Ch. 70: Changing Tides
2:02 PM, July 9th, 1926, Hunan Province, China
The sound of gunfire and artillery shells exploding filled the air as the NRA continued their northward invasion while the Zhili forces attempted to defend their lines and launch counterattacks. NRA forces could be seen either charging en masse at Zhili trenches and machine gun nests or ducking behind hills, rocks, or the ruins of buildings to avoid enemy fire. Meanwhile, the number of corpses dotting the crater-filled battlefield rapidly increased each second as soldiers on both sides found themselves being riddled with bullets or blown apart by incoming artillery shells.
However, the NRA advance slowly started to stall as they found themselves being overpowered by machine gun positions and artillery salvos or by being flanked by Zhili reinforcements. Suffering increasing losses and unable to dislodge the Zhili from their current defensive positions, NRA forces had no choice but to gradually retreat. This prompted the Zhili to send out their forces and continue pursuing the retreating NRA forces.
"Sir! We're suffering severe losses and the enemy is beginning to push back!" a NRA sergeant yelled to a nearby colonel shooting his pistol at the enemy while taking cover behind debris of a destroyed building.
"Have our forces retreat to the secondary defensive lines! We can then reform our defenses and counter!" the colonel replied as the earth below him vibrated as an artillery shell impacted nearby. "Meanwhile send out a detachment to continue attacking the enemy! That should slow them down long enough for us to..."
Suddenly a loud and sharp "BANG" could be heard as a bullet appeared to go right through the colonel's head. Blood immediately started to flow down his head as his now lifeless body fell over.
"What in god's name!" the sergeant yelled out before he too suffered a gunshot to the head.
With the colonel and sergeant both killed, the NRA troops suffered severe loss of organization and morale. As a result many of the NRA forces started to retreat in random directions. The Zhili forces immediately took advantage of the situation by picking off the retreating NRA soldiers one by one.
"Damn it!" Chiang Kai-shek muttered as he observed the battle with his binoculars from a trench situated on a hill. "How are we being pushed back?"
"It looks like that the Zhili managed to surprise us and bring in some reinforcements." Li Jihao replied as he too observed the battle beside Chiang.
"But how is that even possible? We deliberately timed this invasion down to the precise minute so that the Zhili and the other factions that support them would be focused on pursuing Zero and Black Army. They shouldn't have enough forces to spare to be sent down here."
"Sir, we need to come up with a new strategy fast. I suggest we return to central command where we can fully ascertain situation."
Chiang agreed and both he and Li immediately headed towards the command post.
As they traversed through the network of trenches, they passed by countless soldiers defending it with rifles along with several machine gun nests and entrenched artillery guns. Numerous medics could also be seen rushing past them while ferrying the wounded away on stretchers.
They then entered the command post which was located inside a giant dugout. Inside were several officers reviewing a giant tactical map of the battlefield and the surrounding region. There were also multiple radio operators sitting at desks relaying and dispatching new orders.
"Go to the radio and find out what is happening with Zero and the Black Army. I want to know why the Zhili aren't focusing their attention and resources on them anymore." Chiang instructed Li.
Li nodded and quickly ran towards one of the radio operators. Meanwhile Chiang approached one of the generals looking over the map.
"Ah Generalissimo!" the General said as he turned around and saluted.
"General, give me a full update on the current situation!" Chiang immediately requested as he approached the map.
"It's not looking good sir." the General answered. "Enemy defenses and fortifications have proven to be much more stronger than originally anticipated. Our forces are also being outflanked in the East and the West. As a result the invasion has ceased and our forces have been forced to slowly retreat."
Chiang then took a closer look at the map and observed the figurines representing NRA and Zhili forces placed on it. He also carefully analyzed all all the drawn arrows and lines representing troop movements and positions.
"Have all our forces retreat to our outermost defensive lines and continue to hold the position for the time being. Meanwhile have our artillery focus fire on enemy forces flanking us from the East and West. Also transfer half of our reserves to the front." Chiang ordered. "Hopefully that will exhaust them enough that we can restart our invasion."
"Sir, the chances of us winning by attrition are extremely low." the General replied. "We simply do not have enough resources to maintain the front if enemy reinforcements continue to pour in at the current rate."
