Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 192: Surrounding Wei and rescuing Zhao?

Lanfeng.

Wang Feng was lying on a simple iron bed when he heard hurried footsteps.

He opened his eyes dazedly and saw Zhao Fangyuan striding towards him.

"Sir! A telegram came from the rear!"

"Katsuki Seiji has assembled about two divisions of troops and plans to launch a large-scale sweep of the Changzhi area!"

Wang Feng sat up and yawned.

Since the Battle of Dangshan, he has not had a good night's sleep. He is either fighting the Japanese or on his way to fight the Japanese.

After finally getting a break, he handed over the military matters to Zhao Fangyuan and Sergei, and immediately began to catch up on his sleep.

"Two divisions?"

Wang Feng frowned and reached out to take the telegram.

Glance up and down.

"Does it have a specific number?" Wang Feng shook his head, forcing himself to wake up, "Where have you arrived so far?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "114th Division, 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade and 4th Independent Mixed Brigade."

"According to news from the rear, the vanguard has passed Jinzhong!"

Wang Feng stood up: "114th Division?"

"Are there any detailed information?"

The Japanese Army's divisional organization was very complicated. Even though he had read all the war history in his previous life, what he could really remember were only the dozen or so Type A standing divisions.

Zhao Fangyuan pulled out a stack of information: "Sir, this was compiled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Time is limited, so it may not be very comprehensive."

Wang Feng picked up a piece of cold steamed bun on the table and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Please give me an overview!"

The 114th Division, just from its number, is a Type B division. As for the two independent mixed brigades, even when added together, their size is equivalent to that of a Type B division.

But their actual combat effectiveness is far inferior to that of regular divisions.

Even if it's just a Type B unit.

Zhao Fangyuan: "The 114th Division participated in the Battle of Shanghai and landed at Jinshanwei in Hangzhou Bay as the second echelon. It then formed a right-wing corps with the th Division and attacked Yuhuatai and Niu Shoushan positions."

"After the fighting stopped, they rested and were transferred to the First Army, responsible for the defense of Taiyuan and Lishi areas, as well as the vigilance along the Yellow River."

Wang Feng raised his eyebrows and quickly walked to the large poster: "In charge of Taiyuan security?"

"Katsuki Seiji is really willing to spend a lot of money. Show me the information about the Japanese troops stationed in Shanxi!"

Zhao Fangyuan responded, then quickly walked to the side and took out a booklet from the wooden box.

"This is the latest revised information from the General Staff."

Wang Feng stared at the map intently, took it and flipped through a few pages.

"One division, two independent mixed brigades. What is the recent situation of friendly forces in Shanxi?"

Zhao Fangyuan thought for a moment and said, "From February to April, the Japanese 2th Division and more than 4 puppet Mongolian troops besieged the Eighth Route Army's base in northwest Shanxi. Fu Zuoyi's 26th Army put up a little resistance before retreating. The 35th Division independently undertook the counterattack and recovered a lot of lost territory."

Wang Feng was shocked: "The 26th Division?"

"Kwantung Army?"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

"After the Battle of Taiyuan, the Kwantung Army's Chahar Task Force withdrew, but a unit remained. The unit's number seemed to be the 26th Manchurian Independent Mixed Brigade. The th Division was expanded from this brigade."

"It's not under the command of Katsuki Seiji."

Wang Feng waved his hand: "Ignore him for now, and continue talking!"

Having been away from Changzhi for so long and having been active on the front line against the Japanese invaders, he has been busy with many things and does not know much about the situation in Shanxi.

Zhao Fangyuan: "In March this year, when we joined forces with the Sichuan Army and the Eighth Route Army to fight against the Japanese invaders, the 386th Brigade fought a beautiful ambush and wiped out more than 1500 enemies."

"It became famous in one battle, and afterwards the Japanese army launched targeted retaliation against the 386th Brigade."

Wang Feng: "Where is Wei Lihuang?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Three months ago, the Sixth Division launched several sweeps in southern Shanxi. Only after the Japanese troops withdrew did the Fourteenth Army breathe a sigh of relief."

The Sixth Division?

Wang Feng knew that

"Black skin, bright red blood!"

This is the powerful force in Southern Kyushu, whose predecessor was the Kumamoto Garrison established in 1873. Whether it was the Sino-Japanese War or the Russo-Japanese War, the Sixth Division always took the lead.

Together with Okamura Yasuji's 2nd Division, they are known as the two strongest and most combat-effective forces in the Japanese Army.

Now the Second Division has suffered a crushing defeat at his own hands.

I wonder what the current commander of the Sixth Division is thinking about.

