Rise From Eight Hundred

After the two armies joined forces, they did not wait too long before the army headquarters issued a military order.

"The 145th Division and the 43rd Army's independent battalion made outstanding contributions in the Guangde battle, but the entire army was also seriously damaged. The two divisions were ordered to withdraw to Jiangbei via Wuhu for rest and recuperation."

The two generals and Tang Dao breathed a sigh of relief, but they could not hide their heavy feelings.

At this time, the remnants of the Kunisaki Detachment in the Guangde Mountain Area also joined the 36th Infantry Brigade, which had arrived late. Thousands of Japanese infantrymen fully demonstrated their spirit of not fearing hardships and difficulties, and cleared the simple roads blocked by thousands of tons of boulders with their bare hands.

At this time, the Japanese army was already a semi-mechanized force, with not only carriages and pack horses, but also cars and tanks. Unlike the 145th Division and the independent battalion, which were completely light infantry, they could walk on a narrow path. The largest caliber artillery was only the Type 41 mountain artillery, which could be disassembled into seven or eight pieces and carried by pack horses for marching.

Even though thousands of people worked together and used countless explosives for blasting, it took two or three days to completely open up this "intestinal obstruction" that was tens of meters long. Only then did the Japanese colonel on the other side of the road feel completely relieved.

Those days, separated from the main force by several mountains, really made him, a commander with only more than a thousand infantrymen and the rest of the auxiliary arms such as baggage soldiers and artillery, worry.

In the past, more than 2,000 troops were enough to make him feel like a crab, and he could walk sideways on the land of China, but the bad news from Takeuchi Yunshan's unit made this Japanese army colonel understand a truth.

It's not that China doesn't have an army that can fight, it's just that they didn't encounter it before, and now they are encountering it.

The 36th Infantry Brigade and Kunisaki Detachment, two unlucky children who have been defeated by Tang Dao in succession, don't want to get into trouble again, but they still have a equally unlucky face behind them, Ushijima Sadao.

The attack on Jinling City has entered a white-hot stage. The Central China Expeditionary Force and the Tenth Army are encircling from three sides. The only thing missing is Ushijima Sadao, the commander of the Western Route Army, to lead the army to conquer Wuhu and completely block the last retreat of Jinling.

According to the military order, the two Japanese troops who have regrouped began to move towards Wuhu along the simple road.

However, this time they no longer have the arrogant look they had before...

Comparatively speaking, the Kunisaki Detachment is obviously a little worse off, so the 36th Infantry Brigade, which is not so miserable in comparison, has gained some confidence and has become the vanguard.

This may be the legendary comparison of misery to bring happiness!

All this is under the observation of Gu Xishui's special operations team.

Yes, the entire independent battalion has evacuated the southern Anhui mountainous area, but Tang Dao must leave a pair of eyes in the mountainous area. This important task can only be handed over to Gu Xishui and his special operations team.

Since they are the sharpest knives of the independent battalion, wearing a much higher rank than ordinary troops, receiving higher military pay than ordinary troops, and having better food and treatment, they have to bear more responsibilities and endure greater hardships.

Moreover, this is both a combat mission and actual combat training. According to Tang Dao's requirements for special forces, they are far from reaching it.

Special forces do not mean that they have better shooting skills and more powerful fighting skills than ordinary soldiers. They must have stronger wills and more terrible endurance.

They can be the most ferocious tigers and leopards in the jungle, or the most vicious venomous snakes in the swamp. They need to make the impossible possible.

Gu Xishui, Niu Er and others bravely accepted this combat mission, separated from the main force, stayed alone in the mountains to observe the Japanese army, and constantly sent information about the main movements of the Japanese army to Tang Dao.

They could not move to Jiangbei until the Japanese army left the mountainous area. Tang Dao had already marked their location on the map.

Since they had received the retreat order from the army headquarters, the 145th Division and the independent battalion would not foolishly wait for the Japanese army with more than 10,000 troops to rush over. They marched in the evening of the day before the Japanese army came out, and arrived in Wuhu in the early morning of the next day.

A colonel staff officer was waiting for them at the Jinling City Defense Command, and accepted the Japanese officer rank collar badges and command swords of different styles handed in by Division Commander Rao as the representative of the two armies.

