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

At the Fifth War Zone Headquarters, the sound of telegrams ticking filled the air, and staff officers bustled about.

The battle in Linyi was giving Li Delin a headache. One Sakamoto detachment was already the limit of what the Third Army Corps could handle, and now there was another Kunisaki detachment.

Although there was still the 107th Division on the outskirts of Linyi, it was only half of it. Facing the notorious Kunisaki Brigade, Li Delin was still unsure of himself.

The 107th Division is capable of fighting, and the Kunisaki Brigade is also a top-tier fighting force; even five ordinary divisions couldn't withstand it.

Xu Yanmou walked over with a cheerful gait, a smile he couldn't hide on his face. Li Delin looked up at the same time, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Duke De, Commander Zhao of the 107th Division has sent a report of victory. Parts of the 322nd and 324th Brigades ambushed and annihilated more than 2300 men of the Guoqi Brigade Regiment, capturing several artillery pieces, more than 1800 guns, and a quantity of supplies."

After this defeat, the Kunisaki Brigade retreated hastily to Tangtou. Brigade Commander Zhang Yi personally led two regiments to the city walls, effectively pinning the Kunisaki Brigade down at Tangtou.

Li Delin's worried expression vanished, replaced by a wide, exaggerated smile. He exclaimed in praise:

"The 107th Division is truly a fierce and valiant force, and Zhao Yunwen is an invincible general who can win every battle. With him in southern Shandong and the Jinpu Railway, we have no worries about fighting. It is a blessing for the Fifth War Zone and a blessing for the nation!"

Xu Yanmou also remarked with emotion:

"Commander Zhao is too capable. I thought his achievements in Shanghai and Nanjing were exaggerated or politically motivated. Now it seems that he was too conservative and too low-key."

This was not just Xu Yanmou being polite; it came from the bottom of his heart. The Itagaki Division was infamous throughout the world, and the 10th Division was also a formidable force. Zhao Yunwen could hold off one enemy with each outstretched hand. Could the National Government find another like him?

With the weight lifted from Li Delin's heart, he was in high spirits and said with great enthusiasm:

"With the Kunisaki Detachment resolved, the crisis in Linyi City is over. As long as the 59th Army arrives, we might be able to win a small victory and break the myth of the Itagaki Division's invincibility."

"What a load of bull! It's just the Japanese bragging. They were annihilated twice at Pingxingguan and Pangjuangou. Their so-called myth has long been a joke."

Xu Yanmou's words made Li Delin burst into laughter, and then he said domineeringly:

"Then let's defeat them for the third time! Let's shut up Seishiro Itagaki's bragging."

"Duke De, Commander Zhao also made suggestions regarding the Tengxian campaign. His idea was to defend Tengxian, but not to hold it to the death, and to hold the decisive battle at Taierzhuang."

He will then personally lead his troops to contain the 5th and 10th Divisions from the perimeter, preventing them from launching a full-scale attack on Taierzhuang, depleting their forces and supplies, cutting off their supply lines, and assisting his command in defeating the invading enemy.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Delin said:

"Just as Commander Zhao said, with the 107th Division holding the line on the outside, it will be very difficult for the Japanese to break through the Taierzhuang defense line."

"Furthermore, immediately report the victory to the Military Commission and request commendation for the 107th Division!"

In Linyi City, the Sakamoto Detachment launched a relentless offensive, and the Xiangongzhuang position had been breached in several places. The same was true on the northern front, where the two brigades of the Third Army Corps suffered heavy casualties.

Pang's army had no choice but to order the abandonment of the outer positions and retreat to the city walls, where they engaged in a battle with the Japanese for control of the walls, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

The Sakamoto Detachment concentrated its heavy artillery fire on the city wall, focusing on the northwest corner, which blasted open a section. Japanese infantry took the opportunity to pour in, and a brutal street battle ensued.

The 116th Brigade and the Linyi Security Regiment fought a desperate battle with the Japanese, using their lives to wipe out the Japanese troops who had broken into the city and hold the line.

Despite their best efforts, the Sakamoto detachment was unable to breach the defenses of Linyi and could only continue to wear down their forces.

At 4 a.m. on March 14, on the left bank of the Yi River, all was quiet.

Thousands of soldiers had quietly reached the riverbank, completely unnoticed by the Japanese troops on the opposite bank. They were the vanguard of the 59th Army.

After receiving the order from Commander Li to rush to the aid of Linyi City, General Zhang Jinchen put aside his personal grudge with Commander Pang and marched 180 li in a day and a night to reach the west bank of the Yi River in the northern suburbs of Linyi. Without any rest, he immediately joined the battle, with the 40th Army's engineer battalion and cavalry company cooperating in the operation.

