Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 365 Abacus Beads Flying Randomly
Inside the temporary command post, Li Yunlong looked at Chen Chengxing, who had walked in looking travel-worn, and teased him.

"Chen Chengxing, you're newly married and you've already been dragged here. You're not really willing to do this, are you?"

“Soldiers don’t have time for themselves,” Chen Chengxing said casually.

In fact, only two days after the wedding, Wen Ying went to the arsenal to study rocket artillery.

"Alright, enough with the nonsense." Chen Sijin walked in as well.

"You should all know the situation; the Guo army is coming in with great force."

Although the two sides had signed an agreement, Chiang Kai-shek showed no intention of ceasing hostilities in order to seize key transportation routes.

And when they do it, it's always a big one.

Large-scale troop movements occurred on Pinghan Road, Pingsui Road, and Jinpu Road.

The Kuomintang forces in Suiyuan launched an attack on the liberated areas in the 12th War Zone.

Therefore, Ye Si led a large force and moved to northern Shanxi.

They were preparing to cooperate with the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region in operations, and even the field artillery regiment was taken away.

Now, the main field forces in southern Shanxi are only the D Column and the Second Independent Detachment, which are under the unified command of Chen Sijin.

"I've already reviewed the intelligence on the way," Chen Chengxing analyzed.
"The number of KMT troops in the northern section of Tongpu, from Suicheng to Fu'an, is not large and should not pose a threat to us."

"The target of Guo Jun this time should be the area in southern Shanxi."

The Yesi's northward offensive target was Jining, and the Guo army in Suicheng would not abandon the Jining battlefield to attack Taiyuan.

This is good news, as they only need to focus their efforts on dealing with the Central Army and the Jin-Sui Army in southern Shanxi.

If Chen Chengxing could see it, Chen Sijin naturally could too, which is why he brought the D Column and the Second Independent Detachment to southern Shanxi.

"Even if it's just the enemy forces in southern Shanxi, it won't be easy to defeat them."

Even Li Yunlong, who was fearless, became serious at this moment.

The Central Army's six divisions numbered 6 men, while the Jin-Sui Army also numbered tens of thousands.

But right now, their main force only numbers 5 at most.

If they were to engage in a direct confrontation with the well-equipped and far superior Nationalist army, it would be a losing proposition no matter how you looked at it.

"We have to fight, even if it's tough!" Cheng Zhiqiang, standing to the side, instinctively blurted out.

"Alright, alright, Blind Cheng, I'm not going to talk to you anymore. Let's hear what Director Si has to say."

Li Yunlong nearly choked to death. Was that what he meant?

"This battle is indeed going to be tough," Chen Sijin said.

"However, Yan Xishan and Chiang Kai-shek were not of one mind."

"They all hope that the other party will go all out, so that they can reap the benefits."

"Let's take advantage of Yan Xishan's desire to preserve his strength and attack Hu Shoushan before they join forces!"

"Our overall approach this time is to be flexible and mobile, to leverage the advantages of our army's mobile warfare, and to annihilate the enemy in motion."

This battle marked the first time our army had fought against the well-equipped elite troops of the Kuomintang.

The outcome will directly affect subsequent battle plans.

Therefore, we must play well.

"According to the latest intelligence, after Guo's army arrived in Anyi, they huddled together and did not move."

"To wage a mobile war, we need to lure the Guo army out first," Chen Sijin added.

After the field headquarters was transferred, Chen Sijin took over the intelligence network of more than ten counties in southern Shanxi.

As a veteran of the Special Branch, Chen Sijin was well aware of the importance of intelligence.

Therefore, a great deal of effort was devoted to intelligence gathering.

He knew the situation of Guo Jun's troops very well.

“Officer, luring the Guo army out is simple, just attack them,” Chen Chengxing said.

"No matter what the reason is for the Central Army's inaction, we will attack the Jin-Sui Army!"

The Central Army did not come to Shanxi to offer birthday greetings; they could not stand by and watch the Jin-Sui Army be wiped out, allowing the G Army to take the opportunity to grow stronger.

Looking at the map, Chen Sijin pondered for a moment, then tapped his finger on the map.

"Then let's attack! Target: Nitta."

