20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 615 Advice
In the field of view of the binoculars, several Zhi army soldiers were busy setting up camp and building trenches.

Last night's night attack was intended to achieve a surprise victory, so naturally there was no time for defense. We thought the Fengtian Army would flee at the sight of the enemy as they had done before, but unexpectedly they suffered a setback in the first battle and lost their fighting spirit.

They only remembered to deploy defenses now, but the camp was full of wounded soldiers, so the construction progress was extremely slow.

The view moves horizontally to the rear of the central army tent.

The smoke from the stove rose up, appearing and disappearing in the twilight.

The wounded soldiers were bored and had nothing to do but smoke and chat. The morale of the army had fallen to the bottom.

It makes sense. From a strategic perspective, the Zhi army had already won a great victory, a complete victory, or even a perfect victory. Now they continue to pursue just to expand the results of the victory.

In contrast, this blocking battle was a life-and-death battle for the Fengtian Army. There was no way to retreat, so naturally their fighting spirit was high.

It has been said since ancient times: Don’t chase an enemy who is desperate!

Even rabbits bite when they are cornered, let alone a behemoth like the Fengzhang Group?

Even if the Fengtian Army is a hollow carrot, it is still a big carrot in the basket of the Far East.

Among the three major families of Zhili, Fengtian and Anhui, none of them had the ability to swallow up the other two on their own.

If so, why would the world be in such chaos?

As I was watching and thinking, I suddenly heard the voice of Captain Wang.

"How is it, did you see it clearly?"

"Well, at their current pace, even if they work overnight, I'm afraid they won't be able to build a complete defense line before noon tomorrow."

Zhao Zhengbei responded, then put down the telescope and handed it to the new head of the group, Wang Shengwen.

The two men were on the top of a mountain, crawling in the weeds, taking turns to spy on the enemy's movements.

The rest of the reconnaissance company soldiers were also scattered throughout the hilltops, observing, recording, and mapping the situation of the Zhi army's positions.

"A proud army will be defeated. Mr. Wu took advantage of us in Changxindian and really thought we were given away for free. However, anyone would be proud of this achievement."

Wang Shengwen kept looking out while muttering, "It's just the vanguard of the Zhi army down there. The main force, the Third Division, hasn't arrived yet. If they do come, we may not be able to hold on."

"Why don't we take care of the problem before the main force of the Zhi army arrives?" Zhao Zhengbei suggested hastily.

Wang Shengwen grinned and said, "We both thought of the same thing."

It turned out that a group of senior generals had just held a meeting on the battlefield, and the focus of the debate was the next combat strategy.

The Fengtian Army won the first battle, and the generals immediately split into two factions.

One group believed that the Fengtian Army should continue to leverage its defensive advantages and hold its positions; the other group believed that the Fengtian Army should take advantage of the situation to counterattack and completely disrupt the Zhili Army's pursuit deployment.

Of course, the overall situation had been decided. The counterattack was not intended to defeat the Zhi army, nor was it likely to reverse the situation. Instead, the Feng army urgently needed a victory to force the Zhi army to accept an armistice agreement.

"It seems that the young marshal finally agreed to counterattack?" Zhao Zhengbei asked.

If it were not for preparing for a counterattack, the regiment commander would probably not have to lead people to scout the enemy situation in person.

Wang Shengwen thought for a moment and said, "This is what Commander Guo meant. Of course, it is also what the young marshal meant."

Zhao Zhengbei couldn't help but frown.

Immediately, the two looked at each other - silent, but tacitly understanding.

"Okay, no matter what, this is the headquarters' final decision!" Wang Shengwen handed the telescope to Beifeng again, "Tomorrow at 3 a.m., we will counterattack the Zhi army's position!"

Zhao Zhengbei looked at the sky and couldn't help but wonder, "Doesn't that mean there's not much time left?"

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. At such a short distance, our supply lines have the upper hand. The longer we delay, the smaller our original advantage will be."

"Or should the First Regiment be the main force?"

Wang Shengwen nodded and said, "You can't say that the higher-ups don't understand the military situation. We still have to look at it from different perspectives."

The First Regiment had just experienced a bloody battle. Logically speaking, even if there were timely reinforcements, they should have rested well.

But war is different from other tasks. Precisely because the First Regiment had just fought a blocking battle, the nerves of the soldiers were still tense, so they were more focused on the battlefield.

After all, humans are not machines and can switch states at any time as needed.

When entering the battlefield, it takes time to adapt both mentally and physically. Throwing new recruits under machine guns and artillery often makes them confused and leads them to do stupid things.

The value of veterans lies in the fact that they take the shortest time to adapt and can quickly enter combat status.

The old soldiers look down on the new recruits, and it is not just a matter of seniority. Many of the new recruits' actions could really get everyone killed.

The First Regiment fought fiercely all night, but it was only one night and was far from exhausted. If they wanted to launch a counterattack, they would naturally take the lead.

"I understand!" Zhao Zhengbei didn't care. "Then what is my mission?"

"Can you ride a horse?" Wang Shengwen asked suddenly.

"meeting!"

"Do you see that pine forest east of the enemy's position?"

Zhao Zhengbei raised the telescope, nodded and said, "I see it."

"I know a small path that can go around!" Wang Shengwen pointed, "You take two cavalry companies, and when our army launches a charge, break up the enemy's formation."

