Republic of China: Ace Pilot

Chapter 612 Tank Marching Route, and another encounter with General Cai of the 19th Route Army.
The battle at Beihai Port has ended.

To confirm that the Japanese army had indeed retreated, Fang Wen specifically flew a plane to conduct reconnaissance.

Despite the 100-kilometer remote sensing tracking, the fleet did not detect the aircraft piloted by Fang Wen, but it did allow him to discover a lot of information.

The Japanese fleet currently has no intention of staying in the Beibu Gulf, as they only rushed there because of the military situation on Weizhou Island and now need to go back to resupply.

Meanwhile, the Japanese army left a group of troops to garrison Weizhou Island and specially equipped it with more anti-aircraft weapons to prevent the island from being captured by air again.

Fang Wen also shared the military intelligence he had gathered with the garrison at Beihai Port, reassuring them.

Now that the fleet has left the Gulf of Tonkin, Fang Wen no longer needs to stay in Beihai Port.

He and Battalion Commander Chao discussed the land route from Beihai to Yangjiang.

Inside the Guangxi Army barracks in Beihai Port.

Battalion Commander Chao pulled a yellowed oil paper map from the table and tapped it with his fingertip.

“Take the Lianbei Highway from Gaode Town to Lianzhou Town in Hepu.”

Fang Wen asked, "Is this road passable for tanks?"

"Sure, our artillery was transported along this road, the road conditions are good," Battalion Commander Chao continued. "Lianzhou Town in Hepu is a transportation hub on the southern route, from which you can transfer to Zhanjiang, Lingshan, and other directions. You can take Lianzhou Avenue, passing through Shicheng and Anpu to Zhanjiang."

As a local, the camp leader knew very well how to proceed along the route.

He provided the most reasonable route.

Zhanjiang to Hepu (Lianbei Highway)
Lianzhou Town, Hepu -- Zhanjiang (Lianzhou Avenue), the stone city we passed through is the future Lianjiang.

Zhanjiang – Meilu (now Wuchuan) – Huazhou – Maoming (Middle section of Guanghai Line and Luoxinmao Highway)
After passing through Gaozhou and Yangchun, take the Jiangchun Highway directly to Yangjiang City.

The entire journey is approximately 380 kilometers.

Regarding whether the road surface could support the weight of the tanks throughout the journey, Battalion Commander Chao also offered his suggestions.

The Beihai-Hepu section, though an early commercial and office road, is only 28 kilometers long. The road surface is paved with sand and soil, and some sections are mixed with crushed stone. The roadbed is relatively compacted by vehicles.

The road is about 4-5 meters wide, which is basically enough for tanks to pass through, but the bridge surface needs to be reinforced when crossing the bridge.

The Zhanjiang-Maoming section, as the core section of the Guanghai Railway, is a major channel for transporting military supplies. Some bridges adopt a wood-stone hybrid structure (such as the Meilu River Bridge), which can carry 20-ton tanks.

The Hepu-Zhanjiang section is mostly dirt road and is the most difficult section to travel, so it is necessary to lay gravel or wooden planks in advance.

The Anpu ferry crossing requires the construction of a temporary bridge, as it was originally a ferry crossing for people and livestock and had no formal bridge.

The Maoming-Yangjiang section is mostly hilly within Yangchun County, with road gradients exceeding 15°. Some sections are even rebuilt along the old post road, with a width of only 3 meters.

Tanks can pass through these sections of road, so they need to be patched up on the roadside.

Furthermore, the section from Bajia to Zhizhe in Yangjiang was an ancient post road on the eastern route. It consists of many winding mountain roads with slopes exceeding 20 degrees, and there is no feasibility for renovation. Therefore, it is necessary to detour via the Zhanjiang-Maoming-Yangchun trunk line.

After listening to Battalion Commander Chao's account, Fang Wen realized that there were still hurdles to overcome in order to deliver the tanks to Yangjiang.

But when the tanks and rocket launchers arrived in Yangjiang, it was all worth it.

How can we solve this problem?
Fang Wen couldn't help but ponder.

Battalion Commander Chao said at the opportune moment, "Regimental Commander Fang, our Guangxi Clique can help. Why don't you go to Nanning?"

That's true. This area is originally the territory of the Guangxi clique. As long as the Guangxi clique's top leadership agrees, the townships and local governments along the way will step in to help. It's much easier than doing it yourself.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen piloted the plane to Nanning.

After a half-hour flight, the plane arrived over Nanning and landed directly at the riverside water airport where it had landed previously.

The plane docked at the pier, the cabin door opened, and Gong Xiuneng disembarked first to tie the cables.

Fang Wen then got off the plane.

He turned to the other crew members in the cabin and said, "You stay on the plane. If all goes well, you can go back today."

After giving their instructions, Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng walked across the wooden dock and met with the officers who were waiting for them at the airport.

This officer was the same one who had received him last time.

Unlike last time, this time he took the initiative to reveal his identity.

"Commander Fang, hello. My name is Liu Zhuowu, the newly appointed captain of the Nanning gunboat squadron."

