The next day, Ouyang Jian hurried to the Ministry of National Defense, at this time the atmosphere in the Ministry of Defense was tense, the sound of telegrams was endless, and the busy figure of the combat staff revealed that a big war was coming. "How's it going?" As soon as they met, Ouyang Jian asked. He Yingqin said with a stern face: "Chen Chengyu reported: At 6 o'clock in the morning, the Japanese army suddenly launched a large-scale air attack on the southern Hunan defense line, and the bombing focused on both sides of the Xianning railway line, and it seems that the main direction of the Japanese army's attack is along the railway line. According to the reports of the front-line troops, the Japanese ground forces showed no signs of offensive for the time being. ”

"It seems that the Japanese army has learned wisely not to blindly attack with the intention of passing the results of air strikes, and then formulate a ground offensive plan. Tell Chen Cheng not to be deceived by the illusion of the Japanese army, and to carry out the defense plan according to the one we have drawn up. As soon as Ouyang Jian's words fell, the figure of the veteran was revealed. He Yingqin reported the situation on the front line in detail, and when Lao Jiang heard this, he saw that Ouyang Jian's expression was very relaxed, so he asked: "General Ouyang, the Japanese army is about to launch an attack on the southern Hunan defense line, I want to hear your advice!" ”

Ouyang Jian thought for a moment and said, "Headmaster, let me tell you an allusion before answering your question. At the height of the Tang Dynasty, Tang Taizong Li Shimin decided to go on an expedition to the Korean Peninsula and personally took command. The result was unbelievable, the powerful Tang army returned defeated, for which Li Shimin drank hatred and left. Li Zhi decided to carry on his father's last wish and continue his expedition to the Korean Peninsula.

Emperor Li Zhi did not personally conquer, but handed over the power of commanding troops to his subordinate generals, and as a result, his subordinate generals gave full play to their personal military talents to defeat the once prominent Goguryeo. Ouyang Jian's meaning couldn't be clearer, and the generals thought that the veteran general was annoyed when he heard it, but to everyone's surprise, Lao Jiang nodded and said: "General Ouyang, I understand what you mean, it is very unwise to interfere too much with the front-line command." This time, I promised not to interfere in the front-line command, and told Chen Cheng that the defensive operations in Xiangxi were completely under his command. ”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this, and Ouyang Jian said: "Thank you for the president's support, it is very important for the large corps to be in step with each other, and it is important to use people who are suspicious and not suspicious, I believe in Commander Chen Cheng's command ability." According to the decipherment code provided by the Second Intelligence Division, we learned that the Japanese army base camp issued Operational Order No. 241, which was intended to break through our southern Hunan defense line, and then attack Changsha and open up the Guangdong-Hanzhou railway line to meet the divisions in the north and south. According to intelligence, the Japanese army assembled the 3rd Division, the 16th Division, the 101st Division, the 33rd Division, the 7th Heavy Artillery Brigade, and the 2nd Armored Wing. ”

In addition, there were three army aviation wings, with a total strength of about 160,000 troops, which were engaged in fighting on the Shonan defensive line. The total strength of our side in the 9th Theater is 6 corps, 3 independent divisions, and 200,000 artillery units in the fortress. Considering the defensive pressure, Chen Bing's Xue Yue Corps on the south side of Changsha would support the operation when the situation was critical. I believe that as long as the defending forces can achieve 70 percent according to the defense plan, the Japanese army will not want to break through the Shonan defense line. "Very good, since General Ouyang is sure, I will rest assured."

Lao Jiang continued: "After Mrs. Ling was the director of the Second Intelligence Department, she did a very good job. Knowing oneself and knowing the other side can survive a hundred battles, and the accuracy and timeliness of information are extremely efficient. I didn't expect to crack the secret telegram of the Japanese army in such a short period of time, which made Mrs. Wanted. If it is not for reasons of confidentiality, I would like to inform the commendation. Just this morning, another secret telegram from the Japanese army was cracked in the second place, and we learned that Wang Jingwei had arrived in Japan. The military commander once sent a large number of killers to Hong Kong and Hanoi to stop the killings, but they still let him escape. "Headmaster, don't worry, this national scum will one day be judged by justice."

