Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 145: The front line just talks, the back line runs

Changzhi.

In the roaring workshop of the First Artillery Factory.

Song Wenjie, dressed in military uniform, went to the production line to inspect it in person.

Factory Director Cheng Feipeng stood aside respectfully and said, "Sir, our factory currently has only these two production lines. In just one week, we can produce four 75mm guns."

Four doors a week, at least sixteen doors a month.

In a whole year, nearly two hundred artillery pieces can be produced.

After the Taiyuan Arsenal and Jinling Arsenal fell one after another, this output was considered to be the best in the country.

Song Wenjie shook his head: "Not enough, this output is far from enough."

"The superiors have issued a strict order that at least 60 artillery pieces must be sent to the front line within a month."

Cheng Feipeng's eyes widened: "Sixty?"

"Sir, this."

Song Wenjie waved his hand and said, "This is just the minimum standard. Your superiors want you to produce 60 guns. You can't just produce this few."

Cheng Feipeng was speechless and wanted to speak, but he held it back.

Song Wenjie: "But don't worry, I will pay special attention to your artillery factory when allocating the first batch of graduates."

"I will go to the First Machine Tool Factory to coordinate and build two more production lines for your factory this month."

After taking over logistics for such a long time, Song Wenjie has already developed a set of experience.

Production capacity is like a sponge. If you squeeze it, there will always be some. But we can’t keep putting pressure on it. Objective conditions still have to be met.

Cheng Feipeng breathed a sigh of relief: "Sir, the supply of steel cannot be cut off. I know that steel is used everywhere now. Can you raise the priority of our factory?"

Song Wenjie hesitated for a moment: "Okay, but your factory must produce at least seventy guns this month!"

Seventy artillery pieces are just enough to equip five columns.

Cheng Feipeng gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.

Song Wenjie then asked, "What is the current status of the development of the 105mm artillery?"

The 75mm gun equipped in field battles and mountain columns can only be used for front-line support. If one wants to form suppressive firepower against the enemy, large-caliber heavy artillery is also needed.

Cheng Feipeng scratched his head and said, "Sir, our factory's main focus is still on the 75mm cannon. The development of the 105mm cannon is currently in the stage of adjusting the production process."

Song Wenjie: "There is no news from the artillery column yet, but we must not fall behind in progress. The sooner we equip ourselves, the better!"

Cheng Feipeng nodded: "The 105 heavy artillery can be put into trial production this month, and we will try to equip the troops next month!"

Song Wenjie: "Yes, if we can complete the task, I will ask my superiors to give special consideration to the artillery factory when we evaluate the model factories at the end of the month."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feipeng seemed to be excited: "Please rest assured, sir! Within a month, our First Artillery Factory will definitely complete the task excellently!"

Song Wenjie instructed: "Don't let the quality drop. This is going to be sent to the front line to fight the Japanese. There can be no ambiguity!"

After a brief inspection, he left the artillery factory.

There is still a lot to do next.

A long list of weapons was sent over from the Xuzhou front, and the officer emphasized that they must be transferred to the troops within one month.

The heavy production pressure makes people feel suffocated.

It's really like all the talk at the front line and all the running around at the back.

It was originally thought that after a new batch of purchased equipment arrived, production capacity would surge and we would be able to achieve self-sufficiency and supply the needs of the front-line troops.

Unexpectedly, the troops were reorganized before the production capacity was increased.

Eight columns
It really was like a mountain, weighing heavily on Song Wenjie's heart.

After getting on the jeep, the driver looked back and said, "Sir, it's twelve o'clock at night. Are you going back to the barracks?"

Song Wenjie rubbed his temple and said, "Let's go to the steel plant first."

After the resolution to integrate the steel industry was issued, the Southeast Shanxi Steel Plant was quickly established and its production capacity increased by more than three times.

The car soldier responded and turned the key.

With the roar of the engine, the jeep gradually disappeared into the night.

----

Xuzhou.

Wang Feng clenched the telegram in front of him, and veins bulged on his forehead.

【The Reform Government of the Republic of China was officially established in Nanjing.】

Zhao Fangyuan: "The Japanese are really good at using both soft and hard tactics. We finally managed to mobilize the people's anti-war sentiment, but now we are afraid that we will suffer a heavy blow again."

"Not long ago, Germany armed itself to annex Austria, and now the disturbance has spread to the country,"

Wang Feng crumpled the telegram into a ball and threw it into the trash can: "Don't let these sons of bitches of traitors fall into my hands."

"By the way, have those photos taken by Miss Manli during the Battle of Linyi been published?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "No news yet, but the photos that were found in Chihe from the 26th Brigade Command Post have been published by a newspaper."

"The response is very strong and it is said that it has spread abroad."

Wang Feng nodded: "You did a good job on this matter. It is indeed difficult to coordinate all aspects."

Hearing the praise, Zhao Fangyuan was excited and saluted: "It is my duty to share the worries of the superiors!"

Wang Feng walked to the map and said: "When the Battle of Taierzhuang is over, the large-scale Japanese troops will soon be assembled, and the production in the rear factories cannot be stopped for a moment!"

