Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 559: A Perfect Ending (Combined Chapter) (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

After meeting with Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang, Hu Shoushan also met with Chang Ruiyuan.

"Principal, I have appointed Sheng Guohui as the commander of the Chengdu city defense. The 3rd Army has taken over the Chengdu city defense."

"I met with Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang today, and I have a feeling that they may have ulterior motives."

"Should we eliminate them immediately?"

“No.” Chang Ruiyuan shook his head: “We still need them for the decisive battle in western Sichuan.”

Seeing that Chang Ruiyuan disagreed, Hu Shoushan didn't say anything more. He was more concerned about his 400,000 troops.

Where there are people, there is a future.

"Principal, the G Army has entered northern Sichuan and is now forming a pincer movement with the G Army in eastern Sichuan."

"If our main force doesn't retreat westward quickly, I'm afraid..."

Before Hu Shoushan could finish speaking, Chang Ruiyuan interrupted him: "You should give up the idea of ​​retreating to the Yunnan-Myanmar border."

"I want you to defend Chengdu to the death! Protect the southwestern half of the country."

"If we lose the entire mainland, how will we speak internationally? What will the Americans think?"

Seeing Chang Ruiyuan's resolute expression, Hu Shoushan had no choice but to nod and agree: "Yes! I guarantee to defend Chengdu to the death."

However, Hu Shoushan knew very well that if he continued to defend his position, he would become the next Du Guangting.

But Chang Ruiyuan had already made his decision, and there was nothing he could change it.

Meanwhile, just as Hu Shoushan proposed executing Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang, the two were also discussing countermeasures.

"Brother Ziqian, our current strategy for dealing with Lao Chang is nothing more than a few things."

"If you're going to pretend, you have to be convincing; if you're going to lie, you have to tell enough. If you can push it off, then push it off; if you can't, then drag it out. If you can hold on, then hold on; if you can't, then leave."

Liu Ziqian shook his head: "Brother Jinkang, I think we can't delay any longer, and we can't hold on any longer."

He had barely finished speaking when the phone rang.

Liu Ziqian's adjutant walked over and took it.

After hanging up the phone, the adjutant reported, "The president is meeting with me in his office at the North Training Ground. He will arrive promptly at 4 PM tomorrow."

Liu Ziqian's expression immediately changed. He realized that Chang Ruiyuan was impatient and wanted to force him to make a statement.

The next options are either to submit to Chang Ruiyuan, become a prisoner, or even be murdered.

Just as Liu Ziqian was deep in thought, the phone rang again.

After receiving the call, the adjutant said to Deng Jinkang, "Sir Deng, your family has received the same notification."

Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang exchanged glances for a few seconds: "It seems to be a trap indeed. Once we get there, we'll probably be inviting them into a snare."

When the moment came, Deng Jinkang felt relieved. He stood up with a smile and said, "Old Chang and the others forgot that even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake."

“Mr. Zhou sent a telegram earlier telling us not to be attached to Chengdu. It seems he had foreseen this.”

Liu Ziqian affirmed, "There's no time to lose; running away is the best course of action!"

Deng Jinkang nodded: "Yes, we're going to Peng County!"

"good!".
After discussing and making a decision, Deng Jinkang took his hunting rifle, pretended to be out of town to hunt birds, and left through the north gate.

After Deng Jinkang left, Liu Ziqian let his car leave through the North Gate empty, while he climbed out through a gap in the city wall.

After arriving at the City God Temple outside the city, panting heavily, Liu Ziqian met up with Deng Jinkang, and the two headed to Peng County together.

The 95th Army is currently stationed in Peng County.

Chang Ruiyuan was furious when he learned that Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang had escaped his control.

"Niang Xipi!"

"This Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang!"

Chang Ruiyuan pointed at Hu Shoushan and ordered, "Send men immediately to bring them back!"

Although Hu Shoushan was cursing inwardly, he still nodded and agreed with a calm expression: "Yes!"

“Tell them that everything in the past was a misunderstanding, and that as long as they are willing to come back, everything is negotiable.”

"I have decided to ask the two of them to take charge of the major military and political affairs in Sichuan."

