Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Beiping, Nanyuan Airport.

A cold wind howled, swirling up fallen leaves from the track.

Several transport planes adorned with the Japanese flag roared to life, their propellers whipping the wind that made Okamura Yasuji's coat flutter.

Major General Shinichi Kitajima stood aside, looking at the commander who had just recovered from a serious illness but was about to head to an even more difficult battlefield, his eyes filled with reluctance and worry: "General, the order from General Headquarters has been officially issued."

"Now that the North China Area Army has been abolished, all North China troops are directly under the command of the Expeditionary Army Headquarters."

"This is an unbearable burden for you."

Okamura Neiji's face was pale, but his eyes were more sinister and sharp than ever before.

He tightened his grip on the military knife, his voice hoarse: "Kikujima-kun, this was an inevitable outcome."

The situation in North China is hopeless; unified command is essential to sustain the effort for as long as possible.

The headquarters is already hesitating about whether to abandon the defense of the pass, since everyone knows that pulling back your fist is to make it punch more powerfully.

He glanced back at the ancient city of Beiping in the distance.

Now they can only leave in a panic.

"Let's go."

Okamura Neiji resolutely turned around and boarded a plane bound for Jinling: "Jinling, that is the final gamble that will determine the fate of the empire."

……

A few hours later.

Nanjing, the headquarters of the China Expeditionary Army.

The atmosphere here is more oppressive than when Hata Shunroku was in office, but also busier.

The staff officers came and went, each with a resolute expression on their face.

Okamura Yasuji sat behind the large Commander-in-Chief's desk and, without even taking a break, immediately convened a high-level operations meeting.

On the huge map on the wall.

The red arrows representing the Japanese army have retreated to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and east of the Huai River.

The blue arrows, on the other hand, occupy the left half of the map like a raging flood.

"Gentlemen."

Okamura Yasuji's command baton was not directed at the fiercely contested North China battlefield, but unexpectedly fell on South China.

The long, narrow railway line between Guangzhou and Wuhan: the Yuehan Railway.

"The Chinese army has achieved great victories in North and Central China, so the next offensive direction is of paramount importance."

Okamura Yasuji's gaze swept over every general present, his tone chilling: "Our opponent is a strategist with a broad vision. With our setbacks in the Central China campaign, I had previously judged that the main force of the Nationalist army in Central China, after liberating the three towns of Wuhan, would not be satisfied with merely advancing eastward along the Yangtze River."

"They are very likely to send their main force south, along the Yuehan Railway, straight to Guangzhou!"

"Once Guangzhou falls, the Chinese army will have opened up all transportation lines from the inland to the South China Sea."

Upon hearing this, the Japanese generals present were all shaken.

However, this judgment did not surprise everyone.

After all, during this pursuit, the Nationalist troops in Central China did not mobilize many combat units.

If they really wanted to take Jinling City in one fell swoop, they wouldn't have used so few troops.

Of course.

The Japanese side's assessment is actually quite different from the actual situation.

Over the years, they had fought against the Nationalist army in North China and had become accustomed to the rapid mobility of the Nationalist army in North China. However, they overlooked the fact that the infrastructure faced by the troops under the South China Joint Command was not on the same level as that in North China.

Not everyone has the courage to build infrastructure wherever they go.

There is also a lack of such organization and public support in South China.

"Commander-in-Chief, how should we respond?"

A lieutenant colonel asked urgently, "Our forces in South China are already weak."

"Therefore, we must plan ahead!"

Okamura Yasuji slammed his baton down on the location in Guangzhou: "Send a telegram to Lieutenant General Tanaka Hisaichi, Commander of the 21st Army!"

"Order him to immediately draft a 'Decisive Battle Plan for Northern Guangdong'!"

“I advised him not to disperse his troops in those useless county towns anymore, but to concentrate them all in the Shaoguan and Qingyuan line and build a deep defense line relying on the strategic terrain.”

"If the Chinese army moves south, do not confront them head-on. Instead, use the terrain to fight them off step by step, stretching their supply lines, and then look for opportunities to strike in the mountains!"

"We must thwart the Chinese attempt to open up the Yuehan Railway; this is our bottom line in South China!"

"Hai!"

After setting up the "idle pieces" in South China.

Okamura Neiji's gaze returned to the North, the place that caused him such deep pain.

This is his place of sorrow, and also the location where the current battle situation is most critical.

