Chinese martial arts! Grandmaster

Chapter 288 The Emperor Wants to See You! It's Urgent

The Kwantung Army fled to the coastline of Nantong Prefecture.

Sakata Takeo immediately ordered the artillery inside the fortifications to be prepared.

Simultaneously,

The gunboats of the Third and Fourth Fleets of the Eastern Ocean, anchored at sea, stood ready to prevent the pursuit of Ximen Tang's army.

Boom! Boom! Boom!
The power of naval guns is indeed terrifying.

In particular, the two major fleets of the Eastern Ocean completely covered the coastline.

At this point, if Ximentang's army enters the range of the naval guns, it will suffer heavy losses.

After regaining his composure, Takeo Sakata finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Next,
He and Dongmen Wulang began to take stock of the battle damage.

In fact, after the main force of the Sakata Army joined forces with the vanguard of Higashimon Goro, the losses during their great defeat and escape were relatively small.

After nearly 30,000 people fled, they reached the seaside camp in Nantong Prefecture, where they lost a total of about 5,000 people.

This time, when the Kwantung Army attacked Songjiang Prefecture, the 100,000-strong army was reduced to only about 25,000 men in the end.

Fortunately, Dongmen Wulang led 20,000 men to clear the way first, thus avoiding greater casualties.

Otherwise, it would be quite remarkable if the entire Sakata Army had 10,000 men left.

but,

The main force of the Sakata Army suffered heavy losses, including supplies, wounded soldiers, Daqian "puppet troops", heavy machine guns, artillery, and more.

This crushing defeat resulted in extremely heavy losses for the Kwantung Army.

This had a much greater impact on the Kwantung Army than the previous attack on Qingdao, Shandong by the Matsusaka Army.

at this time,

The retreat of Ximentang's elite troops brought great joy to everyone.

You've done a great job!
Unexpectedly, this time they were able to defeat the elite of the Kwantung Army.

Most importantly, this was a head-on defeat of the Kwantung Army's elite corps in land warfare, the area the Kwantung Army excelled at.

According to the internal merit-based promotion mechanism of Ximentang.

All the elite troops from the Ximen Hall who participated in the battle earned considerable merit.

On their way back, everyone began to take stock of their spoils.

Big win.

Although the Sakata Army retreated, the abandoned supplies, artillery, heavy machine guns, and other equipment along the way stretched for several kilometers.

All heavy weapons were abandoned by the Sakata Army.

The Sakata Army completely defeated the Kwantung Army, killing more than 80,000 enemy soldiers.

These were the elite troops of the Kwantung Army. According to the merit list of the Ministry of War of the Great Qian Dynasty, Ximen Tang's contribution was definitely not small.

Unfortunately, Chen Jie is now the Governor-General of Shandong.

He was indifferent to military achievements and distributed the credit to the Grand Council of the Great Qian Dynasty, as well as the troops stationed in the surrounding areas of Zhejiang and southern Jiangsu.

The military garrisons of the Daqian Ministry of War in these areas did indeed provide some assistance in the battle of Songjiang Prefecture.

Chen Jie doesn't need to make any contributions now, lest he arouse increasing suspicion from the royal family and the 'war faction'.

The reason we were able to easily defeat the Sakata Army this time was not only because we had superior weaponry.

Most importantly, the terrain was chosen very well.

The fortifications and heavy artillery of Matsue Prefecture gave them an advantage, forcing the Sakata Army to retreat.

Taking advantage of the enemy's low morale, Ximen Tang suddenly launched a pursuit, catching the Sakata Army off guard.

Although this time they won a great victory.

but,

The fighting power of the Kwantung Army should never be underestimated.

In a positional war, it would be extremely difficult for Takahashi Hisayoshi's 10,000-plus troops to take the position head-on.

Moreover, under those circumstances, if Sakata Takeo had not remained inactive, but had directly supported Takahashi Hisakichi.

At that time, Xiong Chao's troops had not yet caught up.

Ximen Tang, with only 10,000 troops, fought against Sakata's army of 70,000.

While we may not necessarily lose, winning would likely result in very heavy losses.

If the Kwantung Army launches a strong attack with bayonet charges and employs human wave tactics, they will definitely be able to break through Ximentang's defenses.

