Yes, the two Japanese divisions coming from the southeast have already exchanged fire with the Chinese troops who were waiting for them at the Huaihe River.
The 5th Division under Seishiro Itagaki and the 10th Division under Isotani Rensuke, sent by the Japanese North China Front, each divided into two groups and headed towards Xuzhou just as they did in time and space.
The Japanese army played a big game of chess.
In the Battle of Songhu a few months ago, the main Chinese force retreated smoothly due to the obstruction of Songjiang. This time, due to the dispute over the communication line, the two major Japanese front armies hoped to annihilate the 600,000 Chinese army gathered by the 200,000-strong force in one fell swoop.
Unwilling to compromise, China formed a crushing force to occupy the entire territory of China as soon as possible and reduce the huge consumption borne by Japan's local industry and agriculture.
Not to mention Japan's North China Front, the Central China Front, which is the base camp of the Japanese Army, is also extremely concerned about this battle.
But perhaps only Tang Dao knew that for China and Japan, this battle meant that the Japanese army would not be able to achieve their greatest goal, and the Chinese side would not be able to defend the communication line as they imagined.
However, although the Japanese finally occupied northern Jiangsu after a fierce battle in March, the Japanese army lost more than 10,000 people in the battles between Youteng County and Taierzhuang. This was the first time since the war between China and Japan that the Japanese lost more than 10,000 people in a local battle in a large-scale battle.
After annihilating so many Japanese troops, Chinese soldiers can leave the battlefield with their heads held high.
Moreover, because of the participation of the 67th Army this time, the 59th Army is also more flexible. Tang Dao is not worried about the outcome of the next Xuzhou War. If it is not good, the Taierzhuang Battle may give Seishiro Itagaki and Juichi Terauchi a heart attack.
Not necessarily hair.
To be honest, compared to Xuzhou, which is hundreds of kilometers away, Tang Dao is more concerned about the war on the front line in Henan Province. As if to vent the failure of the New Year's Eve plane bombing and the New Year's attack on Tang Dao, starting from the second day of the Lunar New Year, the Japanese army has stepped up its attack on the front line.
The offensive of the first theater defense line.
This is probably the main reason why Commander Cheng knew that Tang Dao was injured and was hospitalized, but did not come to visit him in person. The Japanese army mobilized more than 50,000 troops to launch an offensive along the Yellow River.
Tang Dao knew that he had to lead the Four Troops Regiment to leave the first battle area quickly. Otherwise, once the Japanese army broke through the defense line, the Four Troops Regiment would not be able to leave even if they wanted to.
However, before leaving the first combat zone, he had to meet someone.
If he, a little butterfly from the future, had not flapped his wings so fiercely, that person would still be in Xinxiang now.
The four-line group repaired in the outskirts of Zhengzhou for almost a week. On the morning of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the whole group got ready and set off.
It was not a secret. Lao Jia brought the Textile Association and three other bosses who had signed a cooperative factory agreement with Tang Dao to see off the Si Xing Group.
"Speed up the relocation of the factory!" This was the advice Tang Dao gave them before leaving.
This is not to say that Zhengzhou, currently the second largest city in Henan Province, will fall soon. In June, when the Japanese army forced Kaifeng, he ordered the bombing of the Huayuankou section of the Yellow River 17 kilometers away from Zhengzhou, destroying half of Henan Province.
The province turned into a swamp, and the Japanese tanks and artillery were unable to move forward, so they had to give up their plan to march into Zhengzhou. It was not until six years later that Zhengzhou actually fell.
But this act of "killing one hundred enemies and damaging oneself ten thousand" was the prelude to the abyss for the people of Henan Province. With successive years of natural disasters, the people of Henan Province fell completely into the abyss.
If these businessmen do not evacuate as soon as possible, I am afraid that in the next few years, all the equipment will have to be left there to eat dirt, and they will eventually have to take advantage of the Japanese.
The four-line regiment, which has entered marching mode again, has undergone a week of repairs and is in much stronger condition than a week ago.
All the shoes were replaced with new cloth shoes. Straw sandals had long been ordered to be thrown away by Tang Dao. They are as cool as sandals when worn in summer, but when worn in winter, if not in a marching state, it is like a knife scraping the feet.
, only Chinese soldiers in this era can endure it.
Bitterness, this kind of taste, if you taste it too much, it becomes a habit.
No one is worried that their new shoes will break after three or five days of marching. The hard-working women in and around the town spent a week using their hard-working hands to collect a total of 12,000 pairs of cloth shoes and sent them to Sihang
group.
Although the Four Troops will never let their efforts go in vain, and the Four Troops purchased 12,000 pairs of cloth shoes with nearly 5,000 yuan, this is also a sentiment that belongs to the most ordinary working people in China.
Before the Fourth Group left, the officers and soldiers cleaned the small yard they rented and filled the water tanks with water. Some officers and soldiers even bought some snacks and put them in the house as a token of appreciation for the owner.
grateful.
