"Baga, the cunning Eighth Route Army. The Eighth Route Army, with a total of more than 3,000 people, actually inflicted such huge casualties on our army. After saying that, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara's eyes once again looked at the chief of staff in front of him, Sano Osa, hoping that he could give himself a reasonable explanation.

"Your Excellency, the commander of the division, is a great cunning of the Eighth Route Army. According to statistics, when they eliminated our Advance Guard Reinforced Brigade and the Second Infantry Wing, they planted 1,000 kilograms of gunpowder and more than 1,000 rounds of various artillery shells on the road. Almost all of the more than 5,000 elite Imperial soldiers were lost in the explosion of these explosives and shells..."The chief of staff quickly explained. I was afraid that the division commander in front of him would vent the anger in his heart on himself.

"Baga, the commander of the Eighth Route Army is really very cunning, and he actually used such despicable means, Bage Yalu, and has the ability to compete directly with the imperial army..." All the staff officers, in an instant, stopped what they were doing and stood there motionless.

Finally, perhaps the division commander, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara, was tired of scolding and discovered something unusual in the headquarters. Finally, in everyone's expectation, he sat on the stool helplessly, and then, with a long sigh, he shifted his gaze to the front again, and at this moment, he was frightened and turned pale on the body of Chief of Staff Sano Osa..."Sano-kun, these are not your fault, the Eighth Route Army is too cunning, so we can't guard against it." So, you don't have to worry too much... However, from today's battle, we can find that our current enemy is not the other Eighth Route Army units we originally encountered, but the elite troops that have always been well-equipped. More importantly, this unit has a very good commander, and their command ability is eclectic and very strange. Therefore, in the course of future operations, we must be extremely cautious and must not have any idea of underestimating the enemy. Seeing that all the staff officers in the entire tent had stopped their work because of themselves, the division commander hurriedly spoke comfortingly, slowly relieving the tense atmosphere in the entire command room.

"Hey, the division commander is right. I will definitely convey the orders of the division commander to the ears of every commander. Let them not have any thoughts of underestimating the enemy in future battles..."Listening to the words of the division commander, Chief of Staff Sano Osaku couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, looked at the division commander in front of him, and replied loudly.

"Yo Xi, very nice... Sano-kun, now that our 14th Division has lost almost all of its heavy weapons and one and a half elite units, what do you think is the next step for our army, whether to continue to march into Taiyuan City, or to withdraw from Shanxi Province immediately, so as not to suffer an even greater blow... In addition, our telegram has been sent for more than an hour, and there is no order from the General Headquarters..."|Seeing the chief of staff in front of him, he immediately recovered and regained his self-confidence. The division commander nodded with satisfaction and continued to ask.

"Your Excellency, the commander of the reporting division, after the loss of our army was reported, the General Headquarters did not have any reply. I think that His Excellency the Commander must be working on this issue now... However, Your Excellency the Division Commander, I think we should be ready to continue the offensive. The chief of staff, Sano Osa, didn't think about it and replied affirmatively.

"Nani? Continue to march. Sano-kun, tell me your reasons..."Hearing these words, the commander of the division, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara, couldn't help frowning. Because his division now has huge losses, although there are still three infantry wings left, more than 10,000 troops. However, these troops had lost almost all their heavy weapons and no longer had any advantage over the Eighth Route Army. If the offensive continues, even the division commander himself is not sure whether he can bring the troops safely to Taiyuan City. Even if he can finally attack Taiyuan City, how many troops will his troops still have left..."Hi, division commander. As an important town in North China, Taiyuan City is more importantly, it is located on the main artery connecting North China and Central China. If we can't recapture Taiyuan City, then North China and Central China will be completely cut off by reading power. Therefore, the capture of Taiyuan City this time is a task that must be completed. At the same time, although our army suffered heavy losses, there was still the 19th Division of our army in the north of Jin, and if the 19th Division suddenly launched an attack, then the pressure on our army would be much reduced. Therefore, I think that Your Excellency, Commander, will not let this battle plan fall apart halfway..."The Chief of Staff cleared his mind a little. said to the division commander in front of him, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara.

"Yo Xi, your reasons are very strong, and I trust your judgment. That being the case. Sano-kun, order all units to seize the time to rest and recuperate, and prepare to continue the march tomorrow..."Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara nodded thoughtfully and said.

"Hi... Your Excellency the Division Commander ...". However, just when the chief of staff, Sano Osa, had just received the order and was about to leave. With a telegram in hand, the communications staff officer hurried into the headquarters. He handed a telegram he had just received to the commander of the division, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara.

