Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

North China, bordering Hebei and Shandong provinces.

The scorching summer sun beats down on the North China Plain.

This is the forward departure position of the 88th Group Army.

One step east leads to Liaocheng, and to the south lies the smooth road to Heze.

Fang Ligong stood on a makeshift command post, holding up binoculars and gazing at the vast plains to the east.

On the highway leading to Liaocheng, a convoy of trucks stretched as far as the eye could see, rapidly advancing, carrying wooden crates loaded with 105mm howitzer shells to the artillery positions on the right flank of the southern front.

In the open fields on both sides of the road, rows of long-barreled American howitzers raised their muzzles, pointing directly at the Japanese defense line to the east.

In this counter-offensive, the North China forces concentrated more than 1,500 artillery pieces of various calibers in order to annihilate the main force of the Japanese army in North China in one fell swoop.

This was also in order to successfully complete the corresponding four phases of counter-offensive operations.

Previously, the Northeast Advance Column, the Eighth Route Army's Eastern Expedition Column, and even the Fifth War Zone's combat troops had all conducted brief combat operations.

Its purpose was also to deceive and mislead the Japanese army.

So far, Fang Ligong believes that the operation has had some effect. At least the Japanese army's reaction is much slower than they expected. All units have completed their assembly and advance, while the Japanese army remains inactive.

"Your Excellency, look."

Yin Chongyue, commander of the armored brigade directly under the 88th Group Army, pointed to the tanks not far away, his face full of pride: "Now our vanguard has reached the outskirts of Liaocheng, and in the direction of Heze to the south, the advance troops have also engaged the Japanese in battle."

"With just one order, I can lead my brothers to continue our fierce eastward attack, cut off the Jinpu Railway, and encircle the Japanese devils in Shandong!"

Fang Ligong put down his binoculars, adjusted his glasses, and said in his usual serious and calm tone, "Don't be careless."

"We have pushed the battle line to the Liaocheng and Heze line, which seems to be unstoppable, but this also means that we have already stepped into Okamura Yasuji's core defense circle, and the battles to come will probably be very difficult."

Fang Ligong pointed to the sky in the northeast: "We're not far from Jinan or the capital region from here."

"Just as you said, that old Japanese devil is now like a mad dog cornered against a wall. We are not only putting pressure on him from the front, but also the Fifth Army Group in Puyang and the Thirty-first Army Group in Zhoukou and Bozhou. The three armies are advancing at the same time."

"I wonder what that tough old devil Okamura Neiji will do next."

……

Inside the headquarters of the North China Area Army in Beiping.

The operations room, once adorned with victory flags, is now utterly silent.

On the huge map on the wall, the red area that originally represented the Japanese-controlled area has been compressed into fragments by blue attack arrows.

General Okamura Yasuji sat at the head of the table with a gloomy expression, holding a thick stack of intelligence reports in his hand.

That was top-secret intelligence sent back by agents lurking on the front lines, risking their lives.

"Emergency Report on the Encirclement of the Chinese Army in North China".

"The Sixth Army Group of China has the intention to launch another fierce attack on the areas surrounding Beiping."

"The middle lane is also the most threatening direction!"

"The main force of the 88th Army Group of China has crossed Guanxian and Qinghe, and its advance is aimed directly at Liaocheng and Heze!" Major General Shinichi Kitajima, the chief of staff, said in a trembling voice: "Once Liaocheng falls, Jinan will be directly exposed to the enemy's armored forces. If Heze falls, the southern section of the Jinpu Railway may be cut off by the enemy."

"The Fifth Army Group of China has advanced to the Puyang line, forming a strategic alliance with the Eighty-Eighth Army Group."

Shinichi Kitajima wiped away a cold sweat: "Further south, the 31st Army Group of China is gathering in the Zhoukou and Bozhou area, intending to flank us and completely block our retreat to the south or our access to reinforcements from Central China."

"Commander, this is a typical tactic of breaking through the center and flanking from both sides. The most crucial point is that the main force of the Fifth War Zone in China is currently unknown. We lack aerial reconnaissance units and cannot find out where the main force of the Guangxi Army is now."

"idiot!"

Okamura Neiji slammed the intelligence report on the table, his eyes bloodshot: "Chu Yunfei intends to completely annihilate our North China Area Army on the plains!"

He stood up and paced anxiously in the operations room.

If we do nothing, we'll wait until the Chinese army completes its final offensive along the Liaocheng, Heze, and Puyang line.

Then the North China Front Army would really have no choice but to sit and wait for its demise.

