Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 318: A visitor from the family, urging marriage on New Year's Eve; amendments to the pension regulations (please subscribe)

"Lin Cang-jun, we also need to find out the location of the enemy's 88th Army Headquarters as soon as possible."

Lin Canghui was somewhat puzzled: "Commander, our intelligence department has never been able to obtain specific information about the enemy's 88th Army. We only vaguely know that the location of its headquarters should be in the area around Changzhi."

Sugiyama Yuan had no expression on his face, he just listened quietly to Lin Canghui's explanation.

Lin Canghui paused, then added: "Moreover, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the military police's intelligence departments can effectively infiltrate the southeastern Shanxi region. As for the areas around Changzhi, the enemy's defense is extremely tight."

"The Tokyo headquarters is very interested in the Yamamoto Special Forces under the First Army. Their so-called special tactics have achieved success several times before and performed well."

Sugiyama Moto expressed his attitude: "Although I am not optimistic about him, his outstanding performance has attracted the attention of His Majesty Tianhuang and the royal officers."

"Commander, the 14th Army is essentially just an empty shell. Colonel Yamamoto's opponent is actually himself. I think that instead of wasting all these resources on meaningless special operations, it is better to increase the construction and plunder of the occupied areas to achieve the strategy of fighting to support the war that you advocate, Commander."

Lin Canghui gave a few subtle reminders and then expressed his thoughts.

He firmly supported Sugiyama Gen's continental army strategy of fighting to support war.

Sugiyama Yuan was not thinking about these things at the moment. After he quickly sent Lin Canghui away, he was thinking about another thing.

As the Japanese invaders in China fell into the quagmire of war.

Today's North China Front Army.

Throughout North China.

The primary opponent was Chu Yunfei's troops in the southeastern Shanxi region, and the secondary opponent was the Eighth Route Army guerrillas who were very active behind enemy lines.

As for other national army units active in North China.

Defense is fine, if you take the initiative to attack.

Even Tang Enbo's 31st Army and the Japanese army did not take it seriously.

Due to the lack of heavy weapons, the Kuomintang troops generally lack the ability to attack strongholds.

When defending a position, it may be quite difficult to deal with.

However, with the cooperation of the 16th Division and the 104th Division, it is basically enough to maintain the public security situation in Henan Province.

As for the Eighth Route Army.

These troops are numerous and although their combat effectiveness is not strong, they have strong survivability.

They usually hide among the crowd, which causes great trouble for the identification and distinction of combat troops.

This created many difficulties for them in maintaining public order, especially in collecting grain in the countryside.

It increases the cost of their security warfare.

The officers below often carried out indiscriminate killings while performing their duties.

Even entire villages, killing civilians and guerrillas.

Although this improved the efficiency of public security warfare, it also drove the people in most parts of North China to the side of the Eighth Route Army.

It’s not that Sugiyama Moto doesn’t understand how to fight a security war. On the contrary, he is very proficient in these things.

Even every commander of the North China Front Army was well versed in how security warfare should be conducted.

However, none of them understood the importance of public opinion like the later leader Okamura Yasuji.

In addition, the area that the North China Front Army needed to control at this time was really too large.

Compared to their military strength.

Maintaining law and order is an impossible task.

Only a small team of troops can be stationed in some county areas.

Even along the 100-kilometer railway line, there was only one squad of Japanese devils stationed to maintain law and order.

There were only forty Japanese soldiers stationed on the Longhai railway line from Haizhou (Lianyungang) to Xuzhou.

As for the rest.

They were puppet troops recruited from the local area.

Under such circumstances, how can we ensure that the vast occupied areas are in their hands?
That's not the most important thing.

Many generals think so.

As long as we force Jiang's Southwest Government to cease fire, all problems will be solved.

Not only that.

Sugiyama Gen, commander of the North China Front Army, was communicating with his former commander, Umezu Yoshijiro.

Both of them felt that the current coordinated operations among the various military services, and even the army infantry, were quite troublesome.

The battle based on this was basically a terrible coordination.

It is often not possible to encircle and annihilate the enemy as expected before the war.

It was just a simple defeat.

With the tenacious resistance of the Republic of China and the continuous expansion of the war, the battle line was extended.

