Lishu County is less than thirty miles away from Siping. Because all Japanese troops are deployed in towns along the Nanman Railway Line, it is now under the control of the Manchukuo puppet army. There are about three hundred puppet troops stationed here.

The night color is like ink, and you can't see your fingers when you reach out.

Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles rumbled forward in the night, and it took less than an hour to reach the southern suburbs of Lishu County from Siping.

In order to avoid alerting the enemy, Zhang Xinghan ordered all tanks and armored vehicles to turn off their lights and move slowly, detouring from the Sikeshu and Baishan areas west of Lishu County.

We arrived at Gongzhuling three hours later.

Gongzhuling, also known as Gongzhuling, is the tomb of the third daughter of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and Princess Jinggulun.

Because it is located between Changchun and Siping, the Japanese army still left a considerable number of troops stationed here.

In addition to a regiment of Japanese troops, there were thousands of puppet troops distributed in large and small bunkers and machine gun fire points near Gongzhuling Station.

The Japanese army of this regiment deployed its main forces on the north and south sides of the Dongliao River Railway Bridge south of Gongzhuling, because this railway bridge is directly related to the smooth flow of the South Manchuria Railway.

It is an extremely important strategic location.

Zhang Xinghan led his troops to detour from Lishu County. If he wanted to break through Gongzhuling, the railway bridge between Caijia Town and Nanweizi Town became the only way to pass.

In order not to damage the railway bridge, ensure that your armored troops can pass smoothly.

After discussing with Li Zhenyuan, Zhang Xinghan and Li Zhenyuan decided to use the anti-aircraft machine guns and 88mm anti-aircraft guns mounted on the armored vehicles of the anti-aircraft regiment as fire cover to use infantry to seize the Dongliao River Railway Bridge.

To this end, the air defense regiment dispatched more than 20 armored vehicles, ten 88-mm anti-aircraft guns, and 20 anti-aircraft machine guns to launch a sudden fire attack on the Japanese bunker group guarding the south bank.

The rapid and fierce firepower of the 88mmg anti-aircraft gun suddenly hit the Japanese bunker, causing fire to spread and earth and rocks to fly.

Although the high-explosive shells of the 88 anti-aircraft gun could not directly destroy the Japanese bunker, the continuous bombardment and explosions killed most of the Japanese inside.

Some of the shrapnel flying wildly penetrated through the firing holes, causing serious damage to the Japanese.

Niu Erzhu, who had been promoted to the commander of the 1st Motorized Infantry Regiment, personally led two companies of infantry to take advantage of the situation and launch a charge against the Japanese bunker firepower group.

The New Army's armored vehicles continued to suppress the Japs' bunker group with intensive firepower. Some armored soldiers even drove their armored vehicles directly in front of the Japs' tanks, blocking the desperate Japanese machine gun bullets with their heavy armor.

The infantrymen of the Motorized Rifle Regiment took advantage of the situation and rushed forward, firing grenades and throwing them in through the firing holes on both sides.

There was an explosion and a flash of fire. All the Japanese in the bunker were killed.

Using this method of fighting, the Mobu group quickly eliminated the Japanese on the south bank.

Immediately, with five armored vehicles as the front, they made an assault on the north bank.

The Japanese troops on the north bank had already been alarmed by the fighting on the south bank. The large and small machine gun bunkers located on both sides of the railway opened fire one after another, and dazzling tongues of flame shot out, which looked particularly dazzling in the dark night.

The defensive armor of the two armored vehicles at the front was continuously hit by dense bullets, making a series of clanging sounds and sparks flying everywhere.

"Come on!" a New Army second lieutenant yelled angrily while holding a machine gun, and the machine gun in his hand kept firing with rapid fire.

Hundreds of New Army infantrymen continued to advance behind the armored vehicles.

In order to stop the approaching New Army armored vehicles, the Japs on the north bank began to send out death squads holding their gun bags and rushing out of the fortifications, rushing toward the New Army armored vehicles along the railroad tracks.