"After you go back, urge Song Wenjie again."

Zhao Fangyuan responded.

Wang Feng paced in the room: "The speed of reorganization of the troops should not be slowed down. We should hurry up to get used to it. After the battle in Taierzhuang is over, our troops may be sent to the battlefield again."

He felt a little regretful for missing the Battle of Taierzhuang.

However, his troops fought from January to March, with a total rest time of no more than a week. If they had participated in the Battle of Taierzhuang, they would have had no chance of taking part in the subsequent Battle of Xuzhou.

Zhao Fangyuan stood beside him and said, "Sir, do you think we can hold Xuzhou for a long time?"

When asked about this, Wang Feng pondered in his heart.

"Disaster!"

"In two or three months, the Central China Expeditionary Force on the southern front will be regrouped and will surely head north again."

"As long as Beijing and Shanghai are still in the hands of the Japanese, we will inevitably be attacked from all sides."

"Even if we can defend it, the losses will be huge. Although the chairman regards Xuzhou as the main battlefield, he will not gamble everything here."

“I can’t afford to lose!”

Zhao Fangyuan sighed: "Well, then we can only look to Wuhan."

Boom boom boom!
While the two were talking, there was a knock on the door.

Zhao Fangyuan reacted immediately, walked out of the room quickly, and returned in a hurry after a while.

"Sir, the Fifth War Zone Command has sent a special car to pick you up and invite you to attend a military meeting."

Wang Feng: “Now?”

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

Wang Feng was somewhat suspicious, but he immediately walked to the clothes rack and took off his fur-collared coat.

Although it is spring, it is still chilly outside. It is the middle of the night now. If you don’t wear more clothes, you will shiver with cold.

Zhao Fangyuan followed beside him: "Sir, it's so late, how about I go with you?"

Wang Feng wrapped his coat tightly and shook his head: "No, in wartime, who cares about the time."

"Will the Japs stop attacking at night?"

Zhao Fangyuan scratched his head: "Yes, yes, I'm not worried."

Wang Feng: "It's okay, I'll leave first. If there is any emergency in the army, you can handle it first."

After saying that, he walked out of the room.

------

Headquarters of the Fifth War Zone.

After the guard informed him, Wang Feng pushed the door open and walked in. As he was stationed outside the city with his troops, he arrived late, and when he arrived, the meeting room was already packed with people.

"Commander Wang!"

"Long time no see, how are you these days, Commander Wang?"

"."

Several officers stood up and greeted with a smile.

Wang Feng nodded slightly in response.

It seemed like he didn't know any of these people!

Li Zongren also stood up, smiling, and pointed to the first seat on the right side of the long table: "You are finally here, sit down!"

Wang Feng looked around and found that only this seat was empty. It seemed that everyone was waiting for him.

"I'm sorry, everyone. I was delayed on the road." Wang Feng looked apologetic.

"It's okay, it's okay. Commander Wang is busy with military duties and has a lot of things to do."

"Yeah!"

The officers around him responded one after another.

Li Zongren cleared his throat and said, "Okay, everyone is here, let's start the meeting."

"The military situation is urgent, so I summoned you all here late at night to discuss matters, mainly to discuss the battle situation on the front line."

"After the Second Division withdrew to the Pingjin area, the Tenth Division regrouped and planned to attack Teng County with heavy troops and then head straight for Taierzhuang."

"Taierzhuang is the gateway to Xuzhou. If it is lost, the war situation will be in danger!"

Wang Feng was secretly surprised.

Really good-for-nothing!

Just now I was still regretting my absence from the Battle of Taierzhuang, but in the blink of an eye I was sitting in the conference room, participating in the formulation of strategies.

This can also be regarded as - planning strategies from within the camp and winning battles thousands of miles away!

Li Zongren had already prepared a plan in his mind: "Let me first give you my personal opinion. The main attack direction of the 10th Division is Teng County. Previously, the 22nd Army Group fought against the Japanese invaders in this city, and all the strategic locations around it have been occupied by the enemy."

"If we continue to fight here, it will be extremely difficult!"

"So I plan to give up the front of Jinpu Road and lead the Japanese invaders to Taierzhuang. When the defense reaches its highest efficiency, I will send troops to attack their flanks!"

Li Zongren's voice was sonorous and powerful. He placed his hands on the table and looked around at the people below.

"Commander Li has a brilliant plan. First we lure the enemy deep into our territory, then we attack their flanks and backs. This way, we will surely win the battle!"

"What a good plan! The Japanese army is frivolous and arrogant. As the saying goes, whoever enters Guanzhong first will be the king. Once the front of the Jinpu Road is withdrawn, they will surely drive straight in and fall into our trap!"

"."

There was a continuous stream of congratulations from both sides of the long table.

All the staff officers present at the meeting unanimously supported Li Zongren's combat decision.

Wang Feng frowned, feeling something was wrong.

If it were in the past, this tactic would definitely work, but times are different now.

These staff officers usually stay in the command post and have never been to the front line, so they don't understand the specific situation.

