Chapter 66: Preparation for Retreat

Yuchen returned to his Jiangbei Inspection Office with brisk steps. Although he tried his best to be reserved for his face, the smile could not be concealed. Hearing the sound of a car at the entrance of the Inspection Office, Li Yuan, who had been in the Inspection Office for a few days, flew out like a bird. Seeing Yuchen walk in, dimples suddenly bloomed on his pretty little face. I haven't seen her these days, and the girl looks much more lonely and mature. She stopped standing three or two steps away from Yuchen.

"Have you won the battle?"

Yuchen looked at her. The girls seemed to have grown up a little these days. They were a bit feminine. Their original aphrodisiac subsided a lot. They stayed in the military school war room where even the mouse was a public servant. Suddenly, they saw Li Yuan wearing a women's windbreaker with a fur collar, looking at him with joy and sorrow. He suddenly felt that in this world, there were too many other things in addition to wars.

He was right in front of her military cap, and for some reason his attitude became more serious and serious in front of her. A girl had been waiting for so many days, and if she brought her bad news, she didn't know how to speak.

"Well, I didn't disappoint the expectations of my colleagues in Jiangbei. The battle is very smooth now, and it is very likely to win a big victory...... You are staying in the office, so you have no worries."

Hearing Yuchen's rare gentle words, Li Yuan suddenly felt her eyes turn red. She stood there and lowered her head and didn't speak. How long have she been waiting for his words of concern?

The two stood quietly a few steps apart. For a moment, even the flow of the wind calmed down. Yuchen's guard retreated from him and smiled with a smile on his face.

At the door of the Jiangbei Inspection Commission, it seemed that the scenery was condensed into a landscape. Young soldiers came down from their battlefield, while the beautiful and beautiful girl was waiting for his return.

"Mr. Yiyu, how much has we spent since the mobilization?"

After sitting down in his small living room, the Jiangbei Inspection Office's head of government affairs sat full. Yuchen put aside the little love between children and children. He still talked about business with a stern face.

Li Zhangyun was holding a cigar in his mouth. This small reception room was smoking the smoke from the smokers. When he heard Yuchen ask about spending money, Li Zhangyun chuckled: "You finally thought about the money problem! Every day when you see your Lu Tonghai army, you need to take your notes to collect money, my mind hurts! Although these are your special expenses and are not included in the budget, you have to save some money!"

As he said that, he took out a stack of bound documents from his briefcase: "Take it and read it, let's feel sorry for yourself! It costs more than a month of mobilization, and it costs seven or eight million. I don't know how much it will cost below... But if you win the battle, you will be able to do it."

Yuchen smiled and took the official document from him but didn't read it. Anyway, this number was still in his expectation. Success in the roundabout way can ensure that the war time is shortened, and it saves a lot of money to fight this war. He turned to Chen Zhuo again and asked: "No, I guess the war is about to end...... Let's set up the stage and play the show for your election. These days, there will be no delay in this work."

Chen Zhuo no longer had the expression of the young civil servant when he was Sun Yat-sen's secretary, and his words and actions were already a bit like a big shot who could summon the wind and rain. In fact, it was also the case that the Federal Party has been waving flags and shouting for the Jiangbei Army in the local area these days. Then the Jiangbei Army won one after another. Almost all provinces in the south had federal party branches. He made a lot of contributions. Everyone has followed Yuchen for a while, and they all know that Commander Yu's favorite method after the military strike was political blackmail.

Looking at Yuchen looking at himself, Chen Zhuo's cigar-like posture seemed to be enough to waving Li Zhangyun: "Commander, don't worry. The members of the Federal Party are waiting for the war to subside. Now we have issued several electricity, and the joint statements of the Progressive Party, the United Party, the Republican Party and the Kuomintang are also being fabricated, requiring the election to be held early. Judging from the seats of parliament in the southern provinces, we can have a bid for the future election. It is estimated that no party in the parliament will account for the absolute majority. It is very likely that a joint cabinet will be formed. This cabinet is a major part of our Federal Party."

Yuchen nodded. After the Jiangbei Army's military victory, Yuan Shikai's military power will naturally decline. To put it bluntly, his status as the Beijing Provisional Government is based on his more than 100,000 Beiyang Army. In order to maintain his position, he had to accept the early election. Because he had no other choice. Even if his Federal Party election ended and had the opportunity to form a joint cabinet, there were still fewer talents in his bag. Just fighting for the seat of minister, he did not have many competitive candidates under his command. After all, he was not an absolutely strong position. He had to accept anyone who arranged anyway. Although the Kuomintang had no military power, even if there were, it was divided by itself. However, his political status was still very high. It was normal for him to suppress himself in this election.

