Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 222 Central Military Academy
Wang Feng glanced around. Unlike the grand entourage before, this time, apart from some officials from the military academy, no one else came to greet him.

That's a good point!

It seems that the Central Military Academy is not rotten to the core.

They can still get some real work done.

Chen Jicheng: "Commander Wang, the students are practicing their drills at this time. Would you like to go and observe?"

Wang Feng felt a little awkward hearing the use of the formal "you" (您).

While studying at the Whampoa Military Academy, Chen Jicheng was already a tactics instructor at the academy and also served as the battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Training Corps.

At that time, Wang Feng was just an ordinary student.

Just a few years later, their positions were completely reversed.

Wang Feng: "Let's go, let's go see my junior classmates."

Chen Jicheng smiled and led the way.

Judging from this, someone who didn't know better would think Wang Feng was the principal.

As Chen Jicheng walked, he said, "Commander Wang, I heard that you also run a military academy in Changzhi?"

Wang Feng: "Yes, I didn't expect Commander Chen to be so well-informed!"

Chen Jicheng: "I know a little bit, just a little bit."

"In that case, when we have the opportunity in the future, we can exchange experiences, grow together, and make progress together!"

The instructors behind him echoed in agreement:

"That's a good idea!"

"Yes, Commander Wang is a man of extraordinary talent. The students he teaches will surely be outstanding individuals, the pillars of our nation in the future!"

"."

The group, one after another, managed to elevate Wang to an almost superhuman status.

Wang Feng gave an awkward smile.

They say you can't hit a smiling face, but since coming to this mountain city, I've been bombarded with flattery and sycophancy, and I'm finding it hard to keep up.

These verbal compliments in person mean nothing.

According to Zhang Hu, after returning to the guesthouse last night, several groups of people came late at night, all wanting to see him. They were all stopped by the guards. When they heard that he had already fallen asleep, they ignored the guards' obstruction, threw down a few boxes of things and left.

Open it and take a look.

They have everything: gold and silver jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings.

There was a note stuck inside.

Wang Feng didn't remember the gist of it, but even a fool could figure it out: it was about asking someone to do something for you, getting a back door in the army, or building connections.

Use this to test cadres?

It truly lives up to its reputation as the capital of the nation.

This corrupt atmosphere is truly unique.

As for the gold and silver treasures, Wang Feng waved his hand and confiscated them all for military expenses.

The group walked quickly across the playground.

Perhaps because it's not time for morning exercises yet, the field is quite open, and there are hardly any people to be seen.

Wang Feng recalled the scene when he was at the Whampoa Military Academy.

The workload is quite heavy. In addition to military professional courses, there are also a large number of ideological and political courses, which account for a significant portion of the grade.

These are the main differences between the Whampoa Military Academy and other military academies.

Wang Feng still remembers that when he was in military school, the course he hated the most was ideological and political education.

In my previous life, when I was in college, I never really listened to lectures on political science or Marxist theory.

Now let me listen to the Three Principles of the People.
Are you kidding me?
Wang Feng pointed to the center of the parade ground: "Commander Chen, what are those artillery pieces?"

Chen Jicheng adjusted his glasses: "Those are weapons provided by the Soviet Union for artillery students to use in training. We just moved here not long ago, and the facilities at the firing range are not yet complete, so these artillery pieces are temporarily placed here."

Wang Feng nodded.

With the fall of Nanjing, Chongqing has become the new capital. However, due to the urgency of the situation, most military and political institutions were unable to relocate in time and were stranded in Wuhan.

The Central Military Academy acted relatively quickly.

Chen Jicheng: "Commander Wang is interested?"

Wang Feng thought for a moment and said, "Let's go take a look."

Anyway, I had nothing else to do, so this was a good way to kill some time.

The purpose of my trip was merely to make a brief appearance at the Central Military Academy. The term of office as the director of the Academic Affairs Office is short, and I can't do much. As for lecturing to students, I have even less time for that.

Even in intensive courses, the study time for one course is about two months.

Leaving halfway through a lesson will actually negatively impact the quality of teaching.

At Wang Feng's suggestion, the group walked to a corner of the parade ground, where a huge rainproof tarpaulin was set up, under which were four cannons and several dark green supply boxes.

Wang Feng touched the cannon shield, feeling the icy touch coming from his fingertips.

What is its caliber?

The artillery instructor standing nearby immediately explained, "Commander Wang, this artillery piece is the Soviet M1904 76mm mountain gun."

Wang Feng frowned.

76 millimeters?

