Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 200 Japanese Soldiers, Northern Route Army: We're doomed, we're surrounded!
News of the Independent Detachment's attack on Jining was also sent to the Northern Route Army via telegram.

Upon receiving the telegram from the Independent Detachment, the commander of the Northern Route Army was all smiles.

"Look at this, everyone! This is what efficiency is! This is what efficiency is all about!"

"The telegram was sent just yesterday, and it hasn't been long since then, yet the Independent Detachment has already begun its attack on Jining."

"If our National Revolutionary Army had this kind of efficiency, would the war have turned out like this?"

His words were echoed by others.

"Yes, most of our officers are just incompetent and lazy. They dawdle when it comes to fighting, but they're the first to rush in when it comes to making money."

"It's a pity Chen Ming was an Eighth Route Army soldier. If he were an officer in our National Revolutionary Army, he would probably be a very capable person."

The other officers of the Northern Route Army spoke up.

"I don't think so. It's only because Chen Ming was in the Eighth Route Army that he was able to develop. If he were an officer in our National Army, he definitely wouldn't have achieved the results he has today."

Another officer spoke up.

What good is being able to fight in the Nationalist army?

Was Xue Yue a capable general? How many Japanese soldiers did he eliminate in the Battle of Changsha, and what were the major achievements?

But what is his position, how many soldiers does he command, and what important role does he hold?
They were stripped of their military and administrative power after the war ended, and were only brought back when they needed to put out a fire.

Within the Nationalist Army, being good at fighting was useless; to get ahead, you needed connections and strength.

How many soldiers do you have under your command? How many are your loyal followers? How much territory do you have? Are you from Huangpu or Baoding? Where in Fenghua are you from?

Neither? Then I'm sorry, there's an important task for you here that requires you to fill in the gaps, no, to hold off the Japanese attack.

If we win, it's because I controlled the overall situation and commanded the troops well. But if we lose, well, I'm sorry, you'll have to take the blame and be executed.

The officer's words were unanimously agreed upon by everyone in the command post, but no one spoke up in agreement.

There are some things that are one thing to know, but one that should never be said.

“Chunshan, be careful what you say,” an officer warned.

"Hmph, what's there to be afraid of saying? If this situation doesn't exist, then I'm wrong, and you can kill me if you want."

"I wish I hadn't been executed in this situation, so that our country wouldn't have had to fight the Japanese so humiliatingly."

The officer, referred to as Haruyama, spoke first.

"Alright, stop talking. Now we need to discuss how to take down the Japanese devils."

The commander of the Northern Route Army interrupted.

"Now that Jining is under attack by the Independent Detachment, when we finish our work, the Japanese in Wucheng and Datong will have to fight the Independent Detachment first if they want to provide support."

"So the Japanese reinforcements can't come for the time being, which gives us enough time to take Baotou and severely damage the Japanese in Baotou."

"This is a rare opportunity, we must seize it."

Upon hearing this, the other officers all agreed.

The Ping-Sui Railway was a vital artery for the Japanese, connecting Wucheng, Datong, Jining, Guihua, and Baotou.

The independent detachment is now attacking Jining, which means that key sections of this railway are being attacked.

If the Japanese wanted to support Baotou by railway, they had to go through Jining first before reaching Guihua and then Baotou.

As for the Japanese devils in Guihua, there's even less to worry about.

With cities east and west of Guihua under attack, would the Japanese dare to make a move in Guihua?

"How is the troop assembly going?" the commander of the Northern Route Army asked.

"We've assembled and are ready to launch an attack on the Japanese in Baotou at any time," the chief of staff of the Northern Route Army said.

The fact that they were able to assemble in such a short time demonstrates their high level of organization.

"Alright, order the troops to give it a good beating according to the plan!"

"Yes!"

The Northern Route Army launched a counterattack against the Japanese forces in Baotou and achieved considerable success.

The Northern Route Army's combat effectiveness should be considered the pinnacle among the old Nationalist army. They were extremely capable fighters, which Yamashiro liked very much. However, Yamashiro was also suspicious of the Northern Route Army's style of doing things.

The Japanese troops in Baotou are now isolated and helpless.

After capturing Jining, the Independent Detachment did not stop and continued its movement towards Guihua.

This made the Japanese troops in Guihua completely afraid to move or support Baotou.

Otherwise, if Guihua's troops were to move, Guihua would certainly not be able to hold out against the elite independent detachment.

However, if they rely on the defensive fortifications of Guihua to prepare and do their best to resist the attack of the Independent Detachment, they still have a chance to hold out until reinforcements arrive and drive the Independent Detachment away.

Without reinforcements from Guihua, the Japanese troops in Baotou had to fight alone.

Faced with the Northern Route Army, the Japanese could only concentrate their forces within the city, where they were trapped.

A cavalry group was trapped inside the city; if this continued, it was only a matter of time before they were wiped out.

The commander of the Northern Route Army was very pleased with the considerable victory achieved.

"The Japanese cavalry group is now trapped by us, like turtles in a jar, and has lost its mobility."

"The Independent Detachment has also captured Jining. Now that our forces are at their peak, it's time to consider an offensive towards Guihua."

