Republic of China: German-equipped divisions massacred as warlords guarded the nation's borders

December 3, 1925, morning.

The war room at the Chen Mansion in Shanghai.

Current funds: £4,907,058,231

Current Strength:

•Army: German-equipped Guards Division (30,000 men), Newly formed German-equipped Division of the National Revolutionary Army (150,000 men), Centrally reorganized Army Division (100,000 men), Engineer Brigade (50,000 men), Independent Armored Division (expanded from Independent Armored Brigade), Independent Heavy Artillery Brigade (expanded from Independent Heavy Artillery Regiment), Wusongkou Fortress and its garrison brigade, Maritime Anti-Smuggling Brigade of the Tax Police Corps (reorganized from the Shanghai Independent Fleet)

• Industry: Ma'anshan Coal and Steel Complex (annual production of 500,000 tons of special steel), Jiangnan Shipyard (10,000-ton dry dock already in operation).

• Navy: One Type A destroyer has entered service, two are under construction, and six new batches have started construction.

• Newly added territory: Central and Northern Jiangsu Province (under acquisition)

[Mission Progress]: Anti-Wu Alliance - In Progress

Chen Zijun stood in front of the huge battle map, his hands behind his back.

On the map, the three provinces of Henan, Hubei, and Shandong are densely marked with red and blue arrows.

Red represents the Fengtian clique.

Blue represents Wu Peifu.

"Young Marshal." Mo Lanzhi pushed open the door and entered, holding a telegram in her hand, "Latest battle report from the Fengtian front."

Chen Zijun didn't turn around: "Read it."

"The main force of the Fengtian clique launched a full-scale offensive north of Luoyang. Wu Peifu's 100,000-strong New Beiyang Zhili Army put up a stubborn resistance, and the two sides fought fiercely for three days and three nights on the south bank of the Yellow River." Mo Lanzhi's voice was as calm as ice. "As of yesterday, Wu Peifu's front-line positions had been breached in two places, with casualties exceeding 10,000. However, Wu Peifu personally oversaw the defense of Luoyang, refusing to retreat. The Fengtian clique also lost more than three elite brigades."

Chen Zijun nodded: "We can't possibly give up Wu Peifu's stronghold in Luoyang. He's known as the number one soldier in China, so he's definitely a tough guy. But even a tough guy can't withstand cannons."

"The young marshal is right." Mo Lanzhi turned to the second page of the telegram, "The Fengtian clique's heavy artillery group is in place, with 120 heavy guns of various calibers. Last night, they began to cover Wu Peifu's deep positions with fire."

"One hundred and twenty gates?" Chen Zijun raised an eyebrow. "Zhang Jialiang probably doesn't have that kind of courage or authority. It must be the idea of ​​Zhang Xinmin, the old commander of the Fengtian clique. It seems that the Fengtian clique has gone all out this time."

"Yes," Mo Lanzhi said. "According to our informants within the Fengtian clique, Zhang Xinmin, under the guise of Zhang Jialiang, has transferred three heavy artillery regiments from the Northeast, bringing the total to 120 artillery pieces, in addition to the existing ones. Given Wu Peifu's level of fortifications and the fighting strength of the new Beiyang Fengtian army, it is expected to be a tough battle. It all depends on how many Fengtian troops Wu Peifu wants to wear down."

Chen Zijun turned around and looked at Mo Lanzhi: "Where's Yang Yuting?"

"Yang Yuting secretly arrived in Shanghai last night," Mo Lanzhi said. "He's waiting downstairs now."

"Let him come up."

……

Yang Yuting walked into the operations room, his face beaming with undisguised smugness.

"Young Marshal!" Yang Yuting cupped his hands in greeting. "Good news!"

"Sit down," Chen Zijun said, pointing to the sofa.

Yang Yuting sat down and lowered his voice: "Young Marshal, Wu Peifu can't hold on any longer. My commander's heavy artillery has already breached his second line of defense and annihilated most of Wu Peifu's Third Division last night. Wu Peifu's 100,000-strong army is now reduced to less than 60,000."

"Hmm." Chen Zijun picked up his teacup. "And then?"

Yang Yuting swallowed hard: "Young Marshal, my commander said that according to the previous agreement, Xuzhou can be handed over to you now."

Chen Zijun put down his teacup, his eyes lighting up.

Pay in advance?

He originally thought he would have to wait until Wu Peifu was completely defeated before he could take Xuzhou.

Yang Yuting noticed his confusion and quickly explained, "Young Marshal, to be honest, although Wu Peifu suffered heavy casualties, that old dog is indeed a skilled strategist. He set up three lines of defense in Luoyang, and our infantry suffered considerable losses in the attack. So..."

"So?" Chen Zijun narrowed his eyes.

"My commander-in-chief would like to ask the young commander-in-chief for a favor." Yang Yuting rubbed his hands together. "Your independent armored division..."

Chen Zijun smiled.

He knew it.

Nothing is free in this world.

The Fengtian clique surrendered Xuzhou ahead of schedule not because they were generous, but because they were too exhausted to fight anymore.

