Despite some farce during the day, the evening military meeting went on as scheduled. Present at the meeting were Zheng Weiguo, commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater, commander-in-chief of the 41 st Group Army, and commander of the Jizhong Military Region; Zhang Wenbai, deputy commander-in-chief of the Jicha Theater; Zhou Yimin, chief of staff of the Jicha Theater; Kang Ze, director of the Political Department of the Jicha Theater; Miao Chengliu and Zou Zuohua, deputy commanders-in-chief of the 41 st Group Army; Cheng Zihua, deputy commander of the Jizhong Military Region; Zhou Fucheng, commander of the 53rd Army; Feng Zhanhai, commander of the 63rd Army; Li Liangrong, commander of the 97th Army; Liao Yaoxiang, commander of the armored cavalry division; and other staff officers, intelligence, reconnaissance, and operations chiefs below the General Staff Headquarters.

may still be angry about the day's events, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Wenbai and Political Commissar Cheng's faces are not very good-looking. Even Kang Ze also looked like he was watching a good show. Zheng Weiguo knew that this kind of thing could only be described more and more black, so he simply omitted to mention it, and directly asked Chief of Staff Zhou to announce the meeting.

Chief of Staff Zhou walked to the stage, opened the curtain in front of the map and began to explain: "Commanders, I will first introduce to you the recent deployment of troops and material transfers of the enemy's North China Front!" ”

After a series of adjustments, the North China Front now has three armies under its jurisdiction and some units directly under its command. Among them, the 1st Army was stationed in Shanxi, and the commander was Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinozuka, under the jurisdiction of the 20th, 108th, and 109th divisions and the 3rd, 4th, and 9th brigades of independent mixed divisions; The 12th Army was stationed in Shandong, and was in charge of eastern Henan and northern Jiangsu, with the commander of Lieutenant General Odaka Kamezo, under the jurisdiction of the 21st and 114th Divisions and the 5th, 6th, and 10th Brigades of Independent Mixed Brigades; The Mongolian army stationed in Chahar and Suiyuan, the commander of the commander, Lieutenant General Okabe Naosaburo, has the 26th Division, the cavalry group, and the 2nd Brigade of the Independent Mixed Brigade.

In addition, the 10th, 14th, 27th, and 110th Divisions, the 1st, 7th, and 8th Brigades and the 3rd Flying Group were all under the direct jurisdiction of the North China Front. There are 10 divisions, 10 independent mixed brigades, 1 cavalry group, and 1 flying group.

Although it was only the beginning of 39. However, the total strength of the troops is close to the level of the autumn of 39 in history, and most of the troops are permanent divisions, ad hoc divisions, and three-unit divisions and regiments, which are much stronger than the three-figure divisions in 39.

The enemy's supplies were supervised and dispatched by the North China Front military station, mainly concentrated in Tianjin, Beiping, Shijiazhuang, Datong, Jining, Taiyuan, Jinan and other large cities. According to the habits of the Japanese army, the logistical support of military stations is divided into three levels: strategic, campaign, and tactical, and the corresponding military stations are also divided into the deployment of military stations that are connected in echelons, such as the main area, the main station, and the station.

The "main land of accumulation" is located in the main port or transportation hub of the occupied area, and belongs to the strategic level of military stations, such as Tianjin and Datong in North China, and originally Shijiazhuang, but was disabled by Zheng Huzi. Can only be used as a garrison master. In the "Accumulation Mainland". The Japanese army will set up a field artillery factory, a field engineer factory, a field automobile factory, a field warehouse, and other necessary organs, which will be responsible for hoarding, managing, and distributing military supplies and sanitary materials transported from the mainland, and transporting these materials to the "main station of the military station." At the same time, it receives, keeps, and repairs the captured and recovered items returned from the "main place of the military station", sorts them out, or returns them to the mainland. or resupply.

The "main ground of the military station" is equivalent to the base military station. It was the place where the front army was located in the rear of the campaign, and the depth of communication was given. The military station with a certain degree of stability is the main supply base of the front army during the period when it is stationed in the tun, and it is also the support for the "military station" during the front army's campaign. Generally, there are: field artillery factories. Field Automobile Factory, Field Sanitary Material Factory, Field Gas Factory, Field Aviation Factory, Field Engineer Factory, Field Clothing and Grain Factory and other necessary organs. It is mainly responsible for receiving, repairing, storing, sorting and sending.

The "military station" is of a temporary nature, mainly for the front-line transportation of materials.

Judging from the current situation, the Japanese army's material storage site has both a "main place for accumulation" and a "main place for military stations", which shows that it is still in the process of scheduling, but it also has the ability to launch a local battle. This is because the dispatch from the "main station of the military station" to the "military station" is very fast, and if the Japanese army wants to fight, it can complete the deployment in a week at most.