They had to increase their forces gradually.

Even today, there are regional command organizations such as the 21st South China Army.

As the newly appointed commander of the North China Front Army.

Sugiyama knew clearly that the Tokyo headquarters planned to form the South China Expeditionary Army, using Hainan Island and NSQD as strategic supply bases.

Make adequate preparations for the upcoming "trip south".

The Tokyo headquarters has also begun the corresponding command system integration work.

It was decided to form the China Expeditionary Army to command the war in North China, Central China, and South China.

The most important point.

The Japanese Army and Navy temporarily stopped fighting.

A consensus was reached on capturing Hainan Island and other areas.

this means.

They will complete the deployment of troops to adapt to the new combat physique against China in a very short time.

By then.

The Chinese expeditionary force will even include special arms such as the Chinese naval fleet, which will be a huge test for the current Chinese military.

Changzhi.

Headquarters.

Chu Yun rode back quickly.

Without him.

Someone is coming from my hometown.

The Chinese New Year is coming soon. Chu Yunfei is busy with official duties and was unable to return home for the New Year last year.

He, Chu Yunfei, is not an orphan.

Although my family is relatively poor.

But the entire Chu family is not poor.

Even the clan leader's lineage is descended from the famous Shanxi merchants in the local area.

Even though the family fell into poverty during the turbulent times, they were still able to support many bodyguards.

Otherwise, how could Chu Yunfei go to study in a place like Huangpu?
After adjusting his uniform, Chu Yunfei still felt a little nervous: "Pengcheng, is everything okay?"

"Sir, I'm in high spirits!"

"Just be in good spirits!"

Thumb~thump~thump~
Chu Yunfei walked into the headquarters with firm steps.

In the reception room.

Zhang Dayun was serving tea to the elders from Wutai with a serious face.

Although I know that these people are Chu Yunfei's subordinates.

But the Chu family was still quite reserved.

As the footsteps sounded.

A group of Chu clan members looked towards the door in the direction of the sound.

Chu Yunfei stepped into the reception room.

Most of the people who came were elders of the clan, and most of them were around 50 years old.

The old man in the lead was over seventy years old.

He is the old patriarch of the Wutai Chu family.

Chu Yunfei greeted him, "Uncle."

"Father, mother."

"Second uncle, younger uncle, fourth aunt, third uncle"

"Yunfei."

"Yun Fei." Many relatives had complicated expressions in their eyes.

Chu Yunfei signaled Zhang Dayun with his eyes.

Zhang Dayun nodded slightly, turned and left.

I walked up to my parents.

"Father, Mother, I am sorry that Yunfei was not able to fulfill my filial duty to you two." Chu Yunfei felt mixed emotions as he looked at his "parents" sitting in front of him with tears in their eyes.

The words were not finished.

Father Chu was over fifty years old and a little frail. He stood up with difficulty, met Chu Yunfei's gaze, and stepped forward: "Yunfei, you have studied."

"Although I am not well educated and don't know many Chinese characters, I know that loyalty and filial piety are difficult to achieve at the same time, and every man has his share of responsibility for the rise and fall of his country. These eight characters are the ancestral motto of our Chu family."

"When you were away, the relatives in the clan supported each other and formed a guerrilla force to fight against the Japanese invaders. Life was difficult."

"However, now that the Japanese have withdrawn from the Wutai area, our lives have become better. After hearing your story, many young people in the clan are eager to join the army to fight the Japanese. I came here for this purpose."

"Uncle."

Chu Yunfei knew clearly what his uncle meant by supporting each other.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately spoke out: "If it weren't for the support of the clan, I, Chu Yunfei, would not be where I am today. If there are young people in the clan who want to join the army, you can let them come to Changzhi to join the army, and I will take care of them."

Chu's father and mother nodded with satisfaction.

I was originally a little worried that Chu Yunfei would be a little shy about this.

But after coming.

Only to find that it was indeed different from what they had imagined.

Although the relatives of the Chu family had little education, they did not expect to become high officials by relying on Chu Yunfei.

No excessive demands were made.

With such a simple request, why wouldn't Chu Yunfei help?
Some of the elders in the tribe around him looked at Chu Yunfei with awe and a hint of kindness in their eyes.

