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

Yoshizumi Ryosuke took command of the Battle of Zijin Mountain, and Chief of Staff Colonel Nakagawa Hiroshi reported using the map:

"Your Excellency, the division commander is defending Zijin Mountain with the Chinese Training Corps. This is a German-equipped Class A division with a total strength of nearly 3 men and an artillery regiment, making it a formidable force."

Zijin Mountain is the eastern gateway to Nanjing, less than three kilometers from the city wall. The commander-in-chief, Gui Yongqing, graduated from the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy and had a brilliant performance in the street fighting in the Songhu area. He was a fierce general.

The Training Corps comprised two brigades and six regiments, each with 3200 men, plus artillery, supply, and engineer regiments, making it stronger than the Empire's top-tier divisions.

Yoshizumi Ryosuke said with a look of disdain:

"They're just empty shells, nothing to worry about. The Empire's top-tier divisions can easily defeat them, let alone our martial arts divisions."

"Wakisaka Jiro is getting more and more promising. He needs tactical guidance for a small hill; he's a complete waste. He's disgraced the martial arts corps."

Colonel Nakagawa quickly explained:

"Intelligence indicates that the Chinese have spent a lot of money to build fifty or sixty reinforced concrete bunkers on Zijin Mountain. They are extremely sturdy and can withstand the attack of 75mm mountain guns. The main attacking force suffered heavy casualties."

Yoshizumi Ryosuke said in a relaxed tone:

"Alright, since the 75mm guns aren't working well, let's send a 105mm heavy artillery battalion to flatten Zijin Mountain!"

The old Japanese soldier's last sentence was brimming with domineering power, and Colonel Nakagawa, greatly invigorated, echoed his words:

"The Chinese bunkers are all made of tofu, just like the permanent fortifications they built on the Wufu and Xicheng lines. They couldn't even withstand a single 105mm shell from the Imperial Army. The ones on Zijin Mountain probably aren't much better."

"Alright, Nakagawa-kun, give the order to the 9th Mountain Artillery Regiment to flatten Zijin Mountain!"

Colonel Nakagawa gave a "hey" and left to carry out the order. Yoshizumi Ryosuke's gaze passed over Zijin Mountain and landed on Nanjing City, where the glory of the Ninth Division lay.

His long-cherished wish is about to be fulfilled, and he absolutely cannot let the small Purple Mountain hold him back. He is going to reach the pinnacle of his life in Jinling City.

The artillery of the 9th Mountain Artillery Regiment began firing from the Zijin Mountain position, creating a huge commotion that shook the ground.

Dozens of cannons rained down on Zijin Mountain, with bullets falling like rain. In particular, the 105mm heavy artillery battalion focused its fire on the location of the bunker, displaying a menacing momentum.

The 9th Mountain Artillery Regiment had been wiped out by the Security Regiment, but was later replenished. Lieutenant General Asaka showed a particular fondness for the 9th Division, replenishing it completely in less than ten days. This is the confidence of an industrial powerhouse.

The shelling lasted for more than an hour, and both the second and first peaks were shelled. Because it was not targeted, most of the shells landed on open ground, and all that was heard was a "bang".

As the main target of the Japanese attack, Bunker No. 1 withstood the test. It was hit by four shells, and Chen Jiali and others' heads were buzzing from the shock, but that was the end of the effect.

Jiro Wakisaka was very satisfied with the effect of the shelling and said triumphantly:

"Yoshi, cannons are truly the gods of war. Purple Mountain has almost been leveled. I wonder how many of those Chinese will survive."

"Now it's time for Major Nomura to launch the attack. My patience is limited; we must take Tiger's Den before nightfall!"

Senior staff officer Makoto Uchida was not as optimistic as him, and said in a deep voice:

"Commander, the Tiger Cave position is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it's defended by over a thousand men. Isn't the Imperial Army's strength too small?"

"Baka yarou, Uchida-kun, you're too cautious! Nomura's battalion has over a thousand men. With equal numbers, the Imperial Army is invincible. China would need five times that number to contend with them."

The ratio of 6 to 1 is the standard combat strength calculation formula in the Japanese army. Even if the defending troops have strong fortifications, they can only reduce it to 3 to 1 at most. 1000 to 1000, the advantage is on our side!

Not wanting to spoil the regimental commander's fun, Uchida chuckled and turned to leave. He had done all he could; now it was up to his friend, Major Nomura, to decide what to do next.

Major Nomura dared not delay after receiving the order and mobilized almost his entire force, attacking from the east, northeast, and southeast, with hundreds of men densely packed together.

