Han Xinling, former enemy command in the Second World War Zone. Chief Wei Lihuang looked anxiously at the one-fifty-thousandth military map hanging on the wall. There are several huge arrows drawn on the map, each arrow represents a Japanese army, and the direction of the arrow is the hot land of southern Jin.

As can be seen from the map, the current situation is very unfavorable for the national army. The four divisions of the Japanese army were divided into several routes, as if they were in a no-man's land, and every day a large area of land and people fell. It seems that Jinnan can't keep it, and it can last for a month at most.

Thinking of this, Wei Lihuang couldn't help but feel a little upset, and slammed his fist on the table in annoyance. Suddenly, there was a voice outside the door, "Report!" "Listening to the voice is the communications staff officer of the command.

Wei Lihuang hurriedly said: "Come in!" ”

The staff officer looked happy and said: "General, the 47th Army has sent a secret telegram, saying that our army has won a great victory at Dongyang Pass!" As he spoke, he handed over a translated telegram.

Wei Lihuang has heard enough of this kind of unsubstantiated good news (the national army likes to boast about military exploits, and even turns defeat into victory), and he is quite disgusted in his heart. He waved his hand and said, "Read! ”

The staff officer picked up the telegram and read: "Commander Jun Jian, former commander of the enemy headquarters in the Second War Zone: This morning, our 178th Division and friendly forces will break the enemy's 104th Brigade at Dongyang Pass, and the details of the battle will come later. In addition, the enemy's 105th Wing and our 104th Division fought fiercely and headed for Licheng. ”

Wei Lihuang thought for a moment and said, "Dongyang Pass! Is the 33rd Division there? ”

The staff officer said: "Yes, the friendly troops in the message should be Zheng Weiguo's department." ”

Wei Lihuang said: "Ask them what the situation is. Such a big thing is not reported in time, it is really a mess! ”

Not long after the staff officer went, he ran back, holding several telegrams in his hand, and said happily: "Commander, great victory! Our army annihilated a wing of the enemy at Dongyang Pass! ”

Wei Lihuang said curiously: "How can there be so many messages? ”

The staff officer said: "There are 33rd Divisions, 129th Divisions, 178th Divisions, and the 18th Army and the 47th Army!" The contents are all similar, and they all believe that the enemy's 52nd Wing and 104th Brigade Headquarters have been annihilated by our army, and only the enemy chief Kurume has escaped alone, and is now stepping up the search and arrest. It seems that our army did win a big victory at Dongyang Pass, even if it did not annihilate the 52nd Wing, it would have won a lot. ”

Wei Lihuang picked up the good news of the 33rd Division, only to see that it was written: Commander Wei, the headquarters was ordered to reinforce the 47th Army, and arrived at Dongyang Pass on the night of the 14th of this month...... On the morning of the 17th of this month, the enemy's 104th Brigade was in a hurry, and the friendly 178th Division was responsible for the frontal defense, fighting a bloody battle with the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy...... Our antiaircraft artillery units fought back, shooting down three enemy planes and wounding one...... The Japanese army was impatient, so they sent Matsumoto Jun's brigade to take the pass, and was annihilated by our army in the Liushukou area...... This morning, our army and friendly 129th and 178th divisions launched a counterattack on all fronts...... After a hard battle for half a day, he won a complete victory, and the enemy chief Kurume abandoned his military uniform and sword and fled, only to be spared......

After reading it, he picked up the messages of the 129th and 178th Divisions and read them. The telegram of the 129th Division was as follows: The Second War Zone, the former enemy headquarters and the headquarters of the 18th Group Army, and transferred to Yan'an, the headquarters of the post department rushed to the aid of Dongyang Pass under the general order, and rushed to the area north of Xiangtangpu last night after a day and night, and this morning joined the 33rd Division and the 178th Division of the friendly army to encircle and annihilate the headquarters of the enemy's 104th Brigade and its subordinate 52 Wing, and fought everywhere from Dongyang Pass to Henandian, and the battle line was 60 miles long...... The enemy defended the mountain behind Xiangtangpu, and our army fought bravely, several up and a few times, and finally defeated the strong enemy, and captured the military uniform and sword of Kurume......

The telegram of the 178th Division was as follows: The Second Theater, the former enemy headquarters and the military headquarters of the 47th Army were ordered to defend Dongyang Pass east of Licheng...... On the morning of the 17th of this month, the Japanese army stormed the positions of our army and fought hard for a day, killing more than 1,000 enemies...... This morning, the allies counterattacked on all fronts...... Yang Chunliang, a soldier of the 1061st Regiment of our department, captured a flag of the 52nd Wing......

