ATPnovel Chapter 125 Li Jianghe is here, that's all set.
Chapter 125 Li Jianghe is here, that's all set.
Don't get lost while following the book; bookmark it and read it anytime: "You were put in charge of the Sihang Warehouse, but you led out a German-equipped division commander."
If Li Jianghe's troops had provided support during the Battle of Taierzhuang, even if it was just a supporting role, it would have been a completely different story.
The crowd began to murmur again.
"Li Jianghe, he's a formidable fighter. If he were to arrive, then, to say the least, Taierzhuang wouldn't be able to be taken by the Japanese in the short term."
"Who can argue with that? If Li Jianghe were to remain at Taierzhuang, the subsequent battles would likely proceed much more smoothly."
"I really didn't expect that Li Jianghe would be so thoughtful as to come and support our Northwest Army. I don't know if this was an order from the theater command or if he came to support us on his own initiative."
"Forget about that. As long as they come to support our 31st Division, that's great. Our Northwest Army is really short of soldiers and generals right now. If we really face a Japanese division, even if we all fight to the death, what can we do? We probably can't even withstand the total annihilation."
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As everyone was talking, Li Jianghe entered the command post.
As he stood before the crowd, the brigade commanders and regimental commanders realized that he was so young, looking no more than twenty years old, yet he had already made outstanding military achievements.
"Commander Chi, I have brought troops to support your forces in defending Taierzhuang."
Li Jianghe saluted Chi Fengcheng and then spoke.
Chi Fengcheng asked, quite surprised:
"Commander Li, I truly didn't expect you to come to our aid. If I remember correctly, your unit was ordered to conduct guerrilla warfare on the outskirts to contain the Japanese troops. What brings you to this desperate situation in Taierzhuang?"
These were his heartfelt words, after all, he was present at the meeting.
At that time, it was the commanders of the various army groups who spoke; it was none of their business to speak, not even the division commanders or the army commanders.
The one who truly has the right to speak is Li Jianghe.
At that time, Li Jianghe was also at the height of his fame, and he had just made a great contribution, winning several days of battle preparation time for the Fifth War Zone.
Otherwise, Li Jianghe would have had absolutely no right to speak at that meeting.
"It's nothing. My unit was ordered to conduct guerrilla warfare and move around at will. Since mobile warfare on the outskirts is also warfare, my leading some soldiers to Taierzhuang to support your unit is also warfare."
Considering the heavy losses suffered by the Northwest Army in the Battle of Niangziguan, our troops came here to provide support, hoping to fight alongside your army and persevere to the very end.
Li Jianghe didn't hide his intentions and spoke frankly.
Chi Fengcheng stepped forward, grasped Li Jianghe's hand, and said:
"Commander Li, I am deeply moved by your kind intentions, as are my 31st Division and the entire Second Army Group."
Li Jianghe knew that Chi Fengcheng was telling the truth, but in this critical moment, if he didn't come, it would be almost impossible to defend Taierzhuang by relying solely on Chi Fengcheng's 31st Division.
"Commander Chi, putting everything else aside, now that our troops have arrived here, we must fight to the death and do our utmost to resist the fierce attack of the Japanese army."
Li Jianghe said without hesitation.
Chi Fengcheng nodded emphatically:
"Great, great, Jiang He, on behalf of all the brothers in the 31st Division, I want to express my gratitude to you."
After saying that, he pointed to the map and said:
"Jiang He, how do you think the Battle of Taierzhuang was so easy to win? The Japanese army was pressing in, and it wasn't just a few people, but at least a full division, or even more. Our army even discovered the presence of enemy armored units in the northern region."
Li Jianghe was not surprised by what Chi Fengcheng said.
After all, according to his reconnaissance unit's report, in addition to the 10th Division, the Japanese army had also dispatched a tank regiment, several artillery units, and a mixed brigade, with a total strength of at least 40,000 men.
Behind the Japanese 10th Division, in the area of Zaozhuang and Lincheng, was the Japanese 20th Division, also a first-class division with a total strength of more than 20,000 men.
The key point is that these 20,000-plus people are all elite troops who have experienced the Battle of Taiyuan, with rich combat experience and extremely high individual soldier skills.
It is conceivable that if facing such an army, relying solely on Chi Fengcheng's 31st Division, they would not be able to hold out for even two days, let alone three.
In fact, during the Battle of Taierzhuang, Chi Fengcheng's troops held out for more than just three days.
When Tang Enbo's troops finally began their mobile encirclement and siege of the Japanese army, it was already three days after Chiang Kai-shek issued the order.
At that time, the main force was basically being held up by the miscellaneous troops of the Northwest Army.
Li Jianghe stepped forward and said:
"Gentlemen, we must fight to the death and never retreat. My troops will also cooperate in the battle. This time I have brought a guard battalion and an anti-aircraft artillery battalion, a total of more than 3,000 troops."
Those holding the meeting here at this time are mostly brigade commanders and regimental commanders, whose ranks are similar to or even lower than Li Jianghe's.
In addition, they had all heard of Li Jianghe's reputation and knew that he was extremely powerful in combat and had already made great contributions in previous battles.
"Commander Li, we feel much more at ease with your troops here to support us."
"Yes, Captain Li, now that your troops have arrived, I will say no more and fight to the death."
"Yes, Brother Li, there's nothing more to say. Since your troops have fought alongside us poor Northwest Army soldiers, what more can we say? We will fight to the death to repay the country's kindness."
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Amidst the chatter of the crowd, Chi Fengcheng noticed that the previously somewhat scattered hearts had been united by Li Jianghe, this outsider.
Is this the role of a hero?
At this moment, Chi Fengcheng couldn't help but think of it.
Yes, Li Jianghe, this hero, or rather, this role model, is inspiring everyone here.
Because of his arrival, these brigade commanders and regimental commanders all gained a belief: as long as Li Jianghe was there, the battle could be won.
In past battles, Li Jianghe's location had never suffered any losses; it was always the Japanese soldiers on the other side who suffered.
Even Chi Fengcheng couldn't help but recall that he had felt the same way; the moment he saw Li Jianghe arrive, his previously anxious heart calmed down.