Chapter 526: If You're Going to Do It, Do Something Big

After arriving in Shancheng!

Yu Hua and Deng Xihou were arranged by the Military Affairs Commission to stay in a Western-style house!

Every officer who came to attend the military conference was also gathered in the surrounding Western-style houses.

The next day!

After Deng Xihou and Yu Hua finished breakfast, they received notice to prepare to attend the military conference.

After entering the venue, generals from the Central Army, Guangxi Army, Yunnan Army, Northeast Army, and other units all gathered together to chat!

Yu Hua also chatted with Lu Han of the Yunnan Army for a while!

Because, during the previous Wuhan Battle, although the Yunnan Army had fought a bit poorly, Yu Hua still had Deng Xihou and Pan Wenhua and others.

Say a few words to the Yunnan Army, and even privately sent a telegram to Long Yun, expressing that they could support the Yunnan Army.

There were also the Sulu War Zone and the Chahaer-Hebei War Zone of the Guerrilla War Zone, which conducted auxiliary attacks against the Japanese Army, pinning down Japanese forces and coordinating with the war zones that took the initiative to attack.

Four divisions failed to defeat the Japanese Army, and there were two more divisions, the 2nd Division and the 4th Division, on the way to reinforce.

In Shancheng, Yu Hua and Deng Xihou held large and small meetings for nearly seven days.

First was the Ninth War Zone; after Xue Yue returned, he began to attack the Japanese Army in Nanchang.

Immediately, Deng Xihou analyzed the remarks he had obtained from Yu Hua to everyone once more.

"Zaoyang is a good strategic point; the Japanese Army will not let it fall into our hands."

Because this campaign lasted for a very long time, from November 1939 to March 1940.

The Hundred Regiments Offensive lasted for about three months; when the campaign was nearing its end, the results of the battle between the Soviet and the Japanese Army at Nomonhan appeared.

Xue Yue agreed, and furthermore, he drafted a relevant operational plan.

At this conference, the Military Affairs Commission determined the detailed operational policy.

Instead, it was Fu Zuoyi's troops that were surrounded by the Japanese Army, and the Northwest region lost a main force.

"The Soviet truly let the Japanese Army experience what a steel torrent is, and what it means to have the ground washed by artillery shells!!"

The conference was presided over by Minister He!

Minister He stood up, his gaze looking toward everyone: "Gentlemen..."

Deng Xihou drank a small cup of liquor and ate a few peanuts: "The Japanese Army admitted defeat so quickly this time!"

Everyone at the venue had not expected that coming to attend a military conference would actually turn into a large-scale battle!

However, Minister He felt that this campaign was a bit risky because, once the Baotou Battle was not fought well and they failed to encircle and annihilate the Japanese Army.

The Third War Zone, as an auxiliary force, agreed to the counterattack.

In an instant, everyone in the entire conference room went quiet, and everyone stood up straight!

Principal Chang walked at the very front, followed by his trusted aides!

After Principal Chang sat down, the members of the Military Affairs Commission took their seats!

First!

We must regain our standing and show the Republic of China Army a thing or two.

He convened the members of the Military Affairs Commission to discuss their views on the battle between the Soviet and the Japanese Army at Nomonhan.

If the Japanese Army took advantage of the momentum to pursue and besiege the troops in the Northwest region, the devils might just be able to fight their way into the Ningxia Province in the hinterland of the Northwest!

At this current stage, the rear areas of the Republic of China were the Northwest and the Southwest respectively.

Let the last two reinforcing divisions stop their advance, dispatch diplomatic personnel, and prepare for peace talks!

Would the Soviet directly tear off the mask, start fighting with the Japanese Army, and support the Republic of China's war of resistance?

"Old Deng, is your mouth blessed?" Xu Yongchang gave a bitter smile.

Whoever wants to do the auxiliary attack can do it; in any case, he, Fu Zuoyi, would not.

"Brother Yu, our Sichuan Army followed your method in the Hundred Regiments Offensive, and although we didn't suffer a big loss."

Minister He asked happily!

After the meeting concluded, Principal Chang announced an adjournment.

After the Military Affairs Commission ended, Principal Chang sat in his office and looked out the window: "Damn it!"

Yu Hua waved his hand, "In this summary meeting, Principal Chang's mind is not on our Sichuan Army, so there is no need to worry too much!"

People like Xu Yongchang, Liu Fei, and Chen Diaoyuan were currently drinking with Deng Xihou!

Because, regarding the Nomonhan Incident, Deng Xihou had indeed hit the mark.

"According to the nature of the Japanese Army, they definitely won't be able to swallow this insult."

From the July 7th Incident until now!

"Latest order: three days later, a military conference will be convened."

"The Soviet will not send troops to assist us!"

Taking the initiative to attack the Japanese Army now, firstly, can coordinate with the Soviet, thereby attracting attention internationally!

Secondly, it can also test the results of the troops' training.

The prestige of Principal Chang's Central Army was constantly declining, while the prestige of the Sichuan Army was being sung all over the country!

He needed to boost the morale of the military and civilians nationwide in the war of resistance, so as to prove that he was the leader of the Republic of China.

