Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 105 Miss Manli
Wang Feng, wearing a fur-collared coat, walked quickly out of the command post.

Although he was a reporter assigned by the Fifth War Zone, the command post was an important location for the entire army and not everyone could enter.

In the tent next door.

Zhan Di was already sitting in a chair, holding a notebook, waiting.

Wang Feng walked in, looked at the other party and nodded.

With French wavy hair, a plaid coat and an orange scarf, she looks very fashionable.

He sat upright, with a heroic look between his brows.

Seeing Wang Feng walk in, the female reporter stood up, smiled, and took the lead in greeting: "Hello, Chief Wang, I am a reporter from the Central News Agency, just call me Manli!"

Wang Feng smiled and nodded: "Ms. Manli, I've been waiting for a long time."

Miss Manli was very professional. She knew that this was a battlefield and there was no time to waste. After the two sat down, they immediately started the interview session.

"Sir, Japan has launched a massive invasion of our country. In just a few months, Pingjin, Shanghai, Taiyuan, and Nanjing have fallen one after another. Many media outlets are promoting the theory of 'national destruction and genocide' and the theory of 'military non-resistance'. What do you think of these two issues?"

Wang Feng frowned.

There has been an endless debate in the country on whether to advocate war or peace, and the debate has spread from the political circle to the entire society.

He cleared his throat and organized his words a little: "My troops fought all the way from Datong to Xuzhou and Bengbu. Regarding this question, I personally think it is nonsense!"

"The Pingxingguan victory, where soldiers fought desperately and made the Japanese Itagaki Division hesitate, proved that our army could defeat the Japanese army and would not reach the point of 'national destruction and genocide'."

"As for the overall situation, our country is vast and can use the stepped terrain to build layers of defense. Once Japan's expansion stagnates, it will inevitably enter a protracted war."

"This is a huge test of a nation's endurance. Both we and Japan are enduring the attrition. We can afford it. We can fight for another ten or twenty years. China will still be China and will never perish!"

After answering the first question, Wang Feng was organizing his words and wanted to answer the second question when his face suddenly turned pale.

After a pause, he pointed outside the tent.

"As for the statement that 'the army will not resist', Miss Manli, Wang does not want to reply any further. When daybreak comes, you can go outside the tent and take a look yourself. If we do not resist and do not fight the Japanese, then may I ask, where are my brothers?"

"If we had not resisted, how would the 25 soldiers who died in the Battle of Songhu have died?"

As a professional journalist, Miss Manli asked a very tricky question: "Sir, before you, I also interviewed many frontline officers, and their views are consistent with yours, but I want to know, when will we enter the so-called protracted war with Japan?"

Wang Feng thought to himself that the current war situation was gloomy and had been completely disrupted. He did not dare to guarantee a specific time.

"Perhaps it is because of the Battle of Xuzhou. Compared with September and October last year, the current Japanese offensive rhythm has obviously slowed down, showing signs of weakness."

Miss Manli wrote it down in her notebook, closed the pen cap, stood up, and stretched out her right hand: "Okay, the interview ends here. I won't bother you any more, sir. Thank you!"

Wang Feng nodded slightly, shook hands briefly, and then turned sideways to make a "please" gesture.

Miss Manli wanted to take a photo, but just as she was about to say something, she suddenly remembered the guard's reminder and had to swallow her words.

"Sir, this issue is a special issue on the war, and it will be in the next issue of the newspaper."

Wang Feng smiled and said, "Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome, you are the real heroes!"

Although it was dark, Miss Manli witnessed what it meant to have a camp full of wounded and sick people when she passed by the rear hospital.

As a staunch "war advocate" in the news media, she has been actively running around in the army since the beginning of the War of Resistance Against Japan, braving gunfire and hail of bullets to publicize the deeds of the War of Resistance.

I feel deeply about this.

2 month 1 day.

After several days of silence, news finally came.

Wang Feng summoned a group of officers and staff to hold a military meeting in the command post.

Zhao Fangyuan handed the battle report to everyone for circulation, pointed to the map and gave a detailed introduction: "The 18th Division's attack was very rapid. Last night, the Japanese army occupied Linhuai Pass and was crossing the Huai River to the north."

Zhang Hu frowned: "The 51st Army can't hold on so soon?"

Wang Feng held the telegram in his hand and sighed, "It's pretty good for an army to hold out for a week against the attack of a Japanese division."

"The Northeast Army is really a bit stubborn."

Zhao Fangyuan added: "An order came from the war zone headquarters, Commander Li dispatched General Zhang Zizhong's 59th Army to the south to support the Bengbu-Huaihe line."

"After withdrawing from the Songhu battlefield, the 21st and 11th Army Groups are currently resting in Hefei and are expected to arrive at the Chihe front in two weeks."

