Chapter 146: Indiscriminate Violence

Ghost Division Commander Shiteyin stood on the command vehicle, observing the battlefield through binoculars. He was tall and stern, with eyes sharp as an eagle. As an experienced German commander, his judgment of the battlefield was almost never wrong.

"Report, Commander!" the communications officer rushed over, "The reconnaissance company has spotted a unit approaching from the south, preliminarily identified as Sun Family troops, about eight thousand strong."

Shiteyin lowered his binoculars, brow slightly furrowed: "Have you confirmed their identity?"

"Confirmed, it's the Sun Family's 1st and 2nd Brigades. They are advancing in two columns, seemingly avoiding concentrated marching."

Shiteyin nodded and quickly ordered: "Have the 3rd Regiment prepare for combat; the artillery battalion immediately adjust firing parameters. I will personally report to Commander Lin."

Ten minutes later, Shiteyin reported the latest situation to Lin Yu via encrypted phone.

"Commander Lin, we have detected Sun Family troops on the southern front. Based on Sun Lingyun's earlier message, they should just go through the motions and then withdraw. Please instruct us on how to respond."

On the other end of the line, Lin Yu's voice was icy and clear: "Shiteyin, do you believe Sun Lingyun's words?"

Shiteyin hesitated: "From a military perspective, they indeed have not concentrated their forces, and their marching formation is very dispersed, as if avoiding concentrated strikes. This does not match a normal offensive posture."

"Excellent observation." Lin Yu's voice carried a faint sneer, "But have you considered why Sun Lingyun would suddenly show friendliness to us?"

"Perhaps he does not wish to be our enemy?" Shiteyin ventured.

"No, Shiteyin." Lin Yu's voice grew even colder, "This is a larger game. Sun Lingyun, Qin Chang'an, Lu Xiao, Liu Wen—the so-called Jiangnan Four Young Masters—appear to have joined forces to deal with Yang Chengdong, but in reality they all covet Shen City."

Lin Yu paused, then continued: "Sun Lingyun's show of friendliness is merely to make us exhaust our strength fighting others, so he can reap the benefits. They are no different from the court—both are wolves eyeing Shen City."

Shiteyin fell silent for a moment: "Then what should we do?"

"Indiscriminate attack." Lin Yu's voice was firm, "Whether it's the court's troops or the Four Young Masters' forces, anyone who enters Shen City is our enemy. I trust no one's promises, only my own strength."

"Understood, Commander Lin." Shiteyin stood at attention and saluted, though Lin Yu could not see him, "I will execute immediately."

"Remember, Shiteyin," Lin Yu finally cautioned, "In this world there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. Sun Lingyun can betray the court today and betray us tomorrow. Give them no chance."

"Yes, sir!"

After hanging up, Shiteyin's gaze grew more resolute. He walked to the battle map and quickly adjusted the operational plan.

"Order the 3rd Regiment to advance immediately; the artillery battalion begin fire preparation five minutes early. I want the Sun Family troops to know that in Shen City, only the Fourth Bureau is the true master."

Meanwhile, in the Sun Family army's command center, Chief of Staff Gu Changfeng was issuing orders.

"Remember, we are just putting on a show." Gu Changfeng emphasized to the battalion commanders, "After contact with the Fourth Bureau's troops, do not engage head-on; find an excuse and withdraw. The Young Commander has reached an understanding with Lin Yu; we only need to put on a performance for the court."

A young battalion commander frowned and asked: "Chief of Staff, what if the Fourth Bureau's troops really attack us?"

Gu Changfeng smiled: "Don't worry, they know our intentions. As long as we do not take the initiative to attack, they will not strike us heavily."

Just then, a signal soldier ran up breathlessly: "Report, Chief of Staff! Recon troops have spotted the Ghost Division's forces advancing toward us, moving fast!"

Gu Changfeng startled: "They arrived so quickly?" He hurried to the map, "What is their organization?"

"Looks like a regiment-sized unit, with tanks and armored vehicles." The signal soldier reported nervously, "And... their artillery seems to be adjusting firing parameters."

Gu Changfeng's face suddenly changed: "What? They want to bombard us?"

At that moment, a dull thud of artillery fire came from afar.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dozens of 150mm caliber shells screamed across the sky, precisely landing in the Sun Family's 1st Brigade ranks. The explosion was deafening, mud and severed limbs flung into the air.

"Enemy attack!" an officer shouted in terror, "The Fourth Bureau is attacking us!"

Gu Changfeng's face turned ashen: "This is impossible! The Young Commander clearly said..."

Before he could finish, the second wave of artillery fell. This time it was a salvo of 105mm howitzers, shells raining down on the 2nd Brigade's positions. Explosions merged into one, the ground trembling and cracking.

"Chief of Staff! What should we do?" the signal soldier asked in panic.

Gu Changfeng gritted his teeth: "Order the troops to launch an immediate counterattack! This is betrayal! Lin Yu has betrayed our agreement!"

But his order had barely been transmitted when greater disaster struck.

On the distant hill, the Ghost Division's tank group had already begun its charge. Dozens of Leopard Tanks lined up, slowly moving downhill, turrets turning toward the defenseless Sun Family troops.

"Tanks! The enemy has tanks!" a soldier screamed in fear.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The tank guns fired simultaneously, 75mm shells screaming toward the Sun Family troops. Each shell could tear a squad to pieces. The high temperature from the explosions ignited the surrounding air instantly, forming small fireballs that illuminated the battlefield.

Gu Changfeng watched helplessly as his troops collapsed under the tank fire. Their equipment could not oppose these steel beasts. A few 75mm field guns that had just been set up were destroyed by the tanks' long-range precise fire.

"Chief of Staff! The 1st Brigade has already collapsed!" the signal soldier reported in panic, "Casualties are heavy!"

Gu Changfeng's face was ashen: "Order the troops to retreat immediately! Withdraw to the south!"

But his order could not reach the front lines. The Ghost Division's armored grenadiers had already flanked from the side, cutting off the Sun Family's retreat. The MG42 machine gun's sweeping fire sounded like the grim reaper's scythe, mowing down an entire company.

"We are surrounded!" an officer cried in despair.

Gu Changfeng stood frozen. He could not believe his eight thousand elite troops had been utterly routed in less than half an hour.

"Young Commander... Young Commander said Lin Yu had already agreed..." Gu Changfeng muttered, his eyes full of confusion and despair.

In the distance, Shiteyin stood on the command vehicle, coldly observing the battlefield. He issued the final order via radio:

"No survivors."

On the battlefield, the Sun Family's two brigades collapsed under the Ghost Division's steel torrent. Over eight thousand troops lost nearly seventy percent of their strength in under two hours. Casualties were severe, morale gone.

Gu Changfeng led the few hundred survivors in a sorry flight southward. His heart burned with anger and bewilderment: Why did Lin Yu break the agreement? Why did the Ghost Division launch such a fierce assault on them?

Meanwhile, at the Fourth Bureau Headquarters in Shen City, Lin Yu was receiving battlefield reports via radio. Upon hearing that the Sun Family's two brigades had been crushed, a cold smile appeared on his face.

"Good, proceed with the next step as planned." Lin Yu issued a brief command.