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Taiyuan.

First Army Command.

Chief of Staff Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked into the commander's office with documents under his arm.

"Your Excellency, Commander!"

Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked to the desk, put his feet together, and bowed his head to Shinozuka Yoshio.

"Mr. Nan Shan, you are here, please sit down!"

Yoshio Shinozuka was annotating documents with his head down, when he looked up and saw Hideyoshi Kusuyama, his expression changed.

"Hi!"

Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked to the chess table, Shinozuka Yoshio walked out from behind the desk, and the two sat down on their knees facing each other.

Shinozuka Yoshio said: "Mr. Nanshan, I have some good news for you. The front army has agreed to our battle plan against the Central China Army."

"Oh?" Kusuyama Hideyoshi's eyes lit up suddenly, "Your Excellency, Commander, this is good news for you and me."

This time the plan came from Hideyoshi Kusuyama again, and he made two more plans.

The first set of combat plans was to capture the thief first and capture the king first, gather 10 divisions to cross the Yellow River westward, and attack Yan'an in northern Shaanxi.

Then take Xi'an, and then go south to invade southwest China.

The second set of plans is to concentrate and immediately attack Zhongtiao Mountain. For the Japanese army, occupying Zhongtiao Mountain means occupying an important "bridgehead" for the southward and northward invasion. It can go north to connect with its main occupied areas in Shanxi, relieve the confidant's troubles, and improve the security situation in the occupied areas of North China.

More importantly, if the Central Army is resolved, at least 3 divisions can be freed up to deal with the Eighth Route Army.

As for the first set of combat plans, Shinozuka Yoshio and Kusuyama Hideyoshi knew the North China Front Army Command and could not agree to this plan.

Moreover, it is very difficult to implement this plan, unless these 10 divisions are all permanent divisions in 1937, and the material support must be absolutely sufficient to have a chance of success.

However, the communication lines in North China are all under the watchful eye of the Eighth Route Army. Once the war breaks out, the traffic may be cut off at any time, and the cut off of the traffic means that the logistics supply will be cut off.

The first set of battle plans was nothing but a retreat for the two of them.

If you want to open a window, everyone disagrees, but if you want to lift the roof, others will agree with you to open the window.

Unsurprisingly, Commander Tada Hayao agreed to the second set of operational plans, the operational plan to attack Zhongtiao Mountain.

"Yeah!" Shinozuka Yoshio nodded, "The day before yesterday and yesterday, Commander Tada held a peace and order meeting at the Beiping headquarters, which was convened by the heads of all armies and divisions."

"Commander Tada Jun pointed out that the current task is to eliminate and wipe out the main force of the Central Army entrenched in the Shanxi-Henan border area, and eliminate its forces north of the Yellow River."

"Expand and use the results of this battle to ensure the stability of North China and strengthen the pressure on the Chinese government."

"The command of the dispatched army has agreed to increase the number of troops and mobilize combat supplies."

"In addition to the troops belonging to the First Army, the troops participating in the battle this time include the 21st and 35th Divisions directly under the Front Army, the 4th Cavalry Brigade, and the 33rd Division drawn from Wuhan."

After hearing the words, Kusuyama Hideyoshi made careful calculations.

这兵力可不得了，成建制的师团就有第21、33、35、36、37、41师团，以及近卫第2师团等7个师团。

There were also the 14th, 18th and 4th Cavalry Brigades. …

The total strength has exceeded 8 divisions.

"Commander Tada has applied to the base camp to transfer planes from the Kwantung Army for reinforcements," Shinozuka Yoshio added.

"Yoshi!" Kusuyama Hideyoshi looked excited.

Although the 37th Division and the 2nd Guards Division were severely beaten.

However, the Japanese base camp did not cancel the designations of these two divisions, but transferred several regiments from the Kwantung Army and the mainland to supplement them.

但是，第37师团的225联队、第226联队和第227联队，以及近卫第2师团的第3、第4、第5联队和第36联队的番号已经被取消。

That is to say, in the last "Operation Plan A", the Japanese army wiped out 7 wings.

Shinozuka Yoshio adjusted his glasses, and his eyes behind the glasses narrowed: "However, although the Imperial Army has a large force, they cannot all be used to attack Zhongtiao Mountain. The Eighth Route Army in Southeast Shanxi has to defend."

Nanshan Hideyoshi said: "In the last Sanguang battle, the eight-way battle suffered a lot of casualties and consumed a lot of ammunition. At least there won't be any storms in a few months, right?"

Shinozuka Yoshio waved his hand and said, "Mr. Nanshan, never underestimate Balu."

"Your Excellency, Commander, what do you mean?" Kusuyama Hideyoshi asked, "It is possible that the Eighth Route Army will take advantage of the imperial army's attack on Zhongtiao Mountain to make trouble in the rear?"

Shinozuka Yoshio said worriedly: "It's not possible, but certain. Now that the Eight Routes' ability to attack fortifications is not what it used to be, we will definitely take the opportunity to make trouble."

"Either destroy roads and railway lines, or take the opportunity to recapture the county seat, or even go south directly to support the Central Army."

Hearing this, Kusuyama Hideyoshi frowned slightly.

According to such an analysis, the possibility of a fire in the backyard is very high.

He first looked thoughtful, and then said: "Your Excellency, Commander, you can use 6 divisions to attack Zhongtiao Mountain, and 1 division will be deployed in the Xiangyuan and Licheng areas to guard the Eighth Route and block the Eighth Route going south to support the Central Army." Passage, and then use a division to defend the Zhengtai Railway to ensure the smooth flow of logistics supplies."

"As for the bandit area in southeast Shanxi and its surrounding counties..."

Speaking of this, Kusuyama Hideyoshi's eyes flashed sharply: "You can first order the imperial army in the county to retreat back to Taiyuan, and strengthen Taiyuan's defense force."

