Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 1995, This Battle Will Be Difficult

Nanjing. Zhonghua Gate.

The Japanese convoy slowly entered again.

However, they kept a very low profile. There were no traitors on either side to welcome them.

dare not.

He was worried that Zhang Yong would notice him again.

That guy's a lunatic. He just goes wherever there's excitement.

We've arrived in Nanchang now. Let's ignore Nanjing for now.

However, if you hold a large-scale celebration in Nanjing, he might catch wind of it and come over again.

Low-key.

Make sure you don't let Zhang Yong target you.

In any case, the days ahead will be difficult to get by.

"Commander, we've arrived."

"it is good."

Hata Shunroku got off the train.

The new headquarters of the expeditionary force was located near Zhonghua Gate.

It's just a little inside the gate. Officially it's within the city, but actually it's the kind of place where you can run away at any time.

The roads to the south must be kept clear at all times. If the situation becomes unfavorable, evacuate immediately.

An independent mixed brigade was stationed on the south side.

Their mission was not to resist the Nationalist army crossing the river, but to protect the retreat of the expeditionary army headquarters.

In the current situation, no one would be foolish enough to go and fight Zhang Yong head-on.

Anami Korechika, who previously made those outrageous statements, has now completely disappeared. This led some outsiders to wonder if he was dead.

No one dared to follow in Anami Korechika's footsteps. Not even Yamashita Tomoyuki.

Therefore, both Hata Shunroku and Itagaki Seishiro were in a bad mood.

Headquarters issued a strict order: Nanchang must not be abandoned under any circumstances.

Otherwise, they will be subject to military law.

This is a telegram from Prince Kan'in.

It wasn't Hideki Tojo. Nor was it Gen Sugiyama. Therefore, both of them remained silent.

Well, the problem is coming.

Zhang Yong has his sights set on Nanchang.

To defend Nanchang, the first step is to resist Zhang Yong.

Anyone can spend money. But nobody tells them where the money actually comes from.

"please."

No traitors greeted them.

None of the high-ranking officials of the Wang Jingwei regime have returned yet!

They are even more afraid of death than the Japanese.

Wang Jingwei is still hiding in Shanghai. So are other high-ranking members of the Wang Jingwei regime.

Their thinking was very simple: they wanted to wait for the Japanese to return to Nanjing and stabilize the situation before making any further moves.

If the Japanese are safe after returning, they will go back.

Otherwise, let's have another public trial at Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum...

"idiot!"

"A bunch of cowards!"

Kenji Doihara cursed loudly.

But ultimately, nothing came of it. It was a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Kenji Doihara himself escaped from Nanjing, didn't he?
And so is Rensuke Isogai.

They didn't stay in Jinling to fight Zhang Yong to the death!
Once you reach a certain point, nobody wants to die. There's no need to completely break ties.

Into the title.

They began to study how to defend Nanchang.

The Japanese troops surrounding Nanchang were commanded by Tomoyuki Yamashita.

Good news.

There's bad news.

The good news is that Yamashita Tomoyuki has three divisions and three independent mixed brigades under his command.

Of the three divisions, there are the 14th Division and the 18th Division. Both are well-equipped main divisions with strong overall combat capabilities.

The latter, who successfully launched a surprise attack on Nanchang, was a major contributor to the city's capture.

The bad news is that the 18th Division Commander, Harukichi Hyakutake, and Tomoyuki Yamashita have never had a good relationship.

The five brothers of the Hyakutake Haruyoshi family were all outstanding. Their lowest military rank was lieutenant general. They also held positions in both the army and navy. Their backgrounds were extremely powerful.

Yamashita Tomoyuki's primary position was merely commander of the 14th Division. He was temporarily appointed to command three divisions.

He wasn't a formal army commander. And no army was ever established...

Errors in command and coordination could lead to internal friction and weaken combat effectiveness.

"report!"

"Urgent telegram from headquarters!"

An advisor rushed over.

