One man's resistance against Japan, I mobilized a million people to aid Shanghai.

Inside the Ninth Army Group Command.

Zhang Zhizhong had already made contact with Zhu Yong, and the telephone line had been reconnected.

Zhang Zhizhong slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup lid rattle. His face flushed with excitement.

"The strongest regimental commander in my 88th Division is none other than Zhu Yong."

"Just who is this Zhu Yong? We need to find out his background quickly."

"Report! Regiment Commander Zhu Yong is a graduate of the fourth class of the Whampoa Military Academy, and he's from Fenghua."

"What?! Zhu Yong is actually from Fenghua?! And a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy?"

Zhang Zhizhong could hardly believe his ears.

This promotion buff is practically maxed out!

Who doesn't know that the president values ​​his fellow countrymen the most?

"Quickly! Get me to Nanjing immediately! Get me to the Presidential Office! I want to personally report the victory to the President!"

The command post erupted in cheers, and the staff officers beamed with excitement, as if they could already see the dawn of victory.

The call was answered quickly.

Zhang Zhizhong composed himself, but his voice still betrayed his excitement:

"President! This is Zhang Zhizhong!"

"I have some fantastic news to report to the President!"

"The 853rd Regiment of my Ninth Army Group, led by Regiment Commander Zhu Yong, has successively broken through six strong Japanese defense lines in the direction of Baoshan Road and Jiangwan Road. After a night of fierce fighting, our forces are now poised to advance directly towards the Japanese Marine Corps Headquarters building!"

"The vanguard is less than 500 meters from the enemy's core command building! The enemy's core position is now wide open!"

"Moreover, Zhu Yong was a student in the fourth class of the Whampoa Military Academy, and he's also from your hometown of Fenghua!"

Zhang Zhizhong practically roared these words, as if he wanted to transmit all his ecstasy to Nanjing via the telephone line.

but--

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

The silence made Zhang Zhi's heart skip a beat, somewhat different from the excited reaction he had expected.

After a long while, Chiang Kai-shek's voice came through, but it didn't sound very joyful; instead, it carried a hint of solemnity.

Is the news reliable?

"Mr. President! It's absolutely true! The source is reliable!"

Zhang Zhizhong stated with absolute certainty, "Now that the opportunity has presented itself, it is the perfect chance for our army to seize the enemy's stronghold in one fell swoop and turn the tide of the Battle of Shanghai!"

However, Chiang Kai-shek shook his head and said:

"The purpose of our army in this battle is to curb the Japanese ambitions in Shanghai, and ultimately we still need to rely on international mediation."

"If we completely capture the naval headquarters, it will inevitably escalate the war and be detrimental to our forces."

"I am aware of your hard work in this battle, but we will suspend the offensive and wait for international news before making a decision."

Zhang Zhizhong became anxious.

"Mr. President, the opportunity to fight is fleeting!"

"Our army is currently at its peak, with unstoppable momentum! The enemy's core defenses have been disrupted, and they are in a state of panic!"

"If the main force launches a full-scale attack, the Japanese will be unable to defend against it."

"If we don't press our advantage now, and the Japanese recover and regroup, or even if their naval reinforcements arrive, I fear we will never have another chance like this!"

"At that time, the blood shed by Zhu Yong's regiment and the soldiers on the front lines will have been shed in vain!"

His voice carried anxiety and even a hint of pleading.

"That's enough!"

Chiang Kai-shek's tone suddenly became stern.

"You are the theater commander; you must consider the overall situation and not let temporary victories cloud your judgment! What about international opinion? Britain, the United States, France, and other countries are watching!"

"If we rashly launch a strong attack on their headquarters, triggering extreme retaliation from the Japanese, and even... even affecting the upcoming Nine-Power Treaty conference in Brussels, who will bear the responsibility?"

"What we want are small-scale skirmishes, not large-scale decisive battles. You are not allowed to act recklessly without considering the consequences!"

"Mr. President, fighter jets are more important than anything else! The battlefield is ever-changing..." Zhang Zhizhong wanted to argue further.

"Stop talking!"

Chiang Kai-shek interrupted him directly, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I order! All units of the Ninth Army Group to immediately cease their attack on the direction of the Japanese Naval Headquarters!"

"Consolidate existing positions; do not advance rashly!"

"Especially the 853rd Regiment, he was ordered to immediately cease attacking, remain in place, and await further instructions. However, in consideration of Zhu Yong's valiant fighting, he was promoted to deputy brigade commander."

"Remember, this is an order, and it must be carried out strictly!"

"President!" Zhang Zhizhong felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his vision went black.

Cease the attack? Stand by and await further orders?

At this crucial moment when victory is within reach?

He could hardly believe his ears!

"A soldier's duty is to obey orders!"

"Execute the command!"

Chiang Kai-shek's last four words were cold and resolute, and he immediately hung up the phone.

"Beep beep..."

Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Zhang Zhizhong stood frozen in place, gripping the receiver tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his arm trembling slightly.

The excitement and flush on his face had long since faded, replaced by extreme frustration and anger, as well as unspeakable pain.

"Commander...the President..."

The chief of staff, noticing Zhang Zhizhong's ashen face, cautiously asked.

Zhang Zhizhong slowly put down the phone, as if he had used up all his strength.

He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths before he could barely suppress the churning blood in his body.

When he opened his eyes again, all that remained was deep weariness and helplessness.

"Pass on the order..."

His voice was hoarse and low, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

"All units... halt the attack towards the Japanese headquarters... consolidate existing positions... 853rd Regiment... remain in place and await further orders..."

"What?!"

"Stop the attack?!"

"Commander! What...what's going on?!"

"We were about to take it down! This is a missed opportunity!"

The order caused an uproar in the command center!

All the staff officers and officers were stunned and crowded around, their faces filled with shock, confusion and indignation!

Looking at his agitated subordinates, Zhang Zhizhong shook his head in anguish. How could he not understand their feelings?

But what can he say? That the president is worried about international relations?

Are you worried about retaliation from the Japanese?

Zhang Zhi's heart was bleeding, but he could only straighten his spine, muster his last bit of dignity, and say in a deep voice:

"Stop talking! Soldiers are duty-bound to obey orders! Execute orders!"

After saying that, he stopped looking at the crowd, turned around and walked to the map. His back looked exceptionally lonely and desolate in the dim light.

On the map, the red arrow pointing to the heart of the Japanese invaders seemed frozen in place, unable to advance even an inch further.

A heart full of passion and a wealth of strategic knowledge could not ultimately withstand the golden medal from behind.