"If they don't believe me, we can take Jianfeng hostage."

Hu Shoushan was shocked. How could even his son have been taken away?

If Chang Jianfeng were truly placed in a dangerous situation, he would likely be torn to pieces.

Hu Shoushan tried to step forward to dissuade him, but Chang Jianfeng held him back.

At this point, no matter what, Chang Ruiyuan, the eldest son, had to make a statement.

Just as Hu Shoushan was at a loss for what to do, his adjutant called out quietly from the doorway, "Director Hu."

Hu Shoushan waved his hand repeatedly, signaling him to leave quickly, saying that he was really lacking in tact.

However, his adjutant hesitated for a moment, then walked to his side and whispered, "Director Hu, urgent telegram!"

Hu Shoushan took it and was completely dumbfounded.

Chang Ruiyuan then spoke up, "What is it?"

"The Military Intelligence Bureau intercepted a telegram from Lu Banghan in Yunnan, in which Lu Banghan advised Liu Ziqian to detain the principal and make him the greatest hero of the Communist Army."

Upon hearing Hu Shoushan's report, Chang Ruiyuan turned his head in disbelief, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

Lu Banghan was the chairman of the Yunnan Provincial Government. His defection meant the loss of the entire Yunnan province.

Chang Ruiyuan reached out and took the telegram. After glancing at it a few times, he tore it to shreds with a wry smile.

Before Chang Ruiyuan could speak, another piece of bad news followed.

Liu Ziqian and Deng Jinkang also issued a telegram announcing their rebellion.

The troops involved in the uprising included Liu Ziqian's 95th Army, Deng Jinkang's 24th Army, and also Pan Zhongsan's 235th Division, another deputy director.

If the security forces of Xikang are included, the number of people is more than 40,000.

Chang Ruiyuan could no longer sit still and immediately sat down in a chair.

The defection of local power factions in the southwest has resulted in losses far exceeding just tens of thousands of people; the complex web of relationships involved is countless.

His original plan for a decisive battle in western Sichuan failed before it even began.

As evening approached, the attendant entered again with a serious expression and reported, "President, suspicious individuals have been spotted near the North Training Ground."

Chang Ruiyuan sat there, staring motionless out the window.

Chang Jianfeng decisively said, "Contact Director Hu immediately and have him personally bring a guard regiment over!"

"Notify the airport to prepare the special plane for takeoff at any time!"

"yes!".
"Father, Chengdu is too dangerous now. You must leave this place!"

Chang Ruiyuan waved his hand without saying a word. He had already realized that he would probably only be able to play by himself on Frog Island in the future.

Soon, Hu Shoushan personally led a team to see Chang Ruiyuan off onto the plane.

The military and political power in the southwest was also handed over to Hu Shoushan.

"Commander-in-Chief, Political Commissar, Chang Ruiyuan has fled Chengdu in a panic."

"Oh? When?" Luo Ping asked excitedly.

"It took off from Phoenix Airport at 2 PM today."

Chen Chengxing said, "The outcome of the decisive battle in western Sichuan is already decided. Now we need to consider how to completely annihilate Hu Shoushan on the Chengdu Plain."

"I judged that the Guo army would definitely revolt one after another. Hu Shoushan knew very well that he could not defend Chengdu."

"At this point, retreating to Xikang or Yunnan was his only option."

"However, Kunming has already seen an uprising, so Hu Shoushan could only take the route through Ya'an and Xichang."

"To get to Ya'an, you have to go through Qulai County."

As soon as Chen Chengxing finished speaking, a combat staff officer came over with a telegram.

"report!"

"The field command ordered that the Second Division immediately march to Qulai County to block the enemy's westward retreat route."

Previously, Hu Shoushan had taken the initiative to withdraw from the Qinling Mountains. Although he had set up a blocking position at Jianmen Pass, the small number of troops he had was no match for the Second General's attack.

The main force of the Second General Corps has already reached the Mianyang area.

After comparing the locations of each unit, the two field commanders felt that although the Second Division was not the closest unit, it should be the first unit to arrive at Qulai.

"Alright, no need to ask for instructions now, the order has been issued." Chen Chengxing took the telegram.

