Chapter 1 The Sounds of War

"Dong! Dong, dong!"

"Rumble!"

The intense artillery fire resounded across the sky. A dense barrage of shells flew over the riverbank, landing on the People's Army defense line.

Large patches of flames erupted, illuminating the night sky. Soldiers lay prone in trenches or behind bunkers, taking cover from the artillery bombardment.

Fortunately, the People's Army had constructed well-prepared fortifications before the battle. Although the enemy's artillery fire was intense, it did not cause significant damage to their side.

At this moment, Xin Xiaodong, dressed in military uniform, stood near the temporary command post in the rear, silently observing the booming artillery positions across the river with his military binoculars.

"Shua!"

The tent beside him was pulled open, and Fei Pingsheng, hearing the artillery fire, walked out with a solemn expression. Seeing the rows of fire, he couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, did they start first?"

Xin Xiaodong lowered his binoculars. His face did not show the heavy emotion usually associated with the start of a major battle. Instead, he calmly said, "It's good they attacked. Otherwise, when would we get the chance to deal with them? Now that the artillery is firing, I actually feel relieved."

"That's true." Fei Pingsheng nodded. "So, what do we do next? What's the plan?"

"Don't rush, wait a little longer." Xin Xiaodong waved his hand and turned to shout to the side, "Uncle Wu!"

Hearing the call, Staff Officer Wu, who was standing behind him, stepped forward and responded with a very serious attitude, "Please give the order, Commander!"

"Pass down the order!" Xin Xiaodong said loudly. "Order all units on the front line to contract their formation and stay put in the trenches. No matter what happens outside, no one is allowed to charge out. I want to see the intensity of their attack first. The entire staff, follow me to the war room for a strategy meeting."

"Yes!"

With Xin Xiaodong's order, the defense line began to consolidate, gathering strength to wait for the counterattack.

...

Meanwhile, at the Dragon City garrison headquarters.

"Boom, boom!"

The earth-shattering artillery fire had already reached the headquarters building. The officers in the conference room all looked pale and at each other.

Zhang Xunchen, who was holding the microphone, ready to make a phone call, was also stunned. He turned to look at Tan Hengqiang, who was sitting beside him.

Tan Hengqiang's face was as still as water; no one knew what he was thinking. The officers below whispered among themselves, guessing the source of the artillery fire.

"Damn, who fired the guns?"

"Could it be Old Jiang?"

"Impossible, it must be Su Tianyu! That kid is really crazy!"

Everyone argued endlessly, and the conference room was in chaos for a while.

"Pa, pa, pa!"

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded. Everyone stopped talking and turned to look outside the door.

The head of the military intelligence department walked quickly into the conference room with a grave expression. He saluted Tan Hengqiang and said, "Reporting, Commander! We have received important intelligence from the front line!"

Tan Hengqiang waved his hand. "Speak."

"Our army, Jiang Yuanzhen's division, suddenly launched an attack on the Hua Tong Association People's Army defense line at 8:00 PM. The main force of an entire army was almost completely mobilized!"

Hearing this information, everyone's expression turned grim. Zhang Xunchen subconsciously looked at Tan Hengqiang. After a long silence, he said with a cold expression, "This Jiang Yuanzhen..."

"Pa!"

Before he could finish speaking, Tan Hengqiang slammed his hand on the table and cursed, raising his eyebrows, "Damn it, Jiang Yuanzhen, how dare he! Immediately call the First Army headquarters and ask him if he's trying to put me on the fire?!"

"Yes!" Zhang Xunchen picked up the microphone and dialed the phone number he had just started to call.

After two beeps, the other side answered, "Hello?"

Zhang Xunchen first glanced at Tan Hengqiang's expression, then spoke first, "Jiang Yuanzhen, who authorized the First Army to launch the attack?"

Jiang Yuanzhen said confidently, "Reporting to the Chief of General Staff, we did not launch the attack. The other side provoked us first and opened fire on our troops. We were forced to counterattack. Su Tianyu doesn't want to talk at all; they just want to fight!"

Zhang Xunchen said with a cold gaze, "Old Jiang, you've been smart your whole life, but you're confused for a moment! The cause of the firing won't remain a secret. What you're doing..."

"Chief of General Staff!" Jiang Yuanzhen interrupted him, still speaking plausibly, "I swear to God that the war was not initiated by us. I will give you a detailed report on the cause of the war. But now the artillery fire has already begun, and my First Army has launched a counterattack. Please issue follow-up combat instructions!"

"You've already thought it through, so go ahead and fight it yourself!" Zhang Xunchen slammed the phone down.

Everyone dared not speak, their eyes fixed on Tan Hengqiang's face. The latter's expression grew increasingly grim.

...

Dragon City, All Systems Bureau.

Su Tianyu and the others were still sitting in the conference room, still in a meeting. Hearing the artillery fire in the distance, everyone was stunned.

Gu Baishun turned his head and looked at Su Tianyu, saying, "Director Su, they've already opened fire."

"Damn it..." Su Tianyu couldn't help but curse, "This Jiang Yuanzhen is playing Old Tan. But it doesn't matter anymore. Since he wants to jump, then we'll clash with him."

After speaking, Su Tianyu stood up and walked to the newly completed electronic sandbox in front, carefully observing the layout of both sides' positions.

Currently, it was still the main forces of both sides facing off. The People's Army reinforcements were in Banana City, and the two divisions of District One were also a long distance away from the war zone. He just didn't know if District One would increase its investment later, and which side of the scale Old Tan's heart would ultimately lean towards...

Su Tianyu stroked his chin, pondering the future battle situation. The troops on the sandbox seemed to move in his mind.

Lu Feng and Gu Baishun sat beside him, not daring to speak, afraid of disturbing his train of thought.

"Dong, dong, dong!"

Just then, the door of the conference room was suddenly knocked, startling Su Tianyu.

"Enter!"

Hou Guoyu gently pushed open the door and said, "Sixth Master, Qi Qi is here."

Su Tianyu nodded lightly. "Then let her in."

Hou Guoyu turned and left. After a while, the door of the conference room was opened again.

An Qiqi, dressed in a smart military uniform, stood outside the door. She did not come in, but nodded politely to everyone, then waved to Su Tianyu. "Xiaoyu, come out for a moment."

Su Tianyu was slightly stunned.

An Qiqi added, "Come here, let's talk alone for a moment."

"You guys discuss first." Su Tianyu said to everyone, then turned and followed An Qiqi out the door.

The two walked through the corridor and into an empty lounge next door. An Qiqi closed the door and pulled Su Tianyu to sit on the sofa.

Su Tianyu looked at her and asked curiously, "What's the matter, so mysterious?"

An Qiqi was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Dad told you not to move, don't care about anything, and withdraw the troops."

Su Tianyu was stunned by her words.

Dad?

Was this a shared term? An Qiqi had never spoken to him like this before...