The reason why Zhao Gang said this is because Xu Dalong requested that the New Second Brigade stay in the Mawushan base area. At this moment, there is a suspicion of egotism, which will inevitably lead to the idea of only caring about the Mawushan base area and not caring about the safety of the headquarters. Once the superior leaders form such an impression, it will be very detrimental to Xu Dalong's future. Zhao Gang is willing to share this responsibility with Xu Dalong.
Xu Dalong nodded gratefully and said: "No need. There are so many things going on here in the base area now, and you need to be responsible for handling them. For things like reporting work, I can just go by myself."
Li Yunlong also understood from their conversation and said: "Brother Dalong, we, Lao Li, will go with you."
Kong Jie also said: "Yes, brother Dalong and me, Lao Kong, the three of us will go together."
Li Yunlong said: "Old Kong, what trouble are you making? You are the person involved. If you go, won't you cause trouble?"
Although what Li Yunlong said didn't sound nice, it made sense. It was indeed inappropriate for Kong Jie to come forward in this matter.
Xu Dalong understood everyone's good intentions and said: "It's nothing. Commander, he is very open-minded. I went there and just stated my opinions. He won't have any opinions. That's it. I will fly to the Taihang Mountain base early tomorrow morning. .”
On the way back to Xinhe County, Fang Ligong asked: "Brigade Master, what do you think is the possibility that the commander-in-chief is going to transfer us out of Xinhe County?"
Chu Yunfei said depressedly: "I dare not say that it is more than 80%. I know the combat effectiveness of the 68th Army and the 69th Army. Once they are unable to stop the Japanese attack, the senior officials will definitely send us back for reinforcements." of."
Fang Ligong said with some worry: "Master, if we leave, Brother Dalong and the others will be in danger. If they die, our foundation here will not be preserved."
The 358th Brigade occupies three county towns here. The mountains are high and the emperor is far away, and the small life is very nourishing. Of course, Fang Ligong was unwilling to leave the territory he had worked so hard for so long. Once he returned to the establishment of the Jinsui Army, everything would be dependent on others. Those days were simply incomparable to now.
Of course, Chu Yunfei was not willing to end like this. He said: "It's useless to say anything now. I must quickly go to the commander's department to state the stakes of the matter and strive to keep the 358th Brigade here."
Fang Ligong asked: "How confident are you that you can convince Shangfeng when you return to the chief's department this time?"
Chu Yunfei said: "I don't know. It all depends on human effort. Just do your best and obey fate."
Chu Yunfei came to the World War II District Chief's Department and asked to see the Chief of Staff.
The chief of staff saw Chu Yunfei and said solemnly: "Chu Yunfei, you came at the right time. The 69th Army has lost three positions in a row and is currently fighting fiercely with the Japanese 142nd Division relying on Raohe County. They are under pressure It was so big that I asked the commander's department for help several times a day, asking for additional reinforcements. Now that the war situation is tight and the pressure everywhere is great, the commander's department only has a reserve team of one division. I plan to mobilize the 358th Brigade to assist the 69th Army military."
When Chu Yunfei heard this, he felt extremely depressed. Although the 69th Army was reorganized after Li Fuying's rebellion and surrendered to the enemy, and its combat effectiveness was not as good as before, it was still an army. Facing a Japanese brigade, it was a newly formed infantry brigade that had just been transferred from China. After the fight was so miserable, they still had the nerve to ask for reinforcements. It is not an exaggeration to say that they were a waste of money.
Of course, Chu Yunfei couldn't say such things. He was just worried that his plan to stick to the Mawu Mountain base would be destroyed.
He considered it for a moment and said: "Sir, I am here just to report to you on the use of the 358th Brigade."
The chief of staff heard that Chu Yunfei was unwilling to transfer the 358th Brigade to support the 69th Army, and he felt a little unhappy. However, he still knew Chu Yunfei very well and knew that he was a qualified soldier and had always been He was obeying the orders of his superiors. There must be a reason why he said this.
So, he said: "If you have any ideas, just tell me."
Chu Yunfei said: "Before coming, I attended the joint meeting with Xu Dalong and others. According to Xu Dalong's analysis, the Japanese army launched a massive attack on the underground party's Taihang Mountain base area, the Zhongtiao Mountain headquarters, and the southeast of Shanxi controlled by the Shanxi-Sui Army. region, but they did not attack the Mawushan base area, this is a bit strange."
The chief of staff was a little confused when he heard this.
He asked: "How did Xu Dalong analyze it?"
The chief of staff still recognized Xu Dalong very much, so he wanted to hear Xu Dalong's opinion.
Chu Yunfei said: "Xu Dalong believes that the Japanese army carried out such a series of actions in Sheep Attack, and their real target is the Mawu Mountain area.
The reasons are as follows. The Mawushan anti-Japanese armed forces have dealt heavy blows to the Japanese army for more than a year and caused great damage. It is inevitable that the Japanese army will be eager to retaliate against the anti-Japanese armed forces in the Mawushan mountain area, including Xu Dalong's guerrillas and our 358th Brigade. of.
