Chapter 127: Close‑Quarters Clash

French Concession, inside the telegraph room on the second floor of Sun Gongguan.

"Tick‑tick‑tick..."

The telegraph machine kept emitting rapid sounds. Lu Xiao and Sun Lingyun stood side by side before the battle map, both looking unusually solemn.

"Yang Chengdong, that old dog." Sun Lingyun gritted his teeth, "Finally they moved the 1st Security Division out."

"Young Commander!" the telegraph operator looked up, "11th Brigade Commander Yang replies: We've already occupied the North District train station and are constructing fortifications. But..."

"Speak!"

"The Security Army's artillery is bombarding continuously, and they have suffered heavy casualties. Commander Yang requests immediate reinforcements."

Lu Xiao hurried to the telegraph machine and said, "Tell Commander Yang to hold the train station at all costs. As long as we control this transport hub, we can continuously draw supplies from the railway line."

Another telegraph machine kept working. Reports from the 13th Brigade kept coming: when they broke through the 5th Brigade's city defenses, they paid a heavy price but finally secured a foothold in the East District.

"Command Commander Li." Lu Xiao pointed at the map, "Immediately construct defensive works in the East District. Although the 1st Security Division's equipment is poor, they are Yang Chengdong's direct followers, and these men are all desperados in battle."

At the same time, Sun Lingyun anxiously sent a telegram at another machine, "Order the 1st Fuzhou Division to advance toward Shen City immediately. Tell Commander Zhang I need his troops to reach the outskirts of Shen City within 24 hours!"

"But Young Commander..." the chief of staff said worriedly, "Even by water, Fuzhou to Shen City would still..."

"Then let them come by boat!" Sun Lingyun slammed his fist on the table, "Shen City is already in chaos. If Yang Chengdong gets the upper hand, we will have no chance left."

Before the words finished, another urgent battle report arrived.

"Report, Young Commanders!" the telegraph operator's face turned pale, "Commander Yang urgently reports: the 1st Security Division has begun mobilizing! They... they have a company equipped with American-made Luan Yang rifles, and several 75mm field artillery pieces!"

The room fell into dead silence. Although the 1st Security Division was not elite, it prevailed in numbers, and over the years Yang Chengdong had supplied them with arms. Most were second‑hand, but in this street fighting they were already deadly enough.

"Command Commander Yang." Lu Xiao's voice was low, "Immediately dig trenches around the train station and set up roadblocks. As for Commander Li of the 13th Brigade..."

"They are already constructing works." the chief of staff reported, "But Young Commander, our artillery..."

"Concentrate the artillery of both brigades." Lu Xiao marked several points on the map, "Deploy positions on these high grounds. If the 1st Security Division dares a strong attack, let them taste our artillery fire!"

"Tick‑tick‑tick..."

The telegraph machine sounded again. This time it was a reply from the 1st Fuzhou Division: Commander Zhang has led the main force onto the ships, expected to reach the outskirts of Shen City by early tomorrow morning.

"It's too late." Sun Lingyun shook his head, "Yang Chengdong won't give us that much time. That old dog will definitely..."

"Young Commander!" a communications soldier rushed in, "News from the North District: the 1st Security Division's artillery has begun setting up guns!"

Lu Xiao and Sun Lingyun exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's solemnity. They knew a fierce battle was inevitable, and the sky over Shen City would be shrouded in even denser smoke...

Shen City North District, near the train station.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The 1st Security Division's field artillery opened fire first. Rows of shells whistled toward Lu's 11th Brigade's positions. Commander Yang crouched in the trench, watching his soldiers struggle under the artillery fire.

"Dammit!" he wiped the mud from his face, "Tell the artillery regiment to return fire for me!"

Soon, the 11th Brigade's mountain guns roared as well. Though fewer in number than the Security Division's, they held the high ground at the train station. Shells whistled toward the Security Division's positions, exploding within their ranks.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Dense rifle fire rose and fell. The Security Division's 1st Regiment launched a charge, soldiers clutching Luan Yang rifles, advancing toward the train station. But the 11th Brigade's machine gunners were already in tight formation.

"Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!"

The roar of Czech light machine guns echoed across the battlefield. Security Division soldiers fell in rows, yet those behind kept charging forward. They were not elite, but all were Yang Chengdong's direct followers, knowing this battle must be won.

"Cover! Keep covering!" Commander Yang shouted hoarsely, "Don't let those pups rush up!"

But the Security Division's assault was too fierce. Their artillery fire covered the entire train station area, riddling the 11th Brigade's positions with holes. Some buildings were already ablaze, thick smoke billowing.

The situation on the East District battlefield was also far from optimistic.

Commander Li of the 13th Brigade's troops were locked in fierce combat with the Security Division's 7th Mixed Brigade. Though the Mixed Brigade's equipment was inferior, its men were seasoned veterans. They used streets and buildings for cover, advancing in small groups.

"Boom!"

A mortar shell exploded at a street corner. A machine gun position of the 13th Brigade was blown over, and several gunners were killed on the spot. Commander Li gritted his teeth, realizing they could not continue like this.

"Order the reserve, prepare for a counter‑charge!"

Soon, the 13th Brigade's reserve began to assemble. Most of these soldiers were Minnan youths; though they lacked formal training, they were all desperados.

"Charge!"

Amid the shouts and gunfire, the 13th Brigade's soldiers surged out from both sides of the street. They bore rifles and had hand grenades at their waists. The Mixed Brigade's positions erupted with startled cries.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Amid the dense gunfire, both sides engaged in street fighting. Some exchanged fire at range, others fought hand‑to‑hand. Corpses littered the streets, blood staining the pavement.

But the bloodier fighting remained in the North District.

The Security Division's 2nd Regiment also joined the battle, flanking to try to cut off the train station's supply line. The 11th Brigade's position was precarious.

"Report, Commander!" a communications soldier staggered in, "The 3rd Battalion has been pierced! The Security Division's..."

Before the words finished, a stray bullet struck his back. The communications soldier fell in the trench and never got up.

"Damn it!" Commander Yang slammed his fist on the trench wall. He knew that if they lost the train station stronghold, the entire North District would fall into a passive stance.

"Order the 2nd Battalion to reinforce the 3rd Battalion's position immediately!" he growled, "Even if we die, I want to die on the battlefield!"

The fighting lasted the entire morning. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, yet neither would retreat. This was not merely a warlord skirmish but a fight for control of Shen City.

The Security Division's artillery grew ever denser, and the 11th Brigade's position trembled on the brink of collapse. In the East District, although the 13th Brigade temporarily held the Mixed Brigade's assault, its casualties were rapidly rising.

This fierce battle had only just begun...

French Concession, Xiafei Road, Fourth Bureau Headquarters.

Lin Yu stood before the floor‑to‑ceiling window, lighting a cigarette. Outside, cannon fire rose and fell, and the smoke had already obscured half the sky.

"It's quite a lively fight." he exhaled a smoke ring, a cold smile curling at his mouth.

Shiteyin stood behind him, dressed in a crisp black uniform, a silver skull badge pinned to the collar.

"Sir, the Ghost Division is ready." the German's voice was low, "Just give the order..."

"No rush." Lin Yu turned, his gaze landing on the sand table, "Let them first wear each other out."

Shiteyin, somewhat puzzled, said, "Well... if we let the security division get a hold..."

"；Yang Chengdong that old dog, is just making a desperate last stand."； Lin Yu walked to the sand table, "；He thought he could still, like before, rely on a few broken cannons to dominate Shen City?"；

He lightly pointed with his finger at several positions on the sand table: "；Lu Family's two brigades, Sun Family's reinforcements, plus Qin Chang'an's few troops... these warlords, let them fight it out here."；

Shiteyin, lost in thought: "；You mean..."；

"；Wait until they've fought to a similar extent, then we..."； Lin Yu's voice suddenly stopped, his gaze fell into the rolling smoke outside the window, "；Shen City, after all, is going to change masters."；

The gunfire outside the window became more urgent. This Pearl of the East is undergoing its darkest moment. And in this darkness, a more terrifying shadow is silently growing...;