Chapter 169: Guard the Home Front

Sun Zhen stepped forward and asked, "What is it?"

"With you looking like this, what major event has happened?"

Deng Xihou handed the telegram in his hand to Sun Zhen: "See for yourself."

After reading the telegram, Sun Zhen's brows locked tight, "This Principal Chang, his abacus is calculated quite well."

"He really did issue an order to Li Jiayu, transferring him to the 1st War Zone."

"My 22nd Group Army achieved brilliant results on the Jin Province Battlefield; it seems this has aroused his dissatisfaction."

Deng Xihou grinned and said, "Right now, Li Jiayu is dragging Jiang Mingsan along."

"Only by personally commanding the Sichuan Army can I prevent the troops from being swallowed up by Principal Chang and having them 'centralized'."

The entire army must immediately head north without delay; as for the required Weaponry, it will be provided by the 3rd War Zone.

Sun Zhen widened his eyes: "It seems my Sichuan Army has achieved brilliant results."

"We can also learn the trick Deng Xihou's 22nd Group Army used in Chang'an when they left Sichuan."

The 23rd Group Army's 5 Divisions and two Independent Brigades are the elite forces among Marshal Liu's direct subordinates.

Everyone looked at one another, and then Zhong Tiqian spoke first: "Marshal!"

"I think it would be better for you to remain in Jincheng; Chang Kaishen is not to be trusted."

"Commander, an urgent telegram from Marshal Liu."

Secretary-General Deng Hanxiang agreed with Zhong Tiqian's view, "Marshal!"

He would likely be swallowed by Chang Kaishen until not even the bone scraps were left.

"The infighting of the Sichuan Army is disgraceful; now that the devils are rampant, as the commander of the Sichuan Army, I must also demonstrate my integrity to the people of the country."

In the conference room of the Chuan-Kang Pacification Office, after Marshal Liu decided to leave Sichuan, he also began arranging for people to take over his official duties.

Principal Chang definitely feels the Sichuan Army's influence is too great and must be suppressed.

In Jincheng, Sichuan Province, Marshal Liu also knew that some people were mocking the Sichuan Army.

Looking at everyone's responses, Marshal Liu waved his hand and grinned: "Since you all do not approve of me leaving Sichuan."

He Chengjun personally conveyed Principal Chang's order: the 23rd Group Army is to be transferred to the 3rd War Zone and removed from the 7th War Zone's combat sequence.

Marshal Liu's confidants gathered together.

These troops are the elite of the Sichuan Army; they have seen blood during the infighting in Sichuan Province and have rich combat experience.

"Should the Marshal leave Sichuan to preside over the war situation?"

Deng Xihou sighed, "After the Marshal learned of this news, he has now decided to leave Sichuan to preside over the Sichuan Army's war situation."

After all, before the War of Resistance had even begun, Principal Chang had been constantly weakening the strength of the Sichuan Army.

The Hankou Field Headquarters will not provide the 23rd Group Army with new equipment.

Isn't this digging into Marshal Liu's own flesh!!

"The Marshal's 23rd Group Army is being transferred to the 3rd War Zone, and furthermore, he is making my 22nd Group Army hold the Niangziguan line to the death."

The vanguard troops of the 23rd Group Army had just arrived in Hankou when Chen Wanren was summoned by He Chengjun, the head of the Hankou Field Headquarters.

"If Chang Kaishen wants to play dirty, he must also consider the hearts of people across the entire world."

Fu Chang, Zhang Sike, Qiao Yifu, Wang Lingji, and others also did not approve of Marshal Liu leaving Sichuan.

Sun Zhen nodded: "This is all thanks to Yu Hua's warning."

"Now it is an invasion by foreign enemies, not a time for us to fight internally."

At that time, the Sichuan Army had a total of only 21 Divisions, and the troops leaving Sichuan already accounted for seventy percent of the Sichuan Army's total strength.

"Besides, after I leave Sichuan, you all keep the home front secure; let's see what he, Chang Kaishen, can do to me?"

"Speak up!"

He had thought this was the end of it, but who knew Principal Chang would want to come for a second round.

"To embarrass the Nanjing Command."

Now that Chang Kaishen is ordering Marshal Liu's direct troops to break away from the 7th War Zone's establishment, the more he thinks about it, the more furious he becomes.

"He is now trying to strike at the entire Sichuan Army."

Marshal Liu said sternly: "Nowadays, the war situation in Songhu and Pingjin is intense."

At that time, the Minister of the Military and Political Department, He Yingqin, was personally presiding in Sichuan Province; if not for the outbreak of the July 7th Incident.

Seeing that Marshal Liu was determined to leave Sichuan, there was nothing they could do.

Both men also trusted Yu Hua's words implicitly.

"Shrinking back and not advancing—that is not the character of me, Liu Pucheng."

"If I do not leave Sichuan, wouldn't that confirm the false reputation of being content with safety in the rear and unwilling to face the front lines personally?!"

After speaking for so long, Marshal Liu's mouth was dry, so he picked up his water cup and took a sip.

