Chapter 43 The former chief of staff of the enemy?
Chapter 403 Former enemy chief of staff?
At two o'clock in the afternoon on February 25, 17th year of the Republic of China, stars were shining in Nanjing's Xiaguan Camp, and reporters gathered. The review and inspection event of the First Group Army Independent Division held by the Commander-in-Chief of the National Revolutionary Army officially began. Chairman of the Military Commission and
Commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army Chiang Kai-shek, Central Executive Committee and Military Commission member Zhu Peide, Chairman of the Nanjing Central Government Tan Yankai, Director of the General Office of the Military Commission Yang Jie, Director of the General Staff Department Ge Jingen, Director of the General Affairs Department Lei Biao, Director of the Political Training Department Dai Jitao, Director of the Military Station Yu Feipeng,
Chen Cheng, Director of the Military Education Department, Wang Zusheng, Chief of Staff of the First Group Army, Artillery Major General Cai Zhonghuan, Nanjing Garrison Commander Gu Zhenglun, and hundreds of dignitaries from the military commission, ordnance industry, military supplies and other departments were all present.
The 12,000 officers and soldiers of the Anyi Independent Division who arrived in Nanjing from Nanchang in the morning stood neatly under the reviewing stand, listening to the enthusiastic and encouraging speeches of Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek and Chairman Tan Yankai, and accepted the review and inspection of various departments of the Military Commission and the General Headquarters.
After standing for two and a half hours, the leader of the inspection team finally announced: The independent division is fully staffed, well-equipped, and fully meets all requirements.
Amid thunderous applause, Commander-in-Chief Chiang, who was in a happy mood, walked to the stage and looked at the unmoving officers and soldiers of the independent division with strict military discipline, and at the rows of brand-new and bright 75 artillery pieces and mortars, and light and heavy machine guns.
, once again gave high praise to the An Yi Division and placed deep hopes on it, and finally, solemnly announced that the Independent Division would return to the battle order of the National Revolutionary Army.
At the end of the ceremony, An Yi ordered the officers and soldiers of the division to disband, and led his generals Hu Jialin, Gu Changfeng, Lu Guang, and Huang Yingwu to rush to Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek and the ministers to express his thanks.
After a lively exchange of pleasantries, Commander-in-Chief Chiang kindly said that he had an important meeting and could not stay for long, and asked Chen Cheng, Cai Zhonghu, and Gu Zhenglun around him to entertain An Yi and the others, and then he met with a group of people who were deeply affected by the spring breeze.
Central military and political officials left in cars.
An Yi knew that this was a great favor from Commander-in-Chief Chiang, and it also allowed him to gather with the generals of the Huangpu Clique to communicate with each other. Commander-in-Chief Chiang did not know that An Yi's liaison office in Nanjing was becoming larger and larger.
Each branch of the "Oriental News Agency" will report various news and submit various intelligences to An Yi every day, so they very carefully arrange for a few confidants to take advantage of the opportunity to tell An Yi about the Huangpu group and various armies.
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An Yi was also happy to have a good reunion with a group of instructors who had reunited after a long absence. He ordered the party representative Huang Yingwu and the leaders of each regiment to lead the brothers to add food to the camp, and pulled a few deputies to board the instructors' special cars.
A convoy of several cars drove out of the camp. An Yi, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned around and wanted to chat with Chen Cheng, Cai Zhonghua and Xu Tingyao in the back seat. Xu Tingyao had already spoken with emotion:
"Xiao Yi, I didn't expect you to be on the same level as us. In the entire Huangpu, only Hu Zongnan who led troops in the first four phases can compete with you."
"Brother Hu has been promoted from the deputy commander of the 1st Division to the commander of the 22nd Division. I have already known about it. It is strange that Commander Xu was promoted to the commander of the 2nd Division only at the end of last year. In September last year, Commander Liu officially took office.
Commander, why are you still clinging to the position of division commander? Aren't you tired and panicking?" An Yi said this very rudely.
