Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 226: Strike first to gain the upper hand

A barrage of 20mm cannon shells, like the hammer of death, slammed into the right wing and engine of the aircraft.

"boom……"

A violent explosion, accompanied by acrid smoke, instantly filled the entire cockpit.

The fuselage was shaking violently, the control stick was swinging wildly in his hands, and it had lost all response.

The Thunder fighter jet, trailing a long plume of black smoke, spiraled downwards at an irreversible angle towards the endless, desolate mountains below.

"Jump! We have to jump!"

The instinct to survive overwhelmed everything.

Li Xiuming exerted all his strength and pulled the ejection seat ring at the last moment before the plane was about to disintegrate.

A tremendous force hurled him from the burning cockpit, and then the parachute opened with a "bang" in the air, like a white flower, temporarily pulling him back from the embrace of death.

However, the misfortune did not end there.

The moment he landed, due to the erratic mountain winds, he couldn't fully control his posture. His left leg struck a protruding rock at an extremely awkward angle.

"Crack!"

A sharp, chilling crack of bone breaking rang out, followed by an excruciating pain that shot through Li Xiuming's body like an electric shock! Li Xiuming screamed in agony.
With a scream, Li Xiuming opened his eyes.

By this time, he was already covered in sweat, his whole body soaked with perspiration.

"Damn it, it's that damn nightmare again!"

He cursed himself bitterly. The air battle that day had become his nightmare, appearing in his dreams almost every day these days, and it was almost becoming his inner demon.

At this moment, Li Xiuming was lying on a wooden bed covered with soft animal hides.

The flight suit stained with blood and oil had been removed, and he had been replaced with a coarse cloth short jacket.

His left leg was firmly secured with two smooth wooden boards, covered with a layer of dark green mud that smelled of cool herbs.

He turned his head and looked around. It was a simple but clean wooden house with walls made of thick logs and gaps filled with dry grass and mud.

In the center of the house was a hearth, its flames burning quietly, dispelling the chill of the mountains. Bows and arrows, animal hides, and some dried herbs hung on the walls.

A slender figure was facing him sideways, busy with something by the fire pit.

She was a girl who looked only seventeen or eighteen years old.

She had two long, glossy black braids, with red ribbons tied to the ends.

She wore an indigo pleated skirt and a matching short-sleeved top, with a wide cloth belt around her waist that accentuated her slender and supple waist.

Hearing a noise from the bed, the girl turned around.

Li Xiuming saw a face with a slightly ruddy complexion from the high altitude and delicate, charming features.

She has a pair of bright and pure eyes, like a mountain spring, with a hint of wildflower-like resilience and an indelible tenderness in her gaze.

She is a Yi girl living deep in these mountains, and her name is Aguo.

The name comes from the Yi word "Atuo," which means "gold."

In Yi culture, gold is considered a precious thing, so this name implies the girl's preciousness and importance.

Her parents died in a flash flood a year ago, leaving her alone to live in this wooden house, relying on the hunting skills left by her father.

A few days ago, while she was hunting, she found Li Xiuming lying unconscious in the valley, having fallen from the sky.

With her frail shoulders, she dragged this man, who was much taller and stronger than her, back to the wooden house and treated his broken leg with herbal remedies passed down through generations.

For the next two weeks, Li Xiuming began a long period of recuperation in this secluded wooden cabin.

Aguo cannot speak Mandarin, and Li Xiuming cannot understand Yi language.

Their communication relies entirely on the most primitive gestures and facial expressions.

Every morning, A-Guo would go out with his bow and arrows and a machete, and by evening he would always bring back some wild rabbits, pheasants or fresh wild fruits.

She would clean the prey, roast it over a fire until it sizzled and dripped with oil, then tear off the tenderest pieces and offer them to Li Xiuming's mouth.

Li Xiuming's injuries were severe, and he had difficulty moving around. He needed Aguo's care for everything, including eating, drinking, and using the toilet.

