Chapter 418: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Phase 1 Chapter 428 Commander Yan's Little Secret

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Donkey Palm drew a bucket of cool water from the well and said in a deep voice: "In my opinion, regardless of what kind of person Lv Muzhi is, we must make preparations on both fronts."

Jiang Xiangyun nodded beside him: "Exactly, we must never forget the lessons of the past; we've suffered enough losses on this matter."

Everyone present understood tacitly; it was a memory engraved in their bones.

More than twenty days ago, they had a fierce conflict with Yan Laoxi, historically known as the December Incident.

In that incident, the Eighth Route Army did not suffer losses; rather, Yan Laoxi suffered greatly.

It seems the Eighth Route Army has learned from past lessons and is becoming increasingly mature.

The Political Commissar waved at Donkey Palm, who immediately understood and poured a full bucket of cold water down the Political Commissar's bare back.

A wisp of white steam rose; the Political Commissar took the towel handed by the guard, dried himself, and put on piece by piece that cotton-padded jacket covered with patches.

"You're right." The Political Commissar fastened his belt: "The Youth Army entering Shanxi numbers no less than one hundred thousand."

"Lv Muzhi is not Yan Laoxi; we must maintain good relations with the Youth Army as much as possible."

"In less than two days, they drove the Japanese 37th Division like chasing rabbits all the way to Linfen."

"The heavily guarded Fenglingdu became a joke in Lv Muzhi's eyes."

The Political Commissar looked toward the distance: "Although Lv Muzhi is currently fairly friendly toward us, we cannot be without caution against others."

Donkey Palm asked further: "Then how should we respond now?"

"Two words: forbearance."

"We must remain calm; this is the current basic policy toward the Youth Army."

The Political Commissar raised one finger:

"But as for the Japanese devils and puppet troops within Shanxi, that's another word: fight! Fight with everything!"

"The Japanese are now busy dealing with Lv Muzhi; this is a good opportunity for us to act."

The Political Commissar's eyes flashed: "Especially the 36th Division at Changzhi—that is our primary target. Seize equipment from the devils, recruit puppet troops, and strengthen ourselves."

"That Li Yunlong has done this extremely well; I hear the New 1st Regiment is nearly four thousand strong. Other regiments should learn more from him."

Jiang Xiangyun chimed in: "Lv Muzhi is no flood or ferocious beast; he is more like a typhoon sweeping across the coast."

"Although a typhoon has great destructive power, it can also haul fish up from the deep sea; clever fishermen can thereby reap a bountiful harvest."

Donkey Palm set the bucket aside and sighed: "I know Muzhi; ethnic contradiction is primary in his eyes, and on this we agree."

"As long as the Japanese invaders are not eliminated for one day, he is unlikely to become our enemy; what we must guard against are those stubborn factions opposite us."

"Only pity, Muzhi has never shown any intention of drawing close to us."

As everyone was discussing, Division Commander Liu of the 129th Division strode over.

"Lv Muzhi entering Shanxi—we are not the only ones who need to heighten vigilance."

"Even Yan Laoxi is now sitting on pins and needles; he is the one who is most afraid right now!"

Seeing Division Commander Liu arrive, everyone immediately stood at attention.

"Lv Muzhi of the First War Zone entering Shanxi has accomplished great things that the Second War Zone could not."

"And Yan Laoxi's shortcoming of insufficient troops will be noticed by Lv Muzhi from the Central Government."

"How will the Central Government treat the weakened Yan Laoxi? I think the Jinsui Army won't have it easy."

Division Commander Liu looked at everyone's pensive expressions and continued:

"Let's not talk about that; let's talk about resisting Japan."

"Now the First War Zone and Second War Zone have decided to hold a high-level operational conference at Yuncheng to coordinate upcoming joint operations."

"Our Eighth Route Army, as part of the Second War Zone sequence, must also send representatives this time."

The Political Commissar's expression shifted: "So, is Old General going in person?"

Division Commander Liu shook his head: "Old General is too busy with military affairs to leave; we have decided to send Left Chief of Staff as the plenipotentiary representative to attend."

"You two and Lv Muzhi are old classmates from Whampoa Class 1; go together."

The Political Commissar nodded repeatedly: "This arrangement is proper! A group of old classmates meeting—some things are easier to say."

At this moment, on the steel floating bridge at Fenglingdu, the Youth Army's tanks and supply trains had all crossed the river, advancing into the Southern Shanxi Plain.

The general offensive against Linfen was on the verge of erupting.

Inside Yuncheng, a high-level operational conference with a gathering of general's stars officially opened.

Inside the conference room, generals of division-commander level from the First War Zone and Second War Zone were all present.

First War Zone Commander-in-Chief Wei Lihuang was in high spirits at this moment; he glanced sideways at Yan Laoxi beside him.

Back then, this fellow had sneered and obstructed the First War Zone's entry into Shanxi in every way; now that Yuncheng had fallen into the Youth Army's hands, he could do nothing.

Wei Lihuang then looked at Lv Muzhi on his left, feeling delighted in his heart.

Although Lv Muzhi held the post of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the First War Zone and occupied the richest Henan,

making Wei Lihuang, this commander, like a mere decoration.

But it must be said, the Youth Army truly was not eating dry rice.

In two or three moves they settled the Japanese in southern Shanxi, which brought great glory to himself as the legitimate commander of the First War Zone.

The generals at the table had varied expressions; everyone knew the next moves would not be small.

Wei Lihuang cleared his throat: "The winter offensive is progressing with divine speed; Deputy Commander Lv deserves the greatest credit. Below, please Wei Yue deploy the next plan."

Lv Muzhi stood up, his gaze sweeping over the entire assembly.

Besides the Youth Army, Shaanxi Army, Jinsui Army, Central Army, and Eighth Route Army, the generals attending the meeting were present.

His gaze rested on the donkey in the distance for half a second; besides being thin and having black spots, that fellow was still full of spirit.

Lv Muzhi pointed at the map: "What I want to say is actually very simple. This Spring Festival, we will spend it in Taiyuan City!"

The generals in the hall looked at me, I looked at you.

Today is January 3, 1940 AD; the Spring Festival is February 7 on the Gregorian calendar, there is still one month until the Spring Festival, and Taiyuan is still over three hundred kilometers away.

In between are multiple key towns guarded by heavy Japanese troops; to capture Taiyuan, the headquarters of the Shanxi First Army, in only one month—is this time really enough?

Although everyone harbored doubts, thinking that Fenglingdu had fallen in less than two days, no one dared to speak out in opposition.

After hearing these words, Yan Laoxi's face showed little joy, but was instead full of urgency, with sweat covering his palms.

Before the Japanese arrived, Taiyuan was originally its own headquarters.

If Lv Muzhi breaks in, will Shanxi in the future still bear the surname Yan?

More importantly, Yan Laoxi was actually very uneasy in his heart now; he had a secret he could not tell...

Lv Muzhi saw through this old fox's thoughts, did not say anything more, and began to assign defense zones to the various troops.

"To recover Taiyuan, Linfen must first be captured."

"For this, I have divided several defense zones."

"They are respectively the Tongpu Line Northern Sector, Tongpu Line Southern Sector, Zhengding Line Sector, and Jin Southeast Sector."

"Fan Hanjie's 27th Army and Wu Shiming's 98th Army operate in Jin Dongnan, coordinating with the local Eighth Route Army to attack the 36th Division at Changzhi."

The meeting ended after one hour, and the various officers left the field.

Lv Muzhi kept Yan Laoxi behind for a talk.

Meanwhile, Wei Lihuang kept several representatives of the Eighth Route Army behind for a talk.