Chapter 433: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 443 The General Takes This Path

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The lights of Jiexiu City burned all night; Lv Muzhi had already received his new appointment.

The telegram on the table: Lv Muzhi is hereby appointed North China Anti-Japanese Supreme Commander, to coordinate all military affairs of the First and Second War Zones.

Lv Muzhi knew very well that, judging by the old man's iron law of checks and balances, this was by no means born of trust in him.

The winter counteroffensive had now entered the stage of bayonets drawing blood.

If they failed, Xia Guo's elite troops would be worn down to nothing, and the situation of the War of Resistance would plunge into an abyss beyond recovery.

The old man dared not gamble anymore; he could only place all his chips on Lv Muzhi.

"North China Anti-Japanese Supreme Command?" Lv Muzhi muttered to himself.

For this temporary post, form outweighed actual significance.

The various units of the First and Second War Zones had recently been carrying out most military operations around his arrangements.

In fact, Lv Muzhi had already been commanding the military affairs of these two war zones.

But now, with this new appointment, Lv Muzhi's coordination of the First and Second War Zones' military affairs was all the more legitimate.

Lv Muzhi immediately ordered someone to connect the telephone of the Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters of the First War Zone.

After the phone connected, the voice of Wei Lihuang, Commander-in-Chief of the First War Zone, came from the other end.

"Commander Lv, I am Wei Lihuang!"

Wei Lihuang referring to himself this way took Lv Muzhi a moment to get used to, but he still prioritized military affairs.

"Commander Wei, let's skip the pleasantries; you must have seen the old man's appointment, and your shoulders bear a heavy responsibility."

"I have only one requirement: immediately mobilize all currently movable units of the First War Zone, the whole army lightly equipped, abandoning large baggage trains, using Jin Dongnan as a corridor, and insert at full speed toward the Zhengding Railway Line."

"My requirement is only one: cut off the Zhengding Line, whether by blowing up bridges or tearing up tracks, you must block this transportation line for me."

"What I want is not some lousy raid, but to completely block that railway line."

"We absolutely cannot allow Xiao Zhukazuo, who is defending Taiyuan, to lead his troops eastward out of the Zhengding Line alive."

"If Xiao Zhukazuo escapes with a large number of troops, he may very well become the garrison of Niangzi Pass and affect the subsequent situation."

Wei Lihuang on the other end of the phone did not hesitate; he knew where the overall situation lay.

He immediately replied: "Understood, I will order the Fourth Group Army and Fan Hanjie's Twenty-Seventh Army to set out first!"

After hanging up, Lv Muzhi called Yan Laoxi's phone.

"Commander Lv, I am Yan Laoxi!"

"Commander Wei, hurry up and prepare the Youth Army's grain and baggage to send over; I'm handing you that plain in Jin Southwest, not for you to enjoy yourself there."

Yan Laoxi now was completely convinced of Lv Muzhi.

Not out of admiration for the Youth Army's strength, but out of gratitude that Lv Muzhi had not taken the opportunity to annex the Jinsui Army.

At the same time, Yan Laoxi also regarded Lv Muzhi as an important connection of his in the Central Government.

"Rest assured, Commander Lv, as long as I can do it, I, Yan Laoxi, will definitely get the job done!"

After hanging up, Lv Muzhi summoned the Communications Staff Officer.

"Send a telegram to Qiu Qingquan!"

"Before noon the day after tomorrow, his Second Army's vanguard must insert into Taigu County!"

"Coordinate with Sun Liren's Armored Cluster to pincer attack Xiao Zhukazuo's main force stationed in Pingyao!"

At the same time, in Gucheng Town in the mountains of Jin Dongnan.

Qiu Qingquan, Commander of the Youth Second Army, spread a map on the hood of an automobile.

"Commander Lv has new orders; our unit must reach Taigu County before noon the day after tomorrow."

The Chief of Staff reminded him: "Japanese officer Jing Guanren's 36th Division is defending Zoumalin ahead, using the rugged terrain to guard the vital route; breaking through the 36th Division's defensive line will still take some time!"