Xu Tingyao smiled slightly and did not answer. The straightforward Cai Zhonghuan shouted loudly: "Liu Jingfu has acted as the army commander three times, and each time he failed to take the position for one reason or another. This time, I am afraid that he will feel angry and will die."
He held the position of commander of the Second Division and refused to let go. In fact, Brother Mo wanted to transfer Brother Yuexiang to the Ninth Army several times to be the deputy commander, but he was unwilling to let him go even after helping him to death, so he finally figured it out.
By officially handing over the position of commander of the Second Division to Brother Yuexiang, my daughter-in-law of many years will almost become a mother-in-law!"
Chen Cheng and An Yi laughed heartily after hearing this, Cai Zhonghua also grinned widely, and the mature and gentle Xu Tingyao helplessly shook her head without comment.
After Chen Cheng finished laughing, he said meaningfully: "This is normal. There are countless examples of military commanders serving as division commanders. This time Brother Ming was promoted to the position of deputy commander of the First Army. He also also served as the division commander of the First Division.
A position? But Brother Ming's generous move in recommending Hu Zongnan to be promoted to commander of the 22nd Division is indeed very admirable!
However, Brother Yuexiang has indeed waited too long. The current promotion system is very unreasonable. Now Xiaoyi, Hu Zongnan and other students have been promoted to division commander and deputy division commander. In comparison, I feel even more ashamed.
Damn, after being dismissed by He Jingzhi, the younger brother was full of grief and anger. He wandered around with nothing to do all day long. Life was very difficult! Fortunately, the principal showed compassion and care after he came out and summoned the younger brother to return to the army. But now, all the seats in each division are full, and the surroundings are full.
There are still a group of people waiting in line, so I have no choice but to go into the headquarters and do some idle work. How can you feel comfortable leading troops outside?"
"Cixiu, please stop complaining. If you complain to me, I will suffer even more. After being driven away by He Jingzhi, I can only make a living in a clothing factory run by a friend in Shanghai. If it weren't for Xiao Yi's decision in mid-September last year,
His general manager, Mr. Zhou, found me and bought 150,000 yuan worth of cotton cloth and cotton yarn from the factory where I was working as a casual worker. I was too embarrassed to live alone in my friend's factory!
At the beginning of the year, I finally waited for the principal to go out and get the call. I rushed back to the headquarters and saw that that guy He Jingzhi had already split up the artillery headquarters completely in order to please the divisions. Brother, I could only go to the principal to complain. If the principal hadn't understood
Wisely, I made the decision to reorganize the artillery brigade. I don’t know where I am now! The past is too painful to look back on!" Cai Zhonghuan sighed, his resentment towards He Yingqin was definitely not inferior to that of Chen Cheng.
Xu Tingyao smiled and said: "It is very important to restore Xiaoyi's independent division. In terms of combat merit, which division of our First Army can compare with Xiaoyi? Who can compare with Xiaoyi's repeated hardships?
After the principal left office, the vast majority of our Huangpu department were still in the military and were safe and sound. Only Xiao Yi remained unyielding in the face of coercion and inducement. Thinking about it makes people feel sad and angry but full of admiration, not to mention the deep feelings in the principal's heart. To be honest
If so, even if the principal appoints Xiao Yi as deputy commander and division commander of which army, Brother Yu would take it for granted, let alone just reinstate Xiao Yi as the commander of an independent division?
As far as Brother Yu knows, Brother Jing Fu, Third Brother Ming and Third Brother Mo are all plotting against Xiao Yi, and they all want to get Xiao Yi and his independent division under their command. I wonder where the principal will let him return to Jian in the end.
go."
Chen Cheng and Cai Zhonghuan were unable to judge what Commander-in-Chief Chiang meant. An Yi said noncommittally: "You can go anywhere. Anyway, you are in the revolutionary army. Now that He Jingzhi is no longer in the army, I will be the one in Huangpu wherever you go."
I have teachers and senior brothers everywhere to rely on me, so I’m not worried.”
