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

Even if Adachi Tsujizo tries to shirk responsibility again, it won't change the fact that the mountain artillery battalion has been severely damaged. This matter has already alarmed Lieutenant General Yamamuro Munetake, the division commander.

The loss of nine 105mm mountain guns and more than 200 artillerymen were a loss that would have pained even Yamamuro Munetake, who then gave Adachi Nyūzō a severe dressing-down.

After being scolded, Adachi Nyūzō finally made up his mind and took command himself, throwing Sato's battalion into the battlefield as well.

Two large detachments besieged Luodian. Anda Twenty-Three was full of confidence, posing test-like questions:

"Mr. Maeda, in your opinion, how should this battle be fought?"

Senior staff officer Maeda Katsutoshi pondered for a moment and then said:

"A frontal assault, a flanking maneuver, with one battalion launching a strong frontal attack to draw the Chinese forces and firepower."

Another battalion circled around to the rear of Luodian from the flank, cutting off the defenders' retreat and annihilating them in one fell swoop.

Maeda Katsumi's tactics were conventional, typical of the Japanese army's most common tactics. Adachi Nūzō nodded repeatedly after hearing this.

"Alright, Maeda-kun, as expected of a top student who graduated from Riku University, then so be it."

The Yamaguchi Battalion continued its frontal attack, supported by the regimental artillery company and rapid-fire gun company. Sato led the main force of the battalion to outflank the enemy from the right flank, aiming to cut off their retreat.

"Tell Sato-kun, how he fights is his business, I only want Luo Dian!"

"Commander, with the main force deployed, I'm concerned about the safety of the regimental headquarters. Should we leave more troops behind?"

Adachi Twenty-Three waved his hand and said:

"Leaving behind an infantry company and a machine gun company is enough, and the supply company can also be used if necessary."

Yuepu Town is only half a day's journey from Chuanshakou; reinforcements can arrive at any time, something the Chinese don't have the capability to do.

Maeda Katsutoshi bowed deeply and said:

"Commander, I was overthinking it. Yuepu's defenses are strong enough to withstand an attack from a Chinese division, and at the very least, they can hold out until reinforcements arrive."

After Anda Twenty-Three made up his mind, the Japanese began to change their formation. None of this could be hidden from Zhao Yunwen. The battlefield was transparent to him.

"A dog can't stop eating shit!"

Zhao Yunwen snorted coldly; he was least afraid of the Japanese taking risks.

If Zhao Yunwen hadn't taken an unconventional approach, where would he have gotten his chance?

Chief of Staff Lu Ping arrived in a hurry, his expression grave.

He came in and said directly:

"Commander, the First Battalion reports that a large number of Japanese soldiers have been spotted on the left flank, seemingly intending to cut off our rear."

Zhang Yi asked for instructions: Should we proceed with the plan to hold off the Japanese?

Zhao Yunwen revealed a meaningful smile:

"They're just a few hundred Japanese soldiers. Why block them? Let the battalion launch a tiered attack, clear the main road, and let the Japanese advance into the rear."

With the three battalions backing them up, they can't cause any trouble.

Send a telegram to the reconnaissance company, instructing them to keep a close watch on the Japanese regimental headquarters at Yuepu, and destroy or rout it once reinforcements arrive.

"How long until reinforcements arrive?"

Lupin quickly replied:

"Our men have made contact with the advance troops of the reinforcements, and they should be able to reach the outer perimeter before dark."

Zhao Yunwen nodded and said:

"Very good. When the reinforcements arrive, I will give Hu Lian a great reward. I just don't know if Hu Boyu has the courage to do so."

Lu Ping found it difficult to respond to this. Hu Lian was the commander of the 11th Division, a direct subordinate unit, and might not necessarily pay any attention to Zhao Yunwen, a useless member of the sect.

Front, 2nd Battalion's position

The Yamaguchi Battalion launched a frenzied attack, and Wang Guohua's company also had to hold them off. The two sides were locked in a stalemate, with casualties on both sides.

Around 4 p.m., a large number of Japanese planes arrived and dropped hundreds of bombs on Luodian, causing nearly a hundred casualties among the security regiment and destroying hundreds of houses.