"Can't wait any longer!"

Okamura Neiji abruptly stopped, a ruthless determination flashing in his eyes: "Instead of waiting for them to cut off the Jinpu Railway, we should strike first and disrupt their offensive rhythm!"

He walked to the map and slammed his baton down on the junction of Liaocheng and Puyang: "This is the junction of the 88th Group Army and the 5th Group Army of China, and it is also the key area for their armored forces to deploy."

"They must think we're already like frightened birds, only hiding in Jinan and Tai'an to defend."

"Then I'll do the opposite!"

Okamura Neiji turned around and gave orders to his staff:
"Give me the order!"

"Concentrate all available artillery pieces of 105mm or larger caliber and secretly move them to the east bank of the old course of the Yellow River!"

"At dawn the day after tomorrow, launch a rapid artillery barrage against the Chinese army's assembly points outside Liaocheng and north of Puyang."

"Cover their attack launch sites with poison gas, paralyze their command system, and turn their armored torrent into a pile of scrap metal!"

"But."

Shinichi Kitajima hesitated, "We don't have air superiority. Chinese aircraft are very active on the front lines in Liaocheng and Puyang."

"Once the artillery positions are exposed..."

"Therefore, we need support."

Okamura Neiji took a deep breath, seemingly making some extremely difficult decision.

"Immediately send a telegram to the headquarters of the Chinese Expeditionary Army."

"Make it clear to them that North China is in imminent danger!"

"The Jinpu Railway is in imminent danger!"

"If the Chinese army were to gain a foothold in Liaocheng and Heze, not only would North China be in jeopardy, but Central China would also lose its northern shield!"

"I beg, no, I plead!"

"From Central China and from Wuhan, draw all available fighter jets, even reconnaissance planes, and send them north to provide support!"

"I need even an hour of air superiority to cover this shelling!"

"Hay."

……

Nanjing, the headquarters of the China Expeditionary Army.

Hata Shunroku looked at the urgent telegram from Beiping in his hand, his hand trembling slightly.

He muttered to himself, "Is North China going to fall too?"

"Your Excellency, Commander."

The operations staff officer standing nearby cautiously reminded him, "The air force in Central China is also stretched thin."

"The 3rd Airborne Regiment suffered heavy losses in the previous Battle of Western Hubei, and now has less than fifty aircraft that can fly."

"Furthermore, the Chinese Air Force is very active around Wuhan; if they were to be transferred..."

"Adjust!"

Hata Shunroku suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse but resolute.

"What's the point of holding Wuhan if we lose North China?!"

"That's the empire's northern gate!"

"It is the lifeline connecting Manchuria!"

"Once the Chinese army breaks through Liaocheng and Heze and cuts off the Jinpu Railway, our hundreds of thousands of troops in Central China will be trapped like turtles in a jar!"

Hata Shunroku grabbed the red and blue pencils on the table and drew a line on the map.

"Operation plan approved by Okamura Yasuji!"

"Order the remnants of the 3rd Flying Division, as well as all army aviation units around Wuhan, to immediately transfer to the north!"

"Even if we have to ram him with our fuselage, we have to buy Okamura-kun time to fire his artillery!"

"This is for the survival of our brother's country!"

……

Early morning three days later.

North China Plain, western Shandong front.

A thin mist enveloped the open fields surrounding Liaocheng, and all was quiet.

However, on the east side of the old course of the Yellow River controlled by the Japanese army, dozens of camouflage nets were removed.

The dark muzzles of cannons were all pointed at the assembly point of the 88th Group Army of foreign troops, several kilometers to the west.

at the same time.

On the distant horizon, dozens of black dots clung to the clouds, emitting a mournful buzzing sound, hurtling toward the north.

That was the last bit of air power the Japanese army had cobbled together from Central China.

With a death wish, they attempted to cast the last spark of evil onto this land that was about to boil over.

"Fire—!!!"

With a command from the Japanese artillery commander, dozens of 150mm heavy guns roared simultaneously!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Countless poison gas and high-explosive shells, carrying the scent of death, shattered the tranquility of dawn and slammed into the Nationalist army positions on the outskirts of Liaocheng and north of Puyang.

The explosion's flames instantly engulfed the front line, while at the same time, yellowish-green toxic smoke began to spread across the plain.
The position of the vanguard regiment of the 88th Group Army.

The sun continued to rise, illuminating this brutal battlefield.

The once neatly arranged attack positions are now a scene of devastation. Dozens of once imposing American-made M4A3 Sherman tanks are now either lying in shell craters with broken tracks or with black smoke still billowing from their engine covers.

