An Yi rushed to the division headquarters in the town, but did not see the division commander Liu Zhi. After reading the note left by Liu Zhi, he thought for a while, went into the backyard to visit the bedridden Xu Tingyao, talked for a while, and immediately returned to the north of the town.
Baiyunting station is 4.5 kilometers away.
Baiyunting is not a pavilion, but a quiet, elegant and large-scale landlord's manor. Fearing the revolutionary liquidation of the Northern Expeditionary Army, the old landlord led his family and dozens of people to move to Suzhou early to avoid disaster. It is only more than 200 meters away from the main transportation road.
A large manor in Midino became a temporary military camp for the Zhejiang Army. After the Zhejiang Army retreated in panic, this place became the headquarters of the independent regiment. Nearly two thousand brothers from directly subordinate departments were stationed there without feeling too crowded.
In the hall of the main building, which combines Chinese and Western elements, An Yi lay on his side on the sofa in front of the fireplace on the west side and fell asleep.
The leather sofa with thick velvet cushions was very comfortable. It was so comfortable that An Yi closed his eyes and fell asleep. The camphor wood burning in the fireplace gave off a faint fragrance, and the swaying flames covered him with stubble.
His tired face reflected a faint halo.
"Shh-"
Zhan Huanqi, the communications staff officer standing at the door, raised his index finger to Xia Jian and Gu Changfeng who hurriedly stepped through the door: "Be gentle, the boss hasn't slept for two days and two nights. He just drank a cup of tea and fell asleep. Xiao Du took off his clothes."
He doesn’t even know how to wash his shoes and feet, he’s so exhausted.”
Gu Changfeng and Xia Jian looked at each other, nodded to Zhan Huanqi, walked quietly to the fireplace, and sat on the couch opposite An Yi. As soon as they leaned on the comfortable and soft back of the sofa, they heard An Yi's soft voice.
Come: "Have you settled the brothers under your command?"
Xia Jian and Gu Changfeng looked at each other, smiled, and replied in unison: "It's settled."
"Thanks to the help of more than 200 brothers from the regiment's logistics department, the brothers in my battalion just entered the camp at Zhendong Market and were able to take a refreshing hot bath and drink hot ginger syrup. After the meal, the brothers were all excited.
It’s time to rest. The fourth battalion of Hutou is also bad.
Not often like this, the fourth battalion lives in a grain depot more than 300 meters apart, and the logistics brothers have made careful arrangements, so that no brother is hungry or cold." Xia Jian knew An Yi's style very well, and took An Yi to him without asking.
Detailed reports on issues of concern.
An Yi nodded with satisfaction, rubbed his sour eyes, looked at the two of them, and laughed softly: "You two are so dirty, why don't you take a hot bath and rest for a while?"
"Originally I wanted to take a shower before coming here. I heard that Lao Chang said that you have a beautiful big bathhouse here. You have already put water in and lit a fire outside to heat up a large pool of water. Without thinking, I dragged Lao Xia over. This
No, the change of clothes is just on the low cabinet by the door."
After Gu Changfeng finished speaking, he lit a cigarette, crossed his legs, and leaned on the sofa with a string of smoke rings hanging out, causing An Yi and the surrounding staff to laugh.
Xia Jian said: "After you left the meeting in a hurry at noon, I remembered that I didn't tell you that when I led my brothers back, I met a group of people from the teacher's seat at the south pass of the narrow road, riding on horseback to Jiande in the south.
There was a meeting in the city, and the division commander stopped to say hello to me, asked me a few words, and then left. I heard that the commanders and chiefs of staff of all divisions were gathered in Jiande, and it is estimated that there will be a big move soon."
An Yi nodded: "I also heard a lot of news at the division headquarters. The brothers of the three regiments and the sixty-fifth regiment of our division were unable to attack. They were blocked eight kilometers south of the city by more than 14,000 enemies in Tonglu.
From Shijiashan to Yanzijian, the enemy's artillery fire was quite fierce. The positions built in advance occupied the commanding heights of the five-kilometer line from east to west.
, the regiments of our division have no artillery support, and relying only on machine guns and limited mortars is useless, so there has been no progress so far. The messenger who came back to report the news said it was a "fierce stalemate." What kind of bullshit stalemate?
When I look up at the position, I can't move forward even an inch, and when I think about it with my buttocks, I can tell how far away it is!"