Xintian was a key town on the Tongpu Railway; capturing it would sever the railway connection between the Jin-Sui Army and the Central Army.

The territory occupied by the Jin-Sui Army, apart from the mountainous area of ​​southwestern Shanxi during the War of Resistance against Japan, was along the Tongpu Railway south of Shuncheng.

However, ever since the Central Army arrived, Yan Xishan's abacus beads have been clicking away.

According to the intelligence he received, the G Party army that was originally in the Taiyuan area had already left.

Half of them went to northern Shanxi, and the other half went south to the Taiyue Mountain area.

He wanted to take advantage of the situation where the Central Army was holding back the main force of the G Army to seize Taiyuan.

As long as he has Taiyuan, he doesn't care about southern Shanxi or anything like that!

As Yan Xishan pondered, he clenched his teeth.

He really doesn't care at all!!!
Under Yan Xishan's command, the Jin-Sui Army left some troops in Xintian and Pingyang in preparation for handing over to the Central Army.

The rest of the main force has begun a fierce attack to the north.

And they have already successfully occupied several county towns.

Because of the northward advance of the Jin-Sui Army, a large area between Xintian and Pingyang was left with a lack of troops.

Chen Sijin seized this opportunity and launched an offensive against the Xintian area.

Yan Xishan was stunned when he received the telegram from the garrison in Xintian.

"What's going on? Why is the G Army attacking me instead of fighting the Central Army?"

Shouldn't the Central Army in Anyi pose a greater threat to the G Army?

Even if the Jin-Sui Army had a chance to retake Taiyuan, the G Army wouldn't have bothered attacking Xintian.

"Sir, no matter what the G Army's plans are, we have to support Xintian," Yang Xingru said from the side.

The towns and counties surrounding Xintian were being captured by the G army.

It probably won't be long before the G army arrives at Xintian.

There are not many troops stationed in Xintian now. Once the main force of the G army arrives, Xintian will surely fall.

Yan Xishan stroked his beard, his mind racing.

"We will provide support, but not from the Jin-Sui Army."

"Send a telegram to the Central Army in Anyi and tell them to act immediately," Yan Xishan said.

They already took a huge swipe at him by reluctantly agreeing to hand over the southern section of the Tongpu Railway to the Central Army. Do they expect the Jin-Sui Army to lead the charge now?
If, in your calculations, Chairman Chang, you also consider the strength of my Jin-Sui Army as a pawn in the anti-Gang campaign...

Then you'll find that you don't have enough troops.

The Central Army can come to Shanxi to suppress the CCP, but you'd better be prepared to fight alone.

Upon receiving the telegram, Hu Shoushan in Xi'an dared not delay any longer and immediately sent an order to attack the troops in Anyi.

The Central Army's objective this time was southern Shanxi, especially the Tongpu Railway.

If the important nodes on the Tongpu Railway were occupied by the G army, he would probably not be able to justify it to the Chairman.

Upon receiving the telegram, the Central Army in Anyi didn't waste any words.

After leaving one division to garrison Anyi, the remaining five divisions began to march north along the Tongpu Road.

They prepared to join forces with the Jin-Sui Army stationed in Pingyang to launch a combined attack on the main force of the G Army.

Chen Chengxing received the news immediately as soon as the Central Army was mobilized.

"The Guo army has begun its operation," Xu Wu reported.

"According to intelligence, the Guo army is lined up in a long snake formation along the Tongpu Railway."

As Xu Wu spoke, he drew several circles on the map and wrote down the movements of the Central Army troops.

The 167th Division, which was at the forefront, had already arrived in Tongcheng.

不过跟在后面的31师、78师、47师、53师，却是拉出了长达200里的阵线。

"The Central Army is incredibly arrogant," Chen Chengxing remarked, looking at the map.

Chen Chengxing was not surprised when the Guo army formed a long, single-line formation.

After all, this was the Kōjun Army that had earned the title of "New Japanese Army".

Like the Japanese invaders, they had no foothold in the countryside.

Once they leave the railway and highway transportation lines, supplies will not be able to keep up, so operations are generally carried out around the railway lines.

However, Chen Chengxing did not expect that the Central Army would not provide mutual cover or advance in an echelon during the march, and there was not even any flank cover.

