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

South of Zheng County, at the headquarters of the Tiger Legion, an important military conference is underway.

First, Chief of Staff Xie Polu briefed the Military Commission on the latest deployment:

"The First War Zone Command will dispatch a strong force to take over the defense lines of Zheng County and western Henan. The Tiger Army will withdraw to Xinyang in southern Henan for rest and reorganization and will be placed under the direct command of the Fifth War Zone."

The crowd below the stage whispered among themselves, saying that the Battle of Zheng County was won by the Tiger Army, and that the First War Zone was blatantly reaping the benefits.

Lieutenant General Zhao Yunwen, the army commander, coughed lightly, and the conference room instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, demonstrating his prestige.

"Gentlemen, the First War Zone Command also took over the defense under the order of the Military Commission. The situation is changing, and it is reasonable to make corresponding adjustments to the deployment. You should not make any unwarranted comments."

Although our unit achieved victory in the defense of Zheng County, the casualties exceeded 6,000, including 2,214 killed, more than 1,800 seriously wounded, and 2,500 slightly wounded. The consumption of equipment and supplies was enormous, and we were no longer able to fight.

Originally, our unit planned to abandon Zheng County and hold the railway line south of Zheng County to the death. Now that the main force of the First War Zone has taken over, it is more advantageous than the previous plan.

After the meeting, the defense was immediately handed over to allied forces, the main force withdrew to Xinyang for rest and reorganization, and the 643rd Regiment, which had covered the rear, returned to its original unit on its own.

Zhao Yunwen decisively finalized the southward relocation plan, and everyone stood up to accept the order. The specific work was to be led by the headquarters, with the divisions and directly subordinate regiments cooperating.

Two days later, Li Tiejun, the commander of the First Army, came to visit. Zhao Yunwen personally hosted a banquet to entertain him, with Xie Polu and several division commanders accompanying him. At the banquet, the two old classmates from the first class finalized the handover arrangements.

After the guests and hosts had enjoyed themselves and all the irrelevant people had been dismissed, Li Tiejun spoke first:

"Brother Yunwen, I am grateful that the First Army was able to take over the defense of Zheng County this time, and I have gained great honor from the Tiger Warriors."

Zhao Yunwen smiled faintly and said:

"Brother Yu Wu (courtesy name), you're too kind. We brothers are both serving the National Government, there's no need to be so formal."

The Tiger Legion will fully cooperate with the First Army in taking over the defense. If there's anything else you brothers need, please feel free to speak up.

Zhao Yunwen knew that Li Tiejun must have other business to attend to, otherwise he wouldn't have made the trip in person. Besides, he also wanted to make a deal with him.

Li Tiejun put away his smile and said:

"Brother Yunwen, since we are family, I will speak frankly."

Zheng County is a hot potato right now. Although the Japanese have retreated south of the Jialu River, they could advance westward along the Longhai Railway at any time. Brother, the pressure is immense!

As Zhao Yunwen had predicted, the First Army wanted Zheng County but was worried about not being able to hold it, so they came to ask him for advice.

Zhao Yunwen was not yet clear about Li Tiejun's true intentions, so he decided to take the initiative and echoed Li Tiejun's words:

"Brother Yu Wu's concerns are understandable, but in my judgment, the probability of the Japanese army continuing to advance westward is not high."

Li Tiejun immediately became interested and, holding Zhao Yunwen's hand, said:

"Brother Yunwen, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me what's going on. When it comes to fighting the Japanese, among us old brothers from Whampoa, if you claim to be second, no one dares to claim to be first."

This was a case of flattery to kill, and Zhao Yunwen wasn't buying it. He hurriedly clarified:

"Brother Yu Wu, you flatter me. There are countless capable brothers among us, but only Brother Shoushan can hold the top position."

Brother Liangzhen, Brother Yudong, Brother Yingguo, Brother Yuanlang, and even you, Brother Yuwu, are all outstanding figures from our Huangpu Military Academy. I, your brother, am still far behind.

Li Tiejun was quite pleased with what he heard. Everyone should help out, and Zhao Yunwen wouldn't be foolish enough to make himself all alone.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

After the two old classmates flattered each other for a while, Zhao Yunwen finally got to the point:

"Brother Yu Wu, the main force of the Japanese Second Army has suffered huge losses in manpower and supplies in the previous battles. It will take them one or two months to recover their strength after retreating to eastern Henan to rest and recuperate."

Launching another large-scale offensive against Zheng County would require gathering a massive amount of supplies, which would also take time.

Even if we gather everything together, attacking Zheng County first and then heading south would be both time-consuming and labor-intensive, and would still require time.

Unfortunately, the Second Army was short of time. The next target of the Japanese attack was Jiangcheng, and the 11th Army of the Central China Area Army was already mobilizing troops to prepare for a westward advance along the Yangtze River.

If the enemy's North China Area Army wanted to catch up, its main force wouldn't need to advance westward along the Longhai Railway anymore. Instead, it could advance westward and southward along both banks of the Huai River in Anhui Province, passing through the northern foothills of the Dabie Mountains, through northern Anhui, southern Henan, and northern Hubei, coordinating with the Central China Expeditionary Army to launch a two-pronged attack on Wuhan from the north bank of the Yangtze River.

