At the beginning of September, Peng Dehuai and Ouyang Jian returned to the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army in Ruijin. According to the needs of the new situation, Zhu De summoned the commanders of the 1st Corps, the 2nd Corps, and the Garrison Corps to study the new strategic deployment. Peng Dehuai and Ouyang Jian arrived in Ruijin, and the chief officials had already gathered in Ruijin. Lin, commander of the Northwest Group Army of the Eighth Route Army, did not come because of the long distance. Zhu De temporarily convened the commanders-in-chief to study the new strategic deployment, which was not a formal military meeting, and the purpose was to allow the generals and officers to offer suggestions and suggestions on the military deployment drafted by the General Headquarters.

On this day, in the operational command center of the headquarters, Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, and Ouyang Jian stood in front of a huge sand table, and all the generals looked at them. The onlookers were: Su Yu, commander of the 1st Corps, Luo Ronghuan, political commissar, and Xiao Ke, chief of staff. 2 Corps Commander He Long, Political Commissar Teng Daiyuan, Chief of Staff Peng Xuelan. Commander of the garrison corps, Jiang Guangding, etc. Runzhi, the general political commissar of the Eighth Route Army, did not appear in the headquarters due to his involvement in government affairs. The generals looked at the sand table and exchanged heads and discussions.

The sand table in front of me is almost a condensed version of China's map, covering Outer Mongolia, Myanmar's Jiangxinpo, southern Tibet, and the South China Sea. From this sand table map, we can see the true portrayal of China's territory and borders, and also highlight the ambition of a great power. "Comrades, our powerful ally, the U.S. military, has begun to launch a counterattack in the South Pacific, and the situation is gratifying and pressing. The Chinese battlefield is about to sound the clarion call for a counterattack, and to gather everyone in the face of the new situation is to brainstorm ideas. ”

"With the beginning of a local counterattack by the US military in the Pacific theater, next year we will usher in a wave of major counteroffensives. As a sharp knife of the National Revolutionary Army, our troops of the Eighth Route Army must take the lead in firing the first shot of the counteroffensive. According to the strategic plan of the General Headquarters, in the course of our counterattack, we must rapidly increase the armed forces of the Eighth Route Army and form a situation of confrontation with the national army. Next, I would like to ask Chief of General Staff Ouyang to explain the strategic deployment of the General Staff of the General Headquarters in detail, and I hope that you will boldly express your ideas and improve our strategic plan to the greatest extent. ”

Everyone's eyes were all aimed at Ouyang Jian. "Comrades, Commander-in-Chief Zhu expounded on the strategic plan of the headquarters in simple terms, and now I will explain in detail the specific counteroffensive steps of the headquarters. In April and May next year, we will take the lead in launching a counteroffensive in the east and west. Previously, we had to assist the US military aviation units in seizing air supremacy in these areas and creating conditions for counterattack operations. The specific operational arrangements are to strive to paralyze and eliminate the Japanese army's air forces in the Songhu, Nanjing, Wuhan, and Shanxi areas within a short period of time. ”

"After gaining air supremacy in the above areas, the Northwest Group Army, including the Fu Zuoyi Division of the 2nd Theater, was tasked with seizing Shanxi and Baotou to create conditions for advancing into the Central Plains. In order to preserve his strength, Lao Chiang will not take the lead in launching a counteroffensive, so in next year's counterattack operation, we will let the world see the majesty of our Eighth Route Army, and we will shock the world. The 1st Corps of the Eastern Front first conquered Jiujiang, the bridgehead of the Japanese army, completely blocked the Yangtze River route, and blocked the passage for the Japanese army to escape by water in Wuhan. ”

"After the 1st Corps took Jiujiang, it crossed the Yangtze River and launched an attack on Anhui territory, outflanking the Japanese army in Wuhan and completing the first phase of the counteroffensive plan. The 2nd Corps once again launched the battle plan to conquer Hangzhou, and after taking Hangzhou, it advanced to the Songhu area, and created conditions for the second phase to conquer Nanjing and Shanghai. If you have different opinions on the battle plan of the headquarters, you can freely express your opinions, and if there are better ideas, we will definitely adopt them. This is the meaning of the brainstorming advocated by Commander-in-Chief Zhu. ”

While the generals were pondering, Ouyang Jian saw that Su Yu's eyes were looking at the sand table and seemed to be brewing. "Su Yu, do you have an idea?" Ouyang Jian pointed to the general. Su Yu was stunned for a moment and said: "I don't think I will fight Jiujiang first, the reason is that although Jiujiang is only defended by one division of the Japanese army, the Japanese army has been building permanent fortifications in Jiujiang in recent years, and the defense system is very strong." In order to hold on to Jiujiang, the Japanese army hoarded a large amount of ammunition and food, and there was almost no need for logistics to supply the Japanese army for a year. ”

"Commander-in-Chief Zhu, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Peng, and Chief of General Staff Ouyang, if we can't take Jiujiang in a short period of time and become in a state of scorching, it will inevitably have a negative impact on the counteroffensive operation. Moreover, the Japanese army is fighting with its back, and it is bound to defend stubbornly when there is no way to retreat, and even if we take Jiujiang, we will pay a huge price. "Taking Jiujiang is for the sake of the entire war situation, as long as the Yangtze River channel can be blocked and the Japanese army in Wuhan can be threatened, even if the price is worth it!" Peng Dehuai asked. "What you said makes sense, if you don't fight Jiujiang, do you want to fight Nanjing?" Ouyang Jian guessed Su Yu's thoughts.

