Chapter 127: The Hot Buds in the Battle of Shanghai (2)

The situation in the Battle of Shanghai was not good. As the commander-in-chief of the Central Army and the commander-in-chief of the Ninth Army, Zhang Zhizhong, was extremely anxious and finally became ill and was admitted to the Nanjing Army General Hospital.

"Wen Bai, don't worry too much." Chiang Kai-shek went to the Army General Hospital to visit Zhang Zhizhong who was sick.

From the invitation of Zhang Zhizhong to be the captain of the third-term enlisted student in Huangpu in the 13th year of the Republic of China, until now, Chiang Kai-shek has appreciated, promoted and valued Zhang Zhizhong and He Yingqin as much as He Yingqin. Although He Yingqin is now the second in command of Chairman Chiang, He Yingqin's ambition to replace him many times made him not feel at ease with He Yingqin. However, he was very relieved about Zhang Zhizhong, who has always been centered on himself, never had factions, and no ambitions. From the 128th to the Battle of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek always handed over his most elite troops to Zhang Zhizhong. Although he has trained another Chen Cheng again, in terms of qualifications, Chen Cheng cannot compare with Zhang Zhizhong.

"Chairman, this time Zhizhong is worthy of the Chairman's trust and cannot annihilate the Japanese invaders on the battlefield of Songhu, resulting in the current situation of war. Zhizhong begs the Chairman to resign as commander-in-chief of the Central Army and commander-in-chief of the Ninth Army." Zhang Zhizhong proposed resignation to Chiang Kai-shek with guilty expression. During this period, he was exhausted. As the situation gradually became unfavorable, he was worried about repeating the mistakes of the defeat of the 128th Anti-Japanese War, so he took the initiative to submit resignation to Chiang Kai-shek.

"Don't think too much about this. No matter what, since the war between Shanghai and Shanghai started, our army has shown the momentum of Chinese people, and has aroused widespread sympathy internationally. Although the current situation has changed, you should not have too many concerns. Compared with those who only talk about high-profile and do not do practical things, you don't have to blame yourself so much."

Hearing Chiang Kai-shek's words, Zhang Zhi's tense strings suddenly relaxed. He understood that Chairman Jiang had agreed to his resignation. At the same time, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. The person who only talked about empty talk and did not do practical things was Feng Yuxiang, the vice chairman of the Military Commission and the commander-in-chief of the Third War Zone. In fact, it was no wonder that the elites of the Central Army are now concentrated in the battlefield of Songhu. Even if he wanted to command, he probably couldn't command. Even if Zhang Zhizhong received the order from Chief Feng, he would probably ask Chairman Jiang first and then implement it.

"By the way, Wen Bai, what do you think about the subsequent development of the battle situation?" Chiang Kai-shek continued to ask. Now that the battle in the Songhu River is starting with a bad start, he is also very troubled.

Speaking of the Battle of Shanghai, Zhang Zhizhong couldn't help but frown, pondered for a moment, and said, "Chairman, the gap between China and Japan is obvious. Although the Battle of Shanghai has internationally sympathized with our country and is actively mediating, I feel that it is still intensifying. Japan will never stop easily, and there is a possibility of continuing to increase troops. Once the Neon Army increases its troops, we should continue to pay attention to the possibility of the Neon Army landing in Hangzhou Bay. Once they land from Hangzhou Bay, detour to the right wing of our army and cut off the Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou Railways, it will form an encirclement of the troops on the battlefield of Shanghai, and the entire Songhu defense line may collapse in the entire line." Speaking of this, Zhang Zhizhong looked at the thoughtful Chiang Kai-shek and said earnestly: "Chairman, international mediation has always been on the side of the winner. We must defend even if we cannot win."

"The words are reasonable." Chiang Kai-shek nodded, but then smiled and said, "The Eighth Army of Zhang Fakui, who is stationed on the front line of Pudong and Hangzhou Bay, should be safe to defend."

Seeing that Chiang Kai-shek didn't take it seriously, Zhang Zhizhong frowned and wanted to continue to persuade him: "Chairman, the front line of the Eighth Army is too long. If you are restrained by the Neon Army, you may be out of reach."

Before Zhang Zhizhong finished speaking, Chiang Kai-shek waved his hand and said, "Now several divisions in the northwest and central China are advancing towards the Songhu battlefield. Liao Lei's 21st Army is also gathering to prepare to go to Shanghai. The troops are enough."

Since Chiang Kai-shek said this, Zhang Zhizhong was not good at saying anything, but his only concern was that if what Chen Xiuwen said was true, Japan would continue to increase its troops to Shanghai, from the current three divisions to five divisions or even ten divisions. By then, these troops would probably be robbed.

Then Chiang Kai-shek changed his tone and said with a smile: "Wen Bai, you are wise and wise. The 9th Independent Brigade of the Ninth Army won three battles and three victories. With one brigade's troops, they annihilated 8,000 Japanese invaders, which greatly boosted the morale of our army. You, the commander-in-chief, must be rewarded with such achievements."

