Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Luxi, outside Jinan City.

The darkness before dawn is the deepest, like a huge black curtain tightly covering this war-torn land of Qilu.

However, beneath this suffocating silence, an energy powerful enough to shake mountains is rapidly accumulating.

On the front lines of the 34th Army Group, Commander-in-Chief Li Yannian did not stay in a safe bunker.

He stood on a newly constructed artillery observation post, staring intently through his binoculars at the outline of the massive city faintly visible in the night: "Commander, it's time."

The chief of staff beside him glanced at his watch; the fluorescent hands pointed to exactly four in the morning.

Li Yannian took a deep breath of the air, which smelled of earth and gunpowder, and slowly lowered his binoculars.

His face was expressionless, except for his eyes, which shone frighteningly bright in the darkness.

"In 1928, I led my brothers in several fierce battles against the Japanese 6th Division under Fukuda Hikosuke in the old city of Jinan. For three days and three nights, we did not allow the Japanese devils to enter the city."

"But later, due to the decline of national strength and the principal's prioritization of the Northern Expedition,..."

Li Yannian sighed, then said quietly, "Everyone criticizes me for being a weak leader and an incompetent party and state."

"After all these years, we finally have this opportunity."

"In this battle, Chiang Kai-shek is watching us, and all the people of China are watching us,"

"We will avenge the grudges of that year!"

Li Yannian turned around and addressed the rows of artillery formations behind him, which were already poised to fire. His voice echoed across the battlefield like thunder:

"fire--!!!"

The adjutant answered the phone and quickly relayed the orders.

Upon receiving the order, the artillery positions immediately relayed Li Yannian's instructions loudly.

As command flags were waved one after another.

In an instant, the earth cracked open.

"Boom! Boom! Boom—!!!"

The artillery units of the 34th Group Army, together with the heavy artillery brigade of the 88th Group Army and two heavy mortar regiments urgently dispatched by the North China Joint Command, totaling more than 500 artillery pieces of various calibers, roared out in the same second.

The orange-red gunfire instantly merged into a vast expanse, illuminating the dawn sky as bright as day.

The dense barrage of shells ripped through the air with a chilling shriek, like countless fire dragons rushing toward the crumbling, isolated city.

Jinan, this ancient city with a long history, seems to have been thrown into a giant blender at this moment.

The main battleground in the west of the city, the defensive fortifications in the north, and the area surrounding the provincial government building in the city center were instantly engulfed in flames. Intense explosions echoed one after another, creating a continuous roar that pierced eardrums and made hearts pound.

"Beat them! Give them a good beating!"

"Fire all the shells!"

"Don't leave the Japanese devils with intact corpses!"

On the artillery position, shirtless loaders were sweating profusely as they mechanically and frantically crammed heavy shells into the breech.

This is a feast built with steel and explosives.

This was also the highest density of firepower ever deployed by the National Revolutionary Army in a single offensive operation since the start of the War of Resistance against Japan.

The record has been broken once again.

……

Located in the commercial district of Jinan, on Jing'er Road.

This was the only way to the provincial government building and also the core area of ​​the Japanese army's defense.

The once bustling trading companies and shops lining both sides of the street are now mostly in ruins.

The remaining walls are riddled with bullet holes, as if they were the blood and tears that flowed from this city.

"Crunch - crunch -"

The sickening screech of tracks grinding against each other, mixed with the roar of high-powered engines, came from the depths of the smoke.

A massive M4A3 Sherman medium tank, painted with the insignia of the Republic of China, ruthlessly smashed through a half-collapsed brick wall, its tracks churning up rubble and debris, and appeared at the end of the street.

On the side of that towering turret, the number "201" was prominently painted.

This is the command vehicle of the 2nd Battalion of the Armored Brigade of the 88th Group Army, and sitting in the turret is the battalion commander with a special identity—Major Chang Weiguo.

At this moment, his face was covered in oil and grime, his goggles were hanging around his neck, and his eyes were pressed tightly against the commander's periscope, his expression cold and focused.

"Notice!"

"Japanese barricades at the twelve o'clock position ahead!"

Chang Weiguo's voice came through the throat communicator, his calmness almost frightening: "Those are reinforced concrete fortifications, and anti-tank ditches."

In his view, a defensive line made of sandbags, railroad tracks, and concrete blocks stretched across the middle of the street, its dark machine gun firing ports quite intimidating.

"Attention all crews, deploy in wedge formation for attack!"

"The first company is responsible for suppressing the left flank, and the third company is responsible for covering the right flank!"

"Second Company, charge with me! Close-range firing!"

"Yes!"

