Under the gloomy sky, An Yi's independent division divided into two groups and slowly advanced westward.
Pulled by four draft horses, the heavy artillery struggled to pass through the wet and soft road. In many sections, brothers from the artillery battalion had to work together to push it through before they could pass.
Colonel Li Tianen, the commander of the artillery battalion who was promoted to the third level, did not complain about An Yi for allocating some artillery to the headquarters. He whispered to the battalion deputy Lieutenant Colonel Shi Junren beside him: The boss is so damn far-sighted, otherwise the rainy season will come.
Even worse.
An Yi touched his hot ears and walked next to Xu Sitong, a private of the Third Company of the Second Regiment. He was dressed as a sergeant and also carried a rifle on his shoulder. If it weren't for Lin Yaodong's several well-equipped personal guards walking in front and behind, An Yi, the major general commander
You will definitely be drowned in the meandering team.
"Sitong, I heard from your squad leader that you have a younger brother who is a cavalryman under Zhang Zongchang?" An Yi asked as he walked, half ashes falling from the cigarette in his mouth.
Xu Sitong, who newly joined the team after being captured in the Battle of Yangzhou, is a good machine gunner. He is strong and strong and has a simple appearance. After several minutes of conversation with An Yi, he no longer has the original restraint:
"Yes, Master, my younger brother is taller than me. He has been herding cattle and horses for a wealthy family since he was a child. In addition, he has been restless in trees and rivers since he was a child. He has also developed excellent riding skills. If there is any chance during this trip,
If I have the opportunity to meet him, I will definitely ask him to work with our team, but... in this war-torn situation, I don’t know if he can survive."
An Yi smiled and comforted: "Don't worry, you are so good-looking, and your brother will never be bad. I have learned some fortune-telling from my family. Good people have their own destiny, don't worry!"
Xu Sitong, who had looked downcast just now, smiled: "Master, do you think I can see my brother?"
"I guess that's OK. As far as I know, Zhang Zongchang's grandson is also a man who is determined to gain nothing, and he loves money very much. He doesn't know a few Chinese characters, and he goes around learning people to recite poems and compose poems. If his soldiers are not available at the critical moment, he is
He would not be sent out, so Sun Chuanfang's grandson had a strong opinion of him.
Didn't you see it when we attacked Chuzhou? Zhang Zongchang's main force ran away as soon as they were attacked. We will encounter them in the future, and then we will have a chance, saying that you may not be able to capture your brother with your own hands."
An Yi's words caused laughter from the brothers around him.
Zhang Dakui, the noncommissioned officer squad leader beside him, asked happily: "Master, I want to enter the guard camp. When will the competition be held?"
"Okay! After Xuzhou is captured and we have time to rest, we will hold a full-army competition. As long as you are capable, Chief Ding and Chief Dou of the guard camp will definitely accept you. Dakui, your accent sounds like you are from Luxi, right?
Are the two elders in the family okay?" An Yi asked as if making things happen.
The dark and burly Zhang Dakui smiled brightly: "I am from the countryside of Dongming in the west of Lu, and Henan is just across the mountain. My parents are pretty tough, but they live a miserable life with eight younger brothers and sisters... Master, if I can't do it this time
Our team passed by our county, and I wanted to take a half-day off to go back and see my mother. I saved twenty-three oceans in three months after joining the master, which is enough for my family to eat and drink for a year."
An Yi looked at Zhang Dakui, who was only in his mid-twenties, and was shocked: "Okay, as long as you pass by there, I ask your company commander to give you a day off, no problem! Dakui, are you trying to coax?
Me? How old are your parents that they gave you eight younger siblings?"
"My parents were born in the same year, and they got married early. They are only forty-two years old now, and my mother gave birth to me when she was sixteen." Zhang Dakui still looked happy.
An Yi was extremely impressed: "I really admire your father's ability! You can't be worse than your father. When the Northern Expedition is over, you will marry a daughter-in-law and give birth to ten or eight of them, and the family will be prosperous, haha!"
All the brothers burst into laughter after hearing this. At this time, the herald came up from behind on a horse, and the reins of An Yi's beloved horse were tied to his saddle:
"Reporting to the division commander, more than 300 sick and injured brothers have been sent to the division headquarters hospital in Shahe Town in the rear area, and all 200 brothers in the logistics department have returned to the team."
"Okay! Brothers, you have to work harder. We will capture Shuangtang tonight and spend the night there. Are you confident?"
"Yes!" came the neat answers from all around.
An Yi carried the rifle behind his back, walked out of the team, took the reins and led the horse. When he saw the guards mounting their horses, he turned over and sat on the horse. With a slight squeeze of his legs, the sensible little black horse took four hooves and rushed to the front of the team.
.
At night, with no nuns left, Baiyun Nunnery in the west of Shuangtang Town became the temporary headquarters of the independent division. Under the illumination of the lantern, Yin Jinan pointed at the map on the wall and loudly arranged the combat mission:
"As of yesterday afternoon, the troops of General Li Zongren of the Third Route Army in the west had captured Hefei. Taking advantage of the victory, General Xia Wei's troops heading north encountered the enemy's Ma Ji troops heading south from Bengbu. After a fierce battle at the Liangyuan line, they ended up
The enemy army was defeated at noon today and is currently moving north in three directions.
