You are ordered to support the War of Resistance against Japan; China enters Level 1 combat readines

The deputy general manager stood up, walked to the map, and pointed heavily at the location of Zhongtiao Mountain:

"Regardless of our differences with the Chongqing side, we cannot compromise our principles in the fight against Japan!"

"The Zhongtiao Mountain defense line is crucial to the safety of the Yellow River and the gateway to Northwest China. If the Japanese army were to break through it, the consequences would be unimaginable!"

"The 200,000 soldiers there were also part of China's national defense force, a vital force in the fight against Japan!"

"It's one thing for us to argue behind closed doors, but we absolutely cannot let the Japanese take advantage of this loophole and laugh at the Chinese!"

"right!"

"That's how it should be!"

The other executives nodded in agreement, their expressions solemn.

At their level, this principle is self-evident and needs no further explanation.

When faced with the greater good of the nation, internal differences can be temporarily set aside.

"Immediately, in the name of the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, send an urgent telegram to the Mountain City Military Commission through official channels, along with our preliminary assessment of the intelligence we have deciphered regarding the Japanese army's possible attack on Zhongtiao Mountain, and also send a copy to the Second War Zone Commander-in-Chief's Office."

The deputy commander-in-chief gave the order decisively.

"Remind them to strengthen their vigilance and improve their defenses, and not to underestimate the enemy because of the changes in southeastern Shanxi!"

"yes!"

. . .

Mountain city, Huangshan official residence.

In a spacious but somber conference room, a constellation of stars gathered.

On both sides of the long table sat senior generals of the National Revolutionary Army, all dressed in their best military uniforms.

At the head of the table, the principal, dressed in military uniform and with a calm expression, was listening to a report on the situation in each war zone.

A telegram was gently placed in front of him by the chief of staff.

The principal glanced at the telegram's heading—"Urgent telegram from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters."

After quickly glancing at the contents, the principal handed the telegram to Officer He beside him, his face revealing little emotion.

After reading it, Commander He circulated it to several key generals.

Soon, hushed murmurs filled the conference room.

"Intelligence from the Eighth Route Army? Saying the Japanese are going to attack Zhongtiao Mountain?"

"It's possible they just raided Gangcun's hideout and got some classified documents."

"The Japanese have just suffered a defeat, and Okamura's fate is unknown. How dare they launch a large-scale offensive? And their target is still the Zhongtiao Mountains?"

"Commander Wei has been building up his defenses in the Zhongtiao Mountains for a long time. The defenses are strong, and his forces are numerous. Two hundred thousand elite troops are ready for battle. Even if the Japanese come, they will suffer heavy losses!"

The generals began to analyze and debate. Some felt that the situation should be taken very seriously and that the defenses of Zhongtiao Mountain should be strengthened immediately. Others believed that the Japanese had just suffered heavy losses and were unable to launch a large-scale offensive in the short term. They thought that this intelligence might be an exaggeration by the Eighth Route Army or a smokescreen spread by the Japanese.

The principal sat upright in the main seat, listening to his subordinates' discussion, his fingers lightly tapping on the smooth tabletop, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

But deep down, he didn't take it as seriously as the telegram had suggested; instead, he felt somewhat relaxed.

First of all, this was not the first time the Japanese had attacked Zhongtiao Mountain.

Previous attempts to invade had all been repelled by the defending troops who took advantage of the terrain, and they had failed to succeed.

Zhongtiao Mountain was easy to defend and difficult to attack, let alone with more than 200,000 troops.

Secondly, and most importantly, in the principal's view, the strength of the Japanese forces in Shanxi Province was not what it used to be!

The Eighth Route Army fought continuously in southeastern Shanxi, especially the recent rumors of a "two-night sweep" and a "mysterious heavy tank unit," which supposedly annihilated and severely damaged a large number of Japanese soldiers.

According to the Eighth Route Army's propaganda, they killed about 40,000 to 50,000 Japanese soldiers!

Even if there is some exaggeration, it is certain that the Japanese suffered heavy losses in Shanxi Province.

All things considered, how many Japanese soldiers are left in Shanxi Province right now? At most fifty or sixty thousand!

Moreover, after their recent defeat, morale was low, and they were terrified by the Eighth Route Army's new weapons.

