Chapter 263

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Outside Jinling City, the forward command headquarters of the Japanese Central China Area Army.

General Matsui Iwane stood with his hands behind his back before the map, finally breathing a sigh of relief in his heart.

"Report!" A communications staff officer walked in quickly, stood at attention, and reported: "The frontline divisions report that the Chinese army is beginning a large-scale, multi-directional breakout! Their main force seems to be divided into three routes: one route moving east and southeast from Taiping Gate, likely the remnants of the Yue Army;

one route assembling west of the city, seemingly the Central Army's direct lineage and Youth Army, attempting to break through westward; another toward Xiaguan Wharf, where large numbers of people are still gathering, with ships coming and going frequently!"

After prolonged operations, the Xia Guo Army finally decided to withdraw, which was within his expectations.

The Chief of Staff stepped forward, pointing at the map: "Commander, as long as we pursue the breakout enemy, we still have a chance to annihilate their manpower to the greatest extent, strike their morale, and expand our victory!"

Matsui Iwane said: "Pursuit and assault on the city must proceed simultaneously.

Order the Sixteenth Division to press the enemy facing them with their main force, focus on pursuing the enemy breaking through westward, especially the Youth Army and Central Army elites, and inflict maximum casualties;

part of the Eighteenth Division, cooperate in pursuing the Yue Army toward Taiping Gate, do not let a single one escape;

the Shigetō Detachment, cross the Yangtze River downstream of Jinling, then immediately outflank the enemy retreating by water;

the remaining divisions, according to the original plan, intensify the offensive, clear out the remaining resistance on the outer perimeter as quickly as possible, and break into Jinling city from directions such as Zhonghua Gate, Zhongshan Gate, and Guanghua Gate!"

However, after the orders were issued, the battlefield situation did not develop entirely as Matsui Iwane had envisioned; the Japanese divisions each had their own thoughts and harbored ulterior motives.

What a great honor it would be to be the first division to enter the Xia Guo capital! How could those divisions assigned pursuit tasks be willing to resign themselves?

Sixteenth Division Commander Nakajima Kyo received the telegram, looked at the Youth Army breakout direction marked on the map, then turned to look at the smoke-filled Jinling city wall not far away, feeling hesitant.

The adjutant said softly beside him: "Division Commander, Commander Matsui's order is to pursue..."

"Pursue?" The division commander snorted: "Troops should be used where they can better display military exploits. Besides, the Chinese have a saying: do not pursue a desperate enemy. It is better not to press them too hard. Send the main force into Jinling City, and dispatch small units to pursue!"

"Jinling, the capital of China—whoever enters first will have their name recorded in the annals of the Empire! We must be the first to break into Jinling City from the Shuiximen area!"

Similar thoughts arose in the hearts of the various division commanders.

The glory of capturing the enemy nation's capital was right before their eyes, far more satisfying to the division commanders' desire for fame than chasing enemies in the wild.

Thus, the troops that should have pursued and annihilated the enemy with full force mostly sent only small detachments for symbolic trailing and driving, while their main forces all turned their guns around, joining the ranks of the assault on the city, eager to get a share of the historic moment of breaching the city.

This directly resulted in the Xia Guo forces breaking through westward and southward facing far less pressure than expected, and the breakout corridor was torn even wider in the chaos.

But the most out-of-control Japanese unit was undoubtedly the Sixth Division.

Sixth Division Commander Lieutenant General Gu Shoufu looked at the telegram with a grim expression.

The telegram ordered him to attack the Yuhuatai direction first, then directly advance into Jinling City, but Division Commander Gu Shoufu did not accept it.

"Baka!" Gu Shoufu slammed his fist on the table: "Lv Muzhi's Youth Army has brought great shame upon my Sixth Division—at Taihu, at Jinshanwei, we suffered heavy losses!

Now they want to run? It's not that easy! We must take revenge!"

【31】 Now they want to run? It's not that easy! We must take revenge!"

The Chief of Staff cautiously reminded: "Sir, headquarters' order is for us to first occupy the Yuhuatai area and ensure the assault route remains open..."

Gu Shoufu flatly refused: "The 524th Regiment opposite is no big fish. Leave a small detachment to contain and feint, while the rest of our forces pursue the Youth Army westward and annihilate the enemy's main elite force—that is how we wash away our previous shame!

We must catch up with them, rout them, and exterminate them!

With their blood, we will honor the heroic spirits of our fallen warriors of the Sixth Division!

Jinling City cannot escape, but Lv Muzhi's Youth Army must stay today!"

The battlefield was in great chaos; at the Yuhuatai position.

The Japanese army's final and most ferocious general assault, as expected, did not arrive; instead, the main force of the Sixth Division turned westward to pursue the Youth Army's Liao Yaoxiang and Zhang Fei brigades.

The pressure on the 88th Division's 524th Regiment and a battalion of military police on the position suddenly decreased.

"Regiment Commander! The devils... the devils seem to be retreating?" A battalion commander with a face blackened by soot lay on the trench edge, observing in disbelief.

Xie Jinyuan also frowned tightly. The little devils seemed to be moving northwest? That was the direction of the Youth Army's breakout.

"Signaller! Contact division headquarters again... forget it, contact the Garrison Command directly! Inquire about the situation!"

The signaller cranked the telephone for a long time and finally got through.

Xie Jinyuan snatched the receiver: "This is Xie Jinyuan of the 524th Regiment! The Japanese offensive facing us has weakened, and the Yuhuatai position is temporarily safe. Requesting instructions! Has Commander Sun been found?"

On the other end of the phone came Lv Muzhi's steady voice, directly bypassing the missing Sun Yuanlang: "This is Lv Muzhi. Commander Xie, you fought hard and fought well.

Now the situation has changed. Although your division commander cannot be found temporarily, your task of restraining the enemy has already been overfulfilled.

Now, I order you: immediately organize the 524th Regiment's officers and men who can still move, abandon the Yuhuatai position, and transfer toward Xiaguan Wharf at the fastest speed."

"Xiaguan Wharf?" Xie Jinyuan was stunned. "But... but weren't we ordered to transfer our Central Army troops by land?"

"The plan has changed. You are the only remaining troops in the city. Since Sun Yuanlang did not lead you in a breakout, you will follow me and escort me across the river."

"Yes, Lu Commander!" Xie Jinyuan hesitated no longer, put down the receiver, turned and shouted: "Transmit orders to all battalions and companies! Gather the weapons and ammunition you can carry, help the wounded support each other, and withdraw from the position!

Target—Xiaguan Wharf! Escort Lu Commander across the river!"

The news spread, and the remaining officers and men on the position were first stunned, then quickly sprang into action, helping the wounded and collecting the few remaining ammunition and equipment.

At Xiaguan Wharf, Song Xilian's Thirty-Sixth Division, originally the last to evacuate, had few left; only Song Xilian and Qiu Qingquan remained on the wharf, anxiously waiting for Lv Muzhi.

The anti-aircraft guns deployed on the wharf and ships opened fire fiercely at the enemy planes overhead, preventing any aircraft from approaching.

"They're here!"

Qiu Qingquan shouted, and saw the remaining personnel of Xie Jinyuan's 524th Regiment escorting Lv Muzhi to Xiaguan Wharf.

"Everyone, board the ship. This is the last unit left in the city." Lv Muzhi urged as he walked.

Qiu Qingquan and Song Xilian flanked Lv Muzhi and followed him toward the ship.