"Aside from encountering small groups of local troops harassing them along the way, the Central Army had a smooth journey."

"They've probably lost all sense of their own limitations." Chu Yunfei's expression was somewhat strange.

The officers of the Central Army were mostly graduates of Whampoa Military Academy, so how could this be?
Isn't this a disgrace to Whampoa Military Academy?
Do you really expect the enemy to get lost on their own?
"The wilder the better," Chen Chengxing said.

If Guo Jun takes a steady and methodical approach, it will be difficult for him to make a move.

Now that the Central Army has revealed a weakness, Chen Chengxing will naturally not let this opportunity pass.

"Send a telegram to the D column, prepare to take action!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

Chen Chengxing's gaze fell upon the 31st Division located in Dali Town, which was the vital spot of the Central Army.

Upon receiving Chen Chengxing's telegram, the D Column immediately halted its northward advance.

However, they are a bit far from Dali Town and can't get here in time.

Upon seeing the telegram sent by the D column, the people in the command post hesitated.

This is the first time we've faced the elite of the Guo army, and the enemy's advantages are quite obvious, so we can't afford to be careless.

"Should we wait a bit?" Chu Yunfei asked.

Despite the Central Army's arrogance, its combat effectiveness is still formidable, thanks to its advanced equipment.

It would be safer for the two armies to join forces and take action once the D column returns.

"This is an opportunity we can't miss, let's make our move tonight!" Chen Chengxing said decisively.

"Xu Wu!"

"To!"

"Tonight, you will lead the 21st and 22nd detachments, consisting of four regiments, in a strong attack on Dali Town!"

"The 207th and 209th Regiments of the 23rd Detachment are responsible for blocking the reinforcements from the north and south respectively," Chen Chengxing ordered.

If other divisions of the National Revolutionary Army send significant reinforcements, the 207th and 209th Regiments will face considerable pressure.

However, Chen Chengxing believed they could hold on.

Seeing that Chen Chengxing had made a decision, everyone in the command post stopped talking and immediately began preparations.

Fighting a war is not as simple as just charging into battle; there is a lot of preparation involved.

After nightfall, Xu Wu led four regiments in a fierce attack on the 31st Division headquarters and its subordinate 125th Regiment, which were stationed in Dali Town.

"Boom!" "Boom!"
The 31st Division of the Central Army, which was suddenly hit by heavy artillery fire, was completely stunned.

"What's going on?!" Liu Zhenming, commander of the 31st Division, asked in a panic.

"Commander, something's wrong! A large number of G troops have appeared around us! They're numerous!"

Chief of Staff Song Yan rushed in from outside, looking disheveled.

He just went to the front lines and the situation there made him feel like he had hit rock bottom.

"Damn it! How could the main force of the G Army be here! Shouldn't they be in Xintian?" Liu Zhenming said in disbelief.

He now prefers to believe that it was another division that had defected.

According to his estimation, the G army would not dare to engage the KMT army in battle along the railway line.

Once the main force reaches Xintian, the G army will likely retreat on its own initiative, at which point we will have to find an opportunity to fight them decisively.

But how did the G army end up here? How could they possibly be here!

"Commander, what do we do now? The G Army's offensive is fierce, and the 125th Regiment probably won't be able to hold out for much longer," Song Yan said anxiously.

Even with the assistance of the division's directly subordinate units, the 125th Regiment could not withstand the G Army's fierce artillery attack.

They never imagined that the G army would have such strong artillery firepower.

Given the current personnel density of the 31st Division, a single artillery shell from the G Army can sometimes wipe out an entire squad.

Liu Zhenming took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

"Order the troops to stop the G army's offensive at all costs, and have the division's artillery battalion provide full fire support."

Although the 31st Division was a main force in the First War Zone, it was only known as a semi-American-equipped division.

师属炮兵虽然是一个营，其实只有4门M1式75毫米山炮和4门M3式37毫米战防炮而已。

Even with their full firepower, they are not on the same level as the Second Independent Detachment's artillery regiment.

"Also, immediately send a distress signal to the surrounding troops and ask them to provide immediate support!"

"Yes! I'll go right away!" Song Yan hurriedly ran out again.

(End of this chapter)