Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 1938, Lifeline

The telegram was sent by Commander Li of the Fifth War Zone.

We strongly invite Zhang Yong to come to the Fifth War Zone to assist in commanding the Fifth War Zone's attack on Anqing.

In his telegram, Commander Li emphasized that threatening Anqing was the only way to force the Japanese to retreat from the front lines.

The Japanese invaders currently have a large number of troops stationed in Hankou, Jiujiang, and Nanchang.

However, the military strength near Anqing is weak.

With so many Japanese invaders on the front lines, logistical supplies relied entirely on the Yangtze River waterway.

The Japanese invaders would inevitably become nervous if Anqing were threatened.

If Anqing falls, the Yangtze River waterway will be cut off, and the consequences will be unimaginable.

Even if the Yangtze River waterway was blocked by the National Revolutionary Army's artillery fire, it could still cause huge trouble for the Japanese invaders' logistics supply.

"Shaolong, go ahead!"

After reading it, Liu Zhi pondered for a moment and then made a decision.

He strongly agreed with the Fifth War Zone's suggestion.

At present, Anqing is the Achilles' heel of the Japanese invaders.

To salvage the current crisis, the Fourth War Zone was merely an auxiliary force, while the Fifth War Zone was the decisive factor.

Liu Zhi was able to distinguish between what was important and what was urgent.

Even though the Fifth War Zone was dominated by the Guangxi clique.

"Let me ask first."

Zhang Yong did not make a decision immediately.

Attacking Anqing could indeed pose a serious threat to the Japanese invaders.

However, it was obvious that the Japanese would react immediately if the National Revolutionary Army moved towards Anqing.

The Japanese invaders weren't stupid.

On the contrary, they were very clever tactically.

For example, the attack on Nanchang.

They are simply wavering in their high-level strategies.

Anqing was a strategically important location that the Japanese invaders would absolutely fight tooth and nail for. Then the battle would escalate to a fever pitch.

A hasty deployment will only make future battles more and more passive.

"Somebody come!"

"To!"

"Return the call to the Fifth Theater Command and inquire about the specific deployment."

"Yes."

Having given his instructions, Zhang Yong pondered the map.

In the Fourth War Zone, the Japanese invaders were advancing fiercely. If he weren't there, Liu Zhi would probably have had a hard time holding them off.

Once the Fourth War Zone is breached, Changsha will also be in danger. This could lead to a major rout in the Ninth War Zone. At that point, most of Hunan Province could fall into the hands of the Japanese invaders.

In this way, the Nationalist government truly entered its darkest hour.

and many more……

It seems very dark now.

Nanchang has been lost.

Yueyang is lost.

The planned counterattack was caught off guard by the Japanese invaders.

They suffered heavy losses, losing both troops and territory.

From being full of hope to suddenly falling to the bottom, I wonder what the bald man thinks?

Will you call for your mother again when you take a bath?

I'm telling you to stop messing around.

Now everything is alright. My wish has come true.

Once the Japanese invaders occupy Yueyang, they can continue their westward advance.

Yichang, Changde, and other places were threatened by the Japanese invaders. Sooner or later, they would be engulfed in war.

They could have made a name for themselves in front of the world's great powers, but instead, they accidentally exposed their true colors.

Live it!

Ultimately, it will take me, Zhang Yong, to come back and sort things out.

snort!
Who else but me?

Speaking of fighting, I, Zhang Yong, can indeed be proud.

"Old Liang!"

"Come in!"

Liu Zhi suddenly shouted.

Zhang Yong turned his head to look.

It was discovered that the person was Liang Shuzhai, the chief of staff of the war zone.

"Commander."

"Commissioner".

Liang Shuzhai walked in. He seemed about to speak but then stopped.

He wasn't very familiar with Zhang Yong.

When Zhang Yong last came, he wasn't yet the Chief of Staff of the Fourth War Zone.

Liu Zhi chuckled and said, "Old Liang, I can tell you've found out some good news. Tell me about it."