The army colonel, representing the talented and ambitious Commander Tang of the Jinling City Defense Command, encouraged Rao and Tang in an official manner, and took a deep look at Tang's sword: "Brother Tang, can you talk to me for a moment?"

"You two can talk first, I still have military affairs to attend to, so I'll go first!" Division Commander Rao glanced at the colonel staff officer who was younger than himself but came on behalf of the commander surnamed Tang, and said goodbye calmly.

"Master Rao, take care! Regarding the reward for the 145th Division, the City Defense Command and the Military and Political Department will soon respond." The colonel staff officer was not arrogant, but very polite.

That is, the fact that he only mentioned the reward for the 145th Division, but omitted the independent battalion, made the general who was about to leave pause slightly, but soon his face returned to normal, nodded lightly, turned around and walked away quickly.

This should be what the city defense commander who was overwhelmed had in mind about Tang Dao and the independent battalion, but he was not worried at all.

He had fought side by side with Tang Dao for more than ten days, and he had a certain understanding of Tang Dao.

Tang Dao was much more experienced than his younger age, and anyone who underestimated him would pay the price. This colonel staff officer who obviously came with a secret mission would probably get nothing from Tang Dao.

"Captain Tang, your troops have made amazing achievements in the battle of Guangde this time. Commander Tang appreciates you very much. After receiving the victory report forwarded by your group army headquarters, he mentioned your name several times in the military meeting. With such favor from the superior, it is just around the corner for Captain Tang to rise to the top.

Captain Tang is so young and promising, which really makes me envious and ashamed! At the age of Captain Tang, I am still feeling the teachings of the division commander in the military academy!" Seeing that there were only two people left in the room, the colonel staff officer had already gotten rid of the previous seriousness on his face and smiled to compliment Tang Dao.

"Colonel Qu, you are too kind. This battle of Guangde was all due to the good command of the commanders of the headquarters and the willingness of the brothers to die for the country. Only then did we achieve such a record. Tang Dao really dare not covet this credit." Tang Dao answered neither servilely nor arrogantly.

Tang Dao pushed back the compliment neither softly nor hard, and a trace of imperceptible anger flashed in the eyes of the colonel staff officer.

Gu Wan

Although Tang Dao and he are both colonels, Tang Dao is only a battalion commander. If he does not have amazing achievements, he may never make any progress in his life. However, he is close to the commander and may be promoted to the first-line troops at any time and serve as the commander of a division or brigade.

One has to fight to the death to be promoted, and it is not certain when he will be glorious, while the other only needs to serve the superior well, which is easy and comfortable.

To put it bluntly, the two officers of the same rank are not at the same starting line, so they naturally have a certain psychological advantage over Tang Dao. Even if he takes the initiative to flatter, it is also condescending.

Unexpectedly, Tang Dao does not buy his tricks at all.

However, he was able to represent the commander-in-chief, so he still had some shrewdness. His expression was still warm, and he said in a gentle voice: "Captain Tang is brave in battle, but he is still so modest and cautious. He is really a role model for our generation of soldiers! To be honest with Captain Tang, according to what Commander Tang said, the Military and Political Department intends to expand your independent battalion, and the 88th Division Headquarters hopes to re-incorporate the independent battalion formed based on the Four-Line Battalion into the organization. Captain Tang, congratulations!"

"Hey, the commander's love for my independent battalion, Tang Dao will naturally remember it in his heart, but this time Tang Dao may disappoint the commanders." Tang Dao sighed quietly.

"What?"

"Everyone has seen the victory of our independent battalion in the fierce battle with the Japanese invaders, but they don't know that since ancient times, there has been a saying that 'hurt one thousand enemies and lose eight hundred of our own'. Sacrifice may not bring victory, but victory must have sacrifices. In this battle, our independent battalion not only exhausted all the stored ammunition, but also suffered more than 60% casualties. Many infantry platoons can't even get a complete infantry squad. If we return to the 88th Division, the commanders of the 88th Division may have to find a way to replenish all the troops for our division first!" Tang Dao looked sad.