"You're a rich guy now, and you've got all the qualifications and military exploits. What do you have to worry about?"
Chen Cheng smiled and then asked: "By the way, why are the military uniforms of your independent division so weird? The officers and soldiers of the yellow-green military uniforms and camouflage combat uniforms produced by Jiangnan Group have received very good feedback. Why do you still wear the old-fashioned gray cloth uniforms?"
An Yi raised his left arm helplessly: "I wonder what the bosses of the central government and the Political Training Department think? Six days ago, I suddenly issued an order to my junior brother, requiring my independent division to wear military uniforms of the same color and standard to undergo the review. Junior
With no choice but to ask the military uniform factory to work overtime, it took five days and five nights to produce 12,000 sets. I searched everywhere for old military caps and put them on, and even put away the helmets.
After today's review, we have to use camouflage combat uniforms with ample equipment, otherwise the officers and soldiers will not even have replacements, and the original large caps are not suitable anymore. How good are the imitation German military caps produced by our military uniform factory? They are light and comfortable.
Removing the brim can also block wind and snow and achieve the effect of keeping warm, which is much better than those big caps that are only useless!"
Chen Cheng and the others agreed with An Yi's opinion and believed that it would be a matter of time for the entire army to change its uniforms. Otherwise, Commander-in-Chief Chiang would not allow the First Division of the First Army and the Third Division of the Ninth Army to purchase new military uniforms and uniforms from the Jiangnan Group.
Steel helmets, when the voice of the officers and soldiers comes, those big men will no longer be so old-fashioned.
Xu Tingyao asked Jiang Dingwen whether the 25,000 sets of camouflage combat uniforms and 13,000 helmets ordered by the First Division had been shipped? Xu Tingyao came to Nanjing specially to receive supplementary equipment this time. An Yi replied that 50,000 sets of camouflage combat uniforms were shipped
Ten thousand helmets have been sent to the Army Depot between Nanjing Xiaguan Pier and the station. Due to the shortage of raw materials, the helmets may have to wait a month to be completed.
Cai Zhonghuan quickly told An Yi that after the military expenditures are allocated next week, he will purchase new clothing, shoes and hats, steel helmets, engineering equipment and other materials for the artillery brigade from Jiangnan Group, so that An Yi could say hello to Jiangnan Group in advance.
The motorcade soon came to a stop at the time-honored tavern in Confucius Temple. An Yi and Hu Jialin had just followed Chen Cheng and others up to the second floor. The Huangpu brothers from the Commander-in-Chief's Attendant's Office and the Staff Office came one after another, and there was a private room that could hold two large tables.
Suddenly it was packed with people, brothers were laughing and chatting, drinking and drinking, people were coming and going, it was very lively, and it was not until eleven o'clock in the evening that we finally dispersed happily.
An Yi and everyone walked downstairs, and He Zhonghan drove over in a car from the headquarters. "The principal invited me" made An Yi frown. He told He Zhonghan that he had come to drink after the school review, and now he was smelly and sweaty and had no place to take a shower.
Changing clothes, smelling of alcohol so much that mosquitoes can't fly, how can I go to see the principal with this terrible image?
He Zhonghan pushed An Yi into the car without saying a word, said hello to the others, and directly pulled An Yi to the office building of Chiang Kai-shek's Commander-in-Chief. He entered the hall and ordered his subordinates to bring a towel and hand it to An Yi, and led An Yi to the corner.
After cleaning up the bathroom for a while, they walked together to Commander-in-Chief Chiang Kai-shek's office.
"Sit down!"
Chiang Kai-shek, who did not smoke or drink, was very sensitive. His nose twitched slightly and a look of displeasure appeared on his face.
An Yi didn't dare to sit down. He stood in front of the large desk and apologized in a low voice: "I'm sorry, principal, the student is arrogant."