At first, the pilot, who came from modern civilization and was used to communal living, felt incredibly embarrassed and uncomfortable. But A-Guo's eyes were always so pure and open, without a trace of ulterior motives.

In her eyes, he was just a wounded life that needed to be cared for.

Gradually, Li Xiushen also got used to this primitive and simple life.

During these two weeks, what tormented Li Xiuming the most, besides the pain and the longing for his comrades in the army, was something he found hard to talk about.

Because of his prolonged bed rest, maintaining his personal hygiene became a major problem. Every few days, kind-hearted A-Guo would bring him warm water and use a clean cloth to wipe his body.

For a man in his prime, full of vigor and vitality, such intimate contact with a young girl without reservation is undoubtedly a sweet torment.

Especially on a cold night, A-Guo wiped his body as usual. When the warm cloth wiped his lower abdomen and reached his groin, Li Xiuming's body reacted instinctively, uncontrollably.

Finally, that night they completed the most primal act between man and woman.

After that night, the relationship between the two underwent a qualitative change.

A-Guo became even gentler towards him, and the two naturally ended up living together.

When Li Xiuming's leg injury had mostly healed and he could walk again, he knew he had to leave. He was a soldier; he had missions to fulfill and comrades waiting for him.

He gestured to tell Aguo that he was leaving, and because the journey was long and the outcome uncertain, he could not take her with him.

He pointed to the sky, then to the distance.

A-Guo seemed to understand. She didn't cry or make a fuss; she just silently lowered her head and prepared dry food and water for him to eat on the road.

The next morning, Li Xiuming shouldered his pack, leaned on a wooden cane, and limped out of the wooden house.

He glanced back and saw A-Guo standing at the door, quietly watching him, her bright eyes filled with reluctance.

Li Xiuming steeled his heart, turned around, and embarked on the long journey to find his unit.

He walked a long way, crossing a mountain, and when he subconsciously looked back, he found that the thin but stubborn figure had been following him all along, neither too close nor too far, walking silently.

Li Xiuming stopped and waved to her, signaling her to go back.

A-Guo stopped, shook her head, and continued to follow him.

Li Xiuming continued walking, and she continued to follow. He walked quickly, and she jogged to keep up. When he stopped to rest, she sat down not far away, took out some dry food from her small cloth bag, and ate it in small bites.

He walked for dozens of miles, crossing several mountains. That figure followed him faithfully the entire time, like a silent shadow, stubbornly refusing to leave. Finally, on a hilltop, Li Xiuming stopped.

Looking at the girl, panting and sweating profusely from her long trek, yet with an unwavering gaze, he was deeply touched.

This mountain girl, who couldn't speak the language, expressed all her feelings to him in the most primitive and persistent way.

Li Xiuming sighed. This tough pilot, who had never been afraid to fight enemy planes at 10,000 meters altitude, was completely melted by Aguo's infatuation at this moment.

He didn't move forward, but stood still and reached out his hand to her.

A-Guo was stunned for a moment, then a bright smile bloomed on her face. She ran over and hugged Li Xiuming tightly, pressing her face against his chest.

When the two finally parted, they smiled at each other without saying a word, but everything was understood without being spoken.

From then on, on the long journey to find the team, he was no longer a lonely figure, but a pair of partners supporting each other...

Wutai County, Shanxi Militia Headquarters.

This is the brain and nerve center of the entire Shanxi militia.

The operations room had no luxurious decorations, only the coldness and efficiency of pragmatism.

The huge sand table and military maps hanging on the walls occupied most of the space, with red and blue arrows and markings densely indicating the situation of both sides.

The air was thick with the smells of tobacco, ink, and telegraph machine oil. Several staff officers were busy at their posts, their heads bowed. The only sounds in the room were the rustling of paper turning and the crisp ticking of the telegraph machine in the distance.

