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

Taking advantage of the Japanese night attack, the 323rd Division launched a local counterattack, responding to the attack with its own. After destroying the headquarters of the 58th Regiment, the cavalry regiment immediately turned and charged towards the fleeing troops.

Cavalry has a natural advantage over infantry; even when intercepting a surging rout, cavalry can absolutely overwhelm them in terms of strength.

Once the cavalry charged at high speed, the fleeing Japanese soldiers were smashed to pieces by the horses' bodies, their flesh turning into mud wherever their hooves trampled, and their heads rolled off the sabers.

In the face of a cavalry charge, an infantry group that has not formed a cohesive force is nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.

The Japanese soldiers were so terrified that they dropped their weapons and burrowed into the darkness, seeing it as their only chance to survive.

The cavalry and infantry attacked from both sides, slaughtering the Japanese soldiers and leaving them in a complete rout, making the outcome of the battle a foregone conclusion.

The pursuit of the stragglers continued until dawn, when visibility improved significantly, making it even more difficult for the Japanese soldiers to conceal their movements.

The battlefield was cleared, and the data was reported up the chain of command to the division headquarters. After reading it, Zhao Yunwen said with great enthusiasm:

"The brothers did a good job this time. They found over a thousand Japanese corpses, captured more than ten artillery pieces, including five of the latest 90mm mortars, and also captured a lot of poison gas shells."

More than 800 rifles and pistols, hundreds of mules and horses, and countless other equipment and supplies!

After hearing this, everyone cheered in unison. Qiu the Madman then took over and said:

"Commander, this counterattack was a resounding success. We severely damaged the 58th Regiment, recovered our positions, and temporarily eliminated the threat at Shimenkou."

Will the Japanese be too scared to come back?

Zhao Yunwen waved his hand and said:

"It seems you lack a clear understanding of the Japanese soldiers' tenacity; they will not give up!"

There are 30,000 troops at Fujinshan on the southern front. Although the 36th and 88th Divisions are fighting hard, the 61st Division, a reserve force of 11,000 men, has not yet been mobilized, making a frontal breakthrough very difficult.

The Japanese were determined to take Jiangcheng and were willing to launch a fierce attack with more than a dozen divisions. How could they be willing to stop at Fujinshan?

The Shimenkou Pass is key to breaking the 13th Division's impasse. Don't worry, they'll be back in less than a day. You'll have plenty of battles to fight.

Qiu Fengzi was finally reassured. The 323rd Division's willingness to take on this heavy responsibility was a rare opportunity for him.

"Commander, the 58th Regiment has been basically decimated. Although the regimental headquarters escaped, it abandoned its artillery and supplies."

"They'll probably be changing commanders soon. Can we use these captured poison gas bombs?"

Zhao Yunwen waved his hand and said:

"Use it if you want, don't be shy with the Japanese! But be careful of the wind direction, don't get yourself caught."

"Understood. It's time for the Japanese to reap what they sow."

No sooner had Qiu the Madman finished speaking than he felt the earth shake violently. His expression changed drastically, and he cursed angrily:

"Damn it, they're trying to get revenge with artillery. Should we send the mountain artillery battalion back?"

Zhao Yunwen said calmly:

"No need. The Japanese suffered a great loss; they need to get their revenge."

Zhao Yunwen was always very cautious about using the mountain artillery battalion, lest he be caught off guard.

The Tiger Army wasn't afraid of losing artillery, but rather of artillery casualties, as skilled artillerymen were even scarcer in China. Many of the Tiger Army's artillerymen had participated in the bloody battles of Shanghai and Nanjing, and losing even one would be a painful loss.

The Japanese shelling didn't last long. With their supply lines disrupted, the 13th Division's ammunition supply was already very tight. Thinking of this, Ogisu Ritsuhe couldn't help but curse:

"You idiots, a bunch of useless trash!"

"An entire infantry regiment has been severely damaged; you have utterly disgraced the 13th Division!"

The 13th Division was a special division that was reorganized after the outbreak of the full-scale war. The most famous thing about this division is probably that Chiang Kai-shek once served as a trainee platoon leader in the division.

If it wants to become a permanent division after the war, it must have outstanding achievements; it can't keep fighting like this.

Chief of Staff Yusaburo Tsukuda continued, saying:

"Your Excellency, the 323rd Division is far more troublesome than we imagined. It will be difficult to capture Shimenkou with just one regiment. We must send reinforcements."

"On the southern front, only one regiment needs to be sent to launch a diversionary attack. The unit active on the Six Leaf Road must be eliminated; otherwise, supplies will run out, and the offensive at the front will be unsustainable."

Ogisu Rippei's expression softened; Colonel Tsukuda Isamu had finally hit the nail on the head—anger wouldn't solve anything.

