The truth was, Chen Ruqi had it wrong. Dong Sanshao hadn't gotten this sniper rifle from the Pengze County armory. Regiment Commander Zhou Ziyu had sent a guard to fetch it directly from the 53rd Division headquarters. This meant scrounging bullets for this rifle wouldn't be simple.

　　Predictably, Company Commander Zhou Cheng found no matching ammunition in the regimental supply depot. He raced back to the position to report the bad news. Listening nearby, Dong Sanshao felt a heavy wave of disappointment crash over him. Without bullets, the sniper rifle was worthless for combat. Carrying out Regimental Commander Chen Ruqi’s order – eliminating enemy officers from the position – would be near impossible without that rifle's crucial telescopic sight.

　　Chen Ruqi asked abruptly, "Your full name?"

　　Dong Sanshao snapped back, "Reporting, Sir! Dong Sanshao!"

　　Chen Ruqi gave a curt nod. "Right now, no bullets for that rifle. Got the guts to take out devil officers from here?"

　　Dong Sanshao hesitated, then answered plainly, "Regiment Commander, see that scope? Devil officers tuck themselves behind their men. Plus, at that range, how the hell am I supposed to spot an officer in the crowd?"

　　Chen Ruqi saw the raw sense in the recruit's words. He decided to call Division Commander Peng Weiren directly to check about ammunition at the division level. Chen Ruqi strode back to the command post dug into the trench. He gave Division Commander Peng Weiren a thorough report on Dong Sanshao and his situation, ending with a specific plea for the ammunition.

　　Location: Hukou, 77th Division Headquarters

　　Division Commander Peng Weiren listened to Chen Ruqi’s report. Then he demanded, "Report the rifle model!"

　　Chen Ruqi answered crisply, "Sir! German-made Mauser Kar98k sniper rifle. Five-round magazine. Internal staggered-column magazine. Weight: 3.9 kilograms. Rate of fire: approximately 15 rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity: 755 meters per second. Effective range: 800 meters. Report complete!"

　　Peng Weiren turned to his orderly. "Armory. Check for German-made Mauser Kar98k sniper rifle ammunition. If found, bring every single round available. Deliver immediately to Liusiqiao position!"

　　The orderly spun on his heel and sprinted towards the division armory. Moments later, he returned, clutching a bag heavy with gleaming golden bullets.

　　Peng Weiren asked, "Count?"

　　The orderly replied, "Five hundred, Sir. More available, but… impossible to carry alone."

　　Division Commander Peng Weiren nodded once. "Go. Deliver these five hundred rounds to Liusiqiao position immediately. No delays!"

　　The orderly snapped a sharp salute. He raced to the stables, led out a horse, swung into the saddle, and kicked it into a gallop towards the Liusiqiao position.

　　Peng Weiren, a native of Xiangxiang in Hunan Province, was a graduate of the Sixth Infantry Class at Baoding Military Academy, the Thirteenth Class of Army University, the Second Class of Nanjing Central Military Academy's Advanced Education Program, and the Party Affairs Class of the Central Training Group. Following the full outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, he served as Lieutenant General and Division Commander of the 77th Division, 73rd Army.

　　After the orderly departed, Division Commander Peng Weiren called Chen Ruqi back: "Five hundred rounds are on their way to you. Protect that sharpshooter. Also, even if you hadn't called your old man, I needed to reach you. Japanese forces have been sighted east of Liusiqiao at Chenjia Bridge. Dispatch one battalion to block them until the 461st Regiment arrives!"

　　Chen Ruqi hung up and instructed the messenger: "Summon Battalion Commander Jiang Lifu to the command post." He conveyed the Division Commander's order: "Battalion Commander Jiang, you are ordered to lead the First Battalion to Chenjia Bridge. Devils are attempting an attack on Hukou from that direction."

　　Jiang Lifu snapped to attention with a salute. "Understood. I lead the battalion immediately!"

　　Chen Ruqi returned to the position. He smiled at Dong Sanshao: "Dong Sanshao, bullets will be here soon. Five hundred. Enough?"

　　Dong Sanshao's face lit up with pure delight. He grinned. "More than enough! One shot, one devil. Five hundred rounds? Five hundred dead devils! Thank you, Regiment Commander!"

　　Chen Ruqi found himself unexpectedly fond of this raw recruit. Not for his skill with a rifle, but for an indefinable quality in the young man's character.

