Chapter 426: Pretty Good Indeed

Liu Zhangqing brought Zhang Yungang before Yu Hua.

"Old Yu, this is Zhang Yungang, from the troops under Xu Yuanquan's 26th Group Army. The order they received is also to attack the airfield."

Zhang Yungang nodded to Yu Hua, "Greetings, Officer!"

"Regimental Commander Zhang, how many men does your unit have?"

"Reporting to the officer, our regiment is a reinforced regiment of the 26th Group Army, with five thousand men. Among them, there is one mortar company with six 82mm mortars."

"Most of the rifles used by the soldiers in the whole regiment are Hanyang Rifles, and there are quite a lot of new recruits among them!"

"As for light and heavy machine guns, our regiment still has relatively few; we cannot compare to the Sichuan Army Independent Brigade!"

Speaking of this, Zhang Yungang looked at Yu Hua, "Officer, the soldiers of our regiment will obey the command of the Sichuan Army entirely, absolutely without any complaints. I hope the officer will not look down upon our regiment."

"You kid, besides thinking about women to be your wife, can you not think of anything else?" Yu Hua teased.

"This has also led to our unit's combat effectiveness dropping too quickly. Many troops, as soon as they come into contact with the Japanese 6th Division and the Hada Detachment, collapse at the first touch. That is also because there are many new recruits who, facing the sea, land, and air firepower of the little devils, suddenly lose their nerve."

"Old Yu, you must speak with a clear conscience." Liu Zhangqing suddenly became spirited: "You kid went back to Sichuan Province last time, and with the two Commanders Deng Xihou and Pan Wenhua acting as matchmakers, you got married."

Yang Sen and the others laughed happily; what the 27th Group Army lacks now is manpower.

"Let this group of Old Soldiers lead your regiment to fight the little devils, hone the unit's combat effectiveness, and let the new recruits experience the baptism of fire as soon as possible."

Regarding the situation of Zhang Yungang's regiment, it can only be described as terrible!

At Yixiantian Canyon, Yu Hua and Liu Zhangqing observed the soldiers of Zhang Yungang's regiment, and at this sight, both of their hearts sank to the bottom.

"The New First Army has replenished its troops!" Xia Jiong did not keep them in suspense and said it directly.

Yu Hua patted Zhang Yungang on the shoulder: "We are all friendly forces. Tonight, our Sichuan Army will lead your regiment to fight the devils; don't be afraid!"

"Besides, once the fighting really starts and the Japanese Army sends reinforcements, I will also need replacement troops. Your regiment will temporarily serve as a reserve force."

"The two of us were both bachelors back then. You are doing well now; you have a wife. In the middle of winter, when you crawl into the blankets, the fragrance hits your nose, and it's warm!"

Immediately, Yang Sen had his Adjutant draft a telegram and send it to Xu Yuanquan. The wording was very stern; otherwise, the Sichuan Army would report to the war zone that the 26th Group Army was not doing its duty.

"This is truly good news. The New First Army's manpower has been replenished, and our Group Army has also recovered quite a bit of combat effectiveness!"

Yu Hua thought for a moment; this army still needs careful consideration regarding its use, otherwise, it will easily lead to a big mess. Liu Zhangqing patted Yu Hua on the shoulder: "Old Yu!"

Hearing this, Yang Sen frowned slightly: "How could this Liu Zhangqing be so careless! Anqing is such an important position, it cannot be lost. Once it is lost, it will be a bit difficult for us to take it back."

Yang Sen's Adjutant stepped forward: "Commander-in-Chief, we previously received a telegram from the Independent Brigade. Liu Zhangqing led his troops to settle in Yangqing County. That place is only fifty kilometers away from Anqing. Logically speaking, they should have arrived at Anqing City long ago."

"If our Group Army still had sixty percent of its Old Soldiers, I could guarantee that this time, when Inaba Shiro and Boda Chongyi led their troops to charge our Group Army's defensive line, it would absolutely not have collapsed so quickly."

