At about one o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy launched an even more fierce offensive, and the bombardment by enemy planes became more and more intense, and half of the houses in the city were blown up.

The defenders in Tengxian fought back, but the enemy's artillery fire was really fierce, and the casualties quickly exceeded half.

In order to boost morale, Wang Mingzhang led Zhao Weixian, chief of staff, Zou Shaomeng, deputy chief of staff, and Zhou Tong, county magistrate, to supervise the battle along the city walls.

However, the current situation is still very dangerous, and Wang Mingzhang encourages the remnants of the army to resist to the death in order to wait for reinforcements to arrive.

But there is only one fact, there is no sign of reinforcements coming, Wang Mingzhang is anxious, but there is nothing to do.

Wang Mingzhang wanted to telegraph the commander-in-chief Sun Zhen in person, but he knew that even Sun Zhen had no choice at the moment, after all, he chose a telegram, which can also be said to be Wang Mingzhang's masterpiece:

Standing up, near the city, the army commander Sun, the enemy bombarded our city and the southeast city wall with artillery, and several sections were blown up near the east gate. The enemy infantry came out to the city in large numbers, and after the bloody battle of the officers and men of our Sichuan army, they were temporarily repulsed.

However, the gap between the enemy and us is huge, and if reinforcements do not arrive, the lonely city is in danger. Sincerely, Wang Mingzhang.

In fact, Tang Enbo is not without contribution, they are all soldiers of the party-state, even if there is a gap between them, they also know the big right and wrong.

It's just that the 85th Army, which he sent to help, had an encounter with the enemy between Tengxian and Lincheng:

The 89th Brigade of the 267th Division on the front of the railway encountered the enemy between Guanqiao and the Nansha River; To the east of the railway, the Fourth Division fought hard with the enemy in the areas of Hushan, Longshan, and Sanshan, and the reinforcements were stuck with the devils who sent reinforcements, and it was no longer possible to approach Tengxian.

And Sun Zhen knew about this situation, but although she was anxious, it was inconvenient for her to tell Wang Mingzhang the truth.

At night, at nine o'clock, everyone knew that it was impossible to defend Teng County, but no one flinched.

Wang Mingzhang found Han Xin and said bluntly: "Tomorrow, if the reinforcements do not arrive, Teng County will die, and we will also die when the city is broken."

Take the warrant I gave you, blast open the earth and stones that closed the city gate from the south gate, and then take your brothers of the 388th Regiment to break through! ”

"Divisional Commander!"

Han Xin was really a little moved at the moment, at this critical moment, Wang Mingzhang was still thinking about his life and death, although he didn't know what the specific reason was, but with this kindness, he was worthy of his respect.

"Division commander, since Teng County can no longer be saved, I still say the same thing, stay in Qingshan and don't be afraid of no firewood, you can retreat with us!"

"No, I said, I want to live and die with Tengxian County, what's more, do you think that if I let you retreat, there will be no other task?"

"But by the orders of the master!" Han Xin straightened up and said.

"The people in the city, I have already arranged for them to retreat, but there are still many people left in the city at the moment, so you lead your subordinates to cover their safe evacuation.

This is the final task I want to give you. ”

"Yes!" Han Xin didn't say anything more, and was in awe of the person in front of him.

"Go ahead!"

"Take care, division commander!"

Han Xin resolutely bid farewell to Wang Mingzhang, and then retreated from the south gate with the remaining more than 100 people of the 388th Regiment, and at the same time, covered the people who were also evacuated from the south gate.

"Kaizi, the people have been informed, right?"

Late at night, at about two o'clock, when both the devil and the defenders in the county town were asleep, Han Xin and the others arrived at the south gate of the city, and Han Xin said to Wu Kai.

Wu Kai nodded, then pointed behind Han Xin, Han Xin turned his head, and then saw the black crowd not far away surging towards this side.

"Why are there so many people?" Han Xin frowned.

Wu Kai said with emotion: "Because they believe in the Sichuan Army, and they also believe that the party-state will not give up Teng County, that is, their home, so they didn't choose to leave, if it wasn't for the fact that Commander Wang Mingzhang personally told everyone what happened yesterday, I'm afraid the villagers are still reluctant to leave." ”

Han Xin was silent, and when the people approached, he said to a security chief: "I'm sorry, we couldn't hold Teng County." ”

This chief is not young, about sixty years old, his hair is gray, and his face does not have the frustration and disappointment that Han Xin imagined, but comforts Han Xin and says:

"Sir, you don't need to say it, we all know how much sacrifice and effort your Sichuan army has made these days.

Teng County is lost, but I know that you have done your best, we will not blame you, you are all good, you are all heroes in our hearts. ”

Looking at the sincere eyes behind the chief of the body, Han Xin was a little congested, what a group of simple and unrequited compatriots this is!

Yang Yiling was more sentimental, and even left tears in her indifference, recording the bits and pieces of this moment with her heart.

The situation was urgent, Han Xin quickly put away his emotions again, and said loudly: "Folks, you can rebuild your home if you are gone, but you must live, because you are the most fundamental hope for us to defeat the powerful Japanese army."