"That is true. However, it is imperative that we prevent the enemy from successfully turning the tables and overrunning us. Keeping the enemy at bay just momentarily may give us enough time for us to bring in reinforcements and push back."
After hearing Chiang's explanation, the General acknowledged the orders given to him and proceeded to relay them. Meanwhile, Li returned from the radio while carrying a message.
"So, what did you find out about Zero and the Black Army?" Chiang asked.
"Based on the information our intelligence networks up North were able to gather, it seems that the Black Army has been cornered in a bay near the Bohai Sea and are currently at the mercy of the Warlords' coastal fortifications." Li reported.
"That doesn't explain how the Warlords were able redirect so many reinforcements down here in such a short period of time. Based on our calculations, they would've needed to focus all their resources on pursuing them if they wanted to have a decent chance of success. Also, with the Black Army being led by someone as smart and clever as Zero, one would imagine stopping them would take much longer."
"Actually there's more troubling news." Li added. "It is reported that several Japanese and British warships are blocking the entrance to the bay, effectively trapping the Black Army. That would explain how the Warlords were able to stop Zero and quickly send reinforcements down here."
"Those treacherous bastards! They're moving faster than I anticipated. They haven't even had their treaty signed and they're already calling in foreign powers to do their dirty work."
"Generalissimo, the success of this plan hinged on the Warlords being preoccupied with stopping Zero for a much longer period of time. How do we respond to this?"
"We resume with our current plan and continue repelling all enemy counterattacks until we can regain the momentum to invade."
"What about Zero and the Black Army?"
"They are to be left to their own devices. We are in no position to assist them, especially in the situation they are currently in."
"Very well sir."
Both Chiang and Li then approached the map once more and began strategizing with the other officers.
"Zero, you better pull off one of your so-called miracles that you are famous for. I hate to admit it, but due to the tricks the Warlords have pulled out, our fates are firmly intertwined with one another and the success of this operation relies on what you do next." Chiang thought to himself as he reviewed the map of the battlefield.
2:56 PM, Bohai Sea
On the Kkachi's bridge, Zero continued to coordinate with other officers as they all made preparations to carry out his plan to deal with the Warlords.
"What's the current status on the coastal fortifications?" Zero asked.
"No activity detected!" a spotter looking through a pair of binoculars replied.
"What about the British and Japanese ships?"
"Enemy ships have still not moved from their current positions." another spotter answered.
Kim Gu, who had just hung up one the ship's phones, then approached Zero.
"Just got off the phone with the engineers down below. They've managed to repair a quarter of the remaining boilers."
"Good. We'll need as many of them functioning should things fall apart at the last minute."
Kim Gu then glared at the coastal fortifications and enemy ships in the distance.
"So, still no movement from the enemy?"
"Seems that way so far." Zero answered. "The fact they haven't done anything for the past hour indicates they are still expecting us to reply to the offer they made."
"I hope you know what you are doing. I mean even as one of your most devoted supporters and closest friend, I still find it extremely hard to see how you can get us out of this situation alive without surrendering."
"Don't be too concerned. Like I said before, I pulled off a similar plan before I came to this world. If my prediction proves true and the enemy plays their cards accordingly, then we should be able to effectively counter them."
"Zero, it's two minutes to 3." Gang announced.
"Tell Kae to go and retrieve the Premier from his room again. I want him to be present for this."
Gang nodded his head and ordered one of the lower ranked officers to go and find the both of them.
Zero then picked up the phone and called the radio room.
"Dietrich, is everything prepared?"
"Everything is ready to go Zero." Dietrich replied. "Me and Ronan have already made the proper configurations and sent out instructions to all our broadcast outposts."
"Then connect the radio to the PA system and patch me in with the Warlords."
"Will do."
Dietrich then flipped on several switches and turned some knobs on the radio. He also ensured that the radio's amplification was at max level. As a result large amounts of electricity had to be diverted to the radio, causing lights all over the ship to start flickering.
Meanwhile, Kae and Premier Du both appeared on the bridge. Zero quickly instructed them to standby until further notice.
Suddenly General Yu's voice could be heard on the PA system. Almost everyone on the bridge immediately stopped what they were doing upon hearing him.
"Hello. Is this Zero?" Yu asked.
"It is indeed." Zero answered. "Just in case you wondering, the Premier is still unharmed and being taken care of."
"So, I assume you have considered accepting our offer?"