"It's not good news," Liang Shuzhai said hesitantly.

“I’d like to hear it too,” Zhang Yong said. “We’ll hear it and forget it. We promise we won’t tell anyone.”

“I just heard that the Nationalist government sent people to Xikang,” Liang Shuzhai said in a low voice. “It seems to be people from the Executive Yuan.”

What are the people from the Executive Yuan doing in Xikang?

"They say it's a relocation of the capital..."

"what?"

Zhang Yong and Liu Zhi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Move the capital?

no……

Xikang?

Is Chongqing no longer defensible?

Are the Executive Yuan insane? They've gone all the way to Xikang.

Even if Chongqing can't be held, Chengdu is an alternative! Chengdu has much better conditions than Xikang...

"I just heard it casually. Don't take it seriously."

"absurd!"

Zhang Yong shook his head and said dejectedly.

What is this thing called?

Is everything in chaos at the top?

They've lost all confidence in Chongqing?
He was full of confidence before, but now he's given up on himself?

"Nonsense!"

Liu Zhi also shook his head.

This is all just pointless fuss.

"Chen Cixiu should be beheaded!"

Liu Zhi said fiercely.

She no longer hid her emotions.

That’s what it is!
The Ninth War Zone was perfectly fine before.

In the standoff with the Japanese invaders, the Japanese invaders gained absolutely no advantage.

But then they insisted on launching a counter-offensive plan, without letting him take command or letting Zhang Yong get involved.

Chen Cheng was hiding behind Xue Yue, acting as the mastermind.

They thought that with the support of the US and the Soviet Union, they would definitely be able to turn the tide.

Unexpectedly, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse in just one week.

Before his counterattack plan could be fully launched, the Japanese invaders seized the opportunity and launched a surprise attack, capturing Nanchang.

Then panic set in, and they hastily mobilized troops to retake Nanchang in an attempt to save face. Then a mishap occurred in the Yueyang area, and Yueyang fell as well.

Liang Shuzhai, of course, dared not respond.

Zhang Yong tilted his head and thought for a moment, then didn't bother to say anything.

The Chinese people want Chen Cheng killed. The bald man won't agree. He'll most likely use Xue Yue as a scapegoat.

Because, on the surface, all the orders were issued by Xue Yue.

Chen Cheng himself did not sign it.

"Forget it, let's not talk about such unlucky things." Zhang Yong waved his hand. "Chief of Staff Liang, is there any other news?"

"There is one, but I don't know if it's true or not." Liang Shuzhai hesitated before speaking.

"Whether it's true or not, tell me."

"They say the Chairman recently summoned Tang Shengming and gave him a severe dressing-down."

"Tang Shengming?"

"Yes. He is Tang Shengzhi's younger brother."

"Oh."

Zhang Yong thought to himself, "I've been caught up in this mess."

It seems to be his own arrangement. He wanted Tang Shengming to do it this way. The bald man cooperated.

Tang Shengming was severely "criticized," and then Tang Shengming "felt wronged," so he defected to the Wang Jingwei regime. It all made perfect sense.

"What's gotten into Old Tang lately?" Liu Zhi was unaware of the details and was puzzled.

I thought they were going to give Tang Shengzhi a warning.

On the surface, he was scolding the younger brother, but in reality, he was targeting the older brother.

"report!"

A staff officer arrived. He delivered a reply from the Fifth War Zone.

Commander Li made a point in the telegram: there are troops, but not many.

The Fifth War Zone has secretly assembled its most elite Seventh Army in Huoshan, Lu'an, and other places, numbering approximately 30,000 men. This is the main force for the attack on Anqing.

There was also the 31st Army, a second-line unit that assisted the 7th Army in combat.

If Zhang Yong arrives, he can command these two armies to launch a full-scale attack on Anqing.

Other troops in the Fifth War Zone were responsible for blocking the Japanese invaders in Luzhou (Hefei) and covering Zhang Yong's flank.

