Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Northern Henan.

The Fifth Army Headquarters on the Puyang Front.

The rain was drizzling outside the tent.

The already muddy road became even more difficult to pass.

Commander-in-Chief Tang Huaiyuan stood in front of the sand table, his brows furrowed, but the fighting spirit in his eyes remained undiminished.

On the map, the thunderous offensive of the friendly 88th Group Army deeply stimulated him.

Xue Jie captured Liaocheng, and Yin Chongyue's tanks are speeding towards Jinan.

If the Fifth Army, which is supporting the right flank, does not take action soon, it may not even get a taste of the spoils.

Their second-phase operational objective is Jining, and they are working towards that goal right now.

"Send the order!"

Tang Huaiyuan turned around abruptly and ordered the operations director behind him: "Order the 40th and 27th Armies to advance eastward along the entire front three days ahead of schedule, cross the old course of the Yellow River, and strike directly at the Yuncheng-Liangshan line!"

"We must be like a nail, firmly anchored at the southern gate of Jinan, and cooperate with Commander Xue to complete the encirclement of the Japanese army in Shandong!"

"Yes!"

The operations chief was about to accept the order and leave.

"Wait!"

A sharp shout interrupted Tang Huaiyuan's plan.

Staff Officer Pang Qingzhen, drenched in sweat and with his boots covered in mud, rushed into the command post without even wiping the rain from his forehead: "Commander-in-Chief, we can't fight! We can't move now!"

Tang Huaiyuan's face darkened, his eyes widening: "Pang Qingzhen, have you lost your mind?"

"A fleeting opportunity!"

"Xue Jie's side has already launched an attack. If we keep dawdling here, where will the Fifth Army Group put its face? How can I explain this to the Commander?"

"Commander-in-Chief, it is not that I am afraid of battle."

Pang Qingzhen, with a bitter face, spread a stack of reports on the table, his tone full of helplessness: "We just did an emergency inventory, and our current ammunition reserves, especially the shells for the 75mm mountain guns and mortar shells, are only two basic units."

Tang Huaiyuan was somewhat puzzled: "Where are the grain and medicine?"

"Food and drink are plentiful, but medicine is in short supply."

"If we force our way out now, we may have a hard time breaking through the enemy's defenses if we encounter fierce resistance from the Japanese army."

Tang Huaiyuan was even more puzzled: "I just signed the papers a few days ago to receive a batch of American aid supplies, how come there's no ammunition?!"

Pang Qingzhen sighed and pointed to the muddy road outside: "We have supplies, but we can't get them in!"

"Commander-in-Chief, our truck regiment still hasn't been fully equipped with trucks."

Tang Huaiyuan sighed. "I know about the car corps' situation."

He was aware of this matter as well.

Although there was a motor transport regiment in name only, he was actually assigned less than thirty vehicles, which was less than one-third of the authorized number.

Pang Qingzhen continued, "In addition, there have been continuous heavy rains in the past few days. The old course of the Yellow River is already a muddy mess. Mule carts can still manage, but cars have long been stuck in the mud and can't move!"

"At this critical juncture, any loss of transport capacity is irresponsible to the war effort, especially when the trucks will be able to be deployed to the front lines."

Pang Qingzhen explained, "I'm afraid it will be very difficult, Commander. According to the latest economic coordination regulations of the North China Joint Command, in order to ensure the economic recovery of North China, especially to maintain 'civilian trade' with the Soviet Union and the flow of materials from the Northwest Horse Administration."

"A significant portion of the trucks provided by the United States were directly allocated to newly established transportation companies and trade groups in various regions as soon as they came off the production line or arrived at the port."

"Two-thirds of the vehicles in our Fifth Army's motor transport regiment are probably hauling wool and canned goods on their way to the Northwest or the border right now."

"Our insufficient transportation capacity can only be met by collecting mules, horses, and flatbed carts from the people."

Tang Huaiyuan was quite annoyed by the current problems, but remained silent out of fear of contradicting the General Headquarters' strategy.

