nucmednet Chapter 184 Combat Mission
Chapter 184 Combat Mission
"Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief!" Shen Lian strode into the conference room, and a group of officers stood up, looking at him with excitement.
"Hello everyone! It's great to see you all here today! We haven't sat together like this in so long! Hehe!" Shen Lian nodded and said with a smile.
"Finally, we're going to take action against the Japanese! Commander, we've been waiting for this day for ages!" Shen Congjun shouted. After Shen Daowu stayed behind to guard the area, he took command of the 1st Infantry Division.
"Good! That's spirited! I hope you'll still be this tough when the fighting starts!"
"Don't worry, Commander! We will definitely not let you down!"
"That's right! Commander, those little Japanese, I'll beat them so badly they'll shit themselves! That'll be the best they can do!"
"That's right, that's right!" the officers shouted in unison.
"Very good! Everyone, please sit down!" Shen Lian waved his hand.
The twenty or thirty people present were mostly officers of division rank or above, each with gold stars gleaming on their shoulders. Finally, I felt like I had a veritable gathering of formidable generals!
"General Staff, please first brief us on the situation of the Japanese army!"
"Yes, Commander!" A colonel staff officer picked up a wooden stick and walked to the large map on the wall.
"General, please take a look! Currently, the Japanese army has approximately 300,000 troops in Northeast China, divided into four armies."
"The Japanese First Army and the Yalu River Army launched an offensive from within Korea, defeating the Russian army along the way. Together with the Second and Third Armies that landed on the Liaodong Peninsula, they captured Liaoyang and finally defeated most of the Russian army outside Fengtian City."
"The current distribution of the Japanese troops is from west to east: the Second Army, the Third Army, the First Army, and the Yalu River Army..." The staff officer pointed out the distribution of the Japanese troops one by one on the map.
"The entire Japanese army is on the offensive; their goal is certainly not just to seize the territory and resources occupied by the Russian army. They seem poised to swallow up Northeast China whole!"
"Heh! Quite the appetite!" Shen Lian said disdainfully.
"What is the situation and mission of our army?"
"Our army currently has approximately 280,000 troops assembled, comprising 15 divisions and two independent cavalry brigades. The First Army Group comprises the 1st Armored Division, the 1st Infantry Division, the 5th Division, the 6th Division, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 1st Independent Cavalry Brigade."
The Second Army Group comprises the 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Division, 2nd Cavalry Division, and 2nd Independent Cavalry Brigade.
"The Third Army Group comprises three cavalry divisions and two garrison divisions!"
"The First Army Group's mission was to defeat the Japanese Second and Third Armies outside Fengtian City. Then, it would advance south along the railway line until it recaptured Port Arthur."
"The mission of the Second Army Group was to defeat the Japanese First Army and the Yalu River Army, then advance south to the Korean border, and seize the opportunity to invade Korea."
"After the battle begins, the Third Army will seize Liaoyang when the opportunity arises, cutting off the Japanese retreat. It will protect the railway and provide support to the First and Second Armies as the battle progresses!"
"Yes! Everyone understands their respective tasks, right?" Shen Lian nodded. Of course he knew these things; he was just explaining them now to make the officers present understand the battlefield situation.
"Understood!" the officers shouted.
Are there any logistical issues?
"Reporting to the Commander! No! We have already stockpiled the ammunition and rations needed for this battle. Moreover, we have secretly organized support militia and wagons in various prefectures and counties, ready to support the front lines at any time," Gao Shulin stood up and answered loudly.
He was an old man sent by Shen Lian's father-in-law years ago, and now Shen Lian has promoted him to the position of lieutenant general and logistics minister. He doesn't have much talent, but he is honest and meticulous.
Gao Shulin knew his own abilities and was deeply grateful to Shen Lian for earning him this position. He was diligent and selfless in his work, which earned him unanimous praise from everyone.
"Alright! Get ready! Submit your battle plans within two days, and we will launch an attack on the Japanese army three days from now!"
"Yes, sir!" After all the officers stood up, saluted, and left with excited expressions!
Shen Lian was about to inspect the logistics warehouse when a guard came to report that the Japanese representative had arrived.
"Then let him in! I want to hear what the Japanese have to say!" Shen Lian shook his head and smiled crookedly.
"Lord Shen!" A short, thin Japanese man entered, led by a guard.
Unexpectedly, it was an old acquaintance who showed up—Komura Taro, whom I had met in Kyoto. That old rascal is still alive! But he looks like he hasn't been doing well these past few years; he's aged considerably.
"Oh! Komura Taro! I didn't expect to see you again! Hehe!" Shen Lian grinned mischievously.
"Yes! It is a great honor to see Lord Shen again!" Komura Taro's eyes twitched, and he bowed deeply through gritted teeth.
Several years ago in the capital, he was repeatedly humiliated by Shen Lian, and even fainted on the spot from anger.
Japan also suffered heavy losses in the Boxer Rebellion, and he was sidelined after returning home. Hearing that he was now facing off against Shen Lian again, he volunteered to go to the front lines.
The goal is to defeat Shen Lian and then thoroughly humiliate him. It's about avenging the arrow wound from years ago and venting my anger!
"Mr. Komura, you're not here to catch up, are you? I'm too busy with things to do these days, I really don't have the time!" Shen Lian said lazily.
"Lord Shen, I represent the Great Japanese Empire,"
"Stop! What great Japan! It's little Japan! Don't try to act superior in front of me. You've forgotten again? You never learn!" Shen Lian interrupted Komura Taro.
Shen Lian's sudden words interrupted Komura Taro, making him blush.
Baka! I'll let you be smug for a little while longer!
"On behalf of the Imperial Japanese Army, I demand that you immediately relinquish the Russian towns, railways, mines, and other assets you have occupied. Otherwise, our army will not rule out the use of force to expel you! Hmph!" Komura Taro said, composing himself.
"What a joke! Give it up? This is Chinese territory, why should I give it up?" Shen Lian curled his lip and said disdainfully.
The Russians were wicked too; after signing the agreement with the Japanese, they handed over the occupied territory to the new army overnight. Shen Lian knew perfectly well what they were up to.
They were just defeated by the Japanese, yet they're still not convinced. They're just trying to provoke a conflict between China and Japan!
However, this was exactly what Shen Lian wanted. He immediately sent troops to occupy the Russian army's territory and fortifications, which saved him a lot of trouble!
"Lord Shen! We have already signed an agreement with Russia, and they have acknowledged the transfer of these benefits to our country..."
"What do I care about the agreement you signed with Russia! This is Chinese territory, and it's up to us Chinese to make the decisions!" Shen Lian waved his hand, interrupting Komura Taro.
"Lord Shen, are you going to oppose my Imperial Army?"
Komura Taro wasn't angry at all; Shen Lian's attitude was just right! He was worried that Shen Lian would back down and the fight wouldn't even start!