Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

To achieve this crazy plan.

Okamura Yasuji issued a new order for troop movement.

"Order!" His baton swept heavily across the map: "The 5th Division, which has just arrived east of Changshan, will be divided into three infantry battalions to form a special task force, which will immediately move south to reinforce the 17th Mixed Brigade and participate in the battle to encircle and annihilate the 31st Army Group."

"Furthermore, I am sending a telegram to Lieutenant General Shintaro Imada, commander of the 5th Division, instructing them to ensure that the division builds a solid and insurmountable defensive line!"

Okamura Yasuji's tone left no room for argument: "It is imperative to emphasize in the telegram that their mission is not to counterattack Changshan, but to establish a stalemate with Qian Bojun's troops!"

"Keep them firmly blocked to the north, and do not allow them to advance south to reinforce us!"

"Hai!"

The 5th Division, which was hailed as the "Steel Army" from its inception, was one of the most elite Class A divisions in the Japanese Army.

The original rest and reorganization plan was terminated at the scene of the battle, and rapid mobilization and transportation began to the North China battlefield.

Now, they have been thrown into this gamble that will determine the fate of North China by Okamura Yasuji. Their appearance will completely change the battlefield situation around Changshan, building an insurmountable Great Wall of Steel between Qian Bojun's assault troops and Tang Enbo's besieged army group.

Okamura Neiji's gaze shifted to the Nangong encirclement: "Order the 20th and 35th Divisions to hold nothing back! Use all artillery and all troops to launch the fiercest general offensive against Tang Enbo's forces within the encirclement!"

"I only gave them three days!"

"Within three days, I must see the number of the 31st Army Group of China completely erased from the map!"

With each order issued by Okamura Yasuji, the center of gravity of the entire North China battlefield suddenly shifted south.

A much larger and bloodier campaign aimed at annihilating a main force army group of the National Revolutionary Army is about to begin.

Although the Nationalist troops in North China won the battle at Changshan, they also put themselves in a more dangerous strategic predicament.

At least, that's how it is from Okamura Yasuji's perspective.
-
That afternoon.

Inside the joint command center, however, was a completely different scene of calm and strategic planning.

On an antique pearwood table.

There was an exquisite chessboard on the table.

Chu Yunfei and Fang Ligong were sitting facing each other, playing chess.

Chu Yunfei picked up a "cannon" piece and placed it heavily on the center line of the chessboard, saying in a deep voice, "Central Cannon."

"That's just how Okamura Neiji is. He starts off aggressively, seemingly intent on killing me."

Fang Ligong then steadily leaped up in a "horse" formation, smiling slightly, and said, "Then I will use softness to overcome hardness, like a screen horse. No matter how fierce their attack, I will remain unmoved, the Fifth Division as my pawn."

The two played chess while reviewing the thrilling Changshan combined attack that had just ended.

For the two of them at this moment.

A decisive battle that swept across North China and affected the entire country.

It seemed as if the Chu-Han border was merely within this small space before my eyes.

Zhang Dayun gently placed a thick stack of battle reports on the table and softly reminded him, "Sir, they're all sorted out."

While Fang Ligong was pondering his chess moves, Chu Yunfei casually picked up a copy.

After glancing at it, he immediately exclaimed in admiration, "Qian Bojun's attack on Niangziguan was perfectly timed."

Instead of trying to annihilate the infantry of the Japanese 20th Division, they concentrated all their artillery fire and elite infantry to precisely eliminate most of the artillery and supply units.

A single, decisive strike, and a safe retreat.

"That move of 'severing the tiger's claws and teeth' is indeed quite effective!" Fang Ligong moved a "chariot," capturing one of Chu Yunfei's "pawns," and said calmly, "A skilled strategist seeks advantage from the situation, not from others."

"Brother Bojun's ability to seize opportunities is indeed worth learning from."

After jumping off his horse, Chu Yunfei continued with a laugh: "The military order, 'If Changshan is not captured within three days, bring your head to me,' has really pushed the two division commanders, Sun Xinpu of the 15th Division and Liu Wang of the 16th Division, to their limits."

"His report states that the two division commanders were secretly competing during the siege, seeing whose troops would rush to the top of the city wall first."

Sun Xinpu's 15th Division breached the city wall, and Liu Wang's 16th Division immediately went to seize the train station.

Although the regimental-level command's strategic actions appeared reckless.

Overall, however, the command performance was quite good.

In particular, Cao Potian's timely adjustments were well-suited to the artillery group's tactics.

Liu Wang and Sun Xinpu also showed great promise.

Although Cao Potian's usual tactics were risky, they also greatly boosted the morale of the troops.

"An incompetent general can lead to the death of the entire army; a brave general can inspire the whole army to fight to the death." Chu Yunfei said, "Although Cao Potian's fighting style is fierce, he is good at using people's hearts. Although Sun Xinpu and Liu Wang are competing with each other, they are not acting rashly. In this battle, the assault troops performed outstandingly and should be rewarded handsomely."

After pondering for a moment, Chu Yunfei instructed Zhao Pengcheng, who was standing beside him, "Pengcheng, make a note of this. All the generals who participated in the joint attack on Changshan, namely Cao Potian, Qian Bojun, Gong Yuxin, Sun Xinpu, and Liu Wang, should be reported to the Military Commission for consideration in awarding them the Precious Tripod Medal."

"All officers in the assault troops will be promoted one rank and awarded three months' worth of double pay."

"Thirty combat heroes will be selected from each unit and regiment, and their stories will be published in the newspapers so that people all over the country will know about their bravery."

"Yes, Your Excellency!" Zhao Pengcheng wrote furiously.

Chu Yunfei played chess while processing battle reports until the very end.

Only then did I see the telegram for help that Zhang Dayun had deliberately placed at the bottom, along with Fang Ligong's instructions.

"If I had known today, why would I have done it in the first place?"

"If Tang Enbo had listened to me, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state. So many people's sacrifices were almost ruined because of his arrogance."

Chu Yunfei placed the battle report aside and then quietly gazed at the chessboard in front of him.

Soon, he slowly moved the "General" symbol, representing the supreme commander, one step to the right.

"General."

He raised his head and looked at Fang Ligong, his face expressionless.

"Your Excellency, how do you intend to handle this matter?"

Chu Yunfei immediately replied, "Reply to Tang Enbo: His disobedience and command errors will be judged by the General Headquarters."

"But the brothers of the 13th Army should not be sacrificed in vain because of his stupidity."

"Order: The 71st Army under Long Muhan shall change its original battle plan and instead move towards southern Hebei to join forces with our 13th Reserve Division to form a counter-encirclement of part of the 35th Division of the Japanese Army from the outside."

"Where is the Fifth Army Group located?" Chu Yunfei asked, knowing the answer already.

Fang Ligong glanced down at his wristwatch: "We should be able to reach the designated attack position around tonight..."

Chu Yunfei slowly stood up and continued, "Our strategic reserves are almost exhausted, and it is no longer suitable to continue the offensive."

After relieving the siege of the 31st Army Group, they shifted to a strategic defensive posture and began to stockpile the supplies needed for combat.

As for the enemy-occupied battlefields in North China, as agreed before the war, they were to be taken over by the troops of the 18th Group Army. (End of this chapter)