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

After the 107th Division completed its assembly in Hanwang Town and Sanbao, it marched in a grand procession towards eastern Henan, with the 646th Regiment of the 323rd Brigade leading the way and the reconnaissance battalion providing support. They eliminated a small number of Japanese and puppet spies. The marching route was planned by Zhao Yunwen using a three-dimensional mini-map, cleverly avoiding large groups of Japanese troops. In addition, with its own strong strength, even if it encountered the Japanese, it would be the Japanese who were unlucky.

The march went more smoothly than Zhao Yunwen had imagined. During the march, reconnaissance planes approached, but Zhao Yunwen took advantage of the fighter jets he had rented to destroy them in advance. The 107th Division was safer than anyone else.

A few days later, in Zhengzhou, at the headquarters of the military command, many high-ranking officials gathered.

Senior generals such as Cheng Songyun, Commander-in-Chief of the First War Zone, and Xue Boling, Commander-in-Chief of the Front, were present. Xue Boling spoke eloquently, and the atmosphere was very lively.

With Hu Shoushan's 17th Army Corps arriving on the battlefield, Xue Boling reorganized the attack into six routes, with the goal of recapturing Lanfeng and dividing the three major Japanese strongholds.

Chiang Kai-shek personally presided over the meeting, while Xue Boling, holding the baton, was full of vigor and high spirits.

"The 32nd Army of Shang Zhen on the North Route attacked the northwest of Lanfeng and Lanfengkou, cutting off the Japanese army's connection with the Yellow River crossing; the 74th Army of Yu Liangzhen on the Northeast Route attacked the outer perimeter of Sanyizhai and the north of Lanfeng City, isolating the Japanese army in the city from the main force of Sanyizhai; the 71st Army of Song Yingguo on the Central Route attacked Lanfeng County; the 27th Army of Gui Yongqing on the South Central Route attacked Dingzhai and Zhuzhuang on the south side of Sanyizhai, containing the main force of the Japanese army; the 64th Army and 58th Division of Li Hanhun on the South Route launched a fierce attack on Luowang Station along the railway, cutting off the railway traffic between Lanfeng and Kaifeng; the 17th Army Corps of Hu Shoushan on the Northwest Route attacked Quxingji, outflanked Luowangzhai, and directly attacked the headquarters and heavy artillery positions of the Doihara Division."

Huang Jie's 8th Army was tasked with holding Shangqiu, protecting the flank and rear of the Yudong Corps, and blocking any possible reinforcements.

Full of confidence, everyone was eager to try under the principal's watchful eye.

Chiang Kai-shek interjected:

"Bo Ling, I'll give you another large army. General Zhao Yunwen's 107th Division has already marched west and will soon arrive at the battlefield. This is a formidable force."

Xue Boling frowned imperceptibly, not because he disliked having too many soldiers, but because Zhao Yunwen had a bad reputation at Whampoa Military Academy. He even had a black mark on Zhao Yunwen's record. During the fourth encirclement and suppression of the Central Red Army, if Zhao Yunwen hadn't messed up at the crucial moment, he would have caught the Red Army's most prominent corps commander.

What displeased Xue Boling even more was Zhao Yunwen's strong rise after the Battle of Shanghai. In just a few months, he had become the number one anti-Japanese general, enjoying unparalleled fame.

If they are truly capable, that's fine. But if they rise to prominence simply because they are from the same hometown as Commander Chang, using public opinion to create a god-like image and coming from afar to steal credit, he will be the first to object.

Thinking of this, he casually replied:

"Then let the 107th Division serve as the general reserve force for the campaign. More divisions mean more support."

Xue Boling's reaction and arrangements poured cold water on Chiang Kai-shek's enthusiasm, implying that relying on hometown connections wouldn't work and that he would have to demonstrate real ability.

Chiang Kai-shek was speechless and rolled his eyes, but he really didn't have much of a temper with Xue Boling. Xue was a very individualistic and capable general, a senior officer, and the commander of the Premier's guard battalion. Now was the time when he needed people, and it was not worth making a fuss over such a small matter.

After Xue Boling finished his performance, Chiang Kai-shek stepped forward and said:

"Gentlemen, you are all elites of my Whampoa Military Academy. With 17 against 3, the advantage is on our side! Commander Xue's six-pronged attack plan is excellent. I've added another one to it, making it a seven-pronged army. Adding Yunwen's 2 men, that's 19 against 3, making the advantage even more obvious."

