Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 558 Do you know how I've survived all these years? (Combined Chapter) (Seeking monthly votes)
Inside the operations room, Hu Shoushan looked at Li Zuobin's defense deployment map and shook his head.

“Officer Li, it is not appropriate to set up defenses here now.”

"Director Hu, the Jialing River is already the most suitable natural barrier in this area."

Li Zuobin explained, "Although the 38th Army only has two divisions, its combat effectiveness is relatively strong, and it has no problem blocking the G Army head-on."

“I know that.” Hu Shoushan picked up a pen and drew two arrows on the map.

"If I were in the G army, and instead of engaging you in a direct confrontation, I crossed the Jialing River from both the left and right flanks to encircle you, what would be the result?"

Looking at the two arrows, Li Zuobin looked troubled.

He knew, of course, that if the G army chose to outflank from both sides, the Jialing River defense line would be impossible to hold.

But he only had these troops at his disposal. Apart from the 38th Army holding the Jialing River defense line, all the other directly subordinate troops and logistics personnel of the Corps Headquarters had been dispatched.

However, they can only serve as a warning.

"Director Hu, I really don't have enough troops at my disposal."

“I know that.” Hu Shoushan nodded. “So I plan to concentrate all our forces and head towards Bailong Mountain.”

"White Dragon Mountain?" Li Zuobin didn't know why Hu Shoushan had made this arrangement.

"Director, this is the last line of defense protecting Hanzhong. Beyond this, there is no more natural defense."

"It would be better to let my 7th Army Corps continue to hold the Jialing River, and let the 5th Army Corps advance into Bailong Mountain."

Hu Shoushan sighed, somewhat helplessly, and said, "The 5th Army Corps has other missions and cannot participate in the battle in southern Shaanxi."

"If we don't have the 5th Army Corps, the 18th Army Corps will do. Two lines of defense are always better than one."

“The 18th Army Corps isn’t there either.” Hu Shoushan became increasingly frustrated: “There are only the 7th and 8th Army Corps in southern Shaanxi now.”

Upon hearing that only such a small number of troops were stationed in southern Shaanxi, Li Zuobin's expression changed instantly.

Although he didn't know the state of the 8th Army Corps, he figured it wouldn't be good, given that they were facing quite a few G Army troops.

"So you're saying we have fewer troops in Hanzhong than the G Army?"

Hu Shoushan nodded: "That's right, that's why I told you to retreat to Bailong Mountain."

"If the G army launches a flanking attack on the Jialing River, the 7th Army Corps will suffer heavy losses, and Bailong Mountain will lose its defensive significance."

Li Zuobin then understood what Hu Shoushan meant.

If the 7th Army Corps chooses to fight a desperate battle on the Jialing River, it will not only receive no reinforcements, but will also leave Hanzhong wide open.

"I will immediately lead the 7th Army Corps to retreat to Bailong Mountain."

"Please rest assured, Director, with me, Li Zuobin, there is Bailong Mountain."

Hu Shoushan nodded, but before he could speak, a combat staff officer walked over.

"report!"

"what's up?"

"According to the reconnaissance report, an advance force of the G Army has infiltrated to the west side of Bailong Mountain."

Upon hearing that the G Army had appeared at Bailong Mountain, Li Zuobin and Hu Shoushan could no longer sit still and stood up.

However, the bad news didn't stop there; another operations staff officer came in.

"report!"

"What's the matter again?"

"The G army crossed the Jialing River at Gaoguchang, Tukan and other places. The coastal defense forces have collapsed. The vanguard of the G army is advancing towards Nangongshan."

"Damn it! The G army came so fast!"

"Order the 38th Army to send one regiment to block the advance of the G Army, and the rest of the troops to retreat at full speed! Target: Bailong Mountain!"

"yes!".
Li Zuobin did not linger in battle. After leaving behind his blocking troops, he retreated towards Bailong Mountain without looking back.

If we were blocked by the G army on the banks of the Jialing River, everything would be ruined.

"Commander, the Guo army on the other side has fled."

"They were lucky they ran fast." Chen Chengxing put down his binoculars. "What's the situation with the 23rd Detachment now?"

