The early morning mist over the Liaodong Peninsula was thick, almost suffocating, as Chinese troops fortified their positions near a small village overlooking a strategic river crossing. General Wei Zhang, a seasoned commander in the Chinese Army, stood on a ridge surveying his lines. His forces, weary but resolute, had spent weeks digging trenches, setting up artillery positions, and preparing for the inevitable Japanese assault.
Uncertainty loomed among the ranks. The Japanese had been uncharacteristically quiet in the past few days, their movements shrouded in mystery. But Wei Zhang knew better than to take this as a sign of retreat. His instincts told him that an attack was imminent, and he was determined to hold the line.
