Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

The warm winter sun slanted through the huge glass windows and onto the smooth teak floor of the Chairman's office.

Chang Ruiyuan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

The chief attendant, Zhu Peiji, stood to one side, reporting in a calm tone to the recent work arrangements and developments of the North China Joint Command.

From the swift suppression of bandits in western Henan to the reorganization plans for troops in various war zones, nothing was overlooked.

Chang Ruiyuan listened quietly, occasionally letting out a noncommittal "hmm".

After Zhu Peiji finished his report, he slowly opened his eyes and, seemingly casually, brought up another matter: "Wenying, is she still in North China?"

Zhu Peiji bowed slightly and replied, "Reporting to the Chairman, Ms. Song has been staying at the joint command headquarters in Changzhi since her last return to Shanxi and has not returned to the mountain city."

He paused, a perfectly timed smile appearing on his face, and joked, "I heard from the people below that Madam Chu and the chief advisor have a deep affection for each other, and it seems that she intends to have a second child this time she goes back."

"hehe."

Upon hearing this, Chang Ruiyuan's usually tense face broke into a rare smile. He waved his hand, seemingly not taking it too seriously: "The Party and the country are busy with military affairs, which has wronged talented young people like Yunfei, who can't even be given a stable home."

Just as the two were chatting about these seemingly intimate things, a steady knock sounded at the office door.

"Chairman, Director Wang has arrived."

"Let him in."

At Chang Ruiyuan's signal, Zhu Peiji quietly stepped back, preparing to leave the room.

The door was pushed open, and Wang Shihe, dressed in a sharp Zhongshan suit, stepped in.

He bumped into Zhu Peiji, who was about to leave. Their eyes met, they nodded to each other in tacit agreement, and then passed each other.

Wang Shihe walked a few steps away from Chang Ruiyuan's desk, stopped, and saluted.

"Chairman, you called me."

“Shihe,” Chang Ruiyuan’s smile softened, even taking on a hint of elder’s affection for a younger person, “Come, sit down.”

"Yes, Chairman."

"I've arranged a good place for you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shihe, whose face was usually taciturn, couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Since he offended Soong Mei-ling over some personal matters last time.

His life as the director of the Second Section of the Attendant's Office was extremely difficult.

He knew that although his uncle (maternal uncle) was the only one who had any say in the party and the state.

However, when faced with that extremely temperamental lady, he was often in a passive position.

Keeping Wang Shihe, this loyal cousin, around would not only frequently displease Soong Mei-ling, but also waste a rare talent.

Chang Ruiyuan didn't let him guess any further, and directly pushed the telegram from North China on the table over to him: "Take a look at this first."

"In North China, a 'Northeast Advance Army' is planned to be formed to attack Duolun. Yunfei recommends Bian Fucheng for the position of commander."

Chang Ruiyuan looked at Wang Shihe and slowly nodded, revealing to him: "Bian Fucheng's surprise attack on Jingxing Station back then shocked the whole country. I remember that he was awarded at least two Blue and White Medals, one Cloud Banner Medal, and countless other awards. The troops he led also received two Flying Tiger Flags. He is a truly fierce general."

Bian Fucheng's military achievements far surpassed those of Wang Shihe.

What would they do with him if they transferred him there?

Just as Wang Shihe was frowning in thought, Chang Ruiyuan changed the subject, revealing a sincere smile and his true intentions.

"However, this army needs a mature and prudent general to lead the charge and maintain overall control."

"Otherwise, I fear that Bian Fucheng, this wild horse that has broken free, will gallop wildly across the boundless grasslands of Chahar, and I will not be able to rein him in."

Wang Shihe understood instantly.

He knew that this "reins" referred to far more than just military recklessness.

As expected, Chang Ruiyuan's next words confirmed his guess: "What I'm worried about is that Bian Fucheng, under Yunfei's instruction, will have a falling out with the Soviets in the north."

