Chapter 344

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

"Sir, do you have a plan?" the Sixteenth Division Commander asked hurriedly.

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko nodded: "The plan to capture Wuhan has almost miscarried. No matter what, our Second Army's situation is now extremely precarious. For the war to continue, our Second Army must be preserved, otherwise we will face the enemy's unrestrained counterattack!"

Therefore, our operational focus is no longer to break through Xiaojieling and cross the Dabie Mountains, but to guard against Hu Gongnan, Song Xilian, and the Youth Corps pressing up from behind.

If the situation becomes critical, we will immediately withdraw to Hefei and preserve our strength!"

108th Division Commander Shimomoto Kumaya was stunned: "This is openly defying General Hata Shunroku's order. If the move is too obvious, I fear he will stop us!"

General Hata Shunroku has gone mad wanting to capture Wuhan. For this plan, he has been plotting for over a decade."

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko said: "I will take one division and retreat to the position where we entered the Dabie Mountains. As for the other division, it will continue to feign an attack on Xiaojieling, ostensibly carrying out General Hata Shunroku's mission to cross the Dabie Mountains. As for our Second Army's main attention, it will be placed on the Youth Corps and other Central Army forces coming up from behind!"

Once the Imperial Guard Division and Fifth Division at the rear fall into a disadvantage, we will immediately withdraw from the Dabie Mountains to avoid being trapped inside them!"

The 108th Division Commander rubbed his knees: "Who knows if Lieutenant General Iida Sadakazu and his Imperial Guard Division can stop Lv Muzhi's Youth Army."

If the two divisions stationed at Huangchuan can stop the Youth Army, then we can cross the Dabie Mountains in peace. The victory of the Wuhan Campaign will also smile upon us......"

Sixteenth Division Commander Nakajima was also uncertain: "Hard to say. Lv Muzhi, threatened by the North China Area Army this time, only sent two divisions south to join the Wuhan Campaign."

The Imperial Guard Division is likewise our Second Army's top combat strength, and the Fifth Division is cooperating to defend Huangchuan, fighting a defensive battle. I personally think the odds are fifty-fifty."

"We cannot joke with the lives and blood of the army. Execute my orders. Prepare to withdraw from the Dabie Mountains at any time. The Sixteenth Division will withdraw with me to the mountain-entry position of the Dabie Mountains, ready at any time to support the Huangchuan battlefield or withdraw toward Hefei!"

"Division Commander Shimomoto Kumaya!" Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko bowed.

The 108th Division Commander was startled and hurriedly returned the bow.

"The 108th Division will continue attacking Xiaojieling. Tell the Dispatch Army Headquarters that we are faithfully executing the order to cross the Dabie Mountains, which can also serve as an explanation to General Hata Shunroku."

"Preserving the bones and blood of Emperor Chuo's army rests entirely on all of you present!"

The two division commanders present stood at attention: "Hai!"

At this time, Hu Gongnan and Song Xilian had already launched an attack on Huangchuan County ahead of the Youth Army.

Qiu Qingquan led his two divisions' great army, already transferring out from Xinyang Railway Station, advancing toward Huangchuan in the east.

Capturing Huangchuan would expose the rear of Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko, who is crossing the Dabie Mountains, and there is a great chance this Japanese imperial prince would be trapped to death in the endless Dabie Mountains.

Hu Gongnan and Song Xilian met Qiu Qingquan, who had come to support them, at the headquarters.

"Army Corps Commander Hu, Army Commander Song, you moved fast." Qiu Qingquan extended his hand to these two old senior classmates.

The three shook hands.

Song Xilian said: "Commander Lu sent a telegram. How dare we delay?"

Hu Gongnan nodded: "The old man gave instructions long ago. On the battlefield at the north foot of the Dabie Mountains, everything follows Wei Yue's scheduling."

"Now Wei Yue is not at the frontline, so we all listen to your arrangements, Junior Brother Y'an."