Wang Feng: "Then isn't the 114th Division the only remaining force in the hands of Katsuki Seiji?"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "After the Sixth Division finished the mopping-up in southern Shanxi, it was transferred to the Central China Expeditionary Force. The Fourteenth Division has just experienced a defeat. In addition, there is another Type A division - the 20th Division."

“The unit has been stationed on the Zhengtai Line, carrying out security operations in the Jinzhong area.”

"In addition, there is a Type B division, the 109th Division."

"We are currently in charge of the mopping-up mission in central Shanxi and the Luliang area."

Wang Feng nodded.

In this case, it is much easier to handle.

He could roughly guess what Katsuki Seiji's purpose was in trying to attack Wei and save Zhao.

It was nothing more than forcing the Second and Third columns to retreat in order to relieve the siege of Puyang.

Pretty crude method.

But the effect is surprisingly good.

As far as the current situation is concerned, no matter where the battle is fought, Changzhi area remains their base.

The industrial zone must not be lost.

"How is the defense force in Changzhi area?" Wang Feng turned around and asked.

As the commander, he had a rough idea of the defensive strength in the Changzhi area, but the situation was urgent and he needed more precise numbers.

Zhao Fangyuan: "There are five reserve infantry battalions, and two reserve battalions have just completed recruitment. There is no time for training!"

Wang Feng paced back and forth in the room.

Seven thousand people.
To be honest, it is unlikely to resist the aggressive Japanese army with just such a small force.

"Where is Li Jiayu?"

"Are you still in Changzhi?"

Zhao Fangyuan: “Still there!”

"The Military Control Commission came several times and tried to take the person away, but we stopped them every time."

"Director Dai also sent a telegram to the General Staff, the general content of which was to accuse us."

Wang Feng waved his hand: "Don't worry about him!"

"What crime have they charged Li Jiayu with so far?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Suspected to be connected to G!"

Wang Feng slammed his fist on the table: "Suspected?"

"So, nothing happened?"

Zhao Fangyuan thought for a moment and said, "That's what I mean. The secret agents of the Military Control Commission wanted to take Commander Li back for interrogation, but we stopped them. The crime has not yet been determined."

Wang Feng: "What about the 47th Army?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Standing nearby Changzhi, the deputy commander is temporarily acting as the commander, awaiting the outcome of the incident."

"No need to wait!" Wang Feng snorted coldly, "Send a telegram to Song Wenjie and immediately send Li Jiayu back to the 47th Army. Tell him that the Japanese invaders are coming. No matter what the charges are, we have to wait until the war is over!"

Zhao Fangyuan saluted: "Yes!"

Wang Feng added: "By the way, when you send Li Jiayu back, have Song Wenjie arrange two companies of soldiers to escort him, so that nothing goes wrong!"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Don't worry, sir!"

"By the way, Dean Chen of the Central Military Academy sent a congratulatory message half an hour ago, saying that you should go to Shancheng to take up your post as soon as possible."

Wang Feng frowned: "Just reply casually."

"The current main focus should still be on recovering lost territory, defending and building the base!" If I remember correctly, the Dean Chen mentioned by Zhao Fangyuan should be Chen Jicheng.

The current Deputy Minister of the Military Training Department of the Military Commission also serves as the Principal of the Central Military Academy. His responsibilities are very broad - coordinating national military training affairs, formulating officer education outlines, and coordinating training plans for various war zones.

It sounds quite scary.

It's actually of little use.

Except for his absolute direct descendants, basically no one would listen to his arrangements.

I remember that a few months ago, the Military Training Department sent me a telegram, asking the North China Battle Group at that time to train according to the established method.

The telegram was only glanced at before Sergei took it to polish his shoes.

The so-called Deputy Minister of the Military Training Department is a purely nominal position.

In terms of power, he is probably not as good as a local legion commander.

The Dean of Education is somewhat useful. Although Chiang Kai-shek is the principal, he does not participate in actual management. He only shows up at various important events and reads a few speeches.

The actual day-to-day operations of a military academy.

The Dean of Education is responsible for all of them.

The Central Military Academy has so many graduates every year, and most of them can be related to Chen Jicheng in some way.

It can be said that his students and former officials are spread all over the country, and his disciples are all over the world.

Zhao Fangyuan: “Yes!”

I was very familiar with this job. Every time the central government sent a telegram, except for a few more critical ones,

He was the one who responded to those insignificant questions.

After doing this many times, Zhao Fangyuan has summed up his experience.

After giving all the instructions, Wang Feng sat on the chair.

Secretly pondering a future trip to the mountain city.

