Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 163 "Stability" and "Easyness"

Outside the Dangshan camp.

Lu Han was sitting in the jeep. It was pitch black outside the window and the only sound he could hear was the engine.

Zhang Chong, the commander of the 184th Division, was in the same car with him: "Sir, are we not going to Xuzhou?"

Lu Han nodded: "Probably not going."

He is a little confused now.
The troops were stranded on the Dangshan line and could not move forward.

After the Yunnan Army took the oath of allegiance in Kunming, they were supposed to go to lift the siege of Nanjing according to the original plan. However, the journey was too long and Nanjing fell before they even reached it.

With no other options, they could only sigh in despair and temporarily return to Wuhan.

After the fall of Nanjing, Chiang Kai-shek realized the problem. The gap in military strength between China and Japan was too great. Rashly sending troops to fight hastily would be tantamount to committing suicide.

Although he always regarded the local troops as "cannon fodder".

However, in the two battles of Songhu and Nanjing, the elite troops of the Central Army suffered heavy losses, and the surviving troops were also being reorganized and rested. However, with such a small number of people, they could not defeat the well-equipped Japanese army.

He had no choice but to start making use of local troops.

The Yunnan Army is very special.

When troops across the country were using German and Japanese weapons, as well as domestically produced Zhongzheng and Hanyang rifles.

Yunnan troops are all equipped with French equipment, and their rifles are Lebel M1886 8mm rifles.

Even the helmets and leggings are extremely similar to those of the French army.

There were also mortars and heavy machine guns imported from France, and their overall strength far exceeded that of the Sichuan Army, and was even slightly stronger than that of the Guangxi Army.

In addition, when the 60th Army was in Hubei, it specially invited German consultants to assist in training and replenished a lot of weapons and ammunition.

Their strength is not inferior to that of the elite Central Army.

When the Battle of Xuzhou reached a critical juncture, the 60th Army was ordered to move north and garrison in eastern Henan.

However, due to the congestion on the railway lines and the fact that the training had reached a critical moment, the departure was delayed until the end of March.

When they were on the way, they suddenly received an urgent order to turn from eastern Henan to the Fifth War Zone to support the Battle of Xuzhou.

Lu Han accepted it with pleasure.

He had just heard the news of the Taierzhuang victory not long ago, and his heart was shocked.

Going to the Fifth War Zone at this time was exactly what he wanted.

The Yunnan Army is here to fight the Japs!
The Japanese army's massive invasion of Xuzhou was the best opportunity to display their skills.

Who would have thought that when traveling westward from Zhengzhou to the Dangshan area, they were suddenly "detained".

The garrison chief of staff Zhao Fangyuan came to him with a telegram.

[Lu Han, Commander of the 60th Army:
The First Garrison Division orders your troops to stay where they are and be ready for battle. 】

Lu Han looked at the telegram in front of him, not knowing what to say.

He knew a thing or two about the garrison division, which was on the same level as other war zones. Henan was also within its jurisdiction, so in theory he could indeed command the troops within the territory.

But the 60th Army was ordered to go to Xuzhou by the Military Commission, and Commander Li of the Fifth War Zone was already aware of this. How could he just not go?

Lu Han wanted to refuse.

But Zhao Fangyuan didn't give him any chance at all and took out a telegram from the Fifth War Zone's General Staff.

[Lu Han, Commander of the 60th Army:
The Fifth War Zone General Staff has allowed your unit to be temporarily placed under the command of the garrison army. The military situation is urgent and we must make our own decisions on the battlefield. If the chairman holds you accountable, Li and Wang will bear the responsibility.]

inside the car.

Zhang Chong hesitated for a moment: "What if the chairman blames me?"

"If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Besides, Henan is not Yunnan, we can't just do whatever we want." Lu Han sighed and folded the telegram in his hand. "Since Commander Li has allowed this, even if Chongqing blames us, it has nothing to do with us."

The Yunnan Army is not the Central Army.