Wu Peifu's defenses in Luoyang were much stronger than expected. Although the Fengtian clique had more artillery, their infantry was far inferior in quality to Wu Peifu's New Beiyang Army.

Therefore, they need Chen Jiajun's armored forces to break the deadlock.

"Mr. Yang," Chen Zijun leaned back in his chair, "do you know the price range for my armored units?"

Yang Yuting's face stiffened.

"One Xuzhou," Chen Zijun said, holding up one finger. "Not enough."

"Young Marshal..."

"I also want Huaibei, Suzhou, and Bengbu," Chen Zijun said coldly. "Not after you've finished fighting, but now, immediately. All the Fengtian clique's troops stationed in these areas of Anhui Province must withdraw within three days."

Yang Yuting's forehead was beaded with cold sweat: "Young Marshal, this..."

"Mr. Yang," Chen Zijun interrupted him, "Go back and tell Commander Zhang that I can send Zang Keping's Independent Armored Division, First Brigade, with one hundred tanks, to crush Wu Peifu's Luoyang defenses within three days. But the condition is that all these places must be given to me. After all, Xuzhou is currently a strategic location, and a strategic buffer zone around it is still necessary. Otherwise, if your Fengtian army besieges Xuzhou one day, wouldn't I be surrounded and besieged on all sides?"

Yang Yuting opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

One hundred tanks.

This number was nothing short of a myth for the northern warlords who were still fighting with cavalry and rifles.

"Young Marshal, I...I'll go back and ask the Commander-in-Chief right away." Yang Yuting stood up, his legs trembling.

"No need to go back," Chen Zijun said firmly. "Just send a telegram to Marshal Zhang Xinmin right here. I'm afraid your young marshal will hesitate again and waste everyone's time!"

Yang Yuting was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

He had no choice but to turn around and go to the telegraph room, where he contacted Fengtian using a lower-level Fengtian code.

……

Twenty minutes later.

Yang Yuting put down the reply telegram, his expression complex.

"Young Marshal," he took a deep breath, "my commander has agreed."

"Alright." Chen Zijun stood up. "Mo Lanzhi, inform Shen Li that the newly formed German-equipped Third and Fourth Divisions of the National Defense Army should advance rapidly from south to north and immediately move towards Xuzhou. Within three days, they should take over the defense of Jiangsu Province."

"The Shanghai Garrison Brigade landed directly in Lianyungang by warship, used military trucks to advance straight into Xuzhou, and then took over the defense of Xuzhou on the spot. It was then expanded and reorganized into the newly formed German-equipped 1st Division of the National Defense Army."

"Yes!" Moranzhi turned and left.

"Mr. Yang," Chen Zijun said, looking at Yang Yuting, "tell Commander Zhang that Zang Keping's armored brigade will depart tonight."

Yang Yuting nodded, but his lips twitched slightly.

He knew very well that the Fengtian clique had suffered a huge loss in this deal.

Is it possible to trade the entire Jiangsu province for a hundred tanks in a single battle?

But there is no way.

Wu Peifu's defenses are too strong. Without tanks, the Fengtian clique can't break through.

Chen Zijun is the only person in the entire Far East who possesses a complete armored force.

If he doesn't turn to Chen Zijun, who else can he turn to?

……

three days later.

Xuzhou.

Shen Li stood on the city wall of Xuzhou, watching the Chen family army marching in from below.

The Shanghai Garrison Brigade, Chen Zijun's old unit, was an reinforced brigade comparable to most Republic of China army divisions. It took them only one day to reach Xuzhou by land. The newly formed German-equipped Third and Fourth Divisions of the National Defense Army, totaling more than 40,000 men, also arrived in just three days via the Jinpu Railway.

The 10,000 Fengtian troops stationed in Xuzhou are withdrawing in an orderly manner.

"Chief of Staff Shen!" A regimental commander ran over and saluted. "The entire garrison brigade has entered the city, and the Second Division is taking over the outer defense line."

Shen Li nodded: "Tell everyone that we will not take a single thing. Not a single blade of grass belonging to the people is to be touched. The young marshal said this is our territory, not an occupied zone."

"yes!"

Shen Li turned around and looked at Xuzhou City.

This strategically important location has been a vital transportation hub connecting the north and south since ancient times.

Controlling Xuzhou means controlling the Jinpu Railway.

Controlling the Jinpu Railway was tantamount to erecting an iron curtain between Jiangsu and Zhejiang and the north.

From today onwards, no one will be able to directly threaten East China from the north.

"Young Marshal." Shen Li picked up the radio. "Xuzhou reception complete."

……

at the same time.

Henan, Luoyang frontline.

Zang Keping stood on the turret of a Panzer III tank, looking at Wu Peifu's position in the distance.

Three lines of defense, crisscrossed by trenches, densely covered with barbed wire, and dotted with machine gun bunkers.

Wu Peifu was indeed a skilled strategist.

However, he had never seen a tank.

"Attention, all personnel!" Zang Keping pulled down his goggles. "1st Armored Brigade, full speed ahead!"

One hundred tanks started their engines at the same time.

The roar was like thunder.

A torrent of steel poured forth, its tracks crushing the earth as it charged toward Wu Peifu's third line of defense.