"Yo Sai, Sano-kun, this is an order just given by His Excellency the Commander. We are asked to carry forward the bushido spirit of the Imperial Army of the Great Emperor and continue to attack Taiyuan. At the same time, in order to relieve the pressure on our 14th Division, the 19th Division will launch an attack on the Eighth Route Army at the same time tomorrow morning, under the cover of aircraft. In addition, in order to prevent our army from being ambushed by the Eighth Route Army again, His Excellency Commander has dispatched planes from an aviation squadron to cover our 14th Division and continue to attack Taiyuan..." After reading the telegram in his hand, the division commander said with a smile on his face.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander. I think I have the 19th Division and the support of the aircraft. We will definitely be able to reach Taiyuan City in the shortest possible time, complete the task assigned to us by His Excellency the Commander, and recapture Taiyuan City. Your Excellency the division commander, I suggest that the contents of the telegram be immediately communicated to the commanders of the divisional squadron and above, so that all officers in the unit can regain their morale..."The chief of staff said excitedly.

"Yo Xi, Sano-kun, I'll leave this matter to you. In a word, tomorrow morning, I will see the troops pass in front of me with high morale and continue to attack Taiyuan City..."Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara nodded with satisfaction.

"Hi, Your Excellency the Division Commander, I promise to complete the mission..."Chief of Staff Sano Osa, let out a long sigh of relief, replied loudly, turned around and left the headquarters, and began to complete the task he had just received.

With the telegram from the headquarters about the continuation of the attack on Taiyuan, it was circulated to all the officers above the squadron leader level in the entire division. The entire division, when it learned that tomorrow there would not only be aircraft support, but also the strength of another division, was responsible for containing the limited troops of the Eighth Route Army and relieving the pressure on its own 14th Division. The morale, which was still low just now, was immediately boosted by the encouragement of commanders at all levels. One by one, the little devils yelled to avenge the jade broken imperial soldiers.

So, early the next morning, the remaining 14,000 people of the entire division began their journey with high morale under the cover of a squad of three planes. At the same time, the 19th Division, which was engaged in a confrontation with the troops of the 2nd Division. Also under the cover of the aircraft of an aviation squadron, a fierce attack was launched against the current Eighth Route Army.

The two troops of the little devils, like two sharp knives, were fiercely inserted into Shanxi Province from different directions. However, they have one thing in common, that is, under the cover of the aircraft, the progress of the troops is rapid, and the front of the troops is directed towards Taiyuan City. At the same time, because both units had a large number of planes and conducted reconnaissance in the air, the troops of the Eighth Route Army, who were preparing to take advantage of the fire and robbery along the way, had to put away their fists. At most, they can only plant one or two mines from time to time on the march of the little devils, causing a little painless casualties to the little devils.

Without the sneak attack of the Eighth Route Army, the marching speed of the little devil has also increased a lot invisibly. In less than three days, the 14th Division marched more than 100 kilometers. However, as time went on. The little devil who was originally cautious and marched all the way. Seeing that under the cover of the planes, the Eighth Route Army along the way fled one after another, and for several days in a row, there was no attack on the Imperial Army. These little devils, who were tense and ready to fight at any time, slowly let go of their nervous hearts. Even the supreme commander of the entire unit, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara, had a long-lost smile on his face.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, since we have the support of aircraft and the cooperation of the 19th Division, we have never been attacked by a small unit of the Eighth Route Army. During the three-day march, less than a small squad of Imperial soldiers stepped on the mines laid out in advance by the Eighth Route Army..."Seeing the report of the losses of the troops in the past three days. Chief of Staff Sano Osaku couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, slowly let go of his heart that had been tense, and reported to the division commander next to him, with an excited face.

"Yo Xi, these are all arranged by His Excellency the Commander, and he has come up with such a good marching plan..."The face of the division commander finally showed a smile that he had not seen for a long time. Because at such a marching speed, it only takes a maximum of three days to reach Taiyuan City, and more importantly, the losses of troops along the way can be almost uncounted.

"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander. I believe that under the leadership of His Excellency the Commander, this time I will be able to recapture Taiyuan from the hands of the Eighth Route Army's Reading Division..." The remaining 10,000 people of the entire division, almost at the same time, relaxed their vigilance on the march.

However, what the Yue army didn't know was that in the area of Baita Mountain, dozens of kilometers in front of them, more than 20,000 soldiers of the Eighth Route Army were arranging a huge pocket array, quietly waiting for the arrival of the little devil. And their relaxation of vigilance invisibly accelerated the speed of the annihilation of their entire army..."Report to the commander, the main force of the army is now 50 kilometers away from Baita Mountain, and there is still a 50-kilometer journey in one day..." Commander Wang Nanhu and the political commissar were in front of a huge sand table, studying a huge battle that would take place here in a day's time.

