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

Zhao Yunwen originally just wanted to give Liao Lei some advice. If Liao Lei could listen to him, it would at least reduce the casualties, which would be considered as fulfilling his duty as a transmigrator.

In fact, he had changed a lot. If things had gone normally, Dachang would have been lost by then, and the 109th Regiment would have been almost completely wiped out.

When the Guangxi Army arrived, they hastily launched a counterattack, suffering heavy losses and wiping out four Guangxi Army divisions.

The security regiment has now handed over the position intact to the 21st Army Group and severely damaged the 6th Brigade, which can be said to be the best possible outcome.

But that wasn't enough. The Japanese would come back again, not just the Ninth Division, but also the Eleventh Division, the Third Division, and so on.

The Japanese army amassed 40,000 to 50,000 troops and launched repeated attacks. The 21st Army Group and various units of the Hunan Army fought a bloody battle at Dachang, which was even more brutal than the battle at Luodian.

The Security Corps had suffered heavy casualties and urgently needed to rest and recuperate. Liao Lei's proposal was indeed the best solution for them.

Finding refuge under the protection of the 21st Army Group was a good idea, so Zhao Yunwen readily agreed and turned to leave.

After Zhao Yunwen left, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Wang Zanbing stepped forward and said:

"Commander-in-Chief, aren't you being a little too kind to Zhao Yunwen? It's one thing to appoint him as a senior advisor, but to provide him with money and provisions is another. While we don't lack these supplies, we can't let others benefit from them!"

Liao Lei smiled faintly and said:

"I have already learned that Zhao Yunwen's security regiment still has three thousand men. These are all elite soldiers who have fought the Japanese for several days and have rich combat experience."

"If we just give them a few days of rest, their fighting strength will recover, and they'll be useful when needed. Is the food in my Guangxi army really that good?"

Wang Zanbing immediately understood and followed Liao Lei's words:

"Commander, that's brilliant! It's like spending a little money and supplies to gain several thousand more soldiers ready for battle. When the order is given, will Zhao Yunwen dare to disobey?"

Liao Lei made no attempt to hide his pride; on the battlefield, who would complain about having too many soldiers?

Zhao Yunwen took a liking to his silver dollars, and he just happened to keep the Security Corps.

It was supposed to be a rest and recuperation period, but when they would be sent to the battlefield was not up to Zhao Yunwen.

Liao Lei was in high spirits after gaining a elite force for free, and he started talking about serious business with Chief of Staff Zhang.

"Chief of Staff Wang, the Military Commission has given my 21st Group Army orders that go beyond just holding Dachang; it also includes restoring all positions on the south bank of Yunzaobang."

If possible, it would be best to cross the river to the north bank of the Yellow River. Do you have any good suggestions?

Wang Zanbing quickly said:

"Commander-in-Chief, the Ninth Division has just been defeated. Judging from the spoils captured by Zhao Yunwen's troops, the Japanese have suffered considerable losses. Even if they launch a counterattack, it will take some time."

Our troops can take advantage of this time difference and have the 171st Division of the 7th Army defend Dachang.

The 173rd and 174th Divisions of the 48th Army launched a full-scale counterattack against the enemy on the south bank of Yunzaobang, aiming to annihilate or drive them across to the north bank and expand the defensive focus of our army group.

The 176th Division's Shou Company was designated as the general reserve force.

Liao Lei nodded and said:

"Then proceed with this battle plan. Headquarters should come up with a battle plan as soon as possible, and the counterattack should be scheduled for nighttime to avoid the Japanese air fire. Zhao Yunwen's suggestion is quite valuable."

"In addition, you should personally go and hand over the position to Zhao Yunwen, find out how much that batch of equipment is worth, and give it to them according to Zhao Yunwen's quotation."

Don't be stingy with that little bit of money and food. You have to be willing to give to receive!

Two hours later, the two sides successfully completed the handover of the position. Zhao Yunwen sold the spoils of war to the 21st Army Group and got more than 11 silver dollars.

The 21st Army Group handed over the supplies to the Security Corps in the form of resupply to avoid controversy.

The Security Corps withdrew to the west of Dachang for rest and reorganization, and was put in charge by Chief of Staff Lu Ping. Zhao Yunwen moved into the headquarters of the 21st Army Group and took on the role of senior advisor.

