Canteen System Assistance Notes

Seeing that everyone in the command center had reached a consensus, Sun Shutang nodded. He was about to say something to discuss the route and order of retreat, but he saw the signalman inside the door stand up with a red telegram paper. Yao Jingchen, Zhao Shengling's office director, walked in with a telegram paper in his hand.

Sun Shutang and Zhao Shengling looked at each other and seemed to understand something.

Chapter 337: Rainstorm Rescue (1) Crossing the Mountains

"Commander Sun, Commander Zhao, Commander Li, hello. I'm Ouyang Qun, the special commissioner for this retreat. If convenient, you can just call me Ouyang. This is our instructor, Tian Wen..."

A man with a gruff voice extended his hand, shaking hands with several present with neither servility nor arrogance. He briefly introduced himself and the people around him. "Since we are all comrades in the fight against Japan and national salvation, we will naturally do our utmost to assist you in evacuating. The military situation is urgent, so let's be brief. May I ask if you have been informed of the specific plan in the telegram?"

Their straightforward approach won the favor of the generals in episode four. These Eighth Route Army soldiers, dressed in khaki-patterned uniforms and large chest-straps, exuded a sophisticated battlefield aura. As soon as they appeared, they walked directly to the map and began to participate in the planning of the evacuation plan.

"I have asked the staff to look over the plan. There are basically no problems and it is very detailed. Commander Zhao, Commander Li, do you have any questions?" Commander Sun turned to his subordinates and asked.

The road pointed out by the Eighth Route Army has been marked on the map in the command room. It is like a long winding snake, extending from the area where the various units of the fourth episode are currently located, converging into a main route and several backup routes, and finally leading to the area controlled by the Eighth Route Army, the "Hejin Triangle" - this defense area was handed over to the Eighth Route Army by Zhao Shengling after the February Incident.

"I have a few questions." Zhao Shengling thought for a moment and finally spoke.

...However, this retreat cannot be carried out by the main road; we must cross the mountains to avoid the Japanese invaders. The mountain road is steep, and to avoid Japanese detection, we must advance at night. Our troops are large, and we can complete the evacuation within a few days... I am afraid...

I'm afraid the fourth episode isn't about the Eighth Route Army!

Zhao Shengling, who had been to Fushe, was ultimately too embarrassed to say this. As a reserve member of the Party, he knew very well the combat readiness level of the Eighth Route Army. Perhaps Commander Sun, an activist next door, also knew something about it: if he had the Eighth Route Army under his command, he would have no doubt that the evacuation plan could be carried out smoothly. Even though there were many Communists in the fourth episode, as well as the Workers' Committee and the Soldiers' Committee, it was not a real Communist army after all.

Furthermore, retreating before the enemy required meticulous planning, strict secrecy, and even courageous sacrifice. Zhao Shengling was not afraid of sacrifice and was even confident he could cut off Japanese infiltration and reconnaissance. However, if the Japanese aerial reconnaissance capabilities were taken into account... the enemy in front of him would undoubtedly seize the opportunity and launch a fierce attack, turning the retreat into a rout.

"I see, Commander Zhao. I fully understand your concerns. Now, commanders, I will explain them one by one."

Instructor Tian, ​​who was standing next to Ouyang Qun, stepped forward and patted the map on the table. "Commander Zhao, first of all, during the retreat, there will be no Japanese planes over the entire southern Shanxi. Please rest assured about this." "Why is that?"

"Our weather team has calculated that the Zhongtiaoshan area will become overcast starting tonight, with a greater than 60% chance of rain, including a 30% chance of heavy rain lasting at least two days. Under these conditions, Japanese aircraft will be unable to conduct low-fly reconnaissance."

Instructor Tian Wen pointed to the sky. "In addition, Yuncheng Airport and Linfen Forward Base are both under surveillance by our comrades and are currently paralyzed. Japanese aircraft can take off from Jinyang, Zhengding, Handan, and other places, but the distances are quite long. The probability of them conducting reconnaissance flights against the Hengling Pass line is extremely low."

"What's more, even if the Japanese take flight, we're confident we can shoot them down with our limited reconnaissance and light combat capabilities." As Tian Wen finished speaking, the squad leader, Ouyang Qun, added, "So, first of all, Commander Zhao, there's no need to worry about the Japanese planes."

