Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 473 Heaven is not cooperating

The two divisions, now in complete chaos, were utterly powerless to resist.

The battle between the 23rd and 24th teams ended in less than an hour and a half.

Moreover, most of that hour and a half was spent capturing prisoners.

"Commander-in-Chief, Political Commissar, the battle is over. We're cleaning up the battlefield now. We've made a fortune."

"This is the initial report list." Chu Yunfei handed over a report with a smile.

The list only includes large items such as artillery, trucks, and jeeps; the guns and ammunition have not yet been cleared away.

The 32nd and 70th Divisions each had only two brigades, and both were units equipped with a mix of Japanese and domestic weapons, with a severe shortage of heavy equipment.

However, they still had a relatively sufficient supply of ammunition, after all, Wang Youping originally planned to fight against the hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops in the Central Plains Field Army.

Moreover, they suffered virtually no losses in this battle.

The Second General Staff Department has no shortage of captured weapons; they are simply replacing them with the best ones. However, these ammunition items are still usable.

Looking at the list, Chen Chengxing thought for a moment and then said, "In that case, these captured mountain guns should not be left in each branch. As for the mortars and light and heavy machine guns, each branch should retain three battalions' worth."

"The rest of the artillery and equipment, including prisoners, were all handed over to the headquarters and then transferred to the Nakano Field Army."

“When we go back to my wife’s family home, we should bring something with us,” Chen Chengxing said with a smile.

"I have no objection." Luo Ping nodded.

The Second General Staff is not short of weapons right now.

Although a plan had been made to expand each detachment by three infantry battalions and one artillery battalion, the troops have not yet arrived.

Moreover, the Kuomintang army still has several million in debt, and there will be plenty of opportunities to seize it in the future.

“Okay, it’s settled then. Let the supply corps load the trucks, and we’ll head to the field headquarters,” Chen Chengxing said.

Jinling.

Upon learning that the 32nd and 70th Divisions had been swiftly annihilated, Chiang Kai-shek could no longer remain silent.

Without someone to draw fire, the 66th Division will be the next to be besieged.

The 66th Division was different from the 32nd and 70th Divisions; those were his elite troops, and he couldn't let the G Army annihilate them.

"Immediately notify Yu Liangzhen and have him order the 10th, 40th, 52nd, and 82nd Divisions stationed in northern Henan, Shaanxi, Wuhan, and Luoyang, as well as the 206th Youth Army Division, to form the Fourth Army Corps, with Wang Jieren as commander, and rush to southwestern Shandong."

"In addition, the 5th, 7th, 48th and 85th Divisions were reorganized from central Shandong and quickly moved westward to block the westward advance of the Shandong G Army and prevent them from joining the battlefield."

"Tell the 66th Division that the G Army has been fighting continuously and has suffered heavy casualties. It is now at its last gasp."

"Stay at White Tiger Mountain and hold off the G Army."

"Once the reinforcements arrive quickly, we can form a situation where we can fight a decisive battle with the main force of the G army!"

Chang Ruiyuan became more and more excited as he spoke; he had already seen a glimmer of hope in annihilating the hundreds of thousands of G troops in one fell swoop.
Just as Chang Ruiyuan was mobilizing reinforcements to provide rapid support, Chen Chengxing and Luo Ping also arrived at the field headquarters.

"Commander, Political Commissar!"

"Chen Chengxing, you've gained quite a bit of weight in the few months I haven't seen you."

"Hehe. I'm being fed American canned food every day now, I can barely walk."

"Hahaha. I told you you were fat, and now you're getting all out of breath."

"My lords, we didn't come empty-handed. Look, this is Kaka from the United States."

"What was it again?" Luo Ping asked Chen Chengxing.

"Coffee," Chen Chengxing said.

"Yes, yes, coffee. This stuff is so bitter, the soldiers all say it's some kind of foreign medicine."

"But Old Chen said that the two leaders have studied abroad, so they'll definitely be used to it," Luo Ping said with a smile.

"Alright, then let's leave this foreign Chinese medicine for the two of us," the political commissar said with a smile.

“Not just coffee, I also brought the spoils and prisoners of war from the 32nd and 70th Divisions,” Chen Chengxing said.

"Oh? You've really gone all out, this is equipment for an entire platoon."

"Back in the Jin-Northwest region, everyone said that Chen Chengxing was good at taking more than his share, but I don't think that's entirely true."

"Commander, you're wronging me. Back then, everyone in the 386th Brigade knew that I, Chen Chengxing, was the most united and friendly."

"You little rascal." The commander laughed. Unity and friendship? Does that word even apply to you?

They all knew what it meant that Chen Chengxing had taken the initiative to bring the supplies here.

Chen Chengxing feared that the main force would suffer after penetrating deep into the Dabie Mountains, so he replenished the supplies for each column in advance.

They were very moved by this, because with these supplies, even if they were surrounded in the future, they would be much better off.

"Come in," the commander said, ushering Chen Chengxing and Luo Ping into the temporary command post.

After everyone entered the command post, the commander didn't waste any more words and pointed directly at the map, saying:

"When you attacked Luying Town, the area around Baihu Mountain was already surrounded."

"However, I have received news that the enemy's reinforcements are heading this way."

"I'd like you to lead your troops to infiltrate the area south of Baihu Mountain, firstly as a blocking force, and secondly as a general reserve. What do you think?"

"Don't worry, Commander. The Second General hasn't warmed up his muscles yet after the battle of Luying Town. It won't hurt to go south for a bite to eat." Chen Chengxing nodded.

