Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 272: A family full of loyal heroes, the pillars of the country; the military trade contract with the Soviet Union is finalized! (Subscribe)
Subtitle: A heavy victory.

"Commander-in-Chief, I just received intelligence that the Japanese troops have withdrawn!"

Fang Ligong turned around to confirm the situation: "Is the news true?"

"It is true. Currently, all troops have launched pursuit in order to expand the results of the battle."

Fang Ligong turned his head and looked at Wang Qifeng, the commander of the 4th Cavalry Division, with a serious face: "Commander Wang, it depends on your performance from now on."

"Please rest assured, sir. Our cavalry unit is responsible for this job!"

Wang Qifeng laughed, then saluted with a serious face.

The transition between offense and defense was quite rapid.

The Japanese army had no intention of fighting, and the soldiers pursued them very quickly.

The Japanese troops were driven out of Xiyang, and even the 108th Division of the Japanese Army hastily retreated back to the city of Handan.

The corpses of the two divisions were scattered all over the ground.

Soon, the main force under Chu Yunfei's command successfully returned to the southeastern Shanxi region and joined the assault battalion that was resting in Qin County.

The two sides returned to the pre-war confrontation.

The 20th Division also quickly stopped the attack, held the occupied area, and confronted the main force of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the 14th Army Group.

The newly formed 37th Division was adjusted to hold the Beitongpu railway line while maintaining its presence in the occupied area.

The main force of the 4th Mixed Brigade returned to Datong.

This is the end.

The Shanxi War, which was initiated by the Japanese army and lasted for two months (starting from the Battle of Zhengtai Road), came to an end.

In the blink of an eye.

Three days passed.

Chu Yunfei walked in Changzhi City.

Following behind him were a group of senior generals, guards, and representatives from the Changzhi Newspaper and the Central Daily News.

And a bunch of foreign journalists.

Changzhi.

This city has become quite prosperous because of Chu Yunfei's arrival.

Nowadays, every household on the streets hangs white silk.

Looking at the scenes in front of him, Chu Yunfei felt quite uncomfortable.

It’s all the fault of these damn Japs, damn invaders!
"Commander Chu is here"

The villagers who were cleaning up the rubble spontaneously made way for Chu Yunfei.

The people on both sides of the road looked tired.

"Commander Chu."

Chu Yunfei would respond with a wave or a nod to every greeting.

Therefore.

He then noticed that the expressions of the people in the city looked a little strange.

She seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and crying but not crying, but the look in her eyes was full of respect as she looked at him.

In fact, the common people in Changzhi City also heard about it.

It is because Chu Yunfei is not afraid of life or death.

He personally led his soldiers to raid the Japanese airport in Taiyuan.

The group of iron birds in the sky no longer appeared in the sky.

Commander Chu himself was wounded and fell into coma, and almost died in battle.

He was carried back to Qin County by his soldiers.

Chu Yunfei was born and raised in Shanxi and is the son of the local people.

What is the point of fighting so hard for your hometown?
Aren’t they just this group of elders and fellow villagers?

Although there were many casualties in this battle.

But we finally beat back the Japanese and now we have returned to a stable life.

The reporters behind him kept filming the situation in Changzhi City.

For these villagers who are busy among the ruins.

This group of reporters will even give corresponding close-ups.

The staff who followed them reminded them quietly, hoping that they would cooperate.

And it shows that all this is to gain more material aid to enter the southeastern Shanxi region.

For journalists, these are first-hand publicity materials.

This is not just Chu Yunfei's request.

It was also a deliberate arrangement by Chiang Kai-shek, Yan Laoxi and others.

They need to get more help.

The atrocities of the Japanese army are needed to awaken more "ordinary people" and to encourage more people with lofty ideals to rise up.

They urgently need sympathy and corresponding assistance from other countries.

We also need the help of overseas Chinese.

Chu Yunfei needs these to gain more financial support and attract more attention from the people.

You must know that Shanxi itself has always been the front line in the fight against the enemy.

From the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War until its end, it was a key area fought over by both the enemy and us.

It's not just the Ninth War Zone that's engaged in a bloody battle at this time.

There is also a World War II zone.

Citizens need to protect more than just Wuhan.

There are also key strategic locations such as Shanxi and Shaanxi. If the situation in these two places continues to deteriorate.

