Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

The river surface had completely transformed into a sea of ​​death.

The burning ships, like giant torches, turned the river water a blood red. Debris from the explosions mingled with torn corpses, drifting downstream.

Countless wounded Japanese soldiers who fell into the river struggled and cried out in the icy water, only to be swallowed up by the merciless whirlpool.

Nanjing, the headquarters of the China Expeditionary Army.

Inside the operations room, Admiral Hata Shunroku held a cup of hot tea and waited quietly.

He was waiting for news from Yichang, for the farewell telegram of the defending troops' tragic deaths, and for news that the fleet carrying the last embers of the 11th Army had reached safe waters.

"report!"

A confidential staff officer stumbled in, his face deathly pale, his voice shrill and piercing with extreme fear: "Commander! An urgent telegram has arrived from the Navy!"

Hata Shunroku's heart sank suddenly, and an extremely ominous premonition instantly gripped him.

"Read!"

"Our escort fleet was subjected to a barrage of artillery fire from the Chinese army in the waters downstream of Yichang..." The confidential staff officer's voice trembled. "All ships were sunk or severely damaged, none survived! The thousands of wounded soldiers and technical personnel being transferred suffered heavy casualties."

"Bang!"

The teacup in Hata Shunroku's hand slipped and shattered on the polished floor.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could the Chinese troops around Yichang possibly hit a moving ship at night!"

"It's true, Your Excellency Commander."

The staff officer almost cried: "The troops who participated in the battle saw it with their own eyes. Those shells were like they had eyes... They were extremely accurate and carried out a comprehensive artillery bombardment of our Yichang port. They were using large-caliber heavy artillery."

Hata Shunroku let go of his hand, staggered back two steps, and fell heavily onto the chair.

He understood, he understood completely.

Chu Yunfei's goal from the very beginning was not Yichang City.

He allowed Yichang to become an isolated city.

He held back, all his waiting was for this moment!
In order to wipe out his elite force, which he had painstakingly tried to preserve!
His own "golden cicada shedding its shell" plan.

In Chu Yunfei's eyes, it was nothing more than a joke of someone walking into a trap.

He not only saw through it, but also set up an even more ruthless and ingenious scheme.

“He’s not attacking the city…” Hata Shunroku muttered to himself, his voice filled with endless despair and frustration. “He’s… attacking our fleet. He had already predicted that our army and navy would be more united than ever after this battle, so he had made preparations long ago. Those days of aerial reconnaissance were all in preparation for their artillery bombardment.”

He stood to one side, his face ashen.

Just how formidable is that man named Chu Yunfei?

“Commander…” Kawabe Seizo’s voice was extremely hoarse, “It’s not just the wounded… To ensure the safety of the convoy, we are now transporting a large amount of heavy equipment and ammunition needed for the next phase of the operation…”

Hata Shunroku did not listen any further.

He simply closed his eyes slowly, and his wrinkled face was completely drained of color.

The plan to shatter the jade has failed completely.

Not only did he fail to preserve the 11th Army, but he also sent them, along with their precious combat supplies, into the surging torrent of the Yangtze River.

Yichang, the meat grinder he originally intended to use to wear down the enemy, has now become a truly isolated city with no way out.

This is a death trap for the 11th Army.

With two main divisions and the main forces of some divisions annihilated, the 11th Army, the most powerful field army, was bound to cease to exist.

Even maintaining a strategic presence in Central China will be a pipe dream!
the other side.

Inside the joint command post in Changzhi, North China.

A crucial operational meeting is being held in the enormous operational conference room.

Around a long oval conference table, a constellation of stars gathered.

Qian Bojun, Fang Ligong, Fu Zuoyi, Sun Weiru...

Each of them was a general who commanded tens of thousands of troops and played a pivotal role on the North China battlefield.

Their uniforms were crisp and straight, the stars on their collar insignia gleaming coldly in the dim light, but each of them wore a complex expression that was hard to describe.

The main position is empty.

That position belongs to the War Commander.

Chief of Staff Lin Wei sat to the side of the main seat.

The teacup in front of him had long since gone cold, but he simply ran his fingers unconsciously along the inside of the cup, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present.