General Zhang quickly made arrangements: the 38th Division under Huang Huaigang on the left flank would cross the river at Chuanliu and Zhujiapeng, targeting Zhangjiazhuang, Xiejiazhuang, and Baita; an artillery battalion would be attached to seize Shijiatun Heights and Chayeshan to cover the main force's deployment.

The 180th Division on the right flank, under Liu Zhensan, crossed the river at Zhugecheng and Dajiangzhuang, with the targets being Tingzitou, Xujiataiping, and Dataiping, and was supported by one company each of field artillery, mountain artillery, and direct-fire artillery.

The 114th Brigade was positioned near Liujiahu as the general reserve force, ready to reinforce at any time, with a total strength of approximately 2.6 men.

The chief of staff reported to General Zhang:

"Commander, the left and right flank troops have already moved into position. The Yi River is about 100 meters wide and knee-deep. It's bitterly cold in spring, and the surface is covered with thin ice. There are no boats or bridges. Should we wait until dawn to think of a solution?"

General Zhang said with a firm gaze:

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war; we can't give the Japanese any time to react! The troops are wading across the river; suffering a little is nothing compared to killing the Japanese."

"Order all units to cross the river immediately!"

At General Zhang's command, thousands of soldiers jumped into the icy water. They raised their weapons and waded through the water quickly. Their cotton trousers were frozen stiff after being soaked in water, but they continued to charge forward despite the biting cold.

The 59th Army crossed the river overnight, appearing behind the Japanese troops and catching the Sakamoto Detachment off guard.

General Zhang adopted a flanking maneuver, with the 38th Division attacking the left and the 180th Division attacking the right, to pincer attack the flank and rear of the Sakamoto Detachment, forcing them to abandon their siege and turn their attack to the 59th Army.

The pressure fell on the 59th Army. General Zhang crossed the river and personally commanded the troops, holding off the Japanese counterattack.

More than 20,000 men crossed the river before dawn and broke through at places such as Tingzitou, Dataiping, and Shalingzi. The Japanese army was caught off guard and annihilated more than 1,000 enemy soldiers in one night.

The 40th Army inside the city also launched a counterattack. In order to avoid total annihilation, the Japanese soldiers fought desperately to break through the encirclement and engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand combat with the soldiers of the 59th Army.

The fierce battle lasted for two days, and the 59th Army finally broke through all the defenses of the Sakamoto Detachment and defeated it.

On the 17th, the Sakamoto Detachment suffered a complete defeat. Soldiers of the 59th and 40th Armies chased after the Japanese and attacked them relentlessly, routing the once invincible Sakamoto Detachment. The remaining soldiers eventually retreated to Tangtou, leaving behind thousands of corpses.

The Nationalist Army won the Battle of Linyi, severely damaging the once-invincible Sakamoto Detachment. When the news reached the headquarters, everyone cheered that they had finally defeated the Itagaki Division in the field.

The good news quickly reached the 107th Division. Zhao Yunwen breathed a sigh of relief. He was secretly glad that the butterfly effect brought about by his time travel had not changed the course of the Battle of Linyi. On the contrary, the results were even more brilliant, and the losses of the Sakamoto Detachment far exceeded expectations.

The Kunisaki Detachment also suffered over 2,000 casualties at Pangjuangou. Combined with the infantry and cavalry previously wiped out by the 107th Division, the Itagaki Division had suffered more than half its casualties.

Xie Polu said excitedly:

"Commander, after the Battle of Linyi, the invincible myth of the Itagaki Division has been completely shattered. From now on, the Nationalist Army will no longer be intimidated when they encounter them again!"

Qiu Fengzi also said with a smile:

"It seems I underestimated the Northwest Army. Their fighting strength is no less than that of my Central Army. It was truly remarkable that the Commander-in-Chief managed to defeat them, the Guangxi Army, and the Shanxi Army in the Central Plains War!"

This is not praising the Northwest Army, but more like self-praise, using a ragtag army to embarrass Chiang Kai-shek and the Central Army.

Zhao Yunwen didn't expose him. He knew his own family's situation. Chiang Kai-shek was able to win the Central Plains War entirely because of his "money power," which involved dividing and winning over his people and defeating them one by one.

The Northwest Army was poor, and military leaders like Han Fuju and Sun Dianying were opportunistic and would follow whoever offered them the most benefits.

Xie Polu began to get down to business:

"Commander, Lai Wu's detachment has broken through the outer defenses of the 22nd Army Group and is launching a strong attack on Tengxian. Shouldn't we make our move?"

Zhao Yunwen waved his hand and said:

"Of course, Qiu the Madman. The 323rd Brigade has been itching to go, it's your turn!"