Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

The next morning.

Changzhi, North China Joint Command.

Chu Yunfei stood in front of the huge sand table, holding two newly delivered top-secret intelligence reports in his hands. His brows furrowed slightly, but quickly relaxed, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"Your Excellency."

Fang Ligong stood to the side, holding a cup of strong tea, his eyes filled with deep worry: "The intelligence sent by the Military Intelligence Bureau's Beiping station and Yan'an has matched up."

"The Kwantung Army has moved."

"The 29th and 57th Divisions, which is the limit of the forces that the Kwantung Army can currently mobilize, are rapidly advancing south via the railway."

"It seems that Okamura Yasuji is determined to fight us to the death in North China."

Chu Yunfei casually placed the first intelligence report on the edge of the sand table, his tone calm: "As expected."

"Okamura Yasuji is a gambler, but he has no choice."

"If North China is lost, Manchuria will become an isolated island. If the Kwantung Army does not come to its aid, the Japanese army will have no chance of victory whatsoever."

"Let him come."

Chu Yunfei tapped his fingers lightly on the map: "It's better to lure these elite troops to the North China Plain and eliminate them than to have to go to the icy and snowy Northeast to fight tough opponents in the future."

"Encircling a point to attack reinforcements is not only a tactic, but also a strategy."

"As long as the magnetic pull of the Luxi Plain is strong enough, I can drain the blood of the Kwantung Army little by little!"

Fang Ligong nodded, then his gaze fell on the second document in Chu Yunfei's hand, his expression somewhat strange: "What about this telegram from the Chairman?"

Chu Yunfei waved the telegram in his hand; it was an urgent telegram from the Mountain City Attendant's Office.

Chang Ruiyuan went to great lengths to elaborate in his telegram.

He demanded that North China must make a strong statement and cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in building momentum in the international arena to gain more influence and assistance.

Chu Yunfei smiled, a smile tinged with both sarcasm and satisfaction: "Not bad."

"Kursk was a massacre involving millions of people."

"Sicily was the site of a massive landing involving thousands of warships."

"Although our battle was not small in scale, it's somewhat unfair to try and compare it to those two."

Fang Ligong bluntly stated, "It's a bit like he's trying to glorify himself."

"Whether it's embellishment or creating hype."

Chu Yunfei threw the telegram on the table: "As long as it benefits the country, we will carry this banner!"

"It's better to let the whole world watch how we beat the Japanese devils than to let them think we're just beggars!"

"Call back to Shancheng."

Chu Yunfei said in a deep voice: "All units in North China are ready for the decisive battle. We will live up to the leader's trust and make this battle a turning point on the Eastern battlefield!"

"in addition."

Chu Yunfei changed the subject, a sharp glint in his eyes: "Taking this opportunity, I want to pose a difficult question to Chairman Chiang Kai-shek and to that Comrade Stalin."

Fang Ligong was taken aback: "A difficult problem?"

Chu Yunfei walked to the other end of the map and pointed heavily at the vast black soil north of the Great Wall.

"In order to save North China, the Japanese army dispatched two elite divisions into the pass."

"At present, the defense of Manchuria is more vulnerable than ever before!"

"This is a golden opportunity!"

Chu Yunfei's voice became impassioned: "Command!"

"Send a telegram to Commander Fu, ordering them to boldly advance northward and threaten the Liaoxi Corridor."

"The Northeast Advance Column is to boldly infiltrate northward!"

"besides."

Chu Yunfei's finger continued moving north, crossing the border, and stopped on WM's map: "Suggestions to the General Staff."

“Since we are going to launch a ‘world-class’ counterattack, we must have a world-class vision.”

"what?!"

Fang Ligong was shocked and almost dropped his teacup: "Your Excellency! This is too risky!"

"How could the Soviet Union possibly agree to this?"

"You are aware of the current situation."

“If we station troops there, even if it's just to pass through, it will touch Moscow’s most sensitive nerve!”

Fang Ligong hurriedly walked to the map, pointed to the long line of the Soviet-Mongolian border, and said in a heavy tone: "Your Excellency, you are playing with fire!"

"Although the Soviet Union is currently engaged in fierce fighting in Europe, they still have dozens of divisions in the Far East."

"If we rashly make such a request, not only will it be rejected, but it may even trigger a diplomatic dispute and damage the 'Sino-Soviet friendship' that we have worked so hard to maintain!"

"Moreover, with our current strength, challenging the Soviets would be like throwing an egg against a rock!"

Fang Ligong's concerns are not without merit.

In this era where weak nations have no diplomacy, trying to snatch food from the plates of powerful nations is tantamount to pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

Chu Yunfei listened quietly to Fang Ligong's advice, his expression remaining firm.

