Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

Eagle Beak Ridge, the position of the isolated battalion

Thousands of Japanese soldiers surged up from the artillery positions. The second platoon was the first to rush out of the tunnel. The machine guns were already set up. The hillside was full of Japanese soldiers. Xiao Hubei was so excited that his eyes were shining.

He pulled the trigger all the way down, and a long tongue of fire shot straight at the Japanese soldiers, like a scythe of death, mechanically reaping their lives.

In just half a minute, he used up most of the ammunition belt, firing more than 150 bullets. The effect was astonishing, and the team leader reported a kill count of 9 people.

In other words, he single-handedly wiped out most of the Japanese squad, putting a bucket of cold water on the Japanese soldiers' overheated minds.

Thanks to the precious time gained by the second platoon of machine gunners, the other units also rushed out of the tunnels, and their light and heavy machine guns, rifles and mortars worked hard to hit the Japanese, and soon stopped the offensive.

The battalion-level artillery company and the regimental artillery company joined the battle, and the directly subordinate artillery battalion was also eager to try. The soldiers of the guerrilla detachment roared whenever they fought the Japanese.

The 33rd Regiment deployed its main force, hoping to exploit the time difference and end the battle with bayonets once they reached the defenders' positions.

The Second Regiment gave them no chance to engage in bayonet fighting, relying on concentrated firepower to keep the Japanese soldiers at a distance of eighty meters. Within those eighty meters was a true death hell; any Japanese soldier who broke into that area became a cold corpse without exception.

Although the 33rd Regiment deployed over a thousand men, they did not gain the upper hand, achieving only a draw at best.

The 80-meter line has become a death chasm; touching it means certain death.

Seeing that one regiment wasn't enough, Major General Sasaki ordered the 9th Regiment to reinforce the area and attack from the right flank, relieving pressure on Noda's regiment. The two regiments, one on the left and one on the right, formed a formidable force and continued their assault on the isolated battalion's defensive line.

The troop ratio between the two sides was close to 5 to 1. The isolated battalion calmly fought back and managed to hold off the Japanese with its powerful firepower.

Inside the command post at the summit, Zhao Yunwen saw the Japanese soldiers resorting to human wave tactics, snorted coldly, and said to Xie Polu:

"Order the artillery battalion to fire with full force. All anti-aircraft guns, mountain guns, and infantry guns should be used to support the isolated battalion. Don't worry about artillery losses; the lives of those old devils in the 16th Division are worth more than captured artillery pieces."

"Bomb! Bomb it to death!"

This was a fast-paced life. Xie Polu didn't say a word of nonsense and gladly accepted the order. Zhao Yunwen had absolute authority in the guerrilla detachment.

Before a decision is made, everyone can offer suggestions; once an order is issued, everyone must execute it unconditionally.

Shortly after Zhao Yunwen issued the order, the artillery battalion, which had been hiding, opened fire at full capacity, with 8 75mm mountain guns, 12 Type 92 infantry guns, and 8 anti-aircraft guns fiercely firing at the Japanese.

Shells rained down on the enemy ranks, each explosion creating a bloody storm that covered almost the entire area where the two infantry regiments were located, reaping the lives of the Japanese soldiers.

Nakajima Kesago got impatient and ordered the heavy artillery battalion to return fire, but this time the guerrilla detachment's artillery did not evade; they were single-mindedly focused on bombing the Japanese infantry.

This reckless fighting style resulted in the loss of five cannons and more than thirty artillerymen, but the results were also brilliant, helping the isolated battalion repel the attack of two regiments and killing or wounding nearly a thousand Japanese soldiers.

"A madman! Zhao Yunwen is a complete madman!"

After receiving the casualty figures, Major General Sasaki could no longer remain calm and began to curse. Despite their usual disregard for soldiers, even heavy losses can be painful.

He committed two infantry regiments to the battlefield, attempting to overwhelm the isolated battalion with sheer numbers and capture the front lines.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yunwen deployed twenty-eight artillery pieces, relentlessly attacking two infantry regiments, even at the cost of being bombed himself—a classic example of a piece-trading tactic.

