After the New Year, the breath of spring is getting stronger and stronger, the weather is warmer, the snow is melting, the ice is melting, and everything is full of vitality.

The spring breeze woke up the earth, blew all things into life, and blew up another conspiracy of the Japanese invaders.

On 26 February, in Beiping, the chiefs of staff of all armies, divisions, and regiments gathered at the headquarters of the Japanese Central China Dispatch Army, and the two-day "Public Order and Rectification Conference" was nearing its end.

"Good!" The "No. 1 Battle Plan of the Year" of the Central China Dispatch Army has been finalized, and the commander, Lieutenant General Tada, looks around at the generals and is ambitious, "Gentlemen, when our Imperial Japanese Army takes Nakajo Mountain, we will be able to move westward and win the final victory!" ”

As he spoke, the generals of Tada stood up suddenly, their expressions excited, "Long live the empire, the imperial army will win!" ”

"Hooray......

The generals stood up and echoed.

At this time, the Japanese invaders' enthusiasm for westward expansion originated from the "Itagaki Armistice Line".

In fact, the Japanese invasion of China fell into a predicament after the Battle of Wuhan, and it is not difficult to see this from the change of Japanese prime ministers.

After the Battle of Wuhan, the Japanese war against China fell into a stalemate, on January 4, 39, Prime Minister Konoe Fumihiro was forced to resign, Hiranuma Kiichiro succeeded as prime minister, but he was forced to step down in more than seven months, and then the successor Abe Nobuyuki only lasted for more than five months, and then Mitsumasa Yonechi......

After being forced to resign as prime minister, Fumiro Konoe devoted himself to the movement for a new system, and later established the Taisei Wing Zankai and established a unified system for the whole country. Against the backdrop of widespread support, as if in a dream, the second Konoe Cabinet was established on July 22, 40, and Fumiro Konoe once again assumed the post of Prime Minister.

In fact, it is not so much that Fumiro Konoe is seeking to become prime minister, but that opportunities await him.

Because, as long as the war of aggression against China is not effectively resolved, this prime minister will not be able to do it for long!

The "Itagaki Armistice Front" was born in this context, that is, it marched westward, attacked the Lanzhou-Chongqing-Kunming line, and forced the Chinese government to surrender.

Of course, this is just another daydream of the Japanese invaders, just like their daydream before the capture of Nanjing and Wuhan!

However, there are still dreams to be made!

If you want to go west, you must cross the Yellow River, and if you want to cross the Yellow River, you must break through the defense line of Zhongtiao Mountain.

Thus was born the "No. 1 Operational Plan of the Year" of the Japanese North China Dispatch Army, and a new conspiracy began to brew.

However, if it is a fox, it will have a tail, and if it is a conspiracy, it will be exposed!

According to the "No. 1 Operational Plan of the Year," it is necessary to mobilize five divisions and regiments, three independent mixed brigades, and the first and third two flight regiments under the Third Flying Group.

After receiving the information that the Japanese invaders were increasing their troops to the south of Jinnan, the Military Command Department immediately formulated three plans: the first plan was to retreat the main force to the south bank of the Yellow River to consolidate the river defense; The second plan is to take advantage of the enemy's concentration to take the lead and break its offensive; The third option is to adopt mobile tactics and fight on the inside line for the outside line.

On 20 April, Chief of Staff He rushed to Luoyang in his capacity as acting commander of the First Theater of Operations, urgently convened a military meeting, made a decision to hold on to Zhongtiao Mountain, and made adjustments to the defense of Zhongtiao Mountain.

The spring breeze blows, blowing the war clouds and pressing the middle strip!

Of course, at Li Siwei's level, he didn't know about these things at this time, but he could also feel the dense battle clouds on Zhongtiao Mountain.

Because, he has a memory of that battle, and since he received the order to enter Nakajo Mountain, that memory has been churning in his mind, making him difficult to let go.

The weather was warm, and the 66th Regiment was even more vibrant.

On the school ground, the training of various departments was in full swing, as brilliant as the sun in mid-spring.

In the small vegetable field newly reclaimed, the soldiers of the supply company were sowing seeds, all in good spirits and smiling.

In the camp of the medical platoon, the washed sheets and gauze were full of laundry, and the female soldiers shuttled through the door, and laughter rang out from time to time.

In the conference room, Li Siwei was reading a battle report - the battle of Shanggao!

In the early morning of 15 March, the 33rd Division of the Japanese invaders took the lead in advancing westward from Nghe An; On 16 March, the 34th Division of the Japanese invaders advanced westward from Xishan and Wanshou Palace; The 20th Brigade of the Japanese Independent Brigade raided Qujiang and Quangang; Since then, the Japanese invaders have formed a three-way offensive in the north, center and south, and the battle of Shanggao has begun.

The officers and men of the Ninth Theater rose up to fight back, and by 2 April they had recovered all the lost ground and achieved a "great victory."

"It's a pity," Li Siwei looked at it, put down the battle report, took out his cigarette, and sighed regretfully, "What a good pocket array!" It's a pity that I couldn't wipe out all the little devils......"

