In Guo Rudong’s eyes, Dong Sanshao was now a Second Lieutenant Platoon Leader, assigned to the 26th Division’s Headquarters Guard Company. But Dong Sanshao hated the thought of his Young Master, Dong Yaoting, becoming his subordinate. He didn’t want the rank.

　　Zhou Tong led them back to the courtyard. Inside, she felt a different kind of regard for Dong Sanshao. He seemed stronger than Dong Yaoting—loyal, driven by heart, a real man.

　　"Dong Sanshao," she asked, "you truly wish to join the Military Statistics Bureau with me?"

　　Dong Sanshao nodded firmly. "Where my Young Master goes, I go. I said it before: wherever he is, I’ll be right beside him. Not a step apart!"

　　Zhou Tong’s gaze shifted to Dong Yaoting.

　　"Chief Zhou," Dong Yaoting declared, "I wish to join the Bureau. Naturally, Sanshao will follow."

　　Zhang Facai, standing nearby, snorted. "Dong Sanshao, you dumbass! Now I gotta call you 'Platoon Leader Dong'? Think you can handle that?"

　　Dong Sanshao chuckled dryly. "Handle it? Sure I can handle it. Hey, Lao Zhang! Try it out—call me 'Platoon Leader Dong'! Just once!"

　　Zhang Facai spat. "Screw that! I ain't callin' you shit!"Zhang Hanzhi stepped softly toward him. "Platoon Leader Dong," she murmured, then added with a hint of formality, "Officer Dong!"

　　Dong Sanshao looked at her in surprise, then burst out laughing. "See that? Even my junior sister calls me 'Platoon Leader Dong'! You son of a bitch still won't say it?!"

　　Zhou Tong chuckled softly. "Come with me to draw ammunition. Hanzhi doesn't know how to shoot—I'll teach her later. You three can handle rifles. Draw plenty of bullets. Looks like we're in for another hellish fight."

　　While Zhou Tong led them to the 43rd Army's quartermaster depot to collect weapons and ammunition, Lieutenant General Guo Rudong was reporting Hukou's defensive preparations to General Chen Cheng, Commander-in-Chief of the Ninth War Zone. After finishing his report, Guo Rudong turned to Liu Yuqing. "Division Commander Liu, the Commander-in-Chief has promised air support for Hukou's defense. I've ordered the main forces of Independent 34th Brigade under Luo Qijiang and the 103rd Division under He Zhizhong into Hukou. Whether our 43rd Army holds Hukou will decide its very future!"

　　Liu Yuqing understood his commander's gravity. "Rest assured, General. The 26th Division will not fail you. We will fight this battle to the end!"

　　Guo Rudong shook his head slowly. "Yuqing, you misunderstand. Win or lose, you must preserve a seed for the 26th Division. Don't let it be wiped out here completely. Got my drift?"

　　Liu Yuqing nodded. This time, he grasped the General's deeper meaning. "A pity... we can't keep that sharpshooter," Guo Rudong sighed heavily. "That kid, and the other one... I see future generals in them. Especially... what's his name?" His eyes searched Liu Yuqing's face.

　　Liu Yuqing assumed he meant Dong Sanshao. "Dong Sanshao, General?"

　　Guo Rudong shook his head again. "The other one. The... what was it?"

　　Liu Yuqing ventured, "Dong Yaoting?"

　　Guo Rudong nodded firmly. "Yes, him. That boy will be a general one day. Don't be fooled—Dong Sanshao's the marksman, but Dong Yaoting? He's well-educated, broad-minded. Real talent!"

　　Liu Yuqing trusted his commander's judgment. "A shame," he agreed. "Deputy Station Chief Zhou took them into the Military Statistics Bureau. Likely buried there." Guo Rudong sighed once more, the sound heavy with regret.

　　After Zhou Tong led them to collect ammunition, Dong Sanshao received 300 rounds for his sniper rifle. Dong Yaoting was issued a standard rifle with 50 rounds, as was Zhang Facai. Zhang Hanzhi received nothing.

　　"Chief Zhou," Dong Sanshao asked, recalling the ammunition delivery at Liusi Bridge, "any word on the 77th Division’s whereabouts?"

　　Zhou Tong replied, "The 77th Division HQ was originally in Hukou. But east of Liusi Bridge, their main force—alongside the 16th Division—got pinned down by the Japanese 106th Division. To maintain command, Division Commander Peng Weiren moved his headquarters. Right now, the only troops garrisoning Hukou are General Guo Rudong’s 43rd Army, as we saw."

　　Dong Yaoting stared silently for a long moment before speaking. "Chief Zhou, Hukou is Jiujiang’s gateway. If the Japs take it, their warships could penetrate Poyang Lake, threatening the Third War Zone’s rear. But can one army—the 43rd—really hold it?"

　　Zhou Tong looked at him, surprised. "How do you know this?"

　　"At university," Dong Yaoting explained, "I studied the geography around Wuhan. I thought then: if I were a Japanese commander, I’d start by seizing strongholds like Madang to cut off connections between Chinese forces. Like placing a stone in Go—isolating our troops, then destroying them piecemeal. Chief Zhou, look at the Jap advance now. It’s exactly as I predicted."

　　Zhou Tong’s surprise deepened to astonishment. His strategic analysis revealed not a spy, but a battlefield commander. "Dong Yaoting," she urged, "you should stay in the army. Lead troops. Reconsider joining the Bureau. You see further than others."

