Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 438 Deceiving the Heavens and Using a Tactic Against Them

"Captain, what does Zhang Zhonglin mean by this?"

From a high point in Andong City, Xu Wu looked at the Guo army outside the city and said he didn't understand what was going on.

After a week of hard fighting, the encirclement on all four sides has been completed.

The enemy's 171st Division and 192nd Brigade were responsible for the west and south sides; the entire 74th Division was stationed on the east and north sides.

But why were the troops at the North Gate suddenly transferred away?
"Never mind what he's up to, let's turn the tables on him," Luo Ping said.

"When the 74th Reorganized Division launches a fierce attack on the east gate, we'll seize the opportunity to strike them hard, and then the main force will break out from the north gate!"

Allied forces on the southern front have already crossed the abandoned Yellow River, and the field headquarters has also issued an order for the second detachment to break out when the opportunity arises.

"Yes, we should turn the tables on him!" Chen Chengxing nodded, then changed the subject.

"However, we won't break out from the north gate, but from the east gate!"

"East Gate?!"

"The 74th Division now has five regiments at the east gate, but only one regiment at the north. Breaking out from the east gate would likely result in a bitter battle."

"I don't think so," Chen Chengxing shook his head.

“This Zhang Zhonglin is a veteran of many battles, how could he so brazenly expose his strategic intentions?”

“I think he will definitely secretly transfer the troops back to the North Gate,” Chen Chengxing said confidently.

Regardless of whether Zhang Zhonglin would be transferred back to the troops, Chen Chengxing had no intention of breaking out from the north gate, as the north was not a suitable direction for escape.

The Yangshui River acts as a barrier, making it difficult for the two groups' heavy weapons and trucks to cross the river in a short time.

For Chen Chengxing, the most suitable direction to break through is either east or west.

Chen Chengxing's original plan was to first make a feint towards Qingjiang in the west to buy time before breaking out to the north.

But now that Zhang Zhonglin has made his move, we might as well follow his plan and break out from the east.

Hearing Chen Chengxing's words, Xu Wu and Luo Ping looked at the densely packed 74th Division marching outside and began to ponder.

Just then, Wei Dayong climbed up.

"Captain, Political Commissar, the 74th Division sent someone, but I've already captured him."

"who?"

"He said he was the battalion commander of Zhang Zhonglin's guard battalion, and his name was Zhang Xiaolin."

"The battalion commander of the guard battalion? Go see what kind of trouble he's up to now," Chen Chengxing said.

Upon entering the conference room, Chen Chengxing immediately saw a Kuomintang officer wearing a hood but standing ramrod straight.

On the table next to him was a box, which looked like he had brought it.

"You're Zhang Zhonglin's guard battalion commander? What are you doing here?" Chen Chengxing gestured for Wei Dayong to take off his hood.

The sudden removal of the hood from his head made Zhang Xiaolin feel a little uncomfortable. After a few seconds, he finally looked at Chen Chengxing.

"You're Chen Chengxing?"

A true man does not change his name or surname.

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point." Zhang Xiaolin said, opening the box next to him.

"This American leather jacket was a special gift from our division commander to Captain Chen."

“Our commander said that you definitely cannot hold onto Andong City.”

"Rather than perish together, Captain Chen should lead his troops to surrender. This way, he can leave himself and his brothers a way out."

"Our division commander is both regretting the loss of talent and considering Captain Chen's best interests."

"If you're willing, our division commander will recommend Captain Chen to the chairman."

"It's better to ensure that Captain Chen will rise through the ranks in the Guo Army than to be some worthless brigade commander in the G Army."

Before Chen Chengxing could say anything after hearing Zhang Xiaolin's words, Wei Dayong couldn't help but speak up.

Wei Dayong pulled out a pistol and pressed it against Zhang Xiaolin's head.

"You son of a bitch! What nonsense are you spouting! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll shoot you!"

"Monk." Chen Chengxing waved his hand, signaling Wei Dayong to put the gun away.

"I don't need to trouble myself with my affairs, Commander Zhang. I think the 74th Division is still lacking in teeth if it wants to take Andong."

"I'll wait in Andong and see how things end in mutual destruction!"

"Monk, go and get a jar of our own brewed wine for Commander Zhang. It's a way of returning the favor."

Although Wei Dayong didn't want to give Guo Jun a single hair, Chen Chengxing had already given the order, and he dared not disobey.

A moment later, a jar of wine was shoved directly into Zhang Xiaolin's arms.

"Since Captain Chen wants to resist, then let's settle this on the battlefield."

Zhang Xiaolin didn't mind, and instead gestured to the leather jacket on the table.

"However, our division commander suggests that Captain Chen wear this leather jacket. On the battlefield, it will make you invulnerable to bullets and blades!"

"Heh. What a big mouth you've got. You think you can take me for granted?" Chen Chengxing was so angry he laughed.

The people next to him also had unfriendly expressions.

"Tell your division commander that I'm keeping this leather jacket."

“But I won’t wear it myself. I will put it on him someday!” Chen Chengxing said seriously.

"Hahahaha. Captain Chen, are you saying you want our division commander to be your defeated opponent?"

Zhang Xiaolin reacted as if he had heard the funniest joke.

"Captain Chen, you'd better watch yourself!" Zhang Xiaolin said before picking up the bottles of liquor and walking out.

"Damn it!" Wei Dayong said, preparing to chase after him and beat him up.

"Monk, forget it," Chen Chengxing said casually.

"Zhang Zhonglin is deliberately trying to provoke me so that I will make the wrong judgment."