In the center of the operations room, Su Yaoyang and his chief of staff Pi Ruoyu sat facing each other, separated by a long table covered with detailed maps.

Pi Ruoyu's eyes were sunken and bloodshot, clearly indicating that he hadn't had a proper rest for several days.

He tapped the location marked "Taiyuan" on the map with his knuckles and said in a hoarse voice, "Commander, according to the latest intelligence from our intelligence personnel in Taiyuan and from Datong, we can confirm that the Japanese 20th Division has completed more than a year of reorganization and replenishment and has recovered its strength."

He paused, picked up a document from the table, and handed it to Su Yaoyang: "This is their latest development. Intelligence indicates that the main force of the 20th Division will arrive in Tanggu from mainland Japan by sea within half a month at the earliest, and then be transferred to Shanxi Province by rail. Their primary objective is to strengthen the offensive capabilities of Yoshio Shinotsuka's First Army."

Su Yaoyang took the document and quickly scanned it. His expression was calm and composed, but his eyes became increasingly sharp.

Pi Ruoyu's expression became extremely solemn. He stood up, walked to the huge map on the wall, pointed to the overall situation map of Shanxi with a baton, and continued:
"Commander, although the 20th Division was severely damaged in the previous battles, it is still a Class A standing division of the Japanese army with extremely strong combat capabilities. Once it is redeployed to the Shanxi battlefield, Yoshio Shinotsuka will have another sharp dagger in his hands."

At that time, he will inevitably launch a large-scale mopping-up operation, with the 20th Division as the main force, against the core area of ​​our base, namely the Wutai and Mengxian line right here.

His baton drew a huge red arrow on the map, pointing straight to Jinsha Ridge.

“What’s even more fatal is…” Pi Ruoyu’s tone became increasingly serious.

"Once the 20th Division has tied down our main force, the Japanese 24th Division, which is entrenched to our west, in the Xinxian and Guoxian area, and the Independent Mixed 4th Brigade stationed in Yangquan and Pingding, will pounce on our flanks like two hungry wolves!"
At that time, we will be in a perilous situation, surrounded by enemies on three sides, and the consequences... will be unimaginable!

The operations room was completely silent; even breathing could be heard clearly.

Pi Ruoyu's analysis was like a boulder weighing on everyone's heart.

This was an open conspiracy, a strategic encirclement of the Shanxi militia by the Japanese army using its numerical superiority.

Su Yaoyang put down the documents, interlaced his fingers, and rested them on the table, remaining silent for a moment. He slowly raised his head, his gaze sharp, and looked at Pi Ruoyu, asking, "We can't just sit here and wait for the enemy to put the noose around our necks. Ruoyu, what are your thoughts?"

Pi Ruoyu took a deep breath, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "My idea is that while the 20th Division is still on its way, we must strike first! We must take the initiative and break one of his fingers!"

His baton was pointed heavily at the locations of "Xinxian County" and "Guoxian County" on the map!
"Our target... the Japanese 24th Division!"

A cold smile curled at the corners of Su Yaoyang's lips. This coincided with his own thoughts.

"Tell me your specific plan."

"Yes!" Pi Ruoyu's spirits lifted, and he quickly returned to the table, unfolding a battle plan map that had been prepared in advance, with detailed attack routes drawn on it.

"Please look at the 24th Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Yoshikatsu Kuroiwa. It comprises the 22nd, 32nd, and 89th Infantry Regiments, as well as the 24th Field Artillery Regiment, with a total strength of approximately 15,000 men."

Their main force is currently entrenched in Xinxian County, Guoxian County, and surrounding areas, having constructed numerous strong defensive fortifications in an attempt to maintain a protracted stalemate with us.

"However, they have a fatal weakness—pride and complacency! After nearly a year of stalemate, they have become accustomed to our defensive posture and would never expect that we would launch a large-scale offensive against them!"