　　Dong Yaoting flushed with pleasure at her praise. "Hukou can’t be held, Chief Zhou. Three reasons: our inferior weapons, low troop morale with no fighting spirit, and no reinforcements. The 43rd Army is a cornered beast."

　　Zhou Tong neither agreed nor disagreed, shifting focus. "Dong Yaoting, think carefully. Join the Bureau? Or stay and fight?"

　　Dong Sanshao listened silently, awaiting his Young Master’s answer.

　　"I choose the Bureau," Dong Yaoting declared. "You reached Lieutenant Colonel rank young, Chief Zhou. That’s easier than frontline combat. My aim is to win fame through my abilities—while serving my country."

　　Zhou Tong smiled after hearing his decision. "Very well. Since your mind’s made up, we’ll leave for Nanchang immediately after tomorrow!"

　　Major General Shigekazu Hata examined the body of Lieutenant Yukio Yamashima. He studied the wounds closely: one bullet through the ear, three clustered near the heart and lungs, one through the forehead. He could almost visualize how the Chinese sniper had ended Yamashima’s life. "Yamashima-san," he murmured to himself, "you were hailed as the 'God of Guns' in our army. How could you fall so easily?" He waved a dismissive hand. "Take him. Cremate the body."

　　Back in his tent, Hata sat in silence for a moment before calling for an orderly. "Send a telegram to Commander-in-Chief Yasuji Okamura: 'Lieutenant Yukio Yamashima died in action on Longtan Hill. The Chinese sniper remains operational. To minimize officer casualties, request immediate dispatch of another Imperial sniper.'"

　　Order given, he sat quietly by the sand table, holding his katana upright between his palms, awaiting Okamura’s reply. Ten minutes later, a lieutenant entered with a message. "Read it," Hata commanded.

　　"Major General Hata," the lieutenant recited, "Request approved. Another Imperial sniper arrives tomorrow."

　　Hata stood, a grim satisfaction settling over him. Use our sniper against theirs. Yamashima just fell—they won’t expect a replacement so soon. Catch theirs off guard. Eliminate him. Okamura’s efficiency pleased him.

　　Hukou City, 26th Division Headquarters Courtyard

　　Dong Sanshao sat by the doorway, meticulously cleaning his rifle. Zhang Hanzhi crouched beside him, gazing at him with open admiration. Sanshao ignored her. Ever since realizing his Young Master fancied her, he’d kept his distance.

　　"San-shao ge," she ventured, her voice soft, "have I upset you? Why won’t you talk to me?"

　　Sanshao offered a faint smile. "Little martial sister, my Young Master likes you. Don’t you know?"

　　Zhang Hanzhi’s cheeks flushed crimson. "I know," she whispered, looking down. "But... I only see him as an elder brother. Nothing more."

　　Sanshao lowered his voice. "Listen. My Young Master... he’s never taken a liking to anyone like this before. Especially not a girl. So, spend time with him. Stop hovering around me. Understand?"

　　Zhang Hanzhi shook her head stubbornly. "But San-shao ge, I want to be with you."

　　Sanshao’s expression cooled. "Do you know who I fancy?"

　　She shook her head again, confused. "No."

　　Sanshao’s eyes flicked towards Zhou Tong’s room. "Well, it’s not you. Got it?"

　　Tears welled in Zhang Hanzhi’s eyes. She twisted away and ran into the room she shared with Zhou Tong. Dong Sanshao, Dong Yaoting, and Zhang Facai shared another.

　　Zhou Tong looked up, startled, as Zhang Hanzhi entered, sniffling. "Zhang Hanzhi? What’s wrong? Who upset you?"

　　"Dong Sanshao," she choked out.

　　Zhou Tong’s eyes narrowed. "Tell me. What did he do? I’ll speak to him."

　　"It’s not that," Zhang Hanzhi shook her head, tears spilling. "He... he said he doesn’t fancy me. He fancies someone else."

　　A subtle flicker crossed Zhou Tong’s face. "Did he say who?"

　　"No," Zhang Hanzhi whispered. "He wouldn’t. Chief Zhou, please... take me with you. To the Bureau. Away from here."

　　Zhou Tong nodded gently. "It’s already settled. Once we reach Nanchang, I’ll process your paperwork."

　　Outside, Dong Sanshao watched Zhang Hanzhi flee into Zhou Tong’s room. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips as he continued cleaning his rifle. Silly girl, he thought. The one I fancy... is my Young Mistress, Dong Yuwan.The memory of Dong Yuwan’s voice, her smile, and the way she’d pinch him with that lovely fierceness sent a tremor through Dong Sanshao. Zhang Hanzhi was gentle, obedient—a little bird. Exactly the type his Young Master favored. But me? Sanshao’s heart cried out silently. I only want my Young Mistress, Dong Yuwan! When will I ever get back to see her?

　　Unbeknownst to him, even as he followed Dong Yaoting into the army, events were unfolding within the Dong family manor concerning the Young Mistress herself. These events were shrouded in secrecy, known to none beyond those directly involved.

　　While Dong Sanshao lost himself in recollections of playful banter and past scuffles with Dong Yuwan, a different scene unfolded far away in Nanjing, within Commander Yasuji Okamura’s office. Before Okamura stood a woman of striking elegance. She wore not a military uniform, but a vibrant kimono. A katana was tucked precisely at her waist. Her youthful figure beneath the vibrant silk held Commander Okamura’s gaze.