"I have already discussed the offer with my staff and after much deliberation we have both agreed to accept your terms." Zero explained. "However, before we proceed further, I would like to take a moment to ask you a few quick questions."
On the other end of the phone, Yu and the other Warlords standing besides him looked at each other with confusion and concern as they heard Zero's request.
"Very well. But please make it quick." Yu replied.
"Thank you." Zero replied before briefly clearing his throat. "General Yu. You and the other Warlords claim to stand and represent the interests of the Republic of China and its people. However, why would you sign a treaty such as this one?"
"Seriously Zero? Surely a man of such intellect as yourself knows the answer." Yu answered. "Me, my associates, and our superiors want to end the all the chaos and infighting that has plagued this nation for more than decade."
"This treaty will bring us peace, stability, and prosperity." General Zhao added. "And not just to China, but for the rest of the Asian continent as well."
"As a man who claims to stand for justice and protecting the weak, we are all surprised you would fight against us." said General Guo.
"If you do indeed stand for the things I am fighting for, then why secretly lease major ports and give exclusive economic rights over Chinese resources to Japan?" Zero asked. "Because as far as I see it, this treaty effectively makes China a Japanese colony in all but name."
"Surely you must realize that peace doesn't come free Zero." General Wang answered.
"It is only with the assistance of Japanese money and troops that peace and prosperity is a possibility." General Ma added.
"You all continuously talk about "peace and prosperity" as if you're fighting for the interests of the Chinese people and wanting to end their suffering. Yet for years you and your respective superiors have done very little for them and instead have continued to enrich yourselves so you can maintain your luxurious lifestyles." Zero replied.
"What are you implying?" General Yang asked as he slightly adjusted his glasses.
"That you and your superiors never had any intention to help the Chinese people and you all instead plan to pocket all the money Japan gives to you for selling out China."
It was then that Yu smirked and slightly chuckled to himself upon hearing Zero's accusation.
"Spoken like a naive idealist."
"Excuse me?"
"Zero, the people to whom you speak of are illiterate peasants who have as much value as insects crawling through the dirt." Yu replied. "The only purpose they serve is to enrich those in power."
"Yet you still claim that you are fighting for "peace and prosperity". How can you say that with such a straight face when you clearly don't care about the people of your own nation?"
"On the contrary. We have been fully honest with our intentions this whole entire time." Zhao added. "The financial cost of all the wars plaguing this nation for the past decade have risen to unsustainable levels. As a result, we have been forced to scrape the bottom of the barrel to maintain our power and way of life."
"But this treaty will solve all our problems." Wang added. "Once we give them exclusive economic rights over our resources and allow them to deploy troops here, Japan will take care of everything while we will sit back and comfortably retire."
"Making China a de facto Japanese colony. Deceiving the international community. Abandoning your own citizens to secure your own interests. Is there anything you won't sink to satisfy your greed and gluttony?" Zero asked.
"Do you think you lecturing us on morals and standards will have any sway on us?" General Li interjected as he smoked his cigar. "We Warlords kill, exploit, and pillage on a daily basis. To all of us land, resources, and people solely exists to be sold to the highest bidder."
"So that's how you view your own people and country? As everyday commodities that can be cheaply sold for some pieces of gold and silver. How can you truly call yourselves the legitimate leaders of this nation?"
"Zero, we've had enough of you lecturing to us about your petty ideals." Yu interrupted. "It is time we send you and your comrades down to the bottom of the sea."
Zero, along with everyone else on the bridge, was immediately shocked upon hearing Yu's words.
"What do you mean send us to the bottom of the sea? What about me surrendering and you giving asylum to my crew?"
"Ah yes about that. Me and the other Warlords have changed our minds and decided it would be much easier to simply eliminate you right here and now." Yu explained.
"Have you forgotten that we still have the Premier on board with us?"
"We have not forgotten and frankly we don't care. The man is technically only the Acting Premier. We can easily appoint another one to sign the treaty." Yu replied.
"And you expect the people and the international community to overlook this?" Zero asked.
"We've already drafted a report stating how the Premier instructed us to sink the ship with him on it and eliminate his kidnappers in the name of the Republic of China." Zhao added. "I think a heroic sacrifice would be the perfect way to announce his death."
