Age of Conquest Reborn

After receiving the order from their division commander Tang Qiuli, Yu Deshui and Shen Jun immediately understood what was going on.

Because before that, after receiving reports from their subordinate departments, Yu Deshui and Shen Jun exchanged opinions on the relevant situation with Sun Zhenbang, chairman of the Military and Political Committee of Outer Mongolia and commander of the border army.

With experience in intelligence and counterintelligence work, and based on instinctive intuition, the "foreign independent alliance" should be nipped in the bud, otherwise it will become a disaster later.

However, Sun Zhenbang's opinion at that time was that the Outer Mongolia Military and Political Commission should handle the matter on its own without disturbing many people, especially the division commander Tang Qiuli. The two of them did not insist anymore. Their old friends for many years also believed in Sun Zhenbang's ability. As a result,

, things turned out unfortunately.

Looking at the division commander's rather harsh telegram, the two men looked at each other with heavy hearts. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were derelict in their duties. If they had insisted on their opinions and reported what happened in Outer Mongolia to the division commander, it would not have been an exaggeration.

There would not be such a dangerous situation on the verge of breaking out today, and the "foreign independent alliance" would never become a thing.

Therefore, after the transport plane landed at Kulun Airport, Yu Deshui and Shen Jun did not have time to appreciate the autumn weather of Outer Mongolia. After arranging their respective subordinates, they hurriedly drove to Kulun City to meet with their division commander Tang Qiuli.

On the way, the two of them discussed it and took the initiative to report to the teacher, which seemed like an apology.

After arriving at the headquarters of the Outer Mongolia Border Guard Army and meeting the division commander Tang Qiuli, the two of them did not see the slightest trace of nervousness or uneasiness on the division commander's face.

Before the two of them could speak, Tang Qiuli greeted him first and said, "Not bad, it's on time. I've sent you two generals here this time. You must already know the reason. Tell me, how many people did you bring?"

Yu Deshui, the older man, reported first: "Commander, this time I came to Outer Mongolia and brought all the personnel from various departments of the Intelligence Division headquarters who were not assigned tasks, a total of 438 people, all of whom were

A seasoned veteran.”

Shen Jun then reported: "The personnel of our investigation department are mainly composed of personnel from the Special Operations Section and the Security Section. Including personnel transferred from other departments, there are a total of 675 people. They are all elite soldiers and capable generals, ready to go at any time."

Wait for the division commander’s order!”

Tang Qiuli nodded and said, "That's right. Being aware of the current dangerous situation in Outer Mongolia and mobilizing so many manpower will not affect the work in other areas, right?"

Yu Deshui and Shen Jun looked at each other, and Yu Deshui replied: "No, Commander, we have made arrangements. Director Shen and I will make a deep review to the division commander. As a functional department, we did not take precautions in advance."

It is our dereliction of duty at work, please punish us, teacher!"

Tang Qiuli waved his hand and stopped Shen Jun who was about to continue speaking. He said: "Two division chiefs, now is not the time to review. The most important task at the moment is for you to immediately invest in monitoring the key elements of the Foreign Independence Alliance.

If you have anything to say, please leave it until the crisis is resolved. Time is running out, so I won’t let you eat. Your subordinates Qi Shuanghe and He Junjie are waiting for you outside. Please listen to their reports on the specific situation and relevant action arrangements.

Let them convey it too!”

Only then did Yu Deshui and Shen Jun realize that the situation in Outer Mongolia was more serious than they expected. The division commander didn't even have time to entertain his subordinates who had come from afar and have a meal. The two of them saluted and said goodbye, feeling in their hearts

Heavy.

As soon as Yu Deshui and Shen Jung left, Colonel Wang Jun, Chief of Staff of the Outer Mongolia Border Guard Army, hurried in with a telegram and reported: "Report to the division commander, we have received reports from Tong Batu of the Second Cavalry Brigade stationed in Irkutsk.

According to the urgent telegram from the brigade commander, this afternoon, approximately two divisions of Soviet troops will move to the outskirts of Irkutsk to join forces with a Soviet mechanized infantry division that was previously there."

"The Soviet army has formed a tendency to encircle Irkutsk. Based on this, Brigadier Tong Batu judged that the Soviet army had the intention to take action in the direction of Irkutsk, and called to ask for instructions on the next move of the troops!"

Tang Qiuli frowned and asked Wang Jun: "Where is the 3rd Cavalry Brigade that reinforced Tong Batu Brigade, Zeng Shiqiang, now?"

Wang Jun replied: "We have just crossed the Selenge River and are still ten hours away from Irkutsk. This is without considering the rest of the cavalry troops in the middle. If they take a short rest in the middle, it will take 11 hours."

More than an hour.”

Tang Qiuli's heart became tense. He did not expect that he would transfer the key elements of the "Foreign Independent Alliance" in the border defense army to Cullen for training. This plan to drain the firepower did not stop the Soviets from taking action.

It can also be seen that Stalin was determined to attack Outer Mongolia.

Irkutsk was captured from the Soviet army during the First Outer Mongolia War. It is a strategic point located on the left bank of Lake Baikal and does not have solid fortifications. Coupled with Tong Batu's Second Cavalry Brigade,

They are not good at fighting urban defense warfare, and they do not have any heavy weapons. The terrain of the city is not conducive to defense. The total strength of the three divisions of Soviet troops should exceed 40,000, which is almost twice the strength of Tong Batu.

above.