Qiu Qingquan closed the map: "Commander Lv wants to encircle and annihilate the Japanese main force outside Taiyuan City, reducing the difficulty of attacking Taiyuan City afterward, which is why he wants us to speed up our breakthrough."

"Fighting all the way here, restricted by terrain and enemy blockades, we've advanced with great difficulty."

"To delay our speed, the Japanese have also learned to tear up rails and dig holes on the roads."

"For the army to fight in these mountains, to avoid ambushes, we must carefully search each hill and highland before we can pass with ease; I finally understand why there are so many Eighth Route Army around here!"

The Chief of Staff said: "I heard Sun Liren led the Armored Cluster to crush the Japanese Tank Division 3; if we're any slower, I'm afraid we won't have a chance to show our faces."

Hearing these words, Qiu Qingquan became somewhat anxious.

Commander Lv trusted him, which was why he had him lead the Second Army on a flanking insertion; he could not betray Commander Lv's trust.

"Damn it! Tell the several division commanders at the front: if they can't take the hill positions ahead, I'll knock their gourds one by one!"

Cursing aside, Qiu Qingquan still understood he couldn't just pressure his subordinates; he had to think of a way himself.

"Are there friendly Eighth Route Army units nearby? They know the terrain; ask them for help."

The Chief of Staff slapped his forehead: "Right! There is indeed an Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army nearby; I'll go ask them right now."

Qiu Qingquan raised his hand to stop him: "I'll go myself!"

"We've worked together so long; I know the three division commanders under me have all done their best; restricted by terrain, it's normal they can't take Zoumalin for a while."

"Me, this army commander, staying here won't do much; I'll go personally to seek help from the Eighth Route Army and see if they can lend a hand!"

"If there's no other way, tonight organize a death squad to night attack Zoumalin; I'll personally go to the frontline to command!"

Soon, a jeep and ten trucks drove out of Qiu Qingquan's headquarters and into the Independent Regiment's headquarters.

Kong Jie, the regimental commander of the Independent Regiment, heard that a Youth Army commander was coming to see him, was greatly surprised, and personally went out to welcome him.

Upon meeting, Kong Jie was left stunned by Qiu Qingquan's grand gesture.

Winter clothing, flour, bullets, and so on were unceasingly unloaded from the trucks.

Kong Jie pointed at the supplies on the ground: "This... this... Colonel Qiu, why is this?"

Qiu Qingquan waved his hand: "The roads and railways have been heavily sabotaged by the Japanese Army, and much of the supply train simply cannot be carried away.

Tonight I will abandon a large amount of supplies and break through with full force the 36th Division defensive line around Zoumalin.

It's a pity to throw these supplies away, but Lu Commander instructed me to live in harmony with the Eighth Route Army, so I'll give these supplies to the Independent Regiment!"

After hearing this, Kong Jie smacked his lips and looked toward the ten trucks behind Qiu Qingquan.

Good fellow, you say you don't want them and you just don't want them?!

"Has your unit run into difficulty? Is the 36th Division around Zoumalin really that difficult to deal with?!"

Hearing Kong Jie's words, Qiu Qingquan immediately took over the conversation: "It's not that they're difficult to deal with; the Japanese Army has simply blocked the mountainous terrain on both sides of the road.

I've also received an order to break through immediately; otherwise, give me a few more days, and I'd definitely swallow the 36th Division whole!"

Speaking of which, the Independent Regiment is familiar with the local terrain; I wonder if Regiment Commander Kong has any good ideas for reference?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie roughly understood: they had come to ask for advice.

Qiu Qingquan was generous in his actions and polite in his speech, leaving Kong Jie with a good impression.

Kong Jie thought for a moment and ordered someone to fetch a map, and Qiu Qingquan hurriedly produced a map he had already prepared.

The two studied it together.

Kong Jie looked at Qiu Qingquan's map, pointed, and said with a smile: "General, why not take this small path?"

Qiu Qingquan looked in the direction Kong Jie's finger pointed—what small path? Nothing but mountains!