Panicked and frightened about what he had just heard, the Premier broke free of Kae's grasp, ran towards Zero, and grabbed the phone from his hand.
"This is your Premier Admiral Du Xigui speaking. I command you to get me out of this situation alive!"
It was then all the Warlords burst out with laughter.
"Did he seriously just try to give a command to us?" Ma asked as he chuckled.
"It seems like he believes he is actually in charge." Wang added.
"Perhaps he finally found his balls." Li sarcastically suggested.
"Stop laughing and just get me off this ship!" Du replied as he continued to plead for salvation.
"Admiral, surely you have not forgotten we are the ones with power while you are merely a rubber stamp." Yu replied.
"I've cooperated with all of you every step on the way. The least you can do is save my life."
"Your life means nothing to us. The only reason we even tried to locate you was so we could save face in the eyes of the public and to prevent Zero from using you to reveal the secret agreements in the treaty. As of now, you're more useful to us dead than alive."
"But...but...but...I..."
"Goodbye Admiral. I hope you, Zero, and the rest of the Black Army enjoy the seafloor."
The sound of static then filled the entire room as the Warlords hung up on the other end. Du, utterly distraught by the Warlords abandoning him, fell down onto his knees and began clutching his head.
"They're just threw me away like some used rag without any hesitation. They're actually going to kill me. I'm going to die! I'M GOING TO DIE!" he maniacally started to yell.
Zero immediately ordered the panicked Premier to be subdued and restrained. Two nearby officers proceeded to lift his shaking body off the ground and bring him back to his room.
Once Du had been escorted off the bridge, Zero picked up the telephone and immediately called the engine room.
"Light up all available boilers! I want the engines running at full power as fast as possible!"
"Sir, we're still in the process of repairing them! We risk severe damage if we have the engines run at full power!" the engineer reported.
"We're going to be blown into oblivion if we don't. Just do it!"
The engineer then hung up the phone on his end and relayed command to all the other engineers repairing the boilers, pipes, and hull. Within seconds they all ceased what they were doing and worked on lighting up all the remaining boilers. Due to the repairs not being fully complete, jets of steam would occasionally shoot out of the pipes.
Back on the bridge, Zero quickly called the radio room.
"Dietrich, were you able to pick up everything?"
"Just checked the recording equipment and everything seems to have worked."
"Excellent! Activate the transmission signal and send it out!"
Zero then hung up the phone and walked over to the helmsman.
"Turn the ship Northward and have her move at full speed."
"Zero you do realize we'll be heading straight towards that line of British and Japanese ships trapping us in?" Gang, who was standing nearby, noted.
"I am quite aware of that." Zero answered. "But we need to get out of this bay
"MOVEMENT DETECTED AT ENEMY COASTAL FORTIFICATIONS!" Jo, who was observing the coast with his binoculars, yelled at the top of his lungs.
"WHAT!" Zero yelled.
He ran over to the window and took out his binoculars. In the distance he could see the large super heavy twin turret naval gun slowly turn towards them. He also noticed some of the smaller coastal batteries were also turning and aiming towards their guns at them.
"HELMSMAN! HARD TO STARBOARD AND FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
Zero then ran to the PA system to address the entire crew.
"This is your Captain Zero speaking! Enemy coastal fortifications are about to fire at us! Prepare for impact!"
The entire crew either hunkered down or grasped onto the nearest stable object they could find upon hearing Zero's announcement.
Meanwhile, the Kkachi began to slowly speed up and turn as the coastal guns aimed at them. Once it had the carrier in its sight, the colossal coastal guns let out a thunderous explosion as it fired its rounds. A high pitched shriek could also be heard as the two shells cut through the air.
Fortunately due to the Kkachi turning and speeding up at the last minute, the two shells narrowly missed and instead impacted the water nearby. Though they were not hit, everyone on board struggled to maintain their balance as the impact caused the carrier to violently rock back and forth.
"Zero, what are your orders!" Gang yelled.
"Maintain our current course and evade enemy fire!" Zero replied.
"What else do you want us to do in the meantime?" Kae asked.
The ship shook once more as the smaller coastal guns began bombarding the area.
"There's nothing you or anyone else can do at this moment. The only ones who can are the Chinese people."
"The Chinese people?" she asked with confusion.
