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

At the 107th Division headquarters, a combat deployment meeting is underway, attended by officers of regimental rank and above.

With the military situation urgent, Zhao Yunwen spoke directly, referring to the map:

"Brothers, in order to rescue the Doihara Division, the enemy's North China Area Army dispatched the 16th Division, attached to the 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade and the 13th Independent Mixed Brigade of the Kwantung Army, to attack Guide (Shangqiu). The 16th Division and the 3rd Mixed Brigade, with about 34,000 men, directly attacked the walls and outer positions of Guide, while the 13th Independent Mixed Brigade encircled from the south, with a total strength of about 43,000 men."

Huang Jie's 8th Army fled in fear of the enemy, allowing the Japanese soldiers to occupy Guide City without bloodshed.

After occupying Guide City, the Japanese troops immediately split into two routes, north and south, and advanced westward, aiming to flank and surround the Yudong Corps of the Doihara Division, and to push down on Kaifeng, Zhengxian, and the Pinghan Railway.

The northern branch line troops moved westward along the Longhai Railway to cover the main force's flanking maneuver to the south. Starting from Guide City, they passed through Liuheji to Minquan. Their mission was to contain the troops stationed along the Minquan and Neihuang lines and prevent the Kaifeng reinforcements from advancing eastward to support the Lanfeng battlefield.

The main force on the southern front, spearheaded by the 3rd Mixed Brigade, set off from Guide City, captured Ningling, and opened up the Suiqi Pass.

They then continued westward, took control of Sui County, and set their sights on Qi County, approaching the flank of our army group from the south.

Qixian was defended by Li Hanhun's 64th Army. I was worried that they would not be able to withstand the attack of the 3rd Mixed Brigade. Once Qixian fell, the Japanese would have two options.

One option was to head north to rescue the 14th Division, which meant that the Japanese would have to pass through the 107th Division's defense line.

Another option was to continue westward, dividing their forces to attack Tongxu and Chenliu, thus opening a passage to Kaifeng. No matter what the Japanese did, Lanfeng was an obstacle they had to overcome; otherwise, even if the Yudong Corps forcibly swallowed up the Japanese 14th Division, and even if the Independent Mixed Brigade occupied Kaifeng and threatened Zheng County, they would still have suffered a strategic defeat.

As Zhao Yun explained, everyone's expressions turned serious. Forty thousand Japanese soldiers was no small number, including two independent mixed brigades of the Kwantung Army.

In another timeline, after capturing Qixian, Tongxu, and Chenliu, the southeastern gateway to Kaifeng was wide open, and the Japanese troops then split up and moved south.

On June 4, the 14th Division, which had previously been playing it safe, suddenly launched an attack, capturing Lanfeng and advancing westward along the Longhai Railway. The 16th Division's troops in Chenliu and Qixian moved north to coordinate with them, launching a two-pronged attack on Kaifeng, which fell on June 6. Several Japanese armies continued their westward advance, approaching Zhengxian. The Nationalist government then implemented a plan to use water as a substitute for military force, blasting open the Huayuankou Pass to impede the Japanese advance.

In this timeline, thanks to the sudden emergence of the 107th Division, and especially because Zhao Yunwen had taken control of the Lanfeng and Yangguji line in advance, the 14th Division's strength and firepower had been greatly weakened through a series of previous battles. Now, let alone capturing Lanfeng City, they are struggling to defend themselves even when attacking Kaifeng from both sides.

Without the cooperation of the 14th Division, the 16th Division and the Independent Mixed 3rd Brigade alone could not threaten the safety of the Yudong Corps.

In other words, Zhao Yunwen's previous actions had disrupted the Japanese army's battle plan, forcing the Independent Mixed Brigade No. 3 to head north to rescue the 14th Division.

After understanding the Japanese army's battle plan, Zhang Yi was the first to stand up and speak:

"It's just an independent mixed brigade of the Kwantung Army. My 322nd Brigade really wants to meet them. Those Japanese brag about their Kwantung Army being some kind of bullshit imperial flower. Let our Tiger Division see how much they're really made of!"

Initially intimidated by the more than 4 Japanese soldiers, Qiu Fengzi was somewhat apprehensive. However, seeing Zhang Yi volunteer for battle, he felt inferior and also stepped forward to volunteer:

"Commander, the 322nd and 324th Brigades need to defend the Lanfeng and Yangguji line to block the 14th Division's breakout route. The 323rd Brigade has been idle all along, so let me lead the 323rd Brigade to meet those damned Kwantung Army."

