Compared with the fierce fighting between Suiyuan and Datong, the Shanxi dispatch army is also in trouble at this moment. The 116th Division of the Japanese Army, which fought against the Fu Zuoyi Department of the Jin Sui Army, was also blocked by the 35th Army.

As Yan Xishan thought, Fu Zuoyi may have ambitions to stand on his own, but he is indeed a brave and warlike general in the Jin Sui army. The defensive battle commanded by him was indeed fought impressively, which caused the Japanese army quite a headache.

It's just that for Fu Zuoyi, he also knows that he can hold on to Jincheng, and it is more due to the diversion war launched by the Eighth Route Army. The supply of materials to the Japanese army could not be as smooth as before, and even restrained the energy of the attacking troops.

As the Eighth Route Army continued to engage the Shanxi Dispatch Army outside the area defended by the Jin Sui Army, the independent column reconnaissance group that advanced into the Changzhi area also exhausted the Japanese puppet army that had just taken over there.

The most lethal thing is that the materials transported from Taiyuan to the front line were either directly captured by the Eighth Route Army or directly destroyed. The 116th Division, which was fighting against the 35th Army in front, also began to suffer from a shortage of materials.

Seeing that it was another telegram urging supplies, Itagaki Seishiro listened to the intelligence officer's report and said in pain: "Eight Geyalu!" Why is it the Eighth Route Army again? Didn't they be wary of each other privately with Jin Suijun in the past? ”

Having said that, the Japanese commanders who were present knew about it. It is true that the Eighth Route Army and the Jin Sui Army are wary of each other, but when facing the Japanese army, they can fight together. What's more, this time the Eighth Route Army was asked to cooperate in the battle, but it was a telegram sent by Yan Xishan himself.

According to the instructions of the Eighth Route Army, if Yan Xishan wants to take back the area recovered by the combat troops now, he must pay a little price if he wants to take it back in the future. If the price cannot be paid, then these places will be the base of the Eighth Route Army in the future.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the Eighth Route Army, which has occupied most of Shanxi, has also been recognized by many Shanxi people. As for the Jin Sui army living in Linfen, perhaps only the people in the area they control, and they also regarded them as their own troops.

The loss of popular support made the Jin Sui army begin to suffer some influence on the expansion of the army. Even if Yan Xishan is wealthy, but with the occupation of Taiyuan and other tax-paying places, the little belongings he has accumulated are also shrinking.

When he waits, he can't afford to pay the army's salary, maybe it's when the Jin Sui army is completely over. Now, even if Lao Jiang wants to win him over, he can't give him enough military spending, but only some subsidies.

On the other hand, on the side of the Eighth Route Army, the military pay still did not supply the troops. But even so, young people in the areas controlled by the Eighth Route Army also hope to join the Eighth Route Army. Hearing this situation, Yan Xishan also felt sour.

After getting angry, Seishiro Itagaki looked at the subordinates who didn't know what to say, so he could only continue: "At present, the troops on the Xinzhou side, have you found any abnormal actions of the Eighth Route Army?" ”

'Report to the general, I have not received the enemy situation from Xinzhou for the time being. The Eighth Route Army also seemed to be on the defensive in Xinzhou. As long as our troops did not enter their control zone, the Eighth Route Army appeared quiet and did not take the initiative to attack us.

However, the Eighth Route Army seems to be active more frequently in the areas bordering Shanxi and Hebei. The 115th Division and the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army all had troops operating there. It's just that all small units are operating, and no trace of their main activities has yet been found. ’

After listening to the intelligence officer's report, Seishiro Itagaki looked at the battle map and said, "It seems that the Eighth Route Army is still keen on expanding their territory. It's just that they are now constantly encroaching on the occupied territories of our front.

Whether it is Xingtai, Baoding, or Shijiazhuang, they are all strategic channels to ensure our Shanxi dispatch army. Once this passage is blocked by the Eighth Route Army, we are afraid that there will be trouble. The Eighth Route Army is very good at planning and then moving! ”

Originally, it was hoped that with the opportunity of the front army to attack the independent column, the Jin Sui army would be wiped out, so that North China and Central China would be connected. But now it seems that it is really difficult to do that.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Where is the 14th Division at present?" ”

'Still in the Xinxiang area, but according to the information we have received, the 14th Division seems to have been attacked by the troops of the Eighth Route Army. Previously, General Tu Feiyuan also seemed to have plans to directly use the strength of one of his divisions to enter Zhengzhou. ’

Facing the words of the intelligence officer, Itagaki shook his head and said: "With only the Tufeiyuan Division, I'm afraid it will be difficult to capture Zhengzhou." It is imperative that they join us. Only by opening up this channel connecting North China and Central China will we have an advantage.

It seems that our offensive has given the Eighth Route Army the opportunity to expand its territory. Now it seems that the Eighth Route Army has formed resistance forces in the North China region under our control, and even Shandong and Henan now have their troops. ”

In Itagaki Seishiro's opinion, the strength of the Dohihara Division is naturally very strong. But the previous battle of Kaifeng also consumed a lot of strength of the Tufeiyuan Division. Now that the Eighth Route Army is being contained, they want to flank the Jin Sui Army back and forth, but I'm afraid it's a little difficult.

