Chapter 448: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 458 Wei Yue, Will You Come Back?

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Taiyuan Railway Station, the steam locomotive puffed and hissed.

Long lines of carriages piled high with Longguan lay quietly on the rails, while Youth Army soldiers and tanks boarded in an orderly fashion.

Lv Muzhi had just received a batch of new equipment from the Southwest a few days ago, and now it was also loaded onto the train, covered with oilcloth.

This new equipment was Lv Muzhi's sharp weapon for attacking Niangzi Pass.

The platform was piled high with supplies like mountains.

Yan Laoxi, wrapped in a thick greatcoat, watched Lv Muzhi.

"Wei Yue, I've just recovered this place here, and everything awaits rebuilding. Once you leave, I'll be loath to part with you!"

Rather than saying Yan Laoxi was loath to part with Lv Muzhi, it was more that he feared that once Lv Muzhi left, those hungry wolves of the Central Army would devour him alive.

Lv Muzhi looked at this old schemer, smiled faintly, and patted the back of his hand.

"Commander Yan, I remember the ten thousand dan of military rations you helped me gather—that's a great help to the soldiers on the frontline."

"As for the situation in Shanxi, I won't meddle in it. Please take good care of yourself, Commander Yan!"

After saying this, Lv Muzhi turned around and checked the attack plan with Qiu Qingquan one last time.

"The Youth First Army follows me, breaking through Niangzi Pass eastward along the Zhengtai Railway Line, thrusting straight into the Hebei Plain, to rendezvous with Chu Yunfei's Guerrilla Corps."

"The Youth Second Army is handed to you, Qiu Qingquan, attacking northward along the Tongpu Railway Line to pacify the Garrison Mongolia Army there. If all goes smoothly, you can descend from Juyong Pass straight into Beiping City!"

"Our two armies, six divisions, total six Tank Yings. The Zhengtai Line runs through the Taihang Mountains, the road is difficult to traverse. My First Army brings only two Tank Yings, while your Second Army brings four Tank Yings northward. The Jinbei and Suiyuan areas are more suitable for tanks to advance into."

Qiu Qingquan stood at attention and saluted Lv Muzhi: "Please rest assured, Commander Lu. I will not betray your trust. I will first pacify the Garrison Mongolia Army, then capture Juyong Pass, and descend straight into Beiping City."

Lv Muzhi patted Qiu Qingquan's shoulder and said with a smile: "Do your best each. Let's see who arrives first!"

The train's whistle sounded, and the train slowly started. The heavy wheels rubbed against the rails, making a squeaking sound.

Yan Laoxi stood on the platform, watching the departing train, and unconsciously chased after it for a few steps.

"Wei Yue? Will you come back? Wei Yue!"

The train traveled through towering mountains and steep ridges, passing through the Zhengtai Railway Line. Half a day later, it reached Yangqu within the heart of the Taihang Mountains before slowly coming to a stop.

This place was about thirty-plus kilometers from Niangzi Pass.

On both sides of the tracks ahead lay rows of temporary fortifications, and the Youth Army's flags fluttered in the wind.

Lv Muzhi got off the train, spread out a map on the platform, and Sun Liren came over to report:

"Commander Lu, the representative of the Eighth Route Army is already waiting at the station."

Lv Muzhi put down the map in his hand: "The guide has come. Bring him over."

"In these mountain gullies, the accuracy of the map is simply inadequate."

After hearing this, Sun Liren furrowed his brow and lowered his voice to remind him.

"Is that advisable? Director Dai specifically reminded us a few days ago. I think it's better to keep our distance."

Lv Muzhi didn't look back: "Don't mention that Dai Li. An upright person fears no crooked shadow."

"Besides, our relationship with the Central Government is, in fact, beyond mending. Once the seed of suspicion is planted... forget it, I won't say more."

Sun Liren nodded, acknowledging these words.

Lv Muzhi said: "If the Central Government doesn't help us, we'll go find someone who can."

"Look at Hu Gongnan's several hundred thousand Central Army troops—they'd rather play hide-and-seek in Shaanbei than join the fighting. We can only find other helpers."

"We are guest troops here in the Taihang Mountains. No one knows every gully in the Taihang Mountains better than the Eighth Route."

