Chapter 420: Cherepanov

Xiao Ningxin looked at Xiao Ya, "Xiao Ya, I will contact your brother-in-law about this matter."

"However, in these chaotic times, you must also be mentally prepared."

Xiao Ya understood Xiao Ningxin's words, "Sister, don't worry, I am mentally prepared, but, if a person dies, I must see the body, and if they are alive, there must be news!"

Seeing that Xiao Ya had this mental preparation, Xiao Ningxin was no longer hesitant and used the Xiao Family's radio to contact Yu Hua.

In the late stages of the Xuzhou Battle, Liu Zhangqing led the Independent Brigade to retreat along with Yu Hua, and the troops were now resting in a small county town in Anhui Province.

The Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army retreated from Xuzhou by adopting a method of dispersing and breaking through, with each Division or Brigade retreating in an orderly fashion.

In a small Western-style building in the southeast corner of the county town, this place served as both the headquarters for the Independent Brigade and the command post for the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army.

The Interpreter hurriedly said that this person was the Commander-in-Chief of the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army, Sun Zhen.

This meeting was mainly to discuss the upcoming Wuhan Battle, because the Japanese Army had opened up the Jinpu Line, and the areas of the Central China Area Army and the Pingjin Area Army were now connected.

"Gentlemen, regarding the Wuhan issue, I believe we must focus on the echelon configuration of depth firepower and strengthen the defense of the troops' flanks."

"Brother Sun, let's discuss this matter later." Yu Hua looked at the Communications Soldier, "Has the Jin Jizhong Brigade reported the specific situation of this person named Zhou Weiguo?"

This result had indeed caused the Central Army to lose all face. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Lanfeng Battle, Xue Laohu was the first to speak.

Some generals also echoed, "Well said, Han Fuqu can be executed, and it is not impossible to execute generals of our Central Army."

Upon hearing this, many generals at the scene saw that the Soviet Union military advisor also agreed with Sun Zhen's proposal, and everyone began to look at the Sichuan Army in a new light; they were indeed a force that had won several victories against the Japanese Army.

"What?!" Yu Hua shouted, "His name is Zhou Weiguo?"

"Conducting operations on exterior lines, maintaining mobile forces, raiding the Japanese Army's rear or flanks, disrupting the Japanese Army's deployment, and cutting off their supply lines—this can alleviate the defensive pressure on our army."

"What does the telegram say?" Sun Zhen did not even lift his head.

The command post was brightly lit, and many people were coming and going in a hurry, because the Sichuan Army was currently contacting various units.

The next evening!

Several special trains arrived in Hankou from Anhui Province, and after the special trains arrived in Hankou, the Nanjing Command also dispatched special personnel to welcome them.

"Yes!" The Communications Soldier nodded, and then introduced the specific information about Zhou Weiguo to Yu Hua.

The Soviet military advisor also attended this meeting.

The Japanese Army would definitely attack Wuhan next to further strike at the Republic of China Army.

"Li Delin commands local troops, and with a five-to-one force ratio, he was able to achieve the Taierzhuang Victory. In my opinion, it is still our Central Army generals who are too arrogant, and it is time to execute a few Central Army generals who do not obey orders."

Before attending the meeting, Yu Hua had analyzed the situation of the upcoming Wuhan Battle for Sun Zhen, so that Sun Zhen would be prepared.

The generals who came to attend the meeting also stayed in the residences arranged by the Nanjing Command in Hankou.

After all parties arrived, the highest military conference was held in Hankou.

Yu Hua replied to the Xiao Family with a telegram, telling Xiao Ningxin to inform Xiao Ya that Zhou Weiguo was doing fine, alive and kicking, and was currently conducting operations behind enemy lines in Shandong Province.

"Moreover, there were German military advisors present at the time, and Zhou Weiguo wiped them out too, which suddenly brought this kid into the eyes of Principal Chang. It was precisely this assault battle that made the German military advisors look at the Republic of China Army in a new light and agree to the National Government sending military personnel to Germany for in-depth study."

