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

News of the annihilation of the Yamaguchi Battalion had reached the 16th Division headquarters. Nakajima Kesago smashed the command table on the spot and roared:

"Who did this?"

Chief of Staff Mitsuo Nakazawa quickly replied:

"Zhao Yunwen's 107th Division!"

"Damn it! It's Zhao Yunwen again! A bunch of useless trash, do they suddenly become incapable of fighting when they encounter Zhao Yunwen?"

Nakazawa Mitsuo was speechless. Since the landing, more than 90% of the 16th Division's defeats were due to Zhao Yunwen. It was no exaggeration to call him their nemesis.

"Zhongze-kun, wasn't the main force of the 107th Division in Lanfeng? How come they've come to Kaifeng again? Where is their main force? Is their intelligence department completely useless?"

Colonel Nakazawa Mitsuo selectively answered the division commander's series of questions:

"Your Excellency Division Commander, according to the latest intelligence, the main force of the Yudong Corps is fleeing, and the 107th Division is responsible for covering their rear."

Lanfeng City was only part of the 107th Division; the main force had retreated to Kaifeng. It was the main force of the 107th Division that ambushed the Yamaguchi Battalion.

"Damn it! The Fifth Division is a bunch of useless trash. They dare to call themselves the Steel Army! They couldn't even wipe out the detachment Zhao Yunwen placed in Lanfeng to cover the rear. A disgrace to the Empire!"

Lieutenant General Nakajima finally found an outlet for his anger and regained some balance. It wasn't that the 16th Division was incompetent, but rather that the 107th Division was highly skilled in combat.

The Fifth Division is in such a state; don't laugh at the pig for being black!

Colonel Nakazawa followed up on his words:

"According to reports from the front lines, the Guozhi Detachment did not go all out, only sending out a company-sized attack, which is clearly just a bluff."

"Damn it! The shame of the empire! It seems that Lord Guozhi was terrified of Zhao Yunwen in Linyi and is thinking of sending my 16th Division to the front so they can reap the benefits."

Lieutenant General Nakajima seemed to have suddenly had an epiphany, and Colonel Nakazawa echoed:

"Commander, it is a foregone conclusion that the Chinese are withdrawing from the Central Plains, but a cornered dog will bite. Zhao Yunwen is not only a mad dog, but also a vicious wolf, biting whoever he can catch."

Although my 16th Division is not afraid of the 107th Division, we cannot be used as pawns. It would be best to wait for the 10th Division to arrive as well, and then several divisions could encircle and annihilate Zhao Yunwen's troops together. That would be much safer.

Some news has already circulated in China that once the Battle of Lanfeng concludes, the 16th Division will be replaced, and he will soon be transferred to the second line to retire back in China.

Since that's the case, there's no need to take risks. Let's prioritize stability, go back to China and lay low for now. The military is still expanding, and who knows, there might be a chance to make a comeback someday.

Thinking of this, he lost his fighting spirit to contend with Zhao Yunwen, this wolf of China, and stroked his mustache, saying:

"Alright, I'll do as you say. Slow down the advance towards Kaifeng and wait until the Guozhi Brigade captures Lanfeng before making a decision."

Colonel Nakazawa breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want to face Zhao Yunwen, this cunning wolf.

At the 107th Division headquarters, after reading the victory report sent back by Lu Ping, Zhao Yunwen exclaimed in praise:

"Old Lu did a great job this time, cleanly and neatly cutting off the 16th Division's outstretched claws. With this lesson learned, Nakajima Kesago, this old devil, should be much more obedient."

It is said that the Japanese offensive in the direction of Lanfeng City has also slowed down considerably, almost like they are dragging their feet, which has bought us a lot of time to prepare for war.

Xie Polu said happily:

"This isn't like the Japanese style. When did they become so adept at assessing the situation? If so, does it mean that my 107th Division can easily complete the rearguard mission?"

Military orders are absolute. If the 5th and 16th Divisions launch a full-scale attack on Lanfeng and Kaifeng, even if the 107th Division manages to hold them off, it will suffer heavy casualties.

This is the situation that everyone in the 107th Division most wanted to see.

Zhao Yunwen was not so optimistic; in his view, this was only temporary because the Japanese army was short-handed.

In the past, a battalion or a regiment could chase after hundreds of thousands of Nationalist troops. Now it's different. The 107th Division is a cannibalistic force.