Regarding Marshal Liu's character, Zhong Tiqian, Fu Chang, and others were all clear.

"It is even detrimental to Sichuan Province!"

This made Marshal Liu incredibly angry.

"I will leave Sichuan to preside over the Sichuan Army's war situation, and by acting as mutual support, Chang Kaishen will not dare to go too far."

Since the start of the War of Resistance, the Republic of China's army had not yet achieved any brilliant results.

"When the time comes, it will be our Sichuan Army that suffers."

Deng Xihou said this while handing the telegram to Sun Zhen.

"If I don't go out, it is very likely that in less than half a year, the troops will be 'centralized' by Principal Chang."

"Once you leave Sichuan to preside over the war situation and are held hostage by Chang Kaishen, this will be disadvantageous to our Sichuan Army."

After hearing this, Marshal Liu felt very uncomfortable.

"I think this should be left to you to handle."

Liu Dashuai looked at everyone, "What are your thoughts?"

Deng Xihou looked at Yu Hua, "This matter!"

Once he decided on something, he would not turn back even if he crashed into a south-facing wall; not even ten oxen could pull him back.

Especially the sarcasm toward Liu Dashuai, saying that the Commander of the Sichuan Army sat at home, shouting slogans of resistance, but was never seen taking the initiative to leave Sichuan.

In the conference room of the Chuan-Kang Pacification Office.

In Liu Dashuai's eyes, it seemed as if a ball of flames was burning: "In the past, our Sichuan Province fought in warlord infighting for decades."

In Jincheng, Sichuan Province.

"Li Jiayu is requesting that we also provide some help."

A Communications Soldier once again handed an urgent telegram to Deng Xihou.

Now being transferred away from the 7th War Zone, ignoring his own command, and heading to the 3rd War Zone.

"I also agree with the Chief Advisor's point of view; it is better for you to remain in Sichuan Province."

This sudden situation was truly unexpected for Chen Wanren, and he hurriedly reported it to Liu Dashuai.

"If you are worried about the troops, you can send trusted subordinates to the front line, while you sit in the rear and coordinate the overall situation."

"No retreating without orders!"

Seeing the expressions of the crowd, Liu Dashuai grinned: "This time, I will leave Sichuan to lead the Sichuan Army in battle."

Liu Dashuai also knew in his heart that the Sichuan Army was currently being divided by Principal Chang.

"However, I have still decided to leave Sichuan."

"This has aroused the vigilance of Chang Kaishen, who fears that the power of our Sichuan Army will grow too large; he is trying to continue to divide our Sichuan Army."

"Making a fool of ourselves among the common people of the whole country; ever since the War of Resistance began, I have called for all forces in the country to unite."

"Otherwise, given the temperament of that kid Li Jiayu, he would have already led his troops running toward the 1st War Zone by now."

"You kid are capable in both civil and military affairs, and you are also a good hand at propaganda."

"Let us fight the little devils together and share a common hatred for the enemy!"

"The Chief Advisor of the Chuan-Kang Pacification Office, Zhong Tiqian, along with other personnel, are now asking for our opinion?"

Yu Hua stood at attention and assured Deng Xihou and Sun Zhen, "Two Commanders, please rest assured."

After receiving the telegram from Principal Chang in the morning, the 23rd Group Army, which was under Liu Dashuai's direct command, broke away from the 7th War Zone and was transferred to the 3rd War Zone.

After the first Chuan-Kang military reorganization ended, Liu Dashuai accepted the opinion of the Nanjing Command.

The Sichuan Army won one victory after another, annihilating a large number of little devils, which caused a huge reaction in the country.

Since he dared to say so, he must be certain.

Principal Chang called He Yingqin back to Jinling; the second reorganization of the Sichuan Army might actually be successfully carried out by Principal Chang.

On top of that!

The troops of the Sichuan Army leaving Sichuan this time consist of 15 Divisions in total, with a total strength of over 200,000 men.

Everyone was also afraid that after Liu Dashuai left Sichuan, Principal Chang would hold Liu Pucheng hostage.

"Head to the front line to command the Sichuan Army and strike hard at the Japanese invaders, in order to wash away the stains on myself and the Sichuan Army."

"This Chang Kaishen, it seems he hasn't just taken action against my 22nd Group Army."

"I will definitely handle this matter beautifully."

"You stay at home, recruit soldiers, expand our armed forces, and provide manpower to the front-line troops."

"He is also at Tongguan, preparing to announce this matter to the public."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhen was silent for a moment, thinking.

If Liu Dashuai did not personally command the 23rd Group Army under his command, it would be committed to the 3rd War Zone.

Liu Dashuai was afraid that the Sichuan Army would be divided and disintegrated by Principal Chang one by one, and then swallowed up.

Deng Hanxiang, Wang Lingji, and Zhong Tiqian would remain behind, while the others would follow Liu Dashuai out of Sichuan.

Those remaining behind also assured Liu Dashuai that they would definitely look after the home front.

(End of this chapter)