April 15, Xuzhou.

The Independent Brigade has already retreated from Nigou Town to Xuzhou. Thanks to the seizure of several Little Japanese trucks, the entire brigade's seizures and equipment have been retreated to Xuzhou together with the personnel.

The excitement brought about by the victory has calmed down a lot, and the brothers have returned to a step-by-step training life.

"Brother Jiang, it's a pleasure every time I fight with you!"

Zhang Zizhong's 59th Army also retreated from the direction of Linyi. The Japanese army pressed heavily on the border, and it was no longer wise to hold on to Linyi.

"Thank you, General Zhang, for helping me block the Sakamoto detachment of the 5th Division. Otherwise, our independent brigade would have been wiped out by the two groups of little devils. The 59th Army must have contributed a lot to the complete annihilation of Raitani's detachment!"

Jiang Dong said sincerely.

"It's all about fighting the Japanese invaders, so there's no need to be polite between us." Zhang Zizhong's tone was a little sad,

"After this battle, our 59th Army also suffered heavy losses. Now we only have less than 5,000 brothers."

"How come there are so many casualties?" The 59th Army suffered more than half of its casualties.

Zhang Zizhong smiled bitterly, "Since we separated from Brother Jiang's troops in Huaibei, our 59th Army has been fighting hard on the Linyi front line for nearly a month. The defense line was held, but its own casualties were also very high." He turned to look at Jiangdong,

"But it was all worth it, and the price paid by the little devil was not low. In the battle to completely annihilate the Segu detachment, Brother Jiang fought brilliantly, which greatly encouraged the determination of our soldiers and civilians to resist the war, and also allowed the little devil to see us.

The national prestige and military might of the Chinese people.”

The two of them walked slowly in the independent brigade station. There were many brothers doing various trainings beside them.

"I wonder what Brother Jiang thinks of the upcoming battle?" Zhang Zizhong looked at the soldiers who were training with interest.

Jiang Dong thought about it and said:

"After Linyi and Tengxian were occupied by the Japanese army, the door to the north of Xuzhou has been completely opened. In addition, the Japs suffered heavy losses this time. Judging from their usual character of revenge, the Japanese army's next offensive will definitely be more ferocious."

"Well, that's true." Zhang Zizhong seemed to be in a low mood all the time. "I heard that the Chairman of the Generalissimo will go to Xuzhou in person to commend the meritorious soldiers who contributed to the Taierzhuang victory."

Wang Shihe had already sent a telegram to Jiangdong in advance. Jiangdong naturally knew the news that the Chairman was coming.

"Yes, the Chairman's plane will arrive tomorrow, and Chief Li has informed me to pick him up."

"Hehe..." Zhang Zizhong smiled meaningfully.

He had long heard about the close relationship between the Chairman and Jiang Dong, and he neither envied nor despised it, because he knew that Jiang Dong was a strong-willed anti-Japanese man, and that was enough!

That night Jiang Dong stayed with Zhang Zizhong for dinner at the Independence Brigade. He really admired and respected this national hero and worked hard to bring the relationship between the two parties closer.

After days of hard fighting, the 59th Army's troop resources were greatly reduced and its weapons and equipment must have been almost consumed. When Zhang Zizhong left, Jiangdong presented the 59th Army with a batch of Japanese-style equipment, mainly some light and heavy machine guns and artillery.

.

At noon on April 16, Xuzhou Airport.

Under the leadership of Commander Li Zongren, commander of the Fifth War Zone, all major generals and above officers from Xuzhou went to the airport to greet the Chairman.

The plane landed smoothly, the cabin door slowly opened, and the Chairman appeared at the cabin entrance in formal attire.

"Chairman..."

"headmaster……"

…

The officers followed Li Zongren and lined up in two rows at the cabin door. Although no one had deliberately arranged it in advance, the two rows of officers stood clearly separated.

The military uniforms of a row of officers vary in color from yellow to green. They come from Sichuan Army, Guangxi Army, Northwest Army and other local armies.

In the other row, the military uniforms are straight and the leather shoes are shiny. Everyone is a shining star, and their temperament and majesty are even higher.

Seeing that the officers were still very cliquey at this time, Jiang Dong couldn't help but shake his head and sigh. He didn't want to be in the limelight at the moment, so he quietly stood at the end of the central army column.

The Chairman walked down the escalator first, followed by Wang Shihe, Director of the Attendant's Office.

It could be seen that the Chairman was in a good mood. He shook hands warmly with Li Zongren and exchanged a few words, and then met the generals present one by one.

When he saw Jiang Dong, the Chairman just smiled and had no extra words.

After leaving the airport, the chairman got into the car that had been arranged for him.

"Brother, the principal asked you to ride in the same car with him!"

Wang Shihe's face was filled with a smile, but what he said made Jiang Dong a little embarrassed. Zhang Zizhong was standing next to Jiang Dong.

"Brother, it's not appropriate!"

"Hey, do you dare to disobey the principal's order?" Wang Shihe pointed to the direction of the car, "Hurry up, we are waiting for you!"

Jiang Dong smiled awkwardly at Zhang Zizhong, who nodded slightly to him.

Arriving at the Chairman's car, Wang Shihe opened the car door for Jiang Dong with his own hands.

"Thank you, director!" Jiang Dong was flattered.

"headmaster!"

The chairman of the committee kept looking forward. He just hummed softly. When Wang Shihe sat in the passenger seat, he said softly:
Chapter completed!