Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

North China, the forward command post of the Second War Zone.

Inside the operations room, on a huge sand table, the positions of the enemy and our forces were intertwined, and red and blue markers were scattered across the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains. The outline of a major battle that would sweep across North China was already clearly visible.

The blue arrow pointing towards Pingxingguan, thanks to Song Xilian's unexpected and swift strike, has been driven deep into the Japanese defenses, like an unremovable nail.

This is a very good start.

Holding a stack of newly compiled intelligence, Fang Ligong strode to the sand table. His usually composed face was now filled with excitement: "Lord Yun, the whole situation is saved!"

"Okamura Yasuji has been completely thrown off balance by us. All his attention is now focused on how to plug the gap in the Pingxingguan direction and on guarding against our general offensive from Nankou."

"Although they remain vigilant in the direction of Handan, it is clear that the Japanese army is no longer able to spare any more troops."

He pointed to the intelligence report and said, "The 71st Army has consolidated the defenses of Laiyuan and Fuping."

According to news from the 18th Group Army, Okamura Yasuji urgently dispatched two independent garrison battalions to reinforce the front line in an attempt to stabilize it, but it was already a drop in the ocean.

Long Muhan called to ask whether to further expand the gains and pursue the enemy to the rear.

Chu Yunfei's gaze swept calmly across the sand table. The baton in his hand did not linger long at Pingxingguan, where brilliant results had already been achieved, but slowly moved south, finally landing on the Yellow River, the giant yellow dragon that divides southern Hebei and northern Henan.

“Okamura Neiji’s vision is still limited to the gains and losses of a single city or place.” Chu Yunfei’s voice was calm and confident, with the wisdom to see the big picture: “He thought that Pingxingguan and Nankou were all I had in this battle.”

"He's wrong. The more he tries to plug the gap we've created, the more he'll expose his true weakness."

"Order Long Muhan and Fan Hanjie," Chu Yunfei said quickly. "Order them to stop the pursuit, immediately switch to defense, build fortifications, consolidate the existing gains, and continue to draw the Japanese attention with small-scale offensives."

"Their mission is complete; the real killer move isn't here."

He turned to look at Fang Ligong, his eyes gleaming with the brilliance of a strategist: "In Go, there is a saying that there is gold in the corners, silver in the edges, and grass in the belly. Okamura Neiji is desperately guarding his 'corners' and 'edges,' but he doesn't know that my real killing move has already been aimed at his seemingly vast but actually empty 'grass belly.'"

Chu Yunfei's baton, like a sharp sword, pointed directly at the heart of the North China Plain: Shijiazhuang!
"The main strategy for Hebei is now truly entering the final, revealing its true colors!"

Fang Ligong was deeply shaken. He held his breath and listened intently.

"Order!" Chu Yunfei slammed his baton down on the Handan region: "Gong Yuxin's 13th Reserve Division, no longer hesitate, launch an immediate attack on the Hebei region! Make a big show of it, and move quickly!"

"At the same time, in the name of the North China Theater Joint Command, a telegram was sent to Tang Enbo, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth War Zone!"

Chu Yunfei's tone became more serious: "Tell him that Okamura Yasuji's main force has been firmly tied down by me, and his southern defenses are extremely weak."

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cross the Yellow River to the north and, together with our 13th Reserve Division, form a pincer movement against the main Japanese forces in the area surrounding Handan is right before our eyes!

If, in this battle, they can encircle and annihilate Sawajiri Taisuke's brigade, severely damage or even wipe out the Japanese 20th Division, it will also be an unparalleled achievement for his 31st Army Group.

A flicker of understanding crossed Fang Ligong's eyes, tinged with worry: "Lord Yun, are you planning to use Handan to lure out Okamura Yasuji's last big fish? But given Tang Enbo's personality, once he gets a taste of success, he might disregard cooperation and act rashly. At that point..."

“I want him to be reckless.” Chu Yunfei’s lips curled into a cold smile, as if he had everything under control: “The more Tang Enbo tries to take credit, the fiercer his offensive becomes, and the greater the pressure he puts on Okamura Neiji.”

To secure the vital Pinghan Railway, Okamura Yasuji had only one option: to mobilize his last strategic reserve, the 20th Division, to reinforce Handan.

"And this road, we have already chosen for them!" Chu Yunfei pointed his baton in the direction of Shijiazhuang.