These are not military orders issued by Tang Dao, but many officers and soldiers of the Sixings Regiment made their own decisions after receiving new shoes.
How the people treat the soldiers, the soldiers will respond to the people, and vice versa. This is the honest Chinese people.
It was through this long-term rapport with the people that the army gradually gained recognition from the working people, who accounted for the largest population base, and finally established a brand new China.
The Si Xing Regiment, without any deliberate education, is gradually changing to the style of that army because of the harmonious relationship between the army and the people.
Tang Dao was very pleased with this change that even he had not expected.
Xinxiang is only about 100 kilometers away from Zhengzhou, and it can be reached in just three days with the repaired four-pronged regiment marching at full speed.
But Tang Dao seemed a little impatient. When he was still forty kilometers away from Xinxiang, he took Lu Sanjiang and a cavalry squad of ten horses and went straight to the headquarters of the First Group General stationed in Xinxiang.
Some people may be unfamiliar with the First Army, but if you talk about the 29th Army, the predecessor of the First Army, many people may suddenly realize it.
That's right, the First Group Army is based on the original 29th Army and consists of the 59th Army (expanded from the original 38th Division), the 68th Army (expanded from the original 143rd Division), and the 77th Army
(Expanded from the original 37th Division and 132nd Division), after the fall of North China, the newly formed First Group Army came under the command of the First Theater Command.
The commander of his group army was naturally the famous General Song, who was also the person Tang Dao wanted to meet on this trip.
The reason why the First Army was in Xinxiang at this time was naturally because the Japanese offensive was urgent and the First Army had to retreat again and again. Xinxiang was their last line of defense before they established in Zhengzhou.
If it breaks again, the First Army will have to retreat to Zhengzhou.
When Tang Dao arrived in Xinxiang, he had already had dinner in the evening. In the dark night, checkpoints were strictly checked. Even though Tang Dao had a pass stamped with the seal of the theater headquarters, he also had an officer's ID card issued by the Ministry of Military Affairs and four other documents.
It still took nearly an hour to arrive at the headquarters of the First Army despite the name of the leader of the group.
Perhaps due to the bombing by Japanese fighter planes, the First Army headquarters was not placed in Xinxiang City, but in a relatively peaceful small village.
However, all the villagers have been persuaded to leave. The small village is like a position. There are fortifications made of sandbags on the passages and flat roofs. At least one guard camp is stationed in the small village. It is conceivable that there are more positions outside the village.
At least there is an infantry regiment.
After all, this is a top command organization that commands nearly 100,000 troops.
Asking Lu Sanjiang, Erya and others to wait at the fortification at the entrance of the village, Tang Dao followed a major staff officer who came to lead the way into the village and arrived outside a quiet small courtyard.
Yes, it is quiet.
On this somewhat quiet winter night, except for the dim lanterns hanging around the small courtyard, it was not as heavily guarded or busy as imagined. Two soldiers stood at the door of the courtyard with their hands on the handles of their rifles. The door of the small courtyard was
There was a faint yellow light coming out of the crack, which must have been lit by a special horse lantern for marching, otherwise the light would not have been so weak and the silence would have been almost lonely.
There is absolutely no pomp and circumstance that a general-level army commander should have.
No one came to greet Tang Dao. The Army Major who was ordered to lead the way smiled apologetically at Tang Dao: "Captain Tang, I was ordered to lead you here. You can go in by yourself!"
Tang Dao slightly touched his head to the major, who was nearly ten years older than him, to express his gratitude. He took a deep breath, strode forward, opened the door, and walked into the small courtyard.
Maybe it was the cold winter night and the door was closed.
Tang Dao approached, but before he could call out the report, a voice came from inside the house: "It's Tang Dao from the Four Elements Group! Please come in!"
Tang Dao opened the door and saw a soldier with gray hair sitting behind a square table in the room, not wearing a military cap but only a military uniform. He raised his head and looked at him.
"I am Song Zheyuan!" Knowing that Tang Dao might have never seen him before, he was not sure. The gray-haired soldier introduced himself first.
Tang Da stood at attention with a 'pop' and reported loudly: "Tang Dao, the leader of the Four Lines Regiment of the 43rd Army, on behalf of the Four Lines Regiment, would like to say hello to General Song!"
"I remember that our First Group Army has no friendship with your 43rd Army. Why would you, Commander Tang, leave your own army and come to see me?" General Song had a stern expression on his face, and his words were a bit dismissive.
a long distance away.
Of course Tang Dao knew that this should be the lowest point in the life of the general in front of him. Not to mention that the North China base camp that he had been operating for several years was occupied by the Japanese army. The seemingly powerful 29th Army with more than 100,000 troops was far less powerful than he imagined.
With such combat effectiveness, they not only suffered heavy defeats in North China, but later reorganized the First Army, and also suffered successive defeats in the battles of Shanxi and Yu provinces, and retreated to this place.
Whoever it was, I'm afraid he wouldn't be in a good mood. Judging from the small courtyard he was in now, he wasn't even with the staff under the headquarters. I'm afraid he was also in a depressed mood and just wanted to have some peace and quiet at night.
