Thinking that General Fu Zuoyi was alone in the lonely city, Zheng Huzi led his troops thousands of miles to help, which was a good story for a while. After the fall of Taiyuan, Zheng Huzi rolled up more than 100 machines from Yan Laoxi and returned to Ping'an County, which opened the prelude to the revival of the Northeast Army. And Fu Zuoyi retreated to the stone building in Shanxi. After the training, the strength of the army has risen to more than 17,000 people, and most of its combat effectiveness has recovered. Especially in the battle of Zheng Huzi's attack on Taiyuan, Fu Zuoyi's troops also annihilated many Japanese puppet troops on the periphery, and their strength increased greatly.

For subordinates, strength is often directly proportional to ambition; For bosses, strength is often directly proportional to suspicion. I don't know who had the problem between Fu Zuoyi and Yan Laoxi'er first, anyway, the gap between the two is getting bigger and bigger, and with someone who cares about it, they finally fell out completely.

Speaking of this, Zheng Huzi is somewhat responsible. After all, it was he who instigated General Fu to divide up the Taiyuan Arsenal. Yan Lao Xi'er has always been worried about this matter, and he is still dissatisfied with Zheng Huzi. Moreover, Yan Laoxi'er stubbornly believes that Fu Zuoyi is the mastermind behind the destruction of the arsenal, and Zheng Huzi is just a pawn.

Moreover, Fu Zuoyi was very close to the Eighth Route Army at that time. What the? Is it also the thread drawn by Zheng Huzi? This can't be talked about, Fu Zuoyi has long had dealings with the Eighth Road. At most, the appearance of Zheng Huzi increased the friendship between the two sides when they carved up the Taiyuan Arsenal. One of the four major irons in life has shared the spoils, and the three have been divided, and the relationship is different.

When Fu was stationed in Shilou and northwest Jin, he was across the river from the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army. Couriers from both sides exchanged information constantly. The establishment of joint defense, public and private, cooperation is getting deeper and deeper. Through the help of Guan Xiangying, political commissar of the 120th Division, and Gan Siqi, director of the Political Department, Yan'an Shaanbei Public School and Kang Da sent a large number of outstanding students to the 35th Army, so that the anti-Japanese strength of the Fu Department was further enriched.

At the beginning of 1938, Fu Zuoyi imitated the experience of the Eighth Route Army and established the Political Work Committee of the Northern Route Army, and he was also the director. The General Headquarters set up a political guidance office, appointed Zhou Beifeng as a member and secretary, and set up corresponding political work organs at all levels of the army. Many of these responsible persons were cadres dispatched by Yan'an.

Fu also formulated the "Rules for the Political Work of the Northern Route Army." Provision for the abolition of beatings and insults to soldiers; economic openness; enlivening the cultural life of soldiers; help the toiling people and advocate civil-military cooperation; the implementation of military and political unification, and so on. At the same time, with reference to the "Three Major Disciplines, Eight Points of Attention" formulated by the Eighth Route Army, the "Ten Disciplines" were formulated. Specific provisions have been made for mass discipline in marching, camping, and combat. These practices. Military-civilian relations have been strengthened. It was praised by the common people, showing the atmosphere of cooperation and unity between the KMT and the Communist Party in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. However, he was jealous of Yan Xishan and attacked Fu for "bringing the troops red". "The 35th Army has become seven and a half roads". and sent a secret telegram to Chang Kaishen, proposing to remove Fu Zuoyi.

Yan Lao Xi'er is also a smart person, he was confused for a while, if you have the ability, you can control the troops yourself, and if you can't control the troops, please ask Chang Kaishen for help, isn't that a plot with the tiger? Chang Kaishen, who had long wielded a hoe, immediately dealt a heavy blow to the fragile relationship between Yan and Fu, and appointed Fu Zuoyi as the deputy commander of the Eighth Theater and the commander-in-chief of the North Route Army of the Second Theater. Fu Zuoyi agreed without saying a word, led his troops north to Suiyuan, and set up the governor's headquarters in Suixi Wuyuan.

Yan Lao Xi'er was furious, but there was nothing he could do about Fu, so he had to agree to Fu Zuoyi to take away part of his troops, but at the same time asked that one-third of his troops and artillery must be left behind. Fu Zuoyi naturally couldn't agree, and the final result was that Yan Laoxi'er barely detained any troops, but the contradiction between the two became public and completely broke up.