"This" The colonel staff officer was speechless for a moment.

In addition to accepting the spoils of war to prove his military exploits, another important task for him to come this time was to find out what Tang Dao said. If he was willing, the Military and Political Department would issue a military order, and Tang Dao and the independent battalion would return to the direct line.

This is also one of the reasons why the reward for the independent battalion has not been issued yet.

Originally, he thought that this matter was not difficult at all. After all, this seemed to be a dispute between the 88th Division and the 43rd Army, but who was behind the 88th Division? Any smart person knows who to cling to.

But he didn't expect that Tang Dao, a tough guy, would be a bit stubborn. With his smart little brain, he could understand the subtext of Tang Dao's words.

That is to say, it's no problem to return to the 88th Division! But the ammunition and personnel I lack must be replenished first. I don't accept empty promises.

Ammunition is no problem. In order to defend the important city of Nanjing, the ammunition stored in the city is enough for more than 100,000 troops to consume for three months.

But when it comes to troops, there are really no people. The various departments outside the city are now constantly fighting with the Japanese army, and the personnel are constantly being consumed. Don't the chief officers of the various departments call the headquarters to replenish the troops one day?

Where can the 88th Division replenish its troops? Not to mention that he can't make the decision, even the commander is at a loss. There is no shortage of people, so why should he, a colonel and a senior advisor, put his face in the cold here!

"The superiors will consider the personnel replenishment. Brother Tang, let's be frank! Commander Tang admires you very much and hopes that you will lead your troops into the city to defend it. He also asked me to tell you that after this battle, you will definitely be on the list of generals." Seeing that Tang Dao was not willing to take any soft words, the colonel staff officer simply didn't bother to beat around the bush and went straight to the point to state his other mission.

Commander Tang of the Jinling City Defense Command is now short of soldiers, especially elite soldiers.

"My unit still has one company of soldiers available. If Commander Tang thinks it is feasible, please give me two companies of soldiers and all military supplies, as well as all pensions for the disabled soldiers in my battalion. I will lead the remaining soldiers of my battalion to fight the national crisis together, and the entire army will live and die with the city of Jinling." Faced with straightforwardness, Tang Dao was equally straightforward.

"You" the colonel staff officer was furious.

It turns out that for your infantry company, the headquarters will not only have to sacrifice two more companies, but also have to provide all military supplies and immediately pay a large amount of pensions for your thousands of officers and soldiers. Are you a fool to be a general commander?

"Colonel Qu, as long as the people and supplies arrive, I, Tang Dao, will lead my troops into the city immediately without delay." Tang Dao looked at the colonel staff officer and spoke forcefully.

"Captain Tang, I will do my duty to report to the headquarters as you ask. The military situation is urgent, so Qu will take his leave first!" The colonel staff officer's face gradually turned cold, and he left with a word.

At this moment, the Jinling City Defense Command, which had gradually entered a state of panic, actually needed all the troops that could be put into the bottomless pit of the corrupt battlefield, rather than a force that still needed to be paid for.

To put it bluntly, the so-called recruitment was nothing more than a pie-in-the-sky lure. This was not only understood by Tang Dao, but Tang Dao also believed that the commander-in-chief himself knew it.

Perhaps only this colonel staff officer who still had illusions still thought that Tang Dao was ungrateful.

However, because of the previous battle damage, Tang Dao, who had enough reasons to refuse, did not feel the slightest joy because of his advance layout.

With a serious face, he looked at the relatively calm distance and could not see anything, but Tang Dao knew that the Japanese defense line was still approaching. It would not be long before they would be at the gates of the city, and the position where he was standing now would also be occupied by the Japanese invaders.

By then, Jinling would be completely reduced to an isolated island, and the talented but unambitious commander Tang would eventually drag the entire city's soldiers and civilians into hell.

That was the darkest moment of the Chinese nation.

Separation from life and death is painful, but what is more painful than that is knowing the ending but being unable to make any changes.

Tang Dao is only a human, not a god after all.

Even if he carries the knowledge accumulated for the next hundred years.

Staring at the invisible city in the distance, Tang Dao's heart is like being cut back and forth by an invisible knife.

The pain makes him unable to breathe!