Jiang Baili nodded in agreement and said: "Then let's quickly transfer the armored group army to Manchuria. Compared with the terrain of Heihe, Manzhouli is easier for Russia to break through."

"I plan to personally lead the armored group to Manchuria to prepare for the Russian assault. I will leave the defense of the northern line to you." Zhang Xinghan thought for a moment and said.

When it comes to commanding armored troops in combat, Li Zhenyuan is far behind him. Lao Maozi's tank troops and artillery troops cannot be underestimated. Zhang Xinghan had to be cautious, so he decided to personally command this battle.

Seeing Zhang Xinghan's resolute attitude, Jiang Baili did not dissuade him too much, but said: "Commander, you must pay attention to safety, you are the backbone of our 200,000 new army."

"I know this. I won't take the lead and risk a charge. In terms of tactical command ability, Zhenyuan is not as good as me. Only when I go can I act according to the situation and formulate the most correct battle plan." Zhang Xinghan said.

That same day, Zhang Xinghan led three armored divisions to advance westward along the Zhongchang Railway toward Manzhouli. At the same time, Liu Guodong and Wu Chengfeng's Duli 5th Division were sent from Qiqihar to Hulunbuir for reinforcements.

The first to arrive in Manzhouli was not the armored force led by Zhang Xinghan, but Zhang Shixian's unit of Duli's 8th Division, which had been ordered to station in Manzhouli earlier.

Almost as soon as Zhang Shixian's 8th Division arrived in Manchuria, they met the Russian offensive troops head-on.

Russia used tanks and armored vehicles as its assault force, supplemented by fierce artillery fire, and easily pushed back Zhang Shixian's Duli 8th Division.

The Russian army then occupied Manzhouli and pursued Zhang Shixian's troops all the way to Hailar.

At the critical moment, Zhang Xinghan led three armored divisions, a huge torrent of steel consisting of 600 tanks and 300 armored vehicles arrived.

One armored division made a frontal assault, and two armored divisions outflanked them. The tanks and armored vehicles in front of them also easily wiped out the Russian tank and armored force that was pursuing Zhang Shixian's men.

At this time, the Russian army's first batch of medium-sized tanks, the T-28, had not yet officially entered service. Lao Maozi's tank and armored forces were still equipped with the MC-18 tanks that fought against the Fengtian Army three years ago.

This tank is known as a replica of the Russian Renault tank, and its performance is similar to the Renault tanks of the Northeast Army that the former Fengjun, Zhang Xinghan, received in Shenyang City.

Even the German Panzer III tanks that the Northeastern New Army replaced some time ago are inferior, let alone the more advanced Panzer IV tanks now equipped by the Northeastern New Army.

Moreover, Lao Maozi's tank unit only has less than thirty vehicles, which is less than one-thirtieth of the armored group army of the Northeast New Army.

Although his performance in all aspects was extremely lagging, he was beaten thirty to one.

The fate of the Russian tank troops can be imagined.

After annihilating this Russian tank force without much effort, Zhang Xinghan could order the Duli 8th Division to join forces with the Qiqihar Duli 5th Division, which came for reinforcements, and the three armored divisions to counterattack towards Manchuria.

At this time, the Russian army had less than two infantry regiments in Manchuria. After learning that the tank troops had been completely wiped out, China's Northeastern New Army launched a massive counterattack.

The Russian army quickly called for reinforcements while holding on to the spot, hoping to hold on until reinforcements arrived and defeat the Northeastern army.

However, when Zhang Xinghan led a huge steel torrent consisting of nearly a thousand tanks and armored vehicles to arrive in Manchuria.

Lao Maozi was all shocked. They had no idea that this Northeast Army had such a large number of tanks and armored vehicles.

Zhang Xinghan did not give the Russian troops a chance to breathe, nor did he stop because of their surprise. He immediately ordered the tanks and armored troops to launch a fierce fire attack on the Russian positions in Manchuria with thousands of guns fired.

Subsequently, the Duli 5th Division was dispatched to launch an all-out attack on Manchuria in conjunction with tanks and armored vehicles.

Wu Chengfeng, who caused great disaster in the Qiqihar Incident, was extremely brave. As the deputy division commander, he took the lead and personally led a regiment of officers and soldiers to charge with the tanks.

Due to its special geographical location, Manzhouli is different from other cities in that it is a border county without city walls.

No matter which side the defenders were on, they could only build field fortifications along the city.

In such a flat terrain, without the obstruction of city walls, the assault capabilities of tanks and armored vehicles will be maximized.

The simultaneous fire coverage of nearly a thousand tanks, six hundred 75mm tank guns, hundreds of anti-aircraft machine guns, and hundreds of anti-aircraft guns was something that no single force could bear.

Especially in the absence of complete and strong permanent defenses.

In just ten minutes of fierce firepower, less than two regiments of Russian troops suffered hundreds of casualties under the powerful assault of the New Army tank troops.

In less than half an hour, their defense line was completely in danger. As Wu Chengfeng led the infantry into the Russian position, they used submachine guns and machine guns to launch a fierce sweep.

The Russian army was completely defeated, but they had been surrounded by a tank of 30,000 troops in front of them. Except for a few who resisted and were beaten to pieces by bullets, most of them wisely threw away their weapons and chose to surrender.

Zhang Xinghan did not order the prisoners to be killed. He did not want to anger Lao Maozi's leader too much, because it was not the time for an all-out war with Lao Maozi yet.