The Chinese people lacked artillery the most, and other troops treated it like a treasure, including the Japanese, who would rather lose men than part with their cannons. Zhao Yunwen did the exact opposite, catching the Japanese completely off guard.

Xie Polu reported to Zhao Yunwen with a heavy heart:

"Commander, the losses are too great. If this continues, the artillery battalion will run out of cannons."

Zhao Yunwen glanced at the system warehouse, which was overflowing with cannons, and said with a firm expression:

"That's still better than the troops running out of ammunition! Tell the artillery battalion that if the Japanese try to use human wave tactics, bomb them to death. Once we run out of artillery, I'll figure out another way!"

At the 16th Division headquarters, Nakajima Kesago, having also been hurt, gave Major General Sasaki a good scolding. Nakano Mitsuo quickly tried to smooth things over, saying:

"The Chinese artillery will suffer heavy losses, and they might even be wiped out by the heavy artillery battalion. In the long run, the Imperial Army won't lose out. Without artillery, how will Zhao Yunwen defend Kongshan?"

Nakajima Kesago's expression softened somewhat, but the practical difficulties still needed to be addressed. He gave a cold snort and said:

"The Ninth and Thirty-Third Regiments have lost their offensive capabilities. With all four infantry regiments combined, it's no longer possible to field two regiments."

"Our reinforcements and supply corps are all used up. What will sustain our offensive?"

What Nakajima Kesago said is the most realistic problem: there are only 6,000 soldiers left, and the camp is full of seriously wounded. What can we use to continue fighting?

Everyone fell silent. Strictly speaking, the 16th Division had been decimated. They could apply to the country for reinforcements, but that would be too late.

Nakazawa Mitsuo was the chief of staff and strategist, and everyone's attention was focused on him. Being the center of attention was no easy task.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice!

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, we have two options."

Colonel Nakazawa paused deliberately, observing the situation. Major General Sasaki, his fiery temper flaring, said with displeasure:

"Nakazawa-kun, just say what you want to say. Nobody has time to play riddles with you."

Seeing that the division commander was also getting impatient, Colonel Nakazawa quickly said:

"The Nanjing defense line has over 100,000 Chinese, and they can't all be as capable as the guerrilla forces, such as the Guangdong Army on the left flank. Once the 9th Division breaks through their defenses, Zhao Yunwen will collapse without a fight, and the Imperial Army can pick up the pieces—"

"You idiot! You're not a true samurai! When has my Kyoto Division ever needed anyone's help?"

Before Colonel Nakazawa could finish speaking, Nakajima Kesago launched into a tirade of curses; he could not accept losing to the Ninth Division.

The others were also furious and joined in cursing Colonel Nakazawa, but Major General Sasaki chose to remain silent.

Major General Tatsumi Kusaba stepped in to smooth things over:

"What about the second option?"

Colonel Nakazawa, having been thoroughly berated, decided to go all out and shouted:

"Concentrate four regiments for a fierce attack, and let the blood of our warriors stain Kongshan red!"

Nobuaki Ohno of the 20th Infantry Regiment was the first to step forward and say:

"Our Kyoto Division and the guerrilla detachment have an irreconcilable feud, and the shame can only be washed away with the enemy's blood."

"We've suffered heavy casualties, but have the guerrillas suffered fewer? This is a matter of life and death; I agree to a decisive battle with the guerrillas!"

Colonel Katagiri, commander of the 9th Regiment, also stepped forward and said:

"The glory of an imperial warrior can only be earned on the battlefield. The time has come to serve His Majesty!"

The Japanese soldiers all expressed their opinions, and the gambling-addicted Japanese chose to take a risk and try to achieve their goal in one battle.

Nakajima immediately made the decision:

"Gentlemen, see you in Jinling!"

After making up their minds, the 16th Division made its final preparations in a grand and ostentatious manner, without even trying to hide it from the guerrilla detachment.

With his keen sense of smell, Zhao Yunwen guessed the Japanese soldiers' intentions and immediately gave the order:

"Immediately order the isolated battalion to abandon its position and retreat to the main position. We will also withdraw in a swaggering manner and tighten our grip."

"If the Japanese devils are determined to fight to the death, we'll fight them to the bitter end!"