This is what he is worried about now. If the election is over, the Kuomintang will occupy a central position and have the right to be the central government. Can he maintain his basically independent position? Will he still let Yuan Shikai go in the military? This question has troubled him for many days. He really fights the Kuomintang, and it is not right. It is so rare. However, his expression is not right.

He smiled at Chen Zhuo and said, "But you, you have done a good job... I spent less energy on this these days, so you have to take care of these things. Military and government affairs are both legs, and we can only walk more steadily if we have both legs in Jiangbei... Zhang Ji has a relationship with our Jiangbei University. Recently, he has written a lot of letters to me. I used to be separated for various reasons. Now when we get together, everyone will work together! Contact the elderly more, and some election matters can be discussed."

Chen Zhuo is also a smart person, how can he not understand Yuchen's meaning? It seems that the commander made up his mind to weaken Yuan Shikai's Beiyang group in military terms, and unite the Republicans in politics to poach the Kuomintang's corners... He has a great ambition.

He also felt something was wrong. It would be better to face one enemy at a time with Jiangbei's power. How dare the commander attack in both directions? If the opponent united, could the Jiangbei army be so eased? But Chen Zhuo is now young and energetic. This thought passed in his heart and gave up. He smiled at Yuchen with confidence and said, "Commander, I understand what you mean. Let me give you my help. If I can't do it well, I'm sorry for your importance."

Next is the report from other government departments and Yuchen. There are really a lot of business backlogs these days, and he has finished dealing with them one by one. It has been a long time since supper has passed. Li Zhangyun left the last time. He looked at Yuchen for a long time, and finally smiled bitterly: "Girl is outgoing, my daughter may still be waiting for you to have dinner now. You can meet you very much. Let's talk to her more today... I originally wanted this child to study in the United States and wait for the domestic major events to be decided in another three or two years, but she just doesn't want to, and I have no choice."

Speaking of this, Li Zhangyun is no longer the smart director of the Finance Department, but a kind father. Yuchen was so sad that he didn't know what it felt in his heart. He nodded at him in a hurry, picked up his military cap and walked towards the small flower hall where he usually eats. Li Zhangyun stood there and looked at his back. The cigar green-gray smoke curled around him.

My daughter is determined to follow such an ambitious person, and I don’t know if it’s her blessing. In the eyes of these characters, the relationship between men and women is very weak……………

Yuchen turned a few times and walked over. The small flower hall was brightly lit. Thinking of a girl waiting for him silently at noon next to his military book, he stood at the door, and he really didn't know what he was thinking.

In this world, I really have to integrate myself with my whole heart? Do I really have to give up all the little concerns in my heart?

The Jiangyou Army Command on the Huanggang Front was filled with sorrow. Although the Jiangyou Army had only one division and one brigade army, the 3rd Division had been the hero of the Northern Army for a long time, and the 3rd Mixed Brigade was also an elite unit adapted by the Guard Army. Compared with the troops of Chen Huan and Lei Zhenchun, it was indeed the pillar of the Beiyang on the Hubei battlefield. Moreover, the Jiangyou Army was in front of the center of the front, and the Jiangbei Army had the largest number of troops opposite, with seven regiments.

Since Xinyang fell on the 30th, Jiang Youjun, who had never suffered a loss in the battlefield, was in a situation of losing his power. I don’t know what happened to the rear! Xinyang’s key point can be lost! Wusheng Pass, the southern gate of the Central Plains, has only left troops, but one regiment of the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division, is guarding. Although the Southern Army does not know how big the specific roundabout troops are, it is no problem to be stronger than them seven or eight times. If Wusheng Pass is lost again, it will be really a dog-beaten by the Jiangbei Army!

These days, Cao Kun and his chief of staff Chen Wenyuan were locked in the headquarters all day long, planning what to do. When they were really bored, they went to the position to go around. The cable telegrams from the base camp and the Jiangyou Army through the Jinghan Line had long been cut off. Now, if there is any contact, the base camp sent telegrams to Tianjin, and Tianjin forwarded them to Shanghai. There was a water and telegram line from Shanghai to Wuhan. After all the way, there was no effective command of several Hubei armies. I only knew that Feng Guozhang had already become the commander of the Beiyang Army on the Jinghan Line, and he didn't know that he had been published as the commander of the Hubei general army on the Jinghan Line.