After reading the telegram, Seishiro Itagaki's doubts vanished.

Hata Shunroku also felt a sense of relief. There shouldn't be any internal strife for the time being.

The General Headquarters ordered the formation of a new 25th Army.

The three divisions and three independent mixed brigades stationed around Nanchang were all included.

Yamashita Tomoyuki was appointed commander of the 25th Army, with full command authority.

"Yoshi..."

Seishiro Itagaki breathed a sigh of relief.

The arrangement at headquarters was indeed just right.

This eliminated command issues within the Japanese army, allowing them to work together effectively.

"report!"

"Urgent telegram from headquarters!"

Another staff officer arrived and presented a telegram.

Seishiro Itagaki and Shunroku Hata exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat puzzled.

Two urgent telegrams from headquarters in quick succession? They seem a bit anxious?
But after watching it, I felt relieved again.

The second urgent telegram requested the military headquarters to estimate how many additional troops and weapons would be needed to defend Nanchang.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated, both of them sensed that the headquarters was very angry.

I'm not angry at them. I'm very angry at Zhang Yong.

The headquarters felt that this time, they had to confront Zhang Yong and curb his arrogance.

Otherwise, this guy's constant disruptions will seriously impact the Japanese army's overall strategy, and even affect the Southern Army's troop concentration.

The 14th and 18th Divisions were both slated to be transferred to the Southern Army.

However, he is currently being held back by Zhang Yong and is temporarily unable to move.

How to do?
We cannot keep retreating.

Yueyang can be abandoned.

But not in Nanchang.

Nanchang controls a large area surrounding it.

It could also divide the National Revolutionary Army's Third War Zone and Ninth War Zone.

After the Japanese occupied Nanchang, it would be very difficult for the Third War Zone to obtain supplies.

Then we have no choice but to tough it out.

They'll go head-to-head with Zhang Yong. Let's see who can outmaneuver whom.

The Japanese high command was quite confident about this.

Therefore, Prince Kan'in Kotohito convened a meeting with Hideki Tojo, Gen Sugiyama, and others to discuss the matter.

Others include Nagano Osami and Toyota Soemu from the Navy.

This indicates that Nanchang must be defended.

The Empire will provide personnel and equipment to the maximum extent possible.

However, the General Headquarters could not estimate the exact amount needed. Therefore, it was handed over to the Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

"Your Excellency Commander..."

"We only need independent mixed brigades. We don't need divisions."

"This……"

"Request 30 to 50 independent mixed brigades. Supplies can be provided in batches, about five per month."

"Does the commander mean we're going to fight a drawn-out, drawn-out war with Zhang Yong?"

Do you have a better idea?

Hata Shunroku's tone was calm. He's become very pragmatic now.

Don't bring up the idea of conquering China in three months again.

Right now, all he wants to do is stall Zhang Yong.

Yes, it's simply a matter of stalling.

A large number of independent mixed brigades were used as cannon fodder.

Regular divisions and headquarters can be transferred. Just give me enough cannon fodder.

People are going to die anyway. We're after quantity, not quality.

"Commander, do you mean the battlefield isn't limited to Nanchang, but rather the entire Jiangxi province? Do we need to conduct large-scale, sporadic operations?"

"Correct!"

Hata Shunroku was quite satisfied with Itagaki Seishiro.

After all, he was the former commander of the 5th Division. Taierzhuang suffered heavy losses. It wasn't a fault of their own.

No matter who goes, the result will be the same.

Therefore, the only course of action against Seishiro Itagaki is to temporarily sideline him for a period of time.

"but……"

Seishiro Itagaki hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

He was worried that Zhang Yong would recklessly move forward without regard for consequences.

To be honest, this guy's tactic is that he has no tactic. He's just straightforward.

It is precisely the tactics that have no tactics that are the hardest to stop.

Even if he advances only one meter each day, he will eventually conquer Nanchang. Unless the Kusanagi Sword stops him.

The problem was that the Japanese army did not have the Ama-no-Murakumo sword.

