Chapter 125: Feint East, Attack West

Boom!

When the first shell exploded in the western district of Shen City, the Fifth Brigade's city‑defense troops had not yet reacted.

"Report!" the forward post ran back in a panic, "Large forces have appeared on the west side! At least the size of two brigades!"

Zhang Zhi Yuan was commanding troops in the eastern district against the security regiment when he suddenly received an urgent telegram from the west. His complexion instantly turned ashen.

"What? Lu Family's troops?" he seized the communications soldier, "Is the intelligence confirmed?"

"Yes! It's confirmed! The Fifth and Seventh Brigades, at least six thousand men! They are advancing from Hongqiao Road and Xujia Hui!"

Before the words finished, another barrage of artillery roared. Lu Family's eight‑tube 75‑mm field artillery began bombarding the western district's defenses. Though not as refined as German guns, the crews were veteran.

"Damn it!" Zhang Zhi Yuan slammed his fist on the table. He had already redeployed two main regiments to the east to confront the security regiment, leaving the western defenses severely hollow.

"Order the Second Regiment!" he gritted his teeth, "Immediately reinforce the west!"

But it was already too late. Lu Family's forces split into two columns, launching attacks from the northwest and southwest. They seized several high points, and machine‑gun fire suppressed the Security Army so that it could not lift its heads.

In the streets, street fighting had already broken out. Lu Family's veterans, familiar with urban combat, moved in small groups, using buildings for cover, constantly pushing forward.

"Can't hold! Can't hold!"

Security Army soldiers in the western district began to rout. Their numbers were already insufficient, and now they faced a double envelopment; the defense collapsed quickly.

"Report, Brigade Commander!" the communications soldier's voice trembled, "Lu Family's troops have advanced to Nanjing Road! If this continues..."

Zhang Zhi Yuan's face turned ashen. He finally understood why Qin Chang'an's security regiment chose to strike hard in the east. It was a classic lure‑the‑tiger‑from‑the‑mountain tactic!

"Order the Third Regiment!" he forced out the words between his teeth, "Hold the waterfront direction to the death! The security regiment must not break through!"

But he knew the situation was now extremely unfavorable to the Security Army. The east faced a well‑trained security regiment, the west a veteran Lu Family force. If those two forces coordinated...

In the distance, a rapid ringing came from the direction of the Security Army Command Center. It was Yang Chengdong summoning troops. Yet Zhang Zhi Yuan knew in his heart that attempting a relief now was probably too late.

Boom!

When the first shell exploded in the western district, the Security Army's defenses began to waver. Lu Family's two brigades pierced the western city like a spear.

"Fifth Brigade, First Battalion, advance along Nanjing Road! Second Battalion, flank from Huaihai Road!" Brigade Commander Chen Desheng stood on the command vehicle, his voice booming, "Remember Commander Lu's order: before nightfall, establish contact with the security regiment!"

The eight‑tube 75‑mm field artillery began bombarding. Though not as refined as German guns, the crews were seasoned. In the first volley, three shells struck the Security Army's defenses.

"Kill!"

Six thousand Nanjiang conscripts split into two columns, charging the city. Their equipment was not top‑grade, but each was a battle‑hardened veteran.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The Security Army's city‑defense troops finally reacted. But to deal with the eastern security regiment, Yang Chengdong had already shifted his main forces east, leaving only one regiment on the west.

"Hold at all costs!" the regiment commander shouted hoarsely, "Quick! Telegraph Command Center!"

But it was already too late. Lu Family's veterans, all experienced in street fighting, moved in three‑person squads, covering each other forward. Every intersection had grenade‑launchers for suppression; every street had machine‑gun cover.

"Seventh Brigade, flank from Xujia Hui!" Chen Desheng continued ordering, "Cut off their retreat!"

The Security Army's defenses collapsed rapidly. Their numbers were already thin, and now they faced a double envelopment. Lu Family's veterans surged into the streets like a tide; every corner could spawn an assault squad.