Li Delin led a ragtag group of soldiers and was able to severely damage the 5th and 10th Divisions at Taierzhuang. The 1st Army Corps consisted of elite troops from our Central Army, all graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. If they couldn't even annihilate a small 14th Division, they would have no way to explain themselves to the Chinese people.

I have only one request: to completely annihilate the Doihara Division, regain control of Lanfeng City, and safeguard the Longhai Railway.

"Everyone must unconditionally obey Commander Xue's orders. A good performance will be richly rewarded; but if anyone misses a crucial opportunity, I am willing to execute Ma Su with tears in my eyes!"

Despite suffering a setback at Xue Laohu's hands, he still stood up for the latter, also to let Xue Boling know that he was the one in charge of the First Army Corps;

Those arrogant and fierce soldiers from the first and second phases were all his good students. Without his approval, Xue Boling's orders were not effective.

Xue Boling frowned again subconsciously, a sense of foreboding rushing into his heart. He shook his head vigorously to dispel the evil spirit.

He was still very confident about the Battle of Lanfeng. With 17 elite troops gathered, there was no reason for them to lose. He selectively forgot about the 107th Division.

As long as Zhao Yunwen, the emperor's protégé and fellow townsman, is not a troublemaker for him, he wouldn't mind giving the young master Zhao a bowl of soup after the victory, out of respect for Chiang Kai-shek. That would be worthy of Zhao Yunwen's long journey to attend the meeting.

Back at his command post, Xue Boling first asked where the 107th Division was. Despite his disdain for Zhao Yunwen, this was an army of 2 men, so how could he not care?

Corps Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi quickly replied:

"The 107th Division just sent someone to contact us; they have successfully arrived in Suixian for rest and recuperation."

Wu Yizhi was Xue Boling's most trusted advisor, serving as his assistant for a long time. A Major General in the Army and a core general in the Guangdong Army, he was Xue Boling's lifelong advisor. A graduate of the sixth class of the Infantry Department of the Baoding Military Academy, he was a classmate of Ye Xiyi. After World War I, he was sent to study at the German National Defense University and the University of Berlin to observe European military affairs and procure weaponry. Early in his career, he served as a company commander in the Grand Marshal's Guard Regiment, where Xue Boling was his battalion commander. Zhang Xianghua and Ye Xiyi were the other two battalion commanders. He was an instructor in the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy. During the Northern Expedition, he served as the commander of the 4th Army's Training Regiment, where Ye Xiyi was an independent regiment commander. The 4th Army's reputation was also partly due to his contributions.

This is definitely a formidable figure. He was also in charge of devising the six-pronged encirclement plan and devised the operational strategy to annihilate the 14th Division.

Xue Boling bent down and located the location of Sui County on the map, estimated the distance, and then said:

"Telegram to Zhao Yunwen: they shall serve as the strategic reserve force of the army corps and be stationed in Suixian County. The six-pronged counter-offensive has been planned, and they are not needed for the time being."

Wu Yizhi strongly agreed:

"Adjusting battle formation plans on the spot is a major taboo in military strategy. For such a large-scale battle, the army group also needs a strong reserve force. The 20,000 men of the 107th Division can make up for this shortcoming."

Suixian County is only a day's march away from Yangguji and Shuangtaji, which are defended by the 27th Army, and can provide support at any time.

Xue Boling nodded and said:

"The Yangguji and Shuangtaji garrison of Gui Yongqing's 27th Army are the key to encircling the southwest side of the Doihara Division. An additional 2 men would provide an extra layer of protection. I always felt that something might go wrong. Now that we have Zhao Yunwen's 107th Division, we can patch up the gap if needed."

Although Xue Boling looked down on Zhao Yunwen, he still highly regarded the 107th Division. It was a battle-hardened force capable of standing up to first-class divisions like the 5th, 10th, and 9th Divisions.

He was conflicted. He was tough on the outside but his actions betrayed him. He couldn't deny that Zhao Yunwen's appearance was too timely and beneficial to the First Army Corps and the Lanfeng Campaign. He was just disappointed that Zhao Yunwen was more reliable.

After dealing with the 107th Division, Xue Boling began to mobilize troops to launch a six-pronged attack on the isolated and reckless Doihara Division.

In Suixian County, Zhao Yunwen was also paying close attention to the Lanfeng Campaign, his eyes fixed on the Doihara Division, this wild boar.

The six top hunters of the Nationalist Army were surrounding and killing him, but only Zhao Yunwen knew the power of this wild boar; his famous classmates couldn't stop it at all.

Chief of Staff Xie Polu strode over, a telegram in his hand, and reported loudly:

"Commander, Commander Xue from the Corps Headquarters is calling!"