Chapter 1 Meeting

Jia City, temporary garrison of the Blackwater Company.

At night, in the conference room, Xin Xiaodong, Jin Maohui, Bo Ang, and others were arguing endlessly. They all had different opinions on who should lead the main attack.

Xin Xiaodong pointed at the map, his tone agitated: "It's not that I insist on taking on this task, but we have experience in urban warfare. Last time we attacked Panama City, our troops penetrated the fastest. That son of a bitch Booker didn't even realize what was happening...!"

Bo Ang's expression was somewhat speechless upon hearing this.

Xin Xiaodong glanced at Bo Ang sitting next to him and said, "Brother, I'm not targeting you, I just want to point out the strengths of our Third Division."

Bo Ang smiled awkwardly and responded politely, "Let's not resort to insults, let's have a rational discussion."

Xin Xiaodong grinned and said nothing more.

Bo Ang, sitting in his wheelchair, continued with his hands clasped, "Regarding the main attack, I suggest it be led by the Blackwater Company. Our armored units have a tank regiment, which would be more efficient in urban warfare."

Jin Maohui remained silent, knowing full well that the Riot Control Bureau was a hastily assembled force, and its combat effectiveness was not up to the task of leading the main attack.

Several other generals from the Blackwater Company also wanted to help Bo Ang secure the main attack position, so the argument continued in the conference room.

...

In a small room next door, Su Tianyu was talking with Gu Baishun.

Su Tianyu, looking somewhat nervous, leaned against the window, smoking a cigarette, and asked Gu Baishun, "Have you found out if the First District will directly participate in the war?"

Gu Baishun pondered for a moment, then interjected, "According to the intelligence I've gathered, the probability is very small. The First District's attitude isn't very clear right now, but many people internally aren't hawks. With their influence, the First District probably won't get involved personally. Plus, the news somehow got out, and there are anti-war demonstrations everywhere in the First District Plaza, and the sentiment from below is very strong. So the First District's upper echelons probably still want Gustav to come forward and join forces with those armed groups around Saint Paul City to fight against us. Isn't that their usual tactic? They constantly fuel the fire, and when the fighting really starts, they'll retreat."

As Gu Baishun spoke, a hint of disgust appeared on his face, "And Gustav also wants this, after all, he's a warlord who makes his fortune from war. He doesn't care about the people's livelihood, let alone their lives. He just needs to drag us into the quagmire of war so he can keep getting paid."

Su Tianyu nodded, his expression slightly relieved, "If the First District doesn't participate, this matter can still be handled. If the First District participates, then we can only ask the Hua District for help and ask them to increase their support."

"Yes," Gu Baishun sighed, "This is a war that seems to be a power struggle caused by the split of the Huagong Association, but it's actually a direct game between the Hua District and the First District. We're just pawns on the chessboard."

Su Tianyu walked over and patted him on the shoulder, "It's not like we can choose anyway. I guess even Huo Dongsheng himself didn't expect things to develop like this. After all his scheming, he's still just a pawn he can't control."

As Gu Baishun was pondering this statement, Su Tianyu instructed again, "Pay close attention to the First District's movements and see if any big officials can come over there."

"Okay," Gu Baishun nodded. The two chatted for a while before leaving the small room and returning to the conference room together.

At this time, Xin Xiaodong was still arguing fiercely in the conference room!

Su Tianyu coughed twice, and the crowd gradually stopped arguing. He glanced around at everyone and turned to ask Hou Guoyu, who was sitting next to him, "Has Sun Wei returned yet?"

"No, he's still reorganizing and on his way back," Hou Guoyu said.

"Alright," Su Tianyu walked to the front of the conference table and said, "Then we'll wait for him. The formal military conference will be held tomorrow morning. Tonight, we'll just confirm the general situation."

As he spoke, Su Tianyu pointed to the huge military map hanging behind him, pointing to the border line below, and said, "Our main attack point will be on the southern line of Saint Paul City. Xin Xiaodong, you dispatch the Third Division to move to this location in advance, plan the line of attack, and build military defensive positions."

Upon hearing this, Xin Xiaodong immediately had a direction in his heart, immediately saluted Su Tianyu, and said loudly, "Yes, I guarantee the completion of the task!"

"Our supply point is set up here..." Su Tianyu pointed at the map, continuously marking one sign after another on it, and the generals below carefully recorded it, preparing for the upcoming war.

The meeting lasted for about an hour. After the meeting, the Third Division had already set off overnight, leading more than 10,000 troops straight to the southern line of Saint Paul City.

...

At the same time, Dragon City, the garrison headquarters.

An Zecheng left the headquarters with An Qiqi and Yu Mingyuan.

In the conference room, Tan Hengqiang didn't leave. His son, Tan Mingchao, and the chief of staff had just arrived and were sitting beside him.

Looking at Tan Hengqiang's face, the chief of staff had already guessed the general situation, so he asked softly, "Old An still wants you to move?"

Tan Hengqiang nodded without speaking, and the room fell silent.

Tan Mingchao put down his cigarette, seemingly wanting to speak, but seeing the chief of staff leaning slightly forward, as if about to speak, he picked up the cigarette again.

"Commander, our current situation is actually very awkward," the chief of staff said with a solemn expression. "Look, if we choose the First District and don't follow Old Li, or rather, don't stand on the same front as An Zecheng, once the war in Saint Paul City breaks out, then the balance of Dragon City will inevitably be broken. Whether Old Li wins or loses, we will become a sharp knife used by the First District to deal with Old Li and the An faction. At that time, our position will be cannon fodder. After we've been beaten to a pulp, the higher-ups will come out to clean up the mess. When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked!"

Tan Hengqiang's expression was gloomy, and he didn't say a word, but Tan Mingchao nodded secretly.

Since Commander Tan didn't interrupt him, the chief of staff continued, "If we stand with Old Li and them, then we will be jointly resisting the higher-ups. This matter, well, it has risks, but there is also a high probability that it will break our current awkward situation."

Hearing this, Tan Hengqiang finally raised his head and glanced at the chief of staff, asking, "So...you agree with An Zecheng's plan?"

The chief of staff pondered for a long time before saying, "Commander, what we do doesn't depend on An Zecheng's attitude, nor does it depend on my advice, but on your final ambition!"

Tan Hengqiang gave the chief of staff a deep look, didn't reply, but only smoked his cigarette as he walked to the window, looking at the scenery outside.