The Fourth Outstanding Person of Huangpu Military Academy

"Comrades, brothers!"

On the morning of the 15th, the 1st Battalion moved into its starting position for the attack. Party representative Jiang Xianyun gave a final mobilization to the 1st and 2nd Companies, which were tasked with the assault.

"Why should our revolutionary army overthrow the warlords?"

"Because the warlords, for their own selfish interests, committed themselves to acting as representatives of imperialism in China, wantonly selling out the country and undermining the rights and interests of the Chinese people."

"Warlords divided the country, cut off communications, and devastated the country, making it impossible for government orders to be implemented."

"Warlords used force to extort the people, allowing their subordinates to plunder the people to supplement military pay, and issued excessive paper money, driving up prices and making life difficult for the people."

"The warlords colluded with local tyrants and evil gentry to crush all movements supporting the interests of workers and peasants, preventing justice from being upheld."

"Warlords fought endlessly against each other to satisfy their personal ambitions, causing frequent wars and devastating suffering in China."

"As long as warlords exist, China has no hope of rising, and your parents, brothers, and sisters will have no stable life. Our revolutionary army must realize the Three Principles of the People and save China. The first step must be to overthrow the warlords!"

"We must overthrow the warlord Chen Jiongming and bring peace to the entire province of Guangdong. We will then launch a northern expedition to overthrow warlords throughout the country and bring peace to the country. Only by our bloodshed and sacrifice today can we exchange a bright future for China!"

Chen Tianheng: "Enter the starting position!"

"Boom, boom, boom, boom -"

The artillery battalion's six mountain guns fired their first salvo. The shells flew close to the ground towards the Danshui city wall. Through his telescope, Chen Tianheng saw three puffs of smoke rising from the wall. As the smoke cleared, three dents appeared in the wall. Three or five defenders on the battlements were shouting and running around, while officers shouted at the soldiers to stop their panic.

The second volley of fire sent three more plumes of smoke rising from the wall, and a shell exploded at the base of the wall. After this round of artillery fire, a battlement on the top of the city wall was blown away, and the defenders on the wall became even more panicked.

The 75mm mountain gun fired at a high rate of fire, firing more than a dozen salvos in a short time. Three battlements on the city wall were blown away, and a large hole appeared in the middle of the wall. The embrasures dug by the defenders in the wall were blown open, and a heavy machine gun inside fell out. The soldiers were either dead or escaped.

Chen Tianheng: "Huang Wei, fight!"

Huang Wei blew his whistle, and the heavy machine guns on the left and right began firing. After half a belt of ammunition was used up, Huang Wei blew his whistle again, and the heavy machine guns stopped firing.

"Brothers, charge!"

Chen Geng shouted, and more than 100 officers and soldiers from the first company of the first battalion emerged from the trenches and hiding houses. They were divided into 9 groups of infantry squads and launched an attack across a width of more than 200 meters. As Chen Geng rushed, he watched the movements on the city wall. When the machine guns of the defenders on the top of the city opened fire, Chen Geng blew his whistle:

"beep--"

More than a hundred people lay prone on the ground at the same time. At the same time, Huang Wei's six heavy machine guns started firing again, and the bullets flew over the heads of the company of officers and soldiers who were already lying on the ground, and hit the city wall with a puff of puff.

Chen Tianheng: "Xu Xiangqian! Second Company!"

Huang Wei's machine gun went out again, and this time it was Xu Xiangqian's Second Company that charged in. The defenders had been trying to remember where the previous wave of soldiers had laid down, but now a new wave of soldiers was starting to run from over two hundred meters away?

"Da da da"

Xu Xiangqian: "Beep——"

Everybody get down.

"Take it!"

"Take it!"

"I suck it!"

These were the curses uttered by the exasperated Chen Jiongming troops on the city walls. Chen Tianheng, coordinating the entire situation from the back, couldn't hear them, but Chen Geng did. "Everyone, when we charge, shout! Remember, shout it out!"

Chen Tianheng: "Huang Wei, stop!"

"Fuck your mother!!!"

Following Chen Geng's whistle, they stood up one after another, shouting curses of Guangdong Province and moving forward quickly.

Chen Tianheng: "Huang Wei, fight! Hey?! Damn it! Why didn't that class lie down?"

