Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 182 Are these the soldiers you brought with you?
The Fourteenth Division.

Kenji Doihara paced back and forth on the ground, anxiously waiting for news from the front line.

"Drip-drip-"

The telegraph machine made a shrill sound, and the operations staff was holding a ruler, talking incoherently while drawing lines on the map.

Sano Tadayoshi: "Sir, battle report from the front!"

Kenji Doihara took it and looked it up and down.

"Why hasn't Lanfeng been conquered yet?"

"What on earth is the 15th Regiment doing!?"

Sano Tadayoshi shrank his neck and said: "General, the city garrison"

Doihara Kenji waved his hand and said, "Sano-kun! Don't say that. You and I both know what the failure of this battle means to our army!"

Sano Tadayoshi lowered his head and remained silent.

The battle situation on the front line has reached a critical point where it cannot be delayed. It was originally thought that the 27th Chinese Army would withdraw without authorization and Lan Feng would be easily captured.

As long as the Yellow River ferry is opened, sufficient supplies can be obtained, which will completely turn the tide of the war.

But just when it was about to be accomplished.

The Chinese garrison in the city suddenly stood up and filled the remaining defense line.

This created a favorable opportunity for Xue Yue to reorganize the siege.

Doihara Kenji sighed and said, "In the direction of Shanxian, is there any news from the 59th Regiment?"

Tadayoshi Sano: "The provincial garrison broke through the 59th Regiment's defense line in Shan County, and the battle situation collapsed completely."

"Currently, Takeshita-kun is gathering his troops."

Kenji Doihara was startled and turned his head to look at the map: "Get out of the way!"

The combat staff officer who was drawing a picture was startled and quickly moved out of the way.

"Didn't the Second Army send a bomber formation to provide support?"

Sano Tadayoshi shook his head and smiled bitterly: "The Chinese army took advantage of the night to launch an attack, Your Excellency. You know that we are no match for the garrison in night battles."

Kenji Doihara was speechless.

"Sano-kun, is there really a traitor in the Imperial Army?"

When it comes to night battles, this thought pops into his mind.

It’s so weird!
Night fighting is as difficult as street fighting. Visibility is limited and soldiers on both sides are in a "semi-blind" state, making it difficult for the enemy to identify each other.

No sound could be made, and frequent radio communications at night would very likely lead to the operation being exposed.

Only when the commander has a full grasp of the battlefield situation can he ensure that nothing goes wrong.

It is easy to grasp the movements of your own troops, but what about the enemy?
Night battles should have been the specialty of the Japanese army. But every night attack commanded by Wang Feng ended in complete victory.

He couldn't think of any other reason except that there was a traitor within the group.

Sano Tadayoshi: "General, this..."

"As early as the Huaibei Campaign, the 13th Division had already suspected this. Not long ago, His Majesty the Emperor agreed to the proposal to screen and purge the senior generals of the army."

“But there are no results yet.”

Kenji Doihara lowered his head and stared at the battle sand table.

The proposal for screening and cleansing at the base camp is no longer a secret in the Army.

All officers above the regiment level knew about this matter, either explicitly or implicitly.

no way.

No matter which division fights the Federal Garrison, it will be subjected to extremely precise artillery strikes. This is no longer a problem of the existence of a certain spy.

As far as he knows.

The North China Front Army suspected that there was an organized Chinese intelligence network within the Imperial Army that covered all divisions.

Once this speculation was put forward, it directly reached the ears of His Majesty the Emperor.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to mobilize so many troops.

Large-scale screening of generals during wartime is tantamount to digging one's own grave.

Kenji Doihara: "Is there any movement from the Henan East Corps?"

Sano Tadayoshi: "Luowang Station has been lost, and the Chinese army is approaching the outskirts of Lanfeng!"

Kenji Doihara: "Baka!"

The battle situation changed rapidly, and in this "race", he was clearly lagging behind Xue Yue.

At present, the 14th Division only controls the besieged Sanyizhai, Quxingji and other large villages. If it fails to capture Lanfeng, it may be in danger of being wiped out.

Thinking of this, Kenji Doihara drew the general's sword from his waist: "Sano-kun!"

"We can't go on like this!"

Sano Tadayoshi was stunned: "General, what do you want?"

Kenji Doihara: "I will go to the front lines to supervise the battle myself!"

--------

Single County.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, the casualties of the First Column have been counted!"

Wang Feng asked hurriedly: "How many soldiers were killed or wounded?"

Zhao Fangyuan looked down and said, "1780 soldiers were killed and 235 were seriously injured."

More than 2,000 people
Wang Feng tapped the tabletop with his knuckles. "Immediately admit the seriously injured soldiers. Is the field hospital large enough?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "The General Hospital and the First Column Branch Hospital can barely cope with it together."

