Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1189: Chapter 16: Breakout (Part 2)_3

The means are nothing more than coercion and inducement.

They don’t even consider that the Alliance Council would just sit by and watch uncontrolled military power grow to such an extent?!

If they make a choice, then... the ownership of those two Elephant-class fleets will naturally be determined. Russell, with his few remaining fleets, can’t stir up much trouble!

”General Leefer, are you interested?” Kerry suddenly felt that the check he just put in his pocket seemed to be missing a zero. The United Parliament cannot directly lead the army, but they are experts in bargaining. Where these two fleets are sent, the Parliament certainly has significant influence!

”This has nothing to do with General Leefer.” Gambier reminded Kerry again, blandly saying, ”I heard Admiral Fiscella’s side is under a lot of pressure. Perhaps the Leray people should consider their situation more. At this time, if the Parliament takes action, success is inevitable.”

The two exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

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”Sir, the B239 position has fallen...”

In the temporary command center, the staff at the SkyNet Control Console stood up, their voice trembling as they reported, chilling the hearts of all those gathered around the electronic simulation map.

”What about the Fourth Group reserves?” The commander of the Feiyang 13th Armored Division, Pei Litong, glared with bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse: ”Tell Fourth Group Commander Colonel Adams, no matter what, take that position back for me! Now is not the time for us to meet our maker!”

”Yes, Sir!”

Turning his gaze from the staff sending the message, Pei Litong looked bitterly at the battle plans on the simulation table, drawing a large cross with the electronic pen in his hand.

The simulation plan disappeared quickly, leaving only the verdant mountains on the simulation table.

The bleary-eyed staff showed a gloomy expression. The commander of the 51st Infantry Division, Balmer, bowed his head, lost in thought. Meanwhile, the Old Marshal Li Cunxin rested his chin on the Marshal’s cane, staring vacantly at the map.

This was already the eighth battle plan to be scrapped.

The problem wasn’t the staff department’s competence... the situation was simply beyond recovery.

The first line of defense had fully collapsed, and the second line was now precarious. The two divisions currently retained only three-fifths of their forces, making any attempt to break through the heavy enemy encirclement in these mountains a mere fantasy. To the south lay the Karachi River, while Hot Spring Town to the west and Kaff Town to the northwest had been tightly blocked by the enemy.

The Jiepeng Army, with forces totaling four divisions, was pressing in from the east and northeast. Once the second line of defense breaks, the few mountain peaks forming the hastily constructed third line will certainly be unable to hold back the tidal wave of enemies. Both the Thirteenth Division and the Fifty-first Division would be utterly routed on the banks of the Karachi River!

”Defense is the most foolish approach.” Marshal Li Cunxin stood up, tapping the electronic simulation table with his Marshal’s cane, his face flushed with anger: ”You’ve been discussing for ages, yet have you seen through the situation?”

”But, Marshal... ” Pei Litong and Balmer exchanged a glance, smiling bitterly: ”We have no chance to break out.”

”How do you know without trying?” Li Cunxin scoffed angrily, glancing sideways: ”Has the Chuckna Army in your generation turned into a bunch of cowards? Back in my day, just a regiment broke through the encirclement of two divisions!”

Pei Litong and Balmer flushed with embarrassment and defiance.

The old man’s Marshal’s cane pointed to a valley leading to Hot Spring Town: ”We still have enough forces to assemble an Armored Group and two brigades. As long as we move quickly and fight decisively, there’s a chance to break through Hot Spring Town. Even if this chance is one in ten thousand, it’s worth pursuing!”

The Marshal’s cane moved northwest. ”The Northern Mountain Region is vast with complex terrain, and numerous towns scattered throughout. Once we get there, unless the Jiepeng people mobilize twenty armored divisions, they won’t find us! If you don’t make the decision now, how long do you intend to procrastinate? Until the warriors have all perished on foolish positions, only then will you make a decision?!”

”Remember, there is no military action without ’No Calculation Left.’ ” The old man tapped the simulation table forcefully: ”This is war. In war, anything impossible is allowed to happen! Every victory is fought for, not imagined or waited for!”

”Every victory is fought for, not imagined or waited for...” Pei Litong and Balmer chewed on Li Cunxin’s words, suddenly enlightened.

”Orders...” Pei Litong gritted his teeth and shouted aloud.

Around him, the staff snapped to attention, their eyes bright and focused.

”The staff department should immediately work on the plans. All units will leave rear guard forces behind and withdraw from the second-line positions in batches. The reserves should immediately establish blocking positions at the third line. The entire army shall prepare to turn towards Hot Spring Town along Fulong Canyon. The Armored Group Two will depart in advance and must reach Hot Spring Town before dawn to complete attack preparations. Launch the attack at seven o’clock in the morning. Conceal yourselves on the way!”

”Yes!” The staff accepted the orders and dispersed.

Though Pei Litong remained as upright as ever after issuing his orders, only he knew that all his strength had been consumed in this all-or-nothing command.

He stared dumbly at Hot Spring Town. No matter how he looked, it seemed to be a dead end. Unless the two Jiepeng armored groups stationed there were made of flimsy materials, there was no way to break through within four hours. And once the four hours passed, the pursuers would catch up swiftly. By then, not even deities could save this army.