The weakest point of the 'arrowhead formation' and 'arc formation' is that once the enemy breaks through the defensive line, the formation will be completely disrupted.

If he gets caught up in close combat and is outnumbered, Ximen Tang's situation will be extremely dangerous.

for the rest of the time,

Chen Jie ordered the elite special operations team to continue monitoring the movements of the Kwantung Army.

He led the Ximentang army and brought the spoils of war back to Songjiang Prefecture.

Cleaning up the battlefield was a major undertaking that mobilized many people from Songjiang Prefecture.

have to say,

Although the Sakata Army of the Kwantung Army was famous, it was extremely poor.

Compared to the Western Allied Forces, these Kwantung Army soldiers were practically beggars.

Apart from some weapons, there was nothing of value.

Previously, Takeo Sakata divided his forces and swept across the entire southern Jiangsu region, burning, killing, and looting to sustain the war effort.

Everything they looted was sent to the ships of the Third and Fourth Fleets of the Eastern Ocean.

Therefore,
This battle yielded little for Simon Tang.

Although Ximentang held an absolute advantage, it suffered considerable casualties.

During the pursuit, the enemy's artillery and heavy machine guns were not just for show, and Ximentang lost 366 elite soldiers.

In addition, more than 500 people were injured.

Fortunately, the soldiers of Ximentang were all wearing bulletproof vests and helmets, otherwise the casualties would have been even more severe.

This time, despite annihilating so many Kwantung Army troops, the casualties were significantly lower than during the defense of Qingdao, Shandong.

One reason is the training of the elite "Bear Division" of Ximentang. Although many soldiers were recruited after the expansion of the army, they have undergone systematic training and have considerable combat experience.

On the other hand, it was because Chen Jie devised a long-range artillery coverage tactic.

Although a lot of shells were wasted, the damage was minimized.

The only thing that dissatisfied Chen Jie was that although the battle was a great victory, the spoils of war were few.

That night,

Chen Jie ordered a victory celebration banquet to be held throughout the Songjiang Prefecture military camp.

They took the meat from all the dead horses of the Sakata coalition and cooked it into dishes.

in addition,

They also transferred a batch of pork and beef from eastern Zhejiang and other places, so that every soldier stationed there could enjoy a delicious meal.

In these chaotic times of war, the soldiers of Ximentang are living a life of luxury and are respected.

Most importantly, military merits were recognized, and many soldiers who had distinguished themselves in combat and achieved great merits were promoted this time.

All the soldiers in Ximen Hall were extremely excited.

of course,

The results we have achieved today are the result of fighting tooth and nail.

Because Ximentang has a very clear 'military merit promotion mechanism', it provides all soldiers with a fair, just and open promotion channel.

Therefore,
All soldiers have clear goals and know that every war is a fight for themselves.

Next,
Chen Jie gave a speech to all the elites of the Ximen Hall's "Bear Division".

He used the "Bible Spiritual Arts" to spread his influence through his voice, affecting every soldier in Simon Church.

However, he did not use 'Spirit Shaping', but only resonated with his voice.

Chen Jie had never considered planting the seeds of 'faith' in the hearts of ordinary Ximentang soldiers.

Totally unnecessary!

Chen Jie can only use 'Spirit Shaping' on the core members of the Ximen Hall!
However, the voice of the speaker resonated.

Almost all the soldiers of Ximen Hall were filled with awe and gratitude towards Chen Jie at this moment.

-

The celebration banquet is over.

The next day, after Chen Jie woke up at the Governor's Mansion in Songjiang Prefecture, he quickly received intelligence from the 'undercover unit'.

Although the Sakata Army suffered a major defeat at the hands of Ximentang in Nantong Prefecture, it still had 25,000 men.

After returning to the Third and Fourth Fleets of the Orient, they quickly replenished their weapons and ammunition.

but,

The casualties were a huge blow to Takeo Sakata.

After discussing it with Dongmen Wulang, he dared not attack Songjiang Prefecture again, and even dared not go in the direction of Songjiang Prefecture.

But Takeo Sakata just couldn't swallow this insult.

This attack on Songjiang Prefecture resulted in the loss of not only two thousand Japanese field guns, but also a number of heavy machine guns.