But right now, he couldn't admit it was his fault, so he could only feign a reprimand and say, "Why didn't you report it sooner?"

Pang Qingzhen lowered his head, looking aggrieved, but he knew perfectly well what was going on in his heart: "Commander-in-Chief, I also have my own difficulties."

“We fought in northern Henan before, which was close to the rear, and we could manage with mules and horses.”

"But no one expected that this counterattack would be so big and so fast!"

"The battle line has suddenly stretched by over a hundred kilometers, and on top of that, this awful weather..."

Pang Qingzhen pointed to the railway lines on the map and continued, "I've also thought about applying for railway supplies, but as you can see, the current railway network is already at full capacity."

"The Tongpu Railway and Pinghan Railway to the north are where the Sixth Army Group, which is given priority to protecting Commander Qian, and the Northeast Advance Column, which is preparing to break through the pass."

"The eastern section of the Longhai Railway in the south has just been opened up, and we must prioritize ensuring the safety of the 31st Group Army and the Eastern Expeditionary Column."

"Our Fifth Army Group is caught in the middle, so we're completely ignored and the railway transport capacity simply doesn't reach us."

"Now we are facing a formidable enemy ahead, have no supplies behind, and have to contend with the heavens in the middle."

Tang Huaiyuan was also quite helpless after hearing this.

This is not a mistake at a particular point, nor is it the dereliction of duty by any one person; it is an inevitable growing pain under the overall strategic plan.

Chu Yunfei is playing a very big game, aiming for both military victory and economic growth.

This means that it is impossible to be all-encompassing in resource allocation.

The Fifth Army Group, which is "not a direct descendant of the Central Army" and is located in the middle zone.

When resources are scarce, it is naturally relegated to a lower priority position.

Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

Tang Huaiyuan looked at the alluring city of Jining on the map, his heart filled with resentment.

But he knew even better that if he led a unit that had run out of ammunition and food to charge forward, it wouldn't be heroic; it would be suicide, and it would be irresponsible towards the lives of tens of thousands of his brothers.

a long time.

Tang Huaiyuan sighed deeply, his expression becoming weary and helpless: "I still need to report this matter to Your Excellency."

"Sir, I'll go draft the telegram right away."

"Wait a minute, this telegram can't be sent out so dryly."

“Simply complaining is like a beggar. We are a regular army, a well-organized combat force. We must be reasonable and have evidence, and we must also give our superiors enough face.”

Tang Huaiyuan turned to his staff officer Pang Qingzhen and said, "I will dictate it myself, and you can polish it."

Pang Qingzhen quickly picked up a pen and paper and pricked up his ears.

"Your Excellency's Honor:"

Tang Huaiyuan's voice was calm and slow, each word carefully considered:
"The troops were ordered to advance eastward. The morale of the entire army was high. Despite the adverse weather conditions of continuous rain and muddy roads, they remained ready for battle and vowed to cooperate with the main force to annihilate the Japanese invaders in front of them."

First express your loyalty, then discuss the difficulties.

This is an ironclad rule in officialdom, and also a way to survive in the military.

"However, after an emergency inventory by the logistics department, the unit is currently facing a critical situation of 'shortage of both food and ammunition'."

"Due to the priority allocation of a large number of US-aided vehicles to local construction and Northwest trade, our motor transport regiments have only 30% of their capacity remaining, and many of them are stuck in quagmire."

"The frontline divisions are short of ammunition and medicines."

At this point, Tang Huaiyuan paused, stubbed out his cigarette, and his tone became heavy, carrying a hint of "tactful explanation":
"Looking back on the battle of Liuge Town, my troops did not achieve complete success, which allowed the main force of the Japanese 59th Division to break through and move south. Whenever I think of this, I feel ashamed and cannot sleep at night."

"However, after careful consideration, it was not that our soldiers were unwilling to fight, but rather that heavy weapons were scarce and ammunition supplies were insufficient."