M1904?

Judging from its name alone, this cannon was probably developed and finalized before World War I.

Although the domestically produced Type 27 artillery was a copy of the earlier French M1897 75mm artillery, it underwent modern modifications in design, making its combat performance far superior to the original.

But this is a Soviet artillery piece.

But it's a genuine World War I artifact.

Wang Feng looked at Chen Jicheng: "Does our school currently have any Soviet instructors?"

He recalled that Soviet aid to China was not limited to weapons; they also sent many military advisors and instructors.

Chen Jicheng: "Yes, but none of them are here today."

Wang Feng frowned: "Not here today?"

Chen Jicheng truthfully stated, "They all went to the Soviet Embassy today, which is probably related to the Battle of Wuhan."

Wang Feng responded with an "Oh".

Chen Jicheng: "Commander Wang, I seem to have heard that your army is equipped with quite a few domestically produced artillery pieces. I wonder how their performance compares to these Soviet artillery pieces?"

Upon hearing this, the other artillery instructors present looked at Wang Feng with anticipation in their eyes.

Self-produced artillery
What an obscure name!

After the fall of the Taiyuan Arsenal, I haven't heard that term for a long time.

Although the Nationalist government does have some arsenals capable of producing artillery, the output and quality are unsatisfactory.

The equipment is very small in scale.

As Soviet aid to China gradually expanded, this old Soviet artifact became the main artillery equipment of the Central Army.

The firepower is indeed average by today's standards, but its advantage lies in its large quantity and abundance. The most important thing right now is to solve the problem of whether we have it or not, and then we can solve the problem of whether it is good or not.

Wang Feng's answer was ambiguous: "Well, they're about the same, they're about the same. Both of them are pretty good."

How should I answer this?
Especially good?
It's like they've come here to show off their possessions.

Chen Jicheng smiled and said, "Commander Wang is too modest."

------------

The group wandered around the military academy and finally entered the teaching building before get out of class ended.

As soon as I reached the second floor, I encountered a large group of students, all carrying notebooks and looking very excited. According to the sign on the door, they were probably heading to the auditorium.

Wang Feng: "Commander Chen, who are these people?"

Chen Jicheng immediately explained, "After you sent someone over last night to deliver the message, I immediately informed the students and instructors of this good news. Today, I would like to ask Commander Wang to do us the honor of sharing his valuable experience in fighting the Japanese invaders!"

Wang Feng smiled and said, "Commander Chen, you're really afraid I'll run away!"

Before he arrived, he received a schedule from the military academy. According to the schedule, there was nothing else to do today; the main thing was to walk around the school and get familiar with the environment.

The lecture was never mentioned.

Chen Jicheng gave an awkward smile: "I hope you will forgive me, sir!"

Wang Feng straightened his military uniform: "Then I shall respectfully comply!"

The crowd followed behind the students.

"Which cohort of students are we having now?"

Chen Jicheng truthfully replied, "It's the thirteenth term."

Issue thirteen.
So many years have passed.
Wang Feng was somewhat dazed.

"Hey, look! Isn't that Commander Wang over there?"

"It seems so!"

"Why are there so many guards?"

"Never mind that, let's hurry up and get a good spot!"

Wang Feng overheard the whispers of the students in front of him.

Especially when he heard about the guards, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

It's not that he's arrogant or likes to make a big show of himself when he travels.

The main reason was that Chongqing was too unsafe. Although the Kuomintang had achieved considerable success in capturing Japanese spies, and given that it was now the capital, the amount of effort devoted to it was several times that of other cities.

However, some spies have been lurking in China for several years, or even more than a decade.

As long as they don't actively expose themselves, there's no way to trace them back to.

When he went to inspect the Jinan Southeast Polytechnic Institute, he was accompanied by only an ordinary soldier in a truck, so there was no need to worry about safety issues at all.

A comparison between the two reveals the difference.

In no time, the group arrived at the entrance of the auditorium.

Chen Jicheng: "Commander Wang, please!"

Wang Feng strode in.

The auditorium looked rather old, and so did the entire military academy. The outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan was very sudden, and the fact that the war had developed to this point exceeded many people's expectations. The Central Military Academy was hastily moved from the coastal area and there was no time to build a new campus.

Only local schools can be requisitioned.

The students who were already seated in the auditorium immediately stood up and saluted in unison when Wang Feng walked in.
"Hello, sir!"

The sound echoed back and forth in the enclosed space, and Wang Feng raised his hand in return with a standard military salute.

