Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 491 Another Ancestral Battle Tactic (Bonus Chapter, Please Vote)

Because it was necessary to coordinate with the defenders of Quancheng when the G army attacked Quancheng.

Therefore, following the instructions of the General Headquarters, Du Guangting took Guo Gui to Quancheng to discuss the issue of joint defense with Wang Yaowen.

Inside the reception room, Du Guangting took a sip of tea and said, "The water in Jinan is so much better. You can't get water like this in Pengcheng."

"This was soaked in water from Pearl Spring, so the taste is naturally different," Wang Yaowen said with a smile.

“Spring City is a wonderful place, with springs in every household and willows by every door,” Du Guangting said.

Wang Yaowen didn't know why Du Guangting was talking nonsense, but he could only exchange pleasantries.

"Yes, lotus flowers on all four sides, willows on three, a city of mountains and half a city of lakes."

"I've heard that among the seventy-two springs of Jinan, four are the most famous. Which four are they?"

Wang Yaowen was eagerly awaiting reinforcements, but Du Guangting wouldn't say a word about defense issues, instead praising the quality of Jinan's water, which left him speechless.

Unwilling to concern himself with the matter of the spring, Wang Yaowen said with a smile, "Chief of Staff, you tell Commander Du."

Luo Xingli immediately stood up: "Commander Du just mentioned the four famous springs of Jinan."

"The first is Baotu Spring, which is known as the No. 1 spring in the world; the second is Jinxi Spring in Jinquan Academy; the third is Black Tiger Spring outside the South Gate; and the fourth is Pearl Spring in the old governor's office."

"There are seventy-two well-known springs in Jinan, but there are actually many more that are not well-known, so every household has a spring and every house is shaded by willows."

"If Commander Du is interested, you may stay for a few more days. I would be happy to accompany you on the tour."

Du Guangting immediately realized that Luo Xingli's words had a hidden meaning.

This clearly indicates that they need to send reinforcements as soon as possible, or stay and try to defend Quancheng with them.

"Hehe. Chief of Staff Luo is both a man of great talent and a man of great ability. He truly deserves to be called a capable man of the Party and the country."

"This pavilion on the right bank of the sea is ancient, and Jinan is home to many famous scholars."

"Throughout history, the world has seen many changes, and Jinan, this land of springs, has produced a great number of famous people."

"Today, seeing you all fills me with immense emotion,"

"The Battle of Jinan has attracted worldwide attention. Some people will be remembered in history, while others will be infamous for eternity."

Du Guangting's meaning was simple: since you guys are so good, then just defend well.

If Jinan is well protected, one will be a hero for all time; if it is not, one will be a sinner for all time.

The high-ranking KMT officers present may not be particularly skilled in combat, but they are all shrewd and astute.

Upon hearing Du Guangting's words, the atmosphere became awkward and completely silent.

Seeing that everyone was behaving themselves, Du Guangting stopped there.

"Alright, enough chit-chat, let's get down to business," Du Guangting said with a smile.

"I flew to Jinan this time for two reasons: first, I was ordered to come, and second, I was moved by your spirit."

“Wang Silingguan has always been highly regarded by the Chairman, and he has planned with the Chairman many times to ensure the success of the Battle of Jinan.”

"You all have devoted yourselves to the defense of Jinan, working tirelessly day and night. You are truly an example for us to emulate."

"The National Defense Ministry's plan for the Battle of Quancheng has been approved by the Chairman and has been ordered to be implemented."

"This time, a total of 270,000 troops were deployed. The General Headquarters ordered me to command three army groups, namely Huang Huanran, Qiu Feng, and Li Bingwen, totaling 170,000 men."

"We will annihilate the main force of the G Army in the Yanzhou and Rencheng areas, and then march north to join forces with you all in a pincer attack from the north and south, annihilating the G Army in the southern Shandong region!"

Upon hearing Du Guangting's words, everyone applauded.

However, Wang Yaowen and Luo Xingli were speechless and clapped along listlessly and without much enthusiasm.

It was the same old tactic of holding out for reinforcements while being attacked from both the north and south.

When fighting against the G army, which time did you ever succeed?
Seeing the crowd's jubilation, Du Guangting stood up and continued:

"The General Staff has decided to concentrate 162 fighter jets and 42 bombers, ready to provide air support to Jinan at any time."

"Gentlemen, even if the G army were heavenly soldiers and generals, they would never be able to break through Quancheng within twenty days!"

"And I will personally lead an army of 170,000 to join you all at the foot of Quancheng!"

Du Guangting was incredibly confident at that moment.

Compared to Du Guangting, Wang Yaowen was preoccupied with when his reinforcements would arrive.

