Chapter 413: Hata Shunroku is Stunned

Regarding Liu Fei's words, Li Delin waved his hand to signal him not to worry too much: "Lao Liu, you don't need to worry too much. I have made arrangements for this retreat; the scene of a total rout of the troops will absolutely not appear in Xuzhou."

"Since I, Li Delin, dare to say this, it means I have a foolproof plan."

Subsequently, Li Delin gestured over the map again. At present, the Japanese Army Central China Area Army and North China Area Army are encircling Xuzhou from three sides, but in the direction of Subei, the two Japanese routes have not paid much attention, leaving a large gap here!

This may be because the little devils are anxious to occupy Xuzhou and have neglected the Subei direction; now Subei has become the exit for the safe transfer of Chinese troops in the Xuzhou region.

At the meeting, everyone discussed their respective retreat routes. This meeting lasted for two hours, and after there were no objections to the retreat routes.

Li Delin looked at everyone with a fierce gaze: "Gentlemen, I will state the ugly truth first. Now that the retreat routes have been arranged, the withdrawal from the Xuzhou region requires all units to cooperate well, with both sides covering each other's retreat."

"Only in this way can we effectively break through the Japanese Army's defense lines. If, during the retreat, I hear that some units are only concerned with their own withdrawal and have not followed orders to cover the retreat of friendly forces..."

Everyone's gaze converged on Yu Hua. This Taierzhuang Battle was able to achieve a great victory, which could not be separated from the hard fighting of the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army in Teng County, and at the same time, the troops of Zhang Zizhong and Pang Bingxun also contributed significantly!

"You speak!" Li Delin looked at Yu Hua: "Adjutant Yu, could it be that my retreat plan is somewhat inappropriate?"

The devils inside the Japanese Concession, although not wearing military uniforms, were all animals. During the Songhu resistance, they provided supplies to the Japanese Army, and at the same time, after the Japanese Army occupied Shanghai, these people did not lack in plundering Chinese resources.

Many soldiers of the 3rd Division were newly recruited soldiers who had just been supplemented. Where had this group of new recruits seen such a big battle? Their battlefield reaction ability was much slower compared to old soldiers, so when the 28th Group Army attacked, it was almost quite smooth.

Fifth War Zone! Li Delin had requested a great deal of power from Lao Chang before he agreed to serve as the Commander of the Fifth War Zone.

The intelligence provided by Du Yuesheng was very effective. The first phase of the Sichuan Army's artillery strike had achieved complete success, the infantry advance was very smooth, and soon the personnel of two divisions had arrived in Shanghai.

The 28th Group Army had fierce firepower. Under the firepower strike of the Sichuan Army, the Puppet Army collapsed quite severely. Even with the Japanese Army Supervision Team pointing guns at them, the Puppet Army still slacked off and prepared to flee the battlefield.

After all, Li Delin's heart also trembled at this counterattack on the Jiangzhe region.

150mm artillery shells, when hitting warships, could also cause significant damage to the ships; the sound of artillery roared, and the train station, docks, and important strongholds in Shanghai were now all hit by artillery fire, and many little devils were also stunned.

Shanghai!

The Company Commander of the 28th Group Army's reconnaissance company, Zhang Yunan, led several of his subordinates to a hospital opened by foreigners, and according to the location given by Du Yuesheng, found the corresponding ward.

Yu Hua patched up the combat plan, letting the 28th Group Army choose Suzhou, Qingpu, Shanghai, and other places as the main attack directions. In these places, the little devils had robbed a large amount of Chinese property, which was now piled up there.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunan pondered for a moment and said straightforwardly: "We want them! My Sichuan Army wants them. These Navy personnel are all treasures, how could we not want them!"

Hearing Bai Zhuge's statement, Liu Fei also nodded secretly: "This matter of counterattacking requires elite troops. In the Third War Zone, the troops under Gu Zhutong are all new recruits who have only been trained for a short time."

Seeing that everyone was worried about this situation, Yu Hua waved his hand: "Gentlemen, don't worry about the troop strength problem. The Third War Zone possesses the Sichuan Army 28th Group Army, which has three armies and six divisions under its jurisdiction, with a total troop strength of nearly 90,000."

"The more the better. Boss Du, for recruiting boatmen, you go directly to find those who are not afraid of death. Once found, my Sichuan Army will issue a settlement fee of one thousand silver dollars per person!"

"Relying on this group of soldiers to counterattack, I am afraid that it will be counterproductive, trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice!"

Director Dai exerted the role of the Military Statistics Bureau and soon made contact with Du Yuesheng, who was hiding in the Europe concession. Lao Du was also very straightforward, giving a time and place for the Sichuan Army to send someone for a detailed discussion.

Bai Zhuge spoke first: "This proposal is indeed good. The Japanese Army's troop strength in the Jiangzhe region is empty. Our army's counterattack can force the Central China Area Army moving north to return for defense, reducing the pressure on our army to break through the Japanese Army's blockade line."

Subsequently, Zhang Yunan negotiated with Du Yuesheng again, asking Lao Du to find more ships and boatmen. Hearing that the Sichuan Army needed ships, Du Yuesheng frowned slightly: "How many are needed?"