"Qian Bojun's main force is in the area around Niangziguan. My order to him will not be to annihilate the 20th Division, but to launch a strong attack from the flank!" Chu Yunfei's eyes flashed with a cold light: "When the 20th Division is on its way back to reinforce, when its organization is most chaotic and its defenses are most relaxed, we will deliver the most fatal blow from its flank!"
There's no need to pursue a large number of enemy casualties; destroying their artillery regiments and logistical supplies is sufficient! As long as we can cripple this tiger's claws, the subsequent battles will simply be a matter of time.

"Once we breach the strategic barrier of Shijiazhuang, it will be time for the 14th Army Group to launch a general offensive! And Long Muhan's 71st Army and Fan Hanjie's 27th Army will be the last sharp sword to pierce the enemy's heart!"

One step after another, proceeding cautiously and meticulously, a grand plan aimed at overturning the entire war situation in North China was clearly described in Chu Yunfei's words.

Fang Ligong was deeply moved. He knew that an unprecedented decisive battle was about to begin, and he would be the witness to it.

Regardless of the choices made by the Japanese military.

They will eventually win this battle, after all, Chu Yunfei still has a true strategic reserve force that he has not yet used.

Fu Yisheng's 7th Army Group also had a combat strength of over 25,000 men, and their personnel were extremely well-trained, ranking in the upper-middle tier of the Nationalist Army.
North bank of the Yellow River, crossing point of the 31st Group Army of the Fifth War Zone.

On the river, the pontoon bridge sways and boats shuttle back and forth.

Standing atop the makeshift command tower, Tang Enbo held up his binoculars, watching his tens of thousands of troops surge toward the north bank like a tidal wave, his heart filled with boundless ambition to achieve great deeds.

"Commander-in-Chief, we have just received a report from the Second War Zone. They hope that after our troops cross the river, we can advance steadily with Gong Yuxin's 13th Reserve Division and support each other. We must not go deep into enemy territory alone."

An aide stepped forward and cautiously offered a reminder.

"Steady advance? Mutual support?" Tang Enbo put down his binoculars and scoffed dismissively, "That's the way mediocre generals fight! Speed ​​is of the essence in war, and opportunities are fleeting! By the time Gong Yuxin's 13th Reserve Division takes Handan at a snail's pace, it'll be too late!"

He turned around and said to the generals surrounding him with high spirits, "Brothers, Chu Yunfei has caused a huge mess in the north, and Okamura Yasuji is too busy to take care of himself right now!"
This is a golden opportunity! Chu Yunfei wants me to be his supporting character, to carry the torch for his cronies? I won't stand for it!

His eyes gleamed with an intense desire for military merit, as if he could already see the glorious moment when he would be the first to recover the entire territory of Hebei and receive the commendation from the mountain city.

"Pass on my order!" Tang Enbo waved his hand, his loud voice echoing in the river breeze, "After crossing the river, all units must not wait! Immediately launch a full-speed assault on the Japanese rear!"

I don't care about coordination or flanks!
This credit must belong to me, Tang Enbo! It belongs to our 31st Army Group!

"Yes!"

The officers responded with a resounding roar. Although some harbored doubts, under Tang Enbo's strong will, the army, like a beast released from its dam, began a frantic and reckless advance over the next few days.

The area surrounding Niangziguan.

The soldiers of the Sixth Army, like ghosts blending into the mountains and rocks, lay in ambush in their pre-arranged positions.

The soldiers smeared mud and grass on their faces and helmets, and wrapped the cold muzzles of their guns with strips of cloth to prevent any reflection.

The only sounds in the air were the wind and the soldiers' suppressed breathing.

A few kilometers away on the highway, a long marching column was slowly advancing in the distance.

Zhang Fugui lay prone in the observation post, calmly watching the Japanese artillery units and supply convoys slowly move into attack range. He could even see the tired and numb expressions on the faces of the Japanese artillerymen through his binoculars.

"The time has come."

Zhang Fugui picked up the phone, his voice completely flat: "Order all regiments to launch a full-scale attack and cut them off!"

"Yes!"

"Fire!"

The moment the order was given, all the artillery positions in the Niangziguan direction erupted like volcanoes that had just awakened!
Dozens of mountain guns and heavy mortars, which were lying in ambush on both sides of the mountain, roared at the same time!

The shells, with a piercing whistle as they tore through the air, crashed devastatingly at an almost vertical angle into the unsuspecting Japanese artillery and trucks several kilometers away!

"Boom!"

The first volley of shells accurately hit the Japanese marching column.

One after another, precious Type 91 howitzers were blown apart by the violent explosion, their twisted barrels pointing straight into the sky.

The draft horses neighed in terror, dragging the burning gun carriages and running around wildly, causing even more chaos.

Immediately afterwards, the artillery fire extended backward, covering the Japanese army's supply convoy.