He looked at Fang Ligong with a deep and firm gaze: "Brother Ligong, I understand everything you're saying."

"If you're not as strong as others, you won't have the confidence to speak."

"but."

Chu Yunfei took a deep breath and slowly said, "That's precisely why we need to speak out!"

"Outer Mongolia, that is our homeland!"

"If we don't even dare to bring it up now, or even dare to test the waters, then we'll have even less of a chance later!"

"Of course I knew that the Soviet Union would most likely refuse."

Chu Yunfei sneered: "But I'm going to make them refuse!"

"I want Moscow to know, and the whole world to understand, that we Chinese have never forgotten that land!"

"We are fighting Japanese fascism now, and we are contributing to world peace."

"If the Soviet Union is unwilling to even grant this small 'convenience,' then what is the true value of their so-called 'alliance'?"

"This is called testing the waters, or laying the groundwork for something."

Chu Yunfei patted Fang Ligong on the shoulder and said earnestly:
As for strength.

"After we finish this battle, as long as we take over North China and recover Beijing and Tianjin..."

"Then we are qualified, even if it's just a tiny bit qualified, to sit down at the table and talk with Comrade star.LIN!"

"Go and send the message."

"Write it my way. The wording can be euphemistic, but the intention must be clear!"

"We need to make it clear to the Chairman that this is a golden opportunity to recover lost territory and make a name for ourselves in history. He will definitely be tempted."

"Yes!"

Seeing Chu Yunfei's confidence and persistence, Fang Ligong immediately stood at attention, saluted, and turned to send a telegram.

"Where are Xue Jie and Liu Wang located?"

"We have arrived in the area surrounding Liaocheng."

"We are currently extending our attack to both flanks according to the original attack plan, ready to engage and intercept the enemy at any time. The attack posture has now been basically formed."

Li Jingzhong pointed to the battle sand table and then introduced the current situation.

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly, then his consciousness exited the three-dimensional combat map.

Currently, the main targets of the 88th episode are still the 8th Division, the 10th Mixed Brigade, the 2nd Advance Brigade, and the 3rd Advance Brigade.

Unit Name: Japanese 8th Division

Organizational accuracy: 65%

Current combat troop numbers: 23467 (out of 33500)

[Currently primary light weapon type: Type 99 rifle] [Currently primary machine gun type: Type 99 light machine gun; Type 92 heavy machine gun]

[Current main equipment support weapon models: Type 92 infantry gun, 37mm rapid-fire gun]

[Current main heavy weapons: Type 41 75mm mountain gun, Type 38 75mm mountain gun (modified); Type 97 105mm howitzer]

Current equipment status: Good

Current logistical support status: Good

[Current training level of this unit: Well-trained]

The Japanese 8th Division had previously suffered heavy losses and was also targeted in early operations, resulting in a significant decline in its combat effectiveness.

Overall, this is the limit of the current standard equipment of the Japanese army.

Correspondingly.

This was the 1st Advance Brigade formed by the Japanese army to deal with the situation in North and Central China.
[Unit Name: Japanese 2nd Advance Brigade]

Organizational accuracy: 60%

Current combat troop numbers: 6450 (out of 6500)

[Currently the main light weapons in service: Type 38 rifle, Type 38 carbine]

[Currently the main machine gun models in service: Type 11 light machine gun; Type 92 heavy machine gun.]

[Currently, the main support weapon is the Type 92 infantry gun.]

[Current main heavy weapon: Type 31 mountain gun]

Current equipment status: Moderate

Current logistical support status: Good

[Current training level of this unit: Initial training completed]

In 37, even such an advance brigade would have been a force that only a small number of elite troops in the National Revolutionary Army could contend with.

However, nowadays, any combat force that has completed its reorganization in North China is capable of confronting it, and in most cases, it can win.

The fundamental reason is that, after several rounds of organizational reforms, the current Nationalist Army in North China has eliminated the most limiting factor for Chinese troops in combat during the 37 period.

That is, their firepower relied on squad machine guns, and once the squad machine guns were destroyed by the Japanese grenade launchers, morale would drop and the team would collapse.

Nowadays, if a machine gunner is killed, there is a deputy gunner or even a squad leader to take his place.

Class A combat units were equipped with a large number of sniper rifles and mortars, while divisions were directly equipped with mountain guns.

At the regimental level, large-caliber mortars provide support.

Apart from the fact that the artillery equipment on both sides was basically the same, the firepower at all levels basically overwhelmed the Japanese army.

PS: A brigade corresponds to a division-level unit in the National Revolutionary Army.

In terms of troop strength, firepower, personnel allocation, and training, we have the advantage in everything.

There will be no heavy rain in the next ten days, only two days with moderate rain.