Anyway, after leaving the battlefield, once I take off the clothes on my body and change into commoner's clothes, who would know that I was a Puppet Army soldier before!

Because the combat effectiveness of the Puppet Army was poor, after Hata Shunroku learned that the various units could no longer block the Sichuan Army's attack and were requesting tactical guidance from him one after another, Hata Shunroku could only order the entire army to retreat and defend the Japanese Concession.

"This counterattack on the Jiangzhe region, handled by my Sichuan Army 28th Group Army, should have no big problems."

As an underground king with patriotism, Du Yuesheng was still a firm member of the resistance faction. He nodded: "Company Commander Zhang, this matter is simple."

The 28th Group Army, this unit had only recently arrived in the Third War Zone, especially that old brat Guo Rudong, who was shouting at Yu Hua all day long.

Lao Du nodded, indicating that he knew what he was doing. The Sichuan Army was asking for ships and boatmen now; it seemed that the commotion in Shanghai tomorrow night would probably not be small.

After entering Shanghai, the two divisions began to occupy important places, such as the Japanese Army's office buildings, banks, and stations, etc.

After everything was arranged, Yu Hua and Sun Zhen returned to Lincheng, and the two contacted Deng Xihou, Pan Wenhua, and Liu Wenhui in Sichuan Province, briefly explaining the combat concept.

"Company Commander Zhang, during the Battle of Songhu, there were still many Navy members in the Defense of Jiangyin because they didn't have time to retreat, and they are now hiding in the concession. I wonder if the Sichuan Army is willing to take them?"

After obtaining the exact coordinates, the long-prepared artillery regiment fired a five-round volley at the Japanese train station to see the effect first!!

"Seventy percent!" Yu Hua said lightly.

This group of people were all those who acted as accomplices to the tyrant; they deserved to die!

For Deng Xihou, Pan Wenhua, and Liu Wenhui, they supported this battle. The 28th Group Army had been pulled to the Third War Zone, and now it was time to come out and move around.

This person Du Yuesheng was currently hiding in the Europe concession. As Du Yuesheng, who had dominated Shanghai for many years, he certainly knew the entire Shanghai's traffic, docks, warehouses, and other places very well.

Hata Shunroku was awakened in his bed by his Adjutant, and upon learning that the Republic of China Army was counterattacking Shanghai, his eyes widened?

"Baka yaro!!"

The weak Republic of China Army actually took the initiative to attack the Imperial Army?!!

"My Sichuan Army plans to launch a Night Raid on Shanghai tomorrow night. I also ask Boss Du to help out a lot. Please keep this matter strictly confidential, Boss Du."

The moment Zhang Yunan saw Du Yuesheng, he first greeted Du Yuesheng with underworld etiquette.

"As the saying goes, the best defense is offense. At present, the Japanese Army's troop strength is empty, why don't we launch a counterattack on the Jiangzhe region!"

When the Sichuan Army attacked Shanghai, the formation of the 28th Group Army was the Three-Three System. Everyone held a Type 26 Submachine Gun, and whenever they saw Japanese or Puppet Army soldiers, they would fire away. Many little devils fell into a pool of blood before they could even react.

"Yes... yes..."

After receiving the telegram, Guo Rudong dispatched several trusted aides to secretly head to Shanghai.

Subsequently, the two discussed some issues. After finishing, Zhang Yunan contacted Guo Rudong, indicating that things were almost ready, and also requested a batch of Navy crew members stranded in Shanghai.

Just as Li Delin announced the end of the meeting, Yu Hua stood up and said: "Commander Li, I have a word!"

In Hankou, after Director Dai received the secret telegram from the Sichuan Army, his heart actually wanted to refuse, but his own weakness had been grasped by the Sichuan Army. There was no way, he could only help the Sichuan Army.

"Once we reach a safe place, I, Li, will settle the score with him and have him executed by firing squad!"

Under the orders of Hata Shunroku, the Japanese Army units quickly assembled. As for this group of Puppet Army soldiers, they were also dragged along by the devils. Now that there was a lack of troops, the Puppet Army could help the Japanese Army consume the enemy's firepower.

Many little devils were also wandering the streets. Now that the Japanese occupied Shanghai, the little devils walked on the streets as if they were superior to others, and when they saw Chinese people, they would beat and scold them at will.

However, fortunately, Du Yuesheng was good at keeping things confidential, and this matter was not discovered by the Japanese Army. When night came, the scorching sun set, and the night began to fall. As an international metropolis in the Far East, Shanghai was still very noisy at night.

Li Delin looked at Yu Hua: "Adjutant Yu, how much certainty do you have?"

"Judging from the intelligence analysis just now, the Japanese Army Central China Area Army has almost poured out in full strength. In the Songhu Region, the Japanese Army's troop strength must be weak."

Hearing that there was a seventy percent chance of success, Li Delin clapped his hands, "Fine! Since that's the case, your Sichuan Army coordinate it and strive to fight this counterattack well."