A deep sense of apprehension flashed in Chang Ruiyuan's eyes: "The Russians are treacherous and cunning, and have long coveted my northeastern territory."

"Based on my understanding of Yunfei, it is absolutely impossible for him to make even the slightest concession on the issue of sovereignty."

"At that time, he will most likely command Bian Fucheng and lead his elite troops to fight a real battle with the Russian border guards!"

He looked at Wang Shihe, his tone becoming extremely solemn: "We just fought a battle with the British in the southwest."

If we were to clash with the Soviets again in the north, it would be extremely detrimental to the overall situation of our war of resistance.

Your job is to act as the brakes, to keep this wild horse under control!

Wang Shihe was taciturn to a fault, and after hearing these words...

He simply stood up solemnly, saluted again, and said, word by word, "Chairman, rest assured, Shihe understands. I will certainly keep these fierce generals in check."

"it is good!"

Chang Ruiyuan was very satisfied with Wang Shihe's loyalty and steadiness.

He immediately gave his own guarantee.

"Don't worry, I've already spoken with Yunfei about this."
-
That night.

The North China Joint Command Headquarters, a top-secret training base in the western suburbs.

The lights were bright, and the air was thick with murderous intent.

After more than a month of almost brutal adaptation and coordination training.

This special operations team was jointly formed by elites from the Military Intelligence Bureau and the Reconnaissance Brigade.

Finally, their last night before setting off arrived.

Forty team members, dressed in practical black outfits, stood silently in the center of the playground, like forty silent statues.

Their faces showed no fear of facing imminent death, only a cold, resolute determination, like tempered steel.

For this groundbreaking raid, more than a dozen division-level combat units needed to secretly coordinate along the infiltration route, which stretched for hundreds of kilometers.

In fact, in order to cross the heavily guarded Jinpu Railway line by the Japanese army without being detected, the North China Joint Command coordinated and cooperated with the New Fourth Army at the highest level.

The New Fourth Army during this period.

Life in northern Jiangsu and southern Anhui was equally difficult.

In order to deal with them, the Japanese adopted a series of cruel policies such as "mopping up the countryside," "sweeping away the enemy," and "cutting off and encircling them."

They even mobilized the people in the occupied areas to build continuous fences with bamboo, attempting to divide and trap their bases in their cages.

Despite this dire situation, the New Fourth Army still pledged to spare no effort to open a bloody path to Nanjing for this isolated force.

Zhao Pengcheng, dressed in military uniform and carrying a heavy tray, slowly walked to the front of the formation.

Behind him followed several guards with equally solemn expressions.

"Brothers."

Zhao Pengcheng's voice sounded exceptionally clear and loud in the silent night sky: "Your Excellency is unable to come in person due to military affairs."

He has specially appointed me, Zhao Pengcheng, to represent him in bidding farewell to all of you brave warriors!

He placed the tray he was carrying steadily on a long table that had been prepared beforehand.

On the tray, more than forty rough porcelain bowls were neatly stacked, along with a huge wine jar that exuded a rich aroma of wine.

The guards stepped forward, filled bowls with the clear, pungent Shanxi Fenjiu liquor, and then handed them to each team member in turn.

The aroma of wine, mixed with the cold air of a winter night, creates a unique and exhilarating scent.

Zhao Pengcheng personally picked up a bowl of wine and raised it high.

My gaze slowly swept over each young and resolute face before me.

"brothers!"

His voice became impassioned and heavy: "I know that this operation is fraught with peril, with a slim chance of survival!"

"You are about to enter a den of dragons and tigers, the very heart of the puppet government!"

"You will be facing an enemy that is dozens, even hundreds of times larger than your own. Even if the operation succeeds, you will be surrounded and annihilated in an inescapable net!"

"but!"

Zhao Pengcheng's tone shifted, becoming incredibly firm: "The task on your shoulders is greater than the sky and heavier than a mountain!"

"Behind you are tens of millions of people in North China, and the safety of the entire country and the entire nation!"

