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

The atmosphere at the First War Zone Command was extremely oppressive.

Commander-in-Chief Cheng Songyun was staring intently at the Yellow River on the map, while Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yan Xunfu stood by his side, knowing what Commander-in-Chief Cheng was worried about.

The plan to breach the dike at Zhaokou and use water as a substitute for troops to defend Zheng County was proposed by him. At that time, he presented two plans to Commander Cheng:

The first strategy was to implement a scorched-earth policy and burn down Zheng County; the second was to breach the south bank of the Yellow River, using the floodwaters to isolate the Japanese army. Yan Xunfu strongly advocated breaching the dike, believing that the floodwaters would separate the Japanese forces in eastern Henan, protect Zheng County, and buy time for the defense of Jiangcheng.

Cheng Songyun chose the second option and personally reported it to the Jiangcheng Military Commission. Chiang Kai-shek approved it on the spot, and the First War Zone carried it out, prioritizing the dike breaching at Zhaokou in Zhongmu.

"Chief of Staff Yan, is there still no news from the 20th Army Group?"

Cheng Songyun was clearly getting impatient. He had given Commander Chang his assurance over the phone, and if he couldn't even handle this small matter, how could he gain Commander Chang's trust in the future?

Chief of Staff Yan quickly replied:

"Commander Shang has already dispatched capable officers to Zhaokou to carry out a special mission, but it may have been delayed for some reason. During the dry season, the main stream of the Yellow River flows northward, and after the breach is opened, the water flow may be dispersed, preventing large-scale flooding—"

"Alright, I don't want to hear these excuses. If digging by hand doesn't work, then use explosives to blast it. A living person can't be killed by holding their pee."

"Don't worry, Lord Song! We should hear from you soon."

Cheng Songyun nodded and said:

"Has the battle report from Kaifeng been verified? In your opinion, how many more days can Zhao Yunwen hold out?"

A hint of resentment flashed in Yan Xunfu's eyes, and he said in a dissatisfied tone:

"Commander Zhao is obviously exaggerating. Even if two thousand people are killed, what does that mean to 100,000 Japanese soldiers?"

Xue Boling's 200,000 troops have all withdrawn. How could a mere division possibly withstand the advance of several divisions?

The fall of Kaifeng is only a matter of time. Lord Song, do not harbor any illusions. Prepare for breaching the dikes as soon as possible.

The shrill ring of the telephone rang out, and Chief of Staff Yan rushed to pick it up. The voice of Shang Zhen, commander of the 20th Army Group, came through the receiver.

"Chief of Staff Yan, there's been some trouble at Zhaokou. The troops sent out on a special mission have lost contact. An entire company has disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead."

The dam showed signs of blasting, but the effect was not ideal.

Division Commander Jiang Zaizhen suggested abandoning Zhaokou and instead choosing Huayuankou in Zheng County, where the riverbed was higher and the terrain was more conducive to the river flowing southward.

After hearing Chief of Staff Yan's account, Cheng Songyun smashed his cup on the spot.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash! You can't even handle this small matter. What use are you?"

"Song Gong, I think Commander Jiang's suggestion is feasible; it's more suitable than Zhao Kou. Should we take it?"

Cheng Songyun raised her hand to stop him from continuing, and said in a deep voice:

"No rush, this is a serious matter. Let's consult with the authorities in Jiangcheng first."

Chief of Staff Yan said no more. Such an important matter naturally required the approval of the Supreme Commander of the Military Commission.

Fortunately, Kaifeng is still under the control of the 107th Division, so there's no rush.

Chief of Staff Yan was about to leave when the Deputy Chief of Staff rushed over to report:

"Commander, the 107th Division has been ordered to enter the city. Division Commander Zhao wants to see you."

Cheng Songyun, enraged, questioned:

"Who gave permission for the 107th Division to enter the city? Whose orders did Zhao Yunwen follow? Nonsense! Does he even respect me as the commander of the war zone?!"

Cheng Songyun was having a terrible headache. These disciples of the emperor were simply lawless!

"Song Gong, the 107th Division was subordinate to Xue Boling's First Army Corps and was the garrison force in Zheng County designated by Commander Chang."

If the war zone abandons Zheng County, the 107th Division will cover the rear.

Cheng Songyun raised her voice and said:

"Nonsense, that's slander. Who said I was going to give up Zheng County?"

Zheng County still has 300,000 elite troops; how could I possibly be afraid of a mere tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers!

Chief of Staff Yan skipped over these formalities, stating that the First War Zone had no intention of defending Zheng County at all; otherwise, they wouldn't have thought of breaching the dike.

Solving the practical problem is more important, so he immediately asked for instructions:

"Song Gong, what was Commander Zhao's reply? Should we meet with him?"

