Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

North China.

Joint Command Center.

News of Tang Enbo's troops being surrounded in the southern Hebei plain.

It soon came through the channels of the 18th Group Army.

The faces of everyone present were filled with shock and anger.

What angered them most was not that Tang Enbo disobeyed military orders.

Instead, after being surrounded, they did not report to the joint command immediately.

Either way, it's enough to teach Tang Enbo a lesson.

Disobeying orders on the battlefield deserves execution.

Zhang Dayun stubbed out his cigarette with his fingers and said indignantly, "This Tang Enbo, when I sent them the telegram, it was in your name, Commander Chu, but I didn't expect him to disobey orders."

Fang Ligong presented the battle reports to Chu Yunfei, his voice hoarse with suppressed anger: "Lord Yun, the main force of the 13th Army has been surrounded by the Japanese 20th and 35th Divisions in the Nangong and Xinhe areas. Communication is intermittent, and the situation is extremely critical!"
Tang Enbo's outer support troops have arrived to reinforce the area, but the Japanese army has clearly made preparations in advance, and they cannot break through the encirclement to support the 13th Army's breakout!

Tang Enbo clearly knew he had made a huge mistake.

The key point is that he doesn't want the joint command to know.

A day had passed since they were surrounded, and if it weren't for the information channels of the 18th Group Army reaching them...

The people at the joint command are probably still in the dark.

Chu Yunfei's expression remained icy and stern.

Currently, his three-dimensional combat map can only cover 100 kilometers.

We could barely make out the battle situation along the Handan-Shijiazhuang line.

As for the 31st Army Group, which is further away, and the combat situation in the Nankou direction,
At this moment, Chu Yunfei simply stared quietly at the blue arrow on the sand table, which was firmly pinned down by the red arrow.

“He received my orders, but chose to disobey.” Chu Yunfei’s voice was very soft: “He thought he saw easy military achievements, but he didn’t know that it was just bait prepared for him by the enemy.”

Fang Ligong hesitated, then said, "Master Yun."

"I know what you're trying to say," Chu Yunfei waved his hand. "But now is not the time to assign blame."

"No matter how big a mistake Tang Enbo made, we cannot ignore the lives of tens of millions of soldiers in the 13th Army."

He took a deep breath, despite his deep contempt for Tang Enbo's stupidity.

But as the commander-in-chief of the entire North China battlefield, he had to bear all the consequences of this unexpected turn of events.

"In my name, send a telegram to the mountain city." Chu Yunfei's voice returned to calm, devoid of any emotion: "Report the situation in southern Hebei to the Chairman truthfully."

For example, Tang Enbo, commander-in-chief of the 31st Army Group, acted recklessly, disobeying orders from the theater command to coordinate operations, resulting in his 13th Army being isolated and surrounded by the Japanese army.

"The battle situation is critical; I humbly request Your Excellency's instructions."

Clearly, Chu Yunfei wanted to help, but he didn't intend to directly adjust the current deployment.

After all, the momentum for the decisive battle in North China has already become apparent.

If the deployment is adjusted at this time, the Japanese army may be able to catch its breath, and the outcome of this battle will be uncertain.

Even Chu Yunfei himself didn't know.

Therefore, adjustments are acceptable, but the mountain city must support him in continuing the fight before he will be willing to adjust his deployment to rescue Tang Enbo's troops.

Fang Ligong was very clever. He was stunned for a moment and whispered, "Lord Yun, do you want to use the 13th Army's aid to Tang Enbo to exchange for the opportunity to continue fighting with the Chairman?"

Chu Yunfei nodded almost imperceptibly: "Let's give it a try."

"The signature on that telegram."

Chu Yunfei remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, "Let's use military ranks this time."

In the past, Chu Yunfei would usually consider himself a student.

But this time.

Facing the Americans, facing the mountain city.

He didn't want to back down.

The telegram was sent to the mountain city as quickly as possible.

The atmosphere inside the Chairman's official residence was somber.

Faced with this battle report and Chu Yunfei's inquiry telegram.

Chang Ruiyuan remained silent for a long time.

Tang Enbo was a general he relied on highly, and the 13th Army was an elite force of the Central Army.

At that time, there were actually five main factions in the National Revolutionary Army: He Yingqin's faction, Tu Mu's faction, Tang Enbo's faction, Jin Army faction, and other local armies.