"Report, Brigade Commander!" the communications soldier ran over, "The Fifth Brigade has advanced to Nanjing Road, and the Seventh Brigade has taken Xujia Hui!"

"Very good!" Chen Desheng nodded, "Keep both brigades advancing at pace. Remember, you must coordinate with the eastern security regiment!"

He knew this was Commander Lu's tactic. Attacking simultaneously from east and west would stretch Yang Chengdong's forces thin. Once they linked up with the security regiment, Shen City would be theirs.

Boom!

Another shell detonated on the street. A Security Army company had set up a defense there, but it was quickly overrun by Lu Family's veterans. Machine‑gun suppression, grenade‑launcher barrage, then assault squads charged. They had rehearsed this tactic countless times.

"Brigade Commander!" another communications soldier ran up, "The Seventh Brigade has found a large cache of Security Army supplies at Xujia Hui!"

"Order the Seventh Brigade to construct fortifications on site!" Chen Desheng immediately ordered, "Distribute the captured supplies. The Fifth Brigade continues advancing east!"

In the distance, a rapid ringing came from the direction of the Security Army Headquarters. It was Yang Chengdong summoning troops. Yet Chen Desheng knew it was already too late.

Their advance far exceeded expectations. The Security Army clearly hadn't anticipated Lu Family's forces arriving so quickly and fiercely. Now the western city's defenses had completely collapsed; only time remained.

"Transmit my orders!" Chen Desheng stood on the command vehicle, "All units accelerate your advance! We must establish contact with the security regiment before nightfall!"

Shouts, gunfire and artillery roared through Shen City's streets. The city was about to welcome a new master.

"Report! Western city in emergency! Lu Family's two brigades have breached the defenses!"

Zheng Shihao stood before the operation map, his brows knit. His Seventh Mixed Brigade was stationed in the city center, originally Yang Chengdong's reserve. Now that the western city was in emergency, this reserve finally had to be deployed.

"Order the First and Second Regiments to immediately reinforce the western city!" Zheng Shihao said gravely, "Remember, you must block Lu Family's breakthrough!"

The two brigades' mobile units quickly assembled. They were Yang Chengdong's meticulously crafted main force, equipped with German rifles and machine guns, and four mountain guns. Had this force been deployed earlier, Lu Family's raid might not have gone so smoothly.

Unfortunately, everything was too late.

"Brigade Commander! Zhang Zhi Yuan is calling!" the communications soldier handed over a telegram.

Zheng Shihao unfolded it and his face instantly turned grim. The telegram reported that the Kunshan security regiment outside the eastern city was launching a new fierce offensive. Zhang Zhi Yuan's Fifth Brigade had suffered heavy casualties; without reinforcements, it might not hold the line.

"Damn it!" Zheng Shihao slammed his fist on the table.

How could he not understand Zhang Zhi Yuan's predicament? The east faced a well‑trained security regiment; though few in number, each was elite. If Zhang Zhi Yuan dared to redeploy forces lightly, the security regiment could instantly tear the defenses apart.

Then, with attacks from east and west, Shen City would surely fall!

"Report!" another communications soldier rushed in, "Lu Family's Fifth Brigade has advanced to Nanjing Road! The Seventh Brigade has taken Xujia Hui!"

Zheng Shihao's heart sank. He stared at the map; Lu Family's two brigades were like pincers, slowly closing. Once they coordinated with the security regiment, Shen City would truly be indefensible.

"Order the First Regiment!" he gritted his teeth, "Set out immediately, block Lu Family's breakthrough!"

"Yes!"

"Second Regiment, prepare, ready to support Zhang Zhi Yuan at any time!"

"Yes!"

Zheng Shihao knew this might be the last chance. If the situation couldn't be stabilized before nightfall, once the security regiment and Lu Family's forces linked up, Shen City would change hands.

In the distance, the Security Army Headquarters' bells still echoed. It was Yang Chengdong summoning troops.

But Zheng Shihao knew in his heart that trying to turn the tide now was probably too late......