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

Zhao Yunwen gave Xue Boling a huge surprise; the happiness was so sudden it was unbelievable. Xue Boling confirmed it again:

"Director Lin, are you sure you're not mistaken? Did you even check?"

Director Lin straightened his chest and said:

"It has been verified that the 322nd Brigade, the vanguard of the 107th Division, traveled day and night and arrived outside the city at dawn. Taking advantage of the 2nd Infantry Regiment's unstable foothold, they launched an attack. After two hours of fierce fighting, they drove the Japanese out of Lanfeng City and annihilated more than a thousand enemy soldiers."

Currently, a part of the 322nd Brigade is launching a strong offensive along the Yangguji and Shuangtaji line, while the main force of the 107th Division will arrive in the Lanfeng area by noon at the latest.

Director Lin was confident because he had sent people to Lanfeng City to verify the contents of the 107th Division's telegrams.

Xue Boling took the telegram, read it carefully, and had no further doubts. He praised it highly:

"Excellent, very good, truly excellent! They are indeed a formidable force, the foremost of the Four Heroes of Whampoa, and pillars of the nation!"

"They are both graduates of the first class of Whampoa Military Academy, but the difference in their abilities is obvious. I want to recommend Commander Zhao and the 107th Division for commendation."

Wu Yizhi wanted to remind Xue Boling to be mindful of the impact and to save face for the other Whampoa graduates, but he swallowed his words, thinking that this was probably a way to warn others.

Having known each other for many years, the two knew each other inside and out, and as an advisor, he naturally couldn't go against his superiors.

"Commander-in-Chief, there are only a small number of Japanese soldiers in Yangguji and Shuangtaji. The 322nd Brigade should have no problem eliminating or driving them away. The gaps left by the 27th Army and the 88th Division have been plugged, so we can continue to encircle and annihilate the Doihara Division!"

Wu Yizhi skillfully steered the conversation back to business, hoping that he would stop dwelling on the 27th Army. Long Muhan was alright, but Gui Yongqing had connections, and offending He Jingzhi would not be good for Xue Boling.

Wu Yizhi was trying to smooth things over, but Xue Boling had no intention of letting the matter drop. The army and division commanders of the Yudong Corps were all protégés of the emperor, and it would be difficult to lead a team without strict military discipline.

"Chief of Staff Wu, the hole has now been plugged, and the Doihara Division has been divided into three major parts. The one who should be anxious is that old Japanese devil Kenji Doihara."

This time, we must learn from past mistakes and tighten our defenses! Send a telegram back to Division Commander Zhao, urging him to take Yangguji and Shuangtaji as soon as possible, and completely separate the 27th Brigade from the main force of the division.

Once this situation is established, Kenji Doihara will inevitably do everything in his power to establish a connection between the two and launch a full-scale attack on Lanfeng City.

My task for them was simple: hold Lanfeng City at all costs, and defend the key points of Lanfeng, Yangguji, and Shuangtaji.

Chief of Staff Wu was just about to leave when Xue Boling stopped him again and added:

"Send a telegram to Commander Chang, demanding that Gui Yongqing and Long Muhang be held accountable for abandoning their positions without authorization. Execution is necessary to uphold military discipline, otherwise others will follow suit."

Xue Boling was truly determined to kill this time. Wu Yizhi did not try to dissuade him anymore. These people had gone too far and completely disregarded Commander Xue's military orders.

At Yangguji, the battle has entered its decisive moment. In front of the Li Family Compound, the Third Battalion of the 643rd Regiment is making final preparations for the general offensive.

The remaining Japanese soldiers retreated to the Li family compound and put up a stubborn resistance. The Seventh Company charged twice but was driven back each time, suffering more than ten casualties.

Company Commander Xu Feng completely lost his patience and requested fire support from the battalion headquarters. The battalion commander waved his hand and brought over two Type 92 infantry guns, their dark muzzles already aimed at the Japanese.

Major Okamoto was pale, his eyes were lifeless, and he looked as dejected as a defeated rooster.

The brigade headquarters and the third company retreated into the Li family compound, leaving a total of 92 men. The other companies were divided and surrounded in several strongholds, suffering heavy casualties. They were now at a critical moment.

Lieutenant Suzuki said with a gloomy face:

"The Chinese have already brought in artillery; the Li family compound won't hold out for long. Send a farewell telegram to the regimental commander!"

Major Okamoto hadn't expected to reach his end so quickly. Reinforcements were still more than ten miles away and were being blocked by a large number of Chinese, so they might not arrive for three to five hours.

They were out of time. Major Okamoto waved his hand listlessly and then quietly waited for the final moment to arrive.

"boom!"

A 70mm high-explosive shell hit the gate, easily tearing open the copper-clad gate of the Li family compound. This thing might scare bandits, but it was just a decoration in front of the Type 92 infantry gun.

The last remaining Japanese Type 92 heavy machine gun spewed fire from inside the bunker, making a last-ditch effort.

A glimmer of hope ignited in Major Okamoto's eyes, his face flushed, and he seemed to be experiencing a final burst of energy before death.

"Boom! Boom!"

Two infantry shells flew toward the machine gun emplacement in quick succession, and the bunker disappeared into the smoke of the explosion. Limbs and torsos could be vaguely seen in the air, sending chills down Major Okamoto's spine.

His last hope was dashed; with such a large encirclement, no miracle could happen, or if it did, it would only be an illusion.

Two Type 92 infantry guns continuously bombarded the Li family compound, completely demolishing the gate and walls. Three 60mm mortars also joined the battle, suppressing the Japanese light firepower.

A dozen minutes later, a gap of more than ten meters was blown open in the wall connecting to the gate, opening the passage for the final assault.

Xu Feng roared:

"Brothers, charge! Machine gun cover!"

After receiving the order, the second platoon leader personally led two squads to rush towards the breach. The remaining Japanese soldiers opened fire to block them, and the assault team members fell one after another due to the bullets.

The soldiers of the Seventh Company unleashed their full firepower, raining bullets down on the Japanese soldiers, while artillery shells rained down in rows, quickly suppressing the remaining firepower of the Japanese.

The second platoon leader got up from the ground and led the assault team into the courtyard. The rhythmic sound of gunfire rang out, and the Japanese soldiers screamed in agony.

The remaining soldiers of the Seventh Company followed suit, swarming in and shouting battle cries that shook the heavens. The Li family compound was breached.

Major Okamoto charged at the second platoon leader, his face contorted with rage, sword raised high.

The second platoon leader raised his hand and fired a burst of bullets, and Major Okamoto fell seven meters away. In the face of an MP38 submachine gun, even the best knife skills are just a death sentence.

The remaining Japanese troops in the compound were wiped out. Two squads of the assault team suffered 4 casualties and 7 wounded. The core position of Yangguji was captured.

The main force of the 643rd Regiment then launched a separate attack on several remaining strongholds, defeating them one by one. By noon, the Japanese-occupied Yangguji, Shuangtaji and surrounding villages had all been captured, and the Okamoto Battalion was completely annihilated, with not a single one escaping.

After the gunfire subsided, the Japanese reinforcements retreated. With the intervention of the 107th Division, the 27th Army and the 88th Division recaptured all the positions they had abandoned, annihilating 2,000 enemy troops.