Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 226 The Great Donation in Wuhan

Chen Cheng: "Commander Wang, now is not the time to act impulsively. No matter what, we must contact the Central Military Commission to coordinate!"

“Commander Chen is right. The mobilization of hundreds of thousands of soldiers is no small matter.” With that, Wang Feng looked at Li Zongren and said, “Lord De, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

"But then again, the war is imminent, and the Japanese army could advance up the river and threaten Wuhan at any time. We cannot sit idly by and wait for the Military Commission's decision. I have decided to act first and report later, and at the same time immediately mobilize troops to return to defend the city!"

Li Zongren replied, "No problem!"

Wang Feng nodded, then glanced at Chen Cheng: "What do you think?"

Chen Cheng hesitated for a moment: "Alright."

With both deputy commanders having agreed, Wang Feng disregarded the opinions of others and made the final decision.

Whether viewed from a historical or contemporary perspective, the strategic policy of primarily defending the Dabie Mountains was flawed. There's no need to explain it further. It doesn't matter if some people disagree; facts speak louder than words.

If you get proven wrong, just don't complain.

Wang Feng looked at Chen Cheng: "What are the current movements of the Japanese army?"

Before I arrived, Chen Cheng was the garrison commander, the battle commander handpicked by Chiang Kai-shek, and the person who was most clear about the overall situation.

Chen Cheng walked to the map and picked up the command baton: "According to the information we have intercepted, the Japanese army may be divided into four routes. One route is in the north, from Hefei through Lu'an to Xinyang, in order to cut off the Pinghan Railway, and then turn south to Wuhan. The second route is also from Hefei and Lu'an through Macheng, and will join forces with the Pinghan Railway area to attack Wuhan!"

"Based on the Military Commission's preliminary predictions, these two routes are likely to be the main forces of the Japanese invaders!"

Regarding Wang Feng's hypothesis that the Japanese army might advance along the river with its main force, he could not find a suitable reason to refute it. Based on his many years of military command experience, he also felt that the strategy of focusing on defending the Dabie Mountains was indeed biased.

But this was a proposal from the Central Military Commission, and Chen Cheng, as Chiang Kai-shek's close associate, could not possibly lead the way in opposing it, so he simply turned a deaf ear to what was going on.

If Wang Feng's guess is correct, as the deputy commander of the Central China Garrison, he can also share in the fruits of victory, and if problems arise, he will not be held responsible.

Wang Feng frowned.

Chen Cheng continued, “Another route or one route will go along the north bank of the Yangtze River, through the Dabie Mountains to the south, and then attack Wuhan in coordination with the navy via Taihu Lake in Anqing. If the enemy’s forces permit, after Hefei, Lu’an and the Pinghan route have been captured, they may send one route to Nanchang and Changsha to cut off our rear communication lines in Zhejiang and Anhui. It is also possible that they will land in Xiamen and advance on Nanchang.”

Li Zongren: "If the enemy were to invade Jiangxi from Zhejiang, it would be a roundabout and slow process, which is unlikely."

Chen Cheng nodded: "That's what I think too."

Wang Feng: "Now that Hefei has fallen, if the Japanese army wants to advance up the river, they will definitely concentrate a large force to attack Anqing. Which unit is stationed here?"

Chen Cheng: "The 27th Army Group, Yang Sen's troops."

Wang Feng frowned and thought for a moment: "The 27th Army Group?"

"Is it the Sichuan Army?"

Chen Cheng: "Yes."

Li Zongren added: "I remember last year, Shanghai fell. The enemy occupied Wuhu with overwhelming force. Anqing and Wuhu are only 160 kilometers apart. Enemy warships could reach them in just a few hours. The situation was already very precarious."

"In order to reassure the people, Yang Sen convened a meeting of thousands of people to mobilize the people to participate in the defense of the city, which stabilized the situation. Subsequently, the Battle of Xuzhou broke out, and most of the enemy troops in Nanjing and Wuhu were transferred north, which saved Anqing."

Li Zongren: "Commander Wang, there is no need to be anxious. The 31st Army of our war zone is also stationed in the Taihu area of ​​Anqing. If necessary, it can participate in joint operations to relieve the pressure on Anqing."

Wang Feng: "The Madang Fortress is right behind Anqing. We must not give up easily no matter what. Has Yang Sen arrived today?"

Chen Cheng shook his head: "After yesterday's meeting, he went straight back to Anqing."

After he finished speaking, he added, "Anqing is the bridgehead of the Jiangbei defense line. Recently, our intelligence department has intercepted Japanese telegrams many times, indicating that the enemy's Central China Expeditionary Army is already gathering troops and may launch an invasion at any time."

Wang Feng frowned even more: "After the troops from Dabie Mountain are recalled, immediately send reinforcements to Anqing!"

The primary objective at this stage is to annihilate the Japanese army as much as possible and cripple Japan's domestic economy; we need not be concerned with the gains or losses of a single city or place.

