Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 425 Eastward Advance, Huaye

"The Field Army has sent a telegram that Hu Shoushan has mobilized 200,000 troops to attack Taiyuan."

"Although the troops in Shanxi are currently providing layered resistance, the front line is still slowly advancing."

"The field headquarters has ordered the main force to return immediately."

"Xu Wu, pass on the message and tell all units to pack their belongings and prepare to return as soon as possible," Chen Chengxing ordered.

"yes!".
Due to the urgency of the situation, there wasn't enough time to prepare. An hour later, the order from the field commander was issued.

The vanguard of the second team began to set off.

Just as Chen Chengxing was preparing to lead the main force forward, he suddenly received another telegram.

"Commander, the commander has ordered the Second Detachment to immediately cease operations and has asked you and the political commissar to go to the field headquarters." Xu Wu walked over quickly, holding a telegram.

"What happened?" Luo Ping asked, puzzled.

The troops were about to set off, so why did they suddenly stop?

"I don't know either." Chen Chengxing shook his head.

"Xu Wu, you are in charge of the main force. Await further orders."

"yes!".
When Chen Chengxing and Luo Ping arrived at the county seat, they found that most of the people there had already left.

"Please come with me, sirs. The political commissar is waiting for you."

Upon entering the room, one would find the political commissar alone inside.

"The commander-in-chief has already left. I'll get straight to the point." With that, he picked up a telegram from the table and handed it to Chen Chengxing and the other man.

"In order to improve the situation in Central China, Central China and Shandong will merge, and then Shandong and northern Jiangsu will launch a major counterattack."

"The commander's intention is to transfer your second detachment to reinforce the East China Field Army."

"What are your opinions?"

"We will resolutely obey the instructions of our superiors!" Chen Chengxing and Luo Ping stood at attention and said.

"However, I have a small problem."

"explain."

"The question is about the organizational affiliation of the Second Detachment after being transferred to the East China Field Army?"

"They will be under the command of the East China Field Army, but their organizational structure will remain under the jurisdiction of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Military Region."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chengxing understood that this area had been separated from the field army but was still under the jurisdiction of the military region.

"Tsk," but Chen Chengxing did have a toothache.

"Then we'll become a completely local force?"

"You still care about this title?"

"I don't really care about the title, but it's easy to say but hard to say," Chen Chengxing said.

"The East China Field Army is currently undergoing reorganization, so there's definitely nothing for our Second Detachment to do, but our organizational structure should be adjusted as well."

"You're good at finding time."

"However, you need to lead your team eastward immediately. Just send over your ideas on the specific organization. If necessary, I will contact the East China Field Army."

"Thank you, Political Commissar!" Chen Chengxing grinned from ear to ear; that was enough for him.

A week later, Chen Chengxing led two teams across the Jinpu Railway and arrived at Langya, the capital of the East China Field Army.

"Greetings, Commander! Chen Chengxing has come to report on your orders!"

"Good! You've finally arrived!"

"Come here, take a look." The commander hurriedly beckoned Chen Chengxing to come forward.

Chen Chengxing strode to the map, where he saw it densely covered with arrows indicating the Kuomintang army's attack.

"As far as I know, Chang Ruiyuan has issued clear instructions to occupy the entire Jiangsu province by the end of the year."

"To this end, Xue Xiaosong of Pengcheng has formed four attack corps, which are advancing towards Shandong and Jiangsu."

"The Yancheng-Fuyang Corps on the southern front, commanded by Ou Yuchen, comprises the reorganized 88th, 44th, 25th, and 70th Divisions, and is advancing from Hailing towards Yandu."

"The Huai-Lian Corps, commanded by Li Jifu, comprises the 28th and 74th Reorganized Divisions and the 171st Division of the Seventh Army, and is to attack Andong from the Huai-Liang region."

"The Yilin Corps on the northern front, commanded by Feng Zhitai, comprises the 77th Reorganized Division, the 26th Division, and the First Rapid Column, and is currently advancing towards Langya."

"The last route is the Shinjuku Corps, which consists of two reorganized divisions, the 11th Division and the 69th Division. The nominal commander of this route is Wu Qingyun, but the actual commander is Hu Ziqi, the commander of the 11th Reorganized Division."

