Chapter 297: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 297 Human Greed Is Insatiable

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Orders were issued one after another, and the east-west Longhai Railway immediately became busy, with fresh troops sent one after another to Xuzhou for transfer; some joined the Taierzhuang battlefield to attack and wear down Isogai Rensuke; others continued east to reinforce Xuzhou, blocking the Fifth Division and the Fourteenth Division at Linyi.

Troops of various designations surged in from different directions, briefly reorganized and resupplied at Xuzhou, this great hub, then were pumped like blood to the front lines where they were most needed—especially Linyi, under immense pressure from the Fifth and Sixteenth Divisions, and the outer perimeter of Taierzhuang, the focal point of the standoff.

These troops' equipment might be new and old mixed together, their morale might vary, but the sheer number itself constituted a suffocating strategic pressure.

……

Yi County, Commander of Youth First Army headquarters.

Liao Yaoxiang had just finished a telegram with Lv Muzhi, confirming the latest operational intentions.

"Commander-in-Chief, the Japanese troops in the Taierzhuang direction are still frantically digging fortifications, with no signs of large-scale troop movements."

"On the contrary, their artillery has been somewhat active, as if test-firing, calibrating data, to prevent us from launching an attack on them." A staff officer came in to report.

"As expected." Liao Yaoxiang nodded. "Isogai Rensuke is determined to be a shrinking turtle, waiting for his reinforcements."

He picked up a pencil and added several marks on the defensive arc to the north. "Come, let's go see how Yunfei's artillery and anti-aircraft positions are laid out, and by the way check how Minren's trench fortifications are digging along."

The three rode in a jeep, first arriving at a small earth mound in the northern suburbs of Yi County.

The view here was relatively open, allowing them to overlook the northern approach while receiving some cover from the mountains behind.

Several carefully camouflaged 88mm anti-aircraft guns lay quietly in semi-underground bunkers dug out, their muzzles proudly pointing toward the northern sky.

Around the gun positions, ammunition boxes were stacked neatly, soldiers reinforcing the bunker covers and laying rainproof tarpaulins.

Chu Yunfei was crouching with the Commander of Anti-Aircraft Battalion, gesturing at a map. "……Here, and here, are the most likely road intersections for the Fourteenth Division advancing south from Jining."

"Your 88mm gun positions must not only defend against air attacks, but also be prepared for direct fire! The 20mm and 37mm anti-aircraft guns, ammunition fully stocked—the Japanese thin-skinned tanks and armored vehicles, one hit is enough to choke them." Chu Yunfei warned.

"Rest assured, Division Commander, if the little devils' tanks come over, I guarantee hitting whatever I aim at, making sure the little devils go but never return." The Commander of Anti-Aircraft Battalion said confidently.

Chu Yunfei gave the Commander of Anti-Tank Battalion the same order; all artillery in the army usable against tanks was concentrated for use, with anti-air and anti-armor battalions of each division, and various caliber guns under infantry regiments, all mutually coordinated for use.

Liao Yaoxiang walked over and patted the cold barrel of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun: "Good fellow, this is our family treasure. If Tsuchiya Yuan's Fourteenth Division to the north truly isn't afraid of death and dares to come over, use this to open their eyes."

"As for Isogai Rensuke to the south, if he dares to break out, we'll crush them with armored forces!"

Chu Yunfei stood up, patted the dirt off his hands, but his brow was slightly furrowed: "The positions are being laid out according to plan, and the firepower system is being perfected. But in my heart, I always feel a bit uneasy."

"Oh? Worried about what?" Liao Yaoxiang gestured for them to talk while walking.

"Isogai Rensuke is too steady." Chu Yunfei spoke frankly. "With his rear cut off, by common sense, he should either launch a frenzied counterattack to try to break through, or cut off his wrist like a warrior and break out with all his strength."

"But he chose instead the most uncomfortable option for us, and also the hardest to crack: holding his ground in place."

"This shows he has confidence in his troops' defensive capabilities, and even more shows he holds great expectations for reinforcements—whether the two divisions at Linyi or the Fourteenth Division to the north."

"He is waiting for an opportunity of pincer attack from inside and outside; once this situation forms, our Youth First Army will be caught in the middle."

Chen Minren also walked over and took up the conversation: "Yunfei brother's concern is not without reason. Our current posture is like a carrying pole, one end pressing down on the Tenth Division, the other end having to bear the possible Fourteenth Division advancing south. The pole itself must be sturdy enough, and the forces pressing on both ends must be roughly balanced. If the devils coming from the north are too fierce, or the Tenth Division to the south suddenly fights to the death, our carrying pole will be under too much pressure."

"Moreover, Isogaya Division is now shrinking like a turtle; we can't easily go and bite them, which is exactly what he wants—wearing us down and buying time for reinforcements."

Liao Yaoxiang listened to the two comrades' analysis, but his face showed little worry: "What you say is all correct. Isogai Rensuke is indeed crafty, choosing the safest path for himself."

"But every second Isogai Rensuke delays, his Tenth Division becomes more dangerous by a point."

"We are in dire straits, but Isogai Rensuke is even more so! Taierzhuang backs onto Xuzhou; Lu Commander is coordinating, and troops from all over the country are being sent endlessly. Once reinforcements arrive at Taierzhuang, they will attack Isogai Rensuke's Tenth Division there with full force, and Isogai Rensuke will only sink deeper."

"Now that Yi County is lost, his land supply line is basically cut."

"Ammunition and grain: one shot fired, one less; one mouthful eaten, one less."

"The Sichuan Army, Northwest Army, Northeast Army, Central Army... tens of thousands will surround him like wolves, harassing him with cold guns and cold cannons every day, bleeding him continuously, consuming his supplies, exhausting his soldiers."

"How much longer can he hold out?"

Liao Yaoxiang pointed north again: "Besides guarding against Isogai Rensuke breaking out, the most important thing is to be on guard against the Fourteenth Division at Jining to the north?"

"Before he arrives, we hold our troops in place; after he arrives, our Youth First Army, waiting at ease and relying on fortifications in strict readiness—how much confidence does he have to quickly crush us?"

"Let's see whether the Youth First Army collapses faster, or Isogaya Division collapses faster!"

Chu Yunfei and Chen Minren exchanged a glance, and the doubts in their hearts gradually dissipated.

The Youth First Army did not need to risk attacking; it only needed to firmly hold Yi County, ensure Isogai Rensuke's Tenth Division could not escape, and Tsuchiya Yuan's Fourteenth Division could not come to reinforce—victory would eventually come.

Xia Guo's reinforcements joined the Xuzhou battlefield endlessly, and troop numbers gradually increased.

This was originally what Area Army Commander Hisaichi Terauchi most wanted, but now, Hisaichi Terauchi did not want it so much.

Commander of Second Army Lieutenant General Xiangyue Qingsi said dissatisfiedly: "Commander Hisaichi Terauchi, the enemy has already drilled into our encirclement; shouldn't you close the net?!"

General Hisaichi Terauchi was on the verge of collapse; unexpectedly, once the Youth Army struck, two elite divisions were directly encircled.

Xia Guo's reinforcements kept joining the Xuzhou battlefield, and their own encirclement was about to be burst by the enemy!

It was exactly the old saying: greed leads to downfall.