Rise from eight hundred.

The night in Taihang Mountain is very dark!

But in the mountains, there are still several pairs of eyes staring at the mountain road from the gaps in the bushes.

The Japanese marching at night was considered cautious. Under Yamashita's military order, an infantry unit was only allowed to turn on two flashlights.

But the Japanese army was marching with a large force of more than 8000. Looking from the mountain 700 meters away, the flashing flashlights were like stars scattered in the mountain, gradually connecting into a slowly wriggling long dragon, which was so clear. It couldn't be clearer.

"Notify Deputy Commander Lei that the Japanese are about to run away! Their marching direction is Wuxiang!" An army sergeant who watched all this flashed a cold light in his eyes, and gave an order softly.

After lurking for nearly a week, their mission was finally completed.

They are the reconnaissance squad left by the reconnaissance company to lead the main action of the Four Elements Regiment, Lei Xiong. Before the second mixed brigade arrived on the battlefield, they had sneaked into the battlefield, quietly hiding in the mountains to reconnaissance the whereabouts of the Japanese army.

In the past six or seven days, as lurkers, they have seen too many tragic battlefields. They watched the Japanese army set up infantry artillery to destroy one highland fortification after another, and watched the Japanese army's planes drop heavy bombs. The high ground where the officers and soldiers were stationed was blown into a white field, and even in the field of vision of the binoculars, the Japanese could see the brutal Chinese wounded soldiers stabbing them with bayonets and setting them up as their own banners after victory.

The ferocious faces of the Japanese soldiers are just 400 meters away. With their shooting skills and the help of scopes, they are fully capable of blowing the heads of those brutal Japanese with one shot.

However, the military order they received was to lurk on the battlefield and not let the Japanese find themselves, not even the Chinese.

The soldier's intuition made the sergeant squad leader notice something different, and immediately asked the signal soldier to report the situation to Lei Xiong on the field radio that had been silent and had never been turned on.

"My 772 regiment also assured the headquarters that if the Japanese invaders break through our regiment's defense line, unless our regiment is completely dead." Wang Xiaoqiang also put away his usual playful smile, his face was solemn, and his voice was like a bell.

Surround it with twice the enemy's strength and plan to wipe it out, and it is not an area that completely occupies a geographical advantage like Shentouling. This is unprecedented in the Chinese battlefield, even if it is experienced Brigadier Cheng was also a little nervous at this moment.

However, according to the analysis of the current battle situation in the urgent telegram sent by Yamashita earlier, the Chinese are really planning the second mixed brigade.

Besides, he had to wait to see the reconnaissance report from the Army Aviation before deciding on the marching route.

The faint white light driven by electric energy and the warm yellow light emitted by pine oil form two long dragons in this dark night, winding in the mountains.

After a brief rest, defeating the Chinese defenders in front of them in one go is their only way out.

The face of the former Minister of War, is it so easy to lose?

There is nothing wrong with this trick. China has neither fighter jets nor much air defense force. It is true that Japan's biggest advantage at present.

Although he didn't deal with Shan Xiawen, the Second Mixed Brigade was not directly under his First Army. In the southeast Shanxi campaign, the Second Mixed Brigade suffered heavy casualties on the battlefield. He is actually not special as the commander of the Eastern Route Army. care.

Once the Second Mixed Brigade is surrounded and severely injured by the Chinese mobilization of heavy troops, it goes without saying whether they will be almost completely wiped out like the two detachments in the Battle of Taierzhuang. Xiangyue Qingshi also knows that not only his army The commander's dream is shattered, whether he can still sit safely in the position of the commander of the first army is a matter of debate.

. . . . . . . .

After reconnaissance by the dispatched vanguard, no enemy was found six or seven kilometers ahead. Until then, Shan Xiashi, who was riding on a tall horse, was slightly relieved and gave the order to repair the entire army.

"I trust everyone, and please trust my four-element regiment. The 683rd brigade only needs to buy our regiment one day, and the main force of our four-element regiment will rush to the battlefield. This old devil, Shanxia, ​​will definitely not be able to escape." Tang There was light in Dao's eyes, and he solemnly saluted the three chief officers of the 683 brigade who were present and made a promise.

"Haha, okay, the little devil really ran forward as expected by the group." Lei Xiong, who was fifteen kilometers away, laughed loudly.

