Around half past four in the morning.

More than 6,000 commanders and fighters of the Independent Regiment, the New 1st Regiment, the New 2nd Regiment and the 772nd Regiment were either riding armored trains or running to follow, and were marching along the Zhengtai Railway towards Yangquan.

But in the command compartment, a fierce quarrel broke out.

The focus of the quarrel is what tactics should be chosen?

"Xiao Wang has made it very clear just now." Li Yunlong glared at him and said, "The soldiers are divided into four roads, and they surround the four gates of Yangquan, southeast, northwest, and northwest respectively!" Force the devil to come out of the railway crossing! ”

"It's wishful thinking." Kong Jie retorted, "You let the devil come out of the railway, and the iron will come out of the railway?" Maeda Shu is Lao Li your son? The old devil just listens to you? ”

Li Yunlong laughed when he heard this: "If he were my son, Lao Tzu would slap him to death." ”

"I'm also against the division of troops." Cheng Shifa frowned and said, "There is a mobile brigade of devils in Yangquan City, plus the headquarters of the 4th Brigade and the headquarters of the two wings, the strength of at least two thousand!" ”

"If we divide our troops, wouldn't the strength of a single direction be one to one with the devil?"

"Although I don't want to admit it, but there is one thing to say, at this stage, there is still a big gap between the combat effectiveness of our Eighth Route Army and the devils, and there is no chance of winning one to one."

"Not necessarily." Ding Wei said, "If the little devil really concentrates his forces to attack in one direction, although the ratio of forces in this direction is one to one, but the comparison of forces in the other three directions is that we have an absolute advantage, then the other three regiments can take the opportunity to eliminate the nest of the 4th brigade!" ”

"It's still Lao Ding!" Li Yunlong said, "Cheng Blind, you and Kong Er don't understand. ”

"Your dog day is just standing and talking without backache." Kong Jie didn't have a good breath, "Your independent regiment not only has more people and more guns, but also has a fucking captured armored train, even if you are targeted by the little devil, you are not afraid of the dog, but our new second regiment is only a thousand people, and the little devil will most likely choose our new second regiment as a breakthrough." ”

"That can't be helped." Li Yunlong said, "I can't decide who the little devil chooses or not." ”

At this time, Wang Ye smiled slightly and said: "Don't worry, Captain Kong, I guarantee that the little devil will not choose the new second regiment." ”

"Xiao Wang, are you saying that the devil will do the opposite and choose the most troops?" Ding Wei's expression moved when he heard this, if this is the case, their new group will be even more dangerous.

But then again, Ding Wei is not afraid.

Wang Ye waved his hand and said, "I'm sure the devil won't choose people, he will only choose the direction of attack!" ”

"Only choose directions?" Cheng Shifa frowned and said, "Xiao Wang, then which direction do you say the devil will choose?" ”

"It's the railroad crossing!" Wang Ye pointed to the map and said, "The devils will definitely launch a counterattack along the railway, so our independent regiment will withstand the main attack of the devils in the city, and the three of you regiments only need to take advantage of the emptiness in the city and break into Yangquan County in the shortest possible time." ”

"That's it!"

Li Yunlong snorted and said: "We have words first, only Lao Tzu has the final say in the battle of Yangquan, and you all have to obey my command!" ”

……

At five o'clock in the morning, it was still dark.

For the Japanese army in Shanxi, tonight is undoubtedly a very difficult night, whether it is Maeda Shu in Yangquan or Shinozuka Yoshio in Taiyuan, they all want the sky to light up immediately.

On the one hand, after dawn, it will impose certain restrictions on the movement of the Eighth Route Army.

On the other hand, after dawn, the Japanese army's aerial reconnaissance planes can take to the air to carry out aerial reconnaissance.

To be honest, Maeda Shu is not actually worried about the safety of the thirteen first-class strongholds along Zhengtai Road.

These thirteen first-class strongholds are all well-fortified and heavily garrisoned, and it is impossible for the Eighth Route Army to break through any of them overnight, by no means!

Maeda Shu just wanted to know, what happened to the 11th armored train fleet?

Yesterday evening, when the Eighth Route Army cut off the telephone lines along Zhengtai Road, the only one that could help the various strongholds along the line to restore communication with Yangquan was the 11th Armored Train Fleet.

However, it is disappointing that the 11th armored train fleet has also lost contact!

The 11th armored train fleet, which was originally pinned on high hopes, actually pulled its crotch like this?

