Zheng Weiguo, Xue Yue and other commanders agreed on the next day's battle plan together, and hurriedly returned to the army headquarters located north of Sanyiji. According to the plan they had drawn up, the attack would be launched early tomorrow morning, so all preparations had to be made overnight.

By this time, it was already completely dark. The lights in the headquarters were bright, and Chief of Staff Zhou and a group of staff officers from the military department were still busy.

In the regular army, it is not the commanders of the troops who are busiest, but the staff officers. They need to coordinate almost all aspects of work, such as camping, guarding, logistical supply, marching operations, communications and liaison, etc. It can be said that without staff officers, a unit cannot be functional.

Zheng Weiguo strode in and quipped, "Yo, it's so lively!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled bitterly: "There's no way, military seat." Xiao Xiong is still sick, and several staff officers have been transferred to the army to lead the troops, and just a few of us can support such a big stall, which is really too busy. ”

The lack of officers, especially staff officers, was indeed an important problem for the 97th Army. At present, apart from a group of staff officers of the General Staff Department of the Military Department, there are no chiefs of staff in any brigade or regiment; first, there are no suitable candidates, and second, there is a need for officers in other places, such as chief officers at the battalion and company levels, and this is indispensable.

Zheng Weiguo was a little embarrassed when he heard this, but there was really no way at the moment, so he had to divert the topic and say: "Chief of Staff, have all the brigades settled down?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou nodded and said, "Yes, everything is arranged." As he spoke, he handed over a defense map.

Zheng Weiguo took it and looked at it, and saw that the 35th Brigade was not marked on it. Then he asked: "What about the 35th Brigade?" Where have they been now? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "They have marched all the way to the north bank of the Yellow River, because it is getting late, they will be stationed on the north bank today, and they will be able to cross the river early tomorrow morning." Of course, if you need to fight at night tonight, you can also transfer them across the river overnight. ”

Zheng Weiguo shook his head and said, "Then no, I have discussed with the two chiefs, Xue and Yu, and I don't have to fight tonight." As long as you strictly guard the camp and don't let the little devils sneak attack. ”

The internal topography of Sanyiji is complex. It's hard to fight during the day. Not to mention the evening. Besides, the troops fought continuously, did not take a break at night, and their combat effectiveness during the day was even worse. Pay for one's whistle.

Duan Shuanghu smiled on the side: "Sneak attack? Where can it! The little devil really dares to come. Keep him touching his head and breaking the bloodstream. ”

Tonight's defense plan was written by him. So very confident in that. Duan Shuanghu was originally the deputy division commander in charge of operations, but due to the lack of manpower in the General Staff Department, he was also drawn by Chief of Staff Zhou. He did the equivalent of the deputy chief of staff.

This is also a manifestation of Chief of Staff Zhou's growing prestige in the 97th Army. If he doesn't get the approval of the soldiers, he will definitely not be able to adjust a thorn like Duan Shuanghu.

Zheng Weiguo nodded, saw a large stack of materials in his hand, and said curiously: "Hey, what kind of document are you holding in your hand?" ”

Duan Shuanghu smiled and pretended to be mysterious: "This is a list of all seized materials. ”

Ren Zhuzi looked at it and couldn't help but exclaim: "No, it's so thick, how many materials have to be seized!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled and explained: "There are lists of seizures reported by various ministries, lists classified and summarized by the General Staff Department, and some plans for the transfer of special equipment, which add up to such a thick amount, but in fact, the number is not very large. ”

As he spoke, Chief of Staff Zhou handed over the stack of documents and said, "Junzao, take a look first, you're so happy!" ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Can't you still pick up the baby?" I flipped through a few pages, and the front was a list of the seizures of each company, as well as the corresponding application for meritorious service, such as the capture of a crooked handle by a certain platoon and a certain squad of soldiers, which is an important basis for future evaluation and promotion.

Then there are classified statistics, such as how many Type 38 rifles were seized, how many carbines and so on. Zheng Weiguo has seen a lot of these things, and they are not new.

Since Chief of Staff Zhou said that there is something happy to do, it must still be to come. Sure enough, when he turned to the name of special equipment, Zheng Weiguo was so happy that his beard trembled.

