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

Headquarters of the 15th Group Army.

Chen Cheng was utterly shocked.

"Wang Lei...he hasn't retreated yet? He's planning a counterattack on Jiading?!"

"Is he crazy?"

His chief of staff and others gathered around, and upon seeing the contents of the telegram, they all gasped in shock.

"This is insane...this is absolutely insane!"

A senior advisor exclaimed, "To launch a preemptive attack on an elite Japanese division with an exhausted force, and then have to divide his troops... Chen Hucheng going east to destroy the Japanese command post? Isn't that a fantasy?"

Chen Cheng suddenly walked to the map, traced his finger between Luodian and Jiading, and then pointed in confusion towards the direction of Dongfang Chuanjiangkou.

He couldn't understand Wang Lei and Zhu Yong's ideas, especially the eastward route, which, in anyone's eyes, was tantamount to suicide.

However, the resolute determination in the telegram, as if it were a do-or-die situation, deeply moved him even through the pages.

In the face of total defeat and imminent collapse, there was still an army that dared to go against the tide and launch a counterattack against a powerful enemy.

"Vice Mayor Chen Hucheng? Isn't it Zhuge Yong?" After one of the staff officers asked this question, everyone in the staff department fell silent.

The entire command post fell into a deathly silence.

They understood what this meant.

Zhuge Yong, the deputy division commander who led the army north alone with great enthusiasm, launched a surprise attack on Luodian, and repeatedly made outstanding contributions, has now died on the battlefield.

Chen Cheng remained silent, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

After a long while, he finally processed the news, took a deep breath, and said to the chief of staff:

"Call Wang Lei back immediately."

"I hope you brothers will create a miracle! Although our unit is in a difficult situation, we will do our utmost and mobilize all available troops. If your attack on the western front can indeed draw the enemy's attention, I will seize the opportunity to provide support and launch a flanking attack!"

"I hope my brothers take care of themselves and await good news!"

After the telegram was sent, Chen Cheng looked solemnly eastward, towards Luodian, Jiading, and the mouth of the Chuanjiang River.

He didn't know if the 108th Division could create another miracle, but he knew that regardless of whether they won or lost this battle, the 108th Division would be worthy of the Party and the country, worthy of China, and would surely be remembered in history and be remembered for eternity.

......

Nanjing, Presidential Palace.

The atmosphere in Chiang Kai-shek's office was so oppressive it was suffocating.

Chiang Kai-shek stood with his back to the door, motionless in front of the huge Shanghai battle map, like a frozen statue.

Ever since the order to retreat was issued, Chiang Kai-shek has been unable to eat or sleep, and his heart is filled with regret.

He shouldn't have ordered the retreat. The Brussels Conference was about to convene. If he abandoned Shanghai like this, what would the international community think of him? What bargaining chips would he have left for negotiations?

He placed all his hopes, even his gambles, on the Nine Powers Conference being held in Brussels, hoping that the international community would intervene.

But now that 700,000 troops are beginning to retreat, how many people in the international community still support him?

"No, we can't keep retreating. We must stop the rout and hold Shanghai. Even if we fight to the last man, we must show the world our determination to resist aggression."

"Guards, immediately order all troops to halt their retreat!"

Chiang Kai-shek's words startled all the staff officers present.

Tang Shengzhi, director of the Executive Department of the Military Commission, immediately stepped forward, his face filled with anxiety.

"President, we can't hesitate any longer."

"Chen Cheng and Zhang Zhizhong have both sent urgent telegrams. The front lines are in chaos. The Japanese are pursuing us very closely, and the encirclement from the north and south is tightening. We must immediately order all troops to advance towards the Wufu and Xicheng lines at all costs!"

"Any later and it will really be too late! Seven hundred thousand elite troops! Chairman! We can't lose them all in Shanghai!"

"Meng Xiao (Tang Shengzhi's courtesy name)! What are you panicking about?!"

Chiang Kai-shek slammed his hand on the table, his voice sharp and stern.

"The international situation is changing rapidly! The Brussels Conference will soon have a result. Although our army is temporarily at a disadvantage, with the soldiers fighting bravely, we will surely be able to stabilize the situation!"

"If we retreat rashly now, morale will collapse, and we will lose Shanghai. What will the international community think of us?"

"We must hold onto Shanghai; only then will we have a chance."

"Immediately send a telegram to Zhang Zhizhong, instructing him to hold Songjiang County at all costs and withstand the 10th Army under Yanagawa Heisuke, so as to create a favorable situation for our army to defend Shanghai to the death."

Tang Shengzhi felt a chill in his heart.

He knew that Chiang Kai-shek was still dreaming of turning the tide with the help of foreign aid.

He opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him further, but seeing Chiang Kai-shek's almost murderous gaze, he swallowed his words and let out a silent sigh.

Chiang Kai-shek ignored Tang Shengzhi and wrote a letter to Zhang Zhizhong himself.

"Ninth Army Group, the situation on the southern front is crucial to the overall victory or defeat! You are hereby strictly ordered to defend Songjiang County at all costs!"

"We must resolutely halt the northward advance of the enemy's 10th Army north of Songjiang for at least three days! If Songjiang falls within three days, those responsible will be punished according to military law!"

"Three days from now, the international situation will surely change for the better. The sacrifices of our soldiers in Shanghai will not have been in vain! This is Chiang Kai-shek's order."

The telegram was quickly sent out, carrying Chiang Kai-shek's last hopes, and flew to the chaotic front lines.

......

Nanxiang, the temporary command post of the Ninth Army Group.

Zhang Zhizhong, his eyes bloodshot and his hair disheveled, was staring at the map, trying his best to figure out the chaotic retreat routes of the various units and to arrange blocking forces.

Just then, his confidential secretary rushed in, pale-faced, and handed him a telegram.

"Commander... Nanjing... Urgent telegram! Chairman Chiang's order!"

Zhang Zhizhong snatched it and quickly began browsing through it.

When he saw the words "defend Songjiang County to the death," "at least three days," and "law-bound," his expression instantly changed from anxiety to disbelief, and then to boundless anger.

"Hold Songjiang to the death?! For three days?!"

Zhang Zhizhong practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.

"How is that possible?! Songjiang is indefensible! The troops I can mobilize right now are almost all remnants."

"The Japanese 10th Army is a fresh force, with naval guns, planes, and tanks! What am I supposed to use to hold out for three days?!"

He felt a chill run down his spine.

Zhu Wenzheng, who had been assisting with military affairs, stepped forward and said:

"Commander! The Chairman's order... is probably impractical!"

"Songjiang is not a place to hold out for long! Our army has just suffered a defeat and its morale is low. We have hastily organized a defense. Facing the enemy's 10th Army, which is riding high on a great victory, we will probably not be able to hold out for even a day, let alone three days."

"Hesitation will only lead to more trouble! The only course of action now is to quickly organize the main force to continue its retreat and move closer to the Wu-Fu line!"

"The best strategy is to simultaneously engage the Japanese forces near Songjiang County, preventing them from quickly cutting off our retreat!"