Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 460 The situation is going so smoothly, it's time to show my strategic vision.
Because the siege of Fenggao to intercept reinforcements failed, in order to find an opportunity to fight, the commander decided to increase the amount of bait.

During the separate offensives launched by various units, large swathes of liberated areas were surrendered, and the various units of the Kuomintang army made very smooth progress.

This move left Gu Mo completely bewildered: "What tricks is the G Army playing?"

"Commander-in-Chief, in my opinion, the G Army is most likely launching a multi-pronged attack," said the chief of staff beside him.
"These columns on the flanks are very likely to take advantage of our army's northward advance to move south and seize southern Shandong or northern Jiangsu."

"As for the other main forces, it's not clear what their plans are yet."

Gu Mosan nodded: "Yes, the G army is trying to use the tactic of splitting their forces to lure our army away, and then look for an opportunity to strike while our army is pursuing them."

"It's the same old approach: look for opportunities while in motion."

"In that case, I can't give him that chance."

Gu Mosan decided to continue with a steady and methodical approach, gradually compressing the G army's operational space.

Ultimately, this forced the G army to withdraw from Shandong, or to fight a decisive battle against themselves.

Regardless of the outcome, I will be the ultimate winner.

Just as Gu Mo was about to achieve great things, Chang Ruiyuan called from Jinling.

"Mo San, how is the battle going?" Chang Ruiyuan asked.

"Chairman, the G army is currently dividing its forces to launch an attack, intending to draw our troops out and then seize the opportunity to strike, looking for a chance to fight while in motion."

"However, I have already seen through the G army's tactics. Now, all units are advancing steadily, compressing the G army's space for maneuver."

Chang Ruiyuan nodded in satisfaction: "Hmm, it seems you've studied G Army's tactics very thoroughly. You've made progress, and I'm very pleased."

"What are your plans for the next step?"

"Chairman, I intend to remain unchanged in the face of all changes and continue to advance steadily and gradually."

"Very good, Mo San, I'm waiting for news of your victory." Chang Ruiyuan was very pleased.

Once the Shandong army is eliminated, unifying the country will be just around the corner.

Just as Guo Jun was advancing step by step, taking advantage of the situation to retake Fenggao, Yingmou, Pingyang and other cities.

The Kuomintang reconnaissance aircraft discovered Kuomintang activities in the Gaozhuang area, and also found a large number of antennas on some rooftops.

Guo Jun judged that Gaozhuang was very likely the location of the East China Field Army headquarters.

Seeing that the war in Shandong was progressing so smoothly, Chang Ruiyuan could no longer hold back and flew to Pengcheng.

"I came to Pengcheng today to hear about the progress of the battle during this period."

"I am the listener, and you are the main characters, so please speak freely without any reservations."

As the commander-in-chief of the Shandong campaign, Gu Mosan got up and walked to the huge map hanging on the wall.

"Chairman, gentlemen, given the current situation, victory in the Shandong campaign is almost assured."

"Since the G army split up and launched an attack, our army has made very smooth progress and has successively occupied large areas."

"Once the G army leaves its vital rear area, it will inevitably struggle to survive in future battles."

"In short, the current situation of the G Army can be summarized in two sentences." Gu Mosan held up two fingers with a confident expression.

"Their situation has become one of fleeing; their troops are exhausted!"

"The phrase 'the last gasp of a spent arrow' perfectly describes the state of the G army in Shandong!"

"Although the G Army's next move is still unclear, based on Chairman Chiang's operational strategy, I believe victory in Shandong is just around the corner!"

After Gu Mo finished speaking, he launched into another barrage of compliments.

The meeting room erupted in applause.

Chang Ruiyuan nodded, very pleased.

Seeing the battle going so smoothly, it was time for the supreme commander of the Kuomintang army to demonstrate his strategic vision.

Chang Ruiyuan stood up and strode to the map. He picked up the command stick and began to point out the landscape on the map.

"G Army now only has two options!"

"One option is to fight me to the death; the other is to escape across the Yellow River and abandon their territory in Shandong!"

"No matter which path you take, Shandong's problems can be solved!"

"From a national strategic perspective, our army has gained a decisive advantage, and the unification of the country is just around the corner!"

As Chang Ruiyuan analyzed the strategy, the crowd erupted in applause, as if they could already see that bright future.

Chang Ruiyuan waved his hand: "What I want to emphasize next is to fight fiercely! We must fight fiercely!"

With the situation so favorable, a steady and cautious approach was no longer suitable, so he decided to change his strategy to a more aggressive and decisive one.

"To encircle and annihilate the main force of the G army, we need to concentrate our superior forces and launch a fierce attack!"

"Especially the headquarters of the G Army, Gaozhuang, we must take it first!"

Amidst applause, Chang Ruiyuan completed his strategic deployment.

At this moment, Chang Ruiyuan could already see that victory was within reach.

After Chang Ruiyuan made strategic adjustments, Zhang Zhonglin, who was already the main attacker in the middle lane, became even more fearless.

Because Gao Zhuang was right in his attack route.

"Commander Zhang, I have ordered the 25th and 83rd Divisions to follow up on your flanks to ensure your safety."

"You must be careful not to create distance or launch any risky attacks!"

Gu Mosan strongly supported the attack on Gaozhuang, but he still couldn't help but ask the troops to maintain their formation.

"Commander-in-Chief, you're overthinking it. The G Army might want to touch my 74th Division, but I doubt they have the guts," Zhang Zhonglin said confidently.

"It's best to be careful," Gu Mosan advised.