"The main force is on its way. Most of the vanguard regiment has already crossed the river, and now a battalion has arrived in the Bailong Mountain area."

"Let the vanguard battalion occupy a bridgehead position, and the 23rd detachment should seize the time to cross the river and prepare to attack Bailong Mountain from the side."

If the 7th Army Corps chooses to retreat decisively, then the two sides will inevitably have a decisive battle at Bailong Mountain.

"yes".
The Battle of Bailong Mountain was an offensive operation, so after crossing the Jialing River, the Second Company did not rush to catch up, but waited for the heavy weapons to arrive.

Two days later, the Second Division completed its deployment at Bailong Mountain.

"According to reconnaissance, the enemy's 7th Army Corps has deployed a total of about 30,000 troops in Bailong Mountain, and they have occupied many advantageous terrains."

Where is Team 23 now?

"Here," Chu Yunfei pointed to the map, "the tea plantation."

"They are now on the flank of the 7th Army Corps. The 23rd Detachment reports that there is a regiment of troops on their front line."

"It seems the enemy's forces are stretched thin; such an important place as the tea garden has only one regiment left."

"Old Chu, give the order to the 23rd Detachment: after breaking through the tea garden position, attack northward and cut the enemy in two!"

Chen Chengxing wasn't worried about whether he could break through the 7th Army Corps' positions; he was worried about the enemy's collapse.

In the Bailong Mountain area, once the Guo army collapses, let alone 30,000 people, even 30,000 pigs, the Second General wouldn't be able to capture half of them.

However, as long as the 23rd Detachment captures the tea plantation, it will be able to cut off the retreat route of the enemy's front-line troops.

The front line is where the 7th Army Corps has the largest force. If they can wipe out these troops, the 7th Army Corps will be effectively destroyed.

After a night of preparation, at dawn the next day, the Second General Headquarters launched a full-scale attack.

The 7th Army Corps only had field fortifications on the Bailong Mountain position, not permanent reinforced concrete fortifications.

Faced with the continuous bombardment from the Second General Staff's howitzers, mountain guns, and heavy mortars, the field fortifications were simply unable to withstand it.

Even the anti-artillery tunnels dug by the Kuomintang army would collapse if hit by a howitzer or heavy mortar without solid wooden support.

The artillery preparations by the Second Battalion lasted for a full two hours.

Seeing that the G army had finally stopped shelling and started an infantry charge, Li Zuobin didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

The officers at the front of the Nationalist army kept shouting orders for their troops to open fire.

However, facing the Second General Headquarters, which charged in skirmish lines and was supported by heavy machine guns, mortars, and infantry guns at any time, the Guo army simply could not withstand it.

After only two attempts, the Second General rushed to the front lines and began to expand in depth.

"Officer, the G army's offensive is very fierce. Reports from the front lines indicate that they have suffered heavy casualties."

Tell Ma Zhenxi that he must hold on!

Li Zuobin knew what Ma Zhenxi meant, but the 7th Army Corps had no way out.

If Bailong Mountain is lost, then Hanzhong will be at the mercy of the G army's advance and retreat.

However, no sooner had Li Zuobin finished speaking than the phone on the table rang urgently again.

"This is the Corps Headquarters."

"What? I'll report this immediately!"

"Officer, a report from the tea garden position: the G army has broken through the defense line, and the 531st Regiment has retreated."

"How could it be so fast?!" Li Zuobin's expression changed drastically.

This matter was so huge that Li Zuobin was somewhat dazed.

"What should the Lancet do now?"

"What should we do?" Li Zuobin immediately ordered.
"The Corps' directly subordinate guard units are to rush to support the tea plantation. Send an order to the 531st Regiment: they must retake the position at all costs!"

"I'll go myself!" the chief of staff volunteered.

Everyone here has served in the military for many years, and anyone would know the danger of having their flanks breached.

After the chief of staff left with several hundred men, Li Zuobin also arrived at the 38th Army's position.

"Ma Junzhang, how's the situation?"

"The situation is not optimistic." Ma Zhenxi was also covered in gunpowder smoke; he had just personally gone to the front lines.