"Chief of Staff, stall."

Hata Shunroku knew, of course, that he couldn't stop it.

However, this can delay Zhang Yong's attack indefinitely.

Stretch one month into three months. Stretch three months into six months. Stretch six months into a year...

"understood."

Seishiro Itagaki then began to formulate a battle plan.

At the same time, the resources needed by the dispatched troops were reported. Headquarters quickly replied, indicating that their needs were fully met.

For the headquarters, the current shortage is not of manpower, but of heavy weapons.

Producing heavy weapons takes time.

Since Hata Shunroku doesn't want heavy weapons, but only soldiers, that's great.

Fifty independent mixed brigades, even with supplies delivered in batches, would have no problem at all.

By increasing recruitment efforts on the peninsula and Taiwan, a large number of cannon fodder can be gathered.

Soldiers from the peninsula and Taiwan were seen by the Japanese high command as disposable expendables.

By eliminating all the able-bodied men in these two places, we can also prevent new resistance from emerging.

According to the latest statistics, there are approximately three million young adults in the peninsula.

Taiwan has an even larger young adult population, numbering around four million.

Together, the two amounts to a total of seven million.

Most of them can be collected.

Yosi!

Kill two birds with one stone.

……

Nanchang.

suburbs.

field.

"Snapped!"

Zhang Yong was waving a small twig in his hand.

He brought this twig from Shanggao. He loved it from the moment he picked it up.

Such a straight little twig! Over 1.5 meters long. Its average width is about the size of a finger. Lightweight. Sturdy.

As a result, all the weeds along the roadside were destroyed along the way.

They were all beheaded.

Not a single weed can survive.

Unless they are the ones who bowed their heads early on.

The people around them were used to it.

The commissioner is so young, it's understandable that he has a childlike mentality.

Besides, even adults would probably do the same if there were no outsiders around.

These are all memories etched into my childhood!

"what?"

Zhang Yong's eyes suddenly lit up.

We discovered a huge meadow.

Very flat.

The width is sufficient.

Not bad, with a little tidying up, you have a 300-meter running track.

Hawk-3 fighter jets could land easily. And so it became a very rudimentary airfield.

Then he could easily travel from Nanchang to other places.

Tilting head. Measure again.

That's right. Confirmed.

"Somebody come!"

"To!"

"Arrange for several hundred people to level this place, compact the ground, and use it as a simple running track."

"Yes."

Ding Huaizhong agreed. Then he gave the orders.

Such trivial tasks could be easily handled by the civilian laborers accompanying the army. They'd work very hard as long as they were paid. Besides, they now had the chance to eat rice, large meat buns, and meat soup…

"Reporting to the Commissioner, Commander-in-Chief Wu has arrived."

"it is good."

Zhang Yong refocused his attention.

Wu Qiwei arrived on horseback. He looked very dejected.

He bears responsibility for the fall of Nanchang. Therefore, he was criticized in a circular by the General Headquarters.

Although he continues to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Ninth Army Group, it is clear that his overall spirit and energy are not very good.

"Commander-in-Chief Wu."

"Commissioner Zhang, I am ashamed, ashamed..."

"Commander-in-Chief Wu, there's no need to blame yourself. There are plenty of Nationalist soldiers who act as if nothing happened after losing troops and territory."

"This……"

Wu Qiwei remained silent, his head bowed.

It's clear that the commissioner harbors a lot of resentment!
Of course, this isn't directed at Wu Qiwei. It's at Chen Cheng, or perhaps someone else.

Now, everyone knows that the Commissioner and Chen Cheng are at odds. The Chairman is caught in the middle, caught in the middle.

silence.

"Commander-in-Chief Wu, please."

"Thank you!"

The two found a place to sit down.

Wu Qiwei gave a brief introduction to the Ninth Group Army.

During the Battle of Shanghai, the Ninth Army Group was the elite of the elite.

His troops were all direct descendants of the Whampoa Military Academy. It could be said to be one of the most capable army groups.

