Not enough Japanese devils to kill? 1.4 billion people volunteer for the Battle of Shanghai.

"Countdown to the return of the People's Republic of China in 2026: 00:02:38"

Bian Yun looked at the panoramic battlefield map provided by the Queen Bee, and a series of thoughts flashed through his mind.

"Cheetah, after I leave, you'll be in charge here," Bian Yun said.

The cheetah immediately stepped forward: "Yes!"

"Make a note of this," Bian Yun continued without pausing.

"First," Bian Yun pointed to the eastern line on the map, "north bank of Luodian. The main force of the Japanese Third Division is launching a fierce attack, and our defenses have been breached in many places."

He paused:

"Dispatch Kirin Tanks: No. 101, No. 102, No. 103, and No. 104."

"Four tanks, led by the anvil."

"Mission: Establish a defensive line on the north bank of Luodian, stabilize the position, and hold out until at least 6 p.m. tomorrow."

"Important Notes: The Japanese army has heavy artillery support, so be careful to avoid artillery fire. If necessary, you can take the initiative to attack and destroy the Japanese artillery observation posts."

Cheetah quickly jotted down notes on the paper, repeating, "Yes. On the north bank of Luodian, four tanks, led by Iron Anvil, will hold out until 6 PM tomorrow."

"Second," Bian Yun's finger moved to the southern front, "Liu Xing. Two regiments of the Japanese 11th Division, equipped with heavy artillery and tanks, are launching a fierce attack on the 201st Brigade of the 18th Army. The brigade originally had 5,000 men, but now it has less than 2,000."

「派遣麒麟坦克：105号、106号、107号、108号、109号。」

"Five tanks, led by Lei Gang—he is familiar with the terrain of Liuhang, and his shoulder injury does not affect his command."

"Mission: Break through the Japanese offensive line as quickly as possible, join forces with the remnants of the 201st Brigade, and establish a defensive strongpoint. Then—push back."

"I want you to drive the Japanese 11th Division back to their starting position."

Lei Gang stood beside him, blood still seeping from the wound on his shoulder, but his eyes gleamed like a wolf's: "Yes! Mission accomplished!"

"00:01:47"

"Third," Bian Yun pointed to the western front, "Yunzaobang. Along the twenty-kilometer riverbank, the Chinese and Japanese armies have been engaged in hand-to-hand combat for twenty days. Parts of the Japanese 9th Division and 101st Division, about six thousand men, are attempting to penetrate the defenses."

"Our army consisted of a mixed force of about four thousand men, without unified command, and each fought its own battle."

"Dispatch Kirin Tanks: No. 110, No. 111, and No. 112."

"Three tanks, led by Liu Dachui—his engineering team is familiar with the river terrain and is skilled at constructing defensive fortifications."

"Mission: Provide mobile support along the north bank of Yunzaobang, going wherever the defenses are weakest. Priority: Protect the three remaining pontoon bridges across the river—the only passage for retreat and reinforcement."

Liu Dachui pushed up his broken glasses and nodded emphatically: "Understood! As long as we're alive, the bridge will stand!"

"Fourth," Bian Yun finally pointed to the northern front, "Shi Xiangong Temple. A battalion of the 7th Army of the Guangxi Army, originally more than 400 men, is now less than 100. A battalion of the Japanese Army with four tanks is besieging it."

"Dispatch Kirin Tanks: No. 113 and No. 114."

"Two tanks, led by Dong Yi."

"Mission: Relieve the siege. I don't need you to hold that place—that small hill has no strategic value. I want you to bring out the Guangxi soldiers who are holding it out there alive."

Dong stood at attention and said without any preamble, "Yes, sir."

"00:01:15"

Bian Yun looked at the cheetah: "Repeat it."

The cheetah stood tall, its voice clear:

"1. On the north bank of Luodian, four tanks, led by an anvil, will hold their ground until 6 p.m. tonight."

"Second, Liu Xing, five tanks, led by Lei Gang, break through—meet—counter-push."

