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

"You idiots, a bunch of useless trash!"

"We were just a hair's breadth away from taking the position when Chinese reinforcements thwarted our plans. How many reserves do they actually have left?"

Seeing his warriors being driven down the mountain, the regimental commander, Gu Xianjian, was furious and berated the battalion commanders mercilessly.

No one could answer his question. The Japanese intelligence was always accurate, but it was a different story when it came to the Tiger Army. Senior staff officer Major Okubo stated the question in a deep voice:

"Commander, intelligence indicates that the Tiger Army's infantry regiment consists of three battalions, plus an artillery company, a reconnaissance company, and a supply company, with a total strength of approximately 2600 men."

The 324th Division directly commands three infantry regiments, with its subordinate units consisting of a guard battalion, a supply battalion, a communications company, a field hospital, and the division headquarters, totaling approximately 9000 personnel.

The garrison at Rengang consisted of a regiment on each of its left and right flanks, along with several artillery units to support the operation. It now appears that in addition to the Schneider mountain artillery battalion, there were also anti-aircraft artillery units.

With over 10,000 men, we have the advantage in blocking two Imperial Army divisions!

As long as the attrition continues, the 324th Division's weakness in terms of manpower will be magnified infinitely, and it will only be a matter of time before they are defeated.

"Yoshi, Okubo-kun is indeed a top student who graduated from Riku University. His analysis is spot on. I was too hasty!"

The Tiger Army was the most elite force in China, and it also had the advantage of terrain and was fighting on its home ground. The 324th Division had 9,000 men, and it could not be defeated in a single attack.

Along the Zhugan River line, the Imperial Army deployed two infantry regiments for a strong attack, which was roughly equal in strength to the Chinese forces. Patience was required.

As the art of war says, "Use the orthodox to engage, and the unorthodox to win." It's time to remind the 13th Division to use a surprise attack, a flanking maneuver; they can't just stand by and watch forever.

Major Koga, the battalion commander, interjected:

"Commander, as long as the 13th Division attacks from the flanks, it will be able to draw the reserve forces in front away. At that time, the Chinese will be at a disadvantage in terms of troop strength. What will they use to stop the Imperial Army from launching attacks from multiple points?"

In addition, the pontoon bridge needs to be built as soon as possible so that supplies can be delivered across the river. With existing bridge piers, building a pontoon bridge is not difficult for the engineering regiment.

The other two battalion commanders seconded the motion, and Colonel Gu Xian quickly made up his mind, loudly issuing the order:

"Okubo-kun, immediately send a telegram to the division headquarters requesting tactical guidance."

Three battalions took turns pressing the Chinese, drawing their attention and covering the 13th Division's secret crossing of the river from the south.

"Hai!"

All the Japanese soldiers bowed their heads in unison, displaying great momentum.

The thunderous sound of artillery fire rang out again, and the Japanese attack resumed, though it was not as fierce as before.

At the Tiger Legion headquarters, staff members moved about busily, as if at a market. Telegrams from the front lines arrived like snowflakes, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

As usual, Zhao Yunwen stared intently at the map, holding a half-full vat of roasted soybeans in his hand, occasionally picking up a few and stuffing them into his mouth.

He relied on these soybeans to replenish his energy, allowing him to go all day without eating and closely monitor the battlefield situation.

Chief of Staff Xie Polu rushed over to report:

"The main force of the 10th Division has launched a fierce attack on the Guangshan defense line. They have used dozens of heavy artillery pieces from the 5th Heavy Artillery Brigade to attack the lines. The 17th Army Corps has suffered heavy casualties."

Senior Hu said they could still hold on, and thanked the commander for his support of the First Army. He explained that thanks to the heavy artillery they had sold to Commander Li at a low price, the 17th Army Corps wasn't completely helpless.

Before Zhao Yunwen sold the artillery to Li Tiejun, he hadn't thought about this other use. It was an unintended consequence, and he had even forgotten about it.

It only comes to mind now that in the Battle of Xinyang, Hu Shoushan's 17th Army Corps played a crucial role, single-handedly holding off the main force of the 10th Division on the northern front. The northern front was a plain, which was advantageous for the advance of tanks and heavy artillery, and with the addition of aircraft in the air, it was difficult to defend.

Zhao Yunwen suddenly had an idea. He decided to help Hu Shoushan, because helping his old classmate was also helping himself.

"It's time to resolve the crisis on the northern front!"

Zhao Yunwen muttered to himself, then said to Xie Polu:

"Order the heavy artillery battalion to secretly move towards Guangshan, with the reconnaissance regiment cooperating. Obtain the coordinates of the enemy's heavy artillery positions as soon as possible, seize the opportunity, and help Brother Shoushan out!"

After Xie Polu jotted it down in his notebook, he continued his report:

"The 16th and 13th Divisions on the Eastern Front are launching a fierce attack on the Zhuganhe defense line. The 324th Division has repelled two large-scale Japanese attacks in succession, killing and wounding more than a thousand Japanese soldiers, while our side suffered more than three hundred casualties."

In addition, headquarters reported that the 27th Division reinforcements had been repelled in the Wanjialing area, and the 106th Division was surrounded by Commander Xue's hundreds of thousands of troops; annihilation was only a matter of time.

Zhao Yunwen knew that the battle at Wanjialing would continue for several more days, as the southern front was too far away for him to cover.

The Tiger Army only needs to win the Battle of Xinyang. The most important thing is to severely damage Renyan King's Second Army and create favorable external conditions for establishing a base in the next stage.