"I won't see him. What right does a mere division commander have to see me?"

Cheng Songyun was senior and indeed qualified to avoid Zhao Yunwen. Zheng County did indeed have an army of 300,000, but almost none of them were his own men.

Xue Boling's First Army Group was the Central Army, while Shang Zhen's 20th Army Group of 60,000 men was hastily assembled. His 32nd Army was his direct subordinate, with over 20,000 men. Shang Zhen came from the Jin Huan Army and surrendered to the Central Army after the Central Plains War, but he formed his own independent system. Even Chiang Kai-shek had difficulty commanding him, let alone Cheng Songyun.

In addition, there was Li Tiejun's 1st Army, a direct descendant of the Central Army, under the command of Hu Shoushan, which was the garrison force for the defense of Zheng County.

The 53rd Army guarding the upper reaches of the Yellow River was the Northeast Army, the 29th Army of Song Zheyuan was on the north side of the Yellow River, the 92nd Army of Li Xianzhou, the 2nd Cavalry Army, the 12th Army of Sun Tongxuan and other units on the periphery, which sound like a lot, but none of them had anything to do with Cheng Songyun.

These troops were not there to defend Zheng County. As soon as the Military Commission gave the order, they all scattered like birds and beasts.

Chief of Staff Yan was preparing to send Zhao Yunwen away, but he was somewhat uneasy, feeling that this troublemaker Zhao Yunwen would cause trouble.

"Let's meet him and hear what he has to say."

Cheng Songyun stopped him, then changed his mind at the last minute, leaving Chief of Staff Yan to arrange the meeting.

The following morning, led by Chief of Staff Yan, Zhao Yunwen walked into the headquarters in a carefree manner and met Cheng Songyun.

Zhao Yunwen performed the proper subordinate's salute, while Cheng Songyun immediately put on a smiling face, speaking fluently and displaying the demeanor of a respectful elder.

Cheng Songyun was a bigwig in the Hunan Army and the commander of the Sixth Army of the Northern Expedition. His core troops had long been swallowed up by Chiang Kai-shek, leaving nothing but a shell, just like Tang Mengxiao.

He fared better than Tang, at least securing the position of a theater commander, which appeared quite prestigious on the surface.

"Commander Zhao, the Japanese are pressing in with overwhelming force. Why are you here in Zheng County instead of commanding operations at the Kaifeng front?"

Cheng Songyun's words were loaded with hidden meaning, a subtle barb, but Zhao Yunwen wasn't falling for it at all and said directly:

"Kaifeng City is indefensible. The principal ordered me to hold Lanfeng, Kaifeng, and Zheng County for half a month. Now, the Japanese reinforcements are arriving one after another. The 5th, 10th, 14th, and 16th Divisions are advancing on Kaifeng City in several directions."

The 107th Division has achieved its tactical objectives and will soon abandon Kaifeng, take over the defense of Zheng County, and cover the retreat of the main force in the war zone.

This plan had already been approved by the Military Commission. In fact, Zhao Yunwen was acting under orders, and even those were direct orders from the Military Commission. Cheng Songyun couldn't find fault with it, but he had his own ulterior motives.

Zheng County was naturally beyond saving. Cheng Songyun needed to breach the dikes to change the direction of the Japanese advance, thereby securing western Henan and Nanyang, which were the last safe havens for the First War Zone.

Unable to refuse Zhao Yunwen directly, Cheng Songyun resorted to stalling tactics:

"Commander Zhao, there's no rush to hand over the city's defenses. Let me consult with the Military Commission before making a decision."

After Cheng Songyun finished speaking, he served tea and saw the guest out. Zhao Yunwen did not insist, knowing what the other party was up to.

After Zhao Yunwen left, Cheng Songyun dismissed everyone except Chief of Staff Yan, who was waiting in the room. He then dialed the embassy office and reported the change in the dike breaching plan. The latter readily agreed, with only one request: there must be no more mishaps.

"Commander Zhao Yunwen has led his troops into the city, saying he is acting on your orders to take over the defense of Zheng County. Should the handover be completed now?"

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a statement:

"That's true, but with just one division, how can he possibly defend Zheng County? Yunwen is still too young. The plan remains unchanged: once it's completed, we'll hand over the city's defenses to the 107th Division. If he wants to defend it, let him!"

Cheng Songyun revealed a meaningful smile. He knew this would be the result, which coincided with his own thoughts. Only in this way could things be safe.

After hanging up the phone, Chief of Staff Yan, understanding the unspoken message, leaned over, and Cheng Songyun whispered:

"Let's set it at Huayuankou, and have Jiang Zaizhen's New 8th Division carry it out. We need to act quickly, prepare several plans, and absolutely no more mistakes!"