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

In Zheng County, Zhao Yunwen led the 107th Division into the city with an outrageous display of force, while Cheng Songyun's face remained frosty.

The cavalry regiment led the way, with four horses running side by side, all Japanese warhorses, their strides synchronized—damn obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Next came the 643rd and 644th Infantry Regiments, truly battle-hardened elites; their killing intent could be felt from a great distance.

让所有人侧目的是炮兵团，全部用骡马拖拽，12门105毫米重型山炮、16门75毫米山炮、16门75毫米榴弹炮、16门75毫米高射炮，这火力已不输于一战区。

The infantry regiment was also equipped with a large number of artillery pieces, including mountain guns, Type 92 infantry guns, mortars, light and heavy machine guns. Mortars were even issued to the company level, and platoons also had captured grenade launchers. It was an absurd situation. The leader's gaze became clear and gentle, and the cheering crowds on both sides of the road shouted themselves hoarse.

When it was the supply regiment's turn to appear, everyone was amazed. There were two thousand mules and horses alone. The spoils of war were also on display, including Type 92 heavy machine guns and Type 11 light machine guns. These were equipment that other military leaders envied, but they were of no use to the 107th Division.

The engineer regiment, the independent regiment, the field hospital, the division headquarters, and finally the 324th Brigade, all dressed in fine clothes and riding horses, stood in neat formation, their helmets gleaming in the sunlight.

The layman sees the spectacle, but the expert sees the details. After Zhao Yunwen revealed part of his wealth, Li Tiejun, the commander of the First Army, took the initiative to reminisce with Zhao Yunwen about their school days.

"Brother Yunwen, I have long heard that the Tiger Warriors are the strongest army in the world. Seeing them today, I can see that they are indeed extraordinary. It is no exaggeration to call them the number one army."

"The sedan chair is carried by many people," Zhao Yunwen said modestly.

"Brother Peiyuan, please stop joking with me. Congratulations on your promotion to Lieutenant General of the National Army, the undisputed number one army in the land!"

Li Tiejun was Zhao Yunwen's classmate in the same class, a general under Hu Shoushan, and a graduate of the first class of the Army University and the German Army University. His resume was much more impressive than Zhao Yunwen's. He had just been promoted to lieutenant general, a few months later than Zhao Yunwen.

Both were classmates from the same cohort who commanded significant military power, and were the principal's most outstanding students. Zhao Yunwen, in particular, was from a wealthy family in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, so it was natural for them to be close. Moreover, he would be handing over protection to Zhao Yunwen later.

Unlike Cheng Songyun's mentality of protecting his territory, Zheng County was a hot potato in Li Tiejun's hands, and he couldn't wait to throw it to Zhao Yunwen.

"Brother Yunwen, I have prepared a welcome banquet and invited a few of our old comrades from the same cohort to catch up. Please do me the honor of joining us."

This banquet was of a high standard; even the second-term juniors were not qualified to sit at the table, and the war zone commander, Cheng Songyun, was not invited, clearly indicating that the handover matters were to be settled privately without his involvement.

Zhao Yunwen readily agreed, without mentioning reporting to Commander Cheng first. In the eyes of the first generation of leaders, Cheng Songyun, this washed-up warlord, was not worth mentioning.

At the headquarters, Cheng Songyun maintained his composure, his face calm and collected. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yan Xunfu, however, was somewhat indignant. He was a graduate of the first class of the artillery department at Baoding University and a veteran member of the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance). His qualifications were far superior to those of Zhao Yunwen, Li Tiejun, and others.

"Song Gong, Zhao Yunwen is far too arrogant. He entered the city in a high-profile manner without obtaining approval from the higher command, and he didn't even come to the higher command to report on his duties. Does he have any respect for superiors or subordinates?"

"Brother Chengyou, don't take it too seriously. Young people are normal to be a bit high-profile."

Zhao Yunwen's deployment to Zheng County was decided long ago by the Military Commission. Although there were some procedural flaws, they were minor.

Cheng Songyun was already used to the arrogant and fierce soldiers of Huangpu. One more Zhao Yunwen wouldn't matter, as long as he didn't openly disobey orders. Why bother getting angry with a junior?

Yan Xunfu reacted so strongly because he was worried that Zhao Yunwen's arrival would affect the implementation of the plan to use water as a substitute for the army. He had a premonition that Zhao Yunwen would cause trouble.

"Song Gong, since Zhao Yunwen has already abandoned Kaifeng, we should make a decision about Huayuankou as soon as possible. If we wait until the Japanese army is at the gates, it will be too late."

Yan Xunfu seized the opportunity to urge Cheng Songyun, intending to force the issue. After a moment of contemplation, Cheng Songyun finally made up her mind:

"Send a telegram directly to Division Commander Chiang and implement it immediately!"

Zhao Yunwen completed the handover with Li Tiejun at the dinner table. In return, Zhao Yunwen gave Li Tiejun many benefits, such as captured Japanese weapons and hard currency medicines comparable to gold.

After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Li Tiejun reluctantly saw his old classmate off from the restaurant, their relationship as warm as that of sworn brothers.

Money makes the world go round, especially when it comes to a burden that Li Tiejun has long wanted to get rid of.

The following morning, the 107th Division took full control of the defense of Zheng County. Li Tiejun led the First Army away from the trouble without looking back and went to report to Hu Shoushan.

It was also at that time that the 323rd Brigade retreated to the outskirts of Zheng County, and the Guozhi Brigade of the 5th Division occupied Kaifeng;

The 10th and 16th Divisions advanced towards Zheng County in several columns.

