Imperial warlords: Cannons are the only truth

March 17th, Yongsheng eleventh year.

The Daqian Zhenguo Army launched a military operation called "Operation Punisher" against Sharo from Dagasa.

The first phase of airstrikes was launched.

The next day, March 18th.

The "Avengers Operation" against the barbarian country entered the implementation phase just one day later.

The codenames "Punisher" and "Avenger" are also quite meaningful.

"Punisher" means to punish Shaluo for all the bullying he had done to Daqian.

The label of "avengers" attached to the actions against the Yi people directly points to the numerous crimes committed by the Yi army in massacring the people of Daqian in Luyang!

The Great Qian Zhenguo Army will never forget this new debt!

In short—old grudges and new hatreds must all be settled this time…

In the initial "Operation Punisher," the Daqian Zhenguo Army specially formed four task forces, totaling 120 million troops, to launch a fierce offensive against Shaluo.

It's the same formula, the same routine, but it's great because it works!

Following the aerial bombardment came a barrage of artillery fire.

Only after the artillery barrage is completed can the ground troops launch a formal offensive against the enemy positions in a coordinated tank-infantry formation.

This time, before the Daqian Zhenguo Army's ground forces launched a formal offensive, the Daqian Zhenguo Army dispatched thousands of aircraft in the first phase of the air raid.

Targeted bombing operations were carried out to eliminate key military targets in the Sharo border region.

Many military targets in the Sharo border region, including armored forces, airfields, ammunition depots, fuel depots, grain depots, and important roads and bridges, suffered devastating damage.

Although President Kolklav Glen had long ago issued orders to the border troops confronting the Qian Kingdom's army to be ready to respond to any enemy offensive.

However, faced with the Daqian Zhenguo army's aggressive fighting style that disregarded the cost of their battles, the already demoralized and unmotivated Shaluo army was simply unable to withstand the Daqian Zhenguo army's fierce offensive.

Moreover, having tasted the "sweetness" of using fuel-air explosives in the Battle of Dagasa, the Daqian Zhenguo Army once again dropped a considerable number of fuel-air explosives on the Salo position during the air raid phase.

The fear of the "white fog spectacle" undoubtedly further eroded the fighting spirit of the Salo defenders....................

The Salo forces have deployed more than 30 troops along the border in the Korcuvión region, which borders the Dagasa region.

Commanding the operation was General Yale Gustav, a veteran of the Salo army known for his skill in holding the line.

When Salo President Kolcraw Glenn and Defense Minister Bernard Levay inspected frontline defenses and boosted troop morale.

In an attempt to impress Kolcliffe Glen, Yer Gustav made boastful remarks in front of a group of Sharo executives.

He even made a solemn pledge on the spot—never to allow the people of Qian Kingdom to cross the border by an inch!

Although Kolclough Glen and others also knew that Yale Gustav's statement was somewhat of a boast and an exaggeration.

However, to boost morale, Yale Gustav's determination was specifically praised.

Before leaving, Kolcraw Gran even awarded Yar Gustav the "Guardian Warrior" medal in advance to commend his determination to defend the border...

However, Yale Gustav's actual performance truly lived up to the old saying—the more boastful his words were back then, the harder he was slapped in the face now!

Often, the more confidently something is said, the less reliable it tends to be.

The more than 300,000 border troops led by Yar Gustav held out for only four days after the Daqian Zhenguo Army officially launched its ground offensive.

On March 18th, after several hours of artillery barrage, the ground forces of the Daqian Zhenguo Army launched a formal offensive against the opposing Shaluo garrison.

5:30 p.m. on March 22.

Unable to bear the pressure any longer, Yale Gustav, in despair and pessimism, ordered the garrison of Sharo to cease resistance.

"If we continue fighting, these 300,000 troops will be slaughtered by the Qian people in just a few days."

"As their commander, I cannot stand by and watch the tragedy of Dagasa repeat itself."

"This was a very difficult decision."

"However, if sacrificing my personal honor and disgrace can save hundreds of thousands of soldiers from unnecessary sacrifice, I would rather bear this shame..."

Yale Gustav gave very “sufficient” reasons for issuing the surrender order.

At this moment, Yale Gustav experienced selective amnesia.

He seemed to have completely forgotten his promise to Salo president Kolcraw Glenn—I would save the last bullet for myself!

No matter how fierce the attack from the Daqian Zhenguo Army was, they would not retreat a single step.

If there's one division left, he'll be the division commander; if there's one brigade left, he'll be the brigade commander; if there's one regiment left, he'll be the regimental commander, until the last man is left!

They will show the people of Qian Kingdom the indomitable fighting spirit of the Salo soldiers!

In fact, even before Yer Gustav officially ordered a halt to resistance, the Shaluo garrison had already experienced a wave of organized surrenders in the face of the overwhelming offensive of the Daqian Zhenguo army....................

Many commanders on the Sharo front pessimistically stated that it was simply impossible to resist the offensive of the Daqian Zhenguo Army when they had completely lost air superiority and their own armored and heavy artillery forces had been destroyed!

The fully mechanized attack force, with its tactics of calling in artillery fire and air support at the slightest provocation, completely destroyed the fighting spirit of the Salo soldiers.

Therefore, even if Yer Gustav did not issue an order to cease resistance, the already completely collapsed Salo forces would not be able to hold out for much longer.

Clearly, Yale Gustav had no intention of keeping his promise and never thought of saving the last bullet for himself.

