Chapter 55: The Arrogant Lieutenant Colonel Ling Mu

Outside Shen City on a deep night.

A massive army is slowly advancing.

In the moonlight, the soldiers wear M1915 steel helmets, and their military boots strike the ground with a uniform sound.

Leading them is a full regiment, a 3,800‑person formation stretching several hundred meters.

The soldiers don dark‑green uniforms, carry 1905 rifles on their backs, and have bayonets at their waists.

The machine‑gun squad pushes a 1914 heavy machine gun, and the mortar team carries a 38 mortar.

The regiment's artillery company is also equipped with several 75 mm Field Artillery pieces.

Behind the regiment are two independent companies.

These are elite troops of the East Asian Army, each soldier rigorously trained.

Their gear is even finer; besides standard arms they also carry Lewis light machine guns and Hand Grenades.

At the rear is a Marine company.

These soldiers wear blue‑and‑white uniforms, their backs standing perfectly straight.

They are elite who came down from warships moored at the harbor.

The whole force numbers about five thousand, resembling a steel dragon in the night.

"Advance!"

At an officer's order, the formation begins to quicken its pace.

The steel helmets glint in the moonlight, and the boots thud heavily on the ground.

The clatter of weapons and gear rises and falls.

This East Asian force is closing in on Shen City.

Their target is clear— the French Concession.

It's the territory of Lin Yu, the Fourth Bureau Chief.

They will make that arrogant youngster understand what the power of the East Asian Empire is!

The formation continues forward.

Shen City's outline becomes gradually clear in the night.

This bustling port is about to face a storm of blood and carnage......

Inside the command vehicle.

Regiment Commander Colonel Ling Mu is chatting and laughing with several officers.

"That Lin Yu really knows no limits," Colonel Ling Mu sneered, "He actually dared to burn our consulate and kill our officials."

"Colonel," a Lieutenant Colonel said, "Consul Kudo has already gone to see that Lin Yu."

"Hmph," Colonel Ling Mu smiled contemptuously, "Give that arrogant kid a proper warning."

"When our troops enter the city, he'll learn the price of offending the Great East Asian Empire!"

"The Colonel is right," another Major added, "He dares to challenge our imperial forces with only that handful of men?"

"According to our intelligence," a Captain opened the file, "He's merely a security chief, with a force of just under a thousand men."

"Their equipment is crude, their training rough."

A burst of raucous laughter erupts in the cabin.

"Gentlemen," Colonel Ling Mu raised his teacup, "We brought five thousand elite this time."

"Every soldier has undergone rigorous training."

"Our gear is the most advanced."

"Our tactics are the finest."

"To deal with a local security official......"

He sneered, "It's a gross misuse of talent."

"The Colonel is wise!" the officers chorused.

"But......" Ling Mu narrowed his eyes, "This time we'll make everyone in Shen City see."

"Who dares to offend the dignity of the Great East Asian Empire......"

"Will face what fate!"

"Just wait and see," he set down his teacup, "Before dawn, I'll make that reckless Lin Yu......"

"... kneel before me and beg for mercy!"

Another round of laughter rings in the cabin.

These East Asian officers never took Lin Yu seriously.

In their eyes, it's merely a small‑scale operation to deal with a troublemaker.

Little do they know, what they're about to face......

is a true madman!

"To be honest," Colonel Ling Mu sipped his tea, "I never took that Lin Yu seriously."

"Just a local security chief," he said disdainfully, "His force is only a few thousand men, yet dares to challenge our imperial troops?"

"The Colonel is right!" a Major laughed, "Such a clueless fellow deserves a proper lesson."

"Lesson?" another officer sneered, "After tonight, he'll be dead."

"But......" a Captain's eyes flashed with cruelty, "Killing him outright seems too cheap for him."

"Oh?" Ling Mu showed interest, "Nakamura, any good ideas?"

"I suggest......" Captain Nakamura licked his lips, "First sever his limbs."

"Then, with a bayonet, carve 'Long live the Great East Asian Empire' onto his body......"

Finally, we will hang him on the main street of the French Concession, letting everyone see......

The consequence of offending our empire!

Ha ha ha! Laughter erupted in the carriage.

Zhongcun jun's idea is good, another officer said, but I think it could be even more cruel......

For example, gouge out his eyeballs......

Or cut off his tongue......

The officers spoke back and forth as if discussing a dinner menu, casually talking about how to torture Lin Yu.

Gentlemen, Ling Mu raised his teacup, after tonight Shen City will know......

The price of offending the Great East Asia Empire!

Cheers!

The teacups clinked, and the officers wore cruel smiles.

In their eyes, Lin Yu was already a dead man.

They were already looking forward to how they would torture this clueless fellow later.

Zhenglin Street, the night was deep.

Feng An stood on the top floor of a three‑story Western‑style building, observing the street through a German telescope.

The battalion commander, who had once served in the German Empire's army, was arranging the final defensive works.

First Company, he ordered in German, set up ambushes inside the buildings on both sides of the street.

Heavy machine gun fire points are placed on the second and third floors.

Second Company, responsible for street blockade.

Third Company serves as reserve, ready to reinforce at any time.

Heavy Weapons Company, mortar positions are set on the rear high ground.

Communications Platoon, ensure smooth communication among all units.

Recon Platoon, continue monitoring enemy movements.

The soldiers moved quickly.

The MG42 machine gun was mounted at the window, and the ammunition boxes were neatly stacked.

The 81mm mortar was calibrated on the rear high ground.

Each infantry squad found the optimal firing position.

Every soldier of this German infantry battalion had undergone rigorous German‑style military training.

Their equipment was fine, and their tactical proficiency was superb.

Most importantly, they were all absolutely loyal to Lin Yu.

"Report, battalion commander!" a recon soldier ran over, "spotted the enemy vanguard about two kilometers away."

Feng An nodded, "Notify all units, prepare for battle."

"Let them see what a real army is!"

He tightened his grip on the Mauser officer pistol in his hand.

This German‑equipped battalion will give those arrogant Easterners a surprise!

Feng An set down the telescope, a scornful sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

As an officer who had served in the German Empire's army, he knew his unit's strength all too well.

Each soldier had undergone the strictest German training, and every piece of equipment was a German Empire masterpiece.

Just the firepower of those MG42 machine guns was enough to make the enemy shiver.

This machine gun, dubbed the "Hitler Saw", could fire 1,200 rounds per minute.

Combined with the 81mm mortar's fire support and the well‑trained infantry......

"No need for the Bureau Chief to mobilize other units," Feng An thought confidently.

"Just with our battalion, it's enough to teach those Eastern dwarfs a lesson."

He glanced at his watch, then scanned the various fire points that had been deployed.

Each machine gunner was in the optimal position.

Each mortar had been calibrated.

Each infantry squad stood ready in strict formation.