If it is fought, it may not be impossible to persist in Hubei. At least there is no big problem with grain and ammunition. There are many valleys in Wuhan. Ammunition is also supported by the Han factory. However, the salary was cut off. It turned out that when Li Yuanhong's office in Wuhan, the savings of the Wuchang official bureau and the Mint handed over were withdrawn by the former governor, which was originally intended. The others were also paid by the senior officers in the name of special fees. They all turned into HSBC deposits. Once the salary in the rear was cut off, the money in the entire Hubei could not even be paid for a month. Without the salary, these soldiers could do it normally, but they would not work hard in war!

The news that Xinyang was cut off had long been circulating, and now the morale of the army has been extremely floating. Fortunately, the Southern Army on the opposite side did not launch any large offensives. They just stared at them and prevented them from leaving contact and retreating. Cao Kun believed that if they turned around and ran north, these Southern Army would undoubtedly pursue them! From Huanggang to Wuhan and even to Xiaogan, there was no good terrain to resist step by step. Instead, he had to pass several water barriers. If he was not careful, he would be defeated like a mountain of defeat!

Why didn’t Feng Huafu lead the army south? You should know that the Beiyang Army in Hubei is powerless!

When Cao Kun was sulking in his headquarters, he saw his deputy commander, Wu Peifu, who had been removed from his post as the 11th Regiment, walk in in big strides. It seems that he had just come down from the front line. He was covered in smoke and mud. Cao Kun was still a talented but unruly subordinate. Last year, he acted without permission on the Jinpu Road. Lu Jin, who was above the command level, launched a sneak attack on Xue Cheng. This behavior was not only arbitrary, but also failed. There were a lot of people killed and injured in the 11th Regiment. Wang Shizhen withdrew Wu Peifu's mission on the spot.

In the end, Cao Kun transferred him to be the deputy commander of the division headquarters. He wanted to sharpen his arrogance, but he would rather send him to lead the troops. Many senior generals in Beiyang valued this up-and-coming celebrity, but his bad temper was a bit unbearable.

"Commander! The Southern Army has been mobilized many times today. I'm afraid it's time to take action against us! The artillery has been fired much less. Quietness before the heavy storm is not a good sign. I think we should make a decision early, either fight or leave!"

Hearing Wu Peifu's hard tone, Chief of Staff Chen Wenyuan glanced at him with dissatisfaction. A small deputy chief, the head of the horse. He actually had such a questioning tone to them. Do you care about the war? Before he could speak, Cao Kun sighed there: "Ziyu, how can I not know about this? Before the camp's orders came, we have to carry it here. It is not easy to leave now. The Southern Army is nailed to the opposite side, and if you want to fight with you, they will definitely get involved. Our Third Division has never been so cowardly!"

Wu Peifu said firmly: "Commander, you can't hesitate at this time. What are the orders from the base camp? We must make a decision early. I think it's okay to use troops decisively. First give the Southern Army a blow to the person in front of you! Then retreat. Defeat the Southern Army in front of Wusheng Pass, and we can return to the north safely!"

Chen Wenyuan had tolerated him for a long time. It turned out that he was the Sixth Association's chief of staff, and he was a little inconsistent with Wu Peifu, a subordinate. Now he is the chief of staff of the Jiangyou Army and has been promoted to another level. Wu Peifu was demoted to be an adjutant of the division headquarters. He stood up and said sternly: "Wu Ziyu! These major military operations are of course Commander Cao and I. You do not lead the troops, and you do not bear the responsibility of the staff. It is serious to arrest the adjutant's business. Why, do you want to hold the chief again on the front line? Is it impossible for military law to scare you?"

Wu Peifu was roared by him, but only snorted. He raised his head stubbornly. His face was full of disdain. He had always been a character who was not to fall down. There were not many people he admired in Beiyang. Cao Zhongsan was gentle and generous to the lower class. He was quite convinced. What was Chen Wenyuan?

Cao Kun hurriedly pressed Chen Wenyuan down: "Brother Siyuan, you can't be angry with this stubborn donkey. Don't you know his temper yet... Ziyu, if you have any Chen, just say it quickly, and if you don't say it, get out!"

Chen Shanhe walked on Xinyang Railway Station with a calm face. This young man who was excited when he heard about the war. This time he also found that when the Northern Army retreated at Xinyang Railway Station, the shells he shot on Dongshan were really miserable. He extended north along the railway line for two or three miles, and the ground was covered with scattered gray-clothed Northern Army corpses. The station was also beaten to pieces, with burning carriages and fronts everywhere. He lay down there in a row. The large-brimmed hats, military uniforms, silver oceans, ammunition, weapons, mules, horses, and large carts dropped on the platform were thrown everywhere. It mixed with dead bodies. This formed the desolate situation of the Northern Army's defeated retreat.

