Preface Symphony of Fate_2

Watcher Strait contained tens of thousands of naval mines with only three safe passages, but only the "Maze Channel" had the depth to allow Main Battle Ships through. The Navy Intelligence Agency had worked for two years to acquire this channel's information, with dozens of intelligence personnel killed or missing in the process.

Due to its extreme narrowness, after entering the channel, Main Battle Ships could only turn around with the help of barges.

This meant that once they entered the Maze Channel, there was no way to retreat.

But retreat to where?

How long would they have to wait for the next opportunity to fight a decisive battle?

Could the Empire endure another two years in the brutal inferno of war with tens of thousands of soldiers and officers falling every day?

Was it better to retreat and save themselves now, only to face a shameful surrender later, endure the enemy's humiliation, and survive under the curse of thousands?

The Imperial Navy had only soldiers who died in battle – absolutely no cowards who shrank back.

"Signal all ships, to battle stations, raise the Red Blood Battle Flag!"

"Battle stations, sound the alarm, raise the Red Blood Battle Flag!" The Combat Staff Advisor conveyed the Major General's command after only a slight hesitation.

The battle alarm sounded, and a Crimson Red Flag was raised to the top of the main mast.

It was the signal flag representing a battle of no return!

Seventy-five years earlier, the newly formed Imperial Navy had stationed troops at Nanjiang Port, confronting the advancing fleet of the Great Powers. After fierce fighting lasting a whole day, at sunset, the Fleet Commander ordered the blood-soaked flag to be raised. The flagship, braving intense cannon fire, moved to the middle of the river, and then scuttled itself at the river's mouth, blocking the channel. Inspired, the Navy soldiers and officers fought valiantly, annihilating the enemy ships in the river that night.

This was the famous "Major Victory at Nanjiang Port" that changed the fate of the Empire.

Since then, the Red Blood Battle Flag had become the signal flag symbolizing a decisive battle.

Amidst the shrill alarm, Bai Zhizhan locked the watertight door.

Through the porthole, Bai Zhizhan saw that the five battlecruisers behind had all raised the Red Blood Battle Flag and were flying the signal 'Sworn to Follow to the Death.'

"Imperial Fleet, advance with no possibility of retreat; fight valiantly, unstoppable and fierce; sacrifice for righteousness, courageous unto death; duty-bound, without neglect..."

To the cadence of a martial song, six ships sounded their whistles simultaneously.

From a distance, the six warships appeared like six heavily armored knights with long spears, charging furiously towards an enemy formation dense with swords and spears.

...

At the eastern Imperial frontier, Jade River Valley.

A thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Empire had come here, transforming this wild thicket overrun by beasts into fertile farmland with their diligent hands, and along the river that wound westward from the eastern snowy mountains, they developed lush green oases.

This is why the river was named "Jade."

But now, this place had become the burial ground for countless Imperial soldiers.

Four years of fierce battle, with more than a million soldiers dying for their country here. Just last year's offensive saw at least six hundred thousand soldiers and officers laid to rest permanently in this place.

Under the ravages of war, towns had turned into ruins, oases into deserts, and the once impassioned soldiers into walking dead.

Victory, like the stars in the sky, visible but forever out of reach. More like the carrot dangled in front of a donkey, seemingly just a step away, yet with each desperate advance, the distance never closed, the only change being a fading desire for victory.

Last night, the first snow of the year fell.

Overnight, the valley had transformed, like a rich oil painting suddenly changing into a clear and serene traditional painting, leaving nothing but black and white between heaven and earth.

In the eastern part of the valley, Hidden Soldier Valley.

Named after the thousand-year-old battle that changed world history, where the previous dynasty's West Guardian Envoy used two thousand hidden troops to defeat a formidable enemy of two hundred thousand soldiers, securing the Eastern Empire's dominant position in the continental heartland, this dark and concealed gorge earned its name from that event.

Now, this was the starting position for the First Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard.

Inside the gorge, ten thousand war horses, ten thousand cavalrymen were already prepared.

Ten thousand troops divided into ten squadrons, each squadron into ten companies, and each company into ten squads.

As was customary, the officers were at the very front of the formation.

Except for the unexpected blizzard, everything went as planned.

Reveille at four in the morning, breakfast at four-thirty, feeding the war horses at five, preparing weapons and equipment at five-thirty, and formation at six.

Artillery preparation would start in half an hour, and the First Cavalry Division of the Imperial Guard would advance simultaneously, charging the enemy lines at the end of the artillery preparation.

This was the First Cavalry Division's first battle on the Western Front and the final charge of the Western Front's cavalry troops.

The ten thousand troops in Hidden Soldier Valley were the last intact cavalry division on the Western Front!

Perhaps the upcoming battle would be the swan song of the cavalry.

The bugle sounded, and the Brigadier General Division Commander charged out from the formation, galloping past the front.

A tremendous roar surged forth.

"Cavalry attack, irresistible!"

As the roar swept over like a fierce wind, Captain Lian Xusheng, who stood at the front of his company, also raised his voice, crying out with heart-wrenching fervor.

Not to mention Lian Xusheng was just a company commander; even the squadron leader before him was moved and influenced.