With the Japanese army with three divisions as the main force, launched a large-scale attack on Henan, the Central Plains battlefield, which had just stopped for a period of time, was in full swing again. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoAround the direction of Henan, the Eighth Route Army's raids and harassment battles were also launched everywhere.

Although the Japanese army also prepared for a period of time for this attack on Henan. But they also did not expect that after the Battle of Wuhan, the Eighth Route Army judged that they might launch a plan for the Henan Campaign.

Anticipate the enemy's first opportunity, and naturally seize some opportunities step by step. At least for the armed forces behind enemy lines of the Eighth Route Army operating in Central China, when the Japanese army set off the flames of war in Henan, the Eighth Route Army also lit up the flames of war everywhere behind enemy lines.

When He Zhengdao and the heads of the Central Committee and the General Headquarters analyzed the war situation, Lao Chiang, who was far away in Chongqing, also convened his generals to discuss the response to the war in Henan. In fact, they also had a hint of preparation for the possibility of the Japanese army attacking Henan.

It's just that I didn't seem to expect that the Japanese army would launch such a fierce attack if it didn't make a move. The three divisions attacked from two sides, threatening Jiang Ding's Ministry of Culture, which was still stationed in Henan.

Looking at the telegram for help sent from the front, Lao Jiang still said worriedly: "What do you think about the war in Henan? If Henan is also lost, we will really not have many troops in the Central Plains in the future. ”

In the face of Lao Jiang's inquiry, the generals sitting in the conference room did not dare to speak at will. Even before the Japanese army started the war, they had actually discussed the affairs of Henan and made some countermeasures.

The question before them now is to retreat or hold on. If you choose to retreat, the sooner you retreat, the better. In this way, it can also ensure that the troops under Jiang Dingwen will not suffer too many losses.

But if you retreat without a fight, the prestige of the national government will undoubtedly be greatly reduced. has just lost the important town of Wuhan, and now he has given Henan to the little devils. I believe that such an outcome will also disappoint many people.

But the problem now is that if you want to hold Henan, it is estimated that the troops under the command of Jiang Dingwen alone will not be enough at all. Even if one is not careful, many may face the end of losing both people and land. When things really get to that point, the losses of the national * army will be too great.

Looking at the silence of the generals, Lao Jiang said with a somewhat dissatisfied expression: "Why don't you speak?" Could it be that if you want to talk about your views on this war, you don't dare to say it, or do you feel that you have nothing to say? ”

Under these circumstances, He Yingqin, as chief of staff of the Military Commission, could only speak: "Commission, there are actually two choices in front of us now, whether to fight or withdraw. If you want to fight, how to fight. If it is withdrawn, it must be withdrawn sooner.

Earlier, we had placed Hu Zongnan's First Corps in the Xiangyang area bordering Henan. Even if the Japanese army breaks through the defense line of Zhumadian next, we can still pick up the troops from Henan. But little devil, it shouldn't give us much time.

Once the two divisions of the little devils break through the defensive line we have deployed in Zhumadian, they will then go north to continue the attack. The passage from Zhengzhou to Xiangyang may be cut off by little devils, and it will be difficult to retreat at that time.

As for fighting another big war with the little devils, whether it is in terms of troops or materials, we are actually not ready. If we really want to fight hard with the little devils, I'm afraid we won't last long. ”

He Yingqin, who still said this with an ugly expression, knew very well that in order to prepare for the Battle of Wuhan last time, the strategic materials reserved by the Nationalist Government had basically been consumed.

Fighting another large-scale battle can be imagined as the material pressure on the national government. So intellectually speaking, He Yingqin still felt that he should retreat as soon as possible. As long as Jiang Dingwen's elite troops are not damaged, there is still a chance to recover Henan.

He Yingqin opened this head, and other generals also expressed their opinions. Based on the attitudes of these generals, Lao Jiang also knew that they all felt that Henan could not hold it.

Even if they can hold it, they can't afford the price. Nowadays, the life of the national government is becoming more and more difficult. With the Japanese occupation of Guangzhou, their only route for supplies by sea has been cut off.

The slightly unwilling old Jiang could only say: "But we just lost Wuhan, and then we lost Zhengzhou, how will the people think of us?" Retreat without firing a shot, so how can we explain to the people in Henan? ”

The Japanese army is pressing forward step by step, the rapid rise of the Eighth Route Army, the increasing dissatisfaction of the people in China with the government, and the rising voice of the Kuomintang * Party internal discussion. Everything made Lao Jiang feel a lot of pressure.

It was also at this time that a general whispered: "Commission, if you want to hold Henan, can you let the Eighth Route Army send troops to help." Presumably they should understand that if they lose Henan, their future situation will also be worrying! ”

As a result, as soon as the general's words were finished, the other generals attending the meeting looked at each other with idiot expressions. When mentioning the Eighth Route Army at this time, isn't it pouring salt on Lao Jiang's wounds?

Earlier, the Eighth Route Army was invited to participate in the Battle of Wuhan, which resulted in the Eighth Route Army taking root in Dabie Mountain. Not to mention that they were powerless to prevent the Eighth Route Army from establishing a base in the Dabie Mountain area, even the Japanese army occupying Wuhan was powerless.