However, there was a challenge: the Fifth War Zone could not cut off the Yangtze River waterway. Japanese reinforcements could continuously arrive via the Yangtze River.

That's why Zhang Yong had to be present in person.

Apart from Zhang Yong, no one else could handle such a complex situation. Even Zhuge Liang himself admitted he couldn't.

"Two armies..."

"Sixty thousand people..."

"The Japanese invaders in Anqing numbered approximately 10,000..."

In terms of troop strength, we do indeed have a considerable advantage. But that's all in theory.

In fact, once the battle broke out, the Japanese invaders could quickly reinforce Anqing via the Yangtze River, transporting tens of thousands of troops in a single day.

Japanese troops were stationed in Qianshan, Huaining, Tongcheng and other places on the outskirts of Anqing.

Although their forces might not be large—around a thousand or two—they couldn't be wiped out instantly.

The main problem is that it's impossible to react in the blink of an eye.

Once the outer perimeter is attacked, the Japanese invaders will immediately know that Anqing is in danger. Then they will send reinforcements.

A quick victory is difficult.

Zhang Yong wasn't good at it either.

In fact, Zhang Yong was better at luring the Japanese invaders into a quagmire, then launching attacks from all sides and covering them with firepower.

The simplest, most direct, and most effective method: fully utilize firepower advantages.

Don't count on any other brilliant strategies or ingenious plans.

He is not good at anything that requires high intelligence.

So, how about another approach?

Since the Japanese invaders will definitely send reinforcements, then let them send reinforcements.
Then, around Anqing, they would drastically deplete the Japanese forces, ultimately wearing them down.

I'm in Anqing, and we're locked in a tug-of-war, a fierce battle.

There weren't any tactics. It was all about fighting all day long. It was a war of attrition.

A battle of troop strength...

Scrambling for supplies...

A battle of ammunition...

Ultimately, it will come down to who gives up first.

A clumsy approach.

But it works.

It's also easy to operate.

"Somebody come!"

"To!"

"Contact the Fifth War Zone: Where is the nearest airport to Anqing?"

"Reporting to the Commissioner, the Fifth Theater Command previously sent a filing. They have built a 300-meter-long runway in Huoshan. It can accommodate light aircraft."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yong was somewhat surprised.

The Fifth Theater Command is taking its war preparations quite seriously.

Knowing that Zhang Yong could fly planes, they even prepared the front-line airport.

A 300-meter runway is sufficient for the Hawk-3 fighter jet.

Now, the Hawk-3 biplane has become Zhang Yong's personal aircraft.

It really works well. The range is over 1300 kilometers.

You can land on any runway that's just over 100 meters long.

Even if we have to make an emergency landing, we can just find a grassy area.

This greatly facilitated Zhang Yong's movement between different war zones. He didn't even need to teleport.

They can travel between the Fourth and Fifth War Zones at any time.

Neither side will be neglected.

Okay, since there's an airport, let's go check it out.

Anyway, the Japanese haven't advanced into the Fourth War Zone yet. Let's let them penetrate a certain distance first.

Go back to find Liu Zhi. Say goodbye. Then take off.

Night had already fallen. But that's alright. It doesn't matter.

At this moment, he is probably the world's first all-weather pilot. No other country can do that.

It flew over Nanchang in particular.

The ground was covered with countless red dots.

There were at least two divisions. Approximately 50,000 men.

Clearly, a frontal assault to retake Nanchang would be very difficult.

A strong offensive will inevitably come at a high price.

And it's very difficult to succeed.

The Fifth War Zone had a keen eye and set its sights on Anqing.

Pulled around and moved the whole body.

Anqing is the lifeline of the Japanese invaders! A single blow could be fatal.

The melons from Yueyang, Hankou, Jiujiang, and Nanchang are all sustained by a single, thin melon vine in Anqing.

If the melon vine is cut...

Continue flying.