When Chiang Kai-shek saw He Zhonghan bringing a cup of strong tea, he motioned for him to put it on the coffee table in the middle of the sofa in front of him. He picked up his cup with one hand and walked to the main sofa to sit down:
"Sit down. You don't look drunk at all. Your senior brothers came back from Nanchang and told me that you opened a nightclub and they got drunk every time you went there."
An Yi chuckled, sat on the sofa opposite Chiang Kai-shek, picked up a cup and drank a few gulps: "Students only hold 30% of the shares in that hotel and nightclub. It is mainly for the convenience of receiving guests. I don't know if it makes money yet."
Chiang Kai-shek smiled slightly, waved his hand, and said in a much more friendly tone: "I asked you to come here today because I want to ask for your opinion on General Ye Kaixin's command.
I received an urgent telegram from him at noon. He said that Bai Jiansheng's Thirteenth Army was forced to Anhua, and Chen Jiayou's new Fourteenth Army, which had taken refuge with Li Delin, was stationed in Changde, and he wanted to compress the two divisions of his Forty-fourth Army in the western Hunan area.
Annihilation, Cheng Songyun's Sixth Army was also eyeing them and had been coveting them for a long time. He had no choice but to fight back and annihilated a regiment of more than 1,500 instructors of the Thirteenth Army. He seized a batch of weapons and ammunition and retreated.
Please ask me to let him lead his troops to Anhui to participate in the Northern Expedition.
However, I expressed doubts about the combat effectiveness of his 44th Army, especially when he said that one of Bai Jiansheng's regiments was annihilated.
I’ve heard about the battle, but I haven’t heard back from him until now.”
An Yi was stunned for a moment, pondered for a moment and replied in a low voice: "This is very likely true! Although General Bai Jiansheng's Thirteenth Army is well-equipped, the two main divisions and one instructor are not soldiers from Guangxi.
Instead, they were forcibly recruited from the collapsed Tenth Army of the Guizhou Army and the Fourteenth Army of the Gan Army under General Lai Shihuang. In just three months, it was difficult to form a tacit understanding to improve combat effectiveness. They encountered the 44th Army of the Hunan Army who were good at fighting tough battles.
The military may not necessarily bring benefits.
Furthermore, the terrain of Western Hunan is complex, with mountains and luxuriant forests. There are many large and small caves and dry ditches covered with vegetation at the mountainside and foothills. Coupled with the current windy, cold and rainy season, the 44th Army of the Hunan Army, who is familiar with the terrain, is in an unbearable situation.
It's normal for us to work together and strike out angrily, and they will win. Their fighting power is still relatively strong."
"Well, that makes sense."
Chiang Kai-shek nodded happily, and then asked: "Several officers at the headquarters said that you are familiar with Ye Kaixin's troops. His deputy commander Zhang Hongluan was once captured by you. You can't make a deal without fighting. You have a good relationship now. If
If General Ye Kaixin's headquarters is still intact, I hope they will come to the Jiangbei battlefield. Tell me, can they escape this hurdle?"
An Yi answered truthfully: "The student told the truth and begged the principal to forgive me! The students believed that even if all three armies were sent to western Hunan to encircle and suppress the 44th Army, it would not be effective. The complex terrain was one of the reasons, and the 44th Army could use guerrilla tactics to resolve them one by one.
Another important reason is that General Lu Diping's Second Army has returned to Changsha, Pingjiang, and Liuyang to be stationed on the front line. Judging from the current situation of General Cheng Songyun, he will feel very uncomfortable. In order to squeeze out General Lu Diping's
The Second Army will not easily let his Sixth Army leave Changsha. Judging from his continuous appointment of officials and promises to recruit powerful armed forces and green forest heroes from all over the past month, he has realized that he is surrounded by the powerful Guangxi clique.
It was difficult to achieve anything, so he would only bribe and appease the 44th Army, which was also the Hunan Army, but would not turn against him, which did him no good at all.