"Old Chu, pass on my order: all troops must advance at top speed and seize Qulai!"

"Yes!"

The second general was advancing very quickly, meandering along the highway.

Especially the armored battalion, which had finally escaped its misery, moved with lightning speed.

The vanguard could even arrive before the telegram announcing the fall of the Khoshut positions reached the next position.

"Officer, Chen Chengxing's troops of the G Army have suddenly appeared in the area of ​​Dayi, Qulai, and Pujiang."

Hu Shoushan could hardly believe his ears and abruptly stood up, asking, "What time?"

"5 a.m. today."

"This is absolutely impossible!" Hu Shoushan exclaimed urgently, "Three days ago, they were still in Mianyang. In less than three days, they've traveled over 170 kilometers?!"

If we use trucks for mechanized marching, it would only take two days, let alone three.

His 5th and 18th Corps were able to withdraw to Chengdu only thanks to a large number of troop transport vehicles.

But the G army marches on foot, so how could they possibly run that fast?

Lu Hanwen said somewhat helplessly, "They did appear. The investigators even saw quite a few hill guns."

Hu Shoushan slumped back into his chair: "It's over, Chengdu is finished."

Lu Hanwen continued, "The G army has now completely cut off our retreat and has surrounded us on the east, south, and west sides."

"Director, should we send another telegram to the president requesting an immediate breakout, or it will be too late?"

Although they are now surrounded on three sides, it is no different from sealing them off, since the G army to the north is pressing down, and they cannot break out through the Qinling Mountains.

Hu Shoushan decisively said, "Generate electricity! Generate electricity immediately!"

Every day, troops are sending telegrams announcing their defection. He can only truly control the 5th and 18th Army Corps, which together number over 100,000 men.

To think that these people could hold off the G army was wishful thinking.

However, to Hu Shoushan's despair, Chang Ruiyuan's reply was still to defend Chengdu to the death.

In Hu Shoushan's despair, the main force of the G army surrounded Hu Shoushan and the retreating Guo army in Sichuan, all of whom were trapped in Chengdu.

"Listen, listen!" Hu Shoushan shouted, pointing outside.

"To the south, the G Army's artillery is bombarding Xinjin; to the north, the 18th Corps of the First Field Army is advancing; to the east, an army of the Fourth Field Army has reached Jianyang!"

"The roads leading to Xichang and Ya'an have been completely blocked!"

"But the principal still wants me to defend Chengdu to the death!"
"I have said long ago that Chengdu is not a place to be defended. Historically, military strategists have always defended Mianyang in the north, Jianyang in the east, and Luzhou in the south."

"If they reach the vicinity of Chengdu, there will be no way to defend it."

"But the principal still doesn't agree to break through. As the acting commander, wouldn't I be nothing more than a scapegoat?"

Inside the command post, Hu Shoushan raged for a long time, but in the end, he looked at the portrait of Chang Ruiyuan behind him.

"Throughout my life, I have never disobeyed a single instruction from the CEO."

"This time, let me live and die with Chengdu."

After a pause, Hu Shoushan looked at Lü Hanwen and said, "However, these hundreds of thousands of soldiers cannot die for me. I have decided that you will lead them to break through the encirclement."

"If the president holds me accountable in the future, I, a dead man, will bear the full responsibility."

Seeing Hu Shoushan's loyalty, Lü Hanwen patted his chest and said, "Since the director has put it this way, I, Lü Hanwen, only have one path: to perish together with the director."

Hu Shoushan was startled, thinking that Lü Hanwen had also defected to the G Army and was now going to pull out a grenade to kill him.

However, he quickly realized that what Lü Hanwen meant by "to live or die together" was probably something else entirely.

Before Hu Shoushan could speak, Lü Hanwen continued, "Director, I suggest that the breakout operation be under the unified command of Li Wu, the clerk of the 5th Army Corps."

"He is extremely loyal to the president and will certainly not fail your trust."

Now Hu Shoushan understood that Lü Hanwen had not been wrong.

Hu Shoushan nodded: "Since the chief of staff has decided to share life and death with me, then Li Wu will serve as the commander-in-chief of the breakout."

Hu Shoushan and Lü Hanwen then carefully analyzed the current situation and devised a breakout plan.