"The G army's offensive is too fierce. As soon as the bugle sounds, my position will be lost 100% of the time."

"Now all I have left is the core position. One regiment of the 55th Division has already been decimated."

It has been less than three hours since the start of the battle, but he has already lost most of his outer positions.

"Lord Chancellor, is there really no more support?"

"Even some air support would be helpful."

Ma Zhenxi's face looked very grim.

In this battle, the 7th Army Corps was overwhelmed by the firepower of the Second Division of the opposing G Army.

Without artillery superiority, Ma Zhenxi personally experienced how difficult the G army was to deal with.

Li Zuobin shook his head: "We can only rely on ourselves."

"The situation in eastern Sichuan is even more difficult than here. The Second Field Army of the G Army is already approaching Chongqing."

Upon hearing that the G army was approaching Chongqing, Ma Zhenxi fell silent.

With President Chang still in Chongqing, it seems that Chongqing is indeed more crucial.

But as the sounds of gunfire grew closer, Ma Zhenxi didn't know what to say.

After a moment of silence, Ma Zhenxi spoke up: "Officer, there is a division of the G Army at the tea garden. I estimate that we can't take it back. Our best option now is to retreat immediately."

Li Zuobin thought about it, but ultimately refused.

"If we retreat now, we will lose Hanzhong."

"Neither you nor I can bear the responsibility of abandoning Hanzhong without orders."

Neither of them were the president's confidants, nor were they the sons or nephews of important officials.

Although even if the two of them persisted here, Hanzhong would eventually be lost, but the responsibility would be different.

If the leader of the team simply ran away, the blame would definitely fall on them.

They might even end up taking the blame for losing Southwest China.

That would truly mean certain death, and even their families who had already evacuated to Frog Island would likely not fare well.

Upon hearing Li Zuobin mention responsibility, Ma Zhenxi fell silent again.

Now, they have no choice but to fight to the death.

However, the development of the battlefield situation will not change according to their will.

With the reinforcements sent to the tea plantation defeated, the 23rd Detachment began to quickly encircle the area.

After being attacked from both sides, the soldiers at the front lines of the Guo army began to gradually collapse.

Then a small collapse triggered a larger one, plunging the entire Bailong Mountain position into chaos.

"Commander-in-Chief, Political Commissar, we have received a report from the front lines that the enemy has suffered a complete defeat and all units have begun their pursuit."

"Great! Hanzhong is secured!" Luo Ping exclaimed excitedly.

Once Hanzhong is captured, entering Sichuan will be just around the corner.

"Let the 23rd Detachment prepare for the blocking action. How many prisoners we can capture this time depends entirely on them."

“23 teams have been deployed,” Chu Yunfei said. “However, I estimate that they probably won’t be able to stop them all; many will definitely scatter and escape.”

The mountains are full of nooks and crannies; if people hide in the ravines, there will always be some who escape.

"I know that. Let's arrest as many as we can."

"However, tell all units that they must capture Li Zuobin, otherwise this battle will not be considered a victory."

"yes!".
At this time, Li Zuobin was leading his remaining troops to flee towards Baibo Town via a back road.

Unexpectedly, the 23rd Detachment had already dispatched a company to seize Baibo Town.

Unable to escape through Baitao Town, Li Zuobin had no choice but to turn south. After seizing eight wooden boats in a riverside village, the group went downstream.

However, halfway there, their group of several boats was spotted by the 2nd Battalion of the 232nd Regiment, who were observing from a hilltop.

"Enemy on the river!" the Second Battalion Commander shouted, pointing at the river. "Machine gun team! Set up your guns and fire!"

"Da da da".
The 60mm mortar team that followed also set up several mortars and then fired them at the river.

This terrified Li Zuobin.

They are now adrift on the water, unable to find a place to hide, and the wooden boat can't stop the bullets.

If this continues, they'll all be fish food in just a few minutes.

"Cease fire!" After ordering his men to stop, Li Zuobin signaled to Ma Zhenxi to shout the order.

Ma Zhenxi took out a white towel, held it in his hand and waved it repeatedly while shouting.

"Stop shooting!"