This time, Chen Geng blew the whistle and the entire company lay down again, but seven or eight soldiers didn't know what was going on and kept rushing forward.

Huang Wei's heavy machine gun fired. Theoretically, the bullets would pass over the company's heads and hit the city wall, but sometimes a small number of bullets would miss. These soldiers were still charging forward, and if they got hit in the butt, it would be no fun.

Chen Geng also discovered the soldiers who were still rushing forward. He blew a few "dududu" sounds on the spoon, and the seven or eight soldiers lay down again.

"Who's the squad leader of this group? Damn it, I'll settle the score with you later!" Chen Tianheng cursed, "Third batch, ladder team, get ready!"

Chapter 54

The Battle of Tamsui was decided in just half an hour.

Although this half hour was so tense that it was suffocating.

The casualties in this battle were much greater than those in the Merchant Corps' suppression of the rebellion.

After the battle, Chen Tianheng learned why the infantry squad had been running around aimlessly during the wave attack, instead of falling to the ground according to the rhythmic rhythm. It was because the squad leader had been shot and fallen to the ground beforehand. All the squad leaders of the First Battalion were first-term recruits. The one who died in action was Zhang Michuan of the Third Company, the first martyr of the Third Battalion to die in the Danshui battle.

The 1st Company approached the city wall, hurling volleys of grenades at it, while the defenders on top of the walls also hurled grenades downwards. Although many defenders were targeted by the light machine guns of the 1st and 2nd Companies as soon as they emerged to throw grenades, many grenades were still thrown down, and explosions echoed from the base of the city wall. The 1st Company hurled a third volley of grenades, and finally the defenders' cries of help ceased. The ladders and the 3rd Company finally reached the base of the city wall.

"The one who climbed onto the city wall is... Zheng Dongguo!"

Jiang Xianyun recognized the first person to arrive as 2nd Platoon Leader Zheng Dongguo. Chen Tianheng also recognized him. When they were students, Zheng Dongguo and Chen Tianheng were in the same class, so they were certainly familiar with each other.

At this point, Chen Tianheng began to worry. Bullets don't have eyes. If Zheng Dongguo of this dimension were to be killed by a single shot from the other side, there would be no such general left.

Fortunately, Zheng Dongguo had good luck. He climbed to the top of the city wall, and his platoon also climbed up the city wall one after another. They ran and jumped wildly on the wall, shooting and throwing bombs. When the top of the city wall was in chaos, the assault teams with the second and third ladders also climbed to the top of the city wall.

Then the charge was sounded, and the Third Battalion quickly crossed the open ground and climbed the city wall. After the gate tower was occupied and the city gate was opened from the inside, the officers and soldiers of the 2nd Guangdong Division also rushed in.

There is no suspense in the battle.

"Captain, Captain! Stretcher team, have the stretcher team arrived?"

"We'll be there soon, Chen Tianheng, don't worry, we'll be there soon!"

He Yingqin understood Chen Tianheng's temper. This young man was extremely fussy about details. He would ask about every link, including pre-war reconnaissance, battle preparation, battle process, and post-war rescue. If he found any unreasonable process, he would immediately optimize it if he could control it, and would keep nagging about the things he couldn't control.

The Whampoa Military Academy rescue team rushed forward with stretchers. They had already made all preparations, but the gunfire in the city had not yet ceased. Now it seemed that Chen Jiongming's troops inside the city had surrendered, so the stretcher team rushed out.

"Report to the captain! Report to the captain!"

The messenger came running.

"The northern blocking position has been breached! Headquarters orders the First Regiment to reinforce the Second Regiment immediately!"

He Yingqin: "What?"

……

Wang Bailing's Second Teaching Regiment entered the north of Tamsui City last night and set up defense lines on several hilltops.

The hills were not very high, the terrain was not particularly dangerous, and the soil was relatively soft, making it easy to dig trenches. However, the Second Regiment did not have enough time. Wang Bailing entered the blocking position at around 7:00 last night and dug for more than two hours. Then, Wang Bailing got tired and everyone stopped working to rest.

Early this morning, when a regiment was attacking Danshui City, reinforcements from Huizhou City appeared in front of the blocking position.