Basically, it was always a one-hit kill; after finishing off the Japanese, those responsible for cleaning up the blood would do so, everyone working in division of labor, and as for the Japanese corpses, some were sunk into the river, while others were dragged into small alleys and thrown directly into the sewers.

At the same time, the Bofors Heavy Artillery of the Third War Zone also began shelling the Japanese Army naval vessels anchored on the Huangpu River.

"Yes!!" everyone at the scene shouted in unison!

After arriving at the Third War Zone, that old fellow Gu Zhutong had no intention of clashing with the Japanese Army at all, which left the 28th Group Army, stationed in the Third War Zone, howling and eager to fight the Japanese Army.

When Du Yuesheng heard that the Sichuan Army actually intended to launch a Night Raid on Shanghai, he was also given a huge fright; this Sichuan Army was prescribing heavy medicine right from the start!!

For Yu Hua, if the Sichuan Army 28th Group Army was going to counterattack, they had to pull off something big and reap plenty of benefits.

The artillery possessed by the 28th Group Army was the Schneider M1919 Mountain Gun, a piece that could fire 9 kilometers, along with copied 105 mm Howitzers, which were used to bombard the Japanese Army.

After Yu Hua proposed this suggestion, many generals were also considering its feasibility.

The troops of the Third War Zone were almost all green recruits who had just finished training; if they did not have a large number of Old Soldiers to assist them, it was very likely they would all flee in panic under the bombardment of the Japanese Army's heavy artillery.

Because the bulk of the Central China Area Army had been transferred north to attack Xuzhou, the Japanese Army patrol strength in Shanghai was insufficient, so they directly left it to the surrendered Puppet Army to handle; the Puppet Army's patrols were no match for the Japanese Army, so when Zhang Yunan led his men to deal with the Japanese, every move was a lethal strike.

Regarding the words of Li Delin, everyone present now also agreed; after all, after the Fifth War Zone was established, Chang Kaishen had promised Li Delin not to interfere with the command of the Fifth War Zone.

For the sake of the victory of this Night Raid operation, Yu Hua specifically contacted Director Dai of the Military Statistics Bureau, asking Director Dai to act as a go-between to establish contact with Du Yuesheng of the underground organization in Shanghai.

After the Sichuan Army and Du Yuesheng finished discussing matters, Zhang Yunan specifically took his brothers to lurk inside the Concession, and once they discovered something was wrong, they would immediately send a telegram.

Inside the Japanese Concession, a Regiment of the Sichuan Army took advantage of a loophole in the Japanese Army's defensive line and charged the entire Regiment into the Concession; seeing Japanese on the street, they opened fire directly, turning them into sieves first before doing anything else.

"Order Fujita Susumu to hold off the enemy troops at all costs, and at the same time, mobilize all available troops to launch a counterattack for me."

"Officer Li! You are joking!" Yu Hua waved his hand: "Officer Li arranged this retreat route very well."

After Guo Rudong learned of this, he was also very happy; these Navy personnel were treasures, and now that the Sichuan Army had stumbled upon them in Shanghai, he replied to Zhang Yunan, demanding that no matter what method he used, this kid must lure the Navy into the Sichuan Army's ranks.

Zhang Yunan led his troops to the Shanghai railway station, where a company of Japanese Army guarded the place, along with a Regiment of the Puppet Army; Zhang Yunan directly contacted the artillery units of the 28th Group Army.

Subsequently, Gu Zhutong of the Third War Zone also began to formulate an operational plan to contain the Japanese Army in the Jiangzhe region, with the Sichuan Army 28th Group Army serving as the main force for the Night Raid.

Afterward, Guo Rudong reported the 28th Group Army's operational plan to the Second Route Army headquarters, and Pan Wenhua and Deng Xihou sent another telegram to Yu Hua to see if he had any additions.

"Although I am hiding in the Concession, I can still have a say in the underground world!"

Old Du chuckled: "Sit down and let's chat!"

After Zhang Yunan sat down, he went straight to the point and asked Du Yuesheng: "Boss Du, as the king of Shanghai's underground world, you are very familiar with the docks, transportation hubs, and so on."

Many of the participating generals also nodded; the focus of this great battle was in Xuzhou, and the Chinese side had committed almost all of its combat-capable troops to the Fifth War Zone.

There were even some women who were molested by the Japanese; after the troops led by Zhang Yunan witnessed this scene, everyone attacked together and finished off this group of Japanese.

"I will coordinate with Gu Zhutong and have his Third War Zone cooperate."

"Among these ninety thousand people, half are soldiers that my Sichuan Army trained diligently within the province, and almost all of them have seen blood."

When encountering tough strongholds, the Sichuan Army would call for artillery support, and the Schneider Mountain Gun, Type 41 Mountain Gun, and 105 mm Howitzer would continuously bombard the resisting Japanese Army.

These were long-range attack artillery; for short-range attack artillery, they possessed Type 92 Infantry Gun and Mortar, which were also used to greet the resisting Japanese.

This battle was fought in a way that shook the heavens and moved the earth; even Hata Shunroku was scared silly—this Republic of China Army was actually so fierce now!!

(End of this chapter)