Pi Ruoyu's fingers moved swiftly across the map, and a bold and meticulous battle plan gradually took shape in his mouth.

"My plan is to launch a devastating attack on the 24th Division with overwhelming force! We will concentrate our superior forces to cripple its main force in the shortest possible time, rendering it incapable of offensive operations!"

"Troop deployment is as follows!"

His voice became firm and powerful, "First, we will deploy our sharpest iron fists—the First and Second Armored Regiments! Using these two armored regiments as the spearhead of the attack, we will launch a central breakthrough from the junction of the enemy's defensive lines, which is the area north of Xinxian!"

"After the armored forces tear through the enemy's defenses, our four main infantry regiments—the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th Regiments—will follow closely behind, divided into two echelons, and quickly wedge into the enemy's rear!"

The First and Fourth Regiments were responsible for expanding their gains to both flanks and consolidating the breakthrough; the Fifth and Sixth Regiments, on the other hand, were to boldly penetrate and outflank the enemy's flanks and rear, with the objective of cutting off the connection between Xinxian and Guoxian counties and encircling and dividing the enemy forces!

"At the same time, our two artillery regiments will provide full fire support! Before the battle begins, we will conduct a carpet bombing of the enemy's forward positions! After the attack begins, we will launch suppressive strikes against the enemy's artillery positions, command posts, and reserve assembly points!"

"In this campaign, we have deployed two armored regiments, four main infantry regiments, and two artillery regiments, with a total force of over 20,000 men! On local battlefields, we have achieved a force advantage of more than three to two against the enemy and an absolute firepower advantage!"

Pi Ruoyu raised his head, staring intently at Su Yaoyang, and summarized: "Our core tactical thinking is 'speed' and 'ruthlessness'! We'll use our strongest tanks, our most powerful artillery, and our most elite infantry to catch them off guard!"
"Smash the 24th Division's 'turtle shell' in one fell swoop! Even if we can't annihilate them completely, we should at least cripple and frighten them! This will buy us precious time and strategic initiative in our fight against the approaching 20th Division!"

After listening to Pi Ruoyu's detailed report, Su Yaoyang slowly stood up, walked to the huge map, and stared at the area that was about to be ignited by war for a long time.

Pi Ruoyu's plan was bold, meticulous, and feasible.

But he still has one concern.

"Ruoyu, if we were to initiate hostilities first, wouldn't that cause misunderstandings among the various departments, potentially leading to chaos that affects the entire Shanxi province?"

"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?" Pi Ruoyu's lips curled into a sneer.

"Aren't the Jin-Sui Army, the Central Army, and other troops always shouting about fighting the Japanese devils?"

But what have they been doing for the past year or so? They didn't fight the Japanese, so are we not allowed to fight them? Or did we make a mistake in fighting the Japanese?
"You know, for the past year or so, they've been able to live so comfortably entirely because we've contained a third, or even half, of the pressure from Japan. And now they're complaining about us sharing some of the pressure?"

It's often said that money gives men courage, but the same goes for power.

Once a man has money and power, even his voice changes, and he dares to confront the Jin-Sui Army and the Central Army.

"You!" Su Yaoyang chuckled, "I can't even imagine how many people your sharp tongue has offended in the past?"

Pi Ruoyu chuckled, “The Chief is right. My mouth has offended too many people, which is why I was in such a miserable state before. If the Chief hadn’t taken me in, my whole family would probably have starved to death long ago.”

"Hey... the reason I approached you is because you're capable; otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you to be my chief of staff."

He turned to his chief of staff and said in a deep voice, "Execute this plan! Order all units to immediately begin pre-battle preparations! Launch the general offensive three days later!"

"Yes!" Pi Ruoyu suddenly stood at attention.

The orders, like currents of electricity, swiftly traveled from this small command post to all the units.

After more than a year of silence, Shanxi is bustling with activity again, as an unprecedented counter-offensive is about to begin...

(End of this chapter)