The Whampoa Military Academy has strict age requirements for students. Most of the prospective officers in front of us are between eighteen and twenty-two years old, and they are handsome and have extraordinary appearances.

"Hello students!"

Wang Feng walked to the front of the stage and scanned the area below.

A banner bearing the school motto "Fraternity, Sincerity, and Diligence" hangs on both walls. It was personally drafted by Chiang Kai-shek and looks quite authentic.

"Students, you are the students of the thirteenth class. If nothing goes wrong, you will graduate this September and go to the anti-Japanese battlefield. To be honest, are you afraid?"

Wang Feng smiled and, instead of immediately launching into a lecture on theoretical knowledge, posed a question.

Of course, this amount of time is simply not enough to explain theoretical knowledge to students. It would be better to make good use of it to say something else, but something more valuable.

"Not afraid!"

"Those who fear death should not enter this gate, sir! We are not afraid!"

A commotion arose at the scene, mostly from private discussions, with no one standing up to speak loudly.

Wang Feng nodded:
"Indeed, it seems the military academy has provided you with a good education. Regarding the fight against the Japanese, I only have one point to make today, and perhaps some of you can already guess what I'm going to say."

No other military academy in the world has had such a profound impact on a nation's history as the Whampoa Military Academy.

Especially the first four phases.

Junior students fighting senior students, upper bunkmates fighting lower bunkmates, department heads fighting principals—this is no joke.

According to incomplete statistics, the Whampoa Military Academy educated and trained a total of 28 officers.

After the war ended, fewer than 10,000 survivors remained.

As soon as Wang Fengyi spoke, all the students present immediately shut up and pricked up their ears to listen.

"If you want to defeat the Japanese, the most important thing is to understand your own capabilities. When it's time to fight, fight hard; when it's not time to fight, don't force it!"

Wang Feng spoke in very simple language, and basically anyone could understand him.

Chen Jicheng frowned.

Why does this sound so awkward?
"Sir, what does it mean to not fight when it's inappropriate?"

A student asked a question.

Wang Feng: "It's very simple. Let me give you an example. I don't know how your instructors explained Japanese tactics in class."

Students below are eager to answer.

"Sir, it's artillery bombardment followed by infantry charge, and then artillery bombardment after the infantry charge!"

Wang Feng nodded: "That's true, but in actual combat, the Japanese army wouldn't be that stupid. Some of you should have already been on the battlefield, right?"

In addition to students with no prior experience, the Whampoa Military Academy also selected people from the existing military for training.

As soon as he finished speaking, some students raised their hands.

Wang Feng continued, "Objectively speaking, in terms of overall combat capability, the Japanese army was indeed far superior to our army. The gap was not just in terms of weaponry and equipment."

The students below picked up their pens and started writing in their notebooks.

Wang Feng: "Those who have been on the battlefield must understand that the advantage of Japanese soldiers in battle lies more in their superior military quality. Not only are their individual combat capabilities excellent, but their organizational coordination is also superior to ours."

"Now let's simulate a battle. Commander Chen, do we have a sand table or war game here?"

Chen Jicheng quickly replied, "Yes, I'll bring it to you right away."

In no time, a complete set of war games was placed in front of Wang Feng, along with a cup of warm tea.

Wang Feng set up the war game: "In actual combat, the Japanese army often employs mobile flanking tactics, like this."

As he spoke, he moved the pieces on the game board.

"Before engaging the enemy, the Japanese army would divide into three routes. One route would provide cover fire in front, while another route would be the main attacking force and would remain stationary for the time being. Once your defensive line broke through in the battle with the enemy's covering force, this route would immediately launch a concentrated attack on it."

"As for the third force, they were laid in ambush behind your retreat. During the battle with the Japanese army, your defenses were broken. Now your superior has ordered you to retreat immediately. What will you do?"

The following students answered without hesitation:

"Withdraw!"

"Yes, the orders have been issued from above!"

Wang Feng: "But the Japanese army is lying in ambush on your retreat route. Even if your scouts discover the situation, the casualties will still be heavy. Would you still continue to order your troops to retreat?"

There is no other way to go.

The students below frowned.

Wang Feng smiled.

After graduating from school, these students would likely be ranked between company commander and platoon leader. When I graduated, I was going to Shanxi, which happened to coincide with the reorganization of the 61st Army. I pulled some strings and started working directly as a regimental commander.

They don't have the experience to teach even platoon-level combat skills.

This is a very common problem in combat, encountered in almost every battle, but also the most difficult to decide.

(End of this chapter)