"Wang Jingwei has a certain influence, this person's ability cannot be underestimated, what I am most worried about is that he will form a puppet regime to confront the national government" "Principal, it will rain, and my mother will marry him!" As long as we win a military victory, especially a good defensive operation in southern Shonan, the domestic and international situation will be favorable to us. "General Ouyang Jin, now it's all up to you, and I don't have to worry about you sitting in the Ministry of Defense." I read the transcript of your conversation with the British and American ministers yesterday, and it is very good. If the United States can change its policy toward China and provide large-scale military assistance, our great cause of resistance against Japanese aggression will be half of the success. ”

"Headmaster, I judge that if Germany attacks France in Europe, Britain will be forced into the war, so it is undoubtedly a moon in the water to count on the help of the British. The mentality of the Americans, on the other hand, is in the interests of the Americans, who are afraid that we will be defeated and do not want to offend the Japanese. As far as I know, the relationship between Germany and Japan is very close, and I conclude that a military alliance will definitely be signed between Germany and Japan. If such a situation arises, the United States and Japan will turn against each other, so I strongly agree with the president's policy toward the United States, and this cannot be shaken. ”

The veteran asked in surprise when he heard this: "What is the possibility of signing a military alliance between Germany and Japan?" But we have to be patient! "Carl and Jensen have a very good impression of you, and you will have to keep in touch with them often in the future. In particular, US Minister Jensen is an expert on China affairs and is very influential in the US Congress. "Reassurance, Headmaster, I'll let Jensen do what we intended, but the time isn't ripe for this."

"Report! Wuyuan victory, General Fu Zuoyi led the 35th Army in the area east of Wuyuan, annihilating more than 3,000 Japanese puppet troops! smashed the three-way offensive of the Japanese puppet army," an operational staff officer reported. When Lao Jiang heard the rare good news on the battlefield, he was overjoyed when he heard it: "Immediately, in my name, send a telegram to commend Fu Zuoyi and all the officers and men of the 35th Army." The generals were happy and the veteran asked: "General Ouyang, I heard that during the trip to the west, Fu Zuoyi was specially given a face-to-face lecture, and now he has taken root in the Hetao area, so it is your attention!" ”

"Nothing can be hidden from the headmaster's eyes. At that time, I analyzed that if the Japanese army launched an attack on Shanxi, Yan Xishan's Jin Sui army would not be able to hold it at all, so I suggested that Fu Zuoyi create a base in the Hetao area to be prepared. "General Ouyang, you have the strategic insight to lobby Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng to eliminate Ma Bufang, integrate the great northwest, and lay the western railway. In particular, the construction of air defense facilities in Chongqing is not because you foresaw today's situation at the beginning. ”

"Headmaster, wouldn't I be a god like this, frankly it's a precautionary move, I just think a little more than others." Ouyang Jian hit haha. "Think more, this is not something that ordinary people can do, I won't talk about what you did in Jiangxi, the above measures, you can be called a master of strategy, and I am more confident in this." Lao Jiang continued: "From tomorrow, I will not come to the Ministry of Defense, please leave it to you here!" "Right now, Lao Jiang not only trusts Ouyang Jian, but relies on it.

In the afternoon, Chen Chengyu, commander of the 9th Theater of Operations, reported that the Japanese army had not dispatched ground troops and was still bombing wildly. "General Ouyang, your judgment is very accurate, the Japanese army is trying to use air strikes to first break the will of our defending troops and weaken the combat effectiveness of the defending troops. According to the report provided by Chen Cheng, the front-line soldiers took advantage of the tunnel fortifications, and their losses were greatly reduced, and the morale of the officers and men was very high. "Minister He, don't be careless. The Japanese army had tasted the bitterness of a large depth defense line in Jiangxi, and they certainly had countermeasures, and the real test moment was the ground offensive of the Japanese army. ”

The 9th Theater Command in Yueyang was extremely busy, and the operational staff officers were in frequent contact with the front line. At present, Jiangxi has not only provided a large number of weapons and ammunition, but also a large number of radio stations to ensure smooth communication on the battlefield. At this time, Commander Chen Cheng looked at the military map and said nothing. The Ministry of National Defense called to convey the president's instructions that the defense of Xiangxi was completely under his command, which surprised him deeply. It is not difficult to see that this move has the shadow of Ouyang Jian. Chen Cheng felt the burden on his shoulders at the same time, and at the same time, a sense of pride rose in his heart.

