Building a Conglomerate in Another World

October 12, 1898

Northern Pyongyang Outskirts

The morning sky was a dull gray, heavy clouds casting a gloom over the recently liberated city of Pyongyang. Smoke still drifted slowly upward from ruined buildings and smoldering artillery craters, creating a grim backdrop as Amerathian, Korean, and Japanese troops quickly reorganized after the brutal battle. Soldiers moved hastily among temporary tents and makeshift command posts, clearing debris and collecting the wounded.

Captain Edward Harris stood beside General Caldwell in a hastily established forward command tent just north of the city. Maps spread across a long table detailed the surrounding region, with red markers indicating enemy positions retreating steadily northward.

"We've confirmed General Yuan Shikai's forces are falling back to defensive positions around Anju, roughly fifty kilometers north," Colonel Grant reported, pointing directly at a marked town along the Chongchon River. "They've abandoned large quantities of artillery and supplies during their retreat, but they're regrouping quickly and digging in for another stand."

Caldwell studied the map intently. "We can't afford to give them much time to recover," he said firmly. "We must maintain pressure. The enemy is demoralized but not yet broken. Another decisive strike could cripple their northern front entirely."

Captain Harris stepped closer to the map, his face showing the strain of relentless combat but determination etched deeply into his features. "My men are ready to move north immediately, General. If we keep pushing, we might catch Yuan's forces before they can fully regroup."

Caldwell nodded approvingly. "Good. Take your infantry regiment and General Lee's Korean units as your vanguard. Advance quickly but cautiously. We don't know how many reinforcements Yuan or Mikhailov might have brought up."

"What about General Okada and his Japanese divisions?" Harris asked thoughtfully.

"General Okada will take a parallel route northeast toward Tokchon," Caldwell explained decisively. "We'll maintain two fronts, forcing Yuan and Mikhailov to stretch their lines even further. If we time this correctly, their defenses should collapse entirely."

Harris saluted sharply, knowing clearly the gravity of the assignment. "Understood, sir. We'll depart within the hour."

October 13, 1898

Near Sunchon, Northward Advance

Early the next morning, Captain Harris led his weary troops northward along muddy roads, flanked by Korean soldiers under General Lee. Morale was cautiously optimistic following their victory at Pyongyang, but fatigue was evident in every step the soldiers took.

The countryside showed stark evidence of the rapid Chinese-Russian retreat—abandoned artillery pieces, supply wagons overturned in ditches, discarded uniforms and equipment littering the roadways. Harris's men scavenged useful ammunition and supplies wherever possible, replenishing their depleted reserves.

As they approached the outskirts of Sunchon, scouts hurried back from forward positions, breathless and urgent.

"Captain Harris," reported Sergeant Lewis, his eyes wide, "Enemy units spotted just ahead—Chinese infantry setting up defensive positions on the northern edge of the town. They've positioned machine guns and artillery, and they're digging trenches as fast as they can."

Harris quickly surveyed the terrain. Sunchon stood as a strategic crossroads, and securing it would allow his forces to continue advancing swiftly. But the enemy clearly understood its importance as well.

"Relay orders immediately," Harris commanded firmly. "Deploy artillery batteries to target enemy trenches. Infantry will follow closely behind the barrage. We have to break their defenses quickly."

"Yes, sir!" Lewis saluted sharply, sprinting off to relay orders.

Minutes later, Amerathian artillery fired its first volley, shells whistling high overhead before crashing violently into the hastily fortified Chinese positions. Explosions sent enemy soldiers scattering, smoke billowing into the gray sky.

"Advance!" Harris shouted clearly above the echoing artillery blasts. Amerathian and Korean infantry surged forward, rifles at the ready, sprinting quickly through fields and roads toward enemy lines. Enemy machine guns rattled harshly, cutting into advancing troops, but the fierce artillery bombardment steadily disrupted their defensive cohesion.