After receiving reinforcements from the 44th Army on the East Route, Commander He sent General Chen Cheng's 21st Division to bypass Taizhou and attack Gaoyou. He believed that he would soon defeat the tenacious enemies on the Hai'an front line. Our Second Route Army was making good progress. General Chen Tiaoyuan
The Thirty-Seventh Army has advanced to 20 kilometers south of Dingyuan. General Yang Jie's Sixth Army is attacking Xuyi. Our First Army and One Division are stationed in Chuzhou for rest and reorganization, and the Third Division is the strategic general reserve.
As a result, my independent division is very isolated. Please take a look..."
Yin Jinan pointed to Wuhekou on the map: "According to Commander Bai's order, our division must capture Wuhekou within five days to cut off the enemy in Bengbu from the direction of Suqian to the north, so that our Second and Third Route Army can attack
The attack launched by the enemy defenders in the Bengbu area. The distance from our division's current position to Wuhekou is 107 kilometers, and we have to pass through more than 70 large and small rivers on the way. Therefore, there is no need for the artillery battalion to participate in the battle this time.
Tomorrow morning we will go with the logistics and munitions departments to Sanjie Town in the south to garrison and rest, and I suggest that the party representative, General Liu, take full command."
The dignified party representative Liu Shoujiang smiled slightly and nodded: "No problem, according to the division commander's opinion and actual situation, our division is in urgent need of a temporary rest and transfer place. Sanjie Town is very suitable, as it is a must-pass for highways and railways.
The thirteen surrounding towns are also the focus of our Northern Expeditionary Army's political work. They are relatively wealthy areas, so I only need to leave the gendarmerie and the political engineering department to me and we can start work immediately."
Yin Jinan nodded and continued to explain: "The first and second regiments led by Deputy Commander Hu and Chief of Staff Yang have sneaked into Qiuji Town. The guard battalion will cross Mao'er Lake from Fanjiawan west of Xuyi early tomorrow morning.
The attack on Nushanhu Town, where only one company defended the enemy, opened the way for the main force of our regiments to quickly pass through this large lakeside swamp in the northwest. Therefore, each unit must start a rapid march at 4 o'clock tomorrow morning, and strive to reach the 40-kilometer range before tomorrow evening.
Home Bay.
What needs to be noted is that the whereabouts of the large army must not be exposed. If you encounter merchants, monks, Taoists, wandering doctors, and anyone who behaves suspiciously along the way, you must force them to move forward in accordance with the original regulations of our division. You must not be careless.
Do you understand?"
"clear!"
The chief officers of the Independent Regiment, the Third Regiment and the divisions responded in unison.
The chief officers of each battalion dispersed, and Liu Shoujiang and An Yi walked side by side on the edge of the lotus pond in Baiyun Nunnery. The two chatted in low voices, and seemed to like each other quite a lot.
Since Liu Shoujiang joined the Independent Division, he has felt that the unique officer-soldier relationship and management style of the Independent Division are very different from other units. Except for his objection to An Yi and others' contempt for political work, everything else is relatively satisfactory. However, Liu Shoujiang slowly felt that
When there was no room for him to display his talents in the entire army, the unique political and ideological work of the Independent Division was called by him to sacrifice the basics and seek the last. However, when An Yi asked him what the purpose of the military's political and ideological work was, Liu Shoujiang was confused again. He could not
The denial of recognition originated from the early days of the model camp. The unique education method that has been continuously improved is very effective. When the war begins, the officers and soldiers do not need to be mobilized at all. They are all as excited as hungry wolves seeing a fat sheep.
However, Liu Shoujiang was very unwilling to accept his dispensable status in the independent division. He used many methods to get transferred to the independent division. Not only was it faster to get promoted in the independent division, but Liu Shoujiang also had his own ideals and ambitions.
He also hopes to learn more knowledge and accumulate more qualifications in this unit with great military achievements. For this reason, he would rather give up his position as director of the military-level political department that is about to expand.
However, when he entered this group with full confidence, he suddenly felt disappointed, because in this group, the instructors at each level are capable generals, and they all hold deputy positions in various departments. Everyone participates in the activities organized by An Yi
In the officer training class, he was able to fully assist his commander in every battle, and he was able to stand alone even when released. His military knowledge and combat qualities were very high, which made Liu Shoujiang, his immediate boss who was highly educated but had never led a soldier, feel ashamed of himself.
feeling.
What is comforting is that An Yi and the officials at all levels gave Liu Shoujiang considerable respect. No one neglected him, but no one was willing to have a close relationship with him.
Liu Shoujiang is a very smart person. He knows what methods and channels to use to establish his position in the independent division. When he cannot get a quick promotion, he chooses to take a step back and assume the task of assistant without complaint.