Chiang Kai-shek's hand couldn't reach that far.

Once the truth comes out, the first target will certainly be Li and Wang, followed by the Yunnan Army. However, there is also Long Yun above them, and as the punishment goes down layer by layer, the actual punishment that falls on the 60th Army will not be much.

If you make military achievements, maybe everyone will live in peace.

Lu Han looked at Zhang Chong and said, "Commander Wang ordered our troops to immediately head south to Yongcheng and arrive within three days."

"I order the 184th Division to be the vanguard and arrive within two days. Can you do it?"

Zhang Chong nodded: "Two days is two days. If you are worried, I can issue a military order!"

Lu Han waved his hand and said, "Forget about the military order. Chairman Long told me before I left that I must fight well and let the troops from other provinces see the style of our Yunnan Army."

"In this next battle, we must not fail no matter what!"

Zhang Chong looked serious: "Sir, what is the situation in Yongcheng?"

"Did Chief of Staff Zhao tell you about this?"

Lu Han frowned and thought for a moment: "According to Chief of Staff Zhao, the fighting situation was tense in the past few days, but it has eased in recent days."

"The details can only be learned after your unit reaches the outskirts of the city and asks the local troops."

Zhang Chong believed it and responded.

------

Dangshan Camp.

Zhao Fangyuan walked in hurriedly.

Wang Feng's consciousness switched to reality and he turned his head: "Have they all been sent away?"

Zhao Fangyuan stood straight and saluted: "Report to the commander, everything is going well!"

Wang Feng nodded.

Although Yu Xuezhong did not mention the word "request for help" in the routine report telegram, the actual battle situation could not deceive anyone.

If this continues, the two columns will not last a week and will collapse completely.

Even though the 7th and 8th columns are not elite and are only third-rate troops according to their rank, they are still their own soldiers and they are their own flesh and blood.

There is no way I can just watch my brothers die.

But there are no troops available at the moment.

When he was in a dilemma, the 60th Army happened to pass by right under his nose, so he simply captured the able-bodied men.

Wang Feng had discussed this matter with Li Zongren. The situation on the Yongcheng battlefield was tense, and the situation on the Xuzhou battlefield was equally difficult.

In order to get this reinforcement, Wang Feng sent more than 20 Type 94 mountain cannons that his troops had replaced, along with the shells, to the 31st Army.

Of course, this alone is definitely not enough.

Wang Feng also assured Li Zongren that as long as the 60th Army could rush to Yongcheng's rescue, his garrison would clear out the remaining enemies on the Longhai Line within a week, open the western gate of Xuzhou, and cover the evacuation of the General Staff and more than a dozen divisions.

A person's name, the shadow of a tree.

Previously in the Fifth War Zone, Wang Feng had made great military achievements. He encircled and annihilated the Japanese army in the Battle of Huaibei, defeated the powerful enemy in the Battle of Linyi, and acted as a pioneer in firefighting in the Battle of Taierzhuang.

These achievements have become Wang Feng’s “certificate of credibility”.

Li Zongren was worried about this matter.

The main forces of the Fifth War Zone were mostly concentrated on the northern battlefield.

Sun Lianzhong's Lunan Corps had a total of nine armies and four independent divisions.

Tang Enbo’s Longhai Corps consisted of three armies in total.

In addition, there were five armies in the Xuzhou area that had not been incorporated into the combat corps.

The military force was large, but its combat effectiveness was worrying. Elite troops such as Tang Enbo's 20th Corps and Sun Lianzhong's Second Army suffered heavy losses in the first Battle of Taierzhuang.

Still hasn't recovered.

The other troops were mostly second- and third-rate local troops.

On the other hand, the Japanese army.

The six divisions of the North China Front Army marched southward in large numbers and re-approached the Taierzhuang line.

The situation is critical. If we don't break out, we will be in danger of being surrounded and annihilated.

The two of them put it together and the deal was settled.

Zhao Fangyuan was a little worried: "Sir, this matter is very serious. If the Military Commission investigates it..."