Perhaps Chen Jiongming knew that Danshui City was under siege and issued a death order for reinforcements. These reinforcements encountered the Second Training Regiment and confirmed that there were blocking troops on the three hills ahead. They immediately launched a charge. One or two thousand people rushed up with their butts sticking out, and then a gap was opened in the Second Training Regiment's defense line.

"The First Battalion led the main assault today, suffering heavy casualties. The Third Battalion also participated in the subsequent attacks, also suffering over thirty casualties. Your Second Battalion, under your auspices, has been responsible for monitoring the western wall of Danshui City and has not participated in the actual battle. I'll send you there as reinforcements."

He Yingqin called the three battalion commanders, Chen Tianheng, Liu Zhi and Hui Dongsheng, to the regiment headquarters and announced to them the matter of reinforcing the Second Regiment.

Liu Zhi received the order, stood at attention and saluted, saying, "Yes! I will definitely recapture the hilltop on the northern front!"

He Yingqin: "The artillery battalion has moved to the north of the city and will soon be able to re-erect the cannons. You can then attack with artillery support."

Chen Tianheng: "Reporting to the regimental commander, the heavy machine gun company of the first battalion was not damaged in the battle and can be dispatched to assist the second battalion in the counterattack."

"Okay, then we'll add your battalion's six heavy machine guns. Dongsheng, where are yours?"

"We can also take out our heavy machine guns."

The three battalion commanders walked out of the regiment headquarters. Liu Zhi stopped and turned to Chen Tianheng, saying, "Brother Chen, this battle involves attacking the top of a mountain. I don't think it will be easy. When you were training, we also learned those tactics. How about you, Brother Chen, take command of today's battle?"

"No need, no need," Chen Tianheng said with a smile, "Brother Liu, you are the commander of the second battalion, so this battle should be yours to command. As for tactics, you can listen to the opinions of the three company commanders when you arrive, and that will be enough."

Liu Zhi bowed and said, "Thank you very much."

Liu Zhi led his troops northward.

The Second Battalion had been assigned to support the attack on Danshui City and had no military achievements. Now, a job to counterattack and retake the blocking position had fallen from the sky, and Chen Tianheng couldn't take it away from Liu Zhi.

Chen Tianheng was the battalion commander, and Liu Zhi was also the battalion commander. They were colleagues of the same rank, so they always had to leave some soup for others when they ate meat.

Go to the field hospital.

"Zheng Dongguo! You're just one handle away from being a colander!"

Zheng Dongguo, the 2nd Platoon Leader of the 1st Company, who was the first to climb the city wall today, is lying in the field hospital.

During the melee on the city wall, Chen Jiongming's army threw a grenade, which landed a few meters in front of Zheng Dongguo. He had no time to lie down, so he just covered his face with his elbows. With a "boom", six shrapnel were embedded in Zheng Dongguo's body.

Zheng Dongguo smiled innocently: "It's okay, as long as my face is not hurt. A few scars on my body won't affect my chances of getting married."

Chen Tianheng: "You are indeed lucky. Oh... I won't say anymore."

Chen Geng: "What the battalion commander meant is that even if your face wasn't injured, it would be difficult for you to find a wife. Hey? Chen Mingren? You're coming down?"

The sharp-eyed Chen Geng first saw Chen Mingren. He was supported by two soldiers and limped into the field hospital. With the help of a doctor, he lay down on the bed with difficulty.

Chen Mingren was from the sixth team of the first phase of the Military Academy, and they were assigned to the second teaching regiment.

"It's so embarrassing. We were driven down the mountain."

Chen Tianheng: "What is the specific situation of the battle in the north?"

Chen Mingren: "As soon as the Guangdong Rescue Army discovered our blocking position, they immediately changed formation and launched an attack. Without any artillery preparation, they rushed in like crazy. Our fortifications were too simple and could not withstand it. The Second Regiment's blocking position occupied three hilltops. Ours was captured, and there are still two holding on. Zuo Quan and Liu Yongyao are on those two hilltops."

Chen Tianheng: "How long do you think Zuo Quan and the others can hold out?"

