Chapter 255: Agree to Attack Yichang

The Principal slowly lowered his hand, the bewilderment in his eyes gradually receded, replaced by the focus a leopard has when locking onto prey.

He looked at the map again, his gaze shifting repeatedly over Yichang, Yueyang, Wuhan, Nanchang, his mind racing, calculating every variable, every risk, and every possible huge gain.

Yes, moving troops from elsewhere would take at least two months.

Entering Sichuan is hard, leaving Sichuan is harder!

By the time the forces finish assembling, the daylilies will have cooled.

Now, the th War Zone's offensive is already nocked, and it is also the best opportunity, riding on the Japanese Army's redeployment to the Third War Zone.

The Senary War Zone's 18th Army lies in wait, the air force also holds local air superiority. All the elements seem, at this moment, miraculously gathered together.

This may truly be a heaven‑sent golden opportunity.

Seizing Yichang, he will no longer be the Sichuan‑bound "Liu Bei", but will be able to retake the Central Plains as "Han Gaozu". The temptation is enormous, large enough to make him gamble everything.

But the risk is too great.

He closed his eyes, and the horrific scene of the Myanmar battlefield rose in his mind: the Expeditionary Force was routed at Wild Man Mountain, bodies and bones strewn everywhere, United States aid supplies fell entirely into enemy hands. That battle not only lost fifty thousand elite troops, but also greatly reduced the Allies' confidence in the Nationalist Army.

Today, the United States still provides aid, but Roosevelt has repeatedly hinted: if the southwest corridor cannot be held and a counter‑strike demonstrated, the supplies may shift to the Soviet Union.

Reclaiming Yichang would not only open the Yangtze River waterway, but also prove to the Allies.

China is still fighting, and has the ability to take the initiative!

But what if we fail?

If the 150th Division advances alone and is bitten by the 13th Division, not only will the whole army be annihilated, but it may also cause the th War Zone's entire front to shake. The 150th Division, garrisoned at Changde, is the left wing of Changsha.

At that time, the Japanese Army would encircle Changsha from both sides, and Xue Yue would not fare well!

"Have you considered the consequences?" the Principal's voice was hoarse, "If we lose, can you bear it?"

Jiang Anguo stepped forward, stood at attention and saluted, his voice ringing: "I am willing to issue a military order! From the moment of launch, if within three days we fail to secure the key points outside Yichang, I will gladly accept military justice. If successful, we will open a lifeline for the nation and wash away the shame of Zao Yi!"

"The shame of Zao Yi…" the Principal murmured, bloodshot in his eyes.

In that battle, General Zhang Zizhong gave his life, a hundred thousand soldiers bled, he personally inscribed "Heroes for a Thousand Autumns", yet the lost ground has never been recovered. Every time he recalls it, his heart feels like being torn by a knife.

"Fang Tian… 18th Army…" the Principal muttered to himself, tapping lightly on the 18th Army's defense zone on the map, "Have you gone to find him? What was his attitude?"

"Report, Principal, as soon as I conceived this offensive plan, I rushed to Chongqing!" Jiang Anguo answered resolutely.

Jiang Anguo did not privately go to the 18th Army; he only had Xu Guozhang send someone to contact Hu Lian.

After all, he is only a Regiment Commander; you contacting an army commander is not a breach of rank.

And Hu Lian is different—Hu Lian is at least his brother‑in‑law, but persuading Hu Lian is not easy; Shipa's geographic position is simply too important.

"Good! Good! Good!" the Principal said three "good"s in a row, sprang up violently, and his eyes burst with astonishing light.

The balance in his mind, after a violent swing, finally tipped heavily toward the "offensive" side.

He walked to Jiang Anguo's side, placed both hands on his shoulders, the force so great that Jiang Anguo felt the weighty trust and expectation.

"Anguo, this battle can only win, cannot lose!"

"Yes! Principal! Anguo will die ten thousand times and never refuse!"

He returned to his desk, picked up the phone, his voice suddenly turned cold: "Connect to Xue Yue."

A moment later, the line opened. The Principal's tone left no doubt: "Xue Boling, Yueyang direction, increase pressure. I want you within three days to adopt a strong offensive posture, sparing no cost to draw the Wuhan Japanese Army's attention. Remember, it is 'posture', not a real attack—you understand?"

"Understood, Sir." Xue Yue's voice was steady as iron.

"I'll immediately send telegrams to Chen Cheng and Fang Tian, ordering the Senary War Zone to fully cooperate with you! On logistics, I will have He Yingqin devise every possible method to squeeze out a portion for you first! As for the air force, you'll have to figure it out yourself!"

"Remember, be swift! Be ruthless! Before the Japanese Army can react, take Yichang back for me!"

"Yes!"

When Jiang Anguo left the residence, the fog outside seemed to thin a bit, a ray of sunlight pierced the clouds; unexpectedly the day was almost breaking, casting a golden sheen over the staggered rooftops of the mountain city.

He knew that a battle deciding the fate of the government had just begun its prelude.

Inside the residence, the Principal returned to the map, his gaze now lacking a hint of hesitation, gaining a measure of resolve.

May 26, 1942, 7 a. m.

A C-47 transport aircraft landed at Changde Airport.

Xu Guozhang heard the news, rushed over, and the person descending from the plane was Jiang Anguo.

"Brother, Principal, have you agreed to the Yichang offensive?" Xu Guozhang asked hurriedly.

Jiang Anguo's eyes were blood‑red, he nodded, "Agreed, and I have already had Officer Xue launch the attack on Yueyang."

"Got it, brother, tell brother I— how did you persuade the Principal!" Xu Guozhang gave Jiang Anguo a thumbs‑up.

Xu Guozhang didn't believe that a colonel‑level Regiment Commander could contact the Principal; that was a huge breach of rank.

"Brother, prepare the attack on Yichang; your 150th Division is the main force; give me a map of the area around Yichang." Jiang Anguo, well‑versed in the Three Kingdoms, knew the peril of Yichang, that is Yiling.

But before seeing Yichang's terrain he dared not launch a total assault; there, the Japanese Army fielded a Class A Division, and Xu Guozhang's 150th Division was not even enough to match a Little Devil and a kettle.

Arriving at the command post of Changde Airport.

Xiao Si shouted, "Officer arrived!"

Inside the Tent, everyone stood, looking at Jiang Anguo.

Following Jiang Anguo, Xu Guozhang felt as if he were a Regiment Commander, yet he still followed, for this was his own wealth god!

Jiang Anguo immediately made a deployment, saying to Yan Xing: "Yan Xing, you are responsible for delivering some aircraft to the Third War Zone with weapons, ammunition, supplies, medical items."

"Yes, Commander." Yan Xing stepped forward.

Jiang Anguo thought for a moment, raised his right hand, "Wait, tell Commander Gu of the Third War Zone that we can provide air support, and ask him for the coordinates of Quzhou Airport, whether it is intact and can handle transport aircraft takeoffs and landings!"

Transport aircraft are crucial; if they cannot take off and land, Jiang Anguo can only have the C-47 perform an air drop.

"Order, Thunder First Brigade, responsible for material transport for the Third War Zone and the th War Zone, William, you coordinate with Yan Xing on staff matters."

"Yes, Commander." William stood up.

Jiang Anguo nodded, indicating to sit, "Xiao Si, immediately radio Lashu's Lin Yi, have him ready the Independent One Regiment, Nick, your Thunder Second Brigade, responsible for air‑lifting my Independent One Regiment to Changde."

"Yes!" Xiao Si.

"Yes, Commander!" Nick saluted, saying.