Chapter 1 The Situation

Night.

At the Zha Nan Longkou warehouse, a large amount of military equipment began to be transported to Xin Xiaodong's First Army and Fei Pingsheng's reinforced 312th Brigade of the Second Army. The situation in Dragon City was already very tense, and the air was filled with a thick smell of gunpowder.

5:00 PM, Dragon City Administrative Office, Mayor's Office.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the office window, leaving a golden hue on Li Mingsheng. Secretary Li Yuan walked to the window and gently drew the curtains, blocking the somewhat scorching light.

At this moment, Su Tianyu was reporting on his work to Li Mingsheng, explaining their plan in detail.

After listening, Li Mingsheng thought for a while and interjected, "I understand the situation. Tell me your opinion."

"Prepare for war!" Su Tianyu said without hesitation. "I have already ordered the People's Army headquarters to prepare for battle! The Blackwater Legion of Bana City, as well as some of our armed forces, have also begun to mobilize."

Hearing this, Li Mingsheng frowned slightly.

Seeing this, Su Tianyu explained, "Don't worry, our ultimate goal is definitely not to fight! This time, we just want to try our best to win over the attitude of the garrison."

Li Mingsheng asked, "What if it pushes them too far?"

Su Tianyu explained, "If it really pushes them too far, it means that Tan Hengqiang's heart is not in Dragon City, and he still favors District One. In that case, the war may break out earlier. But this is also a last resort. If we drag it on, Tan Hengqiang will play both sides, reaping benefits for himself, while we will never be able to advance any further. We have no choice now. If, and I mean if, we still have to fight, it's better to take the initiative into our own hands."

Li Mingsheng didn't say anything, just drank his tea, sitting there quietly contemplating. After weighing it for a long time, he said softly, "You have to think it through. We have already broken with the Second Party. Once the war starts, we may be isolated and helpless."

Su Tianyu thought for a moment and tentatively asked, "Do you want to... have a word with the Hua District?"

This time, Li Mingsheng waved his hand without thinking, and replied calmly, "The first shot hasn't been fired yet, and I'm already calling for help. This kind of soft-handed approach is not my style, and the Hua District won't think highly of you either."

The old leader was still thinking comprehensively, and Su Tianyu couldn't help but nod lightly.

After the two were silent for a while, Li Mingsheng made a decision: "Then go ahead and see what their attitude is."

"Okay." Su Tianyu stood up and said, "Don't worry, I will try my best to keep this matter resolved peacefully!"

Li Mingsheng nodded, exchanging a tacit look with his beloved disciple.

"Then I'll go first."

After saying goodbye, Su Tianyu put on his coat and quickly left the mayor's office.

Inside the room, Li Mingsheng pondered for a long time, then walked to the window and dialed a number.

"Hello?"

"... You're moving this way and that, what exactly do you want to do?" Li Mingsheng responded, drinking tea.

...

Five minutes later, Su Tianyu got into the business car waiting downstairs.

Hou Guoyu started the car and asked, "Where to?"

"Back to the bureau..."

"Director Su! Wait a minute!"

Before Su Tianyu could finish speaking, a familiar shout suddenly came from outside the car. The two turned their heads and saw Gu Baishun holding a document, hurrying over.

"Swish!"

Su Tianyu lowered the car window, "What's wrong?"

"Intelligence from District One, just sent over." Gu Baishun gasped for breath, handing the document in.

Su Tianyu took it and quickly flipped through it. According to the intelligence, District One had dispatched two divisions, moving towards the area around the garrison's activities. The purpose was not yet clear.

The two divisions were the well-equipped 3rd Armored Division and the infamous General Parker's 10th Infantry Division. Together, they had more than 20,000 people, and their combat power should not be underestimated.

While flipping through the document, Su Tianyu asked Gu Baishun, "Is this news accurate?"

Gu Baishun evened his breathing and nodded vigorously, "Absolutely accurate. This is from the intelligence personnel I personally arranged, and it has been confirmed again and again."

Su Tianyu put down the document, thought for a moment, and instructed, "Arrange for people to closely monitor the movements of these two divisions."

"Okay." Gu Baishun leaned on the car door and asked, "Director Su, who do you think called these two divisions over?"

Su Tianyu glanced at him, "Isn't it as obvious as a louse on a bald head?" (a Chinese idiom implying obviousness)

Gu Baishun said, "Then he's determined to be a eunuch!"

"Not necessarily." Su Tianyu shook his head and said, "Okay, continue to gather intelligence over there, and report any movements to me as soon as possible."

"Okay."

After the two finished speaking, Gu Baishun left, and Su Tianyu returned to the All-Systems Bureau by car.

...

7:30 PM, Garrison First Army Headquarters.

The sun had already set, but the headquarters was still brightly lit. Soldiers were dressed neatly, carrying weapons and ammunition, ready to receive combat orders at any time.

In the military commander's office, Jiang Yuanzhen was wearing a general's uniform, standing in front of his desk, looking at the city defense map hanging on the wall behind him, smoking one cigarette after another. His personal mobile phone was thrown aside, still buzzing.

In just a moment, his wife had made no less than dozens of calls, but Jiang Yuanzhen did not answer.

Around the large table in front of him, a dozen staff officers were discussing combat plans.

"Knock knock knock!"

Just as Jiang Yuanzhen was thinking about countermeasures, the office door was suddenly knocked.

"Enter!"

"Creak!"

With the sound of the door opening, Jiang Yuan strode in, stood in front of the table and said, "Dad, I've observed the surroundings. Most of the troops have entered a state of combat readiness as a formality, and there's not much movement. Many people still think that this war won't break out... at least not now."

As he spoke, Jiang Yuan glanced at his father, complaining with some dissatisfaction, "These people are all talk. Even that Division Commander Yang only sent two regiments out as a symbolic gesture! And there's no news from the headquarters either. I don't know what our Commander Tan is thinking!"

Jiang Yuanzhen didn't rush to answer, but raised his head and looked at the staff group: "How is our troop preparation going?"

The chief of staff reported: "Supplies and equipment have been distributed, and all troops are assembled, ready to fight at any time!"

Jiang Yuanzhen nodded lightly, and then said to Jiang Yuan, "It's impossible to count on Lao Tan to take action for us first. Since he became commander-in-chief, he has been一心只想当个安安稳稳的边塞王 (yīxīnzhǐxiǎngdāng gè ānānwěnwěndē biānsàiwáng,一心只想当个安安稳稳的边塞王: single-mindedly wanting to be a stable border king), how could he launch a war for us! Tan Mingchao put on a show today and shut me up. But that's no longer important. I'm taking the initiative now, let's see how Lao Tan responds!"

Saying that, Jiang Yuanzhen straightened up and loudly ordered: "Notify officers above the regimental level to come here for a meeting immediately. I want to assign combat missions!"