"Now, let's take a look at North China."

Okamura Neiji's voice lowered, carrying a bloody undertone: "The Pengcheng battlefield is the core issue right now."

on the map.

The red dot in Pengcheng was now completely surrounded by a dense array of blue arrows.

"What's the situation?" Okamura Neiji asked.

The section chief in charge of intelligence rushed forward to report: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, the situation is... extremely bad."

"Since the main force of our army withdrew to the south, the Pengcheng garrison has actually become an isolated force."

"Currently, Wang Zhonglian's Chinese army is pressing on the core position of Pengcheng from the south, and the Eighth Route Army's Eastern Expeditionary Column is pressing on the core position from the west."

“What’s even more terrifying is the Central Jiangsu battlefield.” The intelligence chief’s voice trembled slightly. “A part of the main force of the 18th Army Group in China has crossed the Jinpu Railway and is meeting up with the main force of the New Fourth Army outside Huai’an City.”

"They have a large number of troops, high morale, and are equipped with a large number of American artillery pieces. The puppet troops on the outskirts of Huai'an have surrendered in large numbers, and the remnants of the 65th Division are pinned down in the city and unable to move."

Okamura Neiji closed his eyes, his fingers tapping lightly on the table: "It's clear we can't hold Pengcheng."

"The large-scale rebellion of the Locust Army forces has made our operations extremely difficult. We are unable to fill the gaps in our defenses, so much so that we need more combat troops."

He coldly delivered the verdict: "Nowadays, even with mobilization, it is impossible to rebuild combat troops in a short period of time."

What is the situation of the remnants of the 65th Division?

"Report: Last night, taking advantage of the gap in the Chinese army's encirclement that had not yet been fully closed, Division Commander Yoneo Ota led more than 10,000 elite troops, abandoning all heavy equipment, to break through to the east. They have now arrived in Haizhou and joined up with the marines there."

"Only ten thousand people?" Okamura Neiji sighed. "What about the rest?"

"The remaining 20,000-strong Locust Army and more than 30,000 puppet troops have been intercepted in Pengcheng and surrounding strongholds." The intelligence chief lowered his head: "The Chinese army's infiltration speed is too fast, especially that armored unit. They have already captured Xin'an Town and are currently attempting to extend towards Suqian. A large number of infantry are following behind them, and the size is still uncertain."

obviously.

Okamura Yasuji was well aware that the Japanese and puppet troops in the area surrounding Pengcheng had no chance of survival.

20,000 people.

Even if he had 100,000 men to defend Pengcheng, he wouldn't be very confident.

Moreover, the number of Chinese troops currently fighting in North China exceeds 800,000.

(Including the New Fourth Army, the Eighth Route Army, combat troops, and reserves.)
"Send a telegram to the Pengcheng Garrison Command!"

"Order them to rely on Pengcheng's strong fortifications and underground bunkers to fight to the death!"

"We must be like nails driven into the throats of the Chinese, even if it means our utter destruction, we must hold back the main force of the Chinese army for at least half a month!"

"Buy us time to retreat from Haizhou!"

"Hai!"

"What about the situation in Haizhou?"

Okamura Neiji asked again.

"It's also very dangerous." Chief of Staff He Bian Zheng San pointed to the location of Haizhou on the map. "Han Deqin's troops of the Fifth War Zone of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army have been frequently mobilized recently."

"Reconnaissance aircraft discovered that they had amassed a large number of troops along the Suqian-Shuyang line and requisitioned thousands of civilian ships."

"Although Han Deqin's combat ability is average, he has a large number of men under his command. If they cut off the sea outlet of Haizhou Port, or cooperate with the Eighth Route Army to launch a pincer attack on Haizhou,..."

"Haizhou must not be lost!"

Okamura Neiji suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the pitch-black night outside.

"That was the last sea route for our troops stationed in North China to retreat."

"If Haizhou falls, the tens of thousands of troops stranded in northern Jiangsu will truly be trapped like turtles in a jar, with no way to escape!" He pondered for a moment, then turned around, a resolute look on his face: "Draft a telegram and send it to the Tokyo headquarters!"

"This is a proposal regarding the fate of the empire."

The Japanese generals present held their breath.

They knew that what they said next could determine the course of the war or send them all to a military court.

Okamura Neiji ignored the reactions of the crowd. His voice was calm, but every word was like thunder: "Given the current war situation on the Chinese mainland, it has become an irreversible decline."