The brothers laughed, and An Yi continued: "I estimate that if we continue to fight like this, it will be difficult to advance even one step until tomorrow night. If the enemy is condescending and launches a counterattack, it will be a headache. The chief of staff is very anxious, but he is exhausted and has a high fever.
Unable to move, we can only leave it to the full command of Commander Chen Cheng. Fortunately, Commander Chen also went out from our Second Division, and was with
The commanders at all levels of each regiment are relatively familiar with each other. If we can't attack it, we won't be plotted by the enemy. Therefore, we still have at least twenty-four hours of rest time. I can't guarantee any more... You two go and take a shower first.
Well, I guess Huzi and Lao Yang will be here soon, and when Chen Zhibiao brings the artillery and prisoners over, we will have a meeting to analyze the battle situation in detail."
Gu Changfeng and Xia Jian stood up to take a shower. An Yi told Zhan Huanqi and others to prepare maps. When they saw Deputy Peng Jianqing of the Communications Company holding a folder and coming out of the confidential room on the east side of the hall in a hurry, he knew there was an emergency telegram.
.
An Yi took a telegram from Peng Jianqing and hurriedly read it. He smiled slightly and ordered in a low voice: "Call back to the principal: The students obey the order. All the captured artillery, shells and captured artillery will be handed over to General Cai Zhonghu, the enemy of the prisoners."
The military general was immediately sent to the former enemy headquarters."
"Yes, please sign... Boss, how did the principal know so quickly about the seizure of the third battalion?" Peng Jianqing handed the quickly prepared message to An Yi and asked in passing.
An Yi handed him the signed telegram: "I reported this matter to Chief of Staff Xu when I arrived at the division headquarters at noon. He probably ordered me to report the victory to the principal. I can understand him. For the honor and safety of the Second Division,
The chief of staff was worried about the future and worked hard, doing everything he could.
Jian Qing, our independent regiment has made great achievements this time. After I finish arranging the matters at hand, I will personally draft a message and send it to the principal. I estimate that we can get another small-scale promotion reward. You and Huanqi should also be promoted in rank.
Level one. When everything becomes clear, I plan to officially promote Huanqi to the regimental major staff officer. You will need to take on the important responsibility of the communications company. We must step up the selection of training personnel and strive to have our own within three months.
Professional team.”
"Yes, I will definitely work hard!" Peng Jianqing saluted gratefully.
In the evening, An Yi, who was eating and talking with his brothers around the big table, suddenly received a notice from Liu Zhi. An Yi had to put down his job and get ready to go out, riding a little black horse to follow the divisional herald who was waiting outside.
Go to the division headquarters in the town.
The command room was deserted, with only Liu Zhi, Intelligence Section Chief Ying Rongguang, and Operations Section Chief Colonel Chen discussing in low voices in front of a large map. Liu Zhi was staring at the map with the remaining half of a steamed bun in his hand.
Hearing the report, Liu Zhi turned around and motioned for An Yi to come over. He pointed at a few red arrows that had just been marked on the map and explained in a low voice:
"This is the combat plan announced by Commander-in-Chief Bai in the afternoon. The First Division and the 21st Division have occupied Meicheng and Sandu. The Third Army Chief of Staff Li Mingyang has led the 9th Division to Sandu to join the 21st Division of our army.
, the offensive forces on the right side of the center have doubled. They will launch an attack on the Panling enemy troops stationed at the hub of 20 kilometers to the east at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
The 1st Division, which is only eight kilometers away from us, is currently resting in Meicheng, and will also drive behind our division tomorrow morning, presumably to strengthen our division's attack power.
But what I don’t understand is that the Fifth Division of the Tan Daoyuan Department of the Second Army, which came with Li Mingyang’s Ninth Division of the Third Army, did not reinforce the Dai Yue Department of the Second Army on the left as planned, nor did it reinforce our unit.
The plan to attack Tonglu City together, but
When they arrived in Jiande, they rested where they were. At the combat meeting this afternoon, Commander-in-Chief Bai did not arrange any tasks for them, but strictly ordered our Second Division and Chen Cheng's 22nd Division to break through the enemy within three days.
The army blocked the line and launched a strong attack on Tonglu City.
With the current strength of our division and the two regiments inherited by Chen, how could it be possible to capture the enemy's position on the front line eight kilometers south of Tonglu within three days? Three brigades with more than 10,000 defenders occupied the favorable terrain, and with the cooperation of superior artillery fire, they commanded a commanding position.
