Chapter 1012 Let's use the enemy's trick
Minister He asked, "Director Ma! Have you finished reading?"
"No! There is also the battle report of the 34th Army."
Ma Chunfang shook his head and handed him a piece of paper filled with telegrams.
Minister He frowned and scanned the area, then read aloud: "The 34th Army held the position of Shamao Mountain on the Yangtze River for seven days and seven nights despite the strong attack of two Japanese divisions and the bombardment of aircraft, artillery and warships.
They used roundabout maneuvers, surprise attacks by special agents, fire attacks at night, tunnel ambushes, and frogman bombings of ships, which frightened the Japanese and caused great casualties to the enemy, but they also suffered heavy casualties themselves.
At present, part of the army has retreated to both sides of the Three Gorges and westward to the mountains of Chongqing, vigorously building defensive fortifications to block the enemy's way westward to Chongqing.
Another elite force is lurking in the mountains and dense forests, ready to counterattack Yichang at any time."
The conference room was silent as everyone listened to him finish reading.
Some people even have intense war scenes in their minds.
Minister He finished reading it in one breath and said with emotion: "I want to learn how the 34th Army fought this battle on the spot."
Commander Bai echoed, "I also want to go and see it after hearing that."
Zeng Yun couldn't sit still any longer, he had to pass on this information as soon as possible.
Commander Liu shook his head and said, "When the 34th Army retreated, why didn't they inform the 44th Army in Yichang? Did they cause the 44th Army to collapse?"
Ma Chunfang opened another telegram and reported: "According to the Fifth War Zone, the 34th Army informed the War Zone and all friendly forces when it retreated. The 44th Army insisted that it could hold Yichang City and did not withdraw."
Commander Liu was puzzled and said, "That shouldn't be the case! The 44th Army has two divisions under its command. It's impossible for them to be defeated so quickly."
Commander Feng shook his head and said, "They didn't even escape in the rout. The combat intelligence must have been leaked."
Minister He ordered: "Director Ma! Call General Huang Wanjin and ask him how Yichang was lost."
"Yes!"
Ma Chunfang hurriedly accepted the order.
Governor Jiang walked out of the secret room holding a radio and said anxiously:
"Director Ma! Wait a moment."
He placed the radio on the podium and turned the knob to full throttle.
There was a Japanese announcer on the radio broadcasting:
“The Imperial Army paid a certain sacrifice at Shamao Mountain, repelling China’s elite 34th Army and annihilating China’s 44th Army guarding Yichang.
Soon the Japanese Imperial Army will march westwards and capture Chongqing. We urge the Chongqing government of China to surrender immediately and seek leniency.
The Japanese regarded life as worthless and never acknowledged sacrifice. The fact that they said on the radio that certain sacrifices had been made showed that it was indeed not easy to break through the Shamao Mountain defense line.
Everyone in the conference room was talking at once, indignantly saying:
"This damn devil is talking nonsense!"
"You are just dreaming! Don't even think about breaking into Chongqing!"
Having said that, everyone knew in their hearts that the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse and was in a very bad state.
Governor Jiang whispered, "Director Ma! Call the Fifth War Zone and order the 34th Army to march to Yichang, strike back at the Japanese and teach them a lesson."
"Yes!"
Ma Chunfang hurriedly took the order and ran out of the meeting room.
Northwest of Yichang, in the forests of Yiling Mountains.
Xiang Chu and his men's uniforms were all stained with blood.
After several days of fierce fighting, their bodies were covered with the blood of the Japanese, their companions, and even their own.
Liu Zhengxiong smiled bitterly and said, "Boy! This is the most thrilling and exciting time since we started fighting the Japanese. If you hadn't acted quickly and killed the Japanese sniper, I, Liu, would have almost died."
Xiang Chu threw an exquisite Japanese samurai sword to him and said angrily:
"Who told you to command our troops to charge with the sword that was captured from the Japanese regiment commander? You even shouted "Peaches, give me" in the tone of Doihara Ken'er, clearly looking for the Japanese sniper to kill you."
Gan Rong taunted, "Old Liu! You really should put on the Japanese general's uniform and come with me to attack the camp at night."
Liu Zhengxiong said with a smile: "Isn't it exciting to fight? And I deliberately provoked the Japanese, so I learned from Doihara Ken'er to shout charge."
Xiang Chu regretted, "I should have left Li Tong, Zhang Linmao, Ning Qiang and other brothers to fight. They can better implement my combat intentions."
