Age of Conquest Reborn

Chapter 1023: Temple Touichi’s possible risky move

At around ten o'clock on the night of the first battle of Loushanguan, Tang Qiuli, who was planning the Nanning campaign in Wuming, southern Guangxi, received intelligence about the battle of Loushanguan from the Guangzhou Army Intelligence Office.

Tang Qiuli had the feeling of being on the scene, and Yu Deshui's intelligence office was becoming more and more effective in intelligence work.

After reading this long piece of information, Tang Qiuli couldn't help but praise, "Xue Yue fought well. He was able to defeat the retreating army and draw a draw with the highly morale Japanese army. It is really rare. He has the courage to shoulder heavy responsibilities in times of crisis."

, among the generals of the Central Army, Xue Yue is also a figure."

Tang Qiuli would definitely not be satisfied with the outcome of the Battle of Loushanguan if the main corps of the ** Division fought in a draw with superior equipment and occupying favorable terrain. I am afraid that the commanders of those corps would not be satisfied.

I'm embarrassed to say that I closed the door and reviewed my mistakes.

As for the Central Army, which had been suppressed by the Japanese army since Qiannan, and had a commander like Gu Zhutong, Xue Yue's record seemed to be commendable. Chief of Staff Chang Feng saw that the division commander was in a good mood,

He smiled and said: "Commander, you don't praise the generals of the Central Army easily. I remember that only during the Battle of Songhu did you praise General Zhang Zhi, and Xue Yue was the second one."

Tang Qiuli glanced at Chang Feng and said, "Why, am I being harsh? The key is that among all the senior generals of the Central Army, there are too few who can fight, and then add Chairman Chiang who has a hand in everything.

, when the war started, it was strange to be able to fight the Japanese army with our hands tied. By the way, Chang Feng, what do you think of the prospects of the Loushanguan Battle? "

Chang Feng thought for a while and replied: "Commander, given the dangerous terrain of Loushanguan, it is better to defend than to attack. In addition, the elite troops of the Central Army are concentrated on this line. As long as the commanders are not changed frequently, Temple Shouichi can

It is difficult to break through the defense line, but based on the experience of the veteran soldiers led by Shou Siuchi, he will never forcefully attack the Loushanguan defense line, but will use other methods to avoid Loushanguan and attack Chongqing from other directions."

After speaking, Chang Feng walked to the map, pointed at it and continued: "Loushanguan is the only passage from Guiyang to Chongqing from the north. There are two natural barriers of Chishui River and Yachi River on the left, and Dalou Mountain stretches for hundreds of kilometers on the right.

The mountains are steep and the valleys are crisscrossed, making it insurmountable for large armies. Therefore, if Shouichi Temple wanted to capture Chongqing, he would start here."

He said, pointing to the map, "Go west, detour to Xishui and Sangmu in northwest Guizhou, cross the Chishui River, and attack Chongqing from the direction of Yongchuan and Jiangjin. However, this road is rugged and difficult, and heavy equipment cannot pass at all.

We can only use light infantry to attack over long distances. Unless it is a last resort, Juichi Terauchi will not make risky moves."

Tang Qiuli looked at Chang Feng approvingly. His chief of staff was becoming more and more aware of the overall situation, and said, "Your analysis is correct. However, whether Juichi Templeuchi takes this risky move depends on what we are doing."

After the Nanning action, it is estimated that Juichi Terauchi will have to take risks within a week."

Chang Feng was puzzled and asked: "Sir, why is it a week later?" Tang Qiuli replied: "We have made such a big noise around Nanning. It is impossible for Temple Shoichi not to know about it. Looking at the actions of the Japanese troops in Nanning,

Got it, Temple

Shouyi can't afford to delay. He wants to make a quick decision. After solving Chongqing, he will turn around and deal with us. Therefore, time is more precious to him than gold. If he cannot break through the Loushanguan defense line in seven days, he will have to take a risk.

trick."

Chang Feng thought for a moment and said, "Commander, do we need to send a telegram to the Chongqing government or Xue Yue to remind him?" Tang Qiuli shook his head and said, "No, if Xue Yue can't see this move, he will

Therefore, we cannot defend Loushanguan and dare to concentrate all the Central Army troops in Sichuan on the front line of Loushanguan. Xue Yue should have thought of this. It is estimated that the King of Sichuan should make his appearance."

While Tang Qiuli and Chang Feng were analyzing the war situation in northern Guizhou, Chairman Chiang's special car, protected by a large number of guards, had arrived at the official residence of King Liu Xiang of Sichuan. Liu Xiang was both surprised and surprised that Chairman Chiang lowered his status and visited at night.

Be vigilant, for this man who was the biggest boss of the Republic of China, who was always up and down, all the princes in various places had more or less suffered from his secret losses.

After a few brief greetings, Chairman Chiang got straight to the point and said: "Fucheng, in the battle of Loushanguan in northern Guizhou, you must also know that the main force of the Central Army in Sichuan was transferred to the front line. Although it thwarted the Japanese aggressors,

But we were also pinned down by nearly 400,000 Japanese troops on the front line of Loushanguan, and we were unable to do anything at all. Today, Boling sent a telegram, and he was very worried about that!"

After speaking, Chairman Jiang glanced at Liu Xiang. This Sichuan king was very skilled in both military and political affairs. Before the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he wiped out all the princes in Sichuan, unified Bashu, and firmly established himself as the Sichuan king. Even if

After the government moved westward to Chongqing, it also had a strong voice on the ground in Sichuan.