Wang Feng grinned and waved his hand: "What are you afraid of?"

"If I remember correctly, the official transfer order received by the 60th Army was to move to Henan for garrison. As for going to Xuzhou, it was just the result of a private discussion between Duke De and Cheng Qian. The headquarters did not issue a clear transfer order." Zhao Fangyuan understood: "I see!"

At this point, even a fool can understand.

Chiang Kai-shek only made a verbal promise and did not issue a written transfer order.

Henan is under the dual jurisdiction of the First War Zone and the Garrison Division.

Wang Feng mobilized Lu Han's troops to rush to Yongcheng for assistance, which was justified and no one could find fault with it.

Even if we settle the matter afterwards, we can't come up with a suitable reason.

Wang Feng: "Use them to leave as soon as possible. Yu Xuezhong may not be able to hold on."

"What did you say? Don't scare them away."

Zhao Fangyuan smiled and said, "I told them that the situation in Yongcheng was easing. After they confirmed the news, they gladly accepted it and went back home to reorganize their troops."

Wang Feng laughed in his heart: "Well done!"

Stabilizing military morale is also an art.

I remember that originally, the 60th Army went to support the Fifth War Zone, and when it just arrived in Xuzhou, Lu Han ran to meet Li Zongren.

He asked about the situation at the front line.

Li Zongren was a loyal and honest man and he spoke the truth right from the start.

"Of course it's tight!"

When he was about to continue, Bai Chongxi stopped him and said, "Commander Li was talking about the situation being very tight a few days ago, but it has eased up now."

The reason for this is very simple.

The Yunnan Army just arrived in Xuzhou and heard the word "tight situation" right away. What should they do if they are scared and return to Henan?
Li Zongren understood what he meant and stopped talking.

After leaving the war zone headquarters, Lu Han went to see Sun Lianzhong again.

He also asked about the battle situation on the front line.

Sun Lianzhong is a man from the northwest. He looks honest and would never tell a lie, but he is actually very shrewd.

"The Japanese attack was fierce and the situation was very tense in the past few days, but we fought well and the situation is now stable."

Bai Chongxi said "easing" and Sun Lianzhong said "stability". Lu Han really believed it and felt relieved.

But when the troops arrived at Taierzhuang, they found that the situation was not as they thought.
Zhao Fangyuan stood at attention: "Thank you for the compliment, sir!"

Wang Feng instructed, "We are all brothers in the same trench. We must not deceive others too much. When we are close to Yongcheng, we will tell Lu Han the real situation."

Zhao Fangyuan patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, sir. I told them to contact Yu Xuezhong first when they are ten kilometers away from Yongcheng and get detailed battle information."

"Ten kilometers is just right. If you want to walk, you definitely can't, but there's plenty of time to adjust."

Wang Feng nodded, feeling very satisfied.

Although the Japanese troops were heavily pressing in the direction of Xuzhou, they were still able to hold out for more than a month.

The battlefield in Yongcheng cannot be delayed for a moment.

If the 3rd, 9th, 107th Division is allowed to move north, the Longhai Line will be completely blocked.

With the western gate blocked, the hope of the Lunan and Longhai Corps to break out will become even slimmer.

Wang Feng changed the subject: "What's the latest news in Zhengzhou?"

Zhao Fangyuan thought for a moment and said, "In the second half of the night, the Henan East Corps sent a telegram asking for the Fifth Column to give up its defensive position, but I refused."

Wang Feng frowned: "Rejected?"

Zhao Fangyuan scratched his head: "Sir, didn't you say that the 5th Column should hold on to Lanfeng and not be mobilized under any circumstances?"

As the size of the army grew, hundreds of telegrams were sent every day.

It contains both big and small things, and the content is extremely complicated.

Wang Feng didn't have time to look through them one by one, so some trivial matters or matters that had already set the tone were all left to Zhao Fangyuan to handle.

Only important matters would be submitted to his desk.