So who would dare to believe the 11th armored train fleet in the next battle?

"Kimura-kun, can't the 11th armored train fleet still be contacted?" Maeda's face sank like water, staring intently at the military map in front of him.

"I couldn't get in touch."

Isamu Kimura shook his head solemnly.

Then he said: "Brigade commander, my intuition tells me that the 11th armored train may have an accident. ”

Maeda's face became more and more embarrassed, in fact, he also suspected that the 11th armored train fleet had been attacked, otherwise communication would have been restored long ago.

If it had been a mechanical failure, it would have been fixed a long time ago.

It was impossible for the 11th armored train fleet to be left without spare parts of the station.

Kimura said: "Although the Type 94 armored train has armor protection and strong on-board firepower, if it loses the protection of the strongholds along the railway, it is easy to be attacked or even destroyed by the Eighth Route Army, and the Eighth Route Army even only needs a few bundles of explosives to blow up a roadbed to derail and overturn the Type 94 armored train." ”

"That's enough, don't say it." Maeda Shu forcibly interrupted.

After listening to the bad news all night, Shu Maeda didn't want to hear it anymore.

However, the reality is cruel and does not depend on anyone's will.

Maeda Shu didn't want to hear bad news, but reality gave him even more cruel bad news.

In the sound of hurried footsteps, the captain of the Yangquan Military Police, Sosuke Kitahara, hurriedly walked into the war room.

"General!" Sosuke Kitahara walked up to Maeda Shu, gathered his feet and stood up and reported again, "Five minutes ago, a large number of Eighth Route Army suddenly appeared outside the city of Yangquan County! ”

"Nani?" Kimura said, "Outside Yangquan County? ”

Not only Isamu Kimura, but all the staff officers in the war room were dumbfounded.

Maeda Xiu also couldn't believe his ears, all along, the Eighth Route Army just ambushed the Japanese army's baggage troops, or pulled out a few small strongholds, even this big offensive, the target was only more than 100 large and small strongholds along the Zhengtai Road, and the Eighth Route Army had never attacked major cities head-on.

This is by no means because the Eighth Route Army is kind-hearted, but because it has no heavy weapons and lacks the ability to attack fortifications.

So when they suddenly heard the news, everyone didn't believe it, when did the Eighth Route Army dare to storm a major city heavily guarded by the Japanese army head-on? Isn't this looking for death?

Kimura Yong said again: "Kitahara-kun, do you mean Yangquan County?" ”

"Yes." Kitahara Cangsuke said, "There are Eighth Route Army outside the four city gates. ”

Maeda Xiu frowned and asked, "Kitahara-kun, how many Eighth Route Army are there?" ”

"It's not clear." Sosuke Kitahara shook his head, and then said, "But even the most conservative estimate is that there are at least five thousand or more people!" ”

"Five thousand?!"

Isamu Kimura's face changed drastically.

Five thousand people, at least a brigade!

Maeda's face also became very embarrassed.

Although the Eighth Route Army lacked heavy weapons to attack fortified positions, its combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.

The Eighth Route Army, with more than 5,000 people, can already be called a heavy army group, which is enough to pose a threat to Yangquan County.

In the final analysis, Yangquan County now only has the headquarters of the 4th Brigade and two wing headquarters, and the real combat unit is actually only one Gangzuo Brigade!

"Kitahara-kun, could you be mistaken?" Kimura Yong was a little unconvinced, and frowned, "The Eighth Route Army is launching an offensive against thirteen first-class strongholds along Zhengtai Road, and before the telephone lines are cut, each stronghold reports that the number of troops attacking them is as little as one regiment or as many as two regiments!" ”

"In other words, the Eighth Route Army has invested at least more than twenty regiments along Zhengtai Road!"

"In addition, there must be enough troops left as a reserve to block the imperial reinforcements from the direction of Taiyuan and Shimen, so how many people can be left in the Eighth Route Army?"

"How could they gather more than 5,000 troops to attack Yangquan County?"

"Chief of Staff, I can't explain that either." Kitahara Sosuke paused, "But the fact is that the Eighth Route Army did appear outside Yangquan County, with at least five thousand troops!" ”

Kimura Yong said: "Brigade commander, this is mostly a suspicious plan of the Eighth Route Army. ”

"Don't make these pointless guesses just yet." Maeda Shu waved his hand and said, "Order, Okazo Brigade and Brigade Headquarters urgently assemble!" ”

After saying this, Maeda Shu turned around and walked out.