We are finally getting close to the Dabie Mountains.

Using the map of the air force headquarters, locate Huoshan.

Sure enough, the newly built runway was discovered.

Look at the time.

It was 10 PM. The flight took about three hours.

landing.

Come to a complete stop.

Nationalist soldiers immediately approached with guns.

Zhang Yong climbed out of the plane. He landed.

"Commissioner!"

A Guangxi clique officer immediately recognized Zhang Yong.

He quickly stood at attention and saluted.

Then send someone to inform them.

Zhang Yong raised his hand in return.

The radar map shows that there are quite a few familiar faces marked in the vicinity.

The first one is Xia Wei. He's in Huoshan. I guess he's been transferred to replace Liao Lei?

Liao Lei passed away last year. The Guangxi clique lost a key general.

Another one is Li Pinxian.

"Commissioner!"

"Oh, is it you?"

A lieutenant colonel approached Zhang Yong.

Stand at attention. Salute. His face is clearly agitated.

Wei Donglin.

He was originally the battalion commander of the 48th Army's Special Service Battalion.

I thought the enemy had already retreated back to Guangxi Province with the 48th Army. I didn't expect them to still be there.

An unexpected surprise.

He raised his hand in return.

"Reporting to the Commissioner, I have been ordered by Commander Li to take charge of your security."

"You? A guard?"

"That's right. Commander Li specifically instructed me to do so."

"Okay. Follow me."

Zhang Yong nodded. Commander Li still paid attention to details.

Knowing they might arrive alone in a plane with guns, and without anyone by their side, they arranged for a special operations battalion to be deployed.

This special operations battalion belonged to the 48th Army. It was a unit under the supervision of Zhang Yong.

Wei Donglin had also fought alongside Zhang Yong in numerous battles.

The soldiers in the special operations battalion were also very familiar with Zhang Yong.

Having them serve as guards would be ideal.

Look around.

Sure enough, the soldiers from the special operations battalion were all there.

This was a fully equipped battalion, with a total of five hundred men.

The weapons and ammunition are plentiful. The equipment is excellent.

Very good. You have confidence now.

A short while later, the senior officers who had received the report arrived one after another.

The one leading the group was indeed Xia Wei. Then came Li Pinxian.

Then came Zhang Gan, commander of the 7th Army, and Pan Guocong, commander of the 31st Army.

Those at the division commander level included a large group of people such as Li Benyi, Qin Lin, and Xia Guozhang.

"Commissioner!"

"Commander-in-Chief Xia!"

"Commander-in-Chief Li!"

Upon meeting, Zhang Yong immediately sensed a subtle atmosphere.

Xia Wei and Li Pinxian were clearly not on good terms.

The two army commanders below, Zhang Gan and Pan Guocong, clearly did not get along.

Well, Commander Li is playing tricks too!
No wonder Wei Donglin was put in charge of security. They were genuinely worried something might happen.

The reason they summoned me was not only to deal with the Japanese invaders, but also to help the Guangxi clique purge its dissidents.

The target of the cleanup was Li Pinxian.

Although Li Pinxian is from Guangxi Province, he is not an original shareholder of the Guangxi clique.

He didn't start his career in Guangxi Province. He spent the first half of his life under the patronage of Tang Shengzhi. Only after Tang Shengzhi's downfall did he join the Guangxi clique.

Since you are not an original shareholder, there is naturally a gap between you and the original shareholders issued by Guangxi Province.

After Liao Lei passed away last year, Li Pinxian should have taken over. However, she didn't. Instead, Xia Wei was transferred from the Fifth War Zone.

This clearly shows a lack of trust in Li Pinxian, or perhaps a belief that he is unfit for the important task.

Could Li Pinxian not have any thoughts in his mind?
However, the bigwigs in the Guangxi clique felt that they hadn't done anything wrong.

After all, there has always been a distance between you, Li Pinxian, and us, and you even betrayed us in the past.

