Even if I'm a useless bum at Whampoa Military Academy, I'll be invincible in the War of Re

South of Liushang Highway, Fushan position

Under the scorching sun, the soldiers of the 71st Army were sweating profusely as they repaired the fortifications. Time was of the essence. The higher command reported that Lu'an and Huoshan had fallen one after another, and the Japanese army was advancing directly towards Yejiaji. Their next target was Fujinshan!

At the Miaogao Temple command post behind the main peak, Army Commander Song Yingguo frowned, his eyes fixed on the northern defenses. Due to insufficient troops, this was always a hidden danger. He didn't know if the Tiger Army in the Xinyang direction could arrive before the Japanese attack, and he couldn't afford to gamble.

Whether or not to change tactics ahead of schedule, Song Yingguo's cigarette had long since burned out, and he still couldn't make up his mind.

The main hall was converted into a temporary operations room, with a huge military map of the Henan-Anhui border spread out on the incense table. Outside, the shouts of laborers and engineers digging fortifications could be heard continuously, and in the distance, the roar of Japanese reconnaissance plane engines could be faintly heard.

Song Yingguo, dressed in a gray military uniform, had bloodshot eyes. He had barely slept for days, surveying positions and deploying troops. His fingers repeatedly traced the large northern area along the Shimenkou and Shihe River on the map, his brow furrowed.

Major General Chen Sunong, the chief of staff, stood aside and reported in a low voice:

"Commander, the fortifications of all units are largely complete. The 36th Division is deployed to defend the main peak of Fujin Mountain, and the 88th Division is guarding the right flank of the mountains. The 61st Division is deployed north of the highway, spreading out along the west bank of the Shi River, and guarding the various passes at Shimenkou."

However, the northern defensive line is too wide, with over 10,000 troops spread across dozens of miles of hills, leaving weaknesses everywhere and no spare mobile forces. Once a large Japanese force crosses the Shi River to the north and outflanks us, our flanks and rear will be completely exposed.

Song Yingguo nodded slightly, his tone tinged with helplessness:

"I knew all too well that this was our Achilles' heel. But we had no spare troops left, so we could only let the 61st Division hold on."

"The 13th Division's commander, Ogiu Tatei, is a seasoned veteran. He won't just fight us to the death on the main peak of Nanshan; he'll definitely find a weakness and outflank us. The junction of the mountains and hills at Shimenkou is the most suitable opening. We don't have any spare reserves. If the northern front is breached, even if the main peak is impregnable, the 71st Army will be encircled."

Just then, a communications officer strode into the room, clutching a newly translated telegram in his hand, his expression brightening.

"Commander! Urgent telegram from the Third Army Corps! The reinforcements, led by Zhao Yunwen, are a division that has passed Shangcheng and is marching day and night towards the outskirts of Yejiaji! They are accompanied by a mountain artillery battalion and a cavalry regiment, and their combat strength is complete!"

Song Yingguo's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed slightly. He let out a long sigh, and a glimmer of light finally appeared in his eyes. He murmured to himself:

"Brother Yunwen, you have indeed not disappointed me! After parting ways in Pengcheng, we are now joining hands again to fight the enemy. This is the fresh force that I have been waiting for."

He bent down, pressing his palm heavily on the northern defense zone of the map, and made a decision in an instant:

"Chief of Staff, draft a telegram immediately and report it to Commander-in-Chief Sun Lianzhong."

It is recommended to adjust the overall defense deployment at Fujinshan:

The 61st Division will no longer be stationed on the northern front and will immediately withdraw to the south of the mountain to serve as the general reserve force for the main position of Fujinshan.

The 36th and 88th Divisions will bear the brunt of artillery fire at the front lines. If the positions become critical, the 61st Division can be deployed for a counter-attack to plug the gap.

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Chen Sunong took a step closer, his face showing concern:

"Commander, who will be responsible for defending such a large area of ​​land on the northern front, such as Shihe and Shimenkou?"

"Naturally, the defense will be handed over to Commander Zhao's troops."

Song Yingguo became more and more excited as he spoke:

"He had a complete infantry division, with mountain artillery and cavalry, making him suitable for mobile warfare on the northern front. He guarded all the crossings of the Shihe River, firmly held the Shimenkou Pass, and blocked the Japanese army's attempt to outflank and encircle our rear."

We are not afraid of a direct assault on the main peak; what we fear most is being stabbed in the back. As long as the northern front is secure, the Fujinshan defense line is safe!

Another staff officer couldn't help but worry:

"But what if the march is blocked and Zhao's troops fail to arrive in time? If the Japanese 13th Division arrives at Shihe first, then the northern front will be completely undefended, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

These words made the atmosphere in the room even more heavy.

Song Yingguo looked out the window at the rolling hills of Fujin Mountain. In the distance, he could already see the dark shadows of Japanese reconnaissance planes flying by on the horizon. Although he believed that his brother Yunwen would not miss the opportunity, the battlefield was ever-changing, and the 61st Division could not withdraw for the time being.

"Immediately dispatch two groups of cavalry to scout westward and meet up with the Tiger Army, constantly relaying enemy information and urging them to speed up their march."

"Tell Commander Zhao that whether the defense of the northern front can be taken over on time is a matter of life and death for tens of thousands of soldiers in the 71st Army. I am grateful for his help!"

"In addition, I hereby telegraph the Fifth War Zone Command to submit the contingency plan for this defense adjustment and request its approval."

"yes!"

The staff officer saluted, turned and left to draft the telegram.

After issuing the orders, Song Yingguo's gaze returned to the Fujinshan battlefield. The main peak of Nanshan needed to be defended to the death by the soldiers of the 71st Army; the Shihe wilderness to the north could only be entrusted to the Tiger Army.

"Brother Yunwen, we've been waiting for you!"

The sun blazes high over southern Henan.

Dust filled the air on the dirt road leading east from the mall to Yejiaji, as the Tiger Army's eastward advance force was making a forced march.

The soldiers wore straw hats and carried rifles on their shoulders. Their thin clothes were soaked with sweat, and layers of white salt stains were imprinted on their backs. Artillery and supplies were transported by mules and horses, whose hooves kicked up clouds of yellow dust as they trod across the potholed dirt road.

A makeshift outpost was set up by the roadside. The communications cavalry galloped up at full speed, their horses puffing out white steam as they charged straight in front of the army's marching column.

"Commander, urgent telegram from headquarters!"

The messenger dismounted and presented the telegram with both hands.

Under an old locust tree by the roadside, Zhao Yunwen pulled on the reins and landed on his feet.

After days of marching, his face was tanned, and his eyes showed fatigue, but his gaze remained sharp. He took the telegram and quickly scanned the text.

Commander Qiu Fengzi of the 323rd Division also stepped forward to read it together; he was temporarily serving as Chief of Staff.

Zhao Yunwen said as he read:

"The 71st Army plans to adjust its deployment, with the 61st Division withdrawing from the northern defense and returning to the south of Fujinshan Mountain to serve as the general reserve force for the campaign."

Commander Bai ordered my unit to take over the entire defense line north of Fujinshan, hold fast to all the crossings on the west bank of the Shihe River, and focus on guarding the Shimenkou Pass to block enemy flanking forces and ensure the safety of the 71st Army's flank and rear.

"Commander Song has a sharp eye; he saw at a glance that the stone gate was a fatal weakness."

He looked up to the east, where the layered mountain shadows were Fujin Mountain, and he could faintly hear sporadic cannon fire coming from afar.

Qiu the Madman said in a low voice:

"Commander, the vanguard of the Japanese 13th Division is not far from the Shi River. If we arrive any later, the Japanese will cross the Shi River first, and even if we catch up later, the northern defense line will have already been breached."

Zhao Yunwen nodded and said:

"That's right, time waits for no one! Order the 645th Regiment and the mountain artillery battalion to speed up their march and rush to the west bank of the Shi River to take over the defense before the main Japanese force arrives."

After the mountain artillery battalion arrived at the northern high ground, they quickly set up artillery positions. Our artillery should be able to directly suppress the direction of Yejiaji and all crossing points on the Shihe River.

The cavalry regiment broke away from the main force and advanced at full speed. While scouting Japanese movements in the direction of Yejiaji, they also established contact with the 71st Army's reconnaissance cavalry. They were tasked with identifying all the shallows and fords along the Shi River, and were prepared to harass any Japanese attempts to cross it.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yunwen emphasized again:

"Pay special attention to Shimenkou, the junction of the mountains and hills, which is the biggest loophole on the entire northern front. We must not allow the Japanese army to sneak in undetected."

"After the 645th Regiment arrived, it immediately began to build field fortifications. The northern front was mostly hilly terrain with no high mountain barriers, so the trenches had to be dug deeper, and more anti-artillery bunkers, foxholes, and reverse slope fortifications were built to protect against artillery bombardment. During the flood season, the Shi River swelled, but there were still rapids that could be forcibly crossed. Every crossing had to be reinforced with vigilance and simple obstacles were set up."

"The main force will follow suit, increasing their marching speed!"

Orders were quickly relayed down, and short bugle calls echoed throughout the long marching column.

Dust billowed, and the sounds of footsteps and the neighing of mules and horses merged into a torrent, rushing northwest towards Fujinshan.

The cavalry regiment kicked up clouds of dust and charged far ahead of the main army, taking the lead in rushing towards the vast hills on both sides of the Shi River.

Inside Miaogao Temple on Fujin Mountain, Song Yingguo received a constant stream of reports from scout cavalry:

"Reporting to the Commander! The Tiger Legion has increased its marching speed, and the vanguard cavalry regiment is approaching the west bank of the Shi River!"

Song Xilian stood in front of the map, letting out a long breath, but his expression remained tense.

Reinforcements are on their way, but the main force of the Japanese 13th Division is also closing in from the direction of Yejiaji.

Both sides were racing against time, and the battle at Fujinshan was inevitable. Song Yingguo's gaze hardened, and he coldly gave the order:

"Telegram to the 61st Division: Once Zhao Yunwen's reinforcements arrive, immediately hand over the positions to them and retreat to the southern hinterland for concealment, to be used as a reserve force. Do not fail to do so!"