Wang Feng: "That's it. Xue Boling has his own ideas on how to fight the 14th Division. We just need to hold Lanfeng and take control of the Yellow River crossing."

The Henan East Corps is extremely powerful, and the remaining elite troops of the Central Army are among them.

In order to achieve victory, Chiang Kai-shek spent a huge amount of money and even pulled out the tank unit that he had built at great expense and put it under the command of Qiu Qingquan.

But in Wang Feng's opinion, the Henan East Corps did not have much chance of winning.

First, there is a high probability that Chiang Kai-shek will directly intervene in the command.

Second, although the Henan East Corps was composed of the direct line of the Central Army, there was a serious internal struggle for power, mutual suspicion, and ulterior motives, which would definitely lead to big problems at critical moments.

Perhaps in the end, it would depend on Zhang Zizhong's Fifth Column to stabilize the situation and prevent Kenji Doihara from advancing to Kaifeng.

------

4 month 24 day.

6:23 am.

Chu Yunfei stood on the battlefield and looked at the front line through a telescope:
"How many kilometers did we advance last night?"

Adjutant Sun Ming immediately said: "About nine kilometers, and another eleven kilometers ahead, we can reach the city of Dangshan County."

Chu Yunfei put down the telescope and put his hands behind his back: "Is there a war in the southeast? Which unit is it? They are taking action so early!"

Sun Ming glanced at the map: "It's the fifth and sixth battalions, attacking Zhaozhuang!"

Chu Yunfei glanced at his watch and said, "I remember that the unified meal time is 7 o'clock. They attacked so early, why didn't they have breakfast?"

Sun Ming hesitated, unable to figure it out: "Well, maybe he wants to take down Zhaozhuang before having breakfast."

"How ridiculous!" Chu Yunfei snorted coldly, "After a fierce battle last night, the brothers were forced to fight on an empty stomach early in the morning. If we fail to capture Zhaozhuang because of this, wouldn't that mean we missed the opportunity to fight?"

Sun Ming responded: "Yes, I'll notify them right away!"

Chu Yunfei: "Does the commander-in-chief have any orders?"

Sun Ming shook his head: "Except for the mention of air support today, there is no other news."

"The friendly forces of the 1st and 6th columns have sent us many battle reports, urging us to attack as soon as possible."

Chu Yunfei: "Order each battalion to launch a general attack in an hour. I want to see the Dangshan Tower before tomorrow evening!"

Sun Ming saluted: "Yes!"

After explaining the offensive mission, Chu Yunfei walked into the command post.

"Jingle Bell--!"

The phone on the table rang, and Chu Yunfei subconsciously picked up the receiver.

"I am Chu Yunfei, the Fourth Echelon!"

A voice came from the phone: "I'm Wang Feng!"

Chu Yunfei quickly stood at attention, and Sun Ming beside him followed suit, standing even straighter.

"Hello, sir!"

Wang Feng said on the phone: "How is your department's preparation?"

Chu Yunfei quickly responded: "I have issued a combat order. We will launch a general attack in an hour. Cooperate with the two columns of friendly forces and strive to reach Dangshan County before tomorrow evening!"

Wang Feng: "Too slow!"

"Your Fourth Column is a field assault force, and there are two columns harassing the flanks. How can you fight so slowly?"

"We will reach the city walls before dawn tomorrow and enter the city by evening. Did you hear me?"

Chu Yunfei said hurriedly: "Yes!"

Wang Feng: "There will be planes to support you during the day, remember to hoist the flag in advance."

Chu Yunfei: "I have already known about this and have notified the various camps below."

Wang Feng responded and then hung up the phone.

Chu Yunfei breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved.

Sun Ming stepped forward: "Sir, what instructions does the commander-in-chief have?"

Chu Yunfei waved his hand and said, "Notify all troops not to eat breakfast yet. Go out immediately and wait until we capture a stronghold before we talk about eating!"

Sun Ming was stunned, then immediately said: "Yes!"

(End of this chapter)