Especially when thinking of the tradition that the Imperial Army has to find a suitable candidate to take the blame if it is defeated, Xiangyue Qingshi can't sleep.

It's true that he has elite soldiers under his command, but they are also flesh and blood. The tall and strong horses are exhausted like this, and the infantry marching with nearly 25 kilograms of various military supplies on their backs are also exhausted to death?Not to mention letting them run another 30 kilometers, it is estimated that they will be exhausted after another 10 kilometers.

"The Chinese are really dead." Shan Xiawen's eyes flickered fiercely, and he cursed viciously in his mouth. "However, only ten thousand people want to block the way of our army, and they overestimate their own combat power."

Perhaps the only difference between the two sides is that the Japanese army uses flashlights that are slightly closer to modernization, while the Chinese army uses the most primitive torches.

Even Xiangyue Qingshi secretly felt ruthless in his heart. If the Chinese really couldn't think about gathering troops around Wuxiang, then even if he used the heavy bombs dropped by the fighter formation, he would help the Second Mixed Brigade pile up a broad road.

"Okay! Then our brigade will march towards the Zhuozhang River tonight, trying to build up the fortifications before the Japanese army arrives." Brigadier Cheng raised his hand in return and said decisively.

If there is really a large army coming to kill at this time, it must make them unable to eat.

Shan Xiawen's face was extremely ugly in an instant, he was afraid of what would happen, he had carefully observed the maps of Wuxiang and Yushe before setting off last night, as long as he walked out of the mountains, he was not particularly afraid of being besieged by the Chinese, but only There is one thing that makes him feel uneasy. No matter where he retreats, the Zhuozhang River that flows through the 12 counties in southeastern Shanxi is the river he must cross.

Although Yamashita also wanted the big guys to put in more effort and run him another 30 kilometers in one breath, completely out of the danger zone, but listening to the heavy breathing of the horse under his seat and the continuous sweat flowing from the horse's neck, Yamashita also knew , this can only be a fantasy.

The Second Mixed Brigade, which lost unnecessary baggage, ran 36 kilometers in the mountains overnight, with an average speed of 3.6 kilometers per hour. This speed is not at all slower than when the 108th Division was running, and it is almost a record-breaking marching speed. , arrived at the outskirts of Wuxiang at 6 o'clock in the morning.

Xiangyue Qingshi in Lucheng is very anxious, but the people who are more anxious than him are the people in the game.

They are already fighting, so why care so much about the movements of the Japanese army?It's over, one regiment plus two infantry divisions, with a total strength of more than 3 troops, can you still overthrow this group of **** devils?I'm afraid it's not only the officers and soldiers of the Four Elements Regiment who have been dormant who don't understand, but also the scouts who were ordered to lurk.

The indoor shroud was responsible for Taierzhuang's defeat. It was because he was the commander of the North China Front Army and the northern commander of the Xuzhou battle. He was directly responsible for the failure of command, and he could not escape.

It's a trivial matter to scold his old lady at the bottom of the mountain. If the Chinese really come to fight, what will the thousands of people who are tired into dogs do to fight?

Although the Chinese army's defense along the river just hit his weakness, 24 troops are not too many, and he also has a bomber formation to help out, plus he still has 10 mountain artillery pieces, more than 94 infantry artillery pieces, and Type 10 tanks. With more than [-] vehicles, he is confident that with these advantages and heavy firepower alone, he can defeat the defenders.

The mountains near Wuxiang are much smaller than the mountains they passed overnight. In theory, they are far less suitable for blocking battlefields than those mountains. The battlefield of mixed brigades.

The 10-hour continuous march overnight exhausted the Japanese army. The moment they received the revision military order, except for the necessary security forces, most of the Japanese army fell asleep with their bedding rolls on their heads, and even the field battles required by their daily camping No trenches were dug.

As for whether Xiangyue Qingshi will do his best to help him, Shan Xiaxia is not worried. As long as Xiangyue Qingshi is not a fool, he will know that his own future is bound to the second mixed brigade. If something happened to the regiment, I am afraid that the first person Shanshanyuan wanted to kill was not Shanxia, ​​but Xiangyue Qingshi who patted his chest and said that this battle would be victorious.

