Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 400 I will personally take command!

"So, you're planning to surrender?"

Inside the command post outside the city, Chen Chengxing met Wang Zanchen.

"That's certainly the intention," Wang Zanchen nodded. "However, it depends on what conditions you can offer."

"Hehehe." Chen Chengxing laughed with the people around him.

Chen Chengxing quickly suppressed his smile: "The only condition I can offer is to guarantee your safety."

"Commander Chen, I know your troops are very strong, but we are not made of clay either."

"If pushed too far, even a tiger could have two of its teeth broken off!"

Wang Zanchen could not accept Chen Chengxing's conditions at all. What was the difference between this and unconditional surrender?
"If you're unwilling, then there's nothing more to discuss. Let's settle this on the battlefield!"

"Xu Wu, see the guests out!" Chen Chengxing gestured.

“Captain Chen, you’ll regret this!” Wang Zanchen said, standing up.

If it's an unconditional surrender, what's the difference between surrendering now and surrendering with a knife to your throat?
Chen Chengxing merely sneered at Wang Zanchen's stubbornness and remained silent.

A moment later, Xu Wu returned.

"Team leader, Wang Zanchen has gone back."

"Alright, go and spread the news that Wang Zanchen and Sun Wanjiu are going to surrender immediately, so that the Guo army in Jiuyuan will know."

"Then tell them that those who are willing to surrender can leave the city and eat meat buns by handing over their guns!"

On the battlefield, it was the soldiers who made the difference, not Wang Zanchen and Sun Wanjiu.

Without soldiers, they are nothing.

"Yes!"

As soon as Xu Wu left, he arranged for a messenger to relay Chen Chengxing's orders to the front line, and also went to the logistics department to notify them to buy sheep-shaped steamed buns.

In Suiyuan, there's not much else, but sheep are plentiful.

The second detachment had been traveling back and forth for a long time and was tired, so they decided to have some meat to replenish their energy.

"Hey! Brother Guo Jun over there, have you heard? Your Grand Master Sun wants to trade you for his future!"

"Are you still going to risk your lives for him?"

"We are all Chinese! Our detachment leader said that as long as you are willing to surrender your weapons, we guarantee to treat you all equally!"

"Not only did our family receive land, but we also had meat buns to eat whenever we went out!"

"Think about it carefully!"

"Hey, these mutton buns smell so good!"

Inside Jiuyuan City, the Second Detachment's offensive paused, but shouts continued to rise and fall, audible to every soldier.

As the aroma of mutton buns filled the air, the lower-ranking soldiers of the Guo army began to stir restlessly.

Many people witnessed Wang Zanchen waving a white flag before, and that cannot be faked.

Moreover, no matter what conditions the higher-ups are negotiating, the benefits will never be shared with these ordinary soldiers.

But if he was willing to surrender, he could not only have a meat bun, but also save his life.

According to what they heard, the G army distributed land based on the number of people.

It doesn't matter if I die, but I will get less of the family's land.

Even if they served the Kuomintang army for their entire lives, they might not be able to earn back this land.

Besides, since the Japanese surrendered, the officers were tired of eating mutton, but the ordinary soldiers had hardly ever gnawed on a mutton bone.

At this moment, not only were the lower-ranking soldiers restless, but even the platoon and company commanders of the Guo army at the grassroots level were hesitant.

In the eyes of those in higher positions, they were not much different from ordinary soldiers.

The only difference is between ants and slightly larger ants.

"How to do?"

"We can't just let this go. The commander is still there. He must have his reasons."

"Oh dear! What's the point of thinking about it anymore? What's the point of persisting? Not only will we not win, we might even lose our lives."

"Let's all be quiet and wait a little longer."

"Let's wait and see what the officer says."

The discussion among the Guo soldiers lasted only a short time before the noise gradually subsided.

However, their eyes were filled with inexplicable expressions.

Moreover, he would occasionally exchange glances with the people next to him.

Two or three hours later, Sun Wanjiu continued to offer empty promises to reassure the soldiers below, trying to buy more time.

However, at this point, the lower-ranking officers felt they were losing control.

"Brothers, since our superiors are unjust, we can't be blamed for being unjust! I've decided to surrender to the G army. What are your opinions?"

Those who become platoon leaders aren't fools; they're perfectly aware of the atmosphere within the ranks.

They didn't want to be used as a bargaining chip and then lose their lives.

"Company commander, you are our superior, we will all listen to you!"

Now that the decision has been made in accordance with their wishes, they naturally have no objections.

"Alright, brothers, let's find a pole, hang up a white cloth, and everyone follow me, raise your hands and go outside!"

As more and more soldiers surrendered voluntarily, Sun Wanjiu could no longer sit still.

Although the 11th Division had not caused any major trouble under his supervision.

However, if the rest of the security divisions and training regiments surrender, the 11th Division alone will not be able to cause any trouble.

"Zanchen! Go find Chen Chengxing again and tell him that I am willing to surrender with my troops."

If this drags on any longer, it won't be a surrender, it will be a prisoner of war.

Although they were all prisoners of war, their treatment differed.

"I'm going right now!"

In Suicheng, Fu Yi received Sun Wanjiu's last telegram. "Sigh," Fu Yi sighed.

With Jiuyuan gone, Suicheng will be next.