"This bowl of wine is a farewell toast from the chief advisor to you!"

He looked around at everyone and said, word by word, "I hope that you can carry forward the fearless spirit of our revolutionary soldiers, who are not afraid of sacrifice and dare to win, and successfully complete the mission!"

"And at the same time, I hope even more." His voice, at this moment, carried a subtle yet heartfelt plea: "That every one of you will come back alive!"

"The commander will be in Changzhi, where a celebratory feast will be prepared for your triumphant return!"

After saying that, he drank the spicy liquor in the bowl in one gulp!

"Dry!"

More than forty team members roared in unison!

They, too, drank the strong liquor in their bowls in one gulp!

Then, he smashed the porcelain bowl in his hand onto the ground!
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

The crisp cracking sounds echoed through the night sky, like the war drums of a campaign, heralding the start of this great journey!

That very night, the troops left Changzhi under the personal leadership of Xu Hu.

The trip is estimated to take up to half a month just for travel.

They operate by night and hide during the day, requiring a large number of combat troops and units to provide cover, and this process must be kept extremely secret.

This is a very important combat mission, which is related to the actual authenticity of the so-called divine punishment "bacterial warfare".

If the Japanese were truly determined to wage unconventional warfare.

Therefore, the only option is to drive the Japanese out of China as quickly as possible.

Just as Zhao Pengcheng was sending off the warriors who were about to embark on their expedition.

Inside the joint command's operations room, a heated strategic discussion surrounding the "Northeast Advance Plan" has reached its climax.

Smoke swirled in front of the enormous map.

Chief of Staff Lin Wei, with a baton pointing to the red arrow extending northward from Zhangjiakou on the map, frowned: "Chief Advisor."

He turned to look at Chu Yunfei, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval: "Excuse my bluntness, but from a purely military perspective, the attack route you have proposed is far too risky."

Chu Yunfei gestured for him to continue.

Lin Wei's baton drew a large circle across the vast grassland region of Chahar.

"Here, there is a vast, boundless grassland with almost no natural defenses."

“Once our troops penetrate deep into enemy territory, the supply lines will be stretched to an extremely long length.”

“In areas without direct rail access, relying solely on trucks and animal power for supplies is too time-consuming and too costly.”

He looked at Chu Yunfei with a serious expression: "More importantly, if our forces are too small, we are more likely to be divided and surrounded by the enemy on the vast grasslands, taking advantage of their mobility."

However, if we commit too many troops, the long supply lines will become our most fatal weakness.

"even if."

Lin Wei paused, then pointed to the line of Duolun and ABGQ (now Xilin Gol region) on the map: "We can successfully advance the battle line and consolidate it here."

Therefore, a wide open area stretching tens or even hundreds of kilometers will appear between us and the Japanese army on the new line of confrontation.

Such a large area was practically paradise for the Japanese, who were skilled in infiltration warfare.

At that time, what awaits us will be an endless and tedious tug-of-war.

After speaking, Lin Wei put forward his plan, and his command baton suddenly moved eastward, pointing sharply at Chengde, the capital of Rehe Province!
"Instead of advancing deep into enemy territory alone, we should concentrate our forces and achieve victory in one decisive battle!" Lin Wei's voice became impassioned: "I suggest that we focus our main attack here! Head north from Chengde and strike straight at Jinzhou!"

This will sever the Japanese North China Area Army's land connection with the area outside the Great Wall! It will completely divide the Kwantung Army and the Japanese forces in North China into two separate groups!

This proposal is bold, ruthless, and incredibly tempting!

Many of the staff officers present were immediately intrigued upon hearing this!
However, this proposal was immediately and firmly opposed by Zhang Dayun.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Zhang Dayun stepped forward: "Chief of Staff, your plan seems like a brilliant move, but in reality it's a risky one, and could very well become a dead end!"

He took the baton from Lin Wei and pounded it heavily on the area on the map that represented the Soviet Union: "We cannot forget the Kwantung Army, that vicious wolf entrenched in Northeast China."

