The plum rain season in the Jianghuai region is like this. The drizzle has been falling all day and night and there is still no sign of stopping. The sky and the earth are empty and everything is chaotic.

Tiny water particles gathered on the aged gray-black tiles to form water droplets. They slowly rolled down the eaves and dripped into the pits of the stone slabs in front of the simple ancestral hall, making a gentle but clear "tick-tock" sound.

""Tick" sound.

A steamboat, illuminated by dim fish lanterns, slowly docked at Luozui Pier. Two regiments of signal soldiers jumped to the shore before the ship could adjust its position, saluted the alert sentry, and rushed quickly.

Towards the village ancestral hall.

An Yi, who had not closed his eyes for two consecutive days and two nights, just lay down and started breathing evenly. Lin Yaodong, the captain of the guard, took out an autumn coat and gently put it on An Yi's body. He glanced at the shabby bamboo under An Yi's body.

Xi, shook his head slightly.

There are four large incense tables in the ancestral hall. Just take out two of them and put them together to form a strong and spacious wooden bed. However, An Yi would rather sleep on the wet ground than allow anyone to do so. The reason is that the customs here are quite particular.

Ancestral halls and temples carry a very important weight in the hearts of our fellow villagers. We cannot let down our fellow villagers who treat the revolutionary army as our own family members.

Peng Jianqing walked quickly from the back hall holding an emergency telegram. When he saw An Yi sleeping so deeply on the ground, he immediately stopped. Lin Yaodong went up to meet him and asked in a low voice: "Urgent report?"

"Yes, Deputy Commander Hu called. The reconnaissance team of the Guard Battalion discovered two groups of unknown numbers marching overnight in two directions, Shuanggou Town on the north bank of the Huaihe River, which is directly north of Liuxiang Town, and Xiaozhuzhuang, fifteen kilometers northwest.

There are about 6,000 people in each group and they seem to be heading towards Liuxiang. The situation is extremely urgent." Peng Jianqing reported in a low voice.

"Ah!? Both sides discovered a large number of enemies at the same time... It seems that we can only wake up the eldest brother, otherwise we can't bear it!" Lin Yaodong pondered for a moment, then made a decisive move and strode to An Yi's side, squatted down and gently pushed An Yi

On the shoulder: "Brother, the deputy division commander is calling urgently!"

An Yi opened his red eyes with some annoyance. He was about to curse when he suddenly recalled Xiao Jiu's words. He was stunned for two seconds and quickly got up from the ground. He grabbed the message handed over by Peng Jianqing and another shrewd guard.

He had already taken the lantern and held it up steadily.

After reading the message, An Yi immediately gave an order loudly: "Xiaojiu, light all the lanterns... Jian Qing, help me get the map to the table in the middle."

"yes!"

The two of them got busy in response. More than a dozen staff officers from the division headquarters had gone to each regiment to assist in combat command. Except for Peng Jianqing and Lin Yaodong, there were no one left around An Yi.

"Report!"

"Come in!"

An Yi, who walked to the table, looked at the wet communications soldier at the door and recognized him at a glance as the platoon leader of Xia Jian's communications platoon. He couldn't help but waved: "Lieutenant Chu Zhifu, come in and talk!"

"yes!"

The lieutenant took two steps forward and stood at attention: "The enemy troops in Changhuai Town across from our regiment suddenly got up at about three o'clock in the middle of the night to make a fire and cook food. Reconnaissance on the other side found that there were only two regiments of Changhuai defenders. Suddenly there was a large group of cavalry.

Come, the exact number of people is not clear yet, but a rough estimate should be no less than five hundred."

An Yi was shocked when he heard this. He threw himself at the map on the table and calculated intensively. He stared at Liuxiang Town on the map and considered it for five minutes. He was still not sure of the enemy's true intention. He couldn't help but put down his pencil and walked back and forth, thinking silently...

At the military camp in Liuxiang Town, Hu Jialin was secretly frightened when he faced the urgent reports sent back by the reconnaissance team. He did not expect that the enemy's mobilization was so bold and fast, and they actually fought hard in the weather and rainy night that the Northern Army was most unsuitable for. He couldn't help but think of

After reading the contents of the phone call between him and the enemy commander Chu Yupu, he vaguely felt that the veteran commander was angry.

Gu Changfeng stepped forward and said loudly: "At this time, there is no news from the boss... Huzi, the boss shouldn't be so indecisive. From the intelligence, the enemy must be coming towards our Liuxiang. Come and see -

Although we do not yet know the number of this group of enemies in the northwest direction of Xiaozhuzhuang, judging from the number of people, it is definitely not less than a brigade. Excluding the artillery team that cannot follow due to weather and marching difficulties, it is probably the strength of a division.

Looking at Shuanggou Town on the opposite side, the enemy reinforcements that have just arrived must be the 11th Division from Suqian. Judging from the groups of torches along the coast, they are looking for boats to cross the river.

