Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 461 Taking the General's Head Amidst a Million-Strong Army

"The 74th Division? The 74th Division?!"

Luo Ping looked at the top-secret telegram sent by the Field Army and could hardly believe his eyes.

After muttering to himself a few times, Luo Ping picked up the codebook again and started checking the code word by word once more.

The 74th Division was not a piece of easy meat, but a tough nut to crack.

Chen Chengxing was speechless as he watched Luo Ping still flipping through the codebook.

"Alright, Lao Luo, you've gotten it right three times already, how could you possibly make a mistake?"

"It's just the 74th Division. If they dare to come, we dare to fight. Zhang Zhonglin has the right to be arrogant, and we have the confidence to defeat him."

The Kuomintang's objectives had already been revealed during the previous Kuomintang operations.

The Kuomintang army planned to use the 74th Division as the main striking force, under the cover of the flanks and follow-up troops, to carry out a central breakthrough against the Kuomintang army.

Therefore, Chen Chengxing was mentally prepared for this.

Luo Ping ignored Chen Chengxing until he checked the codebook again and confirmed that it was correct before putting it down.

"Old Chen, the 74th Division didn't come alone. There are 400,000 troops on its flanks and in its rear."

"It would be no easy task to wipe out the 74th Division in one fell swoop. If we are not careful, the East China Field Army will be surrounded by the enemy."

Seeing Luo Ping's somewhat worried expression, Chen Chengxing explained, "This battle seems risky, but I think we have a good chance of winning."

“Zhang Zhonglin is arrogant and has deep conflicts with Li Yaozong and other generals of the Guo Army. Once he is surrounded, these people will definitely not do their best to rescue him.”

"Moreover, the Diecui Mountain area is a mountainous region with steep terrain, which is not conducive to heavy equipment units like the 74th Division. The original advantage has become a disadvantage."

"Moreover, judging from the telegram, the East China Field Army has mobilized its entire force this time."

In the top-secret telegram sent by the Field Headquarters, in addition to the Second General Headquarters' mission, there were also brief descriptions of the missions of the other columns.

The F column was responsible for blocking Zhang Zhonglin's attack from the front, gradually luring the enemy before launching a counterattack; the E column followed the F column, fighting alongside it.

A纵负责阻击整编25师、65师，并向74师左后方突击；L纵负责阻击83师，并向74师右后方突击。

Chen Chengxing was in charge of capturing Luozhen, cutting off the 74th Division's retreat, and launching an attack on the 74th Division's left and right flanks.

Ultimately, five columns plus the T column encircled the 74th Division.

The B column, which was farther away, was responsible for blocking the 48th Reorganized Division; the L column was responsible for blocking the 7th Army; the N column was responsible for blocking the 5th Army in Yingmu; and the C column was responsible for blocking the 11th Reorganized Division in Pingyang.

In addition, a large number of local armed groups are carrying out sabotage and harassment along the highway.

If the plan succeeds, the 74th Division will essentially be dug out of its dense formation.

"This time, it really feels like dancing on a knife's edge," Luo Ping said seriously.

"In this battle, our assessment of the situation and our decision-making in the campaign must be both accurate and meticulous. We must be extremely cautious."

"Old Chen, the southern front is in your hands. There can't be the slightest mistake in command."

Although Luo Ping had been working with Chen Chengxing for many years and knew that Chen Chengxing had never made a mistake, he still had to remind him again when the time came.

This battle is of paramount importance; victory means survival for the entire army, while defeat means total annihilation.

Luo Ping never imagined that his usually good-tempered leader would make such a big gamble.

"Don't worry, Lao Luo, don't you know me?" Chen Chengxing said.

"Besides, the ratio of troops to the 74th Division in this encirclement and annihilation is five to one, which is already the highest treatment Zhang Zhonglin can enjoy as a soldier."

"Now, it's a matter of whether we, like tigers, tear out the heart, or we are eaten by the tigers." Luo Ping stood up and looked in the direction of the 74th Reorganized Division in the north.

"Back then, we kept retreating in Andong and Langya, just to fatten up the 74th Division before slaughtering it, so that we could make more money off it."

