Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

Jiro Takano was not stupid either. He saw that it was not going to be easy to take over Tianma Mountain, and the pursuit from above was too close.

Jiro Takano really had no other choice. He knew that if he failed to take the Tianma Mountain position, he would have no explanation.

So the old devil began to prepare excuses in advance and started to make trouble for other people.

If the artillery support was not timely, he would definitely blame the lack of timely artillery support, which resulted in their failure to launch the attack as originally planned.

If the logistics department failed to transport the ammunition and supplies in time, he would definitely complain that the baggage train had delayed the event.

In short, this old devil is also looking for excuses for himself in advance to shirk responsibility.

In addition, the attacks have not been going well in recent days, and the old Japanese was already in a bad mood. Therefore, there would inevitably be some conflicts and contradictions with other troops. After all, other people are not stupid.

But Iwanaga Wang doesn't care about that. How could he not know about Takano Jiro's tricks? So he doesn't care how you shirk the responsibility. He just urges you, Takano Jiro, to capture the Tianma Mountain position as soon as possible.

With no other options, Jiro Kono could only command his troops to launch a series of fierce attacks on the Tianma Mountain position.

But after fighting for a whole day, there was still no progress. The Takano Regiment once again lost more than 700 troops, and a battalion was completely wiped out.

This was caused by Jiro Takano's deliberate saving of troops. If he had launched a fierce attack recklessly, the casualties would have been even greater.

But the losses were heavy and the battle had made no progress at all, and this was the most important thing.

Yan Yongwang called several times a day, and his tone became increasingly severe.

"Kono-kun, Commander Yokoyama has urged you twice today."

"We must take Hengyang City as soon as possible no matter what. We cannot delay any further."

"I know you guys are having a hard time, but we have no other options."

"I'm sure you also know that the enemy's reinforcements are constantly approaching Hengyang. If we wait until the enemy's reinforcements arrive, it will be troublesome."

"So we must strive to capture Hengyang City as soon as possible. We must not delay any longer. Do you understand?"

Takano Jiro said helplessly: "Commander, calm down. We have really tried our best, but the enemy's resistance is too stubborn. Judging from the current situation, it may not be so easy to quickly capture Tianma Mountain."

Iwanaga Wang said angrily: "This is not a reason. I have also told Commander Yokoyama about this."

"But the commander simply refused to listen to my explanation. Things have come to this point. We have been forced into a desperate situation."

"Mr. Kono, if you still can't take Tianma Mountain, you, me, and all the senior generals on the front line will be severely punished."

"I don't think you want to see this happen. I can give you some more time, but you must take over Tianma Mountain for me."

"If we fail again, we really won't be able to explain to our superiors."

"And the enemy's reinforcements are constantly approaching Hengyang. We can't delay any longer. Do you understand?"

"Hayi~!"

Takano Jiro quickly responded: "Please rest assured, General, we will capture the Tianma Mountain position as soon as possible."

Yan Yongwang said seriously: "I will try my best to replenish the troops you lost, but no matter what, you must capture the Tianma Mountain position as soon as possible."

"Hai!"

Takano Jiro responded quickly.

If Ichiro Hariya knew about this, he would definitely be so angry that he would curse.

Because his regiment had also suffered heavy losses, he had applied for reinforcements more than once. However, the reinforcements on the Hengyang front were now under the unified dispatch of Yan Yongwang, and they never received any reinforcements.

Jiro Takano was undoubtedly lucky. Iwanaga Wang also expected Jiro Takano to help him achieve more success, so he spared no effort to replenish the Takano Regiment.

However, the Hariya League was ignored, which made Hariya Itshiro very dissatisfied, but there was nothing he could do.

As night fell, the Japanese temporarily stopped their attack on Tianma Mountain.

The fighting on other battlefields also stopped one after another, and the entire Hengyang entered a rare short period of calm.

At this time, the soldiers on both sides all hid obediently in their respective positions to rest and prepare for a new round of fighting.