The army group commander present was Chen Cheng.

but now……

Time has passed...

Things have changed...

The Ninth Army Group's designation remained unchanged. However, the troops under its command had undergone countless rotations.

The elite Whampoa Military Academy graduates had already been transferred out. The troops that were brought in to supplement the ranks were the Guangdong Army's own forces, including the Fourth Army and the 65th Army.

The Fourth Army still possessed some fighting strength, after all, it was formed from the foundation of the ironclad army of the Northern Expedition.

But the 65th Army was just there to make up the numbers.

"Can we still fight?"

"Of course."

Wu Qiwei was invigorated.

Zhang Yong then waved his hand, signaling everyone else to come up.

This included Ou Zhen, commander of the Fourth Army; Huang Guoliang, commander of the 65th Army; and some division commanders.

Zhang Yong suddenly noticed that the uniforms of the Guangdong Army were somewhat bluish-gray, similar to those of the New Fourth Army. From a distance, they were basically indistinguishable.

"I'm so stupid..."

"The New Fourth Army and the Fourth Army have a history..."

"Military uniforms are basically passed down from one generation to the next, so they are naturally very similar..."

Zhang Yong realized this too late.

Until July 1940, the uniforms of the National Revolutionary Army remained very disorganized and lacked standardization.

Local factions had no objection to the unification of military uniforms.

As long as Chiang Kai-shek was willing to issue military uniforms, everyone was willing to exchange them.

The yellow-green military uniform looks pretty good.

Only Chiang Kai-shek himself opposed it.

why?
The supply is insufficient.

They were reluctant to spend money.

As a result, military uniforms were still quite varied.

"Commander-in-Chief Wu."

"exist."

"Do you have any spare military uniforms? Allocate 10,000 sets to me."

"Not that many..."

"Three thousand?"

"Ok."

Wu Qiwei agreed.

He still had three thousand sets of military uniforms.

Compared to other local factions, the Guangdong Army still had a little money.

There wasn't much fighting in the Fourth War Zone. Garment factories in the rear were operating normally, and production could temporarily meet demand.

"Thank you!"

"I'll trade you my weapons and equipment."

"French-made 155mm howitzer."

Zhang Yong smiled broadly.

Immediately, everyone around them pricked up their ears.

You heard that right.

What did the Commissioner say again?

155mm howitzer?
God!
Is it really a huge machine with a caliber of 155 mm?
Wu Qiwei was also slightly taken aback.

"you say……"

"French-made 155mm howitzers. 155mm caliber. Maximum range of thirteen kilometers. Forty-eight of these will be provided to your Ninth Army."

"what……"

A chorus of exclamations erupted.

This time, everyone heard it clearly.

That's right, it really is a big guy with a caliber of 155 mm!

It is slightly larger than the Krupp 150mm howitzer imported from Germany.

but!

This is not the point!
The key point is that there are forty-eight courses!
day!
This number is outrageous.

You must know, that's a 155mm heavy artillery piece!

Previously, the vast Nationalist government only had fifty 150mm heavy howitzers.

So now, a Ninth Army can possess it?

"Commissioner, are you serious?"

"Wait a moment, it will be delivered shortly."

Zhang Yong was too lazy to explain.

Let's wait for the system to deliver the howitzer first.

of course it's true.

Without heavy howitzers, how can 10,000 tons of ammunition be released?

I don't know how the system calculates it. In short, this task is quite challenging.

Even with hundreds of 155mm heavy artillery pieces, it would still take some time.

Forty-eight doors have been delivered so far, but these are just admission tickets. More will follow.

Once the artillerymen are familiar with the situation, the deployment can be expanded.

Quiet.

No one spoke.

Everyone was intently waiting for the heavy artillery to arrive.

result……

"report!"

Soon, officers arrived.

They said a large number of trucks were coming from the southwest.

Behind the truck, many heavy artillery pieces were being towed.

Many of the trucks were also loaded with artillery shells.

