Chapter 136: The Garrison Brigade Joins the Battle

Before dawn in Shen City, the last sliver of starlight was hidden by dark clouds. Liu Wen walked alone down the long corridor of the Garrison Office, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall.

"Father, haven't you rested yet?" Liu Wen pushed open the study door and saw Liu Xu bent over a desk, reviewing documents.

Liu Xu looked up, a trace of fatigue flashing in his eyes: "Returning so late?"

"Just back from the French Concession." Liu Wen said as he approached the desk, his voice low, "The situation has changed."

Liu Xu set down his brush, gesturing for his son to sit: "Speak."

Liu Wen gave a brief account of his meeting with the Zhou Special Envoy and the Jiangnan Four Young Masters, and the consensus they reached. Liu Xu listened, then remained silent for a long while.

"The Garrison Brigade has always remained neutral; that is the foundation of our foothold in Shen City," Liu Xu finally spoke, his voice steady, "Do you want me to change that strategy?"

"Father, this time is different," Liu Wen adjusted his gold‑rimmed glasses, "Lin Yu's armored unit has already upset the balance in Shen City. If we continue to stand by..."

Liu Xu rose and walked to the map of Shen City hanging on the wall: "How much do you know about the history of the Garrison Brigade?"

"It was founded thirty years ago, originally just a guard detachment for the Garrison Office," Liu Wen replied.

"There's more to it," Liu Xu's finger brushed lightly over the map, "The Garrison Brigade is an elite force that split from the Central Army generations ago; outwardly it belongs to the Garrison Office, but in reality it has always maintained a relatively independent status."

Liu Wen nodded: "I know, the official strength is three thousand, but in fact there are over five thousand."

"Five thousand three hundred twenty‑seven," Liu Xu corrected, "Divided into three infantry battalions, one artillery company, and one cavalry company. Though the equipment is not as modern as the Security Army's, it excels in quality and uniformity. Every soldier has undergone rigorous training, and their combat power far exceeds that of ordinary units."

Liu Wen listened quietly; his father rarely discussed the Garrison Brigade in such detail.

"Most importantly," Liu Xu turned to face his son, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes, "the Garrison Brigade has a secret unit—'Shadow Guard'. One hundred twenty members, all former elite veterans, equipped with German‑made rifles and imported pistols."

"I didn't know there was such a unit," Liu Wen said, surprised.

"Because it never appears in public," Liu Xu smiled faintly, "It is our trump card, and also the foundation of the Garrison Office's foothold in Shen City."

Liu Wen mused, "So over the years, whether the Security Army or any other forces, none have dared to offend the Garrison Office lightly..."

"Exactly so," Liu Xu nodded, "We appear modest on the surface, but secretly we hold the balance's weight."

"Then now..." Liu Wen asked tentatively.

Liu Xu walked back to the desk, pondering for a moment, "Lin Yu's emergence has indeed disrupted the balance. But that may not be a bad thing."

"What does father mean?"

"For years, the Security Command Headquarters has grown increasingly brazen in Shen City, relying on its ties to the court," Liu Xu's eyes flashed with sharpness, "Perhaps it's time to make him understand that Shen City isn't ruled solely by his family."

Liu Wen's eyes brightened: "So father agrees..."

"I agree that the Garrison Brigade should get involved," Liu Xu nodded, "But not under the command of the Zhou Special Envoy, rather for our own interests."

"Understood," Liu Wen smiled faintly, the weight in his heart finally settled.

Liu Xu looked at his son, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes, "You did well this time. The Jiangnan Four Young Masters' alliance is an opportunity for us."

In Shen City's East District, the streets shrouded in morning mist, the Garrison Brigade's troops quietly took position.

"All units, attention, deploy according to the plan," Garrison Brigade Chief of Staff Xu Zhiyuan stood on the command vehicle, his voice low and powerful, "Remember, our goal is to contain, not to engage head‑on."

The three infantry battalions were scattered across the main thoroughfares of the East District, while the artillery company was concealed in high‑rise buildings. Unlike the Security Army's frontal assault, the Garrison Brigade employed a more flexible guerrilla tactic.

"Report, enemy armored convoy detected, moving toward South Street," the communications soldier reported hastily.

Xu Zhiyuan squinted: "Numbers?"

"Three steel behemoths, larger than any tank we've seen, plus five armored vehicles, roughly the size of an infantry company."

"Notify the second battalion, prepare to execute the 'Bee Sting' tactic," Xu Zhiyuan ordered, turning to the adjutant, "Go inform Qin Chang'an's men to act according to plan."

At the South Street intersection, the Garrison Brigade's second battalion lay in ambush. Soldiers hidden inside the buildings, armed with anti‑tank weapons, waited silently.

"Remember, aim at the junction of the tracks and the turret," the battalion commander whispered, "One shot and withdraw, don't linger. These steel monsters have firepower that's too fierce."

The heavy clatter of tracks grew louder. Three massive tanks rolled slowly into the intersection, each more than twice the size of a regular tank, their black barrels like a demon's fangs.

