cause much damage.

However, repeated shelling could collapse the fortifications and kill the Japanese soldiers inside.

"boom……"

Soon, the shells began to fall.

It hit the spot with the most red dots precisely, unleashing bursts of fire.

However, the number of red dots did not decrease. Clearly, the Japanese fortifications withstood the first wave of bombing.

"boom……"

More shells fell.

The red dots haven't decreased. They're still there.

As expected, the Japanese invaders' defensive fortifications were quite sturdy.

Normal artillery fire shouldn't be able to break through it. There's probably a very thick layer of soil on top.

Once the shelling stopped, the Japanese would immediately come out and rebuild the soil. Then they would defend against the next round of shelling. This cycle repeated itself, a stubborn resistance.

but,

right now,

Zhang Yong did not give the Japanese invaders a chance.

I just kept bombarding that small area. I kept bombarding it.

Until the Japanese invaders are killed.

Pick up the microphone.

"Heavy artillery regiment..."

Adjust the parameters of the 155mm howitzer.

Concentrate more shells on a smaller area. We need to crush the Japanese invaders.

"boom……"

The shelling continued.

The shells landed very close together. Flames shot into the sky.

Fireballs of all sizes were almost stacked on top of each other. The sheer number of them was astonishing.

"Where was that place belonging to the Japanese invaders?"

"Command center?"

"The assembly point?"

"Or is it an artillery position?"

Everyone around could see it. It was a precision strike.

The commissioner wouldn't order a barrage of artillery fire on a small area without reason. There must be an important target.

Such intense and repeated bombardment could even breach permanent fortifications.

One shell isn't enough. Then ten, twenty...

"boom……"

Finally, the bombing had an effect.

The radar map shows that the number of red dots has begun to decrease rapidly.

Clearly, the Japanese fortifications had been breached. The Japanese soldiers hiding inside were blown away.

Without the cover of fortifications, the Japanese invaders would have been blown to pieces.

Sure enough, the red dots decreased even faster.

The remaining red dots began to scatter in all directions, attempting to escape.

it's useless.

Running away will only make you die faster.

Artillery fire in open areas is even more devastating.

"boom……"

The intense bombardment continued.

The number of red dots is decreasing rapidly. Eventually, they all disappear.

Without the cover of fortifications, those Japanese invaders were left only to await their deaths. Being torn to pieces was considered fortunate; most were reduced to mere bones.

Get it done.

A group of Japanese invaders were wiped out.

Approximately five hundred people.

not much.

That is, half an infantry battalion.

But there's no rush. Take your time.

Within the radar map's range, there were still many gathering points for the Japanese invaders.

Bombard them one by one. Annihilate them in droves.

Pick up the microphone.

"Heavy artillery regiment, cease fire."

"Shift target..."

Continue the bombardment.

They were targeting the gathering points of the Japanese invaders.

Those assembly points must have been set up very discreetly. The 18th Army hadn't discovered them before.

Conventional reconnaissance methods certainly wouldn't be able to detect it.

That's why the 18th Army's offensive was so difficult.

Because the enemy's manpower was not annihilated. Their backbone was not completely broken.

"boom……"

Continue the relentless bombardment.

A large number of shells were concentrated on attacking a single point.

Even the most impregnable defenses of the Japanese invaders must be completely destroyed.

Sure enough, after more than a dozen rounds of shelling, the red dots began to decrease.

"Look!"

Suddenly someone whispered.

However, the telescope immediately captured the scene of the explosion.

Some Japanese soldiers were blown into the air by the fire. There was also a large amount of debris and wreckage.

I finally understand.

The Commissioner's bombardment was indeed a precise strike.

All the shells landed precisely on the heads of the Japanese invaders, ultimately crushing them.

"Hu Lian!"

"To!"

"Send an infantry company to go up and occupy the position."

"Yes."

Hu Lian hurriedly made arrangements.

I subconsciously felt that one company was too few.

I wanted to increase it, but in the end, I strictly followed the orders.

"on!"

Soon, a company of Nationalist soldiers went up and occupied the position.

They did not encounter any counterattack from the Japanese invaders.

Because the Japanese troops used for counterattacks were all wiped out by artillery fire.

The two assembly points, with approximately one thousand Japanese soldiers—equivalent to an infantry battalion—were completely wiped out.

The people were all blown to bits, so of course they couldn't fight back.

As a result, the position was firmly under control.

"Walk."

"Yes."

Zhang Yong waved his hand and walked forward.

The engineers followed closely behind, holding the telephone line to maintain constant communication.

"Fang Tian!"

"To!"

"Order your division's artillery to advance five kilometers."

"Yes!"

"Luo Guangwen, your infantry brigade advance."

"Yes."

Zhang Yong directed the operation methodically.

His expression was indifferent. He showed neither joy nor sorrow. He was utterly a cold-blooded and ruthless killer.

The goal is not to occupy the position.

Instead, it was to eliminate Japanese soldiers.

"boom……"

The Japanese invaders' assembly points were destroyed one by one.

A large brigade...

Two brigades...

The casualties of the Japanese invaders continued to accumulate.

Without troops to fight back, the Japanese could only watch helplessly as their positions were captured.

Yamashita Tomoyuki's face was gloomy, yet he was helpless.

This battle is truly difficult.

but!

Must persevere!

"chief of staff."

"exist."

"Order the troops to counterattack!"

"Commander, the distance is too far..."

"Use the cover of night to launch a counterattack."

"Tie!"

The chief of staff then went to relay the order.

Soon, night fell. The battlefield was shrouded in darkness.

wrong……

There was firelight.

It was a ball of light from an explosion.

Even at night, the shelling did not stop.

Continue the bombardment.

Keep going.

In just three hours, they advanced three kilometers.

Moreover, the cost is minimal.

The Japanese invaders never retaliated.

"Commissioner..."

Peng Shan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

It's nighttime now, and the Japanese might retaliate.

Ahead of them were only a few hundred infantrymen.

If the Japanese launched a fierce counterattack, we wouldn't be able to stop them at all. We would very likely be surrounded and annihilated by the Japanese.

"Keep fighting!"

"Don't stop!"

Zhang Yong remained unmoved. His words were resolute.

Did the Japanese invaders want to launch a counterattack?

anxious.

The Japanese invaders, who were unprotected, were best eliminated.

If the Japanese invaders launched a daring charge, that would be perfect. They could wipe out thousands of Japanese soldiers in one go.

result……

The Japanese invaders did indeed arrive.

Numerous red dots appeared at the edges of the radar map.

Densely packed.

Layer upon layer.