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

The 174th Division had crossed Yunzaobang with overwhelming momentum, and Zhao Yunwen's attempt to stop the runaway carriage at this moment was wishful thinking.

After several attempts to persuade him only drew ridicule from others, Zhao Yunwen had no choice but to shut his mouth. Only those who have suffered losses on the battlefield truly understand.

A staff officer without a chief is like a fart that makes no sound, let alone a guest military advisor with no legitimate title, not even a strategist.

The 174th Division has won a great victory and made a breakthrough in the Yunzaobang direction. It is now advancing rapidly into the interior and cannot be stopped.

In high spirits, Liao Lei instructed Chief of Staff Zhang to report the victory to the Military Commission. Previously, it was always the Central Army that was in charge, but now it was finally the Guangxi Army's turn to shine.

The Japanese counterattack came faster than expected. Just as the Chinese people and soldiers were immersed in the joy of the victory at Yunzaobang, the main force of the 11th Division suddenly moved south.

The two infantry regiments advanced side by side and engaged in an encounter battle with the 174th Division. The vanguard of the 552nd Brigade was defeated and retreated to Liuxing.

The atmosphere in the 21st Group Army headquarters was unusually oppressive. Liao Lei coldly shouted:

"Quickly, invite Zhao Yunwen over!"

Chief of Staff Wang Zanbing left in a panic, and soon after, he pulled Zhao Yunwen back.

On the way, Wang Zanbing told Zhao Yunwen about the situation. The latter already knew about it and couldn't get involved at all, so he could only watch helplessly.

Seeing that the situation was developing exactly as Zhao Yunwen had predicted, Liao Lei trusted him even more, stopped being aloof, and took the initiative to greet him, saying:

"The 11th Division mobilized tens of thousands of troops. The 522nd Brigade was caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. Its main force retreated to Liuhang."

With the military situation urgent, both sides skipped unnecessary formalities. Zhao Yunwen crouched down, and the enemy and friendly forces on the map were clearly visible.

Liu Xing was not far from the north bank of Yunzaobang. The Japanese were trying to drive the 174th Division into the river in one fell swoop.

Zhao Yunwen said in a deep voice:

"Commander, we can't just keep retreating. We must hold Liuxing to the death, even if it means wiping out the 174th Division!"

There are still 5 hours until dark. We must hold on. If we can hold out until nightfall, the main force can take turns providing cover as they retreat across the river. Otherwise, we will be driven into the river.

Liao Lei thought about it and realized that this was the only way. Zhao Yunwen then added:

"Make the 176th Division, which is in reserve, ready. If the 174th Division cannot hold out, send troops across the river to reinforce it. We are willing to fight a decisive battle with the 11th Division north of Yunzaobang."

Wang Zanbing interjected, saying:

"There isn't even a decent position on the north bank of Yunzaobang; fighting the Japanese here would be at our disadvantage!"

Zhao Yunwen coldly shouted:

"That's still better than being driven into the river! I have no position, but do the Japanese have one? Their heavy artillery won't be able to get here in a short time. It's only five hours. When two armies meet on a narrow road, the brave will win!"

"If we win this battle and aren't routed, our soldiers won't be intimidated when they encounter the Japanese again."

"Do you think we, the people of Guangxi, would be afraid of those Japanese barbarians!"

Liao Lei suddenly realized that Zhao Yunwen was right. Morale should be boosted, not dampened. Since it was an encounter battle and the Japanese were not well prepared, the chances were equal for both sides.

He quickly made up his mind and gave the order in a deep voice:

"Telegram to the 174th Division: You must hold the Liuhang line. No one is allowed to retreat a single step. Otherwise, don't blame the ruthlessness of military law."

"The main force of the 176th Division shall immediately move toward the Yunzaobang Bridge and prepare to reinforce the north bank. Await my orders."

"All artillerymen, take cover and stand by, guns pointed at the north bank. Cover the retreat of our comrades on the north bank after dark!"

As orders were issued, the various units of the 21st Army Group were no longer anxious and were mentally prepared for a decisive battle on the north bank ahead of schedule, all for the sake of the 174th Division.

In Liuxing Town, the 522nd Brigade's blocking position, the sounds of gunfire were incessant, and figures fighting each other were everywhere.

Liuxing Town was also flat and indefensible, but the 522nd Brigade still gained a lot of advantages.

The dilapidated fortifications left by the Nationalist army and the Japanese were still usable, and the houses and streets in the town could also be used for street fighting.

