While Jiang Dong was discussing the Rockefeller family with Wu Zhan, a telegram from the Chairman of the Generalissimo was sent from Xi'an to Niangziguan.

"Telegram from Division Commander, Deputy Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Generalissimo."

The confidential staff officer felt that the expressions on the faces of the two officers today were a bit strange, but he did not ask any further questions and handed the telegram to Wu Zhan.

Wu Zhan glanced at it briefly and then handed it to Jiang Dong.

Jiang Dong diverted his thoughts away from the Rockefeller family. When he saw the contents of the telegram, his brows jumped.

"Inform Zhang Shengqing and Feng Jinzhang that they are here for a meeting, hurry up."

Wu Zhan nodded, turned around and asked the correspondent to make a call.

In less than half an hour, two division commanders and two deputy division commanders arrived at the headquarters.

Jiang Dong handed the telegram to everyone, and everyone circulated it one by one, their faces a little solemn.

"Commander, Chairman, what does this mean?" Zhang Shengqing was the first to speak with a frown.

Jiang Dong motioned for several people to sit down, glanced at everyone, and spoke slowly,

"We have developed too fast in the past two years. I originally thought that the chairman would not be able to tolerate us and break up with us.

But I didn't expect that the Chairman of the General Committee still had the same trust in me as before. At the beginning of the battle, the Chairman of the General Committee told me that he would hand over the military and political power in southeastern Shanxi to my hands.

Although these places were originally under our control, with the appointment of the Military Commission and the national government, we can do things more legitimately and will not make the little devils laugh."

Everyone's brows gradually relaxed, but there was still confusion on their faces.

Jiang Dong pointed to the telegram placed among everyone,

"I think what the Chairman means is for us to stop the Japanese troops on the Eastern Front alone.

The Fifth and 14th Group Armies must establish a foothold in Pingyao and Fenyang, and if we want to gain military and political power in southeastern Shanxi, we must keep the Japanese out of the area.

To put it bluntly, we have the ability to accomplish great things. If the Japanese can be blocked north of the Zhengtai Railway, that would be great. At that time, the military power of the counties south of the railway was in our hands. The Army Expansion Committee

It won’t be difficult for you if you grow up.”

"Only by ourselves, we may not be able to defend the vast defense line from Niangziguan to Pingyao..." Feng Jinzhang exaggeratedly drew a long line in mid-air.

Jiang Dong smiled bitterly, spread his hands and said:

"This is what I mean when I say you have the ability to do great things, and this is also what the Chairman means."

Wu Zhan's thinking was very flexible and his brain was quick. He thought for a while and said:

"The Zhengtai Railway is the lifeline of the little devils in Shanxi. If we are stuck at Niangzi Pass, we are stuck seven inches of the little devils.

Now the Japanese army is busy dealing with the Fifth and Fourteenth Group Armies, and when they take their hands off, I'm afraid they won't let us stay in Niangziguan anymore."

Jiang Dong and Zhang Shengqing's people nodded. Wu Zhan pointed to the battle map and analyzed:

"According to what the division commander just said, we can accomplish whatever we can. Judging from the strength we currently have, Niangziguan and Zhengtai Railway must be abandoned.

Only by building a defense line in the Taiyue Mountains area north of Datonggu and Wuxiang can it be possible to gain a firm foothold.

If everything goes well for the Chinese troops on the western front, after this battle, China and Japan will form a confrontation in the northern section of Taiyue Mountain and the upper reaches of the Fen River."

Jiang Dong smiled and glanced at Wu Zhan, then nodded with great approval,

"Indeed, Wu Zhan's analysis is similar to my previous assumptions. Our current strength can only control these places. No more will be beyond our capabilities."

Jia Dalin clicked around on the map and said:

"If this is the next line of confrontation, then we will have one...two...three..."

"18 counties!" Jia Dalin had just counted halfway when Wu Zhan said:

"Including Jincheng and other places, there will be 18 counties directly under our control in the future."

"All 18 counties belong to us?"

"That's quite a lot. Why can't I feel that there are so many!"

Everyone's face was a little surprised. Some people didn't know who they were, but they were shocked when they were counted.

Jiang Dong clapped his hands and brought everyone back from their thoughts.

"It's really worthless, isn't it just 18 counties? Look at how you have never seen the world.

Do you know how many county-level administrative units there are in Shanxi?"

Everyone shook their heads in unison, almost throwing out their tongues.