"At that time, once our artillery fire extended, it ran out of follow-up and could not maintain sustained suppression of the enemy, which led to the failure of our mission."

"Now we are facing another major battle. Although we are determined to kill the enemy, we fear that due to our logistical shortcomings, we may repeat the mistakes of Liuge Town and ruin Your Majesty's overall plan."

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Excellency to, in your busy schedule, coordinate some transportation capacity and ammunition from various parties to relieve our urgent needs?"

"If the supplies arrive, I am willing to sign a military pledge to raise the battle flag atop the city of Jining!"

"This telegram is respectfully sent; I humbly request your wise decision."

"Your Excellency, Tang Huaiyuan, kowtows."

After reading the last word, Tang Huaiyuan looked at Pang Qingzhen: "How was it?"

Pang Qingzhen gave a thumbs up, sincerely admiring, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

"Commander, your words not only laid the difficulties on the table, but also subtly attributed the responsibility for the previous failure to 'objective conditions,' and your attitude was extremely sincere, without the slightest hint of complaint."

"I reckon Chief Advisor Chu won't be angry after seeing this; on the contrary, he'll think our Fifth Army Group has been wronged but is still putting the overall situation first." "Send it out."

Tang Huaiyuan waved his hand and looked out at the dark rainy night: "Whether it works or not depends on whether our commander values ​​'doing business' or 'fighting the Japanese' more."

The next morning.

North China, Frontline Command Headquarters.

The rain outside the window was still falling steadily, pattering against the window frame with a soft rustling sound.

Chu Yunfei had been reading Tang Huaiyuan's telegram for a full three minutes.

Fang Ligong stood aside, constantly observing Chu Yunfei's expression, but he felt somewhat uneasy.

Although Tang Huaiyuan's telegram was written in a polite manner, its core meaning was very clear.

The interception of the 59th Division didn't go well because we didn't provide enough supplies. If we still don't have enough supplies, don't blame me if we lose the next battle.

This telegram, which was described as "bargaining," even had the suspicion of "passing the buck."

This is a rare occurrence in the disciplined North China Army.

“Sir,” Fang Ligong said cautiously, “Commander Tang’s telegram is full of complaints.”

"Furthermore, he conveniently shifted the blame for the failure to intercept the 59th Division onto insufficient logistics, which..."

He's right.

Chu Yunfei put down the telegram, his face showing no anger whatsoever. Instead, he sighed softly and even revealed a hint of understanding.

Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice.

"The fifth episode was already weak to begin with. If we don't provide enough support, it would be asking too much of them to take on the main combat tasks."

"The responsibility for the battle of Liuge Town did not lie with the soldiers on the front lines. It was the Party and the State that had to sacrifice some military resources in order to make overall plans for economic development."

"Brother Ligong."

Chu Yunfei's voice was somewhat low: "If we want to develop the economy, carry out construction, and do business with the Soviets to exchange technology, we will inevitably have to squeeze out military resources."

"You can't have your cake and eat it too."

"If the trucks are given to factories and trading companies, the troops on the front lines will have to walk on foot and bear the risk of insufficient ammunition."

Fang Ligong remained silent.

He knew that this was a grand strategy laid out by Chu Yunfei for the long-term development of North China, and also a preparation for the rapid recovery of national strength after the war.

However, this situation did indeed cause short-term pain for military operations.

"Tang Huaiyuan is a veteran. He knows how to behave properly and he gives me a lot of face."

Chu Yunfei turned around, his eyes regaining their firmness: "His telegram was very well written; it both reported the difficulties and gave me a way out."

"If I don't solve the problem at this point and instead blame him, that would be really unfair of me."

“If something happens to the right wing, our victory in western Shandong will be greatly diminished, and we may even be bitten back by the Japanese army.”

"Sir, what should we do?" Fang Ligong spread his hands. "It's too late to get trucks from other places now, and Sun Weimou's trade is also a political task; it can't be stopped."

"Can a living person die from holding in their pee?"

Chu Yunfei snorted coldly, strode to the map, and looked over the muddy land, locking his gaze on the winding curves not far from Puyang.