Previously, Tao Jun's Eighteenth Army of the Guangxi faction had entered northern Hunan to attack western Hunan. Suddenly, the Japanese bombing incident occurred. The Japanese army was furious and retaliated against its Yichang military camp. Tao Jun quickly led his troops back to Yichang to garrison, and never dared to attack again.
Acting rashly, the Japanese are still exerting pressure on General Li Delin in Wuhan. Therefore, the most they can do is transfer Chen Jiayou's 14th Army, which has only two conventional divisions, to Western Hunan for coordinated operations. The 44th Army that retreated to Western Hunan has no pressure from the outside world.
It's a big imaginary. If we really annihilate a regiment of the Thirteenth Army, our morale will be greatly boosted. Once we stop the decline and gain a firm foothold, it will be much easier to handle."
Chiang Kai-shek praised with satisfaction: "You have made progress again..."
"Commander-in-Chief, General Ye Kaixin has called back." Chen Bulei came in quietly and handed the message to Chiang Kai-shek.
Chiang Kai-shek quickly took over and read it carefully: "... very good! The reply said that they conducted a beautiful ambush at a place where the instructor of the Thirteenth Army, who was pursuing them, thought it was least likely to set up an ambush, and used explosives.
Using rolling logs, sharpshooters and other means, the two regiments led by instructor Chen Zhibiao were blocked three kilometers east of the ambush point. The battle ended in only forty minutes... Forty minutes? So the firepower of the 44th Army should be
It’s very powerful.”
An Yi grinned and was very happy: "If we can concentrate the light machine guns and flower machine guns of the two divisions, use a close ambush in an unexpected area, and use the firepower advantage and suddenness to strike resolutely without stopping, it will be easy to do it."
obtained.
The most commendable aspect of this battle is that it blocked the enemy's reinforcements three kilometers away, concentrated its superior forces and quickly defeated it. It was a smart fight. I am afraid that the Thirteenth Army will never dare to push in again, otherwise it will take a whole day.
In two months, maybe the Thirteenth Army will be eaten up by the Forty-fourth Army, which is familiar with the terrain and becomes more courageous as it fights."
Chiang Kai-shek nodded again: "In this case, I will think of a way to transfer them over, which will be a help to our upcoming second Northern Expedition... Judging from your appearance, you seem to have different opinions?"
An Yi hesitated for a moment: "Principal, in my humble opinion as a student, I think it is better to leave the 44th Army in Xiangxi. If it is to be mobilized, only one division will be mobilized, so that the whole country will know the principal's broad mind and ability to unite all forces."
The unanimous determination of the Northern Expedition.
As long as the Forty-Fourth Army is encouraged and spurred, coupled with certain financial support, and appropriately provided with some guns and ammunition, the students believe that they can take root in the western Hunan region, like a nail firmly nailed into Hunan, Hubei, and Guizhou.
This barren but extremely important strategic area between Sichuan and Sichuan.
Principal, the students believe that the Northern Expedition will be won soon, in about a year at most. After the victory of the Northern Expedition, all the contradictions hidden under the same banner will immediately appear. Others will not talk about it, only the Guangxi clique, Li Delin and
The two generals Bai Jiansheng still rely on their strong military power to occupy the two lakes and are connected with their rear area of Guangxi. If they are allowed to develop unscrupulously, there will be another split and civil war.
Therefore, from a strategic point of view, the splitting momentum of the Guangxi Clique must be curbed, and the best way to curb it is to target a nail in western Hunan and help it grow, so that the Guangxi Clique has a sense of crisis that it will be cut off at any time.
Even if it is not useful for the Guangxi Clan, it can still be used when unifying the warlord-dominated Southwest."
Chiang Kai-shek looked at An Yi in surprise, and after a while he slowly stood up and took a few steps: "It's rare that you have such far-reaching vision. I feel so relieved, I feel so relieved! If this is the case...immediately transfer one of Ye Kaixin's divisions here Well, leave one division behind and let it grow stronger. As long as you quietly provide assistance and give it an appropriate number, you can achieve the good effect of killing two birds with one stone..."