"Congratulations, Captain Liu," Fang Wen said with a smile.

"What brings Commander Fang here today?"

"I want to see your higher-ups. I want to ask them to do me a favor."

"Oh, is that so? Do you need me to take you there?"

"No need. Battalion Commander Chao from Beihai has already sent a military telegram to Nanning. The people who are to pick me up should be here soon."

As the two were talking, a military vehicle drove into the airport, and the officer who got out of the vehicle saluted Fang Wen.

"Mr. Fang, General Cai requests your presence."

"General Cai?" Fang Wen was stunned.

As far as he knew, there was no one with the surname Cai among the high-ranking members of the Guangxi clique.

The officer explained in a low voice, "The general met you once in Fuzhou."

The general surnamed Cai was from Fuzhou.

Fang Wen immediately remembered.

That was six years ago, during the Fujian Incident of the 6th Route Army, which ultimately failed and disintegrated.

At that time, Fang Wen was entrusted by them to deliver a batch of supplies to Fuzhou. However, the supplies did not play their intended role, and the army had already begun to withdraw from Fuzhou. At that time, Fang Wen met with General Cai of the 19th Route Army.

Six years have passed, and the soldiers of the 19th Route Army have been dispersed and assigned to various units. Gradually, no one mentions this once formidable army anymore.

There was also no news of their commander, General Cai.

Unexpectedly, he ended up on the Guangxi clique side.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Wen led Gong Xiuneng into a military vehicle and drove into the city.

The military vehicle stopped outside a quiet, detached villa in Nanning.

The blue brick walls are covered with lush green ivy, and the two stone lions at the entrance, though not particularly tall, exude an air of majesty, forming a striking contrast with the surrounding low-rise houses.

As Fang Wen got off the bus, he noticed an inconspicuous wooden sign standing in the corner of the courtyard wall. It read "Councilor's Office Liaison Point in Nanning" in ink. The writing was already a bit faded, indicating that it had been there for some time.

The officer who came to fetch Fang Wen stepped forward and gently knocked on the vermilion gate. Footsteps soon came from inside, and a middle-aged man wearing a gray cloth long gown and round-framed glasses opened the door. Upon seeing the officer, he respectfully nodded and said, "Lieutenant Wang, the general is waiting inside."

Fang Wen and Gong Xiuneng followed the two through the small courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stood an old banyan tree, its branches and leaves so lush that they almost covered half of the courtyard. Under the tree were a stone table and four stone stools. On the table was a half-finished cup of green tea, indicating that General Cai had just been there.

As Fang Wen entered the living room, he immediately saw the person sitting in the rattan chair. Six years had passed since he last saw General Cai, and his temples had turned quite gray. His once upright figure was now slightly hunched. He was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. On his exposed wrist was an old pocket watch with the edge of the dial worn smooth and shiny.

Hearing footsteps, General Cai raised his head, and when his gaze fell on Fang Wen, it was as if he saw many memories of the past in Fang Wen.

A hint of melancholy flashed in his eyes before he stood up.

"It's been a long time since I've seen General Manager Fang."

Fang Wen shook hands with him. "General Cai, it's been six years. How have you been?"

"It's neither good nor bad," General Cai said with a wry smile, gesturing for everyone to sit down and having a servant bring tea. "Since the Fujian Incident, I've been like a rootless duckweed, wandering from place to place until last year when I finally settled in the Guangxi Clique, taking on a sinecure as a councilor. At least I have a stable place to live."

As they spoke, General Cai's gaze swept over Gong Xiuneng beside Fang Wen, then returned to Fang Wen: "I was the first to know about the telegram from Battalion Commander Chao of Beihai. The army has praised you for holding Beihai Port. They are also willing to help with your matters. I took this task upon myself, and you can talk to me about it."

Fang Wen nodded, took out the route map drawn by Battalion Commander Chao from his pocket, and spread it on the table: "General, I intend to transport a batch of tanks from Beihai to Yangjiang, but the road conditions along the way are complicated, and many sections need repair. We will need the assistance of the local townships and garrisons along the route. What do you think?"

General Cai leaned over the map, his fingertips slowly tracing the route of the Lianbei Highway, his brows furrowing slightly: "I know the Lianbei Highway. Back when the 19th Route Army was stationed in Guangdong, I even went to Hepu. Tanks can indeed travel on this road, but the section from Hepu to Zhanjiang is a dirt road. Even trucks had a hard time getting through back then, let alone tanks."

He had served in the military for many years and was very familiar with military operations.

After a pause, General Cai looked up at Fang Wen, his eyes filled with seriousness. "Your equipment is for dealing with the Japanese army. The Yangjiang area is both coastal and needs to defend against the Japanese army from the Guangzhou direction. It is very important. I will do my best to help."

"Thank you, General," Fang Wen replied sincerely.