Upon hearing this, everyone echoed their sentiments, offering words of encouragement.

"By the way, has that batch of machine guns been delivered yet?"

The commander of the Northern Route Army asked the question.

After all, the independent detachment has now fulfilled its agreement, attacked Jining, and captured it.

If they don't deliver the machine guns they promised earlier, it would make them seem unreliable.

"It was expedited and transported by truck last night. This afternoon, the transport team reported that they had handed over the goods to the Eighth Route Army and are now on their way back."

"That's what an officer from the Northern Route Army said."

"Alright, pass on my order to send another batch of weapons. The Independent Detachment is so helpful, we can't be ungrateful. We'll need their cooperation to open up the Guihua Pass later."

The commander of the Northern Route Army spoke.

"Yes."

Under his orders, another batch of weapons and ammunition began to be loaded onto trucks and transported to the Eighth Route Army's base area.

The remaining stockpile of machine gun shells was also packed up and shipped over.

With the temptation of soon opening up Guihua in front of him, he didn't care about this little thing at all.

It's just some weapons. Once the Guihua Pass is opened, the Northern Route Army will have a bright future ahead.

With its increased strategic value and role, the mountain city will have to provide resources even if it means holding its nose.

After the telegram was sent to Chen Ming's command post.

Chen Ming saw that the Northern Route Army had given him some more weapons, and thought about the large number of Japanese soldiers following behind.

He felt a pang of guilt for having tricked someone so badly, only to be given extra weapons and ammunition.

However, this sense of guilt quickly dissipated.

He launched an attack on Jining as agreed, supporting his northern army's attack on Baotou, and thus fulfilled the agreement.

Why should I feel guilty since I didn't ask for it?

In any case, Guihua cannot be given to the Northern Route Army, otherwise if they manage to open up Guihua, we will have to be on guard.

"Issue my order that the troops continue their movement toward Guihua, and after nightfall on May 10th, immediately conceal their whereabouts and turn back to Datong."

Chen Ming gave the order.

"Yes."

After three days of transportation, most of the essential supplies for Datong have been delivered. Although Chen Ming did not make any requests after sending a telegram to headquarters explaining the difficulties, headquarters would not stand idly by and do nothing.

Based on the transportation team originally organized by Chen Ming, the headquarters mobilized some people from other places and dispatched some troops to help with transportation.

With a large number of people and a lot of new recruits, the transportation work progressed very quickly.

The originally anticipated three-day extension of the transportation time has been reduced to a two-day extension.

This means that the Independent Detachment can end its mission of leading the Japanese in circles on May 10th and return to its base to take stock of its gains.

Once back at their base, Chen Ming will be able to speak loudly again.

In the days following the capture of Datong, Chen Ming kept the news of the Independent Detachment's victory secret.

After all, it was done in secret, and it wouldn't do any good to spread the word before all the supplies were moved home.

Once everything is moved and the matter is settled, there's nothing to worry about.

At that time, Chen Ming must let all the brother units, the people of the whole country, and even the whole world know this news.

Early morning of May 10th.

The main force of the Independent Detachment had moved to Guihua, launched a symbolic offensive, and then stopped, without continuing the attack.

Even if we capture Guihua now, it will be difficult to defeat the tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers following behind.

Why take such a huge risk to capture it, only to lose it later?
The most important thing for the independent detachment right now is to digest the gains from Datong and increase its strength before making any further plans.

The Japanese sweeping troops would not stay in northern Shanxi forever; those troops were drawn from various regions and could not be drawn from elsewhere for an extended period.

They will eventually leave.

Once the main force of the Japanese army leaves, attacking Guihua will be a sure thing.

Following the disastrous defeat at Midway, the domestic war of resistance against Japan officially entered a strategic stalemate phase.

At that time, the Japanese were no longer able to organize a major battle of the same scale as this sweep.

Chen Ming wasn't afraid at all unless there were 20,000 to 30,000 Japanese soldiers or a Class A division.

The Independent Detachment's nighttime attack on Guihua caused a stir among Okamura, the commander of the North China Expeditionary Army, who feared he might hear more bad news.

However, upon receiving the telegram from Guihua, the Independent Detachment only launched an attack for a while before ceasing its offensive. The Guihua defense line was still in place, which eased the tension somewhat.

"The troops in Guihua should continue to strengthen their vigilance. As long as they hold out until May 11, when our main force arrives, the crisis in Guihua will be resolved."

"The troops in Baotou will continue to defend Baotou and are not allowed to leave the city to fight without orders. After the crisis in Guihua is resolved, the 35th Army of the Chinese forces will naturally withdraw."

Okamura issued the order.

For him, the threat posed by the Northern Route Army was far less than that of the Independent Detachment.

There is also a cavalry group in Baotou, which should be able to deal with the Northern Route Army in a short period of time.

As long as Baotou is not attacked from both sides by the Independent Detachment and the Northern Route Army, it will not fall.

One must take things one step at a time. Right now, Gangcun can only concentrate its efforts to drive away the Independent Detachment first, and then resolve the crisis in Baotou.

day.