From the telegram, everyone learned that Li Delin was seriously ill and now needed to go to Hankou for treatment; Li Delin had already planned to temporarily hand over the military affairs of the Fifth War Zone to Bai Zhuge to act on his behalf.

"Report!" The Communications Soldier walked into the command post, "Adjutant Yu, Commander, we have received a telegram from the Jin Jizhong Brigade on the battlefield behind enemy lines."

As for the Japanese Army's aviation corps, the mountainous areas near Poyang Lake had cloudy and foggy weather, which was unfavorable for Japanese aircraft bombing.

Cherepanov saw that after he spoke and the Interpreter translated, many people's gazes turned to a general wearing gray clothes with two stars on his collar; he inquired about this person's identity.

They actually said they wanted to execute Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie by firing squad; these two were Principal Chang's trusted and beloved generals, and they were also giants within the Central Army ranks.

Long Muhan was executed by firing squad, while Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie were dismissed from their posts for investigation. Gui Yongqing withdrew from the front lines of the War of Resistance from then on, went to the rear to train troops, and later went abroad to Europe to serve as a military attaché.

When Xue Laohu proposed executing Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie, many Central Army generals gasped; this Xue Laohu had quite a lot of nerve.

At the Nanjing Command in Hankou, the conference room fell into silence, and the atmosphere in the entire room was somewhat oppressive, making people feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, his name is Zhou Weiguo!"

Yu Hua took the telegram to look at it and discovered that his own wife was actually related to Zhou Weiguo's fiancée, Xiao Ya.

After much deliberation, everyone found a scapegoat—Long Muhan.

"Commander, the person who led the rescue of our Sichuan Army troops this time is named Zhou Weiguo."

Xu Yongchang had just finished speaking, and Cherepanov, the Soviet military advisor attending the Chinese highest military conference for the first time, raised an objection.

Bai Zhuge, who was on the side, also nodded in agreement, "Old Li, you should go to Hankou for treatment; this illness cannot be delayed. Don't worry, I will watch over the Fifth War Zone for you."

In the Lanfeng Battle, logically speaking, as long as the generals of all sides obeyed orders, Xue Laohu could also have created a Lanfeng Victory.

At the meeting, the Soviet military advisor took the initiative to praise the Sichuan Army's plan, which caused many generals to cast their gazes toward Sun Zhen.

Because of the failure of the Lanfeng Battle, the Central Army troops retreated very rapidly, and the Japanese Army 14th Division, under the leadership of Doihara Kenji, had even beaten the troops of Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie to a pulp.

"On the contrary, the Taierzhuang Campaign of this Xuzhou Battle, plus the active offensive of the Sichuan Army in the Seventh War Zone in the Songhu Region, adopting preemptive measures to attack the Japanese Army and disrupt the Japanese Army's steps—this method is very good."

Sun Zhen also asked Yu Hua if something had happened in Sichuan Province; Yu Hua indicated that nothing was wrong and briefly explained the situation to Sun Zhen.

Li Delin showed the telegram to Bai Zhuge. Old Bai, acting as Commander, sent a telegram to Sun Zhen of the Sichuan Army and simultaneously forwarded the telegram to the Sichuan Army Second Route Army Headquarters.

"A portion of the troops from a Battalion under the Jin Jizhong Brigade was targeted by the Japanese Army while operating in the Hutou Mountain and Qingfeng Stronghold area, and this small unit was almost wiped out by the Japanese Army."

"Such a person is truly wasted in a bandit den. I must send a telegram to Jin Jizhong and have him lure Zhou Weiguo into our Sichuan Army ranks."

For now, let's just make a preliminary plan for the campaign and discuss it further after the Guangxi Clique generals arrive in Hankou.

At this time, the location where Li Delin of the Fifth War Zone was staying was also in a small town in the northwest corner of Southern Anhui Province.

Finally, several high-ranking military and political officials deliberated; the failure of this Lanfeng Battle indeed required someone to take responsibility.