Even more tragically, the trucks and towed artillery, which had no armor protection, were directly hit by the Japanese army's large-caliber heavy artillery, and their parts were scattered everywhere.

The air was filled with a nauseating smell of bitter almonds and burnt odor—the poison gas bombs used by the Japanese army.

"Chief, cough cough."

A major, wearing a gas mask, stumbled up to Fang Ligong, his voice muffled and panicked through the rubber mask: "The casualty statistics are in."

Fang Ligong took off his gas mask, his face ashen, the shock in his eyes not yet completely gone.

He never expected that Okamura Yasuji, who was already at his limit, would still have the courage and ability to deliver such a vicious hook punch when the Nationalist army in North China was pressing in on all fronts!

"Read!"

"My vanguard armored brigade lost seven tanks and five tracked vehicles."

"The left-wing artillery positions were severely damaged, twelve 105mm howitzers were destroyed, and more than a dozen ammunition trucks exploded."

The major's voice trembled slightly: "Casualties: over 130 dead, and over 400 wounded and incapacitated by poison gas and artillery fire, including over 300 seriously wounded, I'm afraid..."

"The most crucial thing is that the brothers did not expect the Japanese to dare to launch an attack, and they used poison gas right away, which greatly damaged their morale."

"Did the troops launch a counterattack according to the emergency plan?"

"Commander, the Japanese have escaped."

"Yes, according to reconnaissance reports, after the Japanese artillery carried out five rapid firing rounds, they quickly moved to a new position using pre-prepared trucks and mules before our counter-fire could reach them, and they even forgot to remove their camouflage nets."

Looking at the devastated battlefield, Fang Ligong gritted his teeth: "Hit and run, that old fox Okamura Neiji is playing guerrilla warfare with us!"

Although the casualties in this round of shelling were acceptable, the amount of material losses was not significant.

But this was a psychological blow to the "ace of ace" team in episode 88.

They were used to overwhelming the Japanese, but on the eve of the general offensive, they were slapped hard by the Japanese.

……

Changzhi, North China Joint Command.

The "drip-drip-drip" of the telegraph machine sounded like a death knell.

Chu Yunfei looked at the battle damage report in his hand, his face calm and composed, but the knuckles of his hands, which were tightly gripping the teacup, were slightly white.

The number of casualties in Fang Ligong's troops is still under control.

The Fifth Army Group north of Puyang suffered heavy casualties. Their assembly point was shelled by the Japanese army, killing hundreds on the spot and losing nearly half a regiment.

That damn Okamura Yasuji.

This move was truly ruthless. Although the various units had made corresponding preparations for engaging the enemy, they did not expect that Okamura Yasuji would gather a small number of heavy artillery units in advance for concentrated use.

"Your Excellency."

Lin Wei walked in with a solemn expression: "I just received an urgent telegram from the General Headquarters."

"The Chairman was furious about the setback suffered by the vanguard, but he also expressed his understanding of the Japanese army's desperate struggle."

"Command Headquarters orders: In view of the frontline being attacked with poison gas, the morale of the troops is wavering, and the battle has entered a critical moment, Chief Advisor Chu is requested to depart immediately to personally command the frontline, in order to stabilize the morale of the troops and boost their spirits!"

Chu Yunfei put down his teacup and let out a long breath: "I understand."

He stood up, walked to the map, and looked over the Taihang Mountains, landing on the red and blue area in western Shandong: "Okamura Neiji wants to use this counterattack to disrupt our plans and delay our attack."

……

Half an hour later, Chu Yunfei was in the courtyard of his mansion in Changzhi.

The aroma of food still lingers in the cozy restaurant.

Song Wenying was setting the table with her son Chu Guanghua when she saw Chu Yunfei suddenly return. A surprised smile appeared on her face: "Yunfei?"

"Why is it so early today?"

"Quickly, wash your hands and eat. I made your favorite Shanxi-style braised pork today."

Four-year-old Chu Guanghua, clutching a small wooden toy gun, cheered and rushed towards Chu Yunfei: "Daddy! Daddy, hug me!"

Chu Yunfei squatted down, picked up his son, and kissed his rosy little face. The stubble prickled the little guy, making him giggle.

Looking at his wife's gentle smile and his son's innocent eyes, he felt an indescribable pang of sorrow and reluctance.

Since returning from Qiongzhou Island, he hasn't had a proper chance to spend more than a few days with his family.

"Wenying."