Liu Zhengxiong said unhappily, "I know! You must think that the 78th Division did not implement the combat intent well, but Guo Fang and Su Yongqiang are still quite good."
Xiang Chu was surprised and asked, "Are you talking about Su Yongqiang?"
Liu Zhengxiong slapped his forehead and said with a wry smile: "I forgot to tell you that Su Yongqiang is also in the 78th Division. I want to promote him to the position of Chief of Staff of the 78th Division."
Lan Cheng said with a smile: "Boss! Your classmate asked us where you died. He wants to go and pay tribute to you."
Xiang Chu said excitedly: "Quick! Call Su Yongqiang over. No! I'll go see Su Yongqiang."
Liu Zhengxiong said angrily: "Boy! Didn't you order the 78th Division to retreat to the Three Gorges to overhaul the fortifications?"
Xiang Chu smiled bitterly and said, "I actually forgot! I'll talk about it later."
At this time, Song Xi walked out of the command post, came to Xiang Chu, and said with a wry smile:
"General Xiang! The Supreme Command has asked you to lead the 34th Army to Yichang, to strike back at the Japanese and teach them a lesson."
Xiang Chu smiled and said, "Then let us take Yichang back!"
Song Xi shook his head and said, "Even if we take it back, we can't keep it. It's just a waste of time."
Xiang Chu shook his head and said, "No! Torment the little devils."
At this time, Ma Fugui also rushed out of the command post and hurriedly reported:
"Commander! The 44th Army called and said that their remnants were surrounded at the Rain-Seeking Platform and requested our army to rescue them."
Xiang Chu asked in confusion: "Wasn't the 44th Army defeated by the devils? Why are there still remnants sending telegrams?"
Song Xi suggested: "Brother! Don't rush to send troops. Wait for the shadow spy to send back information."
Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Of course! Without the intelligence from the shadow spies, our army would never advance."
Gan Rong said thoughtfully: "Commander! I think the telegram about the remnants of the 44th Army being surrounded by Qiuyutai is not true."
Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Yes! This telegram was most likely sent by someone who surrendered to the devils, or a Japanese spy."
Liu Zhengxiong was very curious and asked with a smile: "Tell me why?"
Xiang Chu pointed in the direction of the Rain-Seeking Platform and said, "We passed by the Rain-Seeking Platform when we retreated westwards. There is a dense forest there. If you escape into that forest, can you still be caught by the devils?"
Liu Zhengxiong shook his head and said, "No! I will try my best to escape."
Xiang Chu smiled and said, "If you can escape, let alone others. But..."
Liu Zhengxiong shouted, "You kid! You said I'm fat and can't run, right?"
Song Xi scolded: "Don't interrupt! Listen to what the commander has to say."
Liu Zhengxiong quickly stopped talking and made a gesture to Xiang Chu to invite him in.
Xiang Chu smiled and said, "Old Liu! Let's use a trick on them. You take a battalion of troops to rescue the remnants of the 44th Army, and I will take the others to recapture Yichang City."
Liu Zhengxiong nodded and said, "I know! You asked me to act again."
The rain-praying platform, the command post of the Guizi Village Division.
Huang Shan, who surrendered after being captured by the Japanese, was now reporting everything he knew to Murakami Qizuo.
After listening to his story, Murakami Qizuo said with satisfaction: "Huang Sang! Your story is very comprehensive, but it still does not contain the most core intelligence of the 34th Army."
Huang Shan bowed and said, "General! If you let me go, I will investigate the secrets of the 34th Army."
Murakami Qizuo laughed loudly and said, "Don't treat me as a fool. If I let you go, can you still be of use to me?"
Huang Shan smiled bitterly and said, "General! At least the strategy I just proposed is very good. It will definitely help you annihilate the 34th Army's rescue troops."
Murakami shook his head and said, "The 34th Chinese Army is different from other Chinese armies. They are very cunning and can only deceive the Imperial Army. They are not easily deceived."
"Report——!"
A Japanese scout ran into the command post and reported loudly:
"Your Excellency the Division Commander! A large number of troops from the Chinese 34th Army are rushing here."
Murakami Qizuo was very excited and ordered loudly: "Radio operator! Quickly call the division commander Yamawabe Shintaka and quickly transfer a brigade from Yichang City to come and besiege the Chinese 34th Army."
"Hello!"
The Japanese radio operator hurriedly received the order.