"Stop shooting!"

"We surrender!"

Upon seeing the Guo army raise a white flag to surrender, the battalion commander immediately ordered a halt to the attack. "Second platoon leader, go to the riverbank and bring the men over."

"Yes!"

Upon reaching the shore, the fourth squad leader raised a tin megaphone and shouted, "Listen up, everyone on the boat! Bring us to shore immediately!"

"Quick! Move faster!"

"Put down your weapons and get off the ship, quickly!"

The Guo soldiers on the boats didn't dare to say anything and obediently brought their boats to shore.

"The one wearing the peaked cap."

"That means you shouldn't hide in crowds!"

"I could tell at a glance that you are a high-ranking official."

"Come here!" the squad leader of the fourth squad waved.

"Next time you want to hide, throw your hat away first. Look how big this badge on the peaked cap is."

"who are you?"

"I am Li Yunfeng, the Minister of Logistics of the 55th Division of the 38th Army."

The squad leader looked him up and down: "Logistics? He is indeed a bit chubby."

However, the squad leader of the fourth squad did not believe it.

How could a logistics officer be intentionally or unintentionally protected in the middle?

"Put your arms up, I'm going to search you."

Li Zuobin had no choice but to raise his hand.

Soon, the letters that Li Zuobin was carrying were found.

"Chang Ruiyuan?"

"You mean Chang Ruiyuan would give you a position to write letters in charge of logistics?"

"I'm telling you, you'd better behave!"

Li Zuobin had no choice but to admit honestly, "I am Li Zuobin, the sergeant of the 7th Army Corps."

"Li Zuobin?"

"Haha! It really came to us without any effort!" The fourth squad leader laughed heartily.

"Tens of thousands of us are looking for you!"

"Xiao Liu, hurry and report to the battalion commander! We've scooped the biggest fish into the net!"

Soon, the headquarters also received a report that Li Zuobin had been captured.

Luo Ping smiled: "At least the kid didn't get away!"

"We have done our duty to the people of Chengyang."

"Commander-in-Chief, Political Commissar, the battle reports are basically complete." Chu Yunfei also came over to report: "More than 3,000 enemy soldiers have been killed, and 18,000 prisoners have been captured."

"We captured 24 mountain guns, 120mm heavy mortars, and more than 100 other mortars of various calibers. We are still counting the firearms and ammunition."

"Not bad." Chen Chengxing nodded.

That's basically all the guns and cannons we've captured; the number of prisoners will likely increase later.

"Pass down the order: the prisoner-capturing mission will cease at night. We will rest for a day and then continue our advance south."

"South? Not going to Hanzhong?" Luo Ping asked, somewhat puzzled.

After eliminating the 7th Army Corps, Hanzhong would be in the hands of the Second Army Corps and the 18th Army Corps.

"Let the 18th Army Corps go by themselves. We'll continue advancing along the Golden Ox Road. Our next target is Jiange."

Just as the Second Army Corps was advancing towards Jiange, the main force of the Second Field Army was also approaching Chongqing.

Chang Ruiyuan convened a final meeting, ordering his troops to continue holding their ground and to burn and destroy the entire city.

Then he chose to flee by plane.

"Officer, the 5th and 18th Corps have begun their retreat. They have not encountered the G Army."

"I understand." Hu Shoushan nodded expressionlessly.

Chang Ruiyuan's actions resulted in the loss of Chongqing while the 5th and 18th Army Corps were still en route, and now Hanzhong has also fallen.

Even a fool could guess that the G army's next move would inevitably be a pincer attack from the north and east.

Regardless of whether the initial move in northern Sichuan was a feint or the main offensive, it has now become the main offensive.

"Chief of staff, send an order to the 18th Army Corps to turn towards Jiange and block the G Army from the north."

Hu Shoushan knew that the 18th Army Corps was no match for the 5th Army Corps in terms of combat strength.

But whether the main force retreats to Chengdu or continues to retreat to the border, the 5th Army Corps is his ballast and absolutely cannot be moved.

Only with the 5th Army Corps in place could he control Chengdu; otherwise, it would be uncertain who would be in charge of Chengdu.