"Ignore him. Have the units continue with the plan," Chen Chengxing ordered. "Yes, sir!"
After everyone left, Chen Chengxing glanced at the leather jacket on the table one last time and waved to the guard next to him to put it away.

"A jar of strong liquor?" Zhang Zhonglin looked at the jar on the table and laughed.

"Fierce fighting is great! The fiercer the G army is, the happier I am!"

"Xiao Lin, go pour a few cups and let everyone have a taste. I want to see just how strong this Chen Chengxing is."

"yes!".
Zhang Xiaolin found several wine glasses and poured half a glass into each one.

Just as Zhang Xiaolin was pouring the wine, Wei Zhenwen spoke up:

"Commander, although I don't know much about Chen Chengxing, judging from the G Army's combat experience, getting him to surrender is probably harder than cutting off his head. Why bother trying to persuade him to surrender?"

The morale and spirit of an army unit are closely related to its commander.

Because of Zhang Zhonglin, the division commander of the 74th Division, even those who went out to feed horses held their heads higher than others.

In the past few days of fighting, the 74th Division had not captured a single G Army soldier, and Wei Zhenwen did not believe that the commander of this unit would surrender.

“I, Zhang Zhonglin, am clear about my gratitude and grievances. I will do what I should do, even if it is something I cannot do.”

Zhang Zhonglin picked up a glass of wine as he spoke.

It's just a minor move; if it works, great, but if it doesn't, there's no loss.

Zhang Zhonglin smelled it and said, "This liquor is quite strong."

Just then, an operations staff officer walked over.

"Commander! The entire 58th Brigade, one regiment of the 51st Brigade, the artillery regiment, and the armored battalion have all been mobilized outside the East Gate, awaiting the order for the general offensive."

"No, I'm announcing the official battle plan now." Zhang Zhonglin put down his wine glass and glanced at his watch.

"Order: All troops that have just been mobilized to the East Gate shall be moved back to stand by one kilometer outside the North Gate defense line before midnight."

"The 57th Brigade, which originally attacked the East Gate, left one regiment to defend the position, while the rest of the troops moved with the main force."

"Use all the cars, we must ensure the speed of the troop movement!"

"North Gate?" No one reacted immediately.

The troops just arrived at the East Gate and haven't even had a chance to rest yet, why are they going back?

"My strategy is to demonstrate at the East Gate and fight the final battle at the North Gate!" Zhang Zhonglin said confidently.

"Only in this way can we wipe out Chen Chengxing's troops in one fell swoop!"

If he were to actually engage in urban warfare with the G army, he wouldn't dare guarantee even 24 days, let alone 24 hours.

"Commander, you are brilliant!" Li Yunliang was the first to give a thumbs up.

"With this plan, Chen Chengxing will surely crawl into our trap."

"The commander's move was brilliant, truly brilliant," Wei Zhenwen said admiringly.

The north gate was poorly defended; anyone would try to break through through it.

However, the 74th Division had already used the mobility of trucks to redeploy its main force behind the North Gate defense line.

Once the G army gets in, they won't be able to get out.

"Captain, the comrades are ready," Xu Wu reported.

"In addition, there are signs that the enemy troops outside the East Gate are launching an attack."

"Ignore the enemy's actions; they are definitely trying to mislead our troops," Chen Chengxing said.

"Get the assault battalion ready. We must make sure to inflict a painful blow on the enemy and terrify them."

Although the goal was to break through, Chen Chengxing did not intend to simply leave.

Before leaving, Chen Chengxing planned to give the 74th Reorganized Division a hard time.

"yes!".
The 1st Battalion of the 201st Regiment was already prepared to launch an attack.

Because the matter was of great importance, Li Chishui chose to lead the team personally.

Moreover, Zheng Hua concentrated all of the 1st team's powerful firepower, including submachine guns, semi-automatic rifles, and carbines, into Li Chishui's hands.

Li Chishui stood there, staring intently at the watch on his wrist, the hands ticking away.

"It's already two o'clock, move out!" Li Chishui lowered his arm and gave the order to attack.

At the same time, the artillery regiment, which was already prepared, launched the first attack.

"fire!"

"Boom!" "Boom!"
As ordered, the 12 mortars of Team 1 and the mountain artillery regiment were to each fire ten shells within one minute.

Then they needed to adjust the gun barrel immediately and wait for orders.

Outside the east gate of Andong City, the 170th Regiment of the 57th Brigade, which was putting on a show, was suddenly thrown into chaos by a fierce artillery barrage.

Before the Guo army soldiers could recover from their disorientation, Li Chishui had already led his troops out to attack.

"Kill!"
Faced with a battalion whose soldiers were equipped with semi-automatic weapons, the 170th Regiment's defenses were as fragile as paper and were constantly being breached.

Zhang Zhonglin, who was in charge of the operation at the North Gate, looked somewhat surprised as he listened to the intense artillery fire from the East Gate.

He hadn't expected Chen Chengxing's firepower to be so intense.

"Commander, the G Army has deployed such strong firepower at the East Gate. Are they planning to break out through the East Gate?" Wei Zhenwen asked.

If it were just a feint, why would they use such heavy firepower?

That's about all the firepower the 74th Reorganized Division had.

"Impossible, Chen Chengxing is definitely playing a diversionary tactic."

Zhang Zhonglin simply did not believe that Chen Chengxing had seen through his plan.

"Chen Chengxing is indeed a difficult person to deal with, but God made him run into me, so it's his bad luck."

"Don't even mention Chen Chengxing, even if it were ** in Andong City today, I would still slaughter him without leaving a single survivor!"

(End of this chapter)