After reading the message, Wei Lihuang burst into tears with excitement, and his hands trembled. He held up the telegram and couldn't help but be overjoyed, and said, "Good! Very good! The 129th and 178th Divisions are also the dry cities of the country. ”

The staff officer said, "Thanks to your discerning eyes!" If it weren't for your exceptional promotion and careful cultivation, how could Master Zheng be useful even if he has great ability? ”

Wei Lihuang waved his hand and said: "I can't say that, I just won a number for him and got some supplies, and the battle still depends on them to fight!" ”

The news of the victory at Dongyang Pass soon spread throughout the headquarters, and the officers and men were very excited. Guo Jiqiao, chief of staff and commander of the Ninth Army, was arranging a defensive line on the front line, and he hurried back when he heard the news.

Wei Lihuang saw that Chief of Staff Guo was back, and said happily: "Old Guo, you came just in time!" Dongyang Pass is a great victory, and the enemy's 52nd Wing is completely annihilated! This is the greatest victory since the all-out war of resistance! ”

Chief of Staff Guo was also very happy when he took the telegram and read it. But he has always been cautious, and whispered: "Chief Seat, has the content of this good news been confirmed?" ”

Wei Lihuang was a little displeased, and said, "What do you mean, you suspect that this good news is fake?" No, it won't! Wei Guo has repeatedly performed miraculous feats, and he is deeply respected by Chief Fu, and he will definitely not do such a thing. Division Commander Liu and Division Commander Li are also honest people and will not lie about the military situation. You should send this good news to the Commission and the Military Commission as soon as possible. Well, I would like to send it to the Central News Agency to inspire my 40,000,000 people to resist the war. ”

The chief of staff said, "Well, this, Chief, I suggest you wait a little longer." If it's true, it's good, but if it's exaggerated, wouldn't it disgrace me in the World War Zone? ”

Wei Lihuang thought for a while, sighed and said: "Okay, the telegram still has to be sent, just don't go into such detail first, just inform our army to defeat the enemy at Dongyang Pass." You go and check with the various departments participating in the war, and then report the details to the units after you have confirmed it. ”

The chief of staff said: "Yes! I just looked at it, and there are some requirements attached to these messages. The 33rd Division reported that more than half of the troops had suffered casualties, and asked to return to Ping'an County to rest and recuperate, and requested that the local armed forces be absorbed; The 47th Army said that its 104th Division was alone and could not defend Changzhi, and demanded that the 178th Division be withdrawn; The 129th Division said that the casualties were heavy and the enemy reinforcements were gathered, so it was to be transferred to Liao County for rest. How do you respond to these requests? ”

Wei Lihuang said: "Since the enemy's 105th Wing has approached Licheng, it is indeed not suitable for Dongyang Pass to be defended by the enemy. The 178th Division must return to Changzhi as soon as possible to ensure the safety of our flank. As for the 129th Division, Commander-in-Chief Zhu of the 18th Group Army has accepted the appointment of the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Route Army, and the movement of the 129th Division will be arranged by Commander-in-Chief Zhu! ”

According to the war situation at that time, the Second War Zone divided the troops into three parts, the commander-in-chief of the Western Route Army was Yan Lao Xi'er, and most of the troops were the Jin Sui Army; The commander-in-chief of the Central Route Army is Wei Lihuang, and most of his subordinates are the Central Army; The commander-in-chief of the Eastern Route Army fell to Commander-in-Chief Zhu. However, the East Route Army is not only the Eighth Route Army, but also Zeng Wanzhong's 3rd Army, Li Jiayu's 47th Army, Gao Guizi's 17th Army, Zhao Shoushan's 17th Division, Wu Shimin's 169th Division, Liu Kan's 83rd Division, Zhu Huaibing's 93rd Division, Wang Qifeng's 4th Cavalry Division and Zheng Weiguo's 33rd Division.

Of course, most of the national army is difficult to mobilize, and when it is dispatched, it is often impossible to do the work, so Commander-in-Chief Zhu can only rely on the Eighth Route Army at critical moments. Today, Commander-in-Chief Zhu has just taken office, and if the 129th Division is withdrawn to the rear for rest and recuperation at this juncture, it will certainly be difficult to convince the public. This can be regarded as a problem for the eight roads, and if you want to be famous, you can only choose one of the two.

