Double-Cut During the War of Resistance: My Wife Came from 1937

"Well done!"

Yan Xishan glanced at the telegram, initially delighted, but then his expression turned cold as he said, "It's a pity that the Eighth Route Army isn't of one mind with us. The stronger they are, the more worried I become!"

Their Jin-Sui Army also clashed with the Japanese army many times.

Often, they operate alone.

For example, in the Battle of Tianzhen, the 61st Army of the Jin-Sui Army, with more than 12000 men, single-handedly held off the 15000-strong Chahar Corps of the Kwantung Army for 10 days.

They only killed 300-400 Japanese soldiers and wounded 800-900.

(However, according to Japanese military records, only 120 were killed and 433 were wounded.)

Their 61st Army suffered over 4000 casualties, and fewer than 5000 survivors remained after the battle.

During the Battle of Xinkou, the Jin-Sui Army, the Central Army, and the Eighth Route Army, totaling 18 troops, engaged in fierce fighting against 5 Japanese troops.

Ultimately, the Chinese side suffered over 10 casualties, while the Japanese side suffered only 2.

In Yan Xishan's view, the Eighth Route Army, with only 1,000 casualties, killed and routed 2,000 Japanese and puppet troops, was extremely powerful.

Even if there are only 1000 Japanese soldiers, it's still a one-for-one exchange.

The thought of these Eighth Route Army soldiers taking root in his own Shanxi province made Yan Xishan's expression grow increasingly grim.

Yang Aiyuan also understood the other party's concerns.

However, at present, the Jin-Sui Army still needs the Eighth Route Army to help them contain the Japanese army and draw their fire.

Only in this way can they have more time to recruit and train soldiers.

"director!"

Yang Aiyuan couldn't help but remind them, "Our home base, Taiyuan, is still in the hands of the Japanese. They are our real threat!"

"Damn it!"

Yan Laoxi clenched his fist tightly, cursing, "My instructor (Itagaki Seishiro) and classmate (Doihara Kenji), are they really going to kill me?"

Yan Laoxi regretted it deeply when he thought about how he had specifically invited the two of them to visit Shanxi Province.

The main force of the Japanese army attacking Shanxi Province this time was the Itagaki Division and the Doihara Division, commanded by these two men.

Clearly, when they came to Shanxi Province in 1936, it was to survey the terrain and road conditions in preparation for a full-scale attack and annexation of China.

"Garlic bird!"

Old Yan slammed his cane on the ground and said, "If they want to fight, then let them keep wearing themselves down!"

"But remember, as long as the Japanese army doesn't cross the Fen River to attack us, we must not supply the Eighth Route Army anymore!"

……

Jinling.

official residence.

Chen Bulei, the director of the Second Section of the Attendant's Office, walked towards the study with the newly translated telegram in his hand.

At that moment, Chang Chen had just finished meeting with Trautmann, the US ambassador to China.

The purpose of the meeting was to request the Third Reich to mediate the Sino-Japanese peace talks and to probe the Japanese army's conditions for a ceasefire.

However, this was just wishful thinking on his part.

The series of victories had completely ignited the Japanese war machine into a frenzy.

Anyone who dares to negotiate at this time is a traitor to Japan and a sellout, and will be punished by heaven!

After Trautmann left, the bald man often compared frontline battle reports and maps, studying the Japanese army's advance route along the Shanghai-Nanjing railway line.

"Mr. Chang!"

Chen Bulei stepped into the study and whispered to Baldy Chang, "The Eighth Route Army sent a telegram to the whole country today, saying that they have achieved another great victory in North China!"

"How many enemy soldiers did you kill? How dare you claim another great victory?"

Baldy Chang slowly raised his head, his expression very calm.

Holding the telegram, Chen Bulei read aloud: "According to the telegram, Terauchi Hisaichi, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese North China Area Army, has mobilized more than 20000 Japanese and puppet troops to encircle and suppress the Jin-Cha-Ji base area in eight directions. The entire Eighth Route Army has been mobilized to launch a counter-encirclement and suppression operation against them."

"Among them, the 1st New Brigade of the 129th Division, comprising the 770th Regiment, the 1st New Regiment, and the Cavalry Battalion, totaling more than 5000 men, ambushed the Japanese army near Meng County and engaged in fierce fighting..."

"In the end, the Eighth Route Army killed nearly 1500 Japanese and puppet troops, including a major. More than 500 of them fled in defeat. The Eighth Route Army also captured a number of weapons and ammunition. The Eighth Route Army itself suffered nearly 1000 casualties."

He paused for a moment, then said, "This time, the Eighth Route Army annihilated even more Japanese invaders than at Pingxingguan; it truly deserves to be called a great victory!"

"Ha! The Communist army still loves surprise attacks and outnumbering their opponents!"

Baldy Chang narrowed his eyes and said with a sneer, "However, our army is about to engage the Japanese army in a decisive battle in Nanjing. It's good that the Eighth Route Army is able to tie down some Japanese troops in North China. Draft a commendation order and send it to them!"

"Just a commendation?"

Chen Bulei couldn't help but remind him: "Lord Jie! Now is a critical moment for the survival of China. The entire nation, regardless of party affiliation, should unite to resist the foreign enemy!"

"When the powerful forces fail to uphold justice, the entire Chinese nation can only rely on itself. The Eighth Route Army's elimination of more Japanese invaders is also a powerful support for the resistance against Japan."

Although he also believed that the Kuomintang was the only legitimate ruling force and agreed with the principle of "pacifying the internal situation before resisting external aggression," now that they had begun a second round of cooperation, they should unite and work together to stop the Japanese invaders first.

After all, the Eighth Route Army soldiers were also patriots who were fighting against Japan and saving the country, so they should give the other side some support at this time.

Bald Chang had already figured out what his personal advisor meant: the other party was asking for benefits from the Eighth Route Army.

If it weren't for the fact that the Japanese army was preparing to encircle Nanjing, the capital of the Nationalist government, and the situation was extremely unfavorable for the Nationalist government, he wouldn't have wanted to give the Eighth Route Army a single penny.

He frowned and said to Chen Bulei, "Mr. Bulei, then you should allocate another 30,000 yuan in legal tender to the Second War Zone, just like you did with the Pingxingguan victory last time, and have them transfer it to the Eighth Route Army headquarters as a special bonus for the 129th Division's victory!"

In the previous victory at Pingxingguan, the Nationalist government only issued two commendation orders and a reward of 3 yuan.

As for guns and ammunition, there were none.

Wei Lihuang needed the Eighth Route Army's help to maintain the situation in Shanxi Province, which is why he secretly donated 100 million rounds of ammunition.

In order to defend Taiyuan, Yan Xishan allocated a batch of grain and clothing, and also allocated some legal tender to comfort the wounded.

"Yes, sir!"

Chen Bulei did not continue to persuade him.

He knew that the other party was only addressing him as "Mr. Bray" out of courtesy, and if he continued to persuade him, the relationship between them as "lord and subject" would become estranged.

The other party might even suspect that he has already defected to the Communists.

He was a typical traditional scholar-official, valuing gratitude for being recognized and embracing the idea that a scholar would die for one who understands him. Since the bald man trusted him so much, he naturally wouldn't betray him, but he was afraid that a rift might develop between the ruler and his subject.

However, being able to obtain 30,000 legal tender is better than nothing, only a commendation.