Zhao Zhengbei was stunned when he heard this. Although the intensity of war and the level of equipment in the Far East were far inferior to those in Europe, the cavalry could still play a role, but to use cavalry to break up the enemy formation was almost equivalent to risking one's life.

Even if they were cooperating with friendly forces in a charge or an ambush, the cavalry would be in danger of death if the enemy's heavy machine guns turned slightly.

There was no way. The target was too big. Even if he was not shot to death, he would be either dead or injured if he fell off the horse.

"Of course, we will do our best to help the cavalry company contain the firepower at that time, but -" Wang Shengwen turned his head and looked at Bei Feng, "The casualties will still be great, is there a problem?"

Zhao Zhengbei didn't say anything, seeming to be hesitant and worried.

After a while, he said, "Since it's an order, there's no problem. But...if the person is gone, will the family get the news?"

"What are you thinking about?" Wang Shengwen shook his head and smiled, "You are an officer, how could you not even receive a letter from home? Don't say unlucky words in front of the battlefield."

"It's just that I haven't had time to repay you yet..."

"what?"

"Nothing." Zhao Zhengbei waved his hand, then suddenly remembered something and asked hurriedly, "I have always been the commander of the Marine Battalion. How could the cavalry company be under my jurisdiction?"

Although the cavalry company is a company, it is not completely subordinate to the regiment headquarters due to its special type of troops and expensive war horses.

Not to mention a battalion commander, even a regiment commander or a brigade commander might not be able to mobilize a cavalry company.

Wang Shengwen smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. You are now the temporary deputy commander. The higher-ups asked you to lead the cavalry company. Who would dare to make trouble?"

"Two cavalry companies?" Zhao Zhengbei still found it a little unbelievable.

"You heard me right, two!" Wang Shengwen nodded, "Don't forget, we are the prince's army. As long as the Fengtian Army has it, we can get it!"

This is indeed the case. If it weren't for the early morning attack, the troops would have been kept as light as possible, and it would not have been impossible to add two more cavalry companies.

At this point, Zhao Zhengbei said no more, and just said: "Captain, since the decision has been made, why don't you go back and prepare?"

Wang Shengwen suddenly looked at Beifeng with great interest, and after thinking for a long time, he said, "Zhengbei, I have actually heard of you before."

"Is it?"

"A few years ago, you were the one who saved the Marshal at the train station, right?"

Zhao Zhengbei said nothing.

Over the years, he has always followed his sister-in-law's instructions and never mentioned the matter to outsiders, for fear that if he is not careful, the merit of saving the master will turn into "the savior's disaster."

Whether we mention it or not, the fact is bound to reach the ears of others.

Wang Shengwen asked again: "I heard that you seemed to have served as a guard company commander in the Marshal's Mansion for two or three years?"

"Yeah!" Zhao Zhengbei nodded. There was nothing to hide.

"Then how did you become the battalion commander?"

"Among the students of the same period as me, I am considered to be doing well."

Wang Shengwen thought for a moment and then said, "Zhengbei, you are a brave general! For a soldier, it is important to make achievements, but you also have to learn how to take credit for it!"

"Well, thank you for the reminder, Captain."

Zhao Zhengbei's tone was somewhat cold and hard, and he obviously didn't want to continue this topic.

He really couldn't take the attitude of asking for credit or reward. No matter how great the achievement was, it would feel like bragging when he said it out loud.

When the regiment commander asked him this, he naturally thought that the regiment commander was the kind of person who would desperately curry favor with his superiors for official titles and benefits, and he felt a little disdainful in his heart.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shengwen said, "Zhengbei, a general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers. If you don't know how to take credit, sooner or later you will be among those dead bones."

"What do you mean?" Zhao Zhengbei was stunned.

"I don't want to be too blunt, but I think you're a good material, so I'll give you some advice."

"tell me the story."

Wang Shengwen stood up and patted the dirt, then warned: "When leading troops in battle, the more capable you are, the more work you do. The more work you do, the more mistakes you make. If you make the most mistakes, you will die. If you don't die on the battlefield, you will die in internal strife."

Although this statement is simple to understand, it seems to be more than just the surface.

Zhao Zhengbei thought for a moment and said bluntly: "Captain, why does this sound like you want to rebel?"

Wang Shengwen grinned: "Tsk, boy, I just want you to take it easy, so you don't have to work so hard for others."

"Captain, I'm not a person who seeks credit."

"Forget it, you can figure it out slowly!" Wang Shengwen said, "Remember, a military officer is also an official, and you can't be an official without knowing how to be one. You are at least a major in the army, so don't really think of yourself as a private."

After saying that, he turned to look at the scout not far away and asked about the surveying and recording situation.

Seeing that the direction and defense line had been almost explored, Wang Shengwen called the company and rushed back to the front position of Shimenzhai before it got dark.

Zhao Zhengbei remained silent along the way, secretly pondering the advice the team leader gave him.

After returning to the position, the First Regiment quickly reorganized and, after dinner, took turns sleeping for three or four hours.

When the moon rose over the eastern mountain, the battalions and companies set out one after another, the artillery regiment also adjusted its artillery fire direction, and the supporting troops followed closely behind.

Bei Feng led two cavalry companies and set out first, riding half of the way and walking half of the way until they were deep in the pine forest. Then they mounted their horses again and waited for the order to charge...

(End of this chapter)