As soon as he finished speaking, a thin soldier had already walked onto the platform with long strides.

"Haha, Muzi! I knew you'd have to pass through my place sooner or later!" Chen Geng laughed as he stepped forward to greet him.

Lv Muzhi tilted his head toward the train, signaling to get on and talk.

"How about it? Did the supplies of the 36th Division not stuff you full?"

Chen Geng said with a smile: "What do you mean by that? Those things barely let me get by half-full. By the way, do you have a more professional doctor here? I seem to be a bit allergic to canned food..."

Lv Muzhi asked: "What are you talking about? You're rejecting them? I don't want the things from the 36th Division. The part Qiu Qingquan gave, if you don't eat it, return it!"

Chen Geng clicked his tongue: "I'm not lying to you. I opened two cans, and sneezed as soon as I opened one. Isn't that strange?"

"When did this happen?"

Chen Geng answered: "Four days ago, around noon."

Lv Muzhi smiled: "Oh! I see. Let's not talk about this for now. Let's talk business. I'll give you those two bottles of vitamins to chew on later, and it'll be fine."

The two walked into the spacious command carriage, and the map was immediately spread out on the table.

Chen Geng was not polite either. He pointed to the Taihang Mountains on the map and went straight to the subject.

"Since you're in trouble, I, Chen Geng, am not a stingy person."

"The Taihang Mountains connect to the North China Plain, with eight passages in between, known as the Eight Passes of Taihang."

"But for your mechanized unit to maneuver into Hebei, the Zhengtai Railway at Niangzi Pass is the most suitable direction."

Lv Muzhi asked: "How about the Old Pass direction?"

Chen Geng nodded: "There is a mountain road in the Old Pass direction that also leads to Hebei, but its capacity is far inferior to the railway. You have a lot of equipment, and the Youth Army would take a long time to get there. Moreover, the Japanese Army has garrisons at the Old Pass."

"Speaking of this, the Japanese Army not only guards Niangzi Pass but has also set up positions at the Old Pass, five kilometers south of Niangzi Pass."

"Overall, the Japanese Army here defends in a north-south line. The northern endpoint of this line is Niangzi Pass, and the southern endpoint is the Old Pass."

"The 35th Division guards Niangzi Pass to the north, and the Independent Mixed 15th Brigade guards the Old Pass to the south. A mountain path connects the two passes, serving as the Japanese Army's transportation line between Niangzi Pass and the Old Pass."

"And behind this defensive line lies the Jingxing Mining Area, which is where Xiao Zhukazuo's headquarters is located; the Independent Mixed 8th Brigade is stationed there as a reserve force."

As shown in the diagram, the three locations marked with red icons are Japanese Army garrisons, and the upper left corner indicates north.

Chen Geng drew a circle on the map at the location of the Jingxing Mining Area.

"Provided that we break through either Niangzi Pass or Old Pass, we can advance directly to the Jingxing Mining Area."

"Past the Jingxing Mining Area lies open country ahead—Hebei's Zhengding County, where the Zhengtai Railway and Ping'an Railway meet, with extremely convenient transportation; once your troops enter that plain, they'll be like fish in water."

Lv Muzhi nodded: "Then we'll launch coordinated attacks on Niangzi Pass and Old Pass, with the Eighth Route Army descending from the mountains to harass them."

Chen Geng chuckled: "Our superiors have studied this and will fully coordinate with the Youth Army to leave Shanxi and enter Hebei."

"You send your main force to make the main attack on Niangzi Pass, and I can lead five thousand men to take Old Pass."

"Meanwhile, inside the Jingxing Mining Area, a Coal Miner Uprising will be launched—there are tens of thousands of coal miners there, long dissatisfied with the Japanese Army's high-pressure rule, and this will directly set Xiao Zhukazuo's headquarters' rear courtyard ablaze!"

"By then, with inside-outside coordination, the little devils will have a bitter cup to drink."

Lv Muzhi thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Fine, I never expected that in the end it would be you who helped me!"

"I'll send the Youth Third Division to coordinate with your attack on Old Pass, while the Youth First and Second Divisions serve as the main force to break through Niangzi Pass head-on; both offensives launch together, striking two fists out of the Taihang Mountains!"