"Well, order the reconnaissance troops, we must pay attention to concealment, and we must not alarm the main force of the little devils, otherwise, our plan will fall short..." Commander Wang Nanhu didn't even raise his head, so he ordered.

"Lao Chen, the little devil's plane is too arrogant. We have to think of a way. Otherwise, the troops deployed on several high ground will have to retreat. If we don't retreat, our entire battle plan will be completely exposed in front of the little devil plane..."With the departure of the staff officer. Nanhu pointed to a few on both sides of the road, and said to the bare heights on the top of the mountain.

"Lao Wang, I understand what you mean. However, before the army has completely entered the pocket, our anti-aircraft fire will absolutely not be exposed in advance. I mean, the troops abandoned these high grounds, and all the troops, for the smooth implementation of the entire battle plan, retreated to a distance of 500 meters. After all the troops had penetrated into the encirclement, the troops were encircling and attacking..."Looking at the terrain on both sides of the road. Chen Revolution pulled down the small red flags on several high grounds..."At present, this is the safest way. It's just that after we give up these few highlands. These heights will definitely be occupied by the Japanese army as soon as the battle begins. And when the time comes, our attacking troops in many places will be under the firepower of the Yue army, and they will be suppressed to the death by the Yue army on the high ground..."Wang Nanhu's brows couldn't help frowning, and he said anxiously.

"This is a problem...."Political Commissar Chen Revolution nodded, and the entire command room slowly fell into a quiet. All the operational staff officers are quietly thinking about this problem and thinking about the solution..."Commander, political commissar. We can't ambush our troops on the back of these high ground in advance? If the army was in front, it occupied several high grounds. At that time, this army will be able to recapture these heights by surprise in the shortest possible time under the cover of artillery..."Just when everyone was in deep thought. An operational staff officer reminded.

"Counselor Wang, let's be specific..."Wang Nanhu nodded thoughtfully at Counselor Wang's idea. In an instant, everyone's eyes were all focused on Counselor Wang, who had just spoken.

"Yes, commander, political commissar..."Seeing everyone's expectant eyes, Staff Officer Wang did not hesitate, stood next to the huge sand table, pointed to several high ground along the highway and began to say carefully.

"Although the top of the hill along the highway is barren, and when the army marches again, it will definitely send heavy troops to occupy these heights as soon as possible to escort their main force. However, on the mountainsides and at the foot of these highlands, there are plenty of trees where you can hide your troops. So, we can ambush our troops in advance on the mountainside on the back side of the heights. As soon as the battle starts, the troops will immediately rush up, destroy the little devils on the top of the mountain who have not yet gained a firm foothold, and retake these high grounds..."

"Well, well said... These advance guards who occupied the high ground would not have built defensive positions on the top of the hill because of time. When the time comes, as soon as we pass the artillery fire, the troops will be able to recapture it with a single charge. Lao Chen, what do you think? Wang Nanhu replied excitedly, and at the same time, he looked at the political commissar Chen Revolution beside him.

"I also agree with this plan. It's just that the troops who serve as ambushes must do a good job of concealment... At the same time, it is necessary to recapture these heights in the shortest possible time. Because these highlands are not only important to us, but also very important to the little devils. When the time comes, we must tell the supreme commander of these units that he should not be afraid of casualties, as long as he can occupy the position before the arrival of the main force of the army, we will win..." As one order after another began to be transmitted from the headquarters to every unit. In the Baitashan area, the various units that had been waiting for a week finally began to move. One after another, with a large number of weapons and ammunition, quickly rushed to their combat area. At the same time, at the sound of orders from commanders at all levels, they quickly became hidden and prepared for the war.

In less than a day, when the army was only ten kilometers away from the entire Baita Mountain Area. The entire Baita Mountain area slowly fell into a tranquility. Everything shows that no one has ever been here... However, after the continuous attacks of the Eighth Route Army, the commander of the division of the Imperial Army, Lieutenant General Kenji Dohihara. Although the mood has been particularly comfortable these days, the nervous heart has also relaxed a lot. However, when he saw the Baita Mountain area, which was ten kilometers away and had a radius of dozens of miles. The brows that had just been relaxed for a few days couldn't help but wrinkle again.

"Sano-kun, ten kilometers ahead, is the Baita Mountains. And after the Baita Mountain area, on the way to Taiyuan, there is no danger... At that time, it will be a plain all the way, and our army will definitely reach the outside of Taiyuan unimpeded with the cover of aircraft. It's just that this Baita Mountain is the only barrier for us to attack Taiyuan, I don't know..."Looking at the highlands displayed on the map. The division commander asked the chief of staff beside him.

"Division commander, what do you mean is that the Eighth Route Army must have an ambush in the Baita Mountain area to block our army's attack..."

(To be continued)