After arriving in Suiyuan, Fu Zuoyi, with the support of Chang Kaishen, quickly replenished the army and equipment, strengthened training, and at the same time improved local political power and built the Suixi region. The machine buried in the area of the stone building was also secretly transported by him, and with the large number of military industries contained in the army, the arsenal was also set up. In this way, the strength grows faster.

However, the difficulties were also obvious, at that time, the total strength of the 35th Army plus the miscellaneous troops of various factions under Fu Zuoyi's orders was only more than 30,000 people, which was not enough to confront the 20,000 Japanese troops in the Suiyuan area. But the more than 30,000 troops are already the limit of what they can bear, and the total population of the Hetao they occupy is only about 200,000. No matter how many troops there are, they can't support themselves, so Fu Zuoyi was forced to settle in Wuyuan. There must be water for farming, so we have vigorously developed water conservancy. Historically, for this reason, Fu became the Minister of Water Resources after the founding of the People's Republic of China.

If the first difficulty is due to natural causes, the second difficulty is purely self-inflicted. After the 35th Army arrived in Suiyuan, there was an urgent shortage of supplies, so Fu Zuoyi asked Chang Kaishen for allocation, and Chang Kaishen also complied, but he didn't expect Fu's office director in Xi'an to be unable to receive it. The director of the Xi'an warehouse honestly and unceremoniously told the director of Fu's office that if you want to get weapons, you must pay for them. The director of the office was forced to have no choice but to send a telegram to Fu for instructions.

Of course, Fu Zuoyi was very angry. Who is he, the dignified deputy commander of the 8th Theater of Operations! The other party is just the director of a warehouse, and a big official dares to openly ask him for bribes? Not to mention the money, just give it obediently, where is the face? If you give it today, do you still have to follow the rules when you receive the supplies in the future?

However, Fu was very cunning, and used his military strategy, so he called back and said, "Of course the money must be paid, but can you ask the director of the warehouse to give a receipt?" ”

The warehouse director didn't know if he was stunned or fearless, but he actually wrote it, signed and sealed, and it was not left behind. Fu Zuoyi took this receipt to Chang Kai to file a complaint, and said: "Bench, you see, this person is too disagreeable, and your words are not taken seriously." ”

In a fit of rage, the chairman dismissed the director of the warehouse. Soon after, however, he became the director of another warehouse. What made Fu Zuoyi even more depressed was that the newly appointed warehouse director still had to collect money, saying that although he respected Commander Fu very much, he "can't break the rules". And I don't know if it was the previous warehouse director's fault, Fu's supply always had problems.

At the worst time, it is said that you can only eat a bowl of beans, and you can eat it for dozens of days in a row. Fu Zuoyi is old, and he eats too many peas to digest, but he has nothing else. The cooks had no choice but to grind the peas into powder. Give Fu Zuoyi to eat again.

Didn't you cultivate your own farmland? But now it is 38 years, the newly dug canal has only been renewed, and the newly opened fields have not yet had time to be planted, so this winter is particularly difficult. In addition, that winter was very cold, Suiyuan, in the winter it was minus twenty or thirty degrees, and the officers and soldiers shivered from the cold. Just when Fu Zuoyi's department was hungry and full in the cold wind, Zheng Huzi stretched out a hand of friendship from thousands of miles away.

First of all, Qiao Mingli came to visit in order to dredge the material transportation channel. After he saw Fu Bu's embarrassment, he immediately sent a large bundle of fiat and counterfeit money. Let Fu Zuoyi buy a large number of cattle and sheep from the nearby Mongolian tribes and Hui tribes. After the famine, the extra fur can be used to make shoes and hats.

For herdsmen, the cattle and sheep are going to die in winter anyway, so why not exchange some money for it? The exchange of fiat currency next to the national control area. Counterfeit money next to the occupied area. To each his own, he takes what he needs. As for Zheng Huzi's side. It's not too short of money, especially counterfeit money, just make a good stamp. But for the officers and soldiers of the Fu Department who were hungry and cold. This is charcoal in the snow! Therefore, Fu Zuoyi agreed to Zheng Huzi's request without saying a word, saying that Zheng Huzi's business was his business, and he could find him for the safety of materials in Suiyuan in the future.

