Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1196 Shocking Tsarist Russia

Beilong City, headquarters.

Su Zhengyang sat at the large desk, carefully reading the battle report that had just been delivered. The report detailed the Northern Division's blitzkrieg in Blagoveshchensk, from the attack to the occupation, the entire process took less than two days.

"34 hours and 41 minutes," Su Zhengyang read out the number softly, with a satisfied smile on his face, "Otto did a good job."

Gudean, who was standing nearby, nodded and said, "The performance of the Northern Division was indeed outstanding this time. The electronic warfare combined with the air strikes perfectly resolved the threat of underground street fighting. The casualties were so small, but such great results were achieved."

"It's not only a tactical victory," Su Zhengyang put down the battle report, "but more importantly, this victory proves that our strategic concept is correct. The result of a modern army versus a traditional defense system is self-evident."

Gudean walked to the map of the Far East hanging on the wall and said: "Our target is five important cities in the Far East. Now that the Northern Division has taken Blagoveshchensk, the next ones are the other four: Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok."

"Each city has its own characteristics," Su Zhengyang stood up and walked to the map, "but they all have one thing in common: the defenders are still relying on traditional defensive thinking. This is our opportunity."

"Yes," Gudean pointed to several points on the map, "We have mastered the key to victory: electronic warfare paralyzes their command system, air strikes destroy their fortifications, and ground forces are responsible for the final cleanup. This combat method will continue to play a role in the next battle."

Su Zhengyang stared at the map, his eyes flashing with wisdom: "Let the Beidi Division continue this trend. At the same time, notify other troops to seriously learn from the experience of this battle. In modern warfare, the competition is about who can master new combat methods faster."

"I have asked the staff to start compiling the experience of this battle," Guderan said, "I believe these experiences will be very helpful to other troops."

"Very good," Su Zhengyang sat back at his desk, "Let's wait and see what miracles the Beidi Division can create in the next battle."

In this office, the two top commanders were planning their next strategy. The fall of Blagoveshchensk was just the beginning. A greater victory was still waiting for them to conquer.

Khabarovsk, the headquarters of the Russian Far East Army.

General Kuznetsov, commander of the Far Eastern Army, held the battle report that had just been delivered in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. The news of the fall of Blagoveshchensk was like a heavy hammer, hitting his heart hard.

"In less than two days..." Kuznetsov took a deep breath, "A reinforced regiment and a motorized infantry division, a total of more than 34 elite troops, with the advantage of the city defense, couldn't even hold out for 34 hours..."

The meeting room was completely silent. A dozen senior officers sat on both sides of the long table, each with a look of shock and worry on their faces. Some of them lowered their heads to read the battle report, some frowned in thought, and many more remained silent with solemn expressions.

"Everyone," Kuznetsov stood up and looked around at the officers present, "Everyone has read this battle report. I must say that the situation is much more serious than we expected."

He walked to the battle map hanging on the wall and pointed to the location of Blagoveshchensk: "The city defenses that we were so proud of were rendered useless by the enemy's electronic warfare and air strikes. The underground fortifications were destroyed to pieces by their goblet bombs."

"The most shocking thing is," a chief of staff said with a tremor in his voice, "the way they fight... has completely overturned our understanding. Electronic interference, information warfare, precision air strikes, each of them caught us off guard."

"Yes," Kuznetsov nodded heavily, "China is far more terrifying than we imagined. They not only have advanced weapons and equipment, but more importantly, they have mastered the essence of modern warfare."

"We must immediately adjust our defense strategy," said another officer. "The traditional defensive model has completely lost its effect in the face of this modern army."

Kuznetsov looked at everyone present and said, "Everyone, from now on, we must be fully alert. This is not an ordinary war, this is a battle of life and death."

"We need to immediately strengthen the defenses of other cities," he continued, "but more importantly, we must change our mindset. We can no longer view this war in the same light as the past."

The atmosphere in the conference room became increasingly tense. Everyone realized that they were facing an opponent that was far more powerful than they had imagined. The fall of Blagoveshchensk was not only the loss of a city, but also a loud wake-up call.

"Pass the order," Kuznetsov said at last, "all troops are put on high alert. We must be prepared to meet more severe challenges."

In this conference room, the senior commanders of the Russian Far East Army felt the threat from China for the first time. They knew that an unprecedented tough battle was waiting for them.

The Tsar's study, Winter Palace, Moscow.

Nicholas III stood in front of the huge French window, holding tightly in his hand the war report from the Far East. Heavy snow was falling in Moscow outside the window, but the atmosphere in the study was like a boiling volcano.

"Blagoveshchensk!" The Tsar suddenly turned around and threw the battle report to the ground, "Just two days! They were captured in two days! These rubbish!"

Foreign Minister Sergei stood aside and spoke cautiously: "Your Majesty, the current situation is indeed not optimistic. The German army on the Western Front is advancing step by step on the Polish plains, and we have lost a large area of ​​territory..."

"I know!" Nicholas III roared, "Do you think I don't know?!"

"Your Majesty," Sergei took a deep breath and continued with courage, "I think it is not wise for us to be attacked from all sides. Maybe... maybe we can consider returning the Far East to China temporarily and concentrate our forces on dealing with the Western Front..."

"What?!" The Tsar turned around with anger flashing in his eyes, "Sergei, do you know what you are saying?!"

&34;Your Majesty, this is only a temporary measure...&34;

"Shut up!" Nicholas III interrupted him harshly, "The Far East is the land we bought with our blood and lives! It is the foundation of the Romanov dynasty! Now you want me to give it up?!"

Sergei lowered his head, not daring to look directly into the Tsar's angry eyes.

"Tell me, Sergei," the Tsar's voice was chilling, "are you thinking about Tsarist Russia or are you speaking for China?"

"Your Majesty!" Sergei fell to his knees in fear, "My loyalty to Tsarist Russia and the Romanov dynasty is evident to all!"

"Then shut up!" Nicholas III walked to the desk and slammed the table, "I will never give up an inch of land in the Far East! Even if I die, I will die on the battlefield! This is the blood of the Romanovs!"

The study fell into a dead silence, with only the Tsar's heavy breathing echoing.

"Pass the order down," Nicholas III said coldly after a moment, "Mobilize the Siberian reserve troops to quickly reinforce the Far East. At the same time, send a telegram to the Far Eastern Army Headquarters, no matter what the cost, you must defend the remaining cities for me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sergei replied tremblingly.

In this magnificent study, the Tsar's anger seemed to set the entire Winter Palace on fire. But what he didn't know was that this stubbornness and arrogance might be the beginning of the empire's downfall.