Even though other warlord forces might not get along with each other, they would often choose to band together when trouble came up.

However, as the War of Resistance against Japan progressed to this point in time...

In reality, only the Guangxi clique and the Sichuan-Kang clique remain as decent local factions.

The Jin Army faction was already the de facto central army faction, it was just habitually referred to as the Jin Army faction.

Tang Enbo is now surrounded, which is tantamount to cutting a piece of flesh from Chang Ruiyuan's heart.

more importantly.

The words of the "well-intentioned reminder" from the United States still ring in my ears.

Tang Enbo's crushing defeat provided them with the perfect and irrefutable excuse for their suggestion to "suspend the offensive and consolidate the gains."

soon.

A reply telegram, dictated by the Chairman and drafted by Zhang Zhizhong, the Director of the Generalissimo's Office, was sent to Chu Yunfei's command post.

The telegram was filled with reassuring rhetoric and a sense of "overall perspective."

The content is as follows: "The setback in southern Hebei was not due to a lack of skill, but rather to unfavorable weather conditions and the cunning of the enemy."

Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare; temporary gains and losses are insufficient to define a hero.

Back in the day, Guo Ziyi of the Tang Dynasty endured the humiliation of Pugu Huai'en to secure the country, and eventually became a renowned minister who helped restore the dynasty.

Han Xin of the Han Dynasty, in order to achieve great things, also endured the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs.

In today's situation, we soldiers need such integrity and magnanimity, and we must prioritize the principle of "forbearance for the sake of the country."

The telegram was full of classical allusions.

The entire passage was an attempt to persuade Chu Yunfei to endure this temporary humiliation and to keep the overall interests of the nation in mind.

However, behind these grand and elegant words lies the true command.

"General Tang Enbo is a pillar of the Party and the country, and the 13th Army is also a mainstay of the War of Resistance. We must not lose them."

Hope that Yunfei can consider the bond between brothers and comrades, temporarily halt the offensive against Shijiazhuang, immediately gather the main force, move south, relieve the siege of Nangong, and rescue Tang's troops.

This is the most important task at present; everything else can be postponed. —Zhongzheng

After reading the telegram aloud, Fang Ligong was so angry that he crumpled the paper in his hand, making a cracking sound.

"Endure for the sake of the country? What a fine 'endure for the sake of the country'!" Fang Ligong said angrily. "Lord Yun, this is not asking us to come to our aid. This is clearly taking advantage of Tang Enbo's defeat and following the Americans' wishes to make us abandon the great opportunity of the counter-offensive in North China!"

"Once our main force is transferred south, the Japanese army on the northern front will have a chance to catch its breath, and the entire Shijiazhuang attack plan will be in vain!"

"Wasn't all the blood shed by our tens of thousands of soldiers at Nankou, Pingxingguan, and Handan shed in vain?!"

Chu Yunfei didn't speak; he just stared quietly at the telegram.

We absolutely must save them.

But how to save them is a science in itself.

This telegram actually revealed the attitude of the officials in the mountain city.

He knew this was not just an order from the Chairman.

Behind it.

It is also an invisible hand from across the ocean, attempting to control the course of the game.

He was silent for a long time.

After a long time, Fang Ligong was expected to choose to obey.

However, Chu Yunfei suddenly raised his head.

He said to his confidential staff officer beside him, "Connect me to the headquarters of the Second War Zone Commander. I want to speak directly with Commander Yan."

The call was answered quickly.

"I am Chu Yunfei, I am looking for Commander Yan."

The operations staff officer on the other end of the phone was visibly taken aback: "Commander Chu, please wait a moment. Commander Yan changed into civilian clothes half an hour ago and joined Director Chu and his entourage."

Chu Yunfei understood the situation and nodded immediately: "It's alright, call back as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Taiyuan at this moment.

It was afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, on Zhonglou Street in the south of Taiyuan.

People come and go, bustling.

The shops along the street, whether they are long-established brands selling cloth and silk.

The noodle shops and sesame seed cake stalls, still wafting enticing aromas, were all open to welcome customers. The shouts of the waiters, the haggling of customers, and the laughter of children chasing and playing filled the air.

The faint yet rhythmic roar of machinery emanating from the nearby industrial area intertwined with the sounds, creating a unique symphony of tranquility and bustle that belonged to this city.

