At this point in the battle, General Fu Zuoy already understood that Taiyuan could not be defended. But just retreating like this, he was really unwilling in his heart.

At dawn on November 8, the Japanese launched another round of attacks. The offensive was mainly concentrated on the east and north sides of the city wall, the Great North Gate tower was hit by an incendiary bomb, and the three-fold eaves tower was filled with flames, like a torch that soared into the sky. Some sections of the three-zhang high wall were blown to less than two feet - the casualties of the defenders near the walls can be imagined.

Under the cover of intensive artillery fire, a large number of Japanese troops poured into the city from the gap in the northeast corner of the city at 11 a.m., and joined up with the Japanese troops who had been entrenched in the small school field before. After gaining a foothold, this Japanese army began to expand within the city. The officers and men of Fu then engaged in a fierce street battle with the enemy.

At the same time, a group of Japanese troops made a detour to the west of the Fen River and occupied the Fen River Bridge. In other words, the east, north, and west sides have fallen into the hands of the enemy, and only one passage is left in the south of the city. Note that there were no Japanese troops south of the city, but south of Taiyuan had already fallen. Although there were Japanese troops in the west of the city, the Japanese army could not completely occupy the west mountain of Taiyuan due to the complex terrain.

After 12 noon, the Xicheng observation post suddenly discovered the enemy's situation, and the news quickly reached the headquarters. Chief of Staff Chen Bingqian was busy and said, "What's the matter? Is it the devil who is attacking Simon? ”

The chief of operations reported: "No, the Xicheng observation post has found that the devils are transporting troops south from the road west of the Fen River. I'm worried that the devil is casting a long line to catch a big fish. ”

The chief of staff hurriedly asked, "How many troops does the devil have to go south?" ”

The chief of the operations section said: "The specific strength is unknown, but they are all motorized troops, and they are covered by tanks." "Motorized units do not refer to units that drive motorcycles, but to units that carry out maneuvers in vehicles and fight on foot. It is characterized by a high speed of movement before the start of the battle, adaptation to various terrain conditions, and flexible maneuverability. Such a force poses a great threat to the sluggish national army.

The chief of staff patted his head and scolded: "Damn, the little devil is trying to cut off our back road!" ”

The chief of the operations section said: "This is also the judgment of the lowly position. They dragged us with siege troops, making it difficult for us to retreat, and then sent our troops back to our rear to catch turtles in an urn! ”

In this situation where foreign aid is cut off and the counterattack is weak, the longer the time drags on, the more unfavorable it will be to the defenders, so measures must be taken as soon as possible, otherwise there is a danger of total annihilation.

The chief of staff scolded: "Damn, we're not turtles. No, I have to go to Commander Fu! ”

General Fu Zuoy was still gritting his teeth and insisting at this time. When he learned that the northeast corner of the city wall had fallen, he offered a reward of 50,000 yuan to recover it. Sun Lanfeng's brigade fought back bravely, and by 4 p.m. it had all regained the lost positions on the city wall and pulled out the Japanese flag on the city. However, due to the chaotic situation, the officers and soldiers did not receive this bounty.

Although the gap was resealed, the Japanese planes carrying soldiers forced to land several times from the Xiaodongmen Daxiao Yard with the cooperation of the Japanese troops entering the city and increased troops into the city.

After that, the Japanese army continued to attack on the north and east fronts, and after several days of fierce fighting, the defending regiments suffered heavy losses in soldiers, and there were many casualties among officers below the battalion commander. The breach in the northeastern corner of the city was beyond the control of the defenders. From here, the Japanese army brought in a large number of troops, and combined with the troops that had entered the city before, they expanded their gains outward.

Fortunately, the devils are not good at street fighting, and due to the terrain, the advantages of the Japanese army cannot be brought into play at all. After a whole day, only a few courtyards were captured, and the development was very limited. However, the officers and soldiers of the Fu Department who were in charge of the defense were also exhausted, and they were neither able to annihilate the enemy who entered the city, nor were they able to drive the enemy out of the city.