Thinking of this, he said to Xie Polu:

"With the 324th Division and the natural barrier of Zhugan River on the eastern front, the Japanese won't be able to break through Rengang anytime soon. Tell Wang Guohua to fight with all his might, don't be afraid of casualties, and I'll replenish their ranks for every number we lose."

As long as the core of the army is preserved, even if it means sacrificing half a division, we can cripple the 16th and 13th Divisions!

Zhao Yunwen's tone was icy cold. Xie Polu saluted solemnly and left. Of the 40,000 Tiger Legion soldiers and 20,000 local security troops, who knew how many would be left after the battle?

Not long after Zhao Yunwen left, Deputy Army Commander Lu Ping came in again, bringing with him a message from Commander Bai Dai of the General Staff:

"Commander Bai hopes that my troops will defend Xinyang City at all costs!"

As compensation, he will intercept 10,000 able-bodied men from Sichuan and give them to the Tiger Army. These men were originally intended for the 22nd Army Group, but they are only worried about reserves and don't need them for the time being.

Zhao Yunwen couldn't help but laugh:

"Commander Bai really knows how to be generous with other people's money, using the Sichuan Army's able-bodied men to do favors."

"What a clever scheme! Trading ten thousand able-bodied men who can't even fire a gun for the elite Tiger Legion—this abacus is practically flying off my face!"

Lupin, of course, understood as well, and said in a deep voice:

"Should we refuse Commander Bai?"

Zhao Yunwen's smile faded, and he said seriously:

"Why refuse? Even if these Sichuan soldiers are considered worthless, our Tiger Army will take them!"

If they don't know how to fire a gun, the training regiment will teach them; weapons and equipment are even less of a problem. As for being pale and thin, and suffering from anemia, a few good meals will solve that.

Sichuan has many righteous men. As long as supplies and training are in place, these 10,000 able-bodied men can become an army of 10,000!

"Reply to Commander Bai, with the Tiger Legion here, Xinyang City will never fall!"

Lu Ping was the chief commander and knew the Tiger Legion's resources inside and out. Raising an additional 10,000 strong men was no problem at all. The equipment was readily available Japanese weaponry, and there were plenty of spoils of war.

Now that Zhao Yunwen had made up his mind, he could just focus on getting it done, and immediately said:

"I'll go and contact the headquarters right away. Also, in the past few days, young men and women have been coming from Jiangcheng to join the Tiger Army. Many of them are students, technicians, and returned overseas Chinese. They are unwilling to retreat to the rear area and would rather follow us to fight the Japanese."

Zhao Yunwen immediately became interested. Although the Battle of Jiangcheng was still in full swing, the relocation of Jiangcheng's population, factories, and supplies to the interior was proceeding at a rapid pace. It was reasonable that some people were unwilling to go to Shu, as China was not lacking in people willing to die for their country.

"Lu Ping, let's take all these people in, register them properly, and try our best to select the best people. Let professionals do professional things, and reserve the talents that are not needed for the time being."

"I understand, I'll go and get it done right away!" Lu Ping said and turned to leave. Zhao Yunwen put away his smile and cast his deep gaze toward Guangshan on the northern front.

The Guangshan defense line was under heavy artillery attack. 150mm grenades whistled down, each explosion creating a deep crater. Within a 50-meter radius of the blast center, no one survived. The power was astonishing.

The soldiers of the First Army huddled in makeshift trenches, silently enduring the ravages of artillery fire. Countless men never emerged from their shelters, their blood staining the earth red.

As soon as the artillery fire spread, more than two thousand Japanese soldiers surged forward. The soldiers crawled out of the blood-soaked mud, picked up their weapons, and opened fire on the Japanese.

The Japanese soldiers of the 10th Division were exceptionally fierce. They charged up the defending positions under a hail of bullets, and the two sides then engaged in close combat and melee, resulting in a scene of carnage and bloodshed.

The First Army paid a heavy price to repel them, and before they could catch their breath, Japanese artillery shells came crashing down again, tearing apart a large number of elite veterans.

Li Tiejun slammed his fist on the command table, his eyes bloodshot as he roared:

"Those damn Japanese devils, all they do is use cannons to act like thugs! Where are our artillery regiments?!"

The chief of staff said in a low voice:

"The Japanese devils used heavy artillery, and our pitiful possessions weren't even enough to fill a tooth gap!"

We can only avoid their sharp edge; brothers, just hang in there and it will pass.

"Oh, right, Commander Hu said that Commander Zhao of the Tiger Legion will send a heavy artillery battalion to assist in the battle. We should wait patiently."

Li Tiejun was taken aback at first, then excitedly grabbed the chief of staff's arm and asked:

"You mean Brother Yunwen?! Is that true?"

"Commander, of course it's true. Young Master Zhao has always been kind and honest. Which of us old brothers from the first class doesn't know that?"

Li Tiejun laughed heartily and said:

"That's right, Brother Yunwen is the most reliable. I've even burned joss paper with him."

The Tiger Legion's heavy artillery is all original French-made; those Japanese junk are nothing to worry about!

The chief of staff couldn't recall when Li Tiejun and Zhao Yunwen had burned joss paper, but their presence at the event showed they had a good relationship.

He was about to speak when he heard the booming sound of cannons. He froze on the spot for a moment, then shouted excitedly:

"French artillery, Schneider heavy artillery! Brother Yunwen really came!!"