Wu Peifu's soldiers poked their heads out of the trenches and saw those steel behemoths; they turned pale with fright.

"What...what is that?!"

"Run!"

"You can't escape!"

Tanks rolled over barbed wire, over trenches, and over bunkers.

A 50mm cannon can fire directly at machine gun bunkers from a distance of fifty meters, taking them down with a single shot.

The MG34 vehicle-mounted machine gun swept across the trenches, shell casings raining down.

Wu Peifu's third line of defense was completely crushed within fifteen minutes.

The second line of defense, twenty minutes.

The defenders of the first line of defense had already thrown down their guns and fled before the tanks even arrived.

Zang Keping stood on the tank turret, watching the enemy troops scatter and flee, and smiled coldly.

"The young marshal is right. In the face of absolute strength, all defenses are made of paper."

……

Inside Luoyang City.

Wu Peifu stood on the city wall, looking at the devastation outside the city, his face ashen.

He spent three months building the three lines of defense, employing 20,000 people.

In less than an hour, the ground was flattened by those steel monsters.

"General!" the adjutant rushed over. "The front lines have collapsed! All three lines of defense have fallen! Zang Keping's tanks are advancing towards Luoyang!"

Wu Peifu clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Withdraw." He gritted his teeth and uttered the word, "Retreat to Hubei."

"Commander-in-Chief?" The adjutant couldn't believe it.

"Retreat!" Wu Peifu roared. "As long as we're alive, we can always fight again! Those metal monsters can't be penetrated by rifles!"

"But Hubei..."

"Henan has always been part of the Central Plains. The Fengtian clique and Chen's army can never coexist peacefully. Let them have it, let them fight it out. We will retreat to Hubei, manage Anhui, infiltrate Jiangxi and Hunan, form an alliance with Sichuan, and befriend Shaanxi. As long as we consolidate our control over Central China, the Fengtian clique may not be able to hold onto this power. The outcome is still uncertain."

The adjutant could only turn around and run off to relay the order, trembling.

Wu Peifu took one last look at Luoyang, his eyes filled with resentment.

He lost.

It wasn't that they lost to Zhang Jialiang, but to Chen Zijun's steel monster.

"Chen Zijun..." Wu Peifu said softly, "I'll remember you."

……

Shanghai, Chen Mansion.

Chen Zijun sat in his study with two telegrams spread out in front of him.

A report from Shen Li reads: "Young Marshal, Xuzhou has been taken over, and the defense of the entire Jiangsu province has been fully taken over. Defenses have also been deployed in places like Suqian in Huaibei. Qi Yingcai's remaining troops have been annihilated by our army from both the north and south. Qi Yingcai himself fled in panic and his current whereabouts are unknown."

A report from Zang Keping: "Young Marshal, Luoyang has fallen, and Wu Peifu has led his remaining troops to retreat to Hubei. The Fengtian army has entered the city. Casualties of the 1st Brigade of the Independent Armored Division: zero. The initial combat test of the Panzer III tank was a success, but ten tanks were lost due to technical malfunctions and have all been recovered."

Zero casualties.

Chen Zijun put down the telegram, a smile playing on his lips.

Absolute overwhelming strength, that's how simple and unpretentious it is.

"Young Marshal," Moranzhi said as she walked in, "there's also a telegram."

"Um?"

"This telegram was sent by Shen Li from Xuzhou." Mo Lanzhi handed over the telegram, her expression grave. "When they took over the defense of Xuzhou, they intercepted a coded telegram from the former Fengtian clique's communications station."

Chen Zijun took the telegram and glanced at it.

His face darkened.

Telegram content:

"Commander Chang writes: Although I have been defeated, I am still ready to fight. I have heard that Commander-in-Chief Chang is planning the Northern Expedition. I am willing to lead the troops of Hubei to support the Commander-in-Chief and join forces to punish the traitor."

Chen Zijun slammed the telegram on the table.

"Wu Peifu has contacted Chiang Kai-shek," he said coldly.

Mo Lanzhi nodded: "It seems that Wu Peifu, though defeated, is not resigned to his fate. He wants to use Chiang Kai-shek to completely muddy the waters of our China."

Chen Zijun stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the Huangpu River shimmered with golden light under the setting sun.

Zhang Xinmin, Wu Peifu, and Chang Kaishen.

One in the north, one in the middle, and one in the south.

If these two really team up, it will be a big problem.

Because their first opponent was definitely not the Fengtian clique that dominated the entire northern land, but themselves, who were right next to their own bed!

"Pass on the order." Chen Zijun turned around, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "The entire army is on Level Two combat readiness. Tell Shen Li that the Xuzhou defense line must be completed within a month. Tell Zang Keping that the Independent Armored Division must immediately withdraw to Jiangsu and be stationed in Jiangning!"

"yes!"

"And one more thing," Chen Zijun's voice lowered, "have Sister Huixin prepare five million pounds. I want to build another steel fortress in Xuzhou."

Moranzhi turned and left.

Chen Zijun stood by the window, looking into the distance.

Wu Peifu, Chiang Kai-shek.

You want to join forces?

come on.

I'd like to see if you all working together are enough to crush my armored division.