Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Southern Hebei, headquarters of the 14th Reserve Division.

Division Commander Chen Zejun, who had just arrived at the front line, was frowning as he looked at a newly issued operational coordination notice.

The notification letter was very simple:
"This order is hereby issued that the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army's 'Eastern Expeditionary Column' shall immediately proceed to your division's defense zone to conduct joint operations. Specific operational tasks will be deployed uniformly after the arrival of General Fang Ligong, Chief of Staff of the North China Joint Command. It is hoped that our two armies will cooperate sincerely to jointly defeat the Japanese invaders."

Second World War Zone Command Headquarters; Chu Xichun.

The Eighth Route Army?
Coordinated operations?

Chen Zejun placed the notification on the table and rubbed his temples in frustration.

Deeply influenced by his family.

Chen Zejun has always harbored a deep-seated vigilance and distrust towards the Communist Party and the army it leads.

Although the friction between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in North China has been largely quelled under Chu Yunfei's strong consolidation efforts.

The two sides have also cooperated in areas such as intelligence sharing and material support.

However, Chen Zejun believes that this cooperation has always maintained a subtle distance.

Now, he is to be assigned to a fully-fledged main force of the Eighth Route Army.

On the same battlefield, fighting side by side, and even under unified command and coordinated operations.
Chen Zejun was a hundred times unwilling.

"Master's seat."

Beside him, his trusted regimental commander, Jiang Jinpeng, came closer, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness.

"This might be an opportunity."

"Opportunity?" Chen Zejun looked at him, puzzled.

Jiang Jinpeng lowered his voice and uttered a sinister suggestion: "Commander, what do you think?"

"The Eighth Route Army has always been a major concern for Chiang Kai-shek."

"This time, they've come to us of their own accord, so why don't we just go with the flow?"

"Once the battle plan is finalized, we can legitimately assign them to the most dangerous and difficult main attack direction."

"Let them gnaw on the toughest bones and deplete their manpower."

"In this way, we can both complete our combat mission and weaken the Japanese by using their strength."

"Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"

Jiang Jinpeng's words stirred something within Chen Zejun.

It must be said that this is an extremely tempting offer.

That's how the Chairman treated local armies, using the same methods to deplete their strength.

However, historically, since the Battle of Wuhan, the total strength of the Central Army has been no match for the local armies due to the heavy casualties in the previous battles and the collapse of the Nationalist government's finances. This has resulted in Chang Ruiyuan never having the opportunity or ability to fight back.

There really is such a good opportunity now.

This way, they could avoid offending Chu Yunfei, who was eager to promote cooperation, while secretly achieving the goal that the mountain city had always aimed to "reduce and integrate the Communists."

However, before he could even think of a reasonable way to achieve his goal, he was still in the process.

Another group leader, Han Yunxiang, stepped forward and offered a different perspective.

Han Yunxiang was not from the CC Clique, but a young general who graduated from the Whampoa Military Academy.

Deeply influenced by Chu Yunfei's military thought, he was quite disdainful of the so-called "partisan struggle".

"Commander, in my opinion, Regiment Commander Jiang's view is biased."

His voice was clear and firm: "In my opinion, since the Chairman and the General Headquarters have agreed to give the Eighth Route Army an official designation and even lifted restrictions on the replenishment of weapons and ammunition, this shows that, under the influence of Chief Advisor Chu, our high command's policy toward it has undergone a fundamental change."

"At least in North China, the old approach of 'restricting communism and dissolving communism' is outdated."

"Our only enemy now is the Japanese!"

"Any act that provokes internal conflicts and depletes the forces resisting Japan is a crime against the country and the nation!"

He glanced at Jiang Jinpeng and continued, "Indeed, Commander Hu's main forces are still largely deployed in the Northwest to guard against Yan'an."

However, this is a strategic game at the national level, and has no direct relation to the specific operations of our North China Theater.

"As frontline commanders, our focus should not be on how to outmaneuver our allies, but on how to unite all forces that can be united to win this battle!"

Han Yunxiang's words were resounding and righteous.

Chen Zejun's face flushed red and then turned pale.

He knew that Han Yunxiang was right.

But deep down, his deep-seated partisan prejudice caused him immense inner turmoil and distress.

"Old Han, you're just pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth."

Han Yunxiang stood firm: "With a formidable enemy at hand, what's the point of engaging in these petty schemes that deplete our own defense capabilities?"

He noticed that the two main regimental commanders under his command were showing signs of confrontation.

"Okay! Stop arguing!"

Chen Zejun slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

"I, Chen Zejun, can still distinguish between the greater good of the Party and the country!"

