Outside Chengde City, officers and soldiers of the 41st Army were leaving in groups. Various cars, ox carts, carriages and even donkey carts loaded with goods, grain and other items were driving out of the city one after another, forming a huge torrent of evacuation heading west.

.

Suddenly, dust filled the air on the official road to the east of the city, attracting some officers and soldiers of the 41st Army who were packing up their belongings and preparing to retreat, as well as officers and soldiers who were guarding the city wall waiting for the new Northeast Army to come to take over the defense.

From where the smoke and dust filled the sky, there were bursts of harsh rumbling sounds.

A soldier on the city wall suddenly pointed to the official road outside the city in surprise and shouted: "Tanks are a group of tanks. Look, everyone, there are so many tanks!"

The officers and soldiers looked up one after another, and saw huge objects with the blue sky and white sun logo on the official road rumbling towards them, bringing up a sky full of dust and smoke as they passed. Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles lined up in a long queue on the official road.

Racing on the road, the scene is very spectacular.

This is a picture with great visual impact, and all the soldiers of the 41st Army who stayed behind were shocked.

Envy, surprise, jealousy, all kinds of mixed emotions.

After the tank troops arrived outside the city, they stopped and lined up in the wilderness on both sides of the official road.

Immediately afterwards, another military truck drove up the official road and stopped about a thousand meters away from the city wall.

Groups of heavily armed Northeastern Border Guard infantry jumped out of their vehicles, immediately formed four columns, and marched towards the city in unison.

The Northeastern Border Guards are mainly equipped with Garand rifles and bright bayonets, and their neat formation and pace give people a quite shocking visual experience.

The sonorous and powerful steps sounded like thunder, attacking the hearts of the officers and soldiers of Sun Dianying's troops on the city wall.

The uniform formation, firm pace, and uniform uniforms and weapons all highlight the uniqueness of this unit.

Sun's officers and soldiers on the top of the city looked back at the old and dirty military uniforms in their hands and those of their companions, and a feeling of inferiority suddenly arose in their hearts.

They are all soldiers, why is there such a huge gap?

Many of the top soldiers of the 41st Army were puzzled.

At this time, Li Xijiu, who was left behind, and several officers had already opened the city gate to welcome them out of the city.

Zhang Xinghan and Jiang Baili came speeding from the side of the queue in military jeeps.

When the two sides met, Li Xijiu raised his voice and shouted: "Old Li Xijiu. I wonder which one is General Zhang Xinghan and Zhang, the commander-in-chief of the Northeast Frontier Defense Force?"

"Brother Baili, who is this Li Xijiu?" Zhang Xinghan asked in a low voice when he saw that he was wearing a Confucian shirt and did not look like an ordinary old man.

"Li Xijiu studied in Japan in his early years and participated in the Tongmenghui. He is considered one of the more famous literary politicians and celebrities in North China." Jiang Baili also introduced quickly in a low voice.

"Oh." Zhang Xinghan nodded and immediately got out of the car.

He laughed loudly and said: "I am Zhang Xinghan. I have admired Mr. Li for a long time. I am really excited to see you today."

"Oh, this is General Zhang? He is really young and promising, and his conversational skills are extraordinary." Li Xijiu secretly took a look at Zhang Xinghan in front of him and praised him.

"Mr. Li, thank you very much. He was an early member of the Tongmenghui. He made immeasurable contributions to saving the Chinese nation. It makes Zhang very ashamed to receive such praise from you." Zhang Xinghan saluted with a smile.

"General Zhang was too humble. During the September 18th Incident, the general was not afraid of life and death with less than a regiment of soldiers. He fought back vigorously and tried to turn the tide before it fell. He helped the building before it collapsed.

He became famous in the first battle of the Shenyang Defense War. In just three years, he defeated the powerful Japanese pirates and regained our lost territory outside the customs. He was actually the first person to fight against the Japanese in ancient and modern times. His military exploits and reputation spread far and wide, and he won the support of 40 million people. , I also admire you very much."

"Damn it, you are indeed well-educated and knowledgeable, and you can always flatter him in the same way." Commander-in-Chief Zhang thought to himself, but on the surface he smiled and exchanged greetings with Old Man Li.

After entering the city, the two motorized infantry regiments quickly took over the city defense of Chengde City, and the 41st Army left behind left on their own after the handover was completed.

After moving the headquarters into the former 41st Army headquarters, Zhang Xinghan summoned the heads of each regiment to come for a meeting.

Li Xijiu was also invited to the scene.

"Everyone, Chengde is now under our control. Now I will assign tasks to each regiment."

Zhang Xinghan paused, turned around, picked up a wooden command pole, pointed at the map and said: "The two infantry regiments are responsible for staying in Chengde, and the two tank regiments of the armored division immediately went to Xinglong County to closely monitor the movements of the Northeastern Army in the Miyun Huairou area.

The air defense regiment and the baggage train will be left behind for the time being. As for the large and small counties such as Rexi and Renan, there is no need to take care of them for the time being.

We will make all plans after the Battle of Jehol."

"Yes." The four colonels stood up and responded at the same time, then turned around and took the order to leave.

"chief of staff."

"exist!"

Jiang Baili stood up and answered.

"Immediately send a telegram and order Sabli to lead the cavalry brigade to Shanhaiguan and feign an attack to attract the attention of the Northeast Army so that it will not dare to easily provoke a war in Renan. At the same time, order the air force stationed in Jinzhou to fly two From now on, the first regiment will fly to Shanhaiguan, Miyun Huairou and other places from time to time as a deterrent." Zhang Xinghan quickly ordered.