The chief of staff sincerely admired: "The general seat is clever! ”

Wei Lihuang smiled and said, "The Eighth Route Army fought bravely, so we have to borrow from them. ”

The chief of staff also laughed a few times and said, "What about the 33rd Division?" ”

Wei Lihuang said: "Well, you let me think about it. ”

In Dongyang Pass, the 178th Division has already packed up and is ready to return to Changzhi. Their casualties this time were less than 500, which was much less than the 2,000 casualties in history. In addition, due to the material support of the 33rd Division and the large number of captures, the equipment of their division is much better than before they came. After the tempering of the war, the troops had the atmosphere of a hundred battles.

Division Commander Li held Zheng Weiguo's hand and said, "Good brother, the kindness of your 33rd Division will not be forgotten by our Sichuan people." ”

Zheng Weiguo said with a smile: "Since they are brothers, don't say such extraneous words!" Brother Li, it is very likely that you will encounter the enemy's 105th Wing when you go west to Changzhi, so you must be more careful. ”

Master Li smiled and said, "Don't worry! I'm still waiting to drink your wedding wine, I won't be in such a hurry to be a martyr! ”

After the 178th Division left, the defense of Dongyang Pass was empty, and the 33rd Division had to be transferred as soon as possible. The first to be sent away were the villagers of the nearby village of Shiliba, whose homes had been destroyed by the war. Zheng Weiguo feared (almost certainly) that the Japanese would massacre the neighborhood when they arrived, so he advised the villagers to flee the area. Those who had relatives to run to or who had other ways had already fled, but there were still more than 4,000 refugees with nowhere to go, so Zheng Weiguo decided to send them to Ping'an County for resettlement after thinking about it.

There were also a large number of wounded people who walked with the villagers. These colorful fighters are not only from the 33rd Division, but also from the 129th Division and the 178th Division.

In addition to the personnel, it was captured, and although the 33rd Division sent a large number of supplies to the 178th Division, it still kept a lot of it. In particular, after the capture of the Lower Bay position, a large number of artillery pieces were captured. Although these guns were all blown up, most of them could be repaired. The only trouble is that those guns are too heavy, like the Type 90 75mm field gun, which weighed 3200 pounds! Even the Japanese army thought it was too heavy, and it was very troublesome to get it back.

In order to ensure the safety of personnel and materials, Zheng Weiguo specially dispatched the 341st Regiment to escort them along the way. In this battle, the 341st Regiment suffered the greatest casualties, and Zheng Weiguo planned to let them return to Ping'an County to rest first.

Watching the long line disappear at the end of the road, Zheng Weiguo breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they are transferred, the main force will be much easier, and when the time comes, they can fight if they want, and they can leave if they want, even if they are caught up by the Japanese army, they are not afraid.

Chief of Staff Zhou suddenly came and said, "Division, the 129th Division is not leaving, saying that it will lurk along the Handchang Highway to fight guerrillas." ”

Zheng Weiguoqi said: "What's the situation? At present, when it is the time to fight guerrillas, the Japanese army brigade is gathered here, and there is no place to speak. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou said: "I don't know what they think, it must be that there is an order from the peak!" ”

As he was talking, Brigadier Chen came over with a smile.

Zheng Weiguo greeted him and said with a smile: "Brigade Commander Chen, which one are you singing?" Now is not the time for guerrilla warfare in this area! ”

Brigadier Chen said, "Ahem! Who's to say it isn't? Master Zheng, you have to help us this time! ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "What, you want to beat my local tyrant again? I said Brigade Commander Chen, this is your mistake, this time you are fighting the puppet army again, and you are robbing the military station, and you have seized a lot of good things! I looked greedy, but I didn't ask for a cent. It's just that you don't give your brother a little profit, and you still want to take advantage of your allies, which is a bit unauthentic! ”

Brigadier Chen smiled and said, "Look at your stingy appearance! Don't worry, I'm not here to fight local tyrants, but to make a deal with Master Zheng. ”

Zheng Weiguoqi said: "What kind of deal? ”

Brigade Commander Chen waved his hand and said, "Bring it up!" More than a dozen Balu immediately carried the two infantry guns over.

Zheng Weiguo walked over and took a look, saw that the cannons were all blown up, and said, "You got these two broken cannons over, is it possible that you still want to exchange them for my good cannons?" ”

Brigade Commander Chen hurriedly said: "This is not a broken cannon, as long as it is sent to the arsenal for repair, it will be the same as new!" Master Zheng, I'll exchange these two cannons for you, what do you think? ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "If you don't change it, you better carry it back and repair it yourself!" ”

Brigadier Chen was anxious and said, "Hey, you don't do such a good deal?" ”

Zheng Weiguo was a little puzzled and said, "Why are you in such a hurry to get artillery?" It's hard to want to fight hard with the 108th Division. It's not that I'm talking about you, dispel this idea as soon as possible, not to mention one infantry gun, even ten more guns are not a thing! ”