"Third, Yunzaobang, three tanks, led by Liu Dachui, provide mobile support to protect the bridge."

"Fourth, at Shi Xiangong Temple, two tanks were rescued by Dong Yi's team."

He paused:

Total: Fourteen tanks.

Bian Yun nodded: "There's one left—No. 115, under the command of the Queen Bee, serving as a battlefield reconnaissance and communications relay node."

Then, he looked around at everyone:

"This is the plan to divide the forces."

"The mission is arduous, the enemy is numerous, and the battlefield is brutal."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"But I only have one request—"

"Mission accomplished."

"I held on until I traveled back for the seventh time."

"00:00:52"

"Is everything clear?!" Bian Yun roared.

"clear--!!!"

"Get on the bus! Let's go!"

The engine roared.

Fourteen Qilin tanks started up simultaneously, their turrets rotating and pointing towards their respective targets.

"00:00:38"

In the final half minute before the return—

"Flanker—!!!"

A hoarse voice came from the west.

Lu Bei.

This special forces soldier, who was supposed to be protecting the evacuation of people on the west side of Luodian, was now stumbling and rushing over, carrying a little girl.

He was covered in blood—not his own, but the blood of the child in his arms.

The little girl was about five or six years old, wearing a floral print shirt, which was now soaked in blood and pus.

Her face, hands, and bare calves were covered with blisters from the toxic gas burns. Some of the blisters had ruptured, oozing yellowish-green pus.

Lu Bei rushed to Bian Yun, this tough man's eyes red with tears:

"Squad leader... take her with you..."

He gently handed the little girl over.

The little girl was still conscious. She opened her eyes, which should have been clear and bright, but were now burned by the poison gas, her pupils dilated, yet she could still see.

She looked at Bian Yun, at this older brother in the strange military uniform, and asked in a weak voice:

"Big brother...am I...going to die...?"

Bian Yun took the little girl.

It's very light, as light as a feather.

Bian Yun held her and felt her small body trembling—not from the cold, but from the pain and fear.

He lowered his head and said in the softest, gentlest voice:

"Don't worry, it won't happen."

The little girl blinked, and tears welled up in her eyes—the tears streamed down her face, causing the blisters to sting and make her shudder.

"But...I'm in pain...my whole body aches..."

"I know," Bian Yun gently patted her back. "Close your eyes."

The little girl obediently closed her eyes.

Tears still clung to her long eyelashes.

"When you open your eyes again," Bian Yun's voice was soft but firm, "you will see a beautiful place."

"There was no sound of gunfire there."

"There is no poison gas."

"There are no Japanese soldiers."

"There's a clean hospital, kind doctors, delicious candy, and beautiful toys..."

He paused:

"And... peace."

The little girl gave a weak smile:

"What is peace...?"

"Peace is..." Bian Yun thought for a moment, "You can sleep peacefully without being woken up by the sound of gunfire. You can go out and play without worrying about bombs falling from the sky. You can go to school, learn to read, learn to sing..."

He felt the child in his arms gradually calming down.

"I want to...go and see..." the little girl murmured.

"I'll make sure you see it," Bian Yun said.

"00:00:15"

Bian Yun raised his head and looked at the wounded soldiers of the 62nd Regiment around him.

Including Xiao Hubei, there were fifty-eight people, fifty-eight pairs of eyes—all the eyes that could still be opened were looking at the little girl, looking at Bian Yun.

Their eyes held sadness, anger, but more than anything... a deep, unspeakable pain.

I am suffering for this child.

Pain for all the children who suffer in war.

For this long-suffering nation, for all the pain it endured during this darkest of times.

The people they risked their lives to protect, like the child in their arms, are still suffering.

And suffering.

Bian Yun held the little girl, looking at the soldiers, at the land soaked in blood, and at the smoke still rising in the distance.

Tears welled up without warning:

"Our nation has suffered so many hardships..."

"00:00:01"

"00:00:00"

White, warm, like the light of a mother's embrace.

It devoured everything...