"However, in terms of military strength, our army is still unable to go head-to-head with the Japanese Army. The combat effectiveness of the Japanese Army is far stronger than ours. The main method for defending Wuhan without fighting in Wuhan is to conduct operations on exterior lines."

After listening to Yu Hua's introduction, Sun Zhen clapped his hands and said, "This Zhou Weiguo is truly a character, remarkable!"

"That's a good thing!" Sun Zhen was overjoyed upon hearing this, "Brother Yu, you must have your wife contact Xiao Ya more often; let's strive to get Zhou Weiguo into our ranks."

Cherepanov attended the highest military conference, and the Chinese side provided him with an interpreter; Xu Yongchang's words were also translated by the Interpreter without missing a single word.

"I remember the person leading them was named Zhu Ziming, right?"

"The bandits from Qingfeng Stronghold appeared halfway, repelled the Japanese Army, and saved Wang Zhangsheng and his group."

"Xu!" Cherepanov looked at Xu Yongchang, "After I arrived in China, I watched the records of the previous several battles. I just discovered that in battles such as the Xinkou Battle and the later stages of the Battle of Songhu, the defensive battles adopted by the Chinese troops were basically all using tiered firepower configurations to block the Japanese Army."

After the Medic treated Li Delin for a while, he said softly, "Commander Li, your cough is quite severe; you must go to the foreigner's hospital in Hankou for inpatient treatment."

Li Delin still had confidence in his old partner Bai Zhuge; he had old Bai draft a telegram and send it to the Nanjing Command in Hankou.

Later, because of his meritorious service in the Nankou Bloody Battle, he was transferred away from Tang Enbo's troops, went south to Songhu, and led his army in a bloody battle in Shanghai; this person was also the core of the core among Chang Kaishen's Central Army troops.

Seeing someone who shared his opinion, Xue Laohu stood up, "Good, good, good... since that is the case, then let me be the villain."

"The passivity of this Lanfeng Battle is entirely the fault of Gui Yongqing and Huang Jie; I propose that both of them be executed by firing squad immediately."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Li Delin coughed very severely.

In Anhui Province, after Sun Zhen received the telegram, he discussed it with Yu Hua, and the two went to Hankou together to attend the military conference.

Sun Zhen looked at Yu Hua, "Brother Yu, is there anything special about this Zhou Weiguo? You are so surprised?"

In view of the fact that Fifth War Zone Commander Li Delin was coming to Hankou, everyone felt that the Guangxi Clique Troops could not be absent from the upcoming meeting, so they decided to convene the highest military conference after Li Delin arrived in Hankou.

Following that, Yu Hua began to introduce Zhou Weiguo to Sun Zhen, "Commander-in-Chief, this Zhou Weiguo can also be considered a figure among the Central Army troops. When he was at the Whampoa Military Academy, he led a student unit, annihilated Gui Yongqing's West Army, wiped out the West Army headquarters, and all the high-ranking officers of the West Army command post were killed in action."

"Wuhan was never a place for long-term combat; although we achieved several great victories in the Battle of Songhu, the Battle of Nanjing, and the Xuzhou Battle."

"The Xuzhou Battle was an interior line operation commanded by Commander Li Delin, while Wuhan is an exterior line operation. When we defend Wuhan, no matter how things change, we must maintain mobile forces in exterior line operations and maneuver with the Japanese Army to gain an advantage."

"Sun!" Cherepanov's gaze turned to Sun Zhen, "Regarding the operations in the Wuhan region, what are your thoughts?!"

Compared to Huang Jie and Gui Yongqing, Long Muhan had relatively shallow seniority. He was in the first class of the Whampoa Military Academy. When fighting in the Pingjin Region, he worked under Tang Enbo and fought well in the Nankou Bloody Battle.

At the meeting, Minister He, Xu Yongchang, and others were also very surprised to hear this proposal from Xue Laohu, and Minister He also reported this matter upward.

At the meeting, after Sun Zhen finished speaking, Chen Cixiu also put forward his own ideas. First, Wuhan is located in the Dabie Mountains and Mufu Mountains; the terrain here is different from the Battle of Songhu and the Xuzhou Battle, with many mountains, which can effectively avoid the advantages of the Japanese Army's Heavy Artillery and Tank units.

