Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 169 Su Yaoyang's Arrival

"Staff Officer Wu... Is there any news from headquarters?" Huang Guantao, the commander of the Second Regiment, entered the command post, glanced at the worried-looking staff officers around him, and asked Wu Qingyun, the chief of staff of the First Regiment.

"Not yet." Wu Qingyun shook his head: "Chief of Staff Pi called two hours ago and told us to wait patiently."

"Waiting at this point?" Huang Guantao raised his voice. "Old Li has already been sent down, and his fate is unknown. But we don't even have anyone in charge of the overall situation. The Japanese could attack at any moment. How can we wait?"

Looking at Huang Guantao's gloomy face, Wu Qingyun knew that he was also under a lot of pressure.

Before the battle even started, the commander was injured by a bomb, and now all the responsibility fell on his shoulders. No wonder he was anxious.

"Sir, don't worry. This is a very important matter. The Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff Pi are probably still discussing it. We should have news coming soon."

"Sigh... I hope they can make arrangements soon, otherwise I really can't handle it all by myself," Huang Guantao murmured.

This isn't just being pretentious; it's the absolute truth.

Now, Wolf Valley is home to several units, including the First Regiment, the Second Regiment, the Air Defense Battalion, and the Tank Battalion. These units together number over ten thousand, and since they are not under each other's command, command alone is a major problem.

The military values ​​legitimacy. Huang Guantao was the commander of the Second Regiment, and he had no problem commanding the Second Regiment. However, the First Regiment, the air defense battalion, and the tank battalion were not his direct subordinate units. Before the headquarters appointed him as the commander of these units, he had no right to command and dispatch other units.

This wasn't due to Su Yaoyang and Pi Ruoyu's negligence, but rather because no one expected that before the battle even started, the commander would be injured by a Japanese plane. Who could they complain to about this?

Just as the two were extremely anxious, a staff officer came running over, panting.

"Commander Huang, Commander Wu... hurry... hurry... Commander Su is here."

"what?"

The two exclaimed in unison, "The CEO himself has come?"

"Why can't I come in person?" Su Yaoyang's voice rang out from outside.

As soon as the words were spoken, Su Yaoyang, dressed in military uniform, strode in, surrounded by several guards.

"Greetings, Commander!"

Upon seeing Su Yaoyang arrive, Huang Guantao, Wu Qingyun, and more than ten staff officers from the command post all stood up straight and saluted him in unison.

"Hello everyone!"

Su Yaoyang stood at attention and returned the salute to everyone.

Without wasting words, he said loudly, "Alright, I already know about Li Gaoyuan's situation. I can only say that he's been unlucky lately, unable to even dodge the Japanese bombs."

But then again, this guy's already in his thirties and still a bachelor. Now that he's in the hospital for a while, who knows, some blind nurse might take a liking to him and solve his single problem. You could say it's a blessing in disguise.

"Hahaha……"

Hearing Su Yaoyang talk about what was originally a sad thing so lightly, the staff officers all laughed.

However, some of the advisors who were still single were tempted. They had heard that there were several hundred nurses in the hospital, many of whom were young and beautiful. If they went there often, would they have a chance?

Seeing that Su Yaoyang had just arrived and had brought life back to the previously somber atmosphere of the command center with just a few words, Wu Qingyun and Huang Guantao exchanged a glance, both seeing the respect in each other's eyes.

Huang Guantao, in particular, was one of the first elderly people to know Su Yaoyang.

When I first met Su Yaoyang in Nanjing, he was a slightly green young man. Now, less than a year later, he has transformed into an excellent commander. Such a speed of growth is truly astonishing. Su Yaoyang turned to the two men: "Chief of Staff Wu, Regiment Commander Li is currently injured and unable to preside over the work of the First Regiment. The First Regiment is temporarily without a deputy regimental commander. As Chief of Staff, can you take charge of the First Regiment and preside over its work from start to finish?"

"I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Wu Qingyun stood up solemnly and gave a respectful salute.

“Hmm…” Su Yaoyang nodded. “Before the Japanese arrive, immediately notify all officers of battalion level and above to come to the command post for a meeting within half an hour.”

"Yes!"

Half an hour later, all officers above the battalion level from the participating troops in Wild Wolf Valley gathered together, and dozens of officers above the colonel level filled the small command post to capacity.

"Everyone!"

Su Yaoyang stood in front of everyone, holding a baton in his hand. In front of him was a sand table, which was rather rough in workmanship because it was made on the spot.

"I won't say anything more. Originally, it should have been Regiment Commander Li Gaoyuan standing here, but unfortunately, he was injured by the Japanese planes, so I'm the one standing here now."

I only want to tell you one thing: in the coming period, we will be dealing with an attack from a fully-equipped Class A Japanese division.

Here, I just want to tell you all that we are only allowed to win this battle, and we are not allowed to lose.

Because once Wild Wolf Valley falls, the roads to Dingxiang County and Wutai County will be flat and indefensible, which means we will have to abandon Wutai County, give up the hard work we have put into building over the past few months, and retreat into the mountains to eat sand.

Tell me, have you ever imagined living like this?

"In no mood!"

The crowd roared in unison.

Wutai County is a large county with a normal resident population of over 300,000. After Su Yaoyang and the Shanxi militia settled there, it attracted many merchants and travelers from all over the country, and the population has been steadily increasing. With more people, it naturally becomes more prosperous and bustling.

They are human too, used to living in comfortable places, who would want to go to some remote mountain village?

"If you don't want to be driven to some remote corner at the foot of the mountain by the Japanese devils, then give them a good beating."

Su Yaoyang said bluntly, "I'm going to make this clear from the start: this battle is one of victory only, and defeat is not an option. Without my orders, anyone who dares to retreat or abandon their position will be subject to battlefield discipline!"

Seeing Su Yaoyang's grim expression, everyone knew that their boss was absolutely serious.

After saying that, Su Yaoyang turned his head to the right and suddenly said.

"John!"

"To!"

John's Chinese isn't very good. He can usually talk to people without much trouble, but sometimes he can't understand them if they speak too fast. While he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard his name, which startled him, and he quickly stood up.

"John, how's your tank battalion doing? Did today's bombing affect you?"

"Sir, the tank battalion is in good condition with no losses!" John shouted.

“Very good… I have an idea now. Before the Japanese come, let’s move the tank battalion forward twenty kilometers and hide here.”

Su Yaoyang picked up a wooden stick and slowly moved it across the sand table, stopping at a certain spot...

(End of this chapter)