“Now that Chang Ruiyuan has delivered this pig to our doorstep, it’s time to settle our score,” Chen Chengxing said, looking at the wooden box beside him.

After confirming their operational objectives, the various units of the East China Field Army did not immediately reveal their operational intentions.

Instead, at 7:30 p.m. on the second day, they suddenly launched a full-scale counterattack.

At the command of the field commander, each column set up its cannons and opened fire on the entire 120-mile defensive line of the Guo army.

Such a huge momentum led the commanders of the three corps of the Guo Army to believe that the G Army was about to launch a major attack on them, and a telegram requesting reinforcements was immediately sent to Pengcheng.

However, at this moment, Gu Mo San was completely clear-headed.

"When fire is launched simultaneously, there must be a feint or a deliberate attack; when the entire front is mobilized, there must be a real attack and a feint."

"Don't shout 'The G army is attacking us! Reinforcements needed immediately' just because you hear a few cannon shots. That's just paranoia!"

"Tell Tang Keqin that no matter who the G Army attacks, they wouldn't dare to attack the 74th Division!"

"I do know a little about **. He's not some bandit king; he's a strategist. Would he try to fight a losing battle with an egg?"

"Pass on my orders: dispel all doubts, use speed to overwhelm speed, advance across the entire front, and take Gaozhuang directly!"

"yes!".
Upon receiving the order to advance across the entire front, Zhang Zhonglin immediately deployed the 51st Brigade as the vanguard, launching a full-speed attack.

However, at this moment he suddenly received intelligence that the G army was present.

"Commander, the frontline reconnaissance unit has reported that G Army activities have been discovered in the Diecui Mountain direction, and it is very likely that they are their main force."

“Diecui Mountain? The main force?” Zhang Zhonglin glanced at the map.

"Commander, there are only two possibilities in this situation," Wei Zhenwen analyzed.
"One was to block the 74th Division and cover the retreat of the East China Field Army headquarters; the other was to concentrate a large force and wipe out the 74th Division in one fell swoop."

However, Zhang Zhonglin dismissed the claim that the 74th Division had been wiped out, saying, "I doubt the G Army would have the guts to do that."

“That’s right, even if they had ten times the courage, I don’t think they would dare to do it,” Li Yunliang laughed from the side.

"Ever since entering Shandong, I've been searching for the main force of the East China Field Army, and now it's actually here!" Zhang Zhonglin said excitedly as he looked at the map.

Faced with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, whether the G Army wanted to cover Gaozhuang or engage in a decisive battle with the 74th Division, Zhang Zhonglin was determined to take the gamble.

"Order the troops to prepare for attack!" Zhang Zhonglin commanded.

"Commander, should we wait for the 25th and 83rd Divisions? We're moving too fast; they haven't caught up yet," Wei Zhenwen said.

Zhang Zhonglin was speechless at Huang Huanran and Li Yaozong's behavior. He wondered when the Guo Army would stop with such nonsense.

"Those two slippery fellows, getting them to help at a crucial moment is a pipe dream," Zhang Zhonglin said. Especially Li Yaozong, getting him to cooperate is really too difficult.

“They have their own agenda,” Wei Zhenwen said. “This offensive is spearheaded by my 74th Division to achieve a central breakthrough.”

"No matter how hard Li Yaozong and Huang Huanran try, they won't be able to claim the top credit."

"Hmph! In terms of tactical arrangements, the 74th Division is responsible for the core breakthrough. Everyone else is waiting for the 74th Division, but the 74th Division has no habit of waiting for others!"

"What's more, this person is Li Yaozong!"

"Ignore them, continue the attack and advance," Zhang Zhonglin ordered.

"Once we engage the enemy forces at Diecui Mountain, the rest of our troops will quickly follow."

"yes!".
The 74th Reorganized Division immediately got to work.

However, Zhang Zhonglin was not a reckless fool.

The terrain of the Diecui Mountain area is rugged and unsuitable for mechanized troops, so he planned to use Luozhen as his logistics supply base.

For this reason, Zhang Zhonglin specifically left a regiment and a division-level armored battalion to be responsible for the defense.

