Agents of the Republic of China

The entire Changde City has become a strong defensive fortress. Some people who have not retreated have thrown away the packages in their hands and actively joined the soldiers preparing the position. Although there are many people, everything is in an orderly manner, and there is even less noise. very.In addition to the field fortifications on the outskirts of the city and the second defensive circle built by the city wall, cement bunkers were built at all important intersections and key points in the city for street fighting.The corners of the streets and alleys have been fully utilized to build bright and dark fortresses and open up private houses to form a complete defense system.

Along the way, Lin Xiaotang also felt the familiar high morale and atmosphere of the 57th Division, and it can be seen that Yu Chengwan is indeed a general who is good at defense.

The Changde City Defense Command is located in the basement of the former city government. It has a very large area and seems to be composed of many rooms. Busy staff and guards come in and out. In the middle of the room is a huge sand table. Lin Xiaotang glanced at it, it should be Changde The overall layout of the city defense line.To the north of the house is a neat row of radio stations, and the messengers are busy working.Yu Chengwan, who had just returned from Changsha, was wearing a lieutenant general uniform and was huddling in front of the sand table with several people who looked like staff officers, repeatedly deducing the development trend and possibility of the city defense campaign.

Chai Yixin, who followed Lin Xiaotang into the headquarters, originally planned to report to Yu Chengwan, but was stopped by Lin Xiaotang's hand, and the two stood quietly aside, while Yu Chengwan and several staff officers continued to deduce on the sand table.

It wasn't until an orderly shouted, "Chief of Staff Chai", that Yu Chengwan turned his head subconsciously, saw Lin Xiaotang next to Chai Yixin, laughed immediately, strode over, and beat him with his hands. Touching Lin Xiaotang's chest, "Haha, our veteran is back!"

Lin Xiaotang was taken aback, "Mr. Yu, do you know me?"

Chai Yixin also laughed, "You Zhong, you don't know that the day before you left, Master Yu came to the regiment headquarters because of you, but you were drinking with He Chong at that time, so you didn't bother you. You I don't know, Master Yu has lost his temper for a few days because of the military commander's interception!"

Lin Xiaotang suddenly realized, and hurriedly stood at attention and saluted, "Master, Tang Lin is here to report!"

Yu Chengwan pulled his hand down with a smile, "Don't, don't, you and I are at the same level now, and this time we were appointed by the Central Committee to supervise the battle in Changde. If your identity hadn't been kept secret, I would have to go to the city even if I said anything." Go outside to meet you!"

Lin Xiaotang smiled heartily, "Master, that's the same sentence. Since I am a soldier from the 57th Division, I have been a member of the 57th Division all my life. Don't mention anything about supervising battles. The 57th Division has always fought tough battles." Elite troops, is it still necessary to supervise the battle?"

Everyone exchanged some pleasantries, and Yu Chengwan let Lin Xiaotang and others into the reception room of the back room.

When Lin Xiaotang asked about the current battle situation, Yu Chengwan's smile suddenly disappeared, replaced by deep worry. "Youzhong, it's not that I'm not optimistic about the Changde battle this time, it's that the current battle situation can't make me feel at ease!"

It turned out that since the evening four days ago, the 11th Army of the Japanese Army had marched from Wanshi, Mituo Temple, Ouchikou, Shishou, and Huarong on the south bank of the Yangtze River with the 39th, 13th, 3rd, 116th, and 68th Divisions. The regiments went hand in hand and launched an attack on the front lines of the 10th and 99st) Army of the Communist Party of China at Xinjiangkou, Mijitai, Zhangtian City, and Lunigou. The main attack direction was Wangjiachang, and the assist direction was Anxiang.The battle continued until yesterday, and the frontline positions of the Communist Party were broken through in many places. Among them, the 92nd Division of the [-]th Army in the Ninth Theater retreated without a fight, and retreated hastily to Shizikou, Gongan, Ganjiachang, and Songzi River. Wire.