"It caused our battle to fail. The enemy-to-our strength ratio was one to five, and we were still encircling the Japanese Army, yet we were beaten by a single Japanese division until we couldn't find our bearings and retreated all the way; this is simply shameful."

Compared to the local armies commanded by Li Delin, which achieved a great victory at Taierzhuang and annihilated tens of thousands of Japanese troops, and the Sichuan Army which also achieved a great victory in Teng County, the Central Army ended up in defeat.

And Huang Jie also knew shame and became brave in the later period, becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the 11th Group Army, leading troops to fight abroad, roaming across Burma, and later in the Dianxi Counterattack and the Longling Encirclement Battle, he washed away the shame of his performance in the Lanfeng Battle with the blood of the Japanese Army.

"Our place here has rudimentary medical conditions, and the treatment plan is definitely not as good as in Hankou."

After resolving the issue of the Lanfeng Battle, everyone began to focus on discussing the deployment for the next battle, but Fifth War Zone Commander Li Delin had sent a telegram to the Nanjing Command.

"The main reason for this battle's failure was that some generals did not obey orders, the troops retreated rapidly, and they did not reach the designated locations."

Ever since several major battles, Sun Zhen increasingly felt the importance of talent. While retreating through Shandong Province, whenever Sun Zhen felt someone was a talent, he would encounter them on the road and trick them into the Sichuan Army first.

And just at this moment, a Communications Soldier came to Yu Hua, "Adjutant Yu, a telegram has arrived from home."

After listening, Yu Hua's eyes widened. This really was the Zhou Weiguo he was familiar with! He didn't expect that he would still go to Xuzhou this time and join the Qingfeng Stronghold; this historical inertia is strong enough.

This Xiao Ya is currently asking his wife to contact the Sichuan Army behind enemy lines to inquire about news of Zhou Weiguo.

Hearing this, Sun Zhen praised, "I didn't expect these bandits of the Qingfeng Stronghold to be a reliable unit!"

Sun Zhen's remarks made Cherepanov very agreeable; exterior line operations were also one of his ideas, "Sun... I think about the same as you."

Suddenly, Sun Zhen turned his head to look at Yu Hua in the Adjutant's position; this kid was truly miraculous.

Sun Zhen cleared his throat, "Gentlemen, regarding the Wuhan operation, what I want to say is the strategy of defending Wuhan without fighting in Wuhan."

After Fifth War Zone Commander Li Delin received the telegram, he saw that the military and political bigwigs in Hankou not only invited him to go but also asked 22nd Group Army Commander Sun Zhen to go to Hankou as well.

Zhou Weiguo—Yu Hua had admired him quite a bit when he watched "Snow Leopard" back then. Now that he had transmigrated into this fused grand world, for such a talent who was proficient in multiple national languages and also skilled in Special Operations, Yu Hua was envious.

In Sichuan Province, after Deng Xihou and Pan Wenhua received the telegram, they replied to Sun Zhen, asking Sun Zhen to represent the Sichuan Army to attend the military conference in Hankou.

Now hearing Yu Hua's introduction, this Zhou Weiguo was simply an incredible talent; such a talent made Sun Zhen envious!

"Just like killing Han Fuqu, one must use blood to irrigate the mettle of the soldiers. When a group army general of the local army was executed, the morale of the local army soared, and they fought bravely to achieve the Taierzhuang Victory."

"In essence, it is still layered defense, blocking the Japanese Army's advance. This is very passive; the Japanese Army attacking Wuhan will merely take a little more time to capture the positions."

At the meeting, the first to speak was the Minister of the Military Affairs Department, Xu Yongchang.

In general, the terrain of Wuhan is favorable for the Chinese Army to fight, allowing for a certain suppression of the Japanese Army's land and air firepower.

Everyone at the meeting also put forward their own views. Finally, the plan regarding the operations in the Wuhan region was reported to the Old Man.

(End of this chapter)