You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you brought out a Tiger tank?

It was November, and the early winter in Jiangnan brought a damp chill that seeped into the bones.

The continuous rain made the cold air seep into my trousers and cuffs, making me feel uncomfortable all over.

But inside the temporary command post of the Provisional 8th Army, the air was thick with the irresistible aroma of meat, temporarily dispelling the gloom of war.

On a few makeshift folding tables were several enamel basins, each about the size of a washbasin.

It wasn't some fancy feast, but rather a "battlefield stew" freshly cooked by the chefs.

Although the method is rustic, the ingredients are just as good!

As the old saying goes, "Bandits pass by like a comb, soldiers pass by like a fine brush." ​​These days, the passage of soldiers is often more terrifying than that of bandits.

Several wealthy families and gentry in and around Changshu City, seeing that this army was disciplined and had built fortifications outside the city in preparation for fighting the Japanese to the death, went to great lengths to protect their territory and people, and to prevent their own houses from being "borrowed" by the soldiers.

Yesterday afternoon, dozens of fat pigs, hundreds of live chickens, and baskets of fresh winter bamboo shoots and green vegetables were delivered to the military camp.

Lin Feng was holding a large bowl, which was piled high with food.

Large chunks of braised pork, cut as big as mahjong tiles, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, stewed until tender and flavorful, with glistening red broth clinging to the skin, trembling slightly.

There was also large chunks of chicken, mixed with tender winter bamboo shoots and fried tofu soaked in broth, simmering in an iron pot for two hours until the bones were tender.

"call--"

Lin Feng blew away the thick layer of oil on the surface, picked up a piece of fatty meat, and put it in his mouth.

With one bite, the oil bursts in your mouth, mixing with the salty and savory flavors of soy sauce and sugar, instantly filling your entire taste buds.

"fragrant!"

Lin Feng couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

There's no fancy plating or fancy presentation; it's just oily, salty, and meaty!

He believed that this food was better than any delicacy for the soldiers who had been rolling in mud for days.

A bite of vegetables followed by a bite of rice, the warmth slid down my esophagus, instantly warming my stomach and even restoring feeling to my frozen hands and feet.

The more I ate, the more delicious it became. I shoveled mouthfuls of white rice soaked in meat broth into my mouth, and sweat broke out on my forehead as I ate.

Beside them, Zhao Yushu and several staff officers were also eating without looking up, their chopsticks flying, and all that could be heard was the sound of them slurping and swallowing.

"The wealthy families in Jiangnan are really generous."

Lin Feng sighed and picked up another piece of winter bamboo shoot with his chopsticks.

This stuff is crisp and refreshing, perfect for cutting through the richness.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lin Feng put down his empty bowl, took the hot towel handed to him by the orderly, wiped his face vigorously, and let out a long, contented sigh.

The meal was satisfying and enjoyable; even the sounds of gunfire outside seemed to fade into the distance.

In this brief moment of leisure after dinner, the communication suddenly broke in, delivering an urgent telegram:

"Commander, urgent telegram from Commander Liu of the 40th River Defense Division."

"A main force of the Japanese army forcibly landed at Baimaokou on the Yangtze River, northeast of Changshu."

The Japanese destroyers and planes bombed the beachhead repeatedly, turning it into a sea of ​​fire. The defending troops suffered heavy casualties and could no longer hold out.

Its 1st Regiment, deployed at Hupukou and Xuliujingkou, suffered over 70% casualties and was forced to retreat.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Lin Feng in horror.

"Cousin, you're under a lot of pressure now."

Zhao Yushu was much calmer now, no longer easily startled, but he was still a little anxious: "Baimaokou is just to our northeast, not far from here. The Japanese have sent another force."

Lin Feng nodded and strode over to the huge battle map hanging on the wall.

As a time traveler, he knew all too well who had come.

That was the main force of the Japanese 16th Division, as well as a part of the Japanese Marine Corps.

Lin Feng picked up a red and blue pencil and drew a heavy red arrow on the map at the location of Baimaokou, pointing towards Changshu.

"Originally, we only had the 11th Division on our front. Although their attack was fierce, we could hold out thanks to our fortifications."

"But now..." Lin Feng's voice was heavy, "The 16th Division will land from the northeast. They won't take a roundabout route; instead, they will advance directly south and join up with the 11th Division."

"This means that the pressure on the Changshu defense line has instantly doubled."

"Two Class A divisions, more than 50,000 Japanese soldiers, plus the support of naval guns and aircraft, were like two iron hammers smashing down on this nail at the same time."

Lin Feng sneered: "The Japanese devils are determined to crush us from the front."

Faced with overwhelming numerical superiority, any tactic seems ineffective.

Although the Provisional 8th Army was well-equipped, its main fighting force was actually only its Honorary 1st Brigade.

If we try to withstand the successive attacks of two divisions, even if we manage to hold our ground, we will eventually be worn down.

"What about the 40th Division..." Zhao Yushu asked.

Lin Feng thought for a moment:

"Reply to Commander Liu: Don't hold out on the beachhead. The Japanese naval guns are not to be underestimated."

Even his Tiger tanks couldn't engage in a firefight with a destroyer weighing several thousand tons.

Lacking heavy firepower, the 40th Division could only fight desperately on the beachhead, using only their flesh and blood to resist the enemy's naval guns and shells.

"Let them utilize the water network terrain to fight back step by step, in stages."

They traded space for time, luring the Japanese troops inland.

If we really can't hold out any longer, we can retreat to the main position on the Wu-Fu line and join us.

"yes!"

Lin Feng looked at the map, pondering in his mind.

The combined force of the 11th and 16th Divisions was terrifying.

Changshu will likely soon become a real meat grinder.

Fortunately, someone else arrived soon after.

As evening approached, the main force finally appeared on the highway to the southeast.

The main force of the 21st Group Army has finally withdrawn.

However, the scene before them silenced Lin Feng's soldiers.

This isn't an army; it's more like a bunch of vagrants.

The soldiers were dressed in rags, many of them had lost their shoes, and their feet were wrapped in blood-stained rags and wearing straw sandals.

Heavy weapons have been almost completely lost, and even light machine guns are rare. Most people are left with only an old rifle.

Depressed morale and numb eyes were the psychological trauma left by being chased and bombed by Japanese planes.

Compared to the well-equipped, powerful, and even tank-armored First Brigade, this friendly force was like a bunch of beggars.

"This is...our main force?" Zhao Yushu clicked his tongue, somewhat incredulous.

A black sedan covered in mud stopped in front of the command post.

Liao Yannong, commander-in-chief of the 21st Group Army, got out of the car.

This famous general from the Guangxi clique was also weathered by time, his uniform covered in mud.

But as soon as he looked up, he saw the armored command vehicle with an antenna mounted behind Lin Feng, and the guards around him all carrying short guns (StG44) with curved magazines, and his eyelids twitched.

"Wow... these are all new types of submachine guns that I've never seen before? They must all be imported, right?"

"Is this all the wealth the Central Army's top training corps is capable of?"