Li Tiejun nodded repeatedly. If that were the case, then Zheng County could indeed be defended.

But this was Zhao Yunwen's analysis; whether the Japanese would actually comply was another matter. He needed to make a backup plan. Thinking of this, he said worriedly:

"Brother Yunwen, that may be true, but this concerns the safety of Zheng County. We can't put all our eggs in one basket by hoping the Japanese will change their attack direction. We still need to have countermeasures."

Zhao Yunwen continued, saying:

"That's natural, so the First Army must be strong, deploying heavy troops along the Jialu River and adopting a defensive posture to make the Japanese retreat in the face of difficulties."

The Japanese suffered heavy losses at the Jialu River in previous battles, so they will be more cautious.

Now that Li Tiejun had a better understanding of the situation, he changed the subject and said:

"The First Army's firepower is still too weak. I heard that Brother Yunwen captured a batch of Japanese-made artillery. Could you transfer some of them to me? I will buy them at the agreed price."

Zhao Yunwen grinned and said:

"That's easy to say. I wonder how much Brother Yu Wu plans to ask for?"

Upon hearing that there was hope, Li Tiejun immediately perked up. In China, cannons were in high demand and money couldn't guarantee you could buy one.

However, the price of artillery was too high, and Li Tiejun had limited funds. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"To be honest, Brother Yunwen, I have limited funds, so I'll buy 16 75mm cannons first!"

I hope Brother Yunwen will consider our old friendship and offer a discount.

Zhao Yunwen readily agreed:

"Of course, it would be too formal for us brothers to talk like this!"

Not only artillery, but also Type 92 heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and grenades—if Brother Yu Wu wants them, I can give them to you too.

The 75mm cannon is still too weak. I have a 105mm heavy artillery battalion here, a full 12 cannons. I'll give you a 10% discount on all the equipment, brother!

Twelve 105mm heavy artillery pieces—Li Tiejun's eyes lit up at the mention of them. Even the entire 17th Army Corps didn't have them. Selling them at a 10% discount—Zhao Yunwen was being incredibly generous, practically a spendthrift!

"Yes, of course I want it!"

Li Tiejun then said, somewhat embarrassed:

"It's just that this amount of money... isn't enough."

Zhao Yunwen had long disliked the Japanese-made 105mm gun and was happy to get rid of it. Seeing that Li Tiejun didn't have enough money and that writing an IOU was out of the question, he immediately offered an alternative plan:

"Brother, I understand. Even a hero can be brought down by a penny. If we don't have enough funds, we can use veterans instead."

Your 17th Army Corps has no shortage of veterans, so don't try to fool us with new recruits.

Two thousand veterans, plus corresponding officers, and I'll give you all the 13 105mm heavy artillery pieces in my inventory, along with all the shells!

The remaining money can be used to purchase 75mm mortars and Type 92 heavy machine guns, etc. With these heavy weapons, the First Army can easily hold the Jialu River.

Zhao Yunwen's proposal greatly appealed to Li Tiejun. Two thousand veterans were nothing to the First Army, which had a force of 30,000, and they would be wiped out in a medium-sized battle.

The vacancies can be filled with new recruits. As long as Zheng County, a densely populated area, is preserved, recruiting two thousand soldiers is just a matter of a word.

These are thirteen heavy cannons!

Li Tiejun couldn't help but swallow, and said with a face full of anticipation:

"Brother Yunwen, is what you say true?"

"A promise is a promise!"

Zhao Yunwen's words reassured Li Tiejun, who immediately made the decision:

"It's settled then. In addition to the 13 heavy cannons, I also need 16 75mm mortars, 50 Type 92 heavy machine guns, and 100 grenade launchers..."

"Brother Yunwen, name your price so I can go back and raise the money. I guarantee that the two thousand veterans are all veterans who have participated in the Battle of Lanfeng for more than a year."

Brother Yunwen is a true friend; I wouldn't be petty!

After calculating, Zhao Yunwen then reported a number:

"Let's round it up to six hundred thousand silver dollars, plus two thousand veterans, and take them all away."

"Cash on delivery, please make it clear that I only accept silver dollars or gold!"

"Brother Yunwen, you're so generous, deal! I'll come over in three days to take over."

Li Tiejun immediately agreed, but worried that Zhao Yunwen might change his mind, so he rushed back to get the money.

Zhao Yunwen also wanted to hand over the duties as soon as possible. The Tiger Army had wiped out 4,000 elite troops in Zheng County, and these 2,000 veterans were invaluable to him. Once the seriously wounded recovered and returned to the unit, it would be as if he hadn't lost many men.

The 600,000 silver dollars would be perfect for rest and recuperation, supplementing food supplies, providing relief to the brothers who died or were seriously wounded, and selling off some of the spoils of war—a win-win situation.

Within three days, Li Tiejun delivered two thousand veterans and six hundred thousand silver dollars, which made Zhao Yunwen nod repeatedly.

Li Tiejun stared longingly at Zhao Yunwen, who then turned to Chief of Staff Xie Polu and said:

"Hand over the equipment and supplies to Commander Li according to the list!"

Li Tiejun's eyes instantly narrowed into slits with laughter, and Zhao Yunwen's face also lit up with a wide smile.

Buying and selling should be a win-win situation.