The supplies and twenty modified naval guns were all lost. If they returned to the Kwantung Army headquarters in Lushun like this, they would have no way to explain themselves to General Oyama Iwao.

Therefore,
After discussing it, the two decided to try to make up for some of their losses.

then,

After replenishing their weapons and ammunition on the Eastern Fleet, the two vented their anger over the defeat in Taizhou, southern Jiangsu!

Sakata Takeo led an army of 25,000 men northward from Nantongzhou, heading straight for Taizhou in southern Jiangsu.

For a while,
The Daqian Dynasty garrison in Taizhou was routed and fled by the Guandong Army.

The Kwantung Army entered Taizhou City and launched a massacre, using heavy machine guns to slaughter tens of thousands of unarmed civilians of the Great Qian Dynasty, which finally quelled his anger.

for the rest of the time,

The Sakata Army successively captured several counties and towns around Taizhou City, and extensively plundered the areas they occupied around southern Jiangsu.

And wherever they went, the Sakata Allied Forces would kill them.

Kill them all, steal them all, burn them all!
The "Three Alls" policy, under the control of the Sakata Allied Forces, instilled fear in all the people of Daqian.

at last,

After looting and pillaging the surrounding area, the Sakata Army seized a considerable amount of wealth, which largely made up for the losses incurred during the attack on Songjiang Prefecture.

Then,

The Sakata Army conscripted more than 30,000 able-bodied men in the Taizhou area, intending to send them to the Northeast to mine coal.

After sweeping through the Taizhou area of ​​southern Jiangsu, Sakata Takeo and Higashimon Goro led the remnants of the Kwantung Army back to the Kwantung Army headquarters in Lushun, Northeast China, aboard warships of the Third and Fourth Fleets.

After reading the message, Chen Jie sighed helplessly.

Currently, Ximentang is only stationed in Shandong and Songjiang Prefecture.

These two places belong to Ximentang's territory, so Chen Jie can legitimately station troops here.

As for other places like southern Jiangsu, Chen Jie is not in a position to intervene for the time being.

in addition,

If Ximentang enters the battle outside of Songjiang Prefecture, logistical support will be restricted.

Even if Ximen Tang wanted to go to Taizhou to stop the Sakata Army, he was powerless to do so.

Once a direct confrontation begins, no one can guarantee what will happen.

Although Ximen Tang defeated the Western Allied Forces, he then defeated the Sakata Army.

But all of this was done through troop deployment and meticulous planning.

The right time, the right place, the right people!

To achieve a resounding victory with minimal casualties, all three are indispensable.

Once they leave their base, Ximentang's logistical supply lines and ammunition will be difficult to guarantee, and their combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced.

Therefore,
Chen Jie adopted a steady and methodical approach.

Everyone should mind their own business and secure their own territory first.

Shandong is Ximentang's current base, with more than 100,000 troops stationed there.

The Eagle Division, the War Division, the Naval Division, and the Submarine Division are all located in Shandong.

Any army that attempts to attack Shandong will inevitably fail.

Chen Jie had no intention of interfering in other parts of the Great Qian Dynasty for the time being.

Even if we wanted to take over, it wasn't the right time.

but,

The Kwantung Army committed arson, murder, and looting in Taizhou, southern Jiangsu, resulting in a large number of refugees.

Shandong is currently the most stable place in the Great Qian Dynasty. It can not only guarantee that refugees have jobs and food, but also allow them to settle down in Shandong.

Therefore,
Many refugees from southern Jiangsu are heading to Shandong.

There is now an abundance of various daily necessities in Shandong.

Chen Jie instructed the shipping guild to continuously send supplies from all over the Great Qian Dynasty to Shandong.

All refugees who enter Shandong will be accepted without exception.

of course,

Any refugees entering Shandong will be investigated.

It is extremely difficult to become a spy within Shandong province.

Ximentang activated the civilian intelligence system, and the undercover agents planted spies in various places.

Once a spy is discovered and the evidence is conclusive, they will be executed as a warning to others.

in addition,

Many refugees also came from Songjiang Prefecture.

Many of the refugees were placed in a concentration camp 15 kilometers outside the city by Chen Jie.