"If they make the right decision, then our survival is assured." Zero answered as he stared at the line of Japanese and British ships in the distance and watched the enemy's shells splash into the water ahead of them. "However, if they chose otherwise, then our fate is up to chance."
"Looks like the Black Army is taking a hefty beating." Yang called out as he observed multiple shells exploding around the Kkachi in the distance.
"Only a matter of time until they are debris sitting on the ocean floor." Wang said.
"It's a shame that the shot from the main gun missed. Could've ended everything with that shot." Ma added.
"Lieutenant! How much longer til the main gun is reloaded?" Zhao asked.
"About three more minutes!"
"Once it's loaded make sure you aim ahead of them. I don't want the next shot to miss."
Zhao then leaned over to Yu and Guo, who were also observing the bombardment.
"Looks like everything is going according to plan. We're this close to becoming richer than ever."
"Seems that way to me." Guo replied. "However, I am intrigued by the Black Army trying to escape the bay. Surely they know they are heading right towards that line of Japanese and British ships."
"It's an act of desperation." Yu explained. "They know they are doomed if they stay within range of our guns, so they're trying to get as far as away as possible. Of course the Japanese and British are just going to force them to turn around. Besides, at the current speed they are moving at, the main gun will be loaded and ready to fire before they are out of range."
It was then that one of the radio operators immediately became alarmed by what he had just heard.
"What just happened? You're absolutely sure? I'll relay this immediately." The radio operator then turned around to face the Warlords. "Urgent message from Wuchang! The 12th Division has defected to the NRA!"
"DEFECTED!" Yu yelled as he and the other shocked Warlords stopped what they were doing. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY DEFECTED?!"
"General Shen has announced his loyalty to the NRA. As a result, the 12th Division has stopped receiving orders and has started firing at our forces!"
Suddenly more reports from all over the republic started to flood the communications networks.
"Message from Nanchang! The 31st and the 32nd Divisions along with the 44th Brigade have defected as well! Hostilities have erupted all over the Jiangxi Province!" another radio operator announced.
"The 114th, 119th, and the 125th regiments in Shanxi have reportedly pledged their loyalty to the NRA. They've already taken control of several barracks and military depots!"
"Wuhan has reported that the 58th, 66th, and 67th Brigades have defected and our currently harassing transportation and communication networks!"
"Several divisions in the Hunan Province have also turned against us! The Southern invasion is rapidly losing momentum!
"Multiple regiments in Xinjiang have engaged in combat with our forces!"
"Riots and demonstrations have erupted in Peking, Fuzhou, Harbin, Jinan, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Kunming, and several other major cities!"
"What the hell is going on!" Li demanded as he crushed his cigar.
"Did they make a deal with Chiang behind our backs?" Wang asked.
"What could he possibly offer them that we don't already have?!" Zhao yelled.
"Well there must be a reason for all of them suddenly defecting!" Ma yelled back.
The Warlords then found themselves yelling and arguing with each other regarding the mass defections and riots.
"Our radios are picking up an extremely powerful signal!" one of the radio operators reported. "From the look of it, it's being broadcast all over the nation!"
"Play it!" Yu ordered.
The radio operator then flipped a switch that played the broadcast on the loudspeakers in the command center. It was then a recording of their conversation with Zero could be heard all throughout the room. Upon hearing it, the life drained out Yu and the other Warlords as they realized what was occurring.
"No, this isn't possible." a panicked Yu said to himself. "Where is this is broadcast coming from?"
"It has to be Zero." Zhao answered. "He's the only one who could've recording this conversation."
"What a minute, you're telling me Zero managed to send out that broadcast from while being fired at?" a skeptical Guo asked.
"I don't know how, but somehow he managed to find a way to pull it off!" Zhao replied.
"Yu! We need to get this situation under control immediately!" Yang demanded. "If this conversation is indeed being broadcast all over, then more defections are going to occur!"
"DON'T YOU THINK I ALREADY KNOW THAT!" Yu roared.
Now sweating and stressed due to the predicament he was in, Yu pressed his forehead as he thought of a way to fix everything.
"What we need to do is contact all remaining forces loyal to us. We can have them suppress the defectors and shut down the broadcast stations. That should be able to slow things down enough for us to deny everything in the broadcast and repair our reputations."
The entire room then started to vibrate as the sound of several explosions could be heard coming from the outside. As a result, dust started to fall from the ceiling and the lights started to flicker.