Especially which mechanized division, in the flat Irkutsk area, is the nemesis of the cavalry force. It can be judged that in the face of the Soviet army with superior strength and weapons and equipment, the Tongbatu Brigade defended Irkutsk.

Ke, unable to withstand three days, the final result was the annihilation of the entire army. Even if Zeng Shiqiang's third brigade came in for reinforcements, it would not be able to fight against the Soviet mechanized troops, and the outcome would still be annihilation of the entire army.

The battle between the two cavalry brigades must not be fought. Tang Qiuli asked: "Chief of Staff Wang, what are the opinions of Brigadier Tong Batu? Also, has the Soviet army's encirclement of Irkutsk been completed?"

"

Wang Jun replied: "According to Brigadier Tong's telegram, the Soviet army is moving towards the two wings of Irkutsk. It is expected that it will take more than six hours to encircle the area. Brigadier Tong's opinion is to defend Irkutsk to the death."

Irkutsk, waiting for reinforcements to arrive, Tong Brigade

The commander also said that all the more than 5,000 soldiers of the Second Brigade are determined to fight to the death with Lao Maozi and show the majesty of our ** Division Cavalry Unit, even if the entire army is annihilated, Mongolian men, in front of the enemy, will not hesitate.

No habit of backing down!”

Tang Qiuli didn't say anything. Tong Batu's determination to fight and his spirit of disregarding death were commendable. He also believed that all the soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade could do this. However, the enemy was outnumbered and we knew it was impossible to win.

Fighting with such determination can only cause the troops to suffer heavy losses.

Seeing that Tang Qiuli did not speak, Wang Jun said: "Commander, according to my judgment, the Soviet army was not in a hurry to attack. Instead, it moved towards the two wings of Irkutsk. Its intention is nothing more than the following: to seize the Lake Baikal area from our entire defense line.

, separate them, encircle our garrison and then annihilate it, because judging from the situation on the Soviet-Mongolian border, the Lake Baikal area is a salient, and it facilitates the movement and deployment of the Soviet mechanized troops."

Tang Qiuli was horrified. He didn't realize this. It was because he didn't understand the topography of Outer Mongolia or was confused. In addition, he had underestimated Stalin's determination to attack Outer Mongolia so resolutely.

From the beginning, they were at a disadvantage. The new czar of the Soviet Union was a lunatic. The Japanese Kwantung Army was eyeing the Far East of the Soviet Union. Before the trouble was solved, they dared to start another war.

Tang Qiuli admitted that his thinking this time did not keep up with Stalin's head. While Wang Jun was still waiting for the division commander's order, Major General Sun Zhenbang, commander of the Outer Mongolia Border Guard Army, hurried in again and said: "Division Commander, what have you received?

An urgent telegram from Li Changjiang, commander of the 5th Cavalry Brigade stationed in Ulan-Ude. The cavalry reconnaissance team of the unit reported that a large number of Soviet troops were discovered approaching Ulan-Ude from the direction of Chita in the Soviet Union."

"The strength is about four divisions, including two mechanized divisions. Old Maozi is really going to take action. Damn it, he has forgotten the lessons he learned a few years ago. Division Commander, I will lead six brigades to quickly reinforce Ulan.

Ude and Irkutsk must have a good fight with Lao Maozi. If there is a situation in Ulan-Ude, it will not stop there. As long as Tong Batu and Zeng Shiqiang stay in place for two days, I can arrive!

"

Tang Qiuli looked at the indignant Sun Zhenbang coldly and said: "Just now, Chief of Staff Wang sent a telegram from Tong Batu. Three divisions of Soviet troops appeared in the direction of Irkutsk. Irkutsk

and Ulan-Ude, separated only by the southern part of Lake Baikal, could be reached in less than eight hours by mechanized or cavalry troops marching, but they gathered seven Soviet infantry divisions with more than 90,000 troops."

"Sun Zhenbang, you lead six cavalry brigades, plus the original two brigades, which only has a strength of more than 40,000 people. There are no armored troops and heavy weapons. Let me ask you, the enemy is strong and we are weak, and the equipment is at a disadvantage.

How to fight a battle with cavalry against mechanized troops? Do you want the soldiers to die? Hold on where you are? What are the terrain conditions in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude? Are there any fortifications? Do you want the soldiers to rely on them?

What hold on? They are cavalry!"

In the last few words, Tang Qiuli's tone became harsher and his voice became louder. He was very dissatisfied with Sun Zhenbang's performance. He was so soft-hearted towards the "foreign independent alliance" forces that he left the hidden dangers today.

It can be ignored. After all, there are extenuating circumstances. For the sake of the stability of Outer Mongolia, the dangers of this organization may have been underestimated. In other words, even if a riot occurs, it cannot cause fundamental damage to the Outer Mongolia Border Guards.

of damage.

But now it is a battle involving a disparity in power, involving the life and death of more than 10,000 soldiers. Sun Zhenbang is still so lacking in consideration. He does not analyze the balance of power between the enemy and ourselves, does not consider how to get the troops out of danger, and ignores the actual situation.

He is so hot-headed that he has to bring troops to reinforce and make unnecessary sacrifices.

As the military and political leader guarding one side, Tang Qiuli secretly asked himself whether his uncool behavior was due to a lack of consideration due to urgency or because he overestimated his abilities.

(To be continued)