As soon as the supplies arrived, Zhao Yunxiang, the commander of the 34th Division, who had just arrived in Suiyuan, happily replenished a part of the firearms and ammunition to Fu Zuoyi's department, He Zhuguo's department, Ma Zhanshan's department, Li Jingquan's department, and Jin Xianxian's department. In this year, if you have a gun, you are the king of grass, how many are willing to give away guns and ammunition? So Zheng Huzi's favorability in Suiyuan suddenly reached the full value.

The kindness of going thousands of miles to help, sending charcoal in the snow, the righteousness of sharing the spoils together and sharing the blessings, coupled with the reality of cold lips and teeth, how can General Fu sit back and watch the success or failure of Jizhong? So he immediately decided to encircle Wei to save Zhao and send troops to Suixi! In particular, after learning of the fall of the Third Division of Jizhong, various preparations have entered the countdown.

(Note: In history, General Fu Zuoyi also fought Baotou City, and entered the city to fight fiercely with the enemy for several days.) It was just what happened at the end of 39, the purpose was to contain the Japanese army and reduce the pressure on the national army on the battlefield in Changsha. Think about Changde and Hengyang, how many generals of the national army refused to rescue when they were close at hand, causing Yu Chengwan to break the siege and flee, Fang Xianjue surrendered, these generals of the Central Army are not worthy of killing compared to General Fu)

Fu Zuoyi found Zhao Yunxiang, the commander of the 34th Division, and said, "Commander Zhao, I have decided to send troops to Suixi, please help me." ”

Zhao Yunxiang has been worried about the situation in Jizhong for the past few days, and when he heard this, he was overjoyed, and hurriedly said: "Chief Fu is high-minded, and the department dares to disobey his orders!" I just don't know where Chief Fu plans to attack? ”

Fu Zuoyi asked rhetorically: "Where does Senior Commander Zhao think is the most suitable?" ”

The Japanese troops in Suiyuan were all subordinate to the Mongolian army, and the commander was Lieutenant General Okabe Naosaburo and the chief of staff, Major General Tanaka Shinichi, and the headquarters was located in Zhangjiakou. It has jurisdiction over the 26th Division (stationed in Datong, stationed in northern Jinbei and Suidong), the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade (stationed in Zhangjiakou), and the Cavalry Group (owed to the 4th Cavalry Brigade, stationed in Baotou).

In addition to the Japanese army, there are also several puppet Mongolian armies, which are roughly divided into three major factions: Li Shouxin, King De, and Wang Ying, and there are many small hills inside. The puppet Mongolian army is probably the most rubbish unit in the puppet army, with backward training, outdated equipment, and loose discipline, and almost all forms of backward armies are concentrated. However, it is really surprising that Li Shouxin's artillery brigade had 40 or 50 mountain artillery pieces and a large force of more than 2,000 people.

Zhao Yunxiang walked to the map, pointed to the Gaoliangtai area in Suixi and said: "From humble duty, you can make a feint here, induce the Japanese army to come to help, and then ambush in the middle." ”

Fu Zuoyi smiled but did not speak.

Zhao Yunxiang was not embarrassed, so he had to try to point to Baiyun Obo and Bailing Temple north of Baotou, and Salaqi east of Baotou.

Unexpectedly, Fu Zuoyi still shook his head.

Zhao Yunxiang was helpless, so he had to say a little unconvinced: "Humble and stupid, please ask Chief Fu to make it clear!" ”

Fu Zuoyi explained: "The four places that Commander Zhao pointed out are all secretly killing, which shows that the art of war is skillful. However, since it is an attack, it is necessary to hit the enemy's vital points. The attacking enemy is in a few small strongholds (each garrison is no more than a few hundred Japanese puppet troops, and mainly puppet troops), how can they hurt the enemy? Even if the enemy comes to reinforce the army, there will be 1,000 or 2,000 people at most, and even if they are all annihilated, it will not mean much. It is difficult to play the role of mobilizing enemy forces. ”

Zhao Yunxiang was stunned and said, "Do you still want to pack your head?" ”

Fu Zuoyi smiled and said, "Why not? Baotou is the end point of the Pingsui Railway, and the Japanese puppet army that takes Suiyuan here is equivalent to being stuck by our neck. You have to jump up and down in a hurry! ”

Zhao Yunxiang retorted: "If before the enemy cavalry group entered Baotou, it would be simple to fight Li Shouxin and a few puppet army divisions, but now the enemy army has both heavy troops and strong cities, cold winter wax moon, freezing three feet, how to use soldiers?" ”