The excited roars of the tank crews came through the radio.

"Rumble--"

The steel torrent has been restarted.

For Chang Weiguo, this was also a "test".

The battle to capture Liaocheng allowed him to prove with his solid combat achievements that Chang Weiguo was also a capable soldier who deserved this uniform!

The current battle to conquer Jinan proves that he doesn't need his father's halo to protect him!
"Da da da da da-"

The Japanese troops opened fire on the barricades.

Two Type 92 heavy machine guns formed a crossfire, and the bullets hit the upper glacis armor of the Sherman tank, scattering a series of dazzling sparks and making a crisp "clanging" sound, but they could not penetrate the thick armor at all.

"You ungrateful animal!"

Chang Weiguo snorted coldly, then slammed on the pedal to rotate the turret: "High-explosive shell! Target the core of the barricade directly in front, fire!"

"boom!"

The 75mm tank gun recoiled violently, spewing out a burst of orange-red flames from its muzzle.

A high-explosive shell whistled through the air and precisely penetrated the firing port of the Japanese barricade.

"Boom!!!"

Amidst the deafening explosion, the seemingly impregnable barricade was instantly blasted apart.

Gravel, sandbags, and the remains of Japanese machine gunners were thrown into the air by the huge blast wave.

"Pretty!"

Chang Weiguo shouted, "Infantry brothers, charge!"

Behind his tank followed a company of fully armed elite infantry.

Chu Yunfei did not give him any special treatment.

That doesn't mean Li Yannian, a graduate of the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy, wouldn't take care of him.

Accompanying Chang Weiguo in battle was the special operations company that Li Yannian had specially assigned to him. It was equipped with Thompson submachine guns and Garand rifles, making it the best-equipped company-level combat unit in the 34th Army Group.

"Kill them all!!!"

Using the tanks as cover, the infantry charged toward the breach like tigers descending a mountain.

The muzzle flashes of submachine gun fire leaped across the ruins, sweeping down the remaining Japanese soldiers who had not yet been killed by the explosions.

"Don't stop! Keep pushing!"

Chang Weiguo showed no reluctance to continue the fight.

He knew that this kind of street fighting was about piercing the enemy's heart like an awl before they could react.

"Our target is the provincial government building!"

"Full speed ahead!"

……

10:00 AM.

The headquarters of the Japanese 12th Army, the provincial government building, and the underground bunker.

Everyone knows that the provincial government building is too large a target and is the most vulnerable to attack.

However, Tuqiao now has no other choice.

The main command post has been destroyed; this is the only remaining alternative command post.

Although the explosions overhead were no longer as frequent as before.

But this did not bring Tuqiao even the slightest comfort.

This also means that the Chinese army's artillery fire has begun to extend.

Or rather, their infantry and tank formations have broken through the perimeter and are approaching the core area.

"Your Excellency Commander"

A lieutenant colonel, his face covered in blood, staggered in, clutching a telegram in his hand, his voice trembling with tears: "We can't hold them! We can't hold them all!"

"The remnants of the 114th Division in the north of the city sent a final telegram. They have been continuously compressed by the Chinese army under Li Yannian and are making their final, desperate charge."

"The defensive positions in the west of the city were just recaptured yesterday, but have now fallen again. Our army has suffered heavy casualties and is currently fighting a final battle relying on the defensive fortifications."

Tuqiao sat blankly in his chair, staring at the battle map that had lost its meaning.

on the map.

The once dense array of friendly forces markings has been reduced to a pitiful little red circle around the headquarters.

"What about Beiping?"

Tsuchibashi's voice was so soft it sounded like he was talking in his sleep, "Does Commander Okamura have any new instructions?"

Upon hearing this, the communications officer trembled as he handed over the telegram.

It was an urgent telegram personally signed by Okamura Yasuji, containing only one short line:

Soldiers of this nation should repay their country with their lives. With their shattered bodies, they will build the foundation of the empire, ensuring its enduring military prosperity.

There were no reinforcements.

No permission to evacuate was granted.

There are only four cold, hard words: "May your military fortune last forever."

This is sending them to their deaths.

"Hehe. Hehe."

When Tsuchibashi looked at the telegram, he suddenly burst into a hysterical laugh, laughing until tears streamed down his face.

"What a glorious military achievement! What a noble act of sacrificing one's life for one's country!"

He suddenly stood up, tore the telegram to shreds, and the pieces of paper fell to the ground like snowflakes.

Okamura Yasuji's final desperate attempt was not to rush to the aid of the 12th Army.

Instead, they sacrificed the complete annihilation of the 12th Army to seize an opportunity to occupy and revitalize the area north of the Yellow River.