But he had fought the Japanese army with real weapons, and realized that the battle was definitely not as simple as he thought!
After the destruction of the Second Division, the Tenth Division will inevitably fall into a state of panic and fear.

Otherwise, Tang Enbo's troops would not have been able to lift the siege of Teng County in such a short period of time.

Amidst the flattering voices, Wang Feng slowly spoke: "Commander Li, Teng County can no longer be defended, but I'm afraid that giving up the front of the Jinpu Road will not be enough to lure the enemy deeper."

"After the battles of Huaibei and Linyi, the Japanese army has grown a lot and will definitely not be as reckless as before."

Hearing the opposing voices, Li Zongren pondered for a moment and said: "Well, it does make sense. Things are constantly developing. We can no longer use the previous stereotypes to look at the current Japanese army."

"If the 10th Division advances steadily and slowly, it will be difficult to defeat them."

On the opposite side of Wang Feng, Xu Zuyi frowned and said, "That's true. When we were in Linyi, the Second Division was extremely cautious. They always took one step and looked a hundred steps ahead. If they suddenly gave up the front of Linyi, Isogai Lianjie must be suspicious!"

The staff officers below were silent. They were good at flattery, but among the officers who could sit in this room for a meeting, which one could be an ordinary person?
After realizing that something was wrong, they immediately looked at each other and discussed countermeasures.

"Captain Li, why don't you leave a troop to defend Teng County? You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child!"

"I think we can set up defenses in stages between Teng County and Taierzhuang, blocking the enemy at each step, and creating time for building fortifications in the main battlefield in the rear."

"."

The staff officers had different opinions on the battle deployment.

Wang Feng looked at the battle map and pondered in his heart.

This battle is not easy to fight!

If he were to go to the front line in person, he might be able to seize the Japanese army's loopholes and organize an orderly defense or counterattack.

But this was in the rear headquarters, and Tang and Sun's troops were not their own troops, so coordination was also a problem.

Li Zongren looked at Wang Feng and said, "Commander Wang, since you raised the problem, what solution can you offer?"

Being directly asked, Wang Feng thought for a moment and said, "Captain Li, the strategy of luring the enemy deep into our territory is acceptable, but what Chief of Staff Xu said makes sense. We must not give up the Jinpu front directly."

"You can adopt a step-by-step approach!"

Li Zongren's brows relaxed, and he immediately understood the meaning: "You mean, one defeat, two defeats, and three defeats, so that the Japanese army will mistakenly believe that our army is really unable to resist."

Wang Feng nodded and said, "In addition, since we are going to use a roundabout tactic to attack their flank, we must hide our troops' tracks and not let the Japanese find us."

In the original Battle of Taierzhuang, Isogai Lianjie was very reckless. He knew that Tang Enbo's army was on his flank, but he still ignored it and insisted on using all his strength to move south along the Jinpu Line.

In the end, they were attacked from both sides and suffered a crushing defeat.

But now the Japs have become smarter, and once they detect any unusual movement, they are very likely to stop moving forward.

Li Zongren: "Then let the flanking troops move at night and hide in the mountainous area east of Baodugang!"

Wang Feng added: "We can let the surrounding civilians disguise themselves as defeated soldiers to mislead the Japanese reconnaissance planes in the sky."

"It can also be used to relocate the people in the city so that they can avoid suffering from the war."

Generally speaking, it is difficult for civilians to disguise themselves as soldiers.

In terms of discipline alone, there is a huge lack of it. Even though the national army is like a pile of loose sand at the moment, looking down from the sky, the marching formation is still relatively neat and not a mess.

You can tell at a glance whether they are civilians or the army.

But it is much easier to disguise as a deserter.

They all had the same disorganized formation and were retreating in a disorganized manner, making it difficult to distinguish them.

Xu Zuyi: "Commander Li, I think what Commander Wang said is feasible. Sun Lianzhong's troops are from the Northwest Army and are the best at defense. We can keep them in the front and conduct defensive operations."

"Tang Enbo's troops pretended to be defeated during the day and gradually dispersed their forces at night. If they repeated this for a few days, they would be able to completely disappear from the sight of the Japanese army."

"In addition, our unit can also proactively expose communications and release false information to the Japanese army."

Li Zongren turned his head to look at the battle map, thinking about the feasibility of the strategy in his mind.

The combat plan involves the evacuation of civilians, which will consume a lot of manpower and material resources and is difficult to implement.

But voluntarily giving up Teng County was equivalent to handing over the lives of tens of thousands of civilians in the city to the hands of the Japanese invaders.

Although it was a helpless act, he felt really bad about it.

As a general or a soldier, you should guard a place and protect the peace of the people!

This is also the significance of persisting in the war of resistance.

Li Zongren nodded: "What you said is indeed reasonable."

"This way, we can relocate the civilians and confuse the Japanese army. Let's do it this way."

"Mr. Xu, after the meeting, work out a specific battle plan before tomorrow morning."

"Regarding the evacuation of civilians, I plan to assign some of you to handle this matter specifically."

"Everyone, if there are no other questions, let's stop here today."

"The meeting is dismissed!"

The officers below stood up and saluted together.

(End of this chapter)