After the battle of Xinyang, the Northern Army was completely collapsed. When retreating, it was blocked by its own artillery fire. Many troops were lost. The Jiangbei Army infantry advanced and captured more than 2,000 prisoners. In addition to the casualties in front, even if the Northern Army's 1st Division escaped, they were basically defeated to be disabled.

Although the battle was so great, looking at the tragic situation in front of him, Chen Shanhe was not happy when he thought of the numerous corpses on Dongshan. At this moment, he suddenly understood why Brother He Sui volunteered to take the An Meng army to the north to fight. No matter how good the battle is, it is still a civil war!

But the commander must have a knife that can splash blood for five steps at any time, no matter whose blood is splashing. Chen Shanhe could only say this to himself in his heart.

Chief of Staff Cai Hengwen rushed over with the horse barbarians. Looking at the tragic situation in the area, he looked unbearable. He walked to Chen Shanhe and stood attentively and saluted: "Captain, the battlefield has been cleaned up. The Northern Army has been killed and wounded, and more than 2,000 prisoners have been captured. More than 20 cannons, seven machine guns, and countless other weapons and ammunition have been seized. There are also a large number of supplies, food and money that are ready to be transferred to the Hubei frontline...... What should our detachment do next?"

Chen Shanhe turned his head, and the hesitant expression on his face had long been dispelled by him: "What else do you think? Remove this section of the railway for me and cut off all the telegram lines. In addition to guarding Xinyang with the Third Regiment and the Sixth Regiment, the entire army was lightly in Xinyang, strengthening the artillery unit, and taking Wusheng Pass as fast as possible! I want to watch the Northern Army be wiped out in Hubei!"

After Chen Shanhe Detachment occupied Xinyang and drove the 1st Division to strengthen the 4th Division and drove one regiment northward and caused great damage, Chen Detachment strengthened more than 20 artillery pieces before the Hubei Northern Army had time to reinforce Wusheng Pass, and quickly launched an attack on Wusheng Pass. The Northern Army defenders of Wusheng Pass were the 3rd Regiment of the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Division and the Artillery Company of more than 1,700 people. Under the military front of Chen Detachment, they were in danger.

"Now we must use our troops decisively! We will defend Huanggang with a strong regiment, and the others will quickly head towards Wusheng Pass. Take a train from Wuchang and have time to fight with the Southern Army. If the First and Second Army have this awareness, they will also follow. Everyone is eager to return to the north and will be forced to survive in the death of Wusheng Pass. After all, the Southern Army has not strong enough to advance into Henan. According to my estimate, it is only about 15,000. And they are alone, and there are troops in the north that can come up to attack on both sides at any time. If they are one step later and the morale of the army is shaken, they will be defeated as if the army is over! Commander, now taking advantage of the army's strength, the military spirit is not out of control. Let's go quickly!"

Wu Peifu's meaning is firm, and his suggestions are one of the plans that Cao Kun and Chen Wenyuan have repeatedly considered over the days. In fact, as soon as Xinyang was occupied, Cao Kun took the 3rd Division to Wusheng Pass and stayed the 3rd Mixed Brigade to the top of the tank. However, the 3rd Mixed Brigade also had Duan Zhigui, a unit with a strong aid backer in Beijing. He shouted that he could not accept the task of adjusting the position, and the 3rd Division had to stay. If they walked in front and the 3rd Brigade ran after the 3rd Brigade followed and chased the Southern Army, the joke would be huge. The Beiyang Army had their own systems and had to tell the origin when commanding. The 3rd Mixed Brigade was so unacceptable that everyone had to move.

I heard that the same is true for Chen Huan and Lei Zhenchun. The 2nd Division of the First Army was about to leave and the 8th Division was also about to leave. I would stay in the 9th Mixed Brigade and cut off the rear, but I was afraid that they would immediately surrender their guns. They all had a headache. The 7th Division of the Second Army and the Hongwei Army were originally barely tied together. Hongwei Army wanted to return to his hometown in Henan, while the 7th Division wanted to meet with the Jiangyou Army. Everyone was in such a dangerous moment and no one followed the command of anyone. As a result, the three armies were staring at the Southern Army in front, and the retreat route was cut off from behind, and they could not move in Hubei.

"Commander, leave me the 11th Regiment. I'll cut you off the rear! Ensure you safety!" Wu Peifu bulged his eyes again and said something loud and loud. It was not that he didn't know the danger of staying, but he just wanted to prove to the Southern Army that there were pure soldiers like him in the Beiyang Army. Cao Kun and Chen Wenyuan looked at him and couldn't speak for a while. The wind knew the strong grass, and the slander knew the loyal ministers!
Chapter completed!