Chu Yunfei put his son down, patted his head, and told him to go play by himself.

Then he walked up to his wife and gently took her hand.

Looking into her husband's deep, apologetic eyes, Song Wenying's smile gradually froze, then transformed into understanding and strength: "Are you leaving again?"

She asked softly, her voice filled with deep concern, not complaint.

"Ah."

Chu Yunfei nodded, his throat tightening slightly: "There's been a problem at the front. The Japanese used poison gas, and there have been some casualties in the troops. The Chairman has sent me to the front to keep an eye on things."

"This battle is the decisive battle in North China, and I must go."

Song Wenying took a deep breath, took his hand in return, and straightened his slightly disheveled collar: "You are the war commander of the Party and the country, the backbone of hundreds of thousands of brothers."

"National affairs are of utmost importance. Don't worry about me at home."

"But," her eyes reddened slightly, "the battlefield is ruthless, and poison gas is even more unpredictable. You must be careful. Guanghua and I are waiting for you to come home for a victory celebration."

Chu Yunfei felt a surge of warmth in his heart and pulled his wife into a tight embrace: "I promise you, after we finish this battle and drive the Japanese out of North China, I will come back and spend quality time with you."

There isn't much sentimentality about children.

Only silent tenderness and support.

After all, many years have passed, and both sides have long since become accustomed to this situation of being apart more often than together.

ten minutes later.

Chu Yunfei carried a simple bag and walked out of his house.

Next to the jeep.

He stopped and looked back.

Behind the second-floor window, Song Wenying was holding Chu Guanghua and waving to him.

Chu Yunfei resolutely turned around and got into the car: "To the airport!"

On the way to the airport, Chu Yunfei unfolded the letter in the bumpy car.

He first wrote a telegram to Yan Laoxi, who was worshipping Buddha at Mount Wutai.

"Yan Gongjun: The vanguard of the unit was attacked by enemy poison gas in Luxi and suffered a minor setback."

The Japanese invaders, driven to desperation, launched a frantic counterattack; this was their struggle before their demise.

I am ordered to rush to the front line immediately to supervise the battle. I will take the lead and vow to annihilate the stubborn enemy in order to repay the Party and the country and to comfort Your Excellency's kindness in nurturing me.

The counter-offensive in North China is now underway, and victory is just around the corner. I hope Your Excellency will take a period of quiet rest and recuperation at Mount Wutai and take good care of your health.

Sheng, Yunfei, kowtowed.

Although he is now a commander-in-chief in his own right, Yan Laoxi has retired to the background and is now eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures on Mount Wutai, no longer involved in specific military affairs.

But Chu Yunfei never neglected to show courtesy and respect to his former superior.

This is not only about interpersonal relationships, but also the key to maintaining the morale of the former troops of the Jin-Sui Army in North China.

Subsequently.

He spread out another sheet of paper, but his hand, as he picked up the pen, seemed somewhat heavy.

This is a letter to my parents back home.

"To my dear parents: Your son Yunfei respectfully reports."

Since I joined the army, I have dedicated myself to serving the country, offering my body to the nation and my blood to the Yellow Emperor.

Although I have fought for many years and have been fortunate enough to achieve some minor success, I have been away from home for many years and have not been able to fulfill my filial duties. Whenever I think of this, my heart aches and I feel extremely guilty.

The war in North China has now reached a critical juncture. Although the Japanese invaders are weakened, they are still fighting like cornered beasts. Poison gas is spreading across the fields, and the people are suffering.

As a soldier, I have a duty to defend our land. Now I am ordered to personally lead the three armies to fight the Japanese invaders on the front lines.

Since ancient times, it is difficult to have both loyalty and filial piety.

If you can drive out the Japanese invaders and restore our homeland, then you will have done the greatest filial piety for your parents.

If anything happens to your child, I hope you, my dear parents, will not worry about him or me, and will take good care of yourselves.

Words cannot fully express my thoughts; as I write, my mind wanders.

"You unfilial son, Yunfei, bow a hundred times."

After writing the last word, Chu Yunfei folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and solemnly handed it to the guard beside him.

"This telegram was sent to the Wutaishan Office of the Second World War Zone."

"Send this letter back to my hometown."

The guard took the letter, his eyes reddening: "Sir."

Chu Yunfei waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the rapidly receding scenery outside the car window, his eyes hardening again: "No need for further words. No matter when or where, we must prioritize the affairs of the nation and its people."

The jeep kicked up a cloud of dust as it sped towards the airport, where fighter jets roared. (End of Chapter)