"What the hell was that!" Zhao yelled out.
One of the phones then started to ring as the explosions occurring outside and the vibrations increased in frequency and intensity. Yu quickly answered it.
"This is General Yu speaking!"
"General! We got a major problem outside!" the officer on the other end yelled. "A nearby division has defected and just arrived here! They are currently firing their artillery at us and are trying to storm the fortification!"
"YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING! HOW CLOSE ARE THEY!"
He could then hear the sound of artillery shells being fired and gunfire followed by men screaming in agony the background.
"Several machine gun positions and trenches have already been obliterated! As a result, the enemy has already overran most of our surrounding defenses! It won't be a matter of time before they overwhelm the remaining forces we have deployed!"
"DEFEND THIS LOCATION AT ALL COST! DEPLOY EVERY LAST MAN IF YOU HAVE TO! DO NOT LET A SINGLE ENEMY INSIDE THIS BUILDING!" After hearing several more loud explosions and the cries of panicked soldiers, Yu found himself only hearing static as the phone was cut off. "HELLO?! HELLO?! ARE YOU THERE?! ANSWER ME DAMN IT!"
Realizing the line was dead, Yu slammed the phone onto the receiver.
"What is it?! What's going on?!" a panicked and concerned Guo asked.
"Did I hear something about defectors storming this location!?" Ma asked.
Multiple gunshots followed by men screaming could then be heard coming from inside the building.
"Yu, we have to evacuate immediately!" Zhao urged.
Suddenly the door leading into the command center burst opened. The Warlords immediately turned around and saw a Zhili officer along with several soldiers run into the room and aim their pistols at them. Instinctively all of them raised their hands in response.
"Look, this is a major misunderstanding!" Yu tried to explain. "That broadcast has been manipulated and takes everything out of context! We firmly stand by our commitments to defend the well being of the Chinese people and..."
"TRAITOROUS SCUM!" the Zhili officer yelled as he and the other soldiers repeatedly fired at the Warlords.
Mists of blood filled the air and sprayed onto the nearby walls as countless bullets riddled the Warlords' flesh. Their lifeless bodies then slumped onto the ground where pools of blood started to form.
Once they were sure the Warlords were dead, the Zhili officer then ordered his men to continue searching the fortification for hostile forces.
Hunan Province, China
Observing the battlefield from the rear lines, Chiang could see NRA forces struggling to keep the advancing wave of Zhili forces at bay. NRA soldiers quickly lost morale and organization as they were peppered with bullets or blown apart by artillery shells. As a result, one line after another were slowly being overrun as retreating NRA forces were being picked off one by one by the enemy.
Because the Zhili had managed to advanced halfway across the blood-soaked battlefield, Chiang could feel and see gunshots and explosions from enemy artillery increase in proximity to his position. One shell exploded so close to him that he almost lost his balance.
"Sir, our forces are in disarray and being pushed back at an alarming rate! I've also received reports of ammunition shortages at the front as well!" Li noted.
"Where are those reinforcements we've called for?" an impatient and frustrated Chiang asked.
"We've already sent out numerous calls. However, all nearby forces we've been able to contact are currently stretched thin and cannot afford to send us assistance."
"What about the reserves we have back in Canton? Aren't they ready to be deployed at short notice?"
"Those troops will take at least an hour to reach here!"
"Damn it! Those troops are our best bet to regain the momentum! Without any reinforcements, we won't be able to attrite the Zhili."
"I hate to be the one to say this sir, but the best move we can make is to retreat and regroup! The enemy is simply too large for us to handle!"
Chiang then looked again at the battlefield once more and stoically analyzed the situation. Based on his observations, he mentally calculated that it was only a matter of time until the enemy would completely overrun his position.
"Alright. Issue a retreat order to all our forces. We'll regroup in Shaoguan and reestablish a perimeter there with our remaining forces. Hopefully that will..."
Suddenly Chiang stopped talking as something in the distance caught his attention.
"What the?" he said as he pulled out his binoculars to get a better look.
"What is it?"
"Take a look for yourself."
Li took out his binoculars and looked in the direction Chiang was facing. In the distance he could see a large line of Zhili cavalry amassing atop the Western hills over looking the battlefield.
"Is that the 39th Cavalry Regiment?"