Wang Feng stood up and said, "Order the First Column to leave two battalions behind and move the rest of the troops westward immediately, reach the north bank of the Yellow River, and cut off the Doihara Division's retreat!"

Zhao Fangyuan: “Yes!”

------

Kaifeng.

The headquarters of the Henan East Corps.

A military meeting is being held.

On both sides of the long table sat senior military officers from the war zone.

Cheng Qian ranks first.

"Everyone!"

"The chairman has arrived in Wuhan safely. As soon as he got off the plane, he issued a warrant to us!"

"See for yourselves."

After saying that, he threw a small piece of toilet paper on the table.

Xue Yue frowned: "The Chairman's handwritten order?"

Cheng Qian nodded, his tone rather helpless: "After the warrant was written, the chairman personally sent a special plane back to drop it here."

Xue Yue's eyes widened.

Airdrop order?

"Sir, look." The adjutant took it first, and after just a glance, a bitter look appeared on his face.

Xue Yue's heart skipped a beat, realizing that the contents of the warrant might not be that simple.

He glanced around.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he didn't dare to turn hostile directly, so he took it and glanced at it.

[During the Zhengzhou trip, I observed that the First War Zone had poor command and sloppy actions, which resulted in low morale and soldiers shrinking back. Only a few of the army, division, brigade, and regiment commanders were brave enough to take the lead in this battle. Most of them lacked courage and rarely cheered themselves up, which led to the prolongation of the battle.]

Xue Yue's veins bulged after reading just a few lines of text.

Currently, the only troops still fighting in the First War Zone, apart from the Federal Garrison Army, is its own East Henan Corps.

Xue Yue knew very well the situation on Wang Feng's side.

Be self-sufficient and obey orders instead of propaganda!

At this critical moment, Chiang Kai-shek would not take the initiative to touch this issue.

This warrant is a reprimand to me!

The adjutant asked quietly, "Sir, this wording is too harsh."

"You don't know the power of the three armies, but you share the responsibility of the three armies!" Xue Yue clenched his fists and tried his best to lower his voice: "At every important juncture, directly interfere with the command"

The adjutant sighed.

Cheng Qian saw the conversation between the two, but he didn't say anything.

He also thought it was unconventional.

As the commander-in-chief of the First War Zone and Xue Yue's immediate superior, he never directly interfered with military command.

How long has Chiang Kai-shek been in Zhengzhou?

Their understanding of the battles on the front lines is only superficial.
"Bo Ling, what do you think about this warrant?" Seeing that the situation was gradually calming down, Cheng Qian looked at Xue Yue.

No matter what, this is a direct order from the supreme commander, and we must carry it out resolutely no matter how unwilling we are to accept it.

He doesn't have Wang Feng's courage.

Xue Yue did not answer directly, but changed the subject: "Commander Cheng, how did the Military Commission discuss the outcome of the treatment of Gui Yongqing and Long Muhan?"

During this period of time, he focused on the war situation and did not ask too much about this matter.

Cheng Qian thought about it and answered evasively: "The commander of the 88th Division, Long Muhan, has been ordered to be executed by military law due to his poor performance in combat."

"The treatment of Gui Yongqing is still under discussion."

Hearing this answer, the adjutant was a little unhappy: "Commander Cheng, if the 27th Army had not deserted the battlefield, I'm afraid by now, the th Division would have already..."

He was stopped by Xue Yue when he was halfway through his words: "Regarding the treatment of the criminal general, the chairman and the military committee will decide, and we will obey."

When he spoke, he emphasized the word "guilty".

But when Cheng Qian said it, he already understood.

Gui Yongqing can’t die!

In addition to being a member of the first class of Whampoa Military Academy and a disciple of the emperor.

Gui Yongqing also married He Yingqin's niece.

Given this relationship, the most punishment for this person would be dismissal from his post and investigation. He would first be transferred to a vacant position, and then, after the storm subsided, he would find a random reason to take up an important position in the military again.

Xue Yue was very familiar with this process.

Cheng Qian asked tentatively: "Bo Ling?"

Xue Yue came back to his senses and stood up: "Commander Cheng, since the chairman has issued a clear order for a general attack, there is no time to lose. I will go back and mobilize the troops immediately!"

"Everyone, I, Xue, will take my leave first!"

After saying that, he turned around and walked out.

Cheng Qian hurriedly stopped him: "Bo Ling!"

"If you have anything to say, sit down and talk first. Don't get so angry."

"How many troops do you have in the Henan East Corps?"

Xue Yue paused and said, "I have basically used everything that can be used."

Cheng Qian: “Is that so?”

"Where are the reserves?"

Xue Yue answered truthfully without hesitation: "There are more than 2,000 people."

Cheng Qian was in a dilemma.

He also hoped that the Henan East Corps could annihilate the Doihara Division, but he had no soldiers at hand at the moment, which was like a skilled cook without rice.