Just as Fu Yi was racking his brains for a solution, Deng Yu rushed over.

"Good news! Great news, Commander Fu!"

"What news?" Fu Yi didn't seem particularly interested.

The guillotine had already fallen, and he couldn't think of any more good news.

"Commander Fu, the G army outside the city has withdrawn!"

"What did you say?!" Fu Yi suddenly stood up, the chair behind him was thrown away.

"The G army has withdrawn? Why did they withdraw? Where did they go?!" Fu Yi asked anxiously.

"The forward observation post reports that the G army in the north of the city has withdrawn eastward overnight, and the G army in the south of the city also shows signs of contraction and retreat."

"I made some inquiries, and it seems that troops from the 11th War Zone are assembling in Pingdu on a large scale, planning to attack Guangning."

"The G army must have rushed back to reinforce Guangning," Deng Yu explained.

"Great! Great! Great!" Fu Yi excitedly paced back and forth in the command post.

"G army has retreated, so our pieces are now alive!"

"Pass on my order: the entire army must assemble immediately and prepare to break out!"

Knowing that the G army to the north had disappeared, Fu Yi had no intention of staying any longer.

He only has these 50,000 main force men left. If they are severely damaged by the G army, he may completely lose any chance of turning the tide.

Even a fool would know that the Second Detachment of the G Army is currently on a forced march toward Suicheng.

The distance from Jiuyuan to Suicheng is 140 kilometers, and the Second Detachment should be able to arrive in about three days.

These three days will be his chance.

Fu Yi's judgment was correct. When he learned that Sun Fanglu's troops were rapidly assembling, the Jin-Cha-Ji troops immediately withdrew from their positions.

At the same time, the General Headquarters also sent a telegram to Chen Chengxing.

At this moment, Chen Chengxing was leading the Second Detachment eastward along the highway at a rapid pace.

After the 35th Army, the 4th Cavalry Division, and the 5th Cavalry Division assembled in Suicheng, Fu Yi immediately dispatched elite troops to launch a counter-attack against the G Army south of the city.

The main force then quickly withdrew from the north of the city.

In one day, Fu Yi led the main force 30 kilometers, crossing the Daqing Mountains and arriving at Wuchuan Town on the northern foothills of the Yin Mountains.

Only after confirming that he was safe did Fu Yi breathe a sigh of relief.

He left the main force of a division at the Daqingshan Pass, so even if the G army chased after them, it wouldn't have much of an impact on him.

After the troops rested for a day, Fu Yi received the latest news.

The advance troops of the Second Detachment have arrived in Suicheng.

"140 kilometers, completed in two days? Is this a human or an animal?"

Fu Yi was somewhat relieved that he had run fast, otherwise he might have been stuck in traffic.

"According to intelligence, the vanguard of the Second Detachment should only be carrying light weapons and some food; the main force is still behind," Deng Yu said.

“That’s not a simple matter either,” Fu Yi said seriously, putting down the intelligence report.

With mechanized marching, the Guo army could cover 100 kilometers a day.

However, if you're hiking, you're lucky if you can walk more than 20 kilometers a day.

Even the most elite troops can only cover about 50 kilometers during a forced march.

This is far inferior to the second detachment.

However, he had already led his troops and seized the opportunity to break through the blockade line, so he was no longer worried no matter how fast the Second Detachment arrived.

"Sir, is our next step to return to Shanba?" Deng Yu asked.

Wuchuan was not a place that could support an army of 50,000; it could only be a temporary stop.

To support such a large army, the only option is to return to the Shaanxi base camp.

The Yellow River brings a hundred harms, but it brings prosperity to the Shaanxi region. In Shaanxi, they can be self-sufficient.

"No rush, no rush," Fu Yi shook his head.

Returning to Shanba would be a safer option, but it would also mean being completely confined to one place.

Once the G Party and the Guo Party have decided their victories, he will definitely be swept away, which is something he cannot accept.

Fu Yi thought of another way; his plan was to take a risk.

At Pingdu Airport, a military aircraft landed.

Once the plane landed, the high-ranking KMT officials who were waiting at the airport immediately gathered around it.

A few minutes later, Chiang Kai-shek, dressed in the uniform of a five-star general, stepped out of the cabin.

"Chairman!"
Everyone immediately stepped forward and saluted.

"Hmm, Fang Lu, has the troop assembly been completed?"

"The troops have been assembled and all supplies have been distributed. We are just waiting for your orders."

"Very good, to the command post!" Chiang Kai-shek didn't waste any words and immediately got into the car and set off.

Guangning occupies a crucial position, which is related to the initiative in North China.

The 12th War Zone suffered a major defeat in Suiyuan, so he decided to personally take command of the battle.

Upon arriving at the command post, Chiang Kai-shek assessed the battlefield situation and immediately issued the order to attack.

Six reorganized divisions, under the cover of aircraft and artillery, launched an attack on Huailai along the Ping-Sui Railway.

But Chiang Kai-shek clearly overestimated his own and the KMT's strength.

Even if the troops of Jin-Cha-Ji were in a hurry to withdraw, their positions were not well-prepared.

However, even after suffering nearly 10,000 casualties, the six reorganized divisions of the Nationalist army still failed to break through the defense line.

(End of this chapter)