The 38th Parallel is a very long borderline, but most areas are impassable, with only a few regions accessible, thus these areas are vital passes, firmly guarded by the Earth Star Army.
Basically, every pass is defended by a super army corps.
Therefore, Chen Zhongbing deployed troops and divided them into multiple paths, using terms such as "encircle," "surround," and "intercept."
This means that in the first engagement, these troops do not need to penetrate the 38th Parallel but only need to disrupt the enemy forces to prevent them from providing support.
However, the true main force is most of the Second Group Army, which directly attacks the Earth Star 9th Corps, launching a blitzkrieg across the 38th Parallel.
"Using the entire Second Group Army to attack the small 9th Corps, what a brilliant tactic like Tian Ji’s horse racing."
Xu Zhou sighed inwardly.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that the Earth Star 9th Corps is weak.
As one of the top ten large corps of the Earth Star Army, the 9th Corps also has over ten thousand Earth Star elites.
But in front of the Second Group Army’s hundred thousand troops, it looks somewhat inadequate.
"However, in this way, our interception troops are comparing to superior horses." Xu Zhou was still more concerned about his situation.
According to Chen Zhongbing’s previous arrangement.
Three brigades plus one division to intercept the Earth Star 3rd Corps, although it’s merely an interception, the difficulty is definitely nightmare level.
However, for now, Xu Zhou only knows that the Earth Star 3rd Corps is a thirty-thousand-strong super army corps, more detailed intelligence has to wait until he goes back to learn.
Chen Zhongbing finally finished all the deployments.
At the end of the meeting, he looked towards Xu Zhou and said, "Comrade Xu Zhou, please stay."
"Okay." Xu Zhou nodded, feeling slightly puzzled inside.
Does the chief of staff have something else unsaid?
But why leave him behind alone?
A few minutes later, after everyone left the hall.
Chen Zhongbing walked up to Xu Zhou, smiled, and said, "Comrade Xu Zhou, you have now been promoted to Lieutenant General, qualified to control a battle formation of over ten thousand people, which is a division-level combat unit."
"However, currently, there are no vacancies for division-level posts in each major unit."
Xu Zhou’s heart moved, realizing the reason he was called over was for this matter.
He immediately smiled and said, "No problem, I can temporarily stay with the 23rd Brigade."
Chen Zhongbing nodded and continued, "With your Lieutenant General rank, merely controlling a four-thousand-strong battle formation seems underutilized. Thus, the Third Group Army has some heavily damaged armored brigades, they will now be integrated into the 23rd Brigade, forming an eight-thousand-strong armored composite brigade, what do you think?"
"Integrating armored brigades?"
Xu Zhou’s heart stirred, if in command of an eight-thousand-strong battle formation, the feeling would be completely different from four thousand!
Although it is merely a two-fold difference in numbers, the effect exhibited through the integration of battle formation power is more than double, it increases exponentially.
However, Xu Zhou quickly thought of another problem.
"Chief, the 23rd Brigade originally belonged to Colonel Zhong Qiang, and now it’s integrated directly into an armored composite brigade, so who will this establishment belong to in the future?"
Although he is currently in command of the 23rd Brigade, this position was handed over by Zhong Qiang.
If it directly belongs to Xu Zhou, it would be somewhat unfair to Zhong Qiang.
Chen Zhongbing laughed, "That’s simple, when there’s a suitable division-level corps for you, you can leave the 23rd Brigade at any time, by then, Zhong Qiang will actually have gotten a huge benefit."
Xu Zhou nodded, "I understand, thank you, Chief."
After leaving the Military Department, Xu Zhou saw Zhong Qiang waiting at the entrance.
Upon seeing him, Zhong Qiang immediately stood at attention and saluted.
Xu Zhou laughed, "Alright, alright, why bother with these formalities between you and me."
Zhong Qiang solemnly said, "You’re a Lieutenant General now, can’t afford to be careless."
Between a Lieutenant General and a Colonel, there’s only a one-grade difference.
But this one-grade difference might take several decades or even a lifetime.
Out of tens of billions of soldiers in the whole military district, only a few thousand can reach this position.
Thus, Zhong Qiang, in half-joking, was also expressing genuine respect.
Xu Zhou was indifferent, laughing, "Just lucky."
The two bantered back and forth for a while, soon, Zhong Qiang eagerly asked, "Brother Xu, what just happened in there?"
He had been waiting here for so long, just curious about what happened inside.
After all, a meeting of generals definitely concerns major events for the entire Blue Star.
Unexpectedly, Xu Zhou said with a serious face, "Military secret!"
"Mil... military secret?" Zhong Qiang believed it and quickly covered his mouth.
Such matters cannot be casually inquired about, one could lose their head carelessly.
Xu Zhou said, "Let me tell you..."
"Don’t say it!" Zhong Qiang quickly covered his ears.
Xu Zhou pulled his hands away and said, "Don’t be afraid, actually..."
"Are you crazy? Military secrets can’t be disclosed!" Zhong Qiang said with a solemn look.
"I didn’t say anything, but you should know, we’re about to launch a full-scale offensive." Xu Zhou said.
Zhong Qiang was stunned for a moment before reacting, then angrily said, "Are you teasing me?"
"You can’t really call it teasing, as the scale of this indeed is unprecedented." Xu Zhou laughed, "The Chief of Staff has ordered, from now onwards, the First Group Army and Second Group Army will launch a full-scale expedition and cross the 38th Parallel."
"Cross the 38th Parallel??"
Zhong Qiang showed a shocked expression.
Xu Zhou wasn’t surprised, he swiftly explained the battle plan.
Of course, he focused on introducing the operational direction of the 23rd Brigade, as for other units, he briefly mentioned them, since indeed those belong to the confidential parts.