The isolated battalion had only one company on the first line of defense, but they were not afraid of the Japanese and calmly fought back, using their firepower advantage to counter the Japanese's numerical superiority.

When Shangguan Zhibiao saw that the Japanese had launched a mass attack, he ordered the artillery company to join the battle, which caused heavy casualties among the Japanese soldiers.

The standard equipment of an artillery company consists of two infantry guns and four mortars. Two were lost in Jurong and Tangshan, but a 37mm rapid-fire gun was added later. Five guns were enough to suppress the Nomura Battalion.

The No. 1 main bunker remained the focus of the Japanese attack; its firepower was so intense that it could sustain the entire defensive line.

Meanwhile, in the northeast, three machine guns inside the No. 4 auxiliary bunker were also firing fiercely at the Japanese troops, with the Type 92 heavy machine gun taking the lead.

Zhao Yunwen reinforced the Second Regiment with the captured light and heavy machine guns to defend the bunkers, so that although the Tiger Cave garrison was small, its firepower exceeded that of two battalions, causing the Japanese to suffer greatly.

Ding Hao, numb from killing Japanese soldiers, said to his assistant gunner:

"Why don't you give it a try!"

Assistant gunner Liu Kun never expected such good fortune to fall into his lap. Excitedly, he took the gun handle and fired a burst at the Japanese soldiers, sending them all flying.

Ding Hao casually shoved two large blouses into his hands and coldly shouted:

"Are you kidding me? So careless! Aim carefully before you fire; bullets are precious!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Liu Kun calmed himself down and followed the shooting instructions, and his second burst was more accurate.

Ding Hao praised:

"Not bad, at least we killed one. Just keep fighting like this, as long as we don't miss."

Liu Kun was very excited after receiving the praise, and continued firing the machine gun, gradually getting the hang of it.

That's how shooting is; theory alone isn't enough, you have to get hands-on experience. Machine guns don't require much skill; the more bullets you fire, the better you'll become.

After Liu Kun fired a whole belt of ammunition, his accuracy improved dramatically. He also learned to suppress enemy infantry with short bursts, and the number of Japanese soldiers killed by his gun increased to double.

If this were to be sent back to our hometown, it would have to be included on a separate page of the family genealogy!

The new recruit from southern Hunan licked his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly before he said:

"Squad leader, can I fire a few rounds too?"

This is a common problem among new recruits; they call everyone "squad leader." Liu Kun, seemingly still not satisfied, said impatiently:

"Go away, what are you doing, you greenhorn? Just focus on loading bullets."

Liu Kun had barely finished speaking when Ding Hao slapped him twice more:

"You think you're so tough, huh? Get lost!"

Liu Kun could only leave his firing position in a huff. Ding Haochong, the new recruit, smacked his lips and said:

"Do you know when to shoot?"

The new recruits nodded like chickens pecking at rice, and Liu Kun said:

"Then let's try firing one belt of ammunition, aim carefully before firing."

The recruit excitedly walked to the firing position. Ding Hao bent down and whispered to him the shooting techniques. A moment later, the gun went off, and the huge recoil almost made the recruit drop his gun.

This burst of fire naturally hit the plane, but Ding Hao didn't get angry. Instead, he personally demonstrated how to hold the gun, aim, and fire, and how to use internal force to control the recoil.

The new recruits were noticeably better when they tried again. Liu Kun rubbed his head, which had been stuffed with sweat, and muttered in dissatisfaction:

"What a biased attitude! Why don't they beat up the greenhorn recruits?!"

Ding Hao gave him a murderous glare as a warning, then continued instructing the new recruits on shooting.

Chen Jiali couldn't help but smile knowingly as he recalled the first time he fired a gun at military school. No one is born knowing how to fire a gun.

After using up most of the ammunition belt, the new recruits gradually found their rhythm, greatly improving their accuracy and killing three Japanese soldiers.

He then fired two more shots, hitting two more Japanese soldiers. He was so excited that he danced around, but he also got hit twice.

Now Liu Kun felt better.

"Get lost!"

"So frivolous!"

Ding Hao took over the machine gun again; he was the main gunner. He could only be rewarded occasionally with "meat" (a form of sparring), otherwise the team would be difficult to manage.

Captain Asada's eyes were filled with rage. That machine gun had killed at least half of his squad. Heavy machine guns, infantry guns, and rapid-fire cannons were all useless; they could only fill the gaps with human lives.

"Warriors, holy war, sir!—Thrust, charge!"

At his command, a dozen or so suicide squad members strapped with explosives charged toward the bunker, yelling as the machine guns behind them began to suppress them.