Seeing that the morale was good, Zhao Yunwen was very pleased and, without further ado, said directly:

"Qixian is the key. I have decided to personally lead a cavalry regiment, the 323rd Brigade, and a mountain artillery battalion of the artillery regiment to form a southward detachment to quickly reinforce Li Hanhun's 64th Army."

Chief of Staff Xie, immediately report my battle plan to Commander-in-Chief Xue, and instruct the 64th Army to hold out for two more days. My 107th Division will then flank the attacking Japanese troops and relieve the siege of Qi County.

The other units remained in their positions, under the unified command of Deputy Division Commander Lu, to prevent the 14th Division from resorting to desperate measures and launching a strong attack on Lanfeng City.

We must occupy Lanfeng County at all costs; if we lack sufficient troops, we'll send in the Independent Regiment!

Lu Ping stepped forward and loudly declared his stance:

"Commander, you can go and relieve the crisis in Qi County with peace of mind. I guarantee that I will complete the mission and never let the Japanese break through the defense line."

Zhao Yunwen said with a firm expression:

"Very well, Deputy Division Commander Lu, Lanfeng City is now in your hands. In a close contest, the brave will prevail. I don't want to hear about casualty figures, I just want Lanfeng City!"

All the soldiers stood up in unison to express their stance:

"We swear to defend Lanfeng to the death!"

After the meeting, Zhao Yunwen gathered his men and headed straight for Qi County;

Zhao Yunwen first called the cavalry regimental commander aside to give him instructions, and only after they left did he lead the 323rd Infantry Brigade and the mountain artillery battalion south.

During the march, Qiu Fengzi asked in bewilderment:

"Commander, sending the cavalry regiment ahead is for speed, but they are too few in number. An independent mixed brigade of the Kwantung Army has at least seven or eight thousand men. I'm worried they'll suffer losses!"

Zhao Yunwen smiled meaningfully and said:

"The cavalry regiment will not only suffer losses, but will also be routed. It all depends on whether the arrogant Kwantung Army will give chase."

After following Zhao Yunwen for a long time, Qiu Fengzi's thinking also became more unconventional. He seemed to have grasped some clues from Zhao Yunwen's strange smile.

Whenever Senior Zhao shows that kind of smile, it means he's about to scheme against someone. He's seen it all before, so he can't be wrong.

Thinking of this, he said excitedly:

"Commander, are you planning to use the cavalry regiment as bait to lure the Japanese into pursuit, so that the 323rd Brigade can ambush and annihilate the pursuers!"

Zhao allowed Qiu Fengzi to look at him with admiration, and said jokingly:

"Great, you can even answer questions before I do!"

Qiu Fengzi didn't take Zhao Yunwen's teasing to heart at all; instead, he started flattering him:

"I learned all of this from my mentor."

"Get lost, when did I ever teach you any of that?"

"Commander, where do you plan to set up the ambush? I am willing to lead the 323rd Brigade to set up the formation first, while you stay behind and fan yourself with your feather fan."

After Qiu Fengzi finished speaking, he took out a map from his body. Zhao Yunwen circled the location on it with a red pen. Qiu Fengzi led his troops away, and Zhao Yunwen followed with the command post.

In Qixian County, the Japanese offensive was relentless, and Li Hanhun's 64th Army's defense line was under immense pressure.

Just as he was frowning in worry, the chief of staff came to report:

"Commander, the Commander-in-Chief is calling."

Li Hanhun quickly took the telegram, his worried expression instantly vanishing, and he said excitedly:

"Excellent, Chief of Staff! Tell the brothers that reinforcements will arrive soon. They must hold the position! Anyone who dares to retreat will be court-martialed!"

The chief of staff said, puzzled:

"Commander, is Zhao Yunwen reliable? How many people do they have? They also have to defend Lanfeng. It would be great if they could send a brigade. What good would that do?"

Li Hanhun frowned and reprimanded:

"You don't know anything. Zhao Yunwen, this young man from Huangpu Military Academy, is very capable. I don't believe that others will come to reinforce him, but Zhao Yunwen will definitely not go back on his word."

The commander-in-chief has given a strict order: if we hold out for two days until Zhao Yunwen's reinforcements arrive, we might be able to win a small victory.

"Pass on my orders: everyone must fight to the death for me! Anyone who dares to hold me back, I'll kill them first!"