The two Eighth Route Army captains' few words, their tone radiating such confidence and assurance, left the rest of the small command center speechless. Zhao Shengling understood that weather forecasts, ground reconnaissance and suppression of enemy airfields, and even air force cover—these were like fairy tales even for the Nationalist army's mainstays, let alone his own ragtag unit.

"Since the Japanese cannot conduct aerial reconnaissance during the day, as long as we do not send a telegram to announce our location, we can naturally assemble during the day and retreat in batches.

"That's enough time," said Li Shifu, commander of the 96th Army. "So that's how it is. This way, the risk of exposing our intentions is much smaller—wow, they even have the aviation team to cooperate. What a big deal!"

"Actually, there's no need to worry too much about the safety of the retreat." Tian Wen held up a second finger. "According to reconnaissance, the current enemy is the Japanese 41st and 58th Divisions (formerly the 9th Independent Mixed Division). They are stationed in defense zones and garrisons to counter our harassment, and neither is fully equipped. The 41st Division is stationed in Lengkou Township, crossing Hengling Pass to attack Yuanqu; the 58th Division is stationed in Jiangxian County, serving as a reserve for the attack."

“另有日军37师团、第65师团（前独混16)一部驻于运城周围，攻击张店地区之第3、17军。”

He placed his finger on Wenxi County on the map: "And here, where the 41st Division meets the enemy's 37th Division, there are only a few troops. According to intelligence, there is only one squadron guarding it. Even if the enemy's troops exceed one squadron, we will find a way to reduce them back to one squadron, or maybe even less.

"Although the fourth group cannot evacuate via the main road, they can simply follow the mountain road to Shimen Township and cross Wenxi County, where they will be met by the guerrillas. At that time, each unit will abandon their heavy equipment, travel light, and quickly reach a safe area."

"As for the road, we have professional guides here. Captain Ouyang, come here and give us an introduction."

"it is good!"

Ouyang Qun walked out the door and pulled back a short, sturdy man. He introduced him to the generals of Episode 4, "Everyone, this guy is Feng Hulin, also known as Feng Lao Bashi. He says he's not familiar with the mountain roads within a radius of several hundred miles, but he's even more familiar with them without anyone around. He's the one who led the way this time."

"Hey, hello, sir. Hello, sir."

Compared to the spirited Eighth Route Army, this old Feng seemed a bit reserved, not even wearing the full garb and chest pockets of the Eighth Route Army. He tried hard to straighten his back, but there was always a hint of fear of the superior. However, when it came to his old trade, road-finding, he patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, sirs. I may not be as good as the army in battle, but I am still capable of road-finding. I know all the places in southern Shanxi, the border areas of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan, the small salt trails, the old trade routes, the broken official roads, and the hunter roads. When I was a merchant, I was praised by my colleagues and given the nickname 'Da San Sheng'!"

"Starting from the main army side, through Dianshang, Ma'anqiao, and Shangpianqiao Village, it's about 50 miles of mountain road before you descend to the flat road." Master Feng pointed to a roadless mountainous area on the map and said, "This road was previously only used by smuggled salt dealers and opium sellers. Most serious merchants used Hengling Pass. Haha, don't worry about the bosses laughing at me. I used to be a smuggled salt dealer, but when the Japanese invaded, I formed a team... Now I'm contributing to the Eighth Route Army! Now! Now I'm considered an advanced member of the anti-Japanese and national salvation movement, no longer a reactionary and diehard force!"

"Thank you so much, Master Feng! Having a local guide here is an added layer of security." Sun Shutang shook hands with the guide without putting on too much airs. "The Eighth Route Army is truly a place of hidden talents, with all sorts of people." "In short, those who contribute to the fight against Japanese aggression are all part of the Anti-Japanese National United Front."

Tian Wen ended the topic promptly. He spread his hands and made a "please" gesture: "Comrades in the fourth episode, please don't worry about your equipment and valuables. The comrades have already prepared the food and are waiting for you."

—――---――

Thick clouds began to roll over the sky above Zhongtiao Mountain, and dark clouds of black and sour ash gathered. It seemed that just like the situation in Zhongtiao Mountain, they were rapidly falling towards an uncontrollable situation.