Shinozuka Yoshio said: "Mr. Nanshan, what do you mean, give up these more than ten counties?"

"Your Excellency, Commander, it's not giving up." Nanshan Hideyoshi said, "It's giving up temporarily, but it's not giving up to the Eighth Route Army, but telling Yan Xishan to send troops to take over."

"There are two advantages to doing this. One is that it can increase the friction between the Eighth Route Army and the Jinsui Army."

"On the other hand, after the imperial army settles the central army in Zhongtiao Mountain, it will be easier to take back the county from the Jinsui army in turn."

"Yoxi!" Yoshio Shinozuka praised happily, "Mr. Nanshan's plan is really ingenious."

"Your Excellency, Commander, praise."

Taking advantage of Shinozuka Yoshio's excitement, Kusuyama Hideyoshi changed the subject and asked, "Your Excellency, Commander, I wonder if the candidate for the division commander of the 37th Division has been confirmed?"

"Not sure yet." Yoshio Shinozuka took a sip from his teacup and said.

Suddenly, Shinozuka Yoshio raised his head: "Mr. Nanshan wants to go to the 37th Division?"

Kusuyama Hideyoshi generously admitted: "Yes, after your Excellency the Commander is honorably retired, it doesn't mean much for me to stay at the headquarters. It's better to go to the front-line troops and make contributions to His Majesty the Emperor."...

After Shinozuka Yoshio left, no matter who came to take over as the commander of the First Army, he would definitely bring his own team.

And he, Kusuyama Hideyoshi, will most likely be excluded.

Rather than being uncomfortable at the headquarters, it would be more comfortable to be a division commander.

"Since Mr. Nanshan has such great ambitions, of course I want to support him. This is the last thing I will do for Mr. Nanshan before I retire."

"I will apply to Commander Tada for this matter."

The way for Shinozuka Yoshio to retire honorably was thought up by Kusuyama Hideyoshi.

Therefore, after Kusuyama Hideyoshi proposed this idea, he planned to be a favor and give Kusuyama Hideyoshi a fortune.

"Then thank you, Commander." Kusuyama Hideyoshi looked grateful.

If the commander's application is successful, he will be promoted to lieutenant general.

"It's just a hands-on effort."

Yoshio Shinozuka waved his hand and said, "Then, if the headquarters agrees to the application, before Mr. Nanshan takes office in the 37th Division, we will have to trouble Mr. Nanshan about the detailed battle plan for attacking Mount Zhongtiao."

Kusuyama Hideyoshi quickly expressed his position: "It is a great honor to solve problems for Your Excellency the Commander."

"Yoxi!" Shinozuka Yoshio said happily, "Then I will wait for the good news from Mr. Nanshan."

First deal with the Chinese Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain, and then the Japanese army can go back and concentrate their forces to deal with the Eighth Route Army.

So what if Li Yunlong can fight, can he beat 8 divisions?

Thinking of Li Yunlong, Yoshio Shinozuka had a severe headache.

But he soon relaxed his body, and he will be honorably retired soon, so let the next commander handle the headache.

……

at the same time.

In the new regiment headquarters.

The battalion commander and the directly subordinate company commanders received Li Yunlong's order to hold a meeting at the regiment headquarters.

As soon as they walked into the regiment headquarters, this group of people knew that there was going to be a war again, and they all looked excited, chatting about whether there was going to be a war again.

There are a few more giggling there.

Speaking of fighting, this group of guys became more and more excited than each other.

However, Li Yunlong opened the curtain and came out from the inner room of the regiment headquarters. With such a glance in his eyes, everyone immediately looked serious.

"What's the noise? Is everyone here?" Li Yunlong asked.

"Reporting to the head, everything is here!"

The one who answered was Zhang Dabiao, with a loud voice. He glanced at everyone, and then asked tentatively: "Head, is there going to be a war again?"

The others looked at Li Yunlong, and Zhao Gang who came out from behind Li Yunlong, with bright eyes expectantly.

"Your guess is right, that's right, there is a battle going on."

Leader Li hehe smiled.

Then Zhao Gang explained the information he got from Chen Feng and his decision to wipe out a Japanese regiment at Longwangtu.

After everyone listened, their eyes were a little brighter than before, gearing up and eager to try.

After Political Commissar Zhao's introduction, Li Yunlong glanced at the crowd and was very satisfied with their morale. He directly began to deploy combat missions in a rough voice:
"Liang Gang's county brigade is in charge of stopping the Japanese troops in Niangziguan."

Although most of the county brigades are militiamen who have just been transferred from various divisions recently, they are well equipped.

According to intelligence, Niangziguan only has one brigade of troops, and at most two squadrons can send troops to increase their personnel. Coupled with artillery support, it has a great advantage, and it just gives the soldiers of the county brigade to accumulate actual combat experience.

"The Fourth Battalion is responsible for stopping the reinforcements from the devils in the direction of Jingxing County."

"The first battalion, the second battalion, and the heavy machine gun battalion are in ambush on both sides of the Dragon King Convex."

"The engineer company is responsible for laying mines, the artillery battalion is responsible for artillery support, the machine artillery battalion is responsible for air defense, and the sword squadron is responsible for reconnaissance and artillery guidance."

"The third battalion and the cavalry battalion are in reserve."

Having said that, Li Yunlong paused, and his tone suddenly became heavier:

"Our battle plan this time is top-secret. If anyone leaks the news, don't blame me, Li Yunlong, for turning my face and denying anyone."

"Let's all go back and prepare. The cooking squads of each battalion and company have prepared three days of dry food and set off in the morning of the day after tomorrow."

"Yes!" Everyone looked serious and shouted in unison, then turned and walked out.