Blood-Red Front

"What did you say? Lin Zhiyuan has annihilated the entire 14th Newly Formed Brigade and opened the passage?"

Upon hearing the report, Chang Zhongshi was extremely shocked; this matter far exceeded his expectations.

"They haven't been completely wiped out yet," Chen Xiu explained from the side.

"The 14th Brigade has split its forces. Lin Zhiyuan has only eliminated the enemy forces in Moling so far. There is also a reinforced regiment of more than 3,000 men in Jingshan."

"However, judging from the telegram, Lin Zhiyuan probably does not intend to continue attacking Jingshan. The newly formed 41st Regiment can no longer affect our army's breakout plan."

"Even if Moling only has 6000 people, this is already quite remarkable!" Chang Zhongshi affirmed.

"Immediately dispatch the 32nd Division and the motor transport regiment to Moling to take over the defense of Moling and take away all the spoils of war."

"This is an unprecedented victory that can greatly boost national morale."

"yes!"

Chen Xiu went to relay the order, but Chang Zhongshi became increasingly excited as he looked at the map, a strange emotion gradually welling up in his heart.

After a while, Chang Zhongshi, unable to contain himself, called Chen Xiu over again.

"Do you think it's possible for us to continue annihilating the enemy at Jingshan, or even advance westward and wipe out the newly formed 18th Division?!"

"Huh?..." Chen Xiu was instantly bewildered.

Chen Xiu offered a tactful reassurance: "If it's just the enemy in Jingshan, there's a good chance we can wipe them out, but annihilating the 18th Division might be quite difficult."

Chang Zhongshi seemed not to understand Chen Xiu's words and continued to excitedly gesture on the map.

"This is what I think: the main force should completely abandon the defense of Kyoto and retreat to the area around Niutou Mountain and Jiangjun Mountain."

"In this way, we only need 3-5 divisions to hold the flank of our main force, and then we can gather the strength of 10 divisions to forcibly wipe out the 18th Division."

"I've calculated it, we have a very high chance of winning!"

Everyone knew that Kyoto couldn't be defended, but if he could command his troops to wipe out an enemy division and a brigade at this time, his influence in the General Staff would increase significantly.

The thought of completely overwhelming Ren Huasheng filled Chang Zhongshi with excitement.

We still have to win the battle!

Looking at the incredibly excited Chang Zhongshi, Chen Xiu said helplessly, "Isn't this a bit too risky?"

Having finally opened up a retreat route, going after the 18th Division again might just result in them being blocked again on the banks of the Yangtze River.

Chang Zhongshi waved his hand, "War is always risky."

"Send a message to Zhiyuan now, instructing them to surround Jingshan and eliminate the enemy there as quickly as possible."

"All units on the Eastern Front must retreat as soon as possible and cross Jingshan to encircle the 18th Division."

"After the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division annihilated the enemy at Jingshan, they switched to defense on the spot to hold the flank of our main force and buy time for the main force to annihilate the newly formed 18th Division."

Left with no other option, Chen Xiu could only send a telegram.

However, just as Chang Zhongshi was envisioning the future, Chen Xiu jogged back.

"No contact was made with the assault combat group; neither the 404th Detachment nor the 5th Division responded."

"What about the backup frequency?"

"We've tried everything. They should be in marching mode and heading towards Lishui as planned."

"Lin Zhiyuan and his men have been fighting for two consecutive days, and now they've chosen to march through the night?"

Chang Zhongshi was genuinely surprised. He had estimated that Lin Zhiyuan and Qiu Yu'an would have chosen to rest for the night in the Moling area.

"Perhaps they felt the situation was critical."

"That's possible," Chang Zhongshi nodded.

"Here's what I'll do. I'll write a warrant, and you can arrange for the reconnaissance planes to go find them as soon as it's light."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; we absolutely cannot let it slip away easily."

……

At this time, the main force of the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division were rapidly advancing south along the highway.

After marching all night, the troops covered more than 20 kilometers, and the vanguard of the 404th Detachment had reached the outskirts of Lishui.

As the sky gradually brightened, Lin Zhiyuan decided to stop marching, rest for a while, and resume the march at night.