"Commander-in-Chief Wu, please."

"Commissioner, please."

Zhang Yong smiled and went to receive the goods.

The others hurried to follow. Their steps were light and airy.

They were all fantasizing about how they would use 48 heavy howitzers if they really had them, and how they would torture the Japanese invaders.

Soon, a large number of trucks came into view, along with heavy artillery behind them.

"Go up and check it yourselves!"

"Yes!"

Zhang Yong waved his hand.

Sign for it. Then the helpers dispersed.

A total of 48 howitzers. Each howitzer was equipped with three trucks.

A cannon.

A vehicle carrying artillery shells.

One vehicle was used to transport other supplies.

This is the basic configuration.

If possible, even five trucks could be provided.

For example, the US howitzer units are so extravagant. The larger the caliber, the more trucks they are equipped with.

In addition to 155mm howitzers, there are also some 105mm caliber ones.

After all, different types of artillery fire need to be used in combination to achieve the best results.

Artillery regiments, regardless of the country, are actually mixed units. They have different calibers and different ranges.

Wow! It really exists!

"There are still so many trucks!"

"They're so incredibly wealthy!"

The people around cheered with joy.

They rushed forward eagerly, touching each one to make sure it was real.

Especially those 155mm howitzers. They were very eye-catching. Even when the actual products appeared, many people still found it hard to believe.

Are our own troops really going to start equipping themselves with large-caliber heavy artillery?

The tragedy of the Japanese devils is about to begin.

"Commissioner, are these all provided by the General Headquarters?" Wu Qiwei asked in surprise.

"You're overthinking it." Zhang Yong said expressionlessly, "Would the General Staff really equip you with so many heavy artillery pieces?"

"That……"

"I managed to get it."

"what……"

Wu Qiwei was deeply moved.

The commissioner is truly amazing! He's incredibly resourceful.

They actually managed to acquire so many heavy artillery pieces. They had both 15mm and 10mm calibers.

This time, it was the Japanese invaders in Nanchang who were crying out for help.

Even the most fortified Japanese defensive positions could not withstand the continuous bombardment of large-caliber howitzers.

Quickly distribute the heavy artillery.

The Fourth Army received thirty-six guns. The 65th Army received twelve guns.

The 65th Army did not complain. In fact, it was not easy for them to operate these twelve heavy artillery pieces effectively.

All of these required Zhang Yong's personal instruction. He had to teach them step by step.

Compared to the Whampoa Military Academy's elite troops, the non-elite troops are severely lacking in technical personnel.

But Zhang Yong was very patient.

Start with zero frames. From scratch. Flexible teaching methods.

There's no other way; if we want to quickly deploy 10,000 tons of munitions, we definitely have to teach people how to use them!

"Oh!"

One after another, the heavy cannons opened fire.

Teaching is practical application.

Practical experience is the best form of teaching.

They directly targeted the Japanese positions.

Did you hit it?
It doesn't matter. As long as the shells land on the Japanese positions, it's fine.

What the Nationalist Army artillery needed to master was how to load quickly and how to adjust various parameters according to the Commissioner's orders.

Of course, the most important thing is to have enough people to replace those who move the shells.

Each warhead weighs 30 kilograms. Each section of propellant weighs 6 kilograms. A maximum of three sections can be loaded. Continuous transport is quite tiring.

"boom……"

Clusters of fire erupted from the Japanese positions.

With the violent explosion, a large amount of dust flew up, and the sky was shrouded in smoke.

Yamashita Tomoyuki silently peered out through the gap behind the sandbag.

Explosions continued in the distance. Smoke billowed, obscuring the sky.

This is heavy artillery...

There are a lot of them...

"Rumble..."

Then came an even more violent explosion.

The ground seemed to be trembling slightly. Clearly, this was no ordinary heavy artillery.

I looked up at the sky. It was shrouded in smoke. I couldn't see the Nationalist bombers. But I was certain they were coming again.

Ground heavy artillery...