Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 440 No one can defeat me!

Just as Chang Ruiyuan was praising Zhang Zhonglin, Chen Chengxing was leading his troops northward, covered in dust and grime.

When the second branch crossed the Yi River and arrived at Huangshan Town, the latest telegram from the commander arrived.

"Captain, Political Commissar, we've received a telegram from the Field Headquarters," Xu Wu reported.

"The Field Army Command ordered the Second Detachment to temporarily garrison Huangshan and wait for the 1st Division to arrive before heading northwest to annihilate the 26th Reorganized Division."

"The 26th Reorganized Division?" Luo Ping took the telegram with some surprise.

The 77th and 59th Divisions were clearly on the flanks of the Second Branch, so why go to the farthest point instead of the nearby ones?

"It is the 26th Reorganized Division. The Field Army has repeatedly emphasized this point. The Second Detachment cannot go to fight the 77th Division in Sihui Town."

"This is really strange." Luo Ping was a little confused.

Sitting to the side, Chen Chengxing stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He did come to some realization, but this was something he couldn't say openly.

"The 41st Brigade of the 26th Reorganized Division was already wiped out by us. Now there are only two brigades left, so it should be easier to fight them," Chen Chengxing casually made up.

“The 26th Division only has two brigades, but it also has the entire 80th Brigade of the First Rapid Column.” Luo Ping’s expression was somewhat serious.

"Not to mention the fastest tanks and howitzers."

This First Column was no ordinary unit; they were among the few mechanized units in the Kuomintang army, known as the Diamond Drill and the Great Wall of Nanjing.

From clothing to equipment, First Swift is all American style.

Moreover, they are troops who have undergone formal training and been cultivated by the U.S. military.

The commander of the First Column was no ordinary person; it was the second son of Chang Ruiyuan.

Of course, given his distinguished status, he doesn't need to personally command from the front lines; others will take his place to serve the Party and the country on the front lines.

"The equipment of the First Swift Army is good, but I never take them seriously."

“Look at the movements of the 26th Division and the First Rapid Column. They are acting rashly and recklessly, as if they are not afraid of death.”

Chen Chengxing asked Xu Wu to bring over the map.

When it comes to equipment, its speed is unmatched.

It has a tank battalion with thirty-six Stuart tanks.

It was also equipped with an artillery regiment and an artillery battalion, for a total of 4 howitzer battalions, with 48 105mm howitzers.

Its subordinate 80th Brigade has two regiments, which are also true motorized units.

However, it may be precisely because the first column's paper data is so impressive.

Therefore, Lu Liwu, relying on the First Rapid Column, has become extremely disconnected from other units.

As for Lu Liwu, the commander of the 26th Division, he was an exemplary figure in the Kuomintang army.

He was capable of anything, from embezzling military pay to exploiting the people.

There was even a saying circulating in Guo Jun: "If you want to endure hardship, follow Lu Liwu."

The combat effectiveness of such a force is self-evident.

Furthermore, Lu Liwu has a significant conflict with Feng Zhian, the director of the Third Pacification Headquarters.

If the 26th Division is attacked, the 77th and 59th Divisions will most likely remain neutral and watch from the sidelines.

"Yes, the 59th and 77th Divisions are now positioned southwest and northeast of Taierzhuang, respectively, while the reorganized 51st Division is in Lanling."

"The 44th Brigade of the 26th Division was at Fushankou, the 169th Brigade was at Bianzhuang and Xiangcheng, and the headquarters of the 26th Division was at Mazhuang; the First Rapid Column was in the area from Xiangcheng to Zhazigou."

Luo Ping measured the map with a ruler, and his eyes immediately lit up.

"The 26th Division and the First Rapid Column are at least 30 kilometers away from the rest of the troops!"

“That’s right, Lu Liwu has already gone deep into enemy territory alone.” Chen Chengxing nodded.

Lu Liwu now not only has huge gaps between himself and other units, but he has also set up a long, 25-kilometer-long, single-line formation, a tradition passed down from the Guo army.

