The Japanese invaders temporarily stopped their attack.
However, the 150mm heavy artillery was still firing intermittently.
This kind of bombardment is very annoying. It has no specific target. It is purely to create pressure. Sometimes it can be fatal.
"boom……"
"boom……"
From time to time, there were casualties among state officers and soldiers.
It's possible to get hit even if you're hiding in a trench. It all depends on luck.
In addition to the 150mm howitzer, the artillery fire also includes 105mm heavy cannon. There is also a 75mm mountain cannon.
The Japanese artillery fire continued, but the Chinese army was unable to fight back.
Zhang Yong didn't know where the Japanese artillery positions were. The system couldn't calculate it.
Alas, it would be great if we could calculate the trajectory of the cannonball.
Unfortunately, this is not possible for the time being...
It's gradually dawning.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense again.
I wonder if the Japanese aircraft will be dispatched?
If dispatched, how many sorties will there be? Where will the bombing be focused?
"Commissioner."
"sit."
Having breakfast with Long Muhan.
The breakfast is very rich. Steamed buns, steamed buns, porridge, soy milk, and pastries are all available.
There is no shortage of food in Jiangyin Fortress.
Behind is Yangzhou, the Yangtze River, and the canal. How could there be a shortage of food?
The Shengping Grain Company under his name Zhang Yong was engaged in grain trade. Ship after ship of grain came in, and there was no shortage at all.
Finally, Zhang Yong reminded Li Yunyan not to send any more food.
At that time, Jiangyin Fortress may have to be evacuated. There is too much food to take away, so it must be destroyed, which would be a waste.
"Commissioner."
"sit."
After a while, the three division commanders and the chief of staff also arrived.
The 100th Army was originally the 230th Division of the Sichuan Army. It was temporarily organized into the 100th Army on the Songhu battlefield. The senior officers were all newly transferred.
Army commander Long Muhan was in the Huangpu Phase I. The three division commanders were all in the Huangpu Phase III.
These are all lists that Zhang Yong poached from Wang Yaowu. Zhang Yong still trusts Wang Yaowu's vision.
In terms of organization, Lao Jiang was very generous. He wished he could give Zhang Yong a bunch of them.
When the 100th Army was organized, the three divisions 116, 117, and 118 were directly assigned the designations. They were all originally from the Northeast Army.
Because of the Northwest Incident, the Northeastern Army was split into pieces. Many division-level designations were cancelled.
Among them, the designations of three divisions were given to the Eighth Route Army.
The rest was given to Zhang Yong and allowed him to take control of it freely.
In other words, as long as Zhang Yong is willing, he can get the numbers of several more divisions.
However, the problem now is not about the numbers. It is about the soldiers!
There is a serious shortage of soldiers.
The new troops recruited from the rear could not make up for the losses on the Songhu battlefield.
Without soldiers, what's the point of having an establishment?
Even if you form several front armies, you will still have so few people. It is useless to deceive yourself.
There is a solution, but it's a bit taboo.
What solution?
Recruit troops yourself.
It does not go through the Military and Administrative Department and the General Headquarters.
Recruit soldiers directly to replenish the army. No need to wait foolishly.
However, this method is very taboo. It is tantamount to supporting the troops and respecting oneself. It is easy to be suspected by Chiang Kai-shek.
Chiang Kai-shek was as suspicious as Emperor Chongzhen. He did not trust anyone.
Long Muhan would definitely not dare to do this kind of thing.
Ding Huaizhong and others probably wouldn't dare either. They are all Huangpu students.
what to do?
Zhang Yong thinks about it now.
I feel like I need to quietly develop some private power.
Others like Boss Dai can start the Loyalty and National Salvation Army. He also has money in his own hands...
I despise Boss Dai.
Understand Boss Dai.
Become Boss Dai.
Better than Boss Dai.
The question is, what kind of name should we find...
If you want to make some small moves in private, you must kick those Huangpu students away.
In other words, we must start from scratch.
