Building a Conglomerate in Another World

October 18, 1898Outskirts of Anju, Chongchon River Line

A chill hung heavy in the early morning air as Amerathian and Korean troops gathered at their positions south of Anju, their breath visible in the faint dawn light. Captain Edward Harris watched his men quietly, studying their faces. Exhaustion lined their expressions, but determination shone through clearly. Weeks of continuous combat had forged these soldiers into hardened veterans. Still, the looming battle for Anju would push them to their limits again.

Anju was critical. Its bridges, roads, and railway lines represented vital arteries feeding enemy forces further north. Securing the city would effectively sever General Yuan Shikai's retreat and isolate thousands of enemy troops. But Yuan knew it as well—and the city was now heavily fortified.

General Lee Sang-hoon approached Harris, adjusting his overcoat against the biting morning wind. "Captain Harris," Lee said steadily, "my scouts confirm enemy defenses along the southern approaches are formidable. Multiple trench lines, machine gun nests, and barbed wire fortifications."

Harris nodded grimly. "We expected heavy resistance. Any signs of artillery?"

"Yes, they've reinforced positions along the heights north of the city," Lee replied calmly. "Russian guns, heavy calibers—likely positioned to control river crossings and major roads."

Harris considered this carefully, glancing back at his troops. "Then our artillery must be precise. If we can't neutralize their guns quickly, our infantry will be exposed to devastating fire."

General Lee agreed solemnly. "I've instructed my artillery commanders to target their gun emplacements immediately upon engagement. We'll coordinate our barrages closely."

A young runner approached hurriedly, saluting sharply. "Captain Harris, sir! Message from General Caldwell—General Okada's Japanese divisions have secured Tokchon and are swinging west toward Anju. He requests we launch our attack immediately to pressure enemy positions from the south."

Harris felt a brief surge of encouragement. Okada's timely push from the east could force Yuan into a desperate defensive fight on two fronts. "Understood," Harris replied firmly. "Inform General Caldwell we're commencing our attack at once."

The runner departed swiftly, leaving Harris and Lee exchanging silent, meaningful glances. Each understood clearly what the next hours would demand.

0800 HoursSouthern Approach to Anju

Exactly on schedule, Amerathian and Korean artillery batteries opened fire simultaneously. The sudden roar echoed harshly across the frozen landscape, shells screaming overhead to crash violently into enemy trenches and fortified gun emplacements. Explosions erupted in fiery blooms, scattering earth, debris, and enemy troops skyward.

Harris stood slightly behind the frontline trenches, binoculars pressed tightly to his eyes. Smoke obscured much of the battlefield, but the effect of the initial barrage was evident. Several Russian artillery positions fell silent immediately, their crews decimated or guns disabled.

"Advance!" Harris ordered sharply, lowering the binoculars. Instantly, hundreds of Amerathian and Korean infantry surged forward, sprinting quickly across open ground toward the first enemy trench line. Machine guns rattled harshly from surviving enemy positions, bullets cutting through advancing soldiers in grim swathes. Casualties mounted rapidly, but the troops pressed relentlessly forward, determined to breach the defenses.

General Lee moved beside Harris, issuing rapid orders to his infantry units. "Forward, quickly! Don't let their machine guns regain their advantage!"

Soldiers scrambled into enemy trenches, engaging in brutal, close-quarter fighting. Rifle butts smashed fiercely, bayonets clashed desperately, and the chaos of battle quickly engulfed the southern outskirts of Anju.

Enemy reinforcements from deeper defensive lines rushed forward, attempting desperately to regain lost ground. Harris recognized immediately the critical moment. "Bring up reserves now!" he ordered sharply to his adjutants. "We must exploit this breach!"

Fresh Amerathian troops surged into the fray, reinforcing the initial assault waves and gradually overwhelming Chinese and Russian defenders caught off guard by the relentless pressure. After nearly two brutal hours of fighting, the initial trench lines fell completely, leaving surviving enemy troops retreating hastily toward secondary defenses closer to Anju itself.

1030 HoursAnju Command Post, Chinese-Russian Forces

Inside Anju, General Yuan Shikai struggled to maintain order as scattered reports of disaster flooded in. Enemy forces had breached his initial defensive line far faster than anticipated, and the eastern flank was already buckling under Japanese pressure from Okada's rapid advance.

General Alexei Mikhailov entered abruptly, frustration visible in every step. "General Yuan," he said urgently, "our defenses won't hold much longer. Amerathian and Korean infantry have breached our southern perimeter, and Japanese divisions under Okada have engaged our forces east of the city. We're rapidly becoming encircled."

Yuan clenched his fists, forcing calm into his voice. "What about the bridges and rail lines north of the city? Can we still withdraw if necessary?"

Mikhailov shook his head sharply. "Retreat now is perilous. Amerathian artillery already targets our escape routes. If they cut off Anju entirely, thousands of our troops risk entrapment."

Yuan exhaled slowly, recognizing clearly the dire reality they faced. "Then we hold Anju at all costs. Issue orders immediately—consolidate our remaining divisions into tighter defensive positions around the city's center. We'll make them fight street by street if necessary."

Mikhailov saluted grimly, departing swiftly to relay urgent orders.

1500 HoursSouthern Outskirts of Anju

By afternoon, Amerathian and Korean infantry penetrated deep into Anju's outer districts, securing neighborhoods block by block amid fierce resistance. Enemy defenders clung desperately to remaining strongpoints, fighting stubbornly despite encirclement.

Harris personally led several assaults, directing his soldiers carefully through urban streets littered with rubble and burning debris. Sniper fire echoed sharply, machine guns chattered relentlessly, and artillery continued bombarding remaining enemy positions within Anju.

As Harris paused briefly to reload, General Lee approached urgently, his face grimy with smoke and dirt. "Enemy forces are pulling back further northward, consolidating positions near the city's railway depot and main bridges."

Harris nodded, breathing heavily. "Then we must press harder. If they regain defensive footing, retaking Anju will become impossible."

Suddenly, from the east, distant explosions echoed harshly—Japanese artillery had finally arrived, engaging remaining enemy positions from a second direction. Harris felt immediate relief—General Okada's arrival significantly increased pressure on Yuan's troops.

"Push forward now!" Harris commanded resolutely, rallying soldiers forward again. Amerathian and Korean infantry surged forward once more, supported by precise artillery fire that steadily demolished remaining enemy resistance.

1800 HoursPresidential Palace, D.C., Amerathia

President Matthew Hesh quietly studied the latest dispatches from Anju, his heart heavy yet hopeful. Collins stood nearby, awaiting his reaction carefully.

Matthew finally looked up, determination clear in his eyes. "Anju is nearly ours," he said steadily. "Enemy resistance is collapsing. Yuan's forces are retreating again—northward this time, toward Manchurian border positions."

Collins exhaled in quiet relief. "Then our counteroffensive is succeeding?"

Matthew nodded slowly, careful with his words. "We've regained the initiative fully. But Yuan and Mikhailov still command significant troops northward. This war isn't finished yet."

Collins nodded solemnly. "I'll inform General Caldwell immediately."

Matthew turned back toward the window, gazing thoughtfully toward the darkening city skyline. Anju represented another hard-fought victory—but each victory came at immense cost. Still, for the first time since the war's brutal beginning, Matthew sensed clearly that total victory was finally within reach.