Wang Feng was weighing the issue in his mind.

Zhang Hu's eyes widened: "Two weeks later?"

"I'm afraid by then, the daylily will be cold!"

Wang Feng was weighing the strength of both sides in his mind.

The 59th Army came from Xubei without any battle and its organization was still fully staffed.

The 31st Army battle group gradually recovered its combat effectiveness after a week of rest after the war.

However, the 51st Army, after a week of fierce fighting with the Japanese army along the Bengbu-Huaihe River line, was able to hold its ground, but its strength was greatly reduced and it could not be used as an offensive force.

On the Japanese side, the 18th Division was well-organized, with a large number of aircraft and artillery support. To be on par with it, at least two armies would be needed.

In other words, only by working together, the 59th, 31st and 51st Armies can they gain the strategic upper hand.

There is also the risk of being overturned by the Japanese army at any time.

There was only one brigade left, and it could only resist with its own troops.

The military force is still stretched to the limit!
If everything goes well, we can indeed hold out until reinforcements arrive from Hefei.

But Wang Feng didn't want to delay too long.

In the north, the defense battle in southern Shandong has entered an emergency stage. The Japanese Sendai and Isogai divisions are targeting Taierzhuang for a joint attack on Xuzhou.

The best strategy is to eliminate the enemy in the south as soon as possible and return to support the north.

"What's the plan, Chief?"

Zhao Fangyuan took out a telegram and put it on the table: "Commander Li requires the troops on the west bank of the Chihe River to withdraw to the Huaibei area."

Zhang Hu frowned and asked, "We are going to retreat?"

"We have been guarding for so many days, and you are going to withdraw just like that?"

After saying that, he snatched the telegram from the table and looked it up and down.

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "The war zone commander has indeed ordered us to retreat and lead the enemy to Shangyao and Luqiao areas."

Zhang Hu hesitated and looked at Wang Feng with a puzzled look: "Sir, this..."

Wang Feng looked at the battle map and understood Li Zongren's intention.

At present, the Japanese troops are stationed on the east bank of the Chi River, blocking the flank of the 18th Division like a high wall.

Even if the troops from Hefei arrived, the Japanese army could rely on the natural barrier of Chihe River and put up a stubborn resistance.

This move seemed to be an active retreat, but in fact it was to attract the Japanese army to the Huaihe River line, lengthening the width of the battlefield and the supply line.

Give the support troops an opportunity to take advantage.

Wang Feng nodded: "Follow the orders of the headquarters and alternately cover the retreat with the 31st Army."

"Yes!"

East bank of Chi River.

Ogisu Rippei kept a close eye on the enemy's movements and ate and slept in the command post.

The Chief of Staff came running over: "General, the enemy troops on the west bank are showing signs of retreat. Should we attack?"

Ogisu Rippei put down his binoculars and asked, "What's the scale?" The chief of staff handed over the reconnaissance report, "Combined with the report from the reconnaissance plane, all enemy troops are showing signs of retreating, and they are retreating in steps and alternating!"

As he spoke, he was already eager to try. The division had been dawdling in Chihe for more than a week and could no longer hold back.

Ogisu Ritsu was extremely cautious and did not immediately order a pursuit.

Instead, he walked over to the map and carefully considered its intention.

The Chief of Staff followed and pointed to the Huai River: "Sir, considering the enemy's movements, it is very likely that they are going to reinforce the Huai River defense line. Our army will quickly pursue them and cooperate with the 18th Division to launch a river crossing operation!"

Ogisu Rippei was somewhat tempted. Only the blood of Chinese soldiers and their glorious military exploits could the shame of the entire 13th Division be washed away.

But he still kept silent about the pursuit.

Instead, look to other areas.

"What's the situation in Hefei?" he said, taking out a ruler from the side.

According to the proportional calculation, the straight-line distance from Hefei to Chihe is less than 100 kilometers.

The terrain is flat, with no valleys or gullies, and it can be reached in two days' rapid march.

This is the only large town near the Jinpu Line that is still under the control of the Chinese army.

Nature is the primary consideration.

After repeated failures, Ogisu Rippei has put away his contemptuous attitude, adjusted his mindset, and taken all possibilities into consideration.

The staff officer frowned: "According to the news from the General Staff, there are still a large number of Chinese troops stationed in Hefei."

"Sir, what do you mean?"

Ogisu Tatsuhei nodded: "The Chinese army will never retreat without a reason. In their eyes, even if they sacrifice a lot of soldiers, as long as they can hold an inch of land, it is a victory worth celebrating."

"It must be a trick to lure the enemy!"

After being pointed out, the staff officer also realized the problem: "General, what should we do?"

"General Ushijima of the Eighteenth Army sent a telegram not long ago urging us to join him at the Huai River as soon as possible."

