"In the early morning of January 9, a Japanese cavalry unit suddenly appeared outside Gujiao Town." Wu Zhan pointed at the map and said to everyone:

"There were two regiments of the 76th Army in Gujiao Town. However, because they did not receive any intelligence or warning in advance, the two regiments were defeated by the Japanese cavalry within half an hour. The Japanese army occupied it at 8 o'clock on July 9

Gujiao Town.”

Everyone in the audience, including Jiang Dong, frowned.

"It was later verified that the Japanese Cavalry Fourth Brigade was responsible for attacking Gujiao Town.

The Fourth Cavalry Brigade has more than 5,000 people and came from Xiangyang's left wing." Wu Zhan continued:

"The purpose of this cavalry unit was very clear. After occupying Gujiao Town, they did not stop, but went all the way south to Jiaocheng.

The location of Jiaocheng is very critical. Once the Japanese occupy this place, they can attack Qingyuan in the east and threaten the flanks of the 5th Army and the 14th Army. Going south, they can reach Fenyang and Pingyao and other places, cutting off the logistical supplies of hundreds of thousands of National Army soldiers.

, shake the morale of the military."

"The Japs used this kind of strategy during the first battle of Taiyuan. However, the Japanese troops who went to cut off the retreat that time came from Niangzi Pass, but this time they came from the Western Front."

Jiang Dong's frown deepened. Could it be that things are really going to take a turn for the worst?

"What's going on now?" he asked.

Wu Zhan sighed and then said:

"The strategic purpose of the Japanese cavalry brigade was obvious. Both the Chairman of the Committee and the commander-in-chief of the Guards saw it. The commander-in-chief immediately ordered the Third Army in Qingyuan to send troops north to intercept the Japanese cavalry brigade.

General Cun Xingqi, commander of the 12th Division of the Third Army, personally led two regiments from Qingyuan to between Jiaocheng and Gujiao Town.

Due to a miscalculation of the Japanese army's marching speed, the two sides encountered each other in Gumiao Village, north of Jiaocheng.

The brothers of the two regiments suffered heavy losses due to the charge of the Japanese cavalry, and Commander Cun Xingqi died for his country."

"this……"

…

After hearing the bad news, everyone was stunned for a moment.

"Alas...can't we just hold on to our position? Why do we have to face the cavalry head-on?" Feng Jinzhang said with great regret.

No one answered his words. The battlefield situation is ever-changing. Now we are discussing from God's perspective. How can people in it know what is the most correct choice?

"After Commander Cun Xingqi died for his country, the brothers of the two regiments retreated while fighting. In the end, only more than 1,000 people retreated into Jiaocheng.

Things developed so fast that the left-wing regiments had not yet reacted. There was only one place in Jiaocheng, and the number of the guard regiment was less than a thousand.

The Fourth Japanese Cavalry Brigade occupied Jiaocheng on the afternoon of the 9th."

"After the fall of Gujiao Town and Jiaocheng, the 90th Army in the north and the 5th Army responsible for defending the left wing were all exposed to the threat of the Japanese army.

Even if we can recover Taiyuan now, it will be of no use. Unless we can stop the little Japanese on the Western Front, the longer it takes, the more dangerous it will be."

"Tell all the situations together so that we can prepare in advance." Jiang Dong said.

Wu Zhan nodded, "In addition to the Fourth Cavalry Brigade, the Japanese Army's Thirteenth Independent Guard Group was also involved in the detour.

Almost at the same time that the Fourth Brigade occupied Gujiao Town, Da'an County on the east side of Taiyuan also fell.

Defending Da'an is the 244th Brigade belonging to the 65th Division of the 15th Army. The brigade commander is named Fu Yue.

When the Japanese army attacked, the 244th abandoned the city and fled with almost no resistance, handing over one of the most important counties on the Eastern Front to the Japs.

The pressure on the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards is now great, as Japanese troops are approaching from both east and west wings.

If you insist on attacking Taiyuan, you will probably be surrounded by the Japanese army in the end. If you abandon Taiyuan, more than half a month of hard work will be in vain."

"Fu Yue?" Jiang Dong's eyes narrowed,

"Why does this name sound familiar?"

Wu Zhan said in a hateful tone:

"This is the man who harassed our art troupe in Lu'an half a month ago."

"Oh!" Jiang Dong's mouth twitched.

"He abandoned the city and fled, did the Commander-in-Chief of the Guards shoot him?" Tian Liming, the leader of the Seventh Regiment, asked with some anticipation.

"He is the brother-in-law of the commander of the 15th Army." Wu Zhan did not answer directly, but the meaning was already very clear.

"Boneless thing!" Tian Liming cursed bitterly.