"The principal is wise! In this way, the maximum effect can be achieved politically and militarily. Even if the division left in western Hunan fails in the end, the goal has been achieved." An Yi praised with admiration.
Chiang Kai-shek laughed happily: "When did you learn this? An Yi, you are from Sichuan. After the Northern Expedition is completed, the pacification and unification of the southwest will still require you Sichuan students to go through fire and water and go all out." , If we want to establish a unified Three People's Principles country, we must eliminate all local separatist warlords. Otherwise, the whole of China will still be divided, there will be more and greater civil wars that will poison all living beings, and our revolutionary cause will fail. ,avoid!”
"Yes!" An Yi stood up and replied respectfully.
Chiang Kai-shek returned to An Yi: "Didn't your arsenal produce imitations of German rifles, shell guns, machine guns and Czech light machine guns? Your Jiangnan Group also has five cargo ships registered in Germany. In the future, it will support the 44th Army. How about I let you complete the action?"
"Principal, please give this task to Yin Jinan. He has more time and convenience to build a security division in Nanchang. He can even transfer some instructors to train the officers and soldiers of the 44th Army who remain in western Hunan, and integrate my Huangpu spirit into this army. Among the strange soldiers, students need to follow the principal wholeheartedly in the Northern Expedition. The battles down there are not easy to fight, and I am afraid they will not be qualified for other tasks." An Yi answered humbly.
"Well! Very good, leave it to Yin Jinan. He is very stable and careful. I feel relieved about him. Just concentrate on the Northern Expedition. Another one, it has been initially decided to appoint General Zhu Yizhi as the commander-in-chief of the reserve force. But since Jin Handing's thirty As soon as the army arrives at the front line, I want General Zhu Yizhi, who has very deep qualifications and experience, to serve as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy. You have a good relationship with him, so I plan to put your independent division at the former enemy headquarters. You How about also serving as the chief of staff of General Zhu Yizhi?" Chiang Kai-shek said.
An Yi was shocked: "This... Principal, the students have limited abilities and mediocre qualifications, so it is really difficult for them to do the job!"
Chiang Kai-shek said displeasedly: "I say you can do it! Okay, tomorrow you will drive your independent division to Liuhe on the north bank. There are ready-made military camps there and the terrain is more suitable for you to start training. You still have a month." During the military training period, during this month, you can go to the headquarters to inquire about any information at any time and increase your knowledge as the chief of staff of the army. Your appointment will be announced in the middle of next month and will be kept confidential for the time being.
In addition, you should take some time to go to the Central Military Academy on Huangpu Road in the past few days to visit your mentor Zhang Wenbai. He is full of praise for the books you wrote and has printed them as military school textbooks. He wants you to draw them. I have time to hold discussions and discussions, and I also want to lead the newly formed instructors to your military camp for study and observation.
This is an opportunity, you have to seize it, the whole army will soon know that you, An Yi, have excellent military theory, which will be good for your future development, do you understand?"
"Students understand! Thanks to the principal for cultivating me!" An Yi couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart.
Chiang Kai-shek smiled slightly: "Okay, go back. You have a lot to do, so you have to hurry up. On Qingming Festival, I will try my best to take time to go to the Baguazhou Monument with you to pay homage to your more than 10,000 sacrificed soldiers. You can do this well."
Very good, both Yin Jinan and Hu Jialin did a good job."
"Thank you, principal!"
After An Yi left, Chiang Kai-shek returned to his desk and sat down, put down the telegram, picked up his pen and began to draft a telegram to Ye Kaixin. Chen Builei, who was deeply moved by An Yi's strategy, stepped forward and asked: "Commander-in-Chief, An Yi really only has
Twenty-two years old?”
Chiang Kai-shek replied calmly: "Almost, he will be twenty-two years old in four months."
Chen Brai adjusted his glasses, walked out of the office, closed the door, looked at the ceiling and sighed: "No wonder Bai Chongxi called him 'Flying Fox', he is such a genius..."