If the 51st Reorganized Division of Lanling is included, the length of this long snake formation reaches sixty kilometers.

"They really don't know how to write the word 'death'!" Luo Ping laughed.

Now, the other corps of Guo's army are advancing in parallel, but he has plunged in headfirst. If they don't eat him, who will they eat?
After two days of rest, Chen Chengxing received the latest orders from the field headquarters, and the troops began a secret march.

"Forward, forward! All you ever think about is moving forward!" Lu Liwu was furious when he saw Xue Xiaosong's telegram.

"Commander, Commander Xue probably thinks that there is no main force of the G Army in Shandong right now," Chief of Staff Duan Zhenghong analyzed from the side.

According to intelligence from the Ministry of National Defense, the main force of the G army should still be in the northern Jiangsu area.

Furthermore, the 77th Reorganized Division also reported that they were blocked by the G Army.

"Don't listen to him, we'd better be careful," Lu Liwu said.

Although Lu Liwu felt invincible with the advantage of being the fastest, it was still best not to be reckless.

His career path is already set; the Chairman has appointed him as the Chairman of Hunan.

Once Langya is captured, one can take office.

"In this way, the troops will remain on alert, and the tanks of the first column will patrol back and forth."

"In addition, send out more reconnaissance teams to scout the surrounding area and ensure the timeliness of intelligence."

Lu Liwu ultimately decided not to listen to Xue Xiaosong and planned to wait until the battlefield situation became clear before taking action.

While the Guo army's reconnaissance team was conducting reconnaissance, the East China troops had already formed two counterattack forces.

The 8th, 9th, and 10th Divisions, along with the Coastal Independent Guard Brigade, formed a right hook.

They attacked Fushankou and Taizitang from north to south, cutting off the retreat of Guo's army, and then coordinated with the left flank army to attack Xiangcheng.

The forces of the 2nd Division, the 1st Division, and the 3rd Division, totaling twelve regiments, will attack from the east, first eliminating the enemy at Bianzhuang, and then, with the cooperation of the right flank, encircling the reorganized 26th Division and the 1st Rapid Column.

The remaining troops built defensive lines in the Huaiwen and Zhongwu areas to defend against the attacks of the 11th and 74th Reorganized Divisions.

Meanwhile, they set up multiple camps and built numerous cooking fires to feign a main force, completely deceiving Xue Xiaosong. However, the movements of the main force could not be concealed, and the reconnaissance troops sent out by Lu Liwu quickly discovered the anomaly.

"Something's wrong! Something's not right! The main force of the G Army is moving towards southern Shandong!"

Looking at the intelligence sent back by the reconnaissance team, Lu Liwu immediately realized that his position was too far ahead.

"Connect me to Director Xue of the Pengcheng Pacification Headquarters!" Lu Liwu immediately picked up the phone.

"Hello? Director Xue, this is Lu Liwu. Our reconnaissance units have discovered that a large number of G troops are moving towards southern Shandong!"

"Our position is somewhat too advanced; we request to withdraw to Yixian!"

If the 26th Division could retreat to Yixian, it would form a parallel defensive line with the 51st Division, allowing both sides to cover each other's flanks.

"Commander Lu, the main force of the G Army is still in the Longhai area! It's impossible for them to return to southern Shandong, so don't panic!"

Xue Xiaosong knew Lu Liwu's character very well, so he refused Lu Liwu's request without even thinking about it.

The main force of the G army is currently in the south; how could it suddenly appear in southern Shandong?

"grass!"

The request to retreat was immediately rejected, and Lu Liwu began pacing around the command post.

However, he ultimately abandoned the decision to retreat the main force directly.

"The 26th Division has reinforced the First Rapid Column, and its weaponry is a royal flush even among the Kuomintang army's ranks. No one can defeat me!"

"Yes, no one can beat me!" Lu Liwu encouraged himself a few times.