With Luozhen in hand, the 74th Division would have no worries about attacking Gaozhuang.

"Commander, you are brilliant!" Li Yunliang gave a thumbs up.

"As long as we control Luozhen, even if the 25th and 83rd Divisions don't arrive in time, my 74th Division can still move freely."

"It's settled then!" Zhang Zhonglin said. "Tomorrow morning, we'll set off from Luozhen and head straight for Gaozhuang!"

Early the next morning, under the cover of aircraft and artillery, the 74th Division officially launched an attack on the F column of Diecui Mountain.

The battle between the two sides quickly escalated to a fever pitch, with the front lines changing hands repeatedly.

However, the mission of the F column was to draw the 74th Division forward, preventing it from attacking too quickly or driving it back.

Therefore, while holding their ground, F column launched a proper counterattack before abandoning their position and retreating.

This led Zhang Zhonglin to believe that the G Army on the front was simply unable to withstand the offensive of the 74th Division.

However, due to the blocking action of the F column, the 74th Division advanced less than four kilometers in two days.

This created an opportunity for the subsequent interlude.

On the evening of the 12th, Chen Chengxing received a telegram from the field headquarters.

"Comrades, the field headquarters' orders have come down."

"We need to take Luozhen before dawn tomorrow and coordinate with the A and L columns to cut off the connection between the 74th Reorganized Division and the 25th and 83rd Divisions on the left and right flanks."

"This is a crucial step in annihilating the 74th Division."

"Xu Wu, the main force is carrying heavy weapons and cannot cross mountains. In order to ensure the surprise of the attack, I need a lightly armed force to raid Luozhen."

"Can the 21st squad take down Luozhen before the main force arrives?"

Xu Wu immediately stood up and said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, I guarantee the mission will be completed!"

According to intelligence, Zhang Zhonglin left only one infantry regiment and one armored battalion in Luozhen.

Even with only 21 troops and 9 infantry battalions, Xu Wu was confident he could take down Luozhen.

"Okay!" Chen Chengxing nodded: "The political commissar has already sent someone to contact the local government."

“After nightfall, the 21st team set off immediately, with local comrades clearing the way.”

"Yes!"

After gesturing for Xu Wu to sit down, Chen Chengxing continued:
"Since we are penetrating deep into enemy territory, we will be attacked from both sides, which means we will have to fight tough and fierce battles."

"However, as long as we make contact with the A and L columns, we will have achieved the final encirclement of Zhang Zhonglin."

"I think the comrades are probably already angry, it's time to settle things with the 74th Division."

"Do you have any more questions?" Chen Chengxing asked.

"No!" everyone answered in unison.

After two consecutive retreats, they were already seething with anger.

"Then let's all go and prepare. We'll move out as soon as it gets dark!"

"yes!".
While the Second General Assembly was making preparations, local governments along the route were also actively preparing.

The local county government officials found Ma Guifang, the director of the Mazhuang Women's Salvation Association.

"Director Ma, we have received a mission from our superiors that some troops need to proceed through here."

"But as you know, the bridge over the Xiaonan River between Cuijiazhuang and Wanjiazhuang was washed away by a flash flood two months ago."

"It needs to be fixed now, and we only have 5 hours."

"Can Mazhuang take on this task?"

The task brought by the county government officials put Ma Guifang in a difficult position.

The men in the village were either serving as militia to harass the bandits or delivering grain to support the front lines, leaving only the elderly, women, children, and thirty-two women in the village.

And most importantly, no one knows how to repair the bridge, and there aren't even any materials available.

It was simply impossible for them to repair the Xiaonanhe Broken Bridge in 5 hours.

But if Mazhuang doesn't take on this task, the neighboring villages still won't be able to.

The men from these villages also went to support the front lines.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Guifang gritted her teeth and said, "Officer Li, don't worry, I guarantee the troops won't be delayed from crossing the river!"

After the county government officials left, Ma Guifang immediately organized the 32 women in the village.

At the meeting, Ma Guifang explained the importance of the task.

After gaining everyone's support, Ma Guifang shared her thoughts.

(End of this chapter)