After receiving the report that the troops had been defeated and withdrawn to Yangxin, Lieutenant General Okamura Ninji in Qingyun was so shocked that he could no longer sit still, and rushed to Yangxin by car overnight to reorganize the troops.

Qingyun is not far from Yangxin, it is only more than fifty miles away, and Okamura Ningji will arrive in more than an hour.

Okamura Ningji is definitely a first-class famous general in the army. He has a habit of often recording his experience in training and fighting, and when he has nothing to do, he takes it out and carefully studies it to learn from it. This habit began to persist when he began to work as a midshipman and continued until he became the commander-in-chief of the invasion of China.

may have worked from the grassroots level, or it may have been fought on the firing line as a squad leader, Okamura Ninji is very pragmatic and scheming, and it is difficult to find the arrogance of many generals in him.

After arriving in Yangxin, Okamura Ninji went around the brigades of the 2nd Division, and then went to the 35th Division and the 41st Division to look around, and found that the entire unit was filled with a sense of panic, or rather defeat. Especially in the 35th Division, when the recruits saw the commander coming, their eyes were all frightened, and their expressions were like frightened rabbits.

Okamura Ninji asked the 35th Division to withdraw to Yangxin County and station, and deployed the 2nd Division and the 41st Division around Yangxin County to build positions and prepare for defense. Then Okamura Ninji ordered the baggage wing of the 41st Division to take out the rations, and let the 2nd Division and the 35th Division have food to eat first. Then, at a meeting of the commanders and above of the three divisions and regiments held by Okamura Ninji, he did not mention the defeat at all, but analyzed it in detail and arranged the logistical supply of weapons, ammunition, food, clothing, and other items for each division and regiment one by one.

The North China Front Army has been reorganized by Liu Yimin and has become a poor egg, and it is indeed a bit difficult for so many troops to rely on domestic supplies alone, plus the logistics gap between the Second Division and the 35th Division is too large, especially the 35th Division, which has simply become an open mouth, and there is nothing but people.

Okamura Ninji sent a direct report to the commander of the Kwantung Army, Kenkichi Ueda, reporting in detail the damage to the troops, requesting that the Second Division be urgently replenished from the northeast with troops, required weapons, equipment, and baggage materials, and that it must be transferred, loaded, and shipped overnight. At the same time, a report was sent to the base camp, requesting that the 35th Division be urgently replenished with the weapons and equipment, baggage materials, and shortage of soldiers of one division.

After all this, Okamura Ninji sat down to give a draft report to Terauchi Toshi. In the report, Okamura Ninji told Terauchi Shouichi that of the 18,000 men of the 35th Division, only 10,062 returned to Yoshin, nearly half of them were lost, all weapons, ammunition and baggage were lost, and many soldiers even took off their uniforms, and their morale was extremely low, which was worse than that of the new regiment. The casualties of combat vehicles, armored vehicles, automobiles and personnel of the 2nd Division were close to a third. Although the 41st Division suffered almost no casualties, it was affected by the heavy defeat, and a sense of defeat was also pervasive in the troops. At present, what the Jilu border assault group urgently needs to solve is not how to find and pursue the Eighth Route Army, but how to immediately solve the problem of food and clothing and the problem of rest and replenishment. If the 35th Division wants to return to the battlefield, it will have to undergo at least three months of training. In the entire Jilu Border Assault Group, except for the Second Division, which can fight again after completing the replenishment, the other two divisions can only serve as local garrison tasks, and they can only be used to fight against such a cunning Eighth Route Army as the same instructor, which is simply sending sheep into the tiger's mouth.

After sending the telegram, Okamura went to the 4th Wing of the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division and had a meal with the soldiers. And he personally took charge of the spoon and cooked for the soldiers.

Just this small gesture made the whole of the Second Division grateful, and the morale was immediately restored.

Okamura Ninji told the brigade commanders, wing commanders, and group commanders of the 3rd Brigade that the 2nd Division was the leader of the Imperial Army, and a defeat could not explain the problem. The important thing is to let the soldiers restore their belief in victory, and the next time they encounter the instructor of the Eighth Route Army, they will attack bravely and use victory to wash away the shame of today. Of course, the reason for the defeat in today's battle was not the Second Division, but the unclear situation of the enemy in the commanding body. Under such unfavorable circumstances, the 2nd Division was able to maintain its formation and complete its formation and retreat without panic, which shows that the 2nd Division is indeed well-trained. The only deficiency is that after joining forces with the 41st Division, it should concentrate its firepower to kill the Eighth Route Army with a return rifle. At this time, the artillery group of the Eighth Route Army did not keep up, and with the firepower of the Second Division, would it still be afraid that the Eighth Route Army would not be able to pursue the troops?