"Brigade Commander!" Isamu Kimura hurriedly followed and asked, "Where are you going?" ”

"Railroad crossing!" Maeda Shu said in a deep voice, "I want to see the Eighth Route Army outside the city with my own eyes!" ”

"Nani? It's too dangerous. Kimura dissuaded, "Brigade commander, I'll just go, and I'll report to you in time if there's any situation." ”

"Kimura-kun, you're too worried."

Maeda Shu waved his hand and said, "There will be no problem with my safety." ”

After speaking, he turned his head and asked Sosuke Kitahara beside him, "Kitahara-kun, am I right?" ”

"Hello!" Sosuke Kitahara replied with a slam in a sudden, "The gendarmerie will swear to protect the general's safety." ”

While speaking, Maeda Shu had already come to the courtyard, got into the car again, and went straight to the railway crossing of Yangquan County under the escort of the military police.

At this time, the entire Yangquan County was still immersed in sleep.

There are only a few pedestrians on the streets, and most of them are in a hurry.

Since the Japanese army entered and occupied the county seat of Yangquan, it can be said that all industries have withered, and the weather has not been as good as before.

When Maeda Xiu climbed the watchtower on the side of the railroad crossing surrounded by Isamu Kimura and Sosuke Kitahara, the eastern sky had already slightly revealed a hint of fish belly white.

With the help of binoculars, you can already see the situation outside the city faintly.

Sure enough, I saw countless Eighth Route Army rushing to repair fortifications in the wilderness north of the city, preparing tools for attacking the city.

The Eighth Route Army was still very cautious, not only the attacker, but also meticulously built fortifications according to the infantry drills, and the defense was to counterattack the Japanese army in the city.

Maeda Shu roughly estimated that there were at least a thousand people outside the north gate alone.

Sosuke Kitahara said in a deep voice: "General, the other three directions are similar. ”

"That's more than 5,000 people!" Maeda Xiu said in a deep voice, "And looking at the actions of the Eighth Route Army, it seems that it is not just trying to contain my 4th Brigade, but really planning to attack Yangquan County." ”

"Yes, it seems that the Eighth Route Army really intends to attack Yangquan County." Isamu Kimura also changed his previous judgment, and said with concern, "On the position outside the north gate, there are four heavy machine guns in the open alone, and there are countless light machine guns, and there seems to be a mortar position. ”

Maeda Xiu nodded and said, "There is no doubt that outside the city must be the main force of the Eighth Route Army!" ”

"However, Tubalu is Tubalu after all, and I don't understand the essentials of besieging the city." Isamu Kimura said.

Maeda Xiu said thoughtfully: "Kimura-kun, are you saying that the Eighth Route Army did not encircle Sanqueyi?" ”

"Yes." Kimura Yong nodded and said, "Sun Tzu's art of war is cloudy, the poor are not chasing, the siege must be que, like the Eighth Route Army to encircle on all sides without leaving a gap, it can really be said to be the most stupid choice, it is really a shame for their ancestors, as a person of China, he has not even read the ancestors' military books." ”

"Not really." Maeda Shu waved his hand and said, "The Eighth Route Army didn't make a mistake. ”

"Nani, didn't make a mistake?" Kimura was stunned for a moment and asked, "What did the brigade commander say?" ”

Maeda Shu pointed to the railway that stretched from outside the city to Yangquan Castle and said, "Kimura Yong, haven't you noticed that in addition to the four city gates in Yangquan County, there is also a fifth city gate?" ”

"Railroad?" Isamu Kimura was stunned.

The Zhengtai Railway did not pass through the city from Yangquan County.

When the railway was built, a branch road was built to extend south into Yangquan County, and then a gap was opened in the northeast corner of the city wall to enter the city to receive the railway station.

The whole structure resembles an upside-down "human" character.

Invert the two strokes of the word "people", one leads to Taiyuan, one leads to Zhengding, and the bottom is Yangquan County.

Therefore, in addition to the four city gates in Yangquan County, there is a gap in the northeast corner, and there are five exits in total!

"Yes, railroad." Maeda Shu nodded and said, "Therefore, the Eighth Route Army did not desecrate their ancestors, nor did they make the low-level mistake of besieging the army, they still left a way for the imperial army to survive." ”

"Yaga!" Kimura's face turned blue with courage, and he said angrily, "This is a great insult to the Imperial Army!" I suggest that this exit be laid to death immediately, so as to strengthen the determination of the imperial army in the city to defend the city! ”

"Nani? Defending the city? Maeda Shu said coldly, "Kimura-kun, do you think the imperial army should hold the city?" ”

"Isn't that right?" Kimura was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and said blankly, "Brigade commander, do we still want to take the initiative to attack?" ”

"Attack, of course."