Moreover, Jiange is easy to defend and difficult to attack. The 18th Army Corps should be able to hold off the hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops on the northern front, and at least hold out for a period of time.

However, no sooner had Chief of Staff Lü Hanwen left than Hu Shoushan received a notification that Chang Ruiyuan had landed in Chengdu.

When Hu Shoushan arrived at the airport and met Chang Ruiyuan, Chang Ruiyuan's first words left him speechless.

"Shoushan, immediately issue the order to abandon the Qinling defense line and withdraw all troops to the vicinity of Chengdu."

Hu Shoushan looked troubled: "President, if we abandon the Qinling Mountains, the hundreds of thousands of troops in southern Shaanxi will inevitably move south, and then the Chengdu Plain will be attacked from both sides."

"Over 400,000 troops have already entered eastern Sichuan. How can we stop them if we don't gather all our forces?"

Chang Ruiyuan was certainly aware that there were still over 100,000 Kuomintang troops in southern Shaanxi, but he figured that too many lice wouldn't bother him. There were already over 400,000 Kuomintang troops advancing towards Chengdu, so another 100,000 or so wouldn't make a difference.

"I am handing over the 15th Army Corps, the 16th Army Corps, the 20th Army Corps, as well as the directly subordinate troops of the Sichuan-Shaanxi-Gansu Border Pacification Headquarters and the local security forces to you for command."

"After the troops are withdrawn, you should first take control of Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang to prevent them from defecting to the G Army."

Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang are currently the two most influential figures in the Sichuan local military.

Liu Ziqian was the chairman of Xikang Province and also the commander of the 24th Army; Deng Jinkang was the deputy director of the Southwest Military and Political Headquarters and also the commander of the 95th Army.

These two armies are not weak in combat, and are capable of influencing the overall situation.

"Yes! I will immediately withdraw my troops."

After exchanging a few words with Hu Shoushan, Chang Ruiyuan hurriedly got into his car and headed straight for the temporary government office.

When he took off from Chongqing, the G army gave him a send-off with light machine guns. Chang Ruiyuan was terrified and now desperately needs rest.

Watching the departing convoy, Hu Shoushan said helplessly, "If we can't even hold Chongqing, who can protect Chengdu?"

Lu Hanwen said, "Lord Siren, we can't ignore what the principal says."

"Sigh, send another order to the 18th Army Corps, tell them not to go to Jiange, but to retreat to the Mianyang area immediately."

Mianyang is located south of Peijiang River, which can be used to defend against the G army's attack. If necessary, it can also continue to retreat and protect Chengdu.

"I'll go right away."
With Hu Shoushan voluntarily abandoning the Qinling defenses, the Second Army Corps and the 18th Army Corps entered northern Sichuan in three routes.

The Guo army along the way all fled at the mere sight of them.

After the main force had gathered in Chengdu and nearby cities, Hu Shoushan met with Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang with Zhang Yuejun, director of the Southwest Military and Political Headquarters.

Liu Ziqian personally went out to greet the two.

"Director Zhang, I'm so sorry for not greeting you sooner."

"Director Hu, at such a critical time for Chengdu, your arrival is a great honor, a very warm welcome."

"Please, both of you!"

"Deputy Director Deng has arrived and is waiting for you two."

Upon entering the room, Hu Shoushan looked at the table full of dishes and laughed, "Is this some kind of trap?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Please have a seat, everyone." Liu Ziqian said as he gestured for everyone to sit down, "A person only has one head. Although its appearance may not be ideal, I can't bear to move it."

After everyone sat down with smiles, Hu Shoushan continued, "I'm a soldier, and I'm not good at those formalities, so I'll get straight to the point."

Deng Jinkang cursed him in his heart for being pretentious, but still praised him aloud: "A general's demeanor, this is the true demeanor of a general!"

Liu Ziqian waved his hand, signaling the servants beside him to leave.

Hu Shoushan ignored Deng Jinkang's flattery and instead launched a direct attack.

"Commander Deng, I heard that you ordered the 95th Army to assemble in the Guanghan and Xindu area to stop my troops from advancing westward?"

