No one expected that a large-scale confrontation exercise involving nearly 90,000 soldiers would proceed so quickly and lead to such a disparity in just seven hours.
Faced with such a cruel reality, Chiang Kai-shek, the supreme commander of the Chinese Communist Army, was in great pain. Feng Yuxiang, a veteran of the Northwest Army who had served in the military for a lifetime, was worried and desolate. In the eyes of more than a hundred generals who observed the whole process, in addition to shock, fear and worry, the rest
All are painful thoughts.
On the southeast side of the highland, General Yang Jie, the chief referee of the exercise referee team, jumped out of the open-top off-road vehicle that had just stopped, saluted each other with the oncoming exercise commander An Yi, looked back and was greeted by Chaoyang.
Zhangde City was dyed blood red with gunpowder smoke. He shook his head and sighed:
"General An, after repeated discussions with the leaders of the referee's responsible groups, we all agreed that the exercise should be over now. There is no point in continuing the fight. A one-sided war can only increase waste and casualties. If you agree, should you?
Announce the end of the exercise..."
An Yi, whose face was full of dust and smoke, and whose eyes were red, nodded slightly: "Let's go, brother Geng Guang, let's go and report to the committee together. The referee team's opinion is also my opinion. According to the current battle situation, there will be no miracle if we continue to fight.
In three hours at most, the remaining defenders and Zhangde City will be completely disabled."
…
Nine o'clock in the morning, Zhangde County Government Office.
More than a hundred generals were either strolling and discussing in the spacious and quaint county government compound, or sitting in the wide corridors and halls, drinking tea, resting, and reviewing the gains and losses of the exercise. Only the heavily guarded middle courtyard was quiet.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy of the tall ginkgo tree and fell on Chiang Kai-shek's face and body. Chiang Kai-shek communicated in low voices with Feng Yuxiang, Tang Shengzhi and others sitting next to him for a moment, and then ordered the attendants to go to the front yard to fetch Pang Bingxun, Ma Fawu, Wan Fulin,
Huang Xiansheng called the four of them over together, then stood up apologetically, and took the opportunity to relieve himself to call An Yi who was standing aside. The two of them walked to the hut on the west side of the backyard, talking as they walked.
"An Yi, to be honest, I'm very disappointed and worried. If it weren't for this exercise, all the generals in the army would still be in the dark and wouldn't know how to properly position their current situation. Sigh..."
An Yi quickly persuaded: "Principal, don't worry too much. The combat effectiveness of the *** division is extraordinary. From the division commander Yang Guan to the ordinary class platoon leaders at the grassroots level, they are all battle-hardened warriors, and they have more powerful weapons than the Japanese army."
With superior weapons and equipment and night fighting experience, this result is not surprising at all.
"To be arrogant, the students have repeatedly thought that if the Kwantung Army, the most elite Japanese army, was used as the attacker, they might not have such an excellent record and the ability to win a quick victory. Therefore, the principal should not be too worried. At least,
The purpose of this exercise has been achieved, and the tragic ending will sound a wake-up call to every one of our military commanders."
Chiang Kai-shek pondered for a moment and stopped: "Watching the battle in the observation bunker early in the morning, I heard several generals of the Central Army having such a discussion. They said, 'There are more than three million troops in the country, how many brave champions can there be?
The *** division of the three armies? Experience
After hundreds of battles, the *** division, whose equipment is far superior to that of other armies, is normal for such a result. It would be abnormal if it could not even break through the peripheral defense line." He also said, "If the Forty Army is replaced by a direct line unit of our Central Army,
, the *** division may not be able to take a step forward'.
"Listen, what a confused view this is, ignorant, arrogant, and arrogant! They don't even have the basic modesty and prudence of a general. They didn't notice that the current Forty Army is no longer what it used to be. After the great efforts of the Military Commission,
With support, all the equipment of the Forty Army has been replaced.
Coupled with many months of arduous and unremitting training, and you personally on the front line to guide the construction of fortifications and trenches, it is not at all the army they had in mind with backward equipment, extremely poor training, and full of loopholes in the defense line! The Forty Army actually represents the current
The level of most of China's military.
"These people don't think about it carefully. During the Songhu War, the Japanese army not only dispatched armored vehicles, tanks and hundreds of aircraft, but also dozens of warships of various sizes to assist in the battle. The firepower and intensity of strikes far exceeded the scale of Black's attack today.
They are still so careless and conceited. The prospect is worrying and even more heartbreaking!"
An Yi couldn't help being stunned, shook his head in embarrassment, and persuaded in a low voice: "But the reaction of most of the generals is still positive. The principal should not be angry about this. It is not too late to remedy the situation. The students are willing to contribute to the improvement of our army."
We will work hard to ensure that the results of this exercise are implemented."
Chiang Kai-shek nodded slightly and patted An Yi's arm approvingly. After entering the latrine to relieve himself, he whispered to An Yi while lifting his pants:
"Later, you accompany me, General Huanzhang, Tang Mengxiao, and Chen Xuexuan, to have a good chat with Pang Bingxun and Wan Fulin, comfort them, and then go to Yang Guan's military division. I want to give them to you personally.
They commended and heavily rewarded their heroic troops who maintained their glory and were invincible in every battle."
An Yi hurriedly buttoned up his trousers and repeatedly tried to dissuade him: "Principal, at this time, the heavy reward for the *** division will be waived. They are the most valued and trusted unit by the principal. The whole division and even the entire 17th Army are proud of this.
No reward is as valuable as the principal's trust.
"Secondly, the *** Division and the entire 17th Army do not lack money or honors. What they lack is just spiritual encouragement. The principal only needs to send an encouraging telegram tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. In addition, now
The situation on the front line in North China is unpredictable, and the *** divisions cannot be left out. They must leave the exercise battlefield as soon as possible and return to the defense area.