The 15th and 20th Army Corps advanced towards Chongqing to draw the main force of the G Army back to reinforce, thus covering the main force's retreat to Xikang.

Upon receiving the order, Luo Guangwu, the clerk of the 15th Army Corps, and Chen Wenyan, the clerk of the 20th Army Corps, felt as if they had swallowed a fly.

But the two had no choice but to agree.

However, while deploying troops, the two men contacted the Second Field Army separately to prepare for a battlefield uprising.

Soon, Hu Shoushan also learned that the two army corps had revolted as soon as they left their homes.

"Assholes! They're all bastards!"

"Luo Guangwu and Chen Wenyan have failed the principal! They have failed the Party and the country!"

"Officer, this is not the time to discuss this. The 15th and 20th Army Corps have mutinied, and the G Army is already approaching Chengdu." "A breakout must be initiated immediately!"

"Hmm." Hu Shoushan nodded: "You should give Li Wu an order to lead the 5th Army Corps and the 18th Army Corps to break through towards Xikang."

"it is good!"

Upon receiving the order, Li Wu did not hesitate and led the 5th and 18th Corps to set out immediately.

They then used the 18th Army Corps to attack Dayi and the 5th Army Corps to attack Qulai.

Inside the Second General Headquarters in Qulai, everyone looked serious as they watched the movements of the Guo army.

"Five armies, 5 men, the Guo army is going all in."

"Old Chen, what do you think?"

"Contract the defenses," Chen Chengxing said decisively. "Abandon Dayi and order the 22nd Detachment to withdraw to Qulai."

"With the fighting strength of our Second Division, the enemy can't do anything to us."

"But to abandon Dayi without approval from higher authorities..."

"Old Luo, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly. By the time the higher-ups finish their discussion, both sides will be locked in a fierce battle."

"Besides, Qulai is the key location for the Guo army to break out. Dayi is at most the flank. Even if we give it to the Guo army, they still won't be able to break out."

"Let the 22nd detachment withdraw first, and then report to the field headquarters simultaneously."

It is unlikely that the 50,000 men of the 18th Army Corps of the Guo Army could have wiped out the 22nd Detachment.

However, if they remain in Dayi, the 22nd team will inevitably suffer heavy losses.

Now that the liberation of the whole country is just one last push away, Chen Chengxing is unwilling for his soldiers to fall before dawn.

Luo Ping nodded: "Okay, but the telegram to the Field Headquarters must be sent before the telegram to the 22nd Detachment."

"Old Chu, send the telegram immediately as instructed by the political commissar."

"yes!".
On the other side, Li Wu led 150,000 men straight to Qulai and attacked.

At the same time, the various Kuomintang armies around Chengdu suddenly discovered that they could no longer make phone calls to the General Headquarters.

This was already a turbulent time, and now there's an uproar.

Everyone knows that Hu Shoushan has run away.

At this critical moment, the Siling official has fled; who would be willing to fight?

The various units of the Guo army around Chengdu either revolted or surrendered, fearing that they would be too slow.

At this point, anyone who's stubborn is a fool.

After arriving in Qulai with his troops, Li Wu quickly launched an attack.

Inside the Second General Headquarters, Chu Yunfei explained the situation in front of a map.

"The enemy has now launched an attack from two directions."

"Three armies on the right flank are attacking the Qulai positions of my 21st and 24th detachments."

"The two armies on the left flank launched an attack on the position of my 23rd Detachment between Qulai and Pujiang."

Chen Chengxing affirmed, "No matter how many routes they take, as long as we hold Qulai, the enemy will have no way to escape."

"According to the telegram from the commander, the J and K armies from the east have surrounded us and are preparing to attack the enemy from the flank."

"I think the battle will be over soon."

Luo Ping, who was standing to the side, nodded: "This should be the last major battle in the Liberation War."

"Whether the War of Liberation can be brought to a perfect close depends on whether we can hold off the enemy at Qulai."

"The battle between the Second General and Yan Xishan in Taiyuan was the starting point of the War of Liberation; the battle with Guo's army in Qulai was the end point."

"Tell my comrades, we must give ourselves a satisfactory ending!"