However, Anqing is backed by the Madang Fortress, known as the "Oriental Maginot Line," and is also the gateway to the Yangtze River. The massive defeat in the first battle will have a significant impact on morale.

"Send a telegram to Yang Sen, instructing him to hold out for at least a week should the Japanese attack!"

Chen Cheng nodded.

Wang Feng stood up: "After the troops from the Dabie Mountains are recalled, they must be immediately reinstated to the existing defensive lines. We must act quickly, as our opponents may launch a large-scale offensive at any time. To make a mistake before the battle even begins is a cardinal sin in warfare!"

The officers immediately stood up, chests puffed out, and shouted in unison:
"Yes!"

Wang Feng: "This battle is a matter of life and death for the Chinese nation. You all bear a heavy responsibility. If our army suffers a crushing defeat, we will have no face to face our hometown folks, let alone the 400 million people of China!"

As he said this, he deeply felt the immense pressure from history.

Standing in this position, even with the help of the system panel, I feel increasingly lost, unsure of which direction to go, which path to take, how to proceed, or even if it's feasible.

Actually, nobody knows.

His momentary lapse in judgment affected not only himself, but also countless ordinary people.

The higher the position, the more cautious one must be.

Wang Feng looked at Chen Cheng: "Commander Chen, in this battle, the Japanese army has deployed all its troops from North China and Central China. We cannot fight only around Wuhan. After the meeting ends, send a telegram to the Military Commission requesting that all units in North China respond and support the battle in Central China!"

Chen Cheng was startled: "North China is also sending troops?"

The main battlefields of the War of Resistance against Japan are currently in North China and Central China. Central China is already in chaos, or North China may also be mobilized, which would directly expand the battle in Wuhan to the whole country.

Wang Feng glanced sideways: "What's wrong, Commander Chen? Is something bothering you?"

Chen Cheng truthfully said, "Commander Wang, right now all the country's weapons, provisions, and supplies are being concentrated in Wuhan. If the commotion gets too big, I'm afraid the rear will not be able to handle it!"

This "cake" is too small; it's not enough for one person to get full. If it were divided between two people, they would probably both starve.

Wang Feng: "Passive avoidance of war will not drive the Japanese away at all. Only by taking appropriate initiative can we reverse the decline."

At present, the only anti-Japanese forces in North China, besides the Eighth Route Army, the Jin-Sui Army, and Wei Lihuang's Fourteenth Army Group, are their own provincial garrison.

Those who truly possess the ability to take the initiative are even fewer.

If the battlefields in North China and Central China were connected, although they might be different in name, the actual supreme commander of the battle would probably still be himself.

Chen Cheng hesitated for a moment: "Okay, I'll contact the Central Military Commission in a bit."

------

After leaving the headquarters building, Wang Feng got into a jeep.

Adjutant Jin Lei turned his head: "Sir, news has come from our General Headquarters that Chief of Staff Zhao will arrive in Wuhan tonight by special plane."

Wang Feng responded.

Currently, at the Central China Garrison Command, Chen Cheng, as the deputy commander-in-chief, is temporarily assuming the role of chief of staff. However, no matter what, he is not one of their own, and cooperating with him is very difficult.

Zhao Fangyuan's is still the most comfortable to use.

Wang Feng: "Let's go back to the barracks first."

Jin Lei: "Sir, there might be some traffic ahead."

Wang Feng: "Traffic jam?"
"This is a military control zone, how could there be a traffic jam?" The area within several miles of the Central China Garrison Command is a military control zone, with guards everywhere and very few civilian vehicles passing by. Even in special circumstances, vehicles must undergo layers of checks.

Jin Lei: "Sir, you may not know this, but today the Political Propaganda Department organized a fundraising event for the people in the city. It's a little better here, but other places are already overcrowded. The people who came to donate have blocked the road."

Wang Feng was speechless.

Jin Lei pointed ahead: "Sir, look, there's a mobile donation vehicle up ahead. I just donated over ten yuan there."

Wang Feng rolled down the car window and peered out.

A small truck was slowly driving along the road, with a banner hanging from its roof that prominently displayed the words "Mobile Donation Platform" in traditional Chinese characters.

Most of the people in the carriage were young and energetic, probably students from various schools in Wuhan.

Wang Feng: "What's the date today?"

Jin Lei replied without hesitation: "July 7th marks the one-year anniversary of the incident."

Wang Feng realized what was happening and said, "Drive the car over there."

The soldier responded and then drove the jeep over.

"Sir!"

"Sir, we're leaving now, we won't stay here any longer!"

Seeing the jeep approaching, the students on the donation vehicle thought it was there to drive them away, and immediately began to explain loudly.

Wang Feng didn't say much. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a bundle of paper money, and without even looking at the amount, threw it directly into the truck bed.

The students immediately realized:
"Thank you sir!"

"Quickly put the money away!"

"."

The students broke the money apart, counted the denominations, and stuffed it into the wooden box.

Wang Feng closed the car window, but still turned his head to look outside.