Aside from affecting the advance speed of mobile forces, it will have no impact on the overall situation.

Chu Yunfei believed that his chances of winning were close to 90%.

Next, he needs to keep a close eye on the battlefield to prevent that old devil Okamura Neiji from creating a miracle.

Luxi, east of Guanxian County, is the forward command post of the 88th Group Army.

The air was thick with the smell of tobacco, a scent unique to the imminent battle.

The long table was filled with officers, colonels, and lieutenants dressed in crisp military uniforms.

They all stood tall with sharp eyes, exuding the fierce and ruthless aura that had been cultivated by following Chu Yunfei in his campaigns across the country.

"Everyone!"

A deep, resonant voice broke the silence.

Army Commander Xue Jie strode to the head seat, but instead of sitting down, he placed his hands on the edge of the table and swept his gaze across everyone present with lightning speed.

"The Chief Advisor has given his order!"

Swish!
All the officers stood up in unison, their eyes gleaming.

"The Battle of Liaocheng is crucial to the overall counter-offensive in North China. We must win, not lose, and we cannot afford any procrastination!"

Xue Jie's voice was firm and powerful: "With the approval of the General Headquarters and the authorization of the Joint Command, I, Xue Jie, will be in full command of this battle to capture Liaocheng!"

"Yes!"

The generals responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the tent.

Xue Jie gestured for everyone to sit down, then looked at Deputy Commander Liu Wang beside him: "Deputy Commander Liu, please give us an overview of the enemy situation and our battle plan."

"Yes, Commander."

Liu Wang stood up, holding a retractable baton in his hand, a confident, even contemptuous, smile on his face.

He walked to the map and gently tapped the location of Liaocheng with his baton: "Brothers, this time we are facing our old enemy—the Japanese 8th Division."

"but."

Liu Wang changed the subject and sneered, "It's just an empty shell."

"According to reconnaissance and intelligence, the main force of the 17th Regiment of the 8th Division has been basically decimated and its structure is no longer intact."

"The remaining Japanese troops were demoralized and in a state of panic, and they also had to divide their forces to defend the long Jinpu Railway."

"To put it bluntly, the current Eighth Division is like a tiger with its teeth pulled out. It looks scary, but it's actually very weak!"

"Hahahaha!"

A burst of laughter erupted inside the tent.

Commander Kang Huolian, the commander of the advance infantry regiment, cracked his knuckles and grinned as he said, "Deputy Commander, please give the order."

"Commander Kang, don't worry, your time to make a great contribution will come."

Liu Wang waved his hand with a smile, then his expression turned serious. He drew three sharp attack lines on the map with his command baton: "In this operation, we must use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, and we will not give the Japanese any chance to breathe or break through!"

The battle plan is as follows:

"First!" Liu Wang pointed to the left flank of the map, "Order the 306th Division to maneuver northward along the Tuhai River, cut off the connection between Liaocheng and Linqing, block any Japanese reinforcements that may come from the north, and seal off the retreat route for the Japanese troops inside the city to escape north!"

"Second!" The baton swung to the right flank. "Order the 307th Division to advance south to the Dong'e area, cut off the connection between Liaocheng and the Yellow River ferry. Make sure to seal the gap tightly and do not let a single soldier escape!"

The two major generals simultaneously stood up and accepted the order: "Yes, sir!"

"Thirdly, and this is the main event!"

Liu Wang slammed his baton down on the front lines of Liaocheng: "The 308th Division, attached to the Group Army's directly subordinate armored brigade and the 8th Artillery Brigade, will undertake the main attack mission on the front!"

"Yin Chongyue!"

"To!"

Armored brigade commander Yin Chongyue stood up.

"Your armored brigade is the iron fist of this offensive!" Liu Wang stared at him: "Whether we can smash the walls of Liaocheng with one punch depends on you!"

"Don't worry, sir!" Yin Chongyue's tone was calm but exuded absolute confidence. "As long as the infantry brothers keep up, my tanks can deliver shells into the Japanese command post!"

"Kang Fire Scythe!"

"Have!"

"Your advance unit, as the spearhead of the 308th Division, must closely follow the tanks, using half-track vehicles to quickly penetrate into the city, engage in street fighting, and disrupt the enemy's defensive system!"

"Yes!"

"I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Kang Huolian roared.

After completing the deployment, Xue Jie stood up again, his gaze becoming unusually cold.

"Everyone!"

"The Lord is watching us, and all the people of North China are watching us!"

"This time, it's not just about conquering cities and seizing territory, but also about demonstrating the might of our 88th Group Army!"

Xue Jie waved his hand sharply: "All units, return immediately to prepare. At dawn tomorrow, a full-scale offensive will commence. We must utterly annihilate the Eighth Division." (End of Chapter)