Chapter 691: Dignity is earned through fighting (1)
The soldiers of the 19th Route Army launched a swift and fierce counterattack, finally defeating the wavering Japanese invaders, and successfully cut off the passage of more than 3,000 remnants back to the Japanese Concession. The panicked Japanese troops, who were attacked from both sides, broke through the obstruction of the British and American police in the public concession and rushed in desperately.
The war situation took a turn for the worse and the chaotic concession situation aroused great tension in European and American countries.
Before the Japanese army and the concession authorities could react, the commander of the Fifth Army, General Zhang Zhizhong, gave an order, and the artillery fired. Nine 75 field guns launched a five-minute violent bombardment of the central area of the Japanese concession. The always domineering Japanese army never dreamed of China.
The army was so bold, so decisive, and without any mental preparation, the Hongkou Military Camp was bombed again. The Japanese Concession was filled with wailing and flames. Dozens of expatriates lay dead on the spot, and hundreds of houses were in flames. The arrogant Japanese
I finally realized the pain that war brings to civilians.
Just as the sound of artillery stopped, good news came from the Jiangbei battlefield. Soldiers from two brigades of the Independent Division quickly defeated more than 2,500 Japanese troops, blew up 12 Japanese artillery pieces and eight cars, and captured more than 800 Japanese long and short guns.
Fifty-seven Japanese officers and soldiers were captured, and they quickly evacuated the battlefield before the Japanese planes bombed, and retreated deep to the Nanyaotou area in the west. The frustrated Japanese planes bombed three villages one after another before flying away in anger. The bombing caused civilian deaths and houses.
The tragic destruction was faithfully recorded by the Central News Agency's war correspondents.
When the good news came out, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon. Shanghai citizens were excited and excited. Countless families set off firecrackers, various societies beat gongs and drums, and young students cheered along the streets to celebrate the achievements of the heroic 19th Route Army soldiers in various ways.
Another great victory.
There were also cheers in the Nanjing headquarters. Chiang Kai-shek's hanging heart was finally relieved. However, the side effects of the bombardment of the Japanese Concession made him worried. He knew that Zhang Zhizhong, who was calm and generous and always had the overall situation in mind, could issue such an order.
, it must be the battlefield conditions that forced Zhang Zhizhong to make this difficult choice. Judging from the current results, this bombardment is very worthwhile. It not only shows the army's firm determination to move forward bravely and even burn the boat, but also greatly affects Japan.
The arrogance of the invaders showed the Chinese army's strong determination to fight to the end without fear to people all over the world. It had a great influence on the stability of military morale, the stability of people's morale and the encouragement of morale. Chairman Chiang's hat of non-resistance was also attributed to this attitude.
Tough retaliatory bombardment and quietly picked it off.
As soon as Chiang Kai-shek became angry, disputes broke out between generals at the headquarters and among central officials. Chen Cheng, who had just returned from Zhejiang to attend a meeting, heard his political opponent He Yingqin scolding An Yi for grandstanding and ignoring the overall situation. He was so angry that he immediately slammed the table and scolded He Yingqin for being cowardly.
Like a rat, it's not a thing. Several of He Yingqin's allies were unhappy and immediately jumped up to attack Chen Cheng. The venue became noisy.
Gendarmerie Commander Gu Zhenglun, who had just received a commendation from the Central Military Commission for quickly cracking the Japanese espionage case, saw that it was a good thing. The frontline soldiers were united as one and the three armies worked hard to achieve such great results. It was unbearable that there were villains holding back the situation. He immediately
He wanted to argue with He Yingqin and others, but before he could come forward, Chen Shuming pointed at He Yingqin's nose and asked him excitedly if he wanted to be Qin Hui. He Yaozu couldn't help but angrily defended An Yi, who was still laughing just now
The entire venue suddenly burst into roars and curses. Chiang Kai-shek's repeated attempts to stop him did not work. He was so angry that he grabbed the teacup in front of him and threw it to the ground. Only then did everyone slowly calm down.