Cao Mengqi...
Forget it. Lao Cao is also a student of Huangpu.
Oh, no. Lao Cao has already joined the Red Party and belongs to the people over there.
Unfortunately, Lao Cao died young...
Otherwise, the Rangers...
etc!
Rangers!
It seems to be the preparation of Lao Jiang Yun.
According to the original agreement with the Sichuan Army, there should be seven regiments.
Seven regiments...
Not bad.
Li Yunlong's regiment has eight battalions.
Ten battalions for my regiment is reasonable. Maybe there can be more.
Seven regiments, 100,000 people...
have a bee in one's bonnet.
No clue.
He is really good at destruction and not good at construction.
Unless you recruit a few people from the Red Party and ask them to help, you can become a hands-off boss...
"Report!"
A staff officer came quickly.
Everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks.
Judging by the look on the officer's face, he knew something big was going on.
"explain."
"Report to the Commissioner, the Japanese invaders captured Guangde..."
"Keep talking."
"Commander Rao Guohua of the 145th Division died for his country..."
"knew."
Zhang Yong waved his hand gently.
The staff officer left quietly.
The whole place was silent.
Everyone's hands holding chopsticks stopped.
Rao Guohua died for his country.
This shows how fierce the Japanese attack was.
You must know that this 145th Division was led by Zhang Yong.
All the troops led by Zhang Yong had relatively sufficient weapons and ammunition and strong combat effectiveness.
Even so, the Japanese invaders still captured Guangde, which shows that the Japanese invaders were also very powerful.
"Jinling..."
Lu Xinjing was about to speak but stopped.
No one answered the call. But they knew it well.
Why did the Japanese invaders have to capture Guangde? It was to eliminate the threat from the west.
If the Japanese invaders want to concentrate heavy troops to besiege Jinling, they must first protect their flanks. By taking Guangde, the Japanese invaders will achieve their goal.
Now that Guangde has been captured, Langxi is probably about to fall as well.
Next, you can safely launch a fierce attack on Jinling. There is no need to worry about reinforcements from the national army in the west.
Jinling...
Crisis...
"Eat it!"
Zhang Yong was the first to use his chopsticks.
There is no point in being sad.
There will be more and more bad news like this in the future.
You just have to get used to it.
Numb yourself.
In fact, Rao Guohua's death for his country had been postponed for many days.
If it were in another time and space, he would have died for his country in November. But today, it is December 8th.
This shows that the combat effectiveness of the 145th Division has improved. It persisted for one more week. Unfortunately, the distance is too far.
If Zhang Yong was in Guangde, Rao Guohua would not have died for his country.
Alas, I don’t have enough time to do all the work...
"Report!"
Another staff officer arrived.
His face was equally solemn.
Everyone involuntarily stopped using their chopsticks.
"Say it."
"Report! Japanese invaders captured Langxi! 77th Division Commander Yang Qichun died for his country..."
"What?"
Long Muhan suddenly stood up.
Others couldn't sit still anymore and stood up one after another.
Yang Qichun also died for his country?
sky……
Zhang Yong was also a little surprised.
He didn't know that the 77th Division was originally stationed in Langxi.
However, he knew this Yang Qichun. He met him on the Songhu battlefield.
The previous commander of the 77th Division was ordered to be executed by the headquarters for abandoning Dachang Town and retreating without authorization. He was replaced by Yang Qichun.
Yang Qichun is also a member of Huangpu Phase I.
Zhang Yong led the 77th Division, who had made great contributions to Dai Zui, to launch a fierce attack and retake Dachang Town.
The battle was very fierce. Almost half of the 77th Division suffered casualties. In the end, only 3,000 people were left.
Zhang Yong didn't know what happened next.
Unexpectedly, hearing the name Yang Qichun again meant goodbye forever.
"how so?"
"how so?"
Long Muhan and the three division commanders all looked at each other in confusion.
To say that there is no anxiety or worry is definitely false.
