One man's resistance against Japan, I mobilized a million people to aid Shanghai.

Top floor of the headquarters.

As Zhang Zhizhong entered the hall, he was immediately drawn to a densely marked military map of the Songhu area.

This map is completely different from the enemy and friendly situation maps commonly found in command posts.

It's more like a preview of the future, but the preview results are very pessimistic, even hopeless.

On the map, the blue arrows representing the Japanese invaders landed at places like Wusong, Zhanghuabang, Chuanshakou, and Liuhe at the mouth of the Yangtze River. The blue arrows were thick and sharp, piercing fiercely towards the coastline.

Behind the coastline, the red defensive line representing the National Revolutionary Army was engaged in a fierce battle with the Japanese troops on the landing beach.

The result was that they were overwhelmed by the Japanese's powerful firepower, turned into a bloody meat grinder, and slaughtered at will by the Japanese.

It's incredibly heartbreaking to watch.

What's even more shocking is that the blank spaces on the side of the map are filled with analysis and inferences written in a strong and cold style.

"The enemy possesses absolute air and sea superiority. The range and power of their naval guns far exceed those of any of our army's artillery, and their air force can bomb and strafe indiscriminately."

"To engage the enemy in a decisive battle on the coastline and near the shore, where there is no cover or cover, is to use our weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths, playing right into their hands—it is tantamount to suicidal defense!"

"Once war breaks out, our army will have no chance of winning; we will only have flesh and blood to sacrifice our lives for our country!"

"Looking ahead, if we hold the beachhead, our elite troops may be wiped out within three months, and Shanghai will inevitably fall."

"If this strategy is adopted, we can hold out for a long time, greatly deplete the enemy's manpower, force them into a quagmire of war, reverse international perceptions, and win valuable time and initiative for the overall war of resistance!"

"If you preserve the land but lose the people, you will lose both the land and the people; if you preserve the people but lose the land, you will gain both the land and the people."

Zhang Zhizhong stood in front of the map, seemingly frozen in place, completely motionless.

His pupils contracted slightly, and his breathing became rapid involuntarily.

The scene depicted on this map and the viewpoints it expounded coincided with, or were even more clearly and sharply expressed in his heart, his deep-seated fears about the Japanese invasion!

"If you preserve the land but lose the people, you will lose both the land and the people; if you preserve the people but lose the land, you will gain both the land and the people..."

This is a concept that transcends the rigid thinking of the National Revolutionary Army, which generally insists on fighting for every inch of land. Instead, it prioritizes trading space for time and killing the limited Japanese forces!

Who is it?

After such a bloody battle, how could he have such a calm mind and far-sighted vision?

"Who...who conducted this battle rehearsal?"

Zhang Zhizhong's voice, tinged with a barely perceptible tremor, broke the silence of the room.

Wang Lei immediately stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, this is Zhu Wenzheng, the newly appointed Chief of Staff!"

"After the bloody battle, the staff is making a preliminary assessment based on the intelligence they have and the situation of the enemy and ourselves."

As Wang Lei introduced him, a tall, stern-faced young officer stepped forward and gave Zhang Zhizhong a standard military salute.

He looked to be only in his early twenties, but his brows revealed a composure and calmness far beyond his years.

"This humble servant, Zhu Wenzheng, greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

Zhu Wenzheng is naturally one of Zhu Yong's alter egos.

Zhang Zhizhong scrutinized the young man before him, his eyes filled with inquiry and surprise.

So young, yet possessing such insight?

"Chief of Staff Zhu, your deduction is truly astonishing."

Pointing to the map, Zhang Zhizhong asked in a serious tone, with a hint of examination:

"Why do you conclude that our army cannot rely on the coastline for a strong defense?"

"You need to understand, the Chairman and the Ministry of Military Affairs intend to keep the Japanese troops at bay on the beachhead!"

Zhu Wenzheng, without the slightest stage fright, replied:

"The Commander-in-Chief is wise, for three reasons."

"First, the Japanese have strong firepower, especially their ship-mounted guns, which are extremely fierce. Any fortifications that our army built on the beachhead were no more than paper and clay sculptures under the salvo of the ship's guns."

"The soldiers were already being torn to pieces by artillery fire before they even saw the Japanese infantry. This was not a battle, it was a massacre."

"Secondly, the terrain is unfavorable and there are no natural defenses. The Songhukou area has a wide field of vision, which is extremely advantageous for the enemy to observe and correct their artillery fire. Our army has no natural defenses to rely on and is simply a sitting duck."

"Third, this is the suburbs. The Japanese can use their navy and air force to unleash firepower with impunity. Our army doesn't even have a chance to fight in urban warfare. If this continues, how many of our elite troops can fill this bottomless pit?"

Every word Zhu Wenzheng spoke struck Zhang Zhizhong and all the officers present like a heavy hammer blow.

Zhang Zhizhong opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but thinking of the strength of the Japanese navy, he had to shut his mouth.

"Alas, the affairs of the nation are in dire straits."

Zhu Wenzheng said, "Once our army and the Japanese are locked in a stalemate in Shanghai, the Japanese are very likely to seek a breakthrough on their flank."

"If they land a portion of their forces again at Jinshanwei, Quangongting, and other places, and advance directly into Minhang, they can form a pincer movement with the Japanese forces on the front, encircling our main force in the suburbs!"

"At that time, the situation will be utterly hopeless. Holding Minhang is to safeguard the flank and rear of our army, preventing our strategic reserve line from being outflanked by the enemy!"

Zhang Zhizhong gasped!

This conjecture is highly likely; he understood the Japanese devils' cunning better than anyone else.

What surprised him even more was that this young man was so far-sighted and insightful that he had foreseen defeat before the war even began!

Hearing Zhu Wenzheng's prediction, Zhang Zhizhong's mood grew heavier and heavier.

"So, does this mean the prospects for our army are very pessimistic?"

"This is not pessimism, it's the truth."

Zhu Wenzheng corrected:

"Only by acknowledging our weaknesses can we find opportunities to win."

"I believe the future is not bleak; the key lies in choosing the right tactics."

"We can no longer seek a quick victory. We have to admit the gap in national strength between us and the Japanese. But this is our home ground. As long as we manage our tactics properly, we can wear down the Japanese."

"The Japanese are a small country; they can't possibly outlast us. This is our advantage, and it's also the way we can defeat them."

The hall was completely silent.

All the officers were stunned by Zhu Wenzheng's analysis.

He not only pointed out the dead end, but also clearly indicated a path to survival that, though difficult, was full of hope!

Zhang Zhizhong's face was gloomy, and he fell into a long silence.

He paced back and forth in front of the map, his hands behind his back, as he engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Zhu Wenzheng's words were like a sharp knife, piercing through all his wishful thinking and presenting him with the bloody reality.

He knew that what this young man was saying was very likely the true direction of the future battlefield!

Finally, he stopped and looked at Zhu Wenzheng again, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

"Chief of Staff Zhu possesses exceptional insight and keen vision; he is truly a rare military talent!"

Zhang Zhizhong sincerely praised, "I'm in dire need of a general like you. Would you be willing to temporarily leave the 108th Division and come to my army group headquarters to serve as an accompanying staff officer?"

Everyone was shocked, never expecting that Zhang Zhizhong would want to recruit Zhu Wenzheng and directly enter the core of the Ninth Army Group.