Chapter 163: Luodian 2

August 25, the Japanese 11th Division's 22nd Regiment headquarters, Colonel Yongjin Zuobi, the regiment commander, held a telescope, watching the slowly advancing front line, his brows tightly knit. Since landing, his troops had met resistance, but a bone as hard to chew as Luodian West Street was a first.

"The enemy commander is very cunning," the chief of staff said beside him, "they do not hold a single line, but use the town's complex terrain to conduct multi‑layered, shallow‑depth step‑by‑step resistance. Our artillery advantage cannot be fully utilized, and tanks are often confined to narrow streets, becoming live targets for anti‑tank weapons."

"Have you identified the enemy's unit number?"

"It should be a part of the Chinese Fifth Army, exact unit number unknown. Yet its tactical proficiency and fighting will far exceed those of the enemies we have faced before. They even conduct targeted snipes on our officers and mortar crews."

"Fifth Army… German‑Equipped Army…" Colonel Yongjin muttered, a trace of gravity flashing in his eyes, "No wonder. Order the artillery to extend fire, covering their possible retreat routes and reserve assembly areas. The second battalion should flank from the left, probing the junction of their defensive line. I don't believe they are that tightly entrenched everywhere!"

August 26, at the Jinling Third War Zone Headquarters, Li Yuxuan stared at a thick stack of battle reports on the desk, the document concerning the Independent Regiment placed deliberately on top. The report detailed that the Independent Regiment had delayed the Japanese Tian Gu Detachment in the southeast of Luodian for four days, inflicting over five hundred casualties on the Japanese; although its own losses were severe, its organization remained intact, and it successfully covered the flank allies' redeployment.

"Li Nian'an, that kid…" Li Yuxuan muttered softly, his fingertips drumming on the desk, "he's blended German fire coordination, the guerrilla essence of those guys over there, and his own little cunning together."

The Adjutant said beside him, "Commander, the Independent Regiment is fighting hard; should we pull them back to rest? After all…"

"No." Li Yuxuan said resolutely, "If we withdraw now, all previous achievements are wasted. Reply: The Independent Regiment has performed admirably; the regiment commander Li Nian'an is to be promoted to Army Major General effective today, temporarily assuming the 259th Brigade commander role, unifying command of the 259th Brigade and its attached 521st Regiment, holding the current defensive line. Without orders, absolutely no retreat!"

He paused, then added, "In my name, send him a separate telegram of just eight characters—'Preserve the people, lose the land; both people and land survive.'"

August 27, the promotion order from the front at Luodian and his father's private telegram arrived almost simultaneously. When the messenger read, "Promoted to Army Major General, temporarily assuming 259th Brigade commander," the weary troops around erupted in low cheers. Li Nian'an merely took the telegram silently, his eyes warming at the eight characters.

He understood his father's implication. In a globally passive situation, preserving living forces is more important than seizing a city or a piece of land, but "temporarily assuming" and "holding" also mean he must continue to stand his ground here, exchanging the smallest cost for the most precious time.

"Reply: Nian'an obeys, will exert all effort, not disappointing the principal, the Commander‑in‑Chief, and the whole army's expectations." His voice was hoarse, "Order: The Independent Regiment's current command structure remains unchanged; the Deputy Regiment Commander temporarily assumes the commander duties, continuing to hold the current area. Brigade staff, follow me to the 259th Brigade Headquarters."

"Brigade Commander," the veteran staff officer left by Zhang Qiming said with a complex tone, "your burden is even heavier now."

Li Nian'an inhaled deeply, suppressing his surging emotions: "Order all units to contract the defensive line, shift toward the core positions. The Artillery Company should concentrate remaining shells for the final counter‑strike support. Notify all battalions and companies, tally casualties and ammunition, prepare… staged withdrawal."

He was no longer just a regiment commander; now he was responsible for the lives of nearly six thousand people in a brigade. He began to emphasize corps coordination, deploying the newly assigned 521st Regiment on the flank for support, demanding tight communications between regiments and mutual assistance.

When he led the brigade staff, braving artillery fire across an open field to the almost razed 259th Brigade Headquarters, he saw a bleak scene. The brigade chief of staff had a head wound, wrapped in blood‑soaked gauze; several staff were dead or wounded, and communications were intermittent.