Faced with a life-or-death situation, Yale Gustav decisively chose the approach of "pragmatism is the best policy."

And as it turned out, Yale Gustav's decisive action did indeed save his life.

Because, in reality, if Yale Gustav's order to cease resistance had been issued just ten minutes later...

It's highly likely that Yale Gustav will be used as a "pledge of allegiance" to the Great Qian Zhenguo Army by the guards who have already decided to surrender....................

In addition, the location of Yale Gustav's command post has also been taken over by the Daqian Zhenguo Army.

In other words—if it had been any later, even if Yel Gustav hadn't been killed by the guards who were preparing to surrender, he would very likely have been killed by the heavy firepower of the Daqian Zhenguo Army.

Afterwards, Yale Gustav was shocked to learn the truth.

While feeling lingering fear, Yale Gustav was mostly grateful for his decisive and swift action!

-------------------------------------

Command Headquarters of the First Special Task Force of the Daqian Zhenguo Army.

"This is General Yale Gustav, commander of the 50th Independent Frontier Regiment of Sharo."

Having already become a prisoner, Yale Gustav was taken alone to the headquarters of the First Task Force.

"General Gustav, you have just made a very wise choice."

"Your orders saved the lives of many Salo soldiers."

Cao Hanfei, who had been reassigned as the commander of the First Special Task Force of the Daqian Zhenguo Army, was quite enthusiastic about the surrender of Yer Gustav.

Seeing Cao Hanfei extend his hand, Yale Gustav quickly reached out both hands to meet him.

Click!

The scene of the two sides shaking hands amicably was captured by a political officer holding a camera.

Upon hearing the sound of the camera, Yale Gustav was taken aback, but quickly recovered and did not show any resistance.

It is clear that Yale Gustav had a fairly correct understanding of his position.

"This is General Cao Hanfei, commander of the First Special Task Force of our Great Qian Zhenguo Army."

The translator introduced Cao Hanfei to Yale Gustav and translated Cao Hanfei's words to Yale Gustav in Sharo.

“I heard from them that General Gustav was very cooperative with our work and even took the initiative to reassure the Salo soldiers in the prisoner-of-war camp.”

"I think General Gustav is exactly what we need!"

Seeing how cooperative Yale Gustav was, Cao Hanfei nodded in satisfaction and gestured for Yale Gustav to sit down and talk.

“I’ve heard that General Gustav has a great influence in the Salo army.”

“I know—this time General Gustav was able to disregard being labeled a ‘Salo traitor’ and prioritize the lives of the vast majority of Salo soldiers when issuing the order to cease resistance.”

"This requires immense courage!"

"Therefore, we have reason to believe that General Gustav was a wise man who valued life above all else and was reasonable..."

"Our propaganda department wants to create a model—to appeal to and persuade the Salo army to lay down their arms and stop resisting!"

"This is the most responsible thing to do for the entire Salo community."

“There is really no need for the Salo army to continue fighting for a ‘tyrant’ like Kolcliffe Glen, who has no regard for the safety of the Salo people.”

"If it weren't for Kolcliffe Glen's refusal of the reasonable demand to return the Dagasa region, his constant challenges to the bottom line of the Great Qian Dynasty, and his attempts to win over anti-Qian forces under the guise of peace talks."

"This war could have been completely avoided..."

Cao Hanfei directly shifted all the blame onto Salo's president, Kolcliff Glenn, paving the way for his later remarks: "So, all of this was actually caused by Kolcliff Glenn."

"If General Gustav would be willing to become our propaganda ambassador, that would be wonderful....................."

The translator then translated Cao Hanfei's words verbatim to the sitting Yale Gustav.

"General Cao, you are absolutely right!"

After understanding the purpose of the Qian Kingdom in bringing him here, Yale Gustav did so almost without hesitation.

He immediately stated his position: "Back then, when you asked us to return the Dagasa region that you had forcibly occupied..."

"I personally strongly support a peaceful return!"

"But this despicable and shameless Glenn! He doesn't allow anyone to express a different opinion for his own political purposes and personal ambitions."

With an indignant expression, Yale Gustav launched into a scathing rebuke: "Ultimately, he single-handedly made a series of wrong decisions and plans that followed."

"Kolcliffe Glen will only drag Sharo deeper and deeper into an abyss!"

"Therefore, I am willing to cooperate with the Daqian Zhenguo Army and contribute to the rescue of Shaluo!"

Although the Daqian Zhenguo Army already held an absolute advantage in terms of military strength.

However, we still need to employ the necessary psychological tactics.

Enabling more Salo troops to lay down their arms and surrender is also an indispensable part of quickly capturing Salo.

Therefore, when he saw that Yer Gustav, who had been highly regarded by Kolcliffe Glen and had a certain influence in the Salo army, was so pragmatic.

The propaganda forces of the Daqian Zhenguo Army immediately responded.

Isn't Yale Gustav the perfect example of someone who came to you for help?

After the translator clearly translated Yale Gustav's statement to Cao Hanfei.

Cao Hanfei's first reaction was actually a little confused.

Because Cao Hanfei never expected that Yale Gustav would be so "savvy"!

Originally, Cao Hanfei thought that a high-ranking general like Yar Gustav would be somewhat "reserved" when faced with such a demand from an opposing force.

You should know—if Yale Gustav agrees to this, he'll definitely be branded "Saluo's number one traitor"...

In any case—under normal circumstances, wouldn't you at least be a little "reserved" before agreeing?

But now it seems—it was all overthinking. Yale Gustav's main selling point is "openness"!