Age of Rebirth

At ten o’clock in the night on the first battle at Loushanguan, Tang Qiuli, who was planning the Nanning campaign in Wuming, southern Guangxi, received information about the battle of Loushanguan from the Guangzhou Independent Division’s intelligence office. The information was so detailed that Tang Qiuli has the feeling of being there, and Yu Deshui's intelligence department is becoming more and more effective in intelligence work.

After reading this long piece of information, Tang Qiuli couldn't help admiring, "Xue Yue played well. It is really rare to be able to draw with the Japanese army with high morale as a defeated army. He dared to take on the heavy responsibility in times of crisis. , Among the generals of the Central Army, Xue Yue is also a figure."

Tang Qiuli would definitely not be satisfied if the main corps of the independent division were to fight for the result of the Battle of Loushanguan. With superior equipment, occupying favorable terrain, and a tie, I am afraid that the commanders of those corps would not be satisfied. Sorry to say, behind closed doors, the review was wrong.

As for the Central Army units that have been suppressed and beaten by the Japanese army since the beginning of Qiannan, and have a commander like Gu Zhutong, Xue Yue's record seems to be commendable. Chang Feng, the chief of staff, saw that the division commander was in a good mood. He smiled and said: "Master, you don't praise the generals of the Central Army easily. I remember that you only praised General Zhang Zhizhong during the Battle of Songhu, and Xue Yue was the second."

Tang Qiuli glanced at Chang Feng and said, "Why, am I being harsh? The key is that among all the senior generals of the Central Army, there are too few who can fight, and then there is Chairman Jiang who wants to interfere in everything. , to start a war, with hands tied, it would be strange to be able to confront the Japanese army, by the way, Chang Feng, what do you think of the prospect of the Battle of Loushanguan?" [

Chang Feng thought for a while and replied: "Master, the dangerous terrain of Loushan Pass is good for defense but not good for attack. In addition, the elite troops of the Central Army are all concentrated on this line. As long as the commander does not change frequently. It is difficult to break through the line of defense. However, based on the experienced soldiers of Shouyi in the temple, he will never attack the Loushanguan defense line, and will use other methods. Avoid Loushanguan and attack Chongqing from other directions."

After finishing speaking, Chang Feng walked to the map, pointed to the map and continued: "Loushan Pass is the only passage from Guiyang to Chongqing in the north. There are two natural barriers of Chishui River and Yachi River on the left, and Dalou Mountain stretches for hundreds of kilometers on the right. The mountains are steep and the ravines are criss-crossing, and a large army cannot cross them. Therefore, Shouyi in the temple wants to capture Chongqing. He will start from here."

Then, pointing to the map, "Go west, detour to Xishui and Sangmu in the northwest of Guizhou, cross the Chishui River, and attack Chongqing from the direction of Yongchuan and Jiangjin, but this road is rough and difficult. Heavy equipment can't pass at all, only It can be light infantry. Long-distance raids, unless it is absolutely necessary, Temple Shouichi will not play the game of no risk."

Tang Qiuli looked at Chang Feng approvingly. As his chief of staff, he was more and more aware of the overall situation, and said, "Your analysis is correct, but whether Shouyi in the temple takes this risky move depends on us. With Nanning's actions, it is estimated that after a week, Terauchi Shouichi will have to take risks."

Chang Feng was puzzled and asked: "Master, why is it a week later?" Tang Qiuli replied: "We have made such a big commotion around Nanning, it is impossible for Shouyi in the temple not to know, seeing the actions of the Japanese army in Nanning Understood, Si Nei Shouyi couldn't afford to delay, he wanted to make a quick decision, and after Chongqing was settled, he turned around and dealt with us. Therefore, time was more precious to him than gold. In seven days, if he couldn't break through the Loushan Pass defense line, he would You have to take a risk."

Chang Feng pondered for a while and said, "Master, is it necessary for us to send a telegram to the Chongqing government or Xue Yue to remind you?" Tang Qiuli shook his head and said, "No, if Xue Yue can't see this move, he He couldn't defend Loushan Pass, and he dared to gather all the Central Army troops in Sichuan to the front line of Loushan Pass, Xue Yue should have thought of this, and it is estimated that the King of Sichuan should make an appearance."

While Tang Qiuli and Chang Feng were analyzing the war situation in northern Guizhou, Chairman Jiang's special car, under the protection of a large number of guards, had arrived at the official residence of Sichuan King Liu Xiang. Be vigilant, for the number one leader of the Republic of China who has been ups and downs, the princes of various places have more or less suffered from his secret losses.

After a few simple greetings, Generalissimo Jiang cut to the chase and said, "Fucheng, you must have known about the Battle of Loushanguan in northern Guizhou. The main force of the Central Army in Sichuan was transferred to the front line. However, he was pinned down by nearly 40 Japanese troops on the front line of Loushan Pass, and he was unable to do his own thing. Today, Boling sent a telegram, and he was very worried about that!"

After finishing speaking, Generalissimo Jiang glanced at Liu Xiang. The king of Sichuan was very good at military and politics. After the national government moved westward to Chongqing, it also had a great say on the ground in Sichuan.

