Chapter 1 The Southern Front

The First Division of Gustav's forces had completely collapsed and retreated in a disarray from the main battlefield. Military vehicles sped past, filled with wounded soldiers, their wails and cries echoing incessantly.

Meanwhile, the Second Division of Gustav's forces, which had remained stationed on the western front, took on the task of covering the retreat of their brother unit.

The two divisions, shaped like an inverted V, slowly converged and retreated together to the defense zone within Saint Paul City. A large number of troops from the city came out to meet and assist the two divisions.

The enemy's retreat was well-organized, and with the support of the reinforcing troops, Xin Xiaodong's Third Division only managed to occupy the southern front and did not pursue further into the city.

...

Southern Front.

As Xin Xiaodong was directing his troops to set up camp, Su Tianyu's military vehicle slowly drove over and stopped on the road.

Dust-covered Xin Xiaodong trotted over, saluted, and shouted, "Reporting to the commander-in-chief, our forces have successfully defeated the enemy's First Division, occupied the southern front, and completed the first phase of our objective!"

Su Tianyu, with his hands behind his back, looked at him and deliberately asked with a straight face, "What are our casualties?"

Xin Xiaodong thought for a moment and replied, "I haven't had time to tally them up yet, but based on my assessment and feedback from the front lines, our combat losses and equipment are at least half of the enemy's. For an assault, this data is acceptable."

Su Tianyu was pleased with the report, but seeing Xin Xiaodong eager to show off, he pointed towards the city and said, "You bandit! Don't celebrate too early. I've been observing the battlefield, and the bureau has also sent intelligence. Gustav is using these two gatekeepers outside the city to buy time for the evacuation of civilians and the construction of a street fighting defense zone. The battles ahead will definitely be difficult. You need to come up with a plan as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Xin Xiaodong saluted and grinned at Su Tianyu, "I'll think of a plan overnight! But in this assault, our Third Division brothers really…!"

"Alright, I understand your little thoughts," Su Tianyu waved his hand. "If you can really fight your way into the city, you can loot. Any assets of the Gustav government are without restriction, and the Third Division gets first pick. If the amount isn't ideal, I'll make up the rest for you."

"Commander-in-chief, with those words, our Third Division brothers will tear off Gustav's wife's brassiere rings!" Xin Xiaodong replied with a determined look.

"Why so ruthless? How do you know she has brassiere rings?"

"I inquired, the information is accurate!" Xin Xiaodong grinned.

"Damn!"

Su Tianyu was speechless. He reached out and patted Xin Xiaodong's shoulder, praising, "Good job, General Xin! Very efficient!! Okay, you're busy, I'm going back to Jia City, I have things to handle there."

"Got it," Xin Xiaodong immediately shouted, "Bring the car over!"

Before long, Su Tianyu left under the gaze of the Third Division's officers. Xin Xiaodong blinked and suddenly turned to ask the guard next to him, "What did the commander-in-chief call me just now?"

"Bandit!"

"Damn, not that!"

"Ah, he called you General Xin…!"

...

Saint Paul City, headquarters of the Chinese Workers' Association.

In the president's office, Huo Dongsheng sat on the sofa, frowning and smoking.

The three carriages of the Chinese Workers' Association were also on the opposite sofa, their faces also full of sorrow and serious expressions.

Everyone was silent for a long time, no one spoke, the atmosphere was very depressing.

After a long time, Dong Ke finally spoke, breaking the silence first: "You say this thing is making trouble now... my mouth just got better for two days, and now there are two big blisters. Looking at it this way, this Gustav is not good either. His troops have only been stationed outside the city for a day, and they broke as soon as they touched. If they can't hold on, will we be in danger? I haven't slept well for two days..."

Huo Dongsheng glanced at the other party and comforted in a low voice, "Lao Dong, don't worry. At this time, Gustav is more anxious than you. If Su Tianyu and his group come in, we will at most lose our lives, but Gustav will lose his country, hundreds of people in his family, he can't afford to lose even more. After all, Lao Gu has been fighting for more than thirty years, an old warlord, he must have his own plans, you are too worried."

Saying that, Huo Dongsheng took a puff of cigarette, pondered for a moment and said: "But you can't rely on him completely, let's do something ourselves. Lao Dong, Lao Liu, you two screen the people in the association who are close to the Wang family, and then control them all for me, for use at critical times."

Dong Ke and Liu Tao nodded.

Huo Dongsheng looked at Huang Peishan again and said: "Lao Huang, you go and contact the private armed forces you are familiar with nearby, we will pay them to protect the safety near the Chinese Workers' Association."

"Okay!" Huang Peishan immediately agreed.

Huo Dongsheng put down his cigarette and comforted again: "Everyone doesn't need to worry too much. As far as I know, in order to win this war, District One has privately offered Gustav an unprecedented sky-high price. Their support for Saint Paul City is very strong. It is not so easy for Su Tianyu and the others to fight in. The entire Lao Li team can mobilize only thirty to fifty thousand troops. It is impossible for this number of people to capture this city."

Everyone nodded, and Huang Peishan said with a smile: "Yes, where are we now? It's just the beginning."

"It's okay, everyone work hard together and do things well." Dong Ke also replied.

"...!"

After listening to Huo Dongsheng's words, everyone's mood eased a little, and they chatted in a relaxed manner.

After a while, the three carriages left the office.

After going out, coming to the corridor, Dong Ke still couldn't help but sucking on the blisters on his mouth and said, "I still feel uneasy... damn, my heart is pounding..."

Huang Peishan glanced at him and said, "What can you do if you don't feel at ease? Are you running out now? Wouldn't that die faster? Damn, we have no choice now, we can only hug each other and continue to confront them."

Saying that, Huang Peishan patted Dong Ke on the shoulder: "It's difficult now, it'll be good to get through this!"

Lao Dong sighed, said nothing more, and the three left the headquarters building silently.

...

Jia City, temporary garrison of the Blackwater Legion.

Su Tianyu returned to the temporary headquarters in Jia City, took off his coat, took a shower in the bathroom, and sobered up.

"Dilingling!"

Just as he came out wearing a bathrobe, the phone rang.

"Hello?" Su Tianyu sat on the sofa and answered the phone: "Big brother, you're looking for me?"

"Xiao Yu, people from the Hua region are here." Jiangzhou said to Su Tianyu quickly: "Come back immediately!"

At the same time.

At the headquarters of the Fifth Division of the Central Bureau, Gwen also answered the phone: "Director!"

"Kang Dinghuang suggested that you be sent to Saint Paul City to provide military intelligence support to Gustav, and also represent District One to observe the battlefield. Do you have any objections?"

"Wocao nima!" Gwen blurted out an idiom.

"?? Are you cursing me?"