boyutpedia Chapter 198 Mercenaries
Chapter 198 Mercenaries
"The casualties are too high! They're still too conservative. What are they doing with so many cannons! Tell them not to be stingy with ammunition, and to bomb them as hard as they can! Bomb those little Japanese to death!" Shen Lian shook his head as he held the casualty report in his hand.
Today's battle resulted in over four thousand casualties for the new army. These were soldiers he had trained for several years, and Shen Lian felt a pang of heartache just thinking about it.
Everyone in the operations department exchanged bewildered glances. With roughly equal numbers of troops on both sides, and a score of almost one to ten, was the commander-in-chief still not satisfied? Several senior advisors couldn't help but shake their heads.
"Nogi Maresuke's Third Army appears formidable on the surface, but in reality, it is the weakest. Their elite troops were almost entirely wiped out in Port Arthur. This is the main reason why we were able to annihilate the First Division today."
"Because we launched a surprise attack today, catching the Japanese off guard, we achieved such great results. Once the Japanese are prepared, it won't be so easy to defeat them!" Shen Lian looked at the sand table on the table and shook his head.
"Tell the officers at the front to proceed steadily! Time is on our side, don't rush things!"
"How are those Russians doing?" Shen Lian turned to ask Shen Dong.
Lai Fu, the head of the Military Intelligence Division, remained in the capital, while his deputy, Shen Dong, stayed by Shen Lian's side.
"General, they were ready long ago! Our victory today has had a huge impact on the Russian troops. Many of them have volunteered to go to the front lines," Shen Dong said with a smile.
"Good!" Shen Lian nodded in satisfaction.
"Keep them on high alert, ready to go to the front lines at any time!"
The Russian army deployed hundreds of thousands of troops, and although they were defeated, their troop losses were not significant; only about 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers actually died in battle.
Because of the Russian army's terrible logistics and rampant corruption among its officers, coupled with Shen Lian's involvement in this world, the Russian army was unable to carry out large-scale looting.
During the war, the Russian army could not even guarantee normal bread, and often had to eat moldy black bread, and even fought the Japanese army on an empty stomach.
Low morale among the soldiers was the main reason for the Russian army's defeat. They were starving and not getting paid; who the hell would be willing to fight for them!
Shen Lian was of course aware of this situation long ago, and he had the Military Intelligence Division send personnel to secretly contact low-ranking Russian officers and soldiers.
Lured by the delicious steamed buns and the promise of pay, large numbers of Russian soldiers deserted and joined the ranks of mercenaries, drawn by the monthly stipend of five silver dollars.
The Military Intelligence Division recruited nearly 30,000 men and formed three divisions. The main officers were, of course, sent by themselves.
The military intelligence team sent a lot of money to the Russian officers, and even acquired their weapons and equipment.
Normally, Shen Lianzhi ensured they had three meals a day, but only two and a half silver dollars a month. Only on the battlefield would they receive the same treatment as the new army.
Some of these people have been eating steamed buns for free for months; now it's time for them to do their part!
These people will be of great use not only in dealing with the Japanese, but also in the future after they have been trained!
The ensuing battles escalated, with the new army slowly and methodically eroding the Japanese positions. Under the new army's powerful artillery fire, the Japanese suffered heavy losses.
They didn't have much ammunition to begin with, and the few cannons they had that could be easily picked up by the new army's artillery. The Japanese army was helpless against the planes circling overhead.
Local militias also appeared and disappeared unpredictably, dismantling wooden bridges and planting landmines. They also attacked Japanese supply trains, making it difficult for the Japanese to advance.
On Erdaogang, more than thirty miles from Liaoyang City, tents dotted the dense forest. No one knew that tens of thousands of troops were hidden in this remote forest.
"Commander, the Japanese army at the front is suffering defeat after defeat. Troops in Liaoyang are being constantly transferred away. Now only the Japanese 7th Division remains!" A staff officer explained while working on a map.
"Hmm! That's about enough! It's time for us to make our move! Damn it, I'm practically being sucked dry by mosquitoes after being stuck in this forest all day!" Zhang Da Kui grinned maliciously.
"This 7th Division was also the main force of the Japanese army in the attack on Lushun. They suffered heavy losses in Lushun. Now their strength is less than 20,000 men. Excluding logistics personnel, the number of combat-ready soldiers will not exceed 15,000!"
"I've got him cornered! Hehe!" Zhang Da Kui said confidently.
"Notify all divisions that a military meeting will be held at 1 p.m.!" Zhang Da Kui turned and gave the order.
"Commander!" Upon seeing Zhang Da Kui enter the conference room, all the division-level officers present stood up.
"Okay! Please sit down!" Zhang Da Kui nodded and sat down first.
Looking down at the group of officers below, Zhang Da Kui felt a surge of pride. He was the fastest-rising officer among those sent by Lord Nie, and currently held the highest rank.
Looking back on the past few years, it all felt like a dream. He had risen from a cavalry captain to lieutenant general in just a few years, and now commanded a large army. He was incredibly grateful to the commander-in-chief.
He originally thought he would be lucky to become a guerrilla commander before he died, but who knew that after arriving in Shandong, he would be promoted to lieutenant general in just a few years. The imperial court also appointed him as a general.
Whenever he thinks about these things, he is incredibly grateful for the choice he made back then!
"Chief of Staff, please give me an update on the current battle situation and the situation in Liaoyang City!" Zhang Da Kui shook his head, banishing his distracting thoughts.
"Yes, Commander!" The chief of staff stood up, walked to the side of the map, and began to explain.
“That’s the situation! We’ve been lying in ambush here for over ten days, and now it’s time for us to make our move!” Zhang Da Kui said after glancing at the officers present.
"The brothers have been itching to go! Commander, just give the order! Our 2nd Cavalry Division will lead the charge, and nobody should try to take it from me," Shen Xiaohu said loudly, raising his chin.
The other officers all glanced at Shen Xiaohu. There weren't even enough enemies to go around. Who wouldn't want to be at the forefront!
However, everyone knows that Shen Xiaohu was originally the warlord's closest personal attendant, and no one wants to offend him.
"This time there's no main attack, just support! Everyone, let's go together and take Liaoyang as soon as possible!" Zhang Da Kui glared at Shen Xiao Hu.
"The 205th Division will send two regiments to assist the 3rd Cavalry Division in attacking the Japanese brigade at Xushangbao!" Zhang Da Kui, holding a wooden stick, began to assign tasks on the map.
"Yes!" The commander of the 3rd Cavalry Division stood up to accept the order.
"The remaining two regiments of the 205th Division assisted the 4th Cavalry Division in attacking the Japanese brigade stationed at Balidian."
"Three regiments of the 206th Division will attack the railway station, annihilate a Japanese regiment there, and seize the railway station and Japanese supplies!"
"The 2nd Cavalry Division is responsible for capturing Liaoyang City and destroying the headquarters of the Japanese 7th Division. The 206th Division will send a regiment to assist in the siege!"
"Yes, sir!" Shen Xiaohu stood up happily to accept the order. The commander had entrusted him with the most important objective, so of course he was pleased.
"The attack must be decisive. We must take the position as soon as possible and set up defenses immediately. Liaoyang is an important logistical base and transportation hub for the Japanese army. The Japanese will never allow us to occupy it."
"We may soon be caught in a pincer movement by the Japanese forces on the Fengtian front and in the Haicheng direction!" Zhang Da Kui said, pointing to the map.
"Yes, sir!" All the officers stood up.