Chapter 288: Two Madmen! The Second Crossing of the Yangtze River, Battle of Yiling!

Inside the cave command post, the kerosene lamp flickered dimly, casting the huge Yichang battle map on the rock wall into alternating light and shadow.

Jiang Anguo stood with his back to the map, brows knit, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the belt buckle at his waist.

At that moment Xu Guozhang entered, and after changing into the new uniform Jiang Anguo had given them, he looked much more spirited. Seeing Jiang Anguo's solemn expression, he grinned and, in a thick Sichuan accent, asked, "Brother, what are you thinking? Are you saying my kimchi isn't salty enough?"

Xu Guozhang brought a jar of kimchi, having his bodyguards carry it, and Jiang Anguo tasted it earlier—sour, spicy, and full of kick!

Jiang Anguo didn't turn around, just shook his head lightly: "Brother Xu… tell me, can we take Yichang in five days?"

When the words fell, the cave fell silent at once.

Even the hiss of the kettle on the stove sounded harsh.

Xu Guozhang's smile gradually faded.

He walked slowly to the map, his rough fingers tracing the Yangtze River route from Yidu, Xiaoting, and stopping at the city marked heavily with a red circle—Yichang.

Yichang, the ultimate objective of this campaign.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his low voice as hard as iron: "It's difficult, brother."

Xu Guozhang turned, looked at Jiang Anguo and said, "I'm not attacking you. We now have air superiority with fighters, the sky belongs to us, and we've occupied Yidu. But think carefully: inside Yichang the Little Devil forces number at least ten thousand! Artillery, tanks, permanent fortifications, and supporting troops—numerically they outmatch us."

Xu Guozhang no longer displayed the arrogance he had when he sang "Dingjun Mountain" in Changde; his analysis was quite reasonable.

He paused, his tone even deeper: "And us? Up to today, the forces attacking Yichang consist of only your Reinforced Camp and my crippled 150th Division… together fewer than ten thousand men. The Japanese forces at Xiaoting are no pushover, brother; have you noticed the Little Devil's reinforcement troops haven't arrived yet?"

At this moment Jiang Anguo found himself missing Lin Yi; if Lin Yi were present, he could probably decode the Little Devil's telegrams.

Xu Guozhang patted Jiang Anguo's shoulder heavily: "Five days? Unless heavenly soldiers descend to help us take Yichang, it's… as hard as scaling the heavens."

In truth, Xu Guozhang had another line left unsaid: they might have to pile human lives over.

Just Yidu alone, under such fierce fire, the Japanese forces, with superior firepower, caused the 150th Division and the First Battalion to suffer over a hundred killed and more than two hundred wounded.

Clearly, the Little Devil is not so easy to deal with.

Jiang Anguo bowed his head to contemplate—divine troops descending from heaven!

Jiang Anguo hurried to the map and said, "Brother Xu, could we do this: tonight secretly ferry everyone across the North of the River with landing craft, you strike Xiaoting, block Dangyang, and the Little Devil's reinforcements at Zhi River."

"My Independent Regiment's Second Battalion, Third Battalion, and Fourth Battalion can reach Wufeng Mountain by dusk today; I'll lead my troops straight from the north bank of the Yangtze River, surge into Yichang, cross the river, strike Yichang directly, and seize the Little Devil's 13th Division headquarters!"

"Second crossing of the Yangtze River, battle at Yiling!"

Boom.

Jiang Anguo's fist slammed heavily onto Yichang.

Xu Guozhang felt the young man before him had gone mad; it was obvious—there are nearly ten thousand Little Devils in Yichang, and he still wants to take two battalions to attack Yichang. What else could this be but madness?

Forget Yichang; they've only just achieved the first objective—seizing Yidu—and are now preparing to assault Yichang.

"You… you're crazy?!" Xu Guozhang's voice trembled, his Sichuan accent suddenly rising, "I just explained it crystal‑clear: inside Yichang is the main force of the 13th Division. Your two battalions total only about two thousand men, without heavy weapons, and you go to attack Yichang. I call that reckless!"