The first thing everyone thought of was Yu Hua and Liu Zhangqing leading their troops to launch an attack on the Japanese Army outside Anqing City.

"Adjutant Yu is also in the Independent Brigade. Our Sichuan Army will certainly not stand by and watch them die. Adjutant Yu is a master of strategy; you must have confidence."

"You must keep an eye on this combat plan. These soldiers of Zhang Yungang's regiment cannot be compared to our Sichuan Army soldiers. Don't make it too difficult; keep it simple and look after the soldiers of the 26th Group Army."

"Could it be that Adjutant Yu and the others have taken action and won a beautiful, great victory?!"

"Where has the Liu Zhangqing Brigade reached now? Why haven't they arrived at Anqing yet?"

"This 26th Group Army collapses at the first touch, causing loopholes in our defensive line. This Xu Yuanquan also bears some responsibility; we must make this old guy put in some effort too."

Zhang Yungang's regiment has poor combat effectiveness. Yu Hua feels that he should use simple battles to train this army, let the new recruits get familiar with the battlefield situation, and adapt to the war more quickly.

Zhang Yungang's troops can likely only be used to fight easy battles; once they encounter a hard battle, they will immediately retreat.

Hearing this!

"Hmm!" Yu Hua nodded: "Brigade Commander Liu, your 'Adjutant' title is cancelled. Isn't this a good thing?"

Regarding this, Xia Jiong waved his hand: "No!"

In an instant! Liu Zhangqing's eyes widened: "Me? Brigade Commander?!"

"What is it?" Liu Zhangqing responded lazily, "Speak quickly."

Seeing Xia Jiong say it was good news, everyone looked at Xia Jiong: "What good news!"

"It's pretty good!" Zhang Yungang smiled happily: "It's quite good, I have no objections."

Hearing this, Yu Hua waved his hand: "No, no... we are all brother troops fighting the devils. Your regiment, five thousand men, how could I look down on them."

The 26th Group Army retreated, and the defensive line outside Anqing was broken through by the Japanese Army at once. The deployment of the Sichuan 27th Group Army along the Anqing line had already been broken through in many places by the Japanese 6th Division and the Hada Detachment.

Especially now that Anqing City has already fallen halfway into the hands of the Japanese Army, Chu Ming no longer has any reserve troops in his hands. Even the grooms and cooks in the regiment are now picking up guns and going to the battlefield. If reinforcements do not arrive, this Anqing City will definitely fall into the hands of the Japanese Army in two days.

"The Japanese offensive is fierce. Many Old Soldiers of the 26th Group Army all died in Songhu and Jinling. The remaining Old Soldier units, with new recruits added in, barely managed to set up the framework of the Group Army."

In this regiment of five thousand men, many new recruits had not even had two months of training. Before going to the battlefield, each person fired three shots, and then they were added to the unit.

Yu Hua also felt a headache. This Zhang Yungang's unit simply cannot compare to the new recruits just added to the Independent Brigade.

Regarding Zhang Yungang's words, Yu Hua and Liu Zhangqing agreed. Due to the previous few campaigns, most of the Old Soldiers of the Republic of China Army had died. The new recruits added in had not experienced the fire of war and collapsed very quickly.

"Ahem, ahem..." Yu Hua cleared his throat: "In view of Liu Zhangqing's heroic fighting in the Xuzhou area, annihilating countless enemies, making the little devils flee in panic, and creating favorable conditions for the Taierzhuang Victory."

"Regimental Commander Zhang!" Yu Hua came before Zhang Yungang: "In view of the fact that your regiment has too many new recruits, I have this idea: I will simply instruct the soldiers of that one battalion of yours to stay in your regiment for the time being."

"Now that this matter is finished, let me talk about the serious business!"

"After research and decision by the Chuan-Kang Pacification Office, Liu Zhangqing is appointed as the Brigade Commander of the Independent Brigade!"

Thinking of Zhang Yungang's troops, Yu Hua truly felt that the eight-year Anti-Japanese War was really not easy. Many martyrs had only trained for two or three months before being added to the troops. At that time, Yu Hua had seen an interview video where an Old Soldier talked about his enlistment.

