Sword of Light: Humanoid Self-Propelled Artillery

Chapter 229 Judgment and Intelligence

In order to confuse the Third Field Army's command, Du Yuming also adopted the strategy of sending a portion of his troops along the first route.

"I never expected that your deception would actually fool the old man! Now, with these dozens of planes, our defense forces can finally build their own air force!"

Wang Gensheng, however, smiled and said:
"It's not just about the air force, it can also strengthen the navy. If we modify the captured cruiser Congqing, we can have an aircraft carrier. Only by combining the navy and the air force to form an aircraft carrier fleet can we maximize its effectiveness!"

The commander of the Third Field Army responded with a smile:
"You're being way too ambitious. You're trying to run before you can even walk. Our air force isn't even fully formed yet! And you're already thinking about building an aircraft carrier fleet!"

Wang Gensheng responded with a smile:
"Compared to a simple air force, I think an aircraft carrier fleet is more effective and has a greater value!"

However, just as Wang Gensheng and the Third Field Army commander were laughing and discussing whether to simply form an air force or an aircraft carrier battle group, a telegraph operator rushed in with a telegram.

This telegram was sent by Zongbu, containing important intelligence about Du Yuming and Xu Zhou, transmitted from the Nan Jing undercover agent.

However, upon seeing this intelligence, the deputy commander of the third field army's expression changed. He then stood up, looked at the map, and, holding the intelligence in his hand, muttered:

"Something's not right! The General Headquarters has received top-secret intelligence from Nan Jing indicating that Du Yuming will retreat to the southeast, and has instructed us to set up an ambush force in the eastern Nan direction!"

Upon hearing that it was top-secret intelligence, the chief of staff immediately said:
"Since it's top-secret intelligence, it shouldn't be wrong. Our main force has already spread out along the Jinpu Railway. We still have time to adjust!"

However, the deputy commander of the Third Field Army shook his head and said:
"No, I still feel there's something fishy about this! What's Xu Zhou's side up to today?"

Upon hearing the deputy commander's question, the chief of staff replied:

"Xu Zhou is putting on a show today. What play is Du Yuming performing?"

Meanwhile, a few kilometers away in Xuzhou, Du Yuming looked at the stage and remarked with emotion:

"Teacher, you're being so wasteful!"

Liu Zhi responded with a smile:
"This is just a small-scale event. I heard that the old lady loves this play the most. To celebrate the old lady's birthday, there will be one show each in Shanghai and Xuzhou. This is the president's idea. I heard that the eldest son will personally go to Shanghai to celebrate the old lady's birthday on behalf of the president, and he will bring 100,000 silver dollars. That event will definitely be bigger than this!"

Du Yuming could only sigh at this:

"I am deeply humbled and honored by your undeserved kindness!"

At this moment, Liu Zhi waved his hand and said:
"Oh! Guangting, just accept it with a clear conscience! The general knows that things haven't been easy for you and me in Xuzhou, especially since you went to war while you were ill. Ever since I came to Xuzhou to serve as the commander of the garrison, every day has felt like a year!"

Du Yuming also sighed at this:

"And haven't I been worrying about this day and night too! I'm terrified that something might go wrong and I'll let my superior down!" Liu Zhi said with a wry smile.
"You and I are in the same boat, both bound to this battlefield by the Generalissimo's combination of kindness and coercion. Tell me, what makes the Liberation Army better than us? In my opinion, it's just a matter of ideological work. They've mobilized the people, and we can't do that. Ultimately, it's because our ideological work is inadequate! Given the situation, Guangting, you must also have your own plans! I'm returning to Bangbu tomorrow, and I'm entrusting the 300,000 troops of Xuzhou to you. Before I leave, I have to say something unpleasant: if things really come to a dead end, you mustn't follow Huang Baitao's example! Alright, take care!"

Indeed, to ensure Du Yuming could safely bring the 300,000-strong army from Xuzhou back to Nanjing, Lao Zi directly dismissed Liu Zhi, giving Du Yuming full command. Although the Xuzhou airport had been captured, it was still possible for a small plane to take off and land on the streets of Xuzhou city.

Of course, it's impossible for such a small plane, which can only carry a few people at a time, to transport an entire army of 300,000 back.

Let alone such a small plane, even if Xuzhou Airport still existed, it would be impossible.

However, just as the opera was being performed in Xuzhou City to bid farewell, the deputy commander of the Third Field Army, who had received top-secret intelligence, hesitated again and again.

Although intelligence indicated that the route would be southeast, judging from the terrain and common sense, and considering Du Yuming's style, it was simply impossible for him to take that route.

In the mind of the deputy commander of the Third Field Army, Du Yuming would most likely choose the third route to retreat and also to rescue Huang Wei's army group, which was besieged in Shuangduiji.

After pondering for a long time, the deputy commander of the Third Field Army still couldn't make a decision: whether to continue deploying troops based on his own judgment or based on top-secret intelligence.

Although Wang Gensheng already knew that Du Yuming would take the third route, he did not know how to tell the deputy commander of the Third Field Army.

Is he really going to tell Commander Sanye that he's a time traveler and therefore knows the plot? That's utter nonsense!

Therefore, Wang Gensheng could only remain silent and search his mind for a suitable excuse to help the deputy commander of the Third Field Army make a decision as soon as possible.

At this moment, the chief of staff couldn't help but speak up:

"How about we make two preparations? The seven columns we have at hand have already spread out along the Jinpu Railway. Let's hold back for now and urgently transfer the Bohai Column. Combine the three columns on the southern front and deploy four columns to the southeast. Otherwise, once Du Yuming runs to the southeast, we won't be able to stop him!"

The deputy commander nodded in agreement with the chief of staff's two-pronged approach.

"You're right. The other four columns do need to be redeployed immediately, but not to the southeast, but to the southwest! That's right, the southwest. Du Yuming has 300,000 troops. We can only hope to encircle and annihilate Du Yuming if we gather the strength of eleven columns!"

However, the chief of staff for planning, who was in charge of the deputy commander's case, shook his head and said:

"I object. Deputy Commander, you're always cautious, but this time you've taken too big a gamble!"

In response to the chief of staff's persuasion, the deputy commander of the Third Field Army shook his head and said:
“This isn’t a gamble; it’s based on my assessment and analysis of Du Yuming. Since our forces are limited and we can’t block all four sides, we’ll open up three sides and deliberately prevent him from taking the southwest route. I trust my judgment!”

Seeing the Third Field Army's deputy commander's certainty, Wang Gensheng breathed a sigh of relief and decided to add fuel to the fire, so he smiled and said:
"The deputy commander said to open three routes, but in reality, he didn't open any routes for Du Yuming! Du Yuming only has the southwest route to take! If he goes directly east by sea, the sea route has been blocked by me. If he goes southeast by land, it's all crisscrossed by small rivers and swamps. Even if we let him go first, we can catch up quickly. If he wants to go north and take a big detour, we can just wait for Du Yuming to get tired and then capture him."

Moreover, blocking the southwest has another advantage: it prevents Du Yuming from actually rescuing Huang Wei's army by marching southwest, since the southwest marching route passes through Huang Wei's army!

Wang Gensheng's words immediately enlightened the chief of staff, who then looked closely at the map and found that it was indeed the case.

(End of this chapter)