That is the old course of the Yellow River, as well as the Wei River and the Grand Canal tributaries that connect western Shandong and northern Henan.

"If we don't have enough trucks, we'll use boats!"

"Since the land route is muddy and difficult to travel, that's the path that God left for the Japanese devils."

"But this waterway was left to us by God!"

Chu Yunfei slammed his baton down at the confluence of the Yellow River and the Wei River.

"Give me the order!"

"First, send an urgent telegram to Sun Weimou! Tell him to immediately put down all his work and go to the Yellow River ferry to officially launch the waterway transportation plan."

"Whether you buy them with money or write IOUs, collect all the flat-bottomed boats, rafts, and even sheepskin rafts from the people along the river!"

"Use the Yellow River system and canal network to establish a temporary water supply line!"

"Ammunition and food were all diverted to waterways, flowing downstream and directly to the front lines in Puyang."

"Secondly, reply to Tang Huaiyuan!"

Chu Yunfei's tone became gentle and solemn: "Tell him that the General Headquarters is aware of his difficulties, affirms his previous efforts, and will not pursue the matter of Liuge Town's loss."

"Promise him that the new ammunition supply will arrive by water within a week."

"At the same time, I will coordinate a heavy artillery regiment from the Second World War zone to temporarily reinforce him."

"A week later, in coordination with the main combat forces, we will launch a pincer attack toward Jinan."
-
in the afternoon.

A ferry crossing on the Yellow River upstream in Shanxi Province.

The turbid river roared and rushed down.

The dock was bustling with noise, and shouts of workers rose and fell.

Chen Yishen, wearing an oilcloth raincoat and high-top rubber boots, stood in the mud, his voice hoarse from shouting: "Hurry!"

"Handle this batch of mortar shells with care!"

"Load that big ship!"

"Cover the grain over there with tarpaulin!"

Behind him were mountains of ammunition boxes and food sacks.

On the river, countless boats of all kinds were moored.

There were deep-draft flat-bottomed cargo ships, agile and lightweight fishing boats, and even rafts made up of hundreds of inflated sheepskin rafts linked together.

This is a "water transport brigade" temporarily assembled by civilian forces.

"Commander Chen!"

A soaking wet boat captain wiped the rain off his face and shouted, "The current is too strong!"

"And I heard there are Japanese patrol boats on the other side of the battle, which makes the brothers a little scared!"

Chen Yishen grabbed the boat captain's hand, his eyes resolute: "Brother!"

"The brothers on the front lines are fighting desperately! They have no bullets and no food, how can they hold off the Japanese invaders?"

"Commander Chu said the shipping cost will be doubled this time!"

"If the ship is damaged, the government will provide double compensation!"

"If any of our brothers are wounded or killed, we will provide them with the same compensation as those who died in battle!"

"Moreover, this is for our own hometown, to prevent the Japanese devils from coming back to harm us again!"

The boat captain looked at Chen Yishen's bloodshot eyes, then at the young soldiers still loading supplies onto the ship, and gritted his teeth: "Good!"

"Since the officer has put it this way, we ship sailors are not cowards!"

"brothers!"

"Raise the sails! Let's go!"

"Hey-yo! Hey-yo!"

Amidst rousing shouts, ships laden with supplies braved the wind and rain to sail into the turbulent Yellow River.

The journey was not easy.

To avoid Japanese aircraft and patrol boats, the fleet could only operate at night and hide during the day.

In turbulent rapids, boatmen had to jump into the icy river and use their shoulders and ropes to drag the heavy boats across the shallows step by step.

Some people's feet were cut by sharp stones, and their blood stained the river red.

Some people were swept away by the rapids without even having a chance to cry for help.

But no one backed down, because everyone knew that the ship carried not only ammunition and food, but also the lives of the soldiers on the front lines and the hope of driving out the Japanese invaders.

In war, everyone sacrifices themselves, and only through sacrifice can final victory be achieved! (End of Chapter)