The Yamaguchi Battalion made no significant progress on the front line, but the Sato Battalion on the flank broke through several lines of defense after several hours of fierce fighting before being stopped by the reserve 3rd Battalion.

At 17 PM, the temporary command post of the security regiment

The huge sand table was covered with small red and blue flags. The two sides were already locked in a fierce battle, and the battlefield was mainly divided into two parts.

On the front, with the defenders deliberately letting the water flow, the second line of defense has been breached, and the Second Battalion has retreated to the third line of defense near the town entrance.

The Japanese didn't gain any advantage either, leaving over a hundred more corpses on the second line of defense, resulting in more than half of the Yamaguchi Battalion being killed or wounded.

On the flank, the main force of Sato's battalion was held back by the 3rd Battalion. In order to break the stalemate, Major Sato sent a company to attack into the town from the left flank. They then fought a chaotic battle with the defenders of the fourth line of defense in the town, which did not lead to a complete collapse of the security regiment.

More than 100 Japanese soldiers entered the town and fought street battles, but they barely stirred up any water.

After the First Battalion cleared the main road, the First and Second Infantry Companies retreated into the town and fought street battles with the Japanese.

The Third Company, the Machine Gun Company, and the battalion headquarters' directly subordinate units—you were like a hungry wolf, keeping a close watch on the Japanese, preventing them from fully reinforcing the town.

In the direction of Yuepu, the reconnaissance company has already moved into position, aiming at the Japanese from the flank, ready to launch a fatal blow at any time.

Lupin came to report:

"Commander, reinforcements have arrived and are waiting one kilometer west of the town."

Commander Hu wants to see you.

Hu Lian was a graduate of the fourth class of the Whampoa Military Academy. Logically, he should have come to see his senior, Zhao Yunwen. However, Zhao Yunwen was the commander of a security regiment, and he was no match for the commander of a regiment directly under the Central Army.

Zhao Yunwen needed someone's help, so he decided to make the trip. If he could persuade Hu Lian to cooperate, he was confident that he could severely damage the 12th Infantry Regiment.

At the temporary command post of the 66th Regiment, Hu Lian was waiting for Zhao Yunwen. Deputy Regiment Commander Cao Jinlun said, puzzled:

"Brother Boyu, Zhao Yunwen is taking himself too seriously. A group of security regiments trying to defeat the enemy's 12th Infantry Regiment? Is that even possible?"

In my opinion, we should go directly to take over the Luodian defense line to avoid any unforeseen complications.

Hu Lian was clearly more shrewd than his old classmates from the fourth cohort; he simply smiled faintly and said:

"Brother Jinlun, we are completely in the dark about the situation in Luodian. Let's listen to what Commander Zhao has to say first."

"Brother Boyu, it's rumored that the Second Security Regiment of Jiangsu Province annihilated a Japanese battalion and held off the Twelfth Regiment for two days. Even the principal and teachers praised him highly. Is this true?"

Hu Lian was considered a key member of the Civil Engineering Department, so he was better informed. When Deputy Commander Cao asked, he nodded and said:

"Brother Jinlun, Zhao Yunwen, this senior from the first class, is not simple. We absolutely cannot treat him as an ordinary security captain. The rumors are true. You and I should both give him enough respect."

"Report, Commander Zhao of the Second Security Regiment of Jiangsu Province has arrived and is waiting outside."

Hu Lian's face instantly changed to a smile, and he laughed heartily:

"Brother Jinlun, come with me to greet Senior Zhao."

The two went out to greet him one after the other; Hu Lian's voice preceded his arrival:

"Thank you for coming all this way, senior. I'm so sorry for not greeting you properly; I'm truly honored!"

Zhao Yunwen dared not put on airs of a senior in front of the commander of a regiment directly under the Central Army. He himself was a good-for-nothing from the Whampoa Military Academy, and it was already a great honor for Hu Lian to address him as a senior. So he smiled and said:

"Commander Hu is joking. The 66th Regiment is a direct descendant of the Central Army, and they have gone to great lengths to come and reinforce us. I am deeply grateful."

"Senior, we're all family, no need for formalities. Deputy Commander Cao and I have been waiting for you for a long time, please!"