"Commander, the Ministry of Defense has judged that the Japanese army has overestimated the air attack, and it will last for at least two days, and it will see that the Japanese army really changes its posture and gives full play to its air superiority. This time, the Ministry of Defense did a good job and did not leave us at a loss. The chief of staff broke the silence. General Ouyang sat in the Ministry of National Defense, and such a situation appeared. Giving command to the theater command is probably also his attention. As long as the Ministry of Defense does not interfere in the front-line command, I am confident that I will be able to block the Japanese attack. "It seems that the president handed over the power to General Ouyang?"

Chen Cheng knew the reason, but he couldn't comment: "Chief of Staff, these words can't be said nonsense, if they reach the top, it will be troublesome." "Chen Cheng refers to the military commander, and the chief of staff is naturally clear. Nowadays, military commanders are pervasive in the troops, endangering everyone. The chief of staff changed the topic and said: "Commander, since the start of the war, this Xiangxi defensive operation, frankly speaking, seems to have the most bottom in my heart, and the nervous mood in the past seems to have been discussed. "Don't say that you and I feel this way, the fact that the morale of all the officers and soldiers is so high is proof ・・・・・・."

While Chen Cheng was talking with the chief of staff, the Wuhan Command was holding an operational meeting. There was a military map hanging in the conference room, and the situation map of the attack and defense of the Xiangxi defense line was clear at a glance, and the commanders of each division sat around the sand table. At this time, the commander Kazuichiro Sonobe held a baton in his hand and pointed out: "Everyone, according to the operational order No. 241 of the base camp, our department will launch the Battle of Xiangxi. The enemy's defense line in western Hunan was about 10 kilometers deep, with a river network on the west side, which was not conducive to the attack, and a semi-mountainous area in the east, which was not conducive to the deployment of a large corps. ”

"According to the operational plan drawn up by the headquarters, the main direction of attack is Xianyang, and the attack will be launched with the railway line as the center and on both flanks. According to the operational plan, the Army Aviation Wing bombed for two days in a row, and the ground attack was scheduled for 8 a.m. the day after tomorrow, that is, on 6 March, according to the operational plan. The 3rd Division was to attack on the left and the 33rd to attack on the right. The 16th Division supported the operation, and the 101st Division served as a campaign reserve. Next, I would like to ask the chief of staff to analyze the battle situation and introduce the enemy's defense. ”

The chief of staff, Yusuke Takakura, stood up and picked up the baton with a solemn expression. Since Yusuke Takakura had commanded offensive operations in Jiujiang, Jiangxi, and especially had a clear understanding of the large and deep defense line purchased by the Eighth Route Army, the base camp ordered him to serve as the chief of staff of the 11th Army and participate in commanding operations. Takakura said expressionlessly: "Everyone, you must have understood the enemy's large depth defense line, and I won't repeat the composition of the enemy's fortifications, and I will focus on the deployment of the enemy's troops・・・・・・." ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, the flying thunder artillery and rocket launchers of the Eighth Route Army have made us suffer. Chinese believe in treating others the way of others, and this sentence is very philosophical. To tell you the good news, the Imperial Ordnance experts have imitated the Flying Thunder Cannon, with a range of 400 meters. At present, two squadrons of flying thunder artillery have arrived in Wuhan from China. The enemy forces in front of us have been defeated by our men, and I am confident that the warriors of Great Japan will be able to break through the enemy's defenses without defeat, and I look forward to the warriors singing a triumphant song. ”