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

Chapter 108: War Targets the Korean 6th Army

Half an hour later, the commander of the 1st Division Liu Chengxu and the commander of the 2nd Division Zheng Zeyu walked into Su Zhengyang's office.

"Immediately prepare the troops and prepare to fight the Korean Sixth Army. The Koreans have occupied the territory that originally belonged to our Linzhou, and they even dared to ask for a huge ransom before they would return the territory to us. They are so unbelievable. Let's start fighting right away! Let the Korean Sixth Army know why the flowers are so red!"

Liu Chengxu and Zheng Zeyu looked at each other. It seemed that Han Xi's repeated challenges to the commander's bottom line had made the commander completely lose his patience.

"I want you to show the momentum of our Northwest Revolutionary Army. If we don't fight, then it's fine. If we start a war, we must use the force of thunder and lightning to directly annihilate the entire Korean Sixth Army. I don't even want to give them a chance to negotiate. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Commander, I will ensure that the mission is accomplished!"

In the headquarters' combat meeting room, Liu Chengxu pointed to the map on the table and said slowly, "Commander Zheng, our First Combat Division will advance directly eastward from Yong'an City and attack Shangjiu City from the front. Your Second Combat Division will detour northeastward from Nanguang City and cut off the retreat of the Korean troops. This is a tough battle that the commander has personally assigned us. We must do a great job and win a big victory to bring honor to our Northwest Revolutionary Army."

Zheng Zeyu frowned and thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "There is no problem with your plan. Our Second Combat Division can go around to the east side of Shangjiu City, take Gucheng City first, and completely block all the retreat routes of the Korean troops."

After finalizing a complete combat plan, at noon the next day, the fully prepared Second Combat Division headed directly south, preparing to exit Hankou Pass from the east of Nanguan City, detour 300 kilometers, and go straight to Gucheng City. As for the First Combat Division, it only went directly east from Yong'an City on the third day after Zheng Zeyu's departure, and marched towards Shangjiu City in a mighty manner.

In the Sixth Army Headquarters in Shangjiu City, Han Jingting frowned and asked, "Hasn't Su Zhengyang replied to us yet?"

"Master, since we sent the telegram, it has been like a drop in the ocean. There is no new information at all."

"My Lord, it's bad. Our spies in Yong'an City sent us news that the First Combat Division of the Northwest Revolutionary Army has launched an entire attack and is heading towards our Shangjiu City."

Han Jingting sneered, "This Su Zhengyang really thinks he is a big shot. He directly sent troops to intimidate our Korean troops, sent a telegram to the Northwest Revolutionary Army, questioning why they took military action against friendly forces, and at the same time called the Northern Frontier Central Government, saying that the Northwest Revolutionary Army attacked our army without reason. Under no circumstances, our Korean troops could only launch a counterattack."

"Have Commander Chen prepared. Once the war really starts, we must show our Korean strength! Let the Northwest Revolutionary Army return in defeat!"

Han Jingting's confidant hesitated and said, "Master, the Northwest Revolutionary Army is famous for its strong combat capability and excellent equipment. If we fight them head-on, I'm afraid we have no chance of winning."

Han Jingting waved his hand and said, "Su Zhengyang is probably just pretending to attack us to force us to reduce the ransom we demand from the Northwest Revolutionary Army. We all belong to the Northern Frontier Government. If he really declares war on our Han faction, it will cause a series of chain reactions. Now that the Southern Government is about to march north, the Northern Frontier Government wants stability the most. The Yan faction and the Pang faction have been forcibly mediated by the Northern Frontier Government and stopped fighting. Does Su Zhengyang dare to risk the world's disapproval?"

"Besides, we have a full army of nearly 40,000 troops here. The Northwest Revolutionary Army has been fighting for years and is exhausted. Even if they are well-equipped, it won't be easy for them to gain an advantage over us."

Han Jingting sneered, "Su Zhengyang is not willing to pay the little price we ask for now. After this is over, if we want to redeem the land, the price will have to double."

"Young Master is wise!"

Han Jingting was still confidently imagining the future when a messenger hurriedly pushed the door open.

"It's bad, sir. The old city behind us has been breached by the Second Combat Division of the Northwest Revolutionary Army. The 119th Division has been completely annihilated. Now the old city has completely fallen into the control of the Northwest Revolutionary Army."

Han Jingting stood up suddenly, his eyes flashing coldly, and walked quickly to the messenger, grabbed the messenger by the collar and said, "What did you say!"

The messenger was so frightened that he dared not even breathe. He lowered his head in fear and remained silent.

Han Jingting pushed the messenger away and became furious.

"The 119th Division has a total of more than combat troops. With the help of the city, they can't even defend a small old city. They are useless! They are really useless!"

Chen Jiahu walked in at this time and said with a gloomy face: "It seems that Su Zhengyang is not only going to start a war, but also preparing to cut off our retreat and swallow our Sixth Army in one breath. He is not afraid of breaking his own teeth!"

Han Jingting calmed down, thought for a moment, and sneered, "Since Su Zhengyang wants to start a war, we will play along. Send a telegram to the Yongzhou Governor's Office and ask my father to mobilize the three divisions of the Fifth Army to attack Gucheng City from Hanchuan City on the western border of Yongzhou. Their Second Combat Division is alone and deep in the enemy's territory. As long as we can withstand the offensive of the First Combat Division head-on, we can completely annihilate this division-level combat unit of the Northwest Revolutionary Army and make Su Zhengyang lose one of his arms."

Chen Jiahu also nodded in agreement.

Theoretically, the Second Combat Division of the Northwest Revolutionary Army attacked Gucheng in order to cut off the retreat of the Korean Sixth Army. In fact, with such a long front line, the Second Combat Division was deep behind enemy lines, fighting alone, and supply was a serious problem. As long as Yongzhou sent out troops again and the Sixth Army stationed its troops in Shangjiu City to defend it, making it impossible for the First Combat Division to break through their defense line, the three divisions of the Yongzhou Fifth Army could use their numerical advantage to directly strangle the Second Combat Division.

Of course, all this is based on the premise that the First Combat Division cannot capture Shangjiu City, and the troops of the Yongzhou Fifth Army must move fast enough. Otherwise, before they arrive, the two divisions of the Northwest Revolutionary Army, one from the east and one from the west, will directly break through Shangjiu, and the overall situation will be decided.

Outside Shangjiu City, Liu Chengxu held a telescope in his hand, looking at the Shangjiu City wall in the distance, and sneered: "Compared with Zhenyuan City and Yong'an City, the wall of Shangjiu City is as good as paper. Tell the artillery regiment to pull out their 150MM heavy artillery and two Thor's hammers. I'm going to blow the wall of Shangjiu City to pieces!"

The artillery regiment quickly established artillery positions, and fifteen 150MM heavy howitzers and two Thor's Hammers opened fire one after another.

The devastating roar of artillery fire resounded throughout the entire Shangjiu City.