After defeating the Sakata coalition, these refugees were able to enter Matsue Prefecture.

Fortunately, Songjiang Prefecture had no shortage of daily necessities after receiving the refugees.

He ordered Xiong Chao to begin expanding the army, not only to make up for the personnel losses in this battle, but also to expand the army to 100,000!
That's right,

The Xiong tribe will continue to expand its army to 100,000.

Because Chen Jie did not want the Kwantung Army to sweep through southern Jiangsu again.

He wanted to connect Shandong, southern Jiangsu, and Songjiang Prefecture.

Ximentang intends to take over southern Jiangsu and station troops there!

Chen Jie aims to connect the eastern coastal areas of the Great Qian Dynasty and break the blockade by the Eastern Fleet!
The first fleet of the Ximentang is almost complete.

The time is ripe to break the blockade at sea!
-

Just as Chen Jie finished his business in Songjiang Prefecture and was preparing to set off for Shandong.

Tang Feng's injuries were severe, and he needed to rest for a period of time.

Meng Hu was temporarily put in charge of the personal guard, and two hundred personal guards were transferred from Shandong.

Just as he was about to set off, an old acquaintance found him.

Cao Shaoqing, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Eunuch Cao was wearing ordinary clothes, not the palace uniform.

Chen Jie just happened to have something he wanted to ask Eunuch Cao for advice, and it just so happened that what he wanted came to pass.

That's good, saves me the trouble of going all the way to the capital to find him.

A few days ago, Chen Jie learned from the Japanese woman, Shinobu Nakajima, that his arrival in Songjiang Prefecture was thanks to Eunuch Cao, who stopped the number one expert of the Japanese Black Dragon Society, 'Nanzo Mitsuko'!
otherwise,

If the person who tried to assassinate him this time had been Nanzo Mitsuko instead of Nakajima Shinobu, he might already be dead.

He didn't think he could withstand an assassination attempt by a master of "Meridian-Opening Qi".

Upon seeing Eunuch Cao, a smile appeared on his face, and he stepped forward to greet him:

"Eunuch Cao, what brings you here? How have you been these past few days?"

"Hey, you're injured! What happened?"

It was then noticed that Eunuch Cao's arm was wrapped with a piece of gauze.

Anyone capable of injuring him must possess extremely high martial arts skills!

"It's nothing, just a superficial injury! That Japanese woman isn't much better off!"

Eunuch Cao chuckled and said with a smile:
"I've come to see you this time because I need to talk to you. Come on, let's go back to the capital!"

Chen Jie was taken aback, then smiled and asked, "Why are you going back to the capital?"

"Come on, let's go to Shandong first. I need to talk to you about something!"

"Last time I obtained a copy of 'The Mighty Vajra Fist,' I heard that this martial art was lost from the Imperial Armory!"

"I've been practicing for a while, but unfortunately, I haven't made much progress. Could you give me some pointers?"

All along,
Chen Jie regarded Eunuch Cao as his mentor.

His martial arts skills have improved so quickly thanks in large part to the help he received from Eunuch Cao.

Therefore,
Chen Jie didn't have many thoughts in front of Eunuch Cao.

If Eunuch Cao really wanted to harm him, he wouldn't have waited until now.

"The Mighty Vajra Fist? We can talk about that later when we have time. I don't have the time to teach you martial arts right now."

suddenly,
Eunuch Cao stopped and looked Chen Jie up and down.

He opened his eyes wide in surprise and exclaimed:
"Huh? Mid-stage of Inner Strength! How did your martial arts level improve so quickly?"

"The last time I saw you, you were still at the Great Perfection of Copper Skin Ming Jin. How did you suddenly break through to the Mid-stage of Iron Bone An Jin in just a few days?"

"Hmm? Your Spirit Refinement Realm—Guarding the Apertures!?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie smiled proudly and said:
"How was it? Not bad, my Spirit Refinement Realm has broken through to the 'Guarding Aperture' stage!"

Eunuch Cao said anxiously:

"You truly deserve to be called a martial arts genius, but you'd better come back to the capital with me now. The Emperor wants to see you! It's urgent—!"

Chen Jie was taken aback upon hearing this, and said:

"Why does the Emperor want to see me?"

(End of this chapter)