The newly appointed deputy commander-in-chief, Li Zongren, sat opposite him.

The Guangxi clique leader remained silent and composed, like an observer detached from the situation. However, his deep eyes swept across the faces of the crowd without making a sound, taking in every subtle expression.

"cough."

Lin Wei cleared her throat, breaking the unsettling silence.

He gently pushed a document to the center of the table: "Gentlemen."

"This is the first draft of the 'North China Phase III Counter-Offensive Operation Plan' prepared by our staff over a period of half a month based on opinions from all parties."

Lin Wei changed the subject, his gaze sharpening, "Just yesterday, Your Excellency sent a secret telegram from the front lines in northern Hubei."

"He offered some new suggestions for adjustments to the plan."

A suppressed commotion arose inside the room.

“Your Excellency believes,” Lin Wei continued, ignoring the reactions of the crowd, “that the original plan was too detailed, even specifying the attack routes of each division down to the specific villages and towns.”

"To paraphrase Chief Advisor Chu: 'Plans are rigid, but the battlefield is dynamic. Now that radios have been deployed to the regimental level, we possess unprecedented on-the-spot command capabilities. To continue using old methods to tie everyone's hands and feet would be irresponsible to the soldiers on the front lines.'"

Commander-in-Chief Fang Ligong of the 88th Group Army frowned and said in a deep voice, "Does Chief of Staff Lin mean that Your Excellency has completely rejected our plan that we have worked hard on for half a month?"

"It's not a rejection."

Lin Wei slowly shook his head, "Instead, we hope that we will focus on strategic goals rather than tactical details."

"Your Excellency means that the command headquarters is only responsible for defining the main direction of attack and the ultimate strategic objectives. As for how to fight the battle, frontline commanders should be given greater autonomy."

this statement.

This eased the expressions of the "bosses" present, but it also made the discussion that followed more direct and sharp.

Wang Zhonglian, commander-in-chief of the 31st Army Group, was the first to stand up.

He walked to the huge battle map and slammed his baton heavily onto the Jinpu Railway.

"If we're going to fight, we must strike where the enemy is weak!"

"I suggest we focus our main attack on northern Jiangsu!"

"As long as we can cut off the Jinpu Railway, Okamura Yasuji's hundreds of thousands of troops in North China will be trapped like turtles in a jar."

"The Japanese army's connections in Central and North China will also be completely severed! This is a solution that will solve the problem once and for all!"

“Brother Jie Ren, you are mistaken!” Qian Bojun, commander-in-chief of the Sixth Army Group, immediately retorted. He also stood up and pointed his baton to the dense red area around Beiping and Tianjin on the other side of the map.

"Strike the snake at its vital point; capture the thief by capturing his king!"

"Okamura Yasuji's stronghold is in Beijing and Tianjin!"

"We have a strong army, with the advantages of heavy artillery and air force. Why not concentrate our main force and strike at the heart of the enemy with overwhelming force?"

"Once we capture Beiping and Tianjin, the Japanese army in North China will surely collapse!"

"This is truly a battle that will decide the fate of the world!"

Even the steady veteran general Fu Zuoyi couldn't help but speak up, "Beijing and Tianjin are the Japanese army's strongholds, which have been cultivated for many years. They have strong fortifications and a large number of troops."

"Has Commander-in-Chief Qian calculated the cost of a full-scale attack?"

"If we get bogged down in a tough battle and our morale is dampened, and Okamura Yasuji then sends troops from beyond the Great Wall to launch a counterattack, how will we respond?"

Qian Bojun, who already had a plan in mind, immediately replied, "The battlefield outside the Great Wall is also crucial in this operation. The Northeast Advance Army only needs to feign an eastward advance and receive reinforcements from Commander Fu, then the Japanese invaders will certainly not dare to return with their full strength."

Immediately, a heated debate erupted in the meeting room.

The two factions, advocating "severing its waist and abdomen" and "directly attacking its heartland," each held their own views and refused to yield to the other.

The other generals also spoke up, some in support and others observing.

Some proposed new solutions, and the entire conference room instantly transformed into a noisy marketplace.

Li Zongren remained silent, simply watching as these top generals of the North China battlefield, like a pack of wolves vying for prey, plotted their ambitions on the map.