"With the aid of the United States and the Soviet Union, the Chinese army has surpassed our army in firepower, mobility and logistical support capabilities."

"Our army's defensive line is too long and our forces are scattered. We are constantly on the defensive and being attacked. If we continue to insist on the strategy of 'fighting for every inch of land,' we will be defeated one by one by the Chinese army and eventually be annihilated!"

Okamura Neiji paused, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes:

"General Okamura Yasuji, Commander of the Expeditionary Army, risked his life to offer this advice!"

"Please grant immediate approval to implement 'Preparations for Decisive Battle on the Homeland' and initiate a major strategic retreat!"

"First, apart from securing key ports such as Shanghai, Qingdao, and Dalian as retreat points, abandon all inland occupied areas in North China, Central China, and South China!"

"Second, concentrate all surviving field divisions and prioritize their advance towards Manchuria (Northeast China) and the Korean Peninsula."

"third."

Okamura Neiji's voice trembled slightly, a shiver of extreme excitement:

"Based on Manchuria's industrial base and strategic depth, we will build an 'absolute defense perimeter'."

"Abandon all illusions about China itself, gather all our strength, and defend only Manchuria and the Imperial homeland!"

"By relying on this, and dealing with the US and the USSR, we might be able to preserve a sliver of our strength for our brother country!"

"Otherwise, the million-strong (currently only 350,000 remain, with another 50,000 added to make up the numbers) elite Locust Army will be completely wiped out in the quagmire of China!"

After saying this, Okamura Neiji seemed to have exhausted all his strength and leaned heavily back in his chair.

There was deathly silence in the conference room.

Everyone was shocked by the audacity and desperation of the plan.

Abandon all occupied territories within the pass?

This means acknowledging the complete failure of the "holy war" since 1937!

What a shame!

But looking at the blue arrows covering the mountains and fields on the map, and at the telegrams requesting help, everyone knew in their hearts that this might be the only way out.

"Send it out."

Okamura Neiji waved his hand, his eyes vacant: "If Headquarters holds me accountable, then I will take responsibility myself."

"Hai!"

……

Luxi, Jinan, Baotu Spring "Park".

The flames of war had just been extinguished, and the ancient city still carried the lingering warmth of gunpowder smoke. Yet, the spring water of the "Number One Spring Under Heaven" continued to gush forth tirelessly, with three springs gushing forth simultaneously, their sound like distant thunder, stirring a refreshing vitality in this chaotic world.

The nearby Lüzu Temple is bustling with worshippers, and many people come and go.

Seeing so many soldiers on guard, they guessed the identities of the people near Baotu Spring.

Many people were eagerly waiting, just to catch a glimpse of Chu Yunfei, Fang Ligong, and the others.

Chu Yunfei, dressed in military uniform, stood with his hands behind his back in front of Luoyuan Hall, quietly watching the bubbling spring water.

The bottom of the pool was crystal clear, with fish swimming around, as if the bloody street battle that had occurred not long ago was just a dream.

"A clear source flows cleanly, and a thriving tree flourishes."

Looking at the gushing spring, Chu Yunfei sighed softly, "With the liberation of Quancheng, this spring, which had been suppressed by the Japanese invaders for six years, can finally breathe and gush freely."

"Your Excellency enjoys such refined tastes."

Familiar footsteps were heard behind me.

Fang Ligong, holding several newly translated top-secret telegrams, strode to Chu Yunfei's side, his expression solemn yet tinged with admiration: "However, while the spring water is clear, the situation outside is still quite murky."

"Go ahead."

Chu Yunfei didn't turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the blue sky reflected in the spring water: "Has that old devil Okamura Neiji made a move?"

"Your Excellency is a man of divine wisdom and ingenuity."

Fang Ligong reported in a low voice: "New intelligence has arrived from Nanjing. Okamura Yasuji has arrived in Nanjing and should be replacing Hata Shunroku as the commander-in-chief of the China Expeditionary Army."

"Has Jinling Station been redesigned?"

After Xu Hu returned, Chu Yunfei inquired about the situation and learned of the heroic act of almost the entire Jinling Station action team and intelligence section sacrificing their lives.

"Yes, after Mr. Tu's sacrifice, it was the surviving Xiao Ma who rebuilt Jinling Station. He has already organized several assassination attempts against the pseudo-high-ranking officials. Of the four attempts, three have been successful."