When Ogisuli mentioned Ushijima Sadao, he became extremely angry.

The 1925th Division was a standing division before the war, while the th Division was disbanded and its designation was cancelled in .

It was not until before the war that it was reorganized.

If we really want to rank people by seniority, Ushijima Sadao should call him "Your Excellency".

However, due to the disastrous defeat of the 26th Brigade, the th Division suffered heavy losses, and the th Division took on the main attack. Ushijima Sadao was appointed the pre-war commander.

He started yelling and shouting.

Ogisu Ritsu was undecided: "Follow slowly, don't engage in battle with the Chinese army!"

After the Chinese army withdrew, there were no soldiers on the west bank of the Chi River, so there was naturally no point in defending it.

There is nothing to do but follow.

At the same time, Ogisu Rippei sent a telegram to the General Staff, requesting that troops be sent to contain the enemy forces in Hefei.

Xuzhou.

At the Fifth War Zone Headquarters, Li Zongren hurriedly left Lu'an after handling provincial affairs.

The battle situation in southern Shandong has reached a point where it can no longer be delayed.

Linyi is in emergency!
This place is an important town that must be fought for militarily in southern Shandong. The gain or loss of this place affects the overall situation.

But at this critical juncture, Li Zongren had no troops to deploy.

As for southern Shandong, he does not need a strong army, just one that can handle the situation.

The two generals he had originally considered, Wang Feng and Zhang Zizhong, were deployed by him on the southern line of the Jinpu Army, which was also in a state of emergency.

Liu Shiyi's 31st Army and Yu Xuezhen's 51st Army were also deployed here.

Miao Chengliu's 57th Army was stationed in northern Jiangsu and could not move.

As for Han Deqin's 89th Army, it was reorganized from a security team and lacked training, so it could not be considered a regular army at all.

The combat effectiveness is extremely poor.

After all the calculations, only Pang Bingxun's Third Army seems to be of great use.

Although the organization of the corps is higher than that of the army, the Third Corps has only five infantry regiments under its jurisdiction.

A standard division at best.

Pang Bingxun is over 60 years old, has been on the battlefield for many years and has rich combat experience.

But during the warlord period, this man was known for avoiding the important and conserving his strength. He was quite smooth and a typical tumbler.

All the troops that fought alongside Pang Bingxun were wary of him.

Li Zongren was worried and went to the Third Corps headquarters in person.

2 month 2 day.

noon.

Third Army Command Post.

The convoy slowly stopped in front of the door.

Upon learning that Li Zongren was coming in person, Pang Bingxun hurried out of the tent to greet him.

After the two of them sat down.

"Guard, guard!"

A soldier came running over.

Pang Bingxun smiled and said, "Make a pot of hot tea for Officer Li! Go quickly!"

Li Zongren smiled and read the other's expressions during the conversation.
Although Pang Bingxun was skilled in combat, he was able to share the joys and sorrows with his soldiers.

Although the Third Corps is small in strength, it is a unit of local soldiers with a spirit of sharing life and death.

When he spoke, he did not act like an officer.

Pang Bingxun: "I didn't know Commander Li was coming. I'm sorry for not treating him well. I'm sorry for not treating him well!"

Li Zongren waved his hand and spoke first: "General Pang has been in the army for a long time. In terms of seniority, you are the elder brother and I am the younger brother. I should not have commanded you. However, in this war of resistance, I was assigned as the commander-in-chief in the battle sequence and assumed a more important position. In official matters, I am the superior, but in personal terms, you are the elder brother, and there should be no distinction between superior and subordinate."

Pang Bingxun's face turned red when he was told that he was old: "Captain Li, you are too kind. I am just old. I am not as capable as you!"

Li Zongren continued: "We have been fighting a civil war for more than 20 years. Although it was forced by the situation, we were just forced to spin in this vortex. But if you think about it carefully, it is too meaningless. We can't tell right from wrong, and we can't tell right from wrong. Although we lose, we are not ashamed, but we can't win."

"Today, God is kind enough to give us a chance to serve our country. Now that you and I are both of this age, it is worth dying for. Only then can we be worthy of being a soldier!"

Pang Bingxun sighed: "Hey, Commander Li, I am in trouble now too!"

Li Zongren frowned: "What's going on?"

Pang Bingxun took the opportunity to complain: "I originally had five regiments, but now the central government has ordered me to merge the special forces regiment into four regiments. My troops are all full, so where can this special forces regiment go?"

"Now that we are officially deploying troops, all the troops are expanding, but ours is the only one that needs to be reduced. This..."

"If you don't obey, I will stop paying the entire legion's food and wages!"

Li Zongren said solemnly: "Maybe the higher-ups don't know the real situation of your troops. I will report it truthfully."

(End of this chapter)