In 1929, during the Jiang-Gui War, Li Pinxian defected to Chiang Kai-shek without hesitation, leading to a major defeat for the Guangxi clique on the front lines.

With such a vivid history, how can we fully trust you?

Later, although Li Pinxian once again joined the Guangxi clique, he never gained their trust.

But Zhang Yong didn't care.

It doesn't matter if there are conflicts. As long as it doesn't affect the killing of the Japanese invaders.

He was already quite used to the various factions and cliques within the KMT.

Zhang Yong had only one principle.

Listen to me, give them candy.

You won't listen to me. You'll get a beating.

No matter who you are.

"sit!"

Zhang Yong waved his hand and took the seat of honor.

He didn't mince words here.

Since you invited me here, I'm here to give orders, not to discuss things with you.

"I know there's a conflict between you two."

"I don't care about that."

"I only care about your performance on the battlefield!"

"I will protect those who perform well."

"Those who misbehave will get a beating!"

"My reputation is bad, and I have a bad temper. I hope you won't make me angry."

The opening remarks were very simple.

They made their point clear from the start.

silence.

No one speaks.

Apart from Li Pinxian, the others all knew quite a bit about Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong had led them in battle before at Kunlun Pass. They had a history of cooperation.

Gossip less.

Focus on fighting the war.

That's the best way to get along.

All you need to do is ruthlessly eliminate the Japanese invaders. You don't need to worry about anything else.

Ammunition and medical supplies, the specialist will handle all of that.

If any weapons or equipment are needed, or if the air force is required to cooperate, the commissioner will also find a way.

"This battle will not be a quick one."

"It could take a long time."

"My plan is to repeatedly engage the Japanese invaders in Anqing, greatly depleting their manpower."

"Japanese reinforcements may arrive in a continuous stream, so the battle may remain at a stalemate."

"If you feel tired and can't keep going, you can tell me."

"The general principle is to eliminate the Japanese invaders' manpower, rather than simply conquering cities and seizing territory."

Zhang Yong got straight to the point.

Let me be frank.

silence.

Still no one speaks.

Zhang Yong then continued, "Now, the first question."

The staff officer was ordered to bring a blank sheet of paper.

Write two words:
food.

"Each unit reports on its food reserves."

"Reporting to the Commissioner, our Seventh Army currently has enough food reserves for fifteen days."

"Reporting to the Commissioner, our 31st Army has enough food reserves for twenty days."

The two army commanders stood up.

Zhang Yong knew something about Zhang Gan.

After all, he was a core member of the Guangxi clique. His reputation was already well-established.

When it comes to fighting, Zhang Gan was quite capable. But he also had some rather strange hobbies.

He spends all his time studying compasses and divination. He's very superstitious.

Before setting out on a campaign, a divination was performed, involving drawing lots. Only those who drew the most auspicious lot would lead their troops out.

It's unclear what the Guangxi clique leaders saw in him that led to his appointment as commander of the 7th Army. And he held that position for several years.

Relatively speaking, Pan Guocong, the commander of the 31st Army, was a typical soldier.

Huangpu Military Academy, Class 1. Native of Rong County, Guangxi Province.

However, his success was also due to Whampoa Military Academy, leaving him pleasing neither side.

On Baldy's side, because he's from Guangxi province, he's often viewed with suspicion. Complete trust is impossible.

On the Guangxi side, because he was a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy and a student of the bald man, there was also a distance between them.

He was able to become a division commander entirely because of his genuine abilities.

They are capable of fighting.

There is a method to it.

Zhang Yong wrote down the second question:
Weapons and ammunition.

"How much do you need to supplement? Report truthfully."

"Reporting to the Commissioner, our Seventh Army needs..."

"Reporting to the Commissioner, our 31st Army needs..."

Soon, the weapons and ammunition were secured.

The main deficiency is in heavy weapons.

That being the case...

Then let's arrange it!

[To be continued]

(End of this chapter)