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

"Kill!! Kill!! Kill!"

The deafening roar echoed through the streets, and even Matsui Iwane, standing at the naval headquarters, could hear it clearly.

"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible..."

Matsui Iwane muttered to himself unconsciously.

He recalled the previous battle report: Gu Tian's troops had perished together with the main force of Zhu Yong's troops at the Fourth Street Barracks. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the remaining enemy forces were no longer a threat.

"Mutual destruction... heavy losses... not worth worrying about..."

Why does this Nationalist army, which is clearly exhausted, still have such terrifying morale?

"Don't they need to rest?! Don't they need to replenish their ammunition?! Don't they need to treat the wounded?"

"Are they...are they made of iron?!"

Matsui Iwane's heart was screaming wildly, and endless fear was spreading within him.

He turned abruptly to the communications officer and asked in a hoarse voice:

"Say it again?! How many enemy troops are attacking from the Jiangwan Road direction?! Did you see that clearly?!"

The staff officer's face was ashen, his lips trembling as he spoke in a shudder:

"Three thousand...more than three thousand!!"

What?! More than three thousand people...?!

Matsui Iwane felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and his body swayed violently. He had to reach out and grab the cold wall to barely keep his balance.

This number struck him like a giant hammer.

"Baka... Baka yarou...!"

Matsui Iwane gritted his teeth, using curses to dispel the fear in his heart.

This Nationalist army was truly terrifying; in our first encounter, they only had less than a thousand men.

He had used up all his reserves, and his only hope was the strong defenses outside. He hoped that with the help of these strong fortifications, he could hold out until dawn.

"kill!!"

The shouts of battle and the sounds of gunfire coming from outside the window escalated once again.

The sound no longer came from one direction, but seemed to surge from all sides of the headquarters, like a surging tide, one wave higher than the next.

"Report! The enemy has breached our first outer ring defense line!"

"Report! The left flank bunker complex has been destroyed by enemy fire!"

"Report! The observation post on the rooftop has spotted enemy troops in small squads frantically infiltrating our defensive gaps!"

Bad news kept coming, each one like another kick to Matsui Iwane's already fragile nerves.

"Hold on! Order all firing positions to fire with all their might! Give them a good beating! Wipe them all out in front of the position!" Matsui Iwane roared hysterically, waving his fists.

But this roar seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the overwhelming onslaught outside.

Just then, the chief of staff suddenly walked up to Matsui Iwane and proposed:

"Commander, perhaps we can contact Jinling directly."

Matsui Iwane's eyes lit up instantly.

"Yoshi! Uemura-kun, your suggestion is excellent."

"Use all secure communication channels to attempt to establish direct contact with Nanjing, and issue an urgent peace talks initiative in the name of General Matsui Iwane, Commander of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army!"

"The wording should be sincere, expressing our deep concern about the situation and hoping to avoid a larger-scale bloodshed. We propose that both sides immediately cease fire on the spot and send representatives for preliminary consultations!"

"Hi!"

Masao Uemura immediately accepted the order and turned to make arrangements.

......

Jinling.

Huangpu Road, the Presidential Palace Residence.

Although it was late at night, Chiang Kai-shek couldn't sleep all night.

This micro-management master is pondering the current situation, trying to find a way to break the deadlock.

Just then, Lin Wei, the head of the adjutant's office, walked in quickly with a tense expression, holding a newly translated telegram in his hand.

"President! Emergency! We...we have received a direct telegram from Matsui Iwane, commander of the Japanese Shanghai Expeditionary Army!"

"What? Matsui Iwane?"

Chiang Kai-shek abruptly stood up from the sofa, his face filled with surprise and disbelief. "What did he say?"

Lin Wei presented the telegram, his tone somewhat uncertain.

"Both sides agree to a temporary ceasefire based on the existing line of actual control. Specific negotiation details can be discussed by the frontline commanders of both sides."

He jumped into Matsui Iwane's carefully laid trap almost without thinking, and even took the initiative to propose to stop the proactive military operations and to stick to the existing line of control, which was tantamount to putting a noose around his own neck.

"President, should we check with General Zhang at the front to confirm the battle situation? Such a crucial decision..." Lin Wei cautiously reminded him.