After the eastern defense collapsed, the entire line was shattered and could no longer hold back the enemy. Countless Nationalist soldiers fled on the roads, perished under Japanese gunfire, or scrambled for boats to cross south at the few ferry crossings, leading to gunfights.

But the fourth episode, located in the northwest of the battlefield, is a place where order still exists.

Under the leadership of the Communists and progressive elements within the ranks, orders were carried out and decisions implemented. The 96th Army, still in good shape, was firmly blocking the Japanese attack on the third line of defense. They had received all the heavy weapons transferred from the 38th Army and were pouring in ammunition without regard for logistics—since they couldn't take it away anyway, they might as well fire it all out and "give" it to the enemy.

The Japanese 41st Division on the other side also seemed to be hesitating, as if they had encountered something. Their offensive began to lose strength and their attacks began to hesitate. Facing the 96th Army's counterattack, although the firepower of the counterattack was still fierce, the fighting spirit of the commanders was clearly beginning to weaken, no longer as resolute and persistent as before.

What exactly happened?

The Fourth Army had no time to worry about the Japs. They began to assemble and prepare, and formed into a structure with the remaining regimental units. They gradually retreated along the planned route, preparing to cross the junction of the Japanese army, move forward across the Japanese line, and enter the safe area of ​​friendly forces.

However, at this moment, our leader Chiang Kai-shek, who was always concerned about the country and the people, bypassed Zhang Benyao, the supreme commander of Zhongtiao Mountain, and issued an order directly to the many national troops on the northwest front: "Resist the Japanese and save the nation. This order cannot be disobeyed! Every inch of land must be fought for, every inch of land must be shed with blood! All units must fight hard and hold their ground. Not an inch of land can be ceded to the Japanese invaders!"

Damn! This is the word in everyone’s mind.

Chapter 338: Rainstorm Rescue (2) Respective Abilities

Throughout history, it has always been the dream of many generals to sit in their tents and win battles thousands of miles away. Chiang Kai-shek was no exception.

Similarly, objectively speaking, a general's "micro-management" can, under certain conditions, become the finishing touch of a battle, helping his side to achieve victory. Of course, Chiang Kai-shek also believed this.

However, when these telegrams, which did not involve scientific plans, effective steps and practical feasibility, bypassed the Party-Kuo Military Command, were sent out from Chiang Kai-shek's personal servants' rooms, bypassed the war zone command and went directly to the various units in Zhongtiao Mountain, this kind of "micro-manipulation" was obviously unable to turn the tide and save the defeat.

Chiang Kai-shek's telegram consisted of two parts. The first, sent in his name as the "Supreme Leader," was a military order. This telegram demanded that all units hold their ground and resist the Japanese invaders. Its wording was firm and unassailable, and it emphasized that no units should retreat north. The north was naturally Communist territory, and if they went there, they would be surrendering to the Communists and severing ties with the Party and the country.

The second was sent in the form of a private telegram, ostensibly from his role as "school principal" and "elder." These telegrams were sent directly to the headquarters of the various generals. They began with the sincere address of "brother so-and-so" and "younger brother so-and-so," and the lines were filled with references to family ties. He urged the generals to "consider their feelings," "change their minds," obey his command, and persevere a little longer.

After all, according to such a scenario, there would be about 100,000 casualties among the national army in Zhongtiao Mountain, and several senior commanders would be lost. After that, Chiang Kai-shek would have his soldiers competing to fight against the Japanese, and his generals would die in the battlefield. In terms of the number of casualties, he would once again become a hero of the anti-Japanese war.

This may be Chiang Kai-shek's wishful thinking and his extremely proficient skills.

"My brother is as good as me..."

When the telegram came back, only Sun Shutang, Instructor Tian Wen, and the commander of the 46th Independent Brigade, Kong Congzhou, were present at the temporary retreat headquarters. As soon as Sun Shutang saw the address at the beginning of the telegram, he felt a sudden headache for no apparent reason.

As expected, unlike the harsh telegram just now that urged us to hold on, this telegram had a softer tone. The telegram first affirmed the great achievements of Sun Shutang's troops, then changed its tone and began to publicize the greatness of the doctrine and the critical situation of the war, requiring the Fourth Division to continue the defense and "hold the position for seven days to cover the smooth transfer of our friendly forces on the eastern front." At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek asked the Fourth Division "not to flee north", not to collude with the Communist bandits, and "not to follow in the footsteps of the traitor Yan."

