Rise from eight hundred.

Chapter 1472 Nanyue Spring Day

Late spring of 1944, Mount Hengshan, Nanyue.

Mid to late April is the time when rhododendrons are in full bloom. Alpine rhododendrons in red, white and purple are in full bloom all over the mountains, dotted with green mountains and white clouds, and soaked with green pines and valleys. It is like a painting in ink and color, with a unique comfort of late spring and early summer.

Mount Hengshan, the Southern Peak, is not high in altitude but is quite large. It is headed by Huiyan Peak in Hengyang and ended by Yuelu Mountain in Tanzhou. It stretches for more than 800 miles and has 72 peaks of varying sizes. Between the mountains and ridges, there are winding rivers such as the Xiang, Fen and Lu rivers, which make the Hengshan Mountains shrouded in clouds and mist all year round.

In the winter of 1938, after the Battle of Jiangxia, the temporary headquarters of the Military Commission moved south from Jiangxia to Hengshan. It became one of the most important command centers during the entire Chinese War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, accompanying China through seven difficult years.

At noon, a few pedestrians walked on the Hengshan Xiling Ancient Road.

The man in the middle is a man in his early 40s, tall, wearing a neat general's uniform, with a calm and composed expression; the man on his left is a little older, wearing an uncommon Western hunting suit, with a rather elegant temperament; the man on his right is a young man, thin, with a handsome and unruly face, also wearing a military uniform, with a golden star on his collar.

It was obvious at first glance that these three people were not ordinary people, no matter their talents or temperaments. Not to mention that 30 meters behind them, there was a team of guards fully equipped with the latest M3 submachine guns developed by the United States.

The M3 submachine gun was not put into service in the U.S. Army until the end of 1943. Only senior generals in the army could be equipped with it, but all the guards in this team were equipped with it.

The group climbed up the mountain from the northern foot of the West Ridge of Hengshan Mountain, climbing up the steps along the ancient path. On both sides, the ancient trees were towering, blocking out the sun. Entering the mountain, there was no heat and it was even a bit chilly.

Moreover, all the people in this group were extremely strong. Although the road was slabs of bluestone and the stairs carved out of the stone wall, they were able to walk very fast. In less than two hours, they reached the foot of Zhibo Peak, one of the 72 peaks of Nanyue.

Zhibo Peak is one of the important birthplaces of Southern Zen. The Ji Sect, Caodong Sect, Weiyang Sect, Yunmen Sect, and Fayan Sect in Zen Buddhism, all originated from the Zhibo Peak in Nanyue, which is known as the place where the "ancestor" of Zen Buddhism came from.

At the foot of the Zhibo Peak, there is a quiet, thousand-year-old temple named Fuyan Temple. Several monks in black robes have been waiting at the gate. Apparently, they had received the news that a distinguished person was coming up the mountain.

Seeing that the group was about to reach the mountain gate, an old monk in the lead walked down the stone steps briskly and put his hands together to say to the person in the middle: "Amitabha! Commander Fang, Mayor Zhao, Chief of Staff Sun, thank you for coming and welcoming us!"

It turned out that the burly middle-aged man in military uniform in the middle of the three people was Lieutenant General Fang Xianjue, commander of the 10th Army stationed in the Hengshan area. The man on his left in western hunting suit was Zhao Junmai, then mayor of HY City and commander of the Hengyang Garrison. The young general on his right was Sun Minyu, Major General and Chief of Staff of the 10th Army, who was only 32 years old at the time.

Fang Xianjue bowed and said, "Thank you Master Zhiyuan for bothering me! However, I don't deserve the title of army commander. Now I am no longer an army commander, but will go to the Military and Political Department of Shancheng to serve as a councilor.

As the saying goes, "The only thing you can do is to be a councillor, but not to discuss things!" This position is exactly what I want! "

He was in the prime of his life, but he was dismissed from the position of a powerful army commander and demoted to an idle position. Anyone would have been gloomy, but this lieutenant general, who was only 40 years old, had a relaxed brow and even made fun of himself in public, which shows how broad-minded he is.