Rao Guohua was the division commander of the Sichuan Army and had little contact with them. Even though he died for his country, he was not affected much.
However, this Yang Qichun is from Huangpu Phase I!
Even he died for his country, then...
The brutality of the battle can be imagined.
The Japanese invaders were really crazy and attacked Guangde and Langxi so fiercely.
It is conceivable how fierce the attack on Jinling will be. It is not known how long Jinling can hold out.
Once Jinling falls, Jiangyin Fortress will be left alone, alone behind enemy lines.
Oh, no. You can cross the river and go north. Retreat to Nantong, Taizhou, Yangzhou and other places. Bypass Jinling...
Thinking of this, everyone felt a little relieved.
Immediately, all eyes fell on Zhang Yong. He is the backbone!
A true sea-fixing needle.
As long as Zhang Yong is here, there is nothing to be afraid of. I am just afraid that Zhang Yong is not here.
If Zhang Yong goes to Jinling again, and the Japanese invaders launch another fierce attack, everyone here may die for the country.
"knew."
Zhang Yong waved his hand and signaled the staff to leave.
He picked up the porridge bowl again and drank the porridge silently.
Guangde, Langxi and other places are full of vines and branches. If they are cut off, the fruit of Jinling will naturally mature.
If the Japanese invaders advance and continue to capture Ma'anshan, or Pukou and other places...
Jinling is basically withered.
"boom……"
"boom……"
The Japanese heavy artillery bombardment continued.
The intermittent explosions made many people present uncontrollably irritable.
"Why are you panicking?"
Zhang Yong suddenly raised his tone.
Everyone suddenly looked shocked.
not good.
The Commissioner is going to be furious.
"If you are worried that you will not survive, take a boat and leave Jiangyin Fortress now. I will never stop you."
Zhang Yong said coldly.
Of course no one answered.
Anxiety and worry are there. However, no one can do anything but run away.
"The committee is still in Jinling!"
Zhang Yong said again: This is yesterday’s news.
To be precise, it was the front-page news published in yesterday's newspaper. It said that Chiang Kai-shek had returned to Jinling.
Why come back?
Of course, we need to stabilize "military morale" and "people's morale."
As for the effect...
There must be some.
Chiang Kai-shek's return has indeed boosted morale.
If he had not left secretly and stayed in Jinling until the last moment, he would have been considered a good man.
The problem is...
Zhang Yong judged that Chiang Kai-shek should leave Jinling now.
Leave secretly.
Where to go. I don’t know.
For some time to come, Chiang Kai-shek's whereabouts will be kept secret.
It was impossible for the people of Jinling to notice that the appointment was just a show. It was short-lived.
As for Tang, who shouted an oath to live and die with Jinling...
Zhang Yong didn't want to mention him.
If you want to destroy it, you must first make it crazy.
Just wait!
"Rumble..."
"Rumble..." Suddenly, a faint loud noise came from the northeast.
Everyone's attention was immediately attracted. Anxiety and worry were temporarily put aside.
Like an explosion?
A very violent explosion?
A few hundred kilograms of explosives?
Could it be that the ammunition depot somewhere was bombed?
Damn...
Is it the ammunition depot inside the fortress?
Who was so careless? Detonated the ammunition depot? Or was it sabotage by Japanese spies?
Zhang Yong also muttered in his heart. He didn't know where the explosion occurred.
Forget it. Just wait patiently for the report.
Sure enough, after a while, a staff officer came excitedly.
Everyone was in a somewhat gloomy mood, but there was a glimmer of light.
Judging from the expression on the staff officer's face, it seems like it's a happy event?
"Report! Mr. Commissioner, we sank a Japanese warship! We sank a Japanese warship! Really!"
The staff officer danced with joy and repeatedly emphasized that it was true.
Everyone looked at each other in shock.
Sink a Japanese warship?
What's going on?
"I understand. It was a Japanese warship that struck a mine."
Zhang Yong explained briefly.
This is the only possibility.
It was the mines released earlier that had meritorious service.