"Commander Du, please forgive my bluntness, but although I have 100,000 troops under my command, only a handful are truly capable of fighting."

"I request Commander Du to airlift the 83rd Division to Jinan to lend me a hand."

"The G army is powerful. If we want to defend Quancheng, we must send the 74th or 83rd Division to reinforce it."

Wang Yaowen knew very well that without reinforcements, they wouldn't be able to hold out for even a week, let alone twenty days.

“Hey, Officer Wang is overthinking it.” Du Guangting said dismissively, “As long as we strengthen the fortifications, we can hold the line even without sending more troops.”

Luo Xingli, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer and said, "Commander Du, Commander Wang Siling's opinion is correct. I also believe that in order to defend Quancheng, we must send more troops."

Du Guangting wasn't stupid; he naturally knew that the more troops in Quancheng, the better.

However, he shared Liu Jingfu's opinion at this moment and was unwilling to send his troops out at this critical juncture.

Du Guangting argued, "You are all soldiers. Everyone knows that the strength of an army lies not in its numbers but in its bravery, and the strength of a general lies not in its numbers but in its strategy."

"If you say it can't be held, then no amount of troops can hold it."

"If you can hold out for twenty days, my troops will surely reach Quancheng."

Upon hearing Du Guangting's words, Wang Yaowen couldn't hold back any longer.

"Hmph. It's easier said than done. The northward army will inevitably encounter strong resistance from the G army. Without reinforcements, Quancheng cannot be defended, so how can we talk about a pincer attack from the north and south?"

Without increasing troop numbers, even the grandest plans are nothing but castles in the air.

“Commander Wang Siling is right,” Luo Xingli added. “Although we claim to have 100,000 men, a considerable portion of them are security forces and local miscellaneous troops.”

"These good-for-nothings were all driven here by the G army to eat idle food. As soon as the guns start, they'll run faster than rabbits."

"If we don't increase the main force, let alone twenty days, I think Jinan will be finished in three days and two mornings."

Luo Xingli was not exaggerating at all.

Most of the 100,000 troops defending Quancheng had already suffered heavy losses at the hands of the G army. If they were to fight the G army again, they would most likely retreat before the battle even begins.

Wang Yaowen currently only has two regular troops under his command.

The 73rd Reorganized Division was rebuilt after being destroyed in the Battle of Yingmu.

The 96th Army was reorganized from the puppet army during the War of Resistance against Japan.

These second-line troops are already capable of fighting.

As for the rest of the troops, they were either reorganized from security forces or cobbled together from local troops, and were utterly useless. At this time, Jinan desperately needed an elite force to maintain order.

However, Luo Xingli's words really blew Du Guangting away.

"Chief of Staff Luo, as a key figure in the Suiyuan region, it's rather inappropriate for you to utter such discouraging words at a critical juncture when the fate of the Party and the nation hangs on this battle!"

Luo Xingli was not afraid at all and stood up directly: "Wang Siling and I are both doing this for the interests of the Party and the country!"

"Commander Du, you have 170,000 troops under your command. Even if you give them a single soldier, it would only be enough to appease a beggar!"

Du Guangting was furious.

At the crucial moment, Wang Yaowen spoke up: "Chief of Staff Luo, stop talking!"

After all, we would still need Du Guangting's help later, so we couldn't afford to offend him.

Feeling deeply humiliated, Du Guangting left Jinan in a very unpleasant mood.

Due to disagreements, Pengcheng has been very reluctant to airlift troops to Quancheng.

Moreover, Du Guangting complained to Chang Ruiyuan that the generals of the Quancheng garrison had ideological problems.

Fortunately, Guo Gui, who was accompanying Chang Ruiyuan, and Xu Zhimao, the director of the Third Department of the Army Headquarters, gave a report to him.

The defense of Jinan is too extensive, and both troop strength and firepower are clearly insufficient.

Chang Ruiyuan knew that if Quancheng was stable, Pengcheng would be stable, and if Pengcheng was stable, the Central Plains would be stable.

Therefore, at the end of August, Chang Ruiyuan ordered Liu Jingfu to transfer the 83rd Division to Quancheng, with a deadline of ten days.

Wang Yaowen was overjoyed to learn that reinforcements were on their way.

However, Liu Jingfu was worried that Pengcheng would be left empty after the 83rd Division was transferred, which would be detrimental to him.

Therefore, Liu Jingfu used the excuse of prioritizing the transport of ammunition and communication equipment to request a delay in the transport of the 83rd Division.

Chang Ruiyuan did not refuse Liu Jingfu's request. Ammunition and reinforcements were both needed in Quancheng, and either could be transported first.