Perhaps, only the two people who were with him knew the pain that this army lieutenant general could not hide in his heart.

The pain in his heart may not be the loss of his powerful position as a military commander, but the grief in his heart that he has not yet recovered from, which makes this iron-blooded soldier want to escape.

Taking advantage of the power struggle within the Ninth War Zone to escape from the vortex may not have been his original intention, but it was in line with his heart.

Because of General Xue's command error, his most trusted and beloved general was killed on the spot. The indescribable pain made it difficult for him to face the person who excluded him.

However, although the situation of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was no longer the predicament of retreating in the early stages, the Japanese army, which was retreating step by step in the Pacific battlefield, still did not give up the big piece of fat meat of China and was still trying to conquer China, planning to use China as a rear base for a decisive battle with the Allied forces led by the United States. The battlefield was still tragic.

  As the most important commander of the 10th Army, could he really sit idly in the mountain city, disregarding the lives of more than 2 brothers?

Obviously, based on what they knew about this person, it would be impossible to do so.

He came to Fuyan Temple to worship Buddha today. It seemed that he wanted to pray for all the soldiers of the 10th Army before leaving, and to seek a peace of mind for his unknown future, but in fact, he wanted to ask his own heart more in this quiet place!

The guards stayed in front of the temple gate. The three of them, accompanied by the old monk, walked around the corridors, passing the main hall and the lecture hall one by one. Before they reached the abbot's courtyard, they passed by the meditation room area and heard a person outside the wall chanting loudly: "Don't ask about the past when you are sad. When you go up to Yuewang Terrace again, the bright moon at that time, the lingering white shadow, where did it come from?"

The voice sounded old and hoarse, with a hint of sadness.

  Fang Xianjue paused slightly!

Obviously, this poem, recited at this time, is quite consistent with his current mood.

Then the voice came again, and the person explained the origin of this poem: "This is a poem written by Ni Zan at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, which is a poem about the fall of the Song Dynasty. A great man once said, 'The fall of a country in previous dynasties is insignificant, but with the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, all clothing, customs and cultural relics were lost.' The Yuan people severely oppressed the Han people for decades, which made the poet write such a low-key work of lamenting the loss of his country and homesickness."

"Sir, what are 'clothing relics'?" asked an obviously young and immature voice.

"The so-called clothing and cultural relics refer to Chinese civilization. At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the country was in chaos and the Central Plains was in turmoil. The Jin Dynasty moved eastward, which was called "the migration of clothing and cultural relics to the south". In the Song Dynasty, the Jin army attacked the Northern Song Dynasty, and then the Mongols destroyed the Southern Song Dynasty. The shame of Jingkang had not yet been avenged, and the world was destroyed in the Battle of Yashan. That's why that great man said that clothing and cultural relics were lost along with it, which was even more painful than the loss of a country.

  In China's history, separatist regimes in the north attacked the Central Plains dynasties many times, causing frequent turmoil in the Central Plains. Common people had no choice but to move south with their families to the Jiangnan region to escape the war, which was called "the migration of the elite to the south"!

Since the September 18th Incident, the Japanese army has invaded China on a large scale. Northeast China, North China, East China, and Central China have successively fallen. The Chinese people were forced to flee southwards and wander around. Countless people died in a foreign land, which was more tragic than any other dynasty. "The old voice said that from this point on, it was difficult to hide the indignation.

"Just last month, in the Central Plains, China's 30-strong army was defeated by more than 10 Japanese troops, and lost 37 cities in 38 days. Wherever the war spread, there was only killing, looting, blood and death. It was both painful and sad.

What's even more ridiculous is that when a part of the 31st Army Group of the First War Zone broke out, they were actually defected by the local people. A division-level communications team was surrounded and disarmed by the local people, and even the radio station became a trophy of the local people. When the number was reported, the people actually said that they were the ones they wanted to fight.

Looking back at all the dynasties, this kind of thing is probably the first time in history.

It is a disgrace to the army!"

  The young monks inside the wall who were listening to the old man's explanation were in an uproar!

The people standing outside the wall had serious looks in their eyes.