Who would have thought that Huang Qi, who had left the negotiating team due to accusations from all walks of life, relied on his status as a veteran and sworn brother of Chairman Chiang to say something loudly in the silence:
"Songhu and Jiangbei battlefields have achieved great victories one after another. It is indeed exciting and makes many people feel proud. But have you thought carefully about the huge negative impact caused by the bombardment of the Japanese Concession? How will our government departments deal with it? European and American friends
Will this change the position of our country to sympathize with our people, thereby escalating the war and exacerbating the disaster? Will the French seize this opportunity to get closer to Japan, or even form an alliance to join the war? Everyone
Please think carefully..."
"Total nonsense!"
Chen Shuming angrily interrupted Huang Yong's words: "The Japanese invaders have invaded our country for a long time, killing people and setting fires, but you still treat the just resistance of our soldiers with such ridiculous so-called friends and so-called humanity. In the final analysis, it is still in the bones of some people."
Cowardice and centuries-old slaves are at work!
Do you all remember? Before the war, faced with the threat and clamor of the Japanese army, how many military generals and senior government officials were panicked and desperate. How many people moved and fled Shanghai in a hurry regardless of the interests of the country and the nation, and how many people kept their mouths shut.
It is difficult to resist and defeat is inevitable, but what is the situation today?
Everyone, open your eyes and take a closer look. In the past century, when has the Chinese army been so united and achieved such glorious results? When have the Chinese people ever been as proud and united as they are today? Brothers of the 19th Route Army and the 24th Army,
One hundred thousand soldiers of the Fifth Army have defended the dignity of the country and the nation with their blood and lives. Tens of thousands of soldiers who sacrificed their lives are smiling. Countless soldiers and patriots who are deeply moved and inspired by this are doing their best to continue the victory. But you
What are you doing? You are causing trouble! You are attacking our soldiers, you are tarnishing our spirit! You...you are already scared out of your wits, you are spineless trash..."
"You are presumptuous!"
"What did you say? Who has no backbone? Please tell me clearly..."
"Rough and reckless man! Inadequacy and conspiracy..."
Chiang Kai-shek turned blue with anger. Looking at the chaotic meeting place again, he stood up suddenly, grabbed the documents in front of him, turned around and walked away in a stride. Yang Jie, Ge Jing'en and others were so frightened that their faces changed. They picked up their briefcases and hurriedly chased after them.
Got out.
Five hours later, in addition to the Japanese minister and his consulate officials clamoring for redoubled revenge, European and American countries, including France, did not have the censure and pressure that Chiang Kai-shek and the cowardly civilian officials were worried about. Instead, they quickly and proactively took action.
Contacted the Central Military Commission in Nanjing and various ministries of the central government to express their concerns and worries, and made a clear commitment to take immediate action to form a strong, efficient and pragmatic joint team to achieve a settlement between China and Japan as soon as possible with the greatest sincerity and a fair and equitable stance.
During the armistice negotiations, the envoys of various countries in Beijing requested to meet with Chairman Chiang Kai-shek and President Wang Jingwei as soon as possible to conduct sincere consultations and exchanges on the situation in Songhu.
Seeing such a gratifying situation, Chiang Kai-shek was surprised and convinced. He immediately met with the envoys of the United States, Britain, Italy, and France with unprecedented efficiency, and even spoke with much more confidence.
After the meeting with envoys from various countries was completed, Chiang Kai-shek went straight to his official residence and held a countermeasures meeting attended by the chiefs of various ministries of the Military Commission and the Government Affairs Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After more than two hours of repeated weighing, he finally selected Gu Weijun, Guo Taiqi and others.
As a representative, he immediately rushed to Shanghai to join Luo Wenqian, Zhang Qun and Wu Tiecheng to attend the armistice negotiations hosted by the ministers of the four European and American countries.