The 21st Army Group then launched a full-scale counterattack against the Japanese forces south of Yunzaobang. After fierce fighting, key points such as Liuhang, Miaohang, and Dunwusi were recaptured, and more than a thousand enemy soldiers were killed.

Just as the Guangxi army generals were getting carried away and preparing to cross the river to the north bank in one fell swoop, Zhao Yunwen poured cold water on their enthusiasm:

"Commander Liao, a counterattack on the north bank of the Yellow River is not in line with the strategic needs of the army group and will instead disperse our forces."

The army group's current task should be to hold the strategic location of Dachang and recapture strongholds such as Liuhang and Miaohang in order to broaden the defensive depth. Otherwise, tens of thousands of people will be stuck in the small town and unable to carry out their duties, which will only increase casualties.

As long as Dachang is held, the Japanese will not be able to threaten the safety of the Ninth Army Group in the city.

North of Yunzaobang, there were Commander Chen's 15th Army Group and Commander Xue's 19th Army Group, among others. Even if the Japanese occupied Luodian, they wouldn't be able to achieve much.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the big picture. If that's the case, why bother making any more trouble?

The main force of the Japanese is preparing a large-scale counterattack. Instead of wasting time, we should focus on reinforcing the strongholds of Liuhang and Miaohang, waiting in ambush, and then engage the enemy in a defensive battle south of Yunzaobang and north of the Suzhou Creek.

As soon as Zhao Yunwen finished speaking, Lieutenant General Wei Yunsong, commander of the 48th Army, stood up and objected:

"Commander Zhao is boosting the morale of others while diminishing our own. Our Guangxi Army has come from afar to recover lost territory, not to cower like cowards."

Several division commanders also expressed their determination to cross the Yunzaobang River to the north and drive the Japanese into the sea.

The Guangxi Army has always been highly motivated and brave in battle. During the Northern Expedition, it earned the reputation of "Iron Fourth Army" and "Steel Seventh Army". It formed its own system within the Nationalist government and was the only local army that could rival the Central Army.

There was a strong call for an offensive strategy, and Zhao Yunwen, being an outsider, had little influence. Liao Lei also began to waver. Seeing the unfavorable situation, Zhao Yunwen had no choice but to compromise and propose a middle ground:

"Commander Liao, if you absolutely must fight your way across the north bank, I suggest you only use one division and give it a try!"

The main force of the 9th Division is assembling, and the counterattack on Dachang will only take two or three days. Meanwhile, the main force of the 11th Division is heading south to support the Dachang operation.

That's two entire divisions! Once the main force crosses the river, it will be difficult to retreat.

Wei Yunsong was also worried about affecting the defense of Dachang, so he accepted the compromise proposed by Zhao Yunwen and confidently said:

"Commander-in-Chief, Yunzaobang is at most a small ditch in our Guangxi province, no more than twenty meters wide. One charge and we can get across. What Regiment Commander Zhao said makes sense. One division is enough. I will personally lead the 174th Division up there."

Give me one day, and I will surely break through the Japanese army's Yunzaobang defense line!

Liao Lei did not rush to make a decision, but turned to Zhao Yunwen and said:

"General Zhao, do you have anything to add?"

Listen carefully to the implication: the entire Guangxi army wants to fight this battle, and Zhao Yunwen's opposition is useless. Fortunately, it's only a division, so it won't shake the foundation of Dachang's defense. He immediately suggested:

"My idea is still to try fighting, but not to go too deep into enemy territory alone, lest we be counterattacked by the Japanese."

The 21st Army Group only had 4 divisions and 3.5 men in Shanghai, which was insufficient to drive the Japanese back into the sea.

If they cross the river, they will control an area several kilometers along the bank as an outpost for the defense of the south bank. If the situation changes drastically, they will quickly withdraw.

"You need to clench your fists to hit someone!"

The chief of staff seconded the motion, and Liao Lei immediately made the decision:

"This is the prudent plan, so it's decided. The 174th Division of the 48th Army will launch an attack north of Yunzaobang, with the directly subordinate artillery regiment providing support."

The other units hurriedly repaired their fortifications to prepare for the Japanese counterattack. Let us have a good show of the Japanese south of Yunzaobang and demonstrate the might of the Guangxi people!

Everyone stood up to express their opinions, full of momentum, and a major battle concerning the overall situation of Shanghai was about to unfold.

How will Zhao Yunwen, who makes a cameo appearance as the "strategist" of the 21st Army Group, cope? Find out in the next chapter.