Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 191 Chang's Decision
"Sir!" Zhao Fangyuan handed over something that looked like a file book, his expression somewhat grim. "It was sent personally by the superior. The situation may not be good."

Seeing the other party's expression, Wang Feng frowned and reached out to take the file book handed to him.

Open it and take a look.

It's a letter of appointment.

The first thing that caught my eye was a long paragraph of commendation, which was not very informative and might not have been written by Chiang Kai-shek himself.

Wang Feng took a quick glance and passed by.

The main content is further down.

"Central Military Academy?"

"Director of the Academic Affairs Office?"

Looking at the words above and the seal of the Military Commission, Wang Feng seemed to have a few black lines flashing across his forehead.

Transfer me to the Central Military Academy and serve as the director of the Academic Affairs Office?

What kind of business is this?

Zhao Fangyuan looked bitter: "Sir, this move is really too cruel!"

"If you were transferred to Shancheng to be the Dean of Academic Affairs, what would happen to the army?"

Wang Feng stared at the words on the letter of appointment, his brows almost twisted together.

Is Chiang Kai-shek stupid?
At this critical juncture, if I were to be transferred to the rear, not to mention the conflict between the two, what would the front line do?
How can we continue this war?

Wang Feng suppressed his anger and continued reading. After reading the words in his mind, his brows gradually relaxed.

So that's what happened.
There is no doubt that he will be transferred from a higher position to a higher position and go to Shancheng to serve as the Dean of Academic Affairs of the Central Military Academy.

It was clearly written in black and white. Even if he disobeyed orders, Chiang Kai-shek would find other ways to force him to take office, either overtly or covertly.

Now is a critical moment. If we focus our main energy on this, we may miss out on important things.

From the overall perspective, it will be beneficial to everyone if he goes to Shancheng to take up his post in time.

As for the military power of the troops, it still belongs to him.

On this point, Chiang Kai-shek was not confused.

He does have the most basic abilities, as he was able to rise from an ordinary merchant's son to the position of Chairman of the Military Commission and supreme commander.

Chiang Kai-shek knew the situation of the Federal Garrison Army better than anyone else.

If he were to be kicked out of the position of commander-in-chief, the new commander would definitely be chosen from among his direct generals.

Otherwise, suddenly changing the coach at the last minute will not bring any benefit at all.

Lost the wife and broke down again.

As for the other Whampoa generals
Let’s not talk about the level of command ability.

Let’s just talk about the obedience of the troops.

The Federal Garrison was a force that he had led himself.

No matter who comes, it is impossible to shock Zhao Fangyuan, Song Wenjie and others.

The undermining of power is a foregone conclusion.

A commander-in-chief who has been sidelined is no different from a lump of flour on a chopping board. Anyone can kick him or punch him.

Rather than this, it is better to continue with the status quo.

What's more, judging from the current situation, after the Battle of Shanghai and Nanjing, the Central Army's performance on the battlefield was not ideal.

Especially the Battle of Lanfeng.

The direct descendants Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie fled without permission one after another.

If these two scums were not there, he and Xue Yue could have eliminated the Doihara Division at least a week earlier.

The Federal Garrison Army took over its position and became the main force in the battle. Without such a heroic army on the front line, Chiang Kai-shek could not sleep well at night.

After repeated weighing.

Out of desperation, I had no choice but to compromise.

To describe Chiang Kai-shek's mood with a sentence from his previous life, it would be - he was afraid that his brothers would suffer, but he was also afraid that his brothers would drive a Land Rover!

They were afraid that their power would become too great, and they were even more afraid that they would passively resist the Japanese.

"It's okay. Our chairman is really thoughtful." Wang Feng smiled and closed the file book. "He's just the director of the Academic Affairs Office. There's nothing wrong with teaching and educating people!"

Zhao Fangyuan was a little anxious: "Sir, transferring you to Shancheng is clearly intended to monitor you!"

Wang Feng waved his hand: "Let him go. If I really want to leave, do you think he can stop me?"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded, thoughtfully.

"That's right. There are not many troops stationed in the mountain city. Sir, please bring more people with you to prevent any accidents!"

"If anything happens over there, send a telegram to the brothers immediately!"

"Song Wenjie and I will lead the guys to rescue you!"

As the two were talking, a cool breeze blew in.

Wang Feng shuddered subconsciously.

Zhao Fangyuan immediately understood, turned around, took the coat from the hanger, and put it on Wang Feng.

"How did this column become the capital's guard force?" Wang Feng recalled another one and muttered to himself.

It is clearly written on the letter of appointment.