"Chief of Staff Xie, we must be cautious about the Japanese's unusual behavior and not be careless."

The current balance is only temporary. Once the 10th and 14th Divisions pounce, the 5th and 16th Divisions will show their fangs.

We must seize this rare window of opportunity to further reinforce the defenses of Kaifeng.

A telegram was sent to Zhang Yi instructing him to closely monitor the situation north of the city. Once the main force of the 10th Division arrived, they could abandon Lanfeng.

After Xie Polu left, Zhao Yunwen's smile faded, and his gaze became deep and unfathomable; no one knew what he was thinking.

The current situation is far better than he expected, but logically speaking, strength speaks for itself on the battlefield. Although the Japanese are stubborn, they will adapt after being hurt. This is just the beginning.

The Japanese pirates were a nation that feared power but not morality; the more they were attacked, the more they respected them.

The 322nd Brigade had completed its two-day mission of holding Lanfeng City, but instead of retreating, it chose to continue playing along with the Japanese.

If the situation changes, we should hold out for as long as possible, which will greatly reduce the pressure on Kaifeng.

The offensive continued into the new day. Whether on the eastern or southern front or in the direction of Luowang Station, the attacks were all bark and no bite, maintaining the dignity of the 5th and 16th Divisions with a sustained offensive.

In the direction of Luowang Station, the Japanese had reinforced their troops to a regiment of infantry. They suffered nearly 500 casualties in the early stages, and hardly any additional troops were added afterward.

Three infantry regiments fought for three days but still couldn't capture Lanfeng City;

Zhang Yi did not dare to be careless. On the one hand, he calmly responded to the call, and on the other hand, he closely monitored the movements in the northeast and due north directions. The brigade's reconnaissance company would send back messages every two hours.

At 5 p.m. on the fourth day, Chief of Staff Lin Zheng rushed over to report:

"Commander, the reconnaissance company has spotted a large number of Japanese troops to the northeast, at least an infantry regiment!"

Zhang Yi said with a stern expression:

"The 10th Division has finally arrived!"

By daybreak the next day at the latest, Lanfeng City will face a three-pronged attack. The 322nd Brigade has already exceeded its rearguard mission and can leave with its head held high even if it abandons the position.

"Chief of Staff Lin, what's your opinion?"

After pondering for a moment, Lin Zheng said:

"Hold on until nightfall, and under the cover of darkness, withdraw from Lanfeng City in stages and retreat to Luowang Station;

It will take time for the Japanese to take over Lanfeng City; the fortifications at Luowang Station can hold them off for half a day.

This was undoubtedly the safest option, minimizing losses for the 322nd Brigade, but Zhang Yi rejected it, for one reason only:

"The fact that the 10th Division abandoned the city so soon after it made its debut has a huge impact on morale and will embolden the Japanese to take advantage of the situation."

I've decided to hold out for one more day. With my 322nd Brigade, I will withstand the attack of four regiments from the Third Division and prove the might of my Tiger Division!

Although Lin Zheng disagreed, he did not object further, but instead asked:

"Should we get approval from the division commander?"

Zhang Yi nodded, and Lin Zheng accepted the order and left. Although Zhao Yunwen had granted him the authority to make decisions on the spot, since the safety of the entire brigade was at stake, it was better to report to Zhao Yunwen for a decision.

Zhao Yunwen didn't keep Zhang Yi waiting long; his reply consisted of just two words—"Agreed!"

Just as Zhang Yi had predicted, the 63rd Regiment of the 10th Division arrived, rested for a night, and then launched an attack on the northern positions of the city that morning.

As if by prior arrangement, the Japanese troops in the east and south of the city, as well as at Luowang Station, intensified their offensive; the Japanese were serious now!

Faced with the Japanese army's multi-pronged attack, Zhang Yi remained unusually calm, simply saying:

"If he wants war, then let's fight!"

The unusual activity in Lanfeng City quickly reached the division headquarters. Since it concerned the safety of the 322nd Brigade, everyone's attention turned to Zhao Yunwen.

After a moment of deep thought, the latter said:

"Telegram to the cavalry regiment, ordering it to reinforce Luowang Station and flank the 16th Division, preventing it from launching a full-scale attack, thus ensuring the safety of the 322nd Brigade's rear."

How long the fighting in the Lanfeng direction can last is up to Zhang Yi to decide!