Okamura Ninji's words made these officials ashamed and embarrassed, and they kept bowing, saying that they had burdened His Excellency the division commander.

After pacifying the troops, Okamura Ninji asked the well-equipped 41st Division to rush to print leaflets and Anmin notices overnight, the main content of which was to tell the people of Yangxin that the imperial army was friends of the Chinese, that it was here to help the Chinese overthrow the decadent and reactionary Chiang Kai-shek regime, that it was to assist the Chinese in defending against communism, and that it was here to develop the economy and build a new order together with the Chinese people. Okamura Ninji also vowed in the notice to the people that as long as the people cooperated with the imperial army, the imperial army would absolutely guarantee the safety of the people, and that people of insight in Yangxin were welcome to participate in local management, and that maintenance committees would be established in counties, districts, and villages. In any village where a maintenance association was established, the imperial army would never garrison the village. In any village that refuses to set up a maintenance association, the imperial army will send troops to help set up a maintenance association and establish a villagers' self-defense force.

At this time, Okamura Ningji already knew the battle situation on the Jilu side, and he knew that it would be impossible to pursue Liu Yimin's main force with the defeat of the remnants in his hands. However, Liu Yimin did not take advantage of the situation to encircle and annihilate the 2nd Division, the 35th Division, and the 41st Division, which also shows that Liu Yimin was afraid that the fish would die and the net would be broken, and he was worried that he would not be able to get out when the imperial army reinforcements came. Therefore, Okamura Ninji was not worried that the Eighth Route Army would attack him again, because after the 2nd Division and the 41st Division had joined forces, a defensive line had already been formed. Not to mention the 41st Division, that is, the 2nd Division that has been hit, after building a defensive line, if the Eighth Route Army dares to attack, he is also confident that the Eighth Route Army will meet and break the bloodshed.

Just when Okamura Ninji was using all his skills to boost morale and restore law and order in Yangxin, in the headquarters of the North China Front, General Terauchi Shouichi, who was sitting in front of the map, finally made a decision.

The night in Peking is hot and muggy. Terauchi Shouichi's heart is even hotter than this weather.

Shouichi Terauchi called Naosaburo Okabe and asked if he had sent a telegram of apology to the base camp?

Okabe Naosaburo listened inexplicably, His Excellency the commander did not explain what kind of telegram of apology! Just honestly answer no.

Shouichi Terauchi closed his eyes for a while before he opened his eyes and said: "The telegram of apology is still to be sent, the main force of the 10th Division is all broken, and the 2nd Division and the 35th Division have suffered such a big loss, and someone must always be responsible." You send a telegram to the base camp, saying that I have a negative grace and am willing to return to China to be dealt with by military law. At the same time, it was reported to the base camp that Lieutenant General Ryosuke Isoya, commander of the 10th Division, was about to go ahead and lead the division headquarters to stay in Dexian County, bearing unshirkable responsibility for the tragedy of the division. In the past, there was the defeat of Xuzhou, and now there is the annihilation of the whole army of Binxian County. What is the face of this empire? I ask the base camp to hold Isoya accountable for his dereliction of duty, and at least to transfer him out of the North China Front, I don't want to see this person again. In addition, since the headquarters of the report, Lieutenant General Okamura Ninji, commander of the Second Division, has taken appropriate measures since he entered the Jilu border, and not only has excellent military command, but also has unique views on controlling the people of China. ”

After Naosaburo Okabe went to deliver the report, Shouichi Terauchi called again to ask why the aviation group did not carry out the order and dispatch planes to cover the retreat of the 2nd Division and the 35th Division?

Lieutenant General Kinoshita, commander of the North China Front Air Group, explained on the phone that the losses in the Battle of Binxian were too great, morale was too low, it was not early, and the veteran pilots had been exhausted, and most of the current pilots were not students who had been out of flight school for a long time, and they did not have the skills to land in the dark, so they were unable to carry out the order. I ask for your understanding, Commander.

Shouichi Terauchi coldly told him that he didn't need to explain, and asked him to go back to Tokyo directly to explain to the emperor. The North China Front Command will designate personnel to act as the commander of the aviation group. After saying that, he hung up the phone directly.

Not long after, Lieutenant General Toshitoshi Kinoshita, commander of the air group, drove to the headquarters of Terauchi Toshiichi, accompanied by two female air force operators.

Sitting at his desk, Shouichi Terauchi restored his majesty as an imperial earl and army general, and looked coldly at the commander of the aviation group, Lieutenant General Kinoshita.