"I can help you coordinate along the way. Although I only hold a sinecure in the Guangxi clique, I still have some influence locally. Here's what I'll do: I'll transfer a group of engineers from the army to help reinforce the bridges, lay gravel, and have them build temporary bridges at the ferry crossings in advance." At this point, General Cai changed the subject and added, "However, there's something I need to make clear to you. After all, I don't hold a real position now, and my words don't carry weight everywhere in the Guangxi clique. Also, the hilly sections within Yangchun have very steep slopes. Even with the help of the township offices, there's still a risk for tanks to pass through. You need to have the drivers be extra careful."

Fang Wen quickly stood up to express his gratitude, clasping his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your help, General. If the equipment can be delivered to Yangjiang successfully this time, I will do my best to help you in any future need."

This promise was exactly what the other party wanted.

General Cai smiled and continued to discuss the details.

For this to proceed, engineers need to be dispatched from Nanning to Beihai.

Fang Wen promised to provide subsidies for these engineers, the bridge and road construction equipment they carried, and the expenses incurred in the villages along the way.

With money, efficiency naturally improves. The adjutant was ordered to go out and contact the engineers and complete the necessary government approvals.

Fang Wen and General Cai continued their conversation.

The topic quickly returned to the 19th Route Army.

General Cai's face showed a hint of emotion: "If the situation hadn't been unfavorable during the Fujian Incident, we wouldn't have ended up like that."

"How are your men doing now?" Fang Wen asked curiously.

"Many of them no longer serve in the military. Some of them went to Hong Kong, while others worked on the anti-Japanese cause in China. Some were scattered to various armies. We have two of them in the Guangxi Clique, and others organized their own anti-Japanese forces in the Dongjiang region."

General Cai mentioned many names, but there was one he didn't mention. This person, who had joined the Central Army because of his Whampoa Military Academy background, had been rapidly promoted and was now the commander of the 27th Army, stationed in Tongguan, Shaanxi.

It can be said that they have completely broken away from General Cai and the 19th Route Army, and have become Chiang Kai-shek's direct subordinates.

Fang Wen knew this person, so he naturally wouldn't mention it and spoil General Cai's conversation.

Just then, the adjutant returned from outside and said urgently.

"General, Commander Li and Director Bai just held a high-level military meeting and want you to come over."

General Cai did not set off immediately, but instead asked, "Has Mr. Fang's matter been settled?"

"All done," the adjutant replied.

"That's good." General Cai turned to Fang Wen. "Mr. Fang, please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back after my meeting."

“Okay,” Fang Wen replied.

I waited at General Cai's house for more than an hour.

General Cai returned after the meeting.

His adjutant, who accompanied him back, happily announced in the mansion: "General, you are now the commander of the 2nd Route Army. The appointment has been made."

The military post of the commander of the 2nd Route Army of the Guangxi Clique was more powerful than that of the "Guangxi Army Councilor," and it can be said that this was the first time in six years that General Cai had grasped military power.

The family members in the mansion immediately became lively, preparing to hold a banquet to celebrate at home.

Fang Wen was also there, so he naturally stayed.

The room was filled with people, including the steward, servants, adjutant, Fang Wen, and Gong Xiuneng, who sat at two tables.

Fang Wen and General Cai sat at the same table.

He raised his glass in a toast: "Congratulations to General Cai on regaining command of the army."

General Cai faced him from afar and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, Fang Wen asked, "Where is this commander of the 2nd Route Army in charge?"

"I will lead my troops into southern Guangdong to resist a possible Japanese landing offensive." General Cai was very happy and chatted with Fang Wen about his 2nd Route Army.

This 2nd Route Army included the Guangxi Army's direct subordinates and the former troops of the 19th Route Army.

It includes the 188th Division (a Guangxi clique unit that participated in the Battle of Wuhan).

Independent 1st Regiment (remnants of the 19th Route Army).

There are others as well.

Southern Guangdong Air Defense Independent Squad (4 Bofors 75mm anti-aircraft guns).

The 4th Engineer Company of the Guangxi Army (directly under the 16th Group Army, temporarily attached to the 2nd Route Army, equipped with engineering equipment such as steel rails, explosives, and wooden beams).
It can be said that the place the 2nd Route Army was going to was exactly the place where Fang Wen's tank troops passed through.

With the help of the 2nd Route Army, tanks and rocket vehicles can be deployed to Yangjiang more quickly.

There's no need to look for engineering units anymore.

This was an unexpected surprise.

The Second Route Army's trusted commander ordered the 4th Engineer Company of the Guangxi Army to set off first with various engineering equipment for bridge and road repair, heading to Hepu.

Fang Wen also ended his trip to Nanning and flew back to Beihai.

After returning to Beihai, he organized a convoy to set off from Beihai Port to Hepu.

The journey was smooth and without any problems.

The troops then stationed themselves in Lianzhou Town, Hepu County, awaiting the arrival of the engineers.

Fang Wen had no intention of lingering in Hepu to wait with the tank team. He handed over the tank passage task to the tank captain, Liu Yubao, and flew back to Yangon.

At this time in Europe, the German-Polish War was underway. Once Poland could no longer hold out, the sea evacuation route by aircraft would be activated. Fang Wende seized this opportunity to bring that group of Polish aircraft engineers and technicians under his control.

(End of this chapter)