When Zhang Xinghan saw Liu Jianguo, he could hardly believe his eyes. At this time, Liu Jianguo was unkempt and his uniform was in tatters. He was completely different from the high-spirited commander-in-chief of the group army when they parted.

It was daytime now, and Zhang Xinghan led his troops to besiege Tangyin County for another night. However, there was still no movement from the 4th Division and the 25th Division of the 17th Army in Anyang and Handan.

Knowing that the enemy would not be fooled again, Zhang Xinghan planned to order his troops to capture Tangyin, capture Xu Tingyao alive, take away the headquarters of the 17th Army, destroy its command system, and then return to Puyang and Liu Jianguo.

But he didn't expect that overnight, Liu Jianguo, like a beggar, came to him in a hurry with a group of broken soldiers.

As soon as he saw Zhang Xinghan, before Zhang Xinghan could ask, Liu Jianguo knelt down in front of Zhang Xinghan and cried loudly: "General Officer, you are humble and incompetent in your position. You were attacked by the enemy at night and outside, causing the entire air defense regiment to be wiped out. The 2nd Air Defense Regiment was completely destroyed."

The regiment also suffered heavy losses, and nearly 20,000 prisoners were all rescued by the Puyang defenders. Please punish them severely!"

Zhang Xinghan really couldn't believe it. Although Liu Jianguo did not have any amazing military talents, he was still a veteran general in the army who had followed him for many years and had experienced hundreds of battles.

He even left him an air defense regiment and a mechanized infantry regiment. Needless to say, the equipment of the Northeast Army Infantry Regiment was second to none in the world.

The most important thing is the air defense regiment, which has four battalions, more than 2,000 people, and is equipped with more than thirty 88mm German anti-aircraft guns and dozens of anti-aircraft machine guns.

These weapons may not sound like much, but their power is definitely comparable to the firepower of a division or even more of an ordinary military force.

Especially the 88mm anti-aircraft gun, which has been invincible since it was put into service in the Northeast Army and has never suffered a defeat.

Zhang Xinghan first stretched out his hand to lift up this loyal subordinate who had followed him through life and death since September 18th, and said in a friendly manner: "Founding a country is not a big deal. Victory or defeat is a common thing for military strategists. Why cry? Don't cry."

Liu Jianguo wiped away his tears and said with great guilt: "Sir, I'm sorry for you. It was my negligence that caused the battle situation in Puyang to reverse overnight and caused immeasurable losses to our army. I have failed in your trust."

!”

"Okay, didn't I tell you that victory or defeat is a common thing for military officers." Zhang Xinghan gently stroked his back and said, "Tell me, what exactly happened at that time?"

Liu Jianguo nodded and said: "Last night, I arranged military affairs in my humble position, and while I was resting, I suddenly received a report that the air defense regiment was attacked.

In my humble position, my subordinates still had to guard nearly 20,000 prisoners, so I could not mobilize all the troops to support the air defense regiment. When I brought a battalion and the troops directly under the regiment to rush to support.

Unexpectedly, the air defense regiment had been defeated, most of the soldiers died in the battle, and only a few people escaped. When I asked the reason, it turned out that a Central Army reinforcement force and the city's defenders cooperated with each other to launch a sudden attack on the air defense regiment and other besieging troops.

The anti-aircraft regiment was attacked from both sides and was caught off guard and suffered a tragic defeat.

When I led the anti-aircraft regiment and reinforcements to launch a counterattack against the enemy and recapture our anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft machine guns, I was met with intensive firepower from the enemy's anti-aircraft machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.

The brothers charged bravely without fear of death, but fell down in pieces.

In view of the heavy casualties, I ordered my troops to retreat temporarily and wanted to call the headquarters for help. But at this time, another Central Army army came from our regiment headquarters and the place where the prisoners were detained.

The regiment radio station and communications personnel were wiped out.

Those prisoners also joined the battle. Under attack from two sides, even though our army was equipped with advanced equipment, they could not withstand it. In particular, they used captured anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft machine guns, which caused extremely heavy casualties to the brothers.

I will lead the remnant troops to fight and retreat, and after getting rid of the Central Army's pursuit, these three to five hundred brothers will be the only ones left."

As he spoke, Liu Jianguo couldn't help but shed tears again.

Listening to Liu Jianguo's introduction, although Zhang Xinghan did not participate in the battle, he could still imagine the scene at that time.

Under siege by the enemy's superior strength and the anti-aircraft artillery and anti-aircraft machine guns of the anti-aircraft regiment, it can only be said to be a miracle that Liu Jianguo was able to break through the encirclement.

Of course, this is also related to the Northeastern Army's well-equipped equipment and powerful assault firepower, otherwise the outcome is likely to be the complete annihilation of the entire army.

That would directly set a new record for the first time that a regiment-level unit of the Northeast Frontier Defense Force was completely wiped out.

Even so, this disastrous defeat was the most disastrous since he established the Northeast Frontier Defense Force.

The entire two regiments suffered more than 90% battle damage and lost all their light and heavy weapons. The more than 300 people who broke out were all injured.

After thinking about it, Zhang Xinghan couldn't help but sigh and said: "Hey, it seems that there are also powerful people with both wisdom and courage in the Central Army. In this battle of Puyang, the enemy's reinforcements grasped the timing of the sneak attack just right, and the entire battle progressed smoothly.

It's all within his calculations.

Jianguo, you were defeated unjustly!"

Liu Jianguo lowered his head in shame, and said: "The chief is right. Wang Yaowu succeeded in the sneak attack this time, but he is not convinced because of his humble position. If it were not for the 20,000 prisoners to be guarded, it is still unclear who will win. I will definitely do it next time."

Defeat him and take away the shame of last night!"