, the only two channels in front were blocked. We were in a feint position and it was difficult to make a breakthrough within three days. Thinking of Commander Bai's non-negotiable tone at the afternoon meeting, I felt anxious and stressed.
!”
An Yi was deeply puzzled when he heard that there were so many uncertainties in Liu Zhi's words, but he was worried that it would hurt Liu Zhi's face and he would not be able to ask directly, so he took a step forward and carefully looked at the troop layout and distribution marked on the map.
After looking at various attack directions for more than ten minutes, I still couldn't figure out anything. Except that Tan Daoyuan's fifth division should not stay behind.
Bai Chongxi's formations are well-organized and impeccable, and not only the Second Division will face a fierce battle, but Li Mingyang's Ninth Division and the serious 21st Division on the right will also face Pan Ling, which is heavily defended. As long as Pan Ling is captured, it will be impossible.
We can take advantage of the victory to pursue and attack Tonglu City, and form a pincer attack on Tonglu City with the Second Division and the 22nd Division in the middle.
However, An Yi always felt that this battle plan was not Bai Chongxi's true intention. Analyzing it with the usual resourceful style of "Little Zhuge", he should not repeat the strategy of attacking Nanchang. He had many conflicts with Bai Chongxi during the Battle of Nanchang.
Discussion and discussion
Yi knew very well that Bai Chongxi hated Liu Zhi and others the most for being brave and reckless, risking the lives of officers and soldiers to win or lose, but this time he resorted to such a desperate strategy, and he was facing what is known as the strongest city in Zhejiang.
What is the purpose of Tonglu City?
An Yi thought quickly and weighed carefully, but he couldn't figure out Bai Chongxi's far-reaching intentions. In the end, he had to focus on the problems he was facing.
"Master, how is the progress of Commander Dai Yue's left wing?" An Yi asked about the left wing that was nearly a hundred kilometers away from his center, which surprised Liu Zhi and others.
Liu Zhi pointed to Fenshui Town on the map: "Two divisions of the Second Army were blocked on the south bank of the Fenshui River. They were unable to cross the river despite two consecutive days of fierce attacks. In the afternoon, Chief of Staff Zhang Dingfan's briefing had only one sentence: The battle is fierce. I estimate,
Dai Yuebu must find a solution from other aspects."
An Yi nodded and turned to the attack direction of his second division: "Master, when I get back, I will send a reconnaissance team to sneak into the left and right wings of the front position to observe. According to Commander Bai's wishes, I'm afraid we won't be able to do it. I think if we can
Concentrating artillery fire to repeatedly hit the enemy at one point may be able to tear a hole in the enemy's five-kilometer-long defensive position. As long as two regiments can rush in, the enemy will be defeated.
We can only retreat to the city honestly, and half of our mission is completed. After the troops approach the city, we stand still and must wait until the Ninth Division and the 21st Division on the right wing arrive before launching a strong attack. Otherwise, our division will suffer huge siege casualties.
, by then there will be more than 20,000 defenders in the city, and the enemy has also built artillery positions on the two highlands in the north of the city, which will carry out artillery bombardment on our siege troops."
"I also have such a plan. I will never repeat the mistakes of the Fengxin Battle. But these are things for later. The top priority is to defeat the powerful enemies blocking our way forward. The suggestion of concentrating the use of artillery is very good, but the difficulty is
Our division's artillery battalion only has twelve artillery pieces, which is only six more than your artillery battery.
There are less than 1,000 artillery shells. The other three regiments didn’t even have a single cannon left after the tragic defeat of Longyou. How can they be used intensively? What’s even more uncomfortable is that the level of our artillery is so poor. Most of them are new recruits who have not experienced
Special training will not have any effect." After Liu Zhi finished speaking, he frowned and shook his head frequently.
An Yi turned to Liu Zhi: "Master, the 26 German-made artillery pieces accidentally captured by Chen Zhibiao's Third Battalion of our regiment are still there, and there are more than 2,000 rounds of artillery shells, plus the six pieces of our artillery company and the division's artillery battalion.
Twelve guns are already more than the equipment of two artillery regiments, but... can the division commander immediately ask Commander Bai to let General Cai Zhonghuang, who is directly under the headquarters of the artillery regiment, lead his troops to come for support? "
Liu Zhi was overjoyed: "I'll go give it to you right now..."
"Report: General Cai Zhonghuan asks for an audience!"