"117 (the specific data from the Republic of China was not found, but there were 117 at the end of the Qing Dynasty), and 18 counties only accounted for 1/10. You are too easily satisfied."

"What the teacher means is that from now on these 117 counties will belong to us. What will happen to Yan Xishan?" Feng Jinzhang said while drooling.

He was quickly pressed down by Zhang Shengqing's big hand.

"We are discussing military affairs now, why are you daydreaming!"

"Hahaha……"

Everyone laughed, but after laughing, they remembered Feng Jinzhang's words in their hearts.

"The 5th Army and the 14th Army will start to retreat tonight, but the kid is approaching in two groups, and they will definitely not be allowed to escape easily."

Jiang Dong looked at everyone and said:

"If the Fifth Group Army and the Fourteenth Group Army cannot move, then the Pingyao and Fenyang defense lines will be empty talk. If one move affects the whole body, we will be able to control at most half of the 18 counties.

Therefore, we must take action to reduce the pressure on the two armies."

"Commander, the Japanese 116th Division will arrive outside Niangzi Pass soon, and the pressure we are facing is not light." Wu Zhanti heard this.

Jiang Dong nodded and said,

"The 116th Division is used to contain us. The Japanese general wants to turn around and deal with us when he is full. We cannot let him get his way."

Everyone knew that Jiangdong was going to start assigning combat tasks next, and a few of them were sitting at attention.

"The 3rd Division belongs to the 789th, with three regiments staying at Niangziguan and one regiment going to Datong Valley to set up defenses. They are needed to support the 2nd Division when it retreats.

The Second Regiment and the Third Regiment went to Yushe, Wuxiang and Qin County to mobilize local people and build strong defenses in the northern section of Taiyue Mountain. This line of defense is crucial to whether we can develop safely in these 18 counties."

Zhang Shengqing and Jia Dalin stood up at the same time,

"Don't worry, Commander, we will definitely do a good job in this matter."

"In addition, let the 98th Army withdraw and go to Yangquan to assume a westward attack posture.

If the Japs ignore it, let them move westward along the Zhengtai Railway. In short, we cannot let the Japanese garrison and independent mixed brigade attack the two armies wholeheartedly.

Wei Guodong's scouts are still the vanguard of the 98th Army. They are told to be more courageous, go up and bite the Japs when they see them, fight if they can win, and run away if they can't.

Compared with the little devils, they have an absolute mobility advantage.

I hope they haven’t forgotten guerrilla tactics like sparrow warfare.”

Wu Zhan carefully recorded Jiangdong's orders, and then conveyed the orders to various combat units via telephone or telegram.

After the meeting, the troops immediately took action.

The press corps, Wang Chao, Jiang Lin and others followed the first division to retreat to the rear.

Soon only the main combat unit of the 3rd Division was left in the Niangziguan area, with more than 15,000 men.

…

On the night of July 10th, Fu Yue, who looked a bit ugly, withdrew his troops from the position in a mess.

After losing Da'an County, the commander of the 15th Army Wu Tinglin gave his brother-in-law several severe slaps.

Despite this, Wu Tinglin finally saved Fu Yue's life.

Now the troops are about to retreat. In order to avoid chaos, each unit has a strict retreat order.

Fu Yue got a death order this time, and his troops must hold on until 8 p.m.

After the experience in Da'an County, although Fu Yue was extremely scared this time, he did not dare to run away in the end.

The 244th Brigade persisted until the time required by the summit, and then withdrew from the position under the leadership of Fu Yue.

The one facing them was the 13th Independent Guard Group. Although the opponent only had 5,000 people, its combat effectiveness was much stronger than that of the 15th Army.

The various units of the 15th Army adopted the method of covering each other's retreat. The 244th Brigade retreated towards Yuci after completing the blocking mission.

As soon as the troops passed Yuci, Fu Yue stopped everyone.

"Brigadier, why don't you leave?" A gray-faced colonel asked eagerly, "Just hold on for a while, while it's night and the little Japs don't catch up."

He thought Fu Yue was tired and wanted to stop and rest.

Fu Yue ignored the regiment leader and asked the accompanying staff officer to open the combat map.

Under the pale flashlight light, Fu Yue's fingers kept wandering around the map.

He may not know much about fighting, but he is extremely good at escaping.

Several major officers of the 244th Brigade gathered next to Fu Yue, and everyone looked very anxious.

After about three minutes, Fu Yue finally spoke,
To be continued...