"Regiment Commander," Zheng Sanyang couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly when he heard this, "The brothers in the Ninth War Zone have already fought very well...... The 74th Army held on to dozens of planes against the little devils for six days and six nights! ”

"It's not easy!" Li Siwei took two puffs of cigarette, "It's a pity because of this!" ”

"Regiment Commander," as soon as Li Siwei's words fell, Lu Tiesheng hurriedly walked in, "There is a meeting ...... the division headquarters."

The division headquarters was located in the coal kiln ditch, which was only more than 10 miles away from the 66th Regiment's station, and Li Siwei rushed to the division headquarters with Li Sanguang in a short time.

In the conference room, waiting for the generals to sit down, Master Chen's gaze slowly swept over, with a hint of a smile on the corner of his mouth, "Brothers, since the southern transfer of my ministry, everyone has enjoyed the peace for most of the year!" ”

"Hehe," all the generals laughed and echoed, "this time is indeed comfortable......

"Comfort is comfort," Master Chen smiled and looked solemn, "But, we are soldiers!" ”

All the generals were awe-inspired, and all of them were solemn.

Division Commander Chen's gaze swept over the generals again, "I just received an order from above: all units immediately reorganize the troops, strengthen the fortifications, and actively train...... It's been more than half a year since I recuperated, don't just raise a fat body for Lao Tzu! ”

"Yes!" The generals promised.

"Okay," Senior Commander Chen nodded, his expression softened, "According to the intelligence, the Japanese invaders frequently transferred troops into Jinnan today, and they came to Zhongtiao Mountain!" ”

As he spoke, Division Commander Chen's voice paused, "Brothers, since the establishment of the defense line of Zhongtiao Mountain, our department has entered Zhongtiao Mountain, and has been holding on to it for nearly two years...... Nakajo Mountain must not be lost! ”

"Don't lose ......"

The generals nodded one after another, with passionate expressions, "Division Commander, let's cross the river!" ”

It is said that every inch of mountains and rivers is an inch of blood, but for the soldiers who defended the land and resisted the war, there was not only blood flowing on the defense line, but also a concern that could never be relieved......

His gaze swept over the generals, and Senior Commander Chen shook his head gently, "Without the order from above, we can't cross the river...... There are still more than 100,000 brothers in the Zhongtiao Mountains! All I have to do is guard the ferry crossings everywhere......"

Since the "drawing of the line on the Zhanghe River," the Zhongtiao Mountain defense line has begun to adjust the deployment of troops, and by the time the Fourth Army was transferred to the south, the adjustment was basically completed.

At this time, the First Theater still had seven corps stationed in the Zhongtiao Mountain area: the Eighth Army (the newly formed 27th and 165th Divisions) was stationed on the west side of Zhongtiao Mountain (the area west of Pinglu); The Fifth Army, with the Third Army (the 7th, 12th, and 34th Divisions) and the 17th Army (the 84th Division and the newly formed 2nd Division), moved from west to east, and garrisoned the area west of the first line of Yuanqu and Sangchi (the western part of Zhongtiao Mountain); The 14th Army was to garrison the north side of Zhongtiao Mountain with the 43rd Army (70th Division and the 47th Provisional Division) and the 15th Army (64th and 65th Divisions) and the 98th Army (42nd and 169th Divisions); The Ninth Army (the 47th, 45th and newly formed 24th Divisions) garrisoned the eastern side of Zhongtiao Mountain, and the defenders of Zhongtiao Mountain totaled 16 divisions and about 150,000 men.

With the addition of friendly forces in Taihang, Taiyue and northern Henan, the forces on the north bank are not weak.

The meeting dispersed, Li Siwei rode his horse and walked on the way back, still with the spring breeze on his face, and his eyes were full of high-spirited spring, and his heart was light, and he was finally relieved.

What is due will come eventually, in good or evil...... Fate is too impermanent, only do your best to obey the destiny of heaven!

"Fourth," Li Sanguang rode his horse to follow, his fighting spirit high, "You say, will the above let us cross the river?" ”

"Oh?" Li Siwei looked back at Li Sanguang with a lovely smile, "Do you want to go over?" ”

"Of course I thought about it," Li Sanguang's expression was full, "Isn't being a soldier just to fight little devils?" Friendly forces are fighting on the opposite side, and we are watching from here, what is it? ”

"Third brother," Li Siwei was stunned, and his smile disappeared, "The War of Resistance is a big game, you and I ...... No! The 66th Regiment, or the 177th Division, can be regarded as a pawn in this chess game, where should it go? When to go? There are certain numbers for these! ”

Saying that, Li Siwei sighed, "If there is an order from above, we have to go if we don't want to!" If we don't have an order from above, we can't go no matter how much we want to go......"

With that, Li Siwei turned around and rode away.

Li Sanguang was stunned, and hurriedly rode his horse to chase after him, with a wry smile on his face, "I just asked if there would be an order from above!" ”

"I don't know," Li Siwei shook his head, "Where can I guess the thoughts of the chiefs?" Wait and see! ”

Back at the station, Li Siwei conveyed the meaning of Division Commander Chen, mobilized the brothers, and then waited for the next order.