"Wang Yaowu? This man is a key general of the Huangpu Clan. He is known for his calmness and calmness. I didn't expect him to have such extraordinary military talent. I underestimated him before." Zhang Xinghan also thought that Wang Yaowu commanded this battle and couldn't help but nod.

praise.

"Chief, what should we do next? Should we go back to Puyang?" Liu Jianguo asked eagerly for revenge.

"No, the enemy situation in Puyang is unclear for the time being. Don't worry. Let the Secrecy Bureau and the Air Force figure out the situation in Puyang first." Zhang Xinghan waved his hands and said: "Now, first capture Tangyin County and capture Xu Tingyao alive before making plans."

"Then please allow the commander-in-chief to allow Jianguo to lead the assault." Liu Jianguo immediately asked.

"Okay." Zhang Xinghan nodded in agreement and immediately ordered Liu Jianguo, Guo Zhong and others to prepare for the attack.

………………

Xuchang, after a night of rest in a melancholy mood, Chairman Chiang got up early, with obvious fatigue between his brows, which showed that he did not have a good rest last night.

Under the service of his attendants, Chairman Chiang finished washing himself and was about to go to the restaurant to have breakfast when he saw little Zhuge Bai Chongxi walking towards him in a hurry.

"Jiansheng, why are you so happy?" Chairman Chiang asked without knowing why.

Bai Chongxi was so happy that he even forgot to salute, and said excitedly: "Commission, great victory, great victory."

"Where is the great victory?" Chairman Chiang was surprised and asked eagerly.

"I have just received the good news from Wang Yaowu from Puyang. Last night, Zhang Lingfu led his troops to invite Wang Yaowuli to cooperate with foreign forces and successfully raided the Northeastern Army troops besieging the city. Afterwards, they completely annihilated the two main regiments of the Northeastern Army outside the city and rescued nearly 20,000 prisoners of our army.

In addition, a large number of advanced German and American equipment were seized, and the battle situation in Puyang was reversed overnight. This battle was the biggest loss for Zhang Xinghan's Northeastern Border Guard Army since its formation. It can be called an unprecedented victory!" Bai Chongxi's glasses were filled with excitement.

It's crooked and I haven't realized it yet, Tao.

Chairman Jiang was startled at first, and then said in disbelief: "Is what Jiansheng said true?"

"It's absolutely true, this is the autographed victory message from Wang Yaowu." Bai Chongxi handed a message to Chairman Chiang Kai-shek.

Chairman Chiang took the message and read it. His hands could not help but tremble and he said: "Okay, okay, well done. We need such a victory so much. It is not invincible even if it is as strong as the Northeast Frontier Defense Force. That's great."

.”

Bai Chongxi also nodded with deep approval. Since Zhang Xinghan came out of the September 18th Incident, he has fought hundreds of battles, large and small, and his Northeastern Army has been brave and good at fighting, and has never suffered a defeat.

All this time, they have created a mythical status quo within the Northeastern Army and external armies that the Northeastern Army is invincible.

Now, with the Battle of Puyang, the myth of the Northeastern Border Guard's invincibility has been shattered, which will greatly boost the confidence and morale of the Central Army and other local armies.

After the excitement, Chairman Chiang asked carefully: "By the way, what position does Zhang Lingfu hold now, and which military academy did he graduate from?"

Bai Chongxi knew that Zhang Lingfu became famous in the battle at Puyang, which was enough to make him famous all over the world. Chairman Chiang planned to reuse him. Of course, given Chiang Kai-shek's surname, he must ask about his origin.

Bai Chongxi also admired Zhang Lingfu's performance and immediately said truthfully: "Zhang Lingfu is currently the 51st Division and the lieutenant colonel commander of the 59th Brigade. He is a student who graduated from the fourth infantry course in Huangpu. His hometown is Xi'an, Shaanxi. It is worth mentioning that,

Zhang Lingfu was admitted to the History Department of Yenching University before he was admitted to Huangpu Military Academy.

He is a rare talent with both civil and military skills."

"Really? Well, as long as you are from the Huangpu Department, you are also my student." Chairman Jiang beamed with joy and nodded in praise: "Such a rare talent with both wisdom and bravery is actually the pillar of the party and the country, Puyang

The First World War saved the war situation from a critical situation. With my order, I immediately promoted Zhang Lingfu to the rank of major general and brigade commander of the 59th Brigade of the 51st Division and concurrently as the deputy division commander of the 51st Division. He will assist Wang Yaowu to hold on to Puyang and make new contributions to the party and the country."

Bai Chongxi smiled slightly and didn't make too many comments. With Zhang Lingfu's background and his amazing performance, it was reasonable to be able to advance several levels in a row.

Regardless of the outcome of the Hebei war, Bai Chongxi can foresee that Zhang Lingfu's future will definitely be bright.

After arranging the awards, Chairman Chiang turned to Bai Chongxi and said: "Jiansheng, now that our army has won the victory in Puyang and reversed the unfavorable situation in Puyang, what should we do next? What do you think?"

Bai Chongxi said unceremoniously: "Commitment, the victory at Puyang not only cost Zhang Xinghan two regiments of valuable troops, but also gave me a rare chance to breathe.

In my opinion, let Hu Zongnan quickly send one or two regiments of troops to sneak across the Yellow River to supplement the fighting strength of the Puyang defenders. With Zhang Lingfu and Wang Yaowu holding firm in Puyang, plus Tang Enbo and Guan Linzheng's distant echoes, they will surely be able to contain Zhang Xinghan for some time and help me.

The arrival of the main reinforcements from the south of the Yangtze River will buy time. As long as my main force arrives, it will be difficult for Zhang Xinghan's partial division to make a difference."
Chapter completed!