Li Guotao came to an observation post and observed the situation on the opposite side through a telescope.

"According to the current trend, as long as we are careful and cautious, the Japanese won't be able to attack us first."

"And judging by the current situation, they probably haven't thought of any other way to deal with us."

Yang Jihe nodded slightly and said, "To be honest, I am very surprised that the Japanese have been able to hold out for so long. They have suffered such heavy casualties, knowing that it is difficult to capture Tianma Mountain, but they still rush forward like they are sending themselves to death. Why?"

Li Guotao smiled and said: "In fact, the reason is very simple, because they must take Hengyang."

"This is a strategy they planned in advance, and it will not change because of tens of thousands of casualties."

"Another point that makes them even more anxious is that aren't our reinforcements on the way?"

"So the Japanese won't delay any further."

Yang Jihe nodded slightly and said, "That's true. According to current speculation, the reinforcements may not arrive tomorrow, but they should arrive the day after tomorrow."

Li Guotao sighed slightly and said softly: "I'm not trying to discourage you, but even if reinforcements arrive, it's still uncertain whether they can enter Hengyang."

"The Japanese will definitely try their best to stop us. At least I think they will not give up."

"If they were ready to give up, they probably wouldn't have launched an attack today and would have retreated directly."

“So this matter may not be that simple.”

Yang Jihe pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Your analysis makes sense."

"In this case, even if reinforcements arrive, we may have to continue fighting for a few days."

Li Guotao nodded and said, "Yes! We can stop the Japanese, and they can also stop our reinforcements."

"Now it depends on whether our reinforcements can make up their minds and come to support us with all their strength."

"If they don't have this determination and strength, then the reinforcements may not be able to enter Hengyang."

Yang Jihe sighed helplessly, then said softly: "But this matter cannot be told to everyone openly."

Li Guotao nodded and said, "I understand. This is about the morale of the army. How dare I say anything nonsense? It's just that there is no one else here, so I'm just telling you something casually."

"Of course, this is just our guess. How the Japanese arranged it is something only they themselves know."

Yang Jihe said: "No matter how the Japanese plan, it's not wrong for us to make some worst-case plans in advance." "I think you are right. We can't be too optimistic. If the reinforcements can't arrive in time, it will be a big trouble."

"So it never hurts to be prepared in advance."

Li Guotao said: "That makes sense."

"It's rare to have a moment of peace now, go and rest quickly."

Yang Jihe said: "No, you should take this opportunity to have a good rest."

"We can be without me, Yang Jihe, on the battlefield, but we cannot be without you, Li Guotao."

"Our entire regiment, our entire Tianma Mountain position, all rely on you, Li Guotao."

Li Guotao smiled and said, "I am really flattered when you say that."

Yang Jihe said with a smile: "You don't have to be polite to me."

"Go and take a rest. I'll keep an eye on it for you. If anything happens, I'll notify you in time."

Li Guotao was indeed a little tired. After hearing this, he no longer insisted. After saying a few words to Yang Jihe, he turned around and went back to sleep.

……

Inside Yokoyama Isamu's headquarters.

A Japanese officer reported respectfully: "Report to His Excellency the Commander, the locust army's attack today has not made much progress overall. General Yan Yongwang assured that they..."

"Shut up~!"

Yokoyama Isamu said angrily: "I don't want to listen to his bullshit promises anymore. His promises are worthless."

"If we can't take Hengyang, our situation will become increasingly passive."

"They have so many troops and have fought for so long, but they can't even defeat the enemy's undermanned 10th Army. This is simply a shame for the Imperial Locust Army."

"We've been fighting for a month, and we still haven't taken Hengyang. This is outrageous."

The Japanese officers present hurriedly persuaded: "Commander, calm down."

Hengshan Yong said angrily: "Calm down? Now the enemy's reinforcements are constantly approaching Hengyang. The situation is becoming more and more passive for the locust army."