Lieutenant General Toshita Toshita succeeded Lieutenant General Tokugawa Yoshitoshi, who committed suicide by disembowelment, as commander of the North China Air Group.

Seeing that Terauchi Shouichi's face was not good, Kinoshita Min trembled in his heart, he knew that the commander had lost the battle, and he would definitely think of finding a scapegoat. However, fear is fear, Kinoshita Toshi still reported the performance of the Hamaxian Battle Aviation Corps as it was, the purpose was to let Terauchi Shouichi know that the aviation troops had done their best, and the losses were also very large, and it was necessary to replenish aircraft and pilots in the short term, otherwise it would be impossible to meet the operational needs of the front army.

Terauchi Shouichi asked coldly: "The Front Army authorized you to unify the command of the North China, Central China, Kwantung Army, and the Combined Fleet Air Force, and it has only been a day of fighting, and you are timid?" ”

Vice Admiral Kinoshita Toshishi hurriedly said: "Report to the commander, the carrier-based aircraft of the Combined Fleet are very valuable, they suffered heavy losses in the bombing of southern Hebei last time, and today they have lost some of them in Binxian County, and the United Fleet is in the waters near Qingdao, and the distance is too far, and it is impossible for the planes to rush over after flying back to refuel." This is also the case at Xuzhou Airport in Central China and Junshan Customs Airport in Kanto. ”

Shouichi Terauchi thought about it and knew that Kinoshita Toshi was telling the truth, but he couldn't just let him go! So, Terauchi Shouichi said coldly: "I don't care what your reason is, first of all, you don't know what the enemy's reconnaissance is, Liu Yiming will definitely build a pontoon bridge or use a ferry to cross the Yellow River, and you are derelict in your duty if you don't detect this situation." Secondly, you did not plan well, and the battle order made it clear that each brigade must be escorted by four planes when the Imperial Army troops attacked, and it was a non-stop escort. When the 10th Division and the 2nd Division attacked, you failed to do this, resulting in the success of the Eighth Route Bureau's repeated sneak attacks. Third, your reaction speed is too slow, after encountering the ambush of the Eighth Route Army's air defense fire, you did not quickly mobilize fighters to rush to the battlefield to carry out high-intensity bombing, and you could have destroyed the main artillery force of the Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop, but the result was that the Eighth Route Army shot down so many fighters in vain, and you honestly sat in the office, and you didn't even dare to retaliate, not the soldiers! Warrior's is not! I'm ashamed of you! ”

Kinoshita Toshi, like Terauchi Shouyi, is a powerful class of the Benben, and the reason why they are keen to launch a war of aggression is not to talk about the long-term development of the empire, but in private, one is to get promoted and make a fortune, and the other is that they themselves don't have to charge into battle, and bullets can't find them. If they were to charge into battle like those squad leaders and squadron leaders, it is estimated that the war of aggression against China would not be able to be fought.

Hearing Shouichi Terauchi say this, Kinoshita Toshi understood that this was Terauchi Shouichi looking for a scapegoat, and if it wasn't good, his military career would probably be ruined in his hands.

Kinoshita Min calmed down and reported: "Your Excellency, the air group has made great achievements under your command. You also know that after several sneak attacks by Liu Yimin, the pilots of the North China Imperial Army, including the pilots of the Kwantung Army, have lost their essence, and most of the current pilots are novices, and they still need to exercise more. The whole aviation group hated Liu Yimin's dirt and eight roads, and they wanted to find him and blow him to pieces, but this guy was too cunning, and we didn't know where he was hiding or where he would suddenly appear, which made us very passive. Personally, I think it's all about the intelligence services not doing their job well. Your Excellency Commander, please rest assured, we will intensify reconnaissance and bombing in the next step, that is, Liu Yimin will become a ground mouse, and we will blow them up too! ”

After Kinoshita Toshitoshi finished speaking, he glanced at the two beauties accompanying him, and the two aviation operators stepped forward, put a leather bag in front of Terauchi Shouichi, and said coquettishly: "I'm sorry for your trouble, please bear with me, and I'm willing to serve you!" ”

Shouichi Terauchi didn't need to look at it to know that there were gold bars in the leather bag, and he was suspicious, this aviation unit was not an infantry, and he had little contact with the people of China, and there were few opportunities to loot, how could they be so rich?