In addition, at the end of the telegram, Chiang Kai-shek also implicitly stated that he would send people to escort General Sun's relatives and family members in Luoyi to Chongqing for "refuge."

"Ha... I, Sun Weiru, ask Heaven for my own truth: I have never done anything to wrong the people of my country. How could this Jiang from Shancheng, in order to protect the retreat of his own people, have gone to such extremes?"

General Sun sighed deeply. As a general of the Northwest Army, the existence of the "miscellaneous troops" and the "Seven and a Half Route" naturally did not warrant Chiang Kai-shek's attention. In the fourth episode, he had already received a transfer order, impending a move away from Zhongtiao Mountain, to be dismantled, weakened, and compromised. He was mentally prepared for the fate of his troops if they followed Chiang Kai-shek's instructions. However, Sun Shutang had never imagined that Chiang Kai-shek would dare to use a borrowed knife to kill at such a critical juncture, "making the best use of resources" and even resorting to the tactic of detaining relatives.

"Hateful!" He cursed, then turned around and said, "Coach Tian, ​​please rest assured that I will not play with the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers under my command. The retreat plan will not be changed.

"General Sun, don't panic!" As the liaison team's instructor, Tian Wen naturally knew he needed to make some statement. "Chiang's tactics are limited to just a few. His so-called imperial tactics, which have been played to pieces, will ultimately fail! We have comrades in Luoyi as well. I will report this to my superiors and will ensure the safe evacuation of the families of the advancing soldiers."

Sun Shutang nodded and simply clasped his fists in thanks. Since everyone had already made up their minds and were ready to flee to the Communist Party's location, they naturally had to pretend to obey Chiang Kai-shek's telegram. "Then this telegram..."

"Commander Sun, this is up to me."

The third person present, Kong Congzhou, commander of the 46th Brigade, stepped forward. He had been seriously injured during a night raid a few days earlier, his head covered in bandages and a headband, and one arm was slung across his chest in a triangular bandage. He turned to the telegraph operator, "Hey, did you translate this telegram yourself?"

"Yes, sir, I'm the only one who received it. I just finished translating it and brought it here..." "That's it!"

Kong Congzhou deftly unwound the bandage from his own head, then placed it on the telegraph operator's head, quickly wrapping it loosely around him several times, making him look like a wounded soldier with dirty bandages. Then, Brigadier General Kong pointed a gun at the operator and shot him.

Then he shouted loudly: "A stray bullet has injured someone! Doctor! Where is the military doctor!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present understood what they meant. The staff officers and guards who were still working removed a door panel and hurriedly laid the intact signalman on it. The military doctor who rushed in immediately announced that the signalman had been hit by a stray bullet and was unconscious and in urgent need of medical attention.

"what!"

The signalman also reacted, threw the telegram away, shouted, and then fell down as if he had been hit by a stray bullet and lost consciousness.

The Fourth Corps' headquarters began a coordinated operation: they dumped confidential documents into gasoline barrels and set them ablaze, evacuated the communications staff, and finally launched several grenades into the midst of the pile of old radios. With a bang, the communications rooms of the Fourth Corps, the 38th Corps, and the 96th Corps came under "Japanese artillery fire," suffering heavy casualties. It was "absolutely impossible" to send or receive telegrams again. Cut off from contact with the outside world, they were forced to make their own decisions and adapt to changing circumstances.

There are countermeasures to every policy from the top, and the national army has become proficient in dealing with the micro-manipulations from their superiors.

After resolving the micromanagement telegram and organizing the team's equipment, the fourth unit abandoned the heavy equipment and ammunition that could not be taken away and began to evacuate over the mountains. It was at this time that the thick black clouds over Zhongtiao Mountain could no longer hold the raindrops in the clouds, and a crackling rain began to fall.

They followed the road pointed out by the former private salt dealer Feng Hulin, and with the 125 motorcycle of the Eighth Route Infiltration Team as their guide, they advanced slowly in the rain.

Communist Party members and activists at all levels began to rely on the existing

The Working Committee and the Soldiers' Committee replaced the original Kuomintang command system and coordinated various matters during the evacuation process.