The commander of the 69th Reorganized Division was Dai Zhiqi, and Hu Ziqi was Dai Zhiqi's junior.

In the Guo army's ranks, junior brothers are absolutely not allowed to command senior brothers.

However, the difference in their command abilities is obvious to all. It's impossible to knowingly let the senior brother, who is an idiot, take the helm.

This is also why Chang Ruiyuan brought Wu Qingyun up.

If Hu Ziqi can win this attack, he will have his resume gilded, and he will become the first person from the fourth class of Whampoa Military Academy to be promoted to corps commander.

Upon seeing the markings on the map and the urgent explanation, Chen Chengxing immediately understood what it meant.

"Commander, I received a telegram from the Central Committee before I came here. I will absolutely obey your command. Just tell me what you need the Second Branch to do now."

"Okay, then I'll just say it directly!"

"You shall immediately lead your troops south in secret, cross the Yi River, and infiltrate the Xiaoying area."

Chen Chengxing glanced at the map and nodded: "Understood!"

On the map, the East China Field Army had already laid out a long, single-line blocking line stretching for tens of kilometers.

Once the 69th and 11th Divisions arrive, we can launch a coordinated attack from the east and west, effectively dividing and encircling them.

Watching Chen Chengxing's departing figure, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Of these four army groups, the Shinjuku Army Group, which has the smallest force, poses the greatest threat.

Starting from Xiapi, their target was Huaiwen and Zhongwu.

If they succeed, the newly established East China Field Army, which has not yet had time to be reorganized, will be divided into two parts: Shandong and Jiangsu.

Conversely, if the enemy forces along this route can be eliminated, the Guo army will be divided into two parts, north and south, and will lose contact with each other.

At this moment, any fresh troops would be exactly what he needed, let alone two such absolute main forces. Seeing his commander visibly more relaxed, a staff officer in the command post whispered a question to the person next to him.

"What does the commander mean by this? Why is he paying so much attention to a detachment?"

"You don't know anything. Don't underestimate this Second Detachment just because it's a detachment. They are a unit that can fight the 11th Division in a one-on-one field battle and not be at a disadvantage."

"With them here, no matter what, we can hold our ground."

"That's amazing? Why not upgrade it to a column?"

"I don't know, but it seems to be related to the higher-ups."

"Above? Which above?"

"I don't know, I only know it's above, but I don't know exactly which 'above'."

"What are you all muttering about? Immediately send a telegram to the commander-in-chief to adjust the position of the 8th Division."

"Yes!"

While Chen Chengxing was leading two secret expeditions, the 11th Reorganized Division and the 69th Reorganized Division were traveling along two separate highways.

The 11th Reorganized Division attacked Huaiwen from Xiapi; the 69th Reorganized Division attacked Zhongwu from Xiapi.

After each occupying one of the two places, they will advance towards each other and meet up between Huaiwen and Zhongwu.

Relying on its powerful firepower, the 11th Division advanced into Caojiaji, while the vanguard 118th Brigade occupied Gaowei Village.

The reorganized 69th Division moved into the Xiaodian and Zhangcun areas.

"Commander-in-Chief, our unit is making good progress and has captured Gaowei Village. The G troops along the way are no match for us!"

Hu Ziqi immediately called Chen Chengbo to deliver the good news.

"Congratulations, Commander Hu. However, it's best not to report to the Chairman for now. We can report after the entire campaign is over."

"You need to hold your position and cooperate with the 69th Division in combat, understand, Commander Hu?"

The capture of Gaowei Village was neither a major city nor did it inflict any significant casualties on the G Army; it was merely a minor and insignificant achievement.

Only by achieving the initial strategic objective can the G army be cornered.

"Understood! Please rest assured, Chief of Staff, I will handle it!" Hu Ziqi said, standing at attention.

After hanging up the phone, Hu Ziqi turned around and ordered, "Order all units to hold their positions and not to attack at will!"

"yes!".
On the other side, Dai Zhiqi, the commander of the 69th Division, was also hesitating and pacing in the command post.

He had just called Wu Qingyun, but Wu Qingyun said that she would ask the Chairman for credit for him after this battle was over.