Zheng Weiguo found Chief of Staff Chen Bingqian and Defense Commander Yuan Qingzeng and said, "Two commanders, the situation is so critical, isn't the headquarters ready to evacuate?" ”

Chief of Staff Chen said angrily: "If you want to withdraw, you can withdraw, who will stop you?" ”

Zheng Weiguo knew that the officers of the Fu Department had misunderstood him, and he did not explain, so he said: "The chief of staff has misunderstood, I want to tell you that if you retreat, our department is willing to be the rearguard." ”

The chief of staff was taken aback and said, "What did you say?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Our department is willing to leave the city as soon as possible, but I ask the chief of staff to draw up a retreat plan immediately." Otherwise, it will be difficult to retreat after tonight! ”

Defense Commander Yuan Qingzeng was also a little anxious, and said, "Commander Fu has a stubborn temper!" He doesn't agree to withdraw, and we can't help it! ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Commanders can make preparations first, and they must withdraw tonight!" Commander Fu would not let the brothers die in Taiyuan City in vain. In my opinion, he just needs a step. ”

Chief of Staff Chen's eyes lit up and said, "Not bad! As the saying goes, the authorities are confused, and the bystanders are clear! Brother Wei is right! ”

In fact, at this time, everyone knew that Lu Dao Taiyuan could not hold it, and it was a matter of time before he retreated. Under the hint of the director of the General Staff Office, Su Kaiyuan, the General Staff Office quietly drafted the retreat order, and the Quartermaster Department also distributed a large amount of cash to the personnel of the headquarters to carry separately.

Chief of Staff Chen was busy drawing up the retreat order, and called Zheng Weiguo over to consult it together. Chief of Staff Su Kaiyuan had already drafted a retreat order at this time. Zheng Weiguo looked at it, and it said that all the departments should retreat to a mountain village north of the Jin Temple.

Zheng Weiguo frowned and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, I am afraid that the Jin Ancestral Hall has fallen, so this place is not appropriate." ”

Several officers also panicked at this time, and hurriedly asked, "Then where do you say it is appropriate?" ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Taiyuan has been besieged for many days, and the ground near it has been occupied by devils, and Taiyuan County, Qingyuan County, Jin Ancestral Hall, and small shops are not allowed to go!" Now the east, south, and north are all in the hands of the enemy, and only the west has a glimmer of life. Therefore, I think that the troops can only go out of the Great South Gate, cross the Fen River, and go all the way to the west. ”

Several officers had run out of ideas, so they hurriedly said okay and just did it.

Zheng Weiguo said: "Since ancient times, retreat is the most dangerous, so please draw up a list of retreats, and who will come first and who will come after must be decided, so as not to compete among the ministries." ”

Chief of Staff Chen said: "Okay, it's an old saying! Weiguo, do you have any other good suggestions? ”

Zheng Weiguo thought for a moment and said: "There is also the Fen River, and it is recommended that the chief of staff send a powerful section to occupy the two sides of the river to receive the troops to cross the river." ”

Director Su breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this, and said, "Brother Weiguo doesn't need to worry, the Fen River is shallow and can't drown people. ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "Normally, this is true, but according to our soldiers' reconnaissance, there is a lot of silt at the bottom of the Fen River, and once the army fights for the crossing, the consequences are unimaginable. ”

Director Su wiped a handful of cold sweat and said, "What Brother Wei Guo said is extremely true, it was Su who was negligent. ”

At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Chief of Staff Chen Bingqian and Defense Commander Yuan Qingzeng jointly made a statement to General Fu Zuoyi: "We must fight the enemy, and we must destroy the incoming Japanese army, but we need to plan a favorable way of fighting, and now that the situation has deteriorated to the point of being extremely unfavorable to the Chinese army, we had better first break out of the enemy's encirclement, turn into the West Mountain, and then strike at the enemy and destroy the enemy, this is the perfect strategy at present" (original words of history)

Commander Fu said with an angry face: "You two also said 'retreat', okay, go!" Then he turned around and grabbed the big gun, and walked towards the exit of the bomb shelter. (Original Historical Words)

Director Su Kaiyuan hurriedly asked Chief of Staff Chen Bingqian to sign the retreat order that had been prepared, and immediately distributed it to the troops defending the city. At this time, night had gradually fallen, Fu walked in front, and the personnel from all parts of the headquarters followed one after another, followed by the special service company of the 35th Army, the 10th team of the military police, and the 3rd team of security, which formed a long procession, walked out of the main gate of the headquarters, and walked straight down the street to the south gate.

Zheng Weiguo led his troops to wait at the Great South Gate. These days, the devil has not disturbed the Great South Gate, he took the opportunity to block all the passages on the city wall and several streets, and then set up a heavy machine gun in front of the passage (which he got after entering the city). The first is to prevent the devils from stealing the city, and the second is to prevent the officers and soldiers defending the city from pouring in, causing unnecessary losses.