Xue Yue stood there and did not return to his seat: "Why is Chief Cheng asking this? Can the Chairman send me reinforcements?"

A smell of gunpowder filled the air.

Xue Yue had long been dissatisfied with the battle arrangements, and had been holding back his anger, but had not yet vented it.

In fact, in terms of qualifications and background, he is not afraid of Cheng Qian.

He graduated from the Baoding Military Academy. Although he was not from the Whampoa Military Academy, he served as the battalion commander of the guard battalion for the late Prime Minister in his early years. Although he was not as powerful as He Yingqin, Chen Cheng and others, he was no pushover.

Seeing that the meeting was gradually going off topic, the theater chief of staff Dong Yingbin hurried out to smooth things over: "The current situation is critical. In addition to the Longhai and Pinghan lines, the Japanese invaders in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River are also ready to move, and they are likely to go up the river to Wuhan. Troops from all over the country have already gathered in Wuhan."

"I guess the chairman really doesn't have any spare troops to support Lan Feng."

“But there is still a way.”

"Perhaps we can contact Commander Wang."

Dong Yingbin was a veteran of the Northeast Army and had a close relationship with Yu Xuezhong. After the Young Marshal was placed under house arrest, the two kept in touch, as if they were keeping each other warm.

Because of this relationship, he has always had a good impression of Wang Feng.

Xue Yue: "As early as a few days ago, our troops had already contacted the garrison and had formulated a preliminary battle plan."

After Gui Yongqing fled without permission, he completely forgot about the so-called "independent operations".

If we continue fighting like this, we will probably miss this good opportunity!

Cheng Qian turned his head and looked at Xue Yue.

"Bo Ling, I'm afraid this doesn't conform to the rules."

Being contradicted again and again in front of so many officers, he felt a little annoyed.

Logically speaking, if they joined forces with the garrison, he, the theater commander, should be the first to know.

But the current situation is like this.

Xue Yue had already agreed with Wang Feng on how to fight, but he had not received any news yet.

How disgraceful it is to go beyond one's authority!

Xue Yue said indifferently: "It was the garrison who contacted us first."

“I don’t know the specific reason.”

Dong Yingbin hurriedly said, "Commander Cheng, the opportunity is fleeting and the situation is urgent. It is reasonable for Commander Wang and General Xue to discuss it first."

Because of his background, he had no good feelings towards Cheng Qian.

But he was quite caring towards Xue Yue, who also graduated from the Baoding Military Academy.

If you really count it, Xue Yue is still his junior.

At this point in the meeting, things had already taken a turn for the worse.

The apparent topic was a discussion on strategic planning and how to execute the order airdropped by Chiang Kai-shek.

In fact, it has turned into a blame-shifting meeting.

Cheng Qian gritted his teeth and said, "Okay!"

"Let's stop here for today, the meeting is adjourned!"

------

5 month 20 day.

Zhao Fangyuan was sitting in the passenger seat of the jeep, holding a telegram and turning back: "Sir, something terrible has happened!"

Wang Feng suddenly opened his eyes: "Lanfeng was captured by the Japanese army?"

Zhao Fangyuan shook his head. "Last night, the Henan East Corps mobilized its forces and launched a large-scale offensive against the village stronghold where the main force of Doihara Kenji's troops were stationed. The battle between the two sides was fierce, with both sides winning and losing."

"The Henan East Corps suffered more than 3,000 casualties and killed more than 2,000 enemies."

Wang Feng raised his eyebrows: "Then what's wrong? Explain yourself clearly!"

Zhao Fangyuan swallowed his saliva and said, "Huang Jie's 2th Army, which was originally located east of Lanfeng and blocked the 8nd Regiment of the Doihara Division, retreated to the southwest without authorization."

"We have given up the East Gate of Lanfeng. The Fifth Column has sent an urgent message, requesting support!"

Wang Feng's heart was shocked.

Come again?

"What on earth is going on with this 8th Army?"

"Why did you evacuate without permission?!"

"Weren't Gui Yongqing and Long Muhan already detained? We have already had this incident before. How could something like this happen again?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "The 8th Army is a direct descendant of the Central Army, formed by the Tax Police Corps and the 166th Division."

Wang Feng punched the car door frame.

"Another direct descendant of the Central Army!"

"Are these the soldiers led by Chiang Kai-shek?"

Zhao Fangyuan said bitterly, "Sir, General Xue Yue sent a telegram."

"Long Muhan has been executed, but Gui Yongqing."

"According to him, after the incident, He Yingqin pleaded for leniency and exaggerated Long Muhan's dereliction of duty, which resulted in a very light punishment for Gui Yongqing, which was only dismissal and investigation."

Wang Feng rubbed his temple.

It turned out to be the case.

Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie were both direct descendants of the Central Army. The former deserted the battlefield but was not criticized. The latter followed suit.
(End of this chapter)