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

Wang Yaowu was overjoyed when he suddenly noticed that the shelling had stopped and he could hear faint explosions coming from the direction of the Japanese artillery positions.

Although he didn't know what had happened, he keenly sensed this was an opportunity and immediately ordered the entire division to press forward, shouting excitedly:

"Use all the shells, launch a full-scale attack, and take the train station at all costs!"

This was undoubtedly the key to breaking the deadlock. With Wang Yaowu’s order, thousands of soldiers from the 51st Division surged toward Luowang Station from multiple directions. Shells rained down, and the Japanese positions were almost entirely shrouded in smoke.

Without the heavy artillery to intercept them, the 51st Division's attack went much more smoothly. Although the Japanese were still putting up a stubborn resistance, their positions were constantly being compressed and their casualties were rising sharply.

The 51st Division suffered far more casualties than the Japanese, but their soldiers outnumbered the enemy tenfold. Even if it was a few against one, the Japanese in the station could not afford to lose.

The soldiers charged almost right on the artillery positions, and many fell under their own artillery fire, but the benefits were also significant.

After paying a heavy price, the main attacking force made a breakthrough in the middle lane and charged into the enemy ranks, whereupon a brutal melee ensued.

The officers and soldiers of the main assault regiment had long been determined to die; they were not fighting with bayonets, but exchanging their lives.

They used every means possible to kill the Japanese soldiers: shooting, using cluster bombs to kill each other, and two or three men holding onto a Japanese soldier just to give their comrades a chance to strike.

The Japanese had assassination skills, and the soldiers of the 51st Division were determined to trade their lives for each other. Even the most skilled are afraid of those who are willing to risk their lives.

The number of Japanese soldiers in the station dwindled, and the corpses piled up in layers. With the central route effectively holding back the enemy, the left and right routes also broke through the enemy lines. The entire railway station fell, and everywhere one could see figures fighting desperately, with explosions constantly heard.

Wang Yaowu's heart was in his throat. He had staked everything on it, and all he had left were the division headquarters and the special operations battalion.

The battle lasted for more than two hours. As the gunfire gradually subsided, the chief of staff excitedly came over to report:

"Commander, the station has been taken down!"

Wang Yaowu excitedly pumped his fist. The toughest nut to crack, Dragon King Station, had been taken down, marking the most crucial step in annihilating the Doihara Division.

As for his own casualties, Wang Yaowu didn't ask, nor dared to ask, because victory was won with lives.

From Shanghai to Nanjing, and then to Lanfeng, the 51st Division fought every single battle, each one a decisive defeat, requiring multiple replenishments.

"Have you figured out what happened?"

The key to capturing the station was the sudden cutoff of the Japanese heavy artillery support, a fact that Wang Yaowu had to acknowledge.

The chief of staff quickly replied:

"It's been confirmed, it was the 107th Division! They captured over a dozen heavy artillery pieces at Yangguji, launched a surprise attack on the Japanese heavy artillery positions, and almost crippled the 2nd Heavy Artillery Brigade!"

Wang Yaowu laughed heartily and said:

"It really is Senior Zhao! With Senior Zhao here, how can the Japanese pirates not be wiped out!"

At the headquarters of the Yudong Corps, Xue Boling was so excited that he danced with joy. Zhao Yunwen had given him another big surprise.

"Commander Zhao really knows how to hide things. More than a dozen 105mm cannons—that's unique in the entire army, isn't it?"

Xue Boling's tone was full of sourness; compared to the 105mm cannon, his 75mm howitzers suddenly seemed insignificant.

Chief of Staff Wu Yizhi quickly said:

"I heard that this cannon is top-notch even in the West, with a range of over 18 kilometers, capable of detonating a large area."

Xue Boling was itching to try it, like a child eyeing someone else's toy, his eyes gleaming with greed.

"Chief of Staff Wu, this artillery piece would need a truck to tow it, right? Can Zhao Yunwen afford to operate such a large division?"

Wu Yizhi instantly understood his thoughts and went along with it:

"These are all spoils of war, and should be handed over."

Xue Boling shook his head and said:

"The 107th Division was only temporarily assigned to the First Army Corps. Their organization was under the 18th Army. Even if they were handed over, they would be given to Chen Cixiu."

Chen Cixiu is notoriously protective of his own, and Zhao Yunwen is a close confidant of Commander Chang; this is inappropriate.

"Commander-in-Chief, how about I ask him privately if Division Commander Zhao is willing to part with his supplies? We can exchange money or materials for it!"

Xue Boling was immediately tempted. He didn't really need these things; as long as Zhao Yunwen was willing to transfer them, he could easily come up with a hundred thousand silver dollars.