Now that the battle between Shanghai and Shanghai is in turmoil, only the record of the Independent Twenty Brigade has made Chiang Kai-shek feel depressed. Although he was optimistic about his fellow villager at the time during the exercise at the beginning of last year, he did not expect that this fellow villager would bring such a big surprise to him.

Speaking of the Independent Twenty Brigade, a smile appeared on Zhang Zhizhong's face. The performance of the Independent Twenty Brigade was the only highlight of his Ninth Group, and it also made him not as embarrassed as Chen Cheng when the battle was defeated. He felt sincerely relieved Chen Xiuwen, the student he valued when he entered the school.

However, when it comes to rewarding merits and practices, Zhang Zhizhong was a little helpless. The 20th Independent Brigade's record has exceeded half of the entire Ninth Army. It is logical that it is enough to be promoted to major general, to be promoted to division commander, or even to army commander, but Chen Xiuwen's qualifications are too shallow. He graduated from Huangpu's ninth class, and is only in his twenties. He is already a colonel brigade commander and is also a Class A brigade. Looking at the entire Songhu battlefield, which division commander is not a brigade commander who graduated from Huangpu's first and second years, and even from Baoding Military Academy. He is too sharp and has improved too fast, which is not conducive to Chen Xiuwen's future development.

Zhang Zhizhong said his concerns to Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek nodded with approval, but immediately smiled and said, "However, it is too unreasonable to not reward such a great contribution. I think I can award the third-class treasure tripod medal. In addition, the 20th Independent Brigade lost all heavy weapons this time. Are the two regiments basically exhausted? Then they will be given two Zhejiang security regiments, and all weapons and ammunition will be distributed according to the standards of the German armed division. There are also four mountain artillery battalions that have just been imported from Germany, and they will also be allocated one."

Zhang Zhizhong was shocked when he heard this. He did not expect Chairman Jiang to be so generous. Not to mention that the third-class Baoding Medal was the highest honor awarded to the school officials, the two Zhejiang security groups and the standard supplement of the German equipment division were already on the same level as several direct German equipment divisions. More importantly, the four 75mm Krupp Mountain Artillery Battalions that had just been imported for huge sums of money were all snatched by several major players.

Seeing Zhang Zhizhong's surprised expression, Jiang Zhongzheng snorted softly with his nose: "Good equipment, good soldiers are for those who can fight and win."

The third-class treasure tripod medal, the supplement of the two Zhejiang security regiments, the most surprising thing about Chen Xiuwen was the twelve 75mm Krupp mountain cannons just imported from Germany. Chen Xiuwen was fed up with the Neon Army artillery fire in Luodian, and a large part of the casualties of the troops were caused by the Japanese artillery bombardment. Now with these twelve Krupp mountain cannons, it is enough to destroy them beyond the range of the Neon Army's 92 infantry cannons.

"Brother Shen, I said last time that if there are any difficulties, just come to see if you have any difficulties, and see if you have any difficulties?" Deputy Director Ma of the Military Affairs Department of the Ministry of Military Affairs, who came to award medals on behalf of the Ministry of Military Affairs and brought in the supplementary weapons and equipment and soldiers, said to Chen Xiuwen with a smile.

Chairman Jiang's big moves made senior officials of the Ministry of Military Affairs rush to win this mission. The third-class treasure tripod medal and the two Zhejiang security regiments were all supplemented according to the German equipment standards, and the more important supplement to the mountain artillery battalion undoubtedly showed Chairman Jiang's respect for the young colonel. Everyone could understand these, so they all wanted to take advantage of this time to make friends with the young upstart. Originally, Deputy Director Ma was not his turn this time, but because he had a good contact with Shen Xiuwen last time, Minister He personally ordered the general and asked him to go there.

Of course, Deputy Director Ma was overjoyed. In addition to gaining the trust of Minister He, he not only could further make friends with this upstart, but also Chen Xiuwen's generous actions were undoubtedly a fat man.

Chen Xiuwen couldn't help but be stunned. So many additions were beyond his expectations. According to Deputy Director Ma's wishes, he could make a request.

"Brother Shen, before I set off this time, Minister He personally told the Ministry of Military Affairs that the Ministry of Military Affairs would strongly support the anti-Japanese heroic troops like the 20th Independent Brigade." Deputy Director Ma said with a smile in a low voice.

Chen Xiuwen couldn't help but feel moved. It seemed that Minister He was deliberately making a decision. Although his elder brother Chen Xiude had already warned him not to have too much contact with other forces, Chen Xiuwen was based on the principle of being a bastard who was cheap and not being involved. He said embarrassedly: "This, the soldiers have basically been fully supplemented at present, but the veterans and officers of the army have suffered too much losses. Can the Ministry of Military Affairs provide some supplements?"

Chen Xiuwen's mouth is indeed a bit big. Grassroots officers and veterans are at the grassroots level of the same unit. Often, more than ten veterans and three or four grassroots officers can expand a company. However, in this battle of Luodian, the veterans and platoon-level grassroots officers of the 38th and 42nd Regiments and the platoon-level grassroots officers of the 30th Regiment and the more than 500 seeds left behind. Since Minister He took the initiative to show his favor, Chen Xiuwen spoke out loudly.
Chapter completed!