Maeda Shu said in a deep voice: "Haven't you heard that offense is the best defense?" ”

"But, but we only have one brigade of mobile forces!" Kimura Yudao, "Even if you add all the personnel of the brigade headquarters and the headquarters of the two wings, there are only more than 2,000 people. ”

"Two thousand is enough." Maeda Xiu snorted and said, "When we first entered Shanxi, we only had half a division, so we dared to attack the Zhina Army of more than 30 divisions, and now the Eighth Route Army is only 5,000 people, Kimura-kun, are you afraid?" ”

Kimura Yong frowned and said: "Brigade commander, this is different, the Eighth Route Army is much more difficult than the Central Army and the Jin Sui Army. ”

"You know only one thing, you don't know the other." Maeda Shu said coldly, "Regarding the changes in the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army, you should really listen to Yamamoto-kun's analysis. ”

"Yamamoto-kun?" Isamu Kimura frowned and said, "Kazuki Yamamoto? ”

Maeda Hidedao: "Although this guy Yamamoto Kazuki hates it, his analysis of the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army is still very pertinent, he said that the evolution of the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army can be roughly divided into three stages!" ”

"The first stage is from Showa 12 (1937) to the beginning of Showa 13, and the Eighth Route Army at this stage is the peak of its combat effectiveness, because at that time the Eighth Route Army had not been expanded on a large scale, and all its officers and soldiers had just completed the cruel Long March, all the old, weak, sick and disabled were eliminated, and the rest were basically elite!"

"The second stage is from the middle of the 13th year of Showa to the beginning of this year, because of the large-scale expansion of the Eighth Route Army at this stage, a large number of new recruits have been added, elite veterans and weapons and equipment have been diluted, so the combat effectiveness has fallen off a cliff, and it is precisely because of this that the Eighth Route Army basically did not have major offensive operations during this period."

"And now, the Eighth Route Army has entered the third stage."

"At this stage, the Eighth Route Army has been trained through ambush warfare, sparrow warfare and sneak attacks on small strongholds, and its combat effectiveness is being restored, and the speed of recovery is extremely fast!"

"Sodax." Kimura said with deep contemplation, "In this offensive operation, the Eighth Route Army was able to uproot more than 100 second-level strongholds in the area along Zhengtai Road in one night, which is enough to prove this. ”

Maeda said, "But their combat effectiveness is still far from their peak in Showa 12. ”

"Got it!" Kimura Yong said suddenly, "Therefore, although the Eighth Route Army outside the city has a large number of troops and its weapons and equipment have been strengthened to a certain extent, its combat effectiveness is still not to be feared. ”

"There is another reason, it is the Eighth Route Army that died by itself!"

Maeda Xiu laughed cruelly, and said: "The commander of the Eighth Route Army outside the city did not make the mistake of encircling the division, but he made another even more fatal mistake, dividing the troops!" ”

"Division?" Isamu Kimura looked dazed.

"The Eighth Route Army shouldn't divide its troops." Maeda Hideki smiled cruelly, "If the 5,000 hedgehogs of the Eighth Route Army gather together and set up a battle to fight head-on with the imperial army, the situation will be really a bit troublesome. ”

"But now the Eighth Route Army is divided into four and encircled in four directions."

"Hmph, so there are only one or two thousand people in each direction."

"The Imperial Army only needs to leave a small number of troops to contain the other three directions, and then concentrate the main forces, and it can form a one-to-one balance of power with the Eighth Route Army in a certain direction!"

"The strength of the two sides is equal, but whether it is equipment or the quality of soldiers, the imperial army has an absolute advantage, I really can't imagine how to lose this battle?"

"Sodesnay!" Isamu Kimura said suddenly.

According to the brigade commander's analysis, it is really difficult for them to lose this battle.

Maeda Shu shouted: "Order, each with a squadron of troops to contain the enemy at the east gate, west gate and south gate, Okazo Brigade and the 4th Squadron of Independent Armored Vehicles will attack along the railway, and defeat the enemy at the north gate within an hour!" ”

"Hello!" Isamu Kimura shook his head and looked excited.

(End of chapter)