Heavy artillery is expensive but unavailable in China!

"Commander-in-Chief, how about I go to the 107th Division? Firstly, to express my condolences to the meritorious soldiers on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, and secondly, to sound out Commander Zhao's opinion?"

Xue Boling had the same idea. Wu Yizhi's words struck a chord with him. He was a respectable man, and anything that could be solved with silver dollars was no big deal.

Zhao Yunwen has powerful backers whom even Zhao Yunwen cannot afford to offend, so resorting to robbery is clearly not an option.

After leaving the command post, Wu Yizhi went straight to the 107th Division command post. Upon hearing Xie Polu's report, Zhao Yunwen's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

"Instructor Wu, you can just let me know if anything happens. There's no need for you to make the trip yourself. I'm terrified."

Zhao Yunwen took the initiative to go out and greet him with a very humble attitude. Although Wu Yizhi's military rank was only major general and chief of staff, he was a genuine instructor from the Whampoa Military Academy.

Wu Yizhi had a very high starting point, but because he didn't actively align himself with Chiang Kai-shek like Xue Boling, his momentum waned. A former independent regimental commander in the Fourth Iron Army during the Northern Expedition, he's still only a major general and chief of staff; his career path has somewhat narrowed.

Zhao Yunwen gave Wu Yizhi plenty of face, and the latter, being quite tactful, smiled and said:

"Yunwen, this time it wasn't my idea to come. Commander Xue was overjoyed after receiving your report of victory and asked me to come and congratulate the meritorious soldiers on his behalf."

Zhao Yunwen sneered inwardly, "You come empty-handed and call it a visit? Tiger Xue really has a big face."

On the surface, he pretended to be flattered and played along with Wu Yizhi. Xue Boling was a tiger that would devour people without spitting out the bones, so he was better off being cautious.

After a few polite exchanges, Wu Yizhi proposed to visit and commend the Second Heavy Artillery Battalion, clearly with ulterior motives.

Zhao Yunwen was not like the warlord Wang Jialie, who could be manipulated by Xue Boling. If he wanted cannons, he would have to show some sincerity first.

He first accompanied Wu Yizhi on a tour of the artillery camp. The sight of those thick cannon barrels made Wu Yizhi's mouth water. These were the heavy cannons that Commander Xue had been dreaming of, enough to equip an entire heavy artillery regiment.

With the war in full swing, the Yudong Corps urgently needed heavy artillery for offensive operations. Wu Yizhi stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point, stating Xue Boling's idea and asking Zhao Yunwen to name his price.

"Chief of Staff Wu, I should give you face for coming, but it's hard to explain to Commander Chen. The 18th Army is also short of heavy artillery."

Zhao Yunwen brought up Chen Cixiu, clearly to elevate his own status. The 18th Army had already withdrawn to Jiangcheng, and Zhao Yunwen couldn't very well send his heavy artillery a thousand miles away.

"Yunwen, the Lanfeng battlefield needs these cannons even more. Commander Xue will explain to Commander Chen."

"I won't take advantage of you; Commander Xue will buy it at the market price."

Wu Yizhi came with sincerity, and Zhao Yunwen was won over by that. These heavy artillery pieces were useless to the 107th Division, so it was acceptable to give them to Xue Boling.

"Chief of Staff Wu, if Commander Xue really wants it, the cannon, the tractor, and the matching shells, will cost 12 silver dollars per cannon."

"make a deal!"

Wu Yizhi readily agreed, fearing that Zhao Yunwen might change his mind.

Zhao Yunwen's first reaction was that the price was too low. He didn't actually lack money, so changing his mind was impossible. He had to come up with another idea.

"Chief of Staff, this has to be cash, cash on delivery. If Commander Xue is short of cash, you can exchange it for troops."

Wu Yizhi was tempted. Compared to the vast sums of money, the Corps Headquarters had no shortage of replacement soldiers.

"Yunwen, how do you plan to change this? Commander Xue is actually a bit short on funds lately."

Wu Yizhi probed Zhao Yunwen's intentions, but Zhao Yunwen didn't stand on ceremony with him. Even close brothers keep clear accounts, and he had no connection with Xue Boling.

"The 107th Division has no shortage of new recruits; what we need are technical soldiers, officer cadets who graduated from Whampoa Military Academy, and veterans."

"3 people. If you agree, we'll take the cannon away. I'll give you a list of who you need."

"make a deal!"

"Damn it, it's going to go lower again!"

"Commander Zhao, there's no joking in the army. Quickly bring me the list back. We'll exchange the people for the artillery!"