Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 723 A tough battle

Tokugawa Mitsuka stood in the command room, surrounded by a calm and powerful aura. His eyes penetrated the flames of war outside the window, as if he could see every subtle change on the battlefield.

"We can't panic, and we can't get confused." He said to himself, as if he was giving a silent warning to himself and all the officers and soldiers. He knew that if he started to evacuate blindly, he would not only fail to escape the enemy's pursuit, but might fall into a more dangerous situation. In the plains, once the enemy's armored forces deployed their positions, their fierce firepower and fast speed would be the most deadly threat to them.

"We must fight with all our strength!" Tokugawa Mitsuka made a decision in his heart. He knew that only by stabilizing the position and giving the enemy a head-on blow could he gain precious time and space for the subsequent evacuation. This decision not only tested his courage, but also demonstrated his ability to command on the spot.

So he took a deep breath, turned around, and faced the officers who were also waiting for his next instructions with determined eyes. His voice was not loud, but full of power, and every word was clearly heard by everyone.

"Soldiers of the Mingzhao Division!" He began the pre-war mobilization, his voice full of pride and determination, "Since our establishment, the title of Mingzhao Iron Wall and Imperial Glory has always been with us. We are never afraid of any enemy, no matter how powerful the opponent is or how harsh the environment is, nothing can stop us from moving forward!"

He paused, his eyes swept over every young and determined face, and continued: "Now is the time for us to prove ourselves! I ask you, from top to bottom, to be prepared to fight to the death. We must use our courage and wisdom to defend our honor and dignity! Even if we die on the battlefield, we must be loyal to the emperor to the end!"

As Tokugawa Mitsuka finished speaking, thunderous applause and cheers broke out in the command room. The officers' blood boiled, and their eyes flashed with a determined look. They knew that the next battle would be a life-and-death battle.

Tokugawa Mitsuka stood on a high ground, overlooking the vast battlefield ahead, and had already drawn up a precise tactical layout in his mind. Holding a baton, he issued a series of orders to his officers in a steady and powerful voice.

"First, all squadrons must immediately build solid defensive positions based on the existing terrain." He swept his eyes over each officer to make sure everyone heard the order clearly. "Remember, the positions must be laid out to form a crossfire network to ensure that no matter which direction the enemy attacks from, they will be hit by our multiple firepower."

Then, he turned to the commander of the artillery regiment, and his tone revealed an unquestionable determination: "Artillery regiment, your mission is to provide accurate artillery support at all times. Once you find enemy forces gathering or important targets exposed, you must fire at the first opportunity to create favorable conditions for our infantry's attack or defense."

Then, Tokugawa Mitsuka turned his gaze to the commander of the cavalry regiment, his eyes gleaming with anticipation: "Cavalry regiment, you are the agile blades on the battlefield. I require you to quickly detour on the edge of the battlefield, find the weak points or confusion in the enemy's defense line, and decisively launch a charge to break up the enemy's formation and create opportunities for our infantry to break through."

Finally, his eyes fell on the commander of the armored corps, and his tone was full of trust and confidence: "Armored corps, as the first line of defense of our army, you will directly face the enemy's front. I require you to give full play to the mobility and firepower advantages of the armored forces, resolutely block the enemy's attack, and buy time for our subsequent tactical operations."

Under the precise command of Tokugawa Mitsukawa, the various units of the Meisho Division moved quickly. The soldiers of the squadron were busy digging trenches and building bunkers, while the artillerymen were busy calibrating the gun positions and preparing ammunition. The cavalrymen of the cavalry regiment were either galloping on their horses or riding sidecars on the edge of the battlefield looking for the best time to attack. The tanks of the armored regiment roared their engines and parked on the battlefield, as majestic and inviolable as steel giants.

At the other end of the battlefield, the 102nd Division, the vanguard of the First Army, pointed directly at the defense line of the Ming Zhao Division like a sharp blade. The division commander Jia Dezhang sat firmly in the command vehicle, staring at the front, observing the enemy's deployment through a telescope. His face was full of determination and resoluteness, as if he had foreseen the upcoming victory.

"Heavy artillery brigade, listen to my orders!" Jia Dezhang's voice was clearly transmitted to every artillery position through the radio waves, "Immediately cover the enemy's defense line with firepower, concentrate all firepower, and be sure to destroy their fortifications and firing points to clear obstacles for subsequent attacks!"

As his order was issued, the gunners of the heavy artillery brigade quickly adjusted the muzzles and loaded shells. With deafening roars, artillery fire poured down on the Mingzhao Division's defense line like raindrops. The shock waves and flames generated by the explosion of the shells instantly illuminated half of the sky, covering the enemy's position in a sea of ​​fire.

"Assault Regiment, prepare to advance!" Jia Dezhang's voice sounded again, with unquestionable majesty, "Once the fire coverage is over, you must immediately launch a charge and use the breakthrough created by the artillery fire to break through the enemy's defense line in one fell swoop."

The soldiers of the assault regiment were already ready to go, they held their weapons tightly, their eyes flashing with the desire to fight. As the order was issued, they quickly assembled into a charge formation, waiting for the moment when the artillery fire stopped.

"All units, pay attention to coordinated operations!" Jia Dezhang's voice echoed over the battlefield again, "Heavy machine gun company, mortar platoon, you must closely cooperate with the assault regiment's actions and provide continuous fire support. Signalmen, keep communications open to ensure that command orders can be accurately transmitted to every combat unit."

Under Jia Dezhang's precise command, the 102nd Division, the vanguard of the First Army, was like a sophisticated war machine, with all parts working closely together and fighting in coordination. Artillery coverage, assault charges, fire support... every link was in order and flawless.

As the artillery fire gradually weakened, the soldiers of the assault regiment finally waited for the opportunity to charge. Like an arrow shot from a bow, they launched a fierce attack on the enemy's defense line. Behind them was billowing smoke and deafening artillery fire, and in front of them was the battlefield that would decide the outcome.

Zhang Hao, the commander of the assault regiment, held a walkie-talkie in his hand and reported to the division commander Jia Dezhang with a serious expression: "Report to the division commander, our assault regiment has approached the enemy's defense line. But the situation was somewhat unexpected. The enemy did not evacuate in a hurry as expected, but instead showed a tenacious will to resist. They dug simple trenches in a very short time. Although the fortifications are simple, they are obviously ready to fight."

Zhang Hao's voice came through the walkie-talkie, with a hint of barely perceptible worry. He continued, "What's even more difficult is that the enemy's highly mobile armored units have been deployed at the front line, posing a great threat to our advancement. These armored units are flexible and have fierce firepower, so we must be careful in dealing with them."

After hearing the report, Jia Dezhang in the command vehicle raised a disdainful smile. He shook his head slightly, his eyes flashing with confidence and determination. "The Japanese armored forces," he whispered to himself, with a bit of contempt in his tone, "are just children's playthings. Since they want to play this game, then we will fight them and let them see our true strength."

After that, Jia Dezhang quickly adjusted the battle plan and issued a new order to Zhang Hao: "Captain Zhang, you must immediately organize the troops to conduct a dispersed assault, take advantage of the terrain, and try to avoid the enemy's armored forces."