After the meeting, Chiang Kai-shek left the Chen brothers and Yang Yongtai behind to discuss secretly with the three of them respectively. It was already three o'clock in the morning when he returned to bed. However, in the dead of night, Chiang Kai-shek tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, and finally just stared at the ceiling.
In a daze, Chiang Kai-shek's bloodshot eyes still didn't close until dawn, leaving Song Meiling wondering what had happened and asking for comfort again and again.
On the morning of the next day, the ambassadors of Britain, the United States, France and Italy to Japan respectively informed the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explicitly requesting for the first time that Japanese troops should not land in the Shanghai concession, otherwise they would be severely sanctioned; French embassy officials in Shanghai faced hundreds of thousands of people in Shanghai
The citizens shouted anti-French slogans angrily during the celebration parade, and finally stood up and promised that the French Concession would become a stable, just and permanent neutral zone and would never allow any armed force, including the Japanese army, to enter or pass through; Shanghai 26
Banks organized a joint preparation committee to raise 50 million yuan and issue bonds to raise funds for the Nanjing government.
On the 28th, the four-nation joint group headed by British Navy Commander Kelly held a meeting to mediate the Shanghai war. They met with the Japanese Minister to China, the Commander of the Army, and Chinese representatives Gu Weijun, Guo Taiqi, Zhang Qun, and Wu Tiecheng on the British ship HMS Gant to begin negotiations.
Armistice conditions.
At the same time, there was a sea of people inside and outside the public headquarters of the 19th Route Army. Thousands of Shanghai citizens and young students flocked to the headquarters. Mountains of condolences and anti-war donations were handed over to Cai Tingkai and other generals.
The extremely grateful Cai Tingkai and other generals called over 700 soldiers who had performed outstandingly and bravely in several battles, and expressed their heartfelt thanks to the excited representatives and people from all walks of life, expressing their determination to fight to the end.
Under the strong request of hundreds of reporters and representatives from all walks of life, Cai Tingkai, Ou Shounian, Tan Qixiu and others successively delivered exciting speeches and made firm commitments that brought tears to the eyes of Shanghai citizens and people from all walks of life.
A troop transport convoy drove slowly from north to south. An Yi in the car saw a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps in front of the 19th Route Army Headquarters and the crowds of people. He immediately understood that Weng Zhaoheng and Zhang Zhizhong insisted on taking their own
The purpose of pulling here. Early this morning, a secret telegram from Nanjing was sent to An Yi. After reading the telegram, An Yi wandered alone in the woods outside the headquarters for more than half an hour. Finally, after all the brothers were worried, An Yi
With eyes in his eyes, he walked out of the woods very calmly and without saying a word began to discuss the various units of the Fifth Army and the battlefield situation in Jiangbei. Until Weng Zhaoheng and Zhang Zhizhong arrived to pull him out, he was still taking positions with Xia Jian and others of the 39th Division.
Exchange of ideas on defense and fortification construction.
The motorcade turned a corner and stopped at the back door of the headquarters. An Yi followed Weng Zhaoheng and Zhang Zhizhong and strode through the small backyard and entered the central hall. Before they even walked out of the door, they heard Cai Tingkai's familiar voice announcing Zhang Zhizhong.
The arrival of the general and General An Yi immediately filled the venue with cheers and excitement.
An Yi and Zhang Zhizhong, surrounded by the generals of the 19th Route Army, climbed onto a high platform made of temporary tables and saluted Cai Tingkai and others. Then they turned to the nearly 10,000 cheering soldiers and civilians and saluted solemnly. There were more than a hundred reporters in front of the stage.
There was a lot of competition, and it was crowded, and everyone wanted to take precious photos of the generals of the three armies gathered together.
At the warm invitation of Cai Tingkai and other generals, the gentle and elegant General Zhang Zhizhong delivered a brief speech in front of the thundering applause of the army and the people. In a few words, he stated the army's determination to overcome all difficulties and fight to the end, and received overwhelming applause and applause from the entire army and people. cheer.