In terms of the War of Resistance behind enemy lines, the Eighth Route Army was indeed more powerful than the National Army. Even if the two divisions of the Japanese army have been stationed in the Dabie Mountain area for so long, they still haven't heard that they have bargained too much in the battle to clear the Eighth Route Army.

At this time, if the Eighth Route Army is invited to go south to cooperate with the National * Army to defend Henan, is it not necessary to give up Henan to the Eighth Route Army?

Looking at Lao Jiang, whose face had darkened, the general also knew that he was speechless. Lao Jiang, who also felt that everything was not going well, soon gave the order to dismiss the meeting. As for whether the battle of Henan should be defended or withdrawn, it seems that a decision has already been made.

When the meeting convened by the Nationalist Government ended, the news of the meeting quickly reached Zhou Enlai's hands. Looking at this telegram sent by the sleeper personnel, He Zhengdao also felt that it was indeed not easy for Lao Jiang.

With this telegram as a reference, Mr. Zhu also said in a timely manner: "It seems that the Nationalist Government has decided to preserve the strength of their troops in Henan, and will fight and withdraw in the next battle, and finally surrender Henan."

Next, we also need to prepare early. Regarding the selection of the conductor this time, who does the chairman think is better? This should be the first major battle that we have been independently responsible for since the establishment of the Eighth Route Army! ”

Even if **** had previously intended that He Zhengdao be in charge of commanding the operation, but when He Zhengdao came back a few times ago, he had already told **** that it was better to leave this task to someone else.

Thinking of this, **** quickly said: "This time in command, it's better for the boss to work hard and take on the position of commander-in-chief!" Your headquarters will be directly responsible for guiding this campaign, and the rest of the participating troops will fully cooperate in taking Henan. ”

In fact, Mr. Zhu also wanted He Zhengdao to take the lead earlier, but after He Zhengdao's proposal earlier, Mr. Zhu knew that He Zhengdao would be responsible for the command of the campaign to recover Shanxi, so naturally he could not wear multiple hats.

Now **** let him personally take charge of commanding this battle, and the other participating troops will fully cooperate, which is not a bad idea. What's more, as the commander-in-chief, he is actually eager to have the opportunity to command a large corps to fight!

Mr. Zhu, who had this kind of thought, quickly said: "Since the chairman thinks that I am responsible for commanding this battle, then I will not shirk." In view of the fact that the various units of the national * army have not yet withdrawn, then we cannot take the initiative to attack. Correct path! ”

'Here! ’

'Next, your department will transfer a part of the elite troops to enter Zhoukou, Xuchang and other areas in advance to deploy defenses. Before receiving a new order from the General Headquarters, there must be no conflict with the units of the national army stationed in the two places, and the operation should be kept as secret as possible. ’

'Yes, mission guaranteed!' ’

The first order was issued in front of He Zhengdao, and naturally a telegram would be sent to the New 67th Army later. The second order was issued to the 117th Division and the New Fourth Army. These two units must do a good job of supporting and blocking the attack.

As for the 116th Division and the 127th Division, which had been assembled for a long time, the two division commanders also received orders to enter a state of combat readiness. Such an order also realized that their two troops, who had been resting for a long time, would be ready to go into battle at any time and leave for Henan.

And Xiao Jinguang, who had just arrived in Yan'an at this moment, looked at Xu Hao, who came to greet him, and said with a little surprise: "What about the commander?" ”

has been partnered with He Zhengdao for a long time, and Xiao Jinguang knows He Zhengdao's personality very well. If there were no special circumstances, the person who greeted him at the gate of the city at this moment should be himself, not Xu Hao, the leader of the saber detachment.

'Commissar, the commander was going to come and greet him personally. Just as he was about to come out, the commander-in-chief sent someone to call the commander over. I don't know what it is, but it's not a trivial matter! ’

Just when the two were still speculating, the correspondent next to **** also appeared in front of the two at the right time. After saluting, he said: "Political Commissar Xiao, the chairman and the commander-in-chief have an invitation, let you report to the combat duty room immediately!" ”

As soon as he heard the report from the combat duty room, Xiao Jinguang also realized that something big had happened. After thinking about it, he said, "It seems that the little devil should do it!" ”

Because of his arrival in Yan'an, the radio station that arrived in Yan'an with him did not turn on to receive telegrams. When Xiao Jinguang arrived at the combat duty room, Liu Shaoqi, who had also just returned to Yan'an, also appeared here.

Listening to He Zhengdao's slightly apologetic words, Xiao Jinguang said very directly: "Okay, what are we doing so politely between us?" Is the little devil starting to get serious? ”

'Yes! When you first arrived in Yan'an, the three divisions of the little devils started almost simultaneously and launched a fierce attack on the national * army troops stationed in Henan. ’

A simple sentence also made Xiao Jinguang realize that he and He Zhengdao would have to stay by the radio station next, keep in touch with Luo Ruiqing who stayed in the army at any time, and command the troops to participate in the next battle of Henan through the radio! (To be continued.) )