Terauchi Shouichi is not the commander of the Kwantung Army, Kenkichi Ueda, not as [***]. But now is the time when the aviation force is needed, and the change of generals and the like is just talk, the purpose is to knock Kinoshita Toshi, so that he can die in future battles. Therefore, after listening to Kinoshita Toshi's defense, Terauchi Shouichi frowned, and wanted to teach him a good lesson, but he couldn't help the virgin fragrance on the two female newspaper operators to drill straight into his nose, and glanced up, and saw that the two newspaper operators were wearing aviation summer clothes, and their arms exposed by short sleeves were like pink lotus, and there was a heroic spirit of a soldier in their charming faces, and their hearts were hot.

Terauchi Shouichi's face was still grim, and he said coldly to Kinoshita Toshi: "According to the people of Shina, things have to be repeated and repeated, and there cannot be repeated and fourth. After you go back, you will study overnight, mobilize fighters, and from tomorrow onwards, you must follow the requirements of the battle order to ensure the safe and smooth flow of the imperial army's attack. If today's situation arises again, will military law be a fictitious reality? Do you understand? ”

Kinoshita Min has a chill in his heart, but he is still charming with beauty and gold, and the commander is just a pervert and a greedy ghost! But it's one thing to slander, it's another thing to speak. Kinoshita took out a white handkerchief and wiped the sweat on his face, and after saluting, he said respectfully: "Please rest assured, Your Excellency Commander, that the aviation group will never live up to your expectations!" Tomorrow, we must do a good job of reconnaissance and bombing, and ensure that the Tubalu Road will have no chance! ”

Shouichi Terauchi waved his hand and asked Kinoshita to lead the two female newspaper operators away.

Kinoshita Toshita took a step forward and whispered that the two female operators were still virgins, and His Excellency the Commander had bothered to serve the Commander's Excellency.

Terauchi Shouichi was furious, slapped his hand on the table, and shouted, "Baga! The earth of your conscience is broken! The imperial army suffered such a big loss, you don't think about how to take revenge, and you actually send beautiful women to work! Baga! ”

Frightened, Kinoshita Min hurriedly nodded and said "Hai", grabbed the door and left. When I walked to the door, I seemed to hear Terauchi Shouichi say that I would send two beauties tomorrow night.

When Naosaburo Okabe came back from sending a telegram to the base camp, he bumped into Kinoshita Toshi, who was rushing out of the door, and when he entered the office, he saw that Terauchi was sitting at his desk with anger on his face. Gangbu Naosaburo took a closer look, this office is quiet, or the original furnishings, no more than one and one less piece, what kind of fire does the commander have!

Terauchi Shouichi stabilized his mind and said: "Gangbe-kun, record the order: 1. Today, our army suffered a great defeat in Hama-county and suffered heavy losses, and this commander feels shameless to face His Majesty the Emperor, the people, and the loyal and brave soldiers of the Imperial Army. But if you think about it carefully, this is Liu Yimin's helpless move to say that he is poor in the twilight. The Jilu border is a strategic dead ground, and Liu Yimin's courage to cross the river to ambush our army is self-defeating, which shows that our strategy is correct. The whole army must resolutely implement the battle plan and unswervingly implement it. 2. China was ordered to send the Fourth Fleet to the west at night to monitor and blockade the Yellow River in the vicinity of Binxian County, and to strictly prevent the Eighth Route Army from erecting pontoon bridges and smuggling back to Luzhong. 3. Order Lieutenant General Kinoshita of the Aviation Group to take full command of the air force to carry out large-scale reconnaissance of the Hebei and Lubian areas, Luxi Province, South Hebei Province, Central China of Hebei Province, South Hebei Province, and East Province of Hebei Province, and organize fighter formations to bomb the Eighth Route Army to provide uninterrupted air cover for the Imperial Army's attack troops. Fourth, order the Jizhong Assault Group, which has arrived at Deshi Road, to leave the 23rd Division, the 40th Division, and the Manchurian Defense Army behind, to carry out repeated sweeps and suppressions in Jizhong, and to find out the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Jizhong and annihilate it. The 1st, 7th, and 24th Divisions quickly assembled their troops and marched eastward in the starry night, moving closer to Okamura's Ningji group. Prepare to find and annihilate the main force of Liu Yimin's tutor on the Jilu side. 5. Order the Southern Hebei Assault Group to quickly attack and advance to the north, join forces with the front-line troops of Deshi Road, and prepare to support the Jilu border operation. 6. Order all units stationed on the Jinpu Line to strictly guard the defensive line and strictly prevent the Tuba Road from colluding with each other and escaping from the encirclement. 7. Order Lieutenant General Tada Jun to command the troops of no less than three divisions on the front line of Xuzhou, and early tomorrow morning, quickly and secretly go north, capture Linyi, and prepare for a comprehensive sweep of the Yimeng Mountains. ”

(To be continued)