Secondly, the Mawushan area often takes the initiative to attack, especially since the guerrillas have a considerable air force and can bomb the Japanese troops everywhere in Shanxi at any time. It can be said that all Japanese troops are under serious threats at any time. If I were the commander of the Japanese army, I would first destroy the air force in the Mawushan base area.
Third, from the perspective of the Japanese army's campaign deployment, there are also problems with the distribution of troops. Let’s not talk about other places, let’s just talk about the attack on southeastern Shanxi. The Japanese army knew clearly that the Shanxi-Sui Army had more than 200,000 troops here, but they only sent an infantry brigade from the 5th Division, the 142nd Division, and the 141st Division. regiment, do they just want to eat up our entire Jinsui Army with these troops? Even though the Japanese army still has a cavalry brigade from the Chahar Expeditionary Army, they have not participated in the battle so far. Isn't this weird? "
After thinking about it seriously, the chief of staff said: "What Xu Dalong said makes some sense. What else can you say?"
Chu Yunfei said: "Xu Dalong believes that the reason why the Japanese army launched an attack on all the anti-Japanese armed forces in Shanxi, but did not attack the Mawu Mountain area, is to mobilize the tigers away from the mountains and transfer the anti-Japanese armed forces in the Mahu Mountain area to other battlefields. For example, take our 358th Brigade. The underground party may also deploy the New First Brigade or the New Second Brigade in the Mawu Mountain area to participate in operations in other areas.
Once the troops in the Mawu Mountain area are empty, the Japanese army will definitely concentrate its main force to besiege the Mawu Mountain area. By then, whether it is Zhongtiao Mountain, southeastern Shanxi or the Taihang Mountain base area, it will be restrained by Japanese troops and will be unable to rescue the Mawu Mountain area.
If this situation really occurs, the existing armed forces in the Mawu Mountain area will simply not be able to resist the heavy encirclement and suppression by the Japanese army. Xu Dalong's base area cannot be saved, and the three county towns of Xinhe, Dongxiang, and Juma controlled by the 358th Brigade will also be lost. By then, the northeastern gate of the World War II District Chief's Department will be opened, and our Shanxi-Sui Army will be attacked from all sides. The situation Worse. "
The chief of staff nodded and said: "I'm afraid that's the case. I have no objection to the 358th Brigade continuing to stay in the Mawushan area, but behind the 69th Army Defense Area is Wutai County, which is the hometown of the president. The president must be We won’t sit back and watch Wutai County be lost, I’m afraid we still have to detach the 358th Brigade to reinforce the 69th Army.”
Chu Yunfei said: "Sir, I came to the Chief's Department this time just to plead with you to do the work of the president and try not to transfer the 358 brigade away from the Mawu Mountain area. Please worry about this matter. Convince the president.”
The chief of staff was very hesitant and worried that if the 69th Army could not hold Raohe County and the Japanese army marched in, he could not bear the responsibility if Wutai County was raided by the Japanese army.
Seeing the Chief of Staff's hesitation, Chu Yunfei said: "We have also considered it. If the 358th Brigade is not eliminated, we can ask Xu Dalong to dispatch their air force to support the 69th Army in the battle, and they can also send their cavalry troops to attack the Japanese 283rd Brigade. The group carried out harassment."
The chief of staff said: "If this is the case, the president should be able to agree. Let's go to the president with me and report to the president what you just said."
Chu Yunfei said: "Thank you for sitting down."
Taiyue Military Region Headquarters.
Xu Dalong made a report to the commander and chief of staff, and the content was similar to what Chu Yunfei said.
The commander was a military god-level figure with great foresight. He believed that what Xu Dalong said was reasonable, and he made the decision on the spot not to send Kong Jie's New Second Brigade back to the Taiyue Military Region.
He said: "Xu Dalong, I support your idea. I will report to the bosses at the headquarters. After all, the strategic room for maneuver in our Taihang Mountain base is larger than yours. At worst, we can go into the mountains to fight guerrillas, which is no big deal.
But once you encounter heavy enemy encirclement and suppression, and the Taihang Mountain base area is out of reach, I am afraid you will have to rely on yourself to support the situation. Based on past experience, neither the Jinsui Army nor the Guo Army in the Zhongtiao Mountain area can directly support your operations there. Everything depends on you. I hope you can keep the Mawu Mountain base and preserve that rare air force.
Of course, I still say that the most important thing is to preserve your vitality. In case the Japanese army is too powerful and cannot hold the base area, it can abandon the base area, break out of the encirclement, and fight guerrillas with the Japanese army. If conditions permit, we can break through the Japanese blockade and come to the Taihang Mountain base area. "
Xu Dalong felt very deeply that it was a blessing for his superior to be such a wise and wise commander.
He said firmly: "Commander, please rest assured. On behalf of the Mawushan guerrillas, the New First Brigade and the New Second Brigade of the Independent Brigade, I assure the commander that we will definitely defend the Mawushan base area and crush the Japanese raids."