Faced with the Second General's defense, Li Wu launched several charges in succession, leaving corpses strewn all over the ground, but he was still unable to break through the front line.

"Officer, the three vanguard divisions have repeatedly failed in their attacks, suffering heavy casualties."

Li Wu waved his hand: "We've come this far, we have no other choice."

"Whether you fight for it or not, you will still have light."

We must fight to the very end!

After thinking for a moment, Li Wu gritted his teeth and ordered, "Send in the First Army!"

The First Army was Hu Shoushan's most elite force, equipped with American gear from head to toe.

Moreover, throughout the entire Liberation War, apart from the complete annihilation of the First Brigade at the beginning, there were no further casualties.

These three divisions of the First Army were Li Wu's last trump card and the source of his confidence in breaking through the encirclement.

Upon receiving the order, the First Army marched proudly onto the battlefield.

"I heard that Chen Chengxing on the other side is incredibly arrogant?"

"Let's show them what's what today!"

Chen Shichang, the commander of the First Army, looked confident.

With the artillery equipped by the First Army and the Fifth Corps, they would certainly be able to inflict heavy casualties on the Second General Staff.

Perhaps we can break through the opponent's defense in just one round.

Chen Shichang raised his hand and glanced at his watch: "It's one o'clock in the afternoon."

"Chief of staff, tell the East and West artillery groups to concentrate their fire on the junction of their positions. Bombard for two hours and destroy all of the G army's positions."

"The 167th Division will be responsible for holding Qulai back, while the 1st and 78th Divisions will wait until the shelling ends before launching a strong attack on the 23rd Detachment on the other side."

"Strive to create an opening before nightfall and lead the main force to escape the G army's encirclement under the cover of darkness."

"yes!".
At this point, the Kuomintang troops didn't care about the cost of the shells at all; they wished they could fire all the shells within a minute.

The powerful explosion completely covered the position of the 23rd Detachment.

After a long period of artillery preparation, the First Army launched its attack with a bugle call.

"Lord Siren! Something terrible has happened! The First Army has been routed! More than a third of its soldiers have been killed or wounded!"

"What did you say?!" Li Wu's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"The First Army has only been officially launching its attack for two hours, and you're telling me they've collapsed? And that their casualties exceed a third of theirs?"

Li Wu simply refused to believe this fact.

For the Guo army, if casualties exceed one-third, they can be declared incapable of fighting.

After all, infantrymen at the front line only make up about half of the entire force.

"After preparing with artillery fire, the First Army launched a fierce attack, even engaging in hand-to-hand combat, but they were unable to defeat the enemy."

The chief of staff was too embarrassed to say that this was the result even when the local forces had an absolute advantage.

The First Army had always boasted of its strength and luxurious equipment, but no one could have predicted that they would be defeated so easily.

The sudden collapse of the First Army also directly shattered Li Wu's morale and spirit.

Sitting at the conference table, Li Wu quietly changed his tune: "We need to immediately organize our forces and break through from different directions!"

"At this time, every extra person who is sacrificed is a way to preserve more vitality for the Party and the country!"

"Yes!"

But by this time, the two sides had been fighting for a day, and the morale of the Guo army soldiers had long since collapsed. Moreover, the surrounding G army troops had also surrounded them.

Li Wu's breakout plan had no effect.

Seeing that the encirclement was complete, Chen Chengxing did not hesitate and launched an attack overnight.

The shells quickly hit Li Wu's command post.

"Damn it!" Li Wu slammed his fist on the table. "Looks like we've reached the end of the road!"

"chief of staff!"

"To!"

"Go contact the G army, demand a ceasefire, and negotiate!"

They finally held out until dawn, when the chief of staff came out holding a white flag.

"Don't fire!" the chief of staff shouted, waving a white flag high. "Brothers of the G Army, please don't fire!"

Chen Chengxing was not too surprised that Li Wu wanted to negotiate.

Similarly, he did not refuse.

Soon, Chen Chengxing met Li Wu at the forward command post.

However, Li Wu clearly still doesn't quite understand himself.

"Commander Chen, our army's decision to revolt is based on sincerity. Regarding the issue of treatment, I would like to hear what the G Army's plans are?"