"It is. The only question is why are they here." Chiang replied. "According to our intelligence, the Zhili deployed the 39th Cavalry against our Western flank."
"Do you think they managed to defeat our Western forces?"
"I don't think so. If they had, they would've continued pursuing our retreating forces. The last thing they would do is stop and redeploy over here."
Waving their sabers in the air, the 39th Cavalry Regiment started to charge en masse down the hill and into the advancing Zhili forces. The surprised Zhili forces immediately found themselves either being trampled or sliced apart by countless cavalry. As a result, the Zhili forces had to stop pursuing the retreating NRA forces and instead focus their attention on fending off the cavalry harassing them.
"What the hell?!" a baffled Chiang blurted out. "Why are they attacking their own forces?!"
"I don't know sir! But based on what I'm seeing, I'm not complaining!"
Chiang continued to scan the battlefield and watch in awe as Zhiil cavalry and soldiers started to hack and shoot at each other. It was then he spotted a large group of plain-clothed peasants wielding rifles, spears, sickles, hatchets, and other makeshift weapons charging at the Zhili soldiers from the East. Once they got close enough, they assisted the cavalry with killing off any remaining Zhili soldiers.
Due to the overwhelming amount of cavalry and peasants attacking them, the Zhili forces immediately started to retreat. With them retreating, the NRA forces, aided by the cavalry and peasants, were able to go on the offensive once more.
"What exactly is going on here?"
A NRA officer then approached Chiang and saluted. "Sir, General Huang needs to speak to you. It appears to be very urgent."
"He wants me to come to him? Why didn't he just relay the message through you?"
"Apparently he believes it is best to tell in person." the officer answered.
Chiang and Li then quickly followed the officer as he led them back to the command post.
"Generalisimo!" said General Huang, a middle-aged man with a round face, as he saw Chiang enter the room.
"I was told you wanted to tell me something urgent?"
"Sir, you won't believe it, but General Deng of the Zhili's 18th Division has just alerted us he is defecting to our side."
"The 18th Division you say? Isn't the 39th Cavalry Regiment part of them?" Li asked.
"Indeed they are. That would explain why we saw them arrive here and attack their own forces." Chiang replied.
"And it's not just them." Huang continued. "Our communications are currently being flooded with reports of defections to the NRA from all over the nation. There are also reports of local peasant communities taking up arms and pledging allegiance to us."
"This doesn't make any sense. Why are they all these people flocking to us right now?" Chiang asked.
"We're not 100% sure. However, right before we received reports of all these defections, all of the radios picked up a powerful broadcast signal that is dominating the airwaves."
Huang then approached one of the radios. He then flipped the switch and turn the volume dial all the way to the max. The recording of Zero's speech with the Warlords then filled the entire room.
"We're currently trying to authenticate the broadcast by trying to find it's origin." Huang reported and Chiang continued to listen.
"That won't be necessary. There's no doubt this broadcast is real." Chiang interjected.
"What makes you say that?" Li asked.
"Because everything was meticulously planned to the most minute factor. Having the Warlords admit to their treachery on the air and turning the Chinese people against them when we needed it the most was a miracle. And there's only one person I can think of who could make such a miracle come to fruition."
"Sir, how do you want us to respond?" Huang asked.
"Have the forces we already deployed here to go back on the offensive. Meanwhile tell all the commanders who have defected to attack any enemy forces in the areas they are currently in. That should be able to force the Warlords to withdraw a significant portion of forces they have deployed here."
Huang nodded his head and quickly relayed the order.
"Zero." Chiang thought to himself.
Akasaka Palace, Tokyo
Hirohito along with several aides and military advisors were currently standing around a situation map of the bay the Kkachi was currently trapped in. Figurines representing the Kkachi, Chinese forces, and the Japanese and British ships were placed on their respective positions.
"According to our most recent reports, our ships along with the British are still blocking the bay and preventing the Black Army's vessel from escaping." one of the aides reported.
"Currently the Chinese are engaged in combat with the Black Army. Supposedly they have said they tried to negotiate a peaceful resolution. However, it seems that talks fell apart." another aide added.
"I don't understand. Why don't we just get this over with and have our ships just blow them up?" a military advisor frustratingly suggested.