There is no need to say much about Shanxi, its mineral resources can be directly utilized.

If something goes wrong in Shaanxi, the entire rear will be in trouble. The Japanese invaders have the ability to advance at all costs.

Operation No. 43 in 44 and was a real all-or-nothing operation.

"Folks."

Chu Yunfei took a deep breath and looked at the people slowly gathering around him.

"Please rest assured, fellow villagers, we will make the Japanese invaders pay with blood."

Under the gaze of the villagers, Chu Yunfei paused, and then announced loudly: "The houses destroyed by the war, as well as the corresponding production and living facilities and items, should all be purchased with subsidies provided by Changzhi Civil Affairs.

Those who died in the battle will be compensated, and the officers and soldiers who died in this battle will be buried in the Changzhi Martyrs' Shrine, where they will be worshipped forever by future generations."

"Fellow villagers, thank you for your hard work."

Chu Yunfei and others looked solemn and saluted.

Battles in Changzhi, Shexian, Licheng and other places.

Although they had been evacuated in advance.

But many villagers still voluntarily stayed in the city.

Help transport combat supplies, help rescue the wounded, and help repair fortifications.

The number of victims has not yet been counted.

Chu Yunfei's statement in front of everyone defined the nature of this group of victims.

The civilians who assisted in the war were also soldiers recognized by Chu Yunfei, and they could not only receive pensions.

You can also go to the Martyrs' Shrine like the martyrs themselves.

He has been a role model for the people for generations and has been worshipped by people for generations.

Many villagers were in tears.

"Commander Chu"

Everyone looked at the old woman who was in the lead.

Her temples were gray and she was wearing a tattered cotton coat.

Hanging on his chest was a well-maintained military medal.

The old woman was supported by her half-grown grandson.

It seems that he should be about fourteen or fifteen years old this year.

"It's Aunt Sun."

“He’s a poor man”

"Hey, I heard that her third son also died..."

Chu Yunfei adjusted his mentality and stepped forward: "Auntie, please speak."

Everyone also fell silent.

"My eldest son and his father were killed in the war."

"My second son died in Gubeikou. They said that even his body was not found. They said that only a medal was left."

"My third son joined the army two months ago. He said he wanted to follow Commander Chu to fight the Japanese."

"Yesterday, Commander Chen brought people to my house. He told me that my son San'er died in the suburbs of Gang County. He was very brave and killed several Japanese before he died. I am proud of him."

Auntie Sun's eyes were filled with tears. Facing everyone's gaze, she slowly said, "I have already received the pension. I am not afraid of you laughing at me. This is the first time an old woman like me has received a pension. I am already quite old. What is the use of this pension?"

Chu Yunfei's heart tightened and his chest ached. He wanted to say something to comfort her, but he didn't know what to say.

"This is my eldest grandson. He has very good academic performance and is a leader in the children's group."

Seeing Chu Yunfei's gaze.

The boy immediately stood at attention and saluted with a standard military salute: "Hello, Commander Chu."

"I changed the name of my eldest grandson to Li Jingzhong."

"I hope he can be as loyal to the country as his father and two uncles. Commander Chu, if you don't mind, you can bring my eldest grandson with you so that he can also go into battle and kill the enemy as soon as possible and drive away the Japanese devils."

Chu Yunfei looked serious and waved to Li Jingzhong beside him: "How old are you this year?"

"Report to the commander, I am sixteen years old this year."

"When you serve as a soldier on the battlefield, you may die for your country at any time. Are you afraid?" Chu Yunfei asked again with a serious face.

"Not afraid!"

"This is a good Chinese man." Chu Yunfei patted his shoulder and said loudly: "Sun Ming."

"Yes!" "Li Jingzhong will follow you from now on!"

"Yes!" Sun Ming promised solemnly, "Please rest assured, Aunt Sun and fellow villagers, I will definitely take good care of him."

Chu Yunfei and his men raised their right hands and saluted Aunt Sun again.

In the combat conference room.

A group of cadres above the regimental level gathered together.

"The casualties of our army in this battle have been counted, and the captured items and loss of weapons and ammunition have also been counted."

Fang Ligong stood up slowly.

Everyone present felt that there seemed to be something wrong with Chu Yunfei's condition.

It seems that he has been absent-minded since returning from Changzhi.

They also heard about Aunt Sun's story.

