"Sir Yu! General Zhang!"

After Jiang Dong arrived at Guzhen, he hurriedly went to see the two officers.

"Captain Jiang, I've heard of him for a long time."

Zhang Zizhong shook hands with Jiang Dong warmly.

Jiang Dong looked at this national hero seriously, and the first thing he felt was the heroic spirit behind his righteous face.

'More handsome and more real than in historical photos!'

"General Zhang is joking. You are a role model for the younger generation. The younger generation should learn more from you." Jiang Dong said sincerely.

"Hahaha..." A trace of worry flashed in Zhang Zizhong's eyes, but he quickly covered it up, "I heard that Commander Jiang killed another group of Japs before retreating. It's awesome, it's awesome!"

As he spoke, he looked at Yu Xuezhong beside him, who also had a slight smile on his face, but it was a little forced.

The 51st Army suffered a terrible defeat, and the commander Yu Xuezhong naturally felt uncomfortable.

"A hero comes from a young man!" Zhang Zizhong sighed again.

"General Zhang is too praised. This junior just happened to seize the opportunity."

"Hey, don't make it so easy." Zhang Zizhong waved his hand, "I have fought several battles with the Japs in North China since September 18th, which lasted for several years. How difficult is it for a brigade of Japs?

It’s quite clear that you’re pestering me. Besides, Commander Jiang has done more than that. Your feats in Nanjing really put my generation of soldiers to shame.”

Being praised by his idol in person, Jiang Dong felt a little embarrassed, "Everything I did was just my duty as a soldier, and it's not worth showing off."

"What a soldier!" Zhang Zizhong's eyes were full of admiration, "It is true that a hero comes from a young age, and his future life is formidable!"

During the Battle of Songhu, Jiangdong's name spread throughout China through newspapers. Although Zhang Zizhong was far away in Peiping, he had read the deeds in the newspapers. But as a senior general of a country, he was well aware of the newspapers' publicity.

purpose, and did not really take Jiangdong's ability to heart.

It wasn't until the beginning of this year that he heard about Jiang Dong's feats in Nanjing from newspapers and colleagues. After repeatedly confirming that this was true, Zhang Zizhong remembered the name Jiang Dong deeply.

Perhaps it was a matter of heroes cherishing each other. He really liked such a dignified soldier who was smart and good at fighting but did not participate in factional and political struggles. He always wanted to meet Jiangdong.

The three of them exchanged pleasantries outside the 59th Army headquarters, and Zhang Zizhong invited Jiang Dong and Yu Xuezhong into his temporary headquarters.

"What is the current situation of your regiment? Can you continue to fight?" Yu Xuezhong asked first after sitting down.

The Jiangdong regiment had just defeated a brigade of the Japs, and in his opinion, its own casualties must have been considerable.

Jiang Dong watched the orderly put the tea in front of him and then said: "Thanks to Commander Yu for your concern, our unit is now in great momentum and can still compete with the little devils for a few times."

"Oh!" Yu Xuezhong and Zhang Zizhong's eyes lit up, "So your casualties are not big?"

"Yes." Jiang Dong said truthfully, "During the two days of defense on the north bank of the Huaihe River, less than 100 brothers were injured. As for the subsequent battle to annihilate the little Japanese Songchuan Brigade, there were only about 100 casualties, and the main force of the army was still

In these battles, we have captured and wiped out a lot of enemies, and the morale of our brothers is strong."

Zhang Zizhong stared at Jiang Dong and said, "What you said is true. There really are only so few casualties."

Jiang Dong smiled and said, "There is no need to deceive Chief Yu and General Zhang. The main force of our unit are veterans who have fought in Songhu and Nanjing. Their experience and combat effectiveness are no worse than those of the Japs."

The two bosses looked at each other, and the meaning in their eyes was difficult for Jiang Dong to understand.

Zhang Zizhong seemed to have made up his mind. He looked at Yu Xuezhong and Jiang Dong and said:

"According to the intelligence from the commander of the 5th War Zone, there are only two regiments of Japs crossing the Huaihe River at most. I think that blind defense is not the answer. We cannot wait to be bombarded by Japs' planes and heavy artillery. We must take the initiative to attack,

Catch the little devil by surprise and try to drive the little devil back to Huainan in one fell swoop."