Qiu Qingquan was stunned. His position was merely an army commander. Hu Gongnan, as an army corps commander, outranked him and was also his senior classmate. By what virtue or ability could he command this Northwestern King?

But Qiu Qingquan soon understood. He was basking in Commander Lu's glory. Going out to fight, with Lv Muzhi absent, he carried his halo.

Qiu Qingquan laughed heartily: "What command or no command, too formal. Let's discuss it together!"

After speaking, Qiu Qingquan pointed at the map and asked sternly: "Where has the 17th Army Corps advanced to now?"

Hu Gongnan stepped forward and said: "My 17th Army Corps' First Army is attacking the outer perimeter position east of Huangchuan City, which is the main position of the Japanese Imperial Guard Division!"

"The 45th Army is attacking the Fifth Division's position to the south!"

Qiu Qingquan looked at Song Xilian, who understood and said: "Part of my 71st Army cooperates with the 45th Army to attack the Fifth Division, while the remaining forces serve as reserves."

"It can be said that the two divisions defending Huangchuan City are both tough nuts to crack. Especially the Imperial Guard Division position I am attacking, it can be said to be airtight, just waiting for the Youth Army to come and open a breakthrough." Hu Gongnan complained.

Song Xilian also said: "I have fought the Imperial Guard Division before. Their establishment far exceeds that of other regular divisions. Their attached artillery unit has an entire heavy artillery brigade, with extremely fierce firepower."

"Even their cavalry has a brigade. The Imperial Guard Division, a regular division, has everything, and more; whatever regular divisions lack, the Imperial Guard Division has! Truly worthy of being Emperor Tenghuang's Imperial Guard Army."

Qiu Qingquan saw that they were stymied by the Imperial Guard Division. No wonder Hu Gongnan was so courteous to him.

"No rush. Let the Youth Army weigh the Imperial Guard Division's strength!"

Hu Gongnan's eyes flashed with excitement as he looked at Qiu Qingquan: "This time, the two divisions sent by the Youth Corps—are you truly confident of smashing the Imperial Guard Division?"

Qiu Qingquan crossed his arms and smiled: "Come, follow me to see for yourself."

Arriving at the Youth Army camp, Hu Gongnan was dazzled.

The equipment Qiu Qingquan brought was dazzling. He had seen the Youth Army's equipment before, but times had changed. The current Youth Army, especially the two divisions of the two Youth Armies under Qiu Qingquan, were vastly different from before.

Speaking of tanks alone, Hu Gongnan was certain each division's tanks had doubled.

Speaking of tanks alone, the number in each division had doubled. Qiu Qingquan introduced: "For this southward advance, the two divisions are each equipped with 24 light tanks and 12 medium tanks, totaling 36 tanks per division, and 72 tanks for the two divisions alone."

"In addition, each division has over thirty armored vehicles, anti-aircraft vehicles, and tank destroyers, plus a rocket artillery battalion accompanying them."

"This time we must capture the Japanese Emperor's Imperial Guard Army!"

The Youth Army's tanks and armored vehicles rolled up billowing dust. Hu Gongnan was deeply shaken and couldn't help but sigh: "A true man should be like this!"

At the outer perimeter position west of Huangchuan, the Japanese Imperial Guard Division was busy repairing fortifications.

Hu Gongnan's First Army attacked fiercely twice. Although they inflicted some damage on the Japanese positions, they failed to break through the Japanese defensive line.

Division Commander Lieutenant General Iida Sadakazu personally inspected the frontline, quite pleased: "Hu Gongnan's First Army is the founding force of that old man. It can be called the top combat strength of Xia Guo."

"And my Imperial Guard Division is Emperor Tenghuang's Imperial Guard Army, likewise representing the Empire's strongest combat strength."

"In today's battle, Xia State's First Army is no match for my Imperial Guard Division."

"It can be seen that Xia State's First Army is nothing special."

"My Empire's elite Imperial Guard Division is far ahead of Xia Guo's elite."