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

A first-class division, three brigades and six regiments? This organization is comparable to a second-class army. The principal was unusually generous this time, but Zhao Yun still preferred the "guerrilla column" organization, which could accommodate as many people as he wanted.

Of course, there were advantages. The Nationalist government would have to pay for the military pay and supplies, and he would only need to contribute a portion himself. After all, the pay and food standards of the guerrilla column were much higher than those of the Central Army.

Zhao Yunwen showed the telegram to Qiu Fengzi, Xie Polu, and others. Their reactions varied, but most remained calm, as they were used to following Zhao Yunwen's lead.

Zhao Yunwen saw everyone's expressions. He was now a military leader. Even if the Nationalist government gave him a regular position, the principal couldn't possibly control him. That would be a disaster. Du Guangting was an example.

Thinking of this, he said directly:

"Gentlemen, I do not intend to make major adjustments to the existing organization. Just follow the Military Commission's plan and change the unit designation."

Zhang Yi was appointed Major General Brigade Commander of the 322nd Brigade, commanding the 643rd and 644th Regiments, with Qin Shiquan and Colonel Luo Wen as regimental commanders; Qiu Qingquan was appointed Brigade Commander of the 323rd Brigade, commanding the 645th and 646th Regiments, with Li Xikai and Sui Youlan as regimental commanders; Wang Guohua was promoted to Major General Brigade Commander of the 324th Brigade, with Yao Zhiqing succeeding him as regimental commander, and Yang Ruifu concurrently serving as training captain, and his rank promoted to lieutenant colonel. The 324th Brigade commanded the 647th and 648th Regiments, with Qin Qingwu and Yao Zhiqing as regimental commanders.

The cavalry regiment was commanded by Colonel Yao Wangshan, the artillery regiment by Colonel Liu Meisheng, and the supply regiment by Zhou Tiancheng. Other units included a reconnaissance battalion, a training corps, a field hospital, an engineer battalion, and a communications battalion. The organizational structure and personnel list were compiled by Chief of Staff Xie Polu and submitted to the Military Commission for approval. A copy was also forwarded to Deputy Commander Lu. Before Yao Zhiqing took over, the 648th Regiment was temporarily managed by Wang Guohua…”

Because it was wartime, all adjustments were kept simple. Zhao Yunwen set the general direction, and the rest was left to the chief of staff, Colonel Xie Polu.

After severely damaging the 5th Field Artillery Brigade, the pressure on Linyi City was greatly reduced. With the main force of the 107th Division holding them back, the Japanese could not cause any trouble. The first great victory at Linyi would only be more glorious, and they were just waiting for the 59th Army to arrive.

This battle was a highlight for Commander Zhang and Commander Pang, a memorable moment where they reconciled and joined hands to fight against foreign aggression. Zhao Yunwen did not intend to steal their thunder, and Commander Zhang was hoping to get rid of the "traitor" label in this battle.

Zhao Yunwen's gaze will turn to Teng County; judging by the time, it will begin soon.

In Yishui City, at the headquarters of the Fifth Division, Itagaki Seishiro's rage was so intense it was almost unbearable, and profanities flew everywhere.

"Baka yarou! How can Sakamoto Jun fight a war like this? Not only did he fail to capture the small city of Linyi, but he also lost a cavalry regiment and an artillery regiment. The 11th Infantry Regiment suffered more than half its casualties. This is a disgrace to the Itagaki Division!"

"The entire division suffered more casualties during the conquest of Jinyang City; the reputation of the Itagaki Division has been tarnished by their actions!"

Chief of Staff Colonel Nishimura Toshiaki could understand the division commander's feelings. The Itagaki Division was an invincible force in North China. Although it suffered a minor setback at Pingxingguan, it was not a big deal. After all, the Eighth Route Army's attack was a sneak attack and did not count.

Linyi City is different; it's a real battle of attack and defense. Now that the myth has been shattered, how can Itagaki Seishiro sit still?

The division commander was furious, so Colonel Nishimura chose to keep quiet and listen rather than speak.

Seishiro Itagaki clearly wasn't going to let him off the hook, and yelled at him directly:

"Baka yarou, are you mute? How do we break this deadlock in the Linyi City direction? And where did that guerrilla column come from?"

Seishiro Itagaki previously fought in North China, from Beiping to Jinyang. His opponents were figures like Yan Baichuan and Wei Junru, so it's perfectly normal that guerrilla columns were beneath his notice.

Colonel Nishimura quickly replied:

"The guerrilla column was originally the Jiangsu Provincial Security Regiment, which participated in the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Nanjing—"

"You idiot! Sakamoto Jun, you piece of trash, can't even beat the security forces?"

Seishiro Itagaki was furious. Was this still the same Sakamoto Detachment that had swept across North China?