"Brigade Commander Li!" The original 259th Brigade officers, upon seeing Li Nian'an, had complex looks—expectation, doubt, and defiance. After all, he was too young and was a "air‑drop."

Li Nian'an wasted no words, walking straight to the map: "I am Li Nian'an. Now, report to me each unit's exact location, manpower, ammunition stock, casualty status, and the latest Japanese movements on the ground."

His calm, professionalism, and unquestionable tone slightly steadied the chaotic headquarters. He began swiftly consolidating resources, redeploying the defensive line, effectively stitching together the remnants of the 259th Brigade, his Independent Regiment, and other scattered units. He replaced some panicked officers and promoted several junior officers who had distinguished themselves in the bloody battle.

"Everyone," Li Nian'an surveyed his new subordinates, his gaze sharp, "Luodian is still in our hands; we remain Huaxia soldiers! If the little devils want to get through, they must step over our corpses! From now on, there is no distinction between the 259th Brigade and the Independent Regiment—only the Luodian garrison! I, Li Nian'an, stand with you here, sharing life and death!"

"Share life and death!" In the headquarters, a ragged yet firm response rang out.

Meanwhile, the heavy losses and sluggish progress of the Japanese Tian Gu Detachment provoked the fury of Shanghai Expeditionary Army Commander General Matsui Iwane. Matsui Iwane sternly ordered the 11th Division to capture Luodian as quickly as possible and open a link to the city proper.

"Chinese Army 259th Brigade, commander Li Nian'an…" Matsui Iwane examined the intelligence gathered, "Son of Li Yuxuan? Graduate of the Central Party Affairs School? Interesting. Order the Special High Section to focus on gathering information on this individual. Also, tell Shan Shi not to skimp on shells! The honor of the Imperial Army must not be ruined by a child's hands!"

The Japanese adjusted their tactics, intensifying aerial blockades and artillery strikes on the Huaxia Army's logistical lines, deploying more tanks and suicide squads, launching wave after wave of "pig‑rush" assaults.

The ensuing twenty days became the darkest period of Li Nian'an's military career. As brigade commander, he led dwindling forces across the vast area between Luodian and Yunzaobang River, engaging in increasingly brutal attrition battles with elements of the Japanese 11th Division and a part of the 3rd Division.

His tactics grew more refined, employing elastic defense, localized counterattacks, and night‑raid harassment to perfection. Knowing his side's firepower lagged far behind the enemy's, he exploited terrain and close‑quarters combat to the fullest. The water‑networks, rice fields, and villages along the Yunzaobang River became a nightmare for the Japanese.

He ordered his troops to excavate "crab holes"—concealed firing pits dug into riverbanks and dike sides—greatly reducing Japanese artillery casualties. He organized suicide squads, bearing clustered grenades or explosive packs, swimming across the river at night to blow up Japanese tanks and supply caches. He even exploited the weather; during a heavy fog, he launched a brigade‑scale counter‑assault, briefly recapturing lost positions and greatly boosting morale.

In Japanese diaries, entries began to frequently mention "Li Detachment" or "Demon Li," describing him as "tactically crafty, with an extremely stubborn resistance will, causing our army serious trouble."

Colonel Yongjin wrote in his report to the division staff, "…the enemy commander we face possesses exceptionally high tactical talent and resilient will. Though his troops are less equipped than ours, they exploit terrain and night‑combat close‑quarters abilities beyond imagination…The Battle of Luodian is, indeed, the toughest combat since the Shanghai campaign..."

General Matsui Iwane paced irritably in the command post. The war originally planned to annihilate Huaxia within three months now stalled in Shanghai. Especially the fighting toward Luodian—a tiny town—has blocked the Imperial forces for nearly a month.

"What's the deal with the 11th Division?" he shouted, questioning the staff officer, "a tiny Luodian, and it's been fighting this long without being taken!"

"Sir Commander, the defenders of Luodian are the Chinese Army's most elite German‑Equipped troops," the staff officer replied cautiously, "especially in recent days, their tactics are highly flexible, and each step our army takes costs a huge price."

Matsui Iwane snorted, "Relay the order: concentrate all artillery, flatten Luodian! I want to see whether these Western‑educated Chinese troops can stop the Imperial steel torrent!"