This incident seemed to have had a significant impact on Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei came back to his senses and continued, "Let's talk about the casualties first."

"Yes!"

"According to reports from various troops, the casualties are as follows."

[Honor 196 casualties are as follows:

The 1st Infantry Regiment suffered 1,348 casualties, including 960 sacrifices, including 27 company-level and platoon-level cadres and two battalion-level cadres. Deputy Regiment Commander Zhang Fugui personally went to the front line to supervise the battle and was seriously injured.

The 2nd Infantry Regiment suffered 938 casualties and 679 sacrifices, including 18 company and platoon-level officers and one battalion-level officer.

The 3rd Infantry Regiment suffered 1,172 casualties, including 866 sacrifices, including 33 company and platoon-level cadres, and the regiment commander Sun Xinpu was injured.

The total number of casualties among the baggage troops, transport teams, motor companies and other auxiliary combat units was 483, including 429 deaths.

The total casualties of Honor 196 were , with officers and soldiers missing.

Currently, the full staffing rate of Honor 196 is less than percent, and there is a large shortage of grassroots officers at the company and platoon levels.

Fang Ligong paused and looked at Chu Yunfei.

At Chu Yunfei's suggestion.

Fang Ligong then reported the rest of the situation.

197 Casualties are as follows:

The 4th Infantry Regiment suffered 844 casualties, including 467 sacrifices.
197 The total number of casualties was .

197 The full staffing rate is less than percent, and the shortage of grassroots officers at the company and platoon levels is estimated to be around people.

----

The 7th Infantry Regiment suffered 1,639 casualties, including 1,330 soldiers killed, including 43 company and platoon-level cadres, two battalion commanders killed, and one battalion commander injured.

The 9th Infantry Regiment suffered 680 casualties and 396 deaths, including 13 company and platoon-level cadres killed and eight seriously injured.

The total casualties of the 198th Brigade were .

Currently, the 198th Brigade is less than % full, and the number of company and platoon-level officers short is estimated to be around . 】

Everyone at the meeting frowned.

Each of them thought that the troops under their command had suffered heavy casualties.

I only discovered this after I came to the meeting.

This battle.

The casualties among the infantry units under his command alone reached 10,000.

Fang Ligong turned a page and continued.

“The casualties of the 4th Cavalry Division (Division Commander Wang Qifeng, Deputy Division Commander Zhang Dongkai, Chief of Staff Liu Zhonglin) are as follows.

The 1st Cavalry Regiment (led by Xu Mingshan): 437 casualties, 478 horses killed or wounded

The Second Cavalry Regiment (led by Xiang Ruilin): 379 people were killed or wounded, and 433 horses were killed or wounded.

The Third Cavalry Regiment (led by Ma Keying): 532 casualties, 538 horses killed or wounded.

According to the original combat organization, there is a shortage of 2,896 cavalrymen, 36 veterinarians, 3,300 riding horses, and 563 pack horses.

"Three thousand three hundred horses?"

Fang Ligong nodded: "Yes, sir."

Chu Yunfei looked at Wang Qifeng who was sitting not far from him, and then asked, "If you are fully staffed, how many people are there?"

"If I were to reply to your Excellency, the number should be 4,832, including non-combat personnel."

Chu Yunfei nodded.

The New Thirteen is actually Luo Weiguo's troops.

[This time, the total number of casualties among the local armed forces was 3,762, the number of casualties among the guerrillas was 587, the number of casualties among the Shanxi Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army was 2,100, and the rest were all auxiliary personnel.]

[In this battle, our army suffered a total of approximately 16,720 casualties.]

[According to the order issued by Commander Chu, all soldiers who assist in the battle should be given a one-time compensation according to the treatment of privates.]

[During this operation, the total amount of compensation that Changzhi Civil Affairs should pay is 2.89 million yuan.]

[In addition, the additional amount of pensions to be paid each year is: 1.45 million yuan. ]

"so much"

The words fell.

Zhang Dongkai exclaimed..
It would be fine if Chu Yunfei just gave out a one-time pension.

This type of pension, paid annually, is accumulated during the war.

How much will it cost?
Chu Yunfei's troops basically fought throughout the entire battle. No major battle could be without them.

"Sir, if we continue to spend the bereaved families' pensions, it will most likely affect subsequent arms purchases."

Sun Weimou, who was attending the meeting, sighed and gave a reminder.