The April night was also a little warmer, and the lights in the cabin were warm, but there were two less babies by his side, and it was a little colder.

Ning Rou was mending Li Siwei's clothes, and Wu Ruolan was lying side by side with her, chatting with her, and laughter rang out from time to time.

Li Siwei sat at the table, with the booklet spread out in front of him, and looked at it silently by the light.

Returning from Mt. Nakajo, there are already four thick booklets that record the dead and departed brothers.

The names written on the booklet used to be a piece of fresh life, some people left a long page on the booklet, and some people just chatted a few times, which was all Li Siwei's memories of them.

"Siwei," Wu Ruolan suddenly turned her head to look at Li Siwei, a hint of blush appeared on her pretty face, "It's late, what's wrong with you...... Still not sleeping? ”

"Oh," Li Siwei raised his head, looked at Wu Ruolan's delicate face like a flower, and his smile slowly bloomed, "I'll come ...... right away."

With two fewer babies, sleeping becomes careless!

"You don't want to be crooked!" Wu Ruolan glanced at Li Siwei, "I'll sleep with Sister Rou'er tonight......"

As he spoke, he quickly explained, "Didn't I see that you have been busy for a day?" It's going to be war again, you need to rest! ”

"Oh, that's right!" Li Siwei stood up with a smile and walked to the side of the bed, "Don't worry! Most of this battle will not be our turn! ”

Saying that, Li Siwei arrived at the bedside, leaned over to look at Ning Rou, and looked worried, "Rou'er, you ...... Is it really again? ”

"What are you asking?" Ning Rouqiao's face flushed and she didn't say anything, but Wu Ruolan glared at Li Siwei, "Don't you know what you did yourself?" ”

"No," Li Siwei smirked, "I...... Am I not worried? ”

"It's a bit like," seeing Li Siwei's embarrassment, Ning Rou blushed and nodded, her voice like a mosquito, "Same as last time...... It's very similar when a thousand lives come. ”

"Oh," Li Siwei nodded, although he felt that this child had come at an inopportune time, but the joy did not diminish at all, and he immediately smiled, "Then you should have a good rest......

"Where is this?" Ning Rou raised her head and looked at Li Siwei with a smile, "Go to sleep, this is not the first time!" ”

Li Siwei smiled and nodded, took off his coat, and went to bed, but he was still a little worried in his heart.

When Qiansheng was born, Rou'er suffered no less! I knew that Lao Tzu should have listened to the yellowing, but ...... Damn, it's so hard to handle!

Since the baby is here, there is no other way than to follow, just like the battle in Zhongtiao Mountain.

On 3 May, the First Theater decided on its operational policy in the Nakajo Mountain area: In order to break the Japanese attack's offensive attempt, it should take the enemy's lead and actively carry out guerrilla attacks in order to smash the Japanese attack's preparations for attack.

However, the Japanese invaders mobilized more than 100,000 people in six divisions and three independent mixed brigades, and it was really difficult to stop the Japanese invaders from gathering by guerrilla attacks alone, not to mention that the Japanese invaders still had absolute air superiority!

On 6 May, the Japanese Air Corps launched the first attack, and for a time, enemy planes rose into the air like locusts from North China and began a large-scale bombardment of Xi'an, Xianyang, Tongguan, Zhengzhou, and the Longhai Railway.

However, if you fall behind, you will be beaten!

On the evening of 7 May, just after the end of the bombardment, the Japanese army of 100,000 troops was dispatched at the same time, and with the cooperation of more than 100 planes, the troops were divided into four routes and launched an all-out attack on the Zhongtiao Mountain area with the tactics of "pincer offensive with a central breakthrough."

On the eastern front, Lieutenant General Harada Kumayoshi led the main force of the 35th Division, Lieutenant General Tanaka Kuichi led the first part of the 21st Division and the first part of the Fourth Cavalry Brigade, a total of about 25,000 people, with the cooperation of Zhang Lanfeng and Liu Yanfeng of the puppet army, along the western section of the Daoqing Road to attack Jiyuan and Mengxian in three ways.

On the Western Front, the main force of the 37th Division led by Lieutenant General Anda 23, the 1st Division of the 36th Division led by Lieutenant General Kanji, and the 16th Independent Brigade led by Major General Heiji Wakamatsu, with a total of about 25,000 men, attacked Wenxi and Xia counties.

On the northeast front, the 3rd Lieutenant General of Sakurai Province led the 33rd Division and the 4th Brigade and 1 Brigade of the Independent Mixed Brigade, totaling about 10,000 people, to attack from Yangcheng to the front line of Dongfeng Town, forming a pincer offensive with the Japanese invaders on the eastern and western fronts.

On the northern front, Lieutenant General Shimizu Nori led the 41st Division and Major General Kenyoshi Ikegami led the 9th Independent Brigade, a total of about 30,000 people, to storm from Hengling Pass to the west side of Hengyuan Avenue with the lightning tactics of a central breakthrough.

Since then, the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain has begun.