When the map was hung back up to its original position, everyone, including the commander-in-chief, looked at Yang Zhen with doubts and even surprise when looking at the blank space on the map. There was no guessing what this young general, who had high hopes from the chairman, was thinking.
Even the commander-in-chief, who had always been very fond of Yang Zhen, looked at Yang Zhen with a look of incomprehension. Apparently, he did not understand that this man who had always been brave and good at fighting, especially good at commanding large corps, was under thirty years old. What could have gone wrong with this young general who has repeatedly performed miracles at such an age? How could he be so careless on such a major issue concerning the life and death of his troops?
Seeing the confused and even incomprehensible looks of several central leaders present at him, Yang Zhen put aside the enemy situation report in his hand, took a pointer handed over by the combat staff of the Central Military Commission and said: "Chairman, boss, and Leaders, I’m sorry that I can’t come up with a battle plan right now!”
As soon as Yang Zhen's words came out, the people present couldn't help but burst into an uproar. In addition to not understanding Yang Zhen's true thoughts, some even thought that Yang Zhen was timid. Even the commander-in-chief, who had always been calm, was a little out of control. He looked at Yang Zhen with some confusion.
However, the chairman, who was smoking, did not seem to take Yang Zhen's behavior to heart, which surprised everyone present. Instead, he looked at Yang Zhen with interest, as if waiting for his next words, the chairman's calmness, Not only did it not make Yang Zhen nervous, it actually made him more determined that his idea was the right one.
Facing the discussion of everyone present, Yang Zhen just smiled faintly, and the old god said nothing. It was not until he felt that the commander-in-chief, who was somewhat shameful, spoke to stop the discussion below that Yang Zhen picked up the pointer and pointed at the map and said: "The reason why I think I can't come up with a plan yet is because I don't know the situation in southern Anhui very well. Although this enemy situation report is very detailed, some necessary things are not written out, and there are no Explain clearly!"
"First of all, the above is still unclear about the strength, equipment and real combat effectiveness of the various troops of the Third Theater Zone stationed around Yunling. Even if an emergency occurs, the Third Theater Zone can mobilize the number of troops to reinforce Wannan at any time. No explanation at all!”
"Most of the leaders are veteran revolutionaries, and their military service life and participation in the revolution are about the same age as mine. You should know that there are many factions in the national army. Due to the constraints of its original organization, the equipment and equipment of each faction There is a big difference in combat effectiveness!”
"Judging from the troops of the Third War Zone currently deployed around southern Anhui, they are mainly dominated by the Central Army and the Sichuan Army. Although some of the troops are so-called miscellaneous troops, the overall combat effectiveness is not weak, especially the 25th Army, which is the Central Army. , its combat effectiveness is also superior among the Central Army, and its equipment is also excellent, and one of the two divisions it belongs to is equipped with all French equipment!"
"The two divisions of the 50th Army, which originally belonged to the Sichuan Army, are elite Sichuan Army. Their combat effectiveness and equipment are among the best among the Sichuan Army. In addition, the Japanese Army in the east has also deployed heavy troops to blockade the Yangtze River coast. The situation in southern Anhui is quite complicated. Judging from the current situation, no matter which path we choose, the northward retreat will not be smooth!"
"Especially now, the elites of the third theater are concentrated around Wannan. From this move, we should have a taste of the strange smell. No matter which route we choose to retreat through the third theater, we are likely to be surrounded by its heavy troops.
, we must be prepared to fight across the river!"
"I suggest that before the New Fourth Army withdraws northward, it must conduct a reasonable struggle to win over the elderly, the weak, the sick and the disabled as well as non-combatants to retreat first, and try to reduce the number of non-combatants in the army so that the troops can concentrate on coping with the northward withdrawal.
An unexpected incident happened!”
"At the same time, the communication methods of the New Fourth Army headquarters must be strengthened. Each unit must be equipped with as many radio stations as possible to maintain smooth communication and ensure that its top military commanders can adjust their deployment at any time according to changes in the situation. This is the
The key to withdrawing northward is that once the troops are not commanded effectively and cannot coordinate with each other, it will be a major taboo for military strategists!"
"Although the central government strives to peacefully resolve the route of the New Fourth Army's military headquarters to the north, and domestic and international public opinion does not want a civil war to break out at this time, I still want to suggest that whether we choose to pass through the Third Theater Defense Zone or choose to pass through the Japanese-occupied areas, we must do it
So ready to fight!”
"As for the selection of the retreat route and the method of retreat, I just said that without the right to investigate, there is no right to speak. Only through on-the-spot investigation can I make the best and most accurate judgment, so I hope the central government can approve it.
I’ll go to Wannan for a field trip!”
"Also, I think whether looking at the overall situation or the surrounding situation, the movement of the New Fourth Army's military headquarters northward cannot be delayed any longer. The Nationalist Government has always accused us of disobeying orders. If we continue to delay, the entire domestic public opinion will
It will be very detrimental to us!”
