Chapter 257: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 257: Who Says There Is No Retreat?

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Hearing Lv Muzhi completely disregard his encirclement, Matsui Iwane felt very displeased in his heart.

But on the telephone he could not show too much emotional fluctuation, otherwise he would lose the momentum.

"Matsui Iwane-dono, why aren't you speaking? Let me guess, the Japanese army's medical pressure must be very high now?

The medical capacity needed for those burned by poison gas far exceeds that of conventional injuries. What will you do next? Surely you're not waiting for Gu Qingchuan to send a fleet to support you?

Indeed, once separated from the navy, the army really can't do anything at all......."

Matsui Iwane tried his best to restrain his emotions: "Don't be arrogant, your medical logistics pressure isn't small either? As long as I intensify the poison gas offensive, Jinling is nothing but something in my palm!"

"You can try it. Our army now has no retreat at all. I don't mind turning our battlefield into a hell of poison gas. At worst, it's a fight to the death."

Matsui Iwane wanted to say something more, but discovered the telephone had already been hung up.

On the other end of the phone, the Japanese Lv Muzhi had just spoken had already been faithfully translated, recorded, and relayed to Tang Shengzhi beside him.

Tang Shengzhi swallowed: "Matsui Iwane... will he really continue to use poison gas recklessly?

We have many casualties because of poison gas, and the logistics pressure is very great... most importantly, if the Japanese army sends poison gas shells into Jinling City, how innocent the common people are!"

Lv Muzhi said: "Matsui Iwane's skin isn't thick enough to that extent. Firing poison gas shells into Jinling City — don't forget there are still quite a few foreign journalist groups and foreign factories in the city;

Hans State's Siemens Factory is right in the city. If Hans State's industries are accidentally injured, that's not something Matsui Iwane can bear.

All the wounded, I will send ships to pick them up and transport them all to the rear. I'll notify the air force aircraft to provide escort."

Other officers, after hearing this, also nodded their heads. The devils' navy has not yet advanced to Jinling. On the Yangtze River, the Torpedo Battalion and Chen Shaokuan's naval fleet are blocking them, so the army idiots cannot temporarily obtain naval gunfire support in time.

The ships Lv Muzhi had left behind had by now returned to Jinling, picked up all the wounded, and under the escort of fighter aircraft taking off, headed toward the larger battlefield hospital upstream.

Tang Shengzhi watched the departing ships and said: "Crowding so many wounded soldiers in the city is no solution. Indeed, we still need to keep some ships."

Luo Zhuoying stepped forward and said: "Received intelligence. The Japanese army has now formed a rough encirclement around Jinling City, gathering the forces of six divisions plus one Kunisaki Detachment. The Yangtze River Navy Joint Fleet is also advancing."

Tang Shengzhi's Adam's apple moved up and down, and he adjusted his collar: "Hmph! The great army presses the border. I, Tang, am really not afraid. At worst, it's just one death!"

Lv Muzhi said: "The devils previously dropped a large number of poison gas shells, and our forces have also suffered considerable losses, but we have not yet fallen into a desperate situation. My Youth Army's two brigades, the Central Three German-equipped Divisions, and the Central Training Corps are all still here. Jinling City can still be defended."

Tang Shengzhi was very pleased. Lv Muzhi's words were also supporting him. He said: "That's right. Notify Hu Gongnan's department at Pukou Wharf on the opposite bank of the Yangtze River. Any troops attempting to cross the river can be regarded as deserters and shot on sight!"

Luo Zhuoying stood up and said: "There's a word I must not keep to myself. The higher-ups' attitude toward Jinling should roughly be to hold the position flexibly and withdraw at the appropriate time.

To inspire the fighters, we naturally must hold the determination to live and die with Jinling, letting them blunt the enemy's edge. But it absolutely cannot mean requiring my hundred thousand soldiers to truly perish with the city. So many elites of the Central Army are here — it's really not worth it.

As a commander, while deploying a death defense, we must also prepare detailed plans for retreat and breakout. They must be clearly drawn up now, so that commanders at all levels know what to expect.

Otherwise, when the critical moment truly arrives, if the orders from above change and they tell us to retreat, wouldn't tens of thousands of troops be trapped in an absolute ground, with inconsistent orders and unable to advance or retreat? That would be the real disaster."

After he finished speaking, the scene suddenly fell silent.

Several staff officers secretly exchanged glances. These words indeed spoke to many people's hearts.

The slogan of death defense raises morale when shouted, but a breakout plan must also be prepared.

Tang Shengzhi's face instantly darkened. He advocated breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, fighting a battle with one's back to the water. Certainly there were considerations for boosting morale, but there was also no lack of selfishness in seeking to achieve eternal fame thereby.

Luo Zhuoying publicly questioned him, which was challenging his authority and determination as Garrison Commander.

"Deputy Commander Luo! Your words are somewhat shaking military morale, aren't they?" Tang Shengzhi was clearly displeased.

Seeing the atmosphere was somewhat stiff, Lv Muzhi coughed lightly at the right moment and said: "Both of you have reasonable points.

The battle must be fought well, and the retreat route must also be planned well. This is being responsible for the tens of thousands of soldiers below. There is no contradiction. Bring the map."

Two soldiers brought the map and spread it before the commanders, handing the command baton to Lv Muzhi.

Lv Muzhi pointed the command baton at the map: "Regarding the rendezvous and retreat route, haven't I already arranged it?

My Youth Army has four brigades. Currently, Zhang Fei Brigade is at Zijin Mountain, Liao Yaoxiang Brigade is at Mafu Mountain. East of Jinling City is handed over to them.

Chu Yunfei Brigade is building a defensive line in the direction of Wuhu, outside the Japanese encirclement. This is the support on the western front, and in a critical moment it is also the reserve force, preserving the channel for withdrawal to the west.

At Pukou Wharf on the north bank of the Yangtze River, there is my Youth Army's last brigade, directly under Qiu Qingquan's command, controlling the wharf and key points on the north bank. This is the springboard for withdrawal to the north.

The Xiaguan Wharf inside the city is personally guarded by Qiu Qingquan with the Jiang Defense Command Military Police Regiment to maintain order.

Actually, the contingency plan has long existed. It just hasn't been announced yet. If the higher-ups truly issue a retreat order, we can also handle it with ease and composure.

What we need to do now is here," Lv Muzhi heavily tapped the circle representing Jinling's defense, "to implement Commander Tang's order and make the devils pay a bloody price."

Tang Shengzhi's expression eased slightly. He snorted and did not rebut further.

Luo Zhuoying nodded his head. He hadn't expected Lv Muzhi to have already prepared the contingency plan.

Tang Shengzhi frowned. Lv Muzhi arranged things everywhere and planted his own people everywhere. It would be better to just directly blow up Jinling City together with the devils.

But seeing Luo Zhuoying no longer causing trouble, Tang Shengzhi had nothing to say. Internal unity is still very important. Currently regarding Pukou Wharf on the opposite bank and Hu Gongnan's troops, what he needs to do now is stop anyone from crossing the river without a retreat order.