Seeing Dai Zhiqi spinning around, the adjutant next to him immediately understood what he meant.

"Commander, I think you should call or send a telegram to Chairman Mao to share the good news. Chairman Mao might be waiting for our telegram."

"Hmm, isn't this a bad idea?" Dai Zhiqi was somewhat tempted, but still hesitated.

"I've already spoken to Director Wu. How can I report this to the Chairman now?"

"Moreover, it's a big no-no to rashly skip levels. If things go wrong, the old man might sell me off again, and then I'll be caught in the middle."

"Hey, Commander, how can Wu Qingyun compare to you? You are the Chairman's student, what is he?"

Upon hearing his adjutant's words, Dai Zhiqi thought for a moment and nodded: "What you said is correct."

“Immediately send a telegram to the Chairman, saying that our troops have occupied Xiaodian and Zhangcun at the scheduled time and are now advancing towards Wuhuading, Ren'anji and Shaodian.”

He knew his own situation best; he was able to become the commander of the 69th Division because of the principal's trust.

"yes!".
Chang Ruiyuan was very satisfied after receiving the telegram.

"Uncle Cheng, Zhiqi truly lives up to his reputation as a student of Whampoa Military Academy!"

Chen Chengbo, who was standing nearby, immediately understood what was going on and continued the story.

"Chairman, Commander Dai is indeed brave!"

"Actually, Hu Ziqi and the 11th Division arrived at their designated positions around noon. He called me and asked me to pass on the message to you."

“I told him that this was just the first step, and that he should keep up the good work. I would recommend him to the Chairman for recognition.”

Hearing that Hu Ziqi's progress was even faster, Chang Ruiyuan beamed with joy: "Good, good, good! After this battle, I will personally award them medals!"

Early the next morning, Dai Zhiqi commanded the 3rd Reserve Brigade to advance towards Wuhuading; the 60th Brigade occupied Ren'anji; and the 41st Brigade occupied Shaodian and advanced towards Yehaizi.

Chen Chengxing, who was making a secret march, received a report from the reconnaissance company.

“Captain, the enemy’s 69th Division has already crossed the river, and one of its brigades is now on our flank. Should we block their retreat?” Xu Wu said.

“No rush,” Chen Chengxing said. “Let the enemy go in first, and once they’ve rushed in, we’ll take them by the throat.”

According to the command, the two enemy forces should be attacked whichever advances faster.

Currently, only the 69th Division has been mobilized; the situation with the entire 11th Division is still unknown.

However, Chen Chengxing estimated that the possibility of attacking the 69th Division was greater.

Despite its well-equipped state and strength of seven regiments, the 69th Division was composed of a very complex group of soldiers.

The 69th Reorganized Division originally consisted of three reorganized brigades: the 60th, 92nd, and 99th.

However, during the Central Jiangsu Campaign, the 99th Reorganized Brigade was sent to Huangqiao to participate in the battle, and the 3rd Reserve Brigade of the 57th Division was transferred to the 69th Division.

By July, the reorganized 92nd Brigade was caught red-handed at Chaoyangji, and all but the 267th Regiment were annihilated.

It was precisely because of this battle that Chang Ruiyuan dismissed the original division commander and replaced him with Dai Zhiqi.

However, just a few days after Dai Zhiqi took office, the 99th Reorganized Brigade was completely annihilated in central Jiangsu. Therefore, Chang Ruiyuan transferred the 41st Reorganized Brigade from the 26th Division to the 69th Division.

At this time, the three reorganized brigades and one regiment under the 69th Division were completely from different backgrounds and had many internal conflicts.

Just as Chen Chengxing had predicted, the telegram from the field headquarters arrived quickly.

The two forces should ignore the advancing enemy troops, secretly proceed to the small camp, and then remain stationary, awaiting orders from the field headquarters.

"Keep advancing," Chen Chengxing ordered. "Tell Wei Dayong to strengthen battlefield cover. If the enemy discovers our second unit, I'll deal with him!"

"yes!".
On the battlefield, a strange scene unfolded: two troops marched towards each other, less than 2 kilometers apart.

(End of this chapter)