Playing haha ​​with him, the effect is not ideal, no, I have said so much, Liu Xiang is still calm, and did not take this trouble at all. "What Boling worried about was that the Japanese army suffered setbacks at the Loushanguan defense line and was unable to attack for a long time. Shou Yihui in the temple took a slanted front, went west, detoured to Xishui and Sangmu, crossed the Chishui River, and attacked the capital from the direction of Yongchuan and Jiangjin. "

"But the Central Army is not a clone. If this is the case, Chongqing will not be protected, and Sichuan will not be protected. Therefore, I implore the Sichuan Army in Fucheng to undertake all the defenses in the northwest of Guizhou and the north bank of the Chishui River, so as to ensure the safety of the flanks of Loushan Pass. I don't know what Chairman Liu wants?" The act of begging for help didn't care about face, Chairman Jiang poured out the actual situation, and waited for Liu Xiang to express his opinion.

"Chairman Jiang, no problem. At this critical juncture of the whole people's war of resistance, the Sichuan army cannot protect itself. The troops will immediately go to the front line in the northwest of Guizhou. If a Japanese soldier passes through the Sichuan army's defense line, I am willing to take the blame and resign as a thank you to the people of the country. "Liu Xiang agreed without hesitation, and his attitude was so straightforward that Generalissimo Jiang was stunned for a while, and he didn't react for a while.

Yang Yongtai, Secretary-General of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government, got up immediately and said: "Chairman Liu is righteous and generous to go to the country, he is a role model for soldiers." Liu Xiang, nicknamed "Ba Gecko", is so easy to talk, and he has prepared a lot of rhetoric, and the order will come into play.

With a happy expression on his face, he also wanted to praise a few words, and Liu Xiang continued: "The Sichuan army is responsible for fighting against the Japanese invaders. However, Liu has an unfeeling request, and I hope Chairman Jiang will consider it." The words were blocked by Liu Xiang's "but", and Generalissimo Jiang gasped as if he had a toothache.

With a face full of bitterness, wanting to ask for help, and being forced by the situation, Liu Xiang took the opportunity to speak loudly, to beat the wind and rip off, which is also the meaning of the title, but he doesn't know how big the appetite of this "Ba Gecko" is.

Seeing Chairman Jiang's bitter face and his chief think tank Yang Yongtai's eyes full of vigilance, Liu Xiang secretly smiled, "They are all masters who only take advantage of the advantages and refuse to suffer losses. Employing and begging for help without any blood is so cheap." Good thing." Actually, even if Generalissimo Jiang didn't come to ask for help, Liu Xiang would not just sit back and watch the Japanese army attack Chongqing from other directions. After all, Sichuan is his own territory, and if he loses it, there is no place to live and live.

However, since he, Jiang, offered to deliver something to your door instead of ordering anything, wouldn't it be a pity to waste this opportunity?Liu Xiang said unhurriedly: "Chairman Jiang, you also know that the Sichuan Army's weapons and equipment are too poor, let alone heavy weapons such as light and heavy machine guns and mortars. Some of my soldiers are not even equipped with rifles." Qi, how can we go to war with such equipment? Therefore, please ask Generalissimo Jiang to arm our Sichuan army. The requirements are not high, just follow the standards of the second-class troops of the Central Army."

Generalissimo Jiang was relieved at that time, and relaxed. There were no planes, artillery, or tanks, and the central government did not lack rifles and machine guns. It would not be a problem to equip the Sichuan Army with more than a dozen divisions. Equipment, can’t be justified, “Fucheng, it’s okay, they are all the national army. Tomorrow, you will go to Chen Cheng to handle this matter. Responsible for replenishment."

Everyone is happy, Chairman Jiang has achieved his goal, Liu Xiang got what he wanted, it is also a kind of take what he wants, Chairman Jiang returned with satisfaction, and said goodbye to Liu Xiang enthusiastically, watching Chairman Jiang's special car Disappearing in the night of Chongqing, Liu Xiang was full of joy, the problem that troubled him was solved. [

After returning to the living room, Liu Xiang thought about it quietly for a while, and said to the chief guard: "Turn on the secret radio station immediately," and then entered an inconspicuous cabin in the mansion. Immediately, the sound of "tick-tick" electric keys echoed in the night sky of Chongqing. sounded.

As soon as Tang Qiuli lay down to rest, Chen Feng, the director of communications, came to knock on the door, "Master, there is an urgent telegram from Liu Xiang in Sichuan." He could only get up with a wry smile. , this Sichuan king is too impatient, and it's not something urgent, he has to call in the middle of the night?

No one knows that Liu Xiang and Tang Qiuli have been in contact for a long time. The establishment of radio communication between the two parties was agreed at the Nanjing Military Conference a few years ago. Even if Tang Qiuli was fighting in the north, Liu Xiang would not regularly It can be seen that this Sichuan king has created a superb balance art between the two giants of the state.

No one can offend anyone, make good friends with that one, and that one will be the leader at a critical moment. It is not too much to say that he is a top person. It is a test of wisdom to deal with the two giants without getting hurt. It is true that the princes from all walks of life won the melee and beat the crowd. For example, Liu Xiang asked Tang Qiuli for advice on today's matter.

(To be continued)