Its primary task has never been to defend against us! It's to defend against the Soviets to the north!

"You have now severed its connection with the Japanese army in North China, which has certainly cut off the battlefield."

"But on the other hand, this also freed the Japanese from a dilemma!"

Zhang Dayun's expression was extremely solemn: "At that time, the Japanese, who will be thoroughly enraged, may temporarily abandon their vigilance against the Soviet Union and transfer the main force of the Kwantung Army to the south!"

At that time, what awaits us will not be a divided battlefield, but a decisive battle where we are attacked from both sides and besieged by hundreds of thousands of Kwantung Army main forces!

"Our chances of winning are very low, and even if a miracle occurs, our losses will be unbearable."

"This operational plan is too risky and completely not worth the effort."

Just as Zhang Dayun and Lin Wei were arguing heatedly over two completely different strategic approaches,

"report!"

A communications officer strode in, carrying an urgent telegram, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Chief Advisor, urgent telegram from the Mountain City Command!"

Chu Yunfei took the telegram and glanced at it. A complex and unfathomable look flashed in his deep eyes.

He didn't speak, but simply handed the thin telegram to Lin Wei beside him.

Lin Wei took it with some doubt, but when he saw what was on it, the expression on his face instantly became incredibly interesting.

The telegram contained two parts.

The first part states that the General Headquarters has agreed in principle to the North China Joint Command's operational plan to form the "Northeast Advance Army" and launch an offensive towards Chahar.

The second part concerns the personnel appointments for this new unit!
"General Wang Shihe is hereby appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast Advance Army, and General Bian Fucheng as Deputy Commander-in-Chief."

The operations room fell into a deathly silence.

Silently, Zhang Dayun took out a cigarette case from his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

He didn't speak, but looked at the telegram through the swirling smoke, his eyes filled with undisguised dissatisfaction.

Everyone present understood.

This is yet another classic example of "mixing in sand" by the mountain city!
Chu Yunfei quietly observed the expressions on everyone's faces—some shocked, some angry, and some thoughtful.

Slowly, he took the telegram back from Lin Wei's hand.

To everyone's surprise, the expression on his face was calm.

In Chu Yunfei's view, this was just an ordinary transaction where each party got what they wanted, a fairly fair and just deal.

Although Wang Shihe was the commander-in-chief, he could not actually command Bian Fucheng's old troops.

It's just a title to fill a resume.

Based on Chu Yunfei's understanding of Wang Shihe and Chang Ruiyuan.

It's highly likely that Chang Ruiyuan was just paving the way for his nephew.

The Northeast Advance Army was clearly a better place than the 74th Army.

The 74th Army, as the elite force of the South China Joint Command, was commanded by the renowned general Wang Yaowu.

However, compared to the Northeast Advance Army, a combat force that would obviously attract the attention of the entire nation.

It's still far from good enough.

At least in the Northeast Expeditionary Army, Wang Shihe would most likely have been credited with the greatest military achievements.

In the 74th Army, that battle achievement could only belong to Wang Yaowu.

After all, no one really records merits and rewards them, right?
No one can avoid the phenomenon of favoritism.

Chu Yunfei walked to the map and gently placed the telegram on the location of Zhangjiakou: "Alright, no need to argue anymore."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out all the noise, and it carried an undeniable decisiveness.

"The Chairman has already made the choice for us."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Dayun, who still looked unwilling, and Lin Wei, whose expression was complicated: "The Chairman's considerations have their reasons."

"In that case, the general direction is settled."

Chu Yunfei nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the expressions of sudden realization on everyone's faces.

He handed the baton to Zhang Dayun: "Your operations section needs to come up with a detailed plan for the specific combat details."

"Note this: We need to ensure that this unit not only has sufficient logistical support, but also that it is equipped with enough air defense weapons so that it can operate independently."

Regarding this, Da Yun, you should communicate with them more and understand the officers' and soldiers' own thoughts. (End of Chapter)