"Sensit, I have something to say!" Chief of Staff Zhou had just finished introducing the basic situation and was about to explain in detail, but he didn't expect a young officer in the audience to suddenly raise his hand and shout. Everyone turned their heads to look, but it was Wen Qiang, the chief of staff of the Jicha Theater of Operations.

This Wen Qiang is not a deputy director in later generations, but a strange person in the Republic of China. He is a descendant of Wen Tianxiang (unlike Kong Fatzi's Xibei goods, their family has a family tree), Taizu's uncle and cousin (Huang Kao is his own uncle), a student of Zhou Gong (Huangpu Phase IV), a subordinate of Mr. Zhu (Nanchang Uprising), Lin Biao's superior (he was Lin's squad leader during the Huangpu period), and Liu Shaoqi's hometown (it is said that they are less than 20 miles apart).

After the failure of the Nanchang Uprising, he was separated from the army and the party organization, and came to Sichuan, where he successively served as the commander and political commissar of the 1st Red Division, a member of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, the secretary of the Military Commission, and the secretary of the Eastern Sichuan Provincial Party Committee. Because of the traitor's betrayal, he squatted in the prison of the National Government, and almost lost his life. was finally rescued from prison by comrades, but then suffered unfair treatment and was forced to go all the way to Shanghai with his wife to find Zhou Gong to administer justice.

It's a pity that at that time, it happened to run into Gu Shunzhang's rebellion, and the underground parties in Shanghai moved in concealment, and Wen Qiang and his wife didn't find a single acquaintance in a circle, so they had to go back to their hometown to farm. Later, he was found out by another of his Whampoa classmates, Boss Dai, and had no choice but to change his court and join the military command. It is said that the conclusion that "the Japanese army will attack Pearl Harbor and launch the Pacific War" was completed under the auspices of his old man.

This time Lu Zhonglin fell, all parties took the opportunity to redivide the cake, and the military commander was of course no exception, and he just grabbed such an important position. Wen Qiangming is on the face of the chief of staff of the Jicha Theater of Operations, but in fact he has another position, that is, the director of the North China Office of the Military Command Bureau. Zheng Weiguo knew that there was something wrong with Lu Dao, but he still had to agree to it, but he always refused to give him real power. At present, the Theater Staff Office is actually an ornament, and the actual work is done by the Staff Office of the 41 st Group Army.

Seeing Wen Qiang suddenly interrupt his speech, Chief of Staff Zhou asked with some dissatisfaction: "Director Wen, what do you have to say?" ”

Wen Qiang twisted his neck and asked, "Chief of Staff, why do I have no knowledge of these circumstances?" This is a flagrant violation of the appointment of the Military Commission. I'm protesting! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou laughed and said, "Are you embarrassed to ask me about this kind of thing?" You only care about the mess of the military command every day, and I can only hand over the work of the staff office to others! You can't affect the overall work because you alone! ”

Wen Qiang's face was slightly red, and he argued strongly: "No one has ever reported to me, and his eyes are black, so how can I do it?" Commander-in-Chief Zheng, while everyone is here today, you have to administer justice to me. ”

Zheng Weiguo asked, "What justice do you want?" ”

Wen Qiang ignored Zhang Wenbai's glances at him, and said straightforwardly: "The current theater staff office is an empty shelf, and I demand that the functions and authority of the staff office be restored, and that all subordinate group armies, military regions, and divisional districts must directly report their work to our office. Take orders from my department! ”

Zheng Weiguo replied, "I might as well tell you." That's impossible. He also explained: "There are two reasons: first, the Jicha Theater has not yet had the turn of the military commander to dictate his fingers; Second, you haven't worked in the military for almost a decade. The chief of staff of the theater of operations is in a high position. I am accountable to more than 300,000 brothers. Can't let you come nonsense! ”

What kind of person is Wen Qiang, he has not bowed his head after more than 20 years in Gongdelin, and resolutely refuses to write a letter of repentance. also shouted: "I used to be the commander and political commissar of the Red First Division, Mao ZD is my cousin, Zhu D is my superior, Zhou EL is my teacher and introducer to join the party, Lin Biao is my subordinate, and Liu Shaoqi's house is less than 20 miles away from my home." If I was wrong, it was because they didn't teach me well, and if I wanted to write a letter of repentance, they should write it, but I didn't write it! ”

Where can such a person be persuaded in a few words? Hearing Zheng Weiguo's straightforward refusal, Wen Qiang was so ashamed and annoyed that he pushed away the chair and slammed the door directly, even Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhang Wenbai and Director Kang Ze didn't even pay attention to the calls in the back.