This was the reason why he readily accepted Yin Jinan's suggestion. He wanted to prove his ability and confirm his status step by step by gradually mastering the logistics, military and political departments.
An Yi is very satisfied with Liu Shoujiang's active cooperation. Although he still keeps secrets from Liu Shoujiang in terms of his own confidential funds, special training methods and means, An Yi has indeed been open and honest in other aspects, even on many issues.
Shangdu will humbly seek Liu Shoujiang's opinion, and this time it is the same. An Yi also told him the expected purpose and means of this operation one by one:
"It is not difficult to capture Wuhekou, but it is difficult to gain a foothold. The Wuhekou area is one of the waterway hubs of the Huaihe River leading to Xuzhou, Suqian, Bengbu, Huai'an, Yangzhou and other important places. If we cut off the Wuhekou waterway, it is equivalent to cutting off the waterway.
The enemy's logistics chokepoint in the south will inevitably lead to a fierce counterattack by the enemy. Therefore, this battle will be the biggest test since our division crossed the river. Therefore, it is necessary to set up a division headquarters hospital, transfer station and rest base in Sanjie Town.
"Old Liu, your burden is not light. Just providing dry food, roasting and transporting cooked meat for eight thousand soldiers will keep you busy." An Yi said in a low voice.
Liu Shoujiang smiled and answered that there was no problem, and then asked An Yi in confusion: "Since Commander Bai knows that we will face siege from enemies from all directions after taking Wuhekou, why did he still issue such an order? Could it be that our division's original
Wouldn't it be better to attack Fengyang and then harass the enemies around Bengbu to cope with General Li Delin's plan to launch a general attack on Bengbu?
Within five days, General Li Delin was unable to capture Bengbu, and our division’s occupation of Wuhekou would definitely attract the enemy’s anger and forceful attack, but there was no unit to support and coordinate with our division. This is not right!”
An Yi smiled: "I thought so at the beginning, but Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek has already issued an order, ordering General Li Delin to occupy Bengbu within five days, so it is okay for Chief Bai to order us to occupy Wuhekou within five days.
, as long as we proceed simultaneously, we can reduce the difficulty to the lowest point. What's more, Chief Bai only asked us to capture Wuhekou, and did not ask us to hold on to Wuhekou to achieve the purpose of containing the enemy from attacking and harassing the enemy and cutting off the northern logistics channel for Bengbu to defend the enemy.
We have successfully completed our mission."
"What do you mean..." Liu Shoujiang asked puzzledly.
An Yi stopped and replied: "It's very simple. It's not difficult for us to capture Wuhekou where a brigade is guarding the enemy. We can attack it, seize it all, and retreat immediately. As long as the enemy dares to pursue, we will destroy them on the move.
You know the speed of our army's attack and the endurance of our officers and soldiers. As long as the enemy dares to come out, even if he has two divisions, we will wipe them out one by one.
If the enemy does not pursue us, we will continue to harass them, launch frequent attacks on the 39-kilometer long stretch of river leading to Hongze Lake, leave them without food or water, and force them to come out to fight us.
So we have to take action in advance to scare the enemy and fight them out, so that we can better destroy the enemy. Otherwise, we will always attack the city. How many officers and soldiers do we have to consume? "
Liu Shoujiang opened his mouth wide, and after a while he sighed loudly: "It's so high..."
"Nothing, this is a last resort. If we follow the original plan, it will be much easier for us to fight. It will not be difficult for the entire division to smoothly force the division to the north of Bengbu. But Commander Bai has changed the combat mission of our division. He must have changed it.
The reason is that in the overall situation, none of us has the vision and wisdom of Chief Bai. I admire him very much for this.
There is also General Li Delin. His Seventh Army is indeed a steel division. From the Northern Expedition to the present, he has been invincible. General Zhang Fakui's Fourth Army was eager to expand due to heavy battle losses. The combat effectiveness and cohesion of the officers and soldiers were greatly reduced, especially Zhang Fakui's.
After the general drove away the commander of the Eleventh Army, General Chen Shuming, the main division of the Eleventh Army had been taken to the side of the Nanjing government by General Chen Shuming. The remaining combat effectiveness of the Eleventh Army was not much stronger. General Ye Ting's independent regiment was also damaged in the battle.
Although he now serves as the deputy commander of the 11th Army and the commander of the 24th Division, there is not much essence left in his 24th Division. The only one in the entire Northern Expeditionary Army with strong combat effectiveness is the Seventh Army.
, so I believe General Li Delin can capture Bengbu within five days." An Yi talked very confidently.
Liu Shoujiang's mind was racing and he had mixed feelings. He paused for a while and said solemnly: "Did you know? Both the headquarters and Wuhan are secretly evaluating the combat effectiveness of your independent division and the Seventh Army. I think it's best for you to
Be careful and be on guard against unexpected events!"
An Yi nodded movedly, took Liu Shoujiang's arm and walked forward:
"Don't worry, our team will always be a revolutionary team and cannot be defeated no matter what, haha..."