But Tang Dao knew better that what he thought was the bottom of his life was actually far from reaching it. One month later, the Battle of Xinxiang was defeated again. The First Army lost Xinxiang and had to retreat to Zhengzhou, and was captured in the middle of the year.
He was forced to resign as commander of the First Group Army and serve as deputy commander of the First Theater Zone. Only when he completely lost command of the army did he truly hit rock bottom.
From the once extremely prominent person in North China to a stranger who died in Sichuan Province, I am afraid it is inseparable from this huge psychological gap.
"Sir, this is a letter that Commander Zhang asked me to bring you!" Tang Dao was straightforward. Seeing this cold and cold person, he was quite polite. Now that you have met me, you have used enough courtesy. Where did you come from?
Not wanting to go back anywhere, he immediately took out a letter from his wallet.
That was what Commander Zhang asked him to bring to this person when he passed through Henan Province before leaving Xuzhou.
Tang Dao was also quite puzzled at that time. He knew that the initiator of the situation where the righteous Commander Zhang was shouted at and beaten by everyone and called a "traitor" was the one who caused it. For Commander Zhang, the pain of being betrayed by his brother and comrades was completely overwhelming.
No less misunderstood by the public.
"Mingxuan feels sorry for me, but after all, he is still the commander of an army, and he is still leading his troops to fight against the Japanese. He is no longer an elder brother, but also a comrade-in-arms. I wrote this letter to him because I hope he understands that the country
The hatred of the nation is above all else. As long as he continues to fight, I, Mr. Zhang, will be willing to return to his command again!" Commander Zhang glanced at Tang Dao meaningfully and said his reasons calmly.
.
Although Tang Dao did not read the content of the letter, he admired Commander Zhang even more. I am afraid that only such a person with such a big heart can achieve his future reputation! It is not just a matter of dying as a general.
"That Commander Zhang?" General Song was stunned for a moment, obviously he hadn't reacted yet.
Then, his face moved slightly and he murmured in a low voice: "You come from northern Jiangsu. Apart from Xin Chen, there must be no other Commander Zhang!"
His eyelids were drooped, perhaps because he didn't want Tang Dao to see the suddenness in his eyes: "I have thought about many reasons why Tang Dao came to see me, but I never thought that it would be because of Xin Chen. In the past, I
If I trap him into injustice, how can he contact me again?"
Although the army commander tried his best to keep his expression calm, Tang Dao could still feel his complicated emotions at the moment.
Perhaps, in order to get rid of the responsibility for his defeat, this former "No. 1 man in North China" dumped the blame on his friends, and he actually did not regret it!
This is how people think about heaven and hell!
Behind the glamorous life, there may be something rotten and dirty, and it may seem humble and cowardly, but there may not be a heart of gold.
Human eyes always deceive themselves.
Regarding the personal grievances between these influential figures, Tang Dao will not make light judgments. Time will give the final answer.
Or, is the answer important? What is important is what they did for the country and the nation in that era when the life and death of the country and the nation were at stake.
However, after all, he was an extraordinary figure who had commanded an army of 100,000. He quickly calmed down and took the envelope from Tang Dao's hand. He opened it and waved to Tang Dao to sit down.
"Brother Mingxuan" The three words at the beginning of the letter made the general commander couldn't help but feel excited and read it in a low voice.
This was naturally an unexpected title for him, even if it was just polite.
The letter was not long, only one page, but this person read it three or four times for ten minutes.
After a long while, he gently put the letter into the envelope and put it into a document bag, and then looked at Tang Dao.
His face was no longer as cold as before, his eyes showed gentleness and a bit of concealed surprise, and he just looked at Tang Dao quietly.
Tang Dao couldn't help but feel a little hairy when he saw it.
Could it be that his brother Zhang recommended him to join this first army in the letter? That would be too bad.
Regardless of how strong the First Army is now, even if it cannot defeat the Japanese army, it is not as defeated as ordinary troops. It can still resist at all levels. It won't be long before the general commander in front of him will have to resign, and the designation of the First Army will also become
Historically, the armies under his command did not lose the prestige of the original 29th Army, and performed outstandingly in the Anti-Japanese War.
"Haha! Don't be nervous, Commander Tang! Although Xingchen strongly recommends you as a little brother in front of me, it is not because of my first group army." As expected of a former boss, Tang Dao's somewhat angry expression immediately saw through it.
his thoughts.
Then, he gently stood up from his seat, walked slowly to Tang Dao, and said in a shocking tone: "First of all, I have to thank you!"
Tang Dao
Letting an admiral say thank you to him is more terrifying than joining them!
Anyway, based on Tang Dao's life experience, once someone says thank you to you, nothing good will happen.
Obviously, he almost guessed it right again...
PS: Today is the anniversary of the July 7th Incident. It just so happens that I wrote about the supreme commander of North China who commanded the War of Resistance in North China. It is a coincidence! There is nothing to say. Chinese descendants will never forget the sacrifices of their ancestors.
