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

The Military Commission's operations command center in Nanjing was brightly lit.

The Shanghai Expeditionary Army landed in the areas of Chuanshakou, Shizilin, and Zhanghuabang in Wusong Town, and the battle situation deteriorated rapidly.

The Japanese offensive was extremely fierce, and the Nationalist army's defenses in the area were practically non-existent. The 11th Division captured Chuanshakou, Shizilin Fort, and Yuepu in succession, and its advance was aimed directly at Luodian.

The 3rd Division easily captured Wusong Town, then divided its forces into several routes to attack key points in Zhabei, engaging in fierce fighting with the main force of the 9th Army Group.

"Gentlemen, the Japanese army's tactical intention is very clear: to use the Third Division to launch a strong attack on Zhabei and contain the main force of our Ninth Army Group."

The 11th Infantry Division planned to outflank the Ninth Army, capturing Luodian and Jiading, then advance south to cut off its retreat and annihilate its main force in the Zhabei area.

Bai Jiansheng, the deputy chief of the general staff, concurrently the minister of military training and a senior staff officer, saw through the Japanese intentions, but it was all in vain.

The most urgent task is to hold Luodian and buy time for the main force of the 15th Group Army to deploy.

Chiang Kai-shek asked in a deep voice:

"How many troops are there in Luodian now? Can they hold it? When will the 11th Division arrive?"

Everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to respond to him, including Bai Jiansheng.

He can only raise questions, but he has no ability to solve them; even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice.

Chen Cixiu could only bite the bullet and say:

"Currently, only the Second Security Regiment of Jiangsu Province is resting in Luodian. They experienced a fierce battle at Hongkou Park, and the troops suffered heavy losses."

The Japanese had an entire elite division; it would be very difficult to stop them, and they've probably already been routed.

Everyone's expression changed drastically after hearing this, and Bai Jiansheng took over the conversation, saying:

"Judging by the time, the vanguard of the Japanese army has been at Luodian for more than a day now. This is not an estimate, but a certainty!"

The security regiment was no match for the full-scale attack of a Japanese battalion. The most urgent task was to take back Luodian as soon as possible while the Japanese were still establishing their foothold.

The Japanese soldiers were carrying a huge amount of supplies, so it wasn't easy for them to land. Therefore, the main force had to stop and wait for supplies.

We still have a chance!

Chiang Kai-shek, as if grasping at a straw, sternly said to Chen Cixiu:

"Resign and order the 11th Division to rush to Luodian overnight, defeat the Japanese vanguard as quickly as possible, recapture Luodian, and then hold it at all costs."

After thinking it over, everyone realized that this was the only way; it was better late than never, and they hoped it was not too late.

Just then, Lin Weixing, the chief of staff, rushed in, forgetting even to submit his report. Chiang Kai-shek coldly shouted:

"What kind of behavior is this, all this panic? The sky isn't going to fall down."

Lin Wei seemed oblivious to the old man's face turning as black as the bottom of a pot, and instead raised his voice, saying:

"Commander, good news! A great victory at Luodian!"

Chiang Kai-shek thought he had misheard and said with great dissatisfaction:

"The situation is extremely precarious; there's no way we can expect a great victory."

Chiang Kai-shek thought someone was trying to fool him with false military intelligence again. What kind of time is this to be unable to distinguish between what is important and what is urgent?

Lin Wei took a deep breath and said loudly:

"Commander, it's the great victory at Luodian! The Second Security Regiment has annihilated an entire enemy battalion!"

This time everyone understood and looked at Lin Wei with suspicion, especially Bai Jiansheng.

He had just confidently asserted that the security regiment would definitely be defeated by the Japanese, and this slap in the face came far too quickly.

He immediately rejected it, saying:

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Luodian has no natural defenses. Even if the Second Security Regiment were at its peak, it wouldn't be able to withstand the offensive of a single Japanese battalion, let alone annihilate the invading enemy."

This is a standing Class A division, is that even possible? Do you think it's possible?!

Everyone thought it was impossible, but this was a report of victory submitted to the Military Commission, a matter of great importance, and no one dared to lie about military intelligence.

Chiang Kai-shek seemed to realize this as well, and then took the telegram and browsed through it. It was forwarded by the 18th Army and had already been verified.