The main force of the Independent Detachment launched another attack on Guihua, while simultaneously sending troops to the rear to block the main Japanese force and slow down their pursuit.

Jining has been taken back by the Japanese, but it is a completely empty city with nothing to replenish.

At the current rate, the Japanese will be able to reach Guihua by noon tomorrow at the latest.

There's not much to say about the daytime attack; it was just a feint, with no real intention of capturing Guihua. As a result, neither the Japanese and puppet troops nor our soldiers in Guihua suffered many casualties.

It was all bark and no bite, just enough to scare the Japanese.

After nightfall, under Chen Ming's orders, the troops immediately ceased their attack and began to move under cover of darkness.

"Telegram to the Northern Route Army: A large number of Japanese soldiers, no less than 20,000, have been discovered in Jining. More Japanese reinforcements are expected to follow. The Northern Route Army should make preparations as soon as possible."

On the way back, Chen Ming had someone send a telegram to the Northern Route Army, reminding them to retreat.

After all, they were both fighting against the Japanese, and Chen Ming couldn't just stand by and watch them be ambushed by a large Japanese force. It was necessary to give them a warning.

When the Northern Route Army Command received the telegram from the Independent Detachment, they were all completely dumbfounded.

"We've only just besieged the Japanese in Baotou, and the Independent Detachment has only just captured Jining. Is it really necessary for the Japanese to send more than 20,000 men to support us?"

"And they arrived so quickly, less than two days have passed, have the Japanese abandoned all other defenses?"

The commander of the Northern Route Army looked at the telegram, his mind filled with questions.

Even now, apart from the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese soldiers, the news of Datong's capture remains firmly sealed off.

The commander of the Northern Route Army was unaware of the fall of Datong for several days.

Therefore, he couldn't understand why as many as 20,000 Japanese soldiers suddenly appeared.

Why?
Are there Japanese ancestral graves in Baotou, Guihua, and Jining? Why did the Japanese send so many troops to reinforce them like they were insane?

"Send a telegram to the Independent Detachment to re-verify the situation," the Northern Route Army commander ordered.

Having finally achieved such a great victory, his troops are now moving towards Guihua, preparing to take Guihua together with the Independent Detachment.

He wouldn't be willing to give up now.

I want to re-verify the situation before making any plans, just in case the information is false.

However, the reply from the independent detachment shattered his hopes.

This time, Chen Ming explained the composition of these Japanese troops, which enhanced his persuasiveness.

The commander of the Northern Route Army stared at the contents of the telegram, speechless for a long time.

"Damn it, have those Japanese devils gone mad? They've been preparing for months of mopping-up operations, but they'd rather stop than let us get away with this than let us get hurt."

"Did I offend Tianhuang's father or mother? Why are they targeting me like this?"

The commander of the Northern Route Army cursed loudly, utterly bewildered by the Japanese army's decision to mobilize sweeping troops to attack him and the Independent Detachment.

His original plan was to take advantage of the Japanese army's focus on the large-scale mopping-up operation to seize Baotou and open up the route to Guihua.

As a result, the Japanese have now completely disregarded the large-scale mopping-up operation, and tens of thousands of mopping-up troops are rushing towards them.

The commander of the Northern Route Army felt that he was being targeted by the Japanese!
Inside the headquarters of the Japanese North China Expeditionary Army.

Gangcun received news from Guihua that all the Eighth Route Army troops outside Guihua had disappeared, and even the soldiers sent out to search had returned safely.

Alarm bells immediately went off in his mind!
This feels so familiar. Back then, the Independent Detachment disappeared from outside Wucheng and moved to Jining, using the same tactic.

Now that the independent detachment outside Guihua has disappeared, where will his target be?
Gangcun looked toward Baotou, a bad feeling rising in his heart.

"Order the troops in Baotou to immediately abandon Baotou and break through to the north without fail!"

Okamura immediately gave the order.

We can't just let the Chinese army wipe out a cavalry group like this, otherwise the Mongolian garrison will really be ruined.

The Japanese troops in Baotou were equally panicked after receiving the telegram from headquarters.

The cavalry was surrounded in the city, which already reduced their combat effectiveness.

If they were to face a formidable independent detachment, coupled with the encirclement by the Northern Route Army, they would truly face the risk of total annihilation.

Therefore, after receiving the order to break out, the Japanese troops in Baotou abandoned a large amount of supplies and fled in panic from Baotou.

The Northern Route Army surrounding Baotou, having received orders from its commander, was preparing to retreat and temporarily avoid the enemy's advance.

They discovered that the Japanese troops inside Baotou had launched an attack on them, and assumed that the main force of the Japanese had secretly bypassed Guihua and come to reinforce them.

The Northern Route Army in Baotou was terrified, fearing they would be surrounded and annihilated by the Japanese, and their fighting spirit was greatly diminished.

The current situation is that the Japanese troops in Baotou are breaking out in a state of panic, fearing that they will be surrounded.

The Northern Route Army in Baotou was also worried about being surrounded by the Japanese after the Japanese cavalry group counterattacked.

Both sides felt they were the ones being surrounded, which led to a dramatic scene.

(End of this chapter)