Chu Yunfei waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to say anything more.

He emphasized: "Regarding the issue of pensions and preferential treatment for martyrs' families, we must not only continue to do so, but also persist in doing so."

"As for money and food, you don't have to worry. I will continue to seek it from the Supreme Command and the Second War Zone Commander Headquarters."

"We cannot let the heroes bleed and the families shed tears."

"I understand." Sun Weimou nodded and said nothing more.

Chu Yunfei then said in a loud voice: "Regarding the taxation of the entire southeastern Shanxi and even the southern Shanxi region, I will continue to communicate with Commander Yan when I go to the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters for a meeting this time."

"Has the trade contract with the Soviets been finalized?"

Sun Weimou nodded and said: "The Soviets require us to provide a stable supply of one million kilograms of raw tobacco every year. They will purchase it at $0.75 per kilogram and provide equivalent supplies.

In accordance with your request, the Soviets will first provide GAZ-AA light trucks.

And carry out adaptive traction modification.

This will further enhance our artillery mobility in southeastern Shanxi."

(The picture shows the GAZ AA type vehicle, which can be used to tow the 37mm and 76mm guns provided by the Soviet Union.)
"What is the Soviet offer?"

"Each car costs nine hundred and eighty dollars after modification, and seventy-eight dollars for delivery."

"The price for the GAZ-5 is $, and the shipping cost is $."

"Based on the purchase price of the first batch, we can equip two artillery battalions."

"The 76mm anti-aircraft guns that our army is expected to equip can also be maneuvered accordingly, but the fuel supply may be greatly constrained by the Soviets."

When I heard the price.

Chu Yunfei was a little surprised.

It’s so cheap!

Although these Russians were counting on them to shed blood and sacrifice, the goods they gave them were indeed far below the market price.

As for fuel, Chu Yunfei was not too worried.

Just let it be a constraint.

At this time, the Nationalist government had to import more than 98 percent of its fuel.

It would be impossible for the Soviets to use this thing to control Chu Yunfei.

The reason why there is an urgent need to use cars to tow artillery.

This is also because it is very difficult for Chu Yunfei's troops to obtain the corresponding supply of draft horses and riding horses from the headquarters.

The Ma family army, which controlled a large amount of horse resources, was still playing the feudal game at this time.

The well-prepared horse farms were simply not enough at this time.

There is actually only one way to actually obtain the production capacity of Northwest Horse Farm.

That is to wipe out these useless guys and keep the horse ranch firmly in our own hands.

Otherwise his 4th Cavalry Division.

It is bound to follow the old path and be reorganized into an infantry division.

How can this work?

If they were to become infantry, why would Chu Yunfei want them to stay in southeastern Shanxi?
Seeing Chu Yunfei frowning and thinking.

Sun Weimou stood up and handed the tentatively finalized contract to Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei took a quick look and then reminded: "We must prepare a lot of fuel. If something goes wrong and the Soviets can't transport it, it will be a big problem."

"Well, the Soviets use a pre-payment method, and they will deliver the fuel we purchased when it arrives."

Chu Yunfei urged, "Are the Soviets interested in cigarettes?"

"It depends on our production. Although the Soviet comrades visited our cigarette factory, they still don't have much confidence in our army as to whether we can produce stably."

"It doesn't matter, time will tell."

Chu Yunfei put his hands together and placed them on the table. He emphasized loudly: "Everyone, although our army suffered heavy casualties in this battle, the Japanese army also suffered heavy casualties."

"The main combat goal of the Japanese army is bound to be based on forcing our national government and the headquarters to accept their so-called peace agreement. This means that even if Wuhan falls, Changsha, Hengyang, Nanchang and Chongqing will be their next combat targets."

"Their limited resources will inevitably be used in the Ninth War Zone and other directions."

"In summary, I judge that the Japanese army will continue to maintain its occupation presence in Shanxi, focusing on developing the northern part of Shanxi, and will be unable to launch further attacks."

Qian Bojun reminded: "Sir, what if the Japanese army chooses to draw troops from the Kwantung Army again?"

"Although the Soviets did not explicitly express that they would not expand the war with the Japanese, putting aside the current disputes was a signal of peace to the Japanese.

But if the Japanese really reduce their military strength in the Northeast again, who can guarantee that the Soviets will not take action against them?"

(End of this chapter)