"Commander Liu, you ordered the 24th Army to destroy the bridge and prevent me, Hu, from crossing?"

"I wonder if it's true or not?"

Liu Ziqian slammed down the wine glass he had just raised: "What makes you say that?!"

Deng Jinkang, standing to the side, sneered twice: "Hmph."

"Be modest, don't be in a hurry."

Deng Jinkang then looked at Zhang Yuejun and said, "Commander Zhang, I request that you send someone to conduct an on-site investigation."

"If Director Hu says even one thing that is true, you can take both of our heads!"

Deng Jinkang was confident that the 95th Army was not currently blocking Hu Shoushan's advance, and the 24th Army had not blown up the bridge.

Such a big event, once it happens, will surely be known to everyone in Chengdu.

Zhang Yuejun knew this wasn't the time to pursue the matter, so he quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Jin Kang’s words are very sincere. I believe that neither of you will kick someone when they are down during a time of crisis for the Party and the country.”

Before Hu Shoushan could speak, Liu Ziqian said, "Commander Zhang, with a formidable enemy at hand, this slanderous accusation of sowing discord between the Central Army and the local armies must be thoroughly investigated."

"Alright, alright," Zhang Yuejun quickly reassured, "No one should mention these kinds of things again."

"Come, let me use this humble toast to Director Hu, who has come from afar."

Liu Ziqian thought for a moment, then didn't say anything more, raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

After a few drinks, seeing that the situation at the table had eased, Zhang Yuejun finally got down to business.

"Gentlemen, the G army is now pressing in, and the Battle of Chengdu is imminent. The President has repeatedly instructed that he hopes Jin Kang and Zi Qian can cooperate sincerely and work together with Director Hu."

Liu Ziqian shook his head: "Right now, we can only rely on Director Hu as our trump card. Neither Jin Kang nor I can handle this."

"You're being a bit too modest with that."

"Heh." Liu Ziqian chuckled coldly twice.

Do you know how I've been living all these years?
"In the past, President Chang's approach to dealing with our miscellaneous troops was to eliminate the enemy forces to remove external threats and eliminate the miscellaneous troops to eliminate internal strife."

“My main force and Jin Kang’s forces were eliminated long ago.”

"If we can withstand the heavy burden of the G army today, just like we did back then, the two of us can shoulder it."

"But we can't have all the people eliminated by President Chang, and now we're expected to shoulder this burden?"

Hu Shoushan, who was standing to the side, picked up a towel and wiped his mouth: "That's easy. My 400,000-strong army can all be handed over to Mr. Liu for command."

"Hehe. Director Hu, we're both experts. Do you think I could command your troops?"

"Similarly, you can't command my troops either."

Seeing that nothing seemed to work, Zhang Yuejun couldn't hold back any longer: "Ziqian, then what do you want?"

"Could this meal really be a trap?"

At this moment, Zhang Yuejun sensed that Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang were acting strangely.

Seeing that Zhang Yuejun had become suspicious, Liu Ziqian smiled:
"Commander Zhang, what are you talking about? I am a big warlord, a big bureaucrat, a big landlord, and a big capitalist. I have it all."

"The G army is carrying out a proletarian revolution, why would they want me?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yuejun felt relieved: "Ziqian was speaking from the heart."

"I'm speaking from the heart, but Commander Zhang probably hasn't said what he wanted to say yet, has he?"

Liu Ziqian knew very well that Zhang Yuejun had come with orders from Chang Ruiyuan.

His home is probably already surrounded by spies.

"Actually, it wasn't me who said it."

"The president asked me to pass on this message to everyone."

"In order to effectively combat the G army, the president has decided that the three of you will work together in the same office to command the operation."

"At the same time, for safety reasons, Jin Kang and Zi Qian's family members can go to Frog Island first."

Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang exchanged a glance.

They had a plan, but taking family members hostage was still somewhat unexpected.

Deng Jinkang was the first to react: "Okay, thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, President."

"So thoughtful, so thoughtful!" Liu Ziqian also realized what was going on: "Let Jin Kang and I make some preparations."

"Okay." Zhang Yuejun didn't want to press him too much, so he nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)