Jiang Dong's mind only stayed on Fu Yue for two seconds. A person who is incompetent and likes to do things will sooner or later end up in a coffin.

The most important thing now is the battle in Taiyuan.

Jiangdong didn't dare to think about what the final outcome would be like when 40,000 to 50,000 little devils fought against 300,000 national troops.

The number of Japs outside Niangzi Pass is getting larger and larger, but they have no intention of launching an attack on the Jiangdong troops.

Obviously, these little devils want to drag Jiangdong to Niangziguan.

The Japanese 13th Independent Guard Corps has cut off the Zhengding Railway, and the Jiangdong and 98th Army in the Niangziguan area are separated from the large Nationalist Army in Taiyuan.

After thinking for a long time, Jiang Dong said:

"Send a report to Lao Xie in Jincheng and ask him to detach two new regiments and go north along the road to Qin County and Wuxiang to build fortifications on the road between Qin County and Pingyao.

At the same time, Li Zhaoying and Wang Laohu were ordered to detach a main force regiment to cooperate with the new regiment. The Japanese army must not be allowed to cross Yushe under any circumstances. This is the territory we fought hard to conquer."

"clear!"

"In addition, since the little devils in the east, middle and west are on the move, Meng County in the north may not have much peace. Call Commander Wu of the 98th Army and ask them to strengthen their vigilance.

The remaining troops should seize the time to rest and recuperate, a tough battle is coming soon."

"yes!!"

…

…

Xi'an.

On July 9, the battle situation on the front line changed three times a day, and the moods of the Chairman, Bai Jiansheng, Hu Zongnan and others also jumped accordingly.

Although the Fourth Japanese Cavalry Brigade only had more than 5,000 men, it was considered by the Chairman and others to be the biggest threat in this battle.

The Japanese cavalry moved very fast, and south of Jiaocheng was a highway extending in all directions.

Although the national army has an absolute advantage in strength in a certain area, it is difficult for the infantry to trap the cavalry to death.

Once the 4th Cavalry Brigade is allowed to move to Pingyao and other places, the logistics supply line of the frontline troops will be cut off. At the same time, with a Japanese army behind them, the morale of the troops will inevitably be unstable.

Despite this, the Chairman's determination to regain Taiyuan did not waver at all.

He did not discuss with Wei Junru and said directly to Wang Shihe:

"Order the 76th Army to block the Japanese 4th Cavalry Brigade and never let it threaten the main force and supply lines.

Order the 90th Army on the Northern Front to strictly guard their positions and never take a step back, otherwise military law will be enforced!

Tell Junru that tomorrow is the last day as he said. Not only am I watching, my compatriots across the country and even the whole world are watching.

The blue and white sun flag must be allowed to fly over Taiyuan City!"

"yes!"

Wang Shihe recorded the orders one by one, and then went to a confidential place to deliver the orders.

Looking at Wang Shihe's leaving figure, Hu Zongnan's face was full of pain.

The 90th Army and the 76th Army have suffered heavy casualties these days, especially the 90th Army, which has suffered more than 6,000 casualties.

If these two armies were lost in Shanxi, Hu Zongnan would not be sure to keep the Japanese out of the pass, even if there was a natural danger in the Yellow River.

After struggling for a long time, he couldn't bear it anymore and persuaded:

"Principal, the Japanese attack pattern is exactly the same as the first battle of Taiyuan. Even if Taiyuan can be recovered tomorrow, it will be difficult to control it for a long time.

The Japanese army is about to encircle the Taiyuan area. If they do not retreat decisively, I am afraid that the 300,000-strong army will..."

The chairman of the committee gave Hu Zongnan a cold look.

"I originally wanted to move you to a higher position, but your political vision is really too low."

After saying such nonsense, the Chairman put his hands behind his back and ignored Hu Zongnan.

Bai Jiansheng's eyes rolled a few times, and he seemed to have figured out why the Chairman must restore Taiyuan.

First of all, this battle was fought with great vigor, and the people across the country had high hopes. If they backed down at the last moment, the trust in the national army that the people of the country had finally accumulated would disappear again.

Secondly, there is the international aspect. The Chairman attaches great importance to the international perspective on the National Government.

The Chairman also heard the news that the United States and the Soviet Union were about to enact a new aid bill to China.

This battle must be fought not only for the people across the country, but also for international politicians.

We must let the U.S. and Soviet governments see the determination of the Nationalist government to fight to the end, and let them see the heroic and tenacious fighting style of the national army.

International politicians must be convinced that as long as more aid is provided to the national army, the National Government will fight the Japanese to the end.

Finally, in order to achieve the above two goals, Taiyuan must be recovered, even if it only takes one day.
To be continued...