"How can you let me calm down?"

A Japanese colonel said: "Commander, we have built fortifications outside Hengyang according to the previous plan and blocked all passages. Even if the enemy reinforcements arrive, they will never be able to reach Hengyang."

"In accordance with the commander's instructions, we have also dispatched a fast-moving force and are preparing to make a detour to the enemy's rear to threaten their rear security and force them to retreat."

"As long as we can repel the enemy's reinforcements this time, the enemies in the city will definitely fall into despair. By then, it will be easy for the locust army to capture Hengyang."

Of course, Yokoyama Isamu knew that things were not as bad as he said.

However, he was unable to capture Hengyang City, and Yokoyama Isamu was extremely angry.

Hengshan Yong said in a cold voice: "This is also our last line of defense. If the enemy's reinforcements really enter Hengyang City, even if only a company or a battalion enters, it will be extremely disadvantageous for us."

"So if anyone dares to let the enemy reinforcements into the city, don't blame me for being ruthless in my military law."

"All sniper units must do their best to stop the enemy's reinforcements and block all passages. Not a single enemy can enter the city."

"Also, notify the attacking troops on the front line and have them step up their guard in advance to prevent any enemy from taking the opportunity to slip out of the city and join up with the enemy support troops outside."

"Hayi~!"

A Japanese officer responded quickly and turned to convey the order.

Hengshan Yong was getting impatient at this moment, and then ordered: "Also, call Yan Yongwang and ask them to come up with a definite plan as soon as possible and take over Hengyang City for me as soon as possible."

"I don't care what methods they use or what casualties they suffer, we must capture Hengyang as soon as possible and completely annihilate this damned 10th Army."

"Hayi~!"

The Japanese officers present responded in unison.

At this time, the troops reinforcing Hengyang were indeed approaching Hengyang after a day of forced march.

However, the sudden retreat of the Japanese made these reinforcements worried, fearing that they would be ambushed by the Japanese, so they did not dare to advance too quickly. As a result, they only traveled about 30 miles in one day and were still some distance away from Hengyang.

At this time, the 10th Army in Hengyang City was eagerly waiting for reinforcements.

Commander Fang kept staring at the sand table, and every half an hour he would ask where the reinforcements were.

This was also because the Japanese kept launching attacks and Hengyang's defense line was in danger of collapse at any time, so Commander Fang was really worried.

However, they kept sending telegrams to inquire about the situation, and the reply they received was always that reinforcements were on the way and would arrive in Hengyang soon, so they could rest assured.

Commander Fang said with some concern: "They always say that they are about to arrive in Hengyang, but they never tell us the specific location."

"I'm worried now that they won't be able to make it to Hengyang."

Sun Mingyu frowned and said, "No way, since the chairman has issued a strict order, I believe they don't have the courage to disobey it."

"Besides, there is a chance to rush to Hengyang for support now. They should not miss this opportunity."

Commander Fang sighed helplessly and said, "That's hard to say. I always have a bad feeling."

Sun Mingyu consoled him, "Commander, I think you are worrying too much. It's probably because you didn't get enough rest these days."

Commander Fang shook his head and said, "This feeling at this moment may be the most accurate."

"I suddenly feel that something is wrong here."

Sun Mingyu pondered for a moment and said, "You mean, the Japanese may really be luring the enemy deep into our territory. If that's the case, the reinforcements may be ambushed by the Japanese."

Commander Fang said thoughtfully: "The reinforcements were blocked a hundred miles away and did not dare to approach. They said they broke through the enemy's blockade. I guess it was probably the enemy who took the initiative to retreat."

"So this could indeed be a conspiracy of the Japanese devils, a trap."

"The reinforcements must have had some concerns, so they didn't dare rush to the vicinity of Hengyang rashly. Therefore, when we asked them, they repeatedly dealt with us."

"It's because they are probably still very far away from Hengyang, and they themselves don't know when they can arrive in Hengyang." (End of this chapter)