"Chief of the General Staff, the tactics of the Japanese army have always been old-fashioned, and we must take advantage of the weakness of the Japanese army. I suggested that the 2nd Corps feint to attack Hangzhou, make a posture of marching to Songhu, and drag the main force of the Japanese army in Songhu. In addition, our corps used one division to confuse the Japanese army in Jiujiang, and the main force of the corps entered Anhui by surprise from Jingdezhen, and as long as the Huangshan defense line was broken, Nanjing would be within reach. Although Nanjing had 4 divisions of the Japanese army and 6 armies of Wang Puppet defended, the total strength was about 300,000 people. However, the 200,000 puppet army is the biggest weakness, and at present, the morale of the puppet army troops is fluctuating, and the combat effectiveness is negligible. ”

"As long as we take Nanjing, the Japanese army in Jiujiang will be a dead man, and we can not only block the Yangtze River channel and cut off the water retreat of the Japanese army in Wuhan, but also have the absolute initiative strategically. Moreover, if we launch an attack on the Japanese headquarters, the spiritual blow to the Japanese army will be even greater, especially if the old cave of the Wang puppet regime is captured, the puppet regime will probably fall apart, so I think that the military and political significance of attacking Nanjing will have an unexpected effect. "You have a point, what do you guys think?" Zhu De agreed.

He Long said: "I agree with Commander Su's idea to attack Nanjing first and insert a knife in the heart of the Japanese army." Peng Dehuai glanced at Ouyang Jian and said: "It is feasible to attack Nanjing, although there will be difficulties in logistics and supply, but we can mobilize the masses and enthusiastically support the front line, which is our fine tradition." Ouyang Jian said: "Commander Su's vision is very keen, if he doesn't make a move, he will shake the mountains on the spot." First of all, this plan must be kept strictly secret, so that Okamura Ninji cannot be aware of it in the slightest. Ouyang Jian glanced at his watch and continued: "Now it's time to fight local tyrants, let's go to dinner!" ”

Ouyang Jian invited a treat, and the generals naturally clapped their hands and said that it was very fast. Military things cannot be said at the dinner table. At noon, everyone drank a little wine, and in the afternoon the generals continued to discuss the topic of the morning. Zhu De faced the generals and said: "Comrades, since there is no point in reaching a consensus, I think the plan for attacking Nanjing will be preliminarily decided first. From now on, the 1 Corps will secretly move to the Jingdezhen area, especially the logistics department must be fully prepared. In addition, the plan for attacking Nanjing should be discussed by the Central Military Commission, and I estimate that it will not be a big problem for it to be unanimously approved. ”

Ouyang Jian said: "From now on, let the dark arrow go all out to collect military intelligence in the Nanjing area, focusing on the internal disintegration of the puppet army." The headquarters of the 1 Corps must come up with a detailed operational plan and report it to the General Headquarters, and this battle has a bearing on the overall situation, and there must not be a single slip of the beat. The preparations for the operation of the large corps must be meticulous, and more consideration must be given to unfavorable factors. Commander Su, how is the expansion plan of your department going? "Chief of the General Staff, according to the plan of the headquarters, the 16th, 17th, and 18th armies of our new division have been formed into armies and are currently being intensively trained!" Su Yu replied.

"Military movements should not be carried out in a big way, and regiment-level units should be the mainstay." "I understand!" Finally, Zhu De announced: A military conference will be held in January next year, and the headquarters will announce a complete battle plan. After everyone dispersed, Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, and Ouyang Jian went to report to Runzhi. At this time, Su Yu, Luo Ronghuan, and Xiao Ke returned home. The transport plane flew into the sky from Ruijin Airport, and two hours later the transport plane landed at the Yunshui County Military Airport. After the three of them drove back to the headquarters, Su Yu didn't care about the tiredness of the journey, and immediately ordered the generals and above of the corps division to come to the headquarters for a meeting.

Officers at and above the division level are coming from all over the country, and they will have to gather tomorrow morning at the earliest. Political Commissar Luo Ronghuan is a thoughtful person proposed: "I think the three of us will divide the work, and Commander Su will be mainly responsible for drawing up the battle plan, and finally forming a battle plan and submitting it to the headquarters. I was mainly responsible for logistics and mobilization of former migrant workers, and Chief of Staff Xiao was responsible for troop mobilization and training. "I have no opinion, it's decided!" "Let's announce a military meeting tomorrow. Two brothers, I heard that General Peng and Chief of General Staff Ouyang went to Mawei to inspect the newly formed Marine Brigade. ”

Su Yu said: "It's hard to guess, although the Taiwan Strait is not wide, it is impossible to launch a landing operation without the cover of a strong fleet." "The chief of the General Staff has always been treacherous, maybe he really wants to attack Taiwan?" Luo Ronghuan: "Even if we gain air supremacy, we do not have the conditions to attack Taiwan. Could it be that the chief of the General Staff had long thought of attacking Nanjing? He didn't mention it but asked me to bring it up, which is incredible. You see, as long as Nanjing is taken, the Japanese army in Songhu will be firmly pinned, and this will create conditions for attacking Taiwan. ”

"But to launch a landing operation, there must be a strong fleet to cover, how is this possible!" Schock disagreed. "If the Marine Brigade takes the Penghu Islands and has an outpost, it can also launch a landing operation with wooden boats and civilian ships. Let's not forget that we have an airborne troop, which makes it easy to cross the strait, and parachute directly in the air to cooperate with the landing operation at sea. If the paratroopers were able to seize the artillery positions of the Japanese army, and there was no artillery blockade, there would be no problem in launching a landing operation using wooden boats. ”

The more they analyzed, the more excited they became, that the capture of Taiwan would not only cut off the Japanese army's connection with the South Seas, but also cut off the Japanese army's maritime defense system, and would be torn apart, which would accelerate Japan's demise.