After Zhang Zhizhong saluted, he stepped back humbly. An Yi, who was unprepared and worried, was finally invited to the front.
An Yi smiled slightly and took two steps forward. Before he could raise his hand, thundering applause and the call of "General An" suddenly rang out. It lasted for more than three minutes before slowly stopping during An Yi's excited salute. .
An Yi was very moved. He did not speak directly into the microphone. Instead, he walked to the edge of the stage and ordered the security officers and soldiers in the audience to invite the four young men and women in front of the crowd. After talking with the four young men who were so excited that they stammered. , An Yi politely thanked him, then returned to the microphone and said loudly to the nearly 10,000 curious soldiers and civilians in the audience:
"Dear elders, brothers and sisters, I just heard several calls with different accents, so I asked specifically. Those four young friends are all from the Northeast. Full of grief and indignation, they traveled all the way from Shenyang to Shanghai for the purpose of Seeing with my own eyes the officers and soldiers of the 19th Route Army who fought bravely against the Japanese invaders, they were very excited and shed tears when talking to me. But I knew that these were not only their tears of excitement, but also tears of loss of territory and trampling on their dignity. Tears of grievance and pain... Our officers and soldiers, let us salute these four brothers and sisters from the occupied land of Northeast China, and listen to my command: stand at attention—salute—"
More than two thousand officers and soldiers on guard duty, more than seven hundred bandaged honorary officers and soldiers, together with more than ten generals on the stage, saluted four young students from Shenyang. The four students were so moved that they covered their faces and cried. Unable to stand, this violent mood swing quickly spread, causing the entire audience to burst into mourning.
"After the ceremony - take a rest!"
An Yi put down his hand, glanced around the audience, swallowed hard and then said: "Everyone, the reason why our soldiers have such determination, and have such glory and pride today, is entirely due to our people. It is precisely because of countless It is the kind and unyielding people who have the courage and strength to inspire all soldiers to have a firm belief in protecting their homeland. Since the Songhu Anti-Japanese War, heroes have emerged one after another in both the military and civilians, and many touching and tear-jerking deeds have occurred. This is the pride of our army, the pride of China, and the pride of the nation!"
The applause rang out and lasted for a long time. An Yi waved his hand for everyone to stop and raised his voice: "Here I want to say something to everyone present. Before the war, an old friend in the Nanjing shopping mall asked me that the Chinese army was all pulled out. How many days can you withstand the powerful Japanese army on the battlefield? I was very sad at the time. After hearing this, I didn’t know how to answer for a while. Then I told him, you knew me, An Yi, three years ago. At that time, could you Can you guess that I, An Yi, became the deputy chief of staff of the entire army before I was twenty-five years old? He was stunned for a long time, shook his head, smiled, and stopped asking."
The whole audience roared with laughter. This miracle of sadness and joy quickly changed in a few words of An Yi, which made Cai Tingkai and Zhang Zhizhong on the stage sigh. Cai Tingkai quietly asked Zhang Zhizhong how An Yi could be so eloquent. ?Zhang Zhizhong smiled and replied that he had taught at the Central Military Academy for several years and it was often like this.
An Yi did not laugh, but said seriously: "This is not funny, not funny at all... In fact, I didn't blame my pessimistic old friend at all at that time, because for more than a hundred years we have
The nation has suffered too much, and one humiliation after another has been nailed to the backbone of the entire Chinese people. It has never straightened up since the Opium War. In the late Qing Dynasty and the early years of the Republic of China, it developed into a tragic situation that would never be restored. The people continued to suffer.
They don't have enough to eat, they don't have enough clothes to wear, they live under the iron heel of the imperialist powers all day long, and they have to suffer from the plunder and brutal humiliation of the divided country one by one by the warlords. Just imagine, in such a dire situation.
, how many people are not pessimistic and disappointed? Everyone present is very familiar with such tragic days. If nothing else, the dead bodies that have been found in the streets and alleys of Shanghai every day since the beginning of winter can make us numb in sinking.