7000VS7000, an offensive and defensive battle with nearly one-to-one forces, is also the first time since the 683 brigade crossed the Yellow River.

Hi, it is naturally Shanxia, ​​just as they have discussed and judged for a long time, the second mixed brigade actually strode towards Tang Dao's preset encirclement.

Lucheng Japanese First Army Headquarters!

And when the Second Mixed Brigade knows that the Zhuozhang River is being defended by Chinese soldiers, at least it will be after nine o'clock in the morning. At that time, they should be very close to Wu Township. Turn around and return to the mountain, otherwise you can only bite the bullet and move forward.

The Four Elements Regiment is still 20 kilometers away, and the main force of the 683 brigade has arrived in Changle Village, 40 kilometers away from Wuxiang County.

"Immediately notify the regiment of this situation, and at the same time order the battalions to send sharp soldiers to see if the infantry brigade left by the little devil has escaped. If not, then the battalions will surround the infantry brigade on three sides according to the original plan. We will eat tomorrow." Get rid of them, if they run away, then we will set off on time at 11 o'clock, and fight with the little devils to see who can run faster."

The Japanese infantrymen had not fully recovered their strength after sleeping soundly for three hours. They were woken up by the sound of sirens and embarked on the rapid march again with complaints. The important thing was that Yamashita overestimated himself.

And what Tang Dao said, "The rest, you have to rely on everyone from the 683 Brigade", Brigadier Cheng knew better in his heart that the three infantry regiments of the 683 Brigade had to be in the Zhuozhang River before the Four Lines Group caught up. This line of defense blocked the retreat of the Japanese army.

"Go to Commander Xiangyue Qingshi, my second mixed brigade will immediately march towards Changle Village on the Zhuozhang River, and ask him to order the front army, army and aviation to dispatch bombers to bomb the Chinese army that is about to attack our army. I want them to pay a sufficient price before our army arrives." Shan Xiashita, who quickly ordered, gradually became calm.

Relying on the few dried meat, toffee and water they carried, the scouts lurked on the battlefield for nearly a week, and finally made them wait until the Japanese army moved. It turned out to be an overnight march, which completely violated the Japanese army's marching rules of day and night. .

Surprised, but there are nearly 8000 people left in the second mixed brigade. Can such a large-scale Japanese army be stopped by his 683 brigade and three infantry regiments?
Yes, because the 17th Division and the 104th Division temporarily retreated for repairs, the infantry division of the 3rd Army, which was also lurking deep in the mountains, was responsible for blocking the recovered 108th Division. There is only his 683 brigade plus the four-element regiment that will definitely chase after it. The total strength will not exceed 1.5, and it is just twice more than the Japanese army.

The area where the 683 Brigade is located is 16 kilometers away from the Zhuozhang River. It is estimated that it will take 6 hours to march like this at night, and it is in the form of heavy equipment. When it arrives, it will be almost early in the morning.

Heavy casualties on the battlefield and heavy casualties caused by falling into the enemy's trap are completely two concepts for him, the supreme commander of the Southeast Shanxi Campaign.

A messenger rushed into the cave and sent the telegram to Tang Dao who was smoking and chatting with a few people. Tang Dao just glanced at the content of the telegram, then grinned and showed his white teeth, and handed the telegram to Brigadier Cheng: "Shan Xia Wen, the old devil, was finally bluffed by us, and the rest will have to rely on the big brothers of the 683 brigade."

It is trustworthy that Shan Shanyuan, the commander of the North China Front Army, is a former Minister of the Army. As the commander of the North China Front Army, he is "marrying" and fighting fires. He is not yet familiar with the situation in the entire North China battlefield. If he can find any reason to prevaricate, then the rest is the most suitable Who else is better than him, the frontline commander?
Xiangyue Qingshi can only hope that the situation is not as bad as Yamashita said, or that the marching direction chosen by Yamashita is correct. Even if the Chinese want to attack the second mixed brigade, they will transfer the army to the second mixed brigade. At the rear of the brigade, an attempt was made to encircle the second mixed brigade in the mountains, which is in line with the fact that the Chinese army does not have much heavy firepower.

Obviously, Shan Xiawen is not that stupid, leaving 1000 people to be eaten by the Chinese army for nothing, they have already put oil on the soles of their feet and slipped away!
. . . . . . . . .