The newly formed army, after all, held absolute air superiority, and a large-scale daytime march would most likely attract bomber attacks.

However, just as Lin Zhiyuan gave the order to halt the march, the roar of airplanes could be heard from the sky.

The soldiers instinctively scattered and took cover.

Wang Xiaoliu also pulled Lin Zhiyuan to jump into the ditch next to them.

Lin Zhiyuan, who had already taken a look through his binoculars, shouted, "Don't panic! The plane is coming from the north; it's our plane!"

Hearing Lin Zhiyuan say it was their own plane, everyone around breathed a slight sigh of relief, but they all kept their eyes on the plane.

Only when they saw the Xia Kingdom military flag on the plane's wing did everyone feel relieved.

The plane circled slightly, and a small parachute was dropped.

Upon receiving Chang Zhongshi's airdrop order, Lin Zhiyuan was furious after just one glance.

When Qiu Yu'an arrived and saw the contents of the warrant, he immediately started cursing.

"I think Commander-in-Chief Chiang is a complete idiot! What the hell is this time of year? He's actually thinking of attacking the 18th Division?!"

The 18th Division was a fully-staffed division with a strength of 28000 men.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the 404th Detachment and the 5th Division seemed to have easily wiped out the 14th Brigade in Moling; it was a completely different story.

If we really wanted to wipe out the 18th Division, all 13 divisions would have to attack at once for even a slight chance, and the newly formed army wouldn't be able to provide any support.

However, the current reality is that Xia's army is being pursued from behind and attacked from the flanks. Let alone 13 divisions, they probably can't even muster 8 divisions.

"Brother Zhiyuan, we absolutely cannot carry out Commander-in-Chief Chang's orders. He's trying to drag us to our deaths!" Qiu Yu'an asserted.

"I know that." Lin Zhiyuan crumpled up the warrant and threw it on the ground next to him.

"Set up a radio station and send messages to headquarters."

"Our unit has encountered the enemy's 9th Division Cavalry Regiment in the Lishui area and is currently engaged in fierce fighting with the enemy."

"In addition, according to reconnaissance, the main force of the enemy's 9th Division is marching rapidly toward Lishui, while the vanguard of the enemy's 16th Division has reached Guozhuang and may cross the river at any time to attack our rear."

"Please send reinforcements immediately from the General Headquarters. We are short three divisions, otherwise our breakout route will be cut off again."

Just as the staff officer finished taking notes and was about to turn around to send a telegram, Qiu Yu'an spoke up as well.

"One more thing, the 5th Division has already dispatched a reinforced regiment to advance towards Hengshan. If reinforcements are not timely, the assault combat group will break out from Hengshan towards Bowang. All units are requested to follow suit."

Qiu Yu'an said to Lin Zhiyuan, "Brother Zhiyuan, I know Commander-in-Chief Chang well. To say he's indecisive is an understatement. If you don't put some pressure on him, he won't get anxious."

"Alright, send the message like this." Lin Zhiyuan nodded to the staff officer.

……

Looking at the telegram sent back by Lin Zhiyuan, Chang Zhongshi's face turned from white to red, and then from red to green.

"What does Lin Zhiyuan mean by this?!"

"Is the main force of the 9th Division marching rapidly towards Lishui? Has the 16th Division already reached Guozhuang?"

"Which unit is opposing the 159th, 160th, 87th, and 88th Divisions?"

In Chang Zhongshi's view, this was entirely a scheme by Lin Zhiyuan and Qiu Yu'an to deceive him.

"Commander-in-Chief, it's not impossible," Chen Xiu said from the side.

"According to reports from the front, the offensive of the 9th and 16th Divisions has slowed down, and they have most likely split their forces."

Upon hearing Chen Xiu's words, Chang Zhongshi's expression changed.

"Send a telegram to Lin Zhiyuan immediately, instructing them to capture Lishui at all costs. The main force from Kyoto is rapidly advancing; the breakout plan must not be compromised in any way!"

Chang Zhongshi couldn't care less about the 41st Regiment and the 18th Division in Jingshan; saving his own life was the priority now.

"yes!"

Chen Xiu breathed a sigh of relief and immediately relayed the latest instructions.

……