"Yes!" Jiang Baili saluted with a military salute and turned to leave.

After Jiang Baili left, Zhang Xinghan turned to Li Xijiu and smiled: "Mr. Li, I wonder if you are satisfied with my arrangement like this?"

Li Xijiu was a little surprised and flattered and nodded repeatedly: "Satisfied, General Zhang is true to his word. On behalf of all the soldiers of the 41st Army, I would like to express my gratitude to you."

"Well, please ask Mr. Li to supervise General Sun Dianying. Soldiers need to be quick. To avoid accidents, the attack on Chahar should be done quickly." Zhang Xinghan said with a smile.

Li Xijiu said happily: "General Zhang, please rest assured, I will definitely do it, definitely."

………………

"Young Marshal, something bad has happened. According to reports from our intelligence personnel, Sun Dianying has withdrawn all his troops from Chengde, and Zhang Xinghan has led his troops to take over Chengde's defense.

and,"

"And what?" Zhang Xiaoliu's face turned red with anger.

"Moreover, Zhang Xinghan sent a tank unit, about two hundred tanks and armored vehicles, heading towards Xinglong County. The purpose is self-evident, which is to monitor and intimidate my cavalry division and infantry brigade in Miyun." Northeast. Army Chief of Staff Rong Zhen said anxiously.

"It's unreasonable. Sun Dianying, that bastard, actually gave up to Chengde. Is there water in his head, so he is so stupid?" Zhang Xiaoliu was furious.

Rong Jin said with a bitter face: "Perhaps Sun Dianying was also involuntarily. We increased our troops to Miyun and Huairou, and his pressure suddenly increased. It is not impossible to exchange Chengde for Zhang Xinghan's support."

"Has Song Zheyuan called back?" After Zhang Xiaoliu ordered Wan Fulin to increase his troops in Miyun, he sent a secret message to Song Zheyuan and Yan Xishan.

Yan Xishan has responded and made it clear that he will not send troops.

However, Song Zheyuan has not expressed his position for a long time, whether he is willing to join forces with the Northeast Army to deal with Sun Dianying, and then counter Zhang Xinghan's Northeast Frontier Defense Force.

Rong Zhen said: "There is no news yet."

At this moment, a rapid air raid siren suddenly sounded outside, and the harsh sound reached Zhang Xiaoliu's ears.

Zhang Xiaoliu, who was furious, was furious again: "What's going on? Why did the air raid siren suddenly sound?"

Rong Jin was complaining and didn't know how to answer, and he was panicking.

There was a rush of footsteps outside, and Chen Dazhang rushed in with a few guards in a panic.

"Adjutant Chen, what are you doing?" Zhang Xiaoliu asked, not knowing why.

"Reporting to Marshal, the city defense force has just sounded the air defense alarm and called to say that a plane has entered the country from Shanhaiguan and is flying towards Peiping.

The enemy plane's intention is unknown. For safety reasons, I suggest that you and the Chief of Staff immediately move to the underground bunker." Chen Dazhang saluted in a panic.

Before Chen Dazhang finished speaking, another communications soldier hurried in with a message in his hand.

"Young Marshal, General He Zhuguo sent an urgent message that a cavalry unit of the Northeastern New Army, numbering about five to six thousand people, is rushing towards Shanhaiguan!"

"What?" Zhang Xiaoliu was shocked and couldn't believe his ears: "What does Zhang Xinghan want to do? Does he still want to break through Shanhaiguan?"

"Young Marshal, I would rather believe what is there than what is not. The Shanhaiguan Pass is the barrier between Pingjin and Tianjin and there must be no room for failure." Rong Jin listened to the increasingly urgent air-raid sirens, feeling anxious and hurriedly advised.

"Order Yu Xuezhong to immediately reinforce Shanhaiguan, and also order Wan Fulin not to move without my order." Zhang Xiaoliu suppressed his anger and made a quick decision.

"Yes." The communications soldier took the order and left. Chen Dazhang stepped forward and said: "Young Marshal, without further ado, you'd better leave with me as soon as possible."

With that said, without waiting for Zhang Xiaoliu to say anything, he waved his hands to the two guards. The two guards stepped forward, one on the left and the other on the right, holding Shaoshuai Zhang. The group of people shouted and supported him and headed straight for the air defense bunker.

……………………

Zhangjiakou, 29th Army Headquarters.

"Chief of Staff Xiao, reliable news has come from the front line. Sun Dianying has abandoned Chengde and the entire army has moved to Fengning. It seems that the situation is getting more and more unfavorable for us." Song Zheyuan said to Xiao Zhenying.

"Has Chengde fallen into the hands of Zhang Xinghan now?" Xiao Zhenying asked.

Song Zheyuan nodded and sighed: "Yes, Zhang Xinghan has led his troops to Chengde."

"It seems that Sun Dianying is determined to fight for Chahar with us." Xiao Zhenying shook his head helplessly and said to Song Zheyuan: "Military seat, for this plan, we can no longer continue to retreat blindly.

Sun Dianying has given up his position in Chengde and has no place to stand. He is bound to fight us to the death.

Unless we withdraw from Chahar, fighting is inevitable.

In this case, I suggest that the entire army immediately deploy defenses in Zhangjiakou and prepare for a decisive battle with Sun Dianying."

"Chief of Staff, Sun Dianying has the support of Zhang Xinghan, so it seems inappropriate to defend Zhangjiakou, right? If Zhang Xinghan also leads his troops to participate in the war, wouldn't we be in danger of being annihilated?" Song Zheyuan objected. (To be completed.)
Chapter completed!