The Sasaki Detachment, which was originally following up behind the 3rd Division, joined the battle from between the 13th and 3rd Divisions.At noon that day, the police were captured.After that, the Japanese army quickly captured Chayuan Temple, Wangjiaqiao, Xinhe City, Dongyue Temple, Ganjiachang, Sanchanao, Xindao, Anxiang, Yukou and other places. In the evening, it breaks into the east end of Nuanshui Street. ** The 13th Group Army retreated to the main positions along the Niejiahe, Wangjiafan, Lianghekou, Nuanshui Street, Zhakou, Wangjiachang, and Jiuwangmiao lines; the 10th Group Army retreated to the Yongzhen River, Hongmiao, Longshan, and Tujiahu Wire.

Less than five days after the start of the war, Japan's first line of defense had completely collapsed, and the lakeside area of ​​Dongting Lake basically fell into the enemy's hands.

Yu Chengwan sighed, "Before the start of the war, the chiefs of the Sixth and Ninth War Zones never imagined that the carefully arranged first line of defense would collapse in just a few days, and the second line of defense still has several troops without it at this time." Arriving at the designated location, it is conceivable that the next battle will be one-sided. If my estimation is correct, I am afraid that within two days, the forward troops of the Japanese army will arrive at the outskirts of Changde."

After stopping these words, Lin Xiaotang remained silent. He knew very well what caused the defeat.The Sixth War Zone and the Ninth War Zone fought together. During this period, dozens of troops from various factions in the world were mixed. It is difficult to imagine the difficulty of cooperating with each other. However, this battle is still copying the previous level. The old tactics of defending at the top level, trying to consume the enemy's vital forces, and encircling the points for reinforcements.Will there be no changes in the Japanese army?In this way, how will the next battle be fought!

"The master's plan?" Lin Xiaotang asked Yu Chengwan.

Yu Chengwan smiled wryly, "What else can I do? Changde is a pawn to attract the main force of the enemy. Shangfeng has already issued a death order, requiring our troops to hold on until reinforcements arrive. There is not even a specific deadline. My 57th Division has less than 1 troops, and it is not easy to face the enemy's frontal attack of two or three divisions! I can't do anything, I can only persevere!"

Lin Xiaotang then asked Yu Chengwan, "What does the Commander need me to do? Since I came to Changde, I am a soldier under the Commander's command. If I come, I will be safe. I joined the army back then to kill the enemy and serve the country. Since 57 The teacher is already facing a difficult situation, of course I will be obliged, and I will fight bloody battles with all my brothers and sisters, and the only thing I can do is die!"

Yu Chengwan nodded appreciatively, "I said before that I would send someone to the front to supervise the battle, but I was afraid that someone who was greedy for life and afraid of death would come. If the battle was difficult, I was afraid that the commissioner here would shake the morale of the army. It's all right now, Yuzhong You are an old man of my 57th Division, and I will not be polite to you anymore."

Lin Xiaotang stood up, "Master, please give me an order!"

"Okay!" Yu Chengwan also stood up, and pulled Lin Xiaotang to the Changde map beside the wall, "Youzhong, come and see. Now, the) group army is holding on to Shimen, surrounded by three divisions of the Japanese army, and suffered heavy losses. The 10th Group Army was stationed on the front line of the Yuanjiang River, and was in a bitter battle with the Japanese army. Once Changde was launched, there would be no nearby friendly forces to come to support. Fortunately, the 74th Regiment of the 63rd Division under the command of General Wang Yaowu of the 188th Army was temporarily assigned to Changde. Talking is better than nothing!"

"The teacher seat means...?" Lin Xiaotang was puzzled.

Yu Chengwan then explained: "Youzhong, I opened the skylight to speak frankly. Deshan is the southern gate of Changde, and its Gufeng Ridge is the only commanding height on the south bank of the Yuanjiang River, which is Changde's natural barrier. Once the defense line of Deshan falls, I will The defenders will have nowhere to retreat. The 188th Regiment is currently stationed on the front line of Tokuyama!"

Yu Chengwan sighed, hesitated for a moment, and said it anyway. "It's not that I don't believe in friendly troops, but the 188th Regiment is not a unit of our 57th Division after all, and Deshan is the only natural danger to the Japanese attack. It can be said that once Deshan is lost, Changde is just around the corner, so... ...".