He sighed inwardly.

The commander-in-chief indeed has a multitude of fierce generals under his command.

But it is precisely because of this that this force is even more difficult to control. He had no opportunity to interfere in North China military affairs, and Chang Ruiyuan had neither the ability nor the qualifications.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Lin Wei raised her hand and gently tapped the table with her knuckles, making a crisp "tap-tap" sound.

The argument gradually subsided, and everyone's attention returned to him.

“What you all say makes sense.”

Lin Wei first affirmed everyone's opinions, then changed the subject and dropped a bombshell: "Just this morning, I received a high-level notification from the US, forwarded by the General Headquarters."

He paused, then said slowly and deliberately, "US President Roosevelt has extended a formal invitation to Chairman Chiang to convene a high-level meeting in the second half of this year to discuss the strategy for the final offensive against Japan with British Prime Minister Churchill."

"what?"

"Chief, this news is extremely important!"

This news was like a bomb, exploding in the conference room!
Lin Wei's gaze swept over the shocked faces of the crowd, and his voice became extremely solemn: "Gentlemen, this means that our next battle is not only for the Japanese, but also for the Americans, the British, and the whole world!"

"It will directly determine where China will sit in the post-war world order!"

He took a deep breath and stated his final conclusion: "Therefore, Your Excellency emphasized four words at the end of the telegram."

"Stability! Seek progress while maintaining stability!"

These four words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing all radical thoughts.

Qian Bojun muttered to himself, the excitement on his face fading and replaced by a solemn expression: "Seeking progress while maintaining stability, this is another political battle, and it probably won't be easy. Once it starts, we'll definitely be constrained."

"Yes."

Lin Wei nodded. "We need a victory of sufficient significance to demonstrate our strength and gain more say for the Chairman at the Cairo Conference; but we absolutely cannot be rash or cause any major setbacks, lest it affect the Allied assessment of our overall strength. It's difficult for us to satisfy the Chairman while also gaining high recognition from our allies. In addition, due to the Japanese bacteriological warfare, a lot of resources in North China have been used here."

After a brief silence, the conference room erupted into an even more heated debate than before.

"If we want stability, then we should definitely build the Jinpu Railway!"

"Cutting off the railway, proceeding steadily and cautiously, step by step—that's the safest approach!" Wang Zhonglian's voice rang out again.

He was originally from Xiao County, and if he had the opportunity, he could restore his hometown.

Of course, they are willing to take the lead.

"wrong!"

"Stability does not mean cowardice! Taking the outskirts of Beijing and Tianjin with lightning speed will demonstrate our determination and strength in besieging the city. This is the greatest encouragement to our allies!" Qian Bojun was equally unyielding. He was unwilling to continue fighting in the Beijing area, but he would definitely oppose what Wang Zhonglian proposed.

This was both a rejection of Tang Enbo's former subordinates and a reinforcement of their own stance.

Even if he somewhat agreed with Wang Zhonglian's ideas, he couldn't reveal it.

Qian Bojun is not Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei could forgive past grievances, but he couldn't.

"I believe that launching an attack from Chahar to threaten the puppet state of Manchukuo would better align with the Soviet Union's and the United States' strategies in the north!"

Fu Zuoyi also put forward his own proposal.

"My Fifth Army Group can..."

"My Northeast Advance Army..."

Suddenly, everyone began to repackage their battle plans around the phrase "seeking progress while maintaining stability," vying to emphasize that their own defense zone was the most crucial main direction of attack.

The commander pointed and gestured on the map, spittle flying everywhere, everyone wanting to be the examiner in this "great test" that would determine the fate of the nation and their own future.

Looking at the scene before him, which was both vibrant and chaotic, Li Zongren's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

He picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, and understood immediately.

In this game of chess, although the board is large and there are many pieces, only one person can ultimately make a move.

However, the question remains whether this game can continue.

It's not just about the person playing the game.
-
mountain city.

In Stilwell's office.

As the host, he stood in front of the huge battle map with a rather excited expression, pointing and gesturing without saying a word, seemingly lost in thought.

Soon, Bradley arrived at Stilwell's office with a delighted expression.