　　Chen Ruqi instructed, "To foil the devils' artillery, scout out several firing positions yourself immediately. Don't rely on one spot. Prepare multiple alternatives. That way, the devils can't pin down your location. Their shells will find nothing. Understood?"

　　Dong Sanshao replied promptly, "Understood, Regiment Commander. On it now."

　　Dong Sanshao hurried back along the trench. He selected three positions. All three were situated on relatively level ground within the position. Yet, each flat area contained just enough space to conceal one man perfectly. These spots wouldn't be easily spotted by the devils but offered a deadly, elevated vantage point against attackers advancing below.

　　Chen Ruqi came over to inspect. He checked each one thoroughly and nodded his approval. "Good. Very good! You lay in ambush here from now on. Oh – you have your canteen and towel?"

　　Dong Sanshao shook his head. “Regiment Commander, look at me – not even a proper uniform. Where’d I get a canteen or towel?”

　　Chen Ruqi didn’t turn, shouting to the messenger, “Messenger! Get Dong Sanshao a towel and canteen. Now! Fill that canteen!”

　　The messenger barked “Yes, Sir!” and sprinted off.

　　“If the devils drop poison gas later,” Chen Ruqi drilled in, “remember: wet towel over mouth and nose! Don’t you forget!”

　　Dong Sanshao called back, “Regiment Commander, back in Pengze County with the gas, I just used my hand!”

　　Chen Ruqi chuckled, shaking his head. “That won’t cut it. Has to be a wet towel. Only reason you didn’t choke back then? Probably upwind. Otherwise, you’d be dead right now.”

　　Dong Sanshao nodded. “True. I was upwind.”

　　The shout tore through the air: “COVER!”

　　Chen Ruqi slammed Dong Sanshao flat into the trench.

　　The shriek of incoming shells rolled over them.

　　Crump! Crump! Crump!

　　Dozens of artillery rounds tore into the position. Dirt and rock geysered. Over ten soldiers were hurled skyward. They fell as shattered meat. A grisly rain – blood and shredded flesh – pattered down.

　　Chen Ruqi kept Dong Sanshao pinned, shielded.

　　Ten minutes. The Japanese heavy artillery fell silent.

　　Instantly, devil infantry charged.

　　Chen Ruqi surged up, roaring: “ALL UNITS – POSITIONS! NOW!”

　　Dong Sanshao clutched his sniper rifle, shaking uncontrollably in the trench.

　　Chen Ruqi saw it. He slapped Dong Sanshao hard across the face. Stars exploded behind Dong Sanshao’s eyes.

　　Chen Ruqi snarled, “Grow some fucking spine! I’ve weathered barrages ten times worse!”

　　Dong Sanshao trembled, nodding. “Regiment Commander… the bullets?”

　　Chen Ruqi shook his head. “Use a regular rifle for now. Sniping officers comes after those bullets arrive!”

　　Dong Sanshao grunted “Mmh.” He snatched a nearby rifle, scrambled to the trench lip, fired at the charging devils.

　　Chen Ruqi raised his pistol, eyes tracking the closing enemy. Abruptly, his eyes widened. Beside him, Dong Sanshao wasn’t even shouldering the rifle properly. Just raising it – firing. Instinctive.

　　Every shot struck true.

　　Leading devil soldiers dropped dead. Each bullet punched clean through the crown of the skull.

　　Chen Ruqi exclaimed in astonishment, "Kid, you're damn good! Damn good!"

　　Dong Sanshao kept his head tucked tight to the trench edge. His hand moved with his heart, his heart followed his eye. Meaning: wherever his eye looked, his gun muzzle pointed. No need to aim before firing. So Chen Ruqi discovered this kid didn't even aim – just raised his rifle and shot wherever he pleased.

　　Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki watched, his gut churning, as yet another group of soldiers he'd dispatched vanished without returning. For one Chinian army sniper, he'd sacrificed two Junior Officers and forty soldiers. The cost was too damned high. Therefore, blinded by fury, he ordered heavy artillery to unleash indiscriminate bombardment on the Liusibridge position.

　　General Hata Shigeyoshi's call crackled through the field telephone:

　　"Report status: When will Liusi Bridge fall? Require reinforcement from 2nd Regiment?"

　　Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki instantly recognized the unspoken ultimatum.