Brigade Commander Chen didn't care, and said, "You don't have to worry about this, you just say whether to change it or not!" ”

Zheng Weiguo suddenly had an idea in his mind and said, "I understand, you guys are going to fight Handan!" ”

Brigadier Chen was startled, and hurriedly blocked Zheng Weiguo's mouth, shouting, "You be quiet!" Can you afford to leak a military plane? ”

At the same time as the Japanese army launched a large-scale attack on Jinnan, it would inevitably lead to the emptiness of the original defense area, and only one 16 Division had just been transferred back from East China in the vast areas of Xingtai, Handan, Anyang, and Puyang. If the 129th Division suddenly entered this area, it would be able to reap miraculous results according to the Eighth Route Army's method of avoiding reality and making up for nothing. It's just that there are many strongholds in these areas, and there are many pillboxes and cities, and it is really troublesome to not have a few artillery pieces that can be fired horizontally.

The 129th Division now has one infantry gun, one anti-aircraft gun, and two Surotong 20-mm anti-aircraft guns.

Zheng Weiguo thought of this and said with a smile: "No wonder you are worried about my infantry artillery." Still, I don't understand, why are you in such a hurry to fight? ”

Brigadier Chen said: "Fame is tired! Jinnan is in danger, and the 129th Division, which has attracted the attention of the whole country, must certainly set an example. ”

Zheng Weiguo was a little unconvinced, although the 129th Division was very active in combat, it only started when it saw it, so there was such a hurry to go into battle? He thought about it for a while and couldn't figure it out, so he had to say, "Okay! Just let me suffer a loss, and exchange these two broken guns for you! ”

Brigadier Chen said, "Cut! If you get cheap and sell well, you still suffer a loss if you change two doors for one? I can tell you, there must be ten boxes of shells, or the business will be lost! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled and said: "The shells are counted separately, one shell is replaced by a grenadier!" ”

Of course, Brigade Commander Chen refused, and the two bargained and quarreled for a long time before deciding on this arms deal.

As soon as Brigadier Chen was sent away, the communications staff officer brought an urgent telegram and said, "Division, the general seat does not agree with us to go back to Ping'an County to rest and recuperate. ”

Zheng Weiguo was stunned for a moment and said, "Why? Didn't I ask you to send a telegram saying that more than half of our troops had been killed or wounded? Did you miss a hair? ”

The staff officer hurriedly said: "The humble post has not been missed, this is the message of the general seat, you can see it yourself!" ”

Zheng Weiguo took a look at it and said silently: "Commander Zheng of the 33rd Division of the National Revolutionary Army and the officers and men of the whole division, I am glad to hear that your unit has achieved a great victory in Dongyang Pass today, and the soldiers and civilians in the Second War Zone are all happy. Now that Jinnan is in danger, your unit, as the backbone of the national army, must overcome difficulties and make persistent efforts. You must know that every minute and every second, the land is lost, the people are killed, how can you retreat as a soldier......"

After thinking about it, Wei Lihuang refused to withdraw the 33rd Division to Ping'an County for rest. The main reason is that the 33rd Division is the benchmark that he has single-handedly erected, and if all units see that the 33rd Division is avoiding and not fighting, they will inevitably slack off, and then the battle will not be easy to fight. This is the same reason as Commander-in-Chief Zhu's request for the 129th Division to continue fighting.

After reading the telegram, Zheng Weiguo and Chief of Staff Zhou looked at each other, and they didn't know what to do for a while.

Chief of Staff Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Division, I'll send another telegram to the headquarters to explain the situation here." ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "It's okay!" The Handan Highway must not be able to be defended, and the general seat will not be ignorant of the road. ”

It didn't take long for the former enemy command to call back. The message was as follows: If the Handan Long Highway is indeed undefendable, your department has three roads to choose from. First, retreat to Changzhi with the 178th Division to ensure the safety of our army's flanks; Second, rushing to the aid of Han Xinling, I am short of soldiers here; Third, rush to Taiyuan.

The message also stated that the situation in your ministry is not difficult, and that I have given you orders and have considered that you can do it. If you don't arrive on time, I'll have to do it according to military law. Now it's a national disaster to fight Japan, shoot a few people who are retreating from the battle, so as to drum up morale!

Zheng Weiguo was sweating profusely after reading this harshly worded message, and he was silent for a long time before he said: "The criticism of the general seat is right! Our 33rd Division can't always keep the battle of eating meat to ourselves, and now the situation is critical, so we have to gnaw two hard bones! ”