There are not only 150 mm howitzers, 105 mm cannons and other artillery guns of the Japanese army, but also rare goods such as armored vehicles, trucks, and artillery tractors. In addition, a number of tanks, armoured vehicles and several artillery pieces abandoned by the national army were found.

Duan Shuanghu smiled: "Junzao, how is it, is there a baby?" ”

Zheng Weiguoqi said: "Where did you find these things, why didn't you find them when you cleaned the battlefield before?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "Thanks to the fellow villagers leading the way, otherwise it would not be easy to find. ”

The 97th Army has always paid attention to improving the relationship between the military and the people, and treats the common people far better than other national armies. When they saw the people affected by the disaster during the march, they would provide assistance within their ability. A fellow who had received the favor felt that he could not be moved, so he risked his life to provide information to the 97th Army, and accidentally found heavy equipment abandoned by the Japanese army on the way to escape.

After receiving the report, Chief of Staff Zhou ordered a large-scale search, and the result was really unexpected, and a large amount of military supplies were found. Both the national army and the Japanese army have it, which can be regarded as a windfall.

Zheng Weiguo was happy for a while, and suddenly remembered something, and said, "Are these pieces of equipment seriously damaged?" ”

Duan Shuanghu said with some regret: "There are very few intact ones, most of them are more or less damaged, and many of them are difficult to repair, so they can only be transported back to the arsenal first and then find a way." ”

Zheng Weiguo shook his head with a wry smile and said, "So, wouldn't I be overjoyed?" ”

Duan Shuanghu hurriedly said: "Don't worry, I discussed with Commander Chen of the Engineer Regiment and Director Lu of the Quartermaster Department, and formulated a detailed transportation plan to try to transport this batch of materials back as much as possible." ”

Zheng Weiguo flipped it back again, and sure enough, it recorded in detail the methods of using and delivering all kinds of equipment, including dismantling, land transportation, river crossing, etc., all of which were written in great detail. Although some methods may not work, it shows that they have worked hard.

He patted Duan Shuanghu on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Not bad, not bad!" It seems that there is a lot of strength with the chief of staff! ”

Duan Shuanghu salivated and said, "Hehe." That's a must! However, I feel that my own experience is still very lacking, and you can't forget me in the decisive battle tomorrow! ”

Speaking of the decisive battle, Zheng Weiguo's face changed slightly, he casually pulled a chair and sat down, and said to Ren Zhuzi: "Zhuzi, assign the battle plan just now to the chief of staff and Deputy Division Commander Duan. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou just finished the matter at hand, walked over and said, "Military seat." Have you and Chief Xue negotiated? ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded. said: "Well, the general direction has been decided, and the specific details still need to be formulated by the General Staff to formulate a combat plan." "Tomorrow is the time for a decisive battle with Tu Feiyuan, but his heart is full of emotions. I always felt that something was wrong.

Duan Shuanghu saw Chief of Staff Zhou coming. So he handed him the battle plan in his hand.

Chief of Staff Zhou took it and looked at it carefully. said happily: "This plan is good, it seems that Chief Xue still attaches great importance to the opinion of the military seat." That's easy, in my opinion. The soil fertilizer field can last for a day or two at most. As long as the soil and fertilizer fields are eliminated, the Japanese reinforcements will be retreated, and we can be regarded as successfully completing the task. ”

Zheng Weiguo frowned and said, "But I always feel that something is wrong!" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Are you worried about the reinforcements of the Japanese army?" ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Not bad!" ”

Duan Shuanghu couldn't help but interject and said, "Commander Li Hansoul has already led his troops to block the reinforcements, plus Sun Tongxuan, Huang Jie, and Shi You, it will not be a problem to block for three or four days!" ”

Zheng Weiguo snorted and said, "It's not a problem? How did Nalan Feng and Shangqiu lose it! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou suddenly realized and said, "Junzao, are you worried that the friendly army is unreliable?" ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded heavily and said, "Well, it's not all unreliable, like the 74th Army, the performance is good, and the 1st Army is okay, but we have to guard against it!" This afternoon, Gui Yongqing's gang fled again, and the soldiers and baggage were scattered all the way, and they almost involved the 74th Army. The brigade we surrounded earlier was to chase Gui Yongqing, and as a result, we picked up a cheap one for nothing. ”

Duan Shuanghu sneered: "In this way, that Chief Gui is not useless, at least he is still qualified to be a wolf lure." "The wolf lure is a northern saying, a bait used to catch wild beasts.