The results may be exaggerated, but it is certain that Luodian is still in the hands of the Second Security Regiment.

That's enough!

Chiang Kai-shek praised it three times with a "good" in a row, his face beaming with joy.

"Yunwen truly is my excellent student!"

"Reward! He absolutely must be rewarded!"

"Zhao Yunwen is hereby promoted to Army Colonel and awarded 5 yuan in legal tender."

"Resign and immediately replenish the Second Security Regiment with 1 veterans, 800 rifles, and 2 cannons."

"They were ordered to hold Luodian for two days and wait for the main force of the 11th Division to arrive."

Tell Yunwen not to be afraid of casualties. I'll replenish their ranks however many they lose; they're all veterans of the Central Army!

There was a stir among the crowd. The rank of army colonel was a military rank, and it was much more valuable than the rank of major general.

The ranks of the Nationalist Army were divided into duty ranks and merit ranks. Duty ranks could be revoked at any time, while merit ranks, once granted, could not be revoked for life.

Many lieutenant generals are only promoted to colonel. Now it is certain that as long as the Luodian security regiment holds out until reinforcements arrive, Zhao Yunwen's rank will inevitably be promoted to major general.

The addition of a thousand veterans was a testament to the Emperor's favor. Although they couldn't make it in time, the arrival of reinforcements would be enough to restore the Second Security Regiment to its former strength.

Chen Cixiu naturally had no objections. After this incident, he became even more determined to include the Second Security Regiment in the Civil Engineering Department, and immediately volunteered:

"Principal, Yunwen is a pillar of the nation. Shall we issue the military order for the Second Security Regiment through the 15th Army Group?"

I will give Yunwen a death order: as long as we're here, we'll hold the line!

"Okay, I'll resign. I trust you to handle things."

The Military Commission's promotion order must be delivered at the same time. All officers and soldiers in his unit will be promoted one rank. After the battle at Luodian stabilizes, I will personally award him the medal!

Everyone took a deep breath. The commander was going to personally award the medal, an honor that everyone present would envy.

Considering Zhao Yunwen's background as a graduate of the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy and from Zhejiang Province, his future prospects are limitless. It would be good to give such a person the icing on the cake.

Everyone else agreed, showering him with compliments that cost nothing, a classic case of everyone helping someone out.

Luodian, Field Command Post of the 2nd Security Regiment

"The results of the battle have been tallied," Chief of Staff Lu Ping said excitedly.

"We captured 2 infantry guns, 8 Type 92 heavy machine guns, more than 600 shells, and supplies piled up like mountains."

The Japanese in the first-class divisions were incredibly wealthy. My unit suffered only 300 casualties, including 105 killed, 62 seriously wounded, and the rest slightly injured.

The casualties were within Zhao Yunwen's tolerance. Even before the battle results were announced, Zhao Yunwen had sent a report of victory to the 18th Army to reassure the troops.

The reports claimed nearly a thousand casualties, huge losses, and a great deal of spoils, but these were all empty boasts.

Only the number of enemy soldiers killed is a concrete fact, and that can be confirmed.

Zhao Yunwen nodded and said:

"Send the seriously wounded to the afterlife. Do everything you can to heal the brothers. Those in urgent situations should be sent to the International Settlement. The Zhao family will take good care of them."

After suffering a silent loss, the Japanese will definitely retaliate. Each battalion must prepare for a major and fierce battle.

"The real battle has just begun; past victories are in the past and difficult to replicate."

Everyone should be prepared to sacrifice their lives for their country!

After hearing this, everyone's expressions became extremely grim. The Second Security Regiment was facing the 11th Infantry Division, as well as naval guns and aircraft. Their chances of survival were slim.

Just then, the communications officer rushed in and loudly reported:

"Commander, urgent telegram from Commander Chen of the 18th Army!"

The colonel was rewarded for his death-defying duty, and the order to hold out for two days was finalized! The main force of the Japanese 11th Division pressed on to Luodian with murderous intent, but Zhao Yunwen had already laid a trap, just waiting for the Japanese to run into it!

The next chapter, "The Meat Grinder of Luodian," officially begins, with the Security Regiment's superior firepower going head-to-head with a Class A Division. Click on the bookshelf to follow along; this ambush and counterattack is incredibly exciting, don't miss it!