Chapter 121: Intense Firefight

4 a. m., French Concession Public Administration Bureau Building.

"Gentlemen," Lei Nuo Director General tapped the table, "The situation is very serious."

The conference room was filled with senior officials of the Public Administration Bureau. The rain outside continued, but no one paid attention to it.

"The internal conflict within the Security Army has already begun," Bai Lang director said, "Yang Chengdong has seized the Security Command Headquarters and is besieging the Sun Family's troops."

"Those gunshots..." another director frowned, "have all reached us here."

"It's not just gunshots." Lei Nuo stood up, "If the war expands, it could very well affect the French Concession."

"I recommend immediate action," Police Precinct Director Dele Sack said, "I have already put the entire precinct on standby. Additionally, the garrison..."

"Go ahead."

"The 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion are already in combat readiness," Dele Sack pointed at the map, "We have added sentry posts along the Concession border, each post equipped with a rifle platoon."

"Very good." Lei Nuo nodded, "The safety of the Concession must be ensured."

"Director General." Bai Lang suddenly spoke, "Regarding Sun Lingyun..."

Lei Nuo glanced at him, "You've met him before?"

"Yes. He put forward some... suggestions."

The atmosphere in the conference room grew tense. Everyone knew what that "suggestion" implied.

"Go on."

"If we can offer them shelter," Bai Lang lowered his voice, "he is willing to pay a considerably sizable... fee. Also, regarding the rights to use the dock..."

"This is an opportunity," the Finance Director interjected, "We can take advantage..."

"Gentlemen." Lei Nuo cut him off, "We must be cautious."

Before the words finished, a rapid set of footsteps arrived. An officer from the Police Precinct hurried into the conference room.

"Report!" he saluted, "Yang Chengdong has sent people."

"Oh?" Lei Nuo raised an eyebrow, "What did they say?"

"He wants us... uh, to 'strictly maintain neutrality'."

A low chuckle rang in the conference room.

"Of course, of course," Lei Nuo smiled, "We have always adhered to the principle of neutrality."

"Director General." Dele Sack said, "Should we mobilize the 2nd Battalion..."

"Transfer it." Lei Nuo mused briefly, "It is stationed in the southern Concession. If a real fight breaks out..."

He didn't finish, but everyone understood his meaning. The 2nd Battalion is the best‑equipped garrison unit in the French Concession, armed with Lebel rifles and several Hotchkiss machine guns.

"Additionally," Lei Nuo continued, "Have the Police Precinct intensify patrols. The focus is these areas."

He pointed to several spots on the map. Those are key junctions where the French Concession meets Shen City.

"Understood." Dele Sack nodded, "I have already equipped all the patrols with rifles; each patrol team has six men."

"Very good." Lei Nuo said satisfiedly, "We must make everyone know the French Concession is not a place they can offend at will."

"Then, Sun Lingyun's proposal..." Bai Lang asked tentatively.

Lei Nuo was silent for a moment, "Tell him we will... consider it seriously. However..."

"However what?"

"Make sure he prepares enough capital," Lei Nuo's eyes flashed shrewdly, "Since he wants our protection, he must pay the corresponding price."

After the meeting, many armed patrol officers filled the streets of the French Concession. They moved in six‑person squads, patrolling with rifles. Along the Concession border, the newly erected sentry posts stood in strict formation.

Meanwhile, in the basement of the Public Administration Bureau Building, a secret meeting was underway.

"Tell Mr. Sun," Bai Lang said to a mysterious figure, "If the conditions are right, we can at any time..."

4:30 a. m., Northern Sector camp.

"Boom!"

A 75‑mm shell detonated on the outskirts of the camp, lighting up the entire night sky.

"Report, Battalion Commander!" the signalman rushed into the Command Center, "The Security Army has begun the general assault!"

7th Battalion Commander Xiao Yunqi grabbed his binoculars. Through the rain, he saw Security Army soldiers forming ranks, ready to charge.

"Order all companies to prepare to break out!" he set down the binoculars, "According to the Young Commander's plan, break out toward the French Concession!"

Inside the French Concession, Sun Gongguan.

"They're firing again," Sun Lingyun stood at the window, listening to distant artillery, "Yang Chengdong wants to settle the battle before dawn."

"Young Commander." the signalman handed over a telegram, "7th Battalion reports they are fighting and retreating, preparing to break out toward the French Concession. Over at the 9th Battalion..."

"Speak!"

"They are surrounded, with over thirty casualties."

Sun Lingyun clenched his fists. At this moment he could only wait inside the French Concession, watching his subordinates fight bloodily outside.

On the northern battlefield, the 7th Battalion's German-made 1898 Mauser rifles were proving effective. They held advantageous terrain, unleashing fire on the Security Army's charging formation. The Luanyang-made rifles lacked the Mauser's range; before the Security Army soldiers could close to effective distance, they were felled.

"Machine‑gun team! Cover!"

Eight Schwerer machine guns opened fire simultaneously, the dense hail of bullets breaking up the Security Army's charging formation. Yet Yang Chengdong was evidently prepared; his artillery began bombarding the machine‑gun positions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three consecutive shells landed near the machine‑gun positions. Though they didn't hit directly, the blast waves temporarily silenced two of the guns.

"Quick! Seize the opportunity!" Zhang Zhi Yuan shouted, "1st Battalion, charge!"

Security Army soldiers shouted as they surged forward. This time they were smarter, moving in dispersed squads rather than dense formations, using the terrain for cover.

"Hand Grenade!"

7th Battalion soldiers tossed German-made Hand Grenades. Amid the explosions, the Security Army's charge was hindered, but they quickly readjusted their tactics.

"Artillery! Continue the bombardment!" Zhang Zhi Yuan ordered, "2nd Battalion, flank and encircle!"

Inside the French Concession, Sun Lingyun received the latest battle report.

"The Ninth Battalion suffered heavy casualties while breaking out, and the battalion commander was wounded." The signalman's voice trembled, "But they are still persisting in breaking out toward the French Concession."

"What about the Seventh Battalion?"

"They have been fighting while retreating, advancing to a position one kilometer from the concession border. But..."

"But what?"

"The Security Army's artillery keeps bombarding their breakout route."

Sun Lingyun closed his eyes. He knew this was a life-or-death breakout. If they couldn't break into the French Concession before dawn...

"Get Mr. Bai Lang ready." He suddenly said, "Once they break out to the concession border..."

"Understood!"

The rain outside the window grew heavier. Amid the gunfire, the breakout routes of the two battalions appeared extraordinarily difficult in the pre-dawn rain curtain.

"Report, Young Commander!" another signalman rushed in, "The Seventh Battalion's battalion commander Xiao sent a telegram: they have broken through the Security Army's first blockade line and are advancing toward the concession. Requesting..."

"Speak!"

"Request that the concession side prepare to receive them. He said... he said that as long as they can charge to the concession border, they will be saved."

Sun Lingyun turned to look out the window. In the direction of the French Concession, faint fires could be seen. Those were his subordinates, using their lives to carve a bloody path.

"Tell Xiao Yunqi," he said in a low voice, "I am waiting for them here."