Thirty mines swayed down the river. Then the Japanese destroyer was unlucky.
Mines, torpedoes, these things are all existences that penetrate the soul at once.
Especially for small warships with a displacement of only a thousand tons.
In fact, even a cruiser or battleship would be very uncomfortable if it took one hit.
It may not sink, but it will definitely need to be returned to Hong Kong for overhaul. It will blow a hole!
Sure enough, follow-up news came one after another.
The Japanese warship indeed hit a mine.
A big hole was opened by the explosion. Then it slowly sank.
But it didn't sink completely. It was a river after all. It wasn't that deep. The bridge was still outside.
"Let's all go take a look." Zhang Yong waved.
Everyone actively followed suit.
Return to Jiangyin Fortress.
Come up to Huangshan Fort.
Sure enough, I could see it very clearly through the telescope.
At a bend in the river downstream, a Japanese destroyer sank crookedly.
More than half of the deck was submerged in the river water. A small half was exposed. The bridge was also tilted.
While watching, the bridge suddenly broke.
"Crash..."
"Crash..."
Then it was inserted heavily into the river.
But it wasn't completely submerged. There was still a small part exposed.
Originally, this should be a victory worthy of celebration. However, everyone present felt uncomfortable.
Mainly from Jinling...
Zhang Yong suddenly had a thought.
I discovered Sister Lu, also known as Lu Yan.
Because the yellow dot cannot be marked, Zhang Yong must see the person.
She waved to Lu Yan, indicating that she had something to do with her. Lu Yan saw it and nodded, indicating that she knew.
Zhang Yong found an excuse to leave and went to a secluded place with Lu Yan.
"Sister Lu."
"Commissioner Zhang, thank you for your hard work."
"Sister Lu, do you have any other tasks recently?"
"Not yet. Do you have any orders?"
"Yes. I want you to take people across the river immediately and move around in Nantong, Taizhou, Yangzhou and other places."
"do what?"
"Two reasons. First, once Jinling falls, we have to cross the river and retreat northward. Second, I hope the advance team of the New Fourth Army can develop here."
"Our strength is too weak, I'm afraid we can't do much..."
"I will arrange for Cheng Zhigao to do other things."
"Okay then. Let's cross the river first and contact the comrades over there."
Lu Yan speaks quickly.
Zhang Yong actually likes the character of this eldest sister.
It's a pity that she is born as a girl.
If he were a man, he could really lead an army!
That guy Dong Lieyang is obviously inexperienced and has a bit of a stubborn temper.
Mo He doesn’t know much about military command...
etc.
Suddenly I thought of what happened before.
"Sister Lu, I have another matter. I hope you can help me deal with it secretly."
"you say."
"I need someone who can lead troops and fight."
"do what?"
"Help me lead an army."
"What size?"
"There is no ceiling."
"You are very demanding!"
“Just average!”
"People like this are also treasures here!"
"I hope you can bear the pain and give up. Find a way to make a death certificate. Then come to me with a different identity."
"Okay. I'll try my best. But, I can't guarantee it."
"Only you can know this matter alone."
"Understood. I'm going."
"good."
Lu Yan left quickly.
Suddenly he turned back and stopped talking.
"Sister Lu, tell me."
"I'm thinking of someone who seems to meet your conditions."
"who?"
"My husband."
"Oh? Where is he?"
"I can't tell you for the time being. But if the organization approves, he should be able to come."
"Then I look forward to your good news."
"good."
Lu Yan left.
Zhang Yong's mood suddenly improved.
Lu Yan obviously has some status there.
His husband is probably of a higher status.
It would definitely be a good thing if we could arrive anonymously.
"Report!"
Another staff member hurriedly arrived.
Zhang Yong recovered his thoughts.
"What's up?"
"Sir Commissioner, the headquarters has an urgent message requesting the 100th Army to ship to Jinling immediately to reinforce the Yuhuatai defense line."
"Well……"
The good mood suddenly turned bad again.
