"Gentlemen,"

General Zhang Jingzhi, Director of the General Staff, stood before a huge map of the Japanese capital, holding a baton, and said, "Currently, there are a total of eleven infantry divisions surrounding the Japanese capital. On the eastern front, there are the 16th, 17th, 18th, 41st, and 63rd Infantry Divisions, a total of five divisions, distributed in the north and east of the capital. On the western front, there are the 31st, 32nd, 42nd, and 43rd Infantry Divisions, as well as the recently arrived 61st and 62nd Infantry Divisions, a total of six divisions, distributed in the south and west of the capital. All eleven infantry divisions are in position, and the entire Japanese capital is under our encirclement."

"This battle,"

Zhang Jingzhi turned to look at the assembled division commanders and continued, "We have an army of 110,000, while the enemy forces in the capital of Japan number between 200,000 and 300,000. It can be said that we have a great advantage in this battle!"

"With such a significant advantage, we don't need to make any further preparations. According to the operational guidelines formulated by the General Staff, we will officially launch the general offensive at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

"In this battle, we must ensure that not a single person escapes! Victory in this battle will allow us to pacify the entire Eastern Kingdom! Gentlemen, I entrust this battle to you!"

As Zhang Jingzhi finished speaking, all the division commanders present patted their chests and replied in unison, "Don't worry, we will win this battle!"

Looking at the group of division commanders who were making firm promises, Li Xin said with a smile, "As the saying goes, even a lion must exert its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Therefore, none of our units can afford to be careless!"

"You will fight on the front lines. I will prepare logistical supplies for you from the rear. Our Great Gan Kingdom's naval transport ships have already delivered a large amount of ammunition. Militia forces will also be transporting supplies for you, so you don't need to worry about that!"

"Everyone, fight well!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

The group of division commanders immediately stood up and spoke loudly.

"good!"

Li Xin nodded emphatically and said, "I am waiting for your good news!"

After the meeting, the division commanders returned to their respective units.

That night, the night was quiet.

The soldiers in each unit also managed to get one last peaceful night's sleep, a rare treat.

The soldiers got up early the next morning. The logistics unit had already prepared hot meals and delivered them to each unit.

After the soldiers finished their breakfast, they began to collect their ammunition.

Subsequently, they all entered the designated battlefield.

Li Xin also arrived at a hilltop and looked towards the capital of the Eastern Kingdom of Japan in the north with a telescope.

As he watched the soldiers enter the battlefield, Li Xin realized that the final battle against Japan had begun!

The final battle!

With this victory, Japan will be completely pacified!

Li Xin was not particularly worried about this battle.

After all, a large army has a significant advantage.

Around 8 a.m., the divisional artillery regiments of each infantry division moved to the front of their positions.

Of the eleven infantry divisions, there were eleven artillery regiments. A total of several hundred cannons were deployed in the open fields surrounding the capital of Japan.

The dark muzzle of the cannon was aimed at the distant capital of Japan.

When this scene unfolded, it still caused a great commotion throughout the entire capital of Japan.

Shogun Tokugawa Kosuke of the Edo Shogunate stood atop a tall tower in the capital city, squinting as he gazed at the scene outside the city.

"Your Excellency, General,"

Matsudaira Yoshinaga, the chief retainer beside him, pointed to the open field outside and exclaimed, "Look! It seems that Edo Castle was destroyed by these cannons..."

"I know."

Tokugawa Kosuke spoke with a solemn expression and in a low voice.

At this moment, Tokugawa Kosuke was downcast, with a hint of worry in his voice. After all, even Edo Castle had been completely destroyed back then.

Now, the capital city is not even as good as Edo City, so how can it withstand the artillery attack of the Great Kan Kingdom?

Tokugawa Kosuke didn't think about it for too long.

It was already nine o'clock in the morning.

"fire!"

In the open field, the commanders of each artillery regiment issued their orders.

Immediately, the gunners pulled back the breechblocks, and the cannons, which were already prepared, roared into action.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

A piercing shriek echoed through the sky. Shells, densely packed like locusts flying overhead, hurtled towards the capital.

Upon seeing this, Tokugawa Kosuke frowned deeply, his mind filled with horror.

Just then, shells began to fall.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Countless shells, like hailstones, exploded outside the capital city. The deafening explosions continued unabated, and the entire earth trembled slightly.

The shrapnel from the explosion flew through the air, spinning 360 degrees without any blind spots. Some Japanese soldiers were directly cut by the shrapnel, their thick blood spurting out and taking their lives instantly.

Countless shrapnel flew through the air, tearing through flesh and blood and leaving behind large chunks of blood and flesh.

In a short time, the entire battlefield was filled with wails and screams.

The Japanese soldiers near the capital of Japan were completely terrified by this scene.

Although they had heard about Edo Castle and Kyushu Island, they were still somewhat shocked after seeing it with their own eyes.

Before the Japanese soldiers could react, a series of shrill screams echoed through the air once again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In the blink of an eye, the second round of shells had already exploded outside the capital city.

Amidst the defensive fortifications set up by the Japanese soldiers outside the capital, a continuous series of explosions resounded. Even some defensive systems built upon mountains, rivers, and hills could not withstand the fierce bombardment.

"The Takasakura Mountain position!"

On the position of the 18th Infantry Division in the eastern part of the Japanese capital, the division's artillery regiment commander, holding binoculars, shouted in a deep voice: "Continue the bombing! Covert bombing! Make sure to take out this stronghold!"

After giving his instructions, he aimed the cannons at Takaoyama and began roaring once again.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several rounds of shells, totaling hundreds, landed on the small Takasakura Mountain, almost completely covering the entire mountaintop.

This hilltop was also the most fortified part of the outer defense line of the entire Japanese capital. Several bunkers and watchtowers were built on the hilltop, all constructed of stone blocks.

Even so, it was completely destroyed in less than fifteen minutes by the fierce bombardment of the army's artillery.

The Japanese soldiers who were hiding in bunkers and watchtowers were also buried there.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The bombardment continued relentlessly. After several rounds of fierce artillery fire, the entire summit of Mount Takao was blasted down by more than a foot, and even the Japanese soldiers hiding in the trenches were all killed.

"superior!"

The commander of the 1st Regiment of the 18th Infantry Division shouted in a deep voice, "Seize Gaoying Mountain immediately! And be quick!"