"And judging from the situation around southern Anhui, the main force of the New Fourth Army has been deployed in Jiangbei. In southern Jiangsu, except for the more than 3,000 people under the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Command, there are no favorable troops in the surrounding areas to respond. In fact, southern Anhui is used as a strategic support
It is no longer very appropriate, so I suggest that the New Fourth Army headquarters should speed up its retreat northward as soon as possible!"
"Many of you leaders are old comrades from the Great Revolution, and you should be very clear about the character of some people who can turn their hands into clouds and rain. We must be prepared with both hands, and especially be prepared to fight head-on, so as not to encounter any danger.
When something unexpected happens, you are caught off guard!”
"If the head of the central government believes that the strategic support point of southern Anhui cannot be easily abandoned, I think it is completely possible to leave a regiment of troops commanded by veteran comrades with rich guerrilla experience to persist in the struggle on the spot, so that the southern Jiangsu troops can form a horn.
Play the role of mutual protection!”
"Even if we really break our skin, our losses can be smaller. In the southern Anhui area, we are at the most disadvantaged among the three parties in terms of military strength and equipment. Once we break our skin, we will face the special terrain and complex enemy situation in Jiangnan."
We are facing a situation where it is difficult for reinforcements to arrive in time, and we will suffer heavy losses!"
"So I think that the military headquarters in southern Anhui must speed up its retreat, and the sooner this determination is made, it will be extremely beneficial to me in terms of public opinion, military aspects, and even political struggles. Otherwise, once the Japanese and puppet troops and the third party
The war zone has completely blocked all ferries, and our northward retreat will be completely blocked!"
"Especially under the current situation where the Japanese army's military strength on the Yangtze River is still relatively strong, once the news and route of the military headquarters' northward withdrawal are learned by the Japanese army, it will be difficult for us to escape the interception of highly maneuverable warships relying on wooden boats, which operate at a slow speed. It is difficult for a wooden ship with almost no fire cover to fight against a warship on the wide Yangtze River. This is why in last autumn’s battle, I had to defeat the puppet Manchurian Army before the whole army went south to fight!"
"With wooden boats alone, without the advantage of artillery fire, and even at a disadvantage in terms of strength comparison, it is basically impossible for our entire army to cross the river smoothly. And the Japanese troops stationed along the Yangtze River are not only Large warships, a large number of gunboats that are also more flexible, tens of thousands of troops, not hundreds of people sneaking across, under the nose of the Japanese fleet stationed in the Yangtze River, how much price will we have to pay!"
After Yang Zhen's words fell, everyone, including the chairman and the commander-in-chief, couldn't help but be stunned. Compared with the pressure that the central government may bring to the international situation, and compared with the situation in southern Anhui, which seemed a bit optimistic, Yang Zhen asserted that If you want to retreat smoothly across the river, you must be prepared for battle.
Yang Zhen gave this analysis in detail, but many people did not agree with his analysis. After all, the enemy is currently strong. Even if he pretends to be seen by outsiders, he will not easily break his face in any aspect, even if he has an absolute advantage. The same is true for the other party.
After listening to Yang Zhen's thoughts, the chairman was silent for a long time before saying: "Comrade Yang Zhen, do you think that a certain party will ignore the current situation of the enemy and risk public condemnation for destroying the national united front by launching a civil war and weakening the resistance of the entire nation? And attack the New Fourth Army headquarters in southern Anhui!"
In response to the chairman's rhetorical question, Yang Zhen shook his head and said: "Chairman, once we really take action, we may not really have the upper hand in public opinion. Under the current situation where the National Government controls the superstructure of political power, when the two sides conflict, The public opinion will most likely fall on us!"
"At present, both the 18th Army and the newly formed Fourth Army are still on the National Government Military Commission, and the public numbers are preceded by the words National Revolutionary Army, and the New Fourth Army is directly in the Third Theater. According to the establishment list, at least nominally, it is still under the command of the third theater!"
"For any national defense force, we must first have a unified command. Once there is a conflict between the two parties, a big label of disobeying orders and disobeying the unified command will be slapped on our heads, and even publicly announced We are rebels, and at this time when the whole nation is fighting a war, it is difficult for the people who have suffered from the division of the country and the melee of warlords to emotionally accept the army that disobeys orders!"
"I have read the briefings from the Central Committee, the Nationalist Government's Military Commission and the New Fourth Army these days. The Nationalist Government's order requiring the New Fourth Army to withdraw northward has been public for a long time. As a country's military commanding authority, it has no responsibility to its own troops, even in name only. It is normal for the army above to issue such an order, at least in the eyes of ordinary people!"
"The New Fourth Army did not obey the order to withdraw north. Although the reasons are very complicated, for ordinary people, a big label of disobeying military orders and destroying the unity of military orders during the Anti-Japanese War is enough to suppress all the influence of public opinion. In other words, the current The advantage of public opinion is not on our side. The reason is very simple. Your New Fourth Army disobeys the orders of the military commander and is a rebel. It is normal for a country's national defense force to wipe out a rebel army!"
"So I think once the two sides really take action, public opinion will not necessarily be on our side, and with the National Government now controlling most of the public opinion, we may not be their opponents in terms of mouthpieces, so Chairman
, if war does break out, we are likely to lose in the public opinion war."