Chapter 14: The Doomed Resistance (1)

  Lin Jiangshi couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, so he decided to head to the third defense line. As he approached, a soldier was already waiting for him.

  "Captain Lin, don't worry. Please use this route," the soldier said, handing him a map. "Also, I have been ordered to tell you that no one should be allowed to approach the third defense line right now."

  "Not even me?" Lin asked.

  "That's right," the soldier replied.

  "What is Tianhu up to?" Lin wondered aloud.

  "We've already repelled two waves of enemy attacks," the soldier said proudly. "But how come the gunfire stopped after just a few minutes, and then started again?"

  The soldier enthusiastically recounted the details of the battle to Lin Jiangshi.

  "This tactic isn't bad, but only someone as bold as Tianhu could have come up with it," Lin praised, nodding his head in approval. "By the way, what's your casualty situation? Do you need any reinforcements?"

  "Not a single person has been injured!" the soldier exclaimed.

  "Amazing," Lin said, impressed once again.

  "We were all worried when we saw the enemy approaching so close, but Tianhu didn't let us fire yet. We were all anxious and scared, but then he gave the order to attack, and it was like shooting fish in a barrel. The enemy couldn't figure out our position, and we had them right in our sights," the soldier said excitedly.

  "Good job. Tell Tianhu to keep fighting like this. Since he doesn't want me to go there, I won't disturb him. But if anything major happens, have him send someone to report back to me immediately."

  "Yes, sir!" the soldier replied.

  The remaining Japanese soldiers from the second battalion turned around and ran as soon as they heard the order to retreat.

  "What are you doing? Are you trying to make us look like cowards in front of the enemy?" Lieutenant Colonel Shintaro yelled at his retreating soldiers. "Are you afraid just because a few people died?"

  The Japanese soldiers hung their heads in shame, allowing Shintaro to scold them.

  Shintaro stopped yelling and called over several commanders.

  "The enemy is using a scattered firing tactic," he explained. "This tactic may seem disorganized, but it's actually very coordinated. They're dispersing their troops across multiple locations, but still managing to concentrate their firepower and create multiple layers of defense. In a short amount of time, they can lock down the enemy's advance route and then pick them off one by one. This is a very effective tactic that requires great courage and a deep understanding of our military strategy. It seems like your opponent is not an ordinary person. What do you plan to do to counter him?"

  The Japanese commanders looked at each other nervously, unsure of what to do.

  "A bunch of idiots!" Shintaro cursed, gritting his teeth. "I'll take charge myself."

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Combine the remaining soldiers from the first and second battalions into a new second battalion, and have the third battalion serve as the new first battalion. Bring in the guard unit to serve as the new third battalion. Have all three battalions advance in a staggered formation, with continuous artillery fire."

  "But, sir, won't our own artillery fire hit us?" one of the commanders asked hesitantly.

  "Only when we advance to within 50 meters of the enemy will they appear, and that's when our artillery can find its target. Are you afraid of dying?" Shintaro yelled again. "You commanders need to lead by example. Let's start the attack now!"

  "Yes, sir!" The Japanese commanders didn't dare ask any more questions, and instead quickly regrouped and launched another attack on Tianhu's position.

  The Japanese artillery intensified their bombardment, with shells landing all over Tianhu's defensive line. Dust filled the air, covering many of the soldiers' heads.