The Imperial Army's backside must not be touched!!

At the same time, the Imperial General Headquarters also deeply realized that the power of the Republic of China was still a bit strong!

"Is it unfavorable for our Sichuan Army!"

We have also been training in the rear for a period of time!

Once a large number of Japanese troops appeared in the Northwest region, that would not be good.

"We have also contacted the Soviet to ask if the other side has any intention of fighting a major battle, and whether they need us to provide support!?"

Each war zone may modify its campaign plan at its discretion, but the modified campaign plan must be reported to the Military Affairs Commission.

"As for the counterattack plan, Staff Officer Bai will explain it!"

Deng Xihou first went to find Yu Hua and told him the information about the meeting to be held in three days.

Minister He and Bai Zhuge also asked everyone what their views were on the Hundred Regiments Offensive.

Whether there were other plans that could be proposed at the meeting, and then discussed and decided upon.

The other war zones also had their commendable aspects!

After studying the situation, Deputy Commander of the Eighth War Zone Fu Zuoyi decided to take the initiative to strike the Japanese Army.

The Eighth War Zone had, in any case, achieved excellent results in the Hundred Regiments Offensive!!

"Why!?" Xu Yongchang's eyes lit up!

Moreover, the National Government's own industry has now all fallen into Guizhou Province, along with the steelmaking equipment purchased from abroad.

"You definitely don't know the reason!!"

"We welcome everyone to propose better methods to make your own contributions to the overall situation of the War of Resistance!"

Mobilizing about more than one hundred Divisions, with a participating force of about one million people!

This campaign is not only to support the Soviet operations but also to seize some important strategic cities occupied by the Japanese Army.

Everyone was not sure whether the Soviet was truly willing to send troops directly to assist the Republic of China!

Seeing that so many people could not sort it out, Deng Xihou spoke directly: "Principal!"

"If you have the ability, go and wipe out the Kwantung Army!"

Bai Zhuge walked forward and smiled slightly: "The topic we are discussing at this military conference is how to counterattack!"

In the Nanchang Battle, the Japanese Army achieved victory, and the Chinese side lost Nanchang.

The aforementioned war zones will undertake active attack missions, while the First War Zone, the Eighth War Zone, and the Tenth War Zone...

"Can be proposed at the general meeting, and we will discuss them!"

Minister He patted his chest and said that ammunition and food supplies were well prepared.

At the meeting!

Since the Nanyue Military Conference, the troops in each war zone have also received military supplies and personnel reinforcements!

"Such a powerful armed force directly beat the little devils into stray dogs!"

"I suspect that the focus of the Japanese Army's next attack will be the Fifth War Zone, especially the place called Zaoyang."

This does not look like the Soviet's style at all!!

"However, the Soviet has not responded until now!"

After all, back when Marshal Liu was alive, the Yunnan Army and the Sichuan Army had dealings with each other, and everyone got along quite well!!

Very quickly!

Following a shout from someone in the Attendant Office: "The Principal has arrived!"

In addition, the first batch of cars purchased from the United States has arrived and can be used by troops in the plains.

The entire campaign was conducted in winter, hence the term Winter Offensive!!

Yu Hua pondered for a moment and said: "This meeting should be to summarize the situation of the Hundred Regiments Offensive."

Minister He did not agree with this operational plan, but Fu Zuoyi was very firm and reported it to Principal Chang.

"And then guard against a Japanese counterattack, because the Japanese troop movements are very frequent during this phase."

Since they were preparing for a major battle, many generals also asked if there were sufficient ammunition and food.

"In this Nomonhan conflict, the Soviet prepared 18,000 tons of artillery shells and 7,000 tons of fuel."

Principal Chang suggested launching the Hundred Regiments Offensive this year to counterattack the Japanese Army.

The frail Republic of China could actually provoke the dignity of the Imperial Army!

"After beating the little devils badly, I reckon the Japanese Army will definitely prepare counterattack forces."

Once these words were spoken, everyone at the scene looked at Deng Xihou.

Although the Second War Zone's offensive against the Japanese Army was fierce, it failed to stabilize the war situation under the Japanese counterattack and only recaptured some county towns!

It failed to completely annihilate the main force of the Japanese Army in the southeast triangle of Jin Province!

The Third War Zone's combat record was the worst; the counterattack did not go smoothly at all, and the front line remained unchanged.

It can test the troop command system to see if it has achieved its purpose and improved the mobility of the army.

Xu Yongchang waved his hand: "I reckon so too!"

For this Hundred Regiments Offensive launched by the Military Affairs Commission, Xue Yue simply used Nanchang as a breakthrough point to launch a counterattack.

Instead of just providing supporting attacks like at the Shancheng meeting, as the Eighth War Zone did.

"This Soviet equipment is truly frightening!!"

Deng Xihou grinned: "We held a Hundred Regiments Offensive last time."

Just as Yu Hua was analyzing the situation for Deng Xihou!

Within the Japanese Army, they were also discussing launching a key strike against the Republic of China!

This Hundred Regiments Offensive shocked the little devils!

You must know that in the past, it was always the Japanese Army taking the initiative to attack, while the Republic of China Army defended and then retreated.