Just ahead of them, in the vast southern Shanxi Basin, the Eighth Route Army's combat preparations were unfolding on an even larger scale.

Under Liu Mingzhao's authorization, Wang Xingting of the 129th Division took over the command of the Eighth Route Army. He did not choose to confront the Japanese defense force head-on, nor did he even plan to send a large force to attack the rear of the Japanese army in Zhongtiao Mountain to fight against the Japanese army and hit the enemy's wrist.

After careful planning, Wang Xingting dispatched two divisions from the Hejin Triangle and the Taihang Base Area to attack Yicheng and Xinxiang counties, which were usually defended by the 41st Army. Just as the Japanese defenders in the two cities were caught off guard and struggling to hold out, the main force of the Eighth Route Army, as if teleporting, passed through Yicheng and Xinxiang and appeared outside Tieling Pass, the northern gate of Yuncheng. (Tieling Pass is located in the present-day Liyuan and Houma areas.)

The Eighth Route Army even captured a baggage train belonging to the Japanese army. Under the fierce fire attack, the garrison was destroyed and the unlucky logistics soldiers quickly died, leaving only the burning wreckage of vehicles on the ground.

This place is not in the battle zone of Zhongtiao Mountain at all, and is completely beyond the scope of the battle originally envisioned by the Japanese army. However, due to the special terrain characteristics of southern Shanxi

This is the only way for the Pingyang-Yuncheng Highway to pass through, and it is the only way for the Japanese army to pass through the western line.

The logistical lifeline of the group's five divisions!

If this place were captured by the Eighth Route Army, would airdrops be necessary to meet the logistical needs of five divisions?... First Army Commander Yoshio Shinoba was in a state of panic. He had no choice but to order the 65th and 58th Divisions (formerly the 16th and 9th Independent Mixed Divisions) to abandon their missions and immediately rush to Tieling Pass, open up the logistics route, and quickly relieve the siege of Yicheng and Xinxiang!

And in this forced mobilization and pulling, the Japanese troops blocking the Fourth Army moved northward, leaving a vacuum area 20 kilometers wide.

Look, there are definitely no more than a squadron of Japanese troops here. Forcing the enemy to follow our baton is our specialty. Ouyang Qun smiled slightly after receiving the short message from the central government. He waved to the rear and shouted:

"Run! Comrades, run!"

Extra: Zhongzheng Flashlight

Urgent.

Luoyang.

Commander Zhang forwards this letter to Commander-in-Chief Sun of the Fourth Army, Commander Zhao Shoushan, Commander Li Zhongxing, Commander Wu Shimin, and to Brigadier General Kong Congzhou, Brigadier General Wang Zhenhua, and the battalion commanders of all regiments:

This battle at Zhongtiao Mountain is the most crucial factor in determining the success or failure of our war of resistance. It is the duty of all our officers and men to defeat the enemy and serve our country, to fulfill our revolutionary duty and to comfort the souls of our fathers and the martyrs who fell in battle. All our loyal and brave soldiers must firmly uphold the conviction of victory and defend our positions for seven days to protect the smooth transition of our allies on the eastern front. I urge you to demonstrate your resolve to live and die together, to unite as one, to live and die together, to obey orders, and to strictly observe discipline. I reiterate the law of collective responsibility: anyone who fears death, retreats, or harms the honor of our entire army will be executed without mercy. I urge our officers at all levels to lead by example, to strictly supervise and teach, and to fulfill this important mission. The honor and disgrace of our army, the success or failure of our cause, the survival of our country, and the prosperity and decline of our nation all depend on this battle. I urge the Communist Party to strive for victory and not allow the bandit Communists to bask in the glory of their achievements.

Once our friendly forces have successfully transitioned, I hope you, my brother Weiru, will immediately move your headquarters to the south bank of the Yellow River. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Li Jiayu has already established river defenses on the south bank to provide cover for your crossing. Remember not to follow the northward-moving Communist bandits Liu, Zhang, and Chen's forces into the Taiyue Mountains. Southwest Shanxi is now a dead end. The traitor Yan Xishan, who disobeyed the central government's orders, was defeated by the Japanese-Japanese pincer attack several months ago. I hope you will not follow in his footsteps.