The truck, fully loaded with ammunition, was detonated, triggering an even more terrifying chain of explosions, with flames shooting into the sky and thick smoke billowing out.

The Japanese army's marching formation was instantly cut off, leaving them unable to coordinate their movements and plunging them into complete chaos and panic.

Zhang Fugui kept Qian Bojun's orders in mind and did not engage in close combat with the enemy infantry.

After successfully crippling the Japanese army's heavy firepower and logistics, and completely tearing open a huge gap.

He immediately directed his troops to provide alternating cover before the Japanese combat forces could organize an effective counterattack.

They quickly disengaged from the battlefield and disappeared into the vast Taihang Mountains, leaving behind only a burning hell and the desperate cries of the Japanese soldiers.

The General Headquarters of the Sixth Army Group.

Chief of Staff Qian Zhaoyou, who was standing to the side, was quite puzzled: "Commander-in-Chief, why not take this opportunity to expand the results of the battle? With our seven regiments, we might even be able to crush the 20th Division on the spot."

Qian Bojun nodded in agreement: "Brother Wu Guan is right on this point. With our military strength, we can indeed inflict heavy damage on the 20th Division in this attack, but at the same time, our casualties will not be small either."

"Commander Chu, what Commander Yan hopes for is that we can inflict as much damage as possible on the enemy while preserving our own strength, instead of fighting the Japanese to the death like before."

"This," Qian Zhaoyou said with a hint of helplessness, "is something that a soldier should be considering."

Clearly, Qian Zhaoyou misunderstood Chu Yunfei's meaning.

Qian Bojun chuckled and then explained, "Don't forget, we owe the Soviets and Americans a lot of foreign debt. Brother Qian Wuguan, you don't really intend to repay it, do you?"

"What do you mean?" Qian Zhaoyou was taken aback. "Could it be that Commander Chu is trying to renege on his debt?"

"It's not about defaulting on the debt, but about repaying it in a way that's acceptable to us. It's not about not repaying it at all, but about slowing it down and repaying it in installments, taking a gradual approach without affecting the healthy development of the national economy. Do you think superpowers like the United States and the Soviet Union could accept our approach?"

Qian Zhaoyou slowly shook his head: "If that's the case, then we might have to contend with a new round of conflict with these two countries."
-
The 14th Group Army Headquarters at the Nankou Front.

Commander-in-Chief Liu Maoen and his generals are being bombarded with intelligence reports from different directions, the contents of which are almost mythical.

"Report! Great victory at Pingxingguan! General Song Xilian's 71st Army has captured Laiyuan and Fuping in succession!"

"Report! The Japanese 20th Division has been attacked by our army along the Shijiazhuang line. Its artillery and supply units have suffered heavy losses, and its command system is in chaos!"

Two more days.

"Report! Urgent telegram from headquarters!" A communications officer rushed in, his voice trembling with excitement, almost shouting, "Commander Chu has ordered: The enemy's 20th Reserve Division has already engaged our 13th Reserve Division and the vanguard of the 31st Army Group. The combined forces near Shijiazhuang number nearly 100,000. The time for the general offensive at Nankou has arrived! My army group is ordered to launch a full-scale attack!"

Liu Maoen stared blankly at the map, and finally he understood.

All the sacrifices, all the waiting, all the misunderstandings and resentments before, at this moment, all turned into a deep shock and supreme admiration for Chu Yunfei's unpredictable strategic layout.

So this is the real game!

He grabbed the phone leading to the 14th Army headquarters, his voice booming with excitement: "Connect with Commander Chen Tie!"

When Chen Tie answered the phone, Liu Maoen could no longer contain his emotions: "Commander Chu's plan has succeeded!"

"Okamura Neiji's entire fortune has been drained!"

"The Japanese devils in Nankou are now a pack of toothless tigers!"

"The glory of breaking through Nankou and bringing this great counter-offensive to a perfect close now rests on your shoulders and those of your 14th Army!"

"I'm handing over all the army group's reserves to you! All I want is you to take it down!"

On the other end of the phone came Chen Tie's calm and resolute voice, filled with immense confidence.

The 14th Army.

It was also an iron army in the War of Resistance against Japan, the main force of the Central Army, and the direct troops of Wei Lihuang, one of the Five Tiger Generals.

They were also among the German equipment adjusters of that era, and they had their own pride.

"Please convey this message to Commander Chu, Commander-in-Chief..."

"The honor and prestige of the Fourteenth Army, the Fourteenth Group Army, will never be tarnished in my hands, Chen Tie!" (End of Chapter)