And what about Zhongtiao Mountain? A full two hundred thousand elite troops!

Moreover, they were all direct or elite collateral units of the Central Army, well-equipped and relatively well-supplied.

Two hundred thousand against fifty or sixty thousand, and the defending side relying on well-preserved mountain fortifications built over many years... How could they possibly lose this battle?

Moreover, it's unclear whether Okamura is alive or dead, and the Japanese command system in North China is in complete chaos. Whether they still have the ability and will to carry out the original offensive plan is a big question mark.

Thinking of this, the principal felt certain, and even vaguely felt, that this might be an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the National Army and stabilize public morale.

The Eighth Route Army was good at fighting, but our Central Army was even better!

Moreover, it's a head-on battle on the front lines!

Thinking of this, the principal raised his hand and gently pressed it down.

The murmurs in the meeting room gradually subsided, and everyone's attention turned to him.

"Gentlemen,"

The principal spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying his usual, unquestionable authority.

"I am aware of the Eighth Route Army's suggestion that the Japanese army might invade Zhongtiao Mountain. The Japanese invaders have wolfish ambitions and are determined to destroy us; we must be vigilant."

But then he changed the subject: "However, our Zhongtiao Mountain defense line, after years of construction, is as solid as a rock! Junru's (Wei's) 200,000 soldiers are all the elite of the party and the country, with high morale and ample supplies."

"On the other hand, the Japanese invaders in Shanxi Province have just suffered heavy losses and their commander, Okamura, is said to be unable to take charge. They are still in shock and their forces are stretched thin. Whether they can launch an offensive as scheduled is still uncertain."

The principal looked around at the generals and slowly said, "Even if the Japanese invaders take a desperate gamble and attack our impregnable fortress with their exhausted army, the outcome is predictable."

"With our 200,000 soldiers, relying on the terrain and waiting in comfort, we will surely inflict heavy losses on the enemy, making them dare not look north again!"

"Therefore, gentlemen, do not worry! Zhongtiao Mountain is as stable as Mount Tai! The advantage in this battle lies with us!"

……

As soon as the principal finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Immediately following was a chorus of flattery.

"The Chairman is wise!"

"The principal is absolutely right! How could my 200,000 elite troops be threatened by the remnants of the Japanese pirates?"

"The Eighth Route Army only managed to catch the Japanese off guard by relying on some ingenious weapons. If we're talking about a truly righteous army, a head-on battle, then we have to look to our Central Army!"

"Commander Wei's military tactics are prudent, and his defenses are meticulous; we will surely ensure that the Japanese invaders never return!"

……

Now that the old man has set the tone, there's no need for everyone to waste their brain cells any more.

The voices advocating for cautiously strengthening defenses have disappeared, replaced by a chorus of agreement and praise.

The generals took turns speaking, some analyzing their own advantages, some belittling the Japanese army's combat capabilities, and some praising the leader's judgment, their words filled with optimism and confidence in victory.

The principal's lips curled up slightly.

That's more like it!

The Eighth Route Army only killed tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers, what's the big deal!

In the past few years, his Central Army has still managed to annihilate hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers!

Hundreds of thousands might be an exaggeration, but there were definitely tens or hundreds of thousands of Japanese soldiers.

It's just that the Japanese in Central China haven't been taking the initiative much lately; otherwise, the Eighth Route Army would have gotten the limelight.

This time in Zhongtiao Mountain, the principal is determined to go big!

even……

A glint flashed in the principal's eyes, and then he said something that no one expected.

"Dispatch the Fourth Army Group stationed in the Zhongtiao Mountains forward to defend southeastern Shanxi!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals were stunned!

The Fourth Army Group—that's the iron pillar of Zhongtiao Mountain!

The elite of the elite!

We're counting on it to carry the torch!

Moreover, if the Fourth Army is transferred away now, the garrison in Zhongtiao Mountain will only have 170,000 to 180,000 men left!

Two hundred thousand and one hundred thousand are two completely different concepts!

Some people couldn't help but want to dissuade them, but thinking of the praise and adulation they had just heard, as if the Japanese were no threat, they swallowed their words of dissuasion.

Finally, a unified voice rang out in the conference room:

"The principal... is wise!"