With the mobilization of Japanese troops, the atmosphere in Zhongtiao Mountain became increasingly tense, and even the most nervous defenders of Zhongtiao Mountain felt that something was wrong. Telegrams flew to Chongqing like snowflakes.
Chongqing was also a little panicked and quickly telegraphed Yan Xishan, ordering him to increase support for Zhongtiao Mountain. However, after receiving the telegram, Yan Xishan threw the telegram into the wastebasket.
"Chiang Zhongzheng has gone too far to bully others."
In the office, Yan Xishan slammed the table, "He Jingzhi is shameless, Jin Xianzhang, and Zhang Ji are greedy and cowardly. These two should all be pulled out and shot!"
Looking at the furious Yan Xishan, Sun Chu and Wang Jingguo, who had just arrived at Kenanpo, didn't know what to say. Yan Xishan, who could talk about his habit of forbearing, was so angry that this matter was naturally a small matter.
No.
Because just yesterday, the temporary second division of the World War II zone, under the leadership of division commander Jin Xianzhang and deputy division commander Zhang Ji, broke away from the Shanxi-Sui Army and joined the Central Army. You must know that Yan Xishan spent a lot of effort to build the temporary second division.
How could he not be angry that the people he had formed were now surrendering to the Central Army?
"Sir, since this matter has been settled, it is useless for us to be angry here. The most important thing we should do now is how to make up for the impact of the departure of the temporary second division."
"Yes, sir." Wang Jingguo also agreed: "This matter is too big and cannot be concealed. Rather than making people laugh, we should be more generous and take the initiative to send telegrams to all the troops, saying that the temporary staff
The departure of the Second Division was approved by you, and the purpose is to strengthen the defense on Zhongtiao Mountain. This not only shows your magnanimity, but also blocks everyone's mouth."
Although he was furious, Yan Xishan did not lose his mind. After thinking for a while, he said helplessly: "It can only be like this. They won this time, but it will only take a long time, and the good show is still to come.
Since he, Mr. Jiang, is unkind, then don’t blame me, Mr. Yan, for being unjust. Let’s just sit on the donkey and read the script and wait and see. When they ask me for help, it won’t be short.”
Having said this, he laughed a few times and his face became extremely gloomy.
Wang Jingguo and Sun Chu looked at each other and asked tentatively: "Sir, do you mean that side of Zhongtiao Mountain?"
"Of course." He Yingqin sneered: "The Japanese have mobilized frequently in Zhongtiao Mountain in recent months. According to intelligence, the Japanese army assembled no less than six divisions last month alone. There will never be so many people.
Are you here for sightseeing?
It's ridiculous that the people in Chongqing are still arguing over whether the Japanese are feinting or attacking. What puzzles me the most is that they actually put Wei Junru (Wei Lihuang) under house arrest, so that even now there is no leader in the First War Zone.
There is no one who can call the shots, so I predict that this battle will be lost!"
Although Yan Xishan lost nine out of ten battles against the Japanese, his vision this time was extremely accurate.
On May 7, 1941, after learning that all units had entered the attack position, Neji Okamura, who was far away in Peiping, issued an order to launch an attack. The Japanese troops of four divisions suddenly moved out in the evening, from east to west.
, the northern three sides launched a sudden attack on the Zhongtiao Mountain area "in a pincer shape with a central breakthrough".
In addition, in order to contain the national army from reinforcing Mount Nakatiao, at the request of Okamura Neiji, the Japanese army also assembled seven additional divisions to first implement a blockade on the southeastern coast of China to contain the national army.
In order to cover up this attack, the Japanese army frequently mobilized troops and created various rumors during this period to ensure that the 14th large-scale attack, codenamed "The Battle of the Central Plains", could be successfully completed.
The purpose of the Japanese army's battle was: "to eliminate and mop up the main force of the Central Army entrenched in Shanxi and Henan, and to eliminate its forces north of the Yellow River" and "to expand and utilize the results of this battle to ensure the stability of North China."
It has to be said that the actions of the Japanese army during this period really confused the defenders of Zhongtiao Mountain. At the beginning of the battle, the Japanese offensive on the eastern, western and northern fronts was overwhelming.
The battle lasted less than a day. By May 8, the national army had abandoned Ji, Meng and Meng, Yuanqu County, and Sijiao Village in the north of Zhongtiao Mountain. On May 9, the Japanese army captured Wufu Stream. Wang Jun,
Three generals, Chen Wenqi and Liang Xixian, died for their country.
On the 10th day, Fengmenkou fell.
In just three days, all the passes in Zhongtiao Mountain fell one after another, and the whole country was shocked. Chairman Chiang Kai-shek sent electricity to Yan Xishan continuously, ordering him to immediately send troops to rescue Zhongtiao Mountain.
It was just that Yan Xishan, who had just been poached from a division a few days ago, was full of anger at this time, and how could he invest his own wealth for Chiang Kai-shek, so he sent a telegram to Chongqing, claiming that
The First Army stationed in Shanxi mobilized frequently and showed signs of attacking Kenanpo. It really could not spare the troops to rush to Zhongtiao Mountain.
Seeing Yan Xishan's reply, the Chairman was so angry that one Buddha was born and two Buddhas ascended to heaven. He was just angry but Zhongtiao Mountain could not be ignored. Once Zhongtiao Mountain fell, the Japanese army could attack Xi'an. Once Xi'an also fell, Chongqing
He would be directly exposed to the front lines of the Japanese army, and he would not even be able to sleep well at that time, and might have to move the capital again.
Realizing the seriousness of the matter, Chiang Kai-shek immediately ordered He Yingqin, who was patrolling in Xi'an, to take over all defenses of Zhongtiao Mountain immediately and ensure that the Japanese army could not cross Zhongtiao Mountain.
He Yingqin was dumbfounded after receiving the order from his boss. At this time, Zhongtiao Mountain was in complete chaos after being attacked by the Japanese army. Many troops could not find their officers, and their officers could not find their soldiers. Even some division commanders had lost their lives with their troops.
Contact him and ask him how to save the situation.
Although I was so anxious that I almost wiped my neck, I still had to do what needed to be done. Who let the big boss speak?
As the saying goes, one person is responsible for the shortcomings and two are responsible for the superiors. He Yingqin held an emergency meeting overnight. In this meeting, most of the senior generals in the World War II zone were present.
At the meeting, He Yingqin said straightforwardly: "Everyone, I won't say any more nonsense. You have all read the Chairman's call. Now I just want to ask you, is there any way to stop the Japanese army from advancing and save Zhongtiao Mountain?"
defeat."
There was a moment of silence in the meeting place. No one present was a general who had been in the army for half his life. Of course, he knew that the situation in Zhongtiao Mountain was only a hair away from the collapse of the entire county. I am afraid that not even gods can save it.
In this case, naturally no one wants to be the one who stands out.
Seeing that everyone was silent, He Yingqin, who had always been jokingly called "Grandma He", became angry and sneered: "You won't say anything, right? Well... I'll roll the roll, and you can speak first."
Sun Lianzhong, the commander of the Second Group Army whose name was called, said with a wry smile: "Sir, it's not because of the Ministry's shirk. It's actually that the situation in Zhongtiao Mountain has been largely ruined and cannot be restored by human power."