As time went by, the enemy's attacks became more intense, and it became increasingly difficult for the Thirteenth Corps to resist.
"Correspondent, send a report to the deputy commander and ask where the third corps is!"
After a whole day of fierce fighting with the enemy, the first-line defensive positions of the three armies of the Thirteenth Corps were already in danger. Li Qiufan immediately asked the correspondent to send a report to the old brigade commander to inquire about the current location of the Third Corps.
"Report to the Commander-in-Chief, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief replied that the Third Corps is about to arrive in the Ziyili area!"
Not long after the telegram was sent, the old brigade commander replied that the Third Corps was not far from them.
"Continue to send the report to the First Corps and ask them if they have arrived in Jiuyan!"
Hearing that the Third Corps was about to arrive in Ziyili, Li Qiufan finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked his correspondent to send a telegram to the First Corps.
Li Qiufan did not follow the First Corps to cross the river, but took command on the north bank, so Erhu temporarily acted as commander of the First Corps on the other side.
"Report to the commander that the first regiment has arrived in the Jiuyanli area and is rushing towards Yufang Mountain!"
The speed of the First Corps was very fast. At this time, it had reached 90,000 miles and was heading towards Yufang Mountain.
"These guys are so fast, they've already reached Jiuyanli!"
Li Qiufan was also a little surprised by the speed of the First Corps. According to his speculation, the First Corps should not have reached the Jiuyanli area at this time.
"Give me the order to have the 42nd Army on the right wing withdraw from its position and alternate cover to move closer to the 38th Army!"
Now that the First Corps has passed Jiuyanli, the Thirteenth Corps can move. Li Qiufan immediately decided to shrink the defense line and strengthen the depth to reduce the pressure on the frontline positions.
After receiving Li Qiufan's order, the 42nd Army immediately withdrew from its position and moved towards the 38th Army.
At the same time, the enemy also pursued the 42nd Army, but was blocked by the 38th Army.
After the 42nd Army entered the 38th Army's position, it immediately replenished the 38th Army and the 40th Army on the left, stabilizing the first-line defensive positions of the two armies.
"Report to the Commander, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief called, the Third Corps has entered the Ziyili area and is expected to rendezvous with the Thirteenth Corps in three hours!"
Just after Li Qiufan finished shrinking the defense line, he received a telegram from the old brigade commander. The Third Corps had arrived in the Ziyili area and would reach the battlefield in three hours.
"It's finally here. If we delay for a while longer, I will have the Thirteenth Corps retreat to Shuiluoshan!"
After hearing the correspondent's report, Li Qiufan smiled and said.
Although the defense line was shrunk and the defensive forces at the forward positions were strengthened, the Thirteenth Corps still could not stop the enemy's attack.
During this period, Li Qiufan even wanted to have the 13th Corps retreat across the board and re-establish a defense line in the Shuiluoshan area to block the attack.
Fortunately, the old brigade commander sent a telegram in time, so Li Qiufan did not give the order to retreat.
Three hours passed quickly. The Thirteenth Corps withstood the enemy's fierce attack, and then finally saw the Third Corps in the rear.
Similarly, the enemy also discovered the arrival of the Third Corps, and then reported it to the commander of the beautiful country.
After receiving the news, the commander of the beautiful country thought that the volunteers who went to support the Eastern Front had returned, and he laughed happily.
In his opinion, if the Volunteer Army on the Western Front was held back, the Volunteer Army on the Eastern Front would be completely unable to stop their advance.
Moreover, negotiations are imminent between both parties at this time, and they both want to give themselves more bargaining chips.
As long as they threaten the Iron Triangle again from the east, they will be able to take the initiative in negotiations.
After being happy, the commander of the beautiful country issued an order to the troops on the Western Front to stop the attack and let them confront the volunteer troops on the Western Front where they were.
On Li Qiufan's side, after seeing that the enemy troops no longer attacked and did not retreat, he knew that the overall situation had been decided and waited for the First Corps to arrive.
Not long after, the old brigade commander arrived at Li Qiufan's command post, and at the same time, the Third Corps also joined the Thirteenth Corps.
"You brat, I'm not too late, right?"
After seeing Li Qiufan, the old brigade commander immediately asked him with a smile.
"Old brigade commander, if your telegram arrives a little later, I will prepare the Thirteenth Corps to withdraw to Shuiluoshan."
After hearing what the old brigade commander said, Li Qiufan first saluted with a military salute, and then joked.
"What? Are you blaming me?"
The old brigade commander also heard Li Qiufan's teasing intention, and said pretending to be angry.
"How dare I blame you, old man, for just complaining."
Li Qiufan spread his hands towards the old brigade commander and said innocently, and then the two looked at each other and smiled.
"Where is your first regiment now?"
After joking, the old brigade commander asked about the location of the First Corps at this time.
"Previous inquiries have already arrived in the Jiuyanli area. It is estimated that they will reach Yufangshan soon!"
After hearing the old brigade commander asking about the location of the First Corps, Li Qiufan made a rough calculation and said.
"Your regiment is a bit fast. It's almost reaching Fangshan!"
The old brigade commander was a little surprised when he heard Li Qiufan's words. He didn't expect that the first regiment was already approaching Yufang Mountain.
"Don't talk about you, old brigade commander. When I learned that the First Corps arrived at Jiuyanli, the expression was exactly the same as yours."
Li Qiufan smiled after hearing the old brigade commander's words. He was also surprised by the marching speed of the First Corps.
"The troops you brought out are really good! After the enemy troops on the Western Front are eliminated, I have to take a good look!"
The old brigade commander nodded happily towards Li Qiufan and praised him without hesitation.
"Stop talking about this, tell me what the enemy's situation is on the opposite side and what troops they have."
After praising Li Qiufan, the old brigade commander asked him about the situation of the enemy troops on the western front.
"There are currently four enemy forces opposite us, namely the 1st National Cavalry Division, the 1st Marine Division, the 3rd Infantry Division and the 6th Nanchao Division."
After hearing the old brigade commander's inquiry, Li Qiufan immediately explained the situation of the enemy troops opposite.
"I heard that the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Marine Division are both the ace troops of the beautiful country? How is their combat effectiveness?"
After listening to Li Qiufan's words, the old brigade commander asked him about the situation of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Marine Division.
"The weapon configuration of these two units is much better than other enemy units. The 1st Cavalry Division is mainly reflected in its powerful mobile force, while the 1st Marine Division is relatively balanced in all aspects."
Hearing the old brigade commander ask about the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st Marine Division, Li Qiufan thought for a moment and then said to him.