In addition, Commander Zhang will escort your family members in Luoyang to the mountain city and make appropriate arrangements. Please rest assured.

Chiang Kai-shek's handwritten order.

Chen XX day. Seal.

Chapter 339: Rainstorm Rescue (3) The Running Man

In the original history, the various Nationalist troops involved in the Zhongtiaoshan Campaign also used various methods to traverse the Japanese lines, retreating towards the Jinsui region, the southern bank of the Yellow River, and the Taihang and Taiyue bases. Aside from the fleeing troops, the remaining evacuating troops, despite their order, broke up into regimental and battalion-sized units and separated themselves, exploiting the Japanese's weakness in manpower. The Japanese couldn't similarly break up their units and individually capture the fleeing Nationalist troops in small formations—the "hundreds of thousands of pigs" scenario played out in this instance. Furthermore, the Japanese front was fragmented, with numerous gaps, allowing many Nationalist troops to escape.

Now, under the Eighth Route Army's transfer order, the Japanese army was forced to transfer the troops originally stationed behind the front line to the Tieling Pass line to lift the Eighth Route Army's blockade of its key logistical route. This behavior of following the baton not only created an undefended corridor in front of the evacuating 38th Army, but also put the entire Japanese offensive on the western front into an awkward situation where they dared not let go, allowing the 96th Army, which was in the rearguard, to leave its position at night and begin to evacuate.

"Run, run! Jog at a trot, don't stop!"

As the infiltration team signaled safety, the 17th Division of the 38th Army, the vanguard of the Fourth Army's retreat, began to accelerate. Because the various units still maintained their organizational structure, orders could be transmitted smoothly. The battered 17th Division's regiments risked forming four columns and rushed forward under the cover of darkness.

The moon in the sky was obscured by dark clouds, and only a few flashlights and lanterns provided minimal illumination. Even though the 17th Division had followed the Eighth Route Army's advice and consumed a lot of pine needle water in the months beforehand, they still couldn't immediately improve their night marching capabilities to the same level as the Eighth Route Army.

Fortunately, the infiltration team had brought a large number of glow sticks on their motorcycles. Zhao Shengling also attached fluorescent rings to the remaining members of his guard battalion and assigned them to the various regimental units as guidance. This prevented large-scale lagging behind. The soldiers of the 17th Army marched quickly, following the colorful glow sticks.

Those who could run led the troops, while those who couldn't run or couldn't see clearly followed behind, dragged along by sticks or backpack straps. The wounded occupied the few horses and stretcher teams. Ironically, due to the poor logistics of the Nationalist army in the Zhongtiao Mountains, the medical supplies for the fourth episode were cut off three days after the battle began. With no further supplies, the critical injury rate in the fourth episode was extremely low—those with serious injuries that could worsen simply couldn't survive long in the critical stage.

The entire fourth episode was a frantic dash through this southern Shanxi basin. From dusk to dawn, under cover of darkness, mist, and rain, they swiftly passed through this dangerous 20-kilometer-wide and 30-kilometer-long section. As Instructor Tian Wen had predicted, within Wenxi County, the center of the "corridor," the Japanese forces had already moved north, and the remaining forces couldn't even supply a full squadron. The incompetent and furious Japanese, accompanied by the puppet troops who dared not move out, barked and roared, firing from a distance, not daring to leave the city to intercept. With the exception of a few extremely unlucky individuals, the entire team survived this section without any casualties, passing through it unscathed.

In the fourth episode, the 38th Army took only half a night to run across a 15-kilometer plain section, and after resting for half a day at Zhengjialing on the east side of Wenxi, it crossed the Wenxi County from southeast to northwest in the afternoon and entered Jiwang Mountain, the area where the Japanese and our armies intersected, and received support from the guerrillas.

A day later, the rearguard 96th Army, following closely behind the 38th Army, successfully completed a major evacuation, taking advantage of the last opportunity before the Japanese closed the gap. Together with Wu Mianzhi's 98th Army, which evacuated over 8,000 men on the other front northward toward the Taiyue region, this portion of the Nationalist Army evacuated approximately 23,000 men, all of whom entered Eighth Route Army-controlled areas.

—-—-—-——

At this time, the defense of Zhongtiao Mountain had collapsed, and a large number of Japanese troops poured into the hinterland of Zhongtiao Mountain from the gap in the eastern battlefield and were advancing deeper.