Hearing Li Wu's words, Chen Chengxing laughed: "General Li, if only this much sincerity of yours had been shown a year ago, it would have been wonderful."

"To put it another way, it would be great if I could be with General Pei in Deyang."

"Even if we take a step back, it's not too late if you had expressed this before the clash with our army yesterday."

"Moreover, as far as I know, your sincerity can be summed up in eight words: 'Whether you fight or not, you will still shine.'"

Li Wu's expression changed. He realized that someone in the command center had probably already gotten there before him.

"If you think the word 'surrender' sounds bad, I can change it."

"What do you think of using the word 'surrender' to express Li Siling's sincerity?"

"I disagree!" Li Wu stood up. "I demand to see General L!"

"As long as you lay down your weapons, I guarantee you will see it."

Chen Chengxing and Li Wu were locked in a stalemate, neither willing to back down.

However, Chen Chengxing was not in a hurry at all. Although he was negotiating, the Second General Manager's preparations did not stop at all.

If Li Wu hasn't made a decision by the time all preparations are complete, Chen Chengxing will lend him a hand.

Just as Li Wu was struggling with his inner conflict, the walkie-talkie carried by the communications officer next to Chen Chengxing rang.

Upon answering the call, the communications officer immediately reported, "Commander, the artillery support is calling. The time has come. Shall we begin the general offensive?"

Chen Chengxing then looked at Li Wu: "Li Siling, take your time to think it over. You can go to my forward command post or to your Siling department."

"However, our general offensive is about to begin. I hope you can hurry up, after all, you don't have many chips left."

Before Chen Chengxing could finish speaking, Li Wu immediately said, "We surrender!"

Li Wu knew very well that once the cannon fired, all his chips would vanish into thin air.

"Very good, on behalf of the Second Field Army of the G Army, I extend my welcome!"

Two days later, at the Wuhou Temple.

"Old Chu, I didn't expect we'd be parting ways so soon."

"I'm really reluctant to let you go. It's not easy to find a good advisor like you."

"Captain, all good things must come to an end," Chu Yunfei said with a smile. "Besides, the whole country has been liberated, so we can meet anytime we want."

"Hehe. Old Chu, next time we meet, I might have to call you teacher. I heard that the old leader personally selected your name."

"Captain, you're joking. With just these two knives of mine, how could I possibly teach you?"

"Don't underestimate yourself, Lao Chu. You were a top student at Whampoa Military Academy, a favorite of Principal Chang," Chen Chengxing said with a smile.

"I still have to learn from you about the standardization of military affairs."

Upon hearing that he was Chang Ruiyuan's student, Chu Yunfei felt somewhat embarrassed and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he changed the subject, saying, "I heard that the Second Chief is also about to set off?"

Chu Yunfei had already been transferred from the Second Division and would go to Nanjing with his old commander.

Chen Chengxing nodded: "Let's go back to Taiyuan to rest first, which can also be considered as giving the Second Commander a break, and then wait for the next order."

"The War of Liberation has basically ended, but a new war is about to begin."

"They're just some remnants of bandits; they won't affect the overall situation."

Chu Yunfei had not yet realized what Chen Chengxing meant, and thought he was referring to bandits in various places.

Although there were hundreds of thousands of bandits in various places, they were no match for the G army.

Even guerrilla warfare wouldn't be a match for the G army.

After all, the G army was the ancestor of guerrilla warfare.

"Bandits? That's not entirely wrong, but their fighting strength shouldn't be underestimated."

Chu Yunfei was somewhat puzzled. Chen Chengxing had never taken the elite troops of the G Army seriously before, so why was he paying so much attention to bandits?

Chen Chengxing offered no explanation.

PS:

I'll write another chapter this morning and post it at noon.

The preface to the Korean War is a side story about the period before the Chinese People's Volunteer Army entered Korea.

Just a reminder:
The chapter I'm writing at noon is titled 'Undercurrents,' but I don't know if the content will be acceptable.

If you want to watch it, hurry up (estimated at 11:10).

Finally: Please vote for me with your monthly tickets! (Very loudly)

(End of this chapter)