[The First Mountain Column of the Federal Provincial Garrison Army has made outstanding contributions and will be stationed in the mountain city from now on and transferred to the Capital Defense Command. ]

Wang Feng was a little confused.

The purpose of transferring himself to the Central Military Academy was to monitor himself.

Now another column is transferred over there.

Are you really not afraid of doing something out of line?

Wang Feng didn't believe that Chiang Kai-shek didn't understand that it was impossible for a garrison commander alone to intimidate Zhang Hu and the old brothers of the First Column.

By then, the command of the troops will probably still be mine.

So why is this?
"Could it be?" Wang Feng's brows gradually relaxed, as if he had thought of the reason.

Zhao Fangyuan also saw the appointment and asked quickly: "Sir, what is it?"

Wang Feng: "I guess our chairman is scared?"

Zhao Fangyuan was stunned: "Are you scared?"

Wang Feng: "The battle of Xuzhou has now been settled. The Japanese army no longer needs to worry about the flanks. The next offensive plan is undoubtedly Wuhan."

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "That's right. At present, most of the country's elite troops, except for us and the Henan East Corps, are concentrating in Wuhan."

Wang Feng: "Wuhan is a thoroughfare connecting nine provinces, with both land and water resources. If Wuhan is lost, where do you think the Japanese army will attack next?"

Zhao Fangyuan blurted out without hesitation: "Mountain City!"

Then he immediately understood: "Sir, you mean that the chairman is afraid that the Japanese army will attack Huanglong directly after capturing Wuhan?"

Wang Feng: “Yes!”

"Although the chairman is a little incompetent in some aspects, he is still quite cautious when it comes to his life and property."

"I have been wanting to transfer the First Column over here so that they can serve as my imperial guards."

Zhao Fangyuan frowned: "But..."

Wang Feng smiled and said, "You mean to say that even if the First Column went to Shancheng, Zhang Hu would still listen to me. As the saying goes, 'I will not allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed', but the command of this 'imperial guard' is not in the hands of Chiang Kai-shek himself."

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

Wang Feng continued, "If such a day really comes, I will probably be the commander of the garrison."

"By then, let alone one column, the chairman will be eager to put more troops in my hands."

"So as to ensure his life and property."

This does not mean that Wang Feng is overconfident.

After so many battles, he has already figured out the details of the National Army.

There is indeed no shortage of outstanding generals among them.

But the majority of them are still good-for-nothings and mediocre people.

Zhao Fangyuan suddenly realized: "So that's it!"

"It seems I'm worrying too much!"

"Sir, what does this Dean of Academic Affairs do?"

The Central Military Academy, formerly known as the Whampoa Military Academy.

Zhao Fangyuan has never been to school and has very little common sense in this area.

Wang Feng recalled the days when he studied at the Whampoa Military Academy many years ago. Thinking about it now, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. "The Dean of Academic Affairs is a small position. As the name suggests, he is responsible for some military courses."

It is estimated that Chiang Kai-shek also valued his military talents.

Only then did I transfer myself to this position.

Zhao Fangyuan understood: "When will you leave, sir?"

Wang Feng grinned: "There is no rush. The letter of appointment does not clearly indicate the time. After the war is over, I will go back to Changzhi first. It will not be too late to go again after everything is settled!"

Zhao Fangyuan responded.

Wang Feng: "Any news from Dangshan?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Chu Yunfei sent a telegram half a day ago, saying that the battle situation is relatively stable, especially with the friendly forces."

Wang Feng realized something was wrong and immediately asked, "Friendly troops?"

"What happened to the friendly forces?"

"Will he not flee from the battlefield again like Gui Yongqing did?"

Zhao Fangyuan quickly shook his head: "That's not the case."

"After fighting with us, the Japanese army did not gain any advantage, so they changed their strategy and used the flank positions of friendly forces as a breakthrough point. Their offensive continued, affecting our front positions and forcing us to retreat continuously."

Wang Feng laughed.

It turns out that Chu Yunfei came here to complain.

The battle line kept retreating, and it was indeed not the fault of the 4th and 6th columns.

If the flank position is lost, if the front position is still held, a very obvious salient will be formed on the battlefield.

If we are not careful, we will be attacked from three sides.

Even all four sides.

If it was during their peak period, the 4th and 6th columns had joined forces, they would have been able to hold out for a while even if the battlefield situation was already overwhelming.

But things are different now.

Wang Feng looked at the large poster on the wall and said, "Notify the 4th and 6th columns, tell them that the battle in Lanfeng is over, and the troops will be withdrawn to the rear for rest. Ask them to prepare to take over from the Henan East Corps that will arrive soon."