Chief of Staff Zhou looked worried. He has worked in the national army system for many years, and he knows all kinds of tricks well, and he quickly realized the danger.

This time it was the 74th Army that almost suffered, and the next time it may be the turn of the 97th Army. Yu Jishi, commander of the 74th Army, is the nephew of the chairman of the committee, and in case of difficulty, the theater will dispatch troops to rescue him. The 97th Army is a product that grandma doesn't love and uncle doesn't love, if something happens, who will lend a helping hand?

Zheng Weiguo said: "Do you have a good way? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou thought for a moment and said, "I suggest sending the 14th Cavalry Brigade to the east as our perimeter guard. Then the 35th Infantry Brigade was arranged to the right flank of the main force, and in the event of a surprise attack by Japanese reinforcements, it could be blocked on the spot and cover the withdrawal of the main force from the battlefield. ”

Compared with Chief of Staff Zhou's old Cheng Zheng, Duan Shuanghu is full of sharpness. He got up and walked to the map, pointed to the area of Sanyiji, and said, "In my opinion, the key to this battle is still a quick word. After the main force launched the attack, it must be fast, accurate, and ruthless, and it must rush into the village in one fell swoop. Artillery fire should follow the infantry, don't be afraid of accidental injury, you can fire at a distance of twenty meters from the skirmisher line! ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded with satisfaction and said, "Okay, these two opinions are very good. You draw up a detailed battle plan at once, and you must come up with it before midnight. ”

Chief of Staff Zhou and Duan Shuanghu hurriedly got up and said, "Yes, military seat!" ”

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said, "You guys are busy first, I'll go out and come back later." ”

Duan Shuanghu hesitated for a moment and said, "It's so late, where are you going?" ”

Zheng Weiguo explained: "I have to go to the 14th Cavalry Brigade. "After Zhang Zhankui's department was incorporated into the 97th Army, Zheng Weiguo, as the army commander, has not yet seen these new subordinates, and now he is going to fight a big battle again, so it is really unreasonable not to go there. Besides, if you want to completely pull this old Northwest Army into the 97th Army system, you must have enough face.

The army commander came to visit overnight, and Brigade Commander Zhang and his subordinates were a little flattered. After some talking, the friendship between the two sides deepened. The bold Brigade Commander Zhang patted his chest on the spot and said that this life would be Chief Zheng's in the future, and he would fight wherever he was told, and he would never say a word!

After inspecting the 14th Cavalry Brigade, Zheng Weiguo visited more than a dozen units, including field hospitals. These units are all closely related to tomorrow's decisive battle, and if he doesn't go there in person, Zheng Weiguo really can't let go of it in his heart.

Busy until midnight, Zheng Weiguo dragged his tired body back to the headquarters, and found that there were more people in the room this time, not only members of the General Staff, but also responsible persons of various units and units directly under the military department, as well as several brigade commanders, including Brigade Commander Zhang Zhankui, who had just visited.

Duan Shuanghu was walking around the house in a hurry, and when he heard the sound, he hurriedly looked up, and said happily: "Junzao, you can come back, you really want to kill people alive!" ”

Zheng Weiguo was puzzled: "What are you doing here?" What about holding an enlarged meeting, you don't need so many people to participate in formulating a combat plan, right? ”

Duan Shuanghu hesitated for a moment and said, "Junzao, then I can say it, don't get excited!" ”

Zheng Weiguo said angrily: "If you have something to say, I don't have a heart attack!" ”

Duan Shuanghu said: "Junzuo, this time we are not formulating an offensive plan, but a retreat plan. ”

Rao is Zheng Weiguo was mentally prepared enough, and he was also taken aback when he heard this.

Seeing Duan Shuanghu's words reversed, Chief of Staff Zhou hurriedly explained: "Military seat, as you expected, there is indeed a big problem in the east. According to the emergency report of the theater, the 16th Division of the Japanese Army and the 3rd Brigade of the Independent Mixed Brigade are raiding along the Longhai Line overnight, and it is estimated that we will be able to rush to Lanfeng before dawn, and we must retreat overnight, otherwise there is a danger of annihilation of the whole army! (To be continued......)