The machine gunners on the two armored vehicles soon discovered it and immediately turned their guns and began to shoot at the Japanese soldiers who were running quickly.

The Japanese soldiers dodged left and right. Although they were experienced and obviously well-trained veterans, the dense rain of bullets caused by the terrifying speed of the four high-speed machine guns still knocked them to the ground one by one.

Some bullets even hit the gun bag in the Japs' arms, causing a violent explosion. After a flash of fire, several Japs soldiers were instantly blown to pieces.

"Come on!" the new officers and soldiers roared, taking advantage of the situation to attack. The five armored vehicles also accelerated in vain, and soon rushed to several Japanese fire bunkers.

Those who followed rushed up from both sides of the armored vehicle and used grenades to clear out the Japanese trapped inside.

The entire battle took less than half an hour. Under the cover of the air defense regiment, the 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment captured the Dongliao River Railway Bridge. The Armored Brigade immediately took the lead in crossing the river and advanced along the railway towards Gongzhuling.

The main force of the 1st Motorized Infantry Division followed and crossed the river.

News that the railway bridge in Princess Lingnan was suddenly attacked was quickly reported to Nobuyoshi Muto.

Muto Nobuyoshi was shocked and quickly ordered the main force of the 14th Division that had just sent to Siping to return to Gongzhuling.

But it was too late. By the time Muto Nobuyoshi's order was issued, Zhang Xinghan had already commanded his troops to cross the South Manchuria Railway via Gongzhuling and march eastward towards Gulin.

Therefore, when the main force of the 14th Division hurriedly returned from Siping to Gongzhuling, Zhang Xinghan's assault force had disappeared.

The news was sent back to the Kwantung Army headquarters.

Muto Nobuyoshi frowned and said to Chief of Staff Hashimoto Toranosuke: "Hashimoto-kun, China has not attacked Gongzhuling. It seems that their target is Changchun. What do they want?"

Hashimoto Toranosuke looked at the map, shook his head and said: "Zhang Xinghan is a guy who doesn't play by common sense, and he is unpredictable even in his humble position."

At this moment, a communications staff officer walked in with a telegram in his hand, suddenly closed his feet and saluted: "General, there is a call from the 2nd Division. The Tongliao Army of South China Road has entered Zhangwu County, and its cavalry troops have bypassed the Imperial Army's New Civil Defense Line.

The Shenyang-Tieling section of the South Manchuria Railway is being attacked, and the 2nd Division and the 6th Division are trying their best to expel it."

Muto Nobuyoshi suddenly felt mentally and physically exhausted and helpless. What kind of person is Zhang Xinghan? Since Shenyang Hengkong was born, he has caused heavy losses to the imperial army one after another. This person has almost become the nemesis of the imperial army of the Japanese Empire.

Counting Muto Nobuyoshi, the Kwantung Army has changed its commander three times.

After taking a few deep breaths, Muto Nobuyoshi said: "Order one unit each of the 6th and 2nd Divisions to hold on to the New Civil Defense Line and ensure the smooth flow of the Shenyang Section of the South Manchuria Railway!"

"Hai!" the communications staff member suddenly lowered his head and responded, then turned around and strode away.

"General, what should we do in the direction of Changchun?" Hashimoto Toranosuke asked.

"Command Chang Chun and all the ministries in Siping to immediately dispatch cavalry reconnaissance troops to make sure to detect traces of the China Army that attacked the Dongliao River Railway Bridge." Muto Nobuyoshi said.

"Hai."

Zhang Xinghan led his troops through Gongzhuling, passed through Shuangyang, and Yonggu marched quickly to the south of Gulin.

Gulin is located in the middle of Gulin Province. The Songhua River flows through the entire Gulin City. Gulin City is surrounded by mountains on three sides and has bad water on three sides. It is a dangerous place. If there are sufficient troops stationed, no enemy can capture it.

So easy.