Wuhan is indeed much busier than usual today, with the convoy driving through the downtown area.

Wang Feng personally witnessed a well-dressed noblewoman in a cheongsam and a man in a suit walking arm in arm to the donation table.

The lady wiped her tear-stained face, walked to the front desk, took off her earrings, necklace, and ring, and then took out a wad of paper money from her wallet and threw it all into the box.

The man took off his watch, lowered his head, and rubbed his thumb on the dial a few times, seemingly hesitating. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and threw it in.
Beside the donation platform, the soldiers on guard and the students burst into thunderous applause.

Staff: "Sir, Madam, please take care and leave your names."

The lady turned around and smiled: "You should ask that injured brother from earlier. As for me, I'm just an ordinary Chinese man."

As she said this, she suddenly realized that these ordinary people, whom she had never paid attention to before, were also so kind and approachable.

Wang Feng remained silent, and the convoy continued to move forward.

As we drove through a slum.

Wang Feng saw a similar scene again.

Two beggars, carrying porridge pots and leaning on canes, pulled out a handful of copper coins from their bodies, their faces filled with shame: "We brothers have been begging for two days, almost walking through every street and alley, and we only have this 17 cents. We just couldn't scrape together 20 cents. Please accept it. Begging for food is already a lower status than being a slave to a conquered nation. If we were to become slaves to a conquered country, we would probably have to crawl into the ground."

Such a magnificent sight is truly rare.

Wang Feng: "I hope all this money can be truly used for the war against Japan."

Jin Lei: "Sir, I heard that this donation was organized by the Eighth Route Army."

Wang Feng: "I have to admit that we are indeed inferior to them in anti-Japanese propaganda."

Jin Lei: "Sir, I heard that in addition to the people in Wuhan, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army also donated a lot of money this time. Alas, the lives of these troops are already poor enough."

Wang Feng couldn't help but sigh: "A country or a nation is most easily mobilized and awakened when it is oppressed to the last moment by foreign enemies. The amount of money is not important. It is to awaken a sleeping nation, a lion covered in wounds."

--------

General Headquarters.

Chiang Kai-shek had just arrived in Chongqing when he received a telegram from Chen Cheng.

"Jingzhi, take a look!"

He Yingqin was completely bewildered. He took the telegram, glanced at it, and then frowned deeply: "Chairman, this..."

"What were you thinking?" Chiang Kai-shek asked sternly, a surge of anger rising within him. "Damn it! I just transferred him to the position of overall commander of the campaign, and the first thing he did after taking office was to overturn the operational plan proposed at the Military Commission meeting!"

Looking at the telegram, which contained only a few words, He Yingqin was undecided.

"Chairman, I think this matter needs to be handled with caution."

Chang Kai, who was standing by the window, turned around after hearing this: "So, you agree with Wang Feng's proposal?"

He Yingqin hurriedly said, "Chairman, as of now, we have not yet gained any real understanding of the Japanese army's movements. All our current strategies are based on speculation from past experience. Wang Feng has previously won a series of victories in Shanxi, Xuzhou, and Henan, annihilating nearly 100,000 Japanese invaders. He must have extraordinary abilities. We have no choice but to consider his suggestions."

Chiang Kai-shek let out a long sigh of relief, then suddenly felt a headache coming on.

He has already sacrificed too much for the battle of Wuhan; the manpower and resources mobilized from all over the country are worth hundreds of millions.

This is only the surface.

The deep-seated political concessions, including tolerating the entry of the Eighth Route Army's high command into Wuhan and its extensive war propaganda, and the appointment of the newly emerging local military leader Wang Feng as the overall commander of the campaign, were too costly and made him even more hesitant to make any strategic moves.

We simply can't afford to lose!
He Yingqin: "Errors in campaign command can be remedied, but strategic problems will be very troublesome."
"This humble servant urges Your Excellency to reconsider!"

He didn't know if Wang Feng's suggestion was correct, but he was very clear about Chiang Kai-shek's strategic capabilities.

Chiang Kai-shek remained silent for a long time: "Jingzhi, go back to Wuhan, inquire about this matter in person, make detailed records, and bring them back to me immediately!"

Telegrams can only convey limited information; a few lines are simply not enough to explain the matter clearly.

He Yingqin saluted: "Yes!"

Chiang Kai-shek looked out the window. The sky was overcast, with thick brown clouds hanging overhead. A strong wind swept across the ground, and the leaves rustled.

From the moment he left Wuhan, he felt an emptiness in his heart.

After He Yingqin left, Soong Mei-ling walked in slowly and leaned against the door: "Darling, you should rest."

Chiang Kai-shek came to his senses and said, "Madam, you should rest first."

Soong Mei-ling knew what he was worried about: "With those generals on the front lines, you haven't slept for three days. Don't wear yourself out."

Chiang Kai-shek sighed, "Wuhan. Wuhan, this Wuhan, we can't let it go to waste."

(End of this chapter)