Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

On the morning of August 15, the Japanese army launched a frenzied reprisal against the area surrounding Hongkou Park.

Dozens of fighter jets took turns diving and bombing, and the entire park was instantly turned into a sea of ​​fire.

The 150mm heavy howitzer, which was too heavy to be moved in time, was completely destroyed, and the remaining fortifications were also razed to the ground by artillery fire.

Fortunately, the security force had already withdrawn from the position and suffered no casualties.

On the same day, the Japanese naval air force intensified its attacks, carrying out indiscriminate bombing of cities in the heart of Central China, including Lin'an, Nanjing, and Hongzhou.

At the same time, the Japanese army formally established the Shanghai Expeditionary Army, with General Matsui Iwane as commander-in-chief. It consisted of the 3rd, 9th and 11th Divisions, and was equipped with the 5th Tank Battalion, the 8th Independent Light Armored Car Company and a temporary air force regiment, and was deployed to the Shanghai battlefield in a large-scale operation.

The Japanese high command arrogantly boasted that they would occupy Shanghai in one month and completely end the war against China in three months.

The Nationalist government also took an unusually tough stance, with Chiang Kai-shek issuing a nationwide mobilization order and formally establishing a wartime system, dividing the country into five war zones.

The Songhu area was designated as the Third War Zone, with Feng Huanzhang as Commander-in-Chief, Gu Zhoutong as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, and Chen Cixiu as Commander-in-Chief of the Front and Commander-in-Chief of the 15th Army Group.

The original Shanghai-Nanjing Garrison was reorganized into the Ninth Army Group, which consisted of the 87th, 88th, and 36th Divisions, as well as the Shanghai Police Corps, the Shanghai Security Corps, and the Jiangsu Provincial Security Corps, totaling 50,000 troops, and was responsible for the frontal counterattack in the urban area.

苏浙边区部队改编为第8集团军，总司令张象华，辖第61师、55师、57师、62师、独立第45旅、炮兵第2旅，负责守备杭州湾北岸及浦东地区。

Just as both sides were mobilizing their troops and preparing for a major battle, consuls from Britain, France, the United States, and other countries suddenly stepped forward and proposed to mediate the Battle of Shanghai.

Chiang Kai-shek seemed to see a glimmer of hope for a ceasefire and immediately ordered the Ninth Army to suspend its offensive across the board. This decision gave the Japanese army a precious respite.

Inside the Third War Zone Command headquarters, Zhang Wenbai, after reading the order, was furious. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily:

"Who gave the principal this terrible idea! It's a disaster for the country and its people!"

Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Staff Huang Qixiang coldly said:

"Brother Wenbai, this is the second time the attack has been called off. National war is no child's play; who do you think can control him?"

Huang Qixiang came from the Guangdong Army, graduated from the sixth class of Baoding Military Academy, and later studied in Germany. He was a famous general in the Northern Expedition and served as the commander of the Fourth Army. He was very senior, but when he mentioned Chang Shenkai, there was not much respect in his tone.

Zhang Wenbai was speechless for a moment. He knew perfectly well who had given the order, but he simply dared not say it outright.

"Brother Wenbai, I just received a report of victory from the 88th Division."

Huang Qixiang changed his tone:

"The Second Security Regiment of Jiangsu Province was ordered to launch a strong attack on Hongkou Park. After a fierce battle throughout the night, they captured the position before 6 a.m. this morning, annihilating more than 700 enemy soldiers."

Four 150mm heavy howitzers, two 150mm mortars, and four 105mm mountain guns were destroyed, and a very large amount of spoils were captured.

"Okay, I understand."

Zhang Wenbai absentmindedly gave a casual reply, only to suddenly snap back to reality a moment later, his face filled with disbelief:

"Brother Yuyuki, are you sure?!"

Huang Qixiang was not surprised by his reaction at all. He was just as shocked when he first saw the telegram and only dared to report it after repeatedly verifying it.

He perked up and affirmed:

"Brother Wenbai, this is a matter of national importance, how can we treat it lightly? The Japanese troops in Hongkou Park were all annihilated, not a single one escaped."

