Chapter 301: Battle for Command
While Governor Gu was on Koroja 3, cooperating with a joint investigation team composed of personnel from various forces to investigate the disappearance of the War Apostle, on the Wrath of the Owl Star, on the western front battlefield, the situation in the command post of the human side was tense.
Yan Fangxu held tightly in his hand the battle plan that he and his comrades in the staff had spent several days and nights to formulate, and looked at the person sitting at the top with a grim expression.
This man looked quite majestic and powerful, with a big bald head and thick beard.
His name is Cai Minjin, he is a major general of the Imperial Star Army, the commander of the 4th Army of the 3rd Legion of the Dragon Eagle, and the commander-in-chief who brought a total of one million troops from the Faches Galaxy to the Angry Owl Star for assistance.
The 300,000 troops that arrived first and the 700,000 troops that were already on the way all belonged to the Fourth Army Group, which meant that they were all his direct subordinates.
A total of 25 large divisions came out in full force, and he himself was the first to follow the 300,000 people in the vanguard and arrived at the Wrathful Owl Star.
His mobility was very strong. After seven large divisions with a total of 300,000 people landed, he led his troops to the western battlefield and met Yan Fangxu as soon as possible.
He knew that Yan Fangxu was the supreme commander of the so-called "Angry Bear Legion" here, and also the commander-in-chief of the planetary defense force on this planet.
So, if we want to push the war forward as quickly as possible and solve the problems on this planet, we have to find this person.
To put it bluntly, Cai Minjin didn't think that this battle was worth wasting his time at all.
He didn't want to come in the first place.
The Iron Man Rebellion is scary to talk about, but I also heard that the local planetary defense force on the Angry Owl Star fought against those so-called Iron Man rebels and won a great victory at a very small cost.
Cai Minjin felt that the enemy he would face this time would probably be just like that.
Since it’s our superiors who have arranged for us to fight, let’s just fight.
However, he didn't plan to waste too much time here.
So, when General Cai Minjin arrived at the front and summoned Yan Fangxu, he put aside the so-called "battle plan" handed over by the other party without even looking at it, and then put forward his own ideas:
"I want to achieve significant results within three weeks. In three weeks, the follow-up troops of our legion should be in place. Then we will gather them together and completely eliminate the rebels entrenched on your planet within six weeks. I want my soldiers to be able to return to Fachs 2 to celebrate the New Year."
Yan Fangxu certainly didn't think there was anything wrong with this group of Star Army wanting to end the war as soon as possible. Although he felt that General Cai was a bit arrogant, if it was just a matter of attitude, he could tolerate it.
They are bringing a million troops to help fight the war, so it doesn’t matter how arrogant he is!
However, what Cai Minjin proposed next was something Yan Fangxu could not accept.
It would have been fine if Cai Minjin had completely ignored Yan Fangxu's battle plan, but the new plan he subsequently proposed was the most offensive.
He completely regarded himself as the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces.
At this moment, the Alliance's Central Army Group plus half of the Angry Bear Legion, totaling 270,000 troops, have basically restored their defensive positions before Operation Flash Tail.
As for Cai Minjin's Star Realm Army, they were basically gathered on the Central Avenue.
According to the new operational concept proposed by Cai Minjin, the alliance's army will launch a full-scale offensive in a few days, and his Fourth Army will advance along the mainland, behind the 1st Brigade of the Central Group. They will provide support to various battlefields at any time to ensure that within two weeks, they will destroy the enemy in front of them, break through the Western Desert, and enter the western part of the mainland.
Yan Fangxu thought that his idea was too reckless and too hasty. Do you know how many troops Blackbird Heavy Industry mobilized in a month after suffering heavy losses in Operation Flash Tail? What was the distribution of these troops?
You don't know anything, but you want to lead your troops forward and launch an all-out attack?
This aspect of the thought is secondary. If Cai Minjin lets his army carry out such a high-risk operation, the most he can do is to persuade them.
However, this is clearly not what Cai Minjin meant.
His seven large divisions did not plan to be deployed to the front line at the first time, but to advance in a group at the back and provide support at any time.
Isn't this equivalent to sending the alliance's army into the biggest and deepest pit?
If you can wade through it, then go ahead; if you can't, I will send troops to support you depending on the situation.