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

Wang Feng continued, "The First Column will continue to rest where it is, and in two days we will head north to Heze to recover the lost territory!"

Hearing the last four words, Zhao Fangyuan looked somewhat excited.

After the 14th Division was eliminated, there was no longer any obstacle between Lanfeng and Puyang.

With the current strength of the First Column, recovering these thousands of square kilometers of land is as easy as taking something from a bag.

Since last year, the National Army has been on a path of defeat, although it has had many major victories in the meantime. The Eighth Route Army launched operations behind enemy lines in Shanxi and recaptured several county towns.

But like now, we have recovered thousands of kilometers of lost territory in one go.

This is really the first time.

Wang Feng cleared his throat and said, "Don't be too happy too soon. The military manual has already said that arrogant soldiers will be defeated. Neither Terauchi Shouichi nor Nishio Shouzo will watch us capture the city."

"I'm afraid something strange will happen."

"You still have to be vigilant!"

Zhao Fangyuan saluted: "Yes!"

--------

5 month 25 day.

Changzhi.

The First Artillery Factory.

Song Wenjie put his hands behind his back. In front of him, three Jin-made 122mm howitzers were lined up.

Factory Director Cheng Feipeng stood beside him and said, "Sir, this is the latest heavy artillery produced by our factory."

"It has passed the inspection and the quality is absolutely qualified!"

Song Wenjie nodded: "Just these three?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feipeng immediately showed a sad face: "Three cannons is really a lot."

"122mm, large-caliber heavy artillery, its production capacity is really not as good as that of 75mm field artillery!"

Song Wenjie nodded and put his hand on the other's shoulder: "Well, the news from the front yesterday was that our commander praised this gun highly."

“Your factory still needs to keep working hard!”

Cheng Feipeng nodded immediately: "Yes, yes, yes!"

Song Wenjie touched the barrel of the gun and said, "I think you already know the order from the higher-ups."

"The establishment of the People's Commissariat of the Defense Industry has been put on the agenda and will be officially established soon!"

"Artillery is the main force on the battlefield. If your factory's production capacity meets the target next month, I can put in a good word for you in front of my superiors."

"Give your factory a committee membership."

Hearing this, Cheng Feipeng's eyes immediately lit up: "Sir. Oh no, Minister, are you serious?"

Song Wenjie smiled and said, "Of course you take it seriously?"

"Can I still lie to you?"

Cheng Feipeng quickly patted his chest and assured: "Please rest assured, Minister, our factory workers will work overtime and will definitely be able to complete the production plan for June!"

Song Wenjie added: "Production capacity is important, but the premise is that quality must be ensured. Don't send a bunch of defective products to the front line!"

Cheng Feipeng quickly shook his head: "No, no!"

Song Wenjie: "How is the development of the 150mm heavy artillery going?"

"This 122mm caliber is still a little underpowered."

Cheng Feipeng: "The trial production of the first 150mm cannon will probably have to wait until July or August."

Song Wenjie frowned: "July or August?"

"What's going on? Didn't you tell me last time that you could have a trial birth in half a month?"

Cheng Feipeng was a little embarrassed when he spoke: "There is a problem at the tank factory again. The tank gun we designed before had already been finalized, but they suddenly changed their minds."

Song Wenjie looked aside.

The adjutant stepped forward immediately and said, "It is true."

Song Wenjie nodded: "The superiors are urging you to develop it as soon as possible."

"Let's load these three heavy artillery pieces onto trucks and transport them to the front line!"

The adjutant responded.

After explaining a few things, Song Wenjie walked out of the artillery factory.

Since the Battle of Dangshan.

He came to the artillery factory almost every day, and did nothing else but keep an eye on the production progress.

A combat staff officer came over and whispered something in the adjutant's ear.

"what!"

"Are you sure the news is correct?"

The operations officer nodded.

The adjutant immediately ran to the jeep and stopped Song Wenjie who was about to get on.

"Sir!"

"The General Staff has received reliable information that the Japanese army has assembled a large force and plans to launch a large-scale sweep of Changzhi!"

Song Wenjie lowered his raised leg and turned to look at the adjutant.

"Approximately how many people are there?"

Adjutant: "Two divisions!"

Song Wenjie's eyes widened: "Two divisions?"

"Is Kazuki Seiji crazy?"

"Where have we gotten to so far?"

Adjutant: "The vanguard has passed Jinzhong!"

Song Wenjie immediately jumped into the car: "Let's not go to the bullet factory yet, let's go back to the barracks!"

"Go contact the friendly forces and send a message to the headquarters to report the situation!"

The adjutant took the passenger seat: “Yes!”

(End of this chapter)