The effect of fighting with him was not ideal. No, after he had said so much, Liu Xiang remained calm and did not pick up the problem at all. "Old treacherous and cunning" Chairman Chiang cursed in his heart and had to clarify his words,

"What Boling was worried about was that when the Japanese army was frustrated at the Loushanguan defense line and unable to attack for a long time, Shouchiji in the temple took a wrong turn and went west, detouring to Xishui and Sangmu, crossing the Chishui River, and attacking Peidu from the direction of Yongchuan and Jiangjin.

"

"And the Central Army is just a clone. If this is true, Chongqing and Sichuan will not be protected. Therefore, I urge the Sichuan Army troops in Fucheng to take on all defenses in northwest Guizhou and on the north bank of the Chishui River to ensure the safety of the flanks of the Loushanguan line.

, I wonder what Chairman Liu wants?" He didn't care about face when asking for help. Chairman Chiang poured out the actual situation and waited for Liu Xiang to express his position.

"Chairman Chiang, no problem. At this critical juncture of the national war of resistance, the Sichuan Army cannot protect itself. The troops will immediately go to the front line in northwest Guizhou. If a Japanese soldier passes through the Sichuan Army's defense line, I am willing to take the blame and resign to thank the people of the country.

"Liu Xiang agreed without hesitation, and his attitude was so frank that Chairman Jiang was stunned and did not react for a moment.

Yang Yongtai, secretary-general of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government, immediately stood up and said: "Chairman Liu is a righteous man who generously responded to the national crisis. He is really a model for soldiers." Chairman Jiang was briefly distracted by Liu Xiang's cheerfulness. He never expected that

Liu Xiang, nicknamed "Babihu", was so easy to talk to. He had prepared a lot of rhetoric and orders to use.

With a happy expression on his face, Liu Xiang also wanted to praise him a few words, and then continued: "The Sichuan Army has a duty to fight against the Japanese aggressors. However, Liu has a cruel request, and I hope Chairman Chiang will consider it." When the words came to his lips,

Being blocked by Liu Xiang's "but", Chairman Chiang took a breath as if he had a toothache.

His face was full of bitterness, he was begging for help, and he was forced by the situation. Liu Xiang took the opportunity to speak loudly, beat the autumn wind, and extorted money. This was also the meaning of the question, but he didn't know how big the appetite of this "Babihu" was.

Seeing the grim look on Chairman Chiang's face and the wary eyes of his chief think tank Yang Yongtai, Liu Xiang secretly laughed in his heart, "They are all masters who only take advantage and are not willing to suffer losses. They employ people and beg people without any sacrifice. It's so cheap."

Good thing." In fact, even if Chairman Chiang did not come to ask for help, Liu Xiang would not sit back and watch the Japanese army attack Chongqing from other directions. After all, Sichuan was his own territory. If he lost it, there would be no place for him to settle down.

However, since he, someone like Jiang, came to your doorstep and didn’t want anything, wouldn’t it be a pity to waste this opportunity? Liu Xiang said unhurriedly: “Chairman Chiang, you also know that the weapons and equipment of the Sichuan Army are too poor.

, not to mention light and heavy machine guns, mortars

Some of my soldiers are not even equipped with heavy weapons such as artillery and rifles. How can we fight with such equipment? Therefore, please ask Chairman Chiang to arm our Sichuan Army. The requirements are not high. According to the Central Army's second-class troops

Just standard.”

Chairman Chiang was relieved and relaxed at that time. There were no planes, cannons, tanks, rifles and machine guns in the central government. It would not be a problem to equip the Sichuan Army with more than a dozen divisions. Also, it allowed them to fight without giving them any equipment.

The equipment cannot be justified, "Fucheng, no problem, they are all the country's army. Tomorrow, you go to Chen Cheng to handle the matter. I was also negligent before. From now on, all Sichuan army troops consumed on the anti-Japanese battlefield will be paid by the central government."

Responsible for replenishment.”

Everyone was happy. Chairman Chiang achieved his goal and Liu Xiang got what he wanted. It was also a case of everyone getting what he wanted. Chairman Chiang returned with satisfaction and said goodbye to Liu Xiang warmly. He looked at Chairman Chiang's special car.

Disappearing into the Chongqing night, Liu Xiang's face was full of joy, and the problem that troubled him was solved.

After returning to the living room, Liu Xiang thought quietly for a while and said to the captain of the guard: "Turn on the secret radio immediately." Then, he entered an inconspicuous small room in the official residence. Immediately, the sound of "ticking" electric keys filled the Chongqing night sky.

Rings.

As soon as Tang Qiuli lay down to rest, Chen Feng, the director of the communications department, knocked on the door and said, "Commander, an urgent telegram from Liu Xiang of Sichuan." He had to get up with a wry smile. As expected, Chairman Chiang was looking for Liu Xiang, but

, this King of Sichuan is too impatient. It is not an urgent matter, so he has to send a telegram in the middle of the night?

No one knows that Liu Xiang and Tang Qiuli have always been in contact. The establishment of a radio station to communicate between the two sides was agreed at the Nanjing Military Conference a few years ago. Even when Tang Qiuli was fighting in the north, Liu Xiang would come back from time to time every month.

We have contacted each other several times, which shows that this Sichuan king has developed a superb art of balancing between the two giants of the government.

Don't offend anyone. Be friends with everyone. At critical moments, everyone will lend a hand. It's not too much to say that he is the best. Dealing between the two giants without harming himself is a test of wisdom. How can Liu Xiang survive in Bashu?

It is indeed very capable and skillful to win the melee among various princes and dominate the crowd. For example, in today's matter, Liu Xiang came to Tang Qiuli for advice.

(To be continued)