Chapter 60: Badong Pacified

Several days passed, stretched unbearably long by an invisible hand over Badong, thick with the clouds of war. Inside the administrative office, Li Yuxuan stood silently before a massive military map, his gaze calm as a deep pool, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the solid wood desk, producing a regular, gentle tapping sound that was especially clear in the solemn space.

"They still haven't withdrawn their troops?" he spoke, his voice not loud, yet carrying a penetrating authority that brooked no argument.

Huang Wei, standing at attention nearby, stepped forward immediately upon hearing this, slightly bowing his waist, and replied in a deep voice: "Reporting to the Chairman, they have not yet withdrawn. Forward reconnaissance reports that Yang Shen and Liu Xiang's forces show no intention of retreating; instead, they are reinforcing fortifications and stockpiling supplies, as if preparing for a prolonged standoff or even seeking an opportunity to counterattack."

Upon hearing this, the corner of Li Yuxuan's mouth curled into a cold, sharp arc, and his tapping fingers suddenly stopped. "Hmph," a light snort carried a hint of mockery and finality, his tone decisive, "Stubborn and unyielding, seeking death. Then let's just fight directly. There's nothing to hesitate about."

"Yes, Chairman!" Huang Wei's spirits lifted as he solemnly accepted the order. He knew well that once Li Yuxuan made a decision, it was as unstoppable as a thunderbolt, leaving no room for reversal. This command was like a spark thrown into dry tinder, instantly igniting the entire war situation in Badong.

Meanwhile, at the rendezvous point of Hu Zhongnan and Du Yuming's forces on the outskirts of Badong.

The temporary command post was set up in a village nestled against mountains and rivers. Radio antennas stood like a forest, staff officers bustled about, each attending to their duties, and the air was thick with a tense yet orderly atmosphere of combat readiness. Regimental Commanders Hu Zhongnan and Du Yuming were currently bent over a spread-out operational map.

"Has the Chairman given any clear instructions?" Hu Zhongnan looked up at Du Yuming, who had just hung up an encrypted phone call.

Du Yuming put down the receiver, nodded in acknowledgment, and spoke in a calm tone that carried undeniable force: "The Chairman has ordered an immediate start to the battle. He specifically stated that this campaign aims to quell the rebellion and stabilize the rear. If there are any criticisms or accountability afterward, he will bear full responsibility."

A flicker of complex emotion passed through Hu Zhongnan's eyes, quickly replaced by resolve. He raised his hand and slapped the map heavily: "Good! Since Jingxing has such boldness, we have no worries holding us back." Turning to the adjutant standing beside him, he ordered sternly: "Pass the order down: 'Troops are maintained for a thousand days to be used for a single moment.' The time has come to test the results of each unit's training! If we can't even deal with these local Sichuan Army forces like Yang Shen and Liu Xiang, we might as well lay down our arms and go back to farming! In this battle, we must display the might of the Third Division of the First Army and settle the matter in one decisive fight!"

"Yes, Regimental Commander!" the adjutant replied loudly, turned, and quickly left to relay the orders, his footsteps fading away in the courtyard.

Du Yuming leaned over, pointing at defensive nodes on the map, and added: "Guangting, although the enemy's equipment is slightly inferior, they still hold an advantage in numbers. Moreover, they are defending from a strategic position they have fortified over a long time; we must not underestimate them. My suggestion is that our two units coordinate closely, adopting a tactic of a central breakthrough with flanking encirclements. My main force will launch a frontal assault to draw their attention; you lead an elite unit to strike their weak left flank, drive straight to their rear, and be sure to disrupt their deployment and cut off their retreat."

"Exactly my thoughts!" A sharp glint flashed in Hu Zhongnan's eyes as he forcefully slapped a key position on the map. "Let's do it that way! Let these local warlords see what a truly fierce, tiger-wolf-like army is!"

Combat orders were rapidly transmitted to various combat units via radio and messengers. In the military camps, soldiers carefully inspected their weapons and distributed ammunition, while officers gathered their subordinates for final pre-battle mobilization. Passionate slogans rose and fell. A chilling, murderous aura rose from the camp, soaring straight into the clouds.

Two days later, the sounds of gunfire and artillery in Badong, initially deafening, gradually became sparse and finally fell silent.

The main fighting had ended. The smoke of gunpowder had not yet fully dissipated. The scorched black earth was covered with the scars left by war—ruined fortifications, discarded weapons, dried bloodstains—all silently telling the tale of the battle's brutality. The defensive line that Yang Shen and Liu Xiang had painstakingly built over many years, under the fierce assault of Hu and Du's well-coordinated forces, collapsed like glass shattered by a giant hammer. Although the Sichuan Army had always been fierce and the local populace tough, they ultimately could not withstand the Third Division, which was superior in equipment and tactical coordination, and were forced to retreat step by step.

Hu Zhongnan and Du Yuming stood side by side on a recently captured high ground, overlooking the chaotic battlefield below. The air was thick with a mixture of heavy gunpowder smoke and a faint smell of blood, sending chills down one's spine.

"What about Yang Shen and Liu Xiang? Any definite news?" Hu Zhongnan asked, his voice slightly hoarse from days of commanding operations, but still full of vigor.

An intelligence staff officer, covered in dust and with a torn uniform, quickly stepped forward, stood at attention, saluted, and reported loudly: "Reporting to the Regimental Commander. According to confessions from captured routed soldiers and identification of bodies on the battlefield, Yang Sen and Liu Xiang were hit by our artillery fire during yesterday's assault on the core defensive positions and were killed instantly. Their bodies have been confirmed without error."