“We’ve been abandoned.” Tuqiao drew his command sword from his waist, the gleaming blade reflecting his distorted and desperate face.

"In that case."

He glanced around at the staff officers and guards, whose faces were also ashen, and a final, desperate glint flashed in his eyes:

"Then let's end this with dignity, like warriors."

Burn the military flag!

"Burn all the codebooks and confidential documents!"

"Pour the rest of the gasoline into the headquarters building!"

"I want the Chinese to receive nothing but ruins and scorched earth!"

"Hai."

A muffled sob could be heard coming from the basement.

Soon, thick smoke began to spread through the corridor.

Tuqiao straightened his military uniform once more, then slowly knelt down facing east, towards the direction of the Heavenly Locust Residence.

He unbuttoned his military uniform, revealing a clean white shirt underneath.

"Long live the Heavenly Locust Emperor!"

He roared, gripped the knife handle tightly with both hands, and plunged it into his abdomen.

Blood gushed out, staining the ground red.

At almost the same time, the staff officers around them also shot themselves or detonated grenades.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The violent explosion echoed in the basement, and the Japanese soldiers, driven to despair and madness, headed towards their self-destruction.

however.

In the confidential room not far from the operations room, an urgent telegram had just been translated.

It was an emergency retreat order from Hata Shunroku, the commander of the China Expeditionary Army.

The communications officer witnessed everything in the operations room.

He knew it was too late, but he still gave the final order to retreat.

……

The next day, at four o'clock in the afternoon.

In front of the Shandong Provincial Government Building in Jinan.

This magnificent, antique-style building is now riddled with holes and billowing with thick smoke.

"Boom——!!!"

A Sherman tank covered in gunpowder smoke—number "201"—crashed through the ornate iron gate, its massive tracks crushing rubble and the corpses of Japanese soldiers before coming to a proud stop in the square in front of the building.

"Bang!"

The top cover opened, and Chang Weiguo leaned out, holding a Thompson submachine gun in his hand.

"Battalion Commander Chang, you guys fought really well!"

The infantry commander following closely behind was a regimental commander from the 34th Group Army. He rushed over excitedly and gave Chang Weiguo a thumbs up: "This credit belongs to your armored corps!"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Chang Weiguo jumped off the tank and pointed at the still-smoking building: "These little devils are probably all dead. Let's put out the fire and see if there's anything of value left."

"Yes!"

A group of soldiers nimbly climbed the building's pillars and windowsills like monkeys.

A few minutes later.

That Japanese flag, symbolizing Japanese colonial rule, was thrown down from the rooftop like a tattered rag, drifting into the mud and being trampled into the soil by countless pairs of military boots.

Followed by.

A brand-new, huge flag of the Republic of China, with a blue sky, a white sun, and a red earth, was slowly raised and fluttered in the sky above Jinan, escorted by dozens of soldiers!

"Long live! Long live China!"

"Long live! Long live the Chinese army!"

"We won!!!"

The fighting has largely ended in the square, on the streets, and in the ruins.

The remnants of the Japanese army have been fleeing frantically eastward since yesterday.

The pursuing troops have been deployed, and are almost entirely unrelated to the fighting inside the city.

At this very moment, within the city, tens of thousands of soldiers embraced each other passionately, cheering and shouting, their voices shaking the heavens and the earth.

This is a pivotal moment for the board (LS).

Since its fall to the Japanese at the end of 1937, this provincial capital, which had been occupied by the Japanese invaders for six years, has finally returned to the embrace of the motherland!
Standing atop the tank, Chang Weiguo gazed at the flag fluttering in the wind, a surge of indescribable pride welling up within him.

He knew that his father had sent him here so that he could witness and participate in this great moment firsthand.

And he did it!

……

Luxi, the front-line command headquarters.

Compared to the fervor and jubilation on the front lines, there was a greater sense of calm and composure here.

"Your Excellency, a great victory has been achieved at Jinan!"

Fang Ligong practically sprinted into the operations room, waving the hot telegram in his hand. He, who always paid attention to his appearance, no longer cared about his demeanor. His voice was so loud that it cracked: "Our army has successfully captured the provincial government building!"

"Lieutenant General Tsuchibashi Ichijō, commander of the Japanese 12th Army, went missing. It was confirmed by prisoners of war that he committed suicide."

"The remaining enemy forces inside the city have been largely eliminated, and the final cleanup work is underway!"

"We won. We have basically annihilated the main force of the defenders of Jinan."

"it is good!"

Chu Yunfei slammed the pencil in his hand on the table, a bright smile spreading across his face.