"Prepare..." the battalion commander raised his hand, waiting for the optimal moment.

When the first tank fully entered the intersection and the two behind followed, the commander swung his hand down sharply: "Action!"

In an instant, a dozen anti‑tank hand grenades flew in from all directions, concentrating on the tanks' weak points. Explosions rang in succession; the third tank's tracks were damaged, causing it to spin in place.

"Retreat! Change positions!" the commander ordered.

The soldiers quickly withdrew from their positions, moving to the pre‑designated second line. Sure enough, the tank's main gun roared, blasting the spot they had just vacated into ruins. The blast was so powerful that everyone gasped for breath.

"What kind of weapon is this..." the commander muttered to himself.

At the same time, Qin Chang'an's security detachment emerged from the east, forming a pincer on the trapped tank column at the intersection.

Inside the Garrison Office, Liu Xu was receiving the battle report.

"Sir, our tactics have achieved some effect," Xu Zhiyuan reported, "but the enemy's equipment is far too advanced; our conventional weapons struggle to inflict lethal damage."

Liu Xu nodded: "Continue as planned, watch to minimize casualties. Notify the 'Shadow Guard', prepare to act."

On the other side of the city, Sun Lingyun's forces were also exchanging fire with an armored detachment of the Ghost Masters. Unlike the Garrison Brigade, the Sun Family's troops were better equipped, even fielding several anti‑tank guns.

The battle lasted the entire morning. Relying on their familiarity with the city's terrain and flexible tactics, the Garrison Brigade successfully disrupted the enemy's three tanks, killing dozens of enemy infantry while keeping their own casualties to a minimum.

"Report, gunfire is also heard in the West District," the communications soldier rushed in, "The Lu Family's naval infantry has already engaged the enemy."

Xu Zhiyuan nodded: "Good, attacks from all sides, giving the enemy no breathing room."

"Report! The enemy armored units suddenly changed formation!" the communications soldier's voice trembled.

Xu Zhiyuan snatched up his binoculars, his pupils contracting sharply. He saw the three massive tanks, previously stuck at the intersection, suddenly disperse, their turrets swiveling to form a triangular attack formation.

"All units, withdraw from your current positions immediately!" he shouted, almost yelling the command.

Before the words finished, three main guns roared simultaneously. Amid the deafening artillery, the second battalion's meticulously prepared anti‑tank positions were reduced to rubble in an instant. A few soldiers who reacted slowly hadn't cleared the area before the blast's shockwave hurled them skyward.

"Damn it!" the commander cursed, "They're baiting us!"

The armored counter‑attack came swift and fierce. Those steel behemoths resembled awakened ancient beasts; their tracks crushed the streets, unstoppable. The machine‑gun fire from each tank's turret sealed off every possible escape route.

"Third squad, provide fire cover!" the commander shouted, "Everyone else fall back immediately!"

But it was already too late. An armored grenade‑thrower squad leapt from a Half-Track Armored Vehicle, brandishing submachine guns to launch a counter‑encirclement. Their movements were unbelievably swift, their firepower terrifyingly fierce.

"These aren't ordinary soldiers!" the deputy battalion commander turned pale, "Each of them is a rigorously trained elite!"

The communication channel was filled with rising and falling cries for help. The First Battalion encountered a larger armored force in the eastern district—a strike unit composed of Leopard Tanks and assault guns, sweeping the streets with terrifying firepower.

"Chief of Staff Xu!" the signalman's voice trembled, "The First Battalion has suffered heavy casualties; request reinforcements!"

Xu Zhiyuan broke out in a cold sweat. Having served in the military for decades, he had never seen such terrifying equipment and tactical coordination. Those armored vehicles were like a precise war machine, elevating modern warfare to an entirely new level.

Order the artillery company to lay down immediate fire coverage on the eastern district!

However, the artillery company's counterfire had little effect. The enemy's armored units moved swiftly, shifting positions before the shells even landed, while their counterstrikes were so precise, as if they had already calculated the location of every artillery position.

Even more despairing, the armored forces began a large-scale advance. Tank formations formed a wedge, armored vehicles followed closely, and infantry advanced rapidly under armored cover. This was a truly modern armored unit, every tactical maneuver breathtaking.

"Retreat! Retreat immediately!" Xu Zhiyuan finally issued the order: "All units, fall back to the predetermined positions!"

But the Garrison Brigade's pride, the Shadow Guard, also suffered heavy losses at this moment. They tried to approach one of the tanks to plant explosives, yet were spotted by the observer on an armored vehicle. Dense machine‑gun fire shattered this elite unit.

Xu Zhiyuan's voice hoarse, "We... we must immediately report to Liu Zhenshou. This force's strength far exceeds our imagination."

Over the communication channel, panicked shouts echoed everywhere. The well‑trained soldiers appeared utterly powerless before modern equipment.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

"Their armor is too strong! We can't pierce it at all!"

"Watch out! Armored vehicle on the right!"

"Desperate cries rang out, foretelling the battle's outcome..."