One month after Xue Yue's counterattack began, other war zones also started their counterattacks.

After Fu Zuoyi started fighting, he captured Baotou very smoothly, which also added luster to the Hundred Regiments Offensive!!

Later, Fu Zuoyi also achieved the Wuyuan Great Victory, killing Japanese Lieutenant General Shuichuan Yinfu and Major General Jin Teng, as well as several Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels!!

"Especially the Japanese 11th Army; this is the mobile force of the Japanese Army inside the passes."

Lao Chang took a look, thought it was not bad, and approved Fu Zuoyi's plan.

Now that it has been installed in Guizhou Province, the supplies needed by the troops have already been prepared!

Yu Hua also did not expect that the inertia of history would be so powerful.

"Although we have not yet received a response from the Soviet side, we can take this opportunity to launch a counterattack against the Japanese Army!"

For this Hundred Regiments Offensive, the National Government has already made sufficient preparations.

"The Japanese Army and the Soviet side had a fight; last night, Principal Chang held a short meeting with me."

This nationwide offensive has stunned the little devils; they cannot accept it psychologically!

We have just received a batch of Soviet-style artillery and firearms from the Soviet side, as well as a large amount of bullets, shells, and so on.

In this Nomonhan conflict, the Japanese Army mobilized the 23rd Division and the 7th Division, as well as the 5th Division and the 14th Division.

"According to the Principal's idea, we can provide support!"

"According to the current situation, the Soviet side is unwilling to directly fall out with the Japanese side!"

Speaking of this, Minister He paused, his gaze looking at Principal Chang.

"That soft-hearted Russian!"

He wants to do it, so he will do something big... strike directly at Baotou!!

After Fu Zuoyi reported his campaign plan to Shancheng, Operations Hall Chief Liu Fei felt it was feasible.

Hearing Deng Xihou say this, Chen Diaoyuan, Xu Yongchang, and others all gasped in cold air!

"Hiss—!"

At the same time!

After Principal Chang finished speaking, Xu Yongchang and Chen Diaoyuan, as well as Bai Zhuge, Minister He, and others, were vague.

After all, after the Nanyue Military Conference, the command structures of all units were streamlined; now, this active offensive campaign.

They never dreamed that the Republic of China Army could still take the initiative to attack, and furthermore, it was a nationwide siege of the Japanese Army.

"How the hell did they turn cowardly again!"

Back when the Nanchang Battle failed, Luo Zhuoying reported to Xue Yue, wanting to take Nanchang back.

"There are as many as 844 tanks and armored vehicles, as many as 515 aircraft, and 542 pieces of artillery with a caliber of 100mm or more!"

Deng Xihou awkwardly scratched his head!

After the few of them chatted for a while, they dispersed on their own.

"Tell me your thoughts!"

The location of Baotou is extremely important; Gui-Sui, Baotou, and Zhangjiakou, these three strategic fulcrums, are like a sharp knife inserted into the heart of the Republic of China's northwest.

After everyone heard this, they were truly shocked!

With this finishing touch from Deng Xihou, the internal deliberations of the National Government suggest that this War of Resistance can really only rely on itself now.

After Principal Chang nodded, Minister He continued: "Gentlemen, the Kwantung Army and the Soviet side are currently fighting fiercely!"

In the original timeline, Principal Chang had launched a Hundred Regiments Offensive back then, also called the Winter Offensive!

Immediately, Bai Zhuge began to explain the Military Committee's counterattack plan!

"We should be on guard!"

The Japanese Army took the initiative to sue for peace, and the Soviet side did not hold it against them, which left many in the National Government dumbfounded!

He asked the Third War Zone to cooperate and jointly strike the Japanese Army in Nanchang.

"Below, I will briefly introduce the counterattack plan, in case you all have better ideas."

The war zones participating in this active offensive campaign include the Second War Zone, the Third War Zone, the Fifth War Zone, and the Ninth War Zone.

Seeing the Sichuan Army so formidable now, Lu Han also had a bit of an intention to draw closer.

"We are about to hold a military conference!"

"Currently in the northeast region of our country."

Only by enduring bitterly and waiting for changes can we bring hope to everyone!

At the same time, Xue Yue also contacted Shangguan Yunxiang of the Third War Zone.

The next day!

The Commanders of each war zone also headed to Shancheng for the meeting.

"You bunch of Russians, you must not let me down!"

Subsequently, Bai Zhuge announced;

After Principal Chang learned of this matter, he cursed again in his office: "Motherfucker!"

"However, they didn't gain much of an advantage either; at this summary meeting, what is Lao Chang thinking?"

Just as Xu Yongchang's voice fell, the door of the private room they were in was knocked on!

Liu Fei had someone open the door, and a Staff Officer walked in and saluted the group!

Seeing that the four divisions at the front could not tear open the Soviet defense line, the Imperial General Headquarters immediately felt there was no need to continue fighting.

"Old Deng!"

One must know that the Japanese Army has now occupied almost half of the territory of the Republic of China.

That the Republic of China Army still has the strength to counterattack forces the Imperial General Headquarters to re-evaluate the combat effectiveness of the National Government.

(End of this chapter)