The six-kilometer-long Huaihe River embankment on our right wing is low. They may cross the river from a certain section of the river at any time. It is simply impossible for our small force to intercept the entire line. If the enemy arrives from the direction of Xiaozhuzhuang after dawn, we will

We are attacked from both sides. Therefore, we must come up with countermeasures as soon as possible, otherwise we will be very passive!"

Hu Jialin nodded and patted Gu Changfeng on the shoulder: "Although what you said makes sense, since Xiaoyi hasn't made a decision yet, he must have seen something we can't see. We don't have to worry.

There is plenty of time.

I made some calculations and found that the 11th Division in Shuanggou Town on the other side was unlikely to find a way to cross the river before dawn. All the folks on the other side had sailed their fishing boats to Nushan Lake behind us, even if the enemy troops rushed from upstream.

If ships are mobilized, can they cross the river and fight immediately with the fatigue of continuous march?

Another reason why the enemies of Xiaozhuzhuang stopped and did not continue to advance towards Liuxiang was not just to rest and recover, but also to change direction and go straight to the mouth of Tonghe River. This possibility exists.

, we have no troops stationed near the mouth of the Tonghe River. The enemy can calmly mobilize the ships in the upper reaches of the Tonghe River, forcefully cross the Huaihe River from the mouth of the river, and encircle us in Liuxiang.

Under such circumstances, we still have to watch Changhuai Town with open eyes. What will the remaining two regiments of the enemy's 9th Division and a cavalry team of more than 500 people do? Should they join these two armies or fight against them?

I, Liuxiang, am launching a three-sided attack, or have other intentions? These all have to be taken into consideration..."

"Report, the division is calling!" The staff major of the division strode forward to report.

After hearing this, both of them became energetic. Hu Jialin waved his hand: "Read it!"

"yes!"

The major staff officer read the message aloud: "The enemy's outflanking of Liuxiang is a pure illusion. The main target must be the mouth of Tonghe River. Order your troops to immediately mobilize the people in Liuxiang. The entire regiment quickly retreats to the front line of Panjia Town, digs fortifications, and resolutely resists the enemy's main force.

To avoid being attacked on three sides, the division will be assigned to the engineer battalion and the mortar company will be assigned to your unit. The minimum requirement is to hold on until one o'clock at noon tomorrow."

Hu Jialin, Gu Changfeng and others looked at each other for a moment, and then walked to the map hanging high on the side of the wall. After looking at it for a long time, Hu Jialin and Gu Changfeng exclaimed at the same time, "I understand!", and orders were issued immediately, on a rainy night.

Liuxiang Town suddenly became noisy and noisy.

At five o'clock in the morning, on the south bank of the intersection of Tonghe Estuary and Huaihe River.

After an hour and a half of rapid march, the 600 officers and soldiers of Chen Zhibiao's Second Regiment successfully arrived at the dense forest opposite the river mouth on the north bank. Chief of Staff Yang Bin did not wait for the tent to be put up, loudly ordered the radio station to prepare, and soon sent the message to An Yi in the rear.

Chen Zhibiao directed the officers and soldiers of each battalion to go out to the blocking position of Gu Changfeng's third regiment yesterday, and braved the drizzle to start trench construction.

In Ziyang Town, nine kilometers behind the Second Regiment, more than 3,000 villagers who enthusiastically rushed forward led pack horses and carried a pair of auxiliary burdens, sending boxes of bullets and artillery shells to the Second Regiment's position ahead.

When there was not enough, the villagers tied up the ammunition boxes with ropes and carried them on their backs. They walked quickly through the mud with bare feet. From time to time, ragged clothes could be seen in the team.

All the villagers have only one wish in their hearts at this moment: to fight with the revolutionary army and drive away all the warlords who have been oppressing them for more than ten years, so that they can live a life free from oppression and deprivation.

, a peaceful life without excessive taxation, arbitrary beatings by heinous warlords, and frequent beheadings.

At six o'clock in the morning, Gupei Town, southeast of the entire front line.

Yin Jinan took off his Colt gun and its holster and handed it to the forty-five-year-old Maogen. Under the eager gaze of General Mantang and the captains of the Self-Defense Forces in the towns along Nushan Lake, he said politely:

"Uncle Maogen, please accept this small gift from me. The profound friendship of the folks will always be remembered in the hearts of the 11,000 officers and soldiers of Jinan and the Independent Division!"

"No, no! How can I accept this generous gift from the general? No, no! I can just use the spear on my back. This gun is easy to use and can hit accurately... Look, the bullets in my waist

There are two hundred bullets in the belt, and among the eight hundred self-defense warriors, I have the most bullets." Uncle Maogen, who had a dark face and high cheekbones, excitedly refused.