Zhang Wenbai was annoyed for a while, and had to say: "Boss, don't be angry!" Tomorrow, I will let Nianguan (Wen Qiang's words) personally come to make amends to you! ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "What am I angry about? You go back and tell Wen Nianguan, he won't use it for future military meetings! He asked again: "Has Cai Wenzhi, the deputy director of the General Staff Department, arrived?" ”

Cai Wenzhi stood up with a sigh, his eyes were close together, and he said: "Humble duty!" ”

This deputy director is Dingwu, another chess piece laid by Chang Kaishen, and he is also a rare talent in the national army. He is a native of Huanggang, Hubei, Lin Biao's hometown, and was born in a family of scholars. My grandfather was a man in the late Qing Dynasty, so the family was quite wealthy and received a complete primary and secondary education.

After graduating from Wuhan No. 2 Middle School, Cai Wenzhi went to the Hubei Army Xia Douyin (the guy who started the Ma-Ri Incident) as a clerk, and was later sent to accompany Xia Gongzi to study in Dongying and study at the Japanese Army Non-commissioned Officer School. Not long after entering the school, it coincided with the outbreak of the "918" incident, and the Japanese army invaded the northeast, so he returned to China in anger. In order to give preferential treatment to this group of returned students, the Nationalist Government specially approved that they could directly transfer to the ninth phase of the Whampoa Military Academy without passing the examination, and after graduation, they were assigned to the 13th Division of the Army, where they were successively appointed as junior and intermediate officers.

In 1935, Cai Wenzhi was selected by the 13th Division to enter the 13th phase of the Army University, which was concurrently headed by Chang Kaishen. After graduating in 1937, because of his excellent grades, he was selected as the colonel of the first department of the base camp (later renamed the Military Committee). As soon as you hear it, you know that this is an extremely important job. Although his official position is not high, he is in the center and often has the opportunity to attend those military meetings chaired by Chang Kaishen himself.

In several meetings, Chang Kaishen was noticed by Chang Kaishen because of his unique views and clear reasoning, and he was exceptionally promoted to major general section chief, and later promoted to section chief. In the famous "Battle of Taierzhuang", Cai Wenzhi, as the person in charge of specific business, made suggestions and plans, which were valued by Chang Kaishen, and thus became an up-and-coming figure among Huangpu students.

What's even more rare is that Cai Wenzhi is still that kind of "learning" general. This type of person may be limited to education and vision at first, and their talents are average, not too eye-catching, but with continuous self-learning and improvement, their ability and level will continue to rise, and they are full of stamina.

Historically, Cai Wenzhi taught himself fluent English, and played an extremely important role in the coordination of Sino-US relations and high-level military exchanges at that time, and was favored by Chang Kaishen. In 1943, the United States, China, and Britain held a conference in Cairo, and Cai Wenzhi attended the meeting as a member of the Chinese delegation. After graduation, he was transferred to the Third Division of the General Headquarters of the Chinese Army, where he participated in the formulation of the Asian operational plan against Japan held by the Joint Staff of China, Britain, the United States, and France in Washington. Later, it was recommended by the U.S. side. Promoted to lieutenant general and deputy chief of staff of the Army Headquarters. It looks like the future is bright.

However, such a pragmatic general is very capable of displaying his talents in the national army with complex nepotism, even if it is appreciated by the supreme leader. The so-called pro-virtuous can't be used, Wei Lihuang is far away, and this Cai Wenzhi is close. Later, he had a serious quarrel with Tang Enbo over the strategic issue of defending Shanghai and the Yangtze River, so he resigned in anger and took refuge in Hong Kong.

Cai Wenzhi's words at that time can very well reflect the sorrow of some truly talented generals in the national army at that time. He said: "I judged that the actions of the communist army were inaccurate, but the people who commanded the operation did not accept them. So what else do I have as a staff member? As the head of the war department, I am really ashamed of myself and my ancestors. Shame on the Prime Minister and President! I'm not going to be this soldier anymore! ”

Zheng Weiguo didn't realize what a bullish figure this was at this time. I just felt that this person was extraordinary, so I ordered: "Deputy Director Cai, Director Wen can't take care of things due to his own reasons, and I now order you to serve as the acting director of the General Staff Office." After the meeting is dismissed, I will report to Chief of Staff Zhou! ”

Cai Wenzhi was taken aback. Said cautiously: "Total seat." Do you mean the Acting Director of the Subordinate? ”

Zheng Weiguo nodded and said, "Exactly." Dingwu, do you have confidence? ”

Cai Wenzhi hurriedly stood up and said: "If the general seat has confidence in his subordinates, his subordinates also have the confidence to complete their own work." ”

Zheng Weiguo knew that he was tactfully asking for power from himself. smiled: "If you want to gain my trust, you can't just play lip service, I'll give you a month to get used to it." Well done, I will personally apply to the commission to correct you. If you don't do it well, you can get out of here, I can't afford to raise such idlers here! ”

Cai Wenzhi was secretly happy in his heart, and hurriedly said loudly: "Yes, Mr. Seat!" ”