After retaking Manchuria, Zhang Xinghan did not continue the offensive in a hurry. Instead, he began to order his troops to rush to repair and strengthen fortifications in Manzhouli, waiting for the Russian army to attack.

At the same time, on the eastern battlefield, reinforcements from the Northeast New Army Air Force and Jiamusi arrived.

The two regiments of Russian troops that crossed the river retreated hastily back to the east bank after suffering heavy losses.

However, the Russian army's powerful artillery firepower soon began to bombard the defensive positions of the Northeastern New Army's Aihui defenders, and Air Force fighter planes also took off to assist in the battle.

However, they suffered a devastating blow from the fighter jets of the flying group led by Liu Cuigang. All six Russian aircraft that took off were destroyed and shot down.

When the news came back to Vladivostok, the current commander of the Far Eastern Military District, Vasily Konstantinovich Blucher, was shocked and stunned.

All attacks from the east and west failed?

"Zhang Xinghan's Northeastern New Army is so powerful? Especially their air force and armored forces seem to be far stronger than our Red Army troops." Bluher said to himself in fear.

"General, what should we do next? Should we stop the attack?" an adjutant asked.

"No, we must never give up with China, but we must mobilize more tanks, aircraft and artillery to win. I will immediately send a message to the leader and ask for reinforcements," Blyucher said immediately.

………………………Nanjing, Chairman Chiang Kai-shek’s official residence.

Wang Shihe hurriedly walked into Chairman Chiang's study and saluted: "Commissioner, the matter has been clarified. The cause was still a dispute between the two sides on the China Eastern Railway. When Wu Chengfeng, deputy commander of the 5th Division of the New Army Duli, shot and killed one hundred people, he

Many Russian invaders triggered this war with Russia."

"Who, Wu Chengfeng? Damn it, this kid is so talented. In this way, Zhang Xinghan's strength will definitely be hit by the Soviet Union." After hearing this, Chairman Jiang said without worry: "Zhang Xinghan has been in this period of time.

The limelight is too strong, it’s time to kill his energy.”

"Commissioner, shall we do anything?" Wang Shihe asked tentatively.

"No, just sit back and watch what happens." Chairman Chiang said without hesitation.

…………………… Dalian Lushun, Japanese Kwantung Army Headquarters.

Hashimoto Toranosuke rushed into Muto Nobuyoshi's office excitedly, and said to Muto Nobuyoshi excitedly: "Your Excellency, General, I just got the news that Zhang Xinghan's Northeastern New Army has a military conflict with the Russians. At present, the two sides have launched a military conflict in the border area.

There was a fierce battle."

"Nani? Is this serious?" Muto Xinyi couldn't believe his ears. Zhang Xinghan dared to start a war with Russia at this time?

"Reporting to Your Excellency General, it is absolutely true." Hashimoto Toranosuke said, taking out a piece of information and handing it to Muto Nobuyoshi: "Your Excellency General, please read this and you will understand the cause of this matter."

After reading it, Muto Nobuyoshi couldn't help but snorted: "Zhang Xinghan also wants to follow Zhang Xueliang's example and take back the China Eastern Railway? Does he really think that Russia is willing to give up after joining the association? He is just dreaming."

"Your Excellency, General, should we take advantage of Zhang Xinghan's troops to enter the war with Russia and take the opportunity to counterattack Northern Manchuria?" Hashimoto Toranosuke asked eagerly.

Unexpectedly, Muto Nobuyoshi shook his head and said: "No, the imperial army's local reinforcements have not yet arrived. Zhang Xinghan has deployed heavy troops in Tongliao and Siping. If he attacks rashly, it will be difficult to win."

"But, General, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Zhang Xinghan's Northeastern New Army is being restrained by the Russians. If we take the opportunity to attack, he will be attacked from both sides. We must not miss this opportunity!" Hashimoto Toranosuke hurriedly advised.

"Hashimoto-kun, you are oversimplifying things. First of all, after the battles of Shenyang, Tongliao, Jehol and Northern Manchuria, the main divisions of our Kwantung Army have almost been lost. At present, we are not enough to protect ourselves.

, where do you have the troops to counterattack Northern Manchuria?

So we have to wait for the opportunity." Muto Nobuyoshi said meaningfully.

"But, General, this opportunity must not be missed before it comes again!" Hashimoto Toranosuke was a little reluctant.

"The opportunity will definitely come again. This time Zhang Xinghan has become enemies with Russia. No matter who wins this war, when we launch an attack on Northern Manchuria in the future, we can invite Russia to attack at the same time with us, attacking from both sides.

." Muto Nobuyoshi explained.

………………Beiping, Marshal Zhang’s Mansion.

The aide-de-camp Chen Dazhang mysteriously came to Zhang Xueliang's office and reported to him: "Young Marshal, Zhang Xinghan led his Northeastern New Army to fight with the Russians in Manchuria and Heihe."

"What? You said Zhang Xinghan and Russia were at war?" Zhang Xueliang was shocked.

"Yes, to be precise, Russia started a war with Zhang Xinghan." Chen Dazhang nodded.

Zhang Xueliang was startled at first, and then laughed proudly: "Haha, Zhang Xinghan, this idiot, went to start a war with the Russians. He thought the Russians were Japanese and so easy to offend? Hum, this bastard this time
Chapter completed!