Yin Jinan took half a step forward, held Maogen's gun-holding hand tightly, and said sincerely: "Take it, Uncle Maogen, my nephew is also a child of a poor family, so don't stay with me. The mission of the Self-Defense Forces

Very onerous, not only

We need to organize villagers to park more than 600 boats at various docks in the west of the lake. We also need to drive the two ferries to the Luozui dock in the east of the lake to transport batches of bullets and artillery shells to a group of positions in the north.

, very difficult!

This time we entered the Wuhe area to fight. If we had not received the full support of the folks in every village and town, it would have been impossible for our independent division to fight against the surging more than 20,000 enemies. Without the selfless help of the folks, we would not have been able to fight.

We will win again and again. The villagers are the relatives of our revolutionary army!

After the battle, my nephew will suggest that our army keep all the captured materials, including long and short guns and hundreds of pack horses, to thank the villagers for their deep friendship, so this gun is nothing. Uncle Maogen carries it on his back.

It’s just a little thought.”

Xia Jian, who was on the side, saw that the two were at loggerheads and quickly came forward to persuade them: "Take it, Uncle Maogen. After we capture Wuhe County at noon, my nephew's group of brothers will take all the cloth and salt in the city.

All the farm tools were moved to Gupei Town and distributed to the folks in each town, haha!"

A dozen Red Guard captains were startled when they heard this. Uncle Maogen opened his mouth wide and asked in shock: "Oh my god... you actually want to attack the county town?"

"We are going to attack the county town. Otherwise, why would we be so anxious to ask the villagers to send so much ammunition overnight? Haha!" Yin Jinan laughed and ordered Uncle Maogen to accept the gift and set off as soon as possible.

Uncle Maogen and a dozen Red Guard captains were in great spirits, admiring the courage and heroism of the revolutionary army. They accepted the gifts happily without any further excuses, and then walked out with gifts from Yin Jinan, Xia Jian and other generals.

At the gate of Guandi Temple, he bowed and said goodbye, and quickly ran to the south pier.

Just as Yin Jinan was about to turn around and return to the temple, three war horses came galloping out of the covering rain. More than ten meters away from the temple gate, the three people on the horse dismounted. The leader, Dou Fang, took two steps forward and immediately stood at attention.

salute:

"Reporting to the deputy division commander, the Third Division and the teaching team of Chief Chen Kan successfully captured Qiaotou Town four hours ago and wiped out all 265 enemy defenders in the town. According to the latest instructions from the division commander, the Third Teaching Brigade

A company and its third team came to report quickly and obeyed the commander's instructions."

"Are you all here? Isn't Qiaotou Town guarded?" Yin Jinan asked in surprise.

Dou Fangzhan smiled: "There is no need to send people to guard. The railway line from Shimen to Banqiao in the south of Qiaotou Town has been occupied by the friendly Forty Army. The subordinate reconnaissance team has established contact with the friendly forces and will

Please bring back the friendly forces' next action direction, sir, and please send a telegram to the division commander."

"Great! Now we don't have to worry about anything. We can spread our arms and fuck!" Yin Jinan said a rare curse word, and then led the brothers into the temple in a hurry.

…

6:40 a.m., Luozui Village Ancestral Hall, Independent Division Temporary Headquarters.

"...On the northern front, the first regiment and divisional units are choosing favorable terrain to build a four-kilometer-long blocking position. The enemy's 11th Division on the other side of the Huaihe River has discovered that our army has abandoned Liuxiang Town. Under the cover of mortars,

We began to forcibly cross the river. At the same time, after the enemy's reinforcements from Xiaozhuzhuang reached Tiangang, they suddenly turned south and drove all the way to the north bank of Tonghe River. Deputy Commander Hu judged that the enemy's final direction was exactly what we had determined in advance.

at the mouth of the Tonghe River; the Second Regiment sent a report that no trace of the enemy troops had been found at the mouth of the Tonghe River on the western front at this time, but the enemy troops in Changhuai Town west of the Tonghe River began to advance slowly eastward, with no cavalry accompanying them; Deputy Division Commander Yin of the Southern Front

Incoming call, the three companies of Chen Kan's teaching brigade have reunited with the independent regiment, one regiment. Over!" Peng Jianqing sat back in his seat after reporting. It seems that he has become more and more accustomed to the work of the communications staff.

An Yi nodded with satisfaction: "Okay, the banquet has been set up, just waiting for the guests to come. This time the second and third regiments each faced opponents from one division, which was very stressful! But the more fierce they fought, the more intense they became.

The more determined you are, the greater your support will be for the actions of the Independent Regiment and the First Regiment.

Since Chu Yupu, a veteran on the battlefield, grits his teeth and wants to have a fight with us, we will fully satisfy his wish. This battle will not only have a huge deterrent effect on the Zhilu Allied Forces, but also General Li Delin in the direction of Bengbu.

Very big branch

Hold on. As long as we successfully capture Wuhe County, the enemy's two divisions and one brigade that stormed our first and second regiments will inevitably retreat to the north bank of the Huaihe River in panic. I won't let them take it easy without biting off a big piece of his flesh.
Chapter completed!