He held a newly translated telegram in his hand; the thin piece of paper seemed to gleam with gold in his eyes.

"General, your perseverance has brought about the final victory!"

"Oh? Tell me about my victories."

Stilwell asked the question knowing the answer, enjoying this long-lost feeling of comfort.

"First and foremost, of course, is the Western Hubei battlefield!" Bradley walked to the huge map of the Far East theater, waving his baton excitedly. "Chu Yunfei, that Eastern War God, he has once again created a miracle!"

"According to the 'embellished' but still shocking battle report from the Sixth War Zone, they annihilated the main force of nearly three divisions of the Japanese 11th Army!"

"My God, General, what does this mean?"

Bradley answered his own question: "This means that the Japanese offensive force in Central China has been completely crippled!"

He paused, his tone filled with admiration for Chu Yunfei: "He's simply a tactical genius!"

"First, he used Wang Jinzai, that disobedient pawn, to disrupt the entire battle situation. Then, he used the Guangxi Army to hold the enemy back on the northern front. Finally, just when everyone thought he was going to fight the Japanese to the death at the Shipai Fortress, until the very end, 'Bang!'"

Bradley made an exaggerated firing gesture.

"He used the heavy artillery we provided to cut off the Japanese retreat route."

"Their fleet was sent to the bottom of the Yangtze River!"

"My God, I have never seen such a sharp, bold, and 'unreasonable' style of play!"

“That’s exactly Chu’s style.” Stilwell took a smug puff of his cigar and exhaled a beautiful smoke ring. “He’s like a top-notch poker player who can always throw out a royal flush when you least expect it.”

"I didn't expect their artillery to be so accurate. It seems that our air force intelligence provided a lot of help."

Bradley smiled and nodded, then raised the telegram high, his voice rising as he said, "General, this is your true victory! A personal reply from Chu Yunfei!"

Stilwell didn't take it immediately, but simply raised an eyebrow, signaling him to read it aloud.

Bradley cleared his throat and read in a solemn tone: "'The battle in western Hubei is over, and the overall situation in central China is settled. In order to cooperate with the Allied overall strategy and fulfill our country's international obligations, the Annamite troops under my Expeditionary Force are hereby authorized to cooperate with your unit to carry out the next phase of the island-seizing and landing operation, effective immediately. Specific details are to be discussed as soon as possible.'"

After reading it aloud, Bradley excitedly pumped his fist: "General!"

"He agreed! He finally agreed!"

"That stubborn Easterner has finally given in to you!"

“A concession?” Stilwell took the telegram, his fingers lightly tracing the familiar signature, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “No, Bradley, this isn’t a concession, it’s a deal.”

"trade?"

Bradley was somewhat confused.

“Yes.” Stilwell walked to the globe and slowly turned it: “Chu Yunfei used a brilliant victory that could shut Washington up to gain absolute command and tactical freedom on the Central China battlefield.”

"Now that the war is over, he needs to cash in his 'bargaining chips' to us, to the President."

He paused, a shrewd glint in his eyes: "Moreover, he chose the perfect timing."

"The great victory in western Hubei brought his prestige to its peak, and gave him more confidence in negotiations with us."

He was telling us, "Look, this is my strength. Cooperate with me, and you'll get more. I'm the best partner."

Stilwell strolled back to his desk, picked up a pen, and began writing rapidly on a blank telegram draft.

"However, in any case, this is my victory."

His voice was full of smug satisfaction, “That stubborn old man (Chang Ruiyuan) wants to keep the best troops in the country, and Chu Yunfei wants to use these troops to fight his own war.”

But in the end, they all have to follow my script!

The expeditionary force will win glory for me and for the United States of America in the Pacific!

He handed the completed telegram to Bradley, his face beaming with undisguised excitement.

“Call me back immediately!”

"Tell Chu that I am proud of his victory! And excited about our upcoming cooperation!"

Stilwell's tone became impassioned: "Tell him I will report to General Marshall immediately! I will personally secure the latest and greatest aid for the Expeditionary Force and his North China troops!"

Tanks, airplanes, heavy artillery!

"Whatever he wants, I'll get it for him!"

"As long as he can get the Annamese army to appear where they're supposed to be as soon as possible!" (End of Chapter)