"Isn't it too risky to take the initiative?" Yu Xuezhong said with a look of pain on his face, "The firepower of the Japs is much stronger than ours. Our two divisions, 113 and 114 of the 51st Army, fought in four or five days of defensive battles.

The losses were extremely heavy. Originally there were 8 regiments in the two divisions, but now all the remaining soldiers combined can only form 4 regiments."

Zhang Zizhong glanced at Jiang Dong, whose expression was also serious.

"Since I proposed this plan, of course our 59th Army will be the main offensive force. Brother Yu's 51st Army will stay behind Guzhen to rest and serve as the general reserve for the campaign." Zhang Zizhong seemed to have already made up his mind.

idea.

Most of the 59th Army was adapted from the 29th Army of the Great Wall Anti-Japanese War. This army has always advocated active attack in war. As the founder and soul of the army, Jiangdong was not surprised that Zhang Zizhong proposed such a plan.

There is another point. Both the 59th Army and Zhang Zizhong himself are in urgent need of a big victory.

The 59th Army has been stationed in Peiping and Tianjin. During the July 7th Incident, the performance of this prestigious unit was not as impressive as during the Great Wall War of Resistance. It could even be said to be a mess. Therefore, it was reviled by the people across the country. The whole army was holding back a sigh of relief.

He vowed to use a war to avenge his shame and clear his name.

As for Zhang Zizhong himself, he served as mayor under the orders of Song Zheyuan before the fall of Peking. After the Japanese army successfully occupied Peiping and Tianjin, he escaped from the city in some embarrassment. Many people who did not know the truth misunderstood that he wanted to negotiate with the Japs.

, which has been stigmatized as a traitor for some time.

He was even deprived of military power by the Military Commission and Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, and was not allowed to command the troops anymore.

This time it was because Commander Li Zongren of the Fifth War Zone wanted to fight a big battle in Xuzhou and specifically asked Chairman Chiang Kai-shek to let Zhang Zizhong go out to lead the troops.

Jiangdong figured out the cause and effect, and it was time to take a stand.

"Although I only have more than 2,000 brothers under my command, I believe they are willing to join me in following General Zhang to kill the Japanese." Jiang Dong looked at Zhang Zizhong, "I would also like to ask General Zhang to tell me a specific battle plan."

Jiang Dong's statement made Zhang Zizhong very happy, which at least showed that there was still support for his plan.

"I am going to report to Commander Li Zongren of the 5th War Zone to request joint operations in Huaibei and Huainan. Come and see!" Zhang Zizhong walked to the huge battle map. "Our army still has the 48th Army, the 31st Army and the 7th Army in Huainan. These

Although the three troops have suffered injuries, they have not reached the point where their muscles and bones have been damaged."

Jiang Dong and Yu Xuezhong were both smart people, and they quickly guessed what Zhang Zizhong was thinking. The two looked at each other and nodded in unison.

"The Japanese Thirteenth Division only has a maximum of 20,000 men. We are several times the enemy's number and are launching attacks from different directions at the same time. No matter how much heavy firepower they have and how strong their individual soldiers are, it is impossible for them to fight many battles at the same time.

A front.”

The more Zhang Zizhong spoke, the more confident he became, and he seemed to have the demeanor of an ancient general.

"Our 59th Army has formed two reinforced regiments. They are the elite of the entire army in terms of personnel and equipment. I plan to use these two regiments as the vanguard to penetrate directly into the middle of the Japanese army. In addition, the 38th Division and the 108th Division will be used to follow the east and west divisions.

We will attack southward, and our 13th Cavalry Brigade will serve as a mobile force on the battlefield, responsible for blocking possible openings and driving away the Japs."

Jiang Dong had been staring at the map. It must be said that Zhang Zizhong was very courageous and had a good plan. He believed that his brothers could implement his combat intentions.

"As long as this combat plan can be approved by the superiors, my regiment is also willing to serve as a vanguard and confront the Japs head-on!"

Jiang Dong said without hesitation.

"Okay!" Zhang Zizhong's face flushed slightly with excitement, "I will immediately report the combat plan to the theater commander's department. I believe they will definitely agree!"
Chapter completed!