Chongqing!

The Chairman of the Generalissimo and the bigwigs of the Military Commission have been paying attention to the war in North China since yesterday. The scale of this war is huge, and there is a huge disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves. Victory is in sight.

All the members of the Military Commission gathered in the war hall. They would eat a few bites when they were hungry and squint for a while when they were sleepy. Everyone's eyes always stayed on the North China war map.

The Military Commission can constantly receive news from the front line, and senior staff officers are constantly updating the enemy and enemy situations on the combat map.

The red arrow representing our own side keeps moving eastward, and the Japanese army is either divided or surrounded.

The chairman and committee members can truly feel the vigor of the frontline march and the tension and urgency when the enemy and ourselves collide just by looking at the situation on the combat map.

Their moods changed with the constant changes in the situation between ourselves and the enemy, and they clenched and unclenched their fists repeatedly.

"I just received a report that Japanese troops in other stations have also taken action." Bai Chongxi, deputy chief of staff of the Central Military Commission, said to the chairman in a low voice:

"Especially in Nanjing, Bengbu and other places, there are strong signs that the Japanese troops will move north along the railway line to support the North China Front."

North China started so smoothly that the blood in the chairman's body was mobilized. He looked forward to a greater victory. After taking a look at the map on the wall, the chairman said solemnly:

"The Japanese aggressors in North China are about to be destroyed. Send urgent messages to all the theaters on the southern front. This is a God-given opportunity. All departments can no longer remain contented. They must fight together to make the Japanese aggressors overwhelmed!"

"yes!"

The chairman stood up slowly, listening to the heated discussion of the committee members, a smile gradually appeared on his lips.

"Jiangdong, Jiangdong, you are really a good student of mine."

The chairman of the committee sighed in his heart, his tone seemed to be both complimentary and derogatory.

…

Beiping!

The radio and telephone in the North China Front Army Headquarters were ringing non-stop, and staff officers were moving quickly between departments.

There are busy figures everywhere, some with anxious tones and some with anxious looks.

In the combat command room, Okamura Neji stared blankly at the situation between the enemy and ourselves. The development of the war situation seemed to be far beyond his previous expectations.

Chief of Staff Oshioto Sanji said while flipping through the telegram in his hand:

"Your Excellency, General, according to reports from the frontline troops, Jiangdong's vanguard troops are equipped with a large number of tanks and wheeled vehicles, and their advancement speed is far beyond our previous expectations.

This is a brand-new unit called the Motorized Infantry Division!

The rapid advance of the Jiangdong troops made it impossible for the frontline troops to implement the planned combat plan. The Pinghan-Han railway has been cut off. Jiangdong's next targets are Xuzhou and Jinan!

The enemy situation has completely changed. Should the previously formulated combat plan also be adjusted? Otherwise, the imperial troops in Hebei and Shandong may not be able to hold on for a week!"

Okamura Neji stared at the map for a long time and was speechless.

Before the Chief of Staff thought he was asleep, he finally spoke. His voice was nervous at first, but when he said the last word, his tone became more firm than ever.

"The rapid development of Jiangdong, especially the formation of the Motorized Infantry Division, is indeed unexpected. The war situation in North China has been unable to change. All we can do is to inflict heavy damage on Jiangdong as much as possible before losing the land under our feet.

Even if the planned battle plan is changed now, what awaits the imperial armies everywhere is still the fate of being divided and surrounded.

Rather than being slaughtered one by one by Jiangdong, it is better to take a gamble. If you win, Jiangdong will be severely defeated, if you lose, the empire will lose North China!

It’s clear how to choose!”

Ojoto Sanji opened his mouth, thousands of words stuck in his throat. He looked at the determined general, his eyes full of anxiety.

Ojoto Sanji still could not accept the reality that the empire was destined to lose North China. He hoped that the imperial army could resist continuously and compete with the Chinese for every city.

Instead of giving up a broad front to lure the Chinese army deep in, as pursued by Okamura Ningji, and then choose the opportunity to annihilate its effective forces.

The land in North China was conquered inch by inch by the imperial army. If Jiangdong wants it, he must attack it inch by inch.

He was startled, gritted his teeth and said:

"Your Excellency, the 24th Division alone cannot hold the Longhai Railway. Once Jiangdong is allowed to occupy Xuzhou, our connection with the Central China Front will be cut off.

I suggest that the 48th Division be transferred south to assist the 24th Division in defending Xuzhou!"

Okamura Neiji looked at the location of Xuzhou on the map and shook his head slowly,

"The strength of the front army is insufficient. We cannot send troops southward. Please ask the Central China Front Army to send troops quickly for support!

No matter how fast Jiangdong's motorized infantry division is, it is impossible to reach Xuzhou in two days. We still have time!

Besides, there are still thousands of imperial warriors in Kaifeng, I believe they will stick to the last moment for His Majesty the Emperor!"

The two of them looked at the location of Kaifeng at the same time, which was already surrounded by red arrows.

…

Outside Kaifeng City.

The soldiers of the Seventh Army quietly looked at the thousand-year-old city in front of them. The towering city walls were intimidating.

Some people had participated in the battle to attack Guisui half a year ago. They knew that such a strong city wall would be a major obstacle to the attacking troops, and they felt a little worried.

Facing the city wall built by our ancestors, the 105mm and 150mm howitzers are helpless.

The best way is to dig tunnels under the city wall and bury explosives.

Stationed in Kaifeng City is the Honda Regiment of the 24th Division.

The commander of the regiment, Colonel Honda, received an order directly from the front army headquarters, asking him to resist to the end and contain as many Chinese troops as possible.

Honda stood on the tall city wall, looking at the blood-red military flags outside the city. He clenched his fists and dug his nails deeply into his flesh.

Kaifeng had been surrounded by the Chinese, and Honda knew that he and his soldiers had no other choice but to fight for His Majesty the Emperor.

Since you are going to die, you must die vigorously.

Honda encouraged the soldiers at the top of his lungs, vowing to defend every street and building in Kaifeng City.

As soon as he finished speaking the words that made the soldiers' blood boil, he turned around and saw a large plume of smoke and dust rising on the road outside the city.
Chapter completed!