General Fu Zuoy was a little surprised when he saw Zheng Weiguo and said, "Haven't you left yet?" ”

Zheng Weiguo smiled: "Commander, this retreat of our department is the rear guard of the army, how can we go first?" ”

Fu Zuoy patted Zheng Weiguo's shoulder excitedly and said three good words in a row.

Zheng Weiguo said: "Commander, there will definitely be panic in the various departments when you retreat, please wait another two hours to get out of the city, okay?" ”

General Fu Zuoy was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Of course you can!" ”

Chief of Staff Chen was anxious and said, "Junzao, you can withdraw, I will stay!" ”

Zheng Weiguo shook his head and said, "No, being a non-commander is not enough to reassure the soldiers." ”

Fu Zuo Y nodded and said, "Not bad!" I am determined, Chief of Staff Chen, you leave the spy company and lead the troops to go first! ”

Chief of Staff Chen knew that this was not the time to argue, so he turned his head and quietly wiped away his tears, and said to the soldiers: "Brothers, attack south!" ”

The soldiers roared and followed the chief of staff through the gate and soon disappeared into the night. At this time, the troops defending the city also retreated. One by one, they panicked and ran all the way, and the unit quickly collapsed.

It was good that barricades were set up in every street, otherwise they would have rushed to the city gates. Zheng Weiguo arranged a large number of lanterns in the area of the Great South Gate in advance, illuminating the streets. The light helped to dispel the fears, and the soldiers calmed down a little, but soon they were clamoring to leave the city.

Zheng Weiguo yelled a few times to no avail, so he had to invite General Fu Zuo Y out. General Fu's prestige in the 35th Army was extremely high, and as soon as he appeared, the soldiers quickly quieted down. Zheng Weiguo took the opportunity to let the various departments rectify, and whichever unit was rectified first, he would let the unit out of the city first.

As a result, the ministers and soldiers sprang into action and order was quickly restored. Zheng Weiguo wiped his sweat and smiled at Fu Zuoy: "Fortunately, you are here!" ”

Commander Fu smiled bitterly and said, "Ahem, I can do this now." ”

After several days of hard fighting, there were not many troops left in Taiyuan City. Coupled with an orderly retreat, the soldiers were soon almost gone.

Due to the excessive movement, the Japanese began to blindly fire artillery into the city. In order to ensure Fu Zuoy's safety, Zheng Weiguo asked him to leave first.

Fu Zuoy looked at his watch and said, "Don't worry, it's less than two hours!" ”

Zheng Weiguo said: "You better withdraw!" The fighters in front need you even more! ”

Commander Fu then retreated with the spy company. When he left the city, he found that there were people with red lanterns leading the way every other section, so the retreat of the soldiers went smoothly.

When he arrived at the bank of the Fen River, Chief of Staff Chen was still waiting for him on the east bank with a platoon. Fu Zuoy was a little excited and said, "Lao Chen, why haven't you left yet?" ”

Chief of Staff Chen said: "Brigade Commander Zheng suggested that I arrange a unit to hold on both sides of the Fen River. At this time, the people were panicked, and I was afraid that the other officers would flee in advance, so I stayed here by myself. ”

Fu Zuoy sighed and said, "The wind knows the strength of the grass, and the board knows the Chengchen!" ”

Chief of Staff Chen smiled and said, "Junzao, you have won the award!" ”

Fu Zuoyi asked again: "Why do you arrange so many people to play red lanterns, aren't you afraid of exposing the target?" ”

Chief of Staff Chen said with a smile: "This is also the suggestion made by Brigade Commander Zheng, according to his reconnaissance, there is no Japanese army guarding this area, and he thinks that the devil will not venture to fight with our army at night at this time." ”

Historically, the devils blew up the east and north cities, but did not move the south gate. On the one hand, they were worried that the defenders would be pushed into a hurry and cause unnecessary casualties. On the other hand, the terrain of Nancheng is complex, and once it sorties, it may fall into a melee. Of course, there may be other unknown reasons.

After the army in the city had finished, Zheng Weiguo waited for a while, and when he saw that no one came out again, he began to retreat with his brothers. Led by three armored cars, the infantry urged the large convoy to follow, and Zheng Weiguo personally led the cavalry behind.

After they left, Taiyuan City fell into darkness.