This is the Chu Yunfei they watched grow up.

Uncle San asked seriously, "Those people in the village who reported the Eighth Route Army told us before that the Japanese were very fierce and had destroyed half of the Republic of China. Yunfei, is this true?"

"It's true." Chu Yunfei nodded. "Except for the counterattack currently underway in Shanxi, which has basically driven the Japanese out of eastern and southeastern Shanxi, the progress of the battles in other war zones is not ideal."

"Then can the Japanese still rule the world?"

Chu Yunfei shook his head: "Of course this is impossible. Please rest assured, elders. We still have millions of soldiers left. The little Japanese pirates will be driven out of China one day. It will take three to five years at the fastest and five to six years at the longest. These beasts don't have much time left to jump around."

"Well, we provided them with a lot of money and food before. It is said that the leader seems to have some friendship with you."

Chu Yunfei chuckled: "I do have some face among my colleagues in Shanxi."

“However, Uncle, elders, and Yun Fei also need to make things clear in advance.

"I, Chu Yunfei, have been in the military for more than ten years, leading my brothers in battles across the country. I have almost lost my life many times, not to mention the soldiers below. Once the battle starts, I may not be able to take care of so many things."

"Yun Fei, don't worry, we are all reasonable people. No matter what, life and death are determined by fate."

The New Year is approaching.

Chu Yunfei wanted to keep his hometown group in Changzhi.

The uncle refused on the grounds of annual sacrifice, and returned to Wutai area with the elders of the clan.

Chu Yunfei was worried.

Order the captain of the first guard company, Zhu Xinlei, to escort them.

There were more than a dozen people in the group, but in the end only Chu's father and mother stayed in Changzhi.

Chu Yunfei after arranging everything.

Immediately, we once again invested in the construction, reorganization and optimization of the military system.

There are less than three days left until New Year’s Eve.

Even Chu's father and mother rarely see Chu Yunfei busy.

In the recent period.

Sun Weimou basically stayed at the Changzhi headquarters.

I basically follow Chu Yunfei every day.

His request is actually very simple.

The pension is too heavy and the southeastern Shanxi region can no longer bear it.

If you want to continue recruiting soldiers, expanding, and maintaining the corresponding structure.

It is necessary to amend the current Interim Regulations on Pensions in Southeast Shanxi.

Otherwise, maintaining the current troop structure is already the limit.

Chu Yunfei held three meetings in a row and notified each county to send representatives to conduct relevant research.

We are preparing to reduce the payment of subsequent pensions by adopting alternative policies such as arranging jobs and exempting taxes, reducing the amount of subsequent pensions to one third.

The amount of one-time pension has also been increased to 1.5 times the original amount.

The day of New Year’s Eve.

In addition to the necessary combat readiness work, basically all troops are holding parties.

And in accordance with the requirements of the Second War Zone Commander Headquarters and Chu Yunfei.

New Year rewards are given to officers and soldiers at all levels.

This is the old rule of the 358th Regiment, and it is also the rule of the new combat unit. (The year-end bonus of the 358th Regiment directly under the theater and the new infantry regiment was discussed in the previous article by Zhang Dayun and Li Yunlong)

Giving money is the most immediate and effective way.

Ways to improve the morale of combat troops.

Just in the areas around Changzhi, Chu Yunfei could see the degree of organization of combat forces at all levels.

Basically, they have increased by about 3% to 5%.

For example, the organization level of the 98th Infantry Regiment stationed in the surrounding areas of Changzhi has increased to %.

The afternoon of New Year’s Eve.

Chu Yunfei hurried back to headquarters.

Chu's father, mother and the officers and soldiers from the headquarters also gathered together at this time.

When Chu Yunfei returned.

Chief of Staff Fang Ligong had already changed into casual clothes, tied an apron around his waist, and was serving dishes.

"Brother who has made meritorious service."

"Mr. Yun, everyone is waiting for you..."

Chu Yunfei smiled and nodded, changed into casual clothes, and walked into the restaurant.

Last year’s Chinese New Year.

The troops were making intensive preparations for war, getting ready to go to Shanxi to fight, and there was no festive atmosphere.

This year's Chinese New Year.