He looked at his two subordinates and said in an unquestionable tone, "I don't care if they are from the Eighth Route Army or the Central Army. Once they come to my defense zone and onto my battlefield, they are allies, they are comrades-in-arms!"

"As soldiers, we have only one most important task right now!"

"That is, to win this battle!"

"As for how to coordinate and how to deploy, everything will be decided after Chief of Staff Fang Ligong arrives!"

His words temporarily quelled the debate within the command headquarters.

But everyone knows that these two completely different ideas will inevitably clash in future collaborations.

Just then, a confidential staff officer, Zhou Peng (Chen Zejun's bodyguard when he was a company commander), rushed in looking flustered, with even a hint of fear on his face.

"Reporting to the Commander! Urgent telegram from the North China Joint Command!"

"problem occurs!"

Chen Zejun's heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition enveloped the entire division headquarters.

He snatched the telegram, glanced at it, and was struck dumb, frozen on the spot.

The contents of the telegram were shocking.

"Sun Dianying, commander of the newly formed Fifth Army, led his more than 30,000 men when they were suddenly surrounded by a large Japanese force. Sun's breakout attempt failed, and the entire army defected to the enemy!"

"what?"

Jiang Jinpeng and Han Yunxiang also came over to take a look, and were equally stunned by the news, speechless.

Sun Dianying!
That "Great Thief of the Eastern Tombs" who stole from the Eastern Tombs!
That "famous anti-Japanese general" who fought a bloody battle at Xifengkou!
He actually surrendered to the Japanese?

The Japanese army is now in its twilight years and is about to launch a nationwide counter-offensive.

This is not just a mutiny of one army.

This was an extremely heavy blow to the morale of the entire North China theater and even the entire nation's anti-Japanese forces!
Chen Zejun felt a sudden dizziness.

Neiji Okamura, this cunning opponent, before the main battle even began.

They used this ruthless "cutting off their own fuel supply" tactic to give them a resounding slap in the face.

Dark clouds have already descended upon the city.

How will he, his 14th Reserve Division, and the soon-to-arrive "friendly" forces with unclear allegiance conduct themselves in this impending major battle?
Chen Zejun felt utterly lost.

After a long silence, Jiang Jinpeng, the leader of the group, broke the silence with a murmur, his voice filled with disbelief.

"How is that possible? Sun Dianying's defense zone is located at the same angle as the Sixth Army Group, only a hundred miles apart."

"Given Commander-in-Chief Qian's fiery temper, he couldn't possibly stand by and watch his allies be surrounded!"

"His main divisions are tough nuts to crack; if they were to launch a full-scale attack, they could easily rout a Japanese main division."

Another regimental commander, Han Yunxiang, was equally puzzled. "Yes, Sun Dianying claimed to have 30,000 troops under his command. Even if they were all bandits and thugs, surely they shouldn't have been unable to hold out for even two days?"

"They couldn't even send a single telegram asking for help?"

The various illogical points of contention have shrouded the entire incident in mystery.

Chen Zejun didn't speak; he just stared intently at the location of the newly formed Fifth Army on the map.

His face was so gloomy that water could drip from his face.

He didn't know what had happened behind the scenes.

But he knew.

This incident has completely disrupted all the established plans of the North China Joint Command.

The future of the Battle of Handan is now shrouded in strategic uncertainty.

……

at the same time.

Changzhi, North China Joint Command.

Qian Bojun, the army group commander who had previously been passionately advocating for the attack on Beiping.

At this moment, he was facing an encrypted phone call to the mountain city, sweating profusely and almost jumping up in anxiety.

On the other end of the phone came the stern questioning voice of General Xu Yongchang, Minister of the General Staff Headquarters.

"Commander-in-Chief Qian Bojun! I ask you, why did you remain inactive when Sun Dianying's troops were attacked?"

Why did you stand by and watch someone die?

"Do you know that an entire army, more than 30,000 officers and soldiers, has surrendered without any explanation? This is a huge blow to the nation! What is your crime?!"

"Minister Xu! I've been wronged!"

Qian Bojun was so anxious that he stamped his feet, and his voice changed: "I did not receive any telegram from Sun Dianying requesting help, and I had no idea that Sun Dianying's troops were fighting the Japanese army."

"Furthermore."

He argued, "The main force of my Sixth Army has recently been in a standoff with the 11th Division, which is advancing south from the Kwantung Army, in the Gyeonggi region."

Our mission is to lull the enemy into a false sense of security and support the main attack from the Handan direction, so I had long ago ordered the main force to build defenses in place.

I didn't even send any scouts to Sun Dianying's side.

"Moreover, Commander Xu, this matter is extremely strange. How could Sun Dianying's more than 30,000 men not even be able to hold out for two days, and not even be able to send out a telegram requesting reinforcements?"