The 32nd and 70th Divisions truly lived up to their reputation as ragtag units; they were utterly incompetent.

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer. The troops should get moving as soon as possible."

"Column A is heading north from Wan'an. Originally, I intended for them to cooperate with your attack on Luying Town, but I didn't expect you to move so quickly. Now, you will all work together to build a defensive line south of Baihu Mountain." "Okay!"
Chen Chengxing and A Zong were traveling south along the highway when it started raining halfway there, and the rain got heavier and heavier.

It took Er Zong a lot of effort to arrive at the designated location on time.

"The rain is too heavy. If it weren't for the highway and trucks, we probably wouldn't have made it."

Luo Ping shook the water off his raincoat and asked his guard to hang it up. He had just finished a tour of the various military units.

With the heavy weapons the Second General Headquarters currently possesses, in such harsh weather conditions, it would be impossible for them to march using only mules and horses.

Luo Ping now misses the Second Regiment when he first entered Shanxi.

Back then, you could just grab a rifle and go. Rain or even floods wouldn't affect the troops' march.

Of course, if you want him to go back, then just pretend he didn't say anything.

Chen Chengxing looked up at the sky: "With such heavy rain, the attack on Baihu Mountain is probably not going well."

The 66th Division was Chang Ruiyuan's direct subordinate unit and was a fully American-equipped force.

The two brigades located in Baihu Mountain not only have strong firepower, but most of them are veterans who have experienced the War of Resistance against Japan, making them highly effective in combat.

Moreover, the heavy rain had a significant impact on the attacking side, but not so much on the defending side.

"Sigh, at this point, we can only rely on the willpower of our comrades," Luo Ping said helplessly.

If fate doesn't cooperate, there's nothing anyone can do.

Meanwhile, on the White Tiger Mountain battlefield, the trenches were filled with water due to days of heavy rain. In some places, the water was even up to chest height, and some short soldiers had only their heads sticking out.

Taking advantage of its location nestled between mountains and water, the 66th Division's defenses were very tight. The attacking troops launched several strong assaults, but failed to capture the position.

Inside Fang Yu's army corps command post, Wang Youping was so anxious looking at the heavy rain outside that he was practically jumping up and down.

Where are the reinforcements?

"Reporting to the commander, according to previous reports, the Fourth Army Corps is still eighty kilometers away."

"Eighty kilometers? So you only walked five kilometers in a day? Is Wang Jieren some kind of bastard?!" Wang Youping cursed angrily.

"Damn it, we can't count on Wang Jieren anymore, we can only rely on Fang Yu for support."

"Commander Lu, lead the 58th Division and the 199th Brigade across the Wanfu River and attack towards Baihu Mountain to relieve Song Rongguang's siege!"

Upon hearing Wang Youping's words, Lu Ziquan's face turned green. Going to Baihu Mountain at this time would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

"Commander Wang, it's not that I'm unwilling, but with our limited forces, even if we send them all in, we still can't defeat the G army."

"If the G army turns back, Fangyu may be in danger of falling."

"We can't worry about that now," Wang Youping waved his hand.

To prevent Lu Ziquan from making any mistakes, Wang Youping reminded him: "The 66th Division is General Chen's core force. You must go to Baihu Mountain to relieve the siege."

"Otherwise, Chief of Staff Chen will not let us off the hook."

"This..." Lu Ziquan's eyes darted around.

"Commander Wang, you know the situation of my 58th Division. We only have one brigade that is truly capable of handling important tasks."

“If I send the 183rd Brigade to the front, and they get surrounded and blocked, the other two brigades won’t be able to carry out the rescue mission at all.”

Upon hearing Lu Ziquan's words, Wang Youping thought for a moment and then looked at Wang Shixiao, the brigade commander of the 199th Brigade, who was standing next to him.

“Brigade Commander Wang, your division commander is surrounded. As a member of the 66th Division, you must take on this responsibility.”

Wang Shixiao's face also instantly turned ugly.

His 199th Brigade had just suffered heavy losses, and now only about 4,000 troops were still combat-ready.

"Stop talking! The 199th Brigade must reach White Tiger Mountain before noon tomorrow!"

"The 58th Division will follow closely behind and coordinate the operation!"

"This is a death order! Anyone who disobeys will be subject to military law!"

"yes!".
Wang Shixiao had no choice but to agree.

Lu Ziquan, who was standing next to him, breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Early the next morning, the 199th Brigade, having completed its preparations, set off first, followed closely by the 58th Division.

They planned to cross the Wanfu River to the north and then reinforce Baihu Mountain.

Wang Youping, standing atop the wall, watched the large army march out of Fangyu City and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Has Guo Jun lost his mind? He dares to attack our position with so few men?"

Inside the headquarters, everyone looked at the intelligence report from the reconnaissance unit with some puzzlement.

There are few in the Kuomintang army as audacious as Zhang Zhonglin. He dared to charge into the battlefield with only one division, which can truly be considered commendable courage.

"With so few people, they probably can't even defeat Wanfu River." Luo Ping shook his head speechlessly.

"Can't beat Wanfu River? They probably never even considered beating Wanfu River." Chen Chengxing stroked his chin.

He now understood Guo Jun's plan.

Since that's the case, then we should definitely let them cross the river.

"Order the forward positions to open a gap when the time is right, so that the 199th Brigade of the 66th Division, which is providing reinforcements, can cross the Wanfu River to the north."

"Then immediately cut off the brigade's connection with the 58th Reorganized Division."

"Concentrate your firepower and wipe out the 199th Brigade!" Chen Chengxing ordered.

"yes!".
(End of this chapter)