Next, our department will cover your retreat, Comrade Baochang, our department has limited manpower, so please find some prestigious villagers, and then set up a temporary command group to direct the orderly evacuation of the villagers. ”

"Yes, I promise to do what the chief commands!" Han Xin's trust made the chief security extremely excited, and he immediately patted his chest to reassure.

…… At five o'clock in the morning, Wu Kai and his people finally dug a big hole in the thick stone and soil piled up at the city gate, and then detonated the explosive bag that was filled in.

And an explosion completely broke the temporarily silent dawn, and at the same time, it also became the fuse for the final battle in Teng County.

Tengxian County, City Dun, Wang Mingzhang was wearing a dusty coat that had been blown up by artillery fire, and looked at the devils who were densely gathered under the city again with a dead expression.

Zhao Weixian, the chief of staff next to him, reluctantly smiled and said: "Weixian, the horse leather shroud is today, and the oath of the past should be fulfilled today." ”

"Hehe, Master, follow you, I don't regret it!" Zhao Weixian said resolutely, and Luo Jiaxin, Lu Tingfeng and the others next to him nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation.

The bravery of his subordinates instantly aroused Wang Mingzhang's heroism, Wang Mingzhang yelled at the city, and then resolutely turned his head and said to everyone:

"Commander Han has already led people to cover the people in the city from the south gate, but once the devils break through the city, they will inevitably chase after them, so let's go crazy one last time and buy time for their evacuation!"

"Yes!" The crowd responded with a loud voice.

……

At six o'clock on the 18th, the devil's command judged that the explosion from the south gate of Tengxian County should be the defenders blowing up the closed south gate.

Therefore, the commander of the devil thought that the defenders of the national army in the city were probably going to abandon Tengxian County and escape, so he gave the order to attack the city as soon as possible.

Soon, the devil's artillery first bombarded the city, and then the infantry rushed into the city to prepare for a sweep.

But it's a pity that the devils miscalculated, and just when they stepped into the city gate with their front feet, their back feet were shot wildly by Wang Mingzhang and others.

However, after the bombing and impact of the past few days, coupled with the departure of Han Xin's troops, the defenders stationed in Tengxian County have been exhausted at this moment. Under the fierce artillery fire from the rear of the Japanese army, the devils entered the county town with almost no effort and began to carry out a sweep in the county town.

In order to delay the departure of Han Xin and others, the remaining Sichuan soldiers hid in the dilapidated houses and did the final battle with the Japanese army, and the blood of the Sichuan soldiers killed by the bombing stained the broken bricks and tiles, and the soldiers did not have the slightest fear, just looked coldly at the Japanese army in front of them, pulling the bolt, shooting, transposing, and repeating the same action......

"Division commander, the enemy's firepower is too fierce, and most of them are aimed at the direction of the central street, what should I do?"

In a corner of the city, Zhao Weixian's hurried voice sounded.

Wang Mingzhang's earthy gray rough face was raised, and he looked at the people around him, only the last few dozen people remained, and then said calmly: "Climb the city wall from the northwest corner, snipe the devils in the city, attract their firepower, and attack the West Gate Tower at the same time." ”

"Yes!"

……

The devil's firepower was too fierce, and in the firelight, Wang Mingzhang personally commanded a platoon that rushed to the West Gate Tower to fall.

At that time, the artillery bombardment of the devils became more and more fierce, the whole city was plunged into flames and smoke, and the final street battle of the Sichuan army in the city was also coming to an end, and almost all the soldiers were killed.

Wang Mingzhang looked around, there was not much left, this situation and this scene, he suddenly wanted to cry, but he still shouted bitterly: "Resist, resist, defend Teng County!" ”

"Master!"

Zhao Weixian sighed in his heart, burst into tears, and saw that a few devils who had come to the city aimed at Wang Mingzhang, and suddenly rushed towards Wang Mingzhang.

Bang bang bang......

Several gunshots rang out, Zhao Weixian stood in front of Wang Mingzhang, was pierced through the abdomen by the devil's bullet, and crawled on the ground struggling with blood spitting blood.

"Weixian!"

A heart-rending roar came from Wang Mingzhang's mouth, and he rushed towards Zhao Weixian, but when he held Zhao Weixian's hand and wept to comfort him, a bullet flew again and hit Wang Mingzhang's abdomen directly.

Wang Mingzhang was lying on the ground, and several devils thought it was okay, so they took the opportunity to step forward and were shot to death by Wang Mingzhang, who suddenly broke out, and the rest of the devils retreated in shock.

"Wei Xian, Wei ...... How's it going, Hsien? ”

"Division, division, lowly position, lowly ...... Want...... First, take a step first......" The words fell, and Zhao Weixian died.

"Weixian!"

Wang Mingzhang, who was also seriously injured, struggled to get up desperately, felt the passage of his life again, and shouted again: "Defend Teng County, horse leather shroud, the luck of the soldiers, die without regrets!" ”

After speaking, the city was martyred.

Lu Tingfeng was also shot and killed by the Japanese at the same time, and Adjutant Luo Jiaxin was shot and fell to his death......

……

(To be continued)