The Anti-Japanese War Begins with the Northeast Army

The Zhi army's attack began around ten in the morning and lasted until two in the afternoon when it completely stopped.

According to the report from the returning scouts, the Zhi army's camp had retreated nearly twenty miles, far exceeding the accuracy range of the artillery they set up.

"Why don't we just unleash all our firepower and cover their camp with artillery fire? Let Mr. Wu know how powerful we are!"

As soon as the scout finished his report, Zhang Xuecheng, who was standing on the side and wiping his sweat, said loudly, "How despicable! I think the way they fought during the day is pretty good. No matter who comes, just shoot them if they get close!"

After saying this, he wiped his face fiercely with the back of his hand, and his handsome face, which was already like a calico cat, immediately became even more gaudy.

He had just returned from the artillery position and the rumbling sound was still echoing in his ears, so his voice was naturally a little louder; and the scattered fireworks covered his entire body with a layer of dust, making him look more like a stinky beggar who came into the yard to beg for food rather than a high-ranking officer.

"You have a good idea. Then this glorious and great task will be handed over to you."

While Zhang Xuecheng was talking, Jiang Cheng was studying the map. When he finished speaking, the current highest commander of Luanzhou raised his head and smiled at him.

"Are you serious? Then I'll go right away!"

Zhang Xuecheng immediately responded and turned around to run, but his cousin grabbed him and said, "Hey, what's wrong with you? I told you to go, so go..."

Guo Songling immediately expressed his dissatisfaction: "Jiang Feilan, you too, why are you still teasing him at this time?"

Looking around at the puzzled people in the room, Jiang Cheng smiled.

The more than 3,000 people who did not evacuate from Luanzhou City, led by the Marshal and the Chief of Staff, marched quickly towards the next stop on the Jingfeng Railway.

Apart from holding on for another day and night, they also had to be on guard against pursuit - their mission would be a complete success.

In addition to Luanzhou's local garrison commander Bai Haochen, Feng Yong and Zhang Xuecheng brought by Jiang Cheng, and his escort brigade, there were also seven or eight hundred people brought by Guo and Zhang.

Together with the existing 2,000 standing troops in the city, they could barely gather a team of 5,000 soldiers.

Less than 5,000 troops against more than 40,000 Zhi army pursuers, which is a pretty good ratio.

"Haha, I just saw that everyone was too nervous, so I just wanted to make a joke to relax them."

Jiang Cheng chuckled and said in a relaxed tone, "Wu Peifu's attack on Luanzhou is nothing more than a trick to catch the turtle in the jar... to destroy as many of our Fengtian Army's manpower as possible, and then counterattack Luanzhou and capture the city."

"Then from now on, we will lose the most important bridgehead in the interior."

Moreover, once Luanzhou is taken away, the even more fatal thing will be... Jinan.

"More than that, you only see what's in front of you, but not what's in the distance—"

Guo Songling took over Jiang Cheng's words, "If they really take Luanzhou, will Shandong still have a good life in the future? Don't forget, since Hai Pingchuan took office, the surname Wu has been causing trouble for him."

Zhang Hanqing let go of his impetuous cousin and turned around and said, "Yes, you hold military exercises every now and then, and often come to Shandong to test us. If you really lose Luanzhou, it means you have also handed over Jinan Prefecture to someone else."

Jiang Cheng is very clear about this, that is why he is standing here today.

Think about it, Wu Peifu was very clear about the relationship between Hai Pingchuan and him; he was also very clear... If he could successfully double-team the Fengtian Army this time, Shandong would lose its future support: either Shandong would be taken directly;

Otherwise, Hai Pingchuan would lead the entire Shandong province to defect to Cao Kun, and hand over all the profits that Shandong had worked so hard to gain to Cao Kun!
"I know this better than you do." Jiang Cheng nodded calmly, "Now is not the time to talk nonsense - let me arrange our next tactics."

Although it seemed that Guo Songling was not very interested in his next speech, Jiang Cheng quickly glanced at him and turned to his subordinates with a stern face.

"Now everyone can see that the Zhi army's frontal attack did not gain much advantage under our powerful firepower network. In my opinion, they are likely to choose a surprise attack tonight."

"I'm not worried about our army's ability to defend the front at all... After all, they have been attacking for several hours and have only just broken through the river bank's defenses."

"I have ordered all defense points on the river beach to retreat - only by pulling back your fists can you have the strength to fight back."

"After learning, the artillery formation is no longer effective. Let all brothers return the cannons to the warehouse and everyone will be sent to the battlefield to protect the territory."

Zhang Xuecheng immediately stood at attention and saluted. His neat and solemn expression shocked Guo Songling, who had always regarded him as a playboy, and Zhang Hanqing, who had always regarded him as a silly brother, both.

What has he been through in these years?
However, before the two men could come to their senses, Jiang Cheng's second order began to be issued: "Feng Yong, your team is responsible for the highway--"

"I am sure that the Zhi army will definitely launch a frontal attack late at night, and then send a small force to pursue the Marshal's troops in the direction of the highway."

Feng Yong heard this and immediately stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, I will ambush the Zhi army on the road they must pass through and attack them if they try to pursue us."

Jiang Cheng nodded, but Zhang Hanqing couldn't hold back any longer——

Such a blocking mission must be very dangerous. How could his good brother take the risk himself?

Before he could say anything, Guo Songling suddenly interrupted Jiang Cheng: "Jiang Feilan, I don't quite agree with this..."

"Han Qing and I are good at surprise attacks. Even though we only have so few people left, our combat effectiveness is still there."

"Give them some explosives like grenades for earth attacks. The more the better."

Zhang Hanqing himself was also confused, but before he could speak, Guo Songling said in a very quiet tone, "But I have a request. Hanqing must stay in the safest place in the city."

Everyone immediately turned their eyes to the heir of the Northeastern King, and his face instantly darkened: "Me! I don't agree!"

But Jiang Cheng's eyes were fixed on Guo Songling. After a long while, he smiled calmly: "Okay, I agree."

"You guys, please ask Officer Zhang to go to the side room and stay there quietly!"

Zhang Hanqing wanted to curse, but when he turned his head to look at Guo Songling, he suddenly became speechless like a gun with a jammed shell.

"Okay, I'll listen to you this time."

He turned around and followed Han Ming out the door silently.

Jiang Cheng and Guo Songling were actually very clear that letting Zhang Hanqing stay in Luanzhou was a big risk for the Marshal.

In addition, it also has the effect of stabilizing the morale of the army. (End of this chapter)