Compared with the Jin Sui Army and the Eighth Route Army, garrisons were deployed on the borders of their respective defense areas. The area bordering the Jin Sui Army and the Central Army also deployed troops. It is really difficult to get through the communication between the two divisions.

Secondly, what makes Itagaki a little headache is that places like Jincheng and Xinxiang are not strategic locations. It was a little difficult for the Japanese divisions to advance quickly. After all, the weight of a division is not a small amount.

Thinking of the current chaotic situation in Changzhi, Itagaki still said ruthlessly: "From the Jinzhong area, another infantry brigade will be transferred into Changzhi to strengthen local security control." The transport of baggage troops, increased to a wing. ”

Previously, an infantry brigade was sent to escort supplies, but the result was still successful for the sneak attack troops of the Eighth Route Army. Not to mention the loss of a lot of troops, they were also urged by the Eighth Route Army to destroy a large number of war materials they raised.

Now that the Zhengtai Line has not been repaired, in order to raise war materials on the front line, Itagaki Seishiro can be regarded as trying his best. It can be said that the people living in the areas controlled by the Japanese army at the moment are indeed living in dire straits.

Compared with the taxes they paid before the war, now under the control of the Japanese army, many ordinary people are even exploited by the little devils for their rations. In this case, many people have to choose to leave their hometowns.

In view of this situation, the Eighth Route Army, which was clear that the Jin Sui army was unable to accept these fleeing people, also felt that the people there were too miserable, and it was necessary to launch an attack on the enemy in Taiyuan.

The headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and the central authorities discussed this plan. However, after some consideration, some leaders of the headquarters felt that the current timing for the Eighth Route Army to capture Taiyuan was not too mature.

In addition, after the capture of Taiyuan, how to deal with the Jin Sui army will also be a more difficult problem. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, Shanxi is the territory of the Jin Sui army. Taiyuan is the place where Yanxi Mountain is governed!

If the Eighth Route Army recovers Taiyuan, and Yan Xishan hopes to receive Taiyuan, will the Eighth Route Army give it or not?

If you don't give it, I'm afraid that the Jin Sui Army and the Eighth Route Army will really be opposed. If it is given, the Eighth Route Army is not making wedding dresses for others. This kind of loss-making business doesn't seem to be cost-effective when you think about it.

After the reconnaissance group entered Changzhi, the 129th Division, which entered the Xingtai area, also began to extend its tentacles to the Yangquan and Jinzhong areas of Shanxi under the orders of the headquarters. While receiving the people, it also attacked the Japanese puppet army there.

It's just that for the counties in these areas, the troops of the 129th Division still did not attack. According to the order of the General Headquarters, their main task now is to expand the construction of anti-Japanese base areas in the rural areas.

When Shanxi sent an army to send an infantry brigade from Jinzhong into Changzhi to implement the Jing'an policy and set up the headquarters in Xingtai, the 129th Division also felt that this was a good opportunity.

Looking at the hanging map, Division Commander Liu Bocheng said with a smile: "It seems that the little devils really feel that they have mastered the situation in Jinzhong, so they dare to transfer an infantry brigade from Jinzhong with confidence." Then there shouldn't be many troops here, right? ”

'There are still a lot of them!' At least in these counties, the Japanese army still deployed many elite troops. The previous North China Front Army supplemented the Shanxi Dispatch Army with a lot of troops. Just to deal with the battle of Jincheng, they still have enough troops. ’

Listening to what Political Commissar Deng said, Master Liu Bocheng continued: "Yes! The little devil is in Taiyuan, and there is still a whole division of troops that have not been dispatched. It seems that this division under the command of Itagaki is acting as a reserve force.

At this time, he was still reluctant to send this division out to fight. It is estimated that we are also worried that our troops on the Xinzhou side will attack it. After suffering a loss last time, he seems to have become cautious.

If we send a main force to attack Jinyang City, do you think he can still hold his troops? If he sends troops to support Jinyang, and then lets the troops of He Lao's department move, it is estimated that he will be frightened again, right? ”

Although it was not long after arriving in the Xingtai area to form a new anti-Japanese base area, the main force sent here in the early days developed really well. The 129th Division, which brought the main force of the division here, really did not fight any large-scale battles.

At present, the troops of the 129th Division have also been greatly expanded. In addition to the two brigades and one regiment, there are also quite a few new main regiments. The 129th Division, which has nearly 30,000 main forces on hand, is also considered a relatively well-developed unit among the ten main divisions.

Under such circumstances, Liu Bocheng also hoped that the troops could get more training. After all, it seems somewhat wasteful to only expand the troops, but not let the troops fight. Most importantly, only by fighting a war can you get more weapons, ammunition and resources.

Listening to Liu Bocheng's suggestion, Political Commissar Deng also smiled and said: "If the division commander wants to fight, then send a telegram to the headquarters for instructions." I think it's okay to send a main force to attack Jinyang.

At least for the time being, the Japanese army on the Xingtai side still cannot pose an effective threat to us. The most important thing is that if we fight this time, it is estimated that the Japanese troops stationed in Changzhi and attacking Jincheng will be worried that the back road will be copied! ”

After the reorganization of the troops, such a great development has been obtained. The commanders of the divisions seem to have a lot more confidence and confidence than before. When it comes to arranging combat missions, it is also more confident than before! There are soldiers under your command, don't panic! (To be continued.) )