Blood-Red Front

Binxi, Dahuangjiang International Wharf.

Newly promoted Admiral Matsui stood on the dock, watching a warship slowly approach.

As Chief of the General Staff Yamamoto said, no one in the entire newly established country dared to call for a ceasefire at this time, and the proposal to form the 10th Army was directly approved at the Imperial Conference.

Ishihara, who had consistently opposed the move, was directly transferred back to the garrison.

However, in order to assemble this 10th Army, Chusheng Kingdom has practically emptied its coffers this time.

The newly established General Headquarters even forcibly drew upon the elite 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment of the 5th Division from the fiercely contested North China battlefield.

Together with the 18th Division responsible for defending the mainland, the 14th Mixed Brigade drawn from the garrison, and the former Yizhou Garrison Shigetō Detachment, they formed a landing force of nearly 10 men.

At this point, the entire mainland of the newly risen nation was left with only a Royal Guard Division responsible for the basic defenses of the Imperial Palace and the Eastern Capital. As for other places, they could be described as empty cities.

Meanwhile, in order to coordinate the joint operations of the 10th Army and the Binxi Expeditionary Army, the Hatsusho General Headquarters reorganized the two forces into the Central China Expeditionary Army.

The commander-in-chief of the Central China Expeditionary Army was Matsui, the former commander of the Hama-Sai Expeditionary Army, while the commander of the Hama-Sai Expeditionary Army was Prince Asaka, who had just been promoted to lieutenant general of the Imperial Family.

Matsui came to the dock to welcome Prince Asaka.

A dozen minutes later, a middle-aged man dressed in a lieutenant general's uniform stepped onto the dock.

Although Matsui was nominally Prince Asaka's superior, he took the initiative to greet him.

"Your Highness."

"Your Excellency Commander-in-Chief."

The two saluted each other and exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Your Highness, the car has pulled into the dock. Shall we return to headquarters?"

"Commander-in-Chief, I believe the Empire's warriors have already wiped out the enemies in the concession. How about we take a walk along the riverbank?"

"This is my first time setting foot on the land of Xia, and I want to take a closer look," Prince Asaka said with a smile.

"Of course." Matsui nodded.

Walking along the riverbank, watching the ships passing by on the Yellow River, Prince Asaka asked, "Commander-in-Chief, is the situation on the western front really that dire?"

"To be honest, it's even more difficult than the battle reports say." Matsui's expression was very heavy. "The Hama-Nishi Expeditionary Army has suffered heavy casualties, and its offensive momentum has weakened considerably."

"I understand." Prince Asaka nodded.

This was one of the reasons why the newly established Imperial Headquarters transferred Prince Asaka to take over as commander of the Hama-Nishi Expeditionary Army—to use the imperial title to boost the morale of the troops.

After walking a few more steps, Matsui couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering him: "Your Highness, has the General Headquarters confirmed that it will shift its strategic focus from North China to Central and East China?"

"It has indeed turned around," said Prince Asaka.

"According to research, the headquarters believes that Xia Kingdom has already concentrated more than 60% of its main force in Binxi, so the decisive battle should take place in East China rather than the previously assumed North China."

"Alright," Matsui said seriously, "Hopefully the 10th Army can turn the tide."

Even with morale boosting efforts from the imperial family, the Hama-Nishi Expeditionary Army was nearly exhausted. Whether the Hama-Nishi battle could be ended depended entirely on whether the 10th Army could successfully land.

……

In this battle, the Rising Nation is once again gambling its national destiny.

In order to ensure a successful landing, the Chu Sheng Army completed all the preparations for the landing but did not make any rash moves.

After Prince Asaka took over as commander of the Hama-Nishi Expeditionary Army, he personally went to the front lines to supervise the battle on several occasions, which boosted the morale of the Hama-Nishi Expeditionary Army, which had been somewhat low.

Having regained control of the front lines, Chang Zhongshi was also energized and continued to deploy troops to the front lines to engage in a tug-of-war with the Chu Sheng Army.

Time passed quickly as the two sides remained deadlocked, and it was already the second day of October.

On a transport ship off the coast of Zhoushan, Kato, the chief of staff of the 10th Army, knocked on the door of Lieutenant General Yanagawa, the commander.

"General, we have received a telegram from the Second Department of the General Staff."

Upon hearing that it was the second part, Liu Chuan immediately perked up.

The Second Department of the General Staff, newly promoted to the Army's highest intelligence agency, called, which meant that an opportunity for war had arisen.

"What did the intelligence say?"

"According to intelligence reports, another division of the Xia Kingdom's garrison along the Qiantang Bay line was transferred away today."

"Another division gone?" Liu Chuan was overjoyed. "So, along this 100-kilometer stretch of coastline, the Xia army only has less than two infantry divisions left?"

"That's right." Kato nodded. "It's said that Chang Zhongshi, the Minister of Military Affairs of Xia Kingdom, plans to launch a counterattack in an attempt to retake Binxi."

"Hahahaha..." Liu Chuan burst into laughter.

"I think we should apply for a military medal for Minister Chang."

"Pass on my order: convene a war council immediately!"

"Hi!"

……

Soon, all officers of the 10th Army, including colonels and above, gathered in the conference room.

Standing before the map, Liu Chuan declared, "Gentlemen, the opportunity has arrived!"

"This battle concerns the future of the empire. Her Majesty the Empress has placed great hopes on my 10th Army. We can only succeed; failure is not an option!"

All the newly promoted officers stood up in unison, faced east, raised their hands, and bowed in cheers.

"Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Long live!"

"Long live!"

After three shouts, the officers sat down again at Liuchuan's gesture.

"I have received reliable intelligence that the enemy's coastal defense forces consist of only two understrength infantry divisions, and along the 20-kilometer coastline around Jinshanwei, there is only one infantry regiment."

Upon hearing Liu Chuan's words, everyone's faces lit up with excitement.

With an infantry regiment defending a 20-kilometer-wide position, one can imagine the density of Xia's troops.

Based on this calculation, during the amphibious landing operation, the 10th Corps would face at most one enemy battalion.

If they still can't land successfully, the 10th Army can jump into the sea and feed the fish themselves.

"Commander, the 74th Regiment requests to lead the attack!"

"My Chongteng Detachment has been stationed in Yizhou for many years and is familiar with beachhead warfare. It is only right that my unit take the lead in the attack!"

"Our unit will lead the attack..."

"Our unit will lead the attack..."

Inside the meeting room, all the frontline commanders were vying for this key attacking position.

In their view, this was a military achievement that came out of nowhere.

The crowd's voices grew louder and louder, and Liu Chuan couldn't help but tap on the table.

"Alright, stop arguing!"

Seeing that the commanders had quieted down again, Yanagawa waved his hand.

"We have absolutely sufficient troops this time, and I have decided to launch a landing operation simultaneously at multiple locations."

"Jinshanwei South Gate, Quangongting, Jinniang Bridge, Jinshanzui, Caojing, and Zhelin are all suitable landing sites."

"After landing, each unit should not wait for follow-up troops, but should advance at the fastest speed."

"Our mission is to cooperate with the Binxi Expeditionary Army to annihilate a main force of the Xia Kingdom in Binxi, or severely damage multiple of its main forces."

"Everyone has an equal chance. Whoever can capture Huating first will be the one to achieve the greatest merit."

"Hi!"

……