He strode to the map, looked at the city of Jinan completely covered by blue markers, and breathed a long sigh of relief.

"This battle demonstrated our national power and military might!"

"It wasn't just about eliminating tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers; more importantly, it was about removing the biggest obstacle the Japanese army had in North China and completely opening up the north-south transportation line!"

"From then on, the Japanese invaders posed no further threat to the North China Plain!"

"Your Excellency, should we immediately issue a nationwide telegram?"

Li Jingzhong asked excitedly from the side, "Let the people of the whole country be happy!"

"Powering the whole country is a certainty. Not only will we provide electricity, but we will also publicize it extensively!"

Chu Yunfei nodded, then a shrewd glint flashed in his eyes: "However, before that, there is something more important to do."

"Jingzhong, draft a telegram immediately!"

Chu Yunfei walked to his desk, his tone becoming unusually solemn: "Send two telegrams to Shancheng and Yan'an respectively to report the good news."

"Furthermore, I will personally draft a telegram and send it directly to Minister Kong Xiangxi, who is currently en route to Quebec, Canada, through the top-secret channels of the General Headquarters!"

Li Jingzhong and Fang Ligong exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and admiration in each other's eyes.

Your Excellency is trying to turn the fruits of victory directly into bargaining chips at the diplomatic negotiating table!
The telegram is as follows:

Chu Yunfei dictated:

"A Record of Merit for the Incompetent Official:"

"We are delighted to learn that Your Excellency will be representing our country at the Quebec Conference to discuss the future of our allies. We feel a great sense of responsibility and are determined to fight to the death to be Your Excellency's strong support."

"We hereby announce a victory: After several days of fierce fighting by our soldiers, we officially liberated Quancheng, the capital of Shandong Province, at noon today, annihilating the main force of the Japanese 12th Army. The enemy commander, Lieutenant General Tsuchibashi Ichiichi, committed suicide, and tens of thousands of enemy soldiers were killed!"

"This battle marks the first time since the start of the War of Resistance that our army has achieved a complete annihilation of a Japanese army corps-level combat unit and a major victory in recapturing the provincial capital!"

"This great victory is dedicated to the Quebec Conference!"

"We hope that you will stand at the negotiating table, argue your case based on reason, uphold our national prestige, and strive for the international status and post-war rights that the Chinese nation deserves!"

"The million soldiers on the front lines are your ironclad support!"

"Chu, from the North China Joint Command, kowtows."

"With this substantial gift in hand."

Chu Yunfei sneered: "I wonder what reason that old fox Churchill has to interfere in our efforts to reclaim sovereignty!"

"Send a telegram!"

"Yes!"

……

The message reached the North China Area Army Headquarters in Beiping the day after the battle ended.

"Bang!"

The medicine bowl in Okamura Neiji's hand fell to the ground, and the brown medicine splattered onto the office documents in front of him.

He stared blankly at Shinichi Kitajima, who was kneeling before him, weeping bitterly, as if he had instantly turned into a stone statue.

"What did you say?"

Okamura Neiji's voice was as soft as a breeze: "The city has fallen?"

"Tsuchibashi-kun's jade has shattered?"

"Yes, Commander, I just received a secret telegram from Staff Officer Koyama. Most of the main force of our 12th Army has been defeated and is currently suffering heavy casualties."

Kitajima Shin didn't dare to lift his head, choking back tears as he said, "Currently, the remnants of the 12th Army number about 20,000, and they are retreating towards Qingdao. They will proceed according to the alternative plan..."

"puff--!"

Okamura Neiji suddenly lurched forward, spitting out a mouthful of blood that stained the desk in front of him: "Chu Yunfei."

"Your Excellency Commander"

Shinichi Kitajima was quite alarmed and hurriedly shouted, "Medic! Medical officer!"

Okamura Neiji clutched his chest tightly, his eyes filled with endless hatred and despair: "How could it be so fast?"

Even with six months of prior preparation, the Japanese army took three months to capture Wuhan.

nowadays.

Quancheng, which was equally important to the Japanese army, was successfully captured by the Chinese army in just 42 days of fighting.

Clearly, the current strength of the National Revolutionary Army has surpassed that of the Japanese Army at its peak in 1938.
After realizing this.

Okamura Neiji's already weakened body could no longer hold on. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed heavily, his fate unknown.

The command center instantly descended into chaos.

Right at this very moment.

Outside the window, a crack appeared in the previously gloomy sky.

A ray of sunlight pierced through the dark clouds and shone upon this ancient land.
The sky over China is about to brighten. (End of Chapter)