Fu Zuoyi was not angry, but explained one by one, saying: "There is a reason why I dare to choose Baotou. Does Division Commander Zhao know the specific deployment of the enemy's troops in the Baotou area? ”

Zhao Yunxiang nodded and said, "I know a little bit about it." However, the situation after the arrival of the enemy cavalry group is not well understood. ”

Fu Zuoyi said: "Yes. Master Zhao has just arrived, and it is reasonable that he does not understand it for a while. As he spoke, he found a small wooden stick and explained: "Master Zhao, please see, this is Baotou, and 140 miles to the east is Salaqi." The headquarters and direct units of the 1st Cavalry Brigade were stationed here. The 13th Cavalry Wing, to which the brigade belongs, was stationed in Guyang, north of Baotou. The 14th Cavalry Wing was stationed in Anbei (Shetai Town), northwest of Baotou. ”

Zhao Yunxiang said in surprise: "The entire 1st Cavalry Brigade is stationed outside Baotou City, and it is still so far away? ”

Fu Zuoyi smiled: "Not bad! The Japanese army in Baotou City was only the headquarters of the cavalry group. The small number of Japanese garrison troops, as well as one cavalry squadron, one independent tank squadron, one rapid-fire artillery squadron, more than 100 military police, and two cavalry divisions of the puppet Inner Mongolia Army, had a total strength of only a few thousand, and the puppet army accounted for 70 percent of them. ”

He paused, looked at Zhao Yunxiang and quipped, "Does Senior Commander Zhao think he can attack?" ”

Zhao Yunxiang agreed: "There are indeed fighters, but when we count the data of the Japanese puppet army in North China, we found that the enemy army has already built a complete fortification in Baotou City, including several permanent blockhouses of reinforced concrete, outer trenches several meters deep, and electrified barbed wire outside the trenches. Moreover, Baotou itself has a city wall, and it also has a certain defensive capability. The Japanese army in Baotou claimed that its defense capability was second to none in the whole of North China, which was by no means a lie, and asked Commander Fu not to be careless. ”

Fu Zuoyi waved his hand and said, "Master Zhao, don't worry, please listen to my second reason." As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and immediately an officer brought up a few civilians, all of whom were young and strong, but they looked a little weak.

Zhao Yunxiang said curiously: "This is?" ”

Fu Zuoyi explained: "These are all coolies who escaped death from Baotou City, and I bother you to ask Chief Zhao to check the scars!" ”

Those few people were also simply, and without saying a word, they unbuttoned their clothes, only to see that their upper bodies were covered with whip marks, like centipedes crawling over, which was really shocking and couldn't bear to look at it directly. What's even more terrifying is that there are still several deep wounds in the chest and abdomen, some of which are cut by sabers, some are bayonet stabs, and it is not a small miracle that these people can survive.

Zhao Yunxiang only glanced at it a few times, and said busily: "It's cold, please put it on!" He whispered to Fu Zuoyi: "Are they all coolies who build fortifications in Baotou?" ”

Fu Zuoyi said in a deep voice: "Yes, thousands of Ding Zhuang, I'm afraid there are only a few people left in front of me." ”

Zhao Yunxiang hated it, gritted his teeth and said: "I slaughtered my compatriots, I don't take revenge, I swear not to be a man!" ”

Fu Zuoyi praised: "As the saying goes, it's never too late for a gentleman to take revenge for ten years. But we are soldiers, we can't wait for ten years, if Commander Zhao wants to take revenge, he can do it today. As for the so-called leading fortifications in North China, there are these living maps, and there is no need to worry at all. Moreover, according to our reconnaissance, the Japanese fortifications were in a hurry, and there must be loopholes. ”

Zhao Yunxiang nodded and said, "Chief Fu is well-planned and well-prepared, which is really an eye-opener for the humble position. It's just that it's freezing three feet now, and the cold is unbearable, what is Chief Fu's good plan? ”

Fu Zuoyi shook his head and said: "This is really not true, it all depends on the lives of the three armies!" However, I think that our officers and men will be able to overcome these difficulties, but most of the Japanese troops could not have imagined that our army would choose to send troops at this time. ”

Zhao Yunxiang was in awe when he heard this, and praised: "General Fu is really a good general!" ”