Hu and Du exchanged a glance, both seeing a flash of relief in each other's eyes. With these two dead, the greatest source of rebellion in the Chuandong region had been eliminated, and the subsequent work of pacification and reorganization would undoubtedly proceed much more smoothly.

"Good," Hu Zhongnan nodded slightly, his tone decisive. "Immediately draft a document and send an urgent report to the Chairman: The rebel army in Badong has been completely pacified. The chief culprits, Yang Shen and Liu Xiang, have been executed. The remaining routed soldiers are being mopped up, and local order is gradually being restored."

"Yes, sir!" The staff officer acknowledged and withdrew.

Du Yuming was more concerned about the casualties. Turning to the officer responsible for statistics beside him, he asked in a grave tone: "What are our specific casualties?"

The officer opened the register in his hand, his voice dropping a few notes: "Reporting to Regimental Commander Du. Preliminary statistics are as follows: 2,489 officers and men killed in action, approximately 1,000 seriously wounded. The count of lightly wounded personnel is still being tallied; no exact figure is available yet."

Du Yuming was silent for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed. Although this casualty figure was within the estimated range and still manageable, every number behind it represented a living life, enough to cause pain. He took a deep breath and slowly instructed: "Acceptable. The cost is within our tolerance. Tell the Quartermaster Department and the Political Training Department that for every fallen brother, their identity and place of origin must be verified one by one. Double the pension and ensure it is delivered in full to their families as soon as possible. No one is allowed to withhold or delay it. Immediately transfer the seriously wounded to rear hospitals and do everything possible to treat them; there must be no negligence."

"Yes, sir! I understand and will carry it out immediately!" The officer solemnly accepted the order, turned, and left to make arrangements.

At the same time, inside the Jinling Presidential Office.

In Chairman Jiang's office, the atmosphere was completely different from the intensity of the Badong battlefield. A kind of quiet pressure lurked in the air. Chairman Jiang sat upright behind a large rosewood desk, with several documents spread out before him, but his gaze was not on the paper; his mind had clearly wandered far away.

"How are things in Badong?" he asked without raising his head, his voice flat and unreadable, betraying neither joy nor anger.

The staff officer beside him stepped forward lightly and respectfully presented a just-decoded urgent telegram: "Reporting to the Chairman, we have just received a joint victory report from Regimental Commanders Hu and Du. The rebellion in Badong has been completely quelled. Yang Shen and Liu Xiang's forces have been routed, and both men were killed in the chaotic fighting."

Chairman Jiang's gaze finally shifted from the documents. He took the telegram and quickly scanned it. His face remained expressionless, showing neither the joy of victory nor the surprise of the unexpected, as if all of this had already been under his control. After a moment, he gently placed the telegram on the desk, his fingers unconsciously tapping the paper.

"Send a telegram to Jingxing," his tone remained flat, but carried an unyielding decisiveness. "Tell him to roll back to Nanjing to see me immediately."

"Yes, Chairman." The staff officer bowed in acknowledgment, took out paper and pen, and quickly recorded the order.

Chairman Jiang seemed to recall something else and added: "Oh, and for the 3rd Division under Jingxing's command, select a reliable person to take over immediately. Handle it properly. You may go now."

"Yes, Chairman." The staff officer acknowledged the order again, quietly exited the office, and carefully closed the heavy solid wood door behind him.

The moment the door closed, in the outer office, two young secretaries who were organizing documents exchanged a subtle glance. The younger one, while pretending to arrange papers with his head down, lowered his voice and asked, full of confusion: "Brother, what do you think the Chairman means? Chairman Li clearly won the rebellion and rendered great service, but now his personal 3rd Division is being taken away? This is too unreasonable."

The older secretary adjusted his glasses, a look of 'you're still too green' on his face. Lowering his voice, he analyzed steadily: "Fool! The ins and outs of this are not so simple. First, naturally, Li Yuxuan started the war without authorization, so the Chairman has to give those below an explanation. Otherwise, if everyone imitates Li Yuxuan, what would the Chairman do?"

He paused, glanced left and right to confirm no one was paying attention, then continued: "Second, it's to shake the mountain to frighten the tiger—to send a message to the other restless warlords in the country. Even Li Yuxuan, who just rendered outstanding military service, had his power taken away by the Chairman at a word. Seeing this, others will naturally sheathe their claws and dare not act recklessly. This is using Li Yuxuan to establish authority and strengthen central power."

"And the third point?" the younger secretary pressed, his eyes full of curiosity.

"The third point," the older secretary lowered his voice even further, almost inaudible, "have you forgotten the situation in Xibei and Jiangxi? The Chairman's core focus has always been on concentrating strength to deal with the major threat. The 3rd Division is indeed capable of fighting, but it's been in Badong all along. I suspect that taking over the 3rd Division this time is precisely to deal with those people over there."

He shifted his tone, speaking with certainty: "I reckon that when Li Yuxuan returns to Jinling this time, it will be a lot of thunder but little rain—a light tap. On the surface, he might be reprimanded for starting the war without authorization, but the trust is there; the Chairman absolutely cannot really punish him. Most likely, he will be transferred to Bashu or some other similar place to serve. One lash, then a sweet date."

The younger secretary's face lit up with sudden understanding. He nodded repeatedly and whispered in admiration: "So that's it. Brother, you see through it all."