Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 245 Yue Qianli Debate

After the meeting, Yue Qianli was about to leave, but he was unexpectedly kept alone by Commander Li. As a commander who could handle things independently, it was understandable that Commander Li kept him behind to give him instructions.

"Captain Yue, everyone says you are the victorious general of the government. I have heard of you before, and it seems that you are even more famous today when we meet!"

He was a member of the Central Army, so naturally he couldn't talk too much with the Guangxi clique bosses. In response to General Li's ceremonial words, he modestly said that it was just a unique reputation and it was just a coincidence, and half-truthfully begged for mercy:
"If we talk about the most victorious general in the National Government, it must be Commander Li. When you led the 7th Steel Army to the Northern Expedition and won victory after victory, I was still learning how to shoot at the Whampoa Military Academy."

General Li laughed out loud after listening to this. This was also his proudest moment back then. The Iron Fourth Army and the Steel Seventh Army were not just boasting, but were won through real battles. Yue Qianli had not even graduated back then, but now he is a colonel commanding tens of thousands of troops. It's true that young people are to be feared.

Thinking of this, he said to Yue Qianli with admiration:

"Each generation has its own talents, and each generation has been at the forefront for hundreds of years. I still hope that China can have more young talents like Captain Yue, who can take up the responsibility of defending the country and resisting the Japanese, and let us old men retreat to the second line."

"Commander Li, you are joking. You are in your prime. We still have to rely on you to make plans and win battles thousands of miles away.
We young generals will just be the vanguard and charge into battle."

It must be said that Yue Qianli was very humble and upright, and his words were very well-spoken. After just a few words of greeting, Li Shang looked up to him.
There are many arrogant and brave generals in Huangpu, but not many are as modest and cautious as Yue Qianli, so he smiled and said:
“Well, I didn’t keep you here for compliments;

You are an expert in defensive warfare. The Battle of Xuzhou is about to begin. If you were to defend Xuzhou, how would you deploy your troops?

I'm bold to say that there is no one here except the Chief of Staff. What you said is for me to understand.

Yue Qianli didn't want to say more. Bigwigs like General Li are all very conceited. They have their own way of playing. Many things have become fixed mindsets and are difficult to change.
But he had already said so much, if he still refused, it would be ungrateful, so he said directly:

"Duke De, my idea is to defend Xuzhou without fighting in Xuzhou!"

After listening to this, General Li immediately became interested, because it almost coincided with the plan in his mind, which itself came from General Li.

In the Battle of Xuzhou in another time and space, whether it was the deployment of troops, strategy and tactics, or even the withdrawal of most of the main forces at the end, General Li could be said to have done a good job and basically achieved the combat intention;

If the Central Army had not had a few "runaways" in the subsequent Battle of Lanfeng, a copy of the Battle of Xuzhou, which led to the tragic incident of digging into the Yellow River, the Battle of Xuzhou would definitely have scored 90 points.

General Li motioned Yue Qianli to continue, and Yue Qianli took it as a test and continued talking to the map:
"I will not elaborate on the strategic position of Jianghuai. The Japanese strategic intention is to advance from the north to the south, attacking Xuzhou where the Jinpu Road and Longhai Line meet, aiming at the Central Plains.

Whether they are attacking Xuzhou or aiming at the Central Plains, their ultimate goal is the hundreds of thousands of elite troops in the five war zones, because only by destroying the hundreds of thousands of elite troops of the National Government can they force the National Government to surrender. "

Admiral Li nodded and said:

"That's for sure. China has enough strategic space. If we lose Xuzhou, we can retreat to the Central Plains. If we lose the Central Plains, we can also retreat to Wuhan, or even the Southwest.
Japan's national strength simply cannot sustain such a long-term consumption. Once the battle line is extended, their supplies will not be able to keep up, so the devils have been seeking a decisive battle. "

General Li had already put aside his attitude and began to discuss the battle situation with Yue Qianli. After he finished speaking, he motioned for Yue Qianli to continue.

Apparently, Yue Qianli's views had a lot in common with his own thoughts, which resonated with him. "Mr. De, the Japs' plan is to use Xuzhou as bait to lure hundreds of thousands of my elite troops to the Xuzhou area, and then use one or more of them to engage in a tug-of-war with me.

The main force of the North China Front Army can send a part to penetrate behind Xuzhou, cut off the connection between the Fifth War Zone and the First War Zone, cut off the retreat of the front-line troops in Xuzhou, and then join forces with the main forces on the southern and northern lines to encircle our main force in Xuzhou! "

Admiral Li naturally saw through the Japanese's intentions. The Japanese were really no match for these big guys in terms of strategy and tactics.
The Chinese have been fighting for thousands of years, what tactics don’t they understand?
"So how do you deal with it?"

General Li went straight to the point, and Yue Qianli replied:
"It's very simple. Since the Japanese have thrown out the bait, we should take advantage of the time difference, concentrate our forces to eat the Japanese bait, and withdraw from Xuzhou before the main force of the Japanese is exposed!

Xuzhou is a place surrounded by enemies, easy to attack but difficult to defend. We should only fight the outer battles and stop when we have gained enough benefits. This is to defend Xuzhou without fighting in Xuzhou. "

Admiral Li showed a knowing smile on his face, which was exactly the same as the plan in his mind. He looked at Yue Qianli with admiration. He was now a little envious of his sworn brother - Huangpu was indeed full of talented people!
"Captain Yue, do you have any good suggestions?"

Yue Qianli thought for a moment and then said:

"Duke De, you must be ruthless when you strike. It is better to cut off one finger than to injure ten fingers!
When retreating, you must be resolute and not drag your feet, leaving no chance for the enemy.

In addition, we must keep enough reserve troops and make a thorough retreat plan to avoid repeating the mistakes of Shanghai."

Admiral Li nodded and said:
"Don't worry, I'm not your principal. The southern line is now handed over to you. I wanted to hear your deployment, but now it seems unnecessary.
I'm relieved to let you guard Bengbu! Are there any difficulties? "

Since General Li had said this, Yue Qianli naturally had to give him a way out, so he asked him for some ammunition, especially mortar shells, and also asked for two regiments of reinforcements;

As the commander of the theater, General Li has a lot of supplies at his disposal, and he will feel at ease only if you take some of his supplies.

The one who eats the food is grateful, and the one who takes the food is soft-handed!

General Li waved his hand and allocated him 200 million rounds of bullets, 5 mountain cannons and mortar shells, and also gave him three Sichuan Army Corps reinforcements.

The emperor was not short of hungry soldiers, and neither was Li Delin, but his things were not so easy to take;

Now that he has got it, he has to defend the south line. When he is taking the bait on the north line, if something goes wrong on the south line, his sword can also kill the arrogant soldiers!
This was actually a deal. Yue Qianli took his things, which was equivalent to signing a military order.

This is the boss's art of being a general, and Yue Qian also understands the art of being a general. It is so comfortable to deal with smart people.

After Yue Qianli left, the chief of staff couldn't help but laugh and curse:
"What a little rascal!"

General Li smiled knowingly and said:
“It is said among the people that an adopted son should be like Yue Qianli, and today it seems not to be an exaggeration at all;
Although this boy is a bit cunning, he is upright and dignified, and the most valuable thing is that he is a staunch anti-Japanese war faction, which is very national!"

(End of this chapter)