Gu Mosan wasn't worried about the 74th Division; he was worried about the 25th and 83rd Divisions. These two divisions weren't as strong as the 74th Division.

The actions of the reorganized 74th Division immediately caught the attention of the field headquarters, and the commander quickly analyzed Zhang Zhonglin's plan.

This strategy involves a central breakthrough to directly attack the headquarters of the East China Field Army.

Faced with the aggressive 74th Reorganized Division, the commanders were not in a hurry, but instead planned to hold back and observe the 74th Division's movements.

However, the commander already had a feeling that he was about to face Chang Ruiyuan's top ace.

In order to keep an eye on the 74th Reorganized Division, the Field Headquarters sent a telegram ordering Chen Chengxing to outflank the 74th Reorganized Division from behind, ready to block Zhang Zhonglin's retreat at any time.

Upon receiving the order, Chen Chengxing immediately halted his original movement and instead attempted to stealthily maneuver southward.

However, to Chen Chengxing's surprise, before the troops could even get into position, they ran head-on into the 74th Reorganized Division.

It was evening, and it was already getting dark. That's why Chen Chengxing ordered the troops to begin their march.

Unexpectedly, just as I climbed to the top of the mountain and was about to walk along the ridge, I suddenly saw the 74th Reorganized Division also marching at the foot of the mountain.

However, because it was dark, even with binoculars, Zhang Zhonglin could not tell which unit was on the other side.

Chen Chengxing, on the mountaintop, was able to identify the 74th Division by the artillery and armored vehicles.

Zhang Zhonglin ordered the vehicle to stop and looked at the large army marching on the hilltop in the distance, feeling somewhat strange.

"That's strange, which unit is this? We're heading north, but they're heading south?"

"Commander, could it be Li Yaozong's men?" Li Yunliang reminded him.

"Yes, that's possible." Zhang Zhonglin nodded.

The 83rd Division is useless. With Li Yaozong as its commander, it's no wonder they can't do anything.

"Go, call out to them and ask for their unit number," Zhang Zhonglin ordered.

The operations staff officer stepped forward, cupped his hands to his mouth, and shouted:

"Hey! Which department are you from?!"

Hearing the shouts from below, Luo Ping turned his head and asked, "Old Chen, what do we do?"

Luo Ping wasn't worried about just clashing with the 74th Division, but he was concerned about disrupting the Field Army's plans.

Moreover, through their binoculars, they could see that a division of troops was marching three kilometers away.

Judging from the direction and location, it should be Huang Huanran's 25th Division.

"Let's try to fool them first and see if we can get away with it," Chen Chengxing said.

After taking a tin megaphone from the guard beside him, Chen Chengxing shouted:
"Hey! We're from the 83rd Division!"

"The division commander ordered us to retreat five kilometers and camp there!"

Chen Chengxing and Zhang Zhonglin both unanimously pinned the blame on Li Yaozong.

After all, he's the worst in the area.

"Understood!"

Upon hearing that it was the 83rd Division, Zhang Zhonglin's operations staff lost interest in continuing the conversation and turned back.

Zhang Zhonglin, upon hearing that the troops on the hilltop were Li Yaozong's, did not have any doubts whatsoever.

Because that's exactly the kind of thing Li Yaozong would do.

"Li Yaozong is a useless piece of trash, like a coward. Someone like him will never win a battle."

"Let him wait to eat our leftovers," Zhang Zhonglin said disdainfully.

"We can't worry about them now. Let's keep moving forward and get to Gaozhuang as soon as possible."

"I'm going to devour the G army's command post in one bite!"

Once the command post is destroyed, the G army will be thrown into chaos and surrounded, making it easier to concentrate and annihilate them in the next step.

"yes!".
The troops marching on the mountaintop and the troops marching on the road at the foot of the mountain were like two long dragons crossing each other without interfering with each other.

Once it was confirmed that it was safe, Luo Ping breathed a sigh of relief: "That was really close. If things had gone wrong, a firefight could have broken out."

“The 74th Reorganized Division is running so fast, we’ll take them down sooner or later,” Chen Chengxing said, turning his head to look in the direction of the 74th Division.

The people around Chen Chengxing did not take his words seriously. The 74th Reorganized Division was the ace of the Kuomintang army.

Even though the soldiers of the Second Division were always arrogant, they still acknowledged the fighting strength of the 74th Division.

Everyone felt that they could defeat them one-on-one, but annihilating them all would not be so easy.

Seeing that no one believed him, Chen Chengxing didn't say anything more. There would always be a chance.

"Speed ​​up! We'll reach Dawa tonight!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

"yes!".
Just as Chen Chengxing successfully arrived at Dawa and went into hiding, Zhang Zhonglin had already led his team to Luozhen.

However, because the 74th Division advanced overnight, the 83rd and 25th Divisions did not keep up with Zhang Zhonglin's pace.

The 11th Reorganized Division of the Third Army Corps also halted its advance in Mengyin.

The close and gradual approach that Gu Mosan had set out to take has already begun to crack.

This allowed Noji to keenly spot the opportunity.

For the previous month, the Guo army's strategy was to closely converge and act very cautiously, retreating whenever an attack was launched.

At that time, it was difficult for the G army to seize a suitable opportunity to fight.

Now the 74th Division is boldly advancing. If we can cut off its connection with neighboring units, we can withdraw and annihilate it.

However, whether this battle could be fought and whether there was a chance of annihilating the enemy completely made the field commander somewhat hesitant.

(End of this chapter)