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

【Content of the telegram】

Classification: Top Secret

Transmitting station: Kyushu Army Headquarters

Receiving unit: Commanders of each team of Kyushu Legion

Contents:

"Emergency order! In view of the current development of the war situation and the changes in the enemy and our own situation, the headquarters now officially issues the latest combat orders as follows:

1. Order all teams of the Kyushu Corps to immediately abandon all frontline positions to avoid a meaningless war of attrition with the enemy.

2. All units must quickly and orderly retreat and gather towards the city of Fukuoka, giving priority to ensuring the integrity and combat effectiveness of the units.

3. The air defense units in Fukuoka City are densely deployed and have strong air defense and anti-missile capabilities, which can serve as a safe haven for our troops in the short term. All troops are requested to strengthen their vigilance and pay attention to concealment during the retreat to ensure smooth arrival at the designated area.

4. During the retreat, each commander must keep communications open and report the position and situation of the troops to the headquarters at any time to facilitate the adjustment and deployment of subsequent combat plans.

5. This order is effective immediately and must not be made in error! I hope all soldiers will strictly implement it, jointly resist foreign aggression, and defend our country.

Commander: Yamashita Tomoyuki

Su Zhengyang's eyes sparkled with wisdom as he gently stroked the telegram in his hand. It contained not only the enemy's strategic adjustments, but also a signal that the expeditionary force was about to turn around.

The smile at the corner of his mouth was an acknowledgement of Yamashita Tomoyuki's wise move, as well as confidence in his own next plan.

He stood up slowly, his eyes looking through the office window, as if he had penetrated the flames of war and saw the outline of the future battlefield. Turning to the head of the intelligence department who was on standby, his voice was steady and powerful: "Keep paying close attention to the enemy's movements, and don't miss any subtle changes. At the same time, ensure that the communication with the insider Okamura Neiji is unimpeded. Every piece of intelligence he has may be the key to our victory."

Upon hearing this, the person in charge immediately straightened his back, saluted, then quickly turned around and left to carry out the order.

Soon, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Stein walked in, his steps steady, his face serious but expectant. As the deputy commander of the expeditionary force, he knew that what he was about to hear would be an important instruction that would determine the direction of the war.

"Deputy Commander Stein," Su Zhengyang got straight to the point when he saw him. "According to the latest intelligence, Yamashita Tomoyuki has ordered the Kyushu Corps to fully withdraw its defense line to the city of Fukuoka. This is a great opportunity and we cannot miss it. I order you to issue new combat orders to all units immediately."

Upon hearing this, Stein quickly stepped forward and listened attentively.

"We are going to advance eastwards," Su Zhengyang's voice was loud and clear, "Our target is the outer area of ​​Fukuoka City. There, we will build a solid defense line and wait for the arrival of the southern army. Once the two armies meet, we will launch a general attack on the Kyushu Legion and annihilate it in Fukuoka City in one fell swoop!"

Stein's eyes flashed with a gleam of brilliance. He knew the importance of this battle. He nodded quickly, indicating that he fully understood and accepted the order. "Yes, commander-in-chief! I will make arrangements immediately to ensure that every unit can arrive at the designated location on time and prepare for the final decisive battle!"

In the twilight of the southern Kumamoto region, soldiers of the First Army of the Northwestern Army marched with heavy steps through the ashes of smoke and dust, and officially entered the Kumamoto Fortress, which was once impregnable but has now become a living hell. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled feebly on the ruins, coating the broken steel bars, collapsed walls, and the charred pits of varying sizes all around with a layer of desolate gold.

Liu Ershun, a veteran commander, stood at the front of the team, his eyes piercing the devastated scene. His face was filled with mixed emotions, including anger at the enemy's ruthless destruction and shock at the powerful force of the air force. "The air force is truly the overlord of the sky in modern warfare," he whispered to himself, secretly admiring it. This round of air strikes not only demonstrated the horror of human technological power, but also turned this indestructible fortress into the dust of history.

"Commander! The remaining enemy troops were found in Area 4, and they are putting up a strong resistance to our army!" A scout came running over, and the hurried report broke the silence. Upon hearing this, Liu Ershun's eyes instantly became as cold as a knife, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth: "These damn Japanese devils are really stubborn. Even at this point, they are not willing to give up easily."

"Pass on my order, everyone get ready, and launch an attack on area No. 4! None of these remaining enemies can be spared, they must be completely eliminated!" Liu Ershun's voice was firm and powerful, echoing among the ruins, inspiring the fighting spirit of every soldier.

As the order was issued, the soldiers of the First Army quickly adjusted their formation and advanced towards Area 4. For a moment, the sounds of gunfire, artillery, and explosions intertwined, forming the most intense symphony on the battlefield. The sound of cloth-tearing machines, which was unique to the Chinese army, rose and fell, surging like a tide, tearing the air and the enemy's defense line.

Two hours later, the smoke of the battle gradually dissipated, but the air was still filled with a strong smell of gunpowder and a subtle stench. The deputy commander of the First Army was covered in dust, but his eyes were shining with victory. He hurried over to report to Liu Ershun: "Commander, we have successfully cleared areas 4 to 7, and all remaining enemy forces have been annihilated. But...but..." He paused for a moment, as if he was having difficulty speaking.

"But what? Tell me quickly!" Liu Ershun frowned, his tone hinting with impatience.

“But inside the fortress, the bodies of the Japanese soldiers who died of suffocation have begun to show signs of decay. If not handled in time, it may cause an epidemic, posing a huge threat to our army and local civilians.” The deputy commander reported in a heavy tone.

Hearing this, Liu Ershun's face darkened, and a hint of anger appeared at the corner of his mouth. He cursed: "Damn little Japanese, he is still so troublesome even after his death!"

"Pass on my order," Liu Ershun said with a sharp gaze as he gave new instructions to the deputy commander, "Have all soldiers wear gas masks and, while ensuring their own safety, gather all the bodies of the Japanese soldiers in an open area of ​​the fortress. Remember, you must act quickly, but also be careful to avoid further contamination."

The deputy commander nodded quickly and turned to execute the order. But Liu Ershun seemed to have thought of something and added, "Also, let the engineers prepare enough fuel and incendiary bombs. We have to burn these sons of bitches and completely eliminate the hidden dangers!"

As night fell, the soldiers of the First Army were busy under the faint moonlight. Wearing gas masks, they carefully carried the bodies and gathered them one by one in the designated open area. On the other side, the engineers quickly built a simple fuel pile and prepared to burn it.

Following an order, blazing flames shot up into the sky, lighting up the night sky like day. The bodies of the Japanese soldiers quickly turned into ashes in the flames, and the air was filled with a smell of burning and relief.