By mid-September, only one brigade of the reorganized 83rd Division had arrived in Jinan.

At this time, Wang Yaowen had already learned that the main force of the G army was beginning to approach Quancheng, with a total strength of 200,000.

Left with no other option, Wang Yaowen could only deploy his existing troops for defense.

"Officer, the frontal defense area of ​​Quancheng is too large, and our forces are somewhat insufficient," Luo Xingli said with a grim expression.

"Our defense system is like an adult wearing children's clothes."

"Without mobile forces, we can only strengthen the defenses of each stronghold."

"Sigh, even a skilled cook can't cook without rice," Wang Yaowen said with a hint of helplessness.

The G army is now at the city gates, but the promised reinforcements from the 83rd Division have only arrived as a brigade, and then there has been no further movement.

"Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to the General Staff based on my order."

"The majority of the G Army has approached Quancheng and looks like it is about to attack Jinan. We request that the 83rd or 74th Division be transported to Quancheng as soon as possible."

Liu Jingfu of the 83rd Division held on tightly and refused to let go, leaving Wang Yaowen with no choice but to ask for the 74th Division.

The elite of the 74th Division perished in the Battle of Diecui Mountain, but Chang Ruiyuan was reluctant to give up the designation, so he rebuilt it using the remaining troops left behind in the rear.

Although their combat strength is worlds apart from what it was during Zhang Zhonglin's time, they are still much stronger than the security forces.

Upon receiving the telegram, Chang Ruiyuan knew that Wang Yaowen was already on the verge of jumping over the wall in desperation, so he immediately gave the order:

"Send a telegram to Pengcheng, ordering the immediate airlift of the 83rd or 74th Division to Quancheng, and be quick about it!"

"Also, call Quancheng back and tell Yaowen not to panic."

"The G army's tactics are to attack fiercely and aggressively. As long as we stabilize the situation in the first few days, their offensive will be thwarted."

"The three corps of Qiu Feng, Huang Huanran, and Li Bingwen are ready. If the G army attacks Quancheng, the reinforcements will advance quickly."

"Once the reinforcements arrive in Yanzhou, Quancheng only needs to send two divisions to attack from the north and south, and they will surely defeat the G army!"

Upon receiving Chang Ruiyuan's telegram, Wang Yaowen felt somewhat relieved.

However, the battle broke out on the outskirts of Jinan that very night.

Moreover, as soon as the battle began, shells landed at Quancheng Airport.

At this time, the 74th Division, which was being transferred from Pengcheng, was still being airlifted.

Although only a few scattered shells landed on the runway, the transport planes fully loaded with troops did not land at all, but turned around and returned to Pengcheng.

The only ones that had landed at the airport were the seven infantry companies of the 74th Reorganized Division, led by Liu Bin, commander of the 172nd Regiment of the 58th Brigade.

Upon learning that his trusted men had arrived, Wang Yaowen personally came to the airport to greet them, even though there were only seven companies.

Upon seeing Wang Yaowen's car stop, Liu Bin immediately ran over: "Reporting to Commander Wang Siling! Liu Bin, commander of the 74th Reorganized Division, reporting for duty!"

Although the reinforcements were clearly limited, Wang Yaowen was still very happy to see his old subordinates.

"You have followed me for many years. Now that you have come to Jinan, I hope you can lend me a hand."

“Siling, my brothers and I have been waiting for this day for a long time. We have been dreaming of avenging the loss of Diecui Mountain to the G Army.”

"I request that Siling place me and my troops in the most important positions. I vow to repay Siling's kindness in nurturing me with my life!"

"it is good!"

Unlike the excited Wang Yaowen, Luo Xingli's expression changed drastically after scanning the area.

"Commander Liu, why didn't any of you bring weapons?"

"They said it was because they were worried about the plane being overweight and unsafe," Liu Bin said. "Actually, it was General Liu Jingfu who forbade it."

Although the 74th Reorganized Division's combat effectiveness is not comparable to before, its equipment is still better than that of ordinary elite troops.

"Damn it, that bastard!" Luo Xingli was so angry at Liu Jingfu that he almost died.

"Does he expect us to fight the G army empty-handed?!"

"Lord Chancellor, should we report this to the Chairman immediately? This bastard must be severely punished!"

"Sigh," Wang Yaowen sighed, "Forget it, a distant solution can't quench an immediate thirst."

"Immediately send men to open the armory and give them the best weapons and equipment."

"Commander Liu, your regiment will be under my direct command as a mobile force."

"I hope that you and your brothers will do your best to serve the Party and the country."

"I swear to be loyal to the Party and the country!"

(End of this chapter)