Yu Chengwan paused for a moment, and turned his eyes to Lin Xiaotang, "So, what I mean is, please help me sit on the Deshan defense line, Yuzhong!"

Lin Xiaotang was taken aback, "Master, why did you think of letting me go to Deshan to supervise the battle?"

Yu Chengwan explained: "To tell you the truth, I am also in a hurry to go to the doctor. Our 57th Division and the 63rd Division are on equal footing. Although the 188th Regiment is temporarily taken over and assigned to our Changde defense area, Shangfeng has not expressed an attitude so far that the 188th Regiment Whether to accept my command from Yu Chengwan, or just to assist in the defense. To put it bluntly, the 188th Regiment is guarding a dangerous point, but in fact I have no power to command them. But you, Youzhong, are different. You were sent by the central government to the Changde theater War supervisor, as long as it is a war within Changde, you have the right to intervene, so I can't do anything about it, but you, a genuine military commander, will definitely be able to stabilize the morale of the 188th regiment!"

Yu Chengwan went on to say: "One more thing, before you came, many people greeted me, including old friends in the army, and the relationship with Mr. Xiao Jiang. I will guarantee your safety because of emotion and reason. , I asked you to go to Deshan, I have another meaning. Deshan is high and densely forested, in case Changde falls, or if the defense line of Deshan cannot be held, you can retreat into the mountains and forests, at least you will be safe!"

Lin Xiaotang nodded gratefully, "I understand the meaning of the master, but there is something I want to say first, please rest assured, the master, I am a soldier of the 57th division, and I will never discredit you. I will never Retreat before the division seat, as long as there is a robe from my 57th division in Changde City, Deshan will not fall!"

Yu Chengwan's excited lips trembled a little, and he said three "good" words in a row.

The guard suddenly reported outside the door, "Report to the division, there are several people in front of the command department looking for Commissioner Tang from Chongqing!"

Lin Xiaotang was taken aback, at this time, who would come here to find him? When Chai Yixin accompanied him out of the headquarters, Lin Xiaotang was stunned!

In front of the gate of the headquarters, Datou, Huoyan, and Chang Huan were lazily standing against the wall, smoking cigarettes, chatting with the guards at the gate.

Lin Xiaotang was angry and annoyed, and ran over quickly, slapped the cigarette butt in Datou's mouth, and kicked Huoyan's ass, Chang Huan saw that the situation was not good, so he jumped a long way away, only to escape Lin Xiaotang fists.

"You three bastards, what are you doing here at this time, get out of here!"

"Lin Xiaoqi!" Datou was so angry that he pointed at Lin Xiaotang, "You unscrupulous bastard, Changde is opened by your family, you are allowed to come, but we are not allowed to come!"

"Damn, we are brothers, of course we have to bear the burden together, you ran to Changde by yourself, but you drove us away, I know, you are afraid that we who have families and mouths will not be able to explain if something happens to us , but what about yourself? How can we explain to Jiayi and Jiang Bo, as well as your other women. If something happens to you, do you want us brothers to feel uncomfortable and blame ourselves for the rest of our lives!"

Datou's words were already crying, and he stared straight at Lin Xiaotang with his bloodshot eyes.

Huoyan and Chang Huan looked at Lin Xiaotang in silence, "Seventh brother, we won't leave even if you kill us, so save your energy!"

Lin Xiaotang was immediately annoyed, but his eyes became moist, and he grabbed the big head and the others, "Damn, you all come here, I don't even have a person to entrust the funeral. You choose the path yourself, don't blame me in the future !"

Datou wiped away his tears and said with a smile, "Fuck, who made us brothers!"

Huoyan and Chang Huan also smiled and nodded.

The four walked into the headquarters shoulder to shoulder.Datou yelled: "Lao Qi, if I have something to do, let Master Xiang and Fatty Shen dress me in mourning, will that work?"

"Go away, you crow's mouth, think clearly, when the time comes, it's too late for Fatty Shen and Master Xiang to be happy, fuck, Ke Hua, Hero and Santos will all belong to them. So, it must not be cheap These two bastards, we must survive!"