"Finally, I would like to forgive the students for being frank. On the contrary, students feel that the officers and soldiers of the 40th Army and the 53rd Army need the care and encouragement of the principal more at this time. If the principal chooses to inspect and condolences these two defeated armies, he will personally pay them
Talking is nothing more than giving someone timely help!"
Chiang Kai-shek immediately understood An Yi's good intentions, nodded heavily, adjusted the armed belt around his waist, and strode away. As he walked, he praised An Yi in a low voice: "An Yi, you are becoming more and more mature.
Well, it seems that you don’t have to worry about me anymore when you are in charge in North China."
An Yi's heart tightened and he quickly followed. At this time, he had clearly realized that he might have to stay in North China for a while.
Pang Bingxun and others, who were talking in low voices with Feng Yuxiang, Chen Tiaoyuan, and Tang Shengzhi, saw Chiang Kai-shek and An Yi returning and quickly stood up and saluted solemnly.
Chiang Kai-shek returned the greeting with a smile and stepped forward to shake hands cordially with Pang Bingxun, Wan Fulin and others one by one, and expressed comfort:
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Sit down... Don't be restrained. Everyone, sit down... This exercise was very successful. Although the process was a bit fast, it has achieved the planned purpose of ***. The officers and soldiers of all armies who participated in the exercise have also experienced
I have gone through a training that is close to actual combat, and I have seen my own problems from it. Very good, this is good! On behalf of the Communist Party of China and the government, I would like to thank you all, and thank the officers and soldiers of all armies for their hard work and all-out efforts!"
Pang Bingxun and Wan Fulin were stunned for a long time, suddenly woke up, stood up immediately, and expressed their deepest apologies and heartfelt gratitude to the kind Chiang Kai-shek.
Feng Yuxiang and others immediately understood what Chiang Kai-shek was thinking, and they all followed Chiang Kai-shek and stood up, laughing at Pang Bingxun and the others, and kept praising them.
At this point, the anxious hearts of Pang Bingxun, Wan Fulin and others finally relaxed, and their faces and hearts were full of deep shame and gratitude.
Chiang Kai-shek put away his smile and said solemnly: "General Chen, General Shoushan, get ready. In half an hour, you two and I will go to the position in the north of the city to inspect the brave soldiers of our Forty and Fifty-third Army. I have a few words."
If you want to encourage, you should say it to the soldiers. I hope that after you finish speaking, the soldiers of both armies will no longer have any psychological burden and will continue to strengthen training after returning to make up for the shortcomings in the exercise.
"Also, I plan to heavily reward the officers of the 40th Army and the 53rd Army for participating in the exercise. In addition to rewarding a certain amount of bonuses, I will also instruct General An Yi to be responsible for the best performance of your two armies in this exercise.
Each of the divisions will undergo the same reorganization and equipment upgrade as the main divisions of the Central Army, so as to improve their combat effectiveness and quickly grow into the mainstay of the party-state."
Pang Bingxun, Ma Fawu, Wan Fulin, Huang Xiansheng were so shocked that their mouths opened. Feng Yuxiang, Tang Shengzhi and others also looked at the smiling Chiang Kai-shek. No one expected that Chiang Kai-shek not only did not criticize the two defeated armies,
Instead, he was given such huge rewards and support, and for a while he didn't even know what kind of medicine Chiang Kai-shek was selling.
Only An Yi stood there without saying a word, with a smile on his face but cursed secretly in his heart. After he finished cursing, a sentence suddenly popped up in his mind: Pain and happiness at the same time.
Chiang Kai-shek straightened his military cap and walked to the front hall first. The generals who reacted immediately followed him.
Yang Jie, the deputy chief of general staff of the army, deliberately walked a few steps slowly. When An Yi came up, he deliberately leaned over and walked side by side: "What's your idea?"
"Where is it? I was kept in the dark beforehand. I didn't expect that I was going to bleed heavily again! Alas, with the principal's casual words, I have to take out real money. It's heartbreaking! Brother Geng Guang, how about you advise me?
Do you want to share some of the burden for me?" An Yi replied with a look of injustice on his face.
Yang Jie smiled slightly, let out a long sigh, and said with great emotion: "The principal's mind is unparalleled! Such kindness will definitely make the 40th Army and the 53rd Army shed tears of gratitude, and it will also make the soldiers of the two armies learn from it and learn from it in adversity.
Stand up, this is more effective than ten thousand words of criticism!"
"That's it, that's it!"
An Yi replied casually, his mind no longer on Yang Jie.
…
At ten o'clock in the morning the next day, all the soldiers of the *** Division who had returned from the concurrent trip gathered at the main campus of Baoding Military Station. Hu Jialin, commander of the Fourth Army, and the division commanders stood neatly on the rostrum.
Huang Yingwu, director of the Communist Party of China, first delivered a speech and announced a three-minute silence for the anti-Japanese soldiers and innocent people who were killed in the "September 18th Incident".
The whole place was solemn, full of sorrow and indignation, and the thick atmosphere made people's hearts heavy and filled with anger.
After the silence, Huang Yingwu took out the telegram signed by Chiang Kai-shek, loudly praised the soldiers of the *** division who had shown military prowess and demonstrated their level during the exercise, and finally announced loudly:
"... confer the rank of Lieutenant General Yang Guan, the commander of the *** Division, and give rewards to Li Yongjia, the brigade commander of the New Third Brigade, Zhou Baoqing, the engineer battalion commander of the New Third Brigade... and other fifteen officers to be promoted to the first level..."