The initial engagement was savage, soldiers clashing directly in enemy trenches and across open fields. Harris fought alongside his men, leading charges into enemy positions, rifle fire ringing sharply in his ears.

By late afternoon, the town's defensive perimeter collapsed. Enemy troops retreated once more, withdrawing hastily northward toward Anju, pursued relentlessly by Amerathian and Korean forces.

October 14, 1898

Tokchon, Eastern Front

Simultaneously, General Okada's Japanese divisions pushed aggressively northeast, rapidly advancing toward Tokchon. Okada's infantry moved methodically, carefully clearing enemy pockets of resistance along the route, supported by precise artillery barrages.

Late in the afternoon, Okada personally led a decisive assault on Tokchon's outskirts, swiftly breaking through enemy lines weakened by days of retreat and relentless pursuit. Within hours, Japanese soldiers secured the town center, capturing dozens of Russian soldiers and substantial supplies.

At the captured Russian command post in Tokchon, Okada studied fresh maps and captured documents, recognizing immediately their strategic value. "Send this intelligence to General Caldwell immediately," Okada ordered his adjutant sharply. "He needs to know that Yuan's forces in Anju are more vulnerable than we anticipated. They have fewer reinforcements than expected."

"Yes, sir," the adjutant replied swiftly, hurrying off to dispatch messengers southward toward Pyongyang.

October 15, 1898

Amerathian Headquarters, Northern Pyongyang

General Caldwell received General Okada's intelligence reports in the late evening. He examined the information carefully, realizing clearly its strategic implications. The enemy was weaker and more fragmented than previously believed, presenting a rare opportunity.

"Grant," Caldwell said urgently, looking up from the documents, "tell Captain Harris and General Lee to immediately increase pressure toward Anju. Okada's intelligence indicates Yuan's defenses there are fragile. This could be our best chance to break their northern line completely."

Colonel Grant quickly dispatched orders northward, recognizing clearly the urgency of the moment.

October 16, 1898

Near Anju, Chongchon River

Captain Harris's forces approached Anju carefully in the predawn darkness, guided by detailed intelligence reports provided by Okada's captured documents. Chinese and Russian troops had hastily constructed defensive positions along the Chongchon River banks, desperately hoping the natural barrier would slow the advancing Amerathian and Korean troops.

At first light, artillery batteries opened fire precisely, shells crashing into enemy defenses along the riverbank. Infantry quickly moved forward under the protection of the barrage, carefully crossing bridges and shallow river crossings under heavy enemy fire.

Machine guns and rifle volleys echoed fiercely across the riverbanks, soldiers from both sides falling steadily in the brutal exchange. But Amerathian and Korean forces pressed onward relentlessly, determined to breach enemy lines.

By late morning, several key positions along the Chongchon River fell to advancing Amerathian troops, forcing enemy units to retreat yet again. Harris moved forward cautiously, surveying the battlefield grimly.

"Push onward," Harris ordered firmly, urging his weary men forward once more. "We can't let Yuan regroup. Keep pressing until Anju is ours."

His men moved out immediately, determined despite their exhaustion. Every soldier knew clearly the stakes: Anju's capture would isolate remaining Chinese and Russian forces in northern Korea, effectively ending their coordinated resistance.

October 17, 1898

Presidential Palace, D.C., Amerathia

President Matthew Hesh reviewed new dispatches quietly, deeply relieved. Collins entered cautiously, observing Matthew's expression.

"More victories, sir?" Collins asked gently.

Matthew nodded slowly, determination etched deeply in his face. "Harris and Lee have reached Anju's outskirts. Yuan's forces are in full retreat northward again. We've nearly regained complete control."

Collins relaxed visibly. "Then victory seems within reach."

Matthew exhaled deeply, aware of the heavy price already paid. "We're close. But the final push northward may be the toughest yet. Tell Caldwell to keep the pressure constant. We can't let them escape again."

"Understood, sir," Collins replied immediately, moving swiftly to relay Matthew's unwavering resolve.