Chen Mingren: "The hilltop at Zuoquan is relatively difficult to attack, and the hilltop where Liu Yongyao's company is stationed is the lowest. Fortunately, the two hilltops are close together, so the machine guns can support each other. I think we should be able to hold out until your reinforcements arrive, but if we just hold on there, we'll probably suffer heavy casualties."

Chen Geng: "I heard your regimental commander also withdrew?"

Chen Mingren: "Captain Wang Bailing, he ran away as soon as the enemy rushed into our position."

Chen Geng and Chen Tianheng: "..."

Wang Bailing was indeed a fast runner. The trenches of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment were too shallow and their firepower was not properly equipped. Less than half an hour into the battle, hordes of Chen Jiongming's troops poured into the position. Just before the position collapsed, Wang Bailing himself was the first to run away.

He ran all the way back to Tamsui City before stopping, and then was called to Chiang Kai-shek's headquarters.

Chen Tianheng waited outside the door for a long time before Battalion Commander Wang Bailing came out of the command center.

Well, Wang Bailing...battalion commander.

The commander of the first battalion held his ground even when the defense collapsed, and was killed in hand-to-hand combat with Chen Jiongming's army. Since the position of commander of the first battalion was vacant, Wang Bailing would take it.

"headmaster."

"Tianheng, your battalion has made great contributions in the battle of Tamsui City. You have conquered such a strong city with minimal casualties. Very good, very good." Chiang Kai-shek called Chen Tianheng over mainly to praise him.

"The entire battalion was united in purpose, fearless of sacrifice, and bravely charged forward, resulting in such a victory," Chen Tianheng said. "During this battle, Commander He orchestrated the battle, deployed the troops rationally, made decisive decisions, and commanded the battle with confidence. Furthermore, he received strong support from the school's artillery. Therefore, the victory in the Battle of Tamsui was not just the work of one battalion, but a victory achieved through the concerted efforts of the entire Whampoa Military Academy."

Chiang Kai-shek: "In the Battle of Tamsui, we captured the city that the Guangdong Army failed to capture. This shows that the combat effectiveness of the Whampoa Military Academy Army is incomparable to that of the Yunnan Army and the Guangdong Army. We are the party army, an army with a doctrine. The main force of the future national revolution must be the revolutionary army with faith, courage, and a spirit of sacrifice, not them."

"However, the Supreme Military Council is still trying to balance the various factions. What a pity, what a shame."

Chen Tianheng: “?”

"I just received an order. Zhang Minda will no longer serve as the commander-in-chief of the right wing army."

"However, from now on, the commander-in-chief of the right wing army will be concurrently held by Xu Chongzhi, the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Expedition."

So that's what it was.

Chiang Kai-shek still couldn't let go of his obsession with being the commander-in-chief of the Right Route Army, haha.

"Tianheng, do you have anything to say?"

Chen Tianheng saluted and said, "I believe this appointment was a decision made by our Party's Supreme Military Commission. I cannot make any further comments."

"hehe."

Although it was difficult to comment too much on Chen Tianheng's answer, Chiang Kai-shek could tell from his tone that he had some opinions about the appointment.

"When the Merchant Corps suppressed the rebellion, your Second Squadron of the Student Army captured the bandit leader, making the greatest contribution. In today's Battle of Tamsui, your First Battalion was the first to reach the city wall. Chen Tianheng, what reward do you want this time?"

The Browning pistol that was given as a reward by the merchant group for suppressing the rebellion last time is now hanging around Chen Tianheng's waist.

"Reporting to the principal, in this battle, our first battalion lost 11 men, including one platoon leader and three squad leaders. Many officers and sergeants were also wounded. Therefore, after the battle, our first battalion needs reinforcements. We need to recruit cadets who can serve as squad leaders."

"Yes," Jiang Jieshi thought the request was reasonable. "You can find outstanding students from the second batch and recruit them into your army."

Chen Tianheng: "Principal, in addition to the second batch of students, the Second Training Regiment also has many students from the Sixth Squadron who transferred from the Military Academy to Huangpu. Can I recruit them when I recruit?"

"Any officer or soldier currently serving in the Second Regiment who is willing to transfer to the First Battalion may join you."

Chapter 55

Chen Tianheng received a promise from Chiang Kai-shek that "military cadets could be drawn from the Second Regiment to make up for the casualties", but he did not want to recruit people right away.