However, due to the emergency in Siping, Muto Nobuyoshi transferred all the tens of thousands of puppet Manchu troops originally deployed near Gulin to Siping.

The main force of the Japanese army was also based on the South Manchuria Railway. At this time, there were less than 10,000 puppet troops stationed in Gulin, and the force was extremely weak.

Zhang Xinghan used powerful assault firepower to capture Yonggu County, known as the southern gate of Gulin.

The gates of Gulin had been opened, and the news reached Gulin. Puyi, who had just become the head of state and was still dreaming of ascending to the throne again, and other Manchu remnants were panicked and confused.

Puyi packed his bags and fled the ancient forest overnight. Kenji Doihara, the head of the Japanese Kwantung Army secret service who was ordered to monitor Puyi, stopped him on the spot.

"As the ruler of the puppet Manchukuo country, how can you easily abandon your country's capital and run away in a hurry? How will you be able to convince the public in the future?"

"However, Mr. Doihara's rebels are coming fiercely, and Gulin City is empty of troops. I'm afraid it will be difficult to hold on!" Pu Yi said with a troubled face.

"Your Excellency, there is no need to panic. I will send a message to the Kwantung Army headquarters to request reinforcements. The imperial army will not sit back and watch the rebels capture the capital of your country." Doihara Kenji said.

"That's very good, that's very good." Pu Yi nodded repeatedly in shock.

……………… It was just dawn, and Muto Nobuyoshi had just fallen asleep and had not farted, when he was awakened by a rapid knock on the door.

"Your Excellency General, Your Excellency General, it's not good!" Hashimoto Toranosuke's anxious voice came from outside the door.

Muto Nobuyoshi dragged his tired body out of bed, opened the door and asked hurriedly: "Hashimoto-kun, why are you so anxious?"

"General, Doihara Kenji just sent an urgent message from Gulin. A group of Chinese troops attacked Yonggu County in the early morning. Now they have arrived at Gulin City. Now Gulin City is empty of troops. In order to protect Gulin, Lord Doi

Please send reinforcements as soon as possible." Hashimoto Toranosuke hurriedly handed the message in his hand to Muto Nobuyoshi.

"Nani?" Muto Xinyi was shocked when he heard this. After quickly taking the message and reading it, he roared angrily: "Bagaya Road, Zhang Xinghan is so cunning, he actually wants to capture the ancient forest?!"

"General, what should we do? Ancient Forest City is now the capital of the Manchuria Empire and cannot be lost easily. Otherwise, it will cause an immeasurable blow to the existence of the Manchuria Empire." Hashimoto Toranosuke said with a worried look.

"Order the 14th Division, the Manchurian Army in Zhishan, Guxing and other units to immediately relieve Gulin City, quickly!" Muto Xinyi ordered in a cold voice.

"General, what should we do about Siping?" Hashimoto Toranosuke asked.

"The real target of China's invasion is the ancient forest, not Siping. The defense of the 10th Division is enough. Let's execute the order quickly." Muto Nobuyoshi urged.

"Hai." Hashimoto Toranosuke lowered his head, turned around with his saber in hand and strode away.

……………… Yonggu County, Zhang Xinghan has set up his headquarters here.

In the headquarters, Zhang Xinghan was arranging combat missions to Wang Yizhe, Liu Jianguo, Li Zhenyuan and others.

"The 1st Motorized Rifle Regiment launched an attack from Erdao Mountain in the south of the city. The Armored Brigade sent a tank battalion to assist in the attack. The 3rd Motorized Rifle Regiment went around to the west of the city, first captured Dasuihe Station, and then attacked Gulin City. The 2nd Motorized Rifle Regiment served as the reserve force.

"The main force of the armored brigade is responsible for the assault from the north of the city. All units should fight with all their strength to capture the ancient forest as soon as possible. One thing to note is to capture Puyi alive as much as possible." Zhang Xinghan pointed at the map and distributed it to the crowd.
Chapter completed!