But the rolling dark clouds in the sky had already turned into precipitation. The crackling raindrops hit the loess of the Zhongtiao Mountains, turning it into a muddy slurry and a thin mist drifting through the valley. This poor road condition severely hampered the Japanese army's advance and became the most effective "line of defense" against them: the lengthening of logistics lines and the deteriorating transportation environment meant that the frontline Japanese troops were short of food and ammunition, and their offensive power was weakened, giving the Chinese army more time.

During this precious time, the Nationalist army naturally wouldn't regroup or regroup. The defeat was crushing. Without Wei Junru and the "pillars" of the Fourth Episode in their prime, Zhongtiaoshan could hardly change anything in such a disastrous situation. The 9th and 93rd Armies, the main culprits of the collapse on the Eastern Front, fled westward with a large number of defeated troops. Combined with the remnants of the 15th and 14th Armies on the Northeast Front fleeing north to south, they formed a human torrent. Fortunately, the Japanese army lacked General Liu's habit of "divide and encircle, annihilate the active forces in an organized manner," and did not execute the deduced uppercut to completely encircle and annihilate a particular Nationalist unit. However, the fleeing troops overwhelmed any Nationalist units attempting to reconstruct their defenses, and swept them into the turmoil of the river. In the chaos, they scrambled to cross the Yellow River at a series of ferry crossings, such as Gucheng Ferry and Guanyang Ferry, and fled to the other side.

The few large boats at the ferry became the personal possessions of the officers, and even the small wooden boats, capable of carrying only a few, became hot commodities. Thousands of Nationalist troops crowded the ferry crossing, scrambling to evacuate to the other side. Men were constantly being pushed into the surging Yellow River, desperately swimming to the other side, or simply drowning in the waves.

Li Qixiang's 47th Army on the other side of the river at least didn't organize a supervisory squad like Tang's army did in history, shooting down Nationalist troops who swam across. They still maintained a certain bottom line, not only sending troops to protect the ferry, but also organizing machine gun teams to deal with any Japanese aircraft that might appear. Even so, the Nationalist army's disorganized crossing efficiency was still worrying. Before the Japanese army began to shift their attacks to the major ferry crossings, the 9th and 93rd Armies and the 15th and 14th Armies only managed to cross the river with a little over 8,000 men and 5,000 men, respectively. In total, more than 13,000 men escaped the Japanese encirclement and were taken in by the Nationalist troops on the other side.

On the western flank of the battlefield, the hard-fought 3rd and 17th Armies fared somewhat better. Because the enemy's 36th and 37th Divisions, diverted by the Eighth Route Army's offensive, were weakened, these two units faced less pressure during their evacuation, remaining largely organized and able to cross south by boat from the Maojin Ferry. With the 3rd Army commander, Tang Fuchuan, personally leading the rearguard, and unfortunately suffering injuries, they managed to rescue approximately 12,000 troops.

Of course, Guo Jiqiao, who was known as the "Ocean Division Commander", and Pei Tongye, commander of the 9th Army, ran fast enough. They led their personal soldiers and fled early with a lot of valuables. They crossed the Yellow River safely and escaped.

In the final stages of the battle, the Japanese army surrounded Gucheng and the Guanyang ferry crossing. Rather than storming the city to engage in hand-to-hand combat, they instead targeted the Nationalist troops who had not yet crossed the river or were already crossing it with machine guns and artillery fire. While some surrendered, numerous Nationalist soldiers were killed or wounded by Japanese fire, resulting in devastating losses. While these casualties were significantly lower than historical figures, they still marked the complete loss of the last organized Nationalist-controlled territory in North China.

The Japanese army successfully defeated the 14-strong Nationalist army with 20 troops. Its own casualties did not even reach 1, but it caused the deaths of more than 5 Nationalist soldiers and captured nearly 5 more Nationalist soldiers. However, there were also more than 5 people who were able to escape the encirclement with support - and there were more than 5 people, well, who were probably "written off".

Thus, the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain came to a close. The Nationalist army's rout, the Japanese advance, and the Eighth Route Army's proactive support and rescue efforts all decided the outcome in just over ten days. Blood soaked the land, dyed the river red, and ultimately became a painful yet indelible memory.