"The Chinese have only requested us to help them contain the Black Army, not destroy them. Unless they request it, we cannot legally intervene any further." Hirohito explained. "Besides, us killing a foreign head of state wouldn't fare well in the eyes of the international community."
Suddenly a secretary carrying several messages opened the door and entered the room.
"Your Highness, I've just received several urgent reports!" the secretary announced.
"What is it?" Hirohito asked as he and everyone else in the room turned around.
"A recording between the Warlords and Zero is currently being broadcasted all over China."
"A recording with Zero?" a surprised Hirohito replied. "What exactly did he say?"
"Well, it's not what he said but the Warlords. Apparently they revealed and admitted to the secret provisions we put in the treaty and that they planned to kill the Chinese Premier. Countless defections and demonstrations against the Warlords are erupting all over as a result."
"Anything else?"
"Well it also seems like the British, French, and Americans heard the recording as well. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister is currently being flooded with angry calls from their embassies. Each of their ambassadors just withdrew their support of the treaty and are demanding an explanation for the secret contents.
"Goddamn the Warlords! They couldn't keep their mouths shut!" muttered one of the aides. "They're ruining all of the hard work we've done!"
"What are you talking about? This is obviously Zero's fault. Only he could've tricked them and pulled off an elaborate stunt such as this." another aide interjected.
"Your Highness, we must take decisive action this instant before the situation gets further out of hand!" one of the military advisors said. "I suggest we deploy several brigades to China and assist the Warlords in suppressing the defectors and demonstrations."
"No, we're going to withdraw." Hirohito replied.
"But your Highness..."
"With the Warlords currently losing the support of the Chinese people, they are also losing their value to us. Further support of the Warlords would ultimately make the Chinese people our enemies. Additionally, as shown by the actions of the British, French, and Americans, any further intervention will be condemned by them and result in retaliation we cannot afford at the moment."
"Then what do you want us to do?" asked the secretary.
"Call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister. Tell them I will be there as soon as possible. Meanwhile, withdraw the fleet we sent to contain the Black Army."
The secretary bowed his head before exiting the room.
Bohai Sea
Heavily damaged and emitting smoke, the Kkachi continued to sluggishly head towards the entrance of the bay.
"Enemy ships are currently withdrawing!" one of the spotters announced.
Zero took out his binoculars and looked out the bow window. In the distance he could see the British and Japanese ships blocking the entrance slowly turn around and leave the area.
"Maintain our current course! Once we exit the bay, resume with the original route!" Zero instructed the helmsman.
"Jo, what's the status on the coastal fortifications?"
"The coastal fortifications have ceased firing at us." Jo answered. "In fact our spotters have observed smoke and explosions around them. Looks like someone is attacking them."
Zero took note before picking up the phone and calling the radio room.
"Dietrich, can you give me a report of what is going on the mainland?"
"Based on the information I was able to gather, numerous defections to the NRA and riots are occurring all over."
"Thank you." Zero replied before hanging up the phone.
He then approached Kim Gu, who had just finished talking to a navigation officer.
"Just got off the phone with Dietrich. He just confirmed that people all over China are uprising against the Warlords."
"Can't believe everything went according to plan." a relieved Kim Gu said.
"Thanks to our broadcast, we managed to simultaneously disgrace the Warlords and expose Japan's dishonesty to the world. Right now forces remaining loyal to the Warlords are in disarray. And with no backing from the international community, Japan has no legal basis to further intervene and maintain their presence here."
"Hopefully this will help Chiang and the NRA with their offensive." Kim Gu replied. "By the way, what do you plan to do with the Premier?"
"I plan to contact the British and ask them if we can drop him off at Port Edward. He should be able to safely return back to China from there."
"Are you sure they'll allow us to do that? I mean we did kidnap him in the first place."
"Seeing how we just prevented them from recognizing a treaty that ripped them off by empowering Japan at their expense, I think they will be receptive to my offer. Besides, I don't think they can deny our request if the Premier desires to be in a safe location."
"Let's hope."
Author's Notes: Zero and the Black Army have managed to stop the Warlords plan to essentially sell off China and thwart Japan's ambitions in China for the time being. He's also provided the necessary forces to save Chiang Kai-shek and the NRA from defeat and continue on with the Northern Expedition. Should Chiang be successful and take over the rest of China, Zero will undoubtedly have a valuable and powerful ally to assist him.