Looking at the markings on the map, Lu Liwu judged that if the G army were to attack, the 30th or 31st would be the date of the decisive battle.

In preparation for a possible attack, Lu Liwu stayed at the division headquarters for several days in a row.

He also ordered the reorganized 26th Division and the First Rapid Column to prepare for a defensive stand.

Lu Liwu waited until New Year's Day and saw that the entire southern Shandong was still quiet, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

Since the G army hasn't launched an attack in the past two days, they certainly won't target the 26th Division anymore.

Because the 77th Reorganized Division had already advanced from Sihui Town to Changcheng, if the G Army attacked them, the 77th Reorganized Division could attack the G Army's flank.

Once Lu Liwu relaxed, he immediately became restless at the division headquarters.

"Chief of Staff, I have to go back to Yixian for some business. You will be in charge of the 26th Division for the time being."

"Please rest assured, Commander!" Duan Zhenghong said, standing at attention.

Duan Zhenghong knew perfectly well why Lu Liwu had returned to Yixian.

"Yes, I feel very reassured with you here." Lu Liwu nodded.

Duan Zhenghong had been with him for many years, and every time he left the division headquarters, Duan Zhenghong was in charge of leading the troops.

"By the way, today is New Year's Day. Why don't you organize a joint celebration between the military and civilians to make the brothers happy?"

"Understood." Duan Zhenghong nodded.

He was very familiar with this matter; he had had many experiences with it since the Central Plains War.

"I'm leaving Mazhuang to you. I'll be going now."

Lu Liwu got into a car as soon as he left the house and sped towards Yixian County.

Three trucks followed behind the car, carrying Lu Liwu's guards.

After watching Lu Liwu leave, Duan Zhenghong returned to the division headquarters.

After thinking for a moment, Duan Zhenghong called over the battalion commander of the guard battalion who had remained behind:
"Battalion Commander Zhang, I heard that Xiangcheng Middle School is organizing an event today."

“Perfect timing. Go and invite all the students over. Let everyone have some fun and let the students experience life in the military.”

"As for the 169th and 44th brigades at Bianzhuang and Fushankou, let them resolve the issue on the spot."

The officers in the division headquarters were all respectable men; there was nothing to talk about with a bunch of peasants.

Only these educated students can share a common language.

"yes!".
The battalion commander of the guard battalion strode out of the division headquarters, followed by more than a dozen trucks speeding towards Xiangcheng.

While Duan Zhenghong was busy directing and arranging the 26th Division, Lu Liwu also returned to Yixian County.

"Haha, I'm back!"

As soon as he entered the house, Lu Liwu picked up the people inside.

"Where have you been these past few days? I thought you didn't want me anymore. I was even preparing to go back to performing in operas."

"Little Red Plum, how could I bear to part with you?"

Lu Liwu had just sat back down on the stool with Xiao Hongmei in his arms and kissed her twice when his hand slid inside the slit of her cheongsam.

This little red plum is the leading lady of the opera troupe; she's young, beautiful, and, most importantly, seductive.

Ever since he snatched her away, Lu Liwu has taken her everywhere he goes.

"If you couldn't bear to leave me, wouldn't you have come back?"

"The situation on the front lines was a bit tense a couple of days ago, but it's all over now. I'll spend the next two days with you in Yixian."

"The G army is attacking? Are you alright?"

Although she knew that Lu Liwu was perfectly fine, Xiao Hongmei still immediately put on a worried and frightened expression.

"Heh. What can a mere country bumpkin do to me?"

Just then, the adjutant outside the door brought in a table of food.

"I haven't eaten yet, why don't you have a drink with me?" Lu Liwu said to Xiao Hongmei with a smile.

As for his adjutant, he naturally withdrew immediately and closed the door behind him.

"Okay, I'll pour you some wine." Hongmei smiled and picked up the wine pot.
While Lu Liwu was drunk and intoxicated, the various units of the G Army had already quietly surrounded the 26th Division.

(End of this chapter)