The attacking force of the 522nd Brigade was the 22nd Infantry Regiment, an old adversary of the Security Corps. At first, they fought very well, defeating a regiment of the Guangxi Army in an encounter battle, and then pursued and killed them.

This was something the Japanese were good at; once they got a company in the game, they dared to chase after an entire regiment of the Nationalist army. So they drove straight in and left the 12th Infantry Regiment behind.

The 22nd Infantry Regiment originally intended to take the spoils for themselves, but they were blocked by the 174th Division at Liuxing Town and suffered heavy casualties.

The defending troops were like they'd taken the wrong medicine; even when their entire unit was wiped out, they fought to the death and refused to retreat.

The two sides fought fiercely, but the 22nd Regiment did not gain much advantage, with the exchange ratio at most 2 to 1. The regimental commander felt insulted and angrily cursed:

"You idiots, a bunch of useless trash!"

"You have utterly disgraced the 11th Division! Launch a desperate charge immediately and drive the Chinese into the river before nightfall!"

Under the strict orders of the Japanese regimental commander, the 22nd Regiment once again employed their proud "pig charge" tactic, attempting to take down Liuhang in one fell swoop.

The 174th Division refused to yield an inch, holding their ground to the death and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese, resulting in a bloodbath.

At the 21st Group Army headquarters, Zhao Yunwen appeared calm and composed, displaying the composure of a renowned general who remained unfazed even under immense pressure, outshining all the other Guangxi generals.

This is understandable, after all, the one who traded two for one with the Japanese was a comrade-in-arms from the Guangxi Army.

Liao Lei was getting impatient and asked anxiously:

"General Zhao, the 174th Division is almost wiped out. Can we send reinforcements?"

Zhao Yunwen shook his head, his tone icy:

"Commander, it's not the right time yet. The 174th Division's defense zone is only so small. Adding more troops would just be sending them to their deaths."

Our ancestors had the courage to fight a desperate battle; couldn't the Seventh Steel Army, facing the Japanese invaders who had crossed our borders, fight to the death and survive?

"Tell the 174th Division that there are no reinforcements! Either we drive back the Japanese, or we all die on the position!"

Liao Lei felt as if he were meeting Zhao Yunwen for the first time. He never expected that the pale-faced scholar in front of him was such a ruthless person.

No wonder De Gong once warned him that there wasn't a single good person among the officers at Whampoa Military Academy, from their principal down.

Wang Zanbing glanced at Zhao Yunwen, then at Commander Liao, before letting out a cold shout:

"What are you still standing there for? Send a telegram to Wei Yunsong. If I don't send him reinforcements, Liuxing will be the burial ground for the 174th Division!"

Wang Zanbing hurriedly accepted the order and left. Only then did Liao Lei turn his gaze to Zhao Yunwen and ask in a deep voice:

How confident are you?

Zhao Yunwen spread his hands:

"No!"

Liao Lei instantly flew into a rage, his voice almost roaring:

"If the 174th Division is wiped out, I'll skin you alive."

Zhao Yunwen pretended not to hear. His move was a bit harsh on the 174th Division, but one cannot command an army with mercy.

He knew the nature of the Nationalist army all too well; they wouldn't go all out as long as they knew there were reinforcements.

The 176th Division was the general reserve force and would not be moved easily. The 174th Division was not yet at its last gasp, and the Japanese had not even sent planes or heavy artillery groups.

Liu Xing, 174th Division Field Command: When Lieutenant General Wei Yunsong received Commander-in-Chief Liao's almost harsh military order, he was so angry that he cursed:

"Damn it! This idea of ​​cutting off our lineage must have come from Zhao Yunwen. He's sending us all to our deaths!"

The 521st Brigade Commander asked with a cold face:

"Commander, what do we do?"

"What else can we do?! Zhao Yunwen, that pale-faced scholar, was able to hold the field for four days. What's wrong with the men of Guangxi Province?"

So what if we die?! The entire division, from myself onwards, swears to live and die with the position!

If any of you dare to back down, I'll kill you! If I dare to back down, you can all shoot me in the back.

"Fight the Japanese devils!"

"Let's fight the Japanese devils!"

"Damn you, I never intended to come home alive!"

"Commander, remember to burn paper money for the brothers during holidays and festivals!!"

The soldiers shouted slogans louder and louder, their morale soaring as they charged towards the Japanese invaders, their eyes filled with determination.