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

In the tense and rapid marching rhythm, the Ming Zhao and Zentsu divisions finally arrived at the area 20 miles north of Ishida Town after six hours of continuous fighting. At this time, the atmosphere in the command post was solemn and serious. The commander of the Ming Zhao division, Lieutenant General Tokugawa Mitsuka of the Fuso Empire, was standing in front of a huge tactical map, examining the battlefield situation ahead with sharp eyes.

He gently smoothed the map on the table, as if to calm the uneasiness in his heart. Then, he turned around, faced the staff and commanders around him, and began his tactical analysis.

"Everyone, we are now close to our destination, but we must keep a clear head and not let down our guard." Tokugawa Mitsuka's voice was steady and powerful, revealing an aura of authority without even getting angry. "According to our intelligence, the enemy may have learned of our movements and is preparing to set up a defense line in Ishida Town to block us. Therefore, we must be prepared in advance."

He pointed to the location of Ishida Town on the map and continued, "If we want to successfully rescue our friendly forces in Southern Kyushu, we must break through this line of defense. But before that, we must understand the actual situation in Ishida Town, including the enemy's troop deployment, firepower configuration, and terrain and other factors. Therefore, I decided to immediately send a small reconnaissance force to sneak into Ishida Town for reconnaissance."

Tokugawa Mitsuka's eyes swept over every commander present. He knew that this decision was not only related to the success or failure of the reconnaissance mission, but also to the success or failure of the entire rescue operation. Therefore, he had to act cautiously and could not make any mistakes.

"At the same time, we must not forget that we are outnumbered after all," he continued. "Therefore, we must be cautious and tread carefully during the operation. We must consider the risks and challenges that may be encountered at every step and prepare corresponding countermeasures. We must never let the enemy cut off our retreat and supply lines. Otherwise, not only will we be unable to rescue the friendly forces trapped in Southern Kyushu, but we ourselves will also be in crisis."

At this point, Tokugawa Mitsuka's tone became more solemn.

"Therefore, I require each of you to be fully alert and take this operation seriously." He finally said, "We have only one goal - that is to successfully rescue the friendly forces in Southern Kyushu! To achieve this goal, we must go all out!"

Soon, the reconnaissance team sent back news that a large-scale enemy force had been discovered in Ishida Town and had set up defensive positions with the intention of stopping them.

The news from the reconnaissance unit was like a cold wind, instantly blowing away the momentary tranquility in the command post. Lieutenant General Tokugawa Mitsuka's face became solemn, as he was well aware of the seriousness of this intelligence. The large-scale deployment of enemy troops in Ishida Town meant that they were about to face a tough battle, not a light encounter.

He slowly walked to the window and stared into the distance, as if silently weighing various possibilities in his mind. After a moment, he turned around and looked deeply at Jin Zejun, the commander of the Shantong Division.

"Kanazawa-kun, the situation has changed." Tokugawa Mitsuka's voice was steady and powerful. "Our reconnaissance team reported that a large-scale enemy force was found in Ishida Town, and they have set up a solid defensive position. In order to find out the details of the enemy, we must take action."

Jin Zejun's face changed slightly when he heard this. Although he was dissatisfied, he also understood that the current situation did not allow him to say much. He sighed secretly, then stood up and responded respectfully: "General, please give the order, and the Shantong Division will go all out."

Tokugawa Mitsuka nodded, with a complicated look in his eyes. He understood Jin Zejun's dissatisfaction, but as a commander, he had to make the most favorable decision for the entire battle situation. "Jin Zejun, I need you to send two infantry regiments to conduct a tentative attack on the enemy's position." He continued, "The purpose of this operation is to find out the enemy's firepower and troop deployment, which will provide important reference for our subsequent combat plan."

Although Kanazawa Shun, the commander of the Zentsu Division, was dissatisfied and thought that Tokugawa Mitsukawa was treating them as cannon fodder, he dared not speak out and could only take on the mission.

After receiving the order, he immediately summoned his commanders and conveyed Tokugawa Mitsuka's order. For a time, a depressing and tense atmosphere permeated the Zentsu Division.

Jin Zejun stood on the high ground, using the faint light in the night to gaze towards the direction of Shitian Town, which was about to become a battlefield. He knew the importance of this tentative attack, which was not only a preliminary survey of the enemy's defensive strength, but also provided valuable intelligence for the subsequent actions of the large forces. Therefore, every decision he made was particularly critical.

"Attention, commanders, listen to my orders!" Jin Zejun's voice was clearly transmitted to the infantry regiment in front and the artillery squadron in the rear through the radio waves. He issued a combat order calmly and forcefully, "Two infantry regiments, a total of 5,000 elite soldiers, will serve as the vanguard to launch a tentative attack on the enemy's First Army position located northwest of Ishida Town. Your goal is not to completely defeat the enemy, but to find out the enemy's firepower equipment, troop deployment and fighting will through fierce confrontation."

"The first team of the infantry regiment is responsible for the frontal charge and attracting enemy firepower; the second team will adopt a roundabout tactic and attack from the flank to form a pincer attack. Remember to keep the formation tight to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the firepower output." Jin Zejun's instructions were detailed and specific, demonstrating his professional qualities as an excellent commander.

Then, he turned his gaze in the direction of the artillery squadron and continued, "Artillery squadron, your mission is to be on standby at all times and provide necessary fire support for the infantry regiment. Once the infantry regiment engages in a firefight with the enemy, you must flexibly adjust the artillery position according to the battlefield situation and carry out precise strikes on the enemy's firepower points. Remember, your artillery fire will be the strongest backing for the infantry regiment."

After making full strategic deployment, Jin Zejun gave an order and the two infantry regiments quickly assembled. They were dressed in neat uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons.

Following the commander's whistle, the infantry regiment surged toward the northwest of Ishida Town like a tide and launched a tentative attack on the First Army's position.

On the battlefield of Ishida Town, which was filled with smoke, the colonels of the two infantry regiments, Kitagawa Kenichi and Yamato Yuzhi, were leading their troops to launch a fierce attack on the enemy positions. Kitagawa Kenichi commanded the first regiment, while Yamato Yuzhi was in charge of the operations of the second regiment.

Kitagawa Kenichi stood behind a slightly raised rock, holding a telescope and observing the enemy positions ahead with a sharp gaze. He was wearing a neat officer's uniform, with the colonel's badge shining on his shoulder straps, looking particularly majestic.

"First Battalion, pay attention to adjusting the formation and maintaining dense firepower!" Kitagawa Kenichi issued orders to the commander of the First Battalion under his command through the radio communicator.