On November 5, 1902, the Japanese army concentrated five divisions with a total of 100,000 troops, and with the assistance of about 300,000 Japanese militias, launched a counteroffensive against the Eastern Expeditionary Army in the Kyoto area.

The Headquarters of the Chinese Allied Forces appointed Hu Guangde, commander of the First Army of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy on the Eastern Front, responsible for the full command of the Battle of Kyoto.

Hu Guangde immediately set up a general headquarters of the former enemy in Kyoto, and convened an emergency military meeting of all the generals of the First Army and the Second Army of the Eastern Expeditionary Army.

"At present, the Japanese army has transferred the main forces of the 3rd Division, the 4th Division and the 12th Division from the Western Front to attack the Kyoto area from the west. The 2nd and 7th Divisions were transferred from the Tokyo area to attack from the east, forming a two-sided flank attack on our troops. According to the latest operational plan formulated by the headquarters, our army planned to block the 2nd and 7th divisions in the east with the strength of one division, and then concentrate the main forces to defeat or even encircle and annihilate the three Japanese divisions in the west. Hu Guangde said with a stern face.

"The Japanese army on the west route has three divisions, while the Japanese army on the east route only has two divisions, and the strength is much weaker, why don't we first concentrate the main force to eliminate the Japanese army on the east route, and then go back and concentrate all our efforts to deal with the Japanese army on the west road?" Major General Yu Rongde, commander of the Fifth Division, couldn't help but raise his doubts.

"Division Commander Yu is right, according to the normal way of fighting, we should indeed destroy the weaker Japanese troops on the east route first, and then turn around to deal with the Japanese troops on the west route, this style of play is more safe. But this time, we can't pick up the soft persimmons first, because His Majesty the Emperor has already issued an order to order our Eastern Expeditionary Army to assist the Korean Army in carrying out landing operations in the southwest coastal area, and then completely destroy the Japanese heavy army group on the Western Front. In order to ensure the smooth operation of the landing, we must firmly contain the main Japanese forces of the three divisions on the Western Front and prevent them from coming back to help. That's why we chose to fight the Japanese army on the west road first this time. Hu Guangde explained with a stern face.

Hearing this, the generals couldn't help but nod slightly.

"Do you have any other questions?" Hu Guangde then asked.

"I don't have any doubts, but I want to ask Brother Hu, which division do you plan to use to block the Japanese army on the east road?" At this time, Hao Guanqun, the commander of the Second Army, couldn't help but ask.

"I plan to use the Eighth Division to block the Japanese Army's Second Division and Seventh Division, what does Brother Hao think?" Hu Guangde asked in a consultative tone. Actually, in terms of seniority. Hao Guanqun's qualifications are higher than Hu Guangde's. But this time, the General Headquarters of the Coalition Forces appointed Hu Guangde as the commander-in-chief. Hao Guanqun, who is bold by nature, didn't care about this, but Hu Guangde himself was a little unhappy, so everything was basically decided with Hao Guanqun, which could be regarded as respect for this veteran of the Tiger Army.

"I disagree! I hope to be able to send our Fifth Division of the Second Army to the task of blocking the Japanese army on the Eastern Front. Hao Guanqun objected unceremoniously.

Hu Guangde couldn't help frowning, the task of blocking the Japanese army on the east route was not only very arduous, but also very dangerous. Because after all, the Japanese army on the East Road has two divisions with a total of 40,000 regular troops, plus a militia of about 100,000 people, which is an army of more than 100,000. However, the strength of a division of the Chinese Imperial Army was only 20,000, and the difference in strength was so great. Although the battle has not officially begun, it is already doomed to how tragic this battle will be. It is precisely because of this that Hu Guangde plans to send his Eighth Division, not only because the Eighth Division is the most elite division among the four divisions, but more importantly, this division is Hu Guangde's troops. But now that Hao Guanqun had proposed to let his Fifth Division take on this task, Hu Guangde was a little embarrassed.

"Brother Hu, I understand your thoughts. But this time you don't have to fight with me, our Fifth Division has this strength and is confident that it can complete this task well. As long as there is one person left alive in our fifth division. I won't let a little devil appear in the Kyoto area. Hao Guanqun said in an unquestioning tone.

"Commander-in-Chief, give the order! The lowly is willing to make a military order, and if the task is not completed, the lowly will come to see you! At this time, Yu Rongde, the commander of the Fifth Division, stood up and said loudly.

Hu Guangde glanced at Yu Rongde, and then turned his head to look at Hao Guanqun. With an embarrassed face, he said, "Brother Hao, why are you doing this?" ”

Hao Guanqun said with a hearty smile, "Brother Hu, you are the commander-in-chief. I promise to obey your orders in the future, but this time you don't fight with me. Your First Army has already made a lot of military achievements, you must let our Second Army also earn some military achievements! This most difficult task will be entrusted to our Fifth Division! Can't I just beg you? ”

"Now that you've got it all to say. Where am I embarrassed to rob you! Hu Guangde said with a wry smile.

"So you're agreeing!" Hao Guanqun said with a smile.

"Do I dare not say yes?" Hu Guangde said helplessly.

"Is this a good brother?" Hao Guanqun patted Hu Guangde on the shoulder and laughed.

"In that case, the Fifth Division will be responsible for blocking the Japanese troops on the Eastern Road, but an artillery regiment will be transferred from the artillery brigade directly under your Second Army to strengthen the firepower of the Fifth Division. In addition, the special mission directly under your Second Army will act as a reserve for the Fifth Division, ready to support the Fifth Division at any time. Hu Guangde said after thinking about it.

"Good! No problem! Hao Guanqun agreed very happily.

Hu Guangde nodded, turned to Yu Rongde and said, "Master Yu, this time your Fifth Division has a difficult task, and I hope you can complete this task smoothly." ”

"Please rest assured commander-in-chief, our Fifth Division guarantees the completion of the mission." Yu Rongde said confidently.

After the military meeting, Yu Rongde immediately led the 5th Division to rush to Kusatsu and Iga to fortify to stop the Japanese troops on the eastern route.

On November 6, the 2nd and 7th Divisions of the Japanese Army on the East Road advanced from Nagoya to Kyoto in two directions.

In the afternoon of the same day, Yu Rongde held an emergency military meeting in the forward command center.

"Guys, do you know what our mission is this time?" At the beginning of the meeting, Yu Rongde asked with a stern face.

"Block the East Road!" Someone replied.

"Wrong! Our mission this time is not to stop the Japanese army, but to destroy the Japanese army on the East Road! Yu Rongde said loudly, his face full of confidence.

"What?" Immediately there was an exclamation in the conference room.

"Not bad! It was to destroy the main forces of the Japanese army in these two divisions. Our Fifth Division is the elite of the Chinese Empire, if we can't even deal with the little devils of the two divisions, then we won't be embarrassed in the army, just go home and pick up the children! Yu Rongde said unceremoniously.

"That's it! Isn't it just two divisions of the Japanese army? Who has our Fifth Division been afraid of, not to mention that these little devils are just our defeated men, and it is not easy to deal with them. A bearded regimental commander stood up and said loudly.

"Good! That's what you want! This time, let's let them see how powerful our Huaxia Empire is, and let other brother troops also see that our Fifth Division is the real elite of the Empire, that is, we are no worse than the 1st Division and the 2nd Division! Even stronger than them! Yu Rongde waved his fist and shouted. (To be continued......)

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