　　His reply came sharp as a bayonet thrust:

　　"We'll take that bridge even if we shatter like jade, Sir!"

　　A low chuckle vibrated down the line - General Hata Shigeyoshi's approval laced with menace.

　　"Then deploy the Empire's decisive measure if needed. Secure Liusi Bridge," the General commanded,

　　"and I'll personally endorse your citation for valor."

　　Sasaki's knuckles whitened around the receiver as he barked:

　　"By dusk today, Brigade Commander! The bridge will fly our colors!"

　　He swallowed the bitter truth - forty men lost hunting one sniper -

　　as infantry boots pounded toward Chinese lines outside.

　　Slamming the phone down, he snapped at his orderly:

　　"Get Captain Yamaguchi Keisuke here! Now! Commander of the 13th Field Gas Company!"

　　When Yamaguchi appeared, ramrod-straight,

　　Sasaki delivered the order with icy precision:

　　"Direct orders from General Hata: Execute gas warfare against Chinian forces at Liusi Bridge. Report operational feasibility."

　　Yamaguchi's salute cut the air like a blade.

　　"Orders acknowledged and executed, Lieutenant Colonel!"

　　Captain Yamaguchi Keisuke snapped to attention, his response cutting through the command post's tension: "I execute Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki's orders!" Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki's stern expression softened with visible satisfaction at this unwavering compliance. He leaned over the tactical map as he outlined the brutal sequence: "Our heavy artillery will saturate the Liusi Bridge position for thirty unbroken minutes. Within that bombardment window, can your gas company advance and deploy the chemical agents?" Yamaguchi didn't blink. "Yes, Lieutenant Colonel. We can." With a curt nod, Sasaki dismissed him with a sharp wave of his hand, watching as the gas warfare commander strode out to mobilize his deadly unit.

　　Sasaki immediately pivoted to his signals officer, his voice razor-sharp: "Cease all infantry assaults immediately. Order the 23rd Heavy Artillery Battalion to commence thirty-minute saturation bombardment of Liusi Bridge – no quarter given." The moment the orders crackled over the wires, Sasaki became a statue in the command post, binoculars welded to his eyes as he stared unblinking toward the distant bridge. Precisely five minutes later, the world erupted as artillery batteries roared to life. The 23rd Heavy Artillery Battalion unleashed hellfire, heavy shells screaming across the sky before impacting Liusi Bridge in earth-shattering succession. The entire position vanished beneath the cataclysm, gigantic plumes of smoke and pulverized earth vomiting skyward until a thick, churning shroud of cordite smoke and debris swallowed all visibility of the terrain below.

　　On the besieged Liusi Bridge position, Regimental Commander Chen Ruqi had just raised his head to assess the enemy's advance when a voice thundered through the maelstrom: "JAPANESE HEAVY ARTILLERY! ALL PERSONNEL TAKE COVER!" Chen Ruqi needed no glance to recognize the voice – it was his Second Battalion Commander, roaring the warning even as the world exploded around them.

　　The bombardment raged without cease, transforming the position into a swirling world of dust and debris. Screams tore through the chaos intermittently as soldiers were blasted bodily from trenches, torn apart by concussive force. Across the ravaged ground, severed limbs and mangled remains spread in grotesque patterns. Crouched in a trench, Dong Sanshao trembled uncontrollably. He had never witnessed carnage of such horrific magnitude. Sharp regret pierced him – he should have gone directly to Hukou with Zhou Cheng instead of coming to this frontline position. Hukou remained safe; Japanese forces hadn't reached it yet.

　　Regimental Commander Chen Ruqi feared the enemy might launch an infantry charge under this artillery cover. He roared orders to messengers: "Move low through the trenches! Locate the Second and Third Battalions! Relay this command: While sheltering from bombardment, maintain constant vigilance on enemy movements below our lines!"

　　Chen Ruqi could never have fathomed the bombardment's true purpose: to shield a gas warfare company advancing to the position's edge. Both battalions hugged the trench floors. Their commanders peered intently downhill, scanning for enemy activity. Soldiers continued being hurled skyward by blasts, bodies shattering upon impact. Yet the troops displayed no fear, holding fast with grim resolve. Unbeknownst to them, Lieutenant Colonel Sasaki's despicable gas warfare operation was poised to engulf the Liusi Bridge position.