Xu Yongchang also frowned deeply: "Sun Dianying's last telegram was sent to the Chairman. In the telegram, he clearly stated that the allied forces were indifferent to the telegram requesting help, powerless to resist, hopeless to break out, and surrendered to the Japanese in order to preserve their strength."

"This"

At this moment, Qian Bojun was truly at a loss for words: "Commander Xu, this matter really has nothing to do with our Sixth Army Group. I hope the General Headquarters will understand."

Xu Yongchang looked up at Chang Ruiyuan, who was not far away.

Chang Ruiyuan gave him a look.

Xu Yongchang then hung up the phone: "Chairman, this matter is indeed a bit strange. Given Qian Bojun's personality, it's unlikely that he would stand idly by in this kind of thing. This is not in line with Chu Yunfei's consistent command style."

"Let's wait for the investigation report from North China."

"Yes."

At this moment, Qian Bojun was like an unlucky guy who had been stabbed in the back. He not only had to endure the pain, but also had to be questioned about why he didn't dodge.

Accountability calls came in one after another.

He Yingqin, Chen Cixiu, and Chu Xichun.

Even Chu Yunfei called him: "Brother Bojun, why didn't you save him?"

There were no questions, no angry outbursts.

But these four simple words made Qian Bojun feel more wronged and flustered than any harsh reprimand.

This time, he's really in a situation where he can't clear his name even if he jumps into the Yellow River.

On the phone.

Without saying a word, Qian Bojun immediately revealed the entire actual situation.

……

Taiyuan.

As Chu Yunfei listened to the explanation on the phone, a deep sense of helplessness appeared on his furious face.

After listening to this, Zhao Pengcheng said indignantly, "That Sun Dianying deserves to be torn to pieces!"

"He surrendered to the enemy in the heat of battle and even tricked Commander Qian!"

Zhang Dayun saw things more deeply. He took a puff of his cigarette and then analyzed, "Master Yun, this matter is probably not that simple."

“Sun Dianying was a fickle man. The predecessor of the newly formed Fifth Army was also a reorganized bandit army in western Henan. His character was not trustworthy.”

"But Sun Dianying wasn't stupid; he wouldn't have chosen the dead end of defecting to the enemy without a reason."

"I doubt."

He paused, then made a bold guess: "Sun Dianying's actions are not truly about becoming a traitor. Rather, he is imitating Wu Tinglin!"

Chu Yunfei nodded, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

“Dayun, after hearing Bojun’s explanation, I think you are right.”

“Sun Dianying was terrified by the precedent set by Wu Tinglin.”

Chu Yunfei's voice was cold and clear.

"You all saw Wu Tinglin's fate. What Sun Dianying did—looting the Eastern Tombs, selling national treasures, smuggling opium—wasn't his crime far greater than Wu Tinglin's?"

"He was afraid that he would be the next one to be purged."

"So, he wanted to find a 'way out' for himself."

Zhao Pengcheng was puzzled: "A way out? Surrender to the Japanese, what way out is there?"

"Yes." Chu Yunfei sneered, "His escape route is 'saving the country through a roundabout way,' it's 'being in Cao's camp but having his heart in Han'!"

"His plan was to first proactively surrender to the Japanese, preserve his own strength, and avoid losing himself in the upcoming major battle."

"When the war is won in the future, or when the situation changes, he can turn around and stage a 'defection on the front lines' to atone for his crimes!"

"By then, he will not only be able to clear his name of all his crimes, but he can even regain the Chairman's trust and be given important responsibilities as a 'meritorious defector'!"

These words sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Sun Dianying's actions were extremely insidious and far-fetched.

"He's completely lost his mind!" Zhao Pengcheng trembled with anger. "Does he think the Chairman is a fool? Does he think we'll all be fooled by him?"

“He’s not out of his mind.” Chu Yunfei stood up, walked to the window, looked at the gray sky outside, and his eyes were filled with an unprecedented killing intent.

"He was blinded by his own greed and fear."

He thought he could still be like those warlords of the past, playing both sides and taking advantage of the chaos.

"But he didn't know that times had changed."

Chu Yunfei's voice suddenly became as cold and sharp as the winter wind in Shanxi.

"This country, this war, can no longer tolerate such a faithless and unscrupulous opportunist!"

He turned around abruptly and gave Zhao Pengcheng and Zhang Dayun an unquestionable order.

"Immediately, in my name, issue a telegram to the entire army!"

"Sun Dianying, a traitor who defected to the enemy, is guilty of an unforgivable crime!"

"All Chinese soldiers, regardless of faction or rank, have the right to arrest or kill on the spot!" (End of Chapter)