"Notify Army Aviation that tomorrow morning, I want to know if there is any sign of Chinese military activity in Wuxiang, and immediately notify the 108th Division that has arrived in Liao County for repairs, so that they are on standby at any time." Xiangyue Qingshi's face was unprecedentedly dignified.

It was night, and the two armies of China and Japan, which were close in strength, were trekking hard in the mountains of Taihang Mountain.

However, what kind of character is Brigadier Cheng? The entire war zone has been planned for so long in order to completely annihilate an established Japanese invader and inflict heavy damage on the Japanese North China Front Army, so that it no longer dares to easily covet the southeast of Shanxi. Falling into a trap, no matter if it is a wolf or a tiger, as a hunter, if he dare not even stab out a hunting fork, then what's the point of fighting?

As long as there is no accident, his tactic of marching overnight has already disrupted the tactics of the Chinese.

"I make a guarantee for all the commanders and fighters of my 683 brigade. Before the friendly troops catch up, the Japanese invaders will be blocked in front of the Zhuozhang River. If a Japanese invader breaks through my brigade's defense line, I will not be the brigade commander!" Briefly After the silence, Brigadier Cheng assured Tang Dao very solemnly.

It's just that one dragon wants to leave this ghost place quickly, while the other dragon wants to cut off the opponent's way home.

It's a pity that this really doesn't exist.

But the tragic Major General Yamashita only slept for less than two hours before he was awakened by the hurried steps of his chief of staff.

Brigadier Cheng took the telegram and watched "The Second Mixed Brigade Headquarters at Shanxiamen, marched and fled northward overnight!" ', with surprise and surprise on his face.

He doesn't believe that the Chinese can really hold the bomb and surround the 8000 troops of the Second Mixed Brigade.

"It's the same with my 771 regiment!" Head Xu stood up straight.

The former is due to Yamashita's own poor command, while the latter is his fault as the frontline commander.

That is already all the troops China can mobilize to arm-wrestle with the Second Mixed Brigade. Even if the Japanese soldiers sleep here drooling for five or six hours, it is probably very safe.

And Changle Village, which happens to have a main road, is the only way for his second mixed brigade. If you cross the river from other directions, those high mountains and mountains will make your scalp tingle just by looking at them, let alone in the deep mountains and What about the second mixed brigade that the Chinese army has done hard work with a guilty conscience?
It would be fine if there were no defenders, even if the water in the Zhuozhang River is not small now, he has engineers to build a bridge, and heavy equipment such as horses and carts can be transported across the river, but there are guns and cannons on the other side of the river, it must not be easy to cross the river .

However, Xiangyue Qingshi's command level is still there, hope is hopeful, he still asked the North China Front Army, Army and Aviation to dispatch reconnaissance planes early in the morning to conduct aerial reconnaissance of Wuxiang and other places that the Second Mixed Brigade must pass through. If enemy traces are found, Yamabeta can make preparations early.

They need to observe the movement of the Japanese army at all times, and report to the regiment headquarters immediately if there is any change.

The reconnaissance report from the Army Aviation, forwarded by the First Army Headquarters in Lucheng, showed that in Changle Village, 40 kilometers away, no less than [-] Chinese troops were found. They were digging fortifications along the river, and they seemed to be setting up a defense line .

The map is very clearly drawn, at least it can make people understand how to go, but it is not three-dimensional after all, and cannot fully display the geographical environment of the area.

In the past time and space, in Changle Village, a fierce battle broke out between China and Japan. The Chinese side invested an infantry division, and the protagonist was the 683 Brigade, while the Japanese side was the 108th Division that was scared away in this time and space.

But not all of the 108th Division, but one of them retreating from Wuxiang, but the strength is as high as an infantry regiment.

The reason why Brigadier Cheng chose Changle Village as the place for the decisive battle is that it happened to be here to catch up with the place where he fled to the north, and secondly because the high-distance ridge on the north bank of the Zhuozhang River that flows in front of the village is 2 meters away from the river surface. , as for the short legs of the Japanese, it is impossible to jump up without a ladder.

Moreover, the Zhuozhang River happened to turn a bend at Changle Village. This big river that nourished the people around the river bank was like the warm arms of a mother enclosing Changle Village, but to the intruding Japanese army, it seemed like Deadly two big pincers.