Yang Sen's eyes lit up: "That's fine!"

However, many of these grassroots officers were promoted in a hurry and lacked rich combat experience. A new recruit entering the battlefield might even be promoted to Company Commander in a day or two.

Learning that the 26th Group Army had sent troops to the airfield, Yang Sen also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the fighting started in the direction of the airfield, the Japanese Army would definitely send troops to rescue, which could also reduce the pressure on the Chu Ming Regiment.

In previous training, the new recruits had never really fired at targets. Usually, it was all bayonet training, fortification construction, and so on.

"Regimental Commander Zhang, what do you think!?"

"Stop complaining here, kid. At worst, I'll have Ning Xin do more ideological work on Tan Yu and strive to get you married this year."

Liu Zhangqing nodded: "Thinking about it this way, it is indeed a good thing. I've made it to Brigade Commander now."

The reason the Sichuan Army troops can still maintain combat effectiveness to this day is basically because a large number of Security Forces within Sichuan Province have received rigorous training, especially in the item of live-fire shooting, where the Sichuan Army has surpassed many other armies.

Yu Hua looked toward Zhang Yungang: "Regimental Commander Zhang, in order for your regiment to familiarize itself with the Sichuan Army's combat methods as quickly as possible, I intend to draw a battalion of brothers from the Independent Brigade to conduct pre-battle training for your regiment."

Hearing this, Yu Hua could only smile awkwardly: "Alright... alright..."

Chief of Staff Xian Guangjun also nodded: "Exactly... exactly... Old Yang, you are likely too impatient; Adjutant Yu certainly understands the importance of Anqing City."

Liu Xihan stepped forward: "Why don't we send a telegram to Xu Yuanquan, asking the 26th Group Army to launch an attack on the Japanese Army outside Anqing City to support the Chu Ming Regiment!"

Seeing Liu Zhangqing holding up three fingers, Yu Hua also knew what this kid was thinking. Three rounds... they only fired three rounds for target practice before going to the battlefield. This, damn it, is what they call having soldiers well-trained? These soldiers' marksmanship, in all likelihood, couldn't even hit a devil within fifty meters.

Yang Sen curled his lips and said: "That's not any good news!"

"Regimental Commander Zhang!" Yu Hua looked at Zhang Yungang: "What is your regiment's true combat effectiveness, or rather, what is the specific situation like?"

"This time we are attacking the airfield, we must display the might of the Independent Brigade. If gods block us, kill the gods; if Buddhas block us, kill the Buddhas. Even if Jesus comes, I will slaughter the son of a bitch."

"The little devils also have two shoulders and one head; once a bullet hits, there will still be a hole."

Subsequently, under Yu Hua's arrangement, a battalion of Old Soldiers from the Independent Brigade began to enter the Zhang Yungang Regiment to impart some combat experience to the officers of the 26th Group Army.

One by one, they were also thoroughly convinced. The Sichuan Army was indeed formidable, especially some of their unique combat ideas, which made many officers of the 26th Group Army's eyes light up. So, there were so many tricks to fighting a war.

"Fine, fine, fine... I will urge Ning Xin to add some fuel to the fire for you, and strive to get Tan Yu's ideological work done, so you kid can win the beauty!"

"What about me? I am still alone; my bed is ice-cold in winter. I am all by myself. You kid, you are a full man who doesn't know the hunger of a starving man; you talk standing up and don't feel the back pain!"

"Good news!" At this moment, Xia Jiong ran over quickly, "Old Yang, Old Xian, Lao Liu, good news!"

"No problem!" Zhang Yungang patted his chest: "Officer Yu, you can rest assured. You just come; in our regiment, whoever drops the ball, I will whip the son of a bitch!"

Zhang Yungang stood at attention with a "clap-clap" and saluted Yu Hua: "Officer, just arrange it. I, Zhang Yungang, absolutely have no second words. Tonight, when we fight the devils, I will definitely fight well; otherwise, I am a son of a bitch!"