Among the crowd, three middle-aged men dressed in ordinary casual clothes were walking slowly.

Not far from them were a dozen or so bodyguards, also dressed in ordinary civilian clothes.

Judging from their clothing, the three men appeared to be wealthy merchants or traveling gentry.

It was completely inconspicuous in the bustling city of Taiyuan.

The leader was none other than Yan Xishan, the commander-in-chief of the Second War Zone and director of the Shanxi Pacification Headquarters.

Today he took off the general's uniform that symbolized power.

He changed into a simple gray long gown and slowly twirled two walnuts in his hands.

Those deep and shrewd eyes.

At this moment, he was filled with a heartfelt sense of satisfaction and a smile.

The three of them looked around the street with great interest.

This is Shanxi under his rule.

It was the territory he had managed for decades.

Even now, in this era of war, under his rule, this place still maintains a rare sense of order and tranquility.

This scene of peaceful and prosperous life.

For Yan Xishan, this was more important than any victory reported in battle reports.

All of these things would make him, the "King of Shanxi," feel more satisfied.

"Director Chu."

Yan Xishan stopped and stood in front of a vendor selling candied hawthorns, looking at the bright red hawthorns with great interest. He didn't turn around, but said softly to Chu Xichun beside him, "Look at the children on the street, their faces are chubby and their eyes are shining."

"What does this mean?"

"This shows that our Shanxi approach is correct, and it also shows that our tightening of our belts over the past few years has not been in vain."

Chu Xichun.

The chief of staff of the Second World War zone had also changed into civilian clothes.

Looking at the prosperous and peaceful scene before him, he was filled with emotion.

Chu Xichun whispered, "It's all thanks to your visionary leadership and effective governance, Director. Shanxi's current situation owes a great deal to you, Director."

"All of this is my achievement?"

Yan Xishan chuckled lightly, then waved his hand.

He took out several large-denomination Chinese currency notes from his pocket, handed them to the vendor, and asked for two of the largest candied hawthorn skewers.

He handed the two strings of food to a little girl on the roadside who was looking at him curiously.

The little girl timidly accepted it and said in a clear voice, "Thank you, Grandpa."

The other little boy, clearly not with the girl, also mustered his courage and accepted the candied hawthorn from Yan Laoxi, saying, "Thank you, Grandpa."

Watching the two children skip and run away, Yan Laoxi's face also showed a kind smile.

He turned to Chu Xichun and continued, "Yunfei is charging ahead and causing chaos throughout North China."

“If we, those of us in the rear, can’t take good care of his home and ensure he has enough food and ammunition, then what kind of ‘one-chess game’ is this, with the whole country on the battlefield as one?”

When the war was mentioned, Chu Xichun's expression became serious: "Yes, Director."

"You have already seen the latest battle report from the front."

"Yunfei's 'Changshan Joint Attack' plan has been fully launched, and fierce battles are taking place in Nankou, Handan, and other places."

"His move was intended to achieve his goal in one fell swoop and completely crush the main force of the Japanese army in North China."

Yan Xishan casually bought another skewer of candied hawthorns, and then put one into his mouth in front of the others, the sweet and sour taste melting in his mouth.

He squinted and said slowly, "Yunfei is meticulous and bold. His move was risky but also brilliant. He has staked everything on this battle."

"He's gambling with his life against Okamura Yasuji, and he's also defying that guy in Chongqing and the Americans."

Yan Laoxi was well aware of the immense pressure Chu Yunfei was facing at the moment, both militaryly and politically.

"but."

He changed the subject, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes: "He dares to gamble like this because he knows that he has our family's wealth backing him up."

"With our three northwestern provinces (Shaanxi, Gansu, and Shanxi) as our unbreakable and indestructible rear base, we're here to support him!"

Sun Weimou, the current deputy director of the finance department and general manager of the Northwest Industrial Company, who was standing to the side, also chimed in with a smile: "What the superior says is absolutely right."

"Speaking of my family's assets, I just had to report to my superior."

"Thanks to the help from the Americans in the previous two years, our comprehensive integration of the industrial system and the technical exchanges with the Soviet Union have enabled the production capacity of our Northwest Manufacturing Bureau to reach a new level."

Sun Weimou's face showed an undisguised pride: "Take the ammunition that Commander Chu is most concerned about, for example. Our current monthly production of 7.92mm rifle bullets has stabilized at more than 1500 million rounds!"