He never took this so-called Dean of Academic Affairs seriously.

In his view, serving at the Central Military Academy was just an excuse to go to the mountain city.

He also understood that "a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall."

As far as I can remember, local military leaders such as Yan Laoxi and Li Zongren were once invited by Chiang Kai-shek to visit the capital.

The final result was that several people went.

All is well.

Judging from the overall situation, at this point in time, Chiang Kai-shek does not have the courage to place these local commanders and anti-Japanese heroes under house arrest or detain them.

That would be tantamount to digging your own grave.

The Battle of Wuhan is imminent, and the danger of national destruction has not yet been eliminated.

Even Chiang Kai-shek had to put aside the banner of "pacifying the country before resisting foreign aggression".

Just fight the Japanese devils honestly.

Judging from past memories, Chiang Kai-shek began to have evil thoughts around the time when the Battle of Wuhan ended and the war entered a stalemate phase.

Therefore, this is probably his only chance to travel safely to the mountain city.

Be sure to grasp it!
“The first thing we need to solve is still the diplomatic issue,” Wang Feng tapped the table lightly with his knuckles and murmured softly.

"It would be best if we could establish direct contact with the United States and the Soviet Union."

Wang Feng thought to himself.

In diplomacy, the most important thing is "legitimate".

Take the United States for example. Although many offices were set up in major cities across the country, there was no one who could really communicate with Roosevelt.

There is only Chiang Kai-shek sitting high in the mountain city.

People like Li Zongren, Yan Laoxi, and Long Yun did not have the power to directly initiate diplomatic notes to the United States and the Soviet Union.

It would be fine if it was during the Central Plains War.

Various warlords secretly maintained contact with Western powers.

But things are different now.

A unified battlefield was formed, national wars broke out, and the great powers only recognized one central government.

He directly severed ties with other warlords.

If you want to get this done, you must visit Shancheng.

And now is the best time.

"After all, the Americans also treat people differently based on their situation. As long as their own strength is sufficient, the central government and the like don't matter to them." Wang Feng grinned.

"As for the Soviet Union."

Wang Feng took a sip of tea.

"That's even easier!"

Now is the peak period of Soviet aid to China. In this regard, the position of Dean of Academic Affairs should not be underestimated.

As far as he knows.

The military advisers who came from Europe went to a welcome party as their first stop after getting off the plane, and the second stop was the Central Military Academy.

As the Dean of Academic Affairs, he would inevitably have to deal with the Soviets.

If we get in touch with each other slowly, this opportunity will come.

Wang Feng stood up and looked out the window.

In the end, no matter how the war developed, he had to build a diplomatic network independent of the central government.

Technology exchange, officer training, international support, and even the dispatch of volunteer troops
All of this can only be implemented on this basis.

Wang Feng put down the teacup.

Zhao Fangyuan hurried over and saluted: "Sir, the Second and Third Columns sent routine inquiries."

"The telegram said that after 10 o'clock this morning, a large number of Japanese bombers suddenly appeared in the sky over Puyang."

Wang Feng turned around and said, "Just make good preparations for air defense. What's wrong with Liu Zhijian? Why do you have to report such a small matter?"

Without air superiority, the sky above is the Japanese territory.

All these battles were fought under the bombing of Japanese planes.

What's all the fuss about?

Zhao Fangyuan handed over the telegram: "Sir, there is more content at the end."

"The Japanese bombers only appeared over Puyang, but did not drop bombs. Instead, they flew southwards, as if heading towards us."

Wang Feng's heart shuddered and his brows furrowed.

Although it appears that he has received the telegram, he has actually switched the perspective to the bird's-eye view.

After the visible radius is increased to 100 kilometers.

He could directly see the scene inside Puyang City from Lanfeng.

"This is."

Wang Feng raised his view and saw a series of high-speed moving "red dots" on the bank of the Yellow River.

I couldn't help but be stunned.

"What are you doing by the Yellow River?"

Wang Feng had a bad feeling in his heart.

But it was immediately dismissed.

The 14th Division suffered a major defeat, but the current battlefield situation is still in the hands of the Japanese army.

Is there no need to cause the Yellow River to burst its banks?

Isn't that just tripping yourself up?
Zhao Fangyuan asked tentatively, "Sir?"

“How should I respond to this?”

Wang Feng gathered his thoughts and put the message on the table: "Just reply normally."

"Don't worry about the Japanese army's unusual movement for now."

Zhao Fangyuan responded, picked up the telegram on the table, and quickly walked out of the command post.

Wang Feng turned around and looked at the winding river on the map.

(End of this chapter)