Chiang Kai-shek actually wanted to transfer 100 troops away?
faint!
Are you in such a hurry?
If you transfer 100 troops, then I will give you a slap in the face!
It's terrible...
Seek medical treatment in an emergency.
Clinging to your feet in times of emergency.
It's only been two days since the Japanese invaders attacked, and they can't hold on anymore?
It’s not like 50,000 pigs…
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Long Muhan running over in a hurry, followed by three division commanders.
Obviously, they also learned the news and were frightened.
Going to Jinling at this time is not a good thing. Without Zhang Yong, you will definitely suffer!
"Commissioner."
"Commissioner."
Everyone's eyes fell on Zhang Yong.
Expecting Zhang Yong to say something. But soon, his eyes turned gloomy again.
What can Zhang Yong say?
This is an order from the headquarters. In fact, it is a decision made by the commission.
The commissioner is their principal. Who dares to disobey his orders?
"Execute the order!"
Sure enough, Zhang Yong said slowly.
They are all Chiang Kai-shek's troops, and he can do whatever he likes.
When the trouble is over, he will be honest.
This 100 army has been controlled by Huang Pusheng, and Zhang Yong cannot control it.
Wu Keren's 67th Army, on the other hand, is the original Northeastern Army. Huangpu students have not yet been placed among the officers. They can still control one or two.
If you want to fully control the army, you can only start from scratch and accumulate it bit by bit.
It's better to wait until Lu Yan's husband comes.
"yes."
Long Muhan wanted to speak but stopped.
Ultimately, only commands can be executed.
Gather the troops.
Abandon the forward position.
Get on board.
Heading to Jinling one after another.
"Commissioner!"
Cheng Zhigao was anxious.
How can Jiangyin Fortress be defended without 100 troops?
His 103rd Division currently has less than 8,000 men left, how can it possibly be able to hold it?
After abandoning the outside position, the Japanese 150mm heavy artillery will drive straight in, completely covering the fortress within the range, and then bombard it repeatedly.
No fortress can withstand the bombardment of 150mm heavy artillery.
There is no such thing in China.
"We don't have much time..." Zhang Yong said slowly.
Cheng Zhigao had no choice but to remain silent.
All right,
Let’s all go!
Everyone, get ready to evacuate!
Anyway, Jinling probably won’t be able to hold on anymore.
Since Jinling cannot hold on, there is no need to keep Jiangyin Fortress. The only option is to run away.
"Lao Cheng, I was just about to tell you something."
"Commissioner, you said."
"Send people to Jiangbei to control the dock. Evacuate north at any time."
"Aren't we going to Jinling?"
"I don't know if it's too late. Be prepared."
"Understood."
"All excess supplies will be shipped away."
"yes."
Cheng Zhigao went to make arrangements.
Later, Du Songyue also came.
Somewhat sad...
After all, you have to give up voluntarily!
Unexpectedly, even though they defended the Jiangyin Fortress, they still failed to save Jinling.
well……
"Start planting explosives!"
"Commissioner..."
"Blow them all up!"
"Commissioner..."
"This is an order! Execute it immediately! Blow up all the fortress cannons before retreating!"
"Commissioner..."
"If you don't want to do it, I will arrange for someone else to carry it out."
"clear."
Du Songyue reluctantly went to deploy.
The atmosphere of the entire fortress suddenly became cloudy.
"Report……"
A staff officer arrived cautiously.
It seems that Zhang Yong is in a bad mood and the staff is also very nervous.
"Say it."
"Your Majesty the Reporting Commissioner..."
"Speak directly."
"Chief Guo Baokun committed suicide and died for his country..."
"What?"
Zhang Yong was stunned.
Guo Baokun committed suicide?
no……
How could it be...
Oh, we will live and die together with Jiangyin Fortress.
Since the Jiangyin Fortress was meaningless, he followed it.
well……
Zhang Yong looked up at the sky.
The sky is also gloomy. The cloud pressure is very low.