Chu Yunfei frowned slightly: "It seems that Mr. Tu's sacrifice has had a great impact on him."

Fang Ligong sighed, then continued, "Within the Military Intelligence Bureau, he changed his code name to 'Seed,' and it's said that the Japanese call him 'King of Hell'..."

Chu Yunfei said coldly, "This damn war."

"Drive normal people into madness, and then the madmen pick up the butcher's knife and kill everyone."

Seeing that Chu Yunfei didn't want to continue the topic of Nanjing, Fang Ligong simply changed the subject: "Your Excellency... that old devil Okamura Yasuji is planning to have another showdown with us on the banks of the Yangtze River."

"However, I don't think he has the resources anymore. In North China, the Japanese 12th Army has been basically annihilated."

"The Japanese army in Central China was also severely weakened by the previous battles in northern and western Hubei, and it was impossible for them to restore their organization in just six months."

"Okamura Yasuji is now nothing more than a patch-up artist who is robbing Peter to pay Paul, and has been forced by headquarters to sit on the hot stove of Nanjing."

Chu Yunfei casually flipped through the telegram in his hand, but his gaze went past the pavilions and towers and turned to the southern horizon: "Yes, we are already familiar with the tactics and strategies of our old rival, Okamura Neiji."

"Why are there no latest telegrams regarding the battle situation in Pengcheng?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ligong's expression immediately turned solemn: "Wang Zhonglian sent a telegram, saying only that the fighting was extremely fierce, with mountains of corpses and seas of blood. He was determined to move the command post forward and personally supervise the battle."

Chu Yunfei largely agreed with this assessment: "The struggle of a cornered beast is the most dangerous."

"The 20,000 Japanese soldiers trapped in the city knew they had no way out, and they were all fighting desperately."

"They relied on the city's fortifications and the surrounding mountains to fight for every inch of land."

"The telegram sent by Wang Zhonglian yesterday shows that in the past three days, the 31st Group Army has suffered more than a thousand casualties every day, and there have even been extreme cases on the front line where all the company and platoon level officers have been wiped out."

"However, the encirclement is getting smaller and smaller, and the Japanese ammunition is running out."

Fang Ligong paused, then added, "Also, regarding the Haizhou direction..."

"Han Deqin's troops are indeed moving towards Haizhou, but as you know, Commander Han Deqin is someone who likes to read the wind direction when it comes to war."

"Reconnaissance aircraft reported that his main force stopped 30 kilometers away from Haizhou, ostensibly to 'reorganize the attack formation,' but in reality, it was observing the situation."

"He's waiting. He'll only dare to really take action and tackle the tough nut of Haizhou once our main force has completely dealt with the enemy in Pengcheng, and then he can pick up a ready-made advantage."

Chu Yunfei scattered the fish food in his hand into the pond, attracting the koi to scramble for it. He clapped his hands, his eyes full of disdain: "Expecting him to tackle a difficult problem is like expecting a sow to climb a tree."

"With Commander Gu backing him up, and not being under the command of the North China Joint Command, it's quite good that he was able to put aside the grudges caused by previous frictions and participate in this battle as a coordinator."

"No matter what, the fact that he took tens of thousands of people to Haizhou to put some pressure on the Japanese shows that he was willing to do something."

"At least they didn't cause us any trouble."

Chu Yunfei turned around, his back to the roaring waters of Baotu Spring, and gave the final battle order: "Brother Ligong, pass on my command!"

"Don't worry about the Japanese in Haizhou. That's a dead end. Annihilating them wasn't part of the plan, and we shouldn't count on Han Deqin!"

"Concentrate all the elite forces we can muster, and assign all three heavy artillery brigades and the bomber squadron to the Pengcheng encirclement and annihilation campaign!"

"First, get rid of Pengcheng, this thorn in my side!"

"Even if we destroy Xuzhou, we can't let these Japanese devils escape!"

"The blood shed in this crucial battle must be paid for with the heads of the Japanese devils!"

"In addition, instruct the U.S. Fourteenth Air Force to intensify its bombing of Haizhou Port."

"Sink all the Japanese transport ships and escort vessels in the harbor!"

"I want to see where these landlubbers can run to without a boat."

"Yes!"

"By the way, and we demanded that they come up with a plan to bomb the Japanese mainland as soon as possible."

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

Fang Ligong straightened his back, accepted the order, and left. (End of Chapter)