At Huayuankou, Jiang Zaizhen's New 8th Division was ordered to dig a dam, and hundreds of officers and soldiers wielded hoes to dig.

Too slow, Jiang Zaizhen ordered the use of explosives and anti-tank artillery, and the flood, this ferocious beast, was about to be released from its cage.

Two kilometers away, the 12 artillery pieces of the 643rd Regiment of the 107th Division were already set up, their dark muzzles pointing directly at the river embankment, under the personal command of Brigade Commander Zhang Yi.

This was ultimately firing on friendly forces, and Zhang Yi once again sought instructions from Zhao Yunwen.

The reply telegram contained only two words:

"fire!"

A volley of shells rained down from the sky, landing among the soldiers digging the dike, instantly killing more than twenty people and terrifying them.

Before they could react, shells rained down one after another, and chaos erupted on the riverbank as everyone scrambled to safety, losing all will to dig the dike.

The battalion commander in charge of on-site command was stunned by the explosion and screamed in terror:

"Brothers, run! The Japanese are attacking!"

It's no wonder he misunderstood. The 643rd Regiment was equipped with Japanese mountain guns and Type 92 infantry guns, which many officers could tell by hearing the difference. In addition, there were rumors that the Japanese had already entered the city, so it's not surprising that he mistook the 643rd Regiment for the Japanese.

If it were the 107th Division, they would definitely protest in various ways; but if it were the Japanese, they would just throw down their weapons and run for their lives, and no one would even think about breaching the dike.

Taking advantage of the situation, the 643rd Regiment seized control of the river defenses and arrogantly prevented anyone from approaching. Anyone who forcibly broke through the pass was treated as a spy or traitor and was to be killed without mercy!

After regaining control of the river embankment, Zhao Yunwen took the initiative and reported to his superiors that he had discovered that the enemy was deliberately trying to destroy the embankment, and that they had been repelled in order to protect the river defense.

After reading it, Cheng Songyun was so angry that she cursed loudly:

"Outrageous! Utterly outrageous! They're actually firing on friendly forces! Is Zhao Yunwen plotting a rebellion?"

"This is outrageous! What is he trying to do? I'm going to report this to the Commander-in-Chief!"

Yan Xunfu was also very annoyed, and took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire:

"Commander Chiang sent a telegram saying that the division had been shelled by the Japanese, resulting in over a hundred casualties. The New 8th Division was caught off guard and retreated more than ten miles."

Cheng Songyun immediately grabbed the phone and filed a complaint with the Military Commission Headquarters. Chiang Kai-shek was so angry that he dropped the paper in his hand and shouted:

"You traitor! Does he even respect national law and military discipline? Does he even respect me, his principal?"

"Dare to fire on friendly forces? What a despicable bastard! He must be severely punished!"

Everyone else remained silent, as Chiang Kai-shek was furious and no one dared to say a word, including Chen Cixiu, a bigwig in the Civil Engineering Department. Zhao Yunwen was a key figure in the Civil Engineering Department, and he couldn't escape involvement.

Chen Cixiu knew Chiang Kai-shek too well; as long as he was still cursing people, it meant the problem hadn't reached the point of no return.

Everyone present was shrewd. Zhao Yunwen also sent a telegram to the Military Commission, not only failing to realize that he had made a huge mistake, but also asking the Military Commission for credit.

It is said that they repelled the Japanese soldiers who were disguised as Nationalist troops and were causing sabotage, thus preventing a tragedy from occurring.

"Look at the nonsense this traitor is spouting! He dares to boast about his achievements to me! I'm removing him from his position as a teacher!"

Chen Cixiu decided to muddy the waters, and stepped forward, his face full of indignation, saying:

"Principal, he must be severely punished. This kid is too lawless. Dismissal is not enough. He should be brought back and put in solitary confinement!"

However, with the Japanese army about to besiege the city, the 107th Division could not be without a leader for even a day. A reliable person needed to take charge, otherwise this elite force would be destroyed in Zheng County!

After being reminded of this by resignation, Chiang Kai-shek realized that although Zhao Yunwen was a bit of a scoundrel, the 107th Division was capable of fighting!

The matter has now come to light, public opinion is surging, and the river embankment has been taken over by the 107th Division. The opportunity has been lost.

The only hope is that the 107th Division can hold Zheng County, buying time for Jiangcheng to prepare for war.

He knew very well that no one but Zhao Yunwen could command the 107th Division;

Changing generals mid-battle is a cardinal sin in military strategy. Thinking of this, he made up his mind and coldly shouted:

"Immediately send a telegram to the First War Zone, ordering the removal of Zhao Yunwen from his post as commander of the 107th Division. Considering that the defense of Zheng County cannot be without a commander for even a day, he shall be appointed as acting commander to atone for his mistakes."

Chen Cixiu seemed to have anticipated this outcome and immediately seconded the motion:

"The principal is wise!"

Bai Jiansheng pursed his lips and seconded the motion.

He Jingzhi was, after all, the chief instructor of Whampoa Military Academy, and he couldn't possibly go against his own students. Besides, he was hoping that Chen Cixiu would put in a good word for Gui Yongqing, so it was rare that he didn't jump out and sing a dissenting voice. That's how the matter was settled.

Zhao Yunwen's division commander was reduced to acting commander, and he was so aggrieved that he threw his hat down in the command post.

"Not only did I not receive any credit for fighting a traitor, but I was also dismissed from my post! Who can I complain to?!"

These words reached Chiang Kai-shek's ears in less than half an hour, and he was equally furious, shouting angrily:

"You unfilial wretch! I'm his principal! Who do you think you are, calling yourself 'I'? You've gone too far!"