Zhang Yungang, who was on the side, saw the changes in the expressions of Liu Zhangqing and Yu Hua, and he spoke in a low voice: "Brigade Commander Liu, Officer Yu, we have no other choice."

Seeing Yu Hua say this, Liu Zhangqing immediately leaned over and put his arm around Yu Hua's shoulder: "Good brother, you must make your wife hurry up. Next time I return to Chuan, I want to enter the bridal chamber."

"Officer Yu, I can only say this: currently, the soldiers in our regiment can achieve obedience to orders, but as for constructing Field Works, tactical movements, and marksmanship, etc., this part is a weak point and is much worse compared to the Old Soldiers."

Because of the establishment of factories in Sichuan Province, plus the weapon production equipment aided by the Russians, and some weapon production lines that Yu Hua's family imported from abroad, the Sichuan Army units were able to achieve self-sufficiency in bullets.

"Old Yu, although I am a Brigade Commander, the combat plan should still be arranged by you. I trust you with matters; if I were to do it, my head would be too big."

"Let the grassroots officers of your regiment understand our Sichuan Army's combat thinking as soon as possible!"

Yang Sen's partner Xia Jiong said: "Old Yang, don't be anxious. This Liu Zhangqing is also from our Sichuan Army team. He hasn't reached Anqing yet, so he must have encountered something."

Even if your marksmanship is no good, you certainly know how to fight hand-to-hand. If the little devils want your life and you want to survive, then you have to beat the devils to death.

At first, some officers in the Zhang Yungang Regiment scoffed at this, but when Zhang Yungang taught the few troublemakers a lesson, combined with the unique training methods of the Sichuan Army Old Soldiers, it opened the eyes of many officers in the Zhang Yungang Regiment.

At this moment!

In the county town where Yang Sen was located, he received an urgent telegram from Chu Ming.

After Xu Yuanquan received Yang Sen's telegram, he immediately replied, stating that he had already organized troops to counterattack the airfield outside Anqing City and was supporting the Anqing Defense Battle.

Regarding his own regiment, he was now also very clear that the unit lacked Old Soldiers with combat experience, even though the soldiers of the Independent Brigade had just trained the grassroots officers of the Zhang Yungang Regiment.

Zhang Yungang, who was on the side, was also suddenly infected, shouting in his mouth: If gods block us, kill the gods; if Buddhas block us, kill the Buddhas. Even if Jesus comes, slaughter him!

"Brigade Commander Liu, our regiment will definitely cooperate well with the Sichuan Army to make the little devils howl and cry for their fathers and mothers!"

After reading Chu Ming's telegram, Yang Sen rubbed his head: "Adjutant!"

"Good news?" Liu Zhangqing widened his eyes: "What good news? Could it be that Xixi's sister has agreed to be my wife?"

After finishing speaking, Yu Hua looked at Liu Zhangqing: "Lao Liu, I have brought you some good news."

New recruits trained for three months, and before going to the battlefield, they were taken to the shooting range, given three bullets each for live-fire practice, and after finishing the shooting, they were immediately sent to the battlefield to be replenished into the army; the Old Soldiers said that although they only fired three live rounds at the time, once they reached the battlefield, the clashes between China and Japan were basically bayonet fights.

"Not to mention anything else, in Songhu and Jinling, our Group Army also fought bloody battles with the Japanese Army, blocking the Japanese Army's charges many times and winning precious time for the brother units to transfer."

Since Zhang Yungang agreed, Yu Hua began to make the campaign deployment!

After Yu Hua spent some time making the campaign deployment and was about to execute it, a Communications Soldier came to Yu Hua and delivered a telegram. Yu Hua's face changed drastically.

Brothers, this book has received the latest notice from the editor; it has crossed the line. Some previous content needs to be modified. When modifying today, several chapters in a row were "sent to the palace" (censored/hidden), and there is still one chapter that hasn't been rescued yet. If I write more later, I might have to be even more careful. It's too difficult!

(End of this chapter)