Production of Type 65 rifle ammunition has also stabilized at over ten million rounds.

The production of various types of hand grenades and mortar shells has also increased by nearly 30% compared to the same period last year!

"Oh?"

With a proud smile, Sun Weimou continued, "The submachine guns that Commander Chu was most concerned about have now exceeded 600 units per month, and at least two million rounds of submachine gun ammunition can be produced every month. By the end of the year, the ammunition production should be able to double, while also driving the vigorous development of industrial and mining enterprises in southern, central, and northwestern Shanxi."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xishan's interest grew even stronger: "Then what is the quality of artillery like now? What level are our own 'Shanxi-made' cannons at now?"

Sun Weimou then laughed and said, "According to Soviet advisors and American technical experts, it is now at a world-class level, second only to a few countries such as the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany, Britain, and France. In fact, in terms of cannon casting technology, we have already surpassed the Japanese in some aspects of performance."

Upon hearing what Sun Weimou said...

"Great! Great!"

Yan Xishan immediately clapped his hands excitedly, attracting the attention of passersby.

He quickly suppressed his emotions, but he could no longer suppress the smile on his face.

"Wei Mou, you've done a really good job these past few years!" Yan Laoxi handed the candied hawthorns aside and patted Sun Wei Mou's shoulder heavily: "The military industry is the foundation of Shanxi! The relevant agreements that Yunfei negotiated with the Americans back then are the capital that allows us to live and thrive!"

He turned around and looked at the bustling street.

Looking at those people living in peace and contentment, my heart was filled with unprecedented satisfaction and pride.

"Qingbo, Weimou, you both actually understand this in your hearts."

Although Yan Laoxi's voice was not loud, it carried a sense of composure and confidence that came from a commanding view of the whole situation: "Chu Yunfei's fighting outside is about appearances. Our economic development at home is about substance."

"Only by having a strong facade can one have substantial substance; that's not the way it is in Shanxi."

"Only then have our 400 million people, our Chinese nation, truly stood up!"

"Now, we can make our own guns, our own shells, and our own cannons."

"Next, we want to build our own tanks and airplanes!"

"We must completely drive the Japanese devils out of China!"

Just as Yan Laoxi was expressing his lofty ambitions, a jeep quickly pulled up around the three of them.

Lieutenant Colonel Zhao, the operations staff officer on duty, hurriedly stepped forward.

Invite Yan Laoxi back to headquarters.

Upon hearing that Chu Yunfei was looking for him urgently, Yan Laoxi boarded the car quickly without saying a word.

ten minutes later.

Yan Laoxi and his entourage quickly returned to the joint command headquarters.

I briefly calmed my chest, which was heaving from walking briskly.

Yan Laoxi immediately ordered Chu Xichun to connect to the joint command headquarters by phone.

the other side.

Jingle bell bell~!

Zhang Dayun stepped forward to answer the phone, then looked up at Chu Yunfei: "Master Yun, it's Commander Yan."

Chu Yunfei quickly stepped forward, took a deep breath, and then slowly said, "Commander Yan, I am Yunfei."

"Yunfei, I know about the situation at the front. You fought well! You showed the might of the Chinese people!"

On the other end of the phone came Yan Xishan's distinctive voice, thick with a Shanxi accent.

"Sir, you flatter me." Chu Yunfei got straight to the point: "Sir, I need to know the most accurate annual output of our Northwest Manufacturing Bureau. I need detailed data."

Yan Xishan was clearly taken aback for a moment, but then he understood Chu Yunfei's intention: "Yunfei, I just received news that the Americans seem to have some new moves on their side."

"Yes, sir." Chu Yunfei's voice was extremely firm: "So I need to calculate how long we can fight on our own, and what scale of battle we can fight, if we rely solely on ourselves without any external support for the Burma Road in the short term!"

On the other end of the phone.

After a moment of silence, Yan Xishan sighed heavily and said, "Alright! I will immediately order someone to compile the latest data from the arsenal and send it over."

"But Yunfei, don't think I'm being a nag, but you really need to think this through. After all, you're getting on in years, it's time to consider your future, and besides, your wife and children are all in Shancheng."

Chu Yunfei smiled and said, "Commander Yan, please rest assured, I will think it over carefully before acting." (End of Chapter)