At this moment Jiang Anguo was exceptionally clear‑headed; he knew the operation's risk was huge, but if it succeeded, Yichang could fall in a single battle.

The biggest factor was himself; he had to join the Independent Regiment for this operation.

Jiang Anguo pointed to Yichang's southern outskirts: "The 13th Division's defensive line faces east and north; the south leans on mountains, thinking the natural barrier will protect them. The Little Devil will surely assume our main force is attacking Xiaoting. Brother Xu, your 150th Division will be under heavy pressure—not only confronting Dangyang and the Japanese reinforcements at Zhi River, but also dealing with Yichang's own reinforcements."

"Brother, you're serious," Xu Guozhang asked again for confirmation.

Jiang Anguo's gaze was firm: "Brother Xu, I only need you to hold Yichang for three days after taking Xiaoting. If after three days I still haven't taken Yichang, you withdraw the 150th Division."

Jiang Anguo, fearing Xu Guozhang might back down now, said, "Brother Xu, I'll prepare all weapons and ammunition—mortars, howitzers—for you. Air support will cover you from above; tanks can't be used, the terrain is all mountains, impossible to deploy."

The terrain around Yichang restricts tank deployment; the sheer mountains make tanks unable to cross.

Xu Guozhang said nothing, simply picking up the half‑smoked pack of Camel Brand Cigarettes from the table. He had previously been reluctant to smoke such fine cigarettes, which were rolled with loose tobacco, but ever since meeting Jiang Anguo, he could never finish them.

He handed one to Jiang Anguo, kept one in his mouth, and lazily lit his with a fire‑sickle.

"Brother," he exhaled a plume, eyes fixed on the dark night outside the cave, "I, Xu Guozhang, have fought wars all my life—from northern Sichuan to western Hubei—seeing countless 'must‑fight' battles. Some we won, earning a place in history; some we lost, leaving no bones. We've always lost to the Little Devil, retreating constantly, which makes today's fight for Yidu… Brother, I admire you. Whether we win or lose, once we don this uniform we know some things must be done even if they demand lives."

He paused, then grinned, "Don't think I was being difficult earlier; I'd already calculated everything in my mind."

Xu Guozhang knew many would die this time; many brothers of his 150th Division would never return.

Jiang Anguo was startled: "Oh?"

"I'll stake the 150th Division; even if we exhaust everything, we'll take Xiaoting for you!" Xu Guozhang straightened, his Sichuan accent ringing, "By God! Tomorrow at dawn the 150th Division will launch its assault on Xiaoting."

"My 150th Division has eight thousand fine men. Brother, in that case, forget three days; I'll give you five days of defense. As long as I, Xu Guozhang, have a breath left, the 150th Division will not retreat a step. If you fight, I'll fight with you to the end!"

A sudden spark lit Jiang Anguo's eyes.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then laughed simultaneously.

That smile held no lightness, only resolve.

Jiang Anguo extended his hand: "Alright! Brother Xu, you're a man who handles big affairs. I'll keep the head of Nei Shan Yingtailang for you, and make sure you slay him on Mount Dingjun."

Xu Guozhang seized his hand with great force, "Remember, brother, if I fall first, you return to Guang'an for me and bow to my mother; if you fall first, I, Xu Guozhang, will scatter your ashes myself at the source of the Yangtze River!"

Jiang Anguo laughed scoldingly: "Brother Xu, what gloomy words! How did you sing that Dingjun Mountain again?"

Xu Guozhang laughed loudly, singing, "Big and small lads, listen to the seed: first drum beats the battle rice, second drum tightens the battle robe, third drum draws the sword, fourth drum hands over the troops. Those who advance all receive reward; those who retreat inevitably take a cut."

Jiang Anguo went mad, and Xu Guozhang went mad along with him.