On March 1944, 3, one month earlier than in the previous time and space, 17 Japanese North China Front Army suddenly crossed the Yellow River and launched an attack on the First War Zone. The more than 15 troops in the First War Zone were caught off guard and were defeated. The Japanese army occupied 30 cities including Zhengcheng and Luoyang in 37 miles.

  This unprecedented rout caused a great shock throughout the country. What the old and hoarse voice said was all true, but the defeat of the First War Zone happened only a week ago, and the scandals that happened in the 31st Army Group were all confidential. Only important generals like them knew about these clues. How could an old man know about them?

Is it really true that the old saying "Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels a thousand miles"?

The old man inside the wall sighed again and continued, "In the past few days, victims from Henan Province have been fleeing to Hunan Province. They said that after the Japanese attacked Henan Province, they will soon attack Hunan Province. If every one of our troops is stationed in Henan Province, and every battlefield is defeated at the same speed as the battlefield in the Central Plains, I am afraid that in less than half a year, the whole of China will be destroyed by the Japanese."

The young general outside the wall showed displeasure on his face.

He was a young talent from the Whampoa Military Academy, and he always regarded military honor as his top priority. When he saw the Chinese army being described so badly by this old man he had never met, he frowned and said to Fang and Zhao: "What the old man said at the beginning was quite good, but what he said at the end was a bit outrageous. He was generalizing too much. Without soldiers like us fighting on the front line, how could they have the opportunity to talk about these things in the rear?"

Fang Xianjue didn't say anything, just stared at the distant mountains, as if he remembered something because of the old man's words.

Zhao Junmai smiled and said, "Chief of Staff Sun, I don't think it matters. The mouth is on the body to speak! As the saying goes, those who are innocent are innocent. We know best what we are like on the battlefield.

The battle in the First War Zone was really fought in an outrageous way. Facing the fierce offensive of the Japanese, Chiang and Tang were just like rookies who had never been to the battlefield. Not to mention a decent counterattack, even a decent defense was rare. If the 15th Army had not held out in Luoyang City for 15 days before the city was captured, the battle in the First War Zone would have been dull.

However, the old gentleman's words are still somewhat one-sided and based on hearsay, and his understanding of military affairs is quite limited. I do not agree with what he said that the Japanese army is about to attack Hunan Province.

Commander Xue talked to me yesterday. He said that there is no problem with the defense of Hunan Province. The Japanese invaders were defeated in three battles in Tanzhou. How can Hengshan Yong have the courage to come to Hunan Province again? What's more, the battle in Henan Province has not yet been completely ended. The Japanese troops in China are no longer as strong as before. How can they have the ability to fight on both the north and south fronts at the same time? "

The young general obviously did not want to argue with the elder brother, and took the initiative to change the subject and said: "Mayor Zhao, Commander Xue is always confident in his 'Tianlu Tactics', but you have to know that no tactic is perfect. If it is used too much, the enemy will always find flaws.

In addition, I heard that half a month ago, American expatriates in Tanzhou, Hengyang and other places received a notice from the U.S. Consulate, asking them to evacuate as soon as possible, saying that the Japanese army suddenly attacked Henan Province in order to open up the Guangdong-Hankou railway transportation line. Our Hunan Province is also the most important node on this major transportation artery. If the Japanese really have this strategy, Hunan Province is a place they must attack.

A week ago, the US military at Hengyang Airport cancelled their vacations, and officers had to carry pistols when they went out on the streets. As you know, the US intelligence has always been very accurate. In my opinion, what the old gentleman said is not groundless, and we must not be careless. "

"I still agree with Commander Xue's opinion. It is impossible for the Japanese to reach Hunan Province in the short term. Last year, the Japanese were defeated in the Pacific battlefield. Last year, they occupied Guadalcanal and dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese navy and army. The Japanese are already on the verge of collapse. Don't look at their warships still coming and going on the Yangtze River in a show of force. It's just a cover-up for their actual shortage of troops.

Even the surprise attack on Henan Province initiated by the Japanese army was just a desperate struggle before the death of the Japanese army. Japan is no longer the Japan of seven years ago, and the Japanese army is no longer the invincible strong army.