Colonel Nishimura, seeing that the division commander had some misunderstanding, explained in detail the information he had suddenly discovered, and then added:

"The guerrilla column was the most outstanding unit in China. The 9th, 11th and 16th Divisions all suffered heavy losses. Zhao Yunwen was even known as the Wolf of China. He was no ordinary person."

Seishiro Itagaki said with a disdainful expression:

"These divisions dare to compare themselves to Itagaki's Division? We are the Steel Army!"

Although Itagaki Seishiro was very defiant, he no longer underestimated Zhao Yunwen and the guerrilla column. Nishimura continued:

"Your Excellency, according to the intelligence just obtained by the Special Higher Police, the guerrilla column has been upgraded again and reorganized into the 107th Division, which is under the command of the 18th Army. It is a first-class division with 3 brigades and 6 regiments, with a strength of up to 15000 men. It also has an artillery regiment and a cavalry regiment, making it a formidable force."

Seishiro Itagaki took a deep breath and said solemnly:

"Wow, I really underestimated them. This elite force is worthy of being a match for the Itagaki Division!"

"Commander, the Katano Regiment is currently under siege by the 107th Division and is severely understaffed. It should be reinforced immediately."

Sending another regiment to support Sakamoto's detachment would be enough to change the course of the battle.

Seishiro Itagaki shook his head and said:

"One regiment is not enough. It is a major taboo in military strategy to send reinforcements one by one. Send the entire Kunisaki Brigade there, and then draw two thousand warriors from the supply regiment to supplement the 21st Regiment."

"Use two infantry regiments to encircle and annihilate the 107th Division, at least driving them into the mountains. Then, have both regiments, plus an artillery regiment, launch a strong attack on Linyi City. Only in this way can we be absolutely certain of victory."

"The division commander's consideration is indeed thorough; he has turned the tide of the battle. A single brigade is enough to defeat the 107th Division!"

After Colonel Nishimura finished speaking, he went to relay the order. Seishiro Itagaki regained his composure and control. He acknowledged the strength of Zhao Yunwen and the 107th Division, but that was all.

The Fifth Division's tactical change did not escape Zhao Yunwen's notice. He also wanted to meet Itagaki Seishiro. Among the Japanese high-ranking commanders, Itagaki Seishiro, Doihara Kenji, and Okamura Yasuji were definitely in the first tier.

Zhao Yunwen's biggest advantage was that the Japanese had no idea what his true cards were, while the Japanese had their cards on the table, so it wouldn't matter who commanded him.

Seishiro Itagaki's first move was to replace Tang Tou with the Kunisaki Brigade, allowing their respective regiments to return to their original units. This created a situation where the Sakamoto Detachment would focus its main attack on Linyi City, while the Kunisaki Brigade would deal with the 107th Division, making command easier.

The second move was to take the initiative, with the Kunisaki Brigade sending troops in several directions to sweep through the 107th Division hiding in the mountains, seeking a decisive battle.

The third move was the Sakamoto Detachment's strong attack on Linyi City, a pincer movement that greatly increased the pressure on the Third Army Corps, prompting them to request reinforcements from headquarters once again.

Li Delin then met with Commander Zhang and dispatched the 59th Army to reinforce Linyi City. Itagaki Seishiro was still one step behind.

Zhao Yunwen quickly made adjustments, ordering the main force on the eastern front to feign weakness and retreat, luring the Guoqi Detachment to Pangjuan Gully in Malingshan, an ancient battlefield southeast of Linyi, where a portion of their forces were annihilated.

Lupin unfolded the map, looked at it, and exclaimed in admiration:

"The division commander is truly a master strategist, able to win battles from afar. Maling Mountain is perfect for ambush warfare!"

Pangjuan Gully is shaped like a gourd, with a wide entrance, a flatter, more spacious middle section, and two extremely narrow passes at the front and back. On both sides are low, gently sloping hills covered with dense forests, with continuous ridges and shrubbery-covered slopes, suitable for concealing troops. At the bottom of the valley is only a winding dirt road, preventing large troops from spreading out and forcing them to advance in long, serpentine formations.

Zhang Yi continued, saying:

"This is the perfect spot that Sun Bin used to ambush Pang Juan, and it would be perfect to use it to entertain the Kunisaki Detachment."

The Kunisaki Detachment is pursuing the enemy in three columns. My suggestion is to have two regiments of the 322nd Brigade set up an ambush on both sides of Pangjuan Gully. Qin Qingwu's regiment should send an infantry battalion and an artillery company to lure the Japanese troops on the flanks away, while the other two battalions will act as bait to lure the Japanese troops in the center into Pangjuan Gully and then annihilate them!

Lupin immediately made the decision:

"Continue firing like this, and get approval from the division commander!"