The commander looked at the outstanding young commander in front of him with admiration. He said: "Xu Dalong, I believe in your ability and the determination of the anti-Japanese soldiers and civilians in the Mawu Mountain area. I wish you success in smashing the Japanese army's raids." The final victory.”
After leaving the Taiyue Military Region Headquarters, Xu Dalong was in a good mood. With two generals, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie, his chances of winning are much greater.
Just as Xu Dalong was on his way back to his base, Chu Yunfei also sent a telegram, which was also good news.
The King of Shanxi agreed that the 358th Brigade should stay in Xinhe County and fight alongside the Mawushan guerrillas, but asked the guerrillas to dispatch the air force to support the 69th Army in Raohe County.
This result made Xu Dalong very satisfied.
Xu Dalong's analysis and judgment was correct, and this was what Yoshio Shinozuka had in mind. He believed that if a large army was directly sent to encircle and suppress the Mawushan base area, whether it was the Guo Army in Zhongtiao Mountain, the Shanxi-Sui Army in southeastern Shanxi, or the underground anti-Japanese armed forces in the Taihang Mountains, they would take the opportunity to harass the Japanese army. Only by first launching an attack on the anti-Japanese armed forces in these areas and forcing them to protect themselves can we calmly mobilize the army and besiege the Mawushan base area.
Of course, they really hope that the Jinsui Army can transfer the 358th Brigade, and the underground anti-Japanese armed forces can also transfer the troops sent to the Mawushan Base Area, so that they will be more confident in destroying the Mawushan Base Area.
After Yoshio Shinozuka commanded the Japanese army to launch a large-scale attack in accordance with the combat deployment, he ordered Chiba Xunichi to report to him at any time about the situation in the Mawu Mountain area.
Qianye Xunyi's biggest source of information is Yan Guiwu. Of course, Yan Guiwu will never let him down.
Yan Guiwu quickly communicated with Xu Dalong, who asked him to truthfully report the situation of troop mobilization in the Mawu Mountain area to Qianye Xunyi.
Qianye Xunyi reported the situation reported to him by Yan Guiwu to Shinozuka Yoshio.
Yoshio Shinozuka was a little disappointed when he heard that the 358th Brigade and the New Second Brigade had not been transferred, but this was what he expected. He believes that he cannot underestimate the enemy's judgment. Xu Dalong may not be able to think of what he can think of, and the senior officials of the Jinsui Army and the underground party's anti-Japanese armed forces may not be able to see through his plan.
In any case, the previous stage of the Japanese attack still had the desired effect. Now, except for the Mawushan base area, the anti-Japanese armed forces of the underground parties everywhere can only seek self-protection under the attack of the Japanese army and have no time to rescue the Mawushan base area. , therefore, he believed that the time was ripe to launch a large-scale attack on the Mawushan base area.
On April 9, Yoshio Shinozuka issued the second phase of the campaign order. He will personally command the Japanese 108th Division, 110th Division, 140th Division, 32nd Garrison Division, and the 7th Independent Mixed Brigade. , Chahar dispatched troops, the 6th Cavalry Brigade, and the 11th Chariot Regiment, with a total strength of 100,000, to sweep the Mawushan base area.
News continued to spread that the Japanese army was approaching step by step and was about to encircle the Mawushan base area.
According to the original battle plan, Xu Dalong sent people to call Monk Wei and Sun Desheng, and said to them: "You should leave the base area immediately and conduct mobile operations on the outside. You must remember that the main goal is not to fight head-on with the large Japanese army. Just cut off their supply lines. Keep the radio on 24 hours a day and get in touch with the command center at any time."
Sun Desheng said: "Captain, don't worry, we have carried out this kind of mission countless times, and there will be no mistakes."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "I believe you, the little devils are by no means your opponents, but I still want to remind you that the enemy situation outside is very serious after all. You must be careful everywhere at all times, especially when marching and camping. Beware of the enemy. Attack."
Sun Desheng and Wei Monk both promised Xu Dalong that they would preserve the cavalry brigade and special operations squadron.
After leaving Xu Dalong's office, Sun Desheng and Wei Monk led the troops to leave the base area from the direction of Yinping County and conduct mobile operations on the outside.
Li Yunlong, Kong Jie, Wang Limin, and Chu Yunfei each returned to their own troops, inspected the defenses, and prepared to meet the enemy.
Lingao City.
Chiba Xunyi finally felt proud. This time, the main force of Fujiwara Kinichi's 108th Division and a chariot regiment arrived at Lingao City. The two divisions joined forces and marched toward the horse in a mighty manner. Wushan area advances.
Looking at the endless large group of people, Qianye Xunyi was full of ambition. He believed that this time he would be able to completely eliminate Xu Dalong's guerrillas, and he would no longer have to live in fear.
Yan Guiwu's Huang Xiejun Fourth Division was also ordered to follow the Japanese army. He led his team to walk behind the Japanese army's brigade, feeling guilty as he walked. He is now also a little worried about the outcome of the Mahushan base area. Xu Dalong may not be able to resist such a huge Japanese army even with his three heads and six arms.