Zheng Weiguo waved his hand and said, "Well, sit down!" Ladies and gentlemen, it's been a long delay, and we continue our meeting. Chief of Staff, please continue, and if there is anything else to talk about, we will talk about it later! ”

Chief of Staff Zhou coughed, and then continued: "According to the information we have so far, although the Japanese army has made some adjustments in the past month, it has not replenished many troops, mainly the transfer of the Fourth Cavalry Brigade from Henan back to Suiyuan, and the new formation of the 1st, 9th, and 10th independent mixed brigades. It seems that a lot of troops have been added, but the original 1st Cavalry Brigade has almost been wiped out, and the 9th Division of the Kwantung Army, which had participated in the siege of the 3rd District of Jizhong, has been rebuilt. Its overall strength can be said to be almost the same as before the war. ”

Zhang Wenbai frowned slightly and asked, "Chief of Staff, so the Japanese army in North China will not make a big move in the near future?" He glanced at Zheng Weiguo again, thinking to himself, didn't you say that the situation was not good during the day?

Chief of Staff Zhou shook his head and said, "Maybe not within a month, but all kinds of signs make people feel very worried." It is mainly reflected in three aspects, namely, long-term, fortress-based, and modernized. ”

"It is easy to understand the long-term situation, the Japanese army used to only pursue military victory and did not pay attention to management, but now it has wantonly formed garrison units and used military police, pseudo-police, and pseudo-garrisons to strengthen the rule of the occupied areas. In some places, order was even better than before the war, and the economic situation began to improve. This meant that the colonial rule of the Japanese army had basically taken shape, and North China was in danger of becoming a second puppet Manchukuo. So perpetuation can also be called colonization. ”

"The fortressification is mainly concentrated in the four major regions, the first of which began in the eastern Hebei region, with the arrival of batches of reinforced concrete fortifications and a large number of artillery and machine guns, the current situation in eastern Hebei has deteriorated sharply."

"Then there is the periphery of Jizhong, Suiyuan and Zhongtiao Mountain, if the fortifications in eastern Hebei can only be called 'cement piers', then the three major areas built in the latter are real fortresses. The Japanese not only built extremely strong pillboxes, but also moved 240 mm heavy howitzers and 105 mm cannons into them. Among them, on the border between Suiyuan and Outer Mongolia, there are even retired naval heavy artillery guns with more amazing caliber and power. ”

"The third aspect is modernization, which is mainly reflected in the equipment of the Japanese army, especially in the means of transport. The most obvious of these are the 10th Division, the 26th Division, and the cavalry group that is being rebuilt. Among them, the 10th Division has added more than 200 trucks of 1.5 tons, and with the original vehicles and the military station headquarters directly under the front army, it can send tens of thousands of troops to almost any location. The 26th Division was simply fully motorized, and the Japanese army called it a mobile division. ”

"What's even more worrying is that the 1st Brigade of the Cavalry Group under reconstruction actually has no horses!"

Miao Chengliu, deputy commander-in-chief of the 41st Group Army, was a little absorbed in hearing this, and couldn't help but interject: "No horses? Is it because there are not enough horses, so they are all changed to infantry? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou smiled helplessly: "What is there to be afraid of when it is changed to infantry, there are twenty or thirty divisions, brigades and regiments in North China, and there is not much of this one!" ”

Deputy Commander-in-Chief Miao said curtly: "What is the reason? ”

Chief of Staff Zhou sighed and said, "Alas, the little devil has replaced all the war horses with chariots!" ”

"Ahh Everyone exclaimed in surprise and couldn't help but gasp. The senior generals here have all seen the power of ironclad chariots, but it is still unheard of for entire divisions and regiments to be replaced with chariots.

Zhang Wenbai was puzzled: "Where did the little devil get so many chariots?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou explained: "They are all transferred from the northeast, and there is already a tank wing, and follow-up tanks and armored vehicles are still being transported to Suiyuan." If this continues, it will be full in half a year at most. ”

"What's even more terrifying is the dispatch of materials, the Japanese army obviously has the ability to counterattack, but it is still constantly preparing. If the Japanese army is allowed to stock up on supplies like this, it will inevitably be a thunderous blow at that time! ”

When everyone heard this, their faces gradually became solemn.

Zhang Wenbai asked, "What does the General Staff mean?" ”

Chief of Staff Zhou suggested: "We deduced it and agreed that we could not wait for the deployment of the Japanese army to be completed. It's about getting the first hand and disrupting the enemy's deployment! ”

Zhang Wenbai nodded with satisfaction and said with satisfaction: "Well, this line of thinking coincides with me and the general seat. In principle, I support it, but where exactly do you plan to break through this deadlock? (To be continued......)

PS: It's later, Sao Rui, try to be early tomorrow!