Zhang Wenbai was both surprised and delighted, and excitedly said:

"That was a key stronghold second only to the Japanese headquarters building! You're sure the 88th Division didn't directly participate in the battle after taking it in one night?"

"Brother Wenbai, don't you understand Sun Yuanlang's temperament? If he ever sends out even a single soldier, the battle report will never be written like this."

Although he gave the order, his malicious intentions were crystal clear.

Huang Qixiang's words hit the nail on the head. With his seniority, he had no need to give Sun Yuanlang any face.

Zhang Wenbai, being of a gentle nature, did not respond, but instead repeatedly praised:

"Excellent! Zhao Yunwen fought a brilliant battle, demonstrating the might of our nation and our army! I will immediately report this victory to the Military Commission and request commendation for him!"

"Brother Wenbai, Sun Yuanlang is spurred on by the security regiment's victories and is launching a full-scale attack on the Patriotic Girls' School. Perhaps we should postpone the ceasefire order until we have cleared the outer strongholds before issuing it. It won't be too late."

Huang Qixiang's words were tantamount to disobeying orders.

Zhang Wenbai was slightly taken aback. He was known for his resolute execution of orders, and he was in a bit of a dilemma.

"Brother Wenbai, when a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders."

Zhang Wenbai made up his mind instantly, his tone resolute:

"As you say! Telegraph Sun Yuanlang, give him one more day, and he must conquer Chizhi University and Aiguo Girls' School without fail!"

The Japanese army was clearly using the peace talks to delay their war preparations, and Zhang Wenbai was already resentful.

Now that the security force has achieved a great victory in Hongkou Park, it has given him the confidence to postpone the execution of the order.

"We only hope that the principal will change his mind upon seeing the good news. The opportunity to win is fleeting; we can't just stop now!"

Huang Qixiang was equally helpless. At present, he could only hope that the 88th Division would seize the opportunity to eliminate all the outer strongholds in one fell swoop and march on the Japanese headquarters building.

Nanjing, Military Commission Operations Command Center.

Chiang Kai-shek stared intently at the huge map on the wall, as if trying to intimidate the enemy with his gaze.

Everyone inside held their breath, not daring to make the slightest disturbance.

After a long silence, he finally withdrew his gaze and spoke in a deep voice:

What are your thoughts on the League of Nations' mediation this time?

He Jingzhi, Gu Zhoutong, and other high-ranking officials looked at each other in bewilderment, Bai Jiansheng hesitated to speak, while only Chen Cixiu looked eager to try.

As the "junior chairman," he understood Chiang Kai-shek's thoughts best.

"Speak freely, don't be shy. You may go first if you'd like to resign."

Chen Cixiu immediately stepped forward:

"Although Japan has withdrawn from the League of Nations, Britain and France remain the world's superpowers. The great powers have enormous interests in China and are unwilling to see Japan monopolize China. Mediation should be done with sincerity."

The Japanese army will most likely give us face, but I fear their conditions will be too harsh for our side to accept.

Chiang Kai-shek nodded slightly:

"The conditions will certainly be harsh, but as long as we can hold talks, there is hope for peace. War is a matter of great importance to the nation, and we must not lightly resort to bloodshed as long as there is a glimmer of hope."

Bai Jiansheng curled his lip in disdain, a fact that Chiang Kai-shek happened to notice. He suppressed his displeasure and said calmly:

"Jiansheng, speak your mind. I'm open to different opinions."

Bai Jiansheng immediately stated:

"The Japanese are absolutely untrustworthy!"

They had just formed the Shanghai Expeditionary Army, and the army was being mobilized. Matsui Iwane even boasted that he would occupy Shanghai in one month.

The so-called peace talks are clearly a delaying tactic to prepare for war; we must not fall for it!

Just as Chiang Kai-shek was about to refute him, Lin Weixing, the chief of staff, rushed in and loudly reported:

"Commander-in-Chief! Great victory reported from the Shanghai front!"

Chiang Kai-shek frowned almost imperceptibly and said in a deep voice:

"read!"