Blood-Red Front

"Baka yarou! Damn Xia Kingdom government, why don't they surrender?!"

"Attack! We must keep attacking! Until they surrender!"

"Since the blood of Binxi isn't enough, then let's deliver a fatal blow to Xia Kingdom in Kyoto!"

"Kyoto, attack Kyoto! Once we capture their powerful capital, Chen Zai's will will crumble, and the Xia Kingdom's resolve to resist will collapse!"

The newly risen nation emptied its coffers and went all in, risking a strategic attack from the Rossian Empire, and finally won the Battle of Binxi.

As a result, the newly formed nation paid the price of nearly 80,000 elite veterans as casualties. For the newly formed army, which had only 17 standing divisions before the war, this was nothing short of a massive bloodletting.

Therefore, after achieving victory in Binxi, the newly risen nation did not have the composure of a conqueror, but rather resembled a gambler eager to collect his winnings and leave the game.

The newly risen nation, through its ambassador to Xia, once again extended an olive branch, attempting to persuade Xia to accept a surrender and reparations agreement.

However, in response to the demands of the newly risen nation, the Xia government displayed extreme toughness, making it very clear that it would fight the newly risen nation to the death until one side completely collapsed.

With negotiations proving fruitless, another protest erupted within the Rising Nation, demanding that the Rising Army continue its offensive.

To support newly promoted soldiers, young men eagerly signed up for military service, while young women actively went to Southeast Asia to earn money for the army by using their bodies, or volunteered to become comfort women to relieve the pressure of war for the newly promoted soldiers.

……

Initial meeting at headquarters.

Tojo explained in front of the map: "Based on the intelligence we have so far, the Xia army must have been preparing for battle long ago. They have secretly built two defensive lines, one on the north side and one on the south side of Taihu Lake."

"However, because of our army's landing at Qiantang Bay, the southern defense line of Taihu Lake has been basically rendered useless. This means that as long as our army detours and bypasses the main force of the Xia army, it can still surround them."

"I think our army can launch a frontal attack with the main force of the Binxi Expeditionary Army, while the 10th Army can outflank it from the flank."

Flanking maneuvers were a battle tactic that was considered the ultimate bible by everyone in the newly promoted army.

Whether it's a big battle or a small one, if there are conditions, we should take a roundabout approach; if there aren't, we should create the conditions and take a roundabout approach.

At this time, there were no longer people like Ishihara in the newly established headquarters; all that remained were warmongers. Therefore, Tojo's proposal was immediately approved by everyone.

Faced with the inevitable trend, even a newly crowned empress cannot defy it.

The newly crowned empress looked at the Chief of Staff beside her, "Chief of Staff Yamamoto, is this feasible?"

"Your Majesty." Yamamoto stood up.

"A flanking attack is not difficult, but encircling the Xia army is not easy."

"However, even if we cannot complete the encirclement in Wu County, it will not be a problem to take advantage of the situation to attack the capital of Xia."

"Our army has more than 400 heavy artillery pieces in the Binxi area, which can easily crush the enemy's defenses. The Xia army will definitely not be able to defend their capital."

The newly crowned empress nodded. "Since everyone agrees that we should continue the attack, then the General Staff should formulate a battle plan."

"Complete the relevant deployments as soon as possible."

"Hi!"

Soon, the newly promoted army issued "Operation Order No. 8".

The Binxi Expeditionary Army under the Central China Area Army launched a frontal attack on Xia's army along the Wu-Fu line, while the 10th Army made a direct flanking maneuver to the west of Taihu Lake.

……

Binxi, the headquarters of the Central China Expeditionary Army.

Upon receiving the telegram from headquarters, Matsui got up and went to the window.

Looking at the scene outside, Matsui's tone was somewhat grave: "Watanabe-kun, is there really no possibility of this war ending?"

Chief of Staff Watanabe, who was standing nearby, said, "Sir, when the truck is going very fast, stepping on the brakes will only cause a rollover accident."

Matsui sighed.

"In the Battle of Binxi, the battle report released by the General Headquarters stated that more than 9 people were killed and more than 3 were wounded, with a total of 4 casualties."

"But in reality, the number of casualties was more than double. The number of soldiers killed in action was definitely no less than 20,000, and the number of those wounded, sick, or missing was countless."

"Watanabe-kun, do the frontline troops of the Central China Expeditionary Army still have the capability for continuous combat?"

"Sir, although the Binxi operation has far exceeded expectations, the headquarters has already replenished 10 new recruits, and the current troop organization is very complete."

"New recruits? How much combat power do these new recruits have?" Matsui said helplessly. "And what about supplies? Ammunition? Food? Medicine?"

After being supplemented with 10 new recruits, the Central China Expeditionary Army appeared to have a complete organizational structure, and even some overstaffing, but its combat effectiveness plummeted.

Moreover, fighting a war isn't something that can be accomplished simply by people walking over. Without sufficient resources and industry, the newly promoted army had to rely on corpses to pave a road to the capital of the Xia Kingdom.

"The shells are being replenished. Although there aren't enough for one battle right now, it won't be a problem in the short term. We can replenish them as we fight."

"However, medicine is indeed in very short supply. If we continue fighting, we may have to rely more on the physical condition of our soldiers."

"As for food, we can only requisition it locally and solve the problem ourselves."

"That's the only way." Matsui nodded. The order had been given, and there was no room for him to discuss it.

"Forward the decision of the General Headquarters to Lieutenant General Yanagawa and Prince Asaka, ordering them to prepare and launch the attack as soon as possible according to plan."

"Hi!"

……

Just as the newly promoted army was preparing to launch another attack, Lin Zhiyuan had already led the remaining 500-plus men of the 6th Regiment to retreat to Linqi Town on the outskirts of Kyoto.

Just as the 6th Regiment had settled into their barracks, Shang Kebing came looking for them.

"Young master, the master has sent someone. The carriage is right at the barracks gate."

Lin Zhiyuan was not surprised by this; he had already anticipated it while on the way.

Regardless of what happened to the original owner, Lin Zhiyuan is considered someone else's son who has possessed another body, so we have to acknowledge him.

Lin Zhiyuan instructed Guan Jianchu, "Old Guan, I'm leaving the matters of the regiment to you. I'll go back and see if I can bring back as much stuff as possible. Also, keep a close eye on the artillery battalion; don't let them escape."

Artillery is a technical branch of the military; it's not something you can just fire a cannon and go to the battlefield.

From the simplest tasks like marching and towing, gun emplacement construction, and camouflage, to quadrants, levels, and direction and elevation corrections, and then to drawing, rangefinding, mil-dots, indirect aiming, and ballistic calculations, artillerymen have a vast amount of knowledge to learn.

With them around, Lin Zhiyuan could more easily replenish the artillery.

Guan Jianchu nodded and asked, "What about the priesthood?"

Lin Zhiyuan thought for a moment, "Forget it, we can't control the priesthood."

"clear."

Lin Zhiyuan had no intention of targeting the priesthood, but when he arrived at the door, he found that Mu Ya was already waiting there.

Seeing Lin Zhiyuan's somewhat surprised expression, Mu Ya said, "I haven't seen Uncle Lin for a long time. I'm going back to see him."

Lin Zhiyuan realized that Mu Ya had grown up in the Lin family since she was a child, and they were practically father and daughter.

The group got into a car and headed straight for Kyoto.

……