Although the soldiers who have been fighting continuously cannot take leave and go home, they still have the opportunity to rest for a few days to relax their tense nerves.

On the dining table.

Chu's father and mother couldn't help but worry about Chu Yunfei's lifelong affairs.

When talking about this matter.

The current commander of the Guard Regiment, Guo Lingfeng (formerly the commander of the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment, the one who commanded the offensive in Teng County) had shining eyes.

Although he didn't dare to say anything, he dared to listen.

Zhang Dayun and Luo Weiguo also had smiles on their faces and wanted to say something.

But under Chu Yunfei's gaze, he chose to shut up.

just.

Chief of Staff Fang Ligong won't care about these.

Even if Chu Yunfei didn't say anything, the dinner party couldn't become awkward.

To put it another way, at this time only Fang Ligong is qualified to speak.

Fang Ligong chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Elders. Commander Chu already has a candidate he likes."

"Oh, which girl is she?" Chu's mother asked immediately.

Chu Yunfei put down the chopsticks he was using to pick up food and glared at Fang Ligong.

Fang Ligong shrank his head and didn't reply.

Father Chu was startled, and immediately turned around to look at Chu Yunfei: "Yunfei, what are you doing? You will be 31 years old next year. Thirty is the age of independence. Even if you are a soldier, you should have started a family by now, right?"

"Thank you for your concern, father. Yunfei has already made plans for this matter. This kind of thing cannot be rushed. Yunfei's marriage is not only related to our Chu family, but also to the officers and soldiers under his command. It cannot be taken lightly." Chu Yunfei said perfunctorily, just wanting to end this family dinner quickly.

Mother Chu muttered, "You have to consider so many things when getting married. It's not like the emperor is choosing a concubine."

Chu Yunfei was helpless and chuckled: "You are such a joker, let's not talk about this anymore, let's eat..."

Before he traveled through time, his parents urged him to get married.

Chu Yunfei, who traveled through time, has to face the same situation.

The most ideal candidate is naturally Miss Song, or Commander Yan’s niece.

No matter which party it is, it will definitely provide considerable help for its subsequent development.

Since Commander Yan mentioned it once last year, he now understands Chu Yunfei's intentions.

But it was never mentioned again.

Kong Yongzhi had given him some advice about the Song family before.

Now that the Minister of Finance has been replaced by T.V. Soong, and even after Kong went to the diplomatic department, he still did not forget to win over Chu Yunfei.

T.V. Soong was also very enthusiastic about this matter.

The two Chen brothers seemed to know that they did not have much competitiveness.

They did not want to interfere in "military affairs" and only wanted to maintain good relations between the two sides, without any further action.

Because of Chu Yunfei, they were unable to interfere in local appointments.

Both sides were able to stand together when trying to trip up Kong Yong.

It is also based on Chen Zejun's rapid rise under Chu Yunfei.

To put it bluntly.

Chu Yunfei is the young master of the Chen family.

After Chen Zejun's position was secured.

The younger generations of the Chen family would naturally choose to send it to him rather than to anyone else.

No one is more suitable to be the leader than Chu Yunfei.

Only by following Chu Yunfei can you have more opportunities and gain a good reputation.

The night after the New Year’s Eve dinner.

After spending a few hours chatting with my parents.

Chu Yunfei stood up, put on the coat that Zhao Pengcheng handed to him, and left his parents' room.

"Sir, it's snowing outside."

Chu Yunfei stepped out of the room and looked up at the sky.

A bright moon hangs overhead.

The snowflakes are falling one by one, and the scenery is beautiful.

"Auspicious snow indicates a good harvest. Next year will definitely be a good year."

Chu Yunfei immediately walked towards the duty room.

Fang Ligong was waiting inside.

Chu Yunfei hung his coat on a rack beside him and said, "Brother Ligong, I was planning to ask you to go to the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters, but it's snowing and the mountain roads are difficult to walk on. I think it's better to forget it."

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate?" Fang Ligong hesitated a little.

"Both the phone and the telegram can let our superiors know that we have expressed our gratitude. As for the New Year's gifts, weren't they delivered in advance?" Chu Yunfei didn't care.

(End of this chapter)