Fu Zuoyi waved his hand and smiled: "Master Zhao praised it falsely!" In front of Chief Zheng's subordinates, Yisheng is not ashamed. He asked again, "Did Master Zhao agree?" ”

Zhao Yunxiang hurriedly replied: "When the humble post sets off from Jizhong, the general seat will tell you again, and after you arrive in Suiyuan, you should obey the orders of Chief Fu." If there is an order, how dare you disobey it? However, there are still reluctant invitations to humble positions. ”

Fu Zuoyi said: "Master Zhao, please speak!" ”

Zhao Yunxiang said: "I am not talented, I am willing to take Baotou for Chief Fu!" ”

Fu Zuoyi smiled and asked, "What is the reason?" ”

Zhao Yunxiang replied: "Our 34th Division took Baoding, Hebei a month ago, and we have experience in attacking cities!" ”

Fu Zuoyi smiled and quipped: "Fu Mou is only good at defending the city in his life, so others call me the general who defends the city. Such a sign, it seems that this battle will be won! ”

Zhao Yunxiang was a little embarrassed and said, "Humble and arrogant, please forgive me Chief Fu!" ”

Fu Zuoyi waved his hand and said: "Young people, you just have to work hard!" He asked again: "Ruiqing, do you really want to attack the head?" It's a chore! ”

Zhao Yunxiang hurriedly said: "How can a soldier cower, please do it to Chief Fu!" ”

Fu Zuoyi said: "There is no joke in the army! ”

Zhao Yunxiang hurriedly said: "I wish to make a military order!" ”

Fu Zuoyi nodded and said, "Okay, Ruiqing, I agree to your request!" This battle is not only related to my Suiyuan, but also the key to whether or not the siege of Jizhong can be resolved. ”

Zhao Yunxiang was overjoyed and hurriedly said: "Thank you Chief Fu for your appreciation!" I don't know when I can send troops? ”

Fu Zuoyi muttered: "After all, the enemy army is strong, so I plan to set up a few more suspicious formations before sending troops, so that I can deceive the enemy army for a while." At that time, as long as the army drives straight to the city of Baotou, the big thing can be decided! ”

As a generation of military wizards, Fu Zuoyi did not just know how to roar on the ground like a certain "famous anti-Japanese general", but was bombed by Japanese planes in Jiaoxi Ridge, and his losses were so heavy that even friendly troops were stunned. On the contrary, Fu Zuoyi has studied strategy a lot, and it has become the fourth magic weapon to win after tactics, training, and equipment.

Like this time, in order to paralyze the enemy army, Fu Zuoyi ordered his subordinates to build a stronger position on the front line of the confrontation with the Japanese army. The Japanese troops on the front line soon found that the positions of the 35th Army were noisy, day and night, and it was obvious that they were building fortifications. The Japanese commander thus believed that the 35th Army was afraid of the might of the Imperial Army and tried to conduct a comprehensive defense.

At the same time, Fu Zuoyi asked various theater troupes in the rear to immediately rush to the front line to comfort the officers and soldiers and make a look to welcome the New Year. The Japanese army also found that the 35th Army's position often sounded gongs and drums, and it was even more lively at night, and it seemed that it was holding a military and civilian party, preparing for a good holiday. The vigilance of the Japanese army was instantly reduced, believing that the 35th Army was preparing for the New Year and it was absolutely impossible to attack.

After some careful planning, Fu Zuoyi saw that the time had come and immediately issued a combat order. On December 20, the Battle of Baotou officially began.

First of all, the Second Cavalry Army He Zhu Guobu was ordered to attack Salazie, where a main cavalry force led by Major General Katagiri Shigeru, commander of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, was stationed. The purpose of the attack of the Second Cavalry Army was to contain the reinforcements of the Japanese army in Baotou and at the same time attract the Japanese troops in Baotou to reinforce.

At the same time as the battle of Salazy began, Fu Zuoyi gave the order to attack:

The 34th Division, commanded by Zhao Yunxiang, was the main attack on Baotou;

The new 31st Division plus the 25th Artillery Regiment by General Sun Lanfeng was the siege reserve;

Another general, Dong Qiwu's 101st Division, was tasked with clearing the blockade between Kundulun and Baotou;

Yuan Qingrong's new 32nd Division was responsible for blocking the Japanese troops on the Guyuan and Dashetai sides. (To be continued......)

PS: A historic breakthrough, updated more than 10,000 times a day, and one more chapter at night!