And we are no longer the army that was only equipped with Hanyang rifles and wore straw sandals seven years ago." Zhao Junmai still disagreed.

The Hengyang garrison commander was not talking nonsense. Over the past two years, in order to cooperate with the Pacific battlefield, the Americans hoped that China would do its best to tie down the elite Japanese army in the Chinese theater. The Americans had mobilized a huge force to transport military aid from Myanmar to China. Except for the big iron lumps such as warships and tanks that could not be transported, the latest light artillery, submachine guns, rifles, ammunition, and even fighter planes were almost open to supply.

以第9战区为例，就有9个步兵师在2月底，就装备了米国刚刚列装米国陆军的M3冲锋枪6000杆。

  What is this concept?

每个步兵师多了将近700杆射速达300发每分，有效射程200米的轻型火器，M3冲锋枪拥有30发弹匣，比军中装备的捷克式轻机枪20发弹匣还多了10发。

Based on the calculation that an infantry division has three infantry regiments and 3 infantry companies, on average each front-line infantry company can be equipped with more than 27 submachine guns. This also means that an infantry company can increase its close-range light firepower output by 20 firepower points. For the Japanese army, which is still equipped with bolt-fire rifles, this is absolutely a light firepower crush.

In addition to light weapons, the 105mm howitzers that the Americans promised to support a year ago have already arrived in Kuncheng, and some have even been transported to Liuzhou, waiting for the various armies to receive them.

In the past, the Hanyang-made rifles were used to win three Tanzhou battles. Now the light and heavy firepower of the infantry have been greatly strengthened. It is no wonder that the Hengyang garrison commander is full of confidence and firmly believes that Japan will not attack Hunan Province. Even if they do, they will probably suffer a bloody defeat.

Zhao Junmai, who was full of confidence, obviously did not observe Fang Xianjue who had remained silent.

When it comes to combat, the young general and the garrison commander are obviously not as experienced as this veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time.

Looking at the mountains from afar, recalling the voice and smile of his best friend in his mind, Fang Xianjue heard different opinions from his subordinates and colleagues, but he did not comment.

He naturally agreed with his young chief of staff. It had nothing to do with the distance of their relationship. As the commander of the 10th Army, he was well aware of the war in the country. The sudden outbreak of war and defeat in Henan Province had an % chance of being just as Sun Minyu said. The Japanese army was trying to open up the Guangdong-Hankou traffic artery to support the Pacific battlefield. If it stood on this strategic goal, the war would soon spread to Hunan Province.

However, this has little to do with him anymore. The Ministry of Military and Political Affairs has already issued a transfer order, and he, the army commander, has become a councilor of the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs. In a few days, he will take a special plane back to the mountain city and stay away from the battlefield.

  Moreover, even if he gave advice to Chief Xue, how could the stubborn Chief Xue listen to him? I'm afraid he would just think it was just something he said to disgust him before he left!

Since this is the case, what else is there to say?

"I've listened to so many historical stories from the old gentleman, and it's only right for me to go and say hello!" After sighing slightly in his heart, Fang Xianjue was the first to walk into the wall.

As the group entered, the old man and a group of young monks under the thousand-year-old ginkgo tree turned their heads.

An old man wearing a green robe and with a clear and elegant face was standing under the ginkgo tree with a book in his hand. Sunlight shone through the gaps between the leaves onto his slightly gray hair, showing his full temperament.

"It's Mr. Tan Tai!"

"No wonder!"

Sun Minyu and Zhao Junmai looked at each other and couldn't help but speak.

  The old man was none other than Tan Tai Yunshu, who had arrived in Hengyang for more than half a year. With his talent and knowledge, it would be easy for him to tell the young monks some historical stories, right?

As for why he knew so much about the war in Henan Province, his son-in-law, a brave general who was famous throughout the country and the army, was no mere decoration.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

PS: Damn, yesterday’s picture was blocked again. I’m so drunk. I spent a lot of time modifying it. Let’s see if it can be finished tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)