When the army of Angry Owl Star is cannon fodder?
Where can I find such a thing?
But... in most cases, this is really the case.
Many people consider the Astra Militarum to be "cannon fodder", compared to the Space Marines, the Sorority, some elite troops, and the precious Imperial Navy fleet. But in fact, the Astra Militarum, known as the "Imperial Hammer", is the Empire's main force on the ground battlefield.
They are huge in number, have fierce firepower, are not afraid of sacrifice, and use artillery and armor as their main force. They are like a steadfast hammer, crushing all enemies of the empire.
They are indeed not as gorgeous and cool as those special elite troops, and often become background boards and consumables that can be consumed when creating opportunities for those elites. But this cannot erase their own achievements and value.
But in comparison, the Astra Militarum is not the lowest level in the Imperial military system; the Planetary Defense Force is.
Although the Planetary Defense Forces were not all idiots, there were some capable ones, but they were exceptions. In general, their combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the Astra Militarum.
Moreover, when the Astra Militarum was needed to support a battlefield, it was because the planet had already encountered a serious problem and the local planetary defense forces could no longer solve it. In this case, the Astra Militarum could always easily become the stronger party due to its higher status, stronger strength, and identity as a savior.
Although, strictly speaking, there is no distinction between superiors and subordinates, in fact, according to some military regulations of the Empire, the Astra Militarum does have the right to take command of local planetary forces when "necessary".
Although Yan Fangxu also has the identity of a commander of the Star Army, it is obvious that the size of the Angry Bear Legion and Yan Fangxu himself are only a colonel, which is far inferior to Cai Minjin, a serious imperial major general.
When the other party was determined to take the command, Yan Fangxu really had no good solution.
If you don't need this group of interstellar troops, then it's fine. Just ignore you. If you really want to seize power, then we'll see if you can do it.
But the key point is, isn’t this just begging others?
Yan Fangxu had already advised the other side twice, and even revised his battle plan several times. If you want to speed up, then speed up, but using the alliance's army as cannon fodder to step on mines is not acceptable.
Before, Gu Hang and Yan Fangxu had a beautiful idea. They thought that after the Star Realm Army arrived, they would take care of the main difficult battles. Now it seems that they were overthinking and they just wanted to reap the benefits.
So, give up your illusions. Everyone’s life matters. I don’t want to make you take the blame. Let’s fight this battle normally and equally and finish it quickly. Isn’t that enough?
General Cai Minjin meant that it was not possible.
"Stop coming here with your waste paper and wasting my time." Cai Minjin said, "Starting tomorrow, I require all reconnaissance troops to set out; four days later, the full-scale offensive must begin."
At this point, Yan Fangxu had already given up on normal means. He said, "I'm sorry, General Cai, your order conflicts with another order I received. I'm sorry I can't carry it out."
Cai Minjin's fierce eyes narrowed: "What do you mean? On this planet, in terms of military affairs, is there anyone whose orders are more important than mine? Is it your governor? A brigadier general, who is not even here, what qualifications does he have to command the army?"
At this point, he saw that Yan Fangxu still wanted to speak, so he simply waved his hand and interrupted, "According to the Imperial Wartime Act, I now formally require you to transfer all troop command to my command post. Do you understand what I mean?"
As he spoke, he even pulled out a pistol.
He didn't say the threatening words out loud, but his actions were very clear.
If necessary, he had the power to execute officers two ranks below him.
Colonel Yan Fangxu falls right into this range.
Yan Fangxu spread his hands and indeed said nothing more.
And at this moment, there was suddenly a commotion outside.
Immediately afterwards, the door curtain of the battlefield command post was lifted.
Cai Minjin frowned.
This place has been taken over by his guards and no one can approach without orders.
His eyes were fixed on Yan Fangxu again.
Is this colonel causing trouble?
Do you really think I dare not kill anyone?
Under his fierce gaze, Yan Fangxu said nothing.
You don't let me speak.
A moment later, his door curtain was suddenly lifted.
A huge figure with a low head and wearing scarlet Terminator power armor stepped in.
Cai Minjin stood up in surprise and forgot to put the gun away.
What did he see?
A Space Marine!
In his thirty-year military career, he had only fought side by side with the Space Marines once - it would be a stretch to say that he had fought side by side with them, as that time, he could only watch from afar their heroic figures on the battlefield.
The fact that there are space warriors on the Angry Owl Star is not a secret, and Gu Hang did not deliberately hide anything.
However, after all, the Angry Owl Star currently has very little communication with the outside world. The star port has just been built and is still a very small port. There are not many interstellar passengers. The only interstellar communication star tower is the Governor Gu Hang’s office in Fuxing City...
The environment is closed, and those who are interested may know some things, but for those who don’t pay any attention to the Angry Owl Star, such as Cai Minjin, he really doesn’t know that there are still Space Marines active on the Angry Owl Star!
"General Cai?"
Cai Minjin subconsciously crossed his arms over his chest, gave a Sky Eagle salute, and responded, "Yes... yes, I am Cai Minjin, Major General of the 4th Group Army of the 3rd Dragon Eagle Corps. May I ask who you are..."
"Phoenix Chapter, Chapter Master, Martins Salas."
Martins also reported his identity, and then said: "I take over the command of this battle."
He informed Cai Minjin in a concise manner.
And General Cai had nothing to say.
Just like the Imperial Wartime Code he mentioned before, senior generals of the Astra Militarum can, when necessary, command lower-level officers from different systems, and unify the command of the planetary defense forces on a planet, to ensure that all Imperial forces have unified command when facing a strong enemy and avoid chaos.
In this detailed regulation of the sequence of each level, the Chapter Master of a Space Marine Chapter is at the top of the sequence among all the characters.
In the ranks of the Astra Militarum, at least one admiral must be selected to have the right to make suggestions; if one wants to compete with them, one must bring out a general with the rank of major general; if one wants to fully command a regiment in wartime, one must have a Marshal of the Astra Militarum.
Of course, rules are dead, but people are alive.
In a serious war, when multiple services and systems are coordinating, who is the boss? It is up to everyone to discuss. No one can gain actual command power just by virtue of his rank and status, even though he has a high status and position but no soldiers.
But at the moment, that is clearly not the case.
Previously, Cai Minjin could ignore Yan Fangxu because he had enough strength under his command. Three hundred thousand troops, plus an additional seven hundred thousand troops that were expected to arrive at the star port of Angry Owl Star tomorrow, a total of one million people, this was his confidence.
With this confidence, as well as his high legal standing and status, he can certainly act with impunity.
But now, it’s no longer possible.
The native troops of Angry Owl Star and the Angry Bear Legion also have hundreds of thousands of people, plus this Space Marine who appeared out of nowhere, but looking at the Terminator armor and the huge body, it is definitely not a fake...
Now, Cai Minjin can no longer be sure of victory, either in terms of status or strength.
…
The appearance of Martins was of course the work of Yan Fangxu.
Or it could be the work of Gu Hang.
When he left the Angry Owl Star, he had considered the issue of military command, fearing that the Star Realm Army that came over would take over the reins.
So, before he left, he had a deep talk with Martins and Yan Fangxu.
As a result, it really came in handy right now.
With Martins and thirty Space Marines stationed in the center, there were no other disturbances.
The joint command post was successfully established. Cai Minjin honestly merged his own staff with the staff of the allied forces and began to prepare for war.
He didn't cause any trouble.
Although he had never heard of the name 'Phoenix', he didn't dare to say a word when thirty Space Marines, like thirty huge and solemn statues, stood in front of him.
However, Yan Fangxu and Martins did not do anything to take revenge on others.
They even took into full consideration Cai Minjin's desire to finish the war as soon as possible - which was also the need of the Angry Owl Star Alliance - and formulated a new plan based on Yan Fangxu's previous battle plan.
A few days later, the war broke out again in the Western Desert.
A human coalition of 600,000 troops marched westward in a mighty force.
At the same time, the remaining 700,000 people of Cai Minjin's Fourth Army also arrived. They came down from the starport in an orderly manner and were expected to move to the front line of the Western Front within two to three weeks.
By then, the number of human coalition forces will directly exceed 1.3 million.
This battle really needs to be fought faster, otherwise, maintaining the supplies of such a large army will pose a severe challenge to the alliance's logistics system.
(End of this chapter)
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