"Tsukuda Isamu, in your opinion, how should we deal with this?"

"Your Excellency, first replenish the 65th and 58th Regiments, then send out the cavalry regiment and the main force of the 58th Regiment to clear out the rear, the Yamada Brigade to attack Shimenkou, the 116th Infantry Regiment to launch a feint attack on the southern front, and the artillery regiment to cooperate, to put enough pressure on the 71st Army so that it cannot be distracted to provide support."

"The command only needs to leave one infantry battalion from the 58th Regiment. As long as we wipe out the small Chinese forces in the rear, our supply lines will be open!"

Ogisu Rippei nodded in satisfaction:

"Yosh, this plan is brilliant. Immediately transfer 2500 men from the supply regiment, replenishment unit, and engineer regiment to the 58th and 65th Regiments, with 1500 men from the 58th Regiment and 1000 men from the 65th Regiment."

Proceed according to plan. Tell that good-for-nothing Kurahashi Kōren that if three thousand infantrymen plus two cavalry battalions cannot wipe out the Chinese rats, he need not return. He should apologize to His Majesty the Emperor!

Colonel Tsukuda Isamu bowed deeply, slung his sword over his shoulder, and strode away. Ogisu Rikihei frowned deeply; the battle at Fujinyama had exceeded his expectations.

Five days of fierce fighting have yielded no progress. A battalion of the 65th Regiment was annihilated on Hill 203, the 58th Regiment suffered 2,000 casualties, and the 104th and 116th Regiments also suffered heavy losses, with thousands more lost in the rear.

You wouldn't believe it until you did the math. The entire division had lost 6,000 men. Although the 13th Division had over 23,000 men, plus 2,000 additional soldiers not on the main roster, it couldn't withstand such rapid attrition.

The reinforcements have been used up, and most of the supply and engineer regiments have been withdrawn. This battle is going to be tough.

Ogizu Ritsuhei muttered to himself:

"Zhao Yunwen, that Chinese wolf, is indeed troublesome!"

At the headquarters of the 71st Army, Song Yingguo was studying the battle situation on a map, while Chief of Staff Zhen Sunong reported on the situation on the northern front. After finishing, he couldn't help but sigh:

"The 323rd Division is truly formidable. They had the strength to counterattack during the Battle of Shimenkou, and they also cut off the supply line to the Liuye Highway, annihilating over a thousand enemy soldiers. When did Senior Qiu become such a skilled fighter!"

Song Yingguo said in a relaxed mood:

"Can't you see? These are all Brother Yunwen's methods. Qiu Fengzi is at most an executor."

With Brother Yunwen and the 323rd Division there, the pressure on the southern front has been greatly reduced. If we continue fighting like this, as long as the Japanese don't reinforce, even if the 13th Division is wiped out, they won't be able to get past Fujin Mountain!

Chen Sunong said in deep agreement:

"When I heard the various rumors about Senior Zhao before, I didn't quite believe them. I thought the principal was creating a god and trying to promote his fellow townsman."

Now I realize that this isn't just creating a god; Senior Zhao is a real god!

"Heroes emerge in times of chaos. With Senior Zhao around, the nation and the people are fortunate!"

Song Yingguo then chimed in:

"Chief of Staff Chen is absolutely right. Our 71st Army cannot afford to falter too much. The southern front must not collapse!"

Send a telegram to Zhong Song, instructing them to send a regiment to hold the positions south of Shimenkou. If necessary, they can reinforce the 646th Regiment.

East of Yejiaji, an ambush was underway, and the Third Cavalry Battalion captured another supply convoy.

Shortly after the fighting began, an urgent military report came from the front. After reading it, Battalion Commander Hu Ning couldn't help but sneer:

"The Japanese devils came really fast; it seems this was a decoy!"

The deputy battalion commander said solemnly:

"Japanese soldiers have been spotted in multiple locations. There's a conspiracy involved. We can't fight anymore. Retreat immediately."

Hu Ning did not rush to express his opinion, but stared at the map for a while before speaking:

"The Japanese devils had no idea that we were a pure cavalry force; they were dreaming if they thought they could surround us with infantry."

There's still time; we can retreat after they've eaten the bait!

The deputy battalion commander didn't say anything more. They were two horses per person, with superb mobility. The mule and horse team had been hidden in the mountains and forests beforehand, about seven or eight miles from the ambush point, and was being watched by a platoon.

The Third Battalion acted swiftly, scattering the Japanese escort company, who did not